“In 1997 a Youth Center participant, a high school junior, was vacationing in Washington State when she learned of this program,” says the Every 15 Minutes page on the Youth Center Website. “She thought it would be a great addition to the teen programming offered by the Youth Center.” Every 15 Minutes is a national organization that originally started in Canada and was later adopted in the U.S. in 1995 in Washington. The name comes from early 1990 statistics that indicate that an alcohol related driving accident occurs once every 15 minutes.
Since the spring of 1999, the Youth Center has implemented the program at Los Alamitos High School every year. However, due to COVID-19, the last time the program was at the high school was in 2019, meaning that, as of this year, no class on campus has seen this event. This program’s purpose is to introduce a discussion around driving under the influence and the dangers it poses
“Of the 200+ applications we receive, a total of 32 students representing a cross section of high school social groups and ethnicity are selected,” the Youth Center says.
“On Thursday, March 2, every fifteen minutes one student will be escorted out of class,” Lina Lumme, who spearheads the program, shared with Griffin Gazette. “A uniformed officer will read the student’s obituary and then accompany the student to a room on campus where makeup will be applied with the intent of representing ‘The Living Dead’” she also said. A mock cemetery will display tombstones of the “living dead” in the front of the PAC for the rest of the school to see.
“To enhance the realism of the event, the student will not return to class; this will help friends and classmates understand what it would feel like if that student had actually died,” shared Lina Lumme, The Youth Center CEO and Every 15 Minutes Program Coordinator.
At lunch during that day, a traffic collision will be simulated in front of the school. “Five students . . . involved in the collision will be made up by a professional artist to enhance the realism,” Lumme said. From there, all first-responders, including the Jaws-of-Life, firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement, will handle the scene as if it were real.
“Two students will die on scene, one will be treated at the scene, and one will be transported to the hospital where they will later be pronounced dead. Parent participation in this event is critical and may include a police escort to the hospital. A fifth student will be given a field sobriety test, placed under arrest and taken to jail,” Lumme explained.
Families of the victims will be notified at their work or in their homes by police officers.
At the end of the day, all participants will go to Westminster courthouse for a mock trial where the family members of the deceased will testify and the “drunk driver” will be sentenced.
The next day, the school will attend an assembly to mourn the “living dead.”
“The assembly will include a short video and several speakers,” Lina said. “Counseling support services will be available as needed for students, parents and staff,” she assured. All throughout the program, Griffin News will record major events of the whole program then compile the videos into a singular video for the year. You can find videos of “Every 15 Minutes” from the high school and other high schools throughout the country on Youtube.
It is a massive effort from multiple different organizations including the Youth Center, the police department, fire department, and many more. “It’s an entire year of planning,” Lumme said, “we are thankful to Los Alamitos High School for playing an active part on the committee and all their support.” Overall, “Every 15 Minutes” is a fantastic program that the high school offers. “’Every 15 Minutes’ is just another one of the tools we use to get youth to make positive life choices,” the Youth Center website says. It is a very honest and unflinching approach to the extremely serious discussion of driving under the influence.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Los Alamitos High girls water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Open Division water polo playoffs with an 11-6 win over Newport Harbor on Thursday at Los Alamitos High.
The match was tied 2-2 at the end of the first quarter, but the Griffins began to take control in the second. They extended the lead early in the quarter with goals from Colleen Sorensen and Cici DeLuca to push the lead to 4-2. The Griffin defense kept the Sailors out of the net for the entire second quarter and Olivia Slavens added another goal with about a minute and a half to extend the lead to 5-2 at halftime. Goalie Joey Niz made several big saves to stave off Newport.
Slavens would finish the match with three goals, while DeLuca added two. The Griffins extended the lead to 7-2 early in the third on a goal by Isabell Valika. After Newport cut the lead to 7-3, Valika added her second goal of the game to make it 8-3.
