Cypress Festival pulls booths after visit from Mayor, City Attorney

-

October 10, 2024

City of Los Alamitos re-dedicates Community Center

Hundreds of Los Al citizens, some of whom had been coming to its Community Center on Oak Street for decades, joined the City Council and other officials to rededicate the newly renovated gathering place.

“Thank you for joining us today for this historic moment as we re-dedicate the community center,” said Los Al Mayor Jordan Nefulda.

“The Community Center was built in 1970,” he said, noting that “hundreds of thousands of community members have walked through its doors in those 54 years,” the mayor said.
“The community members have walked through these doors to enjoy a quality of life that only Los Alamitos can offer, from youth classes to senior activities, from creating memories and establishing lifelong friendships over the years,” said Nefulda.

The mayor said the building was in bad shape “and repairs were severely needed.”
Nefulda said the community center’s roof had sustained serious damage. The damage to the roof resulted over the years, repairs were severely needed, most notably when the winter storms of 2023 damaged the roof.

In addition to the roof damage, he said there was electrical damage, wall damage, and damage to the floor,” the mayor told the crowd.

“Now, out of this negative, out of this negative event, we turned it into a positive, because we used this damage as a catalyst to design and improve a modern community center that will continue to be the heart and soul of this community,” said Nefulda.

He thanked Senator Janet Nguyen for “working diligently on behalf of our city” to obtain a $2.5 million state appropriation for the community center.

Courtesy photo
Sporting a modern look, citizens enjoy food and fellowship as a standing room only crowd gathered for the big reveal.

“I have to admit,” said Nguyen, “though this project started back at the beginning of this year, we are only in October, and you made it happen. How does that happen in government,” asked Nguyen?

“This tells you that your staff is very diligent and made it a priority,” she added.
Nguyen thanked Council member Tanya Doby, who was Mayor last year when the appropriation was requested.

“She (Doby) was complaining to me, like, Oh my God, we’ve got this community center. We don’t know what to do. There’s nothing we can do. It’s devastating,” Nguyen said Doby told her.

The state Senator said the city asked for $1.5 million but she made a request for $2.5 million thinking she would get less and hopefully, the $1.5 million the city needed.
Sen. Nguyen said when the call came to notify her that the $2.5 million had been approved, “I was like, what?”

“It’s hard enough for me to get any funding in my district,” she said, “yet I actually got the funding that I asked for, not even what I thought could be. And I just want to say I’m so happy I was able to do that,” she said.

“This marks a new era for the city,” said Nguyen, calling the Community Center “the heartbeat of the city. A safe-haven for enrichment in support of the city.”
Lynne Lees, a spokesperson for the KYA Group, the construction company with which the city contracted for the interior renovations, said the company was “grateful to have been a part of this project.”

In general, she said the Los Al Community Center has a new roof, resilient flooring, interior and exterior painting, modern lighting, and new audio/visual technologies to support a variety of other programming.

The renovated center also supports a dedicated dance room, a redesigned lobby, new kitchen facilities, greater access for citizens with disabilities and even a new look and landscaping as citizens enter the center.

Authorities also thanked the Los Alamitos Community Foundation for donating the landscaping for the project.

Epson America, one of the world’s top technology companies, moved to Los Alamitos a couple of years ago and donated all of the projectors for the project, authorities said Friday.

City Manager Chet Simmons, said overall, the project cost will ultimately be more than $2.5 million, because when contractors attempted to fix the hole in the roof, they realized the entire roof needed replacement, which was a major factor in the project’s increased cost.

In any case, he said, the city’s share of the cost will be low thanks to other governmental funds.

Beth Piburn, who said her kids frequented the Center when her kids were young and she still serves on the Youth Center Board, who uses the facility for its BINGO games, said the renovations were “really nice.”

“I love the neutral colors. It’s bright, it’s clean, stainless-steel fixtures. I would give them a A plus,” she said.

Citizens were treated to a meal of chicken wings, mac and cheese as Caricature artist Dan Weeks was on hand to give anyone who wanted a free drawing of themselves to take home.

“We are excited for you to see the much-improved Los Alamitos Community Center, which will be a hub for the community for decades to come,” said Megan Shimada, a city employee who served as MC for the event.

Pathways to Paradise raises funds for its program to help young women

-

October 10, 2024

Pathways to Paradise raises funds for its program to help young women

While most of the standing-room-only crowd came dressed for island hopping, volunteers associated with Pathways for Independence were waiting for them with Hawaiian leis and a welcoming smile.

With tropical tables set amid neon palm trees, hundreds of local citizens came out to the temporary island paradise at Cal State University in Long Beach to participate in “Pathways to Paradise,” a fundraiser to support young women get a fresh start in life.

For an hour or so before the festivities, supporters had the chance to walk on either side of the main stage area which had been transformed into rows of ad-hoc restaurants with delicacies that ranged from ribs and potatoes in a cocktail glass (plastic) to chicken sausage and even super thin pizza.

Nearly 40 local restaurants set up booths to give away food to support the Pathways cause.

Executive Director Diana Hill welcomed the throngs of supporters as workers scrambled to assemble dozens and dozens of temporary chairs to handle the overflow.

“I couldn’t be more excited about what we’ve created here at the Beach,” she said, referring to the students’ pet name for the campus, said Hill.
Hill thanked Cal State for their participation and support, noting that CSULB President Dr. Jane Connolly has worked hard to make it easier for the nonprofit’s clients to enter the university.

“We think the partnership with Cal State is amazing,” said Hill, noting that eight of the nonprofit’s 38 current female clients are enrolled in college.

“This is how we change the world, one person at a time,” said Hill, who went through a long list of people and businesses who have been instrumental for the past three decades. The event alone had approximately 80 sponsors, said Hill.

As Executive Director, Hill said she has made a conscious effort to tie the overall community to the “dreams” of the battered women, and not the more “downtrodden” parts of their story.

This was the 28th annual event, she said, asking the crowd to “help me honor” the nearly 350 young women who have been affected and assisted by the Pathways programs.
“Our alumni are delightful,” she said. “Servant leadership is what it’s all about,” she added.
“Aloha,” said Lindsay Mais, Pathways Board Chair, who thanked everyone associated with the program and for the supporters who continue to fund their work. “You mean the world to us,” she said.

