The Orange County Tribune March 23, 2022

Non-partisan News Opinion Arts & Living Sports

Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster

Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, March 23, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

Manzo Recall Efforts Misses The Target Falls 234 signatures short of mark

TOPANGA SHERF WOKE UP AS MISS GARDEN GROVE She was crowned in ceremony at Bell Intermediate School Saturday

Crown New Local Royalty Topanga Sherf was crowned as Miss Garden Grove for 2022 in a ceremony Saturday evening at Bell Intermediate School in Garden Grove.

Sherf is a first-year student at California State University, Long Beach and her social impact initiative is “Food For Thought: Food Allergy Awareness.”

She is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Garden Grove.

The new Miss Garden Grove represents the city at various civic

Another attempt to recall a member of the Westminster City Council has fallen short.

A petition drive to place the matter of recalling Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo didn’t submit enough valid signatures, according to the city clerk’s office.

A total of 2,141 signatures are needed to call for the recall election, and 2,878 were submitted by the group seeking to recall Manzo, who represents

functions and rides in the annual Strawberry Festival parade.

Other contestants were Mitzi Abasta (sponsored by the DeBello Agency), Cierra Bennette (Weimer & Associates), Maricel Gibson (Garden Grove Elks Lodge) and Jocelyn Garica (Garden Grove Rotary Club).

Sherf succeeds Raena Ramirez, who served two years as Miss Garden Grove For the fourth consecutive in an extended term because of the day, confirmed news cases coronavirus pandemic. of coronavirus in Orange County have declined.

According to the county health care agency, new cases were at 111 in Wednesday’s report. connection with the deadly one gunshot wound.

That’s down from 121 on shooting of Jorge Becerra- He was taken to a local Tuesday and the three-day Vera, 40, of Stanton. hospital where he was average of 314.3.

The incident took place pronounced deceased.

Hospitalizations dropped shortly after 7 p.m. in Upon investigation, from 125 to 123. the 1300 block of South detectives determined However, deaths rose Euclid Street. Arriving that before the shooting, from three to 10 and the officers found the victim Arcigaplancarte had number of patients being having sustained at least Continued on page 2 treated for COVID-19 in

District 2 on the council.

However, when the Orange County Registrar of Voters conducted its verification process, the final total of valid signatures was 1,907, which is 234 fewer than the requirement.

An earlier effort to recall Councilmember Kimberly Ho (District 3) also was unable to procure enough valid signatures.

In January, recall advocates Continued on page 2

Coronavirus new cases slide for 4th straight day

Bystander killed; suspect held An arrest been made in the fatal shooting Friday of a bystander to a domestic dispute in Anaheim.

According to the APD, Adalid Arcigaplancarte, 52, of Anaheim is facing murder charges in

intensive care units rose from 25 to 26.

To date, Orange County has had 546,019 cases of coronavirus, of which 535,056 are considered recovered. The death toll Continued on page 2

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2 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Bystander killed; a suspect is held Continued from page 1

been arguing with a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship. The victim was in the same parking lot and not involved in the dispute.

However, Anaheim police say, Arcigaplancarte saw BecerraVera watching. He confronted him and allegedly shot him, then fled the scene. The woman was not injured.

On Saturday around 11:30 a.m., Arcigaplancarte was

arrested without incident in the 4000 block of South Main Street in Santa Ana. He was booked into the Anaheim Detention Facility for murder and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

ADALID ARCIGAPLANCARTE

New corona cases still sliding Continued from page 1

is now at 6,816.

Nationally, new cases are down by 26 percent and deaths by 30 percent over a 14-day period, according to The New York Times.

In California, new cases have fallen by 22 percent and deaths by 38 percent, reports Los Angeles Times.

Attempt to recall Manzo is short by 234 signatures Continued from page 1

were 285 signatures short.

In each case valid signatures amounting to 20 percent of registered voters in a district must be submitted to require the holding of a recall vote.

The recall efforts are part of

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

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A member of The Associated Press and the Online News Association.

the ongoing political struggle in Westminster between the council majority of Manzo, Ho and Councilmember Tai Do on one side, and Mayor Tri Ta and Councilmember Chi Charlie Nguyen on the other.

The Orange County Tribune: Reach thousands of people each day for pennies

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ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022 3

News&Views n GARDEN GROVE CITY COUNCIL

District map gets its final approval Basketball and boundaries topped the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Garden Grove City Council.

