The 62nd annual Sunset Beach Pancake Breakfast held recently at The Nobles Family Community Center raised enough money to purchase new chairs that can be used at coming events, according to Kevin Paulson, Sunset Beach Community Association president. “125 people attended our 62nd annual breakfast and we raised $1,200 for new chairs,” he said.
Huntington Beach Mayor Casey McKeon and Huntington Beach City Manager Travis Hopkins came to support the fundraiser, along with Police and Marine Safety Lifeguards who provided literature and information on beach safety for the busy summer season.
At a time when fear and political intimidation silenced many voices in Washington, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith chose to speak. On June 1, 1950, the Republican senator from Maine became the first to publicly rebuke Sen. Joseph McCarthy on the Senate floor, condemning his tactics in a speech that became known as the “Declaration of Conscience.”
International City Theatre presents the Los Angeles premiere of Tony Award®-winning playwright Joe DiPietro’s fast-paced drama about trailblazing Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, whose “Declaration of Conscience” speech became a defining act of political courage. Directed and produced by caryn desai, Conscience runs August 28 through September 13, with low-priced preview performances on August 26 and 27.
Sharon Gardner stars as Smith opposite Jon Root as McCarthy. The cast also features Dylan Wittrock as Smith’s longtime personal aide, William Lewis, Jr., and Hollis Dohr as Jean Kerr, McCarthy’s devoted young assistant who later became his wife.
Fast-paced and emotionally charged, Conscience explores political courage, personal conviction and the personal cost of speaking truth to power. It also highlights Smith’s groundbreaking role as a woman in American politics. She was the first woman elected from Maine to Congress and later to the U.S. Senate and, in 1950, the only woman serving among the Senate’s 96 members.
Reflecting on Smith’s defining moment, DiPietro says her speech remains one of the most remarkable events in modern political history.
“It was an electrifying moment, not only because a member of the Senate had criticized McCarthy when he was at the height of his power, but because Smith was a moderate conservative and a fellow Republican. They were in the same party, and she still had the guts to go against him.”
The cast of “Conscience” Hollis Dohr, Sharon Gardner, Jon Root, Dylan Wittrock. Courtesy photos
The creative team for Conscience includes set designer Brittany Bodley, lighting designer Donny Jackson, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Hunter Moody and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The production stage manager is Darlene Miyakawa.
A playwright and lyricist, DiPietro is the recipient of two Tony Awards®, a Drama Desk Award, and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. His musicals and plays have received thousands of productions across the country and around the world, including in the West End: Sinatra The Musical (currently running at the Aldwych Theatre); on Broadway: Nice Work If You Can Get It starring Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara (10 Tony Award® nominations, including Best Book, Best Musical), Memphis (4 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score), All Shook Up, and Living on Love (starring Renée Fleming); and Off-Broadway: Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, Clever Little Lies (starring Marlo Thomas), The Toxic Avenger (Outer Critics Circle Award – Best off-Broadway Musical), The Thing About Men (OCC Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical), the much-produced comedy Over the River and Through the Woods, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change — the longest running musical revue in Off-Broadway history, which ICT produced earlier this season.
Playwright Joe DiPietro Photo by Justin Patterson
Conscience premiered at George Street Playhouse and joins a long list of DiPietro’s acclaimed regional productions, including The Second Mrs. Wilson (Long Wharf Theatre & George Street Playhouse), Hollywood and Chasing the Song (La Jolla Playhouse), The Last Romance (The Old Globe), and Creating Claire (George Street Playhouse). His murder mystery, The Art of Murder, won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Play and his adaptation of Schnitzler’s La Ronde, called F**king Men, is the longest running Fringe play in London history.
Conscience runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., August 28 through September 13. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27, both at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $56 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, except opening night (Friday, Aug. 28), and $59 on opening night and at Sunday matinees. Low-priced tickets to previews are $44.
International City Theatre performs in the Beverly O’Neill Theater at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center at 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.
Past La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Branch President and current Administrator Celia Spitzer served as facilitator for the Branch Planning Meeting on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the ABCUSD Adult School Auditorium at Cabrillo Lane from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Spitzer treated members to a lunch buffet before the Branch Planning meeting. The buffet included tortilla wrapped ham and chicken “pinwheels,” coleslaw, potato salad, and a variety of cookies purchased from Ralph’s. Sue Carruthers helped with hospitality by providing decorations, paper goods, utensils and bottles of water.
While members were eating their lunch, Secretary Christine Taxier distributed copies of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence and information about the Nineteenth Amendment. She made copies of these documents to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America on July 4, 1776. The 250th Anniversary year in 2026 will now be known as the Semiquincentennial Anniversary. Taxier also prepared a Trivia Survey to have members test their knowledge about the 19th Amendment and facts related to the Declaration of Independence, the people responsible for its creation, and the symbols that have come to represent the United States of America.
At 1:10 p.m. Administrator Spitzer began the Branch business meeting by introducing Past President Harriet Moses. Moses installed Saurabh Deedwania as the new Administrator for the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW for the 2026-2027 year. Administrator Deedwania said that she hoped new members will join the Branch this year. She also said that she wanted our Branch to highlight current outstanding women in one of our programs this year in addition to women who were honored in the past for their achievements years ago.
Administrator Spitzer then showed her expertise in organizing and facilitated the remainder of the meeting by providing an agenda, a list of past program ideas, and a possible calendar of events listing dates available for meetings by month. She then asked members for their input and suggestions for what activities and programs they wanted to support during the 2026-2027 year. Secretary Christine Taxier assisted her by writing members suggestions on a chart and then asked members to mark the programs and activities they wanted to have in 2026-2027. Members will be receiving a list of the programs and activities that were chosen after the facilitators of each program or activity have been confirmed.
The first program for La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW in the 2026-2027 year has been confirmed for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the ABCUSD Adult School Auditorium at 20122 Cabrillo Lane in Cerritos. There will be a social time starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation at 7:00 p.m. by the four Interest Group Leaders explaining what was required to participate in each group and inviting members to join. The four Interest Groups in the Branch are Cover to Cover, Great Decisions, Gourmet, and Readers Theater. Each of the groups meets on different days and times.
1) The Cover to Cover Group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Group Leader Thea Siegel to discuss books of interest. 2) The Gourmet Group meets on the third Saturday of October, January, March, and May for dinners with Joan Flax as leader of the Gourmet Group. Flax’s home is one of two homes used by the group for their dinners. Eight couples take turns as hosts of the dinners and provide main dishes and side dishes for the meals. The Gourmet Group is full at this time but interested members can join the substitutes list. 3) The Great Decisions Group meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month of October and from January through June at 3:00 p.m. at the home Group leader Dorothy Edwards. It is the oldest and largest grass -roots world affairs education program in the United States. It encourages debate and discussion of global issues. 4) Readers Theater Group is a fun group that meets at the home of Group Leader Esther Aronson on the first Monday, from October through May at 6:45 p.m. to read plays aloud. Each person takes a character’s role and any number can participate. Members are invited to Join the Interest Groups to meet members socially and enjoy friendships and fellowships as they explore new areas of study.
Persons, who are interested in learning more about the programs and activities of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW in the 2026-2027 year, can contact Administrator Saurabh Deedwania at 562-552-5577, or read about future programs and activities in the La Palma-Cerritos Branch Website at lapalma-cerritos-ca.aauw.net.
