The Orange County Tribune May 17, 2023 Serving Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Stanton and Westminst

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MIDWEEK EDITION

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Volume 3, Number 36 n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, May 17, 2023 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Memorial Thursday for GG officers

n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL

The 36th annual “Call to Duty” Memorial will be held on Thursday from 5-6 p.m. in front of the Garden Grove Police Department building on Acacia Parkway (east of Euclid Street).

Every year the GGPD and the community honor officers who died in the line of duty. They are: • Sgt. Myron L. Trapp (1959) • Reserve Officer. Andy R. Reese (1970) • Officer Donald F. Reed (1980) • Officer Michael L. Rainford (1980) • Master Officer Howard THE BELL is tolled in memory of every Garden Grove E. Dallies, Jr. (1993) • Lt. John Reynolds police officer who died in the line of duty (OC Tribune Continued on page 2

file photo)

Westminster police aid in capturing 3 suspects Westminster police assisted in the apprehension of three suspects fleeing from a robbery in Tustin on Tuesday.

According to reports from both the WPD and the Tustin Police Department, the incident began at around 2:30 p.m. when TPD officers were dispatched in response to a report of a robbery in progress in the 2800 block of Park Avenue Multiple suspects were reportedly inside the store smashing display cases.

As officers arrived, three male suspects fled in a

white sport utility vehicle and pursuit ended in Westminster in the area of Bolsa Chica Road and Westminster Boulevard.

Three suspects attempted to flee on foot and officers from several agencies set up a perimeter and arrests were made. One suspect was identified as Kristen Tyrell Woods, 20, of Los Angeles. The other two suspects are juveniles.

Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to call Detective Schultz of TPD at (714) 573-3250.

Inside The Tribune

Now, J-Lo gets into action as “Mother”

Invocations Will Be Pick of the Mayor A moment of silence was an alternative

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

Each meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council begins with a religious invocation and not only will that continue, but the mayor will be the sole selector of who will deliver the invocation.

At Tuesday night’s meeting of the council, a motion by Mayor Tony Strickland to that effect was approved on a 4-2-1

vote.

Councilmembers Natalie Moser and Rhonda Bolton voted in opposition and Councilmember Dan Kalmick abstained.

“This is the way they do it in the state Assembly and other bodies,” said Strickland. “The presiding officer picks who delivers the invocation.”

Moser had proposed to substitute a moment of silence in place of the invocation, in part on the grounds that the previous tradition of using a rotation of speakers from different religions – as recommended by the city Interfaith Council – had Continued on page 2

Nudity policy is tabled; Do thongs cover enough?

ARTS & LIVING 506

The Long Reign of ‘King James’

SPORTS PAGE 7-8

When it came right down to it, support for the proposed new nudity ordinance was thinner than a wet T-shirt.

On Tuesday night, the Huntington Beach City Council decided 7-0 to table the ordinance, in part over the weighty question of whether thong bikinis were illegal.

“It depends on how much is exposed. It’s a judg-

ment call,” said City Attorney Michael Gates, in response to a question from council members.

There were some moments of humor. One councilmember said, “I don’t want to live in a city where it’s illegal to moon someone,” a comment that drew some remarks of agreement.

Proposed was a revision Continued on page 2

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

ntin-

2 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Invocations to be mayor’s pick Continued from page 1

been replaced with the practice of having the mayor make the selection.

Moser noted that despite the city’s “wide spiritual diversity,” all of those selected by Strickland were Christians.

Nudity policy Continued from page 1

to the existing nudity rules.

Added to the new regulation was going to be clarification that nudity would be illegal on any city-owned or controlled property or nakedness that was viewable from city land.

The term “natal cleft” was to be added to the areas that had to be covered up.

Noting that there was no official policy giving selection choice to the IFC, he proposed – successfully – assigning that power to the mayor.

The topic of the invocation generated dozens of e-mails, and several speakers, most of them speaking in favor of keeping the invocation.

Public comments included the claim that “secularists, atheists and agnostics” were tools of the devil and another that accused some Christians of treating members of other faiths “like dirt.”

Police memorial Continued from page 1

(2021).

Garden Grove’s police department has more officers killed in the line of duty than any other agency in Orange County. Two – Reese and Rainford – were struck by motor vehicles, Reynolds died from coronavirus contracted while working, and the other three from gunfire.

Acacia Parkway will be closed off to vehicle traffic between Euclid and 7th Street.

