Friends of Pathways is excited to announce its 27th Annual Fundraiser in support of Pathways to Independence, a leading social impact organization dedicated to empowering single young women from disadvantaged backgrounds, the group has announced in a press release.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2023, starting at 5:30 PM at CSULB “The Beach”, 6300 State University Drive, Long Beach. The theme for this year’s event is “80’s Flashback”.
The Friends of Pathways 27th Annual Fundraiser is a celebration of the incredible progress achieved by Pathways to Independence’s clients who have graduated to live fulfilling and independent lives. Guests will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the women served by Pathways to Independence while enjoying delicious food from 35 local restaurants, listening to live music from 80s band Knyght Ryder, dancing in your best retro outfit and big hair, and all while bidding on incredible silent and live auction items.
“We are thrilled to invite everyone to join us for this year’s ‘80’s Flashback’ fundraiser,” said Lisa Mais, Fund Development Officer for Pathways to Independence. “Not only will we be transported back to the vibrant and energetic era of the 80s, but we will also come together to support the incredible work of Pathways to Independence. It promises to be an unforgettable evening for a great cause.”
To ensure your place at this remarkable event, please visit www.pathwaystoindependence.org to purchase tickets. Early booking is recommended as space is limited.
All funds raised during the event will directly support the programs and services provided by Pathways to Independence whose mission is to promote independence, education, and empowerment for young women to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.
Friends of Pathways extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, and community members who make this event possible. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those we serve. For more info, www.pathwaystoindependence.org
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Aug. 31 warned Californians of fraudulent charitable and crowdfunding solicitations that may claim to help the victims of Maui’s recent wildfires.
Well-intentioned or otherwise, charities and crowdfunding pages formed overnight as a response to this crisis may lack the experience, contacts, and staff needed to respond to a disaster, or may be fraudulent. Before providing any monetary aid to those claiming to provide direct assistance to victims of this wildfire, Bonta urges Californians to take their time to research before giving.
“During this time of horrific devastation in Maui, we stand in solidarity with its people for their grievous suffering and loss,” said Bonta. “I encourage all Californians to extend a helping hand wherever possible, but be wary of potential scammers who might exploit your generosity and compassion. If you plan to donate resources or money, make sure to do your research on the charity or the crowdfunding organizer so your contributions can go to legitimate causes.
“If you believe that a charity or fundraiser has acted in bad faith, please report it immediately at oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints. As Californians do their part to give to those in need in Maui, we will do our part to protect the integrity of those donations from deceptive solicitations.”
Donation Tips
Check the Registration Status: Charities operating in California and fundraisers soliciting donations in California are required to register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. They are also required to file annual financial reports, which are made available to the public. Before making a donation, make sure to confirm that the charity is registered and up-to-date with its financial reporting by searching the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts’ database, located here: https://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Search.aspx?facility=Y
Give to Organizations You Trust: Do your research before giving. Review how much the charity spends directly on the charitable cause and how much goes to overhead and employee compensation. If you choose to donate to a charity you are unfamiliar with, contact the charity and ask for information in writing about how it plans to support the Maui fire victims. You should also confirm the charity’s name, address, and its nonprofit status.
Be Wary of Social Network Fundraising or Crowdfunding: If you are planning to donate through a social network solicitation or through Internet platforms, first do some research. Find out if the money is going to a charity, to the platform, or to a person who set up the solicitation. Find out what percentage of your donation is going to the charity or for a charitable cause, and whether you will be charged a fee.
Don’t Be Pressured by Telemarketers. Ask Questions Before Donating: If you receive a call from a telemarketer, ask for the name of the fundraising organization, whether it is registered with the Attorney General’s Office, the name of the charity benefitting from the solicitation, how much of your donation will go to charity and how much to the telemarketer, and the direct telephone number of the charity. Don’t fall for pressure tactics or threats. Remember that you have the right to reject the donation appeal and if you feel pressured or threatened, just hang up.
Watch Out for Similar-Sounding Names, Web Addresses, and Other Deceptive Tactics: Fraudulent organizations may use names that closely resemble those of well-established charitable organizations to mislead donors. Look out for fraudulent websites that have a slightly different web address (URL) than that of a legitimate charitable organization. Similar-looking URLs are sometimes purchased by fraudsters to lure in would-be donors. These sites may ask you for personal information or install harmful material onto your device.
Understand the Difference Between “Tax-Exempt” and “Tax-Deductible”: Being a nonprofit does not mean the organization is exempt from taxation, or that your donation is tax-deductible. Generally, a tax-exempt organization is exempt from paying tax on its income and gifts, but may or may not be able to offer a charitable tax deduction to donors for their contributions.
If you are not sure whether your donation is tax-deductible, verify the charity’s tax-exempt status by using the tools and information located on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits
For more information on how to protect yourself and your donations, check out the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) donation tips webpage at http://oag.ca.gov/donations. Complaints against charities can be filed using DOJ’s charity complaint form, at http://oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints.
The Los Alamitos High School Cross Country Team started off their season with four team championships at the Great Cow Invitational on Sept. 2, at John Glenn High School racing against 25 other schools. Los Alamitos High School had an incredible start to their season.
Competing against 26 teams from Orange and LA county the Griffins won the team sweepstakes award as the top team at the Invitational.
The varsity girls started the day off by winning their race in a landslide. The second-place team fell 85 points behind the Griffins. The top five varsity girls all finished in the top 20. Junior Stevie Holguin won the girls varsity race with the fastest time of the day (17:17), followed by junior Olivia Bettinger (18:02), then senior Ruby Flaim, followed by sophomore Chelsea Estrada, and senior Kaitlyn McQuillen.
The varsity boys followed by strong races by Charles Villegas (16:02) and Garrett Bantle (16:30). The junior varsity girls finished first with eight girls in the top 20. Griffin Milly Verdugo finished third (20:01), followed by Skyler McClain who finished eighth (20:56), and Amina Farki placing ninth. The JV boys also had a strong race led by Paul Dunbar (17:42) and Pierson Lumaya (17:44).
Matthew Mayhue (16:41) and Charley (17:15) led the Griffins to first place with fourth and tenth place finishes. The sophomore girls won their race by only one point, led by Serena Peterson (20:38) and Roma Kubis (21:07) with third and six place finishes. Los Alamitos High School Freshman girls took second place. Freshman Bella Castellon led the way with a time of (20:15), closely followed was Caris Honma (20:23). The Los Alamitos Freshman boys also placed second, in which three of the Griffin boys placed in the top 13. Finishing eighth was freshman AC Wellsand (17:02) followed by Samuel Pareti (17:06), and Johnathan Vazquez
Head Coach Mark Celestin is excited about this year’s season, saying, “we knew the team would be good, but just didn’t know they’d be this good. What a fantastic start to the season. If the runners continue crushing their training for the next two months our six teams will be ready for a great League Finals.