Nearly two months of world-class art, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences kick off this July in Laguna Beach as the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters 0launch their 2026 summer season. The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show opened July 7, featuring more than 100 exhibiting artists, daily live music, hands-on art experiences, and an expanded lineup of special events. Then, on Thursday, July 9, the curtain rose on the 2026 Pageant of the Masters production, “The Greatest of All Time,” bringing legendary works of art to life through the Pageant’s iconic living pictures.
The 2026 season is sponsored in part by Volvo Cars, City of Hope Orange County, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, and KOST Radio 103.5
“This season is one of our most exciting yet,” said Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. “From more than 100 incredible artists and daily live music to new special events and a Pageant celebrating history’s greatest artistic icons, every visit offers something new to discover. We invite guests to spend the day exploring the Festival and stay for an unforgettable evening at the Pageant. It’s the perfect way to experience everything our summer season has to offer.”
From July 7 through September 3, the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show will showcase more than 100 of Orange County’s most accomplished visual artists in a juried exhibition featuring original paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and more. Guests can meet the artists, watch live demonstrations, purchase one-of-a-kind artwork, and experience the very best of Southern California’s thriving arts community.
Beyond the fine art exhibition, guests can enjoy daily live music, hands-on art workshops and classes at the Festival Art Center sponsored by Bank of America, and a full calendar of special events throughout the summer. The season kicks off with the beloved Family Art Day on July 12 before introducing the Festival’s brand-new Cultural Arts Day on July 19. Returning favorites include the imaginative Festival Runway Fashion Show on August 9, and Battle of the Arts on August 23—back after its overwhelmingly successful debut last summer. Daily themed live music series, sponsored by City of Hope Orange County and Yamaha, fill the Festival grounds with entertainment every afternoon and evening, making each visit a unique experience. This summer also marks the return of the iconic Blue Hope Piano, bringing inspiring live performances to the heart of the Festival.
For tickets, event details, and the latest updates, follow the Festival on social media at @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.
With soccer’s World Cup creating its own wave of fandom across the U.S., a burgeoning independent softball league brought a glimpse of international competition to Cypress this week as the women’s national softball teams from Japan and Mexico played an exhibition game.
Tied also to America 250 as well, fans filled the grandstands of Arnold Cypress Park on July 8 to see the exciting conclusion of a three-day tournament organized by “The League,” an independent and innovative women’s softball league organized by Lou Simon.
“We’re not talking about sandlot softball,” said Simon. “These girls really know how to play.” “The League,” as it is simply called, grew from a single team of 17 girls who signed up with Simon to give themselves an outlet during the pandemic in 2020 “to rebuild their mental health and give themselves some inspiration.”
Following the The League’s first six-week program, Simon said, “the girls came to me in tears” and asked that they be able to “do it again next week.”
The League has attracted some of the best players in women’s college baseball and by the second year, enough players signed up to create four teams.
Now six years in, “The League” has grown to 12 teams, featuring some of women’s softball’s top ranked players from across the world and has attracted some major corporate sponsors.
They play a six-week slate of games and tournaments.
Mexico’s national team, who played Japan’s national team in The League’s final exhibition game, is a regular part of the upstart Cypress softball league.
“The way we build our summer league is to make it very competitive,” said Simon at Wednesday’s game. “We play seven innings and we create situational advance play. Some innings start with runners on base, some batters get balls and strikes before they bat, and so on.
Controversial calls are sometimes resolved with a “dance-off” by the opposing teams but high quality, nonetheless.
“It is never boring,” said Simon. “We built our summer league on making girls fearless and not fearful,” he said. “We do not have participation trophies.”
Another interesting feature is the scoring system. While most softball games are scored by only the number of runs scored Simon and the League’s games are decided by a points system. Runners do score runs, and they do count. However, teams can “score” several other ways on offense and defense.
For instance, stealing a base gives you a point, throwing a runner out trying to steal a base will get you a point, a diving catch will give you a point, and triple points awarded for home runs.
“You never quite know who is going to win the game,” he said, “so it is always exciting.”
Even failure is treated as an element of success. “You have nothing to lose in the league,” he said, citing “if you fail it is okay because ultimately, that’s how you are going to succeed.”
Another innovation is the way teams are coached. In fact, there are no coaches. The girls coach themselves during regular league play. “We don’t have any coaches; the girls run the teams,” said Simon.
During the final game between the Mexican and Japanese national teams, however, Simon said coaches were allowed as teams adhered to more traditional rules that complied with Olympic requirements.
Reika Utsugi, a well-respected coach in the International Women’s softball scene who also serves as the head coach of Japan’s national team, said four of the team’s Olympic gold-medal winners were in Cypress for the game. Simon was the head coach of The League’s All-Stars and Orge Araujo coached Mexico’s National Team.
(L-R) Jorge Araujo, head coach, Mexican National Team, Reika Utsugi, head coach, Japan’s national team, Mary Lucy Casarez, Assistant Coach, Japanese National Team and Lou Simon, league organizer and Head Coach, The League All-Star Team 1 & 2. Photo by David N. Young
Through an American interpreter, Utsugi told ENE that their team appreciated the invitation to come to America to play.
First, she said, it is the “rainy season” in Japan and coming to play in the beautiful California sunshine was a great opportunity.
“We wanted to play strong teams from the Americas, especially those made up of college students,” said Reika. “Tomorrow, we fly to Peru to begin qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics,” she said, adding “this is great practice for us.”
Simon said a team made up of the “The League’s” all-stars beat Japan the day before but in the Mexican National Game, Japan eked out a 1-0 victory.
Simon said he and his staff had assembled two All-Star teams after a two week evaluation.
“It was amazing to have such talented players from all over the U.S. and other countries competing right here in Cypress,” said Cypress City Council member David Burke.
“I’d love to see us host events like this every year. It’s a great way to bring people together,” he said.
Tim Yurien, a Cypress native, said he is a huge fan and supporter of the league and likes what has emerged each year since the pandemic. “It’s a lot of fun to watch,” he said.
Following the game, dozens, if not hundreds of younger girls, waited in long lines to greet the players and have signed softballs from each of the team’s members.To reach the Olympics, the national teams must compete in a World Cup of their own. The current qualification rounds are underway in three groups of tournaments around the world. Japan’s team flew to Peru from Cypress to compete for a qualifying spot in the upcoming summer Olympics.
According to USA Softball, the Woman’s Baseball Softball Confederation, is the sole authority recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the World Cup determines the qualification for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
In addition, they confirmed that the Japan National team, that played in Cypress, is the current World Champion, winning its 4th World Title by beating the USA team 6-1 in the most recent playoff finals.
With the World Cup filling stadiums around the U.S. with soccer fans, “The League” this week gave a standing room only crowd at Arnold Cypress Park a chance to witness a bit of World Cup Softball history of its own.
Gillary Alfaro’s Bonnie, a 1 ½-year-old female doxie from Farmersville in Tulare County, ran so fast that she nearly lost her racing vest on the way to finishing first in the 29th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Championship race on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.
