Following more than a decade of television acting and musical theater performances in New York, a Los Alamitos 2008 graduate is back in his hometown, still pursuing his dream with one of the biggest names in show business stepping in to help.

Last week, Los Al native Raji Ahsan announced that he had arranged to bring Lucie Arnaz to the Bay Theater in Seal Beach for a special screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie on Jan. 29, 2025.

Following the screening, Arnaz said he would take questions from the audience during a question-and-answer session with Arnaz.

In a statement, Arnaz confirmed the event.

“I am always excited to screen my documentary for people and discuss their thoughts afterward and to be able to do that while helping my good friend, Raji, get this film made is a win-win for all. I am looking forward to being in Seal Beach with him on the 29th of January,” she wrote.

Ahsan, whose backstory is worthy of its own documentary, said the event will serve as a fundraiser for the film he is making with Arnaz, with a portion of the proceeds going towards New Life Beginnings Shelter in Long Beach.

Ahsan never forgot the shelter that housed his mother, Manal, who came to America from Egypt. She was pregnant with Raji, who shares his heritage with Egypt and India and according to Raji, his mom came to the States without a dime.

“My mom lived there for about five months until a wonderful woman named Joyce from a local church took us in,” he said.

Joyce’s home was technically in Cypress, but there is a small section of the city that indeed lies within the Los Alamitos Unified School District.

“Joyce became my grandmother. We weren’t related by blood, but we were, as I always said, we were related by spirit. She was my best friend.”

Joyce’s favorite shows were, “I Love Lucy”, “The Golden Girls”, and “The Carol Burnett Show.” She was my best friend. I drive her car today.”

“My mom was so exhausted that she wasn’t able to be there for me emotionally,” said Ahsan. “She had all of her own traumas and things like that.”

Joyce eventually moved so Raji said his mom “cleaned other people’s toilets” to support us.

But what young Raji did have were shows like “I Love Lucy” and “The Carol Burnett Show” to keep him company, make him laugh, and provide emotional reinforcement.

“I found refuge in I Love Lucy,” he said in an interview this week.

“I wrote a letter to Paramount Pictures because it began as DesiLu Productions, and they gave me a private tour,” he said. “They took me around the lot.”

Ahsan said he has loved Arnaz’s work since he became a teenager.

He graduated from Los Al High School in 2008 and New York University Drama School in 2013. Since he first met Lucie Arnaz and now as an aspiring stage actor in musical theater, he said he kept looking for someone to put him back in touch with Lucie.

Incidentally, Ahsan was chosen by his fellow students to speak at graduation and he was awarded a medallion for excellence in the performing arts.

On Thanksgiving morning (2017), Ahsan said he received a note from his mentor, the director of the Golden Girls TV show. It said, “Happy Thanksgiving, I found you a connection to Lucie Arnaz.”

Ahsan was then hosting an online talk show, and he emailed Lucie to appear as a guest.

Lucie wrote back.

“I saw your show. I think you’re smart, you know, I understand you want to interview me. If you think I’m the right candidate for your audience, why not?”

According to Ahsan, Arnaz, who lives in Palm Springs, agreed to have coffee with him the next time he came home to Los Al from New York. That was several years ago, and they have been friends ever since.

He said he’s currently in the process of finishing a script for his short film, “Dr. Sam,” in which Arnaz has agreed to play a role. Proceeds from the upcoming Jan. 29 event will be used to complete the script and fund the production of the film, said Ahsan.

Coming from Hollywood royalty, Ahsan said Lucie is an “incredible performer, but I think in her soul she is a teacher.  She [Lucie] is always looking for deeper meaning,” he said.

“I was born into and raised in the most famous family of the 50s, 60s and 70s,” Ahsan quotes her as saying, “but it didn’t solve any of our problems.”

 He said Lucie’s documentary about the family business delves into her mom and dad’s incredible journey, their success, their business challenges, and it displays the family’s unique dynamic.

Now living full-time in Los Alamitos, Ahsan said he supports himself with a job at Pizza Pietrini Napoletana and said he is very thankful to Blair Pietrini for her support. 