Newport would get as close as 8-5, but the Griffins kept them at bay. The Griffins advanced to the semifinals where they will face Orange Lutheran today at 7 p.m. at Foothill High. It will be the second of two finals, with Foothill and Laguna Beach facing off in the other semifinal at 5:40 p.m.
The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) crowned their 2023 King and Queen at the Royal Gala on February 3rd at The Grand in Long Beach. The honors were bestowed upon King Dave Locke and Queen Erin Kominsky. They were appointed to serve as the royal ambassadors for the year due to their strong ties to the Los Al community and their ongoing support of LAEF and Los Al kids.
The Royal Gala is LAEF’s signature event and kicked off the “Fundraising February for Los Al Kids” campaign. This year, campaign proceeds will continue to support student mental health and wellness by maximizing Well Spaces at all nine Los Al USD schools. Well Spaces are calm, safe, and comfortable places for students to reset and receive counseling support. Funds will provide additional supplies and expand counseling support during the school day and after school. The total raised during the Gala was over $70,000! These funds were raised through live auction, opportunity drawing tickets and donations. Business sponsorships, donations and the online auction will continue through the end of February.
LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue said, “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community for this important cause. LAEF is honored to put these generous donations to work, so that all Los Al children will thrive.”
Courtesy photo Rossmoor Elementary School students gave tours of Well Space items to Royal Gala guests. From left to right: Reagan Ferrier, Violet Lorber, Kai Lorber, and Peyton Ferrier.
Fundraising February’s top sponsors – Clean Wave Express Carwash and Southland Credit Union – were on hand to celebrate LAEF’s 2023 King and Queen. Upon arrival, guests were invited to experience calming elements of the Well Spaces from Los Alamitos High School and Rossmoor Elementary School. Guests experienced thinking puddy, calming coloring activities, and fidgets, and created stamp designs in a tabletop sand garden. After enjoying dinner, the program began with Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver and Logue sharing the role of Master of Ceremonies.
Locke and Kominsky were crowned by last year’s King, LAEF Champion and Board Member Emeritus, Dave Appling. Videos provided testimonials from Locke and Kominsky’s colleagues and friends to give attendees personal reflections on their tremendous impact.
After being crowned, Kominsky stated what LAEF has meant to her over the years and also thanked her school team, former assistant principals, her family, and her mom. She said that her heart will always be in Los Al and with LAEF. In June 2022, Erin Kominsky retired as Principal of Oak Middle School after 38 total years of service. Prior to Oak, she served as Principal of Weaver Elementary School for 19 years, which included the reopening of the school in 1996. Erin was named Administrator of the Year in 2004, Woman of the Year for the California Legislature in 2005, and a National Distinguished Principal for the State of California in 2012. Weaver received California Distinguished School, National Blue Ribbon and Golden Bell awards.
During Locke’s acceptance speech, he said that he considered himself lucky to work with all of the volunteers and that he has met so many wonderful families, teachers and administrators along the way. Locke began volunteering to support Los Al kids when his children were attending Hopkinson Elementary School. He served as the Hopkinson PTA Treasurer in 2011 and 2012, then as President in 2013 and 2014. He went on to serve as the McAuliffe PTA Secretary and the LAHS Baseball Booster Club Treasurer. Locke co-chaired the successful Measure G school bond campaign, which is funding the new STEM Building and second gym at LAHS.
LAEF Board Chair Felicia Gonzalez remarked, “It was a fantastic event, and we are thrilled to have Dave and Erin as our 2023 Royals. I am truly amazed by the support of the local community to ensure the ongoing success of the Royal Gala and Fundraising February campaigns. Our fundraising has totaled to more than $1.4 million over the past ten years.”
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF provides significant funding for mental health/wellness and STEAM instruction, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources, to impact all students. For additional information on LAEF, please call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424 or visit www.LAEF4Kids.org.
