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SEE PAGE 3 for health events at senior center

SEE PAGE 2 for supreme court decision on birth control MONDAY, JULY 7, 2014 - JULY 13, 2014

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Levi Ponce: a talented muralist envisioning community improvement through painting by Jennifer schlueter A close friend recommended I check out Levi Ponce’s art (www.leviponce. com). Thrilled about what I saw, we set up an interview at the location of his next mural on a Sunday. In the afternoon, I arrive at Plaza de la Raza in Lincoln Heights, where Levi and his crew had already been working for two hours on a memorial painting for Mexican –American starlet Jenni Rivera who died in a plane crash 2012. Approximately a dozen people stand around the shaded spot where Levi is painting alongside his father and a few other artists he had invited to join, including Rivera’s son Mike. While Levi’s father is coloring the yellow flowers at the bottom of a painting, Levi stands on a ladder shading Rivera’s face. The bilingual artist tells me that he has been painting since he was 4 and that he has “always been the kid with a paint brush in his hand.” Levi idolizes his father with whom he regularly paints, and legendary Classics such as Salvador Dali, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. When I ask him if he prefers realistic styles, he

Reallyshooo kids music review back at Cypress Festival

The Reallyshooo Kids Music Review, featuring interactive fun for the younger set, returns to the Corral Stage at the July 26 Cypress Community Festival at Oak Knoll Park. The Review, headed by Billy and Ellen Makuta of Shooo Fits Entertainment, invites youngsters from the audience to participate by playing tunes, singing and improvising on stage. The Corral Stage is located in the Kids Fun Zone at the Festival and has been a favorite destination for families that bring youngsters who enjoy getting involved. The Makutas are teachers in the “Tools for Tomorrow” after school arts program in the Coachella Valley and won the award for “visionary Teachers of the Year.” They have taught an integrated arts program at the Boys and Girls Levi Ponce painting with his father -Photo Jennifer Schlueter Club, the High Desert Livsays no; he loves everything try, started to use his art to bring ing Arts Center and the John that looks good: sculpture, graf- the community of his home- Robert Powers Arts Academy. fiti, pop art, etc. town Pacoima together. When They entertain kids and parIn 2011, the artist, who he paints, he invites everyone ents across the United States works in visual effects for his and have performed at the St. day time job in the film indusPlease see page 2 Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, The Dover, New York Summer Arts Council and also a reservation for Native Americans in Jemez Springs, NM. They also have an adult version of their show which they have taken to the Walk is underway! The Race will money will be awarded to the Northern UK. For additional be held Saturday, July 26, start top three overall finishers in the information on the Makutas, time 7:30am at the Cypress Civic 10K for both male and female, call (760) 329-1763. Center, 5275 Orange Ave. as well as age division medals for In additional to the ReThis All-American, small both the 5K & 10K races. Post view, there will be familytown certified race course includes electronic timing. Prize Please see page 4 Please see page 3

Register now for 33rd annual Cypress 5K & 10K run/walk Whether you’re a runner or walker, come check out this amazing race and get ready for some good ol’ fashioned summertime fun! Registration for the 33rd Annual Cypress 5K & 10K Run/

VOLUME 1, NO. 10

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Supreme Court out of touch with women’s lives? Last Monday, in a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States sided with Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties. These private corporations sought religious exemptions in the Affordable Care Act requirement that they cover birth control for employees. However, the Supreme Court indicated that the government may provide its own alternatives for those who need to access coverage. Planned Parenthood condemns today’s ruling that some for-profit private corporations can deny birth control coverage to their employees, for no reason other than the personal religious beliefs of the corporation’s owners. “Make no mistake, today’s ruling does not strike down the birth control mandate overall,” stated Sheri Bonner, CEO of Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley. “Thanks to the birth control benefit, women have already saved $483 million in the last year alone.” While this is a federal decision, California’s Women’s Contraceptive Equity Act, signed into law by Gray Davis in 1999, ensures access to birth control through employ-

er health plans. However, in accordance with today’s ruling, some Californians may be subject to a plan-specific co-pay. Women in states without contraceptive equity laws are forced to pay as much as $800 a year out of pocket for birth control. That’s why the mandate is vital to women’s health and economic justice. Studies also show that women who receive birth control with no co-pay or at a reduced cost are able to avoid more than two million unplanned pregnancies each year. It’s not surprising that the public overwhelmingly supports the birth control benefit by a nearly two-to-one margin. “It’s unbelievable that in 2014 we are still fighting for access to birth control,” observed Bonner. “Today’s decision, coupled with last week’s Massachusetts buffer zone decision, shows an alarming trend, a lack of education, and a lack of understanding of the experiences of women today. Regardless of today’s decision, Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley and affiliates across the nation are dedicated to serving all women — no matter where they work.”

