The Los Alamitos High School Cross Country Team ran their third race of the season at The Chaffey HS Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Griffins raced against 18 teams from the surrounding area. The Griffin freshman, sophomore, and junior girls all came in first place. The boys freshman team came in second place missing out on first by only one point.
The Griffin girls shined! Freshman Caris Homa (20:31) led her team to first place followed by Riley Kuhlendahl (21:18.0), Maddie Heenan (21:18.2) and Bella Castellon (21:18.8) all of whom were only separated by tenths of a second. The sophomore team was led by Chelsea Estrada (18:56) who also set a course record followed by Phoebe Grimshaw (19:53).
The junior girls dominated the race scoring only 16 points when 15 points is considered perfect. The girls won first through fourth and sixth places, dominating by 51 points. Junior Stevie Holguin (18:12) also set a course record for her division, followed by Olivia Bettinger (18:37), Alejandra Reyburn (18:47), Trista Candiotty (19:29), and Thalia Griffith (19:44). Senior Kaitlyn McQuillen (18:44) led her division followed by Ruby Flaim (18:50).
The Los Alamitos boys had great times. Freshman AC Wellsand (17:13), led his team to second place followed by Jonathan Vazquez (17:42) and Samuel Pareti (17:43). Sophomores Matthew Mayhue (16:39), Charlie Nelson (17:22), and Travis Regnier (17:30) helped their division place fourth.
The juniors Garret Bantle (17:10), Jaxon Nguyen (17:52), and Daniel Li (18:11) secured sixth place for their team. Senior Lon Monk (16:08) raced an impressive time along with his teammates Paul Dunbar (17:36) and Gavin Ordinario (17:47).
Head Coach Mark Celestin was excited about the two course records set and emphasized how great both the boy’s and girl’s teams did in achieving lots of personal bests. The Griffins continue to improve as they head into the second half of the season.
Junior Stevie Holguin was asked how it felt to set a course record?
“It was so much fun to put my training to the test and run a tough race,” Holguin said.
The top senior boy, Lon Monk set a PR at this race and said, “setting a PR means your training has paid off, and I’m happy to have beat my Woodbridge time from last week.”
The Griffins next race is in two weeks at the 41st Annual Asics Southern Cal Invitational in Oceanside.
The Pacific Airshow scheduled from Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, including what it calls “its best lineup yet,” flies through the skies of nearby Huntington Beach next week featuring world-renowned military and civilian aviators.
Now in its seventh year, the three-day festival attracts approximately 3 million live spectators. The three-day spectacle in the sky will feature over five hours of programming each day, showcasing a wide selection of aircraft pushing the boundaries of speeds and skills.
Military officials confirm the Los Al Army Airfield at the nearby Joint Forces Training Base will be used to stage the various aircraft involved so residents can expect extra noise, and amazing sites as the world-renowned aircraft fly at low altitudes.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, and Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be headlining alongside F-15 combat pilot Tom “Lark” Larkin and the 122nd Fighter Squadron F-15s from the Louisiana Air National Guard, according to the Pacific Airshow.
Additionally, the Red Bull Air Race World Champion Matt Hall will be joined by Australian aerobatic pilot Emma McDonald for her United States debut, flying their MX and Extra 300 aircraft. The U.S. Army Golden Knights and U.S Navy Parachute Teams will help kick off the show followed by appearances by the Opener Blackfly and Red Bull Bo-105 Helicopter, flown by Aaron Fitzgerald.
“Every year we try to outdo ourselves, and we’re confident that 2023 will be our most incredible, action-packed lineup of all time,” said Kevin Elliott, Pacific Airshow’s Executive Director. “Millions of people look forward to the annual Pacific Airshow and we aim to make it an unforgettably epic experience for all.”
The full list of 2023 Pacific Airshow performances includes:
• U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
• Canadian Forces Snowbirds
• U.S. Army Golden Knights
• U.S. Navy Parachute Team
• U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo
• U.S. Navy F-35C Demo
• U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Demo
• U.S. Navy F/-18 Super Hornet Demo
• U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo
• U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight – P-51D Mustang – Steve Hinton Jr
• U.S. Air Force KC-135
• U.S. Air Force F-15 x 4 159th FW Louisiana
• U.S. Air Force B-52 Flybys
• FedEx B757 Flybys
• Lyon Air Museum C-47 “Willa Dean”
• Ace Maker T-33 2-ship
• Matt Hall & Emma McDonald MX and Extra 300
• Mike Goulian – Extra 330
• Sammy Mason – Edge 540
• Tom Larkin – SubSonex Mini Jet
• Red Bull – Bo-105 Helicopter – Aaron Fitzgerald
• Jet Waco- Jerrod Lindemann
• Opener Blackfly
• OC Fire Authority water drops 2 Bell 212s plus CH-47
“We’re encouraging everybody who’s coming to Pacific Airshow this year to purchase a ticket. We want to ensure they have the opportunity to see the airshow and have the best experience possible,” added Elliott.
The Pacific Airshow is continuing to redefine the airshow experience, now with expanded general admission and premium tickets available. To purchase tickets, please visit www.pacificairshow.com and follow Pacific Airshow on social media @pacificairshow.
About Pacific Airshow
Launched in 2016, the Pacific Airshow is the largest airshow in the United States by attendance. The three-day event features the best military and civilian flight demonstrations from teams all over the world.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Royal Air Force Red Arrows and Canadian Forces Snowbirds have all performed over Surf City USA. The family-friendly weekend has become an annual tradition for residents and visitors from as far away as Europe and Asia, delivering more than $105 million in economic impact to the City of Huntington Beach alone and even broader economic benefits to the County of Orange and Southern California.
The City of Cypress has recently approved the purchase of a residential home and an accompanying one-acre lot for $2.7 million at 6612 Cerritos Ave. that it plans to use to expand Baroldi Sycamore Park.