In the Community Spotlight segment, tahe council honored the coaches and players of the Garden Grove High School boys’ basketball team, which won the CIF-SS Division 4AA championship.

It was the very first CIF-SS basketball title won by the Argonauts in the 100-year history of the school.

Also on Tuesday night, the council on a 7-0 vote approved the second reading of and adoption of an ordinance for city council district maps and boundaries, which calls for renewal of the current map.

The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 12.

n STANTON CITY COUNCIL

Condominium projects advance More condominium units are on the way for Stanton.

At its Tuesday night meeting, the city council voted 5-0 to approve subdivision maps for two condo projects. One is for a sixunit project at 7320 Katella Avenue, and another for 36 units at Katella and Western Avenue.

Also on Tuesday night the council voted 5-0 in favor of final adoption of the city council member district boundaries and maps. The council has four districts, with the mayor directly elected citywide.

SUSAN LERMA AND DAVID SKELTON, MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR Will be recognized by the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce at Gala on April 23

Lives of Service Honored Sue Lerma and David Skelton will be feted on April 23

By Shanya Rod Orange County Tribune Only the most unselfish and hardworking members of the community are selected for the Garden Grove Man and Woman of the Year award. This year, two such individuals live up to the title.

The Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce has announced that the recipients of the 2022 Man and Woman of the Year Award are Susan Lerma and David Skelton. Both Lerma and Skelton are longtime residents of Garden Grove with a great deal of volunteer experience and genuine passion for what they do.

According to Cindy Spindle, CEO/president of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber sends out forms for the community to nominate local non-profit volunteers in the city. After receiving the nominations, the Chamber puts

them on a ballot and sends them out to former Man and Woman of the Year recipients who do the actual voting.

Susan Lerma has been a resident of Garden Grove since 1972. For her professional work, she and her husband Ric own an over 40-yearold cleaning service, iClean Commercial Cleaning Services.

Lerma began volunteering around 30 years ago, when her children were going to school, and eventually branched out to projects in the community. She maintains that her husband is a professional volunteer who has inspired her to follow in his footsteps.

“Giving back is something that is dear to my heart, and being able to put a smile on somebody else’s face, that’s the reward right there,” said

Lerma.

“It’s lovely to be recognized for things that you do and all of that, but in the long run, that’s not why we do that. We do that because it comes from the heart.”

Lerma is very active in the GEM Theatre, the Lions Club, the Downtown Business Association, and the Garden Grove Neighborhood Association. According to a Chamber of Commerce press release, Lerma was also a H.O.P.E. board member or Continued on page 4

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Oilers, M’s post wins The mighty triumphed and the mighty stumbled in local high school softball and baseball on Tuesday.

In a Sunset Surf crucial, Huntington Beach defeated Los Alamitos 3-1 in a struggle between two of Orange County’s top softball teams. Zoe Prystajko struck out 11 batters and gave up just two hits in the win. The Oilers are 7-3 overall and 1-0 in league.

In the Anaheim Lions baseball tournament, Pacifica (11-5) defeated Galena High of Nevada 5-0 behind the pitching of Chad Gurnea, who struck out 12 batters. The Mariners are ranked seventh in CIF-SS Division 2.

A non-league softball contest saw Pacifica – ranked second in Division 1 – defeat San Juan Hills 2-0 as Brynne Nalley threw a no-hitter for the Mariners,

striking out seven batters. The M’s are now 14-3.

But in a Garden Grove League baseball game, Loara defeated Los Amigos 8-4 to take over first in the league. The Lobos came into the contest 13-1 and ranked first in CIF-SS Division 7, but suffered their second league setback. The Saxons are now 5-1 in league and 6-4 overall and have now won five games in a row.

With the loss, LA (13-2 overall) is tied with Bolsa Grande (8-8, 4-2) for second place.

In the Golden West League, Garden Grove – ranked 10th in Division 6 – lost 14-0 to Segerstrom. The Argonauts are now 8-7 overall and 0-1 in GWL

play. The Jaguars are 6-9 overall but 3-0 in league.

