Moskowitz Foundation Donates $500,000 Toward Construction of Sports Complex in Hawaiian Gardens

Mrs. Irving Moskowiz presents check for $500,000 for the Sports Complex to be constructed on the Fedde Middle School athletic grounds to members of the Hawaiian Gardens City Council and Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts and members of the Board of Education Oct.19.

By Jerry Bernstein

The long awaited Sports Complex at Fedde Middle School to be built by the City of Hawaiian Gardens took a step forward Oct. 19 when Mrs. Irving Moskowitz, wife of the founder of the Irving Moskowitz Foundation, presented a check for $500,000 to members of the Hawaiian Gardens City Council and ABC School Board, to be used toward the construction of the said Complex.
The Foundation had pledged a total $1.5 million three years ago toward the project. Monday’s presentation fulfilled the pledge.
When complete the complex will house four baseball/softball diamonds, backstops, bleachers, drinking fountains, three football/soccer fields, one storage building, restroom, snack bar and multi-purpose room building, modification of the irrigation system, parking lot improvements, sports field lighting and a multi-purpose athletic field.
“This is a huge undertaking for the city of Hawaiian Gardens,” stated Mrs. Moskowitz, “and we are delighted to be part of that development. To date we have given the city $1 million and I now have the pleasure of presenting to the city of Hawaiian Gardens a check for $500,000. All of us are looking forward to the completion and opening games at the Moskowitz Sports Complex.”
Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts described an Education Program consisting of a solid combination of Health and Classroom Instruction. “The Sports Complex will make a difference to our adults and children in our community for many years to come,” he stated.
Estimated cost of the project is $8 million. The City will contribute $7.5 million and the ABC School District will contribute $500,000. The City has identified $6,443,880 for their share in Grant Foundation, Redevelopment Bonds and non-allocated reserve funds from the current year for this project and will need to contribute $1,056,120 in future years to complete the project. In a report to the council at its Oct. 13 meeting, City Attorney John Cavanaugh noted that with the addition of non-city monies-including State Bond Act, donations and school district funds-amounts to a $3 million reduction in the cost of construction for the project and is equal to a 35 percent discount that would normally be required to pay for the project. He also said State Bond funds need to be expended by June 30, 2011.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in November 2010. City officials said with the available funding, the project may need to be completed in phases. They said the City is pursuing additional grant funding and is seeking to purchase CDBG funds , which can be used for the project.
Mrs. Moskowitz said she and her husband have had a close association with Hawaiian Gardens for almost 40 years when the Tri-City Regional Medical Center opened as Cerritos Garden Hospital. She said the Foundation has contributed to numerous projects in the city, but the one the Foundation is especially proud to sponsor is the Food Bank.
“In 2008 we helped feed 862 families. We estimated there were seven people to a family. So far in 2009, we have helped more than 1100 family and this is only October. In addition we have helped this year 256 emergency families that may be from outside Hawaiian Gardens. She concluded by saying, “We will continue to serve the neediest of the Hawaiian Gardens family.”

Supervisor Knabe Celebrates Birthday, Says He Will Seek Re-election in 2012

Supervisor Don Knabe celebrated his birthday Oct. 15 at his14th annual Oktoberfest and Birthday Celebration aboard the Queen Mary. Helping him blow out the candles on his birthday cake are his wife Julie and grandchildren.



By Jerry Bernstein

Supervisor Don Knabe celebrated his birthday Oct. 15 aboard the Queen Mary and announced he would be a candidate for re-election in 2012. “I love my job”, Knabe told estimated 450 supporters and friends in the ship’s main ballroom.
He said the business downturn in the state was bad, but stated, We will come out of it.” He said, “We saw it coming and put aside money in a rainy day fund. We’re in a better situation than some other government agencies. At the same time each of our departments has had a 6 1/2 percent reduction in funding and there have been no raises. In addition the unions are working with us and have signed a two year agreement with us, helping stabilize the situation.”
Introducing Knabe was Dave Gillotte with the Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014. He reviewed Knabe's public service, noting he was elected to the Cerritos City Council in 1980 and served for eight years, including two terms at Mayor. He said he was very involved in supporting and implementing the city’s general plan, first as a citizen, then as a planning commissioner and later as a member of the city council and mayor.
He said the plan is now regarded as a national model for sensible growth. It called for development of the Cerritos Auto Square, the Los Cerritos Center, and the Cerritos Towne Center, creating a tax base that provided jobs, more citizen services, doubled the number of city parks, and allowed for the creation of the nationally acclaimed Cerritos Performing Arts Center.
Following a successful career as a small business owner, the Supervisor joined County Supervisor Deane Dana’s staff in 1982, soon becoming his chief of staff. Gillotte said it was through Knabe’s personal effort that the County ocean lifeguards were transferred to the County Fire Department.
He concluded by describing Knabe as a family man who looks at the county like it was his own family.