Orange County Tribune: Every Wednesday amd Friday.

For free

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/WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 3

News&Views The budget fix to the student debt burden Hey, have I got a deal for you. I will sell you a piece of paper for the wonderful price of $28,000. If you want a really fancy piece of paper, I can let you have it for $50,000.

Sound like a bum deal, doesn’t it? But that – in part – is what’s happening with the student debt crisis in America today. Students taking out loans to get a public fouryear college degree, according to the U.S Department of Education, owe an Jim Tortolano average of $28k. For a private school the number goes up to $50k.

I’m not here to tell you whether Uncle Sam – who holds 92 percent of those loans – should forgive those loans or not. My point is that most of them needn’t even exist.

Prospective college students (and parents), here comes some tough love. Too many folks place too much emphasis on the “status” conferred by a “big name” school. Too many students aren’t sure what they want to study or why. Too many students don’t even belong in college.

Part of the blame belongs with school districts. They make a big deal out of a teenager who gets admitted to a Stanford or MIT. Pretty impressive accomplishment, but is he really more praiseworthy than an immigrant kid who has to work two jobs, help take care of his or her siblings and is the first person in the family to ever graduate high school, let alone attend a college?

We tend to reward the kids who were born on second base and think they hit a double, more than the kid who had to cut

Retorts

Continued on page 4

Watch out for the motorcyclist During May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Garden Grove Police Department reminds drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. Safe riding and driving practices and shared responsibility from all road users will help everyone get to their destination safely.

“Motorcycles may be difficult to spot, so be extra careful before changing lanes,” Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra said.

“Motorcycle riders do not have the same protections drivers and

passengers do. Please share the road with motorcycles and drive safe.”

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding: Drivers • Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

• Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before

moving ahead.

Motorcyclists • Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.

• Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles, and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

• Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid Continued on page 6

Ocean View teacher is honored Chris Young, a teacher at Ocean View High School, has been recognized as a National 180 Award recipient, being honored as the 2023 System 44 Outstanding Educator of the Year.

Each year, learning technology company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt selects students and educators to be recipients of the 180 Awards. For educators, these awards signify their dedication to the growth and success of their students, with a focus on helping them overcome both personal and academic obstacles.

The 180 Awards are divided into three categories, based upon demonstrated improvements in reading or math: Read 180, System 44, and Math 180. Mr. Young was recognized as one of four secondary educators under Continued on page 4

CHRIS YOUNG (with lei) of Ocean View High School is honored by colleagues for being named Educator fof the Year for literacy (HBUHSD photo).

GG Summer Day Camp has new location The City of Garden Grove Day Camp program is moving to a new location. This year’s Garden Grove Day Camp will be held at Edgar Park, located at 12781 Topaz Street.

Open to youth ages 5 to 12, day camp runs Mondays through Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 12 through Aug. 11.

Participants may sign up for the

entire 9-week program or on a week-by-week basis at ggcity. org/daycamp.

A complete listing of camp weeks, excursions, and fees follows: • June 12-June 16, John’s Incredible Pizza (lunch included), $150 • June 19-June 23, Discovery Cube/Garden Grove Park, $150

• July 3-July 7, Medieval Times (lunch included), $150 • July 10-July 14, AMC Theater/Dave & Buster’s, $178 • July 24-July 28, Aquarium of the Pacific, $165 • July 31-Aug. 4, Knott’s Soak City (lunch included), $179 • Aug. 7-11, Boomers! (lunch Continued on page 6

4 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

NewsUpdate

PRESIDENT BIDEN meets with Congressional leaders about the debt limit, which expires on June 1 (White House)

White House, GOP meet to head off national debt crisis Can the White House and Congress come to an agreement that prevents a national default?

According to the Associated Press, there are some signs that a deal could be forthcoming.

President Joe Biden trimmed a planned overseas trip in order to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who named two negotiators.

At the heart of the discussion will be how much of a compromise either side will agree to in order to raise the debt limit before the June 1 deadline.

If a deal is not in place by then, the Treasury Department could begin defaulting on its debts for the first time.

Russia’s setbacks not fazing Putin?

The Russian military appears to be flailing in its efforts to reverse the tide of war in its favor in Ukraine, but battlefield setbacks don’t appear to be deterring President Vladimir Putin from abandoning what looks like a losing proposition.

