A newly elected Council memer in the City of La Palma recently met with the Kingdom of Cambodia’s newly appointed Ambassador to the United States during the diplomat’s tour of the United States. Janet Keo Conklin, who was elected to the La Palma City Council on Nov. 8, was invited to meet with His Excellency H.E. Keo Chhea, the Kingdom’s new Ambassador, to discuss cooperation and economic issues.
Conklin and a Long Beach Councilwoman were honored recently for being among only two elected officials in the western U.S. of Cambodian, Laotian descent. Janet was invited to meet with Ambassador Keo Chhea with a few other officials at the Cambodian consulate in Long Beach.
“A lot of my friends and peers, along with other Senators, Congressional officials, mayors, want to work together,” said Conklin. “I don’t see party line, I only see as we work together in collaboration to get things done for our communities,” she told the Ambassador.
“We do what we can to uplift our communities globally, especially in our economy, too. So I’m in here to support anything you need in order for us to progress forward,” said Conklin.
Ambassador Chhea thanked Conklin and explained that he was on a tour of the United States to meet with citizens, elected officials and others, seeking to improve Cambodia’s economic ties with the United States.
He also explained some of the challenges ahead for the Cambodian government as they seek to modernize, enhance their export abilities and create enhanced cultural ties around the county.
“I’m really grateful to be here,” said Conklin, offering her support to the Ambassador in his efforts to create closer ties between local businesses and communities with the Kingdom of Cambodia.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Long Beach Republican Women Federated would “love” to have you attend their Feb. 11, 2023, breakfast meeting. Senior Contributing Editor of California Political News and Views will be the featured speaker and share his views on issues affecting the Golden State. Conveniently held at The Grand in Long Beach (4101 E. Willow Street), registration starts at 9 a.m. followed by a “hearty” scrumptious all-you-can-eat breakfast served at 9:30 a.m. The cost is just $30 for members and $35 for non-members and there is free covered parking.
Frank is a longtime California resident and Viet Nam veteran who has been involved in the state’s politics for many years. Having held numerous positions within the Republican Party, Frank’s fascinating insight about what is happening in our state and what it means for 2024 will help members and guests better understand the next election. He is currently Ventura County Commissioner on the Advisory Board (Air Pollution Control District) and a Board of Supervisors appointee to the El Ranchi Simi Valley Cemetery Board of Directors.
For information and reservations email vonderhorstm@aol.com or phone 562-760-1556. For more information, visit http://www.longbeachrepublicanwomen.com/calendar.html
Supervisor Andrew Do supports the development of a homeless navigation center in Garden Grove, which has partnered with Westminster, Fountain Valley, and the County of Orange to open a multi-million-dollar center for the homeless. This center will serve families and residents in need of emergency shelter and provide supportive services with mental health, education, and employment assistance.
According to a press release from Supervisor Do’s office, Garden Grove, Westminster, and Fountain Valley are part of Supervisor Do’s District in the Central Service Planning Area. As part of the effort to build capacity to help the homeless, Supervisor Do directed the allocation of $5.3 million from the County for the construction of the navigation center, plus an annual supplement of $625,000.00 for the facility’s operation and management for the next 10 years.
Located in Garden Grove, the center, named the Central Cities Navigation Center, is part of Supervisor Do’s regional approach to serving the homeless throughout Orange County.
As part of the county’s requirement for funding and long-term support, the cities of Garden Grove, Westminster, and Fountain Valley, have signed a memorandum of understanding to operate the center and assist individuals in need of shelter and other types of social services.
“I am pleased to work with the cities collaboratively to serve the most vulnerable population in Orange County. This navigation center is only one of many actions the county has taken to help cities tackle homelessness. This issue requires a long-term commitment from all stakeholders, private and public alike, to agree on a solution that is both humane and practical. Our fellow residents deserve no less,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, who currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
A former baseball star in Los Alamitos is a different kind of star this week, slated for airing on the CBS Show “Let’s Make A Deal” with Wayne Brady on Feb. 7. He was a pro pitcher, but his pitch to CBS got him on the nationally syndicated game show.
Tori Collins, a spokesperson for the CBS Game Show confirmed Kyle Simon, of Los Alamitos, did appear as a contestant and the show will air on Feb. 7.
Simon, a standout pitcher in baseball, graduated from Los Al High School in 2008. His selection of Arizona State to play ball drew headlines in the L.A. Times.
Upon his college graduation, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, for whom he pitched for nine seasons, first with Baltimore, then on to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Now employed in a non-baseball profession, Simon said that during the pandemic, he got hooked on watching the show “Let’s Make A Deal.”
“I was just an avid watcher, especially during the pandemic, especially since there was not much going on,” said Simon this week. “And during the show, it just kept popping up saying like, ‘Oh, you know, like, do you want to be a contestant?’”
Simon says he filled everything out and was eventually invited to go through the interview process “and ended up getting a call.”
Simon first made it onto the show a couple of years ago, but did not actually become a contestant. However, he made some contacts there and decided to try again.
“I kind of followed up about a year later,” he said. “I told them I didn’t really win anything on the show and that I’d love to come back on the show.” Since COVID, the “Let’s Make A Deal” show has made audience changes, so now they keep a “pool” of potential contestants.
“So I had my own seat and there are about 12 seats around the stage. He said this time, he figured most everyone in one of those seats could get selected “but it still depends on how Wayne’s (Brady) feeling.”
This time, Simon was selected and he did attempt to make a deal. CBS will not allow him or the ENE to say whether or not he won anything, but if his appearance was anything like a trip to the plate, “I’d call it a stand-up double,” he quipped.
What amazed Simon, he says, is that as large as the studio seems on TV, it is rather small. And for the CBS production staff you think might be small, he said it is massive.
Photo courtesy of CBS Kyle Simon, a 2008 Los Al graduate and a former pro pitcher, makes a pitch to Let’s Make A Deal host Wayne Brady.
“When you’re watching on TV think it’s this massive thing, but the studio is very small,” said Simon.
“There are so many behind-the-scenes type things, I mean it is overwhelming,” he said. “I thought they (CBS) could probably have 20 people to do the behind-the-scenes type stuff, but you need so many more. I mean, they probably had 70 people that were in operations,” he said.
“It was done very professionally,” he said.
As a pitcher, said Simon, he had many times mentally prepared for the crowds. But this, he said, was different.
“Unless you’re actually in that kind of moment you don’t know how you will react when the spotlights are on you so it was an experience different than anything I’ve ever experienced,” said Simon.
“It was definitely a fun experience,” he said, “which I enjoyed very much. I’m glad I can cross it off on my bucket list.”
And so, how did he do on “Let’s Make A Deal?” You’ll have to tune in Feb. 7 on the CBS Network to find out.
Without question, Disney’s film “Frozen,” was one of its biggest franchise hits. with the animated classic becoming Disney’s first billion-dollar movie.
Moreover, Frozen is reportedly the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.
Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Frozen, the North American Tour, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee directed by Michael Grandage with: Caroline Bowman (Elsa), Caroline Innerbichler (Anna), Mason Reeves (Kristoff), F. Michael Haynie (Olaf), Austin Colby (Hans), Jeremy Morse (Weselton). Shown is Caroline Bowman as Elsa. Photo by Deen Van Meer.
