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Beach Cities Ballerz win Los Al/SB FNL summer league Flag-football Championship.

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Beach Cities Ballerz win Los Al/SB FNL summer league Flag-football Championship.

Beach Cities Ballerz had two FNL Summer League squads (“Pink” & “Black”). Squad Black finished FNL Summer League with a 4-2 record, while Squad Pink rolled to a perfect 6-0 record and won the championship game by a score of 32-0.

Dating back to May 22, the Ballerz compiled an overall record of 16-3, with a point differential of 364-80.

QB Jayme Zamora led the program the entire summer compiling a 9-1 record overall as starting QB. She passed for over 2,000 yards, 16 TDs vs only 4 INTs. Rushed for over 1,500 yards and 17 TDs, 10 runs of 40 yards or more, 4 runs of 60 yards or more and a whopping 14-yard average per rush.

Other standout players included Kira Ines who dominated at the Defensive Rusher position. All-Purpose player Kingsley Medlen thrilled the crowd at QB with her elusive running and play-making ability and put up over 1,800 combined yards rushing, passing and receiving while locking down her side of the field on defense at corner.

Elsa Habig, Aliana Gutierrez, Emma Henning and Skylar Metcalf were consistent targets at WR and made huge impacts on defense. Gutierrez led the Summer Squads with nearly 70 flag pulls, 9 Interceptions (4 Pick 6’s), numerous batted passes, and several great catches at WR. Alyssa Castanon made some huge plays on defense with several batted passes, nearly 35 flag pulls and 5 INTs.

Ari, the penguin, seems destined for stardom, at least in ocean terms, at the Aquarium of the Pacific

David N. Young
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Ari, the penguin, seems destined for stardom, at least in ocean terms, at the Aquarium of the Pacific

With the same energy with which the public adopts pandas, a baby penguin named “Ari,” born and bred in the Aquarium of the Pacific, seems destined to be a star.

“Get over here, that’s him (Ari),” says one woman, grabbing her friend, upon seeing the swimming chick. Nearby, a little girl, nestled within a group of little girls wearing red summer camp t-shirts talking among themselves, says, “I wish I could touch him.”

Ari, the Magellanic penguin, has been seemingly performing and entertaining guests of all ages since being allowed in the June Keyes Penguin Habitat for the first time on July 30.

“Little Ari, the chick born three months ago to parent penguins Kate and Robbie (the Aquarium’s Brazil rescue), has drawn big crowds and is a big hit,” according to Senior Aviculturist Ashley Loper, a Mississippi native whose job it is to facilitate the penguin habitat.

Ari, the penguin born to parents at the Aquarium of the Pacific, is out of the house and in the tank with the energy of a young rock star.
Photo by David N. Young

While most of the double-banded penguins swim leisurely through the massive tank like on a leisurely summer stroll, Ari is a bundle of energy, soaking up every morsel of the attention.

First, he zooms to the bottom of the tank, does a backflip, and surfaces so fast he leaves a trail of bubbles in his wake. He looks up, seemingly smiles, and does it again. Then he swims quickly on the surface across the front of the tank with his head slightly cocked as if to say hello to the throngs watching him.

“Penguins are very charismatic animals,” says Loper, “and I know many people come specifically to see them.” She says aquarium employees have heard visitors ask, “Can you tell me how to get to the penguin habitat?”

Loper said Magellanic penguins “break the mold” of what most people think about penguins. Because of movie depictions and other reasons, most people think penguins live among snow and ice, which she said is misleading. Most penguins in the wild “won’t see ice in their entire lives.”

Even the penguins in Antarctica, she said, live mostly near rocky coasts and desert-like conditions. There are some cold-water penguins, the “big ones,” the Emperor penguins (often seen in movies); most penguin species are “warm water” animals, like the Humboldt, African and Galapagos, living near coasts where oceans constantly deliver fish.

Senior Aviculturist Ashley Loper feeds Ari at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Photo by David N. Young

While most warm water penguins have a single black band around their necks, the Magellanic penguins are unique.
“If you look closely, they have two black bands going across their chest. African penguins and Humboldt’s have only one, which is one of the ways you can identify a Magellanic penguin,” said Loper.

The bird is named for famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan, whose crew recorded them in 1520 during the circumnavigation as they rounded the tip of South America. Still today, the flocks are based in Chile and Argentina near the tip of South America.

“Kate and Robbie first paired up for breeding in 2022. After four years, this is their first chick that has successfully been hatched and raised. We are thrilled to welcome the new baby, which hatched on May 9, and now introduce him to his new home,” said Megan Smylie, Aquarium of the Pacific sea otter program manager, in a statement.

Well, a penguin is perhaps not as rare as a panda being born in captivity, but the buzz is still significant.

So much so, said Loper, that the Aquarium has carved out a private “pad” for the Penguin couple inside the facility, “including a private pool, air conditioning and a very nice space,” where Ari was hatched.

Magellanic penguin chicks typically stay with their parents for one to two months, where they’ll grow to adult length (twenty-four to thirty inches) by the end of that time. Chicks are then moved to a behind-the-scenes penguin nursery, where they can safely learn how to swim and participate in feedings until they’re ready to join the adults in the Aquarium’s penguin habitat.

According to a study entitled “Born to be bold,” Ari’s standout behavior is not unexpected.

Magellanic penguin Ari wades while being introduced to water by animal care staff behind-the-scenes at Aquarium of the Pacific. The chick, hatched at the Aquarium, made their public debut July 30 in the June Keyes Penguin Habitat several months of rearing behind-the-scenes.
Photo by Robin Riggs

The study, performed by six leading Argentinian researchers, suggests some penguins are bold because “penguins have measurable, stable individual temperaments.”

When it came time to eat, Ari was a bit less bold, watching carefully as the mature penguins got their fresh, “restaurant-quality fish” from Ashley, then slowly waddled over for a few of his own.

Every day at 2:30 p.m. when the penguins are fed at the Judy Keyes Habitat area, brave seagulls fly in and perch on the rocks, hoping to make a meal of an errant fish.

Although penguins can live for 25 years or more, said Loper, noting that little Ari is still a growing penguin and acting every bit of his juvenile status.

Stardom may be too strong a word, but Ari is becoming quite the showman, exploring almost every face that comes to see him and performing magic swimming tricks only a penguin can manage.

For sure, the young penguin has a long journey ahead, but for now, he seems to love every swimming minute of it.

Rossmoor Board down to four directors, splits after tense budget discussion over GM’s compensation

David N. Young
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Rossmoor Board down to four directors, splits after tense budget discussion over GM’s compensation

(Editor’s note: Since this meeting, the RCSD has held a special meeting to address some of the concerns listed herein. The results of that meeting are summarized at the end of this report.)

The Rossmoor Community Services District is without a budget for the next fiscal year as the district’s Board of Directors split right down the middle over spending concerns and the compensation package of its General Manager.

At the Board’s July meeting, the Board voted 2-2 to approve its operating budget after a rather erratic discussion that saw an outburst from Director Michael Maynard so alarming that President Jo Shade asked him to “be respectful.”

At issue were the allowance of voting from Italy for former Director Mary Ann Remnet, and the simmering concern from two Directors over the salary being paid to General Manager Sharon Landers.

