In its 67th year of service to the Cypress community, the Kiwanis Club of Cypress recently celebrated its years of service at its annual installation of new officers for the 2016-2017 year.
Close to 30 members and guests celebrated at the home of incoming President Lydia Sondhi.  

Next week voters in Cypress will decide whether or not they want to give up the last expanses of open space in the city. Measure GG is a ballot measure that would allow the City of Cypress to rezone about 300 acres at the Los Alamitos Race Track and permit large developments to include low-density and medium density residences, retail establishments, restaurants, entertainment venues, and commercial development.

Following this is a letter by Cypress City Councilmember Jon Peat that was mailed out to Cypress residents this week. The letter details Peat’s support for Measure GG and his call for Cypress residents to support the measure also.

Some of you Cypress and Los Alamitos residents may recall a curious little episode at the outset of the long rezoning campaign for Measure GG, by the owner/developers of the Los Alamitos Race Course property. The property owners convened two public outreach meetings in April of this year to promote their master plan showing meandering walking paths and a park through residential and retail commercial development in an effort to get the public to sign away its zoning rights over the last large open space in the city.

Facing tough budget situations stemming from over-spending, mismanagement and economic downturns, several Orange County cities are trying to solve their problems through the expedient of higher taxes.
While this is standard operating procedure in California’s fiscally irresponsible state government and liberal urban centers like Los Angeles, it’s imperative we stop this trend in its tracks in Orange County.

Local Boy and Girl Scouts will be participating in the 28th anniversary of the Scouting for Food Drive. Scouting For Food is a National “Good Turn” partnership with Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America
The troop will be out collecting donations in local neighborhoods this Saturday, Nov. 5.
Thousands of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts collect food donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

The Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s fall after-school classes are off to a great start. This fall LAEF offered over 100 classes at all nine school sites.  
This is the largest After-School Program for LAEF to date. Participating children are experiencing amazing enrichment opportunities taught by credentialed and highly-qualified teachers in a class with 17 or less students.

Join the Los Altos United Methodist Church for their annual Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov.5 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. There will be lots of vendors, ranging from crafty and homemade, to well-known suppliers. Previous years have included Pampered Chef, Scensty, PartyLite, Jamberry, Cookie Lee and Origami Owl. There will also be a white elephant table. Lots of food for sale as well. All vendors keep their own sales. This event is not to miss. Vendor tables are still available as well, contact the church office for more information at 562-598-2451, or Office@LosAltosUMC.org.

The Woman’s Club of Cypress invites veterans in the community to its annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Veterans Park (Ball Road and Denni Street).
Attendees can enjoy a display of World War II jeeps and listen to rocking music by Whiskey Tango. There will also be a water balloon toss.  Members of the Cypress staff, Police Chief Cox and the Cypress City Council will be at the event, participating in all the fun.

November is the ideal time to add to your landscape and garden. The weather is not too hot and not too cold, perfect for outdoor activity. November is also the start of the rainy season

Employment Law Attorney Ann K. Smith (left), a partner in the Law firm of Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, was joined by Cypress Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Theresa Murphy at a recent Chamber Networking Breakfast at the Residence Inn by Marriott Los Alamitos-Cypress.  Smith discussed the changes in employment law pertaining to overtime and exempt/non-exempt employees.  The Chamber breakfast are open to the public and are the second Tuesday of every month.

Courtesy photo

Lil’ Cottonwood Preschool held their annual Halloween Party on Oct. 23. Students and their families got together at the school to decorate pumpkins, cookies, and a piñata in their Halloween costumes. “Thanks to our McNeill Family, our preschool families and our teacher, Mrs. Donahue, for a wonderful time,” said Lori Scott, a representative from Lil’ Cottonwood Preschool.

Photo by Annie Teeter DeWitt

The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) recently donated $30,000 to the Los Alamitos Unified School District’s six elementary school Media Centers this Fall.   Each elementary school’s “Friends of” group received $5,000 to help support their Media Center and STEAM teachers.  The funds were raised during last year’s King & Queen of Hearts campaign.  By partnering with the “Friends of” groups at each elementary site, LAEF took advantage of an opportunity to provide elementary students with an enhanced educational experienc

Wings, Wheels and Rotor Expo took over the Joint Forces Training Base on Oct. 23. On display were hundreds of classic cars along with military aircraft aerial displays including a Q-9 Reaper Drone brought by the Air Force and a F-15 Fighter Jet from the Air Guard. Those in attendance had the opportunity to browse a numerous amount of booths and meet with various visiting military units and first responders.

Photo by Louie Katz, louiethelens.com

Los Alamitos Medical Center recently held an end-of-summer event to recognize the hard work of the staff. The event included shaved ice, music, popcorn, and the newly branded staff recognition program debuted at the event as well.  Part of the event included a peanut butter and jelly drive to give back to the communities the hospital serves.  Donations were given to We Care in Los Alamitos. We Care is a family support center helping families in need. The LAMC staff holds events throughout the year to give back to the communities we serve.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and local, bright soccer players stand as one to raise awareness starting with something as simple as socks.  
Sadly, 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with some form of breast cancer in their lifetime. That means many of these girls’ families have had breast cancer touch their lives.

A revitalized program honoring veterans with commemorative banners called the Banners of Honor Program is close to replacing banners on various light poles on Katella Ave. and Lexington Dr.
The non-profit, Banners of Honor (bannersofhonor.com), has 26 banners looking for sponsors to honor the Nation’s military. Twenty-six light poles on Katella and three light-poles on Lexington Ave. have yet to be sponsored.

Photo by Soule/Ungaro