Supporters and financial donors of the Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) jammed into the ballroom of the Grand Hotel Friday for a royal affair that saw the ceremonial crowning of King Dave Locke and Queen Erin Kominsky as donors who were eager to pitch in to support local schools.
With mental health now a growing dilemma across America, the problem has become even more acute in schools, said Carrie Logue, the Executive Director of LAEF. With the community’s help, she said, safe spaces, called WellSpaces, have been built at each of the Los Al Unified District’s nine schools.
Now, said Logue, “what we want to do, besides providing tangible items and supplies to those spaces, we want to expand counseling groups, provide more individual counselors and interns.”
LAEF, the educational partner of the Los Alamitos Unified School District, said they are working with the district to maximize donated funds to bring more staffing, more support to schools, especially increasing after-school support.
“And I’m proud to mention that we’re piloting a new partnership with Casa Youth Shelter and their counseling staff to provide free after-school counseling,” Logue told the capacity ballroom crowd.
Thus far, LAEF has donated approximately $500,000 to the district’s nine schools to facilitate safe WellSpaces for students.
In order to facilitate the nonprofit’s donation to local schools, supporters from the area gather to crown a ceremonial King and Queen, generally community members who have a history of outstanding service to the district.
This year’s LAEF Queen is retired principal Erin Kominsky.
In June 2022, Mrs. Erin Kominsky retired as Principal of Oak Middle School after 38 years of service to the District. Prior to Oak, she served as Principal of Weaver Elementary School for 19 years, which included the reopening of the school in 1996.
She introduced many best practices, curriculum, and strategies that led to Weaver being rated as the #1 school in Orange County time and time again. The Weaver team was instrumental in bringing many new educational and instructional exercises that eventually became signature practices throughout the Los Alamitos Unified School District. Kominsky was named Administrator of the Year in 2004, Woman of the Year for the California Legislature in 2005, and a National Distinguished Principal for the State of California in 2012. Weaver received California Distinguished School, National Blue Ribbon, and Golden Bell awards.
“LAEF has been the pioneer of innovation long before my memories of what they did for us as site principals and communities,” said Kominsky, noting that Logue and the organization have helped accelerate the pace of STEM and STEAM adoption through the district.
“Teaching kids to learn mandarin, learning to dance, doing martial arts and robotics and all of those things that no one ever really thought about doing,” is what LAEF has meant over the years, said Kominsky, and more critically, “they (LAEF) provided a space for students that was safe and close.”
“LAEF,” said Kominsky, “is something that my heart has always been into.”
She gave a special thanks to Logue, while she also thanked retired Supt. Sherry Kropp and current Supt. Andrew Pulver. “Thanks for putting up with my wild ideas that we always did.”
“To my school team who is here tonight, I love you dearly,” said Kominsky. who also thanked her former assistant principals, her family, her mom and said that “my heart will always be in Los Al and my heart will always be with LAEF.”
As with Kominsky, LAEF presented a short video of King Dave Locke before he was crowned as King for 2023.
According to LAEF, Locke has been a dedicated parent leader in Los Alamitos Unified since 2008. Dave began volunteering to support Los Al kids when his children were attending Hopkinson Elementary School. He served as the Hopkinson PTA treasurer in 2011 and 2012, then as president in 2013 and 2014. He went on to serve as the McAuliffe PTA secretary and the LAHS Baseball Booster Club treasurer for 2018-19. He also has served on the St. Hedwig Baseball Board and was the All-Star Commissioner as well as a coach.
In addition, Locke supported efforts to pass the recent school bond Measure G campaign by taking on the role of Campaign Co-Chair. This successful campaign provided funding for the newly opened STEM Building at LAHS and is funding the second gym, which is currently in development. He was named Los Alamitos Unified’s Hero of the Heart in 2019.