Bonnie and her family traveled nearly four hours from Central California to compete in the Wiener Nationals, but the trip was well worth it. She dominated the championship race to take home the $1,000 cash prize, the title of “Fastest Wiener in the West,” the golden championship jacket, and a red and yellow doghouse in the shape of a Wienerschnitzel Restaurant. Bonnie covered the approximately 50-yard championship race in a blazing 6.5 seconds.
While her racing vest nearly slipped off in the championship final, Bonnie almost let victory slip away earlier in the night during her trial race. She jumped out to a huge lead in her heat before slowing down as she neared the finish line. Putting her speed on cruise control, Bonnie came dangerously close to being caught in the final yards by a strong finisher.
She certainly learned her lesson for the final. Starting from post position number 10, Bonnie got stronger as the race went on, comfortably holding off 2022 champion Paisley, owned by Danielle Ramos of Moreno Valley. Dahlia Ordaz’s Vyenna of Eastvale finished third.
“Ever since she was a little baby, she sees the straightaway and she’ll just go after it,” said co-owner Fidel Alfaro. “She doesn’t have a toy or anything like that to run after. She just sees me and she wants to run. She just has it in her.”
Bonnie at the finish line with her owners, Gillary and Fidel Alfaro. courtesy photo
At first, Gillary and Fidel began training Bonnie’s older brother, Buster, to race. However, they quickly realized that the fastest doxie in their household was the younger Bonnie.
“Buster, he’s a little mean,” Fidel said. “We were training him when she was just a four-month-old baby. She started lapping him, so we started concentrating on her instead. She just loves to run and is a natural.”
The other impressive finalists in the championship field were Danielle Presson’s Delilah of Boise, Idaho; Rachel Olivas’ Dutchess of Long Beach; James Winnick’s Roxy of Oakdale in San Joaquin Valley; Cynthia Comer’s Odin Van Nosey from Coronado; Alyssa Lucas’ Bean from Henderson, Nevada; Kimberly Rosas’ Avi from La Habra; and Leo Rodriguez’s Bella Rose of Santa Monica.
Earlier in the program, Kaylie Phillipi’s Wubzy of Los Angeles won the Diaper Dash for puppies 11 months old or younger. J & C Ayotte’s Cinnamon of Cypress protected the home turf by winning the Tiny Paws race, also for young puppies.
The Wienerschnitzel doghouse that goes to the winner each year. Courtesy photo
With a full house cheering on over 120 wieners—a record number of entries for the event—the biggest winner of the night was the Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC), a non-kill shelter in Seal Beach. Since 1996, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals has raised over $320,000 for the SBACC. Total attendance for the event drew a crowd of around 7,500 fans, marking the highest attendance for the Wiener Nationals since 2018.
Sign-ups for the 2027 Wiener Nationals have already begun at LosAlamitos.com. Interested doxie owners can email la****@*********os.com for more information.
Fresh off a difficult round of layoffs and hourly reductions to mitigate an impending budget deficit, the Cypress School District did verbal somersaults around a proposed $300-per-hour consulting agreement for former interim superintendent Dr. Tim McLellan.
Though on the agenda, Board President Dr. Lydia Sondhi said it should not have been, yet she proposed an amendment to it, and after hard-to-follow discussions, then decided to ask the board to vote down the amendment and to vote down the contract as well.
But then after all that, the board agreed to let the proposed agreement come back in the form of a recommendation from Dr. Litfin after a more thorough review.
The contract would have allowed McLellan to consult the new District Supt. Grant Litfin, at a rate of $300 per hour and not to exceed $50,000. In addition to healthcare and other benefits, Litfin is being paid a salary of $266,000 per year to administrate a system with six elementary schools.
Litfin comes to Cypress via Tustin Unified, a system with more than 20,000 students and more than 20 schools.
George Pardon, who said he is a close friend of McLellan, nonetheless spoke against the proposed agreement during the meeting’s oral communications session.
“The need for this consulting agreement gives me the sense that the trustees don’t feel he’s qualified enough,” said Pardon. When Dr. (Larry) Ferchaw (who replaced McLellan as Assistant Supt. for Business Services) was hired, I don’t recall the trustees hiring a consultant to assist him in this transition.”
“At $300 per hour, if you were to annualize that over 52 weeks at 40 hours per week, that amounts to $624,000 per year, which is a pretty pricey contract. I have to believe that there is someone who has been laid off, or someone who has had their hours reduced thinks there is a better use for that $50,000.”
“The proposed agreement,” said Pardon, “is tantamount to ‘let them eat cake.’”
The district is still in the process of slimming down, moving teachers around, reducing hours and making layoffs to stave off a proposed $3 million deficit. Officials say the amount may be less since the Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget has been released, as well as some grants received, but nonetheless the restructuring is underway.
McLellan, who had retired after a long career at the district as Asst. Supt. for Business Services, was hired as Interim Supt. after the sudden resignation of former Supt. Anne Silavs and was actively working to bring order back to what had been a chaotic period for the district. Sondhi tried to provide “a little bit of context” on the agreement, saying the board was presented with the “non-specific scope of deliverables” from McLellan and the service leadership team.
“Dr. Litfin was not yet on board I faced a little bit of a dilemma as to what to do with that,” the board president said. “There was no staff member to hand it off to but I did go ahead and assume as the president, rightly or wrongly, and I wanted to clear that up,” she said, offering a lower rate and a specific number of hours.
Sondhi said since McLellan “chose to formally completely withdraw his proposal via e-mail to the full board therefore theoretically, because the original proposal was legally withdrawn by the applicant it should not be on our agenda at all tonight.”
However, the board president said, “since multiple board members reached out to Dr. Litfin, whose first day was July 1, as the board president I was ready to place the item back on the agenda for consideration.”
Sondhi introduced an amendment to the agreement to lower the hourly rate and limit the hours, and it was approved unanimously by the board.
During debate, things changed again.
Sondhi asked Litfin to comment.
“I’m aware of what a $50,000 price tag looks like, on top of my salary” the new superintendent said, “and I would like to share I have no intention of spending anything close to $50,000.”
Cypress does have a unique situation in that the system owns three apartment complexes, which generates funds for a special account, Fund 40.
This fund is governed by special rules that McLellean is intimately familiar with. A separate complex owned by the district uniquely supports the districts’s educational foundation so, many seem to be concerned the district will need McLellan’s guidance.
“I think many in the system were not happy with the former superintendent going corporate,” said a longtime employee who commented anonymously on why many want to keep McLellan around. “Many feel like they have not been given the truth for a long time. They believe Tim (Dr. McLellan) tells them the truth.”
“Larry is very familiar with the financial situation which is a little bit tricky so it would be great to have a third set of eyes on them when we are trying to solve financial problems and generate funds so we can take care of our people,” he said.
“I would love to have the resource, and I know Dr. McLellan loves this district and he will do the right thing. It’s not about the money.”
Sondhi suggested adding a list of deliverables to the agreement, but Trustee Troy Tanaka pushed back, saying since they were purchasing services, there is no way for the administration to predict the issues around which they will need Dr. McLellan’s help.
“When we pave the parking lot with asphalt, we have specific deliverables and milestones, but not with this,” he said.
In the end, Litfin agreed to speak to McLellan and develop something acceptable to the board and to propose an agreement with a bit more forethought for further consideration.
Also, this month, Teresa Lennox, Director of Maintenance/Operations, Transportation & Technology, presented a detailed inventory of the schools’ major physical assets, including the administration building, all the facilities associated with the six schools, parks, apartment complexes, etc.
