The City of La Palma will be hosting two Halloween events this year!
50th Annual Halloween Carnival – Sunday, October 31 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Central Park
Join La Palma’s safe, family-oriented alternative to the traditional trick-or-treat! Kids and families can participate in various activities such as carnival games, treats, and giveaways. There is no cost to attend. Food and drink will be available for purchase brought to you by the Kiwanis Club of La Palma.
New to the Halloween events, join us for a Spooktacular Trunk or Treat and Movie Night! Los Coyotes, G.B. Miller, and Steve Luther PTA groups will have decorated car trunks as well as hand out candy and prizes between 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a Halloween movie, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.
For more information, visit www.cityoflapalma.org/halloween or call the Community Services Department at (714) 690-3350.
It’s not often you can visit four European cities in a single night, but for an organization that raises money to help women find a path to prosperity, supporters on Saturday got a chance to visit the next best thing at Park Estates in Long Beach.
“It was a new twist on a very old theme,” said Erin Wilson, Director of Friends of Pathways at Pathways to Independence, a 25-year-old nonprofit that is headquartered in Huntington Beach.
She said the group’s member includes members from Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and Long Beach and other areas.
This year’s theme was “Passport to Pathways: European Adventures,” she said, as the group had to deviate from its traditional “Annual Party in the Park” because of the pandemic.
“Due to health and safety precautions, it was a smaller affair this year, divided into four simultaneous parties,” she said. Wilson said this was the organization’s 25th Anniversary, so though it scaled down, “it was very successful,” said Wilson, raising more than $750,000 for our mission.”
To make it work, they decorated homes and yards in the neighborhood as four European cities; Paris, Athens, Rome and Seville, she said. “Each outdoor party offered specialty drinks and food from that region, giving restaurants that normally donate food a chance to participate within this year’s format,” said Wilson.
“We have great restaurants that are so willing to help,” she noted.
For party goers, there was a mini-Arc de Triomphe in Paris, a flamenco dancer in Seville, Greek food in Athens and of course, impeccable wine in Rome.
Wilson said the organization even created a temporary television network, with monitors in the backyards of each “city” to create a virtual community when the auction began.
In addition, Wilson said “clients” of the organization spoke in the various locations, each giving the assembled supporters a personal account of what the organization had done for them.
For instance, Ashley, who spoke at the Seville gathering, recounted how when she had lost her way and was no longer able to depend on her parents, ended up on the streets when the grandmother who raised her passed away.
The young lady was filled with emotion as she told those attending of her amazement at having been assisted by Pathways.
Now, said Ashley, she has her own apartment, her own car, and is enrolled in college, expected to become the first in her family ever to obtain a university degree.
“Pathways to Independence is a non-profit that provides wrap around services including: education, housing, therapy, health care and much more for young women lifting themselves out of poverty. Its clients are single young women ages 18-35 with no dependents who have faced trauma, poverty, and other adverse situations, but show a desire and commitment to attend college and gain financial independence,” said Wilson.
She said Pathways derives 50% of its annual funding from this annual event. The all-volunteer committee Friends of Pathways, who organizes the annual event, created the smaller, multi-party event allowing for the important Pathways fundraiser to continue in a safe way, said Wilson.
“Passport to Pathways was an unexpected delight,” said longtime supporter Clare Elser, of Long Beach. “It was a perfect theme, describing exactly our mission to support women on their journey to success,” she said.
Diana Hill, a member of the Los Alamitos Unified School District, attended the event with her husband Randy and her mom and other friends. She has been a member for years and now serves on the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Our clients in Pathways break cycles of abuse, poverty, and unhealthy relationships just to name a few issues. We are here as a support system to help them do that important work in their lives,” she said.
“I was raised by a single mom who was simply extraordinary – she was not conventional, but she made me believe I could be whatever I set my mind to even with learning disabilities. I raised my two amazing sons with that same mindset. When I learned about Pathways and its mission, I wanted to pass that legacy on to these young women,” she said.
“Many of our Pathways clients didn’t experience support or a belief in themselves growing up, but deep inside them they knew they were powerful. Pathways became a mission for me. I’ve had the honor of mentoring two graduates. I love and adore these amazing women; it makes me proud and hopeful to see them live full healthy lives. I know Pathways made a difference in their journey. And for me, mentoring them changed me forever.”
Editor’s note: Donations can still be made at Pathwaysgives.com.
Rossmoor’s last Foodie Festival event of the Summer 2021 season may have been worth the wait and the effort made by the RCSD and its general manager Joe Mendoza to add one more event on October 2nd by popular demand.
This last hurrah of the summer had all the elements of previous summer fests plus an extra boost from 2nd District Supervisor Katrina Foley’s office with a $10,000 check to support the many nonprofits and small businesses who were enabled by the contribution to field vendor tents and booths.
It proved to be an eclectic mix of charitable efforts and creative home-based businesses spawned out of the pandemic, presenting their wares and raising needed cash for local charitable causes. Add to this a nonstop supply of classic rock and roll concluding from the festival stage with the band Knyght Ryder that delivered a rousing “on your feet” performance that even lured Supervisor Foley into the dance pit as darkness fell.
Highlights of the daylong event were captured by Los Al TV producer John Underwood and can be viewed on local cable Channel 3 at 7pm daily. It can also be viewed online at losaltv.org or streamed on the Our Los Al TV app downloaded through Roku, Amazon Fire, or from Apple TV app stores.
Los Alamitos High’s football team held off Edison 35-28 to grab the inside track to the Sunset League Championship on Thursday at Westminster High.
Quarterback Malachi Nelson threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns as the Griffins led by as much as 35-14. But the Chargers rallied for two late touchdowns to cut the lead to 35-28 before the Griffins recovered an on-side kick attempt and ran out the clock.
The Griffin defense had some key early stops, including an interception and a goal-line stand in the first half to get the early lead. Nygel Osborne rushed for 122 yards on nine carries to help pace the Griffin offense.
The Griffins (6-1) will play Fountain Valley High (1-6) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Huntington Beach High.
Tustin High rallied for 20 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overtake Cypress, as the Centurions held on for a 35-27 Empire League victory over the Tillers on Friday at Tustin High.
Junior receiver Matthew Morrell helped fill in at quarterback for injured Dylan Eldredge, completing nine passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns for the Centurions. Sophomore Elliott LeMonnier also took some snaps and complete three passes for 59 yards and one touchdown. Morrell also led the rushing attack as he ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Tomas Ramirez added 92 rushing yards and a touchdown. Five receivers caught passes, led by Ramirez, who had four receptions for 75 yards. Tyler Monteleone, Morrell and Neil Jansen each had touchdown receptions.
The Centurions have another tough Empire League game as they will play Pacifica High (6-1) at Bolsa Grande High at 7 p.m. on Friday. Pacifica lost to Tustin in their league opener, but bounced back with a 45-42 win over Valencia last week.
Kennedy High held off Crean Lutheran with a 21-17 Empire League win on Friday. The Fighting Irish improved to 4-2 overall and are 1-1 in league play.
Freshman quarterback Devin Almazan threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns to help the Fighting Irish to the win over the Saints. Cody Masumiya had 142 rushing yards and a touchdown. Hunter Benton had 10 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown and Devin Bell had four catches and a touchdown as well. The Kennedy defense held the Saints scoreless in the fourth quarter as the Fighting Irish rallied from three-point deficit.
The Fighting Irish will host Tustin at 7 p.m. on Friday at Western High.
During the Heroes Appreciation Luncheon 2021, Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Ron Roberts presented the firefighter that would be honored on this day.