According to a staff report and presentation made by City Manager Peter Grant, the city “approached the sellers for all the family, descendants and spouses about the opportunity to grow their legacy in the community.”
“Earlier this year, the Baroldi family listed 6612 Cerritos Avenue, a 39,000 square foot parcel which borders the Park to the west, for sale,” he said. “Recognizing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand the Park, the City Council directed staff to engage the family regarding purchasing 6612 Cerritos Avenue,” he added.
“Undeveloped land adjacent to a park is rare, especially in fully developed cities,” said Grant.
Grant said “We were able to reach an agreement…and recommend to you to acquire the parcel for $2.7 million combined with a little bit of city right of way” already owned by the city.
The City Manager said the property is about one acre in total and “will provide the opportunity for the council and the neighborhood and the community at large to explore opportunities to expand Sycamore Park.
Currently, he said, the park is in “passive use” as a park with play equipment and shade structures which largely serves the neighborhood via on-street parking, the city official said.
“It’s really easy to find it’s right on Cerritos Avenue just before you leave Cypress on your way into Buena Park,” he said.
Baroldi Sycamore Park (6616 Cerritos Avenue) was created in 1970 when the Baroldi family subdivided its 22-acre dairy farm and donated 1.2 acres for a park. The neighborhood park features a picnic pavilion and barbeque, playground equipment, a sand play area, open space, and a meandering walking path, according to the staff report.
The Council authorized the city manager to finalize all documents, including $15,000 for closing costs.
The purchase requires the appropriation of $2,715,000 from the District’s General Fund reserves for future park improvements. A portion of these reserves ($2.2 million) were a one-time transfer from the City’s General Fund budget surplus in February 2018. The remaining $515,000 are accumulated District fund balances set-aside for capital improvements, the staff report said.
At the most recent meeting of the Council during oral communications, local businessman turned activist Bob Youngsma, who along with 40 of his neighbors are suing the Council, questioned the purchase price and he complained the minutes of the last meeting did not adequately reflect the transaction.
“You should be turning over a document that says here’s the minutes. I don’t see it. I also want to complain about a certain item that happened,” said Youngsma. “You decided to buy a piece of property for $2.7 million. I did a little investigation on that property. And found out Cypress already owns 8860 square feet of property on the west side and the south side of that property which boxes that property in,” he said.
“Cypress then went to residential people to appraise the property, not a commercial property seller that was selling it,” he said. “Cypress had a big controlling factor over that property,” claimed Youngsma, adding that Cypress claimed that even though the city said it wanted it for a park, it never acted on using the property it already owned there to provide access to its existing park.
“I have a park across the street from my house with terrible, terrible sidewalks and Cypress is an expert in grinding and patching and not fixing sidewalks. And guess what? You go and spend $2.7 for a piece of property but you can’t fix the sidewalks that are dangerous,” he asked?
The Youth Center (Los Alamitos) is thrilled to announce a remarkable contribution of $25,000 from the Lions Club of Seal Beach, fortifying their efforts to enhance education and literary engagement among young minds. This substantial gift will be allocated towards the establishment of a vibrant library within The Youth Center’s new premises, located at 10761 Los Alamitos Blvd. in Los Alamitos, CA. “The Seal Beach Lions Club has supported The Youth Center for nearly 25 years. We are honored to help them build an amazing center for youth”, said Scott Newton, Lion member.
The acquisition of the new property in 2022 marked a significant milestone for The Youth Center, setting the stage for a meticulously designed facility tailored to facilitate their esteemed after-school reading program. A paramount emphasis on fostering a “literary focused” environment for students in grades K through 8 underscores the organization’s commitment to nurturing a lifelong appreciation for books and reading. “When the Lions learned that The Youth Center would finally have their own building, we really wanted to be part of it so raised funds and made our largest single donation ever”, shared Scott Newton, a Lion member.
At the heart of this endeavor is the goal to encourage children to dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes each day to reading, enabling them to acquire knowledge and cultivate a deep affection for literature. A progressive reward system has been conceived, wherein students will amass points for every book they read. These points can subsequently be redeemed to obtain a free book, empowering students to build their personal libraries and extend their literary horizons beyond the confines of the program.
The Youth Center expresses its profound gratitude to the Lions Club of Seal Beach for their generous gift which will turn the vision of the new location into a tangible reality. The Lions Club’s unwavering support embodies the spirit of community collaboration and underscores their commitment to nurturing the educational and cultural enrichment of the youth.
The Seal Beach Lions Club, renowned for their steadfast service to the communities of Seal Beach, Rossmoor, and Los Alamitos since 1939, stands as a testament to the enduring power of altruism. With an impressive roster of over 400 members, the club proudly holds the distinction of being the largest Lions Club in the United States.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Youth Center is poised to transition to its new location in October 2023. This significant move not only underscores their growth but also solidifies their dedication to providing an enriching environment that empowers young minds to thrive through the magic of reading and learning.
For further information, please contact Lina Lumme, The Youth Center CEO at 562-493-4043 or Lina@TheYouthCenter.org. For more information, visit www.theyouthcenter.org.
Subway Franchisee Mark Hernandez, in Los Alamitos, shares the story behind his Subway Restaurants and how it all began.
His parents, with his four brothers, plus himself and his one sister came to Southern California from Texas in 1969 – for a two-week vacation – and never went back.
“So, technically, we’re still on vacation,” he smiles, “We only had the clothes we were wearing and whatever we had in our car.”
Hernandez said that for three-months, he and his family lived in his mother’s cousin’s garage. “I was young; very young.”
After the first three-months, his parents found jobs and were then able to rent a house, where they lived for approximately the next year. “Then, my parents found a home in Santa Ana, which they purchased and we lived there for 28 years,” he said.