Here are Tuesday results involving local teams: BASEBALL • Loara 8, Los Amigos 4 • Bolsa Grande 16, Rancho Alamitos 1 • Santiago 7, La Quinta 4 • Segerstrom 14, Garden Grove 0 • Ocean View 4, Westminster 0 • Orange 4, Westminster 0 • Chino Hills 6, Marina 0 • Pacifica 5, Galena (Nev.) 0 • Chaffey 4, Magnolia 1 SOFTBALL • Huntington Beach 3, Los Alamitos 1 • Marina 6, Edison 5 • Godinez 4, Ocean View 2 • Orangewood 20, Webb 3 • La Quinta 14, Oxford 4 • Pacifica 2, San Juan Hills 0

Man and Woman of the Year Continued from page 1

volunteer from 2018-2020 and served as Chairwoman from 2019-2020. Lerma said that H.O.P.E. first began with helping abused women and children and has since turned into caring for others that are less fortunate.

David Skelton has been a Garden Grove resident since 1968. He worked for a glass company for over 40 years where he did major repairs, much of which was at Disneyland.

Skelton has said that his devotion to volunteering is largely due to the gratitude he has for his life. As a veteran of the United States Navy, Skelton has been to foreign countries and seen how some people live in less fortunate circumstances.

“To me, it’s just when someone needs help, it’s up to us to get out there and give them a lending hand. I feel fortunate that I have what I have and I can help them where I can help them,” said Skelton.

Much of Skelton’s work is done through the Garden Grove Elks Lodge, which he joined in 1971.

According to the Chamber press release, Skelton became Exalted Ruler, or president, of the Elks

Lodge in 2005 and became a District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 2013. Currently, Skelton is an officer in the Elks State Association.

Two of Skelton’s major projects at the Elks Lodge are assisting with the Christmas party for children in need and sending out Christmas baskets to approximately 200 families each year. In preparation of the Christmas baskets, local high schools have canned food drives and the Elks pick up and sort out the donations; the schools provide a list of families for the Elks to contact and give food to.

Skelton has also said that with some of the funds the Elks Lodge raises, they provide new uniforms for baseball teams in Garden Grove and give out scholarships to children.

“As far as me being honored as Man of the Year, I’m proud that I have been given this honor. I know a number of my friends that have had this honor and I was completely shocked that my name was even submitted for this,” said Skelton. “I am totally blown away by it. I’m just overwhelmed by it and humbled.”

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022 5

Arts&Living

“CODA” STANDS FOR CHILDREN OF DEAF ADULTS It’s one of 10 nominees for the Best Picture, and a sentimental favorite, too

Who will get the Power of the Oscar?

“CODA,” “Dog” among the favorites before the Motion Picture Academy

By Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle AP Film Writers Ahead of the 94th Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writers Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle share their predictions for major categories in a ceremony with much still up in the air.

BEST PICTURE The Nominees: ``Belfast’’; “CODA’’; “Don’t Look Up’’; “Drive My Car’’; “Dune’’; “King Richard’’; “Licorice Pizza’’; “Nightmare Alley’’; “The Power of the Dog’’; ``West Side Story.’’

BAHR: At this point it really feels like the award will go to “The Power of the Dog.’’ It is

paradoxically both a safe choice and a game changer in that it would be a first best picture win for Netflix after years of trying.

Jane Campion’s last major shot at picture (and director) was with “The Piano,’’ but in 1994 that basically stood no chance against “Schindler’s List.’’ This time, it’s her film that has the leg up on the Spielberg. And yet there is a distant possibility that “CODA’’ could “Little Miss Sunshine’’/’’Green Book’’ its way in there as the feel-good alternative (which was what “Belfast’’ was supposed to be).

COYLE: I’m calling the “CODA’’ upset. The smart money is on Campion’s film.

But the win for ``CODA’’ at the Screen Actors Guild – where “The Power of the Dog’’ failed

to get nominated for best ensemble – suggests strong passion for the film, and maybe a crowd-pleasing advantage on the academy’s preferential ballot. Either film, though, will symbolize the ascent of streaming in Hollywood.

It would hand a streaming service – Netflix or Apple – Hollywood’s most prestigious honor for the first time. Maybe that’s a big deal, maybe it’s belated confirmation of what everyone has known for some time.

BEST ACTRESS The Nominees: Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye’’; Olivia Colman, “The Lost Daughter’’; Penelope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers’’; Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos’’; Kristen Stewart, “Spencer.’’