Ticket prices range from $75 to $500 for the Lucie Arnaz event, he said, and more information is available at rajiahsan.com.

(Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since last week wherein ENE misattributed some statements and misspelled Pietrini. We have corrected the statements and apologize for the error.)

Presumably long after he left the community, Director Dr. Jeffrey Barke finally officially said goodbye to his board seat on the Rossmoor Community Service District’s Board of Directors.
Though he apprently did not resign, he left a “Dear RCSD” letter for a third-party to read on his behalf.
Barke was first appointed to the Rossmoor CSD in 2019 and won a four-year term in 2020.
Records indicate that Barke’s wife, Mari, filed for divorce on Sept. 6, 2022 and at some point, thereafter, Barke is thought to have moved to Newport Beach, according to numerous posts by residents on the Rossmoor Facebook and Next Door sites.
Though never discussed officially, some residents published photos of Dr. Barke voting in the 2024 election in Newport Beach, citing his registration in the area in January of this year.
The ENE can not individually confirm the change.
Nonetheless, Barke remains onn the board until a new board is sworn in a month or so.
Board President Michael Maynard and the entire board lauded Barke for his service to the district, passing a resolution that noted he “provided outstanding leadership from 2019 – 2024, serving as the board’s president in 2021.
The board voted 3-0 to approve the resolution thanking Barke for this service. In addition to Maynard, Directors Jo Shade and Nathan Searles voted for the resolution and also thanked Barke during brief comments from the dais.
Directors Barke and Tony DeMarco were not present.
In a board-approved resolution, Maynard said Barke was “instrumental” in obtaining grants of $48,000 and $180,000 to “help offset the district’s financial challenge during COVID, “since we couldn’t rent out facilities, parks, and fields” and used for the per capita grant for various upgrades.
Maynard said Barke contributed to new street sweeping schedules and “devoted many hours” to serving on the RCSD.
The concierge physician attracted much attention during COVID-19 for his outspoken views and has left the community of Rossmoor with similar sentiments.
Though not appearing person, Barke’s letter was read in his absence.
“It saddens me that a group of far-left advocates have politicized RCSD. Despite this community being a conservative majority of quiet, family-oriented residents, the political left has taken over RCSD,” said Barke in the letter.
Barke said he hopes the community can re-establish “conservative control” to continue the “fantastic work” of RCSD.
“I am proud that we brought pickleball to Rossmoor Park, despite the few loud leftists that had wanted to put the selfish interest of a few over the needs of the community,” the outgoing Director wrote in his letter.
In other action, following an explanation by Mendoz
community is now enjoying this rapidly growing sport. I am proud of our fiscal oversight of our budget, especially during the tyranny of COVID.”
Barke’s letter said he was especially proud of the work done by General Manager Joe Mendoza to create new community events, including the Farmer’s Market at Rush Park and other festivals enjoyed throughout the year.
“The blurring of the elected governance structure of the RCSD versus the voluntary club membership of the RHA continues to be a problem and interferes with the effectiveness of county contracts and relationships. I hope the new board will not allow these lines to be crossed,” his letter charged.
“Just as our country overwhelmingly elected the former President Trump to another term and took control of both the House and the Senate, I hope and pray Rossmoor will reassert its conservative core to take back the RCSD from the woke left,” Barke said.
Election returns for the 2024 balloting shows incumbent Searles with 3,732 votes, incumbent Demarco with 3,064 votes, Mary Ann Remnet with 2,880 votes, and Konya V. Vivanti with 2,027. The three top candidates will win RCSD seats on its Board of Directors.

Los Alamitos High’s girls basketball team is looking to defend its league title, but with some key changes, including the graduation of their co-league MVPs, the Griffins need to rebuild a bit. The Griffins hosted South Torrance on Thursday, falling 51-35 to the Spartans.

Without one of their top returning players, the Griffins struggled to slow the Spartans offense. Conversely, the Griffins offense struggled to get shots to fall. Los Alamitos is 1-1 in their season start, having defeated Wilson High of Long Beach, 67-32, prior to the South Torrance game.