Soprano Sangeeta Kaur, who has performed regularly with the Seal Beach Symphony, has announced plans to perform her new album “Aurora” on Sept. 20 at the rooftop terrace of the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, according to a press release.
“I would like to invite all of our fans to come out and join us for the first performance of my new album,” said Kaur.
Her unique voice and her ability to touch the hearts of her audience are becoming apparent, even to music critics. “Sangeeta has a gorgeous, angelic voice that melts into your soul and hangs on tight,” claims music critic Keith “Muzikman” Hannaleck.
The Recording Academy recognized her talent in 2022 by making Kaur the first-ever
Vietnamese American singer to be awarded a Grammy Award in the “Best Classical Solo Vocal” category.
Kaur launched her latest album in July, and it has since hovered near the top of the charts in the crossover classical New Age category.
On Sept. 3, the Indie Music Channel named “Aurora” the New Age “Recording of the Year,” and the emerging hit “Starlight” (from the album), was named “Song of the Year.”
Kaur is not only a talented vocalist and producer, but she has also become quite a savvy Soprano.
She recruited trendy English songwriter Shridhar Solanki to produce “Aurora” resulting in what is perhaps the first-ever “pop-infused” classical ‘crossover’ album. It has since gained resonance among music lovers everywhere.
“This album has characteristics of an Aurora,” said Kaur. “It is colorful, sometimes serene and calm, and at other times, energetic and cinematic,” she said. “Aurora,” said Kaur, “is a journey of love, dreams, and trusting the universe.”
Kaur’s career is also gaining traction worldwide.
Making Grammy history as a Vietnamese American has made Kaur somewhat of a role model in Vietnam, a country she visited in July. She performed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and she was invited to sing the national anthem at the U.S. Embassy.
“It is such an honor to bring hope to people all over the world,” said Kaur, noting that her music is written and performed with love. “It is clear our world can use much more love,” said Kaur.
Accompanying Kaur on stage to perform “Aurora” will be Solanki, show manager Duy Tran, engineer Gerhard Joost, Van Anh Nguyen, piano, Nathalie Bonin, violin, Rylie Harrod on cellist, Tiffany Brevard, vocalist, Mark Olsen and M. B. Gordy, percussion, Mark Gorman, bass, Dat Nguyen, guitar and Choreographer Amy Ryerson.
Kaur’s “Aurora” will appear in Los Angeles on Sept. 20 and at Wonderspaces in Austin on Sept. 26.
For info and tickets, visit www.sangeetakaurmusic.com.
The Youth Center celebrated the eighth anniversary of its annual golf tournament fundraiser. Held on July 10 at the Rio Hondo Golf Course in Downey, the event raised funds for at-risk and disadvantaged youth in surrounding communities. Along with providing lunch, dinner, prizes, and raffles for guests, what makes this fundraiser special is that it welcomes kids onto the course.
Arnie Fine has sat on The Youth Center’s Board of Directors for over 30 years. He came up with the golf tournament idea as a way to include kids, since they are directly impacted by the fundraiser. As the Golf Committee Chair, his job is to handle the “nuts and bolts” of the event and bring in golfers to play in the tournament.
“As far as golf tournaments go, most of them include adults only. We’re a youth center, so why not include youth in our golf tournament?” Fine said. Golfers as young as eight and nine years old participate. The Youth Center partners with the Long Beach Junior Golf Association to invite young players, and parents also bring their kids along.
Fine plays regularly with a group of golf buddies at Huntington Harbor Golf Club, and he has other connections from playing tennis and baseball. Because of his community contacts, he was able to bring in about 40 golfers himself this year. Over a month before the event, the tournament sold out at 144 guests.
“It’s a fun atmosphere,” Fine said, adding that golfers are placed in groups of four at the tournament. “People get matched up and they don’t know each other, and they might meet and make new friends.”
The Youth Center’s top sponsors for this year’s event were SA Recycling and Sean Payne of Edward Jones Investments. The fundraiser’s exclusive photography sponsor was Tim De Shazer Photographer. Many other businesses and organizations sponsored holes, goodie bags, drinks, and more.
“Every hole on the course was sponsored by an amazing business in our community,” said The Youth Center’s Director of Development, Maryam Guirao.
Students from Whitney High School Key Club, past and current Youth Center board members, golfers’ family members, and other supporters of The Youth Center volunteered at the tournament.
“I think all the hard work from our fundraising team, golf committee, and volunteers paid off because many golfers made a point to mention to me that this was our best tournament,” said Amanda Hernandez, Fundraising Coordinator. “This year we definitely improved in different areas like registration time and food options.”
A Habit Burger Grill food truck provided lunches of burgers and fries for guests, and checking in golfers went much smoother than in past years, said Guirao.
At a current grand total of about $29,597, the tournament raised more than last year. While the fundraiser hasn’t yet reached The Youth Center’s goal of $30,000, there is still raffle money to be accounted for, and donations continue to come in.
“The Youth Center’s Annual Golf Tournament brings in a new crowd of people that are able to bond through their love of golf all while supporting the children,” Hernandez said.
“This year’s tournament was a huge success and I couldn’t be prouder of the outcome,” Guirao said. “We had an outstanding committee of volunteers and the best golfer feedback we’ve had in years. I look forward to making next year’s event even bigger and better!”
The Cypress City Council has approved a new four-year compensation agreement for its police department that will provide not only a 23% cost of living adjustment but also $700 per month performance bonuses for the department.
“We’re pleased that a new agreement has been reached,” Human Resources Administrator Regina D. Nguyen told the Council.
She said the two-year agreement between the Police Management Association and the Police Officers Association expired in June and the new agreement “includes significant increases to compensation for members.”
According to the California Comptroller’s Office, Cypress residents in 2022 paid its police chief $311,063 per year, which includes a salary of $240,000 plus $70,965 in benefits while a police sergeant waspaid $194,532 in salary and $58,970 in benefits, according to the government website.
According to the site, officers salaries ranged from 90,000 – $200,000 including wages and benefits.
Under the new agreement, Nguyen said Cypress police employees will receive an immediate 11 percent increase in year one, four and one-half percent in years two and three and three percent in year four, amounting to a 23 percent cost of living increase.
