While playing their hearts out students of the Youth Center’s Music Program performed for family and friends at the mid-season Guitar and Keyboard Concert on Feb. 26 at the Youth Center in Los Alamitos. The budding talented elementary school music students entertained more than 60 guests.

The Youth Center just finished with other mid-year Mini-Percussionist Concert, All District Band Concert and All District String Concert earlier last month, and are gearing up for finale concerts towards the end of the school year, yet to be announced.

“It’s always a privilege and honor to watch these kids grow from knowing absolutely nothing about music to playing beautiful little songs on the keyboard and guitar,” said Youth Center Music Director Daniel Van Adler. “I especially look forward to the end of the year concert where we get the opportunity to see them grow again into fine musicians.”

Some of the young musicians were Los Alamitos Unified School District 3rd grader Brady Furr (electric guitar), 3rd grader Jeremiah Leong (guitar), 5th grader Arielle Joubert-Honack (guitar), 3rd grader Elliette Rebennack (piano), 1st grader Shivani Shah (piano), brothers 3rd graders Ian and Evan Chambers (guitar).

“I chose to play the guitar because I always liked guitar music so I decided I wanted to play it too,” said Brady. “I like music because it makes me feel happy, I like the way it sounds, and I like learning new songs. Music has given me confidence and the opportunity to perform in front of an audience.”

For another music student Jeremiah, his mother Chamile Leong said, “Young Jeremiah is a fan of the famous Elvis Presley, loves the way he plays and loves the way his guitar sounds. So, when I allowed him to choose an instrument, without hesitation he eagerly picked up the guitar.”

On what he likes best about music, Jeremiah’s mother also said, “Music allows Jeremiah to relax and enjoy. She said he once told her, ‘Mom when I become an adult I won’t have any stress because I’m going to continue to play my guitar.’”

“Since Jeremiah has started playing the guitar his concentration has improved tremendously,” continued his mother. “Jeremiah has learned to read music and have lots of patience. Music has definitely allowed Jeremiah to become more well-rounded. “

Yet another guitar student, Arielle, said “What I like best about music is that it always cheers me up. Every time I learn to play a new song I feel like I can do more things than I could do before I learned to play,” she continued. “Music also changed my point of view, like when people say that they can’t play any musical instrument, I think that they probably can.”

Playing music has given Arielle more focus, a sense of self and her abilities, said her mother Chantal Joubert-Honacki .

Young pianist Elliette she said she chose to play piano because they have one at her house, and her parents said it’s fun.

“I like being able to read the music, because it’s like another language,“ said Elliette. “Music gives me something to practice to get really good at. I love to dance, so music is important to me.”

Pianist Shivani watches other kids play piano and singing, so she thought it would be fun to play and learn, said her father Pranan Shah. “Her favorite piece is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” he said. “Music has impacted her life in that it makes her happy. She is confident and can express her emotions through it.”

Her mother Jeanmarie said that Shivani has the same focus she puts into music as she puts into school, and that she is a good student.

For young guitarists Ian and Evan, their father Rich Chambers who also plays guitar said, “Music helped them in concentration in school. They enjoy it, and it’s opening up their minds to other things around them.

The Youth Center’s Band Director Tom Mitter who teaches flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion and electric bass said that his students are developing confidence, poise and self-efficacy that benefits them in every aspect of their lives including in academics, athletics and social development. “The nice thing is that the students develop these positive attributes in the process of having fun playing music,” he said.

Mitter pointed out clinical studies that has gathered data showing that being involved in the process of playing a musical instrument helps develops brains neurologically

in a unique way that benefits students like no other activity. “Playing an instrument that is physically appropriate (for example, percussion or piano) can be started at very young age. The students can enjoy themselves and reap the benefits as well,” he said.

“Band and other larger string instruments can be started as soon as the student can

physically handle the instrument,” said Mitter. “At the end of their first year in music lessons the children are able to learn life skills such as teamwork, responsibility, accountability, punctuality, instrument maintenance and assembly, self-confidence and focus.”