Senior forward Bryn Pagett was held out against the Spartans, nursing a mild injury that Head Coach Maya DeAnda said might allow her to return as soon as their next game. Pagett’s presence in the middle was missed.

However, De Anda said she liked the hustle and competitiveness her team showed. The normally efficient shooting Griffins just couldn’t get shots to fall. Every time they started to crawl back into the game, the Spartans would answer.

“I mean when the shots don’t fall, nothing looks pretty but you know they’re out there diving for balls, trying to block shots, moving their feet,” DeAnda said.
Junior guard Tam Yoshida led the offense with eight points, and freshman forward Torri Yoshida added seven. Senior guard Ava Duarte and freshman guard Sydney Asumbrado each added five points.
The Griffins are going forward full steam, and looking to compete again this season. They had three games scheduled this week, Monday against JSerra Catholic and Tuesday against Portola High, both past ENE early holiday deadlines this week. They will take part in the El Toro High Tournament starting Friday at 11:30 a.m. against Beckman. And they expect to compete.

“Yeah, we’re small, but we scrap and that’s what we have to do,” DeAnda said. “We’re going to be underdogs in a lot of games but as long as we fight and execute and knock down shots, we can compete with a lot of teams.”

The meeting of October 24, 2024, of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Danny Chang and the singing of Hawaii Pono’i led by Calvin Kunimoto.

It was followed by the singing of “Happy Birthday,” in both Hawaiian and English, led by Hedy Anduha. October birthday celebrants Liberty Santiago, Pilar Dela Fuente, Loke Manetta, and Gladys Yoshi were present to hear club members singing for them.

After the club’s President Carmelita Tiongson took care of the club’s business meetings, including receiving reports from committee members and taking nominations for officers, club members received Halloween treats to enjoy from Bette Kurihara and the Refreshment Committee. Program Chair Loke Manetta then introduced the fun activities for the day, which were a costume contest, pumpkin-decorating, and dancing to live music.

Loke said that a prize of a $15.00 Trader Joe’s Gift Card would be given to one man and one woman who would be selected as the Best Female and Best Male Halloween Costume. She also said she was awarding a $5.00 Trader Joe’s Gift Card to each of the members of the table that was selected as the winner of the pumpkin decorating contest. Loke gave each table a pumpkin and decals on a sheet of paper which they could use to decorate the pumpkin. Table members worked together to decorate their pumpkins.

After the ten women who dressed in costumes paraded around the room, Danny Chang selected the” Blond Witch” Carmelita Tiongson as the “Best Female Costume.” The winner of the “Best Male Costume” was guest visitor Andrew Sisoweth, who came dressed as a “Cool Banana” wearing dark glasses. Both were congratulated on their wins.

It was a winning night for Danny when the pumpkin his table members decorated was selected as the best decorated pumpkin. Congratulations for a job well done by Winona and Danny Chang, Calvin and Gloria Kunimoto, Frances McCormick, Al and Glenda Ujiie, and Gladys Ujiie!

Everything got livelier as the Audio Tech Crew of Susan McCormick, Cesar Franco, and Carrie Kumabe started playing live Halloween music. They asked members to join in singing songs that Ping Chen had put on the TV monitors. Dozens of members joined Frances McCormick as she led the line dances for the “Great Pumpkin Is Coming,” the” Purple People Eater,” and other Halloween songs. It was a fantastic afternoon of singing songs, dancing line dances, and enjoying the Halloween costumes and contests!

The meeting ended with the singing of “Hawaii Aloha” and “Aloha O’e” led by the Audio Tech members and everyone holding hands and singing.

If you missed Musica Angelica’s first free community concert in October, you’ll want to make sure you mark your calendars for the other three this season, all held in Long Beach Public Libraries.

We are pleased to bring these back to the community after last year’s success,” said Matthew Faulkner Musica Angelica’s executive director. “We believe that musical arts should be accessible to everyone, and the local libraries are perfect hubs for these experiences.”

