The Orange County Tribune May 13, 2023

Weather Forecast

WEEKEND EDITION

72 59

Saturday: 72/59 partly cloudy Sunday: 73/59 partly cloudy Monday 76/60 mostly sunny Tuesday: 81/61 mostly sunny

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Volume 3, Number 35 n orangecountytribune.com n Saturday, May 13, 2023 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

New Policy On Flag Display Is Defeated Vote is 3-2 as Manzo, Ho are voted down

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

A proposal to widen the number of commemorative flags flown on city property was rejected by the Westminster City Council on Wednesday night.

The council voted three to two – with Councilmembers Carlos Manzo and Kimberly Ho opposed – to take no action on Manzo’s motion to

adopt a flag display policy similar to one recently approved by the Riverside City Council.

On May 2, the RCC approved a policy authorizing flags such as those observing Black History Month (February), LGBTQ Pride Month (June) and Latino/a Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct 15).

Manzo raised the point that the city flies the banner of the former Republic of (South) Vietnam for a week to commemorate the fall of Saigon in April 1975.

“There are a lot of groups that have suffered discrimination and by flying Continued on page 2

Coronavirus cases dip but deaths are up After a steep rise last week, the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in Orange County has dropped to a more typical level.

According to the county health care agency, the latest tally of new cases – for the period covering May 4-10 – was 548, compared to the previous week’s total of 1,859.

Two weeks ago the total was 562.

The death rate continued to rise, though, going from 18 last week to 25 this week. Two weeks ago the total was nine fatalities tied to the virus.

Hospitalizations are at 83, compared to 67 the week before and 86 two weeks ago.

Continued on page 2

THIS NAKED SURFER statue on Pacific Coast Highway seems to run afoul of proposed ordinance on nudity on public property in Huntington Beach (Shutterstock/ Sandra Floyt)

Surf City doesn’t want to be the Naked City on beach, etc.

Here’s the naked truth. You’d better not be nude on the sand in Huntington Beach. Or in the library.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the city council, an ordinance proposed for introduction will be considered relating to public nudity. It’s an amendment to an existing ordinance that would make it illegal for anyone over the age of 9 to “appear, sunbathe, walk or be on or in any public park, city-owned or operated facility, playground, beach or water adjacent thereto, or on any other public land” or on private property open to view from public property.

The ordinance defines the body parts to be covered up, but it makes an exception for women engaging in breastfeeding.

If adopted, the ordinance becomes effective 30 days later.

Also on the agenda is an update on the city’s policy on invocations at council meetings, and a request to have a moment of silence instead of an invocation.

The council meets at 3 p.m. in closed session and study session, with the regular business meeting at 6 p.m. both at the Council Chambers, 2000 Main St.

HB must pay $3.5m in legal fees Huntington Beach must pay $3.5 million to the Kennedy Commission – an organization advocating for affordable housing – to cover the cost of legal fees from a lawsuit over the city’s housing “element.”

A California court of ap-

peals made that ruling on Thursday.

Huntington Beach has been involved in several legal actions to block the state’s enforcement of new housing rules and regulations that are generally aimed at encouraging construction of more

homes – including affordable housing – that Surf City leaders have argued were an illegal interference with local control.

At the same time, Huntington Beach has been sued by the state over its failure to submit a new Continued on page 2

For breaking news and sports all week long, go to www.orangecountytribune.com

2 SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Westminster City Council action Continued from page 1

their flags we show solidarity with them,” said Manzo.

Councilmember Amy Phan West replied that it was impossible to fly the flag of every group that desired that and defended the display of the South Vietnam-

ese flag as something supported broadly by a community with a large Vietnamese population.

“If we allow all other flags, we open up a can of worms,” she said.

Westminster generally flies the U.S., California and city flags.

HB must pay $3.5m in fees Continued from page 1

housing element that calls for the city to plan for – but not necessarily build – 13,338 more residences over the next 10 years as a way of coping with California’s housing shortage.

Earlier this week, a settlement was announced with the organizers of the Pacific Air Show

in which the city must pay $5 to $7 million in damages in compensation for the cancellation of the last day of the 2021 show because of an oil spill.

Coronavirus stats show dip in cases but rise in deaths Continued from page 1

The use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients continues to decline, to nine this week compared to 11 last week and 12 the week before that.

