Are you looking for a safe, fun, and affordable program for your kids this spring break? Registration is now available at the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress for the 2016 Spring Break program. The program will run from March 14-18. The Club is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and provides fun activities for kids 6 years old and up.
This year’s theme is “Splash into Spring Break”. Members will enjoy learning about a variety of aquatic animals, doing outdoor water relays, participating in interactive oceanic STEAM activities, and even take a walking field trip to Veteran’s Park for fun sports rotations. Arts and crafts projects, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) labs, video games, and computer lab time will also be featured daily. Optional field trips will be offered on Tuesday to the Aquarium of the Pacific for $35 and on Thursday to John’s Incredible Pizza for $25.
Spring Break at the Club includes a free morning and afternoon snack for all members and a free BBQ lunch provided by Charles Williams and the Cypress High School athletes on Wednesday. Contact the Membership Desk at 714-527-2697 for more information or email membership@bgccypress.org. The Boys & Girls Club of Cypress is located at 10161 Moody Street in Cypress. Spring Break is going to be greater than ever before- don’t miss out. Register today.

The athletic standouts at Los Alamitos High School joined in the gymnasium on Friday Feb. 5 to participate in the second of three signing days for the school year.
Los Al High honored eight student athletes as they signed their National Letters of Intent.
These dedicated athletes join the many other high school athletes as they commit to schools all across the country.
Los Alamitos High School is proud to recognize the following student-athletes and look forward to adding to the list as the year progresses.
Below is a list of athletes that were honored:
• Abby Blake
Girls Water Polo
Princeton
• Emma Cruz
Crew
University of Pennsylvania
• Randi Geffrey
Girls Soccer
Davidson

• Jacob Keller
Football
Air Force Academy
• Maureen Kennedy
Girls Soccer
Bowling Green State
• Amanda Nishihira
Softball
Columbia University
• Siena Ruelas
Girls Soccer
University of Washington
• Ashley Willingham
Girls Track
Princeton

Cypress held a Business Retention Attraction Creation & Expansion (BRACE) workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at the Cypress Community Center.
Cypress Mayor Mariellen Yarc was in attendance to welcome the business leaders to the event.  “The City of Cypress recognizes the importance of addressing the needs of our business community.  The success of your business is very important to us,” said Yarc.
The featured speaker was Sheree Coates, Economic Development Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Coates provided information regarding disaster preparedness techniques for businesses. Coates also provided a demonstration of a number of online tools that are available to help businesses grow and thrive.
Cypress recognizes the importance of the local business community.  As a result, the BRACE Program was created for businesses to encourage communication, help the City to enhance their level of service, and to promote economic vitality in Cypress.  BRACE meetings serve to provide an educational forum that offers businesses the ability to learn while also networking with one another.  BRACE also allows the business community access to City officials and service partners.
Considered to be one of the most business friendly cities in Southern California, Cypress embraces a “Pro-Business” philosophy. The City’s emphasis on economic development translates to tailored business assistance programs and a highly trained professional staff with a “can do” attitude. Our entrepreneurial approach to business differentiates us from our competition and provides our business community with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
For additional information regarding the BRACE program and other City services for the business community, or for information on how to relocate your business to Cypress, please contact Redevelopment Project Manager Steve Clarke at 714-229-6728.

At age 31, Ricky Anderson, who’s a husband and father of three, found out he had a cancerous tumor in his thigh that is a very rare type of sarcoma. Anderson had radiation and leg surgery in 2012 to remove it.
He recovered very well from the procedure, but then a year and a half later Anderson found out that the cancer spread to his lungs and was in stage 4.
The only course of treatment the doctors could recommend was extensive chemotherapy. However, there was no current form of chemotherapy that is proven to be effective against the rare sarcoma.
After two months of chemotherapy there was no change in Anderson’s condition. Doctors recommended he have surgery to remove a portion of his right lung that contained most of the cancer. He had a lobectomy in 2014.
While the surgery was a success, it still did not stop the cancer from spreading.
Since then Anderson has undergone four additional surgeries throughout 2015, which include draining fluid from his lung and removing tumors.
Anderson also completed a six-month customized immunotherapy, which was experimental and paid for out of pocket.
Despite the multitude of procedures, cancer has continued to spread.
Currently, he is undergoing new treatments through immunotherapy and viral therapy.
As you can imagine, Anderson’s cancer has been an enormous physical, emotional and financial challenge for him and his family.
To help with the procedures, Anderson’s family set up a Gofundme page for those who would like to support his battle. So far $20,000 has been raised in just under 10 days. The page can be found at www.gofundme.com/ksf5g5sc.
Anderson has been writing songs since he was at Los Al High. Anderson graduated in 1999.
Inspired by songwriters John Lennon, Paul Simon and Van Morrison, Anderson mixes California beach style with a mid-west flair.
Anderson released his first full-length album, Songs of Deliverance, in 2015. Most of the songs were recorded while he was having regular chemotherapy treatment. The record was produced and recorded by Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids) at Tackyland Studios in Long Beach, and Rami Jaffee  (Foo Fighters) at Fonogenic Studios in Van Nuys. Musicians on the album include Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam) and Jay Buchannan (Rival Sons).
To learn more about his album visit www.rickyandersonmusic.com.
Anderson released his first music video “Havana.” The song was written for his daughter to encourage her to “never stop smiling” even when faced with great adversity. The music video was filmed in Seal Beach.
Currently, Anderson lives in Corona with his wife Rachel and their three children, Havana, 8, Levi, 6, and Luke, 3. Anderson is also a graphic designer, e-commerce director, owner of inkmytee.com and the creator/founding partner of woodsnap.com.