Remnet announced her proposed August retirement earlier this year to move overseas with family and was allowed to vote from Italy during the June meeting.

Some email messages from residents chided the Board for allowing Remnet to call in from “a hotel in Europe” to vote since leaving the country in April.

Remnet has since then officially emailed from Italy on July 12 to expedite her resignation.

Resident Laura Tanner said in her email that Remnet sold her Rossmoor home on March 25, which was recorded on April 17. Remnet has long been in Italy and thus should not have been allowed to vote, said Tanner.“A non-resident tourist in Italy cannot vote on how our local Rossmoor property taxes are spent,” said Tanner. “Any votes she casts will be illegal,” Tanner suggested.

Another email, from attorney Cherol Katz, on behalf of her mother, longtime Rossmoor resident Piri Katz, and numerous taxpaying residents, who Katz suggested “feel silenced and deeply distressed by the flagrant violation of the district’s governance in California public agency law,” by allowing Remnet to long-distance vote.

“We acknowledge GM Sharon Landers’ recent email stating that Mrs. Remnet has suddenly submitted her resignation effective immediately,” said Katz. “While her immediate departure solves the crisis for the Board meeting, the General Manager’s defense of Ms. Remnet’s residency status completely misrepresents California law and cannot be left uncorrected on the public record,” she said.

“The District’s attempt to treat her permanent location as a temporary absence is a severe violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act,” said Katz in the email.

Landers said later that another director was allowed to vote traveling on business, so Remnet should be able to do the same thing from a remote location,” the GM said.

Katz’s email made several demands on the Board and its legal counsel regarding Remnet, including an audit of all votes Remnet participated in from Italy and that they should be formally “brought back to the board to be cured.”
Katz also demanded any stipends or reimbursement “be clawed back.”

Remnet’s vote on the Board often provided the so-called “swing vote” to the majority favoring Nathan Searles and Jo Shade, and now gone from the Board, Directors Tony DeMarco and Maynard both voted against this year’s proposed budget, blocking its approval.

DeMarco, who for many years had previously served on the RCSD’s Budget Committee, had been replaced by Remnet by the majority. Nevertheless, DeMarco had deep concerns about the budget presented to the Board.

“We did a revamping of all of our salaries,” he said, looking at the budget. DeMarco said the current GM was getting paid twice what the former GM Joe Mendoza was paid.

“We’re just a bit top heavy,” he said, suggesting but not specifically calling out the GM’s pay package.

Before Landers arrived, the District’s GM was a retired government services executive who was paid less than $100,000 per year. Following a six-month trial, the board approved Landers GM contract on a 3-2 vote, with DeMarco and Maynard voting against.

The new contract paid Landers $140,000 per year, plus benefits, including cost-of-living adjustments, deferred compensation, etc.

DeMarco looked at the district’s receipt of sales tax revenue from Orange County and said it was steady but not increasing. Salaries, he said, have been revamped and recategorized to where pay increases “are just automatic.”
Landers argued that the proposed future increases were not automatic but based on merit.

Overall, DeMarco expressed concern with the district’s growing expenses.

“We’re spending a lot of money,” said DeMarco, “just spending a lot of money.”

He told the board “we are not a city,” protesting what he perceives as automatic rate increases and deferred compensation now budgeted for employees.

Looking at the proposed budget, DeMarco said, “We are not a city, and I don’t like all of these automated city-like expenses where the board doesn’t determine. Look at what our insurance did,” he said. The district’s insurance went up about 20 percent.

Compared to budgets of the City of Los Alamitos, approaching $30 million, and Cypress, approaching $70 million, the district’s budget hovers at about $2 million per year.

DeMarco said if the District has a big problem four or five years into the future, and if property taxes don’t increase, the District may run into trouble.

One member of the community, a former candidate for the board, Konya Vivanti, said during open communications that she was concerned by the “increase in total salaries and benefits” of the district since 2024.

“Chiefly,” she said, “due to the largest increase in the general manager’s salary and benefits.”

Board member Nathan Searles dismissed the criticism. He said Landers was doing a terrific job and experts had already examined her pay package.

“We (Board) had a consultant come in and discuss how our general manager was compensated, and they said we’re paying her in the range for the tasks involved. I don’t have an issue with the compensation in that sense,” said Searles.

After the budget failed to pass, Landers pressed the board to understand their concerns.

Following long, tension-filled periods of silence, Maynard said it flat out that he and DeMarco wanted to renegotiate Landers’ contract.

“Okay, the elephant in the room,” said Maynard, “we are a top-heavy organization with your position. I think you should reconsider, and I think it should be renegotiated,” said Maynard.

“It was a two-three decision, and that’s one of the levers here, a renegotiated contract,” said Maynard. “That’s the first thing that comes to mind, and this shouldn’t be a surprise. I’ve been vocal about this,” he told Landers.

At one point, Maynard leaned toward Searles and made a loud noise, which drew the caution from Shade.

President Shade also pushed back against DeMarco and Maynard, saying they were trying to undo a majority decision that went against them reminding them about all of the split decisions they’d won over the years after serving many years on boards where they had the majority.

“I know that’s how you feel, comparing the past two years when the two of you have been on the losing side of many 3-2 votes,” said Shade. “We can go back in history to see how long you guys have had the majority vote,” she told them.

“But it’s all about balance,” she gently reminded them. “We’re all here for the same reason,” she said.

Ironically, both Maynard and DeMarco, in addition to Shade and Searles, have acknowledged Landers is doing an excellent job in the role of General Manager.

With Remnet’s resignation, DeMarco asked to fill the vacant Budget Committee seat and Maynard asked if they could declare an emergency and vote to fill the committee vacancy.

Lona Laymon, the board’s legal advisor, refused to call Remnet’s vacant seat on the budget committee a legit emergency, and therefore, it could not be filled on the spot, especially since it did not appear on the agenda.

The board agreed to call a special meeting to resolve budget issues since they must approve a new budget by September.

Since this meeting, the RCSD board held a special meeting July 28 to discuss the budget. Although the recording is frozen, audio reveals that at that meeting, the board agreed to return DeMarco to the budget committee and appointed Maynard to the Personnel and Contracts Administration Committee.
In addition, the RCSD qualification period for applicants to fill Remnet’s seat has closed and Landers told ENE only that they are working through “multiple candidates” to validate qualifying criteria. The General Manager said the board will soon call a special meeting to discuss the appointment to Remnet’s seat.
Finally, in response to Maynard’s call to renegotiate, Landers said “absolutely.” Landers said if officially asked to do so, she would be willing to renegotiate her employment agreement with RCSD.

Founder of Panda Express speaks to students at Philanthropist Kitty Lo’s scholarship ceremony

David N. Young
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Founder of Panda Express speaks to students at Philanthropist Kitty Lo’s scholarship ceremony

It’s not often that students get the chance to speak frankly with the builder of a billion-dollar business, but on Saturday near Anaheim, 100 scholarship recipients did just that.

Andrew Cherng, who co-founded Panda Express with his wife Peggy more than five decades ago, was in Orange County this week to speak to students and their families.

Philanthropist Kitty Lo, the founder of MHG (Manhattan Hotel Group) Charitable Foundation, said the group has provided hundreds of scholarships through the company’s work in India, Taiwan and the USA.