Lisa Mais, Fund Development Director, thanked the program’s young clients, whom she said, “dare to dream big.”

“To our amazing supporters, sponsors, service providers, volunteers, and friends of passion, we are beyond grateful to make this evening a reality,” she said.
During the live auction, several high-priced items, including a private jet golf outing to Pebble Beach went for nearly $30K, and after the auction, several volunteers actually volunteered to donate that amount, which officials say pays for the cost for each woman in the program for a year.

A young woman named Mell, who is currently involved in Pathways, recounted what eventually drove her to ask for help.

“I have memories of human tragedies, and now I know I’m on my way to things that I’m most passionate about,” she told the silenced crowd.

“Picture me, in a tiny trailer, having to share a room with my parents and having to pretend I was asleep as my dad stood on the opposite side of the room and smashed my mom with a white picture frame when she walked through the door,” said Mell.

“In 2022, the emotional abuse I encountered threatened to turn physical,” she said, “and my dad threatened to hurt me on multiple occasions.”
At that point, said Mell, she knew she needed help.

“So I reached out to a friend connected with Pathways and told them I was in an abusive household,” she said.

“I have moved in twice and came back when I was finally ready and comfortable being on my own,” she admitted.

I now I have a safe place on my own,” she said. “I’m in Cal State Long Beach with my own studio, and my paintings for sale,” she smiled.

“What I have always desired is to impact others as an art educator,” said Mell. Thanks to Pathways, “I now have the opportunity to work toward that goal,”
The event attracted people from throughout the region.

David Munoz, of Norwalk, said it was his second trip to the event. “We love the food, we love the cause and we love the bidding,” he said. “We bid on the L.A. Raiders tickets, but we got outbid,” he said with a smile.

Faiqa Siddiqui, of Fullerton, who runs a credit-counseling nonprofit there that connects people with a brighter future, said she agreed to attend when she learned the cause of battered women.

Hill said after the event that she was “extremely pleased” with the overall event, thanking a small army of dedicated volunteers who began planning the event in April.

Secret is out, JFTB is great place to get different perspective on airshow

-

October 10, 2024

Secret is out, JFTB is great place to get different perspective on airshow

While hundreds of thousands cram into crowded tents and other paid perches to watching the Pacific Airshow, more than a hundred people gathered at Fiddler’s Green at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, saying it’s the best-kept secret out there.

What makes JFTB such a great place to watch the show, those gathered near the runway get close-up looks at the marvelous flying machines as they taxi to, and from, the military airfield’s main runway.

While anyone from the public can enter the base with a valid photo ID, military personnel issue stern warnings that if citizens are caught near the runway fences or other areas, they “will be escorted out of the base.”

With cockpit still open, a military pilot makes his way out to the runway in close proximity to the crowd enjoying the show from JFTB.
Courtesy photo

George Melendez, a municipal employee in Stockton, California, drove all of the way to Los Alamitos with his son Kalel to watch the planes.

“Well, my son Kalel is an airplane freak,” said Melendez. “He likes airplanes so came down here to check it out.”

Melendez said Kalel told him the A-10 Thunderbolt (sometimes referred to as The Warthog) is being phased out of the show and he desperately wanted to see one close up.
As of Sunday afternoon, the A-10 had not taken off yet, “so we’re still hoping to see it,” the elder Melendez said.

Base officials constructed a large party tent outside the Pub at Fiddler’s Green to accommodate the rather large group gathered to watch the jets take off.

Once spotters hear any of the huge jets warming up their engines, the throng would make their way to an observing point as closest to the runway as the base would allow to wait for the payoff, a thunderous roll as U.S. Air Force jets like the F-22 a roared and shook the ground as it thundered into the clouds.

Melendez said many of the planes “put on a little show” for the local crowd either when they took off or landed.

Melendez said his son’s friends’ view, who were on the sand at Huntington Beach, was hampered by the so-called Marine layer, while skies were clear at the base.
Cathy Donahue, of Cypress, said she lives near the base in Cypress, yet it was her first time watching the planes take off for the airshow.

“These planes are awesome,” she said, “they are just unbelievable” seeing them so up close.

Just then, an F-22 taxis down the runway, preparing to take off, with his pilots cockpit open and with the smell of aviation kerosene vividly wafting though the air.
“My husband thinks I’m crazy,” said Donahue, “but you don’t get to see these planes very often.”

Since being named Commander of the base, Lt. Dan Col. Dan Fox has openly worked to bring the public inside the gates of the base in an effort to create more civic engagement with the community.

Most of the planes connected to the airshow, especially those from various military organizations, use the aviation services of JFTB base during the Pacific Airshow since once airborne, it’s a few-minute flight to showtime over the Pacific at Huntington Beach.

Editor’s note. This story has been edited since the print edition to reflect an F-22, not an F-35 and it now includes a statement about the commander’s effort to make JFTB more community inclusive.

Sunset Beach artist Bill Anderson celebrates Gallery’s 30th Anniversary

-

October 10, 2024

Sunset Beach artist Bill Anderson celebrates Gallery’s 30th Anniversary

By Chris MacDonald

Bill Anderson, owner of Anderson Art Gallery, is celebrating 30 years of business in Sunset Beach next to Captain Jack’s Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway. That’s quite a feat when so many other art galleries have come and gone through the decades.

“Bill Anderson is one of the most celebrated plein air painters living in California and we are honored to have his small and welcoming gallery here,” said Sunset Beach Community Association member Dawn McCormack.

With 75 paintings on permanent display at The Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos and his artwork shown in galleries worldwide, Anderson doesn’t mind the fact that many locals drive by not noticing his building and signs. He welcomes national and international travelers who know of his work and fame, making appointments to visit him and see his original art, as well as the works of other famed artists he represents such as Milford Zornes and Mexican artist Raul Anguiano.

When Bill was teaching at McAuliffe Middle School in Los Alamitos back in 1994 he drove home daily on PCH in Sunset Beach where he noticed a “For Rent” sign above an interesting, old building next to Captain Jack’s restaurant. When he got home he told his wife Ausma that he thought it would be a great place for an art gallery and she agreed, so they signed a one year lease. That was 30 years ago!