To date, Orange County has had 720,787 confirmed coronavirus cases and 8,152 deaths.

Orange County Tribune: Every Wednesday amd Friday.

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JIm Tortolano Editor and Publisher Marilyn Lewis Tortolano General Manager The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays and Saturdays with some exceptions. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844.

E-mail : orangecountytribune@gmail. com.

Website: www.orangecountytribune. com.

Phone: (714) 458-1860.

Established Aug. 6, 2016. All opinions expressed in The Tribune, unless otherwise stated, are those of the individual writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Tribune.

A member of The Associated Press, the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association and Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce.

The Orange County Tribune Every Wednesday & Saturday

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023 3

News&Views 150 years later, let’s fete what Alonzo founded I can’t pronounce it, but I do want to take note of it.

Garden Grove was founded in 1874 by Alonzo Cook and his posse, which will make our town 150 years old in 2024. Joe Biden, too, I think.

That’s called a sesquicentennial.

In case you’re wondering why you sometimes read or hear that Garden Grove was started in 1956, that’s because the city was incorporated Jim Tortolano that year.

Garden Grove, like most cities, has a past that’s rich with littleknown facts, hidden surviving sites and quirky people.

And there’s always “new” history being discovered all the time. Jerry Howard, Westminster’s leading historian, recently unearthed a 1933 photo of the Midway City (Volunteer) fire guys dressed up as women for a fund-raiser.

Considering the current controversy about “drag shows” it’s especially amusing.

Garden Grove has been home to a World War II prisoner-ofwar camp and the now-defunct Playgirl magazine.

Huntington Beach is – as many of you know – the place where surfboard riding (surfing) took root on the mainland from Hawaii. It was also once considered one of the ugliest cities in California when the entire coastline was dominated by looming, smelly oil drilling derricks.

Stanton was born twice and there’s a long stretch of land from northern HB all the way to southern GG once termed “Gospel Swamp” in reference to the traveling evangelists who conducted tent revival meetings

n WESTMINSTER PLANNING COMMISSION

Ask variance for two-story duplex homes A request for a variance that would clear the way for a proposed two-story duplex goes before the Westminster Planning Commission when it meets on Wednesday, May 17.

The applicant, Peter Tran, is asking for a variance to allow for a five-foot side yard setback on the first floor of the project.

The municipal code requires a seven-foot setback for two-story structures.

Address of the proposed development is 7811-7813 11th St., east of Cedarwood Street.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, 8200 Westminster Blvd.

Retorts

Continued on page 4

MARINA HIGH principal Dr. Morgan Smith and Viking students take a plunge into the new campus swimming pool after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday (HBUHSD photo).

Vikings take a dip into campus pool Marina High School of Huntington Beach officially opened its new pool facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

Principal Dr. Morgan Smith was joined by school administration and staff, Huntington Beach Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Clint Harwick, district office administration, and members of the Board of Trustees, including President Diana Carey, Dr. Bonnie Castrey, and Susan Henry.

Marina Aquatics teams, cheer, band, and ASB were also in attendance.

The new pool at Marina was completed in March 2023. Construction of the pool began in

April 2022 and cost a total of $5,753,823. This new larger pool replaces two older smaller pools that have served the school since its opening.

At 25 yards wide and 35 meters long, this facility allows for up to 10 lanes of competitive swimming, regulation water polo, and a shallow area for beginners and athletes to stay warmed up during events.

While looking out to the new pool, Dr. Smith explained, “Twenty years ago I stood on this pool deck as a first-year teacher and water polo coach.

Coming back as its principal to witness its transformation is surreal. I could not be more grateful Continued on page 4

n STANTON CITY COUNCIL

Workshop on budget set for Wednesday

A special meeting of the Stanton City Council is scheduled for Tuesday for a look at the proposed city budget for 2023-24.

This budget workshop will be held at 5 p.m. in the Civic Center, 7800 Katella Ave. Presentations will be made on department program budgets including administration, finance, public safety, public works, community and economic development and community services.

Also to be discussed is the capitol improvement program and “decision packages.”

The meeting is open to the public.

4 SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

NewsUpdate

Retorts: Sesquicentential Continued from page 3

on land – an area often kneedeep in water, dotted by a few “islands” – that nobody else wanted.