In addition, she said “There’s a new form of pay called ‘performance-based master pay’ that will pay officers $700 per month for the first three years of their agreements.”
In addition, she said there is an increase to the police monthly medical contribution up to $1850, said Nguyen.
“Several factors affected the outcome of these negotiations,” she said, including the labor market. “Recent changes in law enforcement public perception has greatly impacted recruitment and retention,” she told the Council.
“This, combined with inflation has necessitated employers providing unprecedented compensation increases over the past few years,” said Nguyen.
An additional consideration is that the Cypress Police Department needs to “remain competitive in a challenging labor market,” she said.
“These increases are a necessary cost of doing business….and this being in the business of providing police services has gotten much costlier in the past few years,”
In addition to unanimously approving the raises, the council voted to amend the city’s budget to provide the $1 million increase to the current fiscal year and $327,000 for ongoing costs beginning in year five.
“We’ve been talking about this for several months…and I want to compliment everyone from the PMA to the city staff for really taking this to success. I know there was give and take on both sides,” said Council member Bonnie Peat.
In addition, Chief Mark Lauderback presented the department’s new strategic plan to the Council, saying the force was “finally getting back to normal” following the COVID disruption.
“We’re focusing on the development of our younger officers that we’re seeing coming through the door as we’re losing our senior staff to retirement and figuring out how to develop these future leaders,” he said.
Lauderback said the department was also creating a training matrix to ensure officers on the force understand what is expected of them. “We’ve enhanced the department’s technology plan, and that really encompasses a lot,” the Chief said.
“I went through the three-year strategic plan and looked at every position and what we’re doing and how can we streamline it and be more cost-efficient and provide a better service at less of an impact to the community when it comes to finances,” said Lauderback.
Audience members were bursting with questions for the distinguished panel of experts at St. Irenaeus Parish Hall on August 17th. Those in attendance were desperate to learn how the CARE Act, Community Assistance Recovery & Empowerment Act, could help their loved ones suffering from mental illness.
This event was sponsored by NAMI Orange County, which holds regular meetings at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in collaboration with St. Irenaeus Health Ministry. These meetings are led by Deacon Jerry Pyne and his wife, JoAnn. NAMI, which stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness, provides support and services to families and individuals affected by mental illness at no cost.
The panel of speakers at this event was introduced by Jennifer Dagarag, RN, Faith Community Nurse and Co-Director of Health Ministry. The group was led by Annette Mugrditchian, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health, and included Orange County Superior Court Judge Ebrahim Baytieh, Sara Nakada, Senior Assistant Public Defender, and Dr. Stacey Berardino, PhD., Assistant Deputy Director Forensics and Mental Health.
The CARE Act is “a new civil court process” created to facilitate counties and local governments to serve people who have “untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders.” It provides behavioral health and other needed resources and services. The Act protects self-determination and civil liberties by providing legal services and promoting mutual decision making. The CARE Act prevents incarceration and restrictive living conditions.
Eligibility requirements are: adults, age 18 or older who are diagnosed with Schizophrenia or Schizophrenia Spectrum disorders who are currently displaying behaviors and symptoms of severe mental illness; not clinically stabilized in regular voluntary treatment; showing at least one of the following: not likely to survive safely without supervision and condition is deteriorating; needs services and supports to avoid relapse or deterioration that could lead to harming self or others.
A CARE-100 petition can be made by various people to start the CARE process: a person who lives with the respondent; spouse, parent, sibling, adult child, grandparents or someone in the role of a parent, or by the respondent; a first responder; Director of a hospital or representative where the respondent is hospitalized; a licensed behavioral health professional or someone treating the respondent for mental illness; Director of a public or charitable organization that provides behavioral health services or in whose institution respondent resides; County behavioral health director or designee; public guardian or designee; Director of adult protective services or designee; Director of a California Indian health services program, California tribal behavioral health department or designee; judge of a tribal court situated in California, or representative. The petition must be accompanied by a completed Mental Health Declaration (CARE-101) from a licensed behavioral health provider or evidence that the respondent was detained for a minimum of two periods of intensive treatment (WIC 5250 holds), the most recent episode within the last 60 days.
The CARE Agreement Plan provides behavioral health services that include psychological counseling; medication management; housing resources, social services and supports. Stacey Berardino noted that injectable medications have shown an 80% success rate with efficacy and compliance.
CARE is funded by nearly $10 billion per year for behavioral health care, including the Mental Health Services Act and behavioral health realignment funds. Over $14 billion in state funds has been available for the last two years to alleviate homelessness. CARE participants will have priority for “bridge housing funded by the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program which provides $1.5 billion in funding for housing and housing support services.”
The first counties to implement the CARE program are Orange, Glenn, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and San Francisco. They will be required to begin utilizing the CARE Act by October 2023. CARE will be available in all counties in California by December 2024.
Although most respondents in CARE will be Medi-Cal beneficiaries, it will also be available for those who have other health insurance. CARE requires that the participant’s health plan reimburses the county for eligible care costs.
The primary goals of the CARE Act are voluntary engagement of the respondent and improvement of mental health for participants. Although it is narrow in scope, it provides vital services for those with severe mental illness who are in dire need. If you have more questions, please call OC Links 24/7, the Behavioral Health Services Line, at 855-625-4657 or access OCNavigator.org.
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters concluded its final weekend of the summer with a jam-packed celebration of events. The festive weekend kicked off with the glamorous end-of-summer extravaganza A Night of Magic Gala on Saturday evening, followed by the annual Festival Runway Fashion Show on Sunday afternoon highlighting creativity and sustainability by Festival exhibiting artists.
On Saturday, August 26th, the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters welcomed thousands of guests to its biggest bash of the season for a jam-packed night of fine art, living pictures, strolling entertainment, giveaways, and more. The event began with a red-carpet entrance where guests posed for photographers and in photo booths for souvenir print outs. Among those who walked the carpet were celebrity guests Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), Linda Lavin (Alice), Ginger Chan (KTLA), Kate Linder (Young and the Restless), and the evening’s host, Paula Abdul.
Entertainment was scattered throughout the art exhibit and included Le Petit Cirque acrobats and stilt walkers, as well as close-up magic from three world-class magicians: Johnny Ace Palmer, World Champion Magician; Jon Armstrong and the Mystifying Tiny Plunger; and David Stryker, magician and mentalist. Those in attendance danced to the sounds of three-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar-nominated songwriter Sergio Mendes whose vivacious melodies and infectious rhythms filled the Festival grounds.