Each concert in the series features a performance from a soloist or small ensemble from Musica Angelica playing period baroque music with historically accurate instruments. The musicians also share information about the music, its composers, instruments, and the context of the Baroque period. All ages are welcome.

The free concerts are just one part of the many outreach and educational activities Musica Angelica coordinates, including music education with the Long Beach Unified School District throughout the city. The community concerts are made possible in part through funding from the Port of Long Beach.

All performances start at noon.
Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway, 90802
Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Los Altos Neighborhood Library, 5614 Britton Dr., 90815
Saturday, April 13, 2024 – Michelle Obama Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave., 9080
For more information, visit https://www.musicaangelica.org and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. There is still time for you to donate to Musica Angelica’s $50,000 Matching Challenge Grant from the Colburn Foundation. Every dollar donated is doubled through this opportunity.

Now in its 32nd season, Musica Angelica is firmly established as Southern California’s preeminent historical performance ensemble. Led by Music Director and world-renowned organist, Martin Haselböck, the ensemble has toured internationally to widespread acclaim.

Musica Angelica musicians play on authentic instruments of the period, or carefully crafted replicas. The ensemble performs its own series of concerts in Long Beach and Los Angeles and is in demand as a collaborative ensemble performing alongside LA Opera, the LA Master Chorale, Long Beach Camerata Singers Pacific Chorale and Long Beach Opera.

Volunteers from St. Irenaeus’ Health Ministry anti-human trafficking ministry, Bridge of Light, staffed a booth at the Cypress Festival on Saturday, October 12th, to raise awareness about all forms of human trafficking in our midst. Varied materials provided a wealth of information on how to detect possible human trafficking victims and how to help them. Red flags were listed to identify domestic servitude labor trafficking. These were taken from Shiyma Hall’s book, Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern Day Child Slave, which is about Shiyma Hall who was sold into slavery at age seven by her Egyptian parents and taken to the United States. She lived as a slave with a wealthy family in Irvine until she was rescued.

Other flyers gave tips to help parents protect their kids. One flyer gave parents questions to ask organizations teaching children, such as dance programs, about their instructor training to ensure a commitment to child safety. For example, “Does the organization restrict personal contact between children and staff or volunteers outside the activities of the organization?”

Other materials explained “sextortion.” “Sextortion is a criminal act and a form of sexual exploitation. It involves coercing a minor using, or threatening to use, images/videos previously obtained to demand additional images/videos that are sexual in nature.” Flyers gave tips on how to help someone under 18 who becomes a victim of sextortion. The important point is letting the minor know it is not their fault. Law enforcement should be notified. A case report can be made with CyberTipline at 800-843-5678 or Cybertipline.org. CyberTipline is run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Another source of help is the local FBI. Contact information is available at fbi.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

The take-home message was that if you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Thanks to volunteers Carol Reed and her grandson, Noah Barkol, Rick Tkach, and his daughter, Mary, Donna Kriesel, Terry Arenz, and Rosemary Lewallen this important topic was part of the Cypress Festival. If you are interested in more information about human trafficking and how you can help to stop it, contact Monica Kovach, chair of the Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry at St. Irenaeus Church, at 310-490-6113.

Now is the time to shoot some hoops and get to dribbling.

This 2025 Winter season, the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department is excited to be offering Parent and Me Basketball (2-3 years) and Jr. Pee Wee Basketball (4-5 years).
These five-week clinic-style sessions will occur at the Oak Middle School Gym (10821 Oak St.) from 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Sessions will occur on Thursdays from January 9 to February 6. During these sessions, Recreation Staff will cover fundamental basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense. Participants will engage in various drills and skill-based games to enhance their skill set.

The resident price of the program is $65, and the non-resident price is $70. An award is included in the fee. Registration for these programs will close on Thursday, January 9.
For additional information, please visit the Recreation & Community Services website at www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430-1073.

