Elaine Bakker loves the Queen Mary, which has resided in Long Beach for nearly 55 years. The British-born lady, who looks out her Sunset Beach window at it daily, can’t wait for the legendary vessel to re-open to the public, after being closed for nearly two years.
She’s been on it many times, had wonderful dinners there, visited friends lodging aboard, and enjoyed walking on its wooden decks, bathing in its elegance and history.
“To think Winston Churchill walked these decks,” said the former resident of Westbourne. “He was such an inspiration to our country & to the world. He never backed down from difficult times and urged people to keep plodding on, no matter what.”
(Her grandfather, Reginald Woodward, played his part in maritime history, having a successful business in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England, doing the laundry for numerous large ships. She said he was known for his exceptionally quick turnaround.)
“I can’t wait to get back on the Queen Mary’s decks,” said the woman, whose husband, Eric, has sold some of that ship’s faucets, doorknobs & handles, which he purchased when it had to be upgraded, after it was retired to Long Beach in 1967. (Eric runs Antiques of the Sea in Sunset Beach.)
Currently, the Queen is undergoing a $5 million repairing, which Long Beach officials say may allow it to reopen later this year. They say the initial effort involves removing many deteriorated lifeboats, structural & electrical work, installing bilge pumps and other things.
Working through its public closure is the ship’s Commodore, Everette Hoard, who has lovingly labored in the famed ocean liner turned floating hotel, for more than 40 years.
The well-known nautical counselor, maritime historian & chief ambassador, who has even officiated weddings on the Queen, looks forward to being on her full-time again and giving tours to college students, the media and visitors of all ages.
“I still go down to my office at least three times a week,” he said. “I’ve been keeping busy organizing the archives & inventorying our collection of original furniture.”
Hoard said he will be lecturing about the Queen Mary on some trips this Summer aboard the Queen Mary 2. He recently lectured over Zoom to a UCLA Architectural & Interior Design History Class, explaining the exciting past of the vessel as well as the sensational collection of art aboard.
Hoard also told Professor Eleanor Schrader & her students about various woods used on the City of Long Beach-owned ship, including Cedar and Tiger Face.
“The Queen Mary is almost like a human. It has a soul,” Hoard said. “I look forward to giving your class tours on the ship, like we used to, before the Pandemic.”
“You are our own treasure,” Professor Schrader told Hoard. “Your extensive knowledge brings architecture and design to life. We can’t wait to get back on the ship for your incredible, memorable tours!”
The City of Los Alamitos is excited to announce the Parklet Series, a sequence of events running Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for four (4) consecutive weeks beginning Thursday, April 21 through Saturday, May 14.
The City is re-imagining this area of Pine Street, as a town center for the community to come together. The Parklet Series will serve as the beginning to help stimulate the local economy by drawing in customers to your business.
The Parklet Series will feature various scheduled activities and entertainment for the community ranging from a live concert and Food Truck Festival on Thursdays, movies presented on an inflatable screen on Fridays, and Farmers Market and vendors on Saturdays. Parking and admission are free all three nights. There will also be a free Kids Zone play area Thursdays and Saturdays. So bring the whole family for four straight weeks of Fun beginning Thursday, April 21.
Here are the lineups:
• Thursday Party on Pine (6:00-8:30pm)
• Live Concert, Kids Zone Area, Food Trucks
• Festival Seating – Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnic (food available for purchase from local restaurants and food trucks)
• 4/21– Knight Ryder
• 4/28– Neon Nation
• 5/5– Suave the Band
• 5/12– The Smokin’ Cobras
• Friday Night Flicks (7:00-9:00pm)
Movie Night
Festival Seating – Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnic (food available for purchase from local restaurants and food trucks)
• 4/22– Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
• 4/29– Sing 2
• 5/6– Encanto
• 5/13– Raya and the Last Dragon
• Sidewalk Saturday (9:00am-12noon)
• Farmers Market, Craft Vendors, Food Trucks, Free Kids Zone, Live Music
A celebration of local artisans, connection and community on the sidewalks.
4/23, 4/30, 5/6, 5/14 – Certified Farmer’s Market & Vendor Fair
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Elisha Booth at (562) 357-4507 or for Vendor information Ted Holcomb (310) 560-9122
Aviation fans, mark your calendars! Pacific Airshow returns to Huntington Beach Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 and fans can expect another thrilling event with world-class aviation, stunning aerobatics, engaging exhibits, a high-speed boat race around Catalina Island and so much more.
This year’s airshow will be headlined by the prestigious U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds which are commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.
The Afterburner Music Festival will also return to Huntington city beach on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 with performers to be announced soon.
“Pacific Airshow, and now combined with Afterburner Music Festival, has become the cornerstone event of the fall season in Southern California. Whether you are mesmerized by the aircraft, captivated by the boats on the water or listening to great music, Pacific Airshow and Afterburner Music Festival have something for everyone,” said Kevin Elliott, director of Pacific Airshow and Afterburner Music Festival. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the beach for the best weekend of the year.”
The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the “Thunderbirds,” recently completed its rigorous four-month training program to be ready for this year’s show season with new synchronized and exhilarating maneuvers that includes a six-ship display, something new for the performance squadron.
Always a fan favorite, the Canadian Snowbirds will return to the Pacific Airshow bringing their popular aerial ballet style of graceful maneuvers to Huntington Beach. With more than 130,000 Canadians living in California, the Snowbirds performance is a taste of home while demonstrating for U.S. Audiences the peaceful cooperation of our two countries.
“The Thunderbirds and the Snowbirds are just the beginning of a world-class line-up with more details, and a few surprises, to be announced soon,” added Elliott.
Pacific Airshow fans can stay in touch with event updates on the mobile app that can be found through their provider’s app store.
Sponsorship opportunities and chalets for corporate hospitality are available. Contact Pacific Airshow at in**@************ow.com for more information.
About Afterburner Music Festival
Afterburner Music Festival is bringing live music back to the Huntington City Beach for the first time in nearly a decade. The Music Festival is an epic two-night event held right on the sand at one of Southern California’s best beaches. Fans can enjoy the Pacific Airshow’s incredible aviation performers during the day and turn on the afterburners with world-class musical talent at night. For more information visit www.afterburnermusicfestival.com.
About Pacific Airshow
The first Pacific Airshow took place in 2016, attracting hundreds of thousands to Huntington Beach for an inspiring display of aviation skill and military might soaring over one of California’s most pristine beaches. The family-friendly airshow continues to flourish and grow under the directorship of Kevin Elliott and his company Code Four, a Huntington Beach, CA based full-service integrated experiential and creative agency. Elliott has reimagined the airshow experience with a combination of unique aviation performers, on-site hospitality and exclusive show elements that awe and inspire attendees.