After the concert, guests proceeded to the Irvine Bowl to enjoy a special performance of the 90th Annual Pageant of the Masters production of “Art Colony: In the Company of Artists.” Paula Abdul introduced the Pageant of the Masters, sharing her longtime love of the show since her first visit in 1999. Before the show, Paula also pulled the winning ticket for the Festival’s summer-long raffle. The winner of the 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate ($63,000 value) was Mariam Pourzamani of San Diego, CA. Proceeds from the night support arts programming for the Festival of Arts. The 2023 event was sponsored by Volvo Cars, KOST 103.5, and Yamaha.
On Sunday, August 27, the Festival of Arts held the 13th annual Festival Runway Fashion Show highlighting creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Festival artists wowed audiences with their outfits utilizing reclaimed, reused, or recycled materials. The runway show, sponsored by Fashion Island, featured a panel of three judges that chose the top looks in four categories while Festival visitors casted their votes for the “People’s Choice Award.”
The Festival Runway Fashion Show was hosted by film production designer Nelson Coates. Selecting the winners were Laguna Beach artist and former costume and set designer, Gerard Basil Stripling; award-winning costume designer Salvador Perez; and fashion executive, textile designer, documentary producer and creative director, Suzi Chauvel.
The 2023 Festival Runway Fashion Show winners include:
Painter Elizabeth McGhee received the award “Most Innovative Use of Materials’’ for her 1950’s style Bubble Dress which she designed and modeled herself. She used colorful single-use plastic bags inside bubble wrap to create dots of color, inspired by the works of oil painter George Seurat. McGhee’s runway look also impressed the crowd and took home the highly coveted “People’s Choice Award.”
“Most Creative Concept” was awarded to mixed media artist Jayne Dion for her Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun inspired dress, renowned for her depictions of Marie Antonienette. The beautiful ensemble was crafted from aluminum screen doors, hundreds of can tabs, trash bags, 16 gage wire, bed sheets, and crepe paper party streamers.
Painter Nancy Swan won “Most Glamorous & Elegant Red Carpet Worthy Creation” for her Gilded Age gown using mylar balloons, trash bags and hand-painted color squares from 1,277 breakfast bars, all eaten by the artist and saved since 2020!
Pencil artist Rowan Foley won “Most Exciting Ensemble Inspired by a Famous Artist” for her Rococo style dress, the style worn by Marie Antonienette. Rowan aimed to pay tribute to the Festival of Arts’ own community artists and the entirety of her dress was made of paper art pieces contributed by her fellow exhibitors.
With football season right around the corner, it’s time to get ready to score some touchdowns! This 2023 fall season, the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department is excited to be offering Parent and Me Flag Football (2-3 years), Jr. Pee Wee Flag Football (4-6 years), and Pee Wee Flag Football (7-9 years). These five-week clinic-style sessions will be located at Little Cottonwood Park (4000 Farquhar Ave.) on Tuesdays from September 19 through October 17.
Parent and Me Flag Football will occur from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Jr. Pee Wee Flag Football from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Pee Wee Flag Football from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. During these sessions, Department Staff will cover the fundamental skills of football such as passing, catching, and flag pulling. Participants will engage in various drills and skill-based games to enhance their skill set. Registration for these programs will close on Sunday, September 10.
For additional information, please visit the Recreation & Community Services website at www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430-1073.
Photo by Ted Apodaca
Sophomore wide receiver Carson Clark goes up for a touchdown reception in Los Alamitos High’s 57-35 win over Timpview of Utah on Friday at Los Al High. Clark had 145 receiving yards and two touchdowns and also had an interception return for a touchdown on defense. Griffin quarterback Alonzo Esparza completed 17 of 23 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns as Los Alamitos improved to 3-0 and jumped to No. 3 in the Orange County rankings. The Griffins will host Servite on Friday at 7 p.m. at Cerritos College.
Cypress High was able to shut down El Modena High’s offense enough to come away with a 31-14 win in a non-league football game, but the cost may hurt the Centurions on the long run.
Cypress suffered several injuries in the game to key players, adding to some injuries that had already plagued the team starting back during the summer passing tournaments.
A broken collarbone suffered by runningback Destin Sanchez and a wrist injury to wide receiver Bobby Castillo were just two key injuries the Centurions suffered against El Modena. Head Coach Rick Feldman was at a loss as to how the team will try to navigate the next few weeks.
“At the end we were just trying to massage the clock and get the heck out of here,” Feldman said.
The Centurions got a strong effort from it defense which shut out El Modena in the second half and allowed only one touchdown, with the second coming on special teams, when the Vanguards returned a kickoff for a touchdown. But the Centurions also pulled off a special teams score that proved to be pivotal.
With the game tied 14-14 late in the second quarter, the Centurions lined up to punt the ball. The receiver failed to catch the ball cleanly, but did scoop it up on the bounce. As he tried to run he was hit and dropped the ball. Junior Matthew Baldonado picked up the loose ball, broke away from a tackler and ran 12 yards for a touchdown that gave the Centurions a 21-14 lead with 2:43 left in the half.
The Centurion defense began to clamp down on the Vanguards and forced a punt that gave Cypress the ball at the 43 yard line. Cypress was able to get in close enough for Logan Kennedy to kick a field goal with :13 seconds left to give Cypress a 24-14 lead at halftime.
They got a couple of big plays on us on busted coverages and misalignments, so came back, adjusted to it, fixed it and the kids responded well,” Assistant Coach Jeff Crooks said.
The score remained 24-14 into the fourth quarter and Cypress was looking to run out the clock, when senior running back Rocco Burdett took a hand off and tried running up the middle.
He hit a wall of players just past the line of scrimmage, but kept churning his feet and somehow broke through the pile and raced 36 yards for a touchdown that capped the scoring and the win for Cypress.
The Centurions will host Lawndale on Friday at 7 p.m. at Handel Stadium.
When community members get elected to a position in local government, they are thrust into a Ninja blender of conflicting interests.
It does not matter if the decision pertains to allocating $250,000 in taxpayer funds for “fancy trash cans”, asking for an outside audit of financial records where significant mistakes are obvious, or deciding whether to overturn a decision of two State agencies that found three housing projects next to the Joint Forces Military Base may be unsafe for the housing.
Each decision made requires a “scale of justice” to weigh and balance multiple factors.
The decision usually calls for a Yes or No vote. Management loses control when council members attempt to alter the staff’s recommendation during a council meeting.
After the vote, it is inevitable that one side is not going to be satisfied, and will question the judgment, or ethics, or both of the decision maker.
There are circulating accusations that the failed vote to overturn the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision occurred because two members of the Los Alamitos City Council are “puppets”.
