The Orange County Tribune July 6, 2022

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MIDWEEK EDITION

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Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, July 6, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

A RED-WHITE-AND BLUE MONDAY

n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL

Cannabis on the Ballot For Nov. 8th Voters get the choice on a “pot” tax, too

NOT QUITE 76 TROMBONES, BUT STILL QUITE A FEW The 118th Huntington Beach 4th of July parade was a treat for eyes and ears

Surf City was loud, proud Loudspeakers blared “Born in the USA” and “God Bless the USA.” Dogs barked and helicopters flew overhead. A huge marching band played patriotic airs and people dressed in their best redwhite-and blue beachwear strolled and biked up and down Main Street.

The 118th annual 4th of July Parade came back to downtown Huntington Beach on Monday as the centerpiece of a four-day salute to America, music, fireworks, beer and fatty foods.

Starting promptly at 10 a.m. the procession stepped off north from Pacific Coast Highway up Main Street through the Continued on page 2

POLYNESIANS AND POLITICIANS This dance troupe (above) and leaders like Mayor Barbara Delgleize were in the parade (OCT photos)

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

Voters in Huntington Beach will get a chance on Nov. 8 to decide whether to allow the sale of cannabis in the city, and to levy taxes on those transactions.

At a lengthy meeting Tuesday night, the city council voted 7-0 to place on the general election

ballot a measure which would allow cannabisrelated commerce in Surf City, and impose a tax.

Framed as a “general tax,” this would only require a simple majority instead of the two-thirds approval for a “special tax” which voters narrowly rejected in June.

Also, the council approved putting several proposed “cleanup” amendments to the city charter before voters but took no action on converting the city clerk and city treasurer positions from elected to appointed.

Continued on page 2

Coronavirus pandemic took a holiday in OC The coronavirus appeared to take a holiday over the Fourth of July weekend.

According to Tuesday’s report from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the number of confirmed new cases over the four-day reporting period was 2,662. That’s 665.5 per day.

The previous report showed an average of 1275 per day, nearly

double that of the latest figure.

Deaths declined from 23 to zero and the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients fell from 32 to 30. Only in hospitalizations – from 212 to 227 – was there an increase.

To date, Orange County has had 606,717 cases of which 575,284 are considered recovered. The Continued on page 2

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2 WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Coronavirus takes a holiday Continued from page 1

total of deaths is at 7,126.

Over a longer period, both the national and state pictures are different.

The New York Times reports that – over a 14-day period – cases are up by 10 percent and

deaths by 25 percent. Hospitalizations rose by 12 percent.

In California, cases are up by 17 percent and deaths are up by 20 percent over a similar time, according to Los Angeles Times.

Huntington Beach council puts cannabis to voters Continued from page 1

The cannabis measure – if approved by voters – would allow and regulate cannabis retailers and non-retailers for recreational and medicinal use in areas zoned for that use.

A proposed tax – which has been estimated to put as much as $600,000 annually into the city treasury – would be for 6 percent of gross receipts earned by retailers and up to 1 percent of gross receipts on “all other cannabis

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 is orangecountytribune@gmail. com. Website is: 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, Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Online News Association.

business.”

The consumption and sale of marijuana-related products is legal in California, but cities have to option whether to authorize such activities in their communities.

Tuesday’s meeting ran over six hours long, finishing around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.

The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19.

4th of July Continued from page 1

community’s original – and still growing – central business district.

Vehicles, local officials, performers and musical acts entertained the large crowds that thronged along the way

under shady skies.

The parade was only one of the attractions of the holiday observance. There was a carnival at PCH and 6th Street and a professional fireworks display over the pier after dark.

OCTribune’s electronic paper comes out on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The best in local news The Orange County TRIBUNE

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022 3

News&Views There may be light at the tunnel’s end We’re only a little past halfway through the year, and things are already weird enough for a full 12 months, or even a decade.

Looking at or reading the national news is likely to make one lose faith in the dull but comforting rhythms of life we used to accept, so routine they barely justified a passing comment.

The investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the tragicallybungled police response to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and the ever-mounting toll of civilian dead in Ukraine because a former KBG agent has a grisly longing for the good old days of the monstrous Soviet Union … all of this and more would make one want to reach for something chemically comforting Jim Tortolano like – in my case – a can of Coke Cherry Vanilla.

However, not all the news is bad, especially locally. After years of hoping for a miracle – or simply looking the other way (in large part) – all four of our local cities have finally moved toward effective responses to the homelessness crisis which has engulfed much of the county, state and nation.

Huntington Beach has led the way with its temporary Navigation Center and is so far along that the city is already planning on replacing it with a permanent structure on the same spot.

Stanton is converting marginal motels into housing

Retorts

Continued on page 4

LITTLE ORPHAN ALLEY GETS A BATH Tunnel unde the freeway is much better, now

HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER One survey says that “Surf City” is the best-run city in California

Huntington the best-run city in all of California?

Which is the best-run city in California? Which city has the best quality if services?

There’s a new report that places “Surf City” high in both categories.