Locke began supporting LAEF in 2016 as a Campaign Manager for a friend’s King of Hearts campaign. He coordinated and supported many fundraising efforts and began donating his professional photography skills, which he has offered time and time again. In addition, Dave has donated auction packages that provide private flights and hotel stays. His efforts have raised tens of thousands of dollars for LAEF and Los Al kids. Dave and his wife,
Michelle, are founding members of the Los Al Leadership Circle, LAEF’s major donor group. They even opened their home to host the LAEF donor appreciation event in the Spring of 2021.
“A lot of you probably know that I’m a photographer and I really prefer to be on the other end of the camera right now,” said Locke, “so this is definitely not in my comfort zone.”
“I just want to say I consider myself lucky to work with so many of the volunteers,” he said, “and we’ve met so many wonderful families of teachers and admins along the way.”
“It’s really been an amazing honor to get to know everybody in this community and become part of the community. Michelle and I moved here in 2008. So it kind of feels like
it’s been a lifetime at this point. Both of our kids have now gone through the last hour from start to finish and gone off to college,” said Locke
“When I look around here, I see I see many people in this room who I know have put in hundreds of hours of volunteer time,” he said. “I just want to say thank you to all the people that didn’t necessarily get up on stage. There have been so many amazing volunteers that we’ve had along the way.”
“That’s probably why Los Al (Unified) is so great,” said Locke, “because there are so many families willing to step forward and put in time.”
Locke also thanked his wife Michelle for “bringing home the bacon” by working hard so he could be more involved with the school system. “It enabled me to be a stay-at-home dad and to have a lot of time to volunteer,” he said.
He thanked LAEF and everyone in the room “for putting together this amazing fundraiser and put all of this money towards mental health. We are truly fortunate to be a part of this district.”
Pulver, who hosted several segments of the evening’s fundraising event, said “I’m just fortunate to be a part of a community who continually rallies behind its youth to improve the lives and outcomes for all of us. I just want to thank all of you on behalf of all our students, our families for the work that you do to support our students is second to none.”
LAEF is expected to announce results and more details of the LAEF Royal Gala in the coming weeks.
Though the Los Alamitos City Council pulled a controversial item regarding the Lampson Housing Development project from its Jan. 23 agenda, some residents still took the time to let the Council know there will be a fight if the project is not scaled back.
The city had scheduled to discuss and potentially ratify zoning changes approved by its planning commission back in 2022 that would have made multiple adaptations to its zoning code to facilitate a so-called housing element submitted to the state.
Though that is true, among the zoning changes within the housing element is also a rezoning of the former commercial property along Lampson Ave. that would allow developers to construct a housing project to include 246 new residences, 77 of which would be “affordable.”
Without discussion, the Council pulled item 12 from its agenda, which would have been the minutes from its Planning Commission, which voted unanimously in November to approve the changes. Under the city charter, the planning commission decision does not have the force of law if not approved by the entire city council. Thus, the matter was delayed.
Christina Swanson thanked the Council for the delay but said “please don’t bring it up in two weeks, we need two months.” Swanson said the plan for the 246-unit series of complexes is woefully inadequate in terms of parking, especially at the so-called “affordable” housing unit (77 units). “If we’re going to have affordable housing,” she said, “let’s at least have affordable housing worth having.”
She said the tract where developers have planned the housing complex is roughly the same size as the tract where their community is built, “and we have only 102 patio homes. “Look very carefully at this project,” she advised the Council.
Local resident Ricardo Ortiz, who said he lived in Los Angeles before moving to Los Al, suggested while the mixed-use complex is proposed to be only 10 percent “affordable,” he suggested the 90 percent won’t tolerate the 10 percent of affordable housing “and it will become 100 percent (affordable).
Dan Brandt, a one-time policeman in Los Al, warned that traffic congestion could pose serious delays in response times of police and fire vehicles to the project. He said the 2-mile square property on which the Joint Forces Training Base is situated prevents any civilian traffic relief.