Spanning over three days, the Airshow features the best in military and civilian flight demonstrations from teams all over the world, including past performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Royal Air Force Red Arrows, and Canadian Forces Snowbirds. In only five years, Pacific Airshow has twice been named Civilian Airshow of the Year by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and in 2019 named among the Top 5 Air Shows by USA Today’s 10 Best.
For more information, please visit www.pacificairshow.com, follow Pacific Airshow on social media @pacificairshow and download the mobile app from the app store.
This Monday, the Cypress City Council will vote on increasing the trash rate by another $1.01 per month based on the consumer price index. Prior to the increase approved in January, the residential rate was $16.17 per month. As such, if this is approved, since January residential rates will have increased $6.28 per month or 38.8%.
While some Council Members say we have a great rate compared to other cities, comparing our rate to other cities’ rates can be very misleading as rates do not provide an appropriate ‘apples to apples’ comparison. Cypress received several competitive bids for trash services in 2014. Valley Vista was awarded a ten-year contract to begin in July 2015.
Less than 2 years later, Valley Vista came back to the City requesting a rate increase and relief from reimbursements required in the contract. Valley Vista made the request pursuant to the Extraordinary Adjustment section of the contract. An independent review of their request by R3 Consulting concluded that an Extraordinary Adjustment was not justified. The August 2017 City Council stated that ‘Unfortunately, the current Franchise has become financially unsustainable for VVS which creates uncertainty regarding the future of trash collection in Cypress.’
I recently asked the City Clerk for a copy of any and all audits the City has performed pursuant to Section 8.04 of the Valley Vista agreement which provides the City the right to audit Valley Vista’s payments, operations and financial records. The response from the City Clerk stated that ‘the City has determined that there are no records responsive to your request.’ Rather than taking the contract back out to bid, the City Council made substantial changes to the contract in August 2017 without even conducting an audit although R3 consulting stated that Valley Vista’s problems resulted from “inaccurate estimates by the Collector of its cost of operations”.
The amendments made to the contract by the City Council in August 2017 included the following:
-Graffiti Removal Services
Section 6.08 of the original contract stated ‘Collector shall remove graffiti, at its sole cost and expense, use and furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, materials, and transportation necessary for the satisfactory performance of graffiti removal services to public and private properties in the City of Cypress.’ The rationale in the agenda to remove this requirement stated: Contracting for graffiti removal service outside of the Franchise will enable VVS to focus on the efficient collection of solid waste. The City maintained a separate graffiti removal contract when Republic Services was the trash Franchisee and the annual cost is estimated to be $110,000. It is also recommended VVS continue to provide graffiti removal service under the terms of the Franchise while the City secures a graffiti removal contractor, but no longer than December 31, 2017.
-Bulky Item Collection
Under Republic Services, residents received two free bulky item collections each year. The VVS Franchise increased free bulky item collection to 12 items per year and, in doing so, created a significant cost for VVS and the potential for the service to be abused. Adjusting bulky item collections from 12 items to two items per year, while maintaining two citywide Clean Up Days and free Christmas tree collection, will provide residents a high level of service and strengthen the Franchise. Should a customer need more than two bulky items collected, outside a citywide Clean Up Day, they would be charged $52.37 per item.
-City Fees
Beginning with FY 2015-16 the VVS Franchise provided the City new Franchise-related revenue of $213,000 above what Republic Services paid. These Expenditure Reimbursement Fee revenues are unrestricted and represent less than one percent of the General Fund. They are adjusted annually for inflation and budgeted at $223,000 in FY 2017-18. Releasing VVS from these new fees will strengthen the Franchise while maintaining the same Franchise Fee the City received from Republic Services.
-Extend the Franchise Term to June 30, 2027
The current 10-year Franchise expires June 30, 2025and provides the City Council with the option to extend the Franchise for one two-year term and two one-year terms (a total of up to four years). Exercising the two-year extension provides VVS additional certainty and strength with lenders and financial institutions.
These amendments were made without a bid. More substantial changes were made in 2021 including adding another 10 years to the term of the agreement along with substantial price increases. While the City Council now states that the City could incur substantial penalties if they were to go out to bid, the question remains as to why the City didn’t rebid the contract in 2017 with full knowledge that the contract was financially unsustainable for Valley Vista. Why did they extend it in 2017 for 2 years and again in 2021 for another 10 years?
In a 2019 article by Teresa Santin regarding renegotiating a public contract after the award, she makes some excellent points:
1) Modifying contract terms after bid opening could impair the sanctity of the sealed bid process and otherwise undermine open and honest competition, which protects the public and other bidders from favoritism and fraud.
2) With these principles in mind, a “substantial” deviation or modification of a contract post-award impermissibly affords the winning bidder a competitive advantage. A modification is substantial if it affects the amount of the bid and affords a bidder an advantage not allowed to the other bidders.
3) Substantial modifications after bid opening include waiving or renegotiating any aspect of the contract affecting the price.
Teresa Santin is an Associate at Brouse McDowell LPA practicing primarily in the area of construction and real estate litigation, both in commercial and residential contexts.
Los Alamitos went out to bid recently and evaluated 7 bids from 7 different companies yet Valley Vista submitted the highest residential rate. You might understand how they could come in 2nd or 3rd but 7th out of 7? Besides a great rate, the Los Alamitos contract also provides the city with $125,000 reimbursement for street services. Again, the rates the city compares us to is not an ‘apples to apples’ comparison. We would need to be told what reimbursements or services each of these cities receives besides simply trash pick-up which is pretty much what Valley Vista provides.
In a 2011 presentation by city attorneys made to the League of California Cities, the following was stated: ‘The purpose of requiring governmental entities to open the contracts process to public bidding is to eliminate favoritism, fraud and corruption; avoid misuse of public funds; and stimulate advantageous market place competition.’
It’s really just that simple. This contract should not have been extended from the original 10 years to the current 22-year term and most likely should have been rebid in 2017 when it was determined that the contract was not financially sustainable. Actions like these cause many residents to question what else goes on behind closed doors.
Mark your calendars, a NEW live music concert series is debuting this spring! Presented by Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley via the County’s Arts-Related Grant Relief Program, OC Live will bring the power of live music to multiple venues in Orange County with live music performances from over twenty local artists, across six days, May 10th – 15th.
“We want to offer a fun social experience where families and friends can gather and get back to living our best OC lives. Let’s celebrate the arts and the resiliency of our Orange County community,” shared Supervisor Foley. “Economic recovery for small businesses and artists remains a top priority for my office. I know how hard the pandemic hit the OC Arts and restaurant industries and we want to help. Our Arts Grants help fund musicians, drive business to small business venues, and support local nonprofits that lost fundraising opportunities and support during the pandemic.”