With the intention of showing his work and a few other artists, the couple had no problem filling the walls of their new gallery. They had some works of Raul Anguiano who lived three months of the year in Huntington Harbour but spent most his time in Mexico. Anderson also knew Milford Zornes, the well-known water colorist recognized as a leader in the California Style watercolor movement which began in the early 1930’s. He also displayed works by known, local sculptors and artists such as Howard Hitchcock, Tino Pontrelli, Harvey Clemans and Lynn Morgan. You can still see some of those artists (and others) represented in Anderson Art Gallery today.

Captain Jack’s owner Tim Haley loves the gallery and great watercolors, including several paintings of his famous seafood restaurant. “Mr. Anderson and his gallery together add a touch of class to our great community,” he said.

Sunset Beach resident Elaine Bakker said: “Long time residents are so appreciative of his interest & support in our local youth and their artistic endeavors. Not only has he taught art in schools, but he also contributes paintings and books to fundraisers for our community scholarships.”

Bill Anderson majored in Art in College and taught Art in High School and Jr. High School and Middle School in a 38 year career. He was very involved in Huntington Beach Art for a period of time and was on the Allied Arts Board for 12 years. As president of the board he had the idea of moving the Art Center to a separate building not in the Library and suggested getting the Southern California Edison building which is where the Huntington Beach Art Center is currently located. His successful presentation to City Council resulted in the the Art Center opening in that location.

Former Huntington Beach Mayor Bob Mandic said:” I awarded Bill Anderson Artist of The Year 40 Years ago when I was Mayor. Bill and his Gallery continue as an Iconic Treasure in our beach town.”

Anderson’s Gallery in Sunset Beach.
Courtesy photo

Bill has published 20 books, including 15 books of his artwork and 5 illustrated stories of the Old West by the late historian Craig MacDonald.
The Gallery is open Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 9pm and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. You can call Bill anytime at (714) 272-1400. His e-mail is: aagcollection@aol.com.

Cypress Festival Board issues statement on political booths removal

-

October 10, 2024

Cypress Festival Board issues statement on political booths removal

Dear Cypress Community,

We would first like to acknowledge our mistake in selecting October 12th as the date of this year’s 43rd Annual Cypress Community Festival. When the Festival Committee, in partnership with the City of Cypress Recreation Department, selected and approved this date, we consulted our local school calendars and our city’s events calendar. Unfortunately, neither of these calendars list this holiday.

This is no excuse, and we acknowledge and apologize for this oversight on our part. Our board has implemented new procedures for date selection, moving forward to ensure that this does not happen in the future. We sympathize with the Jewish community and extend our apologies for this oversight.

With regard to the presence of political booths, the Festival Board of Directors has discussed the recent discourse happening online and in the city council chambers. Our board held a vote to decide what action to take. At this time, our board has decided that removing all candidate political booths from the 2024 festival is the best course of action. Making the difficult, but right, decision to remove these booths from our festival just weeks before the event will result in a budget deficit of $4,000 for our non-profit. Refunds for those candidates and organizations who had already signed up and paid their booth fees will be sent out within the next two weeks.

It is important to note that city staff attends our board meetings and was well aware of the date chosen and the presence of political booths many months before concerns were brought up. We are disappointed and disheartened that our communication and partnership with the city, specifically the mayor, city council and senior leadership, seems to have eroded over the past several weeks.

Many assumptions, accusations, and statements were made about our organization and our board that were untrue and/or unnecessary. Our board will address these concerns with the council and city staff privately as we don’t believe it benefits anyone to contribute to the divisive and aggressive conversations happening publicly online.

Lastly, we’d like the community to be aware that the Cypress Community Festival Association is a non-profit 501c4 organization made up of residents and business owners who volunteer their time for this event. None of these volunteers are paid, and many take on this position in addition to full time jobs, kids, families and very busy lives. The majority of our funding each year comes from booth fees, sponsorships, and sales of items at the event (chili ballots, alcohol, kids rides, etc.). Please reach out to us if you’re interested in joining our board and helping us secure more support and funding or helping us plan this event in years to come!

In closing, the Cypress Community Festival is a place for our community to come together and celebrate the birthday of the City of Cypress. We love and appreciate this beautiful and diverse community that we call home. The Festival Committee has been working very hard all year to plan this event and we hope to see you there! This year we have a great entertainment lineup, featuring Knyght Rider as our headlining band! We have a large selection of craft booths, a robust chili & salsa competition, a redesigned (and better priced) kids area, booths showcasing our local businesses, a classic car show, and our very own Cypress PD K-9 Bono demo team. The Festival will be open this year from 10am – 8pm with free shuttle service from Cypress High School.

On behalf of our board, thank you for your continued support.
Jimmy Fuller & Brittney Cook
President & Vice President

Editor’s Note: This statement was published unedited as received.

Who needs national politics when we have Cypress Mayor Scott Minikus

-

October 10, 2024

Who needs national politics when we have Cypress Mayor Scott Minikus

Last week’s Cypress City Council meeting was one for the record books – and possibly for the law books.

Buried in the meeting’s agenda was a “carry over” expenditure of $5,000 to be paid to the independent, non-profit organization that runs the city’s community festival. It was described as support for income that the festival organizers “lost” due to their last-minute decision to ban/eliminate “political booths” (which had already been reserved and paid for) by several local candidates running for the two open spots on the council in the November election.

While this may sound like a small, well-intentioned and supportive city expenditure, the story behind it reveals a dark, calculated and politically motivated misuse of public funds and abuse of power.

Statements made during the Cypress City Council meeting on September 23rd revealed that Mayor Scott Minikus, had met in person with the festival’s organizers bringing along city attorney Fred Gallante. At this meeting, the Mayor asked the organizers to eliminate the political booths because the festival date coincided with that of the Jewish high holiday of Yom Kippur, which would prevent one of the candidates, Mark Plager, from hosting one of the political booths at the festival.