“My parents spoke Spanish, but I had to learn that here, as I had only wanted my mother to speak to me in English when I was younger; now I can speak both languages and speak to my Hispanic customers in Spanish – Spanish I learned here.”
In 1972, the Hernandez parents purchased a Mexican/Italian restaurant, also in Santa Ana.
“At the age of 7-years-old, I also worked in the restaurant. We attended a private school, where my dad would pick us up after school and take three to four of us boys and my sister to help out at the restaurant. After we did our homework on the restaurant’s preparation table in the back of the restaurant, we’d then help customers with whatever they needed.”
Hernandez shared that his specialty was making tacos. “I would make the taco shell in the hot grease and then put the ingredients inside of the taco shell and hand it up front to be given to the customers.”
The family did that for a few years until his parents sold the restaurant.
Fast-forward and he says he has now come full-circle – ending up back in the restaurant business. “It’s the circle of life.”
Hernandez said that the Subway, 10535 Los Alamitos Blvd., in Los Alamitos, was his first restaurant, where he’s been for four-years now.
“Before, that, I was involved with Subway at Corporate as a business consultant in Los Angeles County for eight years; from there, I came to Orange County and became a District Manager for the Development Agent of Subway; they are the people who purchase the areas for the different Subway restaurant locations.”
The person Hernandez was working for in Los Angeles, operated 21-restaurants at the time; Hernandez worked with him for seven-years and then was offered the Subway restaurant in Los Alamitos.
Hernandez has been in the restaurant business for more than 28-years; before Subway, he was also with Jamba Juice and one year ago, he also purchased the Subway in Buena Park at Valley View Street on Orangethorpe Avenue at 6122 Orangethorpe.
Both of Hernandez’s Subway Restaurants have recently been remodeled to look modern, bright, airy and more efficient.
Now, the menu board features numbered selections, which makes guests’ choices easier and it’s more efficient for staff as well, cutting down the wait time for orders to be delivered to the customers.
Once settled in Los Alamitos, Hernandez said he joined the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce and also got to know the people within the community; people from the Chamber, Los Alamitos High School and Police Chief Michael Claborn to show support for the police department and to be part of helping other people within the community; wanting to not only get involved but to give back to the community.
“I want to find out what the needs are in the community and how I can help,” he said. “What I get out of the Chamber is that it gives to me and I therefore want to give back and make myself available wherever I can.”
Hernandez said that for many people, their dream is to own their own business; “To me, this is ‘my’ dream.”
Both Subway restaurants offer dine-in, curbside pickup and no-contact delivery.
The Los Alamitos Subway restaurant may be reached at 562-430-9774 and the Buena Park location may be contacted at 657-239-0459
The Cypress Police Foundation has announced “A Night at the Races” fundraiser to be held Saturday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Los Alamitos Racecourse in Cypress.
“The Cypress Police Foundation partners with citizens, businesses, and philanthropic organizations to provide resources to the Cypress Police Department that are not included in the annual budget,” said Foundation President Dr. Don Pettinger.
“This increases the Department’s ability to serve at its highest level in improving public safety, decreasing crime and making Cypress a safer place to live, work and visit,” he added.
The Night at the Races is just one of the events sponsored by the Police Foundation that allows the public to enjoy members of the police department and community in a FUN atmosphere, said Pettinger.
A ticket includes Entry to the Vista Terrace, free parking, Vessels Club entry and a visit from a handicapper and jockey, he said.
In addition, there will be a silent auction, food and fun.
For tickets, visit Cypress Police Foundation at www.cypresspolicefoundation.wildapricot.org or email mariellenyarc@gmail.com.
Dear Editor,
Both Los Alamitos and Seal Beach prepared Housing Element Updates that propose rezoning commercial and retail uses to accommodate new higher density houses or hotels.
Los Alamitos’ August 2023 Staff Report recommended the City Council follow Seal Beach’s lead and overrule the Airport Land Use Commission because that is what other cities did.
Seal Beach’s August 29, 2022 Staff Report informed its City Council that three other cities overruled ALUC relating to John Wayne Airport, a commercial airport, and Staff was recommending the Seal Beach City Council did the same so “the city could move closer to certification of its Housing Element”.
ALUC identified 4 Seal Beach housing sites for safety concerns: Old Ranch Town Center – The Shops at Rossmoor – Old Ranch Country Club – Portions of Leisure World.
What both Seal Beach and Los Alamitos’ City Staff and consultants neglected to include in their reports to Council Members were Studies conducted by The National Commission on Military Aviation Safety (non-combat mishaps) which documents Military Aviation Loses for 2013-2020).
Report available: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2020/ncmas_final_report_20201201.pdf
The National Commission asked thousands of pilots and maintainers “what do you think will cause the next aviation mishap?”. Certain answers were consistent regardless of Service, rank or airframe: insufficient flight hours, decreasing proficiency levels, inadequate training programs, excessive administrative duties, inconsistent funding, risky maintenance practices, and a relentless operations tempo.”
The National Commission Study concludes that more than 6000 U.S. non-combat military aviation mishaps occurred between 2013 and 2018. These mishaps occurred during training or routine operations. They claimed the lives of 197 service members and civilians, and cost the nation more than $9.41 billion in damages including 157 destroyed aircraft.
The Joint Force Training Base in Los Alamitos is a military training base. Not a commercial airport.
According to the National Commission, safety statistics differ substantially between commercial and military bases. Those difference were NOT identified by City Staff in Los Alamitos and Seal Beach before recommending elected officials overrule ALUC, and the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics.
ALUC has separate and distinct Land Use Plans for commercial as opposed to military airports. The fact that “other cities Overruled ALUC” with regard to a commercial airport should be unpersuasive to a decision about the Joint Force Military Training Base.