With the mission to support the arts, OC Live will kick-off with a night of performances and a grant check presentation from Supervisor Foley on Tuesday, May 10th at Dick Church’s Restaurant in Costa Mesa. Nightly performances will continue throughout the week at Dick Church’s, Strut, and culminate at the Newport Dunes for the weekend performances.
Attendees can expect performances from popular SoCal artists including Flashback Heart Attack, Matt Costa, Zach Churchill, Rebel ShakeDown, Hot Rod Trio, David Rosales, Ash Lee, and many more. For the full list of bands and venues visit https://d2.ocgov.com/oc-live-concert-series-presented-orange-county-supervisor-katrina-foley.
Gather friends and family to enjoy live music from local OC venues in a family-friendly environment with food, drinks, and sunny SoCal’s spring weather. All ages are welcome and concert series tickets are $5 per person (ages 10+) with proceeds going to support local arts and culture programming, administered by Arts Orange County, the official nonprofit local arts agency of the County of Orange. OC Live seating is limited at select venues and reserving tickets prior to show dates is encouraged.
To purchase tickets and for more information on OC Live and Supervisor Katrina Foley visit https://d2.ocgov.com/oc-live-concert-series-presented-orange-county-supervisor-katrina-foley.
Facebook: @OCLiveSeries
Instagram: @OCLiveGram
The Los Alamitos Show Choir is celebrating after a winning weekend at the Show Choir Nationals competition held at the Gaylord Opryland Complex and Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
The award-winning program with seven choirs added to its achievements during the three-day event from March 25-27.
Both Sound FX, the advanced mixed show choir, and Soundtrax, the advanced women’s show choir, earned top honors.
Sound FX was named the Grand Champion of the entire event and earned awards for Outstanding Vocals and Outstanding Choreography. In addition, Danielle Barron was named Best Female Soloist and Alessandro Briseño-Tapia was named Best Male Soloist.
Soundtrax earned first place in the Women’s Division as well as awards for Outstanding Visuals and Outstanding Vocals. Jay Garcia earned an award for Outstanding Soloist.
There were a total of 13 mixed choirs competing and five women’s groups, according to showchoir.com.
According to the district, this marks the 15th title for Sound FX under the direction of David Moellenkamp. It’s the 7th title for Soundtrax under the direction of Moana Dherlin.
The City of Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department is holding its annual MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Spring Carnival on Saturday, April 16th at Little Cottonwood Park (4000 Farquhar Avenue).
The event is from 9:30am – 12:00pm and offers egg hunts, face painting, carnival games, vendor booths, bounce houses, photo area with Peter Rabbit and more!
The event will have 4 egg hunt areas (ages 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) with the first hunt starting at 10:00am. Event is subject to change or cancellation based on COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of the event. For more information, please visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430-1073.
April started off with a bang for Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Band. Their track, “Rain Cried Softly,” just won another Gold Award at the One Earth Awards, this time for Best Music Video – Narrative/Montage based. The peaceful song previously won Gold for Best Jazz Single. The One Earth Awards is an awards show that recognizes musicians and filmmakers from all over the world who are using their art to make the world a better place.
“Rain Cried Softly” was written as Gregg’s “save the rainforest” song. It was recorded at Mambo Sound & Recording in Long Beach with Engineer Steve McNeil and Producer Gregg Young. Several musicians helped make this magical, timeless track come to life, including Tom Zink, keys; Anders Swanson, bass; Chris Wabich; drums; Tiki Pasillas, percussion; Ambrose Splescia, soprano sax and Gregg Young, guitar.
The music video was released on YouTube in January 2020. Editors Amanda De La Torre, Ai Saito and Crisel Santos brought even more life to the healing tune through this stunning piece of visual art.
Gregg and the Band were incredibly excited to have been awarded Best Jazz Single, but now with this new win for Best Music Video, they are even more honored. Double Gold, they can’t believe it! The Band is looking forward to performing their award-winning “Rain Cried Softly” at upcoming spring and summer events. Book them now!
For full details about Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Band, visit their website.
Gregg Young is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and owner and founder of Shore Records. He is an ASCAP Composer/Publisher, Grammy voting member and has been the Music Director at the iconic Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood for over a decade, until the pandemic hit. He is a self-established top tier musician in today’s saturated music industry. Young also leads Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Band, the house band at the Dome Arclight Entertainment Center.
The Band has been nominated Best Jazz, Best Pop and Best Latin for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. They have been considered for Grammys for Best Americana/Folk/Acoustic Song and Best American Roots Performance. In addition to these nominations and considerations, they have won Best Blues and Best Funk/Groove for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, as well as Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year for the LA Music Awards.
Sangeeta Kaur, an American opera singer in residence with the Seal Beach Symphony, was awarded a Grammy Award for her performance in the Best Classical Solo Vocal Album category during the 64th annual Grammy Awards held in Las Vegas April 3, making history in the process.
Kaur, who recently appeared at the February “Love Songs” event in Seal Beach, put the artistic world on notice that her musical message of peace, love and harmony is powerful, and is here to stay.
Kaur celebrates her victory in the Barry Manilow Suite in Las Vegas after winning her first-ever Grammy Award. Photo by Jayson Alberio.
“This album was made with love and friendship,” Kaur told The Recording Academy after accepting the award. She thanked the Recording Academy for the Award and for the work they do to facilitate the “communities of music” around the world.
Kaur and fellow soprano Hila Plitmann were presented with Grammy Awards by The Recording Academy for their vocal performances on the album “Mythologies,” composed by pianist Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, who also was awarded a Grammy.
Kaur, of Vietnamese descent, Plitmann, of Israeli descent and composer Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, of Greek and French origin, said the album was a spiritual gift to people all over the world.
“It is a miracle,” Kaur said during her acceptance speech. “It is proof that we can create miracles with love,” the soprano said, urging fellow musicians around the world to “put more love in our art and music.”
According to Operawire, Kaur becomes the first artist of Vietnamese descent to be nominated, and win, a Grammy Award in this category.
Kaur graduated with an opera performance degree from Bob Cole Conservatory of California State University, Long Beach and obtained a master’s degree from the top-performing art college Boston Conservatory.
Kaur and Plitmann pose for photos at the After Party. Photo by Jayson Alberio
Previously, she has released five albums, including “Niguma,” “Ascension,” “Mirrors,” “Compassion” and “Illuminance.”
Kaur and the other “Mythologies” artists surpassed many nominees in the category, including Will Liverman, Joyce DiDonato, Jamie Barton and Laura Strickling.
