Editor's note: This article appeared in the Nov. 23, 2016 issue of the News Enterprise.
Two Los Al schools report high test scores
Both McAuliffe Middle School and Los Al Elementary scored higher in state math and English Language Arts tests this year than in the previous year.
Data was reported at the Los Alamitos Unified School District board meeting on Nov.1 during an annual report on academic programs and gains in performance.
As part of McAuliffe Principal Ann Allen’s annual report to the board on school progress, Allen spelled out the following levels of students meeting or exceeding state standards:
Local visits Toronto, brings the News Enterprise
Recently, I went to Toronto to sightsee and visit two of my best friends who I have not seen for over 40 years. I had known my friends since our college days at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and have been best of friends ever since.
I scheduled this trip to Toronto to depart on November 8 so that I could tell others here that I was leaving the United States on Election Day and getting out of the country due to the turmoil of the campaigning. But the main reason for the trip was to see my friends and tour Toronto again.
South Coast charity raises $95,000 at Derby Day soiree
National Charity League’s South Coast Chapter hosted its 43rd annual Tournament Day Luncheon at The Centre At Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood on Sunday, Oct. 23.
With 350 guests in attendance, the Kentucky Derby themed event raised $95,000 to benefit 21 local charities and local senior high school girls in need of scholarships in Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Lakewood and Cypress.
The afternoon affair was chaired this year by Cecilia Killeen, Emily Ledterman and Marni Rice and attended by all members of the South Coast Chapter.
Lee completes PTA duct tape challenge
Principal Amy Laughlin challenged the Lee School community to surpass their goal of 525 members joining P.T.A. If they did, they’d get to duct tape her to a wall.
Students, community members, families and teachers were up for the challenge. After only eight weeks of selling raffle tickets and signing up members they beat their goal with 537 members joining the P.T.A. The P.T.A. is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in America.
Volunteers collect 5.6 tons of food for Veterans
Union members, community partners and veterans organizations collected a record 5.6 tons of food and supplies for veterans in need on Nov. 11 in an effort to say “thanks a ton” to those who serve.
Letters to the Editor–Nov. 23, 2016: Traffic worries for the Village 605 project; Keep an eye on housing developments in Cypress; Why skip the Turkey?
Traffic worries for the Village 605 project
Dear Editor,
Veterans Voices: A big thank you to Veterans
Millions of people all over America have been (and still are) thanking millions of Military Veterans for their active participation and service in saving our great country from the vicious onslaught from enemy countries.
We Veterans, in turn, are pleased and happy to receive each and every thank you we receive. We are proud to have served, and glad to have returned home one way or another.
Los Al defeats Cypress in soccer
In the first picture, Los Al Junior Varsity soccer player Anika Piburn, #27, takes a goal shot. In the second picture: Senior Varsity Griffin Amanda Jones, #12, and a Cypress player pursue the ball. The Los Alamitos High School Varsity team won the Dec. 20 game by a score of 3-1.
In the third photo: Los Alamitos Senior Varsity Grffin Hannah Waki, #21, tries to take the ball from Rachel Mclure, #20, of Cypress
Los Al High graduate hired on as lacrosse coach at Bosco
St. John Bosco varsity lacrosse coach, Chris Jewett, has named California native Brad Brandenburg to the position of assistant lacrosse coach, effective immediately.
Brad Brandenburg was raised in Seal Beach, California, and attended Los Alamitos High School where he played lacrosse, earning a spot at starting goalie.
With Brandenburg as goalkeeper, the team made back-to-back Orange County Southern Section Semi-Final appearances.
Sharkman making waves at the Youth Center
Swimming with great white sharks, John Manley is now diving into the waters of The Youth Center as their new director of camps and volunteer coordinator.
The shark biologist, filmmaker, educator and nonprofit administrator for over 25 years, started in November.
Manley, who dives regularly with sharks of all kinds, has encountered great whites on dives without cages and says he’s never felt threatened by them.