It was further revealed by Mr. Plager himself that he had asked the Mayor to intervene on his behalf with the organizers to eliminate the political booths. Mr. Plager asked Mayor Minikus to “do it quietly behind closed doors”. It should be noted – and is in the public record – that Mayor Minikus is a big supporter of Mr. Plager’s campaign, as are Mayor Pro Tem Bonnie Peat and her husband Jon Peat, is Mr. Plager’s campaign treasurer. This kind of closed door action is the antithesis of how our government should operate.
This ugly story doesn’t end here.

Based on the agenda item and the statements made at the council meeting, it appears that Mayor Minikus suggested that the city compensate the festival with the above mentioned $5,000 in taxpayer funds in return for the booth fees they would lose by eliminating the “political booths”. This kind of expenditure doesn’t happen simply because the Mayor wants it to; he needs the support of the City Manager – Peter Grant – and other city staff to include the expenditure proposal on the council’s agenda in the “fine print” and have it approved.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Councilman David Burke objected and exposed the Mayor’s and city attorney’s roles in influencing the festival organizers to remove the political booths. He also objected to the wording of agenda item number seven (7) that purported to justify the expenditure of taxpayer funds in exchange for eliminating the political booths.

In the end, the council then voted to okay the expenditure but removed all wording indicating the payment was in exchange for the organizer’s elimination of the political booths. The vote was three to two, with Burke, Mallari and Marquez voting for and Mayor Minikus and his long-time supporter, Mayor Pro Tem Peat voting against. It was clarified that the festival organizers should henceforth be free to make their own decision regarding the presence of political booths at the festival.

Further aggravating this nasty chapter of Cypress city politics, the Mayor promulgated a set of flimsy arguments in defense of his actions, and launched a threatening outburst directed at Councilman Burke. The Mayor’s actions laid bare the entire ugly abuse of his influence in front of the council and attendees. However, that was definitely not the Mayor’s first or only threatening outburst. He was reprimanded by the council for his January 2024 outburst in which he accused, without any substantiating evidence, fellow council members Marquez and Burke for allegedly working with the plaintiffs in the CVRA lawsuit that the city eventually settled out of court for approximately $850,000, not including attorney’s fees and costs, all paid with taxpayer money

At the previous council meeting on September 9, 2024, the Mayor also threatened the citizens of Cypress regarding the content of their social media posts – especially as those applied to criticism of the current council majority and council candidates they support.
I want to ask the Cypress City Council to again, publicly, reprimand Mayor Minikus for this misuse of his position as Mayor and his violation of the council’s own code of civil conduct in his threatening verbal attack of Councilman Burke. In addition, I think the Mayor, the city attorney and city manager all owe the independent, volunteer, non-profit organizers of the Cypress Community Festival an apology.

Paul Kokkinos is a concerned resident and registered voter in Cypress

Griffins cross country make strides at Central Park Invitational

-

October 10, 2024

Griffins cross country make strides at Central Park Invitational

The Los Alamitos High girls cross country team posted an 11th place finish amongst a field of 35 teams and runners from more than 10 other schools that did not have enough runners to post team scores.

The Griffins were led by sophomore Caris Honma, who finished 53rd overall with a time of 19 minutes, 15.9 seconds. Senior Trista Candiotty was right behind her with a time of 19:18. Freshman Mio Emi was the third Griffin runner with a time of 19:39. Senior Alejandra Reyburn was fourth for the Griffins with a time of 19:46.8.

In the varsity boys race, junior Matthew Mayhue led the Griffins with a time of 15:56.6. He was followed by Sully Pareti, who finished in a time of 16:08.7. The Griffins’ JV team brought in a seventh place team finish, led by Sicely Johnston and Amina Farki, who were the top two runners for the team.

The Los Al girls sophomore team took second place in their division, with Remy Hoang leading the way with a 16th place overall finish. Bella Castellon was 21st overall and Audrey Delgaldillo was 27th overall for the Griffins top 3. Lauren Criscione and Hailey Mellott rounded out the Griffins’ scoring runners.

Photo by Ted Apodaca
Caris Honma led the Los Al varsity girls, finishing 53rd overall

The Los Al freshman boys team took third place in their race with all five scoring runners finishing in the top 50 scoring places. Dylan Lobo led the way with a 15th place finish in a time of 17:19.9. Sam Berry took 25th and Tyler Tanimura was 28th to lead the Griffins. Will Thomas and Sebastian Martinez were the final two scoring runners.

Among those individual runners was Irvine High’s Summer Wilson, who led the girls varsity field with a first-place finish in a time of 16 minutes, 19.4 seconds. The junior was more than 16 seconds faster than Millie Bayles of Trabuco Hills, who led the Mustangs to the team title with a time of 16:36.1.

Trabuco Hills won the team title, followed by Woodbridge High and Redondo Union High. Another individual runner, Sophie Hufton, of St. Catherine’s High School, took fourth overall.

Kennedy plays selfless in route to big way

-

October 10, 2024

Kennedy plays selfless in route to big way

Kennedy High scored three touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half to turn a close game into a convincing win, as the Fighting Irish defeated Valencia, 34-19, in the Lambda League football opener for both teams on Friday at Handel Stadium.

Leading 7-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Derek Almazan hit Mahseiah Banks down the right sideline for an 85-yard touchdown pass that gave Kennedy a 13-0 lead. Kennedy forced Valencia to punt and again they struck quickly.

Devin Almazan was at quarterback and scrambled to his left before lobbing a shovel pass to Isaac Talamantes in the flat. The edge defender was being blocked so Talamantes went inside to get around the block and outran the defenders to sideline for a 67-yard touchdown and a 19-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Kennedy cover team forced a fumble on the return and the Fighting Irish took over at the Valencia nine yard line. Derek Almazan soon found Talamantes again, this time for a nine-yard touchdown reception. Almazan converted a two-point conversion pass to Rocco Street and the Fighting Irish took a 27-0 lead into halftime.

Late in the third quarter, Talamantes would hit paydirt again, as he broke through a big hole in the line and cut around the safety to race 70 yards up the middle of the field for a touchdown and a 34-0 Irish lead. Valencia would score a touchdown late in the third and another late in the fourth to close the gap. Kennedy Head Coach Dan Urbanos was pleased with his team’s performance, which put them at 4-2 overall and 1-0 in Lambda League play.