In an interview after the ceremony, Kaur said “I am beyond ecstatic and grateful for this recognition. It’s unreal. I’m still pinching myself. It is an honor to have been on the list of nominees with such incredible artists such as the legendary Joyce DiDonato,” she said.
“I am so blessed to have such loving and talented friends like Hila Plitmann and Danaë Vlasse. What a blessing it is to share this Grammy with my two dear soul sisters,” said Kaur.
As an historic, first-ever Vietnamese American Grammy winner in the category, Kaur said she hoped it will inspire others with similar dreams.
“To my Vietnamese community all around the world, I love you. I feel proud and honored to be the first Vietnamese American woman to have won a Grammy in this category, Best Classical Solo Vocal Album, said Kaur.
“I hope that we can help and come together to continue to support our younger generation of Vietnamese artists and musicians around the world to achieve their dreams in the arts,” she added.
Hai Nguyen, left, and Sangeeta Kaur at the Grammy Awards. Photo by Jayson Alberio
Kaur also thanked her husband, who she said had made all things possible for her and the team. “I especially want to thank my husband, Hai Nguyen for all of his love and support in all of us. You are an angel,” she said.
In a Sept. 2021 article, the Sun profiled Kaur’s musical ascendency, noting her meteoric rise since refocusing her music into a new age, spiritual genre with a message of peace.
Kaur’s message of spiritual peace resonates not only with her audience, but obviously with Xanthe Vlasse, the “Mythologies” album’s composer.
Composer Danae Vlasse, Kaur, and Plitmann at the Grammy after party. Photo by Jayson Alberio
“Nothing matters in life unless we exist in harmony with those around us,” said composer Xanthe Vlasse, noting that “this award is meaningful because it is a testament to the immensely loving contributions of those around me.”
“I grew up in a French-Greek household and a love of both cultures has been with me all my life,” she said.
“My father is from the island of Ithaca, which was prominent in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, so I’ve always felt connected to that history,” she said.
Plitmann and Kaur perform at a special event at the Grammy Museum in Sept. 2021. DNY photo
Using the drama in Homer’s Odyssey, Vlasse said she composed six musical sonnets of a sort for the album “Mythologies.”
It contains six musical allegories set in Ancient Greece, which are given musical voice by the epic sopranos, Kaur and Plitmann, and was ultimately selected by The Recording Academy as the “Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.”
“Sharing this with my two soul sisters [Kaur and Plitmann] makes it three times as nice,” said Vlasse.
The three artists are best friends and have already hinted about working together on a new project.
For Plitmann, this is her third Grammy Award. She thanked her son and boyfriend, also expressing appreciation to the “Mythologies” team and the Recording Academy.
Greg Scelsa Courtesy photo
Kaur’s manager, Gregory Scelsa, a long-time veteran of the music industry, said the most difficult part was getting the word out to members of The Recording Academy.
However, for Scelsa, the historic recognition was no surprise. “Sangeeta, along with Danaë and Hila, have been doing Grammy worthy music for quite some time,” he suggested.
Following the Grammy Awards ceremony, Kaur and her husband, Hai Nguyen, hosted an afterparty in the Barry Manilow Suite at the Westgate hotel in Las Vegas. They were joined by many of their friends, family members and fellow musicians as they celebrated the Grammy win.
Kaur said collaborators and producers, some of who were also awarded Grammy Awards for their key roles in the project.
Chief Recording Engineer Gerhard Joost
“Thank you to Emilio D. Miler, co-producer on this album,” said Kaur, “and Gerhard Joost, audio engineer, and all of the incredible musicians who shared their talents on this album.”
Joost said winning a Grammy “really feels good,” especially after an illustrious recording career that began in Ohio and saw Joost evolve into one of L.A.’s top producers, working with the likes of Dru Hill, Missy Elliott, Michael Jackson and more.
Among the musicians stacked into Kaur’s after party suite was International Latin recording artist Gustavo Alarco. Standing next to Barry Manilow’s piano, Alarco donned a pair of sunglasses and said, “you can’t have a trip to Vegas without a little Elvis.”
Gustavo Alarco sings “Now or Never” as Sangeeta Kaur and Hai Nguyen dance at the After Party. DNY photo
Alarco sang the Elvis classic “It’s Now or Never” as Sangeeta Kaur and her husband enjoyed a unique opportunity to dance as the others looked on.
Going forward, Kaur and Nguyen have purchased a ranch home in Austin, Texas, that includes a state-of-the-art recording studio. Joost, a producer, the Chief Recording Engineer at Studio Hill, their collaborative Texas venture.
Kaur said she will continue to split her time between L.A. and Texas.
Kaur and her husband Hai Nguyen, right, present check for $100,000 to Chad Berlinghieri, President and Artistic Director of the Seal Beach Symphony three years ago. DNY photo
Chad Berlinghieri, the President and Artistic Director of the Seal Beach Symphony, said Kaur’s Grammy Award opens many new doors for her.
“Having known her since our college days, I have been able to watch her grow and blossom into the artist that just won a Grammy while still being so incredibly young,” said Berlinghieri.
“The question that I ask now is ‘what’s next,’” he said in a statement.
“With her mantra repertoire, is she now the new Enya? Being able to crossover so well, will she become the next Celine Dion? Of course, the world of Grand Opera is always an option. The Grammy will open so many doors, which will she choose?” said Berlinghieri.
Kaur, who is also quickly becoming a savvy soprano, recently collaborated with Stephen Powers to bring Wisdome Austin, the Immersive Art & Meditation Experience, to Texas. It quickly become one of the most popular attractions during the pop tech South by Southwest event.
“I will continue to use art to help others find purpose,” she said.
Plitmann, left, and Kaur, share a special moment. Photo by Jayson Alberio
Kaur, who is one of PBS’ featured artists on its current Front and Center series, said the win confirms her belief that artistry can make a huge difference for so many around the world.
“Art is so powerful,” said Kaur, noting “we can use this platform to bring more love and peace across the globe as well as to share our beautiful heritage with the world.
Six years ago, the last time local swim Coach Danylo Proskura visited his Ukrainian hometown, little did he know that it might be the last time he would ever see the country in all its glory.
Now as the Associate head coach of the Golden West Swim Club (GWSC) in Huntington Beach, this Ukrainian native said this week he and his wife Olga fear for their families and friends as the Russian Army seemingly kills indiscriminately and destroy much of the nation they once called home.
“It’s hard to go through this being here,” said Coach Danylo in an interview this week, “because our friends and families are there.” The swim coach said his hometown is a short drive from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that caught fire during an attack by Russian forces.