Roberts extolled the many virtues of their nominee, predicting firefighter/paramedic Justin Meyers “is going to have a great career.”
Roberts said Meyers was voted “firefighter of the year” by his peers and that he was a “well respected firefighter” that came to OCFA via one of the state’s forestry agencies.
Roberts said Meyers has a knack for service, and that he naturally, and unselfishlessly trains others.
Myers is a Firefighter/Paramedic in OCFA’s Division 1. Although he is assigned to a busy truck company, Justin still finds time to volunteer for additional assignments to serve the community and the OCFA, said Roberts.
During this past year, Justin has assisted as a guest instructor during Wildland Week at OCFA’s Fire Academy 51.
“He also steps up to evaluate and instruct students of our Wildland Chainsaw Classes. Justin was selected as a member for the EMS Cadre, for which he works directly with Nurse Educators to facilitate training and continuing education courses for OCFA EMT’s and Paramedics,” he said.
Firefighter/Paramedic Myers also volunteered his time to support “Operation Independence” against the COVID 19 pandemic, he added.
While working through the pandemic, Justin helped by staffing Point of Distribution (POD) locations around the county, administering vaccines, and providing medical coverage to both OCFA personnel and the public.
“Justin demonstrates a fantastic work ethic, has a great attitude, and his drive and motivation are contagious,” said Roberts.
The Event News Enterprise is planning a pre-holiday party for the public at which the “best” of businesses and others who serve the public will be recognized.
“We are hoping that our readers will join us November 12 at the American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.,” said Remery.
He said the public is invited to attend the event, entitled “A Salute to Service,” wherein the ENE will present more than 200 awards in more than 100 categories.
Remery said “it is truly exciting that our readers take time each year to recognize those who serve the public.” He said winners are determined by a “readers poll” in which they voted for various professionals, service providers and even local elected officials.
In fact, he said the Bierman Brothers, which is a popular local band chosen as the “best” by ENE readers, will provide entertainment for the event along with Latin recording artist Gustavo Alarco.
Moreover, all veterans are being invited to attend as their will be a special recognition in honor of Veterans Day (the day before the event), said Remery.
To attend, please RSVP by email admin@localnewspapers.org or by calling 562-431-1397.
Come dance, come sing for one night only at the ultimate tribute celebration, Abba The Concert “Mamma mia, here I go again.. my, my, how can I resist you?” It might be impossible to resist attending ABBA the Concert one night only at Segerstrom Center for the Arts November 2, 2021. Their performance celebrates such fan-favorites as “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes All,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” and “Dancing Queen.” 21st Century Artists, Inc. has presented its ABBA tribute show throughout North America for well over a decade, bringing one of the greatest pop phenomena back to life. Senior Director of Music Programming at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Aaron Egigian shares, “more than anything we need to feel good right now” and ABBA the Concert will do exactly that for our audiences.
Tickets for ABBA the Concert start at $39 and are available for purchase online at www.SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings of 10 or more, please call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.
ABBA the Concert is not affiliated with the original ABBA group or MAMMA MIA! the musical.
The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) is proud to partner with Los Alamitos Unified School District’s Superintendent, Dr. Andrew Pulver, to host the annual State of the District breakfast event on Thursday, November 18 at 8:30 a.m.
“LAEF is thrilled to welcome back community members and parents to this event. We look forward to Dr. Pulver’s address on accomplishments over the past school year, as well as future planning and goals for our district,” states LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue. The event was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The breakfast will take place at On the Greens at Navy Golf Course and all net proceeds will support LAEF. This year will be a great opportunity for community members, parents, and district staff to re-connect. The Legacy sponsor is Alamitos Eye Care, which has provided support since the event’s inception in 2014. Tickets are available for $25 at www.LAEF4Kids.org/stateofthedistrict.
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 impacts all students by providing significant funding for mental health and STEAM teachers/instruction, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources. For more information, visit www.LAEF4Kids.org or call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424 today.
With a crowd estimated at more than 8,000, everybody came out a winner on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the 33rd Annual Seal Beach Classic Car Show. The event showcased 534 vintage cars, hot rods, custom cars and antiques.
After a year and a half of pandemic shutdowns, the event was enthusiastically welcomed by local residents, business owners and car enthusiasts alike. This year, for the first time ever, Car Show spectators were able to gaze at classic cars from their front row seats in restaurant parklets while enjoying a meal, beverages, or a favorite treat.
Crowd favorites this year included live music throughout the day from four bands playing on two stages, featuring Down the Hatch and The Bierman Brothers Band in the morning and Stevie Nicks Illusion Tribute Band and OC Ragdoll Band in the afternoon. Motorheads were thrilled once again by the roar of the Cacklefest in Nitro Alley in the morning and afternoon.
“It warmed my heart to see the smiling faces of countless spectators and participants as they took in more than 500 classic cars while enjoying the breathtaking views of our iconic pier, the Pacific Ocean and our quaint Main Street,” said Brian Warner, chair of the 2021 Seal Beach Classic Car Show.
“The show was a huge success and we owe it all to our amazing volunteers and sponsors,” he said.
The Seal Beach Lion’s Club came through again with a delicious pancake breakfast and hot dog lunch at the foot of the pier.
• BEST – EARLY FORD TO ‘4, sponsored by Essential Business Solutions-Jim Better is a 1939 Ford Coupe Deluxe owned by George Garrett
• BEST – FORD ‘42 – ‘60, sponsored by Bogart’s Coffee House – JoAnn Adams is a 1963 Ford F100 owned by Chris Cartwright
• BEST – FORD ‘61 – ‘79, sponsored by John Hart Real Estate – Esteban Arteaga is a 1972 Ford Ranchero owned by Mike Musky
• BEST – MUSTANG ‘64 – ‘66, sponsored by Harmonizing Humanity is a 1965 Ford Mustang owned by Paul Montesano
• BEST – MUSTANG ‘67 – ‘79, sponsored by John Hart Real Estate – Roxana Arteaga is a 1969 Mustang Fastback owned by Mr. HoldCroft
• BEST – T-BIRD ‘55 – ‘57, sponsored by Breakthrough SEO Marketing, Nelinia Varenas is a 1956 Mustang owned by James & Jon Dauro
• BEST – T-BIRD ‘58 – ‘79, sponsored by Marketsnag – Deb Machen is a 1964 Ford Thunderbird owned by Marvin Grimm
• BEST – EARLY CHEVY ‘41, sponsored by Javatini’s is a 1933 Chevy Coupe owned by Bob Nichols
• BEST – CHEVY ‘46 – ‘60, sponsored by Recharge at Electric is a 1957 Red Chevy Hardtop owned by Len Yorkes
• BEST – CHEVY ‘61 – ‘79, sponsored by Master 21 Realty is a 1969 Blue Chevy Camaro owned by Monte Greenspan
• BEST – CORVETTE ‘53 – ‘62 , sponsored by Flipside Boutique – Dave Antrim is a 1954 Corvette owned by Jack Strong
• BEST – CORVETTE ‘63 – ‘79 , sponsored by Wild Native – EJ Liston is a 1967 Corvette Coupe owned by Harry Lekites
• BEST – CONVERTIBLE ‘41 – ‘79, sponsored by American Beachside Brokers is a 1969 Chevy Camaro Convertible owned by Monte Greenspan
• BEST – MOPAR, sponsored by Neds House of Products is a 1969 Blue Barracuda owned by Angel Garido
• BEST – CLASSIC TRUCK ‘28 – ‘54, sponsored by Keller Williams – Deborah Bell is a 1934 Dark Green Ford owned by Dean Toso
