While many kids dread the end of summer and the return to school, one Los Alamitos girl is excited to get back to school. For Ava Rich, starting middle school this year is more than just a new adventure, it marks a return to somewhat normalcy for her.

Ava has spent the better part of the past three years, battling Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. The treatments have drained much of once vibrant little girl’s strength, but has not diminished her spirits. She received her last dose of chemotherapy on July 23, 2015. She will need time to regain her physical strength, but is pushing forward to take back her active life.

“I always was in awe of her strength,” her mother Gina said.

Ava’s journey began with what doctor’s thought was a benign cyst on her head. But when her parents went to a dermatologist to have it removed, it soon became apparent that it was much more than originally thought. Her parents, Gina and Todd, soon got the earth-shattering news that changed their lives.

The next two-and-a-half years were spent mostly in hospitals, with Ava going through painful chemo, spinal taps and other invasive procedures. Yet, despite at times needing a wheelchair to get around, Ava continued to keep her spirits up. She did crafts and created gifts for her friends.

The Rich family learned quickly, what only a cancer family can truly understand, that it can be an isolating, lonely and obviously scary journey. They learned to take their lives one day at a time and Ava handled her situation with courage.

“She didn’t complain and always went along with her treatment plan,” Gina said. “I am so very proud of her.”

Ava also noticed that there were other kids going through similar treatments as she was and decided that she wanted to try and help them keep their spirits high in the face of the adversity that they shared. She wanted to deliver toys and gifts to patients to help them stay courageous and soon, The Ava Mae Foundation was born. It is a project that helps raise funds to help kids with cancer. She remembers all too well, how she had to be isolated and how that made her feel.

“Knowing how that felt she wants to be able to bring some happiness to kids even if they can’t leave their room.” Gina said.

Ava used to play soccer and do gymnastics, but those activities are still on hold for her. She hopes to return to those types of things, but for now keeps herself busy by doing DIY hobbies and posting videos on her You Tube channel. She enjoys playing with her brother, and her dogs, Hannah and Dakota, and she has trained them to do a few tricks.

She loves her friends and the beach. For Ava, getting back to the more active things she loves will take time. For now, just starting middle school at Mcauliffe is a happy new step in that direction.

“My heart is so full of admiration for my daughter, I feel like she is truly amazing,” Gina said.

A local business is trying to help one of its associates and has been getting help from the community. Jose Ramos has been a fixture at the Rossmoor Car Wash for more than 13 years and for many who frequent the establishment, Jose is the face of the car wash.

He is the Customer Care Manager, so those who patronize the car wash have become very familiar with him.

So when Jose was suddenly absent from work in early August, customers began asking about him. In fact, when Jose failed to show up to open the business one day, it was a shock to the car wash operators and his co-workers as well. In his 13-plus years of employment there, Jose had never missed work without notice.

His co-workers tried to reach him several times the day he failed to show, without success, and became concerned. They were able to reach one of his daughters, who went to his house and found him in distress from a severe stroke.

Jose was taken to Memorial Hospital in Long Beach and has been there since Aug. 6. He was only recently moved out of intensive care, but is still struggling to regain full functioning. Meanwhile, there has been a lot of concern from car wash regulars.

“Jose is one of our most beloved team members and one of the most recognizable.” Owner Brad Hooper said. ”He is well known for his infectious smile and loving demeanor, not to mention, his innate desire to serve our customers. The Rossmoor Car Wash & Detail family are devastated by this tragic news and want to do all we can to support his family during this very difficult time. We thank our customers who have already voiced concern and support for Jose and his family.”

The car wash and its employees have made a donation and set up a fund at the Farmer’s & Merchants Bank to help the family with medical bills that are piling up. They have opened a fund for any community members who might want to help Jose and his family.

Any customer or concerned community member wishing to help the family at this time can make a donation to: The Jose Ramos Benevolence Fund by delivering or mailing a donation to:

The Jose Ramos Benevolence Fund

c/o Rossmoor Car Wash & Detail

11031 Los Alamitos Blvd.

Rossmoor, CA  90720

The City of Los Alamitos held its official ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this week in honor of its grand opening of the Coyote Creek Park behind Oak Middle School. The area chosen for the park was on a piece of land that is owned and operated by the Edison Electric Company, and was a joint venture between several local organizations and neighboring cities. Overall, the project was a major event that was 14 years in the making.

The Youth Center in Los Alamitos announced today that it has been honored with a prestigious 2015 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.

“We are excited to be named a Top-Rated Nonprofit,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “We are proud of our accomplishments this year including the launch of the new after school program R.A.S.C.A.L.S.  We are working with an amazing group of parents, supporters, and volunteers who go far and beyond on helping us to deliver top notch programs. ”

The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that were written by volunteers, donors and clients that the Youth Center received. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit. “We can’t do what we do alone and with the support of everyone we really do an outstanding job on serving our community by bringing the best quality programs to the future leaders of our society”, shared Lumme.

While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, the Youth Center was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year. In addition, they have been added to GreatNonprofits Giving Tuesday Guide, an interactive guide to top nonprofits throughout the years. Look for this near the holidays.

“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits. “People with direct experience with the Youth Center have voted that the organization is making a real difference.”

Being on the Top-Rated list gives donors and volunteers more confidence that this it is a credible organization. The reviews by volunteers, clients and other donors show the on-the-ground results of this nonprofit. This award is a form of recognition by the community.  It is the mission of the Youth Center to transform children’s lives one family at a time through collaborative social, educational, and recreational programs. To learn more about The Youth Center, visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org.