The council acts as a “body” and their duties are to everyone, not just those living in the city, but everyone who may be impacted by the decision. That is why hearings are open to the “public” not just voters within the city.
As an elected official, you have “staff” that consists of civil service employees, management, and legal counsel. Your staff does not make decisions, they make recommendations only. They are not experts; that is why the City pays for consultant opinions.
The consultant must also be free of conflict of interest and bias in order for officials to be able to rely on their advice. A consultant who has been paid by both the proponent and opponent at different times would have a conflict of interest. A report that fails to disclose that writer has been paid by the proponent in the past but asserts in a report that he is “independent”, lacks credibility and tilts the scale of justice.
A decision-maker is free to follow the Staff recommendations, but she is also free to ignore them. She must weigh and balance the advice given based on whether the staff report is complete, accurate, unbiased, and avoids conflicts of interest.
Some council members never deviate from what the staff recommends. Even in a situation where many errors are found in financial reports and budgets, they will vote to approve the document because that is what the “staff recommends’. These types of decisions make the public questions “what are they hiding”?
The community may notice that the “follow the leader” official, may never express an opinion or ask a question during the meeting. Their job is performative: hand out certificates, get photo taken, cheer on the staff, meet and greet, and never question what is presented to you.
On the other hand, some council members are activists.
When the public demands answers to questions, they do their own research, consult with outside legal advisors when they do not get sufficient council in-house, gather public documents that are missing from the staff reports, question the credentials of experts, and look for conflicts of interest both inside and outside of City Hall. This assures them that the decision they make is based on the broadest factual basis available free of undue influence and not tainted by corruption.
Activist council members will engage in questions and answers during the public meetings, and openly discuss their concerns.
My question for the reader is this: Is the “puppet” the person who actively engages in the pursuit of knowledge and truth, or the decision maker who simply allows the staff to tell them what to do?
Sincerely,
Carol Churchill
Rossmoor
Send us Letters
Letters on topics of current interested are encouraged and will be published as timely as possible. Letters of potentially libelous nature will not be published. All Letters must have the writer’s name, city of residence and phone number for verification. Only the writer’s name and city will be published.
Letters to the Editor can be submitted to Event-News Enterprise by E-mail at: editor@event-newsenterprise.com.
Social media can be a great tool to help build connections, stay informed and engage with others. However, it can become all-consuming and potentially damaging to adolescent brain development, which is a cause for concern.
A recent advisory issued by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calls attention to the potential harmful effects social media has on children’s mental health. According to the report, 95% of teens ages 13-17 say they use social media, with more than a third saying they use it “almost constantly.” In addition, 40% of children ages 8-12 use social media, even though most platforms require users to be at least 13 to participate.
According to a study in the report, teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media face twice the risk of experiencing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Other potential issues referenced in the report include:
Body dissatisfaction, or disordered eating behaviors
Social comparison
Lower self-esteem
Poor sleep
The information in this report corroborates with the what UnitedHealthcare providers are often seeing: an increased rate of harmful comparison, limited in-person interaction, feelings of loneliness and an uptick in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Dr. Donald Tavakoli, national medical director for behavioral health at UnitedHealthcare, says the amount of time children spend online affects their overall development.
The Surgeon General’s advisory comes as youth mental health remains in a state of crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 children have a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder and only about 20% of those children receive care from a mental health provider.
These findings may be alarming for parents and tackling the issues surrounding social media use may feel overwhelming as well. These tips may help you and your child become more informed about social media use and, in turn, reduce potential harm:
Understand and monitor social media.
Having a bit of background on the latest social media apps can help parents create better limits and boundaries for their kids. As children’s brains go through dramatic developmental changes, they could develop sensitivities associated with a desire for attention and may have undeveloped self-control, especially during early adolescence. Social channels that promote “likes” or excessive scrolling may pose issues for developing brains. Limit chat functions, especially with strangers, and restrict inappropriate content.
Create a family social media plan.
Set guidelines and boundaries when it comes to your family’s social media use. This can be agreed-upon expectations of what social media use looks like to your family, including screen time limits, online safety and protecting personal privacy. The Academy of Pediatrics has a template that can guide you through the process.
Communication is key.
Initiate open and honest conversations, without judgement, with your child about their activity on social media on a regular basis. Ask them about what they see on social media and pose hypotheticals, asking how they would respond in different scenarios. Ensure they know the signs of cyberbullying, and how permanent an online post can be.
Create tech-free zones.
It can be helpful to restrict electronic use at least one hour before bedtime and through the night. Studies show two or more hours of screentime in the evening can greatly disrupt the melatonin surge needed to fall asleep. Keep mealtimes free from technology and encourage in-person conversations. Encourage children to foster in-person friendships and build social skills.
Model healthy social media behavior.
Children often learn by watching your behaviors and habits, so make sure you’re limiting the time you spend on social media and be responsible with what you choose to post. When you are on your device, tell your children what you’re doing.
While the Surgeon General’s advisory focuses on the potential negative impacts of social media use on children and teens, it also acknowledges social media can provide some benefits. It can be helpful in creating community connection over shared interests, abilities and identities or providing space for self-expression. Encouraging children to form healthy relationships with technology is critical.
Adults cannot afford to wait to understand the full impact of social media because adolescents’ brains are still developing. It’s crucial that parents take an active role in helping their children safely navigate social media.
Archana Dubey, MD, is Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of California, located in Cypress
María Cecilia Borja-Van Zitter, known as “Ceci” by her family and friends, has been a member of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for about 33 years. She served as Hospitality Chair twice, most recently for the past five years.
She surprised everyone by publishing her first Children’s book on Amazon in June of 2022, by the title of “One Joyful Scoop at a Time!” It was also published in Spanish as “¡Una Alegre Porción de Helado al Vez!” Her first book was about her grandson, Bowman, who had to miss out of activities because he needed to learn how to follow rules, before he could enjoy the ice cream he enjoyed, “one joyful scoop at a time.” Ceci said that she wrote the book to fulfill one of her husband’s last wishes, to “take care of Bowman.” At that time, she said she wanted to write more books to help Bowman as he was growing up.
Ceci continues to write bilingual Children’s books, not just for Bowman but for all children. As children read her books, she hopes that they might be inspired to appreciate the beauties of nature, express gratitude and joy for the blessings they receive in their everyday lives, and some day, develop their self-esteem as they discover their God given-worth. Her second book, was published on August 10, 2023, on Amazon, and was printed in both English and Spanish as, “One Joyful Adventure at a Time!” and “¡Una Alegre Adventura a la Vez!”