In addition, Lennox presented to the board a detailed assessment of deferred maintenance, which she said in total would cost $18 million. Finally, she gave the board a report on the repairs planned for the current fiscal year that current budgeting will allow.
In the throes of a blistering summer’s day, where the air smells like the tranquilness of sage and the sharpness of wine, deep in the nature-filled valley, live “The Greats.”
These “greats,” are not unknowns. Hundreds of adoring fans endlessly wander the corridors and caverns of people who are trying all they can to be like one of Them. It is labyrinthian, messing with the senses to the point where one does not know their way from left and right. But then, a chime— the ringing of the bell. It is time to bear witness. The hundreds make the short pilgrimage to their seats, thankful for the cooling night, the stars lighting their way from the heavens. The stage is set, nestled in the lively green hills of Laguna Beach. Birds soar through the setting sun, wondering at the madness down below.
The Greats will soon present themselves. Showtime. The 2026 Pageant of the Masters is about to begin.
The Pageant of the Masters at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach is an annual mixed-media celebration of the world of art. The theatre experience brings some of the works of the most recognizable artists in the world to life, using the real tricks of the theatre trade.
This year’s theme is entitled “Greatest of All Time” or “G.O.A.T;” a popular acronym used in youth culture. Director Diane Challis Davy and her team understood the challenge this quite expansive title can be to tackle. She explains that while it is an attention-getter, they are “taking the task of determining the greatest artists of all time quite seriously.”
She continues saying that their “goal is that the artists included in our program will be known to most people in our audience.”
Utilizing actors, precision costuming, and set pieces, along with intricate lighting and other theatre magic, the Greats come alive for the audience to see. These artists include: “Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo, Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent,” along with many others.
While the show revolves around the strict content of actual artists and their actual work, the show makes the audience think about the abstract qualities that art reckons with on a daily basis. Namely, how commerce has dominated the way we view the “successful-ness” of art in the capitalistic society that controls the day to day. Namely, the cool, uncaring tone of Andy Warhol voices the idea that his art is more valuable due to how much it sold for at auction. The passionate Leonardo Di Vinci disagrees, saying that art is more about the feelings and ideas it insinuates within a person, or a society.
The audience is very clearly supposed to agree with Da Vinci. He is seen as the “true artist,” the romantic creator that understands his ideas can transcend through time and space. Warhol is seen as the “villian” of the narrative. The audience sees only a snippet of Warhol’s work towards the end, joking about how his version of “The Last Supper” is lesser, because of its blatant copying of Da Vinci’s famous painting. But, is there no merit in Warhol’s work? Did Warhol not shape the way modern art is seen? Is he not the father of pop art as we know it today?
Take his famous Campbell Soup paintings. The use of repetition with different color combinations encompasses the monotonous life of capitalism. The audience is used to seeing this household object day in and day out, yet Warhol changes the perception. He is encompassing these seemingly “nothing” objects into the world of art by making them art, blending the lines between reality and creation—thus revolutionizing the pop art movement. There is… a lot wrong with Andy Warhol, I will be the first to admit it (Namely, the way he treated his “Superstars” at the Factory). But discrediting his art for the sake of a joke feels discouraging coming from a show and an institution that is trying to understand what the canon of great artists is.
Speaking of the canon, it is obviously hard to grasp all the greats that influenced art as it is known, in time, forever. That is an impossible feat, especially to put in a two hour show. There are the names everyone knows that they are expecting— Picasso, Renoir, Da Vinci, etc.— along with modern artists like Rockwell to Hockney. Yet, showcasing a canon always comes with its problems. All canons have problems, because society’s implicit bias comes out. Most of the artists shown are straight, white men— simple as that.
There are some notable exceptions, specifically with Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. But when she is the only woman presented not in a passing way (Picasso is seen with his many lovers and while they explain how those women had careers of their own, it is not expanded upon), it feels like she is “thrown” into the mix because the production “needed a woman,” to put it bluntly.
Picasso gets a giant “end of Act One” parade, where is Kahlo’s? Or where are any of the other women that changed art forever? Where is Georgia O’Keefe? Yayoi Kusama? Clementine Hunter? Men are not the only people changing art history. The Pageant should reflect that. While the actual Pageant may not echo the contemporary ideas of women being forces of nature in the art world, the actual Festival does. Particularly, with artist Wendy Wirth.
Walking into the cacophony of exhibits, painters, sculptors, photographers and all artists alike congregate. A hub of creativity blooming from every corner. In the maze of wares, a dark yet inviting wall beckons an audience. The showcase is a deep brown, with dark wood accents everywhere. A small teak credenza sits next to the artist’s chair. A director’s chair, her own brought in, cushioned with a sleek cream design. But all of this just surrounds what is most important— the paintings.
Born in Ontario, Canada then trekked down to Cal State Fullerton for a Fine Arts degree, Wirth is an acrylic and oil painter, focusing mainly on the beautiful coasts of Southern California. She completed a “20-year career in illustration and graphic arts,” before moving onto the fine arts. Wirth is also the current Chapter Co-Chair of the California Art Club, and an Artist Member of Laguna Plein Arts Painters Association. She also is the President of the non-profit “The Artist’s Fund,” which “helps past or present festival exhibitors that experience financial hardship.”
Living just four miles away from where her current work is displayed in Laguna Hills, this is Wirth’s 15th year at the Festival, and she keeps coming back time and time again. “This is one of the best festivals in the United States. For artists, it is a rare opportunity to be up for that long— it is two months. It is really hard to get in,” she explains, a huge smile painted across her face. Wirth continues, saying that the best part of being in the Festival is seeing all her fellow artists and friends. “It is like summer camp.”
Wirth specializes in landscapes and scenery, specifically Laguna and Newport. The blues, greens, and natural splendor of the locations keep her imagination flowing— in miniature form. For her 15th year, Wirth decided ‘mini’ was the way to go. “I wanted to make my art accessible to anybody and everybody that enters my booth. The human experience can be tough. Art makes it better.”
Wendy Wirth, courtesy photo
Walking through the corridors, one will see the new age of artists, a wake-up call to a canon of time’s past. The next greats are already here. Vincent Van Gogh was under-appreciated in his time, but only now does he get the recognition he deserves. Who is being sidelined right now? Who are we forgetting in the canon in order to represent by-gone eras?
The Pageant is a great production each and every year, no doubt about it. But, if we are going to have conversations in place about who the “greats” are, it is time to move forward. One can understand how the past helps us, while also understanding the future is here and now. It is time for institutions like the Pageant of the Masters to wake up and smell the contemporary.
The County of Orange held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for Common Good, a first-of-its-kind, publicly owned workforce reentry campus in Southern California.
Located in the City of Orange and spanning 4.6 acres, Common Good will offer vocational and workforce training, educational programs, an on-site retail center and short-term housing that will help former jail and prison inmates rebuild their lives through employment, education and supportive services.
Common Good’s programming will be operated by Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (HIRE), an Orange County-based nonprofit organization focused on helping people get employed as they reenter the community after incarceration, without age or conviction restrictions. HIRE will ensure program participants receive holistic support through workforce training, wraparound support, mentorship and employment-placement services.