“As far as music foundation skills, the students learn tone, note fingerings, articulation, rhythms, dynamics, even tempos, accurate entrances and releases and proper physicalities,” he said.

For Youth Center Music Program instructor Jennifer Walton, who is a professional violinist, talent manager and contractor, she said that she’s enjoyed working with children for more than 30 years because each child is unique. “Kids are not standardized,” she said. “Each child brings me a challenge to ‘solve’ how to communicate with them to be sure they understand the concepts.”

Walton said she enjoys figuring out how to inspire each child to practice so they can grow to be better musicians. “I love how the discipline of practicing all by themselves leads to being disciplined in other areas of their lives.”

Besides the obvious concepts of pitch and rhythm, she thinks her favorite concept to teach is musicianship. “This means the pitches and rhythms have to sound beautiful to the listener,” she said. “This is where the kids can put their personalities into their music.”

Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp said, “We are extremely grateful to the Youth Center for providing our elementary music program. This program connects many students to the arts – students who continue to pursue music through high school and beyond.”

Kropp also said, “One can easily see the joy in the students’ faces when they are first playing an instrument, and this is just the beginning of igniting unlimited possibilities.”

The Youth Center is now taking names for their Summer Music Program. For more information, please contact Office Manager Julie Rubin at 562-493-4043 or email her at Ju***@************er.org.

Thousands of participants once again turned out for the 34th Annual Race on the Base, on the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.

Participants joined in the 5K, 10K and Reverse Triathlon, as well as the Jr. Triathlon and 1K Kids Fun Run. Kevin Ford of Baltimore Maryland was the top finisher in the 10K event, with a time of 34 minutes, 1 second. Randy Parker of Los Alamitos was the top local finisher, with a time of 41:52. Parker was the top finisher in the male, age 50-54 division and ninth finisher overall. Another Los Alamitos man had a strong race. Phil Avalos, 49, was the 17th overall finisher, with a time of 43:22 and took second in the age 45-49 division.

Greg Sambrano, of La Palma, Cody Perez of Los Alamitos, and Jonathan Grill, of Seal Beach, were the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd overall finishers, respectively. Sambrano finished in 44:35 and was third in the 40-44 division. Perez finished in 44:37 and was first in the 19-24 division, and Grillo finished in 44:38, taking third in the 30-34 division. Mark Sharzer of Rossmoor ran the course in 47:38 and was fourth in the age 55-59 division.

Lindsey Dawson, 28, of Long Beach, was the top female finisher, running the course in 40:49. Angela Beckett, 40, of Cypress, ran a time of 47:44, which was good enough for third in the female age 40-44 division.

Hugo Novoa, 16, of Lakewood was the top finisher in the 5K event, with a time of 15:50. Lorenzo Tyner, 50, of Seal Beach was fifth overall, with a time of 18:02, and Jacob Tyler, 15, of Rossmoor was the sixth overall finisher, with a time of 18:26. Dave Depew, 53, of Rossmoor, was the eighth overall finisher, with a time of 18:38, and was second in the age 50-54 division.

Katie Izzo, 18, of Seal Beach, was the top female finisher with a time of 19:17. The second female finisher was also a Seal Beach resident, 16-year-old Ashlynn Almasy, who ran a time of 19:53. Andrew Muniz of Cypress was the top finisher in the male age 19-24 division and Delaney Falsken, of Rossmoor, was the top finisher in the female age 15-18 division.

Brad Mastros, 36, of Cypress, was the second overall finisher in the reverse triathlon, with a time of 55:37. Steve Carr, 39, of Los Alamitoss was the 23rd overall finisher, with a time of 1:05:35. Right behind him was Stephen Jamison, 33, of La Palma, who finished in 1:05:38. Kaylee Thompson, 15, of Valencia was the top female finisher with a time of 1:05:27, as the 22nd overall finisher.