The City of Los Alamitos Youth Basketball league, in partnership with Jr. Clippers, is back this Winter! The league starts January 6 and goes through March 29 with practices once a week and games on Saturdays. The league is offered to grades K-8th grade with four different divisions available. Practices will be held either at the Oak Middle School Gym or local school sites. This is a great beginner to intermediate-level league as participants will be introduced to life skills, the fundamentals of basketball, and a fun gameday experience.

By joining this Jr. Clippers League, your child has an opportunity to play in a pro-style Clippers jersey, score a free ticket voucher to select games at Intuit Dome, and much more.
In addition to the basketball fun, enroll your child for the Los Alamitos Cheer Team. The Cheer Team will learn basic Song Team cheers and dances to perform at the Los Alamitos Basketball games. Practices are held once a week on Wednesdays from 2:00 – 3:00pm beginning on January 8 at the Los Alamitos Community Center. We hope to see you on the hardwood!

For additional information, please visit the Recreation & Community Services website at www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430-1073.

The Festival of Arts is thrilled to announce tickets for the highly anticipated 2025 Pageant of the Masters production, themed “Gold Coast: Treasures of California,” will be available for purchase starting December 1, 2024.

This brand new production will lead audiences on a coastal journey, showcasing California’s rich history and artistic legacy through “living pictures” that transform iconic paintings and sculptures into live stage art. Performances will take place nightly from July 5 to August 29, 2025. Tickets start at $47, and may be purchased online at www.PageantTickets.com or by phone at (800) 487-3378.
“Gold Coast” marks a new chapter for the Pageant, with a theme featuring a collection of masterpieces from California’s most prestigious museums and iconic monuments from the state’s most recognizable cities.

This fresh perspective will re-imagine iconic works from around the Golden State, breathing new life into paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other works of art that capture the state’s diverse heritage and scenic beauty. Iconic pieces from the Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Norton Simon Museum, and many other cultural institutions will be re-created with the Pageant’s blend of theatricality, storytelling, and visual artistry.

“California is home to exceptional art museums and landmarks, each one offering treasures that tell the story of our state,” shared Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy. Describing her inspiration for this year’s theme, she added “After visiting the Hilbert Museum, I felt inspired to celebrate California’s artistic contributions and to encourage audiences to explore the gems in their own backyard.”

To select the works in next summer’s production, Challis Davy and her team of volunteer researchers spent hours exploring online collections and traveling around the state to view potential works of art in-person. As luck would have it, they didn’t need to look too far to find the perfect way to start the show. Susan Hoehn, a longtime Festival of Arts exhibitor and a California native, has been delighting Festival patrons for years with her series of paintings inspired by people-watching at museums. Challis Davy shared “As we were considering the many roles museums play, we thought Susan’s artwork was the perfect way to introduce our theme.

It’ll be exciting to showcase her work on the Pageant stage!”

In addition to Hoehn’s paintings, “Gold Coast” will bring to life a variety of California’s most celebrated art and historical landmarks. Highlights include Claude Monet’s “In the Woods at Giverny” from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and Diego Rivera’s striking mural, “Allegory of California,” in San Francisco.

The Norton Simon Museum will be represented with Edgar Degas’ famous bronze sculpture, “Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen.” From Hearst Castle, audiences will marvel at Emmanuel Fremiet’s gilt bronze “Chariot of Minerva” and the Roman Pool sculptures, designed by Julia Morgan.

These iconic pieces are just part of the unforgettable experience awaiting audiences at the 2025 Pageant of the Masters. Set in the stunning 2,600-seat Irvine Bowl amphitheater, the production will unfold beneath Laguna Beach’s starry skies. Featuring live music, captivating narration, and breathtaking illusions, next summer’s Pageant will deliver a dynamic and visually stunning performance, bringing together California’s rich artistic history and the magic of live theater in a way never seen before.

The 2025 Pageant of the Masters production “Gold Coast: Treasures of California” will run nightly from July 5 through August 29, 2025. Early ticket purchase is recommended, the Pageant is highly sought after and draws art enthusiasts from around the world. Advance tickets go on sale December 1, 2024, starting at $47 (price includes services charges). For updates, follow the Festival on social media @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.