• BEST – LATE TRUCK ‘55 – ‘79, sponsored by Ferguson Realty – Nat Ferguson is a 1972 Chevy C-10 Pickup owned by Brian Almas
• BEST – VOLKSWAGEN ‘66, sponsored by Keller Wiliams Deborah Bell is a Red Volkswagen Micro Bus owned by James Bell
• BEST – VOLKSWAGEN MODIFIED, sponsored by Shift Computer Services is a 1936 Convertible Volkswagen Bug owned by John and Jill Veltri
• BEST – PORSCHE, sponsored by Life Tree Prosperity – Scott Harrell is a 1956 Porsche 356 owned by Chris Mewes
• BEST – EUROPEAN, sponsored by Life Tree Prosperity – Scott Harrell is a 1970 MGB owned by Amanda Walker
• BEST – SPECIAL INTEREST, sponsored by Gangitano Law is a 1963 Fiat Jolly owned by Curt Chivers
• BEST – ANTIQUE, sponsored by Gangitano Law is a 1923 Ford T Flatbed Pickup owned by Dan Milton
• BEST – CUSTOM, sponsored by Bruster’s – Justin and Petra Miller is a 1965 Buick Riviera owned by Bill Price
• BEST – MUSCLE CAR, sponsored by Watersafe Swim School is a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda owned by Ray Algiehe
• BEST – CRUISER, sponsored by Encore Awards is a 1958 Mercury Commuter Wagon owned by Kathy Recupid
• BEST – STREET ROD, sponsored by Javatinis is a 1933 Chevy Coupe owned by Bob Nichols
• BEST – WOODY, sponsored by Westmont of Cypress – Christine Bird is a 1948 Mercury Woody owned by Mr. Marron
• MAYOR’S PICK, sponsored by SBPAC – Esther Kenyon is a ’66 Red Volkswagen Micro Bus owned by James Bell
• POLICE OFFICER’S PICK, sponsored by American Beachside Brokers is a 1957 Ford owned by Rick Crawford
• FIREFIGHTER’S PICK, sponsored by American Beachside Brokers is a 1957 Chevy Belaire owned by Steve Holiday
• FERGUSON REALTY PICK, sponsored by Ferguson Realty – Nat Ferguson is a 1956 Porsche 356 owned by Chris Mewiths
• G & M OIL COMPANY PICK G & M Oil Company 1970 Formula Firebird M Cruz
• OPGI PICK, sponsored by OPGI is a 1963 Pontiac Ventura owned by Tom Williamson
• SUN NEWSPAPER PICK, sponsored by Sun Newspaper is a 1960 Ford Thunderbird owned by Jim Klisanin
• MOTHERS MARKET PICK, sponsored by Mothers Market is a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge owned by Kip Kula
• BOEING PICK, sponsored by Boeing is a 1969 Chevy Camaro owned by Nevill Ooms
• SEAL BEACH BEST OF SHOW, sponsored by Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce is a 1972 Chevy C-10 Pickup owned by Brian Almas.
A recall drive against three trustees on the Los Alamitos Unified School District Board of Education has officially launched as has a vocal group’s effort to stop it.
Board members Megan Cutuli, Chris Forehan and Scott Fayette were given the notices of intention to gather signatures for a recall during the Sept. 28 board meeting.
It happened in front of an overflow crowd that included students, teachers, parents, community members and political activists of various viewpoints.
People for, and against, the recall got up out of their seats and waved signs after recall campaign spokesman Robert Aguilar, Jr. presented envelopes containing the notices for the trustees during the public comment period.
“Parents are not willing to wait until November 2024 to vote out the entire school board,” Aguilar said. “So the recall is necessary to allow changes to be made sooner, for the benefit and safety of our children and their families,” he added.
Aguilar is a parent in the district. He ran for school board in 2016 but says he will not run again.
It’s been less than one year since Forehan and Fayette first gained their seats and Cutuli won re-election. Board President Marlys Davidson and Vice President Diana Hill are up for re-election in 2022.
Recall organizers say the goal is to get the recall on that same November midterm ballot.
Timeline for Recall Effort
A lot has to happen before the recall is on the 2022 ballot. First, the three trustees had until this week to file an official response with the Orange County Registrar of Voters that has to be fewer than 200 words. All three said they planned to do so.
Their responses will appear on the petition where voters will be asked to sign in support of a recall election, the Registrar’s office confirmed. Also, included on the petition, the proponents’ reasons to recall.
The clock starts ticking for signature gathering as soon as the petition is officially certified by the Registrar’s office. Once the petition is certified, recall supporters will then have 90 days to collect the roughly 6,000 signatures from registered voters needed to qualify for the ballot. That’s roughly 2,000 signatures from each of the targeted trustee areas which are 2, 4 and 5.
Trustees respond
The pro-recall website and speakers at the meeting cited the enforcement of California’s COVID-19 protocols like a universal indoor mask mandate at schools, the district’s adoption of an ethnic studies elective and examples of efforts related to LGBTQ+ students among the complaints.
“The grounds they mentioned are incorrect,” board member Cutuli said of the recall notice in an email last week. She added that Los Al Unified was the first public school district in Orange County to get kids back to in-person learning during COVID-19 while following California’s guidelines.
“What I would like the public to know is that this board has always worked to support our students and staff. Every decision made is based on what is best for our students. … But what is at stake here is the education of our children,” Cutuli wrote.
“The cost of the election will be paid for by the district and it will affect our students. This group wants to take over the school board and make sweeping changes and replace personnel. One of the things I have been most proud of in Los Alamitos USD is our constant striving to be better at everything we do. This is not the way to better serve our students and community,” she added.
Board member Forehan said he was committed to serving his district. “As the elected Trustee for Trustee Area #2, I will continue to do what is best for kids,” he wrote in an email.
“As long as I remain the elected trustee, I will continue to listen to the voices of our students, staff and community when making decisions that affect building our school district where compassion, respect and acceptance for others is valued by all. Student and staff safety will remain a priority as well.”
Trustee Fayette, who represents Area 4, wrote about the board’s increasing mental health staffing to support students and staff and “additional tutoring programs and staff tutoring hours to support students academically.”
Most speakers, including students, critical of Recall
“We’re taking this very seriously,” said recall opponent and former Los Al Unified trustee Del Clark before last Tuesday’s meeting. She was part of a group, some affiliated with the Democratic Club of Seal Beach, at a table set up outside the board meeting room. They had flyers directing people to their website, www.supportlausd.com to counter the pro-recall site, losalrecall.com.
“We are not going to let this [recall] happen,” said Clark.
Clark was one of many speakers during the more than hour-long public comment period at the meeting. While some people whose name was called to speak did not appear at the podium, the majority of speakers were against the recall and were supportive of the board.
Many speakers thanked the district for following the state COVID-19 protocols. They called the recall a “farce” and “a shot in the dark.”
“This board has done right by us. It’s time for us to do right by them. Don’t sign the recall petitions. Support our school board,” parent Emily Hogenboom said.
“Those that are leading the recall, want to take us, take our students backwards. With test rankings of 10 out of 10, putting Los Al in the top 5% of public schools, I believe the district is doing their job to educate our children,” said Nina Betonte, a parent in the district.
Parent Leland Jay expressed concerns that a recall would divide the community. “Please, before you sign this recall petition, … please ask yourself, is it worth it?” he said in an appeal to people watching the meeting on YouTube.
“If you love this place as I do, we have a shared appreciation for all that is good about living here. Is it worth doing this to our community? And my sincere hope is that your answer is no.”
Seven people, including Aguilar, spoke in favor of the recall.
That included Dorothy Ferrell who said she was previously pleased with her two kids’ experience in the district but not anymore.