“We are humbly committed to supporting and guiding students,” she said, “and we have provided scholarships, mentorships and encouragement,” said Lo.

Philanthropist Kitty Lo speaks to students. Photo by David N. Young

In addition to Cherng, the students heard noted molecular biologist Wen-Hwa Lee, Ph.D., whom Lo said was a four-time Nobel Prize nominee.

While exact amounts for each scholarship were not disclosed, the 100 student recipients were guaranteed awards ranging from $800 to $2,000, said George Chou, Director of the Foundation.

The students attended high schools from Orange and other counties, and are headed to various colleges and universities around the nation.

Lo said Cherng has been a mentor to her in life and in her charitable giving. Throughout the afternoon, it became clear that Cherng is a man unchanged by wealth, taking hard questions from students that always evoked frank answers that gently evolved into hard work, humility and giving back.

Following the more formal speeches and welcome, Cherng left the podium with a microphone and headed into the crowded room, as pre-selected students began asking him any question they wanted.

Cherng acknowledged his journey from “poverty to prosperity.” He told the students his own story. He speaks slowly, yet firmly.

He and Peggy remain Co-chairs, founders and CEOs of the Panda Restaurant Group, a company now with more than 2,600 restaurants nationwide and 60,000 associates (employees).

Cherng lauded the MHG Scholarships, saying he and Lo have worked well together as he explained his own company’s charitable giving.

Tina Hsing, Director of Panda Cares, explained that in 1999, the national restaurant chain began its practice of putting the donation box for loose change at the checkout counter, pledging 100 percent of the donations would go back into the community.

To their surprise, the chain raised $1 million in the first year, $3 million the second, $7 million the third, and by the pandemic, the company was raising $50 million annually for scholarships and community givebacks.

The charitable giving of MHG and Panda Cares underscored Cherng’s overall mission of cooperation and communication.

Isabella Swanson inspired other students as the highest awardee of the scholars.
Photo by David N. Young

“Our people are willing to do this because they know where the money is going,” Cherng told the students. “When you have a purpose to do something and if that purpose is very clear in everybody’s mind, the work is done very easily,” he said.

More than that, Cherng said to focus on the multitude of small tasks everyone has in their lives and make them work smoothly and together.

“You want to do the small things exceptionally well,” he said, urging the students to “be mindful of the little things and keep the interest of others in mind.”

Panda Express co-founder Andrew Cherng.
Photo by David N. Young

“You have to get things done through other people, so we must do things in such a way that others are more than happy to cooperate and because also, it is in their interest to work together,” he said.

“I mean it’s really great that you have the scholarship,” said Cherng, “but in life you actually can do a lot for yourselves,” suggesting that, where possible, students get part-time jobs to start saving for the future.

“We can all do better,” said Cherng to the students. “I feel we can help other people, even with the way of thinking that we’re all walking into some challenging situations,” he said.

It became clear that Cherng is proud of his own rags-to-riches story (he calls it poverty to prosperity). Born to modest means in China, he only managed to get his first bicycle as a gift from a cousin moving away, and from it learned a valuable life lesson that he shared with students.

I just started to ride it for hours. I was exhausted, but happy, happy, happy. So the idea of being able to get what you want, early on, became important to me,” said Cherng.

Several decades later, he and Peggy are worth north of $12 billion, according to Forbes, yet he still drives a Prius. He spends most of his time making sure his associates learn how to be good at the small stuff, make life easier for others.

He advised the incoming freshmen to get a part-time job, learn the value of money and to “never be afraid of money because the opportunity is plentiful.”

Cherng is a living lesson to the students that they too can have it all, and have it in such a beautiful way if they learn the system of prosperity that includes helping others. Sometimes, he said, “the impact of your own actions is not enough.”

“Sometimes in our store, when we all show up in a way to work well together, we have a much better chance of being successful. Maybe there is no chance we will fail. There’s no way I am going to fail because I will overcome what the challenge is.”

“It is not the idea itself, but those ideas must be well communicated with the people we work with, so the execution becomes easier,” he said. “I am helping people to see what’s possible so that they do well for themselves.”

“Some of you are doing really well, but you don’t participate,” he said. “We should do it together because collectively, we can make more of an impact,” said Cherng. “It takes all of us,” he said.

“When you treat people well, the good things tend to come to you,” he said.

“We are so blessed,” said Cherng, “and I would not want to live any place else.”

“Only in America,” he said, “only in America.”

“Every day I do what I can to learn what more I can do to participate,” said Cherng. “I’m not sitting here and waiting for other people to help me.”

“This is America,” he told them. “There is opportunity everywhere.”

Benny’s Birthday bash signals time for CatPAWs annual fundraiser

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Benny’s Birthday bash signals time for CatPAWs annual fundraiser

On Saturday, August 22, Seal Beach’s biggest animal-expo event of the year will take place when Helen Sanders CatPAWS hosts “Benny’s Birthday & Love Your Pet Party” from 11 am – 3 pm at the Seal Beach Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Drive, Seal Beach between 1st and 5th streets, near the pickleball courts.

Admission is just $20 and includes a catered lunch and cake. Kids 12 and under are free.

The annual festival honors Benny the Cat, who suffered severe abuse during kittenhood but with the help of Long Beach Animal Care Services and Helen Sanders CatPAWS was rescued. He recovered to become a loving, trusting cat. Benny, with his crooked smile (attributed to the broken jaw and neurological damage he endured) has become a bit of a celebrity, with his own Facebook and Instagram pages (@bennythecatsjustice). He also won the Long Beach’s Favorite Pet contest in the cat category this year.

Benny’s Birthday & Love Your Pet Party is a day of joy to celebrate not only Benny but also all the animals we love! There will be adoptable cats from CatPAWS, adoptable dogs from Long Beach Animal Care Services, therapy dogs from Orange County Animal Allies, and rescued rabbits from Sunshine Rabbit Center in Long Beach. The Animal Assistance League of OC will be on hand to provide information about their many animal-aid programs.

Benny’s party includes music, games and prizes for kids, arts & crafts and special surprise guests. There will be complimentary lemonade courtesy of Raising Cane’s plus free popcorn from Kernel Tom.

Over 20 amazing vendors will offer pet services that include portraits, photography, cat sitting, pet clothing and accessories. There will be clothing and accessories for humans too, like artisan jewelry and soaps, organic hair and skin care products, jellies, jams and books.

Raffle items include gift cards and products from local merchants, baskets, pet supplies and a special bonus raffle: roundtrip airfare on JetBlue to anywhere in the world the airline flies. Two pairs of roundtrip tickets will be raffled during the event.

Tickets are available at the door or skip the line and purchase in advance at www.helensanderscatpaws.com. For liability reasons, please leave your pets at home.All money raised at Benny’s Birthday & Love Your Pet Party go toward the life-saving work of Helen Sanders CatPAWS, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving cat lives and helping the people who love them. They offer a foster-based rescue and adoption program, low-cost spay/neuter services, pet therapy for seniors in assisted living, pet loss grief support and more.

For more information, visit www.HelenSandersCatpaws.com.