The decision by Hibard and Murphy in Los Alamitos to “not to override” the Airport Land Use Commission was a decision to protect the public. Pure and Simple. They understood that a military training base is far more likely than a commercial airport to result in an accident. They did their homework.
Residents of Seal Beach, Rossmoor and Los Alamitos should demand that Seal Beach and Los Alamitos Elected Officials also do some homework too. Remind your elected officials that STATE LAW requires them to put YOUR public safety as a priority over building houses. There are other sites suitable for housing.
I cannot imagine the guilt I would feel because I voted to build a high rise hotel, senior housing, and high density condominiums, knowing three agencies (National Commission on Military Aviation Safety, the Airport Land Use Commission of Orange County, and the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics) issued SAFETY warnings against such action?
Carol Churchill
Los Alamitos
Council can hold Closed Session meetings
Dear Editor,
THANK YOU for a very informative, but there is possibly “some missing puzzles” in your article entitled, ‘Cypress Council Votes in Secret to Potentially Settle CVRA Lawsuit”. I did some research on the laws that pertain to public meetings; and you are probably familiar with the Open Meeting Law or also known as the Ralph M. “BROWN ACT” that regulates meetings. The Brown Act was enacted in 1953 and is part of the California Government Code § 54950 et seq. 1.The Brown Act allows” closed session” meetings. It stipulates that an agenda is posted and shall include a description of the item/s to be discussed in the closed session. In order to hold a “closed session”, there are specific and certain items that can be discussed. Listed below are those items – and of course, having a conference with legal counsel regarding existing or anticipated litigation ((§ 54956.9) is one. It is obvious that the closed session would be for review of the legal report/matters, discussion, plan of action and ultimately a vote to properly address the item. Also documentation relative to the report should be available. So my conclusion is that our Cypress City Council met with the City Attorney to resolve a possible lawsuit; which is what our city leaders were elected to do. So what’s the secret ?
License or permit determination (§ 54956.7)
Conference with real property negotiators (§ 54956.8)
Conference with legal counsel regarding existing or anticipated litigation (§ 54956.9)
Liability claims (§ 54956.95)
Threat to public services or facilities (§ 54957(a))
Public employee appointment, employment, performance evaluation, discipline, dismissal or release (§ 54957(b))
Conference with labor negotiators (§ 54957.6)
Case review or planning (§ 54957.8)
Report involving trade secret or hearings (§ 54956.87, California Health and Safety code §§1461,32106 and 32155; or California Government Code §§ 37606 and 37624.3)
Charge or complaint involving information protected by federal law (§ 54956.86).
Eve Wheeler
Cypress
Editor’s Note: The ENE only reported the facts presented to us by the plaintiff’s attorney in the case. Citizens have a right to know what their duly elected reps are up to.
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At the September meeting of the West Orange County Republican Women Federated (WOCRWF), the club members gathered to listen to keynote speaker Assemblyman Tri Ta, hear an update from Los Alamitos City Councilwoman Emily Hibard, and learn about the progress that the Orange County’s Election Integrity Group is making for the upcoming general election.
Assemblyman Ta presented an update of several Assembly Bills that were in discussion or had already passed and how the Californian Republicans caucus is strategically fighting for the safety and freedoms of California residents.
Assemblyman Ta shared that California and the United States have given him and his family so much, he believes it’s only right that in return he does his best to make life better for everyone. Tri Ta was elected to California’s Seventieth District in 2022. Prior to becoming an Assemblyman, Tri Ta made history by becoming the first Vietnamese-American mayor in the United States in 2012.
Emily Hibard, Los Alamitos City Council Member, provided an update on some of the major discussions happening at the council level and within the district she serves. She is grateful that she is able to meet regularly with her constituents to listen to concerns and make a positive impact within the community.
Pearl Boelter of Orange County’s Election Integrity Group spoke about the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) and how residents of each county can decide how voting is held. The VCA is not mandated by the State of California. The Orange County Board of Supervisors has the authority to opt out of the VCA and return to precinct voting. Since implementing large voting centers, overall voter participation has decreased. Utilizing the Registrar of Voter’s data, there was a 16% reduction in voter turnout in 2022. Orange County residents can contact their district County Supervisor to add this as an agenda item.
The WOCRWF will have a booth at the Cypress Festival on October 7 at Oak Knoll Park where the community will be able to find educational materials and learn more about the club’s activities and gatherings.
The West Orange County RWF’s next meeting is the third Saturday in October. There will be a keynote speaker and breakfast will be served. If you are interested in attending and meeting with like-minded women, contact West Orange County RWF by visiting our website at www.westorangecountyrwf.com.
The West Orange County Republican Women Federated (WOCRWF) has been serving our communities since 1962. The WOCRWF is part of the California Federation of Republican Women which was founded in 1925 and is a Diamond Award Grassroots club. If you are looking for a Conservative Republican club that is actively engaged in local, county, state and federal politics, this is the club for you.
Members of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) started their 51st year with a Potluck Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at the Skyline Room of the Cerritos Library at 6:30 p.m. Members brought a variety of salads, main dishes, and desserts which they enjoyed at tables decorated festively by Hospitality Assistant Sue Carruthers.
After members had their dinners and a social time, Co-Administrators Joan Pylman and Gail Ross called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and introduced the leaders of the Branch’s Interest Groups as part of the Program for the evening. Each leader explained when her group met and invited members and guests to join them.
The Interest Groups and their leaders are as follows: 1. Cover to Cover: Leader Thea Siegel meets on the second Thursday of each month in different members’ homes to discuss books of their interest.
1. Pictured, at the September 14, 2023, meeting of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW, are members choosing food for their potluck dinner. Standing, at right, is Joan Flax, Co-Leader for the Gourmet Interest Group. At left is Faith Herschler, Readers’ Theater Group Leader Esther Aronson, Past President Celia Spitzer, and a guest. Photo by Edna Ethington
2. Gourmet: Co-leaders Joan Flax and Gail Ross plan the easy-to-make gourmet meals which are held four times a year in members’ homes. Members share the cost of preparing meals. Partners can be non-AAUW members, but one in each pair must be an AAUW member.