“We played selfless football tonight, so we believe we’ve got a really quality team and we haven’t played our best football yet, you know, we’ve shown some flashes but really our biggest nemesis has been us,” Urbanos said.

Derek and Devin Almazan combined to throw for 218 yards and three touchdowns and Devin also ran for another. Talamantes led the ground game with 94 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two touchdown passes. Rocco Street and Riley Schow each had seven tackles on defense and Street added a quarterback sack. Moa Moimoi also had a sack. Makhell Beatty had three tackles and also blocked a field goal attempt to help keep Valencia scoreless in the first half.

The Fighting Irish travel to Fullerton High on Friday for a 7 p.m. game against the Indians, who are 0-6 and 0-1 after a loss to Beckman last week.

Griffins take home two prizes at Theater Fest

-

October 10, 2024

Griffins take home two prizes at Theater Fest

A poster for Lightning Thief.
Courtesy photo

On Saturday, 19 members of the Los Alamitos High Drama Department competed at the Role About Theatre Festival at Woodbridge High School. The event included 32 schools and more than 720 students who competed in various competitions in different performance and technical categories.

Los Alamitos had five students reach the finals of their categories and two of those brought home top prizes. Throughout the event, Drama Department advisor Stacy Castiglione said the students were at their best.
“As always, our students presented themselves professionally and graciously, as our theme this year is, ‘What are you doing to raise the room?’” Castiglione said.

Finals round participants:
• Leo Athy – Solo Musical
• Lily Martinez – Dramatic Monologues
• Sean Morin – Film/TV Monologues
• Laila Rain Montana – Comic Monologues
• Mason Potter – Film/TV Monologues
Laila Rain Montana took 1st place in Comic Monologues category and Mason Potter took 2nd place in Film/TV Monologues competition.

Courtesy photo
Students from Los Al High attending the event.

Pacific Airshow flies into OC this weekend

-

October 2, 2024

Pacific Airshow flies into OC this weekend

Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach has announced an expanded performer lineup, stacking the three-day spectacle in the sky with the best in aviation, October 4-6, 2024. Along with the previously announced headlining U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and fan-favorite F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach will be the site for the last performance ever of the U.S. Air Force A-10 Demo Team, according to a Pacific Airshow press release.

In its eighth year, Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach is continuing to amp up the action in the air and on the sand by building a world-first temporary landing area on the beach to bring attendees and their families up close and personal with five STOL aircraft at this year’s Airshow. Amongst the STOL pilots attending is Luke Czepiela who famously landed on top of the Burj Al Arab skyscraper in Dubai last year. Attendees can witness non-stop sky-high stunts, fast flyovers and take part in expanded beach based fun and entertainment – including the return of Maverick and Iceman on the sand.

“Our team will be delivering on our commitment to produce a bigger and better experience each year, bringing our audience closer than ever to the best of aviation,” said Kevin Elliott, Pacific Airshow’s Executive Director. “When we say our vision is to redefine the Airshow experience, we mean it, and we are delivering an experience unlike any other event anywhere in the world.”

Additional military performers announced include the U.S. Navy F-35C Demo Team, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Rhino Demo Team, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Legacy Team, Louisiana Air National Guard Bayou Militia F-15s, U.S. Army Blackhawk and Lakota Helicopters, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Demo, U.S. Air Force C-17 West Coast Demo Team and U.S. Air Force KC-135 Demo Team.

Civilian performances include the Patriots Jet Team, Michael Goulian in the Extra 330SC, Franky Zapata flying both his Flyboard and Airscooter, Jeff Boerboon in the Extra 330SC, Scott Urshel in the Bo-105 Aerobatic Helicopter, Scaled Composites, FedEx 757, two Ace Maker T-33 jets, Rob Holland in the MXS-RH, The Horseman P-51s, Torrey Ward in the Microjet, the C-47 Dakota “Willa Dean” from the Lyon Air Museum and extreme sports stuntman Jacko Strong all the way from Australia.
“Pacific Airshow’s social and economic impact on the community is unmatched and every year brings our community together for a family friendly, patriotic celebration complete with world class aviation displays right on our coastline,” said Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor of Huntington Beach. “We’re thrilled to have Pacific Airshow return to the skies over Huntington Beach this year for Southern California to enjoy.”

Tickets are on-sale now, offering General Admission, Pier Seating, Premiere Club, Private Chalet and Cabana options for all to experience the best views and ultimate thrill from the best vantage points. VisitPacificAirshow.com.

Cypress transitions to body-worn cameras, automated license plate readers

-

October 2, 2024

Cypress transitions to body-worn cameras, automated license plate readers

Personnel in the Cypress Police Department are now wearing body-worn cameras, Police Chief Mark Lauderback told the City Council on Monday.

In addition, Lauderback thanked the Cypress Police Foundation for a donation of $49,700 which the police chief said the department will use to install eight automatic license plate readers around the city.

Lauderback thanked the Foundation for “being a great partner to the city,” saying the Cypress Police Foundation’s contribution “will enhance public safety” by adding another layer of security to the mobile license plate readers that currently roll in each of the CPD’a police cruisers.

According to the city’s staff report, the donation will allow the department to go under contract with Insight IT Public Sector Solutions, to license and install the eight cameras, The donated cameras will be provided using a subscription-based model costing $3,000 per camera per year. This cost includes all hardware, software, and connectivity.

“This will complete the project with eight stationary Automated License Plate Readers cameras throughout the city,” the police chief said.

“It will help with investigations, identify vehicles used in crimes and they will be strategically placed throughout the city. A couple of them will be in our business park, which you know, our business park is vital to our city.”

With the business park mostly closed in the evenings and on weekends, “that does unfortunately lead to some criminal activity, or at least an invitation to commit criminal activity,” Lauderback said.

“With these ALPR cameras, we’re going to be able to use them as investigative tools to help identify those who committed the crimes, especially the vehicles, not only in our city, but throughout Orange County and our neighboring cities as well.”

Regarding the body-worn cameras, Lauderback asked an officer to demonstrate what it looks like when officers wear the cameras, and the police chief briefly explained how they work “to capture the interactions with our community, with those suspects or potential suspects we’re investigating.”