According to The New York Times, the invaders have been pushed back on several fronts and elsewhere there’s a deadlock along a 600-mile frontier.

But some observers site Russia’s history of stubborn warfare, citing precedents such as Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow in the 19th century, and the rollback of Nazi forces in the 20th century.

The absence of a democratic system, it’s said, keeps Putin from having to cope with domestic dissent or opposition.

Also in the News … Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is planning to send National Guard troops and as many as 1,100 law enforcement agents to the Texas-Mexico border to enforce immigration laws, according to United Press International.

Lakers lose opener in Denver vs. Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers opened their NBA Western Conference finals series with a 132-126 loss to the Nuggets in Denver on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Angels lost 7-3 to the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 5-1 to the Minnesota Twins, snapping a six game win streak.

Weather: Down, then up

Temperatures in the West Orange County area are predicted to fall and then rise in the next few days. The forecast for Wednesday is for an overnight high of 71 with an overnight low of 59. The skies should be mostly cloudy.

Thursday will see the thermometer dip to 69 (59) with partly cloudy skies. On Friday, the daytime high should rise to 72 (59) under mostly sunny skies.

Retorts: Affordable college Continued from page 3

down the tree, carve the wood into a baseball bat and wear a batting glove made out of a kitchen mitt.

That kid is most likely to start out at a community college.

Admittedly, that’s probably not anything that will cause your principal to shake your hand like a pump handle. But that student – with the help of available aid and grants – will be able to complete two years of school with zero debt and transfer to schools like USC and UCLA, and have those letters on his piece of paper.

Additionally, he or she is more likely to finish a B.A. or B.S. degree after having adjusted to the pace of school at the community college.

Here’s a shocker: students who

transfer from a JC – on average – have a higher grade point average at the university than “native” students.

As for the prestige issue, don’t trip over that. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times mentioned a survey of major employers in which they were asked to rank the factors that would make someone a desirable employee.

They ranked attitude, mastery of relevant skills and work experience toward the top. Dead last was what university they were graduated from.

I’m not saying don’t go to whatever school you have your heart set on, just pointing out there is more than one road to that diploma, and some are a lot more reasonably priced than others.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 5

Arts&Living

J-Lo is the Anchor in ‘The Mother’ A one-woman army, assassin and, well, a mom

By Lindsey Bahr AP Film Writer

The most interesting part of “ The Mother,” a decent if forgettable action pic starring Jennifer Lopez, is the one that is left largely unexplored. The movie is a high-concept thriller that boils down to just a few words: She’s a mother and an assassin. OK, you’re probably thinking, fine.

Misha Green’s script was a hot commodity in 2017, around the time “Wonder Woman” opened, which had left some studios scrambling for action movies fronted by women. There were condescending headlines propping it up as a “female empowerment” script. And, eventually, with Niki Caro signed on to direct and a movie star like Lopez on board to star and produce, it was enough for greenlight and a Netflix budget. The final film also credits Peter Craig and Andrea Berloff for the script.

But history has unfortunately taught us to be suspect of a Mother’s Day rollout. The greeting card holiday is where studios always seem to dump mediocre material that happen to have women at the center. If the movies were better, you start to suspect, maybe they wouldn’t need the lame hook.

Happy Mother’s Day! Here’s a woman doing... something!

This is a bit unfair to “The Mother,” which at worst is just what you expect it to be – a mostly generic action trifle that’s very self-serious and wants to be a lot of different kinds of films. Lopez’s character is basically Jason Bourne, James Bond, John Wick and Nikita rolled into one, at least when it comes to her skills which are vast and seemingly just the product of her tours in Afghanistan She’s. Just. That. Good.

JENNIFER LOPEZ stars in the Netflix action motion picture “The Mother.”

Movie Review After her military service, she’s left with few job prospects so she becomes a guard in Guantanamo and gets entangled, professionally and personally, with a few handsome arms dealers, Adrian (Joseph Fiennes) and Hector (Gael García Bernal).

A bit of this is revealed in a brief prologue, in which she gives birth and has to give up the baby before even holding her. It’s for everyone’s safety and her only wish is that the kid gets placed with the most boring, stable family out there – that and that FBI Agent Cruise (Omari Hardwick) sends updates on her birthdays.

There is a “Mamma Mia”-esque mystery about who the father is and an even bigger mystery about if this pregnancy was planned or expected or wanted. And all of this is very interesting in theory.