Continued on page 6

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Who will take home the Best Picture Oscar this time?

Continued from page 5

COYLE: This has been the cruelest of categories, laying waste to most expectations and some very sensational performances. Lady Gaga, Caitriona Balfe, Jennifer Hudson and my favorite performance of the year – Renate Reinsve (“The Worst Person in the World’’) – are just

some of the masses among the snubbed. Yet, surprisingly, a very Oscar bait-y performance from a movie released early in the season – Jessica Chastain as the televangelist Tammy Faye – has moved to favorite status after winning the SAG Awards. That may partly be because Chastain, a three-time nominee but never a winner, is one of Hollywood’s

best actors and the time has come to honor her, for a film she steered into existence. I think she’ll win, but Olivia Colman – typically brilliant in “The Lost Daughter’’ – could sneak in for her second Academy Award.

BAHR: Chastain should have already won several Oscars at this point, and not even necessarily for the ones she got nominations for (“The Help’’ and ``Zero Dark Thirty’’).

However improbable for a movie that has some big issues, including the way it turns a blind eye to Tammy Faye’s complicities in the scam, the tide has shifted in her favor and she’ll probably get her win.

Still, I still think there’s a small possibility that it will go to Kristen Stewart, who has been on a rollercoaster path after starting the season at the top.

BEST ACTOR The Nominees: Will Smith, “King Richard’’; Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of Macbeth’’; Javier Bardem, “Being the Ricardos’’; Benedict

Cumberbatch, “The Power of the Dog’’; Andrew Garfield, “Tick, Tick . Boom!’’

BAHR: It’s always a bit of a snooze when categories are locked for months, but it would be a major surprise if Will Smith didn’t get his first Oscar win for “King Richard.’’ After a period of giving some possibly TMI interviews, Smith stepped back from the spotlight, let the race play out and still emerged triumphant.

Not only did he give a terrific performance in the film, but his SAG speech, in which he was funny, humble and gracious to his co-star Aunjanue Ellis and subjects Venus and Serena Williams, was also a helpful reminder of the power of his star charisma.

COYLE: Smith will overshare his way to the Oscar, a deserved win for one of the movies’ most insanely charming stars. Smith might have already won best actor (for “Ali’’) if not for Denzel’s titanic performance that year in “Training Day.’’

Sports Week: Bruins, Blue Crew Continued from page 8

Washington Nationals) from 2021, five All-Star games pins and a Golden Glove Award.

The Dodgers are collecting MVPs (Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and now Freeman) like kids used to collect baseball cards. Unless the folks from Chavez Ravine suffer an Angel-esque streak of injuries, they are the new favorites to win the 2022 World Series.

“We couldn’t be more excited to add him as a staple of our lineup for years to come,’’ Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. Local fans feel the same way.

In Westwood, last season’s near-miracle run to the Final Four is echoing around the

college basketball world again.

The UCLA men’s team is now in the “Sweet 16” – otherwise known as the East Regional semifinals – and is just two wins away from that prime athletic real estate for the second year in a row.

The next obstacle is North Carolina, which knocked off defending champion Baylor.

The Tar Heels and Bruins will clash on Friday. The next next obstacle is getting Jaime Jaquez Jr. ready to play. He left the game against St. Mary’s (which the Bruins won, 72-56) on Friday with an ankle injury with just under seven minutes to go in the second half. He had scored 15 points Coach Mike Cronin isn’t worried. “Jaime, if he can walk, he can play.”

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022 7

Freeman comes home to Southern Calif.

Continued from page 8

his famously consistent swing in the batting cages.

The Dodgers paid top dollar to get Freeman after his impressive career with the Braves, including a 12-year run with

the big-league club culminating in the 2020 NL MVP award and the 2021 World Series title.

Freeman will make $27 million a year with Los Angeles, but $7 million is deferred in each of the first three seasons and $12 million in each of the last three for a total of $57 million. That money is payable in installments of $4 million each July 1 from 2028-35, and $5 million each July 1 from 2036-40.

But the big new contract and bright future hasn’t quelled all of Freeman’s hurt. He was the face of the Braves, but the slugger feels they turned their back on him.

Freeman also was not very convinced by the tears from Alex Anthopoulos when the Braves general manager discussed his departure: “I saw them. That’s all I’ll say.’’