Therefore, bringing it to the stage with that same Disney magic was no easy task.
Yet Disney brought in many of the original creators; pair them with Broadway’s best, and you get Disney’s “Frozen” stage production, which is currently touring America and stops in Orange County for the next three weeks.
From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony®-nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America and the critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez.
Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards. An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
Disney on Broadway performances are recommended for a general audience. As an advisory to adults who might bring young people, Disney recommends its productions for ages 6 and up.
Caroline Bowman, who plays the ice queen Elsa, is getting rave reviews for her rendition of the now classic song “Let It Go,” while Lauren Nichole Chapman plays her young sister Anna.
William Savarese, who plays “Hans,” said in an interview this week that his character comes from the southern isles to see Elsa be crowned queen, but in the process of doing that, he falls in love with her younger sister Anna.
“It’s about family struggles,” said actor William Savarese, who plays “Hans” in the production. “It’s about rising above your self-perceived flaws, and it is led by two strong female leads,” he said.
“Although kids can really be interested in it, the story is one that adults will appreciate, especially from the way that it is told,” Savarese said this week.
A funny thing happened to Savarese on his way to becoming a movie star. He stumbled onto Broadway and the fans really like him.
Musical theater, not where I expected to get my first break,” said Savarese, “because when I first got into acting, I was just making films with my friends, and I always wanted to be in the movies.”
He has spent the past four years as a BFA Acting student at Baldwin Wallace University and as a senior, on a whim, he tried out for the tour company of “Hairspray” and got the part. Before the tour ended, he was invited to audition for “Frozen,” and here he is.
“This is my second job out of college,” said Savarese. “I was doing the national tour of Hairspray [during] my addition for it, for Frozen, and started Frozen right after that. It just kind of worked out this way, but I love all of it.”
For Savarese, the magic of “Frozen” is how it comes alive on the stage, even if he cannot say how.
“I’m not allowed to talk about much of that, but I can guarantee that the Disney magic is brought to life in the stage production,” said Savarese.
With the gorgeous stage adaptation of the hit animated film, Disney’s Frozen adds an extended score, spectacular sets, and a sprinkle of Disney magic to a beloved story perfect for the whole family. Newsday calls this show “a serious megahit” and Good Morning America says, “You’ve never seen Frozen like this.”
To get a ticket, contact Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa at
(714) 556-2787 or visit www.scfta.org
Running February 1 – 19, see Disney’s Frozen inside Segerstrom Hall for as low as $29—tickets are still available. Babes in arms not allowed, every person must have a ticket.
With its 119th Anniversary, Sunset Beach was established in 1904, it was developed because of the 1920 discovery of oil in the Huntington Beach Oil Field, according to Dawn McCormack, Sunset Beach Woman’s Club President.
Sunset Beach is a mile and a half long, beginning at Anderson Street to the north and completing at Warner Avenue to the south. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) runs through the middle of Sunset Beach, with businesses on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway. There is North and South Pacific Avenue, numbered Streets to the west of PCH, and most of Sunset Island and Park Avenue to the East. The main street for the island is Bayview Drive and Park Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets on the island side of PCH.”
Huntington Beach City Councilman Casey McKeon grew up in Huntington Harbour and has been coming to Sunset Beach his entire life. “Ever since I was young, I was always fascinated with the Water Tower home. In high school, we would frequent Harbor House Cafe late at night after study sessions. I recently took my wife there after volunteering at the Cruise of Lights, and she loved it. Captain Jack’s is one of my favorite restaurants that we always visit during a pit stop on a Duffy Ride. Many times we have rented paddle boards with friends from out of town.
Our church, Calvary Chapel of the Harbour, was the first church ever in Sunset Beach’s history, starting in 2003 after being founded by Senior Pastor Joe Pedick and his former professional Scottish-jazz singing wife, Kathleen, at the Sunset Beach Woman’s Club, before moving to Peter’s Landing, then a year ago relocating to Warner Avenue at the Huntington Harbor Bay Club. I’m really impressed with how Peter’s Landing has been renovated and the new tenants in the center, like Mother’s Market, bring nice amenities to the community. Sunset Beach is a special part of our great City of Huntington Beach.
Las Damas Parliamentarian and Sunset Beach Resident Holly Schlange said: “Eric and I moved to Sunset in 1987 and raised our two sons here.
Though the kids grew up and moved away, they come home often with their spouses to enjoy the Art Festival, pancake breakfast, and other celebrations throughout the year. Seven years ago, we turned one of our properties into an Airbnb. We get renters from all over the world, and almost all of them say, ‘they want to move here.’ There’s just something special about this place. Life seems a little slower, and neighbors are like family.”
Former Sunset Beach Community Association President Mike Van Voorhis said: “I have lived in Sunset Beach the past 50 years. My memories start with being a member of the Sunset Beach Volunteer Fire Station for 23 years. It was educational being a member of the Sunset Beach Sanitary District for 18 years and a privilege serving on the Sunset Beach Community Association Board for 12 years. I remember Sunset Beach leaders, who were my mentors in understanding the history and direction of our town.
Those mentors were Bill Dodson, Bill Taylor, Dick Harrison, Jack Haley, Dave Hesse, Carol Harrington & Pat Theis. Lessons learned from those residents helped form a framework to best keep our identity during annexation discussions with Huntington Beach. The complexion of our town is evolving, but Sunset Beach remains a great place to live.”
Captain Jack’s Restaurant Owner Tim Haley (the famous restaurant opened on June 25th, 1965) said:
“We have been a proud member of the community for 58 years. I particularly like the local residents. All the neighbors are friendly, good folks.”
Sunset Beach Anderson Art Gallery Owner Bill Anderson said, “When you drive on the coast of California, the place that has one of the most unique ‘Old California’ character is the special, small community of Sunset Beach. As an Artist, I’m looking for the beauty of unique character to paint.”
Elected officials, pastors, former pastors, well-wishers and worshipers, the tiny First Southern Baptist Church in Cypress celebrated its 75th Anniversary on Saturday.
Founded before the City of Cypress, even Disneyland, this tiny house of worship has struggled yet persevered for the past 75 years.
“A lot of churches have closed their doors for all kinds of reasons,” said Pastor Trevor Cooper in an interview, “but for this church, God has kept it going, even through the pandemic.
What is now a bustling city, the church’s distinct A-frame roof once stood tall among nothing but fields of crops and very few residents.
“There were no freeways, and the entire population of Orange County was only 200,000,” said former church member David Allen, who grew up in the church. As one of the legacy members who gave testimony at the event, Allen said he first remembers coming to the church in 1951 as a boy of seven.
“My recollections are the memory of a child,” he said, noting that “my family moved to California when I was seven.”
In those days, said Allen, you could buy a home in Orange County for $5,000.
Allen remembered the days when worshipers attended service on Sunday, then walked outside to “fellowship” on the surrounding “green grass.”
There were many acts of love among the early members, said Allen, including traditions of gratitude that are still going on today. He suggested it is those many acts of love among the tiny church’s members that are appreciated even more today and account for the church’s survival until today.
“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples,” said Allen, now quoting scripture, “if you have love, one for another.”