“It’s a great tool,” Lauderback told the Council and the department began using it last week.

He said the clarity is “awesome” and Lauderback thanked the city for allowing the department to purchase them.

The mayor also thanked the Cypress Police Foundation.

“We can’t thank the Foundation enough for their support of this department,” said Mayor Scott Minikus.

“I know the body-worn cameras have produced a lot of liability for cities around our nation, but as a whole, it is a great addition to our officers,” he added.

“It helps protect them against unscrupulous internal affairs complaints as well,” the mayor added.. “I t is a great reassurance tool for the officers to wear out there in the field,” the mayor said.

Edwin Kraemer, a Cypress resident who works as a software engineer (including artificial intelligence) for a major aerospace firm, expressed concern that the deployment of surveillance technology by Cypress Police has the potential for misuse.

“I would like to see more focus in the discussion of citizen’s access to that footage and its availability to the public,” said Kraemer during the Council’s oral communications session.

“When you put automated license plate readers in the neighborhoods or anywhere, every car that goes past that thing gets scanned and it can see everyone. You can track a person, you don’t need their social security number, you don’t need their face print, you get the car registration, and you’ll know everywhere that car has been,” he said.

“You will know everywhere that person has been from the time you install that camera until…forever, okay,” said Kraemer.

So what you’re putting in there is the ability to track every U.S. citizen, everywhere they go, easily, and that needs huge controls,” the engineer said, “so I want to hear what we’re doing to assure they are extremely careful with oversight of that because you can track within 100 yards of everywhere.”

“I’m sure it’s great for cops, but over half our budget goes to police. We’re a police state here,” said Kraemer.

Unlike in some other cities, city officials in Cypress do not respond to questions asked by citizens during the oral communications portion of the meeting.

After the meeting, Kraemer said that he did not expect an answer to his concerns, but as an AI engineer, felt he should at least warn citizens of the technology’s potential.

“I’m not for defunding the police,” he said in an interview after the meeting, “but citizens should know that using artificial intelligence coupled, with surveillance technologies, police could potentially have the ability to know not only where your car went, but what you purchased while there.”

Nevertheless, there is no immediate concern that Cypress Police have any plans to misuse the technology, said Kraemer, but “all I can do is ask them to put firm controls in place.”

Jewish Long Beach sets Oct. 7 commemoration

-

October 2, 2024

Jewish Long Beach sets Oct. 7 commemoration

Jewish Long Beach is inviting the community to come together at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (JCC) on Monday, October 7, 2024, to commemorate one year since the attack in Israel that shattered the global Jewish community’s sense of safety.
This gathering will offer space to mourn the lives lost, pray for the hostages, pay tribute to the heroes defending the people of Israel, and reaffirm the community’s strength and commitment to Israel.

“The devastating harm Hamas unleashed on the Jewish people will never be erased,” said Deborah Goldfarb, CEO of Jewish Long Beach. “At a time like this, the most powerful thing we can do is unite as a community. Our strength lies in standing together, and only through collective action will we heal.”
The terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 innocent people, and captured over 250 people as hostages on October 7, 2023.

Guest speaker Lone Soldier Barak Moritz, from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 7th Armed Brigade, will share his experience engaged in the fight against Hamas. A Lone Soldier is a soldier in the IDF with no family in Israel to support them. Moritz grew up in Long Island, NY, and moved to Israel with his family at age 10. At age 18, he was drafted into the IDF as a paratrooper and placed in the Palsar unit assigned to the 7th Armed Brigade. Palsar units specialize in reconnaissance, advanced weapons, and special intelligence. He was living in San Diego when Hamas attacked on October 7th, and returned to Israel immediately upon learning that his company was called to service.

The commemoration event will begin at 7 pm at the Alpert JCC (3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach). Reservations are strongly recommended. Visit https://jewishlongbeach.regfox.com/october-7th-commemoration for more information and to register. No backpacks or large bags will be allowed inside. Clear bags that are equal to or smaller than 12” x 6” x 12”. Small clutches that are 9” X 6” are permitted and do not need to be clear.

Earlier in the day, the Alpert JCC will be hosting a reflection space from 8 – 11:30 am open-house style with refreshments, an instrumentalist, prayer and reflection activities, a photo gallery of Israel from that day, and a support counselor from Jewish Family & Children’s Service for anyone in the community looking for solace.
The Alpert JCC is located on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, providing programming for all ages and stages of life.

Los Al Rec to offer watercolor painting classes for $120

-

October 2, 2024

Los Al Rec to offer watercolor painting classes for $120

The Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department would like to invite you to participate in Watercolor Painting with instructor Darshini Aithal! In this class, participants will learn watercolor painting skills, techniques, and be equipped to increase their artistic ability. The basics of materials, tools, techniques, and color will be explored with demonstrations. If you are looking to learn tips and tricks in watercolors and would like to create your own beautiful masterpieces, this class is for you! This is a great class for those who are in the beginner to intermediate skill level.

There are two different programs available. These programs are four weeks long for ages 16 and over and will take place at the Los Alamitos Community Center (10911 Oak St.). The first program is on Mondays from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., taking place from October 21 through November 18. There will be no class on November 11. The second program is on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., taking place from November 2 to November 23. The price for each program is $120 for residents and $125 for non-residents of Los Alamitos. All participants will be required to provide their own supplies; a list of supplies will be sent.

We hope to have you join us! For more information, please visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430 – 1073.

La Palma Cerritos branch of AAUW enjoy Potluck dinner

Edna Ethington

-

October 2, 2024

La Palma Cerritos branch of AAUW enjoy Potluck dinner

Nineteen members of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) met on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the “Den” at Heritage Park in Cerritos, to enjoy an International Potluck and to make plans for the year. After members enjoyed trying the different ethnic food, Administrative Assistant Harriet Moses asked the leaders of the different Interest Groups to explain their group and encouraged new members to join. Members are asked to use contact information for the leaders of the groups in the Branch Directory that was distributed by Treasurer Marilyn Forsstrom at this evening meeting.

Gourmet Group Chair Joan Flax said that there will be three dinners planned for the third Saturdays of the month on October, January, and March, with a fourth one planned for the entire group and the end of the year. Contact Joan Flax for host houses, dates, times, and menus.