3. Great Decisions: Leader Dorothy Edwards hosts these meetings in her home on the fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. Global issues are discussed at eight meetings each year using the book prepared by the Foreign Policy Association. There is a fee for the book that each participant receives and the DVD that is viewed at each meeting.
4. Readers Theater: Leader Esther Aronson said that this group gathers on the first Monday of the month at 6:45 p.m. to read a play aloud, with each person reading a character’s role. Esther invites people to join this fun group for an interesting evening with friends.
There is a small fee for each participant to pay to cover shipping costs for the plays.
Members who want to join the Interest Groups can contact the leaders of the Interest Groups by using the information provided in the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Membership Directory for 2023-2024 that was available at this meeting. Other Interest Groups can be formed at any time. If a few members are interested in starting a new group, contact our Co-Administrators Joan Pylman or Gail Ross
Photo by Edna Ethington Pictured at the September 14, 2023, meeting of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW, is Hospitality Assistant Sue Carruthers who decorated the tables with tablecloths and flowers in pots from her garden. Standing In the background is Great Decisions Interest Group Leader Dorothy Edwards and Treasurer Marilyn Forsstrom.
After the Interest Groups had finished talking about their groups, Co-Administrator Joan Pylman recognized Edna Ethington as the Named Gift Honoree for 2023 for her outstanding service to the La Palma-Cerritos Branch. She presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Gloria Blackwell, AAUW Chief Executive Officer, for her “significant contributions to the mission of AAUW” to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Edna also received a Named Gift Honoree Pin from the AAUW. A donation was made to the National AAUW Fund in Edna’s name to support funding of scholarships and grants for graduate women working for higher degrees.
Co-Administrator Gail Ross oversaw the signing by three members who approved the Minutes of the May 17, 2023, General Meeting, the Treasurer’s Report of September 14, 2023, and the 2023-2024 Branch Budget.
Reports were given by Appointed Committee chairs for 2023-2924 including Academic Achievement Awards, Public Policy, AAUW Fund, International Interest, and College/University Liaison. Details of their reports will be available for members on the Branch’s website at http://lapalmacerritos-ca.aauw.net.
Co-Administrator Joan Pylman reminded members to come to the next General Meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Skyline Room of the Cerritos Library. Guest speaker will be the new ABC Unified School District Superintendent Gina Zietlow. Topics will include declining enrollment, a local bond measure, diversity of students as reflected by the changing District population, and high school graduation rates.
For more information, about the program contact Co-Administrator Joan Pylman at 562-865-6592. Persons interested in joining the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW can contact Joan Pylman. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Cypress College continues to be recognized as a top community college nationally and statewide while earning a top spot as one of the best Hispanic-serving institutions (HSI) in the U.S. After being named as a top 150 community college by the Aspen Institute for 2023, and ranking as the #1 community college in California in 2018 and 2020 by Niche.com, the college was also acknowledged this year for many of its allied health programs, demonstrating Cypress’ commitment to providing affordable yet highly relevant workforce training.
Cypress College received the following rankings for its medical programs:
#1 – Highest Paid Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound Technician Graduates in California
#1 – Best Value (all institutions), Health Information Medical Records Tech (CollegeFactual.com)
#1 – Best Value, Medical Admin (CollegeFactual.com)
#2 – Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools in the Far Western U.S. Region (CollegeFactual.com)
Cypress College also received high rankings on national and statewide “bests” lists:
#19 – Best Community Colleges in California (Niche.com)
#65 – Best Community Colleges in America (Niche.com)
#55 – Best Hispanic Serving Institution in America (Niche.com)
“We are proud to be recognized for the high quality of our programs and the commitment to excellence demonstrated each day by our employees. The value of higher education has never been stronger at Cypress College,” President JoAnna Schilling said. “These rankings further reaffirm our commitment to being an innovative and equitable learning environment that supports our students and community.”
Niche.com bases its rankings on data from “the most trustworthy sources, like the U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation…” and student reviews. CollegeFactual.com reports that most of its data is pulled from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Schilling said the rankings are the result of a dedicated faculty, staff, and administration that is committed to serving the students.
“Without our faculty and staff, these rankings wouldn’t be possible,” Schilling said. “They embody the Cypress College spirit of truly showing students that we take this journey together.”
The Los Alamitos High School Cross Country team ran their second race of the season at the 42nd Annual Woodbridge H.S. Cross Country Classic on September 16. Woodbridge is a well known nationally held event bringing in over 15,000 runners from 400 high schools throughout the United States for a two-day race.
Courtesy photo Members of the boy’s frosh soph team.
The Griffin girls all had good races. The novice and sophomore girls both placed fifth. The novice team was led by Maddie Heenan (21:43) and the sophomore team was led by Phoebe Grimshaw (20:05). The freshman girls came in sixth place led by Caris Honma (20:22). Los Alamitos junior Thalia Griffith (19:50), followed by Milly Verdugo (20:56) both helped the JV girls place seventh. The girl’s varsity team ran one of the fastest races in the nation, junior Stevie Holguin (17:58) followed by junior Olivia Bettinger (18:29) scored great times.
The Los Alamitos boys brought in some good times. Freshmen AC Wellsand raced a time of (17:18) and Samuel Pareti ran (17:52). Sophomore Charlie Nelson raced (17:28) followed by Travis Regnier (17:53). The JV boys were led by Jaxon Nguyen (18:11) and Luke Malley (18:24). Seniors Paul Dunbar ran (17:37) following close behind was Jordan Jameson (17:53). The boy’s varsity was led by Lon Monk (16:13) and Matthew Mayhue (17:01).