“I’m not happy with the forced indoctrination of gender fluidity that’s happening at the middle school right now with my daughter. She has come home, almost speechless, a couple of times,” Ferrell said.
She and some speakers also mentioned the ethnic studies elective adopted in response to requests from high school students. Recall backers said it amounted to critical race theory, a college-level academic discipline that looks at how laws impact opportunities for people of color.
The district has repeatedly said its efforts are not based on critical race theory including in a FAQ issued in April that read, “There have been numerous unfounded claims by outside special interest groups that this controversial theory is the foundation of our course.”
In his comments supporting the recall, parent Paul Fabre dismissed the district’s explanations. “The bottom line is … that there’s teaching that skin color matters, skin color does not matter. It shouldn’t matter,” he said.
Students defend teacher
At least seven district students spoke at the meeting and criticized the pro-recall website’s characterization of an Oak Middle School teacher. The website claims the teacher asked kids about their sexuality during the first day of school. The students called the website’s claims “lies” and “slander” and praised the teacher for what they said were ongoing efforts to make all students feel welcome.
At the meeting, an Oak student said the teacher had a poster in the classroom saying it was a safe space for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The student said the teacher had a survey which included questions about a preferred name and pronoun.
“The preferred name is just in case one of us would like to go by a nickname or a different name and pronouns are simply what you would like people to refer to you as,” the student told board members.
“The preferred name has nothing to do with convincing someone to be transgender and change their name and the pronouns don’t have anything to do with convincing the person to be gay. This made a lot of people feel safe at school and be happy to come and have a safe place where they’re accepted,” the student added.
In a phone interview this week, an Oak Middle School parent explained the poster and survey made their child feel uncomfortable. The student came home asking questions about sexual orientation and that infuriated the parent. The student was one of two moved out of the class by parent request, according to the district.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to introduce that to kids. It’s pushing the kids to agree with thoughts of gender diversity,” said the parent who did not want to be identified.
After public comment concluded at the meeting, Supt. Dr. Andrew Pulver clarified that it was not an individual teacher being targeted in a recall as one speaker suggested. Pulver also criticized the pro-recall website’s depiction of district teachers. He said the website contained “gross inaccuracies” including the false claim that a district teacher was under investigation by the Los Alamitos Police Department.
Last month, Los Al PD confirmed to the Event-News Enterprise that the teacher was not under investigation, that no crime was committed and that the caller complaining about a teacher asking students about preferred pronouns was referred back to the school.
The reference to the police investigation has since been taken off the recall site. The names of two teachers were also removed.
“We realized we didn’t want [the teacher] to be the target,” Aguilar explained in an interview last week. “We’re focused on the board and their inaction.”
‘Ask questions,’ trustees urge
At the close of Tuesday’s board meeting, trustees shared their thoughts.
Vice President Hill praised her fellow board members who had been served with recall notices. She said the board is nonpartisan and does its best to meet the needs of every student in the district.
She brought up the example of the response to California’s mask mandate for schools.
“This board sat here at this dais and asked just question after question about, how can we support both parts of our community? Some who want and insist their kids need masks … some that don’t. How can we balance this? How can we balance the whole child?” Hill explained. She said that because it’s a California mandate, “in some ways, our hands are tied.”
She encouraged the public to do research and to reach out and ask questions.
Board President Davidson made a similar appeal. “I want to challenge our community to not assume labels and soundbites are true. Ask questions. …Listen to our answers with an open mind and then feel free to ask more questions. Get to know us.”
She also praised her colleagues facing a recall effort and expressed frustration at the situation.
“The school district will have to pay for the cost of this recall. That is money out of classrooms meant for our children,” she said. “So rather than listening to inflammatory rhetoric and falsehoods from a small but vocal group, let’s find a way to engage in meaningful conversation.”
Having been around aviation for most of his life, Ed Valdez knows a thing or two about airplanes.
Yet on this day, he was in awe.
Valdez, who recently retired as a United Airlines Captain, is Chairman of the Aviation and Training program at Cypress College in Cypress, was chosen by the U.S. Navy to receive a Blue Angel demonstration jet ride.
Standing on the tarmac at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos early Wednesday, Valdez was preparing to climb aboard an F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is the U.S. Navy’s primary strike and air superiority aircraft. Fueled by proprietary software, this $70 million marvel can fly at Mach 1.7 (1260 miles per hour).
Though it can fly at nearly twice the speed of sound, the sleek, composite F/A-18 can land precisely on the tiny deck of a moving aircraft carrier. Armed with turbofan afterburners, the new Super Hornets are marvels of engineering.
About to board. Photo by Andrew Ficke
The F/A-18 has proprietary software that provides liquid crystal displays of flight controls and networking that provides pilots with real-time situation awareness and an array of digital tools to succeed in almost any combat environment, according to the Navy.
Staffed by Navy combat officers and other selected crew members, the Blue Angels is a flight demonstration Navy squadron originally formed in 1946. The unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931.
The Blue Angels were in California this week to participate in the Pacific Airshow. Most participating military aircraft, including the “Blues,” use JFTB as a secure staging area for the airshow, said base spokesman Col. Richard Lalor.
The Blue Angels are celebrating 75 years of flight in 2021, and in another milestone, this is the first year the Angels fly the upgraded F/A-18 Super Hornets, according to Capt. Eric Doyle, director of the Blue Angels transition.
F/A-18 in flight. Photo by Andrew Ficke.
A total of 17 U.S. Navy officers voluntarily serve with the Blue Angels. Each year, the team typically selects three tactical (fighter or fighter/attack) jet pilots, two support officers and one Marine Corps C-130 pilot to relieve departing members, according to its website.
The “Blues” also have a support crew and its own transport plane known as “Fat Albert,” (which incidentially made its own cameo in Saturday’s airshow).
Though the Super Hornet might appear small in the air, on the ground, a F/A-18 Super Hornet is roughly the size of a tennis court, 44 feet wide and 60 feet long. The officers selected to fly them are highly skilled combat pilots who are selected for a two-year mission of flying only demonstrations, according to the Blue Angels website.
One of those Navy pilots, in Blue Angel #7, Lt. Commander Julius Bratton would fly Valdez into history on this day.
Cypress College President Dr. JoAnna Schilling, left, and Interim Vice President of Instruction and Career & Technical Education Dean Dr. Kathleen Reiland, far right, join Valdez to celebrate their colleague’s achievement of flying with the Blue Angels. Photo by Andrew Ficke
Valdez, surrounded by a gaggle of media and local supporters, first received a pre-flight briefing. He was given a Blue Angel flight suit as instructors explained how to relieve the pressure on his body at Mach 1.2.
In addition, Valdez was taught breathing exercises to adjust his body’s rhythm as the jet careened through the sky at breakneck speed.
Several key community leaders came out to the base to support Valdez, including Dr. JoAnna Shilling, Cypress College President, Dr. Kathleen Reiland, Interim Vice President of Instruction, 2nd District Supervisor Katrina Foley and Cypress city council member Anne Hertz.
Blue Angels brief Valdez before the flight. Photo by Andrew Ficke
As Valdez was being briefed inside the terminal, Bratton’s crew chief and crew were on the tarmac preparing the F/A-18 for the flight.
Lt. Chelsea Dietlin, the Blue Angels public information officer soon led the entire group to the aircraft. As the crew continued its preflight routine on the F/A-18, Valdez stood in front of the aircraft and addressed the large group of supporters and media.
“Ever since I first saw the [Blue Angels] and ever since I can remember, I wanted to fly them,” Valdez began. “It was always my dream,” he said.