Brandt said in addition to the 246-unit project, Seal Beach has a 400-unit complex planned for next to Rossmoor in their housing unit and Old Ranch is about to break ground on a remodel that will bring additional residences.
“We’re going to be fighting them,” said Brandt, indicating that 200 people would be protesting at Seal Beach city council meetings when and if that 400-unit project begins to surface.
He said that if the Los Al Lampson Project is passed, it will create a “Domino effect” for the others. “I’m very disappointed,” he said.
Derek Boyer, a resident of College Park East, suggested residents were simply being ignored, or at least that it felt that way. In addition, with the state facing a water crisis, he wonders what impact the vast influx of residents will have on the water supply. “That’s the elephant in the room that is falling on deaf ears.”
n fact, he said it feels like everything residents say is falling on deaf ears. “There is no back and forth,” said Boyer, “we speak and you just sit here, silently,” he said.
“Honest,” said Boyer, “it feels really one-sided.”
“We’re listening,” said Mayor Tanya Doby.
Other residents made suggestions like having the meetings in a bigger venue, since many people who came wanting to speak went home after standing outside because they could not get in. Another seriously faulted the required outreach on the project, which only requires notification of residents living within 500-feet of the facility, “shockingly bad.”
Some suggested the project should be sent back to the Planning Commission for further discussion while others pleaded to be heard.
“This project is being dumped onto this community and all we get is the congestion,” one lady said. “We need a voice.”
Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce members were treated to an in-depth and informative presentation by Labor and Employment Attorney Wendy Sugg during their recent Chamber Breakfast at Maderas Steak and Ribs Restaurant, 3642 Katella Ave., in Los Alamitos.
Some of what she covered included recent changes in laws, trends in employment, litigation, tips for managing risk, transparency requirements, increased minimum wage, leave of absence and expense reimbursements; then she accepted questions from those in attendance.
Based in Laguna Beach, with the Sugg Law Group, she specializes in litigation and trial in State and Federal courts, where she represents clients in a wide range of labor and employment as well as business litigation matters, including complex class actions, breach of contract disputes, and disputes involving claims of retaliation, discrimination, and wrongful termination.
Sugg provides advice and counsel to California employers on a wide range of issues, from policies and wages to employee hiring and termination.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a J.D. (a Doctor of Jurisprudence) from the University of Southern California and has served as a law clerk to the Honorable Shirley Wohl Kram of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
What led Sugg to the field of law?
“I have always wanted to be an attorney since elementary school,” she shared during an interview. “I’m not sure what led me to that except arguing with my parents and younger sister,” she smiled.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, she was a teacher for a year after graduation from UCLA and was a journalist in college, writing for some of the local newspapers in Orange County, “Both of which prepared me for legal writing and to present my arguments in front of a judge and jury.”
Asked if the law field is more difficult for women to get into than men, Sugg said, “I don’t think so; actually, my law school class had more women than men and I think those numbers are still favorable today. There are a lot of opportunities right out of school.”
What she did say, however, is that it’s more difficult with regard to advancement and opportunities down the line, farther into a career for a woman, which at that point tends to discourage women from staying in the field.
“The long hours and all-consuming nature of being in trial doesn’t mesh very easily with having a family,” said Sugg.
What are her suggestions for young girls who find law interesting? “Read everything you can get your hands on – the newspaper, books, history/journals. The most important thing is to make sure you have a wide range of knowledge because it’s amazing how much that will help you spot issues when you’re trying to negotiate, to defend a case or to come up with a creative argument.”
Sugg is also married to a lawyer; someone who knows the law business and can be a sounding board to head off potentially risky situations.
Her advice to people is, “Don’t be afraid to call your lawyer for advice. I think a lot of business owners view calling a lawyer as a last resort when there’s a problem, but an early call to talk about options can end up saving you a lot of money and headaches. Develop a good relationship with your lawyer.”
Together, the Suggs share a 10-year-old son, and they recently adopted a wire fox terrier dog; a pet their son has been asking for.