Great Decisions Chair Dorothy Edwards announced that there will be two more meetings this year, with the topic being “High Seas” in September, and “The Pandemic” in October. Meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m., at Dorothy’s home. A new series will begin in January.

Readers Theater Chair Esther Aronson announced that all the meeting this year will take place at her home on the first Thursdays of the month starting at 6:30 p.m. with reading of plays at 6:45 p.m. Members take turns bringing snacks and there are fees for membership in the group and for postage for the play booklets. The first meeting will be on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Contact Esther for more information.

Cover to Cover Chair Thea Siegel announced that this group will meet different locations for book discussions each month on the second Thursdays of the month, starting at 1:00 p.m. Member Mary Ann Quinn will be hosting the October 10 meeting in home. Contact Thea for the locations of future Cover to Cover meetings.

After the Interest Group leaders finished discussing their groups, Harriet announced that the October Program will feature Margo Reed, a speaker from the League of Women Voters, who will be giving information about the 12 propositions that will be voted on in the November elections. She then received reports from appointed committee chairs of the branches’ committees.

Public Policy Chair Sondra Cohen provided handouts for the AAUW California State Public Policy Priorities for 2023-205, the 2024 Ballot Positions which AAUW takes a stand, and a 2024 Voter Guide for the candidates running for the 45th Congressional District in which the majority of our branch member live. Sondra urged members to sign up for the online Action Alerts which addresses California AAUW issues, and also the online wo-Minute Activist which addresses AAUW National issues.

For the AAUW Fund, Gail Ross volunteered to serve temporarily as the AAUW Fund Chair. Gail and Thea Seigel said that there are several options available for fundraisers with different restaurants that can be arranged that will help raise funds. Gail said the Fundraising Cruise to Catlina and Ensenada in February will also raise funds for the AAUW Fund. Joan Flax said that her Jewelry Sale on November 9 will be a ”mini fundraiser” for AAUW Fund. Contact Gail or Joan Flax for more information.

Since there is no Membership VP, Joan Plyman volunteered to help with membership duties and helped members to sign the attendance sheet for this meeting.. She also helped to deliver to members the new Branch Directory which was prepared by Marilyn Forsstrom. Joan also volunteered to take charge of Falcons Nest at Cerritos Community College which helps provide students with personal needs. Joan will be collecting donations of cosmetics, lotions, sanitary supplies, other personal needs, and clothing, at the October 17 meeting. Contact Joan for more information.

Celia Spitzer did a great job of arranging for the meeting to be held at “The Den” at Heritage Park. She thanked Sue Carruthers for her hospitality and providing decorations, paper goods, utensils, and water for today’s meeting.

Pictured at the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW’s International Potluck on September 19, 2024, at Heritage Park in Cerritos, is Hospitality Assistant Sue Carruthers next to the desserts that were provided by members.

Administrator Harriet invited members to share a piece of good news about their families while donating $1.00 for the AAUW Fund. Five members responded and shared good news about their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!

At the end of the evening, Harriet said that our branch meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month at the ABC Unified School District Adult School Auditorium at 20122 Cabrillo Lane, Cerritos, CA. with Social Time at 6:30 p.m. and guest speakers at 7:00 p.m. followed by business meetings. Her final announcement was that the January 16 meeting will be changed to January 15.

Members and guests are reminded to come to ABCUSD Adult School Auditorium on October 17, 2024, to come at 7:00 p.m., to hear Speaker Margo Reed from the League of Women Voters on the topic of the 12 Propositions that will be voted on in November.
For more information about the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW, contact Administrator Harriet Moses at 714-994-1487.

Are incumbent no shows are disrepectful?

Uncategorized

-

October 2, 2024

Are incumbent no shows are disrepectful?

Dear Editor,

The RHA Candidate Night Forum in Rossmoor last week was informative, and many thanks to the Rossmoor Homeowners Association for sponsoring this event every election cycle. What struck me in particular were the candidate forums for the 45th Congressional District, and the 1st Orange County Supervisorial District. Both featured one of the candidates, and an empty chair.

For the Congressional race, challenger Derek Tran was present to make opening and closing statements, and to answer questions submitted to the moderators; Congresswoman Michelle Steel was absent. For County Supervisor, challenger Frances Marquez was also present to introduce herself and answer questions; Supervisor Janet Nguyen was absent.

Why the incumbents failed to show up is unclear. Maybe they were afraid to answer hard questions, or maybe they felt that their status as incumbents gives them a pass. Either way, their absence was notable, and might reasonably warrant a vote of no confidence.
Michael V. Sanders
Rossmoor

Rossmoor deserves better leadership

-

October 2, 2024

Dear Editor

Our vote is the only way we can stop the Rossmoor Community Service District’s deceptive and authoritarian approach to governing that has been a hallmark of the service district under the revolving leadership of Tony DeMarco, Michael Maynard, and Jeffrey Barke.

A glaring example of DeMarco’s poor leadership and subterfuge played out when he steamrolled over previous commitments for capital improvements at Rossmoor Park dating back to 2019 and 2020 (canopy and playground) and gave Pickleball priority, placing it steps away from homes in a small neighborhood park, against all sound reasoning.

First and foremost, at public hearings, the community was told for months that PB courts would be built with state grant money. There was never any grant money – in fact, PB was never even budgeted for – but DeMarco, along with Maynard & Barke, broke their promise to the community and voted to proceed with PB anyway.

Director DeMarco, displaying a stunning lack of due diligence, determined that noise, traffic and congestion weren’t a problem because he didn’t personally witness problems to that effect. In fact, there were many factors to consider regarding impact to the community; parking/traffic/safety along Hedwig/Foster, which sees 6,000 vehicles a day; no measuring of days/hours of peak play, number of players, resident vs nonresident activity, walk-ons vs paid, and any sort of concrete financial analysis.

The board did hire a sound consultant, but because the consultant’s study was limited to a single snapshot in time, and the “sound study” did not provide full data as to decibel levels – no doubt because the RCSD didn’t want to pay for a more thorough study – the RCSD purchased a $50 decibel reader from Staples and had an untrained park employee record the decibel level of PB at various times, declaring, in technical speak, “It’s hard to measure, but it’s not that loud.”