Choking back tears, Valdez said “I’ve wanted to do this my whole life,” he said, “and now I can do it at least once.”
Valdez said his dad was in the Mexican Air Force and brought the family to Los Angeles was Valdez was 2. His dad got a job at LAX and Valdez said, “I would go to work with him at the airport,” instilling in him a lifelong appreciation of aviation.
Although an officer and cadet in college, Valdez said he was rejected from flying jets in the military for health reasons. “I still remember driving off the base at El Toro thinking that dream is just gone.”
Bratton and Valdez streak across the runway at JFTB. Photo by Andrew Ficke
As residents throughout the area witnessed firsthand as the Angels took to their practice runs, there is no mistaking the sound of those powerful jet engines on a F/A-18 as they roar overhead. They slice the air with a sound so pulsating that it trips car alarms.
Such it was as Valdez and Bratton roared down the JFTB runway as onlookers watched from a safe distance. The strike fighter quickly lifted off with Valdez safely strapped into the tandem seat, flew low over the runway before Bratton hit the afterburners and went straight up.
For thirty minutes, Bratton and Valdez flew to the “box,” short for the “aerobatic box” that had been designed by the Federal Aviation Administration for the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach.
When the F/A-18 finally came back into view over the JFTB airfield, Bratton demonstrated the jet’s unique thrust capability that allows the fighter jet to turn almost at a 90-degree angle, yet not lose any altitude in the process.
Back on the ground, Valdez stayed in the jet for a couple of minutes doing exercises to get the blood pumping normally throughout his body. Bratton came down the ladder quickly and said Valdez had performed “great” up in the air.
Bratton corkscrews with Valdez on board. Photo by Andrew Ficke
“Okay, I would say in the 99 percentiles, we did everything you can do,” said Bratton. He said Valdez neither passed out nor got sick, “but I’m not that surprised.” He noted Valdez has flown jets for much of his life.
The Blue Angel pilot said they flew at more than 600 knots (more than 1,000 mph) and pulled 6.3 units of g-force (gravitational pull) on takeoff and more than 7 g’s during some of the maneuvers.
“We stretched the limit,” said Valdez, noting that the supersonic strike fighter broke the sound barrier, but only over the ocean where it could not be heard onshore.
Although he was mentally and physically prepared for the flight, Valdez said he worked hard to stave off the effects in the air and said almost a week later, “I’m still sore.”
At one point, Valdez said he asked Bratton to slow down slightly so he could drink some water.
“During the vertical maneuvers, my mouth was so dry,” he said. “It was brutal,” he said, telling Bratton “I need water.” Other than that, he said, “it was fine.”
Valdez said Bratton took the jet through all the normal aerobatics, including corkscrews, split ‘s’, and, at one point, reached 26,000 feet.
In two decades, Valdez’ love for aviation has led to the establishment of a groundbreaking aviation department at Cypress College. It has become a formidable resource for the burgeoning U.S. aviation industry.
JoAnna Schilling (left), President of Cypress College, and Capt. Ediberto Valdez (right), Chairman of the Aviation and Travel Department, cut the ribbon on the school’s new Premier Boeing 737 Max Simulator. Courtesy file photo
The department now hosts a variety of airplane simulators, including the country’s only 737 Max simulator in the country. Many of his students now fly passengers and freight around the world for major airlines.
For Valdez, he hoped this ride would serve as an example for his students.
“This is something I wanted to do since I was a kid. There were always roadblocks, but you knock them down, keep going. Don’t give up. And that’s what I see in our students, you know, don’t give up,” he used as an example to his students.
“I always kind of think it’s the destination that is important,” he continued, but your path to that destination, you know that’s as important, that’s your life,” said Valdez. “Enjoy that journey.”
“The bad times are the ones that make the good times,” he said, “the bad times are where you grow…where you get stronger. And, you know, eventually you’ll get to your destination,” he said.
Asked earlier about being considered a Blue Angel VIP, Valdez shrugged and said he did not consider himself a VIP at all.
“I’m always putting one foot in front of the other, just trying to do what I can to help the students,” said Valdez. “So, I don’t ever really see myself as a VIP, I just see myself as a mentor, as someone that can help, you know, as a kid they come to us and they have this dream.”
He dedicated the event to his wife Aimee and their two daughters, Jacqueline and Kate. “They put up with different times when I had to work,” he said. His wife Amy, he said, “she really helped me get to where I am.”
His family was part of the large group of Cypress Colleges supporters assembled on the tarmac to witness Valdez’s aerial excursion.
Following the flight, Bratton presented Valdez with a large, framed photo of the Blue Angels in flight. It is signed by Navy commanders and pilots of the Blue Angels, making Valdez an honorable “Blue Angel.”
“This is what I want to get across to the students,” said Valdez. “One day, 21 years from now, you can be here. Yes, you can definitely be here one day. Don’t give up.”
Valdez said later that he learned a student he taught 21 years ago is now the commander of an F/A-18 Super Hornet squadron.
Ed Valdez
For Valdez, it was a crowning moment from an illustrious career as to fulfilling the same message he was sending to students.
“I just, I feel very, very humbled and blessed that I got this opportunity. So, you know, God gave me what I wanted to do,” he said, “but now I know the meaning of ‘surreal.’
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think this day would come,” said Valdez. Dreams do fly high and as Valdez learned, they still do come true.
Local officials are watching a massive oil spill off the California coast which prompted the cancellation of the third day of the Pacific Airshow, and also prompted Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr to warn of a potential “environmental catastrophe.”
More details became evident this week, including that the spill actually occurred Friday evening and the public was not notified until Sunday.
Ironically, while aviation experts on ABC7 were calling Saturday’s air show perhaps “the greatest airshow in the world,” there was a growing petroleum menace under the surface that only authorities were aware of until Sunday morning when nearby beaches were closed.
More than 1.5 million people crowded those same Huntington Beach beaches on Saturday to experience the dazzling air show. Authorities decided to cancel the show on Sunday, however, as oil began to lap up onto the beaches.
In the wake of the disaster, there are renewed calls to stop offshore drilling altogether as the Pacific Marine Mammals Center and others rushed to save affected wild and sea life.
California Congressman Mike Levin has introduced the American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act to prohibit any new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas along the Southern California coast, from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County.
Levin toured the area via helicopter along with 2nd District OC Supervisor Katrina Foley.
Foley, who also appeared with the U.S. Coast Guard at a press conference, said “we are deeply concerned by this weekend’s major oil spill along our beautiful Orange County coastline. The ramifications will extend further than the visible oil and odor that our residents are dealing with at the moment. The impact to the environment is irreversible.”
“We must identify the cause of the spill, and for the greater good of our cities, beaches, and coastal ecological habitat we need to understand how to prevent these incidences moving forward. Our beaches are an integral part of our culture and economy, popular tourist destinations, and a California staple,” added Foley.
State Sen. Tom Umberg toured the Bolsa Chica wetlands and, like other officials, expressed concern that significant damage had been done.
“First and foremost, we absolutely must focus on mitigating damage to environmentally sensitive and hard-to-clean sites (i.e. marshes, rocky areas, sandy beaches) and cleaning up this mess before it escalates and impacts public and wildlife health,” said Umberg.
“It saddens me to see oil now reaching the beautiful shores of Huntington Beach State Beach but I’m appreciative of the swift action being taken to mitigate the impacts as quickly as possible.” said Assemblymember Janet Nguyen in a press release.
On Monday, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) officials said they deployed mobile air quality monitoring systems along the coast after some Orange County residents expressed concern after smelling what appeared to be asphalt in the wind.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday declared a major disaster and said the oil pipeline leak off Huntington Beach has already been shut off.