Flag drops to promote patriotism in Huntington Beach

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Flag drops to promote patriotism in Huntington Beach

By Chris MacDonald

For several years Sunset Beach residents Tony and Rhonda Nobles have decorated their house in July to show their patriotism. In honor or our Nation’s birthday, they hang a large 20 x 12 foot American Flag on their beach house so people can see it from the street. “We do it because we love our Country,” Tony said. “Lots of people comment on how beautiful it looks and thank us for creating this annual display.”

Kevin Paulson, president of The Sunset Beach Community Association said: “I share in the enthusiasm for their efforts and appreciate them displaying this for our Country.”

The Nobles are known for their community involvement and fantastic displays. Every Halloween they produce a themed event, offering free entertainment for all ages at their namesake Nobles Family Community Center on 12th Street. Tony serves as vice president ofsrfdfefeeefe

Luna Beauty Bar opens in Long Beach

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Luna Beauty Bar opens in Long Beach

Courtesy photo
The Luna Beauty Bar held its grand opening over the weekend in Long Beach. Owned by Brigitte Khun (R) and daughter-in-law Dasha Kishak (L), the renovated space will offer a full range of beauty services, the owners say. Family, friends, and customers joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday at 2340 Pacific Coast Highway. More info at lunabeautybarlb.com.

You’re invited to MemorialCare Elevate Senior Expo (age 50+)

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You’re invited to MemorialCare Elevate Senior Expo (age 50+)

Join the City of Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department for our MemorialCare Elevate Encore Senior Expo (Ages 50+), an informative event featuring resources and information to assist in building connection and support.

MemorialCare is proud to be the Title Sponsor for this event, alongside The Original Rainbow Cone and Syrentis Clinical Research as the Presenting Sponsors and Living Well Home Care as the Gold Sponsor.

Resources will be available on transportation, caregiving, leisure services, health and well-being, volunteer opportunities, and more! This free event will take place on Wednesday, August 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Los Alamitos Community Center (10911 Oak St.). Enjoy a light breakfast, receive a FREE giveaway if you are among the first 150 attendees, and be entered to win exciting opportunity drawings throughout the event.

For those looking to advertise their resources, vendor spaces are available. Please email tf*******@***************os.org with a completed vendor application. All vendor spaces are first-come, first-served and will be evaluated after submitting a completed application, including payment. Interested in being a sponsor? Check out our sponsorship packet here: https://cityoflosalamitos.org/DocumentCenter/View/5473/Elevate-Senior-Expo-Package_Fillable

To access the vendor packet and for more information, please visit cityoflosalamitos.org/510/Senior-Expo or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430 – 1073.

Machete wielding suspect shot by Los Al and Cypress officers while Long Beach PD backs off

John Underwood
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Machete wielding suspect shot by Los Al and Cypress officers while Long Beach PD backs off

It began almost as chaotically as it ended, at about 10 a.m. on Willow Street in East Long Beach on the morning of July 22 near Palo Verde Avenue.

Long Beach Police Department initiated pursuit of a “possible DUI driver” in response to a call they received from a LB fire and paramedics mobile unit who described a man in a car driving erratically and threateningly close to the LBFD vehicle en route with a patient inside in a manner fire personnel described as “road rage” behavior. LBPD soon picked up the erratic driver speeding eastbound on Willow and pursued him over the county line into Los Alamitos followed by the LB fire truck.

At Katella Ave. and Cherry St. the suspect made a hard left and pulled up just north of the U-drive entrance to the UCI- Los Alamitos Medical Center where he jumped out of his vehicle leaving it in the street, exiting shirtless with only his shoes and shorts on, and a large machete gripped in one hand.

Pacing back and forth, according to one eye witness he appeared agitated and highly emotional “raising his arms up and down in angry gestures.” By that time responding PD units from Los Alamitos and Cypress, as well as the chase team from LBPD had formed an encircling perimeter around the machete-wielding subject and attempted to communicate with him from a distance.

According to Los Al PD media liason Robert Acosta, after several failed attempts to “de-escalate” the situation, less-than -lethal bean bag weapons were deployed against the man, several bags appearing to hit their target, which seemed to only accelerate him into a stride up Cherry Street (as captured from video provided by Citizen App).

It was near the corner of Cherry and Florista that officers of the Los Alamitos and Cypress PD cornered the man as he dodged behind parked cars. At one point, according to Los Al PD spokesperson Acosta, the man with the machete approached officers in a threatening manner and only then did they used lethal force to stop him.

Officers block of the area near the UCI hospital and physicians offices as the incident went down. Courtesy photo

Numerous rounds were discharged by both agencies. The suspect was struck several times, disarming and disabling him, whereupon paramedics were called to render aid and deliver the suspect to an undisclosed trauma one emergency facility (UCI-Los Al is not one).

LBPD subsequently issued a press release just after the incident stating that “No Long Beach PD, though active in the pursuit and present on the scene, were involved in the shooting.”

During the hourlong incident hospital officials initiated a lockdown of the all medical campus facilities, though at no time did the suspect attempt to enter or engage anyone associated with the hospital, or any patient or other person on the street.

The still unidentified suspect remains in critical but stable condition at the undisclosed trauma one hospital. According to all local PD sources, the investigation has been taken over by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office who, as a matter of policy, investigates all officer involved shootings in Orange County.

The Los Alamitos officers involved in the actual shooting are, according to Los Al PD spokespersons, temporarily relieved of duties pending the DA investigation and findings. All other information regarding the shooting, the officers involved, the identity of the suspect, his medical prognosis, and any charges against the suspect are being withheld by the DA’s office pending their investigation.

No further information has been released to the public or press by local Police Department or the District Attorney’s Office. Kimberly Edds, the PIO for the DA, has noted that such investigations “could take weeks or months.”

40th Infantry troops, Korean Army troops gather at JFTB to celebrate 73rd Anniversary of Peace

David N. Young
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40th Infantry troops, Korean Army troops gather at JFTB to celebrate 73rd Anniversary of Peace

Although time is beginning to take its toll on aging veterans, several American and Korean War veterans old enough to fight in the early 1950s returned to uniform July 24 to jointly celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.

For the 40th Infantry Division, stationed at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, it was perhaps one of their most glorious campaigns, fighting in the so-called “Punchbowl,” along Heartbreak Ridge and Sandbag Castle to heroically halt the North Korean advance.

In fact, a large marble statue stands proudly in the lobby of the 40th Infantry Division headquarters, along with many other weapons and armor used in the successful effort.

“On behalf of the soldiers of the 40th Infantry Division and Commanding General William J. Pendergrass IV, we welcome all of our guests, veterans and friends to the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice,” said 40th Infantry Division Chief of Staff Juan M. Mora.

Mora says the 40th Infantry Division was deployed to the Korean War to halt the breakout and push back the North Koreans to establish the so-called 34th parallel, the dividing line between North and South Korea that remains to this day.

On Friday, small groups of U.S. and Korean War veterans were honored at the Joint Forces Training Base for their service to the cause that ended with an Armistice on July 27, 1953.

The Koreans and Americans both added pageantry to the event with decorative dancers and representatives of younger generations who plan to keep the tradition alive, according to Man K. (Martin) Choi, President of the Republic of Korea Army Association.

A gathering of veterans from the Korean War along with well wishers and service members from today’s 40th at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. Courtesy photo

Over the past few years, the massive lobby of the 40th Infantry Division has been turned into a mini-museum, with significant displays of battlefield armor, weapons, medals and documents.