Erin Rucker,35, of Los Alamitos finished the triathlon in a time of 1:10:32. She was the 55th overall finisher and first in the 35-39 division. Ayla Donlin, 31, of Cypress was the 56th overall finisher in a time of 1:10:34. She was first in the 30-34 division.

Complete results can be found on line at raceonthebase.com.

Former Black Panther Aaron Dixon spoke at Cypress College on Thursday, Feb. 19. He held the floor for an hour and a half before opening up the room for questions. This Q & A session was followed by a book signing of his book, “My People are Rising: Memoir of a Black Panther Party Captain.”

Cypress College will host its 40th Annual Americana Awards to recognize several local citizens for contributions to their communities on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom.

Among them are Los Alamitos recipient Tom Barclay, La Palma’s William Meil and Cypress couple Pat and Roberta O’Toole. The event will also recognize Sheriff Sanda Hutchens as Woman of the Year.

Los Alamitos/Rossmoor recipient Tom Barclay

One civic leader who is someone described as being involved in everything and always willing to help exemplifies General Manager Tom Barclay of Ganahl Lumber in Los Alamitos.”

Among the many service organizations in which he is actively involved in are the Los Alamitos Youth Center (as a board member for years), Casa Youth Shelter, St. Isidore Historical Plaza, and Precious Life Shelter. Barclay said his active participation in the community is possible because of his employer, Ganahl Lumber, which also serves as a model of “giving back” to Los Alamitos.

His connection to the community of Los Alamitos began 16 years ago in 1998 when he joined Ganahl Lumber’s operations in the city. He has worked a total of 35 years with the company.

Ganahl’s leadership, and particularly Peter Ganahl, whom he considers a mentor and role model in both his personal and professional life, inspires Barclay’s service. Ganahl has had a greater vision of community involvement, a “giving attitude,” that encouraged volunteerism. Barclay credits his mentor and the unique company culture that he established as fuel for his increasingly greater civic role.

Two other community leaders, Tom Stretz and Dave Appling, invited his activity in Los Alamitos. “They asked,” Stretz said. “And Ganahl gave me permission to get involved.” Barclay has a natural desire to provide, whether that be in traditional ways such as taking care of his family or more gentlemanly airs such as holding the door for a stranger, writing a check for a charitable cause or doing a task for someone who needs help.

“I feel fortunate to be in the position where I can assist,” said Barclay, “I have been helped in my life and I like opportunities to do the same for others.”

He enjoys being involved in the community because of the people he gets a chance to work along side with.

“The people in Los Alamitos are special,” said Barclay. “I know this because I have managed many lumberyards prior to my time in this city and none of the people reached out and offered opportunities as they have here.”

Barclay has many interests. His hobbies include surfing, flying, sailing, reading and hiking. He plans to sail his boat from Long Beach to Hawaii. His presence is youthful, uplifting and marked by a “can-do” attitude. “I love to learn,” he said. “I’ve never gotten great at any one thing. I’ve liked adventure since I was a kid.”

Barclay was raised in Alhambra, one of 11 children. He is a licensed pilot, an activity that builds off his background at Cypress College where he studied aviation. He also studied construction management at Fullerton College before he went into the lumber business in 1977.

In 1980, Barclay was hired by Ganahl Lumber, which he said has been “a great ride for 35 years.” He is a member of the Lumber Association of Southern California, the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau and the RI Flying Club. Barclay has two grown children, three grandchildren and one on the way.

His giving spirit, sense of adventure and exemplary business charity serve as an inspiration to others and are deeply valued throughout the city of Los Alamitos.

Pat and Roberta O’Toole are Cypress recipients

Pat and Roberta O’Toole will be recognized as the Cypress 2015 Citizens of the Year, an award of the highest merit for these two extraordinary Cypress residents.