Artesia Historical Society Holds Sixth Annual Gala

By Jerry Bernstein

The Artesia Historical Society held its sixth Annual Gala Fundraiser Oct. 10 celebrating the city’s 50th birthday. The fundraising festivities were held in the Albert O. Little Community Center across from city hall with the organization raising $11,000. All funds raised will be used to continue the many programs of the Society, including maintenance and continued development of the museums, docent guided museum tours for school children, which officials said is in a continuous growing mode.
Greeting the guests was Society President Barbara Applebury who thanked them for their continued support. She said they had come a long way, with the Artesia museum a going concern and the restoration of old Fire Station #30 moving forward. Applebury called Past President Veronica Bloomfield to the podium and commented, “Veronica was president for 10 years. We owe a lot to her. I’ve been president for just a few weeks, and have thought about resigning twice.”
Bloomfield said when they first organized there were just two or three members who met in a member’s house. Eventually, as group grew, they started meeting in the Community Center. She related how they had begun going through the city archives and salvage many original pictures of the early days of the city and various artifacts.
Activities at the Gala included a silent auction and an Opportunity Drawing. Dinner was prepared by Vital Lourenco, who served Tri-Tip and Salmon. Will Donato provided musical entertainment.

ABC Unified School District Wins Two Golden Bell Awards

ABC Unified School District will be honored in the 30th Annual Golden Bell Awards Program of the California School Boards Association. The District will receive two Golden Bell Awards this year. One was won for the Network for a Healthy California Program under the direction of Dipa Shah, Program Coordinator. The goal of the Network for a Healthy Program is to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity among low income families. The program began in 2004 in response to the growing concern of childhood obesity among school aged children.
The second award was won for the Red Carpet Media Festival at Tetzlaff Middle School. The program is administered by Crechena Wise, Principal of Tetzlaff MS and under the direction of Greg Porter, Journalism teacher.
The goal of the Red Carpet Media Festival is to celebrate student achievement inn the areas of technology and media productions in a culminating event. The event creates a platform for students to communicate to the local community as well as the professional community while teaching life long technology skills. The program has been in place since September 2005.
According to Dr. Mary Sieu, Deputy Superintendent, the highly respected Golden Bell Awards will be presented at a special ceremony during CSBA’s Awards Luncheon at the Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego on Saturday, December 5, 2009. The event is held in conjunction with the California’s School Boards Association’s Annual Education Conference. The Golden Bell Awards Program promotes excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs in school districts throughout California. ABC Unified School District has received six Golden Bell Awards from CSBA during the past seven years.

Lakewood Regional Medical Center's New Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Increases Local Access to Highly Specialized Heart Care

To help improve local access to highly specialized heart care services, Lakewood Regional Medical Center (LRMC) has completed a $10 million expansion of its cardiac catheterization laboratory.
Due to the increasing number of cardiac patients being treated, LRMC found it necessary to expand the cardiac catheterization laboratory (cardiac cath lab) by 7,000 square feet. After 18 months of construction, the new cardiac cath lab opened two weeks ago. The new lab enables LRMC to not only increase the number of patients that can be seen and treated, but it also enhances the types of cardiac services LRMC can provide to patients.
“We are extremely excited that this caliber of unit has been built at our hospital,” commented Mark Korth, chief executive officer at LRMC. “The new cath lab procedure rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art digital imaging systems that have consistently been one of the highest rated systems in the market. To go along with this latest technology, the cardiac cath lab has a dedicated and highly experienced staff of nurses to care for patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The expanded lab also has the capabilities to perform a full range of peripheral vascular imaging and treatment.
Brown explained, “In addition to cardiac procedures, the new procedure rooms are equipped to perform most peripheral vascular angiography procedures.”
The cardiac care program at LRMC has seen tremendous advancements over the last few years under the leadership of several key physicians.
“Being able to offer the highest quality cardiac care to our patients has always been our top priority,” stated Jack Dobkin, M.D. medical director of Lakewood’s cardiac cath lab. “It is wonderful to know that patients in this area have access to such a great facility and experienced physicians to count on when it comes to heart care.”
The newly expanded area gives the cardiac cath lab extra square footage needed to offer a full range of services. Included in the redesign is a dedicated waiting area for family and friends, express admitting and reception area, a pre and post procedure recovery room, consultation room for patients, a conference room and a completely remodeled locker room for physicians and staff.
Brown explained, “By adding these facilities, we are able to provide better service and even a higher quality of care to our patients.”
The design of the lab was created to make patients more comfortable while undergoing cardiac procedures. Also, the newly installed technology assists physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced heart disease.
“Over the past several years, Lakewood Regional Medical Center has made high quality cardiac care in this area possible. We will continue to do whatever it takes to make this facility and all the services we provide the very best for the people of this region,” said Korth.
For more information on Lakewood Regional Medical Center, please visit www.lakewoodregional.com.