In her second book, Ceci shares her love of nature and the jungle of the Amazonía in Ecuador, with her granddaughter Sage. Sage was not happy because the jungle is full of bugs, birds and mud, and there was no TV. Worst of all, she would have to celebrate her birthday in this strange place, far away from her friends. This story acknowledges that children have difficulties with new experiences and encourages them to look for the positive. After a surprise party, Sage has “One joyful adventure at a time!”
Ceci held a book -signing of her second Children’s Book, on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Paris Baguette in Cerritos, at 17416 Carmenita Road. While having their books signed by Ceci, patrons of the bakery could enjoy coffee and a variety of pastries prepared by Paris Baguette for a fee. Retired teacher Nancy Spears of Cerritos read about Ceci’s book signing and came prepared to purchase nine books for her eight grandchildren and one for a friend’s grandchild! Ceci was delighted that Nancy came and purchased so many books!
Ceci will be reading her four new books for children in the Little Theater of the Cerritos Library, on September 29, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. Since September will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Ceci will be reading her books in English and in Spanish. She would love to see many children and their parents come to hear her stories. All four of Ceci’s books were colorfully illustrated by Sara Nieto.
Maria Cecilia Borja Van Zitter, or “Ceci” as we now know her, is a retired teacher with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from CSULA, and a Master of Arts Degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. She lived in Quito, Ecuador, until 1966, when she relocated to Los Angeles. She became a United States citizen in 1986 and was a teacher in California public schools for 30 years before retiring from full-time teaching. She currently does substitute teaching in high schools and is becoming known as an author of Children’s books.
Persons interested in contacting Ceci for book readings, school visits, or presentations, can connect with her on Facebook@AbuelitaCeciFanPage, and on Instagram @instagramborjavan. Persons interested in purchasing her second book can contact Aamazon.com at: https://tinyurl.com/OneJoyfulAdventureAtATimeUS.
Kayla Teng is already writing chapters of her own Book of Life. Her message is simple yet profound.
“The very future of our world depends on children’s access to books,” Teng, a Rossmoor teen, tells the Board of Directors meeting of the Rossmoor Community Services District.
What began as a scouting research project for Teng has blossomed into a campaign for children’s literacy.
“My community service project is called ‘Key to Literacy,’” Teng told the Directors, as she sought approval for her “Storytime” book drive to appear at the upcoming Rossmoor Family Fest on Sept. 9.
The teen then made a strong case for her campaign.
“Literacy serves as the building blocks of the foundation upon which education is built in our rapidly evolving world,” Teng told the board. “Literacy and education are pretty much the key to solving many advanced tasks and even basic ones,” she added.
“Literacy and education unlock doors in our personal growth, but they can also lead to better understanding, effective communication, and widespread education help solve many larger and collective issues,” the Oxford Academy student told the RCSD Directors.
Teng, who was recently selected as “Miss Anaheim Teen,” has now attracted the support of the Orange County United Way and California Pizza Kitchen in her unrelenting quest to distribute children’s books to underserved households.
Teng with RCSD Director Jo Shade, left ane General Manager Joe Mendoza, right.
“Being proficient in literacy all starts at a young age,” she said, noting that “It starts with fostering a love for reading.” “I know, I’ve always loved reading from a young age.”
A couple of years ago, Kayla decided to seek her Girl Scout Bronze Award. For that project, Teng decided to build a website linking the tiny “share a book” libraries dotted throughout Rossmoor. She met Joe Mendoza, the general manager, who she said has been very helpful to her along with the entire RCSD Board and staff.
Kayla then made her case for why it was so important to get children’s books (kindergarten to third grade) into more underserved homes.
“One in five children don’t have access to books,” Teng told the Board, “And 61% of low-income families don’t have a single children’s book in their home – and that is absurd,” said Teng.
“And those are the children who most likely are not going to be proficient in reading. If they’re not proficient by fourth grade,” said Teng, “they’re 45% more likely to drop out of high school.”
“And dropping out of high school, where I come from, is a really big deal,” she said, “so that’s why I started ‘Literacy is Key.’”
Courtesy photo A girl scout project years ago inspired her current campaign to improve literacy among younger readers.
“My initiative is focused on three core elements; using the internet online to advocate, doing Storytime’s, and book drives,” she said.
“I’ve been working with United Way of Orange County,” she said, to raise money to buy books. “I have already donated 150 books to underprivileged schools in Anaheim,” said Teng.
“And when I presented the kids with these books, they told me, ‘Oh my god, I can take these home’…and the fascinated looks on their faces. It told me that it was all worth it,” said Teng.
The junior high book philanthropist hopes to distribute at least one book to every Title 1 school in California and donating 300-400 more books locally.
They are asking for children’s books or books from kindergarten to third grade, the Directors were told.
Director Jo Shade told Kayla “This is a program that’s after my own heart, having a daughter who’s huge on reading as well because that’s like her thing. So, I totally get it.”
“I actually saw the program that you’re running on social media,” said Shade. “So that’s great. Right. Isn’t that nice? I know. I would like to see more of that social media done for sure. No question. I think it’s wonderful,” she said.
Director Nathan Searles offered to put Kayla in touch with the Friends of the Library group. “Awesome,” said Kayla.
Director Michael Maynard said Kayla’s enthusiasm for books reminded him of his dad, a man he said in retirement led a group of CEOs who would visit schools and read to kids.
“All that said, I’m a big fan of what you’re trying to accomplish,” said Maynard, who was the acting President for the August meeting. “Thank you so much for your time and for your efforts and we are all on your side.”
“Key to Literacy” donations can be dropped off at the RCSD Office, 3001 Blume Drive, Rossmoor, there is a QR code for her GoFundMe campaign and volunteers or persons with questions can email Kayla directly at kaylateng@gmail.com.
For Teng, books are the future and literally means success or failure at a young age for so many. Yet her work, she said, puts her face-to-face with children whose lives are about to be changed.
“Because these kids are going to get books in their hands, they’re going to understand stories and they are going to understand the joy of literacy,” she said.
During the debate over whether the city of Los Alamitos should, or should not overrule the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC), several alternatives were suggested that would occur if the city failed to overrule a ruling that found three of the potential homebuilding sites in the city’s approved housing element were “inconsistent” with the standards of land use around an airport.
“Housing elements” are simply glorified plans California municipalities must file with the state to identify potential future housing sites to construct a target number of new homes determined by the state or its designated agency.