But the movie itself is set 12 years later when Mother learns that the daughter (who does get a name, Zoe) is in danger. This brings her out of her glamorously rugged

Alaska retirement and back in action as a superhuman spy/assassin/one-woman army.

At first, Mother denies her Mother-hood to Zoe (Lucy Paez), whose foster parents get about as much character development and screen time as a couple in a cell phone commercial. This is supposed to be a big emotional journey for Mother and Zoe and the viewing audience, but I can’t say this movie ever really convinces you to care about this relationship, which is especially odd because there have been plenty of random pairings of adult assassins and non-blood relation children in movies that I’ve felt invested in.

“The Mother” just expects that you’re on board with some essential connection, which Paul Raci (nice to see him again on screen) tries his best to sell.

As expected, Lopez is an athletic and capable action hero (maybe too capable, but that could also be said of most of the guys out there, too). This is taken much more seriously than the over-the-top “Shotgun Wedding” and Caro and her filmmaking team ably capture

Fair: HH Lopez in all her glory, whether walking through the Alaskan snow framed by a fur hood, jumping out of multi-story parking garages and sliding over cars in a chase, or dancing with Fiennes in a body hugging dress.

It’s a much better showcase for Caro as a director in this big budget arena than the live-action “Mulan” was.

Lopez’s output has been prolific lately as she and her closest collaborators continue to look for interesting projects for her, undeterred by any Hollywood or societally imposed ideas about movies a woman in her 50s should be making. Romantic comedies, action movies - they’re all fair game, which is great. You just wish the movies could match the ambition.

“The Mother,” a Netflix release streaming Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “violence, some language and brief drug use.”

6 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Look out for motorcyclists Continued from page 3

riding in a driver’s blind spot.

• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

GG Summer Day camp in new location in Edgar School Park Continued from page 3

included), $177 Camp costs include weekly excursions, refreshments, a T-shirt, and participation in daily activities and games.

On Friday, July 28, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Garden Grove Day Camp will host a special after-camp event, “Kids Night Out, Parents Night Off.” Cost to participate is $15 per child.

For more information, visit ggcity.org/daycamp or call (714) 7415200.

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

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 7

In the long run, LeBron James stands out Continued from page 8

an achievement that sparks a father’s proud smile whenever he mentions it.

Signs of time’s passage are all around the 38-year-old James, yet the new top scorer in NBA history is defying all conventional wisdom about growing older in his mercilessly athletic sport.

When he’s fully healthy -

which is admittedly true less often than he would like - the third-oldest active player in the league still sprints, dunks, throws no- look passes and competes with the intensity that has kept him at the top for 20 punishing NBA seasons.

“Bron is just different,” Lakers big man Anthony Davis said.

“He keeps showing us, showing you. He’s not done yet, either.”

Two days before his Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the vaunted Golden State Warriors to reach the Western Conference finals last week, James was named to the All-NBA third team. James made one of

the three teams for the jawdropping 19th time even though he played in only 56 games this season.

“I don’t take those moments for granted,” James said. “I don’t take anything that I’ve been able to accomplish for granted, and I’m always appreciative. To be a part of that class of 15 guys is still pretty cool, even at my age and where I’m at right now, Year 20. Just don’t take it for granted.

“Obviously, I’ve got bigger fish to fry. But those small moments, those small wins right there, is all part of the journey, all part of the legacy.”

The big fish is his fifth NBA championship, which is somehow just eight wins away from being caught at the close of a tumultuous Lakers season.

Even getting this close to James’ 11th career NBA Finals appearance is incredible, considering these Lakers started the season 2-10 and sat at 26-32 in mid- February, shortly after James broke Kareem AbdulJabbar’s league scoring record.

But after a 27-12 run through the past two months highlighted by knocking off second-seeded Memphis and the defending NBA champions, James’ Lakers opened the conference finals at top-seeded Denver on Tuesday night.

The Lakers haven’t lost backto-back games since March 17, and they’ve lost just once at home since March 26.

To use the phrase frequently deployed by first-year Lakers coach Darvin Ham, James’ fingerprints are all over the Lakers’ success – particularly in their biggest games.

In the first round, James had the first 20-point, 20-rebound playoff game of his career during the Lakers’ Game 4 victory over Memphis – and he also hit the dramatic tying shot in the final second of regulation.

In the second round, James racked up 30 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the clinching Game 6 victory over defending champion Golden State, conjuring his first 30-point playoff outing since the 2020 season.