“There are churches that are literally closing their doors every day,” said Allen. “It is a remarkable achievement for you to be able to reach this milestone and celebrate this diamond anniversary,” he said.
Dr. Jerry Schumacher, another former member, gave actual details of the church’s formation. He said a Baptist census taken in 1946 apparently demonstrated the need for a church.
Dr. Jerry Schumacher dnyphoto
As a part of this survey, said Schumacher, they identified 125 residents willing to become charter members of this church.
So, they gathered “on Jan. 23, 1947, at 7:30 p.m., at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.R. and Ruby Wright for the purpose of organizing a Southern Baptist Church in Cypress.”
At that time, he said, Cypress was not even a city. He said Cypress became a municipality in 1956.
“The Covenant was having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God,” said Schumacher, “and the assembly most solemnly, joyfully entered into the covenant with one another, as one body of Christ. I think this is an example of why this church is still doing this because it is supported by God,” he said.
the congregation lines up to enjoy a roasted pig and other dishes to celebrate the church’s 75th Anniversary. DNYphoto
The congregation soon began work on the church at its present location on Watson Street, where it still stands today, admitted undergoing changes, alterations, and outbuildings along the way.
He said Bible study courses that soon began are still being offered by the church.
Mike Wilson, another of FSBC’s former pastors, said, “you don’t judge a church by what happens while you’re there; you judge by what happens after you leave. And it looks like many good things have happened,” he said.
The head of the California Baptist Convention, Victor Chayasirisobhon presents a special gift to Pastor Cooper DNYphoto
The head of the California Baptist Convention, Victor Chayasirisobhon, who is also the first vice president of the National Baptist Convention, also attended the event.
Chayasirisobhon brought greetings from all Baptists in California and from around the country.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being here on your 75th Anniversary, listening to the different testimonies, the stories and the great history of this church,” he said.
“I’m here as a member of the kingdom family,” said Chayasirisobhon, “to preach the Word and wish you a Happy 75th Anniversary.”
Also in attendance were Cypress city officials, including Mayor Anne Hertz-Mallari and Council member Frances Marquez.
“It is so wonderful to hear the story of this church,” Mayor Hertz-Mallari told Pastor Cooper in presenting him with special recognition from the City of Cypress.
Cooper thanked Evangeline Wheeler and recognized virtually the entire congregation, citing their many contributions to help make the anniversary celebration possible.
Cooper, who became pastor five years ago, explained what an up and down experience he’s had since arriving in Cypress with his wife Tara and their two young children.
“One of my goals,” he said, “was to have one family on every street in our neighborhood be impacted by our church. Whether that meant they’re coming here to worship or just coming here as part of our activities, I wanted to serve them,” said Cooper.
“And just last year, we reached that goal,” he said.
“When I came here, there were just 20 people in the congregation,” said Cooper. He said he built it up to three times that then the pandemic hit.
“When the pandemic hit, it went back down again and there was some discussion as to whether remain open,” he said. “But we found a way and now we’re building it back up again.
“We’ve got to pay tribute to God for that,” he said, adding that “it is just faithful perseverance.”
Los Alamitos’ girls basketball team led by as much as 13 points in the third quarter, but Fountain Valley fought back to give themselves a chance at a last second win. However, the Griffin defense held up as they came away with a 39-38 Surf League win on Monday at Fountain Valley High.
Junior center/forward Kassidy Beach led the Griffins with 12 points and fellow junior forward Emie Fell followed with 11 points. Junior guard Kayli Liew had eight points and sophomore guard Ava Duarte chipped in five.
Fountain Valley senior guard Mary Nguyen had 12 points to lead the Barons. But in the end it was a defensive battle as the Griffins scored just two points in the fourth quarter, but held the Barons to just seven to preserve a lead and hold on to the win.
After a foul-plagued first quarter, the Griffins began to hit their stride in the second quarter.
The Griffins outscored the Barons 19-8 in the second quarter to take a 27-19 lead at halftime. Beach had seven points in the quarter and Fell chipped in six, including a three-pointer.
In the third quarter, the Griffins took a 36-23 lead when Beach got a pass in the key and laid it in for an open layup.
The Griffins improved to 4-1 in league play and will have a chance to win a share of the league title if they can defeat Corona del Mar (5-0) tonight at 7 p.m. at Corona del Mar High.
Snowy, the majestic white owl who mystically and mysteriously landed in Cypress, is apparently headed back to the Arctic this week, but not before exciting the community and leaving the footprint of a feathery legacy.
With the aid of the Sea and Sage chapter of the Audubon Society and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, wildlife expert Denver Holt took the stage to present a program entitled “The Breeding Ecology of Snowy Owls.
Gail Richards, Sea and Sage Audubon Society President, thanked the Cypress Recreation Department for donating the use of the Community Center for the event.
Just a day or so before Denver Holt, a wildlife expert and founder of the Owl Research Institute was scheduled to speak at the Cypress Community Center, the great white bird apparently, just as quietly, and mysteriously, flew away.
“If she’s not gone, we do not know where to find her,” said Roy Raush, a Cypress birding enthusiast that became the ad-hoc citizen coordinator, monitoring the bird’s daily whereabouts and letting the public know where to find Snowy.
He started a Facebook page that already has more than 2,000 members and kept the interested gaggle supplied with data throughout the unfolding saga.
Scott Thomas, a raptor biologist, thanked the community for its humane treatment of the Snowy Owl. Thomas said he had been out to see the large bird.
Courtesy photo Carson and Kaden Hansen are thrilled with stuffed owls as they arrive with their dad Tom.
“I went to check out how you were doing,” said Thomas, “and you (the community) were doing great.”
Thomas remarked that even when he visited the site, the questions about “migration,” and “protecting the birds,” indicated the huge amount of interest that was even more evident with the large crowd.
And it seems that the interest in wildlife and birding that the owl sighting ignited was significant, with 300-400 people attending in the Community Center and another 500-700 people watching online.
Melissa Borde an environmental researcher at the Bolsa Chica reserve, reminded the nature lovers in the audience that the 1,300-acre Bolsa Chica reserve was just a few minutes away if they wanted to retain their birding interest.
“This American encounter has clearly inspired curiosity amongst thousands of community members,” said Borde, “it’s pretty incredible.”
Borde, who introduced Holt, said he is the founder and president of the Owl Research Institute in Charlo, Montana. “He believes field studies are our primary means to understanding trends and wildlife population.
Denver Holt, founder of the Owl Research Institute, speaks to a large crowd at the Cypress Community Center in Cypress. DNYphoto
Holt “has been a leader in our research, education and conservation for more than 30 years,” she said, suggesting that Holt is perhaps one of America’s leading authorities on owls.
“Of all the animals in the world,” said Holt, “owls are among the most recognized groups in the world.” He said owl populations exist on every continent except Antarctica. Owls have existed in native cultures for thousands of years, he said.
“Owls are in native cultures as far back as we can go,” he said. “There’s etchings on cave walls in France that date back 15 to 30,000 years,” said Holt. Owls are just so widely recognized everywhere they go, but of all owls, the Snowy Owl is, by far, the most famous in the owl family, he added.
Holt said he was “fascinated” with the turnout of owl interest in Cypress, yet said it was understandable, given that public furors like the one that erupted in Cypress seem to occur every time and place a Snowy Owl shows up.