Strong Dance Studios helps kick off Cypress Festival entertainment schedule Strong Dance Studios, featuring dancers from 3 - 17 years of age, will perform at the 2014 Cypress Community Festival July 26 at Oak Knoll Park at 9 a.m. The group of 30 will perform excerpts from its summer recital, including ballet, jazz, tap, belly dancing, contemporary and hip hop. The studio teaches a variety of dancing styles for ages 18 months to adults. The Festival features a 5/10K walk/run, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, arts & crafts section, Cypress Chamber Business Expo, classic and vintage car

show and the big chili and salsa contest. Also included in the day’s fare will be rides for the kids, softball games and a variety of food booths. For additional information on all facets of the Festival, including applications for all types of businesses, vendors, non-profit organizations and chili, salsa and car show contestants, go to the Festival website at www.cypressfestival.com. Information on the Strong Dance Studios can be found online at www.strongdancestudios. com or call (714) 821-5500.

Levi Ponce Continued from page 1

to join. Together with his father and many other volunteers, he transformed graffiti marked walls of his neighborhood into what is now called the “Mural Mile.” The strip on Van Nuys Boulevard between Arleta and Herrick Avenue now hosts more than 20 murals depicting Levi’s interpretation of Mona Lisa, a tribute to Michelangelo, several portraits, etc. According to a Huffington post article, Kevin Taylor, chairman of the Reseda Neighborhood Council, praises Levi’s and his work: “Levi is without a doubt one of the most important artists in Los Angeles right now, “ he said. “With the work he’s doing, his skill level, talent, the speed with which he works and the positive messages he brings to his murals, what he’s bringing to communities that need his work ... To have the opportunity to have him painting here in Reseda is a huge honor, and the murals that he’s leaving here are treasures.” However, the Cal State Northridge graduate does not limit his murals to the San Fer-

nando Valley. With his art, he wants to “paint cities, not walls,” as he says. His murals and paintings are all over Los Angeles, but also on the east coast. His eyes light up when Levi tells me about his ultimate goal to tour the world while painting, but especially in Brazil, where they have “a mean street art game,” as he describes it. When I ask the artist for a message that he wants to get out, he says: “You don’t need your city’s permission if you want to do something positive.” He is not interested in starting his own organization to help communities, but would rather have existing organizations work closer together instead of competing with them by starting his own. After all, “I just want to paint,” he states. Levi does not get paid for his murals; he finances them out of his own pocket. By painting them, he not only beautifies communities, but also engages them to work together. More information about Levi Ponce and his art can be found on www.leviponce.com.

JULY 7, 2014 - JULY 13, 2014 | 3

hlr media EDITORIAL

jschlueter@hlrmedia.com

Editor

Jennifer Schlueter

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Please send all press releases to: jschlueter@hlrmedia.com HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC

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Special topics and screenings at the Cypress Senior Center for July 2014 The following programs will be offered at the Cypress Senior Center, which is located at 9031 Grindlay Street, just south of Lincoln Avenue and about a mile west of Valley View Street in Cypress. You need not be a Cypress resident to participate in these free programs. Reservations are recommended, unless otherwise indicated. For more information or reservations please call (714) 229-2005. Information about other services at the Cypress Senior Center may also befound on the Cypress Recreation & Community Services’ website at www.cypressrec.com. BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS Glenda Papa, R.N. Fridays - July 11th, 18th and 25th, 10:00 - 11:30 am Free. Walkin. CSULB School of Nursing Tuesdays, July 8th and 29th, Thursdays, July 17th and 24th, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm Free. Walk-in. CALIFORNIA TELEPHONE ACCESS PROGRAM - CTAP Thursday, July 3rd 10:00 - 11:30 am, CA Communications Access Foundation: Californians who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled, blind, have low vision, cognitive impairments or restricted mobility are eligible to receiveequipment from CTAP. Eligible customers can receive equipment absolutely free. Find out if you qualify and how to apply. Free. Walk-in. HEARING SCREENING Monday, July 7th 9:30 11:30 am, Sam Moghadam, HIS, Ascent Hearing Center, Hearing instrument specialist, Sam Moghadam, will offer a hearing screening. If you have any questions about your hearing, now is the time to get a hearing check-up with this free service. Appointment required! MEMORY AND LEARNING Tuesday, July 8th 10:30 - 11:30 am, Dr. Will Rogers, Seacrest Health & Wellness

Center: Are you struggling every day just because you can’t remember where you put your car keys? Are you having a hard time remembering people’s names, phone numbers and addresses? Your memory doesn’t always work perfectly. As people grow older, it may take longer to retrieve information. Learn about how memory works and how you can improve it. STROKE AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE PREVENTION PLUS AORTIC ANEURYSM SCREENING Thursday, July 10th, Stroke Lecture 9:30 - 10:15 am, Screening 10:15 - 11:30 am, Roxana Todd Hodges Stroke Founda-

tion: Stroke is the fourth cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in America. Learn about risk factors, warning signs, and prevention of stroke, and high blood pressure. After the lecture, there will be an aortic aneurysm screening provided. You MUST attend the lecture to qualify for the aortic aneurysm screening. Make your reservation for the program; the first twenty people to sign up will participate in the screening; wait list people will be seen as time permits. Pre-registration required! For more events and information, visit www.cypressrec. com.