Coach Danylo, a former Ukrainian Olympic swimmer, was invited to coach in the USA about a decade ago and now trains competitive swimmers, including Olympic hopefuls. The GWSC club of 250 members includes swimmers from Los Alamitos and Seal Beach
Danylo, who said his dad is also a swim coach, began swimming in 1991 and competing in 1993. After winning multiple gold medals in 1500 free as a Ukrainian Junior National, in 1998, he was selected to represent and join the Ukrainian National Team.
During happier days in the Ukraine (L-R) Coach Danylo’s dad Ivan, his mom Tatiana, sister-in-law Arina and brother Denys. Courtesy photo
As a professional swimmer, he attended the Zaporizhzhia National University and graduated with a master’s degree in Sports Science and Physical Education in 2004. He became a swim coach/teacher and worked with world-class swimmers and triathletes.
Over his 18-year international coaching career, he trained and prepared Ukrainian athletes for the Paralympics in Beijing and London, the Olympics in Athens and London, European Swimming Championship in Madrid and France, and most recently, the FISU World University Games in Korea (2015). Under his guidance, the athletes earned multiple international and national swimming medals, according to his official bio.
In addition to his success as a swim coach, he also trained triathlon Olympic athletes who competed in the Olympics in Athens, Beijing, and London (2012).
For now, however, Coach Danylo said his thoughts are miles away from swimming. He and his wife have started an online fundraiser to support his Ukrainian family members, hoping eventually to bring many of them to the USA.
“We have been able to put our relatives in a safe place,” said Coach Danylo, noting that his in-laws have been able to relocate to Western Ukraine. “That’s where they are right now, but we would like to get them across the border.”
Coach Danylo and his wife Olga during their most recent trip to Ukraine before the war. Courtesy photo
“My wife’s parents, Oleg and Valentina, are trying to get to western Ukraine, but the road could be dangerous. Due to the war, they are unable to work and provide for themselves as many of my friends,” Coach Danylo said in his fundraising appeal.
He said his mother-in-law needs treatment “and we are hopeful to be able to bring them [Olga’s parents] here one day.”
Coach Danylo said his father Ivan is still working as a professional swim coach and was working in Oman at the outset of the current war. For now, Coach Danylo said his mother is safe, yet did not want to reveal the location.
“Lots of people are struggling with food and medicine, and we have friends and my even my wife’s cousin, she just had a baby,” said Coach Danylo. “I’m trying to help them because it’s hard for them, even to buy formula for kids.”
“It is very hard,” he said, “so, we are trying to help as much as we can.”
Danylo says he’s “watched in horror” the scenes of Ukrainian destruction that have flashed across the media. “I even saw a pool where I once swam as an Olympian destroyed into rubble,” he said.
Coach Danylo’s friend Maksym who has joined the National Guard to defend his city.
Thus far, Coach Danylo has raised about 60 percent of his fundraising goal, even if getting the money to relatives has been difficult. He says he has “maxed out” on MoneyGram and Western Union, so they have begun putting the funds on debit cards and are trying to ship them until he can again send them online.
Dwight Osborne, President of the Golden West Swim Club, praised Coach Danylo, asking “those of who can,” to donate.
“Many of you are aware that Coach Danylo’s home country of Ukraine is currently fighting for its sovereignty after an unprovoked attack by the Russian government,” said Osborne in a statement.
“With the rest of the world, we are watching with horror the tragedy unfolding and the growing humanitarian need as families are being forced from their homes in search of safety.”
Coach Danylo, and his wife Olga, have family members back in Ukraine who are currently in a very grave situation. And we can only imagine what they must be going through monitoring the situation back home,” said Osborne.
“Coach Danylo has dedicated his US coaching career to Golden West College for the last five years,” he said, “tirelessly working with our athletes to continue developing competitive swimmers. He is 100% dedicated to supporting and assisting them in reaching their goals,” he said.
“Our swimmers greatly respect Coach Danylo for his honesty, feedback, and his lessons on resiliency,” said the Golden West Swim Club President.
Coach Danylo with competitive swimmer. Courtesy photo
“Now it is our turn to support coach Danylo during this very difficult time. We ask that our families keep coach Danylo and his family in our thoughts and prayers as the situation continues to unfold,” he added.
“Golden West stands with the Ukrainian people,” said Osborne. “Witnessing their continued bravery, strength and solidarity only remind us of how important and yet fragile freedom and independence is,” he added.
Local swimmers also said they support Coach Danylo during these extraordinary circumstances.
“I met Coach Danylo when I moved to Los Alamitos four years ago, and he shaped the majority of my swim career, guiding me through many milestones I never could have accomplished without his coaching,” said Kaylah Rhee, 15.
“Due to Ukraine’s current situation, he and his family are experiencing many hardships I can’t begin to imagine,” said Lee, who is a member of the Los Alamitos High School Varsity Swim Team and a Golden West Swim Club member.
Coach Danylo with Golden West Swim Club members. Courtesy photo
“Coach Danylo has always been there for us, correcting our techniques and consistently available at practices and meets,” said 14-year-old Caleb Sandvig. “He’s been a huge part of how strong of a swimmer I have become, especially in terms of my technique.”
“I believe that our community can support him and his family and I hope that others can come together to help such a great coach,” said Sandvig, who is an eighth-grader at Oak Middle School and also a GWSC member.
“Coach Danylo is the best swim coach I have ever had, and he cares about all of us as his athletes,” said Baron Lemus, 13, an eighth-grader at McAuliffe Middle School and also a GWSC member.
“I know he cares for his family in the same way, but more. Coach has worked hard to get to where he is in his career and his family shouldn’t have to lose everything after all that they’ve worked for. I hope this community can come together to support one of our own during this time,” he said.
Like many, Coach Danylo said he never expected Russia to invade Ukraine, especially with such savagery. “When they started gathering troops on the border, I was hoping it was just flexing its muscle against NATO. And all of a sudden, we get this,” says Coach Danylo.
“Bombs, rockets, all flying. It’s devastating and is just heartbreaking,” he said sadly, “it really, really is.”
Editor’s Note: Anyone wanting to help should reach out to ma***********@***il.com. Here is the link to the fundraiser below:
Los Alamitos High School football coach Ray Fenton has a question for his student-athletes: Can they D.I.G it?
For Fenton, the question offers a chance for some life lessons because of what it represents. The “D” stands for dignity, the “I” for integrity and the “G” for grace. And he incorporates these values into his coaching and teaching.
“It’s what we hang our hat on in our program,” Fenton said. He explains that he tells athletes: “Your actions as a football player dignify our program.”
For example, Fenton shared how his juniors are organized into teams earning points in a friendly competition off the field, mostly for behavior. If a player gets a note of praise from a teacher, his team gets points. On the other hand, a negative email from a teacher could detract from the team’s score.
There’s also some fun competitions like a recent dance-off judged by the Los Alamitos High School Song team.