The Los Al Varsity Song Team traveled to Orlando, Fla. over the last weekend of January and competed as one of the top 50 teams in the U.S National Dance Competition.
After several grueling rounds, the hard work paid off as the Lady Griffins nailed their final pom routine to perfection and sealed the National Championship title in small varsity pom. This is the second National pom title that Los Al Song has earned, the last being in 2004.
Their accomplishment didn’t end there, as they also took second place in the U.S National Dance Championship in the Jazz category, matching their stellar performance from last year. The Song team will be featured on ESPN next month.
Pictured above:
Front row:   Co-captain Mullaney Blue, Sage Panarisi and Co-captain Madeline Medby
Second row: Katie Guardado, Emma Zunino, Ashley Javier, Kendra Azurin, Juliette Davis, Amanda Bazulto
Third row: Tess Macleod, Chandler Giunchini, Madelyn Mackenzie, Avaree Robles
Back row: Coaches and Choreographers: Leo Ramirez, Jennifer Ramirez and Patrice Barakat
Los Al Song and Cheer will be holding an exhibition on Saturday March 12 at Los Alamitos High School.
Shows at 5 and 7 p.m., and tickets are available for $10 by emailing Allison Zunino at azunino1209@gmail.com.

In January, the Rossmoor Woman’s Club proudly inducted Pat Shedd, Margie Beck, and Cindy Scott (pictured above with Barb Lyon, RWC membership chair) into our club.  The RWC is a group of active, dedicated women committed to improve our local communities through volunteer efforts and donations to such causes as: Bethune Transitional Center, Precious Life Shelter, Volunteer Services for LB Veterans Medical Center, Harbour Area Halfway Houses, AAUW Tech Trek Camp, and other local charities. The members also volunteer to cook for Ronald McDonald House residents and provide back-packs for the children of our armed forces.

Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated member and Ben Carson supporter Mari Barke, who was on-the-ground in Iowa for nearly three weeks as a Carson volunteer, shared her experiences and insight about the Iowa caucus during the Saturday, Feb. 20 Republican Women Federated breakfast meeting.
“What happened to the Carson campaign was very frustrating,” Barke said adding, “And I fully agree with Dr. Carson that the tactics used against our campaign cannot happen again in any caucus or primary.”
Barke shared her thoughts about the dynamics between the various campaigns and what it was like to speak at a caucus on behalf of Dr. Carson.

Oak Middle School 6th grade students packed the house last weekend for three performances of Seussical the Musical, Jr. The performance was especially special as these performers have not even completed an entire semester at Oak yet. Characters such as the Cat in the Hat, Jojo, Horton, Gertrude, Mayzie, Mr. & Mrs. Mayor and more were brought to life when the 11 and 12 year old performers jumped on stage. In addition, the stage crew consisted of all 7th and 8th grade students. Oak students were truly running the show. Pictured from left to right are Savannah Fisk as Mayzie, and Jack Flaherty as the Cat in the Hat.

The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 716 of Los Alamitos held a Scentsy Fundraiser on Sunday, Jan 24 to raise money to ship care packages to 210 soldiers who recently deployed from the Joint Forces Training Base.  Some troops deployed to Kuwait and some to Iraq.  The boxes have been filled with items requested by the soldiers.  About 20 boxes were filled by the ladies of the Auxiliary and Junior Auxiliary, and were mailed last week.  Pictured from left to right are Sharon Starr, Jackie Johnson and Ashley Atwood.