Currently, a Japanese-era tank awaits visitors as they walk through the front door and base officials said the public is invited to visit.

During the 40th Infantry Division’s 342 days of campaign combat, nearly 400 Americans from its ranks were killed in action, while nearly 1,500 were wounded in action. Three of its service members were awarded the Purple Heart, a purple ribbon and medal bearing the likeness of George Washington were awarded for acts of bravery to honor those who shed blood or sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Historical accounts say during the Korean War, the storied 40th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. General Joseph P. Cleland noticed more than 150 Korean children attending classes in a tent dangerously close to the booming artillery fire.

Under his military leadership, each service member put up $2 while the division’s architects and engineers designed a new school near the area of Gapyeong, northeast of Seoul.

The division subsequently helped fund Gwanin Middle School and High School near Pocheon in 1955, together with hospitals and other community facilities in an area called “Sunburst Village.”

In addition to the school, the “Sunburst” is another tradition carried on by the Division, with an award-winning special “Sunburst” school on the base and the 40th Infantry Division itself called the “Sunburst Division.”

Moreover, Mora said the school is still supported by Korean and American veterans. “We still raise money for scholarships each year for the school in Korea,” said Mora before this year’s event.

The school was named Kenneth Kaiser School, honoring Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Kaiser Jr., a 19-year-old Los Angeles soldier who was the division’s first Korean War combat fatality. Korean residents pronounced Kaiser as “Gaisa,” so it was also known locally as the Gaisa School. It later developed into what is now Gapyeong Middle School and Gapyeong High School.

The 40th Division has maintained its relationship with Gapyeong for more than seven decades through visits, scholarships and the Kaiser Hall Museum, according to U.S. Army accounts and National Guard history.
Following the event, the military veterans from Korea and the 40th Infantry Division were treated to lunch and celebratory remarks and events.

Ironically, Orange County resident Michelle Steel, recently appointed by President Donald J. Trump as U.S. Ambassador to Korea, also honored the anniversary; however, this time did so at the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) ceremonies in Seoul.

Leading up to the anniversary, Ambassador Steel aligned diplomatic and military efforts with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. In statements issued alongside the Department of the Navy and U.S. Forces Korea, she reiterated an “ironclad” commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. According to reports, she highlighted the enduring strength of the U.S.–Republic of Korea naval partnership.

Steel often tells the story of her lineage to the Korean War, as her parents were forced to flee North Korea, ended up in South Korea, then Japan before immigrating to the USA in 1975.

Supervisor announces formal demand to chemical company for $4 million+ for damages

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Supervisor announces formal demand to chemical company for $4 million+ for damages

First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen has announced that the County of Orange has issued a formal demand notice to GKN Aerospace demanding payment of $4,071,305 for expenditures related to the May 21 hazardous chemical leak in Garden Grove.

According to a statement released by her office, the disaster at the plastics manufacturing facility of a potential 7,000-gallon tank explosion resulted in the evacuation of 50,000 people for nearly a week. A massive deployment of fire, law enforcement, healthcare and environmental officials made it one of the largest hazardous material threats in county history, exemplifying the excellence of the region’s Unified Command operation.

“The blame for this disaster lies solely with GKN and the County should not be bearing the brunt of these expenses,” said Supervisor Janet Nguyen. “The County works hard to stay in excellent fiscal shape and now we have 10 agencies with huge expenses along with the OC Fire Authority. We need reimbursement.”

Included in the $4 million total is a $500,000 expenditure from the First District to assist evacuees with expenses. The Supervisor has repeatedly stated that GKN needs to make the community whole and more money is needed to do this. The total demand does not include expenses incurred by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which is $2.8 million.

The letter states authority for recovering costs:

“The County is legally entitled to seek full restitution for public funds expended during the May 2026 hazardous materials crisis under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act…and the Hazardous Substance Account Act. The threatened release of MMA, a known hazardous substance stored at GKN’s manufacturing facility in Garden Grove, caused the County to incur these necessary response costs which were taken to halt the immediate risk to public health and welfare, including but not limited to, the temporary evacuation of threatened individuals.”

Los Al softball girls earns right to play in national championship tourney

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Los Al softball girls earns right to play in national championship tourney

The Los Alamitos Girls Softball League’s 10U Gold All-star team are currently representing the league at Western Nationals in Salem, Oregon through Aug. 2. Los Alamitos Girls Softball last sent a team to Western Nationals in 2015.

The team qualified for Nationals by finishing in the top 15 out of 54 teams at the State “B” Tournament in Irvine. Over the last 3 months they have competed in 7 tournaments, including the Central District “B” Tournament, which qualified them for State. Amazing accomplishment girls, coaches and families. The team has been raising funds to pay for the Oregon trip. If you would like to donate, Venmo @LAGSL-LosAlamitos, put “national donation.” If you’re a business and would like to sponsor contact we*******@***sl.org.

John Petrov, claims expert, to present at Cypress Chamber networking breakfast

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John Petrov, claims expert, to present at Cypress Chamber networking breakfast

The Cypress Chamber of Commerce will welcome insurance claims professional John Petrov as our guest speaker at our August Networking Breakfast. The event will be held Tuesday, August 11 at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 4931 Katella Avenue, Cypress/Los Alamitos starting at 7:30 a.m.

Our presenter will explain the insurance claims process from the perspective of the average business owner. His presentation will focus on the rights every policyholder has—but most don’t know. He’ll walk through how insurance claims really work, where policyholders get taken advantage of, and how you can protect yourself to make sure you receive everything you’re entitled to under your insurance policy.

John Petrov is the President and CEO of Action Public Adjusters, representing homeowners, business owners, and property managers across California. With over 15 years in construction and restoration, he brings a practical edge to evaluating damage and negotiating claims. John founded APA in order to help level the playing field during the challenging period after damage happens. His firm works as an advocate for the policyholder, not the insurance company and ensures that claims are properly documented, strategically handled, and fully maximized. In the complicated insurance claims process, John explains that claims processors provide a hands-on approach and direct advocacy for their clients. John will share his own strategies for helping to guide clients through complex and high-stress insurance claims.

Each Chamber breakfast attendee will also have an opportunity to stand to introduce themselves and share a little about their business before the program begins.

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online. Cost of the breakfast is $25.00. Attendees are encouraged to bring a door prize to help promote their product or service. The program will include time for live networking, self-introductions, a breakfast buffet, as well as our guest speaker.

The Chamber networking breakfasts, which are open to the public, are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Space at these events is limited. To assure your seat, pre-register on the Cypress Chamber website: https:/www.cypresschamber.org/events/details/2026-august-networking-breakfast-2791

Youth Center graduates Leadership Class of 2026

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Youth Center graduates Leadership Class of 2026

By Brooklynn De Shazer

Sixteen years ago, the concept of a Leadership Academy was only an idea. One phone call later, that idea began to grow into a program that would help the lives of teenagers. Today, that idea has grown into a program that has helped more than 450 teenagers, and every year more than 30 professionals volunteer their time to help prepare teens beyond the classroom.

The Leadership Academy students celebrated their graduation on the 16th floor of the Microsoft Technology Center. Before the graduation began, students participated in a panel with six professionals who shared their lessons and experiences.