“We compete physically, we compete fun-wise and we compete with real-life behavior,” Fenton said.
He also said he projects an attitude of gratitude, encouraging players to ask themselves: “What if tomorrow we wake up in the morning with only the things we gave thanks for today?”
A smiling and upbeat Fenton shared his motivational messages as the featured speaker at the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast held April 1 at Madera’s Steakhouse. Employed at Los Alamitos High School since 2016, Fenton has led the Griffins to two Sunset League Titles and the CIF Semifinals.
Fenton’s roughly 20-minute talk, infused with humor and warmth, covered a lot of topics from his bout with Covid-19 and how his parents also survived the coronavirus to the “foolish” (Fenton’s talk was on April Fool’s Day) minimum measurements, like the size of a player’s hands, that can sometimes exclude talented athletes from the National Football League.
He measured the hands of audience members which led to a competition to lift heavy weights. Los Alamitos Police Chief Michael Claborn won that contest and a football signed by LAHS star quarterback Malachi Nelson.
Fenton easily transitioned from talking football to talking about relationships. At one point, he encouraged attendees to take out their phones to text message the person they considered their biggest supporter. His biggest supporters happened to be in the room that day, his mother and father.
New NCAA Policy could introduce financial boon to high school athletes
Fenton also touched on a new policy for college athletes that he said could transform high school sports.
The NCAA now allows college athletes and recruits to be paid for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) with endorsements, products, appearances and more, similar to professional players.
Adopted last June, the interim policy has already resulted in financial deals for college athletes, according to ESPN. Last month, an unnamed five-star rated high school football player reportedly signed an NIL deal worth $8 million and he’s only a junior.
This unnamed player reportedly stands to earn $350,000 before he even finishes high school. Fenton said the player is ranked lower than LAHS junior Malachi Nelson, the quarterback who has committed to playing at USC.
“Welcome to high school football,” Fenton said with a knowing look that acknowledged the potential pros and cons of this new policy.
Fenton recognized the policy could lead to a life-changing financial boon for a student’s family. On the other hand, the introduction of so much money at the high school level could change how games are played.
Fenton brought up a possible scenario where one of his players is competing with another player across the country to boost his NIL profitability. What happens during a high-scoring game when you would normally pull your star athlete out and give playing time to another kid who has also put in the time and effort?
“I have to pull this kid out and it’s gonna hurt him financially to put this kid in because he deserves to play. Tough decisions,” Fenton said, torn with the prospect of such a dilemma. He quickly turned to a lighthearted joke: “And add a couple of parents in there; forget about it,” he said with a grin, which drew laughter from the audience.
Fenton said his program will keep looking to D.I.G. acronym to face the future. He said grace is the biggest part of the program.
“High school kids, they’re gonna make mistakes. I make mistakes every day,” Fenton said. He stressed that if players and coaches can sit down and talk about the mistakes, not make excuses but commit to making up for them, then that will lead to better outcomes.
“We come out with not just a better football player, but we come out with a better person and not just a better person in general, but a better person better equipped for life.”
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day, and we want all of you to get involved in the celebration! Join your friends and family for the Arbor Day Celebration, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, starting at 4 p.m. in Central Park, 7821 Walker Street. The event will be held near the softball field with crafts, recognition of the Arbor Day Art Contest participants, and of course, the planting of a tree in the Park.
Tree Sponsorship Program: The City is seeking sponsorship from community groups, organizations, and individuals to assist with the purchase of new trees. If you or your organization is interested in becoming a Tree Sponsor for this event, please call the Community Services Department (714) 690-3350 or visit www.cityoflapalma.org/ArborDay.
Arbor Day Art & Coloring Contest: If your child or student is in Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade and is interested in participating in the art and coloring contest, you may pick up a form at the Community Services Department at 7821 Walker Street or download a form from www.cityoflapalma.org/ArborDay.We hope you will join us for the Arbor Day Celebration and continue to grow the future.
For more information, visit www.cityoflapalma.org/ArborDay or call the Community Services Department at (714) 690-3350.
Ranked by Money Magazine in 2015, 2013, 2011, and 2007 as one of America’s Best Places to Live, the City of La Palma is a 1.9 square mile general law city in northwest Orange County, consisting of over 15,581 residents and approximately 300 commercial and industrial businesses. The City was incorporated in 1955 under the name of Dairyland and has 53 full-time and 35 part-time employees.
Yet another recent racing horse death at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress has once again put the local facility under the microscope of the California Horse Racing Board, which for now, announced it is merely monitoring safety steps being taken at the facility.
According to a statement by the California Horse Racing Board, track owners have agreed to consult a racing surface expert on the condition of the dirt track after four recent deaths have prompted concern.
“The California Horse Racing Board has been in contact with personnel and executives at Los Alamitos Race Course concerning the four recent catastrophic injuries of horses at that facility,” the state agency said in a statement.
In 2021, the CHRB granted Los Alamitos Race Course a one-year license after a string of earlier deaths. The track had twice made changes in 2020 and the board only granted the one-year permit after track owner Edward Allred threatened to shut it down.
After a string of four recent deaths, the CHRB said it is working with Los Alamitos to eliminate obstacles and bring in experts to create safer conditions.
The CHRB said the track is considering the elimination of “high toe grabs” on hind shoes and that a “breaking bar” used at the starting gate to aid horses in gaining footing at the start will no longer be used.
In addition, the track will confer with veterinary officials at the University of California-Davis regarding back injuries, the CHRB statement said.
Four equine fatalities at Los Alamitos in the last few weeks have led to several immediate policy changes at the track’s evening meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds.
The CHRB said the recent fatalities began March 12 when the Thoroughbred mare Ballet Royalty collapsed after finishing last of five. Her death was classified as a “sudden death” case, according to the racing board, and will result in a post-mortem examination.
The three other recent fatalities at Los Alamitos were caused by musculoskeletal injuries sustained by Quarter Horses.
Here are the circumstances laid out by the board:
• The 6-year-old mare Ballet Royalty finished fifth (last) in the first race at Los Alamitos on March 12. She galloped back and was unsaddled, but then she collapsed while walking off. This is termed a “sudden death.” As always, a postmortem examination will be performed to provide more insight.
• The 3-year-old filly Fastidious pulled up before the wire in the seventh race on March 19 at Los Alamitos. The injury required euthanasia.
• The 5-year-old horse Stolen Lives pulled up while galloping out after the ninth race at Los Alamitos on March 20. The jockey dismounted, then the horse was vanned off. The injury required euthanasia.
• The unraced 3-year-old colt See You At Front sustained an injury while galloping during training on the morning of March 23, requiring euthanasia.