“It’s pretty spectacular,” said Holt, saying people just don’t go out to see a lizard or a bear, but crowds like the one in Cypress happen every time for Snowy Owls.
According to Holt, the Snowy Owl now has her flight path programmed, so there is data that suggests she could one day come back. DNYphoto
“This happens anywhere in the country when ‘the Great White Bird of the North,’” as Holt referred to it, shows up in a city south of the Arctic Circle. “For whatever reason, there is a public fascination with the Snowy Owl like no other animal,” he said.
Cypress was no different. With each sighting of the Snowy Owl, a long line of onlookers, photographers, birdwatchers, and gawkers assembled, yet always in an orderly fashion to catch a glimpse of the big white bird.
Many were anxious to hear about how in the world the bird picked Cypress to land in and one young lady was concerned the bird might not be able to get back home.
“It is unusual how far south it is,” said Holt in referring to the Snowy Owl in Cypress. “But normally, they, Snowy Owls, are programmed to migrate,” he said, “so when they migrate, they usually end up in southern Canada. My guess is this one simply overshot.”
“This one is pretty far south,” he acknowledged.
Holt presented color images of his research work, giving participants an up-close look at these animals. The Snowy Owl is recognized globally as the ‘The Great White Owl’ in recognition of the bird’s sheer majesty, said Holt.
Using his folksy Montana drawl, an animated Holt took in attendance through the breeding ecology of the Snowy Owl, drifting from side to side of the large room. The male Snowy Owl, he said, is pure white (“they glow,” said Holt).
The large owls are most comfortable on the Arctic tundra, he said. When they breed, Holt says the female guards the nest while the male generally gathers food, mostly consisting of plentiful lemmings (rodents).
During winter, the birds migrate south for food. He said the great white raptors can travel as far as 40 miles per day.
Mostly, he said, Snowy Owls will end up in southern Canada or the northern U.S., but Snowy Owls have been seen in states like Texas and Florida. “A few years back, one ended up in Hawaii,” said Holt.
Like on cue, the Cypress Snowy Owl left a day or two before Holt arrived. Nevertheless, he said photos of that bird indicated to him that it was a female, approximately eight or nine months old, participating in her first migration.
Holt termed the event an “irruption,” meaning when migration events push birds southward in years of low food availability. Based on the scientific evidence, the Cypress Snowy Owl must have had a field day in Cypress, staying fed pretty well, loading up on rodents from the military base and the Los Al Racecourse during her extended stay.
Holt said prior experiences like the one in Cypress indicate that when a Snowy Owl shows up, people do the flocking as the great white owls always attract a crowd.
“It’s almost like a sporting event,” he said.
For one young family in Cypress, that is exactly what happened. A 12-year-old bird watcher’s mom would not even let him change clothes when she heard there was a Snowy Owl in Cypress.
Kara Blomberg said when she heard the Snowy Owl was here, “we dropped everything.”
“I have five kids, and they were in their pajamas,” she said, “and I ran upstairs. I said ‘Jace (her son) don’t even change, we’re going to see a snowy owl.’ And we went at like eight o’clock in the morning. It was wonderful,” said Blomberg.
“I came tonight (to the presentation) because when I saw this was happening tonight, I am trying everything I can to foster their interest. I love gleaning from people who know more than I when my kids’ interests are at stake,” the young mom said.
Zeke Cooley, a biologist, and his girlfriend Amy Walters, who works on environmental issues, said they attended the Cypress Community Center event because “We just can’t stay away from it. We’re both amazed by wildlife,” said Cooley. The Snowy Owl is just such a majestic creature that it just stands out,” he added.
“We think it’s really great to be a part of this, especially since everyone in the next generation was exposed to wildlife and the sciences. It was cool that this animal came so close for everyone to see,” said Walters.
“This was a great start to the new year,” said Cypress Mayor Anne Hertz-Mallari, who attended the event with Council member Frances Marquez.
“We’re just glad to see such a great turnout from the community. We appreciate the passion,” she said.
Marquez said she had followed the event closely since the beginning since the first sighting of the Snowy Owl occurred near her home. “This has been a wonderful event for Cypress,” she said.
Holt said he sensed a deep connection to the owl in the Cypress community. He again emphasized that it is not uncommon for the connections between the community and the Snowy Owl “people are fascinated, thrilled, there’s just so many connections it feels spiritual.”
By now, Snowy the Owl is likely winging her way back to the Arctic tundra, but according to Holt, there is a better-than-even chance the Snowy Owl could return.
“She’s programmed to go back,” Holt reassured one young resident, who was worried that the poor owl might be able to find her way home. “She could take the same route to get home as she came here,” he said.
Holt said there are any number of potential routes the Snowy Owl could have taken to get here, even through Russia, but he thinks the young owl flew straight down the Pacific Coast.
But now that the route is programmed in her brain, Snowy could indeed return, said Holt.
“Some of them come back year after year,’ he said, adding “there is good data to indicate some of those birds come back,” even if it could take years.
“When you catch a glimpse one year, you might not see that bird again for 10, 15 or 20 years,” said Holt, but “that does occur, and she is certainly capable of doing it.”
A growing Los Alamitos eyecare practice has announced its acquisition of a Seal Beach optometry practice as more and more small operators decide to work in collaborative clinical environments.
According to John Osborn, the business manager of Alamitos Eyecare, with lease rates skyrocketing, labor costs rising, taxes going up and competition from big box stores, some older practitioners seek a better way to operate. Especially the practices facing the “end of their business cycle,” he added.
He said Alamitos Eyecare recently announced the acquisition of the optometrist practice of Dr. Michael Fanarof, noting the former Seal Beach optometrist is now seeing his patients within the Alamitos Eyecare two-story complex in Los Alamitos.
Osborn said more than 6,000 letters of explanation have been mailed to his patients, said Osborn and a sign was also posted to the sign posted on the door of his former practice location near PCH in Seal Beach to let patients know Dr. Fanarof has moved.
In an interview this week, Dr. Fanarof said the new arrangement was the best thing he could have done.
“The main reason why I did it is because of the fact that my patients will have a good doctor to help carry on when I finally do retire,” said Fanarof, in an interview. “Currently, I’m semi-retired, so with the move, I now work with very nice people a few days a week,” he said.
“For the people who live in Seal Beach, most of their kids go to Los Al High School, so they know the area. It’s not as if they have to travel far; it’s comfortable for them,” said Dr. Fanarof.
Fanarof said the move to Los Alamitos also provides him with a state-of-the-art facility to work with, with modern, in-house optical equipment capable of providing great service to his patients and that he is excited to be working with Dr. Avani Patel, the owner and chief optometrist at Alamitos Eyecare.
Dr. Michael Fanarof, OD Courtesy photo
“The arrangement is great for Dr. Patel,” Fanarof said, “and it’s really ideal for my patients,” he added.
In addition to her practice, Dr. Patel manages the Low Vision rehabilitative program at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. As the primary eye care provider for the legally blind, Dr. Patel evaluates visually impaired patients for low vision services and treatment options.
According to Osborn, Dr. Patel is a world-renowned low-vision specialist who works with insurance companies, government agencies, and medical institutions to develop innovative treatments for patients with marginal or failing eyesight, he said.