Without a housing element, local municipalities potentially lose local control of their ordinances that govern new construction of housing. Therefore, when the ALUC found three sites problematic in relation to the runways at the city’s military base, the internal struggle began over what would happen to the city’s approved housing element if the city failed to overrule the findings of inconsistency.
The most pressing issue deep within the debate was the Lampson Project, a massive, mixed-use housing project that promises 249 new residences for the city, which has been proposed for one of the three sites found to be inconsistent.
Without overruling ALUC, as has Seal Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, and others, a number of speakers suggested ALUC could then take control of the city’s planning department.
As reported by ENE last week, a motion by the City Council to overrule ALUC failed 3-2. Michael Daudt, the city’s legal advisor, said a resolution to “overrule” ALUC requires a four-fifths majority rather than a simple majority.
Since the vote, there has been no firm announcement about what will happen next.
Lea Choum, the Executive Director of ALUC told ENE last week that the Commission would be scheduling a meeting to discuss the issue. As of this week, however, no meeting has been immediately called.
The ENE has also reached out to Schelly Sustarsic, a Seal Beach city council member who sits on ALUC, who as yet not responded with a statement.
Finally, the ENE did receive a response from AnnaMarie Sorkin, the public information officer for ALUC, who responded to the following questions.
ENE: Is there any precedence of ALUC becoming involved in any way with city planning departments anywhere as a result of a situation similar to the one in Los Alamitos?
Sorkin:
ALUC reviews projects for consistency or inconsistency with Airport Environs Land Use Plans for Orange County airports, including plans for John Wayne Airport, Fullerton Municipal Airport, and Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, depending on the project’s location. The local jurisdictions maintain final land use authority over proposed projects.
When the commission does meet, what are the decision points on the agenda?
Sorkin: In reviewing projects, the Commission considers airport-related noise impacts, height restrictions, and safety concerns to determine whether a project is Consistent or Inconsistent with an Airport Environs Land Use Plan.
Is there negotiating room on the ‘inconsistency” finding to resolve the matter between ALUC and the city?
Sorkin: The city may revise its plan and submit it for ALUC’s review.
Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s Fall After-School Enrichment Program begins on Sept. 5 for Weaver Elementary and Sept. 11 for the rest of the district.
The program provides children across all nine Los Alamitos Unified School District sites with a diverse array of enriching educational experiences.
This fall, LAEF is offering more than 145 classes guided by credentialed and highly qualified teachers ensuring that participating students have access to outstanding opportunities for growth and learning.
LAEF will continue offering free Virtual World Language classes to first- through fifth-graders across the district. More than 300 students enrolled in these free classes last Spring, ranging from Mandarin and Japanese to Spanish, French and American Sign Language. LAEF’s goal is to expose children to languages they can pursue further in their secondary education.
“We are grateful to our community for their unwavering support, enabling LAEF to extend the gift of language learning to even more young minds. The opportunity to expose students to these incredible languages lays the foundation for a lifetime of exploration and growth,” said Mike Kahn, LAEF programs manager.
LAEF’s After-School Fall Enrichment Program is more than just a collection of classes; it’s an invitation for students to explore, discover, and flourish. With a diverse range of offerings spanning arts, sciences, athletics, and technology, ensuring that students not only have fun but also broaden their horizons.
LAEF continues to facilitate even more participation by offering tuition scholarships, thanks to the support of grant donors such as Run Seal Beach and our major donor group, the Los Al Leadership Circle. For more information or to register your student for classes, please visit www.LAEF4kids.org/afterschool.
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF impacts all students by providing significant funding for student mental health and wellness, and STEAM teachers/instruction, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources. For more information, visit www.LAEF4kids.org or call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424.
Already well established as a Southern California cultural institution, the Distinguished Speakers Series has again lined up an all-star array of live presenters for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Now in its third season in Long Beach this season’s speakers include Goldie Hawn, Dr. Moogega Cooper, Liz Cheney, Dr. Lisa Genova, H. R. McMaster, and Thomas Friedman. The Series is sold in subscription packages ranging from $240 to $660. Each presentation begins at 8:00pm at the Terrace Theater.
With its season running from September 2023 to May 2024, on six different evenings, the Distinguished Speaker Series will bring community and business leaders, colleagues, friends, and multi-generations of families together for a shared experience. Patrons come together for inspiring stories and presentations from some of the world’s most influential, timely, and captivating speakers.
“Our mission is to offer audiences across Los Angeles the chance to learn from six amazing people changing the world. We give neighbors from differing backgrounds and political persuasions the opportunity to come together,” said co-owner Kathy Winterhalder.
The difference between The Distinguished Speaker Series and other forms of entertainment is the return on investment. “Billionaires and CEO’s understand the value of experiencing thought leaders live; they get exclusive invitations and pay tens of thousands of dollars traveling the world to attend events. We present many of the same speakers as these forums. However, the big distinction is – for the price of a good steak dinner – we bring the same experience to our subscribers at the Terrace Theater,” said Winterhalder.
The series kicks off on September 21, 2023 with Academy Award-winner, humanitarian and household name, Goldie Hawn. Known worldwide as one of the screen’s most beloved actresses, little is known about her true passion, her Mind Up Curriculum, created by the Hawn Foundation, a public charity created after 9/11, whose mission is to help children manage stress and reach their highest potential. Goldie will join the Series for a night of fun, laughter, stories, & sharing her passion: how to truly thrive.
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. Courtesy photo
Dr. Moogega Cooper, will take the stage on October 12, 2023. A real-life “Guardian of the Galaxy,” Dr. Cooper helped make history when the Mars Perseverance Rover successfully landed on the Red Planet. Part of the famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) team, she holds the awesome responsibility of keeping the Red Planet safe from Earth’s contaminants. Her presentation will feature breathtaking images taken from space and she will share the leadership lessons learned from her inspirational journey to the top of her field.
Liz Cheney, former Congresswoman and Profile in Courage recipient, will join the Series on February 1, 2024, to discuss the political divide in American politics. Cheney’s actions during her last term in Congress laid bare her commitment to country and democracy over politics—and they pose new questions about the future of the American two-party system. Hear Cheney tell the stories of how she arrived at her personal convictions, her remarkable career in Congress, and the road that lies ahead.
Goldie Hawn Coutesy photo
On February 19, 2024, neuroscientist and #1 international best-selling author, Dr. Lisa Genova, will wield her ability to tell a story and her knowledge of the human brain to discuss with passion and accuracy the journeys of those affected by brain diseases and conditions, and the science behind how we remember and why we forget.