The Leadership Academy was a week-long program that taught students aged 15-19. Students learned basic life skills like cooking and car maintenance. The program also taught teens the importance of public speaking, setting goals, managing money properly, developing interview skills and building a resume.

“Every young person has the potential to lead. At The Youth Center’s Leadership Academy, we help students discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop the life skills that prepare them not just for college or a career, but for life,” said Lina Lumme, CEO of the Youth Center in Los Alamitos.
The final panel focused on a lesson that is hard for most teens to understand: there is no single path to success and students do not have to have everything figured out.

Finding your own path

Hector Bordas encouraged students to notice the strengths and interests that keep appearing in the background.
For Bordas, leadership was not a career he planned to go into. He went to college and got his degree in biomedical engineering and thought he had everything planned out. That changed when he did not get into medical school.
He realized that solving problems and bringing people together had always been in his life and he could use these skills.

Thanks to everyone who participated to make the Youth Center Leadership, especially the professional volunteers, a big success.
Photo by Tim De Shazer

“What’s in your background that keeps showing up all the time that you are good at? Not necessarily what you want to do, but something you’re actually good at,” said Bordas.
Jen Fontanilla shared a similar message about how career paths do not always follow a straight line.
Fontanilla also went to school to be a doctor and got her degree in biology but realized she did not want to be a doctor anymore. She pursued her interest in finance and graphic design without a degree in either.
¨You do not have to have this expectation of ‘Oh my gosh, it has to be this,’” said Fontanilla.
Both of their stories emphasized how students can explore different interests, change directions and create opportunities for themselves.

The importance of relationships

Another important lesson learned was the importance of showing up and creating relationships.
Andy Zhang, a Senior Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, illustrated how powerful a community can be. He started a local tech group in Washington, D.C. with seven people and expanded to hosting events where 400 people showed up.

Zhang needed help and decided to reach out to Microsoft. Microsoft ended up sponsoring the event, giving him an entire floor for the evening and later he was hired by Microsoft.

“If you are not on LinkedIn, I would urge you when you graduate to make a LinkedIn Page,” said Zhang.
Janelle Brunette experienced a similar journey full of growth. She started at Octane, 18 years ago, as the fifth employee. By focusing on building relationships, she worked her way up to be the COO and now the new CEO.

“At the end of the day, relationships are everything,” said Brunette.

The importance of mindset

After surviving a spinal surgery that left Eric Goodman in a full-body cast at 15 years old, he learned the power of choosing your outlook on your day.

“You wake up in the morning, nobody can take that from you. Nobody can give it to you. It’s 100% of you. You wake up and you’re either going to have a positive mindset for the day, or you are going to have a negative mindset. Those are your two choices,” said Goodman.

His mindset led him to begin working at a company as a minimum wage employee and work his way up to become the CEO and then owner of the company. He now owns three companies.
Similarly, Todd Zive shared how people around you shape your mindset.

After the tragic loss of his father at a young age, Zive struggled with believing in himself. At a swimming camp, his coaches and peers stepped in to support him. This gesture taught him the importance of how powerful encouragement can be.

“Surround yourself with people who do believe in you and everybody has the power to be that person for someone else, because we all need someone to believe in us,” said Zive.

The lessons shared at the Leadership Academy really reflect its purpose to give teens the opportunity to learn practical skills and learn how to build connections. Sixteen years on, the program is still serving our local youth as it says congratulations to the Leadership Academy Class of 2026.

Knights of Columbus Blood Drive at St. Irenaeus

Irv Cuevas
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Knights of Columbus Blood Drive at St. Irenaeus

At a time when the National Red Cross has declared a blood supply crisis, the Knights of Columbus Council 8599 of St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress is giving people the opportunity of helping save lives by donating blood.

All blood types are needed, and donors can do so at the St. Irenaeus Parish Hall 5202 Evergreen Avenue in Cypress Tuesday August 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Grand Knight Paulo Morales said “hosting a blood drive coincides with one of the Council’s missions of ‘Leave No Neighbor Behind’ by giving back to the local community”.

Knight of Columbus blood drive coordinator Rolly Arenz says donors can call (800)733-2787 to advance schedule a lifesaving appointment to help the Red Cross restore much-needed blood supplies.

Area local governments still trying to solve regulatory riddle for e-bikes

David N. Young
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Area local governments still trying to solve regulatory riddle for e-bikes

At their June meeting, the Rossmoor Community Services District passed measures as strong as state law allowed to stave off additional damage e-bikers can create in the district’s parks and give the law enforcement tools, even if small, to prevent the marauding behavior in their neighborhoods being witnessed by some in the community.

At the most recent meeting of the Cypress City Council, a representative of the Cal Cities coalition gave them a report on pending e-bike legislation, saying the issue of e-bike safety “has been raised throughout the state of California, not just Orange County.”

Last month, the Los Alamitos Police Department held a town hall, and again, electric bike safety came up as a major issue. In this case, the Los Alamitos City Council had passed ordinances early in 2025 to give officers tools to control the growing problem of e-bikes.

Thus far, judging from the officers’ testimonials, ordinances alone are unlikely to solve the problem, as e-bikes pose a variety of threats that they are grappling with and trying to control effectively.

Taken together, it is obvious that electronic bike regulation has become one of, if not the, most pressing problems facing local governments across the state.

Connor Medina, regional manager of Cal Cities (483 California cities), appeared before the Cypress City Council at their request to report on pending legislation to control e-bikes.Based on Medina’s report, here are the bills currently under consideration:

    • AB1614 – prohibits piggybacking on e-bike trails.
    • AB1569 – establishes a statewide e-bike safety training course for middle and high school students.
    • AB 2346 – sets speed limits on e-bike paths and sidewalks and requires accurate information from sellers.
    • SB1167 – aims to limit misleading advertising and enforce e-bike speed limits.
    • AB5 44 – requires red reflectors on e-bikes at all times of the day and cracking down on apps that claim you can increase the speed of your e-bike.

    Medina said he would stay in close touch with City Manager Shannon DeLong as the legislation makes its way through the process, or not.

    “This is a hotbed topic for Orange County,” said Mayor Pro-tem Dr. Kyle Chang, “and also in Cypress. It’s something that we, as a council, have thought about trying to pass a new city ordinance, but we haven’t gotten there yet,” he told Medina.

    “I did have some questions about what’s going on in the state level and whether we can expect those changes anytime soon. One was raising the age limit for Class II e-bikes. These are the bikes that you don’t have to necessarily pedal to get up to 20 miles per hour,” Chang wanted to know.

    “That’s a great question, Mayor Pro Tem. In terms of the age limit, there have been discussions. No legislation has advanced in terms of having an age limit,” he told Chang.

    “That was amended out of the bill in committee, so there is a lot of work to do in terms of expressing, you know, why those sorts of requirements might be needed, but no, no movement at this time on that,” Medina told Chang.
    Council member David Burke followed up.

    “One of the reasons we wanted you here is that this is an issue that comes up a lot from residents, and so I appreciate the update on what some of the bills being considered are because, as we consider actions here in Cypress, we don’t want to consider something that might be in conflict with a state law that could pass the next day or anything of that nature,” said Burke.