I wasn’t born yesterday and neither was your city. Here’s hoping that smart people at City Hall and on your street

remember that and pay their history some respect.

Thanks to Mark Mackanic of Main Street Tax Station for the reminder about the 150th year of Garden Grove’s founding, a full two years before Custer’s Last Stand.

Marina High’s new pool Continued from page 3

AN IDAHO JURY convicted accused mother of murder.

Woman convicted of killing her two ‘zombie’ children A jury in Boise, Idaho on Friday convicted Lori Vallow Daybell of murdering her two youngest children and a woman she considered a rival.

According to the Associated Press, Daybell believed that her children were zombies and she was a goddess sent down to Earth to begin the Apocalypse predicted in the Bible.

She has not been sentenced, and another trial awaits her for planning to kill her fourth husband.

Her fifth husband, Clay Daybell must now stand trial on the same murder charges as Lori Vallow Daybell.

Migrant surge at the border didn’t happen

The expected surge of migrants from Mexico into the United States the day after Title 42 restrictions lapsed didn’t materialize on Friday.

According to United Press International, the border was quiet and there was no substantial increase in migrants as the noted by customs and immigration officials.

Also in the news … The new CEO of Twitter has been announced as Linda Yaccarino, formerly of a NBCUniversal advertising executive

Sports: Lakers close out the Warriors in semifnals

The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the NBA Western Conference finals with their 122101 win over the Golden State Warriors Friday night.

LeBron James scored 30 points as the Lake Show won the semifinal series four games to two. Austin Reaves had 23 and D’Angelo Russell scored 19.

Stephen Curry scored 32 to lead the Warriors.

LAL will play the Denver Nuggets in a best-of-seven series starting on Tuesday.

Also on Friday night the Los Angeles Angels rallied with two runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Guardians 5-4 in Cleveland.

With the win, the Halos are 2118 and still in second place in the American League West.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated San Diego Padres 4-2 to improve to 24-15, still leading the National League West.

Weather: The too-slow warm-up

It might be nice to have the thermometer hit the 80s in the West Orange County area this weekend, but it looks like we will have to wait. Saturday’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a daytime high of 72 with an overnight low of 59. Sunday will be similar with a high of 73 (59).

and proud of the work it took to accomplish this long process. We’re looking forward to the continued evolution of our aquatics programs and the memories we’ll share in this next stage of our exciting journey.”

In honor of opening the new pool, MHS students and Dr. Smith pulled a prank on the audience as Dr. Smith was “pushed” into the pool in full business attire. After he showed off his backstroke, other members of the aquatics teams jumped in with him to celebrate.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023 5

Arts&Living

A Likable ‘Michael J. Fox’ Film ‘Still’ has insight into the actors rise and survival

By Jake Coyle AP Film Writer

I’ve always liked Michael J. Fox and always will. I suspect most people feel the same way.

That’s surely partly because, as Marty McFly in “Back to the Future’’ and Alex P. Keaton in “Family Ties,” Fox was a fixture of so many childhoods. But there’s also a way that Fox remains forever boyish - a charming pipsqueak, a plucky kid with a touch less confidence than he lets on.

His sheer geniality and universal appeal has remained indomitable, even in the face of a degenerative brain disorder.

“I’m a cockroach,” Fox says in Davis Guggenheim’s glossy, entertaining and often affecting documentary, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.”

In Guggenheim’s film, Fox recounts his life, career and arduous battle with Parkinson’s disease, with which he was diagnosed at age 29. The documentary, which debuted Friday on Apple TV+, does this through candid on-camera interviews with Fox along with narration read by the actor.

And while there’s footage here of home movies, much of Fox’s life story unspools on screen.

Along with bits of reenactment, Guggenheim uses clips of Fox’s film and TV series to illustrate his off-screen life.

And this is surprisingly effective, in part because Fox’s screen presence has always been so genuine. Actors aren’t the parts they play but I think they always exude something innate about themselves. And more than that, a surprising amount of Fox’s life has really happened in front of cameras. He met his wife, Tracy

“STILL: A Michael J Fox Movie” tracks the career of the television and film star whose career was interrupted by a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (Apple + TV).

Movie Review Pollan, on “Family Ties”; she played a love interest. His first symptoms came during the filming of “Doc Hollywood.” And for years after Fox’s diagnosis, he masked his increasing tics on

“Spin City” by fidgeting with props.