“I am very encouraged that – after years of careful planning with our community partners as part of our OC Cares initiative – this campus will move forward with the intent of helping justice?involved individuals rebuild confidence and reenter the workforce with proven job skills,” said Chair Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “The hands-on job training that they will receive will lead to employment opportunities and a viable career.”
The Common Good campus will feature an exciting new retail center with culinary options, and fitness and animal-care businesses that are open to the public. Many of the retail services will be provided by program participants and will help support onsite operations and programming.
A housing component will provide short-term, no-cost housing for up to 52 program participants, typically for six months to one year, enabling them to receive the job-readiness services they need and focus on skill-building and employment.
“Common Good offers justice-involved individuals stable housing, job training, mentorship and a reliable path to work,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Fifth District. “When people can earn a paycheck, build skills and regain stability, they can move forward instead of falling back into the circumstances that led them into the justice system, while helping Orange County reduce recidivism, prevent homelessness and strengthen public safety.”
“I want everyone to be a successful member of our society, and this includes former inmates. This facility will go a long way toward helping them learn job skills with the ability to compete in the workforce,” said Supervisor Janet Nguyen, First District. “ All of this creates a safer community, and I’ll be excited to hear about all the accomplishments.”
“Stable employment and the programs needed to support the reentry into the workforce for justice-impacted individuals are critical in supporting individuals, but also their families and our communities,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District. “This facility will be more than just a place to go for services and programs; it can be transformative in assisting individuals to continue their lives and live with dignity.”
“With Common Good, we have the opportunity to rebuild lives by offering a positive environment. Residents will feel heard and accepted by staff and their peers,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District. “This kind of connection, paired with essential job training and skills, will offer a genuine opportunity for successful workforce reentry.”
At the groundbreaking ceremony, county elected officials and leaders were joined by their partners, including HIRE, developer Griffin | Swinerton, contractor Swinerton Builders and architect LPA Design Studios along with Mayor Dan Slater from the City of Orange.
Recent Los Alamitos High graduate, Kasey Chu, will be heading to UCLA this fall, to begin her pursuit of a degree in microbiology. But aside from her interest in science, Kasey found another passion as a theater technician. More specifically, the young student found a talent for costume design and construction.
It was a passion that recently earned her two national championship awards at the International Thespian Festival. She had top scores from two Los Al High productions this past school year – Costume Design for the Great Gatsby and Costume Construction for The Addams Family.
Kasey initially found her interest in clothing design during the COVID lockdown. She discovered online videos, where people offered instruction in making their own clothes. Some of the videos showed intricate design ideas that caught her attention.
“I thought that would be a really cool thing to do,” Kasey said.
She found a program at Los Alamitos High, that offered classes in that vein, the theater technician class that prepares students for theater work behind the scenes. Set building, lighting design and costume design, among them.
She got involved in her freshman year and studied and worked in the program all four years.
She said she enjoyed researching and designing costumes, but the construction – seeing the costumes come to fruition – was always her favorite part of the process. She also said that being part of the many teams it takes to bring a production to the stage was a bonding experience.
“I made a lot of good friends in the department … and the environment was really fun, but also educational and it helped me grow a lot as a person,” Kasey said.
At UCLA, Kasey will be majoring in Microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics. Her eventual goal will be to work in research. Studying infectious diseases is something that picques her interest.
Kasey said that her decision to pursue a science degree came late in her high school career. She said the hands-on work that took place in her AP Biology class was particularly intriguing.
“That’s when I started to think, ‘this is really neat,’ and wanted to keep doing this,” she said. She expects her first year to be busy, and a big adjustment. But said that once she gets her footing as a college student, she might try getting involved in theater again. And why not? She’s shown a knack for it.
Last week, the City of Cypress recognized Target for its volunteer response following the emergency that impacted parts of Orange County after the Garden Grove chemical leak on May 21.
During a City Council meeting, Cypress Mayor Leo Medrano and City Council members David Burke, Kyle Chang, Bonnie Peat and Rachel Strong Carnahan presented Target representatives with a certificate honoring the company’s support of the community during the emergency.
Following the incident, nearly 50 Target team members volunteered their time to help coordinate donations from stores across the region for delivery to American Red Cross shelters.
Target’s Rialto distribution center also donated approximately $25,000 in essential supplies to the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter, including water, towels, pillows, pet supplies, baby wipes and other necessities. Target’s Cypress store at 6835 Katella Ave. was temporarily closed due to evacuation orders before safely reopening once the emergency had passed.
Although the Los Alamitos City Council approved body-worn cameras for police in December of 2025, police officials explained at a town hall on June 30 why the city’s police officers are still not wearing the devices.
Los Alamitos remains the only police department in Orange County to not utilize body-worn cameras in the field, though police officials acknowledge they are working out the details to deploy them soon.
In addition to body-worn cameras, Los Al Police Chief Michael Claborn had his department heads explain other top crime patterns in the city, hoping to prevent additional crimes of opportunity.
In addition to the body-worn camera discussion, Claborn said, “I’m going to cover some crime patterns to help prevent burglary, theft, fraud, and some of the best schemes.”
Claborn introduced Detective Luke South, who introduced Det. Sgt. Delana Lopez and Det. Joel Espinoza. Espinoza then explained two “crimes of opportunity” perpetrated on senior citizens in the community that robbed them of $100,000 in cash. South and Ezpinoza said they also work with Det. Oscar Perez, who was not present at the forum.
First, he said residents should always keep their residences locked to prevent themselves from “becoming easy victims” of property crimes.
“So as you guys can see, property claims, fraud scams, and fraud related crimes are on the rise, as well as crimes of opportunity like shoplifting, mail theft, bicycle theft, and things like that. Fraud and scam related claims continue to increase statewide, as you guys can see, and that you guys probably get tons of messages and calls a day as we all do,” said Espinoza. He went through a series of crimes but said fraud and identity type thefts are on the rise.
“You guys can really take quick, easy steps by locking your residences, make sure you lock your vehicles, make sure you don’t leave things in plain sight for individuals to take,” the detective said.
Also, he said, residents should certainly not leave their property out in plain sight for criminals “committing these crimes and affecting our communities.”
Moreover, Espinoza said residents, especially seniors, should be especially vigilant of phone calls from scammers seeking information and/or money. “It’s called the government impersonation scam,” he said.
Espinoza told the story of a resident who “got a call” from someone impersonating a police officer who would give them a call to arrange the payment,” Espinoza said.
“The defense attorney called back and gave him a number that kind of resembled a case number,” the detective said, and advised them to go to the bank. “So, he went and got $16,000 from the bank,” Espinoza said.
Then, the detective said, the couple was told the “woman driving the other car was pregnant, and her unborn child,” had both died in the accident so they would need an additional $35,000.
The Los Al man, said Espinoza, did as instructed, went to another bank to withdraw an additional $35,000, and the same thing, someone came to his house and he handed it over.
“He was out $50,000 in a span of a few hours,” the police detective said, urging residents to take a series of steps to protect themselves.
“And the best practice is always to hang up on suspicious callers, don’t even give them your voice if it’s a pending urgent matter,” he said.
In addition, said Espinoza, criminals are using digital recording devices to sample people’s voices over the phone to create fake recordings that can sound convincing. In addition, he said, scammers also claim to be from the Social Security Administration, Publisher’s Clearing House and others.