Head Coach Mark Celestin said this is one of the toughest and biggest races the team will run this season. Going into this race the runners knew it would be challenging due to the elite competition, but the Griffins raced some fast times and gained an incredible experience.
For the 10th consecutive year, the dental office of Dr. Seza Barsamian and her staff will host their Annual Veteran’s Day event where they dedicate their entire day to serving retired veterans, veterans will receive a dental checkup, X-rays and a regular dental cleaning at no cost on Thursday Nov. 9.
“We love our veterans and where there is love, there is always an opportunity to serve.” Said Dr. Barsamian, who began this free service a decade ago. Veterans will have to call in advance to make an appointment tp see the doctor on Nov. 9, her office said.
The location is Dr. Sara Barsamian, 4022 Katella, suite 708, in Los Alamitos. (562) 598-4439.
Now celebrating its 25th year, the Broadway show “Les Miserables” has long made its mark as one of the most spectacular live theater plays ever performed.
According to Broadway World Magazine, “Les Miserables” is perhaps “the defining musical of the last 50 years.”
The excitement is already building at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, where the musical opens Sept. 19 and runs through Oct. 1.
Perhaps what touches audiences everywhere is that the show, in essence, is about redemption and about giving someone another chance and forgiveness.
Courtesy photo Nichole Morris, an OC native, stars in Les Miserables.
Testament to the show’s staying power and ability to reinvent itself, “Les Mis” has been seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries, 438 cities and 22 languages.
Undisputedly, “Les Miserables” is still one of the world’s most popular musicals.
Nicole Morris, who is a SWING and plays the role of Eponine, relishes her role(s) in Broadway’s most resilient musical. “It’s just been a great experience,” said Morris in an interview last week before the show opened in Costa Mesa.
Morris, who also enjoys a healthy singing career, said she landed the role in Les Miserable after playing roles in “An officer and a gentleman,” “Hairspray,” Mamma Mia,” “Footloose,” and others.
She grew up in Santa Ana and is another alum of the Orange County School for the Arts. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theater from Ithaca College in New York.
“The show is, it’s about redemption, and about, you know, giving someone another chance and forgiveness,” said Morris, “and I think everyone can kind of relate to that.”
“At some point in their lives, they have had experiences where they feel that they’ve evolved into a different person, and that they expect that the universe and the world can forgive them for that and feel like they have redeemed themselves,” she said.
“And then with Eponine, you know, she’s a girl that’s just so in love with a guy that doesn’t love her back and only sees her as a friend,” said Morris. “She is somebody people can relate to, you know, everyone has had a crush on somebody when they feel that they’re afraid they will not like them back or s something that people can relate to choose that, you know, you everyone has had, you know, a crush on somebody where they feel that they’re afraid that they will not like the back or when they don’t, it’s heartbreaking to watch,” she said.
“I think that’s why people get moved to tears with that,” said Morris.
“I’ve had a pretty unique experience because I’m a swing and I understand the principles,” she said. “So, there have been many times where I’ve gone on to cover a whole bunch of ensemble tracks and I’ve done crazy split tracks when people are out,” the talented actress said.
As a SWING player in the show, Morris can be called in on a moment’s notice to play any part in the ENSEMBLE or sing any of the songs. Even so, she must be ready for the tear jerking scenes with Eponine when called.
“I’ve had a pretty unique experience because I’m a swing and I understand the principles. So there have been many times where I’ve gone on to cover a whole bunch of ensemble tracks and I’ve done crazy split tracks when people are out,” said Morris.
“And then I had to go on for me immediately in the end of the first step. So it was the same show where I was a completely different character to start with. And then I ended up as Eponine at the end.
Nevertheless, the young actress feels fortunate for the challenge of it all.
“I feel lucky and grateful to be putting on a show that’s as iconic as this one,” she said.
Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schunberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Miserables, are on sale now.
Mackintosh himself said in a statement that the show never fails to surprise him.
“The phenomenon of “Les Miserables” never fails to astound me. No show in history has been able to continually reinvent itself and remain a contemporary musical attracting new generations of brilliant new talent, many of whom go on to international stardom. No show in the world,” said Macintosh.
To see “Les Miserables” at SCFTA, tickets are available online at www.scfta.org, in person at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. 92626, or by calling (714) 556 – 2787. More information can be found at LesMis.com.
Nearly two years to the day since it was served with a lawsuit by the Southwest Voter Registration Project seeking to create single-member districts, and never once having discussed the matter in open session, the ENE has learned the City of Cypress has agreed to enter mediation in an effort to settle the lawsuit.
Shenkman’s original demand letter, which came after the city appointed (now Mayor Pro-Tem) Scott Minikus to a vacant Council seat rather than an Asian candidate who ran strong in the 2020 election, accused Cypress of violating the California Voting Rights Act.
The most recent U.S. Census (2020) indicates that nearly 40 percent of the citizenry in Cypress is of Asian descent and suggested that the handpicking of Minikus over Carrie Hayashida demonstrated a bias. Both Minikus and Hayashida, among other candidates, filed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Stacy Berry.
Moreover, the lawsuit claims without a change to the city’s election system, wherein all five candidates run citywide, it will be more difficult to have elected representatives on the Council who are more representative of the city’s population.
In addition, the city’s muted response to the demand letter, under a previous administration, ultimately drew the actual lawsuit and another lawsuit against the city, filed by Californians Aware, for a lack of transparency with its citizens.
After the lawsuit was filed, residents Malini Nagpal and Katie Shapiro signed as local plaintiffs along with the Southwest Voter Registration Project. After more than a year of jostling, which gave the city time to hold what will likely be its last at-large city Council election in November, Shenkman proceeded with the suit earlier this year.