Long-time Cypress residents, Pat and Roberta O’Toole are well known throughout the community. Pat served as commissioner on the city’s Recreation & Community Services commission from 2009 to 2013. Roberta is the on-site manager of the Tanglewood North Homeowners Association. Serving as a member of the Cypress Woman’s Club, each year she coordinates a project called the Buddy Boxes that are provided to the veterans at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital.

For several years Pat and Roberta were known as the PR team for the Cypress Community Festival Association. They took hundreds of pictures and wrote many articles that appeared in the Event News and the News Enterprise papers, in addition to coordinating the Festival‘s printed programs. As a result of their public relations talents, the event became more popular and increased in attendance.

Both Pat and Roberta are Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members and have assisted with various county disasters such as seasonal fires. Membership in CERT requires members to attend informative training sessions and to pass the required exams.

‘Bill’ Meil receives La Palma award

William “Bill” Meil is deeply involved in many organizations across the city of La Palma. His role in La Palma Police Department’s Volunteers in Policing (VIP) Program is one of his many recognized and valued efforts.

Since 2005, he has helped keep the community stay safe in his regular four-hour patrols, going above and beyond the call of duty to exercise leadership throughout the program. Meil is the liaison between VIP and the police department, and chairs monthly meetings, serves as treasurer, creates and distributes monthly duty schedules, maintains and updates contact lists, and calls members to fill-in for patrol absences. He also reminds them of upcoming events where VIP’s are needed.

Moreover, Meil frequently helps the department by driving police vehicles to be washed, fueled or repaired. He schedules VIP’s for Police and Fire Department and City Hall visits by school groups, for which he is always one of the guides. He also provides assistance to the La Palma Police Explorers.

For the Kiwanis Club of La Palma, he prepares the meeting room at La Palma Hospital and restores it following the meeting. He serves in a variety of administrative functions as the liaison with the hospital. Meil maintains and updates member contact information, is the club lead on fundraising, and prepares volunteer sign-up sheets. He is involved in the club’s service and community-building projects serving food to schools and other groups that ask the club to support them.

During the yearly Christmas Food Basket project, Meil stores, distributes, collects and moves canned goods. He also has helped expand business support by visiting all store front businesses in La Palma. He knows the managers of most of La Palma’s larger businesses and maintains contact with them, which helps community support efforts.

Meil is often the first to step up when assistance is required. When the local Chamber of Commerce needed help, he made himself available and served the Chamber for about three years until it ceased operations. He also worked at the La Palma Community Hospital for more than three years until the hospital no longer needed the assistance. Despite his busy schedule, he delivers meals to the elderly for La Palma Meals on Wheels.

Meil credits his parents for instilling him with the value of service. His father always found time to help by keeping the church clean, serving as an elder, and counseling people regarding spiritual values, financial problems and emotional difficulties. Meil and his wife Marie, have been married 60 years and have five children.

His service started young at the age of 17 when Meil and four others created a missionary program in Greater Detroit. This was the beginning of life-long activity in the church where he serves as a deacon, treasurer, school and camp leader. For eight years (1991-1999) he was the treasurer of a church in South Central LA that worked specifically with the poor, providing shelter and food. Since 1986, he has also been very involved with a prison ministry, which grades and returns prisoner’s bible lessons from across the country.

Meil’s service throughout his life has been an inspiration to those he’s served.

The sun was shining on five more homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County in Cypress on Dec 13, 2014. The families were ecstatic to see their new homes completed. These homes – Habitat OC’s second development in Cypress – are part of a 15-home neighborhood of affordable homes on Lincoln Avenue in Cypress.

The day was brimming with emotion as it marked the fulfillment of both a commitment and a dream. The families shared their stories and expressed their gratitude for all those who had made their dream of homeownership possible.

“Thank you so much to all the donors who have contributed to Habitat,” said homeowner Tina. “I am so blessed to have been selected to be here.”

Tina joined other Habitat OC families who like her, put in “sweat equity” hours building their home or the home of their neighbors. While Tina helped build her future home, her son watched in amazement as his mother made their dream a reality.