Locally, residents are very concerned while keeping a wary eye on the burgeoning oil disaster, though no impacts have yet been felt.
“Currently there exists no water quality threat in Seal Beach as currents continue to pull south along the coast. As a result, beaches will remain open in Seal Beach at this time. Should conditions change, the City of Seal Beach is prepared to close beaches and begin mitigation efforts to protect our shores,” said a press release issued by the City of Seal Beach.
It also said the City of Seal Beach will continue to support the U.S. Coast Guard, the Cities of Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, the County of Orange, and other partner cities and agencies.
According to a statement from the city of Huntington Beach, 126,000 gallons of oil in a plume nearly six nautical miles long, now lingers off the coast between Newport and Huntington Beach, “with substantial ecological impacts.”
In a letter to President Joseph R. Biden, 48th District Congresswoman Michelle Steel has asked for a major disaster declaration.
Congresswoman Michelle Steel boards a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter to survey the oil spill damage. Courtesy photo
“I write today asking you to authorize a Major Disaster declaration for Orange County, California following the oil spill that occurred off the coast of Huntington Beach on October 2, 2021. Officials have estimated that over 130,000 gallons of oil have leaked from an underwater pipeline. I request fast action in approving the Public Assistance and Individual Assistance for all the cities and counties in California that will be affected,” she wrote.
Congressman Alan Lowenthal, who represents the 47th District adjacent to Steel’s, also issued a statement.
“This oil spill off the coast of Orange County is as tragic as it was preventable. This environmental catastrophe highlights the simple fact that where you drill, you spill. As we are sadly witnessing, when you drill along the coast, when you pipe that oil ashore, our coastlines will bear the brunt of the impacts from such spills,” said Lowenthal.
“This will be devastating not only to our marine wildlife and ecosystem, but also to the livelihoods of our coastal communities which are built around fishing, tourism, and recreation. As long as these platforms and pipelines remain, our coastal communities remain under threat from potential disasters like we are now seeing,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Carr said federal, state and local officials are coordinating mitigation and cleanup efforts along the coast.
“The US Coast Guard is the lead agency coordinating the response to the oil spill incident, and the investigation into how the spill occurred. Based on the most current information available, while the leak has not been completely stopped, preliminary patching has been completed to repair the oil spill site. Additional repair efforts will be attempted in the morning. As additional details become available from the US Coast Guard, we will pass that information along,” she said.
First in a series
For the first time, the “Heroes Appreciation Luncheon” included medical “heroes” in its annual appreciation event.
Included in this year’s awards were two presentations to medical heroes that had distinguished themselves in the medical profession during the ongoing pandemic.
“When most of us think of heroes, we think of a cake, a badge, and our great servicemen and women, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world that heroes come in many forms,” said Los Alamitos Medical Center CEO Kent Clayton.
“I’m proud to be here today to recognize our hospital,” said Clayton. The recent pandemic, said Clayton, “impacted not only our patients, but dramatically impacted our caregivers, facility staff, ancillary teams, and everyone involved in the hospital setting,” he said.
This unprecedented pandemic was rewarding, he noted, “as we witnessed our care providers performing at their very best. At the same time,” said Clayton, “it was emotionally, physically and mentally draining.”
During the pandemic, Clayton said the “phenomenal staff” had experienced a range of emotions from “great despair” to “cheerful displays of relief.”
“During this past year and a half I’ve been most impressed with our team of clinical and non-clinical staff.”
“For their selfless and tireless sacrifices, I’m proud today to honor two of the many of our hospital heroes,” said Clayton.
Jon Blomberg
Nursing Director
Jon Blomberg
“Nursing Director Jon Blumberg was instrumental in the patient care onslaught. It seemed that we’re getting whatever was needed for patients and staff safety. John and his staff are there with the sickest patients and during their darkest hours.
There are often more patients needing beds, and that we can handle quickly. And John was creative, resourceful, and practical, when it came to supply availability.
Jon demonstrated strong leadership, managing increasing patient volumes to find ways to accommodate constant staffing … often our patient volumes were beyond capacity, and patients were sicker than we’ve ever experienced.
Jon took control and made sure patients got care and that staff had the tools necessary to do their jobs. Jon and his staff went beyond being caregivers because visitors were not allowed. John and his staff are often at the bedsides in place of family members.
He never hesitated to offer comfort or pray with a patient who was sick, scared and alone. He is a strong leader, it’s a gentle character. He is calm when everything around him is in chaos. We are so fortunate to have Jon on our staff. Jon, you are appreciated more than you know, indirect true hero to all.”
Greg Watt
Facilities Director
Greg Watt
“Los Alamitos facilities director Greg what was instrumental in building a safe environment for patients and staff doing the first year of the brutal COVID 19 pandemic.
Though the fast-moving pandemic continually brought new challenges, this great team built a tent, including a triage tent with a patient waiting area, and a family waiting area, then a completely functional emergency room in the hostpital’s parking structure.
Finally, they built a field hospital in case it was needed.
Care area designations in the hospital changed almost daily resulting in construction of stopping points to identify COVID care and COVID safe halls and rooms.
One of the biggest hurdles was the oxygen supply. Greg was offered the use of oxygen generated by the County of Orange and he was very resourceful in connecting a generator with piping in the parking structure to the emergency rooms.
This resulted in an infinite supply of oxygen in an area outside the normal patient care setting; Greg got all utilities working and it ran efficiently and effectively.
This external emergency room has since been shuttered but Greg and his team provided a safe, functioning external department amid many obstacles during a raging pandemic.
Greg’s quick thinking resourcefulness and leadership of his staff enabled the hospital to provide a safe environment with care for all.”
In a world where we are all searching for inspiration, Sangeeta Kaur, a star soprano with an angelic voice, has transformed musical expression into a powerful force for good.
Kaur has found a way to transcend traditional opera to create a spiritual experience that has captivated a unique, and growing segment of today’s music market.
“I’m a believer in ancient wisdom,” she says, “and there is something in my heart, something in my mind, something in my being…and my soul knows that none of this is just an accident.”
With a skyrocketing career, Kaur was among the top industry performers selected by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to be featured on the current season of its acclaimed music series, “Front and Center.”
The soprano star, who personally kickstarted the Seal Beach Symphony, previewed her upcoming hour-long PBS special at L.A.’s Grammy Museum this past week.
Kaur followed the preview with a live performance of several of her latest recordings for the small group of friends and well-wishers inside the museum’s Clive Davis Theater.
She was born Teresa Mai and grew up on the California coast. She knows Seal Beach very well.
As a child, Sangeeta pursued the formal study of music. Perhaps today she sings the praises of miracles because, in music, Sangeeta found a miracle of her own.
Early on, her teachers recognized Sangeeta’s natural talent. They marveled at her gifted voice. Teachers reportedly encouraged and supported her through training and scholarships.
The guiding path of this early love gave Sangeeta the gift of persistence and the desire to practice.
Eventually, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera Performance from the Bob Cole Music Conservatory at California State University, Long Beach, and later, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Boston Conservatory.
Sangeeta began her career in opera. All opera. Nothing but opera, she says. But then, a funny thing happened during a fateful trip to New York.
While auditioning one day, she met a yoga master who eventually encouraged her to change her name, which also changed her perception – and her life – as well.
“I began to study yoga and spirituality deeply. And this started me to shift my entire perspective as to what my purpose was in life … my calling was to bring joy and healing to everyone through my music.”
Sangeeta Kaur
Her experience was so profound that the yoga master suggested she change her name from Teresa Mai to ‘Sangeeta Kaur,’ which means “Princess of Music and Harmony.”