Since 1932, the Festival of Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has been a driving force in fostering the growth of the arts and enriching the Laguna Beach community. As a local leader, the Festival remains dedicated to promoting, producing, and sponsoring events that inspire appreciation, study, and participation in the arts. For over 90 years, it has produced two world-class events: The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters. Together both shows attract more than 200,000 visitors into Laguna Beach. For general information visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org or call (949) 494-1145.

To many, it is encouraging when the youth of America begin to see how isolated our society has become. More than that, however, it is truly heartening to see those same young people not only see the need but try to do something about it.

Such is the situation for Brendan Li of Cypress. Seeing too much isolation around him, Brendan, a tenth grader at Oxford Elementary in Cypress, formed the nonprofit ILLUME to illuminate the lives of others in his community of Cypress

“I founded ILLUME with the mission of empowering, uplifting, and illuminating lives. I wanted to create an organization that could spread joy, love, and hope, not just to those immediately around us but to communities that are often underserved and overlooked,” he said this week.

“Whether it be seniors who may feel forgotten to unprivileged youth in shelters, I hope to work towards bringing love and compassion to individuals who might not often experience it. The change I want to make in the world is one where community and compassion is prioritized,” said Li.

“ILLUME works towards ensuring that these unprivileged communities don’t feel invisible or neglected, but instead, acknowledged, supported, and cared for. I hope to positively change the world so that it shines a little brighter for everyone,” he said.

After an event in Cypress Oct. 19 that entertained senior citizens, ILLUME booked the Cypress Senior Center in Cypress for its biggest event yet.

“Our upcoming event is on November 25th from 10:45am-11:45am at the Cypress Senior Center (9031 Grindlay St, Cypress, CA 90630,” said Li.

“On that day, we’ll be having a variety of performances, including piano, clarinet, dance, flute, violin, saxophone, and more by our volunteers and board members in celebration of Thanksgiving,” he ssaid.

The group is expecting between 85 – 100 seniors in attendance that day.
Many citizens, he said, “are often overlooked and left to feel isolated and abandoned.”

“However, through creating joyful moments for senior citizens who often feel isolated, providing care and encouragement to children facing challenging circumstances, and inspiring volunteers to engage with their community, ILLUME truly works towards cultivating a sense of purpose and empathy.”
Ironically, Li’s efforts come on the wake of a report by the U.S. sSurgeon General who has declared there is an “epidemic of loneliness” in America.

In fact, there is a loneliness epidemic around the world. South Korea has invested $327 million to alleviate loneliness, both the United Kingdom and Australia have appointed Ministers of Loneliness and other countries are acting as well.

Social isolation is a worldwide problem.
Li said he founded ILLUME, a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2023, out of a desire to create joy.

“It was created from a desire to bring joy and love to underserved communities. Through the many successful and diverse events that ILLUME has organized, we’ve positively impacted the lives of over 300 individuals,” he said.

“Many of the people that we have served — youth in shelters, children who have previously lived in abusive households, and seniors in care homes — are often overlooked and left to feel isolated and abandoned,” he added.

He said ILLUME’s mission is to illuminate lives. Through organizing monthly events, ILLUME aims to create meaningful experiences not only for those whose lives we impact, but also for the volunteers, building moments of shared joy and empathy.

“We are dedicated to fostering a spirit of community service and inclusivity by engaging student volunteers in meaningful activities that support seniors, children, and disadvantaged groups,” said Li.
“We aim to build a culture of kindness where every person has the opportunity to shine, feel connected, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. ILLUME believes that through our performances and acts of service, we are able to empower lives,” he added.

“For a child facing uncertainty, giving them a plushie they can call their own gives them a feeling of joy and love. For a senior battling loneliness, sharing a moment of music can offer comfort and remind them they are not forgotten. And for our volunteers, these interactions foster empathy and remind them of the impact they can have on the world around them.”

For more info, reach out to illumeusa@gmail.com.