Police officials said residents should hang up and check with the police department.
“This is a community partnership,” he said, and “the sooner we get this information the sooner we can act on it,” he said. Regarding the body-worn cameras, Capt. Kain Gallaugher, a 20-year veteran of the department and currently the department’s longest-serving officer, gave a detailed overview of the technology and the rights demanded by its use.
With a degree in computer science, Gallaugher said he became a natural to investigate the body-worn cameras for the department and tried to explain to the attending residents what body-worn cameras are and what they are not.
Capt. Kain Gallaugher explains the body-worn cameras. Photo by David N. Young
“When people hear the word ‘body-worn camera,’ they often think it simply means strapping the camera on your chest and it is so much more than that,” said Gallaugher.
Citizens have no idea how much more is involved by the implications of a public recording technology.
“The reality is that implementing our camera program is a major undertaking involving technology, police policy, developmental evidence management, cyber security, privacy protections, training, public records acts compliance and accountability systems,” the veteran police captain said.
After extensive evaluation, he said, the Los Al Police Department has decided to go with the Axon body-worn devices, which, said Gallaugher, is widely recognized as the leader in the industry.
Actually, he said the camera itself worn by officers is only a small part of a massive system of interconnected internet platforms that will be automatically integrated with the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
“This will allow us to very safely streamline and save the evidence that is created or captured by this camera system that maintains a good chain of command,” said Gallaugher.
Today’s sophisticated cameras start rolling automatically when a taser is activated, and body-worn cameras have a 30-second pre-roll feature that starts recording before an incident to ensure nothing valuable is lost.
The cameras roll on their own, and the recording system uses a proprietary judicial platform that protects the recordings from any tampering.
Any actions on any previous videos are instantly recorded and double-checked, so that every action taken on a recorded video must be defensible and stand up to evidentiary scrutiny in court, said Gallaugher.
Moreover, he said body-worn cameras have a history of promoting field compliance among citizens, and the evidence they record “will protect the citizens as well as the police.”
“One of the most common misconceptions regarding body cameras is that the recording exists and everyone can get it.
California law is much more complex than people think. That’s why we have this wonderful attorney here to my left. While it is incredibly important to be transparent to the community and share with you guys the things we can, what is equally as important to us is your privacy. If you end up on one of the cameras, I’m sure you probably don’t want everyone seeing it,” he told the citizens.
“Actually, we live in a day and age,” said Gallaugher, “where this technology is so readily available that simply telling somebody what happens sometimes just isn’t enough,” said Gallaugher. “People want to see it. They want to hear it,” he said.
“The goal is transparency, not secrecy,” he said.
Part of the delay in implementing the cameras is developing a social use policy that encompasses every one of these protections, he said, and then that document must, by law, be ratified by the City Council.
Claborn said the department is hoping to be done by August, while Gallaugher said he hoped so, but that might be a bit optimistic.
According to Gallaugher, the wait is simply to get it right with a technology that is changing literally by the day. Deploying body-worn cameras implies much more than just fighting crime.
“It is about strengthening confidence between the Police Department and the community that we serve, as both a police captain and a parent whose family is deeply connected to this community, I believe this program represents a positive step forward for the department and the residents we proudly serve,” he said.
Editor’s Note: The police and residents also discussed a growing electric bike concern, but we will cover that in an upcoming issue.
The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is excited to announce the Costa Mesa premiere of the first ever touring production of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. The six-time Tony® Award-winning production will play Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a limited engagement of three weeks only, July 11 through 25, 2026.
Tickets for HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, starting at $44, are available for purchase online at scfta.org, in person at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and by phone at 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts of 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.
Based on an original story by?J.K. Rowling,?Jack Thorne?and?John Tiffany,?HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is a play by?Jack Thorne, directed by?John Tiffany.??
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD features movement by?Steven?Hoggett, set by?Christine Jones, costumes by?Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by?Imogen Heap, lighting by?Neil Austin, sound by?Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by?Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by?Martin Lowe. US Casting by?Jim Carnahan, CSA.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.
From the moment eleven-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the Harry Potter phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour (L-r) David Fine as Scorpius Malfoy, Mackenzie Lesser-Roy as Moaning Myrtle, Adam Grant Morrison as Albus Potter Photo by Evan Zimmerman
J.K. Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe which is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerizes on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before.
Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences – including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the world.
This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as the Platform 9 3?4 retail shops and iconic flagship store – Harry Potter New York. Wizards, Witches and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
With a new HBO Original TV series based on the Harry Potter books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves.
For the latest Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts news and features, visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/904010c0/UZhZhwXVk0q0IvkCuiWvdg?u=http://www.harrypotter.com/.
The show run from July 11 – 25, and ticket prices start at $44. More information is available at (714) 556-2787, and tickets are available at scfta.org.
Rossmoor Community Service District officials sprung into action quickly to fix a gash in a neighborhood “signature” wall on June 29 after a Jeep apparently plowed into it at the corner of Los Alamitos Blvd and Orangewood.
RCSD General Manager Sharon Landers said a quick-thinking witness was able to get the vehicle license plate. “We are hopeful the California Highway Patrol and local police are able to track down the driver,” she said.
Residents discuss strategy to fix a massive hole in the brick wall outside the Rosssmoor Community. Courtesy photo
The district, without a police force of its own, must rely on CHP for most of its highway enforcement issues.
Fortunately, although it is a heavily used sidewalk, no one was there at the time, so there were no injuries.
RCSD has taken immediate action to repair the wall. “We contracted with a masonry company that has worked for the District previously. They have removed the damaged areas of the wall and have started rebuilding,” she said.
The completed repair. Courtesy photo
“We had some of the bricks we needed stockpiled, but additional ones are likely to be needed and had to be custom ordered, which we have done,” said Landers.“If we are short bricks, the wall can be fully completed when the custom ordered bricks arrive in about 10 weeks. Everything will be power washed so the bricks will blend better,” said Landers. So the wall is fixed, no one was hurt and a new stockpile of bricks is on the way in case something else happens in the future, the general manager said.
Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones that quietly serve others every single day.
For more than 30 years, The Youth Center and the Rossmoor Community Services District (RCSD) have worked side by side to provide thousands of local children and families with safe, affordable, and enriching after-school and summer programs at Rossmoor Park. This year, that long-standing partnership has created another lasting gift to the community, a beautiful new drinking fountain that will serve generations to come.
Replacing an aging fountain that had faithfully served the park for decades, the new hydration station offers fresh drinking water for children, families, athletes, walkers, and even four-legged visitors with its built-in pet fountain. Every year, thousands of residents gather at Rossmoor Park to play sports, attend community events, enjoy family outings, and participate in Youth Center programs. Now, whether a child is refilling a water bottle after softball practice, a Camp SHARK camper is cooling off on a warm afternoon, or a neighbor is walking their dog, everyone can enjoy this new community resource.
The project became possible through an extraordinary collaboration.
A generous anonymous supporter stepped forward to purchase the entire fountain with one simple request, not recognition, but that the gift simply serve the community. Their message, now engraved on the fountain, says it all:
(L-R) Rossmoor Community Services District General Manager Sharon Landers, Lina Lumme, Executive Director of the Youth Center and Jo Shade, President of the RCSD Board of Directors.