She did, and Mai is now known around the entertainment world as Sangeeta Kaur. She acknowledges her act has also changed and is blessed because it has.
“Back then, the concert was classical-heavy,” she said. “Now,” says Kaur, “it’s semi-classical, New Age, even classical re-arranged — a whole different feel. Nothing wildly extreme, just creating a different sound experience.”
Now that her musical metamorphosis is complete, Kaur’s career has taken flight. Her current act transcends the traditional soprano experience. Though intricate, Kaur gently commands the stage and everything around her during her performance.
In concert, her moves are delicate but sure. She turns away ever-so-delicately just as the cello solo begins; moves slightly to her right when the visuals change. She gives a loving, almost imperceptible look to the audience as the piano solo begins, looks up and delivers her powerful solo, exactly on cue.
Interspersed throughout her performance, Kaur utters soft-spoken, well-chosen words to encourage and inspire her audience.
Her evolutionary, spiritually infused style has been widely praised by the critics and her stagecraft called “cinematic in scope” by others in recent reviews.
“I am deeply moved by the depth of her performance,” said Shiva Baum, former head of A&R, Triloka/Mercury Records. “Sangeeta has a gorgeous angelic voice that melts into your soul and hangs on tight,” claims Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck.
“Kaur’s calling is to bring her gifts and training as a singer and producer and merge them with powerful, meaningful messages that can benefit the world in positive and uplifting ways,” said Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano Magazine.
Kaur has released five award-winning albums: Niguma, Ascension, Mirrors, Compassion and Illuminance. Her latest release, a single, is entitled “In All of Time.”
One of the industry’s leading composers, Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, who has worked with Kaur on three of her four albums, said she believes audiences are yet to hear the infinite power of Kaur’s sweet soprano voice.
“Only you knows your full potential.”
“Sangeeta possesses an uncommonly vast vocal range,” said Vlasse, “so combining that with her immensely rich-toned voice creates endless possibilities for me as a composer.”
“I know I’ve only just begun to tap into all her potential… I will keep testing the limits of my own imagination as I keep writing for this sublimely gifted soprano,” she said.
During her Grammy Museum performance, Sangeeta teamed with Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann to deliver a stellar, nine-minute performance of “Penelope,” a composition from Vlasse’s “Mythologies” album.
The dramatic composition uses only the score, and two sopranos, to retell the story of Queen Penelope (wife of King Odysseus) from Homer’s epic “The Odyssey.”
“It is a 3,000-year old love story as Sangeeta and Hila portray the duality of day and night,” said Vlasse.
Kaur even brings a touch of rock royalty to her PBS segment, performing a duet written by her special guest, Jon Anderson, a composer, singer, and co-founder of the progressive rock band “Yes.”
Grammy winner Hila Plitmann and Sangeeta perform “Penelope” at Grammy Museum.
Kaur said Anderson wrote and co-produced “Love is All” and “Sun and Rain” for the special and sings along with her on one of the tracks.
Kaur also performs a duet with her husband on the special, Hai Nguyen, who demonstrates his own singing voice and artful skill as a classical guitarist.
Her musical roots are deep in Southern California, and she is already giving back to promote the future. She, and her husband Hai, are financially backing the development of a symphony in Seal Beach to promote classical music here.
Area residents may recall when, in 2019, Kaur (appearing then as Teresa Mai) rocked Old Ranch at the sold-out “Love Songs” event in Seal Beach. The pandemic has since prevented “Love Songs” to be held in either 2020 or 2021.
The event two years ago was organized by Seal Beach resident Chad Berlinghieri, who has known and performed opera and classical music with Sangeeta since their college days.
After her performance in Seal Beach, Kaur and Nguyen presented a check representing a commitment of $100,000 to Berlinghieri to support the organization of a Seal Beach Symphony.
Berlinghieri, artistic director of Cathedral Productions and the Seal Beach Symphony, said this week he is delighted to see Kaur’s soar, noting she will be the “Artist in Residence” for the Seal Beach Symphony.
“I have known Sangeeta since we were in college and have seen her blossom into the artist that she is today,” said Berlinghieri in an interview this week. “She is now a complete package with beauty, intelligence, and talent all rolled into one,” he said.
“Also, I’m very happy to congratulate Sangeeta on her PBS special,” he added.
Kaur and her husband Hai Nguyen, right, present check for $100,000 to Chad Berlinghieri, Artistic Director of the Seal Beach Symphony.
“It is such an amazing accomplishment,” he said. “I know that Sangeeta has been working with Grammy award-winning artists in Los Angeles and I’m sure she (Kaur) will have her own Grammy very soon.”
Berlinghieri also announced that Sangeeta can be seen locally on February 12th, 2022, at their event “Love Songs,” to be held at the Old Ranch Country Club. Tickets are on sale now.
Also, he said, the Seal Beach Symphony has recently been awarded their federal tax exception and is now able to accept tax deductible donations. He said many area musicians will be involved in the effort.
Kaur, after the Grammy Museum event, explained why she and her husband were willing to kickstart the Seal Beach Symphony project.
“First of all, Chad is a force of nature,” said Kaur, “and he is someone that’s so devoted and dedicated to getting classical music out into the world for younger generations, for all generations.”
“Through the years he and I have known each other through college and as colleagues,” she said, “and I’m just extremely proud of everything that he’s been doing.”
“His music productions are always top notch and exceptional,” said Kaur.
“We’re [Sangeeta and Hai] always looking for exceptional artists and producers who really want to do something impactful for the community,” she said.
Kaur and Hai now split their time between California and a ranch they purchased near Austin, Texas, where they have constructed a home and “Studio Hill” recording studio, where Kaur now does some of her filming and recording.
Already, Sangeeta has been inducted into the Indie Music Hall of Fame, named Best New Female Artist of the Year, Best Classical Artist and won multiple Radio Song awards. She’s hit a high note but knows there is much more to come.
“Trust in your instincts,” she says. “Trust in your inner voice. Trust in your heart’s song. Everything and anything are possible,” says Kaur.
“Only you know your greatest potential.”
Editor’s note: “Sangeeta Kaur & Friends” special on PBS aired Sept. 29 on local PBS affiliate stations. It will also be available on YouTube.com. More information about her upcoming appearance in Seal Beach can be found at SealBeachSymphony.com or by calling (562) 509-8640.
Despite challenges, the ever popular “Taste of Los Al” school fundraiser, according to organizer Larry Strawther, is back this year, holding a delicious in-person event Oct. 9 at the Shops at Rossmoor.
“I know it will be a crazy weekend with the Seal Beach Car Show in the morning and then our event in the evening, but it should be a fun and successful day for all of us,” said Strawther.
Dozens of restaurants will be back to serve their best to more than 3,000 patrons who have already purchased tickets to attend this weekend’s show.
“We are already 20 percent ahead of 2019 ticket sales, he said, adding that tickets are being sold by the Los Alamitos High School booster clubs, who are the recipient of the event’s proceeds, he said.
Most interestingly, he said, local restaurants “who are facing so many challenges right now, are still willing to generously participate.”
Local restaurants, initially hurt by the lockdown, are now facing unexpected staffing shortages as hospitality workers are hard to find, he said.
“As I walked around to collect the paperwork,” said Strawther, “I noticed a ‘Help Wanted’ sign in almost every window.”
“Many owners, general managers, and reliable staff are working ten- to twelve-hour shifts,” he said.
Strawther said few other businesses have had to endure as many arbitrary, inconsistent rules as restaurants during the past 18 months and that everyone involved are grateful the local dining establishments are working so hard to remain a part of this legendary fundraising event.