Ham was still a player in James’ first two NBA seasons.

He calls LeBron’s Year 20 performance, particularly after a late-season injury, “unreal.”

“I’ve been around some elite, top-tier, top-5 talent in the NBA as a player and a coach,” Ham said. “Kobe was nothing short of amazing. Giannis (Antetokounmpo). (But) LeBron, I’ve never seen anything like it. ...

Top five, dead or alive, ever to play in the NBA.’’

Sports Retorts: Women’s sports

Mariners-Cougars for the D-1 title

Continued from page 8

Title IX – over time – changed everything. Today, women’s sports have stepped front and center. They support two major sports leagues – the WNBA and the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). The U.S. women’s soccer team is the best in the world and has finally achieved salary parity with the men.

There will be a big crowd at Friday’s game, lots of media attention and – win or lose – many memories made. A long road has been traveled, many obstacles overcome, but – hey – who’s got the last laugh now?

The Pacifica High softball team will play Norco High for the CIF-SS Division 1 championship on Friday.

Game time is 6:30 p.m. at Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park in Irvine.

The Mariners, champions of the Empire League, are 22-8 overall and ranked 14th in the nation by MaxPreps.

The Cougars, champions of the Big VII League, are 28-3 and ranked fourth in the USA. Each team has won six straight games.

8 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

The long and winding road for women’s sports What started as a kind of mean joke a half-century ago has turned into a big smile on the faces of millions of girls and women today.

This Friday evening the Pacifica High School Mariner softball team will face the nationally-ranked Norco High School Cougars for the Division 1 championship in Irvine.

The path that led to Deanna Manning Stadium originated in the debate in Congress in 1964 over the Civil Rights Act which tore down segregation in public Jim Tortolano accommodations based on race.

One smart-aleck lawmaker – apparently repulsed by the idea of offering equal opportunity to all men – tried to poison the idea by remarking (with sarcasm) “why don’t you include women, too?” He thought that might be the poison pill for the legislation, but instead his suggestion was taken up and the bill passed.

Out of that law came the Title IX amendments in 1972 which declared: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

At that time, sports for girls and women were a lightlyregarded after-thought. At the high school level, girls teams played against other schools dressed in their P.E. outfits, instead of the elegant colorful uniforms worn by the boys.

They battled for gym time and got scant attention and support.

Long Reign of ‘King James’

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – As his NBA career approaches the dawn of its third decade, LeBron James plays almost exclusively alongside teammates who grew up watching him dominate their game.

He has played against the sons of his basketball contemporaries, and he has played against one of his own 18-year-old son’s former high school teammates.

That son, Bronny, is headed to college at USC in the fall, Continued on page 7

Lakers lose opener

Sports Retorts

Continued on page 7

LE BRON JAMES, sometimes referred to as “King James,” is 38 years old and is still playing near the top of his game. With the Lakers playing the Nuggets this week, he’s just eight more wins short of winning his fifth NBA championship ring (Wikipedia).

The Lakers lost Game One of their Western Conference final series Tuesday, falling 132-126 to the Denver Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic scored 34 points to lead the Nuggets.

Top Laker scorer was Anthony Davis (40 points).

Game Two is also in Denver on Thursday.

Dodgers’ streak snapped

By David Arthur Orange County Tribune

It was good while it lasted.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’s six game-winning streak was snapped Tuesday night at home as the Blue Crew lost 5-1 to the Minnesota Twins.

That loss put the Dodgers at 27-16, but they still lead the National League West by three games over the Arizona Diamondbacks (24-18).

The sole Dodger run was driven in by Freddie Freeman, who gled, lasting four innings. yielding seven hits and two runs.. He had two hits in three at-bats.

Clayton Kershaw (6-3) strug- struck out seven and walked one.

Angels lose 7-3 to Orioles

By Pete Zarustica Orange County Tribune

The Los Angeles Angels, once again, led early and lost late in losing 7-3 to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Mickey Moniak led off the game with a home run to give the Halos a brief 1-0 edge, but

that was their last lead.

The loss dropped the Angels’ record to 22-21 and was their fifth loss in seven games.

Gio Urshela also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and a single and a innings, giving up six hits and run scored. Matt Thaiss was also four earned runs and walked one.

The Angels are in third place in 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Chase Silseth (0-1) lasted 3.1 the American League West.