“I’m proud of my mom,” said Tina’s son, Cory.

Cory wasn’t the only one watching his parent build the homes. Rosie’s boys watched their mom build a home that would allow them to move out of their one bedroom apartment.

“My boys and I have gone through a lot and being able to offer them this home, means a lot,” said Rosie. Rosie not only received the key to her home that day, she also celebrated her birthday. “This is a very special day for us.”

To get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and help with the next phase of 10 homes in Cypress by volunteering or donating, please call 714-434-6200 or visit www.habitatoc.org, Email: vo*******@*******oc.org

Members of the Cypress Festival Committee at their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 21 organized to set plans in motion for the 2015 Cypress Community Festival celebrating the anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Cypress in July 1956.

This year will mark the 35th Annual Community Festival, which will be held on Saturday, July 25, at Oak Knoll Park immediately following the Cypress 5k/10k Run/Walk.

The Cypress community can be proud that its festival is the largest single-day event of its kind in Orange County, annually attracting tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, a car show, vendor booths, kids rides, a chili cook-off and salsa competition, and a pancake breakfast.

The Festival Committee is made up of individual volunteers and civic groups. The civic groups include the Cypress Area Chamber of Commerce which is in charge of commercial vendor booths, the Friends of Cypress Parks & Recreation who is organizing the car show, chili cook-off and salsa competition as well as the Cypress Kiwanis who is the untiring flippers of pancakes and sausage patties.

The first step in organizing for this year’s huge anniversary was to nominate and elect a slate of new officers. The new officers are Chair Todd Seymore, Vice-Chair Wanda Slade, Treasurer Lynn Adams and Secretary Maria Daniels.

Volunteers are needed to work on the following committees:

• Development of Festival Sponsors, chaired by Lynn Adams and Wanda Slade
• Booths and Vendors, chaired by Wanda Slade
• Entertainment, chaired by Jon Ramos
• Public Relations, Social Media, and Festival Website, chaired by Shelley Henderson
• Coloring Contest, chaired by Maria Daniels
• Volunteer Coordination, chaired by Marie Chance

If you would like to volunteer to help the Festival Committee, or you have questions, please email to in**@*************al.com or visit www.CypressFestival.com

The next scheduled meeting of the Festival Committee is on Feb. 18 at the Cypress Senior Center located at 9031 Grindlay St. in Cypress. Meetings are open to the public, and those interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend.

The Woman’s Club of Cypress welcomed guest speaker Precious Life Shelter Executive Director Theresa Murphy to their Feb. 4 meeting. Murphy spoke to the group about the origin and history of Precious Life Shelter and its thrift store.

“The shelter houses expectant women who may be facing an immediate financial, physical or emotional emergency which threatens her necessities for daily living,” said Murphy. “Precious Life is committed to creating family values in a loving, caring environment, where the shelter’s services are designed to help residents become more independent and self-reliant though education offered by the many programs we provide.”

Precious Life Shelter’s programs include:

• Childbirth and parenting
• Life skills development
• Health and nutrition education
• Career planning

The Precious Life Shelter’s Thrift and Gift Store generates 35 percent of the shelter’s operating budget for their residential program. They are located near the shelter at 3622 Florista Street in Los Alamitos.

Long time Woman’s Club members Dodie Jacobsen (1968) and Page Betar (1987) are cashier volunteers at the thrift and gift store. “It’s very gratifying to help out by selling the varied items the store has to offer,” said Jacobsen. “Many customers are there every Saturday!”

Murphy closed her presentation by commending the Woman’s Club of Cypress for contributing volunteer hours that help save the shelter’s working budget.

About Woman’s Club of Cypress

The Woman’s Club of Cypress is a member of General Federation of Women’s Clubs, California Federation of Women’s Clubs, and its Orange District. For more information about joining, please contact Joyce Grohmann by calling 714-827-2966 or going online to wj********@***oo.com.