Local Republican club installs new Board of Directors
The Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated club installed its 2017 board of directors during the club’s December holiday luncheon at Old Ranch Country Club.
Paula Prizio, Parliamentarian Orange County Republican Women Federation, conducted the installation during the afternoon event. Nancy Hathcock, who has been president since 2014, begins her second two-year term. Other board members are:
• Mari Barke, co-First Vice President Programs
• Chris Barnes, Treasurer
Cypress Cribbage Tourney Champ
The Cypress Senior held a Cribbage Tournament in December with 16 seniors participating. Tournament format was double elimination. The tournament Champion was Sam Gjonovich who narrowly beat Mark Coshaw for the trophy.
The Cypress Senior Center is located at 9031 Grindlay Street. For more information please contact the Cypress Senior Center at (714) 229-2005.
LA Fitness project returns
LA Fitness is once again proposing to build a health club in the Shops at Rossmoor center (which is located in Seal Beach). The council rejected an identical project last year, but developers withdrew the application—which made it legally possible to resubmit the project at a future time.
Village 605 project appeal filed Dec. 6
Seal Beach resident Nathan Pinson filed an appeal regarding the Los Alamitos Planning Commission’s decision to approve the Village 605 project slated for the former Supermedia site at 3131 Katella Ave. The appeal was filed on Dec. 6. Los Alamitos Municipal Code states that after 30 days of receiving an appeal the city must either send the appeal back to the Commission or to the City Council. Following that, the commission or council must act on the appeal within 90 days. Pinson’s appeal cites two major issues with the project: 1.
New Police Chief in La Palma
After a long vetting process, La Palma selected Terry Kim as the City’s next Police Chief as of Dec. 23.
Captain Kim was born in South Korea, moved to Anaheim when he was a teenager, and attended Magnolia High School. Kim went on to attend California State University, Long Beach for three years majoring in electrical engineering. However, it was during that time that Kim began to have a strong interest in a law enforcement career.
In 1994 he joined the Fullerton College police academy and was hired by the La Palma Police Department during the academy.
Ganahl Lumber makes the Youth Center tree lot happen
Through a spirit of giving, Ganahl Lumber in Los Alamitos helped The Youth Center by hosting the award-winning nonprofit’s annual tree lot, raising $ 1 million over the years to benefit kids in the local community, according to the Youth Center’s Executive Director Lina Lumme.
“Families have made this a holiday tradition, with generation after generation buying trees from us,” said Lumme. “Over the years, Ganahl Lumber has stepped up and directly helped our community.”
Cypress Seniors celebrate the Holidays
The holiday spirit was alive at the Cypress Senior Center’s Holiday Celebration on Friday, Dec. 16. Opera singer and magician Patrick Bell provided live entertainment. Many volunteers assisted with decorating the room and serving lunch with a smile. Thanks to the assistance and generous sponsorship by donors such as College Movers, everyone had a wonderful day. The Cypress Senior Center is located at 9031 Grindlay St., just south of Lincoln Avenue and about a mile west of Valley View Street in Cypress.
Letters to the Editor–Dec. 28: American Flags torn down in Los Al; New Year’s Resolution
American Flags torn down in Los Al
Dear Editor,
Ever since Sept. 11 I have had the American flag on the front of my house. Evidently this must offend some people because as of Dec. 22 I have had four flags torn down.
This time they also destroyed the mounting bracket and the poles to which the flag was attached. This will not dissuade me from putting up another flag, as I have several more in my closet.
Fritz Campbell
Los Alamitos
Bolsa Grande holds off late Oxford rally
After trailing by 20 points at halftime, Oxford Academy got within four points in the second half before the Matadors were able to secure a 61-53 win in a non-league boys basketball game at Oxford Academy last week.
Derrick Tran led Bolsa Grande with 15 points, including three three-pointers , while Bryan Duong added 12 points for the Matadors. Tran had all of his points in the second half, including going 6 of 8 from the free throw line as the Matadors held off the rally by the Patriots.