While the city Council has not relayed the information to the public, Shenkman told the ENE, without disclosing who voted for or against, that the City Council had voted 3-2 for mediation a few months ago In closed session, then actually voted 5-0 more recently, also in closed session, to proceed to mediation.
Mediation does not mean that the suit will be settled, said Shenkman, but it means that it could be settled. Nagpal, one of the plaintiffs, confirmed to ENE that she has been notified of the mediation proceeding and they have been asked to review a number of potential outcomes.
Critics of the Council’s handling of the issue have always asserted the city was wasting taxpayer money by its opposition. It’s hard to determine how much the city has actually spent, but the city is now paying three law firms, even if only one of them is technically charged with defending the city in the case.
Aleshire & Wynder is the city’s legal counsel of record, Rutan & Tucker now inspects public records requests and the NorCal firm of Boersch & Illovsky has been retained specifically to defend the city in the CVRA lawsuit.
Shenkman said it is highly possible that the Cypress Council saw the handwriting on the wall when the State’s Supreme Court ruled Aug. 23 against the City of Santa Monica in a similar suit. Shenkman said the City of Santa Monica will end up paying upwards of $20 million in legal fees in its losing court battle.
“In practical terms, perhaps the city has seen the folly of their ways,” said attorney Kevin Shenkman of Shenkman and Hughes law firm, who filed the suit on behalf of the Southwest Voter Registration project.
In addition, the closed-door vote in Cypress to go to mediation comes after three of the five Council members, Frances Marquez, David Burke and Mayor Anne Hertz-Mallari had been deposed in the lawsuit.
According to two of three depositions for which ENE has already obtained copies, there were some threats and other issues with potential ramifications as they testified under oath. With the vote to move to mediation, is unclear now whether Mayor Pro-Tem Scott Minikus or newly elected Council member Bonnie Peat will be deposed, he said.
Shenkman said the two sides will meet with court-approved mediator Jeff Krivis in Encino on Nov. 1. “This is not a court proceeding and the public is not allowed,” he added.
The entire process of Southwest vs. Cypress CVRA lawsuit is being overseen by Orange County Superior Court Judge David A. Hoffer, said Shenkman.
Settlement of the case could end with any number of acceptable scenarios, including single-member districts, districts with ranked choice voting or even perhaps a mayor elected city-wide and single-member districts.
There are any number of acceptable possibilities, he said.
Shenkman said it was not likely, however, that the judge would throw out the most recent election because of the city’s conduct. While it has happened in the past, Shenkman said the city’s recent decision to move to mediation may temper any of the remedies that judges have used for cities that show absolutely no inclination to cooperate.
It’s up to the mediator now to bring the two sides together, said Shenkman, who added that the court proceedings will only resume if the two sides are not able to reach a settlement agreement in mediation.
Although former Los Alamitos student Jusdeep Singh Sethi died in a tragic accident a decade ago, his spirit and likeness will live on forevermore as officials gathered at Los Alamitos High School to formally dedicate the “Oasis” this week.
The “Oasis,” named by the students themselves, is a 1700-square-foot outdoor garden that now sits outside the school’s mental health Well Space named the “Loft,” where students and staff can always find safe harbor from chaos; a place where they can collect thoughts on difficult days.
With the fresh smell of newly minted dirt wafting through the air, top officials of the Los Al Unified School District, the Los Alamitos Education Foundation and LAHS gathered Tuesday to formally dedicate the $200,000 project.
In addition, Gurjit and Mohinder Sethi were on hand to speak about their son Jusdeep, who tragically downed during a family outing at Big Bear in 2013. The Sethi’s thanked LAEF and the school district for allowing them to contribute $50,000 to the project in honor of their late son.
“On behalf of the Los Alamitos Board of Education, welcome to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new addition to the Well Space, the Oasis Garden,” said board president Chris Forehan.
“A huge thank you to our school district, the Sethi family and the coordination with LAEF for making the garden a place where students and staff can find peace during their very hectic days,” he said.
In 2021, Los Alamitos USD, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, CHOC, and LAEF, took pioneering steps in prioritizing student mental health and wellness by introducing the first two Well Spaces in Orange County at Oak and McAuliffe Middle Schools,” said Pulver.
“These initiatives laid the foundation for the continued commitment to student well-being,” he added.
He thanked LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue for a donation of more than $250,000 for the “Loft,” which opened last year at the high school, and for their work to help raise nearly $200,000 for the Oasis, which has now been dedicated.
“The Oasis” Garden was designed to serve as a tranquil, outdoor extension to the Well Space. Spanning approximately 1700 square feet, it features a serene water element, river rock, outdoor lighting, lush greenery, and comfortable outdoor furniture, all designed to encourage student gatherings and relaxation,” said Pulver.
“The Oasis Garden is more than just a physical space. It is an outdoor haven where students can reflect, meditate, and simply take a break,” he added.
“It’s not lost on us that this garden is more than just a physical space. It really is an outdoor haven where students can reflect,” the superintendent said.
“They can meditate and simply take a break. I’ve been coming to the campus the past two weeks as we’ve been prepared, getting ready for this and it’s just been so neat to see students eight o’clock in the morning just sitting out here and they’re not doing homework,” said Pulver.
The Oasis Garden at LAHS. Courtesy photo
Logue thanked Pulver, her hardworking board and staff members, all of whom she said had worked so hard to make “The Loft” and the “Oasis Garden” a reality.
She also thanked the school district for their partnership.
“We enhance educational excellence and we’re here to prepare every child in our district for college and beyond. And I wanted to thank Dr. Pulver, the school board and the administration for looking to us to do more and more to make our district stronger and healthier,” said Logue.
Logue then thanked Gurjit and Mohinder Sethi for their generous donation of $50,000 so that the Oasis could be completed and dedicated in honor of their son, Jusdeep.