But dramatizing Fox’s life like this can also feel like a shallow gimmick. Instead, the most memorable images in “Still” are those of a present-day Fox in frame, speaking straight into the camera. The effects of Par-

CHRISTOPHER LLOYD and Fox starred in three “Back To the Future” films.

Good: HHH kinson’s are visible but so is the jaunty, self-deprecating actor we’ve always known. After the continual mussing with his stillhandsome head of curls, Fox begs the primpers to stop. “At at certain point, it is what it is,’’ he says.

Again, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Fox we see on screen is the real him.

“Still” frames Fox’s story, maybe a little too neatly, as an arc from headlong movement to stillness.

Fox’s rags-to-riches rise in Hollywood was meteoric and head-spinning. The Albertaborn actor landed “Family Ties’’ while penniless and negotiated from the payphone of a Pioneer Chicken. From there on, it was movie deals, women and Ferraris.

The diagnosis knocked Fox Continued on page 6

6 SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Film’ Continued from page 5

sideways. The doctor, he recounts, laid out the odds: “You lose this game.’’

But after a period of heavy drinking, Fox says the disorder, despite sending tremors through his body, made him more present, stiller. Pollan and their children are surely a big reason for that.

Fox is never so endearing as when he’s extolling the levelheadedness of his wife: “I could be the King of England and she would be her. I could be Elvis and she would be her.”

“Still” finally makes you realize that even Fox’s likability can be a burden. Being widely

beloved while suffering through debilitating pain is another layer to his Parkinson’s journey, one rarely so intimately observed.

When Guggenheim follows him out of his Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan, the difficulty Fox has just walking is as apparent as his abiding will to remain a man of good cheer.

After a stumble near a fan on the sidewalk, Fox brightly jokes: “Nice to meet you. You knocked me off my feet!”

“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” an Apple TV+ release is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for language. Running time: 94 minutes.

For a free subscription via e-mail, send us a request to: orangecountytribune@ gmail.com.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023 7

Dodgers having merry month of May

By David Arthur Orange County Tribune

May is turning into the month the Los Angeles Dodgers may again run away with the National League West pennant.

On Friday the Blue Crew rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the San Diego Padres 4-2 for their eighth win in 10 games

this month.

With the victory, the Dodgers are 24-15 and lead the NLW race by three games over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Padres (19-20) suffered their third straight loss and are in third place.

The Dodgers jumped off to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, and kept that lead until the top of the seventh when the Padres rallied on a two-run double by Ha-Seong Kim that knotted the game up.

But the Dodgers regained the lead and won the game on backto-back homers from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in

the bottom of the inning.

Freeman had the best night with the bat, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and one run scored.

Dustin May pitched fairly well as a starter, going 6.2 innings and yielding five hits and two earned runs.

He struck out three batters and walked one. Caleb Ferguson (30) got the win in relief.

FREDDIE FREEMAN

Angels defeat Cleveland Comtinued from page 8

League West.

Trailing 2-0, the Angels rallied with three runs in the fourth inning, including a double by Gio Urshela. But the Guardians tied it up with one run in the fifth and took the lead with another in the eighth.

In the ninth, Mike Trout doubled and advanced to third on Anthony Rendon’s single to right. A fielder’s choice allowed Trout to score and tie the game.

Brandon Drury’s sacrifice fly brought in Brent Phillips with what proved to be the winning run.

Rendon finished with a 3-for-5 night to raise his batting average to .307, and Zach Neto was 2-for-4 with an RBI. The win went to Matt Moore (3-1) in relief. He worked two innings, giving up three hits and one earned run. He struck out one batter and walked another.

Pacifica’s happy softball history Continued from page 8

as the best softball pitcher in the world as a senior, throwing five perfect games.

At UCLA she was on a team that won a national title and was runner-up twice. In 2004 she was on the U.S. team that

won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. She later played professional softball, did some coaching and TV color commentary.

Those are tall Nikes to fill. But there is certainly a path blazed by others to follow.

Sports Retorts: baseball vs. football Continued from page 8

Upon reflection, the reasons are easy to see. Football, unlike baseball, is an event sport. Every game is a big game. There’s the run-up where sportswriters, broadcasters and the average fan speculates on what the game will portend.