Reallyshooo Continued from page 1

friendly entertainment on the Corral Stage throughout Festival Day, including Janet Karter’s Country Kickers, The Ronald McDonald magic show, Strong Dance Studio, Coloring Contest awards, Fun with Reptiles and Fun with Puppies. Families visiting this year’s Cypress Festival also will be able to enjoy the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. There will be shopping, arts & crafts, business

expo, chili cook-off, car show, face-painting clowns, a dancing chicken from Chick-FilA and Snoopy from Knott’s Berry Farm. This year’s event has many corporate and individual sponsors including Platinum Sponsors Go Country 105 FM and UnitedHealthcare. Exhibits and rides will be open from 9 a.m. a.m. until 5 p.m. Additional information on the oneday Festival is available online at www.cypressfestival.com.

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Race Awards will take place at the Race Finish Line. Immediately following the awards, just one block away, visit the Cypress Community Festival, which features 200 vendors, live entertainment, and a beer garden. Over 2200 participants are expected to run in this fast & flat certified course, an additional 400 are expected to take part in the 5K Walk, taking place on the same course at the same time as the Run. The walk is a recreational, non-competitive, untimed event offered to include involvement of those who do not wish to run. This race is a part of the newly created OC California Race Series! Challenge yourselves to participate and finish in consecutive order in any combination of three 5k/10k/Triathlon out of four

upcoming events, one in each of the participating cities of Cypress, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach, and receive a one-of-a-kind coveted medal! Your award medal can be picked up at the final event you complete in the series. Don’t miss this chance to earn a truly unique medal to commemorate your achievements! There is no additional cost or extra registration necessary for participation in the series. Register for each event as usual. Be sure to register early using the same name and birth date for each race. To qualify, you must receive an official finish time for each event (Cypress Walk does not qualify, as it is non-competitive and untimed). Once a registration has sold out, you will NOT be able to register. If you miss even one event out of three consecutive events from the

three cities, you will automatically be disqualified, and must start over. Registration for the Cypress 5K & 10K Run/Walk is available through Active.com and can be accessed through the City of Cypress website at cypressrec.com. In addition, registration forms can be downloaded on the website or can be picked up at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Ave. The cost for the 5K & 10K races are $25.00 from now until July 11th and $35.00 from July 12th through Race Day. The noncompetitive 5K Walk is only $20 from now until race day. Race t-shirts are guaranteed for all preregistered participants and runner goodie bags will be given to all. This event would not be possible without the help of amazing volunteers. If you are interested

in being part of our Volunteer Team for this great event, please visit cypressrec.com to complete or download an interest form or call Cypress Recreation & Community Services at (714) 229-6780 to get involved either prior to or on race day! The City of Cypress would like to thank our amazing sponsors: Principal: Bandai Foundation & Runner’s High, Gold: American Rentals, Inc., Los Alamitos Race Course, Manhattan Beachwear Inc., Mitsubishi Motors, Southland Credit Union, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA & Rudy Zuniga, Realtor; Silver: Crystal Geyser, Healthcare Partners / Jeffrey Roth D.O. & Residence Inn Marriott - Cypress/Los Alamitos. Bronze: Dominic’s Ristorante Italiano & Value Options.

Join the Arbor Day Foundation in July and 10 trees will be planted in high-need national forests

Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086

America’s forestland is a prized natural resource, and anyone can help plant trees in these vital areas by joining the Arbor Day Foundation this month. Through the Replanting Our National Forests campaign, the Arbor Day Foundation will honor each new member who joins in July by planting 10 trees in forests that have been devastated by wildfires, insects and disease. The cost for joining the Arbor Day Foundation is a $10 donation. America’s national forests face enormous challenges, including unprecedented wildfires that have left a backlog of more than one million acres in need of replanting. The Foundation has worked with the United States Forest Service for more than 20

years to plant trees in high-need forests. Our national forests provide habitat for wildlife, keep the air clean and help ensure safe drinking water for more than 180 million Americans. “Keeping our forests healthy is vital to the health of people and the entire planet,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By planting trees in our national forests, we will preserve precious natural resources and the benefits they provide for generations to come.” To join the Arbor Day Foundation and help plant trees in our national forests, send a $10 membership contribution to Replanting Our National Forests, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, or visit arborday.org/july.