Although Freeman got just two phone calls from the Atlanta front office during the offseason, he still figured he would be returning to the only team for which he had ever suited up. He kept the faith even when he got a contract offer at last season’s trade deadline, countered it _ and never got another offer.

His optimism vanished Monday

when the Braves swung a dramatic trade with Oakland for Matt Olson, who got a $168 million contract a day later.

Freeman was working out at home in Orange County when he heard about the Olson trade, which ``blindsided’’ him.

Freeman was born in Fountain Valley and attended El Modena High School in Orange.

“I had no idea that was going to happen, anything like that,’’ Freeman said. ``When I got told, emotions were all over the place. I couldn’t really speak for a couple of hours, trying to figure out what was going on.`` Once he had gathered himself, Freeman and his agent entertained offers from several teams. The Dodgers easily made the most sense.

“I talked to my wife and I said, `I think it’s time to go home,’`` Freeman said. ``I’ve got my 67-year-old dad and my 86-year-old grandfather who’s now going to be able to watch me play every day, just like 15 years ago in high school, so that’s what’s special to me. To put on a uniform that cares about winning and strives to win every year, that’s all you can ask for.’’

Locals in CIF-SS spring polls Continued from page 8

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first Softball • Division 1: Pacifica is ninth. Huntington Beach is unranked but received some votes.

• Division 2: Marina is 10th • Division 6: Garden Grove is fifth Bous’ volleyball • Division 1: Huntington Beach is 10th • Division 4: Bolsa Grande is sixth • Division 5: Pacifica is unranked but received some votes.

• Division 6: Magnolia is unranked but received some votes.

Boys’ tennis • Division 2: Marina is fourth • Division 4: La Quinta is unranked but received some votes • Division 5: Westminster is ninth. Western is unranked but received some votes.

Girls’ lacrosse • Divisions 1 and 2: Edison is eighth.

8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

SportsWeek

Dodgers and Bruins elite again Dodger baseball and UCLA men’s basketball have two things in common. First, they are programs that were once elite, stumbled and now have come roaring back to prominence.

The second thing is they are grabbing the headlines and talking heads’ chatter with their accomplishments off and on the field.

Signing Freddie Freeman is another coup for the Blue Crew. Freeman is an Orange County native, having been born in Fountain Valley and played ball at El Modena High.

Freeman has a glittering resume, with a .295 lifetime batting average, 271 home runs and 941 runs batted in. On his mantle he’s got the NL MVP award from 2020, a World Series champion ring (with the Continued on page 6

Local teams climb the CIF-SS polls The latest polls from the CIF-SS show a bunch of local teams making some noise. Here’s the lineup of area squads ranked (or otherwise recognized).

Baseball • Division 1: Huntington Beach is unranked but received some votes.

• Division 2: Pacifica is seventh.

• Division 6: Garden Grove is 10th • Division 7: Los Amigos is Continued on page 7

FREDDIE FREEMAN WAS 2020 NL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER But now he’s a Los Angeles Dodger (Flickr/All Pro Reels)

Freeman Comes Home Orange Co. native returning to his So. California roots

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Freddie Freeman admits he’s still baffled and hurt by the way his 15 years with the Atlanta Braves ended.

The star slugger is also thrilled that the messy breakup allowed him to start the next chapter of his impressive career close to home with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Freeman joined the Dodgers on Friday for his first workout since agreeing to a $162 million, six-year contract to be a centerpiece of Los Angeles’ powerhouse roster.

“Everyone [here] has just welcomed me with open arms,’’ Freeman said from the balcony of the Dodgers’ spring training complex after hundreds of fans below cheered while he

donned a white Dodgers jersey for the first time.

“They know how much I care about winning and family,`` Freeman added. ``If I was going to leave a place I was for 15 years, coming home and being in this organization is probably the best thing that could have happened.’’

Freeman arrived at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch training complex in a suit and tie, but immediately got

some good-natured ribbing from his more laidback new teammates. Freeman is a Southern California native who probably should have known better, but he is eager to fit in back home.

“It’s not really a suit organization, I guess,’’ Freeman said with a laugh.

The 32-year-old slugger quickly changed into Dodger Blue for the first showcase of Continued on page 7

IF THE HAT FITS, WE WEAR IT Freeman is quite happy in Dodger blue (Dodgers photo)