NWC Hosts Kitchen Shower for Orange County Ronald McDonald House

By Helen M. Brown

The ladies gave a Kitchen Shower at their September meeting of the Norwalk Woman’s Club (NWC) for the Orange County Ronald McDonald House (OCRMH). It was an overwhelming success as the ladies all participated with generous gifts and donations. Centerpieces on each table consisted of baskets filled with a variety of supplies.
The guest speaker was Ms. Kathy Russell who took time off from her many duties at the OCRMH to spread the good word of just what the House provides for its many visitors each year. Families with sick children come from all over the world to get medical help for their young. This home is their ‘home away from home’ while they are here. They may need to stay for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years. What ever the need, the RMH provides it.
The Federation of Women Clubs (GFWC) headquartered in Washington; DC has long supported the Ronald McDonald Houses in all 50 states and overseas. The NWC focuses on our local House in Orange. Our support goes there. While there are several Houses in California, the one in Orange is closest to our hearts.
The Ronald McDonald house program in 1974 when Philadelphia Eagles player, Fred Hill’s small daughter, Kim, was diagnosed with leukemia. Thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans, Jim Murray, the General Manager of the Eagles, Ed Rensi, McDonald’s Regional Manager, and Fred Hill himself, the first Ronald McDonald House was built.
Ten years later in 1984 the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) was established in memory McDonalds founder, Ray Kroc, a strong advocate for children. The following year, in 1985, the first overseas RMHC was opened in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Within eleven years there had been eighty-eight (88) houses built worldwide. By year 2007 there were 271 Houses in thirty-one (31) countries.
In November of 1989 the doors of Orange County Ronald McDonald House Charities were opened. The vision for it began in the early 80s when Ron Van Winkle admitted his nine year old son, Patrick, to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) for treatment of cancer. It would be three years, three months, and six days before the vigil for Patrick’s successful cancer treatment ended. In the meantime, Ron found himself sleeping in his car, on sofas in the hospital, or anywhere he could lay his head. One night when a security guard woke him in his car and had him return to a sofa back in the hospital waiting room that the need for a home for parents in Orange County was finally recognized.
The need was brought to the attention of Dr. Geni Bennetts. With her backing Ron was easily elected to the first newly formed board of directors. The board negotiated the purchase of the land and worked with architect Bill O’Keefe to design a 20-bedroom house that was warm and inviting built close to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. This was to provide the families with ‘a home away from home’.
Since its opening in 1989 this Orange County House has provided affordable housing for over 8, 000 families from over 22 countries. The Norwalk Woman’s Club has proudly supported this project for many years. They plan to continue to do under the leadership of Chairperson Betty Lou Larsen. Showers, pull-tabs, and cash donations are just a sample of the ways in which we raise funds.
Pull-tabs is another exciting way in which the NWC raises funds. This allows you to meet a variety of people. Imagine going to a rally, fair, luncheon, ballgame, etc where you may know only one or two people. You ask your neighbor if you can have the pull tab from their can of beverage they are drinking. Before you know it, everyone in sight is helping you collect pull tabs, plus you’ve talked to a dozen different people. Meeting new people, making new friends makes life more interesting.
The OCRMH is planning a fundraiser of their own, a High Tea & Fashion Show, to celebrate their 20th anniversary. It will be held Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Balboa Bay Club. If you are interested in sponsoring, advertising in this event, donating a raffle gift, or purchasing a ticket to attend you may contact Melanie Pollak at 714-516-3669.