Living near the beach, they love doing activities that includes being at the ocean. “I also play golf and tennis when I can,” she said.
After losing their first meeting with Edison High, the Los Alamitos High boys basketball team decided they needed to take a different tack. The Griffins scored just 33 points in the loss, but the Griffins pushed the pace in their second meeting last week and ran away with a 69-40 win over the Chargers in a Surf League game at Edison High.
In their first meeting, an Edison 42-33 win, the Griffins tried to slow the pace to keep the Chargers offense down. It worked to an extent, but it also stymied the Griffins’ offensive attack as well.
“A half-court game with them didn’t go well for us on offense, so let’s spread it out and play a full-court game and it seemed to work,” Griffins Head Coach Nate Berger said.
The win ties the Griffins and Chargers atop the standings at 4-1, with one game left and a likely shared league title heading into the playoffs. The Griffins led 21-15 at the end of the first quarter but pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Chargers 22-7 to take a 43-22 lead into halftime.
Sophomore Liam Gray led the scoring with 17 points, including six in the second quarter. Sophomore Wes Trevino started hot with nine points in the first quarter and finished with 15. Sophomore Trent Minter finished with 10 points and junior Rex Komatz added nine.
The Chargers were led by Dylan Hugues and Tucker Tripp with 11 points each. The Griffins closed out the season with a 77-75 overtime win over Marina to finish tied with Edison, who held off Fountain Valley, 51-49. Los Alamitos opens the playoffs tonight at 7 p.m. at home against Santa Margarita.
The Los Alamitos girls varsity basketball team seized the Surf League co-championship by defeating Corona del Mar 43-37 in a thrilling season-ending victory that wasn’t determined until the last seconds.
The Wednesday, Feb. 1, road win avenged a January 17, 41-35 loss to Corona del Mar (16-11), leaving both teams atop the league standings with 5-1 records and giving the Griffins (19-9) its first girls basketball championship since 2018.
Junior point guard Kayli Liew led the Griffins with 16 points, including 2 threes, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Freshman Tamlyn Yoshida scored 10 points, including 3 threes. Freshman Melanie Stewart chipped in 7 points, and junior center Kassidy Beach added 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
The hard-fought fourth quarter featured three lead changes and a tie, but Liew and Yoshida each scored seven points to turn the tide. On the first possession, Liew swished a three to give the Griffins a 27-25 lead and from there it was a seesaw battle.
With 1:16 left in the game, Liew hit another three that was answered by a Sea Kings three, leaving the Griffins with the ball and clinging to a 38-37 lead with under a minute to play.
A broken play iced the victory. Yoshida was dribbling on the right side of the front court when she slipped and while falling shoveled a pass to Liew who dribbled left toward the top of the key. The Sea Kings defense shifted and seemingly forgot about the fallen Yoshida, but when she jumped up and clapped for the ball, Liew passed to her and she drained a three-pointer for a 41-37 lead with only 47 seconds left to play. A free throw each by Liew and Yoshida brought the final score to 43-37.
“This was a clutch performance by everyone and I’m very proud of the work all the girls have put in to win a championship,” said Head Coach Maya Kennedy.
Los Alamitos, which is ranked 11th in CIF Southern Section 3AA, finished the season winning 11 of its final 12 games and will play California High (11-17) in the first round of the CIF playoffs on February 9, 7 p.m., at the Los Alamitos gym.
The Griffins defeated California 55-25 on December 23, but California finished second in the Del Rio League with a 6-2 league record and finished the season with three straight wins.
Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club was well represented at the Annual Cerritos Festival of Friendship that was held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the Los Cerritos Center. The Cerritos Festival of Friendship is sponsored by the City of Cerritos Let Freedom Ring Committee in conjunction with the Los Cerritos Center. The festival gave the community a unique opportunity to learn about the city’s cultural diversity through songs and dances performed by different groups on stages at the Los Cerritos Center Mall.