Then there’s the game itself, followed by the post-mortem and the cycle begins again to reboot the anticipation.

Baseball, with its 162-game season, can’t compete emotionally. A baseball manager who starts the season 0-3 is just getting started; a football coach with an 0-3 record better start looking for a new job.

We love baseball stars like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, but they cannot carry a team like a Tom Brady or a Patrick Mahomes. One new star – like a blind date with looks, money and personality – can change everything.

So I’ll keep an eye on my Halos all season long … at least until football season starts.

Lakers win big Continued from page 8

made the post-season as a playin team, and is now one of the Final Four of the NBA.

8 SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Is America’s pastime a bit past its time?

This might seem like the crassest form of disloyalty, but when the fall NFL football schedule comes out, it makes me forget, for a moment, that America’s pastime, the sport lauded by Walt Whitman, Ring Lardner and Philip Roth, blessed baseball is still in its invigorating spring.

Baseball, or softball, or overthe-line or hotbox … whatever its many versions … is the greatest sport but …

Football is the most fun.

Growing up, baseball was clearly for frontJim Tortolano runner for our youthful hearts and minds.

Every other kid had a big collection of baseball cards and I knew the batting average of every member of the California Angels down to the fourth decimal.

The no-nonsense world of education was forced to yield to the appeal of the World Series.

Teachers looked the other way as kids smuggled their transistor radios onto campus to listen to The Most Important Thing Ever, the clash between the Cardinals and the Yankees.

Some especially open-minded (or soft) teachers would even wheel in a black-and-white TV so we could watch the hazy history being played in stadiums older than your grandpa.

(This, of course, was before most games were played at night).

But now, football – especially pro football – has steamrolled right over its former superior.

The Super Bowl broadcast has eclipsed everything on the tube including Election Day and the Oscars.

Sports Retorts

Continued on page 7

n NBA PLAYOFFS

Lakers close the deal with 122-101 win

By Hugo Baker Orange County Tribune

THE 2023 PACIFICA softball team is following in the footsteps of previous Mariner teams with trophies and accolades to spare, with one more step to take next week Below is Amanda Freed an all-time PHS great (GGUSD Athletics photo above, UCLA photo below)

The Happy History of Pacifica softball No area prep program has won more glory than the girls at Knott & Lampson

Sogsti homered for Pacifica and Brynne Nally got the pitching win.

The Cougars have won six There have been some great sports programs at high schools straight games and won their semifinal against Mesa High in the West Orange County area. Edison has been a football of Murrieta 8-1. The Mariners (22-8) have won six in a powerhouse since the row as well.

1970s and La Quinta’s PHS is no stranger to baseball program the spotlight. Seventeen dominated not just its Garden Grove League league but won a handtitles, 13 Empire ful of CIF-SS titles.

League crowns and But none of them can seven CIF-SS titles is compare trophy cases quite the resume. The with the softball team crowning achievement over at Lampson and of all are unofficial state Knott in West Garden and national titles in 1997.

Grove, the Pacifica Mariners.

The list of superstars who After a 6-3 win over Oaks played at PHS is long and Christian of West Lake, the impressive, topped perhaps by M’s are in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game next Amanda Freed, who was named weekend in Irvine. They’ll play Gatorade National Female Athlete of the Year and was honored top-ranked Norco for the title.

Kayli Counts and Annika Continued on page 7

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

It took a while longer than expected, but the Los Angeles Lakers closed out their NBA Western Conference semifinal series Friday night by defeating the Golden State Warriors 122-101.

By winning the series four games to two, the Lakers now advance to the Western Conference finals which will start on Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers jumped off to an early lead on the strength of tough defense and good outside shooting. LeBron James led the team with 30 points. Austin Reaves added 23 and D’Angelo Russell tallied 19.

The Warriors, who at one point trailed by 24 points, closed the margin a few times, but never led and never really got close.

Stephen Curry scored 32 points to lead Golden State.

Friday’s win was the latest triumph for a team that barely Continued on page 7

Angels have a good time in Cleveland

By Pete Zarustica Orange County Tribune

Skeptics might think it’s tough to find a good time in Cleveland, but on Friday night the Los Angeles Angels might beg to differ.

They rallied with two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Guardians 5-4 in the first game of a three-game series.

The win improved the Halo record to 21-18 and they remain in second place in the American Continued on page 7