In its statement, the racing board suggested that the elimination of the breaking bar and some toe grabs on hind shoes may reduce leg injuries.
Media reports indicate the latest fatalities make nine fatalities this year at tracks or training centers under the jurisdiction of the racing board. Los Alamitos has had four fatalities, while Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita have had two each. One was recorded at the San Luis Rey Downs training center.
“For people like us who love horses, we grieve every death,” said Dr. Edward Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos Race Course. He said the public should understand that Los Alamitos Race Course is regularly used for training of between 1500 -2000 race horses and although incidents do seem to happen in batches, he said the situation should always be viewed in context.
“We don’t think it’s a problem with the track, but we’re always open to make things better,” said Allred.
He said the track’s safety consultant, Dennis Moore, has been with Los Alamitos Race Course for decades, “just like his father before him. “We love horses and always provide them with the best possible circumstances,” said Allred.
The CHRB said it will continue to closely monitor and scrutinize activities at Los Alamitos and will take appropriate action as needed.
Four years in the making, the City of Cypress has finally opened Lexington Park, a facility that drew quite a bit of ire from some residents during its construction and has now opened to the public.
“This is truly a special occasion,” said Cypress Mayor Paulo Morales, according to a video played back to the City Council at its March 28 meeting.
“The fantastic part is that you’re enjoying the result of a long-standing partnership,” said Morales, acknowledging the donation by Los Alamitos Race Course owner Edward Allred of 10 acres that made the park possible.
Morales said 15 months of construction then turned the abandoned golf course into a “first-class park” that will support the growth and development of the next generation by providing them a safe place to play.
Recreation Director Jeffrey Draper said more than 3,000 of the city’s residents turned out for the March 12 dedication and grand opening ceremonies.
He said residents were busy enjoying the multi-use sports court, including pickleball, and were organized in family play on the city’s two new athletic fields, while food trucks kept residents well fed.
The fun continued throughout the afternoon at the city’s newest park and the festive afternoon was capped off with a twilight concert featuring Knight Rider.
“Even though recreation gets all the credit for hosting a grand opening, as mayor Morales said in the video, Lexington Park took about four years from start to finish,” said Draper. “That being said, it was an enormous task and … it was truly a team effort.”
During oral communications, several people lauded the new facility.
Jeff Dronkers, a member of the AYSO sports league board said, “Lexington Park is a game-changer.” He said the league has 75 teams, and 23 practice fields, necessitating multiple sessions and “making do with what we have.”
He said Lexington Park immediately raises practice field use by 50 percent for the league. “For me, this was a brass ring, and you only get a few of those, so thank you very much to the Council,” he said.
“Our boys and our girls are so much safer on that park now,” said Kristin Jackson, and “it’s a huge space.” Previously, she said, teams played their soccer games on a modified field without as much space as a “full-size soccer field.”
“To watch these boys, and girls, play on a field where they can actually pass and move is really heartwarming to us,” she said.
Activist Brittney Cook lauded city staff and sports officials who were proactive in answering her questions and concerns, though she still wished the city had built different park amenities.
“I still wish it was something else but listen, I can wish that all I want but it’s not a detriment, not a bad thing, and every promise made to my neighborhood was kept,” said Cook.
“Shaded pavilions for barbecue provide friends and family a place to gather and celebrate, colorful diverse playgrounds, sports courts for volleyball, basketball, and pickleball and a walking path with outdoor exercise stations make Lexington Park an attraction for our entire community,” said Morales.
The mayor said lots of extra parking with high-tech lighting is planned for LexPark, along with security systems to ensure it enhances the neighborhoods that surround it.
He proudly extols the new development as “a unique addition to Cypress’ network of 21 parks.”
Los Alamitos Medical Center celebrated National Doctors’ Day this past week by paying tribute to its physicians for their service, skill, and compassion.
Across Tenet Health Pacific Coast, the theme of “Thank You for Always Being There” depicts a collective sentiment of deep appreciation for the outstanding group of physicians who tirelessly care for our community, according to spokesperson Jennifer Bayer.
“On behalf of all our employees and patients, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our physicians, the leaders of healthcare in Los Alamitos,” said Kent Clayton, chief executive officer of Los Alamitos Medical Center.
“I believe strongly in the value of saying ‘thank you’ every day, but today, we pause to honor the contributions of our physicians for their dedication to the health of our community,” Clayton said.
The hospital spokesperson said due to the hard work and dedication to quality of care and patient safety demonstrated by their physicians and staff over the past year, LAMC has proudly received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and the Association’s Stroke SM Elite Plus and Type Two Diabetes Honor Role Awards.
Bayer said it “further demonstrates to our community our commitment to delivering top-quality health care.”
Celebrated on March 30 each year, Doctors’ Day was officially established in 1991. March 30 also marks the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery by Dr. Crawford W. Long in 1842.
National Doctors’ Day is commonly celebrated in healthcare organizations as a day to recognize the contributions of doctors to individual lives and communities.
After a festival season that saw the Los Alamitos High School Orchestra win numerous “superior” ratings, the group settled in for a first-ever “Candlelight Celebration” on March 30 at the school’s Performing Arts Center.
“On behalf of the entire Los Alamitos high school orchestra program, I would like to welcome you to our very first candlelight orchestra celebration,” said Maestro Justin Padilla, who directs the school’s Jazz and Orchestra programs.
While the school sponsors a traditional “Spotlight” fundraising concert for jazz (slated for April 9), this is the first time the school’s orchestra performed a solo event.
“This performance is a celebration of the hard work our students and staff have put into making music that uplifts the heart and satisfies the soul,” said Padilla. “After working diligently during festival season to receive unanimous superiors from the judges, it is time for us to simply celebrate the orchestra without any critique.”
Several luminaries dotted the crowd, including school board trustees Marlys Davidson, Scott Fayette, Board President Diana Hill, and Vice President Chris Forehan. Los Alamitos Council member Ron Bates was in attendance along with Christiana Kraus, the school’s principal.
Padilla said the program featured student senior soloists, and for the very first time, the Orchestra had a special guest performer, violinist Jooeun Lee.
The Los Alamitos High School Orchestra DNY photo
Flanked by candelabras and on a stage lined with candles, the LAHS Orchestra opened with Andante Festivo, written by Jean Sibelius, followed by Scherzo in C Minor by Franz Joseph Haydn and arranged by Sandra Dackow.
Before the introduction of the special guest, the orchestra played “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” from Porgy and Bess, written by George Gershwin and arranged by Jascha Heifetz.
The special guest, Jooeun Lee, a violinist, accompanied by Dr. Jiyoun Kim on piano, then performed several selections by Brahms, Gershwin, and Monti, and received a rousing ovation from the audience and from the orchestra members themselves, many of whom have been tutored by Dr. Lee.