“May This Fountain Remind Us That One Person’s Kindness Can Change Many Lives.” — Anonymous Donor of The Youth Center & RCSD That generosity inspired another remarkable act of giving.
When The Family Plumber learned about the project, owner and Youth Center Board President Mike Prencavage Jr. immediately donated the installation. Known by many as the trusted plumber for local families, Mike and his team once again proved they are also the community’s plumber, donating their expertise to help improve a park enjoyed by thousands of residents each year.
“This project is a beautiful reminder that when a community comes together, amazing things happen,” said Lina Lumme, CEO of The Youth Center. “We are deeply grateful to our anonymous donor for making this gift possible and to Mike Prencavage Jr. and The Family Plumber for donating the installation. Their generosity will benefit thousands of children and families for years to come. Every child who fills a water bottle, every family enjoying the park, and every visitor who stops for a drink will experience the impact of their kindness.”
The fountain also represents the strength of the partnership between The Youth Center and RCSD. For three decades, RCSD has provided the space where The Youth Center delivers year-round educational, recreational, and enrichment programs, while The Youth Center works with generous donors to provide scholarships and opportunities so every child can participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Together, they have built more than programs—they have built a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.
As The Youth Center approaches its 75th anniversary of serving local youth, this fountain stands as more than a place to grab a drink of water. It is a lasting symbol of what can happen when public agencies, nonprofits, local businesses, and generous neighbors unite around a shared purpose: making our community better for everyone.
The greatest legacy isn’t always having your name on something. Sometimes it’s knowing that, for generations to come, children will pause between games, families will gather at the park, neighbors will fill their water bottles, and even beloved pets will stop for a drink, all because one act of kindness inspired many others.
About The Youth Center Founded in 1952, The Youth Center has been empowering children and strengthening families for nearly 75 years through affordable after-school programs, summer camps, music education, leadership development, STEM education, scholarships, and family support services. Today, the nonprofit serves more than 3,500 children annually throughout the greater Los Alamitos area and surrounding communities.
The City of Los Alamitos and OC Animal Care are pleased to announce a new partnership that will provide comprehensive animal care and control services to Los Alamitos residents beginning July 1, 2026. Through this agreement, residents will benefit from expanded resources, enhanced public safety services, and access to one of the region’s most comprehensive animal care programs.
Under this agreement, residents will have access to a full range of high-quality services, including pet licensing, adoptions, lost and found resources, field services, and emergency animal response that promotes both animal welfare and community safety. Animals in need will receive compassionate sheltering, medical care, rehabilitation, and placement opportunities at OC Animal Care’s 10-acre shelter campus in Tustin.
Beyond expanded services, this partnership provides Los Alamitos residents with access to a broader network of programs and resources that support responsible pet ownership and strengthen the community. OC Animal Care looks forward to welcoming Los Alamitos residents into its established network of volunteer and foster opportunities, community education programs, monthly low-cost vaccination and microchipping clinics, pet pantry services, and other outreach initiatives designed to promote pet health, safety, and well-being. As one of the region’s largest and most comprehensive animal care agencies, OC Animal Care is committed to delivering exceptional service, innovative programs, and compassionate care while protecting both animals and the communities it serves.
With this agreement, Los Alamitos joins 14 other Orange County cities, along with the Unincorporated Areas of Orange County, that partner with OC Animal Care for comprehensive animal services. This partnership reflects a shared commitment between the City of Los Alamitos and OC Animal Care to providing responsive, compassionate, and professional animal care services. By combining local service with regional expertise, expanded resources, and a state-of-the-art facility, the partnership enhances the level of care available to Los Alamitos residents and their pets while strengthening public safety throughout the community.
For more information about animal care services in Los Alamitos, including local resources and service information, visit cityoflosalamitos.org/AnimalCare or contact the Neighborhood Preservation Department at the City of Los Alamitos at (562) 431-3538.
For pet licensing, adoptions, lost and found pets, volunteer and foster opportunities, or other OC Animal Care services, visit ocpetinfo.com, call (714) 935-6848 daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or after-hours (714) 259-1122 from 5 p.m. – 8 a.m., or visit the OC Animal Care shelter located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, CA 92782.
Gum’s Mall of Antiques & Collectibles is going all out this year to celebrate our nation’s 250th Birthday with a special event on Saturday, July 25th. We’re asking our customers to drive their classic car to our mall to enjoy our daylong festivities.
Local vendors like Tim and Linda Keenan of Cypress will be among the many sellers of truly unique merchandise.
Gum’s is also hosting a holiday pie baking contest (enter to be crowned best pie maker) and a watermelon seed spitting contest. You can wear your best vintage clothing to enter our vintage clothing contest, enjoy a free outdoor Bar-B-Que, live music, and a reading of portions of the Declaration of Independence.
To top it all off, a $250.00 Gum’s gift certificate will be drawn and announced on Sunday, August 1st. No need to be present to win. Opportunities to win other prizes will run throughout the month of July. Saturday hours are 10:00am-5:00pm.
Now celebrating 29 years in the vintage business, Gum’s Vintage Mall is located at 21330 Norwalk Avenue in Hawaiian Gardens. This mall is the perfect place to find traces of our nation’s more than 250 -year history.
The dealers at Gum’s are decorating the 13,000 square foot store with red, white, and blue for the month of July. Look for special in-store celebration discounts all month long. Among our 50 plus dealers you can find vintage telephones and technology, mid-century furniture, historic dolls and toys, vintage American flags, vintage china, military memorabilia, vintage clothing of all types. Plus one can find lots of other traces of our American past throughout the store.
Unleash the excitement! The most anticipated, adorable, and delightfully zany event of the summer is back. On Saturday night, July 11, 2026, Los Alamitos Race Course will play host to the 29th Running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals. The action kicks off at 6:30 p.m., bringing together more than 100 fast and furious dachshunds to race for a fantastic cause.
All proceeds from this event directly benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a premier non-profit organization dedicated to finding loving homes for stray and abandoned animals throughout the Orange County area. Small Legs, Big Stakes
The track belongs to everyone on this special night. The Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals features a series of high-stakes, 50-yard dashes running right alongside the track’s regular live, quarter horse racing action. A literal string of sausage-shaped speedsters will compete in thrilling heats throughout the evening, giving fans a chance to see these low-rolling athletes conquer the exact same historic dirt track as the horses. While the doxies are chasing fun cash prizes, they all have their eyes on the ultimate title: the coveted “Fastest Wiener in the West.”
A Packed Roster of Canine Competitors The night features more than 100 doxies competing across 10 distinct races, including a trio of crowd-pleasing special events:
The Diaper Dash: The ever-popular, unpredictable sprint for puppies under one year old.
Long in the Tail: A legendary showcase for veteran doggos over the age of eight.
The “Tweeners”: A brand-new category featuring prime-aged 6-to-7-year-old racers.
The Superstars Race: A clash of titans featuring past champions and fan favorites.
This year’s star-studded lineup features incredible local talent, including Beenie VonWeenie (Fullerton), Burr (Cypress), Cannonball Charlie (Long Beach), and Paisley (Moreno Valley). All eyes will be on defending champion Winnie (Huntington Beach) and fierce runner-up Avi (La Habra), easily spotted by her signature pink-tipped ear, as they renew their friendly rivalry.