Logue said the Sethi family had made the donation for the Oasis in addition to the “thousands and thousands” of dollars they began donating for student scholarships shortly after Jusdeep’s accident.
Mohinder Sethi spoke, sometimes emotionally, about her late son Jusdeep whom she said once told her while walking on mountains during one of their many trips. In 2013, when Jusdeep was a 20-year-old student at Cal State Northridge, he surprised her by telling her he got a job at the arboretum in Pasadena.
She said this revelation, along with others, made her aware of how deeply Jusdeep felt about being connected with the earth and and how he wanted to help others.
Watching her son carefully avoid the protruding mountain stones, Mrs. Sethi said she asked her son, “Why don’t you put your shoes back on,” she asked as they walked through the mountains. In his reply, she said her son said to her: “It’s good to connect with the Earth, don’t you think so?”
Jusdeep’s mother said her family felt reassured that her son’s memory will now be helping students every day. He “really, really loved nature and really wanted to help people,” she said.
After his death, Mohinder Sethi said she visited her son’s workplace and learned while talking with his coworkers just how deeply he touched every person he met.
A photo of Jusdeep will now reunite him with classmates and staff for the foreseeable future as students and staff find refuge in this tiny “Oasis” garden, as they relax on the comfortable wooden benches and stare out at earthy tones, a rock garden and even a water feature to bring peace to others during the days to come.
The much-discussed plan to construct new pickleball courts in La Palma has been abandoned by the City Council after bids on the proposed construction project ballooned to over $700,000.
The La Palma City Council, now only meeting once per month, voted unanimously on Tuesday to look at alternative ways to provide pickleball courts rather than construct new ones on what is currently green space in Central Park.
Mayor Debbie Baker proposed the construction of new courts back in January during a meeting that saw support for the sport, but concern as well.
Despite concerns, even then, over the cost, Baker said pickleball courts are not a luxury item but “a good investment into the community.”
Council member Janet Keo Conklin agreed but stressed the Council should figure out how to make the courts “pay for themselves” over the long term.
In January, the Council voted to award a no-bid contract worth $66,000 to NUVIS Landscape Architecture to prepare bid documents, create designs, etc. to move the project forward.
While pickleball is arguably the most popular and fastest-growing sport in the country, finding places to play the sport, because of noise and other factors, is problematic.
In La Palma, the Council also faced opposition from local activist Robert Carruth, who claimed the city has no business destroying the green space in Central Park with pickleball courts.
“I have observed hundreds of people actively using that green space for a variety of activities,” he told the Council on Tuesday.
Pickleball does have supporters in La Palma. One of them, Toni Kochi, told the Council that “pickleball is a safe sport,” she said, adding “I have 10 knee replacements and I can’t play any other sport.” She explained to the Council the hardships experienced by local pickleball players as they try to find convenient places to play.
Most of the discussion, however, revolved around the cost after bids for the project came in at almost double the cost of staff and the professional estimate of NUVIS.
“Nuvis charged us $66,000 to provide some guidance and missed. I mean they struck out and put staff in a bad position,” said Keith Nelson during oral communications. “We need to look at our outside consultants and not rely on them all of the time.”
Nelson’s comments reflected the disappointment of the Council when bids came in suggesting the final cost to build pickleball courts in La Palma was $733,000. There were less expensive alternatives, but the Council unanimously agreed to seek other options.
“Pickleball is a great idea,” said Council member Nitesh Patel. He thanked Baker for “bringing Pickleball to us to look at options for the community.”
“But from the onset, I am on record saying that if the costs were outside of a range that we felt comfortable with, it’s something that would not be fiscally prudent,” said Patel.
He said the city was still better off “going the process” to see what might be possible for Pickleball but “It just doesn’t make sense right now. Costs have goine up, everything that has gone up and it’s a great idea because it is an emerging sport.”
“Our job is to go through the process and see what’s best for the community. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t,” he said, noting the Council should now explore other alternatives on the table.
“It’s a contractor’s market right now,” said Council member Mark Waldeman, who also expressed support for other alternatives.
As the Council began exploring repurposing its tennis courts and basketball courts, Mayor Pro-tem Marshall Goodman explained his concerns for making sure there was a noise barrier. “The sport (Pickleball) “tends to be a little bit on the noisy side.”
“I enjoy the fact that we have a lot of folks getting up and moving around a lot,” said Goodman, “but for the time being, the wait may be long, but not so long.”
“I do appreciate the mayor bringing this to the community,” said Conklin, but “we have to be fiscally responsible at the point.”
Mayor Baker agreed.
“I agree with all of my colleagues,” said Baker, “and you know, when we had originally looked at the design, we had thought we had an estimate where we thought the bids could possibly come in.”
“The bids came in at double what we originally thought so this is really disappointing,” she said.
City Manager Conal McNamara confirmed that a state grant of approximately $179,000 remains available for constructing a sound barrier or restriping existing courts in the city for Pickleball.
The Council directed staff to examine various alternatives to utilize existing city recreational assets to include Pickleball using either by repurposing existing tennis or basketball courts.
The 13U Black Pop Warner football team in Los Alamitos Pop Warner brought in a grievance counselor this week following the sudden death of Stanley “Stan” Guyness, one of their beloved coaches.
There are few details available surrounding the sudden loss of Guyness, but the team posted on social media that grievance counselors were called in to help the team cope.
“The team spent time with a grievance counselor who helped these young men work through their emotions,” the team posted.
“Our football family is heartbroken at the sudden passing of our dedicated coach and friend, Stan. Stan was a driving force in our football family and has taught our boys so much! He taught them how to dig deep and always give their best. Stan leaves behind four amazing children and his beautiful wife Meg,” the team statement said.
“Please help us provide some support to the Guyness family during this difficult time,” the team said, noting a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family get through the most difficult time.
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.