    “But my main question is, as Mayor Pro Tem Chang alluded, a number of cities have passed ordinances, whether it’s tougher penalties or speed limits or things of that nature,” said Burke, asking Medina if Cal Cities has any data yet on what measures have been effective for municipal governments when it comes to slowing down the e-bikes.

    Media said with the explosion of e-bike ownership, government regulation, he thought, was still in its infancy.

    “I think we’re still in a nascent period where different cities are trying different things,” he told Burke.

    “From Cal City’s perspective, I think it’s very important that what we’re supporting is not preempting ideas that some cities have that might be going a little further, and different cities, different approaches,” he said.

    “I’m not entirely sure if there is data on those particulars”, said Medina, promising to get back to Burke on the question of data.

    Just a few weeks ago, residents showed up for a Los Al Police Town Hall that somehow morphed into a discussion of e-bikers and the growing problem associated with them.

    Charlene Wood, a resident, said e-bikers saw her walking to church. “Instead of slowing down, they just sped up. It is very dangerous for us pedestrians walking,” she told the panel of police.

    Capt. Kane Gallaugher told her while the Council had indeed passed ordinances, the problem of enforcement remains unsolved, and as Wood said, as soon as you call to report them, they’re already out of sight.

    To the Council’s credit, they used a Grand Jury report on the problems with e-bikes in Orange County to model ordinances that were passed in 2025.

    “In response to the grand jury report, our city develops specific municipal codes,” said Gallaugher. However, residents should also understand that “just simply creating these municipal codes will not alleviate the problem.:

    If anything, the department said that many times during the elongated discussion about e-bikers and the problems they are causing.

    Even though they are deploying more officers, catching up to them is truly a problem.

    “We also are deploying additional officers to reach more areas,” he said, “but you know the challenge with some of the e-bikes, and bicycles, is when you’re in a car you can’t go everywhere they can on a bike and when you’re on foot, you’re not going to catch up with somebody on an e-bike,” said Gallaugher.

    “I know that the state as well as the nation, I know it in California, they are looking into additional regulation,” he said.

    Gallaugher said that’s why the department developed a phased approach, working with the Los Alamitos Unified School District to provide safety training to e-bikers, he said.

    Police Chief Michael Claborn said the problem is indeed safety, but also hinted residents were for enforcement until their kids received a citation.

    Claborn said when e-bikes first started becoming a problem, we developed an educational component, adding to Gallaugher’s remarks.

    Claborn said Los Alamitos cooperated and made it mandatory for students who wanted a permit for their bike or e-bike to be at school; they had to first complete one of the courses.

    However, “when we dove into the enforcement phase of the e-bike problem, every single one of the parents who received that ticket in the citation called to complain, yet we get complaints from parents all the time about what these e-bikes are doing to terrorize the community,” said Claborn.

    “We try to educate them and after education comes enforcement,” said Claborn.

    “When it came to enforcement, we got a lot of backlash and complaints, so if you could help us advocate in the community, we would appreciate it,” the police chief told residents.

    “When it comes time and your neighbor says, ‘Can you believe my kid got a ticket,’ and you say,’ Yes, I absolutely can. Please keep your kid off the sidewalk,’ maybe then the enforcement model will change,” he said.

    Cara Vienna, new Principal of LAHS called “trusted leader” with 21 years of experience.

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    Cara Vienna, new Principal of LAHS called “trusted leader” with 21 years of experience.

    While it remains somewhat of a mystery why its previous principal won’t be returning, the Los Alamitos Unified School District’s Board of Trustees announced this week that Cara Vienna has been selected to lead the school going forward.

    According to a statement issued by the District this week, it became clear relatively quickly that as a long-time Los Al employee and a current Assistant Principal, Vienna was the right choice to replace outgoing Principal Christiana Kraus as Principal of Los Alamitos High School.

    “Throughout the selection process, it became clear that Mrs. Vienna’s experience, collaborative leadership, and deep understanding of the Griffin community closely aligned with the qualities our Board, staff, students, families, and community identified as essential for the next principal of Los Alamitos High School,” said Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver in the statement.

    “For more than two decades, Mrs. Vienna has led with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering focus on what is best for students. She is a trusted leader who has helped shape the positive culture of Los Alamitos High School, and I am excited to see our Griffin community continue to thrive under her leadership.”

    Vienna, a district employee for the past 21 years, has led in a variety of roles throughout the system. According to the district’s statement, her first day as Principal of Los Al High School was Monday, June 22.

    “Mrs. Vienna has served in a variety of leadership and student support roles, including education specialist at Los Alamitos High School, SELPA Program Specialist assigned to Los Alamitos Unified, and assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels,” the district announced in the statement.

    “Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships with students, staff, and families while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student success and educational excellence,” it said.

    The selection process included multiple rounds of interviews and valuable input from the Board of Education, staff, students, families, and community members through a principal input survey, the statement said.

    As Assistant Principal, Mrs. Vienna has played an instrumental role in strengthening academic programs, expanding student wellness initiatives, enhancing support for students with special needs, increasing college and career readiness opportunities, and fostering a school culture where every student feels supported, challenged, and connected.

    Her leadership has been recognized at the district, state, and national levels. Mrs. Vienna was named Los Alamitos Unified School District Administrator of the Year, ACSA State Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year, and most recently represented California as the state’s nominee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Assistant Principal of the Year.Vienna is expected to hit the ground running, having served as an Assistant Principal for the past five years.

    As she prepares to begin this next chapter, Mrs. Vienna looks forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting many of Los Alamitos High School’s incoming Griffin families, the district said in the statement.

    “She will welcome families during 9th Grade Registration on Thursday, July 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and will be formally introduced as Principal at the Tuesday, August 4, Board of Education meeting,” it concluded.

    She succeeds Kraus, whose departure from the district after five years was noticed only by vague paperwork at a closed session meeting on June 23 that indicated the Board would be discussing a potential dismissal. Employee matters are rarely made public due to legal and privacy concerns.

    JFTB Commander reveals $31 million base upgrade as Tri-City Chamber officials gather

    David N. Young
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    JFTB Commander reveals $31 million base upgrade as Tri-City Chamber officials gather

    Yet another meeting of three major area Chambers of Commerce, including Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and Cypress, happened again last week, with leaders and members from each of those Chambers getting together for an after-hours get-together at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.

    “Thank you for coming out tonight,” said Richie Barnes, a Farmers & Merchants Bank executive who simultaneously serves as President of the Los Alamitos and the Seal Beach Chambers of Commerce.

    The event was promoted as the Chambers’ way to celebrate Independence Day as it was promoted as an America 250 event.

    Barnes has uniquely proposed a series of innovative “outreach” projects during his tenure, as he continues to promote greater dialogue among businesspeople in the three Chambers. Leo Medrano, Mayor of Cypress, was among the cadre of elected officials attending the event.

    While Thursday’s tri-city Chamber event was successful, there is another one planned for August 3.

    Guest speaker Lt. Col. Jubilee Satele, Commander of the Base, did what even military people do when they are around businesspeople; he spoke business.

    He gave them a running account of major modernization projects ongoing at the base, including the replacement of buildings lost or damaged in a fire one year ago that Satele said would amount to a renovation project valued at more than $30 million.

    “The total cost for all of these projects is $31 million,” Satele said.