The Ultimate Prize & Event Details The stakes have never been higher. The winning owner will take home a cool $1,000 cash prize, while the champion wiener walks away with a custom doghouse shaped like a Wienerschnitzel restaurant, plus the iconic “Fastest Wiener in the West” trophy.
In addition to the dachshund drama, fans will enjoy a full night of live horse racing, making this an action-packed, wild night out for the whole family. When: Saturday, July 11, 2026. Gates open early; racing begins at 6:30 p.m. Where: Los Alamitos Race Course (Free general parking included!) Admission: General Admission tickets are just $3 per person on the day of the event. Children 17 and under are admitted FREE.
VIP Experience: Premium VIP seating is available to enjoy the event in style. Reserve your seats by calling 714-820-2681. For more information on the 29th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, please visit losalamitos.com or call 714-820-2690.
Far from his mountaintop Monticello, 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson sat in a hot and humid rented room at 700 Market Street 250 years ago this week. He was charged with the monumental responsibility of crafting thoughts capable of governing a nation.
The 2nd Continental Congress had actually appointed a “Committee of Five” to draft the Declaration of Independence, including Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.
Historians say Adams and Franklin knew Jefferson was an accomplished writer, so they mostly edited the drafts while Livingston and Sherman were there as observers from crucial states, New York and Connecticut, respectively.
Franklin, while old enough to be Jefferson’s dad, admired the mind of young Jefferson, the Virginian. Adams already knew Jefferson was the man to draft the document so while he pushed incessantly for independence inside the Continental Congress, he made sure Jefferson was appointed to draft the Declaration.
Franklin, at that point in history, was perhaps the most famous man in the world. Frankly, it made him wise enough to let Jefferson’s prose soar on its own, only making minor changes.
Franklin’s substantive contribution was a small change in a key line that has immeasurable impact. He replaced Jefferson’s original phrase “sacred and undeniable” with “self-evident” in the final draft.
David N. Young, courtesy photo
Though the entire draft is 1,320 words long, its overriding principal is set in these immortal words.
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…they should declare the causes which impel them to separation.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” it proclaimed.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.”
The resolution passed with approvals from 12 of the 13 colonies. New York abstained but eventually signed on. A total of 56 men eventually signed the document, though not all were in Philadelphia that day.
Revolutions are hard. Transforming them into republics is even harder. The brilliance in Jefferson’s words, however, are their bedrock nature and timeless value.
From the guiding principles of the Declaration came the debates over the next decade as our Constitution took shape. And on July 4, we will together celebrate a framework that has withstood war, protest, woman’s suffrage, racial segregation and today, a government that has never been so divided.
Yes, we are a divided nation, perhaps more than ever before in our history. Scattered outrage only makes it worse.
Yet, our framework holds. As disappointing as the torn fabric of our society may be, we can be reassured that the wisdom of the nation’s silent majority will continue to guide us back to the center like the framers designed it to do 250 years ago.
“Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech,” said Franklin. Even then, the great Franklin knew the blessing of this nation was the inherit wisdom and its power to default to the collective good.
Our American Revolution is alive today as much as it was in 1776. Our nation changes by the day and our government must change with it.
Government, then, as now, is not some finite set of rules; it is an ever-changing, living document of self-governance that only WE have the power to change.
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman,” wrote Thomas Paine, rallying the colonies in 1776.
Fast forward 250 years and little has changed. Though problems exist and technology has advanced, the American citizen still seeks the same as Jefferson. He sat, with pen in hand, in a tiny room in the humid conditions on Market Street in Philadelphia to make lives better.
In fact, Jefferson bought his first thermometer while writing the declaration and kept a detailed weather journal thereafter.
From Jefferson, we know it was 68 degrees on July 4, 1776 when these brave men first celebrated America’s independence. The Declaration was approved on July 2, but the Continental Congress did not receive it from the printer to be signed until July 4.
Adams argued for a July 2 holiday, but he was overridden. Adams and Jefferson, nonetheless, continued their correspondence and ironically, if providentially, both passed away on July 4, 1826.
While each of us have our own opinions about the state of America on its 250th Anniversary, that’s exactly the way it should be. The deep thoughts of brave and learned men in that small room on Market Street gave us a dynamic framework for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for generations to come.
If only we could collectively understand that, in a way, the debates that began in the humidity of Philadelphia in 1776, still rage today, as they should, and we, as citizens have every right and a responsibility to lend our voices towards the creation of an even better nation now and 250 years from today.
The Los Alamitos Chief of Police announced the city’s “Citizen’s Academy” 2026 graduating class at the City Council’s most recent meeting, saying the program is advancing so quickly that perhaps a graduate of the class may soon facilitate the growing program.
“The Academy gives residents a first-hand look at the professionalism, accountability and dedication that defines our department,” Police Chief Michael Claborn told the Council.
He introduced Bruce Murphy, one of the department’s VIP’s, whom he said, along with others, helped facilitate this year’s program.
“Our program has been an amazing program,” said Claborn, “and it is about building understanding, strengthening trust, and continuing the partnership that keeps Los Alamitos safe,” the police chief said.
“Our program has grown since its inception,” he said, “and has now reached the point where they are actually able to facilitate the delivery of this course to our community, which, I’m not aware of is being done anywhere else in the country,” he added. The program, introduced in 2025, gives everyday citizens a chance to look deep inside the city’s police department and get a look at city operations as well.
Claborn introduced Jenna Bloom, who spoke for this year’s graduating class.
“When I first joined the Citizens Academy, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Bloom. “As the weeks went on, before I knew it, I was looking forward to it. There wasn’t a single week that wasn’t engaging and informative,” she said.
“Throughout the course, we were given a deeper look into the police department operations,” she said, noting that she was “especially impressed by the professionalism demonstrated by the officer” she had a chance to ride with on patrol, and others experienced during the program.
“It’s difficult to choose a favorite week, because every topic highlighted a different but essential part of law enforcement. We learned about the coroner’s office, SWAT operations, the narcotics division, canine unit, crime lab, shoot/don’t shoot scenarios, domestic violence situations, de-escalation tactics, the coordination between agencies that help keep our communities safe, and more,” said Bloom.
“Over the eight-week course, we also had the opportunity to meet and become friends with people from many different backgrounds and professions,” she said.
Though this year’s class was diverse, she said they had one thing in common.
“Despite our differences, we all shared one thing in common: our genuine love and care for the city of Los Alamitos,” she said, “and the people who work every day to protect it. I want to sincerely thank Michael Claborn, Captain Luke South, Support Services Manager Robert Acosta, VIP Murphy, VIP Kathy Gardner, Media Coordinator Alexandra Van Voris, and Coordinator Lizet Salinas,” she said.
This year’s class included Bloom, Angela Bittbauer, Troy Butcher, Leonor Carter, Meryl Cohn, Kristin DiMiceli, Glen MacCloud, Miriam Espejo, Jason Morales, Susan Morales, Veronica Orrick, Clayton Sierra and Gary Loe.
Participating VIPS were Art Remnet, Anna Bilyk, Bruce Murphy, Gardner, Daniel Patz, Karl Meyers, Debbie Charland, Randy Smith, Van Voris and Lizet Salinas.
Claborn also announced the promotion of two officers, Corporal Stephen Smith and Corporal Matthew Merzada.