The “Taste of Los Al” community fundraiser begins at 6 p.m. and will remain deliciously open until 10 p.m., he added.
In September, a GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds to hire an attorney to file an injunction against the city of Cypress to prevent the city from opening Lexington Park unless significant operational changes are made that will prioritize access and use of the entire park for Cypress residents.
As we all know, attorneys and court costs are expensive. To date, almost $4,000 of the $11,000 needed has been raised. Many thanks to those who have contributed. Unfortunately, time is running out. If the needed funds aren’t raised by the end of October, the effort will be abandoned.
If you would prefer to write a check or give cash or if you have any questions, please email fixlexingtonpark@gmail.com.
The Cypress City Council and City Manager have ignored citizen input and concerns over and over again for issue after issue. Help us stop them from further damaging our neighborhoods.
In a letter recently sent to the city alleging that Cypress is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act, there is a quote that was made by Mayor Jon Peat earlier this year. Mayor Peat is quoted saying: “I don’t believe it is our responsibility to ensure access or success to any particular group.” Access to the soccer fields in the new park, however, will provide access and success to any group or individual that can afford to ‘pay to play’.
During a City Council workshop in May, Mayor Peat made the point that ‘We are building a really fantastic asset and that’s what we should be charging for.’ The City Manager said: ‘We live in a world where recreation users are willing to spend money in exchange for value.’ He also said ‘We dream of a world where there is a professional or collegiate soccer or lacrosse team that is a regular presence during the weekday to practice or train.’
Please consider donating. If you donate and we don’t raise the money we need, you will get your donation back.
In the words of author Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’
Thank you.
Three members of the Los Alamitos Board of Education, Meg Cutuli, Scott Fayette, Chris Forehan were given Recall notices at the Sept 28 Board meeting. This notice included 4 false, unsubstantiated and completely erroneous charges. Let’s separate Facts from Fiction:
Charge 1 Board “threatens mental and physical health of children”.
FACT: Board follows Covid State mandates: Masks, distancing, testing/tracing, quarantine to keep children safe in school and allow our schools to stay opened!
Charge 2. Board “indoctrination of minor children with racial, hate, and sexual based curriculum”
Fact: After 2 years of extensive research & parent/community input Board adopted Ethnic Studies in compliance with the CA. Dept. of Ed. Requirements. The Big Lie that CRT is the curriculum is FALSE!
Charge 3. Board “is sidestepping laws of the Brown Act”
FACT: Board follows all legal requirements of the Brown Act. Agendas & Minutes for regular & special meetings posted, pubic comments called, the “open meeting” law is strictly enforced.
Charge:4 Board “stopped acting on behalf of our kid and families”
FACT: Board continually communicates through newsletters, website, school campuses, etc. Simply look at the stellar reputation of this District. Each school has been recognized as either a California or National Blue-Ribbon school. These awards speak to the caliber of the leadership in our District!
These charges would never have standing in our courts; however, anyone can be recalled in our state with no vetting or analysis to identify the veracity of the charges.
Please contact your School Board Trustee and join in the effort to defeat this cynical recall!
The public is invited to come the General Meeting of the La Palma-Cerritos American Association of University Women on Thursday, October 21,2021, at the La Palma Community Center at 7821 Walker Street in La Palma, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Guest Speaker at 7:00 p.m. will be Professor Jodi Balma, who will be discussing the topic of “Voter Suppression and Restrictions on the Right to Vote.”
Jodi Balma is an active member of the League of Women Voters of North Orange County and Professor of Political Science at Fullerton College since 2000. Balma was recognized as Fullerton College Teacher of the Year in 2014 and 2021. She was also honored by Senator Josh Newman as the 2021 Woman of the Year for Senate District 29. She was named as one of six Orange County Teachers of the Year for 2022 by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) because they “encouraged and uplifted students during one of the most challenging years in a century.”
There will be a “Question and Answer” period following Professor Balma’s presentation followed by a branch business meeting. For more information about the program, contact Program Co- VP Karen Cox at 714-839-1928.
Persons interested in joining the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW can contact Membership Co-VP Joan Flax at 562-860-0642. Membership in the AAUW is open to anyone who wants to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research and has an associate, baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Senior Helpers®, one of the nation’s premier providers of personalized in-home senior care, today announced the official opening of its Seal Beach/Los Alamitos location, to be managed and operated by Steven Nickens and Kimberley Perata.
The new franchise will serve senior citizens and their families throughout the Seal Beach and Los Alamitos area, which includes Orange and Los Angeles counties including Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Long Beach, Bixby Knolls, Cal-Heights, Virginia Country Club, Garden Grove and Hawaiian Gardens. It hopes to bring up to 150 new jobs to the region over the next year. Senior Helpers’ professionally trained caregivers will help local seniors continue to enjoy the comfort of their own home despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges.
“We were drawn to Senior Helpers by the quality services it offers, and the potential to be a part of a company that is known as the first in the industry to provide specialized caregiver training in Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Parkinson’s disease care,” said Steven Nickens. “Our team is proud to provide a valuable resource to our community by helping to alleviate the stress associated with caregiving and ensure a better quality of life for families through personalized in-home senior care.”
Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. Its caregivers in Seal Beach and Los Alamitos are trained to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and Dementia care program. As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, the program was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC. Local residents will also benefit from the company’s Parkinson’s Care Program, a specialized training program for their caregivers created in conjunction with leading experts from the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Centers of Excellence network.
“We’re pleased to welcome Steven and Kimberley to our team as the newest Senior Helpers franchise owners,” said Peter Ross, chief executive officer, Senior Helpers. “Steven and Kimberley bring a passion for their community and an understanding of the importance of in-home senior care to their new roles. This will serve them well and be rewarding for seniors and families living in Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and the surrounding area.”
Senior Helpers newest franchise office is located at 4501 Cerritos Ave Suite 203 Cypress, CA 90630. For more information, visit www.seniorhelpers.com. For inquiries, call Steven or Kimberley at (714) 816-5069 or email info0634@seniorhelpers.com. Senior Helpers of Seal Beach is also hiring caregivers. For more information on available jobs call (714) 816-5069 or email CG0634@seniorhelpers.com.
The Cypress Chamber of Commerce will welcome 72nd District Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen as our guest speaker at our October Networking Breakfast. Our event will be held Tuesday, October 12th at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 4931 Katella Avenue, Cypress/Los Alamitos starting at 7:30 a.m. and will follow all current protocols for attendee safety. Assemblywoman Nguyen will share an overview of the legislative initiatives impacting businesses and the community that were passed in the most recent legislative session.
Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen represents much of west Orange County and many of the cities around Cypress such as Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, West Garden Grove and the unincorporated area of Rossmoor. She resides in Huntington Beach and is the first woman to represent the 72nd Assembly District, the first Vietnamese-American in the country to be elected to serve both the State Senate and State Assembly, the highest-ranking Vietnamese-American elected official in California and the only Asian American woman Legislator in California. Janet is also a small-business owner, a former State Senator for the 34th Senate District and a former 1st District Orange County Supervisor.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to stand and introduce themselves and their business before the program begins.
Reservations are highly recommended for the monthly breakfasts and can be made directly on the Cypress Chamber website by clicking on the link above. Cost of the breakfast is $25.00. Attendees are also encouraged to bring door prizes to promote their product or service. The program will include time for networking, self-introductions, breakfast, our guest speaker and a question and answer session if time permits.
The Chamber breakfasts, which are open to the public, are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Space will be limited. To assure your seat, pre-register on the Cypress Chamber Website. https://www.cypresschamber.org/events/details/october-networking-breakfast-2409
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