Director DeMarco then VOTED TO RESURFACE THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS 2 – 4 YEARS EARLIER THAN NECESSARY because it was the only way they could paint the surface of PB courts under the guise of “doing it all at once.”

The deception continued when the Budget Committee, chaired by DeMarco & Maynard, created a $50,000 budget allocation out of thin air a few weeks before the PB vote, ultimately spending almost twice that, and all without effective sound mitigation.
DeMarco refused to recognize that dozens of PB courts are within a 2-mile radius, but, rather, because a minority of Rossmoor residents were too burdened to travel 1 or 2 miles outside of Rossmoor, he felt placing PB, literally, just steps from homes was warranted – despite every reputable sound consultant’s advice that residential homes should be no closer than 300 to 500 feet from PB. Director DeMarco compared his vision of Rossmoor Park to Lexington Park in Cypress, which has a parking lot with 244 parking spots, while Rossmoor Park has no parking lot at all.

DeMarco invited neighbors around the park to voice their complaints as the only way they’ll know if PB is intrusive, and then when dozens of complaints came pouring in, DeMarco decided they were irrelevant because a lot of them were from the same people (as in the park neighbors and tennis players using the courts).

Director DeMarco ignored the advice of a local real estate economist who said homes that close to PB courts could result in loss of value, saying he just didn’t believe it.
This has never been about whether PB is a fun, family-friendly, healthy sport. Everyone agrees it is. It’s about responsible leadership, transparency, and commitment to the community as a whole. PB never belonged in a small residential park so close to homes, and every bit of objective data from across the country made that clear to Directors DeMarco, Maynard & Barke, and they did not care.

Although this comment focused mostly on Rossmoor Park and PB, it is emblematic of irresponsibility that may affect other areas of RCSD’s supervision and, hence, affects potentially many other Rossmoor residents in the future.
Respectfully,
Michele Fieldson
Rossmoor

Griffins finish tourney with three straight wins

-

October 2, 2024

Griffins finish tourney with three straight wins

The Los Alamitos High boys water polo team finished the S&R Sport Tournament with three wins to capture a ninth place finish. The Griffins battled for one-goal wins over Palos Verdes and Crean Lutheran before finishing the tournament with a 12-9 win over Orange Lutheran.

The field of 16 teams included some of the top teams in the CIF-SS rankings. Eventual winner Corona del Mar is ranked third in the section rankings on MaxPreps. Los Alamitos is ranked No. 26, two spots ahead of Huntington Beach, the only team to beat the Griffins in their four tournament matches.

The Griffins will have to deal with both Huntington Beach and Corona del Mar as they had back into Sunset League play this week. The Griffins faced Newport Harbor, the top ranked team in the Southern Section, on Wednesday. They will get another shot at Huntington Beach on Oct. 9 at 5:15 p.m. at Los Alamitos High.

-

October 2, 2024

In a game that looked so promising that it was chosen to be televised live on Bally’s Sports Network, things could not have gone much worse for the Los Alamitos High football team.

The Griffins, ranked No. 15 in the state, were hosting Serra of Gardena, ranked No. 19 in the state in a Homecoming showdown that looked like Clash of Titans.
But the Serra Cavaliers took control early and ran away with a 42-7 win over the Griffins that had Los Al Head Coach Ray Fenton at a loss for words about what went wrong.
“We’ll look at the film tomorrow and try to figure it out,” Fenton said.

Serra, a small private school, has built up a top-level team over the years, winning CIF-SS championships as recently as Division 3 title in 2021. In the matchup against the Griffins, the game started somewhat routine, with each team punting after their first possession. But thing turned quickly as the Cavaliers struck on the first play of their second possession. Quarterback Jimmy Butler hit Malachi Holt for a 67-yard touchdown that put the Cavaliers up 7-0.

On the Griffins ensuing possession, the Cavaliers’ Marcellous Ryan intercepted a pass and returned in for a touchdown that extended the lead to 14-0 with 6:34 left in the first quarter. The Cavaliers extended the lead with another touchdown drive and a second pick six by Tre Harrison that gave Serra a 28-0 lead.

The Griffins began to move the ball on the ground, with Lenny Ibarra breaking off a few solid runs. But the Griffins still trailed 35-0 at halftime, thanks to another big pass touchdown by Serra. The Griffins opened the second half with their only scoring drive, sparked by a big run by Ibarra, after which he punched it in on a short run to cut the lead to 35-7.

The Griffins will try to rebound with another tough test as they travel to Lincoln High of San Diego on Saturday for a 1 p.m. game. The Hornets (3-2) are coming off a 49-19 win over Grant High and are ranked No. 16 in the MaxPreps State rankings. The Griffins (4-2) dropped three spots to No. 18. The Griffins open Alpha League play on Oct. 18 against

Edison at Huntington Beach High.

Kennedy, Cypress open league play

The Kennedy High football team heads into Lambda League with a 3-2 record, after falling to Irvine High, 28-14 on Friday. The Fighting Irish open the new league with a familiar foe in Valencia High, which moved from the Empire League along with Kennedy.

The Tigers also come into Lambda League play with a 3-2 record. The Fighting Irish defeated the Tigers 42-17 in last years league game. The Fighting Irish had rushing touchdowns by Derek Almazan and Isaac Talamantes, but could not overtake Irvine, despite leading them in all-purpose yards, 329-238. Deon Bynum had 136 yards on kick returns to spark the Irish, but the Irish offense was limited as the Vaqueros intercepted two passes and had a fumble recovery.

Kennedy hosts Valencia on Friday at Handel Stadium at 7 p.m.
Cypress High enters Delta League play on Friday, also with a familiar foe, as the Centurions will take on the Tustin Tillers, who moved from the Empire League to the Delta League. Both teams are coming off a bye week, with the Centurions (2-3) suffering a 42-7 loss to Tesoro High, and the Tillers (4-1) finishing non-league with a 35-31 loss to Yorba Linda High. The 31 points in the loss are the lowest amount of points the Tillers have scored this season. The two team will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday at Tustin High.

Striking The Right Balance on Development in Cypress

-

October 2, 2024