    Satele said the construction at the base will last at least five years, maybe longer, and will include major enhancements, if not replacements of the Post Exchange (PX), the Army Readiness Center, among other improvements.

    If the base can find the funding, Satele said roads there need replacing. Moreover, Lt. Col. Satele said “I’ll come back” to keep the business community informed.

    George O’Hara, President of the Cypress Chamber, who was bedazzled with his complete, sparkling, red, white and blue retinue, thanked Barnes and Lt. Col. Satele for the invite, and said it was a pleasure for the members belonging to the three cities’ Chambers get together.

    George O’Hara, President of the Cypress Chamber

    In addition, O’Hara said he was a graduate of the 1976 Bicentennial class of Cypress High School, saying “our senior class was filled with celebration, fireworks and red, white and blue.“

    O’Hara, an insurance executive from Cypress, said he was thankful for the baes and “I’m also thankful for being born in the USA and becoming a fortunate beneficiary of our national prosperity, made possible by the bravery and sacrifice of our fathers and forefathers.”

    O’Hara thanked Ann Mallari of WeCare Los Alamitos and Teresa Murphy of Precious Life Shelter for providing the evening’s entertainment, singer Katrina Brianna and Toni Hagher, from Los Al Chamber, for making the arrangements.

    What a pleasure, he said, “to participate in this beautiful event commemorating this unique time in American history.”

    He invited everyone to attend the next tri-city mixer. It will be held at Rainbow Cone Ice Cream shop in Cypress, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. Free ice cream!

    Curtain Calls: Stage calls back Seal Beach woman

    Ted Apodaca
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    Curtain Calls: Stage calls back Seal Beach woman

    Throughout her life, Kelley Barton has had a creative urge. At the age of eight she was on stage, alongside her father, playing Helen Keller in a community production of The Miracle Worker. Since then, she has sought out creative outlets most of her life. She continued to pursue acting in high school and college.

    She moved from her home town of Madison Heights, just outside Detroit, Michigan in hopes of a professional career. It didn’t pan out, but she met her husband Jeff Barton and the two settled in Old Town Seal Beach. He worked as a graphic designer and she started a bookkeeping firm, catering to small businesses.

    They raised two boys, Trevor and Garrett, and have lived in Seal Beach for nearly 40 years. Kelley can’t imagine living anywhere else, she said. Their sons are grown and living nearby in Long Beach. Jeff is retired and Kelley is making a slow transition into retirement. So she decided to start looking for roles in local theater productions.

    Her third audition with the Long Beach Playhouse finally yielded a role. A Doll’s House 2, opens this weekend with Kelley in the role of Anne Marie. The show picks up where the original 1879 Henrik Ibsen play ended. And Kelley couldn’t be happier that her persistence paid off with this role.

    “I thought, I’m just going to keep trying, eventually they’re going to put me in something,” Barton said.

    The story involves the return of Nora Helman, 15 years after she left her husband and daughter to pursue her own success. Seeking a divorce from her husband, Torvald creates tension between the people she left behind, including Anne Marie, the nanny who stayed to help care for the daughter Emmy.

    “I’m having a blast, I’m really enjoying it,” Kelley said.

    Pagan Urich plays Nora, Shawn Plunkett plays Torvald and Caitlin Durkin plays Emmy. The script was written in 2017, by Lucas Hnath and premiered at South Coast Repertory that same year. It premiered on Broadway the same year as well and garnered eight Tony nominations.

    Kelley said the four actors in the LB Playhouse production have worked well together and through rehearsals, have developed a great report. Heading into the final week of rehearsals, she says the cast and crew were ready to go.

    “We can’t wait to have an audience,” Kelley said.

    Even while she ran her business and was raising small boys, she continued to find ways to scratch that creative itch. She would get involved in church productions and was once enlisted by Esther Kenyon to direct a staged reading of a Neil Simon play.

    In the ‘90s she wrote a screenplay that she said got some interest from production companies for possible movie optioning. But it didn’t sell. “It was so close,” she said with just a hint of disappointment still in her voice.

    She recently started re-working the script with the intention of turning it into a novel. She put it aside when she was cast in the show, but plans to get back to it when the play’s run ends. And she wants to keep pursuing other roles.

    At 68 years old and nearly retired, Kelley sounds like she is nowhere near slowing down.

    “I’ve always loved doing something creative,” she said.

    A Doll’s House 2 opened over the weekend. It runs through Aug. 15, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. in the playhouse’s Studio Theatre.

    For more information and tickets, visit lbplayhouse.org, or call 562-494-1014.

    Aquarium presents Shark Lecture Aug. 5 as “Shark Week” rapidly approches

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    Aquarium presents Shark Lecture Aug. 5 as “Shark Week” rapidly approches

    The Aquarium of the Pacific’s lecture series “First Wednesday” will present a noted expert on sharks and why summer is peak season for shark activity on Wednesday, August 5 at its Honda Vision Center from 7-9 p.m.
    In an announcement this week, the acclaimed institution said Southern California’s coastal waters serve as a major nursery habitat for juvenile white sharks. The summer months mark a peak season for shark activity due to seasonally warmer waters.

    Moreover, they said the marine heat wave has brought even warmer than usual ocean temperatures in 2026. Such conditions increase white shark presence but also other tropical shark species such as hammerheads.
    Therefore, the Aquarium has invited a noted shark expert to speak on exactly what goes on in the sharky shade of summer.

    “Join us for a conversation with Dr. Chris Lowe to learn about the current situation of sharks in our waters. Discover how marine biologists study sharks’ behaviors and migration patterns. Learn how advanced technologies, such as satellite tracking and smart tags, are allowing for real time warning systems. Examine the impacts of human activities on sharks in the ocean and steps that we can take to safeguard beachgoers and surfers sharing the water,” the Aquarium said in the announcement.

    Dr. Chris Lowe is a world-renowned marine biologist and served as the director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach for 27 years. Recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on shark behavior, his pioneering research focuses on the movement, behavior and physiology of sharks, rays and gamefish. He utilizes a wide array of technology including acoustic telemetry, satellite tracking, and smart tags to log data.

    Dr. Chris Lowe, photo courtesy of CSULB

    Dr. Lowe is a prominent voice in science communication, bridging the gap between marine predators and public safety. He’s appeared in many articles, TV and radio broadcasts, including Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, The PBS/BBC special Big Blue Live, NBC’s TODAY show, and National Geographic.

    He collaborates directly with lifeguards and beach communities to share data regarding shark-human interactions. Dr. Lowe grew up in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts and comes from a long line of New England commercial fisherman and whalers. He earned a BA in marine biology at Barrington College in Rhode Island, an MS in Biology at California State University, Long Beach, studying under the Shark Lab founder Donald Nelson, and his Doctorate in Zoology, studying hammerhead sharks at University of Hawaii.

    Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy live music, crafts and conversations in our art gallery. ONX Winery will also be hosting a complimentary wine tasting at this event. The program will also be live-streamed, recorded and photographed.

    Tickets cost $8 for advanced online reservations or $10 for tickets the day of the event. It will be held at the Honda Vision Center and parking is $6 direct across from the facility. The Aquarium notes tickets are available pending availability so “please check first.”

    Visit aquariumofpacific.org for additional information.

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