“They work to enhance a patient’s remaining sight with specialized optical devices, he said, which include refractive, microscopic, telescopic, electronic devices, etc. and they also refer patients for additional care/support in activities for daily living.
Dr. Patel is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, and The Southern California College of Optometry, as well as the Low Vision residency program at The Center for the Partially Sighted. She is TPA (Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent) certified.
Courtesy photo Dr. Avani Patel with two of her favorite patients. Dr. Patel is the sole owner of Alamitos Eye Care and has been consolidating optometry practices at their two-atory Cherry St location. She recently acquired Sixty Minute Spectacles of Los Alamitos and will be re-launching the brand soon.
She began private practice in 1995, opening Alamitos Eye care in 2003. Dr. Patel brings many years of experience and innovative eye care technology to each patient. Her practice includes full-scope primary eye care, plus LASIK co-management, contact lenses, detecting and diagnosing eye diseases, pediatric and geriatric low-vision services, education, and patient compliance
Her groundbreaking work has attracted much attention to Alamitos Eyecare, said Osborn, which also brings advantages to the incoming practices and other entomologists.
As an example, Osborn said Los Alamitos Eyecare has specialized laser equipment in-house at Los Alamitos that allows optometrists at Alamitos Eyecare to not only see inside the eye yet can also visualize the optical nerve and identify other obstructions that may be problematic in the skull.
Osborn suggested some optometrists see an alliance with Los Alamitos Eyecare as providing them with a great location and a collaborative back office, allowing them to focus on providing care rather than worrying so much about the business services the practice must provide.
Osborn said the dynamics of the industry have changed for independently operating optometrists.
“Landlords and developers are asking for out-of-sight prices for leases,” he said, which creates amplified problems for older practices that have not made modernization investments in their practices. Alamitos Eyecare offers distinct advantages to these older practices, he said Osborn.
Alamitos Eyecare owns their real estate and they have made investments in high-tech optical equipment that can provide optometrists practicing within the building with immediate test results, said Osborn. “The early investments we have made in technology and real estate have kept things stable for us,” he said.
He said the two-story building in Los Alamitos provides plenty of space for the growing optical center, noting that the second floor has recently been cleaned out to allow for additional expansion.
Osborn said the acquisition of Dr. Fanarof’s practice was Alamitos Eyecare’s fourth in recent years, noting future acquisitions are likely.
Such consolidations said Osborn, “is a growing trend in the industry.”
New year; new council and staff; new appointments and bills. These make up the top items discussed in Cypress so far as the city settles into 2023.
And not to mention the city’s unofficial newly adopted mascot, Snowy, whom has created a nationwide hoot across internet and media outlets.
A head-scratcher for animal scientists, Snowy, an owl reportedly belonging in the arctic, flocked to the SoCal community over the Christmas holiday.
Remaining in the Cypress neighborhood until recently, Mayor Anne Hertz-Mallari gifted plush white owls as a token of wisdom and luck for the new leaders of Cypress.
“The snowy owl is considered a symbol of wisdom. And I think that’s a perfect analogy for the role of our city council,” said the newly elected Cypress mayor.
Using the sentiment to proceed with optimism, business matters concluded in the Jan. 9 meeting with recognition of national law enforcement day, new staff introductions, and appointment recommendations.
Across the country, on January 9 each year, community members gather to show support on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Cypress council leaders showed unity with their police department by dressing up in blue, and inviting Police Chief Lauderback to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
“They are the guardians of our way of life, and deserve our support,” said Mayor Hertz-Mallari.
Meanwhile, Finance Director Matt Director welcomed in Raisa Sanusi as the new network administrator for IT services in the finance department. Within public works, Director Doug Dancs welcomed Daniel Cole as the new assistant city engineer. In regard to Coles recruitment, Dancs says: “I think we’re very fortunate to have stole him from Irwindale where he held the same position over there.”
The next order of business included the city council’s appointment to organizations and committees. With the council starting on a fresh slate this year, Mayor Hertz-Mallari took time to explain to new members the procedure behind appointment assignments.
Specifically, Mayor Hertz-Mallari explained the “reasoning regarding the appointments,” and said that they “are done with a lot of intention and thought behind them.”
Assigned by the discretion of the mayor, the list of recommended committee positions is reorganized annually and voted into motion by the rest of council.
The full list of committee assignments that were voted unanimously by council members is bulleted below, courtesy of city documents:
Cypress Compensated Committee Appointments
• Orange County Fire Authority: Anne Hertz- Mallari
• Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District (2-year Term ending Jan. 2024): Scott Minikus
• Orange County Sanitation District: Bonnie Peat
Non compensated Committee Appointments
• Bridges at Kraemer Place Community Advisory Board: David Burke
• City/Anaheim Union High School District Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Anne Hertz- Mallari and Scott minikus
• City/Cypress College Ad Hoc Committee: Anne Hertz-Mallari, and Bonnie Peat
• City/Cypress School District Ad Hoc Subcommittee:David Burke/ Anne Hertz-Mallari
• Economic Development Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Anne Hertz Mallari, and Bonnie Peat
• Joint Forces Training Base Cities Group: Scott Minikus, Frances Marqeuz (ALTERNATE)
• League of California Cities/General Assembly:Anne Hertz-Mallari – Representative Scott Minikus – Alternate
• League of California Cities/OC Division: Anne Hertz-Mallari – Representative Scott Minikus- Alternate
• Orange County City Selection Committee: Anne Hertz-Mallari – Representative Scott Minikus- alternate
• Orange County Council of Governments General Assembly: Anne Hertz-Mallari – Representative Scott Minikus- Alternate
• Orange County Library Advisory Board (2-year Term ending Jan. 2025): David Burke Bonnie peat (Alternate)
• Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency: Frances marquez, Bonnie Peat (Alternate)
• Southern California Association of Governments – General Assembly: Scott Minikus, David burke (Alternate)
• Veteran Recognition Ad Hoc Subcommittee: Frances Marquez and Scott Minikus
Officials and citizens from Los Alamitos gathered Tuesday to listen and ask questions of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do’s office.
“We (Orange County) are the fifth largest, with 3.2 million people, the fifth largest out of about 1,300 counties throughout the United States,” said Van Tran, Chief of Staff for Supervisor Andrew Do.
Do was under the weather, Tran explained, so he was filling in as the listening tour continues throughout the Supervisor’s newly apportioned district. Supervisor Katrina Foley, who formerly represented much of the area, was redistricted into a new district as part of the decennial redistricting process.
Tran said each OC Supervisor represents about 700,000 residents, as the new district includes Los Al, Seal Beach, Cypress, Rossmoor, Midway City and other areas. Tran said the Supervisor Do’s staff was visiting each city to learn more about them and as well, hear from local residents and officials.
Los Al Mayor Tanya Doby attended, along with Council members Trisha Murphy and Emily Hibard. Also attending were a handful of other citizens, business owners and nonprofit executives.
Tran, an attorney, said his family moved to Orange County from Grand Rapids, Michigan, four decades ago to find a warmer climate. He has served as a city council member from Garden Grove and as a member of the California State Assembly before joining the Supervisor’s staff.