Fedde Middle School Hosts First Annual Community Roundtable

By Larry Caballero

Fedde Middle School in Hawaiian Gardens invited school and community leaders “to work in partnership with the school community” at its Fedde International Studies Academy’s First Annual Community Roundtable Oct. 16. Interim Principal Carol Castro told participants “We want to answer any of your questions regarding the school and share with you our school plans for this year.”
Castro explained the school’s Instructional Focus and shared its objectives of informing the community stakeholders about the current state of the school and the goals for this school year, as well as working in partnership with stakeholders to “create the best educational environment for our students.”
Classroom tours allowed community leaders to observe first hand the effectiveness of new teaching methods for promoting student achievement and were asked to share their experiences with the group. Castro believes that the school needs to do a better job in educating the community about the many improvements at the school. “There is a lot of untrue information out there.”
Fedde lost 120 students last year to neighboring schools such as Haskell and Tetzlaff even while it was experiencing success with its International Studies Academy. Associate Superintendent Mary Seiu suggested starting a district community leadership team to serve as an advisory committee that could meet on a quarterly basis to promote student achievement and address community concerns. All the participants agreed that Fedde was doing an admirable job instituting holistic learning and instructional practices and congratulated the school for reaching out to the community by hosting a community barbeque scheduled Nov. 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on campus.
Castro said, “We have been planning and discussing how best to show off our campus and programs during the event. We remain hopeful that this will continue a growing positive perception within the community.”

Cerritos Councilwomen Laura Lee Honored At Charity Concert

By Larry Caballero

Cerritos City Councilmember and former mayor Laura Lee was honored with the A3M Human Spirit Award Oct. 18 at the 12th Annual Charity Concert and Dinner benefiting A3M, Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
A3M’s goal, in addition to raising funds for their programs, is to raise awareness and add new registrants to the national Be The Marrow Registry. “It is my hope that, together with all of you, we will be able to help all patients who are looking for their matching donor who can help them live out their dreams,” said A3M Assistant Director Shin Ito.
Inscribed on Lee’s award were the words, “For making a difference in the lives of patients and giving hope to families around the world.” Lee said that it was “a great honor to receive this award, and I consider all of the many volunteers and donors as the true heroes in the fight against leukemia and other deadly diseases who have hosted more than 700 donor drives during the past year.”
Lee first learned of the organization through a Cerritos resident whose husband was suffering from leukemia. The resident asked Lee to assist a family living in Arizona who had adopted a six-year-old Chinese orphan girl who was recently diagnosed with the disease. Data has proven that there can be up to an 85% bone marrow match if the patient and donor are of the same ethnic background. Since Cerritos has a huge Asian population, it made sense to ask Councilmember Lee to assist in finding a donor.
“I was glad to help. I find moments like those to be the best part of being on council. It gives me an opportunity to give support in so many ways.” Lee, a registered marrow donor, has participated in numerous press conferences to draw attention to the urgent needs of patients in their searches for a chance to live. Whenever possible, she has also involved local politicians by conveying the importance of A3M’s work in the community and the potential the city of Cerritos holds in assisting to increase the diverse data base of donors in the national registry.
“Everyone should consider becoming a registered bone marrow donor. Who knows, you may be saving the life of a loved one. All life is precious,” said Lee.

Blind Start of America Holds Successful Premiere Event

By Larry Caballero


Blind Start of America’s President and Founder Brian Tom wanted to hold his premiere event Dinner in the Dark at the Cerritos Sheraton Oct. 10 in recognition of World Blindness Awareness Month. The event was branded by Tom as a special visionary experience…blindfolded to give guests a greater understanding of the plight and challenges that the blind and visually impaired experience each day.
“I hope this knowledge will empower us all to work together with BSA to make positive changes for thousands of Persons with Disabilities,” said Tom, who has been blind for the last seventeen years.
“Although I lost my sight, I never lost my vision to communicate with the world that we are not disabled, just differently abled.”
Special guests included Board of Supervisor Don Knabe, Cerritos City Councilmember Jim Edwards, ABC School Board member Maynard Law and Los Cerritos Community News Publisher Brian Hews. Everyone enjoyed cocktails and a private wine tasting, entertainment by the International Peace Choir that sang several songs including “Let There Be Peace On Earth”, and lessons on how to eat blind before dinner was prepared by Chef Carlos Garcia.
Many guests attempted to eat with their blindfolds while others were seen trying to peek over or under theirs. Commissioner Lily Kuo and Financial Planner John Meinert are to be commended for not removing their blindfolds during most of the dinner and program.
After Motivational Remarks and a Scholarship Ceremony by Tom, there was a centerpiece drawing game and a live auction. The closing performance by professional singer Emy Baysic was mesmerizing as she sang numbers from “Les Miserables”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Miss Saigon”.
It was a very special evening that will be cherished for many years to come and a visionary experience that will not soon be forgotten.