Members of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club performed with three different groups on two stages at the Los Cerritos Center Mall, the stage in front of Forever 21, and the stage in front of the Sears building.
At the Forever 21 stage, the Na Kupunawahine (grandmothers) of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club of Cerritos, performed three hulas, That’s the Hawaiian in Me, Nanina, and Waipio Paea’ea, which were announced by kumu (teacher) Hedy Anduha. Co-VP for Public Performances Carol Roxas chaired this performance assisted by Co-VP’s Pilar La Fuente and Liberty Santiago. They were dressed in colorful holomu’mu’s (long dresses) of purple or teal color. All the dancers wore long leis of white silk pikake flowers and lei po’o, (head leis). They danced both modern and traditional hulas.
The Sears stage was the site for two group performances. The Na Ipo (Sweethearts) Hula group and the Angklung Group. The Na Ipo Hula Group danced four modern hulas: Aloha Week Hula, Puka Pants, Sway It Hula Girl, and Hula Rock Mama. This group was led by Frances McCormick and the dancers wore Pa’u, skirts of different colors and orchid leis.
The Angklung Group was the group who performed three songs under the direction of their leader Ann Kho. The Angklung is an Indonesian bamboo instrument that is played by shaking bamboos. Each instrument has been created to produce one note, and the performers follow numbers on a chart to know when they play their note. The Angklung Group wore colorful purple batik sarongs and matching Indonesian necklaces. The group played three familiar songs: God Bless America, Edelweiss, and It’s a Small World. It was the first time that many spectators were able to see and hear the Angklung Group playing their bamboo instruments. They were the Grand Finale of the day.
All of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club’s groups received appreciative applauses from their audiences as they performed their numbers. They thanked the City of Cerritos Let Freedom Ring Committee and the Los Cerritos Center for giving them the opportunity to share their traditional and modern Hawaiian dances and the Indonesian Angklung bamboo instruments.
The Los Alamitos Boys Soccer team recently won their third consecutive Sunset League, Surf Division Championship. After 2021 and 2022 championship seasons, the Griffins have done it again in 2023 with an 8-1-1 record in league play. The Griffins scored 24 goals, led by seniors Alberto Gomez, James Metcalfe, and Demitrious Tanks and sophomore Jack Nishimoto. In the midfield and on defense, senior Ethan Bradford, juniors Nathan Garcia, Jacob Herrera, Shaun Im, Derek Lund, and goalkeeper, sophomore Anthony Gomez allowed only 11 goals.
Head Coach Donovan Martinez is heading into playoffs after one of the strongest seasons in their history that saw the Griffins defeat rivals Edison and Huntington Beach home and away this season; a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in over 10 years. You can see the Los Al Griffins in CIF playoff action starting Thursday, Feb. 9 when they host Chino Hills at 5 p.m. at Los Alamitos High School. For more information, follow the team on Instagram at: losalboyssoccer2022.
St. Irenaeus Parish Choir members were literally “wined and dined” on the evening of Thursday, January 12th, at St. Irenaeus Parish Hall. The event was a “thank you” to choir members and Music Director, Anthony Kocal, for all their hard work to make the Christmas concert, Noel Night, a success, as well as the beautiful music at Midnight Mass and the whole Christmas Season.
After a short rehearsal, Fr. Aaron Galvizo thanked us all for the extra rehearsals the choir held to prepare music for Christmas. He also blessed the delicious food which was catered by Dominic’s Italian Restaurant in Cypress. The feast included salad, bread sticks, Chicken Marsala, bow tie pasta, meatballs, and rigatoni, as well as assorted wines and water. A scrumptious assortment of desserts topped off this splendid dinner. Pastor, Fr. Binh Nguyen, also joined the party and dined with the choir. A good time was had by all.
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 vo**********@*ol.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.”
“And just last year, we reached that goal,” he said.