Tran summarized the various agencies, from parks, to law enforcement and transportation, over which he said county Supervisors “have influence, directly or indirectly.”
“It’s a big county,” said Tran, “with more than 2,000 employees, 30 different departments, and a budget of over $9 billion. “So, it’s a big county with only five supervisors,” he said. For that reason, Tran said he wanted to make sure local officials and citizens understood exactly what resources were available to them, inviting them to call on Supervisor Do’s office to help access them.
“The county itself does not have a lot of funding,” he suggested, “but because it is a depository-repository agency with money from the state and the federal government pouring in, Supervisors are a mid-agency that basically distributes … services,” said Tran.
“We can collaborate, and I hope to have an opportunity to meet with the council in the near future so that we can sit down and talk about some of the projects,” said Tran, “or some of the issues which we can resolve or help our residents in response to the needs, whether it’s homelessness, health care, or mental health or any other issues.”
He introduced Ofelia Vilarde Garcia, a staff member who will always be available to provide assistance to those in the various communities who need it.
“We’re one of the smallest cities your office has to deal with,” said Los Al Mayor Tanya Doby. “I know we are small but mighty,” she told Tran.
“And what I would like to see is that our needs get met,” she said. “we don’t want to get ignored just because we are small.”
“That is my expectation,” she told Tran.
Retired military official Tom Lasser asked Tran to explain where their offices were located. Tran said the supervisor has an office in Santa Ana and would soon open an office within the district.
Lina Lumme, Executive Director of The Youth Center, a local nonprofit organization, explained that the nonprofit had raised only a portion of the funds they will need to move from their current location on Oak Street to a new, permanent home on Los Al Boulevard that is currently under renovation.
“I can’t make any promises,” said Tran, “but it’s a worthy project,” he said, asking The Youth Center Executive Director to send more details to the office.
Tran said that whenever possible, Supervisor Do likes for his office to assist OC residents’ local government and community organizations.
Fountain Valley staged a frantic attack in the final two minutes, nearly coming away with a game-tying goal, but the Los Alamitos High defense was able to hold on for a 2-1 win in a conference game on Friday at Fountain Valley High. The Sunset Conference game does not count in the Griffins’ Surf League standings, where they are 3-0, with a slight lead over Edison at 2-1. But the Griffins improved to 11-5-2 overall as they head into the final two weeks of the regular season.
After going into halftime tied with Fountain Valley, 1-1, the Griffins got the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute when junior Carter Zimmerman got around a defender on the right side and was able to move along the end line and pressure the goalie to move towards him. He slipped a pass across the goal, through traffic, where senior Demitrious Tanks was able to tap it past a defender for a 2-1 lead.
During the first half and most of the second half, Griffins coach Donovan Martinez said he really liked how the team played, particularly on offense. He said the Griffins were sharp on attacks, connecting on passes and getting around defenses to set up cross passes and shots on goal.
“We had some really good combinations,” Martinez said.
Los Alamitos was able to create a few other scoring opportunities after regaining the 2-1 lead, including a tight breakaway, when senior Ryan Scales beat a defender to a through pass and had a step as he charged the goal from the left side. The goalkeeper raced out to cut off the angle and Scales got a shot off past the goalie, but it drifted wide.
Junior Wilson Fedre also had a solid shot on goal off an attack on which the Barons were able to get a deflection. The ball rolled back near the top of the goal box, where Fedre fired a hard shot on goal. But the goalie was able to get a hand on it and deflect it over the goal.
Fountain Valley had a couple of opportunities of its own and really ramped up the pressure in the final couple of minutes. Their pressure led to a corner kick and two long throw-ins that all hung dangerously around the goal before the Griffins were able to clear. A little too close for the comfort of Martinez, who said his team missed opportunities to clear the ball, or even connect on passes during the rush.
“We continued to knock the ball out of bounds and give them long throw ins and they have a very dangerous and effective long throw in,” Martinez said.
In the first half, the Griffins took a 1-0 lead on a shot from the left side by Jack Nishimoto. He got the ball to the left of the goal, when Tanks tipped a backfoot pass over two defenders to create an opportunity for Nishimoto.
Overall, Martinez said he likes the progress the team has made throughout the season as they fight for league title and playoff spot. He noted that since Fountain Valley is not a league opponent at this time, there can often be less of a sense of urgency when they are on the schedule in the middle of league play.
“I think we’re on a really good pace, we’re getting better every session, every training, every single game we’re getting better and better,” Martinez said.
The Griffins will host Newport Harbor tonight at 6 p.m. for senior night. Los Al plays at Corona del Mar on Friday at 5 p.m. They defeated Corona del Mar, 3-1 in their first meeting and another win would set them up to clinch the league title with a win over Edison. The Griffins host Edison on Monday at 6 p.m.
The Laguna Dance Festival (LDF) is excited to announce its 2023 dance festival, which will be held Feb. 23 – 26 at the Laguna Playhouse. The festival will feature two of the nation’s major dance companies – the Cincinnati Ballet, led by Artistic Director Jodie Gates of Laguna Dance Festival, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, led by Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell.
“This is going to be such an extraordinary weekend of dance for all in attendance.” Said Jodie Gates, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet, Founder and Artistic Director of the Laguna Dance Festival, and Founding Director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. “Laguna Beach is a special community that I’ve loved calling home for many years. It’s meaningful for me to bring two iconic companies, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Cincinnati Ballet to perform at the Laguna Dance Festival. Which has been such a popular and unique organization and mission to celebrate dance education and presentation and bring live dance performances to the local community.”
The 2023 Laguna Dance Festival will start a long weekend of events on Thursday, Feb. 23, with a peek backstage, a free rehearsal event with the Cincinnati Ballet on stage at the Laguna Playhouse at 6:00 PM. Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 PM will feature the Cincinnati Ballet, performing a repertory that includes Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, Don Quixote Pas de Deux, an excerpt from William Forsythe’s In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, and Swivet, choreography by Andrea Schermoly. Sat., Feb. 25 at 7:30 PM will feature a special combined dance performance by the Cincinnati Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 PM Hubbaard Street Dance Chicago will be performing contemporary repertory of As the Wind Blows by Amy Hall Garner, The Bystander by Kyle Abraham, Ne Me Quitte Pas by Spencer Theberge, B/olero by Ohad Naharin, and Busk by Aszure Barton. “We’re thrilled to be performing in Laguna Beach, a community with such a well-known history of supporting the arts and dance community,” said Fisher-Harrell, who was recently appointed as Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
Tickets for these performances will be $60 for general admission and $30 for students. Tickets are available for purchase via this link.
In addition to these performances, Artistic Directors Gates and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell will be teaching dance master classes for advanced dance students and also hosting pre-show talks for interested audience members throughout the weekend. These master classes will provide dance education from some of the most accomplished dancers and artistic directors in the world. Gates will be hosting her master class on Saturday Feb. 25 and Fisher-Harrell will be hosting hers Sunday, Feb. 26. Students will be able to sign up for these classes in mid January 2023.
For more information about Laguna Dance Festival please visit lagunadancefestival.org.