Former National Security Advisor and Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster (USA Ret.) will offer rare and timely insight on the most pressing issues facing the United States and the ever-evolving geopolitical climate, including the War in Ukraine, technology and global security, U.S. foreign policy, misinformation and the global marketplace on April 1, 2024.
The Series will conclude with Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign affairs columnist, Thomas Friedman, on May 9, 2024. As one of America’s most visionary thinkers, Friedman will analyze and report directly on the big trends shaping the world today: Economics, Technology, and Geopolitics.
Distinguished Speaker Series of Long Beach audience members have the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with each speaker during a moderated question and answer session at the conclusion of all events.
The Distinguished Speaker Series will be held at the Terrace Theater, 300 East Ocean Blvd, in Long Beach. Each program takes place on a weeknight at 8:00pm
The Series is open to the public in subscription packages only. Series tickets range from $240 to premier seating at $660 for all six evenings. Single tickets are not available. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.speakersla.com.
The Distinguished Speaker Series was established in 1995 in response to Southern California’s need for an enlightening entertainment alternative. The Distinguished Speaker Series is currently held at four locations, the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, the Bank of America, Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center, the historic Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, and the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center,.
“We’re so inspired by the game-changers we’ve brought to Southern California,” added Winterhalder. “It’s gratifying to realize we’ve presented more than 100 luminaries who have transformed our world.” Through the series, Southern Californians have come to know leaders such as Joe Biden, Margaret Thatcher, the Dalai Lama, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Tony Blair. They’ve laughed with Betty White, Ron Howard, and Steve Martin. And they’ve been moved by such talents as Vin Scully, Malala Yousafzai, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Redford, and Maya Angelou to name a few.
Subscriptions can be purchased by visiting the Distinguished Speaker Series website www.speakersla.com or calling (310) 546-6222.
With focus on keeping kids active and electronic free, the Rossmoor Community Services District has partnered with The Youth Center this summer to provide opportunities for local children to grow and learn.
With this partnership, RCSD has made it possible for The Youth Center to have many different activities and classes at its camps and RASCALS after school program. RCSD has maintained an emphasis on educating local children on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and promoting healthy reading habits. In addition, RCSD focuses on keeping kids electronic-free and active outside.
This year, The Youth Center and RCSD were able to provide over $2,000 worth of scholarships to families, allowing for even more children than last year to attend The Youth Center’s summer camp, Camp SHARK (Science, Hands-On, Art, Recreation, and Knowledge). The Youth Center served 492 kids at Camp SHARK this summer.
“I’m so grateful for Camp SHARK because my child has a safe and fun place to go during the summer,” said one local parent named Susie. “I’m so grateful that they are able to go outside and enjoy all of the amenities that Camp SHARK offers.”
Additionally, The Youth Center has been given access to use Rossmoor Park to host Rossmoor Rascals (Rossmoor After School Club and Learning Services), an after-school program for grades 1-5. RASCALS attendees are able to play outside, participate in crafts and games, read, and receive homework help, all within a safe and supervised environment.
Since 1986, RCSD has worked to provide cost-efficient and safe services for the community of Rossmoor, making the district a perfect partner for The Youth Center. On top of that, most Camp SHARK campers are from the Rossmoor area, and many camp volunteers are also from Rossmoor, giving the partnership an even greater impact on surrounding communities.
“I have learned so much from volunteering and am so grateful to have been able to volunteer so close to home,” a Camp SHARK volunteer named Danny said.
“I’m eternally grateful for this partnership with the Rossmoor Community Services District,” said Janae Roberts, Camp SHARK’s director. “Camp SHARK would not be able to have these enriching activities for kids without them.”
Without this partnership, The Youth Center’s summer this year would have been very different. The Youth Center thanks RCSD for their partnership and is grateful for its impact and support in the community.
To find out more about RCSD, visit www.rossmoor-csd.org.
Los Alamitos (2-0) vs. Timpview, Utah (2-1), Friday at 7 p.m. at Veteran’s Stadium, Long Beach in this week’s football roundup.
Los Alamitos improved to 2-0 with a 25-6 win over La Serna on Friday at home. The Griffins were slotted in the No. 17 spot in this week’s Max Preps State poll, dropping two spots. The Griffins will host Timpview who are coming off a 21-13 win over Provo High.
Cypress (1-1) vs. El Modena (0-1) Thursday at 7 p.m. at Handel Stadium
Cypress looks to bounce back from a 41-24 loss to Corona del Mar on Friday. The Sea Kings are ranked No. 38 in this week’s Max Preps state poll, moving up 11 spots after the win over the Centurions. Cypress fell six spots this week and are now ranked No. 72 in the state poll.
Cypress trailed by four, 21-17, at halftime, before the Sea Kings pulled away in the second half. Aidan Houston put up big numbers for the Centurions, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 153 yards and added two rushing touchdowns for Cypress. Michael Hubbard had seven catches for 88 yards and Jonah Kim had four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
El Modena is coming off a 21-17 loss to Colony in their season-opener.
Kennedy (2-0) vs. Sonora (2-0) Saturday at 7 p.m. at Handel Stadium
Kennedy is coming off a 35-21 win over Northwood High on Friday. Junior quarterback Devin Almazan threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Fighting Irish to the victory over the Timberwolves. Junior Drew Deese had 10 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns and Rocco Street had six catches and the other touchdown.
Junior running back Rider Street rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Sonora is 2-0 with wins over Whitter High and Vincent Memorial out of Calexico, CA.
Western High (1-1) vs. El Toro High (0-2) Friday at 7 p.m. at Handel Stadium.
Western High bounced back from their season-opening loss to Los Alamitos to defeat St. Margaret’s High, 48-13, on Friday at Handel Stadium.
The Pioneers used a heavy ground game as they rolled up 269 rushing yards, led by Joshua Faulkner, who ran for 74 yards and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Anthony Luna ran for 50 yards and also had a rushing touchdown. Anthony Edwards Jr. had 48 yards on two carries with a touchdown.
Luna also threw for 141 yards and a touchdown, while Noah Giddens threw for 83 yards and three touchdowns. Desmin Joshway-Fairley had seven catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Faulkner had four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown and Malachi Alatorre also had a touchdown reception.
Alatorre also had a team-high 16 total tackles, with nine solo tackles to pace the defense. The Pioneer defense shut out the Tartans in the second half. Noa Valles-Blackwell had seven total tackles, while Dane Torrence, Dominic Hadrous and Edwards Jr. each compiled six total tackles.
The Pioneers will host El Toro High on Friday at Western High. The Chargers are 0-2 with losses to Tustin and Downey to start their