An increase in rental rates for the pool at the Joint Forces Training Base is just one of many pool operation changes to come about in the near future.
Starting March 1, JFTB’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation department will assume control of maintenance and operation of the currently city-managed pool on the base.
That will mark the beginning of a transition period, which is expected to last until Aug. 31.
During that time, JFTB “will allow [Los Al] to continue to act as scheduler for the pool at $150/hour,” reads a city staff report.
Los Al Mayor Richard Murphy said that number looks to have dropped to just under a $100/hour following a meeting with Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Reddicks and his team on Feb. 1. Murphy also said the city would potentially get a break for the first couple of months at a rate of “low 60s to 70s an hour.”
Following the transition period, MWR would oversee the entire operation of the pool including scheduling.
How local non-profits, water polo and swim teams that use the pool will fit into the scheme of things is still unclear.
All this is coming about as a 20-year-old agreement is set to expire Sept. 1. A modification to the agreement in 1998 gave Los Alamitos joint-control of the pool as well as the responsibilities of renovating, maintaining and operating the fairly unused pool at the time.
Since then, Los Alamitos “spent millions of dollars in upgrades, renovations, daily maintenance and operations of the pool,” reads a staff report.
Today, this information and more comes to the desk of Los Al’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission in the form of a pool update at its monthly meeting at 7 p.m.
The commission will be looking to aid the city council in deciding how involved the city should remain.
Swimming lessons, lap swimming, water aerobics, master’s swimming and other programs funded by the city will be looked at to determine if Los Al can continue to do so under the expected rate increase.
How the city will handle nonprofits renting the pool is still yet to be determined.
Options that will be brought up in the pool update offers paying the difference for club teams and nonprofits that currently rent the pool regularly.
The City’s current rental charge ranges from $20 to $60 depending on the group. Los Al would be looking at roughly $70 or more in subsidized payment each time a nonprofit group rents the pool under the increase.
The City could also choose to have the groups pay the full amount and stay out of that process all together. A final option listed would have those who currently rent the pool through the city go directly to the MWR department and schedule pool time themselves.
The pool update states that groups have already expressed concerned over the increase and said they would look for alternative location to run their programs.

The families at Li’l Cottonwood Preschool in Rossmoor recently held its first ever Cozy Critter Campaign in which more than 50 handmade and used blankets were donated to SPCA-Long Beach P. D. Pitchford Animal Village and Education Center so shelter pets can keep warm this winter.
In addition, families donated pet food, toys and treats to a very deserving organization. Li’l Cottonwood Preschool is a non-profit cooperative in Rossmoor. For more information on the school, attend the Open House on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. For enrollment information, visit www.lilcottonwoodpreschool.com or call 562-430-7761.

Police Chief Todd Mattern celebrated his last day with the City of Los Alamitos on Sunday, Jan. 24 and his retirement celebration was held Jan. 28.
Todd Mattern began his law enforcement career as a police aide with the City of Cypress in 1984, while he studied criminal justice at Golden West College.  In 1985, he enrolled in the Golden West College Police Academy as an independent recruit and shortly after graduation, he was appointed as a reserve police officer in Cypress. In 1986, Chief Mattern joined the Los Alamitos Police Department as a full-time police officer, where he has worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, investigations, press information officer, Special Weapons and Tactics, administration, and as an investigator with the Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression Program.  In 1987, Chief Mattern was recognized as the Officer of the Year.
He worked as a Recruit Training Officer for the Police Basic Course at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center from 1997 – 2004.  He believes mentoring recruits and helping to shape their careers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his law enforcement career.
In 2008, Todd Mattern became the eighth Chief of Police in the City of Los Alamitos and he holds the distinction of being the first officer in Los Alamitos’ history to rise through the ranks to head the Department.  Chief Mattern recently completed a 4-year term on the board of directors of the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association and served as their president in 2013/2014.
He received his AA degree from Coastline Community College after earning his Certificate of Achievement in Administration of Justice at Golden West College, and his BS degree in Occupational Studies from California State University, Long Beach.  Additionally, Chief Mattern is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.  In 2012, Golden West College awarded Chief Mattern with the Pillar of Achievement Award, which recognizes selected alumni who have achieved notable recognition in their field of endeavor.
Chief Mattern is sincerely fond of the community he serves.  He sits on the Boards of the Casa Youth Shelter and Los Alamitos Medical Center.  He is also the immediate past president and proud member of the Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Rotary Club and was named as the club’s 2011-2012 Rotarian of the Year.  Also in 2012, Rotary District 5320 named Chief Mattern their Business Rotarian of the Year for Leadership Excellence.
Chief Mattern looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Rosalia, and their two grown children.

Parents experience peace of mind with top-rated non-profit The Youth Center’s After School Program (ASP) in Los Alamitos, which has been making a difference in the local community for school age children for the last 64 years. Children ages 5 to 17 years old have a home away from home once school is out for homework help and activities including indoor/outdoor basketball, arts & crafts, pool, air hockey, foosball, games and Snack Shackall while under the watchful eyes of The Youth Center staff.