About Laguna Dance Festival
Since 2005 the award-winning Laguna Dance Festival, based in Laguna Beach California, has presented world-class dance performances in theaters, on film, and public spaces, reaching thousands annually, and exposing new audiences to professional concert dance. Laguna Dance Festival is a nonprofit organization deeply dedicated to the arts and community. The organization is committed to collaboration, dance presentation and education through an artistic lens that strategizes innovative ways to commission artists, educate young dancers and unite people of all ages and cultures. Previous festival lineups have featured national and international companies and artists including Ballet BC, Malpaso, RUBBERBAND, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Parsons Dance, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet West, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Black Grace, BalletX, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Abraham.In.Motion (A.I.M.), BODYTRAFFIC, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and artists from San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet and New York City Ballet, among many others. In addition to its mission to present world-class dance performance and increase public appreciation for the art, Laguna Dance Festival is committed to the highest quality dance education and provides opportunities for aspiring artists through master classes, workshops, intensive programs and scholarships.
The Cypress Chamber of Commerce will host Norm Herron, business cyber-security professional with Atomic Technology Solutions as our guest speaker at the February Networking Breakfast. Our event will be held Tuesday, February 14th at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 4931 Katella Avenue, Cypress/Los Alamitos starting at 7:30 a.m. Norm has been working in the technology sector for over 25 years and has personally dealt with the increase in cyber-security threats to individuals and businesses. He will share his passion with educating businesses and individuals on how they can best protect themselves from the challenges to their cyber security.
Norm is currently a partner at Atomic Technology Solutions, a firm that provides cyber-security, email migrations and voice networks solutions to mid-size firms. His firm also deals with compliance and remediation and IT management. Nearby California State University Long Beach is where Norm Herron earned a B.S. in Marketing and an MBA in Information Systems. He’s also an active CSULB alumni and serves on their MBA Advisory Board. In the community, Norm volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America where he currently serves as the Eagle Scout Board Chair for the Orange County Council.
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 to secure your spot for the monthly breakfasts and can be made online. Cost of the breakfast is $25. Early Bird Registration is $20. Attendees are also welcome to bring along a door prize to promote their product or service. The program will include time for live networking, self-introductions, a breakfast buffet, our guest speaker and a question and answer session if time permits.
The Chamber breakfasts, which are open to the public, are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Space will be limited. To assure your seat, pre-register on the chamber website at cypresschamber.org.
Adela (Olivares) Valenzuela, a 106-year-old resident of Cypress who was the oldest living native American from a well-known tribe, has passed away this week.
Tim Yerian, Adela’s son-in-law, said “she was sharp until the end. “She was amazing,” he said, “noting that she was mentally sharp and politically active until about two and one-half months ago when she started slowing down.
Adela was born on Dec. 19, 1916, married at 16, and was a Native American of Orange County. She was the oldest living Native American of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. She was from the Acjchemen Nation. Adela’s ancestry comes from the Village of Alauna, Aka O’Neil Park. San Juan Capistrano was Adela’s hometown and where she was born.
Adela was born before women were granted the right to vote. The 19th amendment legally guaranteedAmerican women the right to vote in 1920, and Adela took advantage of it until the end. She endorsed several candidates in the Nov. 8 election.
Adela was preceded in death by her husband Fred, who was an executive with the Bixby family.
In addition, the couple’s nephew was Richard Valenzuela, more famously known as Ritchie Valens, the singer who tragically died in the Feb. 3, 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, J.P. Richardson.
She was living with her daughter Dodie and son-in-law, Tim (Yerian) at the time of her death. She raised three children and is survived by five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
After directing the General Manager of the Rossmoor Community Services Director to come back with a 90-day trial pickleball program in December, the Board of Directors decided against acting on it, agreeing to wait at least until a new Park and Recreation subcommittee is formed.
Four directors voted in favor of developing the 90-day plan in December; GM Joe Mendoza delivered the 90-day plan as directed. It would basically utilize one of the four tennis courts at Rossmoor Park, transforming it into three pickleball courts, allowing residents only to play using the RCSD reservation system.
Mendoza, per the board, said play could begin as early as Jan. 28 and proceed until April to complete the 90 days.
Several residents complained that the board was trying to move ahead without gathering any “real” data, suggesting the district was inviting a lawsuit if they proceeded without developing a proper program using real data.
“I feel until our RCSD does its due diligence and that is offers transparency, respecting our major concerns about noise, traffic, congestion the impact on tennis, and the risk of confrontation, you must vote no on any pickleball trial” suggested Rossmoor resident Susan Kaplan.
She called the three-day pickleball trial in July of 2022 “a sham.” “It did nothing to provide data,” she said.”and was without the science the stewards of Rossmoor’s well-being need to vote.”
“I’ve been outlining several emails that the board commissioned two sound studies. I know for sure one was performed in November I’m not sure about the other,” said Michele Fieldson. “We’re two months out, and we still don’t have that information. We didn’t have that information as of the December meeting, and yet, four board members decided that going forward with the pilot pickleball program was a good idea.”
Resident Derek Chow said he loved the sport but does not believe it is good to be located in Rossmoor. As a former resident of College Park East, he said they heard the noise created by a similar court setup there. “This is a residential community, and I don’t think it should be in Rossmoor.”
Two residents strongly expressed support for the idea, however, including Chris Marshall, a 15-year-resident who said pickleball has given his 85-year-old mom in Arizona a new lease on life. “I’m in favor of a 90-day pilot project,” he said, because “I don’t want to have to depend on Seal Beach or Long Beach to provide these services,” said Marshall.
After learning to play, Marshall told the board that his mom was “giddy with happiness,” finding something “she could do rather than always having to watch.”
Maureen Waters said she too was in favor of a 90-day trial for pickleball. She said Mendoza had designed a good “compromise” between tennis players and pickleball players. “I can’t wait to ride my bike to play pickleball in a Rossmoor Park,” she told the board.
Not so fast, said resident Robert Kaplan, speaking for a friend who could not make the meeting. He said the city of Long Beach are already constructing 17 new pickleball courts in nearby El Dorado Park to open this spring “so you realize this need is not urgent,” he said.
“Make sure that you have very good clear information about the impacts,” Kaplan told the board, “and this has been mentioned by so many others.” Kaplan said the board needs to first clarify the sound impact, the traffic impact, the interaction with tennis players, etc. “Do it right,” he pleaded.
“It’s January and we still haven’t seen it (sound study), yet one of the key issues with regard to whether you’re going to have this pilot program or pickleball permanently is not how the sound occurs on the court itself while they’re playing but how the homeowners around these courts are going to be negatively impacted,” said resident Carol Churchill.
She reminded the board of many homeowners and their associations that have filed lawsuits over pickleball.
“Those noise irritations that bring lawsuits against the elective bodies that put these programs into effect because they haven’t done their due diligence or because they didn’t notify the property owners that changes were going to be made in the community that would adversely affect their quiet enjoyment of their home,” she said.
Board President Tony DeMarco questioned Mendoza about the timing of receiving testing results and the formation of a new Parks and Recreation with RCSD.
Mendoza suggested the new Parks and Recreation could be constituted by the end of the month and some testing results should be available soon.
Without taking a formal vote, the board agreed to table the 90-day pilot, at least until the February meeting.
“I see that we can take no action tonight until we put the committee together,” said DeMarco, “so we should just table this pilot with your consensus until Joe (Mendoza) gets some clarity of this issue.”