Padilla said Lee is a doctoral candidate in violin performance from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, where she received a scholarship to study with a member of the Grammy-winning Pacific Quartet.
Violinist and school mentor Jooeun Lee performs. DNY photo
“Tonight, everyone will have the opportunity to hear her stellar musicianship on display,” he said. “We’re so blessed to have her as our string coach,” the maestro told the audience.
Padilla said she has practiced “her love of teaching” for more than a decade, including at the school music program at Weaver Elementary, a coach at McAuliffe Middle, and currently at Los Al High School. He said she is an active member of the Music Teacher Association of California and maintains a private violin and viola studio in Los Alamitos, California.
Following Lee’s performance, Padilla presented a host of student soloists, including Caslin Hawkins on violin, Kathleen Albers on cello, a violin duo of Matthew Nguyen and Michael Yoon, and a quintent made up of Alma Ahn and Sophia Ly on violin, Nikki Orr and Jinu Hong on cello, and Leo Yip on viola.
The entire orchestra then closed the evening with Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg.
“We believe this evening’s concert will be the first of many candlelight events to share the extraordinary accomplishments of our students,” said Padilla.
“With the continued support of our boosted boards, who staff and administration we are encouraged to make music that will bring joy to your life and continue to attract future Griffin musicians,” he added.
The Bolsa Chica Conservancy just opened a new 1,400-square-foot Interpretive Center at 3842 Warner Avenue, near Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. “It was made possible by the California Wildlife Conservation Corps’ $689,000 grant and additional funds from many generous donors,” said CEO Patrick Brenden.
“This gives the public a grand entrance to the Bolsa Chica visitor experience, featuring an extensive exhibit gallery with live animals and marine life, stunning murals by Sally Dannels and incredible sculpted models by John Althemus. There’s something for everyone and every age as our exciting, new legacy begins.”
Jeanette Bush, Conservancy Aquarist maintains the new aquarium, monitors the nesting behavior of the endangered California Least Terns, cares for the taxidermy birds and operates a new fundraising gift store.
“We’re so excited about our new interpretive center and are committed to bringing educational, interesting and new exhibits for all to learn about nature,” said Huntington Beach Mayor Barbara
I read with a combination of amazement and dismay Robin Itzler’s fear mongering concerning Cypress potentially moving toward district voting (News-Enterprise 3/30/2022.) Without any evidence, Ms. Itzler states that “Districting would push the city towards disaster.”
While there are pros and cons to districting, there is absolutely no evidence that it (as Itzler states): “would permanently alter Cypress amazing success.” Ms. Itzler proceeds to lob an unfounded cheap shot at Cypress Councilwoman Frances Marquez and accuses her of wanting “to destroy Cypress’ success.”
Considering that one of the positive reasons for districting is to ensure that city officials are more representative, and providing minority candidates a better opportunity to be elected, what exactly is Ms. Itzler trying to infer?
These statements appear to be an unfortunate dog whistle and have no place in decent discourse or representative government.
Tom Moore
Cypress
Response to Questions About Recent Changes to the City’s Franchise Waste Agreement
Thank you for giving me another opportunity to share the facts about the City’s trash collection contract with Valley Vista Services. The agreement is very complex and, unfortunately, the discussion in the community about it has been characterized by misinformation.
Response to Questions
The City put the trash contract out for competitive bid in 2014 and we are still in the middle of our agreement with Valley Vista Services.
Cancelling the contract and putting it out to bid ahead of schedule would have exposed the City to lawsuits, fines and penalties.
I am unaware of another city in California that attempted to cancel its trash contract to implement organic recycling.
Los Alamitos and Santa Ana are the only OC cities to bid their trash contracts in recent years and in both cases, the contract reached the end of a negotiated term. They were not cancelled ahead of schedule.
As our Public Works department has documented, trash rates in Cypress are among the lowest in Orange County.
o Los Alamitos – $13.91
o Seal Beach – $19.76
o Cypress – $21.11
o Buena Park – $21.84
o La Palma – $22.17
o Anaheim – $24.50
o Garden Grove – $27.18
When comparing trash rates across different cities, it is important to recognize that rates vary from one city to the next based on service levels and each city’s unique needs. Trash collection does not operate with a traditional economy of scale as you can see when comparing rates in small versus bigger cities. I don’t think Los Alamitos has a better trash contract, so much as it has a different contract.
Los Alamitos’ trash contractor, Universal Waste Systems, didn’t bid for Cypress’ business in 2014.
Council Member Marquez has not been prohibited from communicating with City staff.
The City’s Charter establishes that we operate under the Council-Manager form of government. Council Members and the City Manager take an oath to uphold the Charter.
After multiple violations of the City Charter, Council Member Marquez has been required to conduct City business through the City Manager.
All information related to organic recycling and changes to the trash contract was available to all Council Members and residents through the City website and multiple City Council meeting staff reports.
Link to city website https://www.cypressca.org/government/departments/public-works/trash-recycling
The City fully complied with Proposition 218, which gives residents a vote on new or updated fees. Like any election to ratify a City Council’s action, the election occurs after the City Council votes. Only about four percent of Cypress’ residents protested the fees.
Conclusion
The City Council and Valley Vista Services have worked very hard to provide Cypress residents great trash collection service at a fair price. The trash contract is the biggest one the City manages and it affects everyone who lives or works in Cypress. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve our great City and to help correct the record about the trash contract.
As a Cypress resident (with my husband) since 1978, I want to thank Councilmembers Mayor Morales, Mayor Pro Tem Hertz-Mallari, Councilman Minikus, and Councilman Jon Peat for voting to FIGHT the ridiculous districting lawsuit.
Changing voting from citywide to district would permanently alter Cypress’ amazing success. Instead of being one successful city, we would become five mini cities with each councilmember primarily focusing on his or her mini city. Districting is a recipe for disaster, and makes you wonder why anyone would want to push the city toward disaster. If an outside group is intent on ruining our city government, districting is the way to do this.
As I have shared with many people, our small city offers large amenities and has maintained its outstanding financial posture during difficult times. So why does councilmember Marquez want to destroy Cypress’ success? Speaking of success, of 34 Orange County cities, it is amazing that in 2021 Cypress was again named the most financially secure city. Like most Cypress residents, I shop and eat in neighboring communities, but most purchases are in Cypress because we have maintained a low sales tax compared to surrounding cities. When out-of-area friends visit, they are always impressed with the corporations that line Katella Avenue and I share that Cypress is very business-friendly. For example, we do not have a utility users’ tax.
Again, thank you to Councilmembers Morales, Hertz-Mallari, Minikus, and Peat for the 4:1 vote to fight the districting lawsuit.
