The 2nd Annual Sugar Beet Festival returned and drew an estimated 3,000 attendees from the west Orange County area and Long Beach.
La Palma AAUW installs new officers
The La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) past Presidents Barbara Dunstan and Judy Figal installed new officers for 2014-15 recently.
Griffin trio reach CIF-SS Indy quarterfinals
Los Alamitos High tennis player Riley Smith and the Los Al doubles team of Vatsal Bajpai and Kyle McCann each reached the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Individual Championships on Friday at Seal Beach Tennis Center.
Griffins fall in regional quarterfinals
The Los Alamitos High boys tennis team reached the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern California Regional Team Championships before falling to third-seeded San Marino, 5-2, on Friday at The Claremont Club.
The Griffins had qualified for the event as the No. 11 seed out of 13 teams from Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. They topped the No. 12 team, El Camino Real, 7-0 in the opening round to move into the match with San Marino.
The Griffins were leading key matches early, but San Marino would rally to win the best-of-seven event. Los Al’s No. 1 Riley Smith dropped the first set against San Marino’s No. 1, Daniel Gealer, but rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory in singles. Los Al’s No. 3 singles player, Kyle McCann had little trouble in his match, defeating San Marino’s Charles Deng, 6-2, 6-4.
In doubles, the Griffins’ No. 1 team of Naara Shin and Ethan Kolsky, had the San Marino No. 1 doubles team on the ropes early taking the first set by a score of 6-4. But after the San Marino duo evened the match with a 6-5 second set victory, they took the third set by a score of 6-3, to gain control of the team score.
Soroptimist Scholarship and Service Awards
The Soroptimist International of Cypress held its 31st Annual Scholarship and Service Award reception on May 28 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cypress. The night capped off a successful year of fundraising and community service. Dignitaries joining members in celebrating the awardees included Mayor Pro Tem Rob Johnson, Chief of Police Jackie Gomez – Whiteley and Soroptimist International District 1 Governor Elect Susan Gibley.
Three types of Scholarship awards were presented as well as several service awards.
The first presentation was made by member Donna Kastner for the Kay Moyer Memorial Scholarship of which there were six awardees. The scholarship is named for past member Kay Moyer and is open to female students who have excelled academically, who are involved in community service, and who will be attending an accredited college or university following graduation.
The second presentation was for the Women’s Opportunity Award was made by Soroptimist member Linda Sunley. The program assists women who as head of their households must enter or return to the work force or upgrade their employment status. The financial award program enables these women to gain the additional education and skills training they need to adequately provide for themselves and their families. The awards in part were funded by a grant received from the Bandai Foundation.
The final Scholarship presentation was the Marya L Blackwell Memorial Dine College Scholarship. Dine College is accredited and the Higher Education Institute of the Navajo Nation since 1968. The scholarship was renamed this year in memory of past member Marya Blackwell who often took on individual projects to help support the funding and continuance. Funding provided to Dine from Soroptimist will provide tuition for a selected student for a full year.
Service Award presentations were made by Jamie Krakowski to Breast Cancer Angels, the Boys and Girls Club, Cypress Children’s Advocacy Council, Girl Scouts of America, H.O.P.E and the Hotline of Southern California.
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. SI Cypress meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s of the month at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cypress.
Festival 5k-ish Challenge provides early morning obstacles
The Sugar Beet Festival once again kicks off with the 5k-ish Sugartown Challenge, a fun obstacle course of haystacks, a human car wash, a maze, and giant slides through Old Town Los Alamitos.
RHA hands out scholarships
The Rossmoor Homeowners Association (RHA) recently announced the winners of the 2014 High School Senior Scholarship Contest. The winners are Los Alamitos High School seniors Philip Paulson, Madisen Swallow and Austin Geller.
Emperors to perform at Sugar Beet Festival
Local favorites The Emperors and Flyer will be two of the bands performing at the Sugar Beet Festival to be held June 7 at the Shops at Rossmoor.
LAUSD PTA awards service
Several measures of secrecy are used to keep the recipients of the Los Alamitos Unified School District PTA’s annual Honorary Service Awards from finding out that their names will be called at the annual breakfast event.
Cypress PD Foundation recognizes efforts
It was a time to honor exemplary service and Cypress Police Officer Johnathan M. Krok was one of the top representatives for the department over the past year.
Riding for the Wall
How are you honoring our Veterans this Memorial Day?
Don and Kristine Wood of Cypress, Calif. are joining thousands of other motorcyclists in a 10-day, 2,715 mile journey across the country to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Arlington Va. They will average 15 hour days that will include driving in traffic, stops for gas and meals, climate changes and bugs.
Cypress Council recognizes veteran
The City of Cypress’ Veterans Recognition Program honors a veteran quarterly. Recently, Gerald M. Seymore was recognized during the May 12, city council meeting.
Southland CU signs on to sponsor Sugar Beet Festival
Southland Credit Union has again signed on as the title sponsor for the second Sugar Beet Festival and 5k-ish Sugartown Challenge – to be held June 7, at the Shops at Rossmoor.
Los Alamitos cooling center during high temperatures
In response to increased temperatures that are likely to occur over the next few weeks, the City of Los Alamitos Community Center, at 10911 Oak St., has been designated as a cooling center, by the Orange County Office on Aging.