At the start of this school year, Los Alamitos High School opened a new three-story STEM building with a gleaming facade and state-of-the-art labs. There’s another new addition to the campus that, while not as large, could impact students’ lives significantly.
Tucked away in the back of the campus is the high school’s new WellSpace. Step inside and you’ll think you’re in a lounge at a spa, not a public school classroom. It’s a large space filled with a variety of plush seating in neutral colors and artwork worthy of a Pottery Barn catalog.
The WellSpace was created to give students a supervised area on campus where they can take a break when they are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed during the school day. It’s filled with calming activities in a relaxing environment. It’s also where students can speak to the school’s wellness and mental health professionals as well as fellow student mentors.
“Here is a place that welcomes everyone,” LAHS junior Isabella Ruiz said in an interview. “It gives people who haven’t found a place in high school somewhere to go,” she added.
And it was built with input from the kids it aims to serve. “It’s for students, made by students,” one LAHS junior said. Many of the activities and tools in the new WellSpace such as aromatherapy, yoga mats, coloring books and decor, including a giant map of the world on the wall and an artificial aquarium, were requested by students. The teenagers also came up with the name for the WellSpace, calling it “The Loft.”
“By providing a safe social emotional space for students, I hope The Loft will increase school connectedness, improve student’s mental health, and ultimately reduce the stigma associated with asking for help,” Ashley Weiss-Wright, the high school’s mental health counselor and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, wrote in an email to Spotlight Schools.
The Loft has been open to students since early December, but the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last week on Thursday, January 12. It was built in a partnership between the Los Alamitos Unified School District, the Orange County Department of Education and the Los Alamitos Education Foundation or LAEF.
LAEF’s fundraising efforts made construction of the WellSpace possible. The nonprofit arm of the district has donated more than $245,000 to transform the former early childhood education training facility into what’s intended to serve as a calming oasis on the high school campus.
“The fact that this space exists opens up those conversations about mental health and reduces the stigma and that is critical,” LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue said in an interview with Spotlight Schools last September when construction on the WellSpace at LAHS was just starting.
At the grand opening on Thursday, Logue grew emotional speaking about the significance of the project’s completion.
“I’m a little overwhelmed because we worked really hard to make this happen,” Logue said. As construction costs ballooned, LAEF remained committed to building the space and last year, LAEF’s annual Fundraising February was devoted to making the LAHS WellSpace a reality.
LAEF and Los Alamitos USD prioritized investing in student wellness in recent years as more and more young people have been struggling with their mental health.
During the 2020-21 school year, the first WellSpaces in Orange County were opened at McAuliffe and Oak Middle Schools in Los Alamitos.
Since then, the district has hired more mental health professionals and LAEF has donated tens of thousands of dollars to pay for staff and supplies across the district including to fund WellSpaces at the district’s six elementary schools.
“Yes, the Los Al district is totally committed to the four ‘A’s,’ academics, the arts, athletics and activities. However, this district and this foundation are equally committed to student wellness,” Los Alamitos Unified School District Board of Education President Chris Forehan told the crowd last week. The board made wellness one of its top priorities in its goals for the academic year.
“When we talk with our parents about when they hear about the investments that we’re doing with mental health and wellness, it really is something that parents care deeply about,” Los Alamitos USD Superintendent Andrew Pulver, Ed.D., said at the ceremony. Dr. Pulver said the district and LAEF are already planning to add an outdoor garden space to the WellSpace at LAHS.
“I feel extremely grateful that the focus is on wellness and mental health,” Emily Ledterman, the high school’s wellness counselor, said in an interview at the grand opening. “I see every type of student in this space,” Ledterman said.
Her office is inside The Loft. She said The Loft is busy from the time school starts until after the last bell rings. Ledterman said she usually gets visits from around six students per period and that between 50 to 60 students spend their lunch period in The Loft every day.
“We all need a little reset sometimes,” said Colby Ledterman, a freshman at LAHS and the daughter of the school’s wellness counselor. She summed up The Loft like this: “It’s a place to heal and to help heal others.”
For more on this story and other local education news, visit SpotlightSchools.com.
Corona del Mar was able to draw a couple of penalty-kick fouls, both of which they converted, but otherwise Los Alamitos High controlled the game as the Griffins pulled away for a 5-2 win in a non-league game recently at Corona del Mar High.
The Griffins got two goals from senior Kaylee Noble, two from senior Sanaa Guyness and one from sophomore Victoria Bloch as the Griffins improved their record to 9-5-4 heading into league play
The Sea Kings got as close a 3-2 after a takedown in the goal box set them up for their second penalty kick just nine minutes into the second half. Their first penalty kick came about a minute into the second half, after the Griffins had taken a 2-0 lead into halftime. Los Alamitos had extended their lead to 3-1 on a penalty kick of their own, knocked in by Guyness.
After the Sea Kings cut the lead, Guyness struck again in the 17th minute off a pass from Noble. Guyness tapped the ball back slightly to create room to move around a defender and fired a quick shot from just inside the top of the goal box that beat the goalie to the low left side.
About seven minutes later, with the Griffins on an attack, Alina Perez got possession at the top of the goal box and tapped a short crossing pass to Bloch, who fired a shot that glanced off a defender and found the back of the net for the final goal.
Head coach Pat Rossi said that he’d hoped they would be a little more consistent at the end of preseason, he also said they played with better balance against Corona del Mar.
“When we had the ball, we were composed and off the ball, we put nice pressure on them,” Rossi said.
The Griffins are using a lot of freshman and sophomore players this year, but also have returned a few seniors that helped the team get to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals last year. Among the team leaders are Noble, Guyness and Katie Piper. One of their team captains, midfielder, Alexa Webber, has been out with an injury, but is expected back in a few weeks for the stretch run.
The Griffins opened Sunset Surf League play last week, going 1-1, with a win over Newport Harbor, before falling to Huntington Beach, 2-1. The Griffins were at Edison on Tuesday (past press time) and will host Laguna Beach on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Three Los Alamitos Unified Elementary Schools Named California Distinguished Schools
January 10, 2023 — The Los Alamitos Unified School District is proud to announce that three elementary schools — Hopkinson, Rossmoor, and Weaver — have been named 2023 California Distinguished Schools.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, congratulations to our three elementary schools on this outstanding achievement,” said Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver. “This recognition reflects our district’s commitment to providing exceptional student performance and a focus on closing achievement gaps. These achievements are only made possible through the dedicated work of our collective staff and the unwavering support of our Los Al USD community.”
To select California Distinguished Schools, the California Department of Education (CDE) used multiple measures to identify eligible schools based on their performance on the state indicators as specified on the California School Dashboard. Schools were selected by analyzing data reported through the 2022 Dashboard, including assessment results, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates, and socioeconomic data. The California Distinguished Schools award is celebrating its return this year after the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily suspended the state and local student data reporting. It rotates between elementary schools and secondary schools on an annual basis.
“California Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professional development for educators to mental health and social-emotional wellness strategies to address the needs of students and families,” State Superintendent Tony Thurmond shared in a press release.
To see the complete list of 2023 California Distinguished Schools or to learn more about the program, visit CDE’s website at cde.ca.gov.
“And just last year, we reached that goal,” he said.