About GreatNonprofits

GreatNonprofits is the leading site for donors and volunteers to find reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Reviews on the site influence 30 million donation decisions a year. For more information on, please visit www.greatnonprofits.org.

Los Alamitos teenager Ian Marubayashi, a member of Boy Scout Troop 314 of Midway City, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project benefiting the Grateful Hearts Storehouse in Los Alamitos. Gratefull Hearts is a nonprofit that helps homeless and low-income families get back on their feet.

Ian’s project transformed six wooden bedframes from unused space wasters in the Grateful Hearts storage facility into attractive benches. They will be used to promote the organization’s “Bench Hunger” campaign.

The project took three workdays involving the participation of youth and adults. When completed, Ian officially presented the completed benches to Grateful Hearts Founder and CEO Blair Pietrini.

Ian is the son of Colleen and Richard Marubayashi. Richard is also an Eagle Scout and Colleen is an elementary school teacher.

Cypress City Manager Peter Grant announced the appointment of Rod Cox, a 24 ½ year veteran of the Cypress Police Department, as chief of police.

“Rod’s experience and commitment will serve Cypress well,” said Grant. “Rod is a problem solver and a good communicator. He is widely involved and respected in the community and a valued member of the Cypress team.”

Father and son duo, Rob and Bobby Curry, set off for a ten-day climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free standing mountain, this past July. Team Curry dedicated months to training for their climb to ensure they reached the summit successfully. Team Curry’s physical training officially began 8 months ago in November 2014. While Bobby played tennis in his senior high school season, he also committed to lifting weights and strength training on his own time. Rob’s initial program dedicated three days a week to cardiovascular and strength training. In January 2015, the physical training increased to 5 days per week and a strict nutrition plan was incorporated. When April came around, Team Curry began practicing weighted hikes and Rob went so far as to practice hiking with an air restrictor mask to simulate lower oxygen levels at a high elevation.

Not only was it a great adventure for father and son prior to Bobby heading off for college, but also a way to raise awareness and funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association [MDA] in the fight against muscle disease. The goal was to raise $1 for each meter of elevation climbed. Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters high, putting their fundraising goal at $5,895, which they surpassed, raising $6,347.  This endeavor is Team Curry’s first personal extension of a larger Muscle Up campaign put on by Jiffy Lube since 2012. As a Jiffy Lube owner/operator for 20 years, Rob had made an annual habit of giving back to his community. In years past, Rob and Bobby have hosted corporate fundraisers including a Lube-a-thon, Free Gas Giveaway, and volunteered their time at Children Summer Camps, all benefiting the MDA.

Rob has lived in Rossmoor since 1997 with his wife Noreen Curry (a teacher at Hopkinson Elementary) and three kids, who attended Hopkinson and Oak Middle School. He has been the owner of the Los Alamitos Jiffy Lube since it opened in 1997. He currently owns 19 Jiffy Lube locations in OC and LA County. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Alamitos Group and Rob being a Jiffy Lube franchisee.

An additional fundraiser and Open House was held this past weekend, which brought out the support of local firefighters. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Greater Orange County/Inland Empire’s office in Cypress.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association will be acknowledging Curry and his accomplishments at a gala to be held on Oct. 17, at the Los Alamitos Race Course, which will include a special presentation about his climb. The evening will include dinner, dancing, special art auctions and a night at the races dedicated to MDA families.  Members of the business community that would like to attend this elite invitation only event can contact Heather Erickson at the MDA via email at herickson@mdausa.org.

About Mount Kilimanjaro

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in Tanzania, Africa. The last eruption was 360,000 years ago and last volcanic activity over 200 years ago. There are seven official trekking routes by which to ascend and descend Mt. Kilimanjaro. High elevation, low temperatures, and occasional high winds make this a difficult and dangerous climb.

Cypress City Manager Peter Grant recently announced the appointment of the new Chief of Police Rod Cox, a 24½ year veteran of the Cypress Police Department. The community is invited to a badge pinning ceremony on Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. at the Cypress Community Center.

“Rod’s experience and commitment will serve Cypress well,” said Grant.“Rod is a problem solver and a good communicator. He is widely involved and respected in the community and a valued member of the Cypress team.”

Cox started his career as a Cypress Police Officer in 1990 and worked his way up through the ranks. Under Cox’s leadership, the Police Department recently completed its first Strategic Plan. The Plan includes goals and strategies developed in concert with employees – a reflection of Cox’s commitment to improving communication with the department and community.

Raised in Buena Park and a graduate of Savanna High School, Chief Cox enlisted in the United States Army and served honorably in the Military Police Corps. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

“I am truly humbled by this honor to serve our great city, its valued community members, and our Police Department as Chief of Police,” Chief Cox said. “I will work hard to strengthen community relationships, to keep people safe, and continue to build upon the quality public safety services that reduce crime and improve the quality of life for the Cypress community.”

“It’s great to see one of our Police Officers come up through the ranks and become Chief,” said Mayor Rob Johnson. “I have great confidence in his leadership and look forward to his contributions as Chief.”

Cox is also very involved in the Cypress community, serving as a Board Member of the Cypress Police Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress, and through his support of Special Olympics Southern California. He is actively engaged in professional associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the California Police Chiefs Association, California Police Officers Association, and the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs Association.

Since 2004, Chief Cox has served as an Executive Training Officer and Adjunct Instructor at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center, where he teaches the next generation of law enforcement. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, riding his mountain bike, traveling, and cooking.