The Huntington Beach ranked number one in the nation in terms of the quality of its services to its residents according to WalletHub. Using a methodology that examined a variety of factors from financial

stability, health, safety, education, economic strength, infrastructure and pollution, WalletHub determined Huntington Beach was the top city in the United States out of 150 of the most-populated cities in the nation.

“I’ve always known Surf City is the best place to live, but it’s still nice to have an independent analysis confirm it through scientific findings,” said Huntington

Learn just what is a navigation center now The City of Garden Grove, in collaboration with HomeAid Orange County, is hosting a free virtual Navigation Center 101 class to provide information and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about homeless individuals seeking housing.

The class takes place on Monday, July 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., via Zoom or by phone. To register online, visit https://bit.ly/3beeg6A. Call-in information will be automatically emailed through Zoom.

Topics to be discussed are: What is a navigation center and why is it important? What services are provided at a navigation center? The City of Garden Grove’s efforts to address homelessness. Homeless Continued on page 4

Beach Mayor Barbara Delgleize.

“Our city council works collaboratively to prioritize the programs, services, and projects that our residents want for our city, and our city staff is the best around at implementing those policies.”

When factoring in the total budget per capita, Huntington Beach ranks high overall and is the #1 “best-run city” in the state of California.

The metrics used to analyze the city and its services include factors such as Moody’s credit rating, outstanding long-term debt, the K-12 school ratings, quality of roads, recreation-friendliness, crime rate, homeless services, median household income, high school graduation rate, life expectancy, unemployment rate, business growth, home prices, commute time, and other factors.

The full report with scores for the nation’s best and worst run cities can be found on the WalletHub website.

4 WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Learn about Retorts: Not all of the news in our world is bad just what is Continued from page 3

for the unsheltered as well as adding some other services for them.

Garden Grove and Westminster (along with Fountain Valley) are partnering up to establish a regional navigation center (temporary housing, along with health and employment services), probably somewhere in an industrial area in east Garden Grove.

But those things take time; it gets frustrating to have to wait and wait and complain and wait …

Sometimes, though, your expectations are exceeded. You may remember how – a short while ago – we complained in The Tribune about “Little Orphan Alley,” the trash-strewn and graffiti-marred tunnel beneath the Garden Grove Free-

way, a well-used (and abused) pathway to Bolsa Grande High School and Garden Grove Park.

We published photos of this ugly gash on local pride, a mess which no one seemed to be taking responsibility for.

But it wasn’t long after that we revisited “The Alley” and found it had been freshly painted and cleaned. And more than once. It looks … dare I say it? … nice.

We at The Trib are not claiming credit for this … exactly.

But this small improvement in a world of “what can you do?” rekindles the possibilities of better days ahead.

So speak up. Don’t give up. It doesn’t always hurt to hope.

Jim Tortolano’s “Retorts” column alternates with “Usually Reliable Sources.”

a navigation center?

Continued from page 3

point-in-time count in Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Westminster.

HomeAid Orange County is a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to help people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless build new lives through housing, community engagement, and education.

To learn more about the City’s efforts to address homelessness and to join the Garden Grove Coalition to End Homelessness, visit ggcity.org/endhomelessness.

For more information, contact Timothy Throne, Community and Economic Development Department at (714) 741-5144.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022 5

Arts&Living

Undersea fun with “Spongebob” A moist but fun musical rocks Gem Theater

By Thom deMartino Orange County Tribune

Who would have thought so many rock icons loved SpongeBob SquarePants?

Garden Grove’s own lauded Gem Theater and the One More Production Company are at it again with their newest summer spectacle “The SpongeBob Musical” : and even if you’ve never seen the hit Nickelodeon show, it’s rapturous fun for all ages.*(*Children not necessarily required for entry.)

There’s trouble brewing for the undersea inhabitants of Bikini Bottom, where the ever affable and absorbent SpongeBob (Hayden Mangum) dreams of moving up in the world -- or at least to manager of the Krusty Krab restaurant, where he works for the unscrupulous Mr. Krabs (Tim Klega).

He’s got the enthusiastic support from his lovable lunkhead of a best friend Patrick (a brilliantly lower-key Peter Cri-

HAYDEN MANGUM STARS IN “THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL” This undersea adventure is not just for kids, says our reviewer (Dave Safley/Modern Pics).

Stage Review safulli) ... and less than, from his blue-haired sourpuss of a neighbor, the cranky Squidward Q Tentacles (the charming Matthew Rangel) – when suddenly everything is upended by earthquakes rocking their little underwater town.

With the discovery of a local undersea volcano ready to blow, the townsfolk react with... well, whatever comes naturally to them. Mr. Krabs has his greedy eyes on windfall profits in the crisis, while his daughter Pearl (Savannah Clayton) swoons over her favorite pop boy band; the Mayor (Lisa Katherine Taylor) speaks in red tape circles, promising nothing but bureau-

Great: HHHH cracy; and the media, led by newscaster Perch Perkins (Max Seigel) are raising the inhabitants anxieties to a fever pitch.

Meanwhile, SpongeBob’s brave and plucky squirrel friend Sandy Cheeks (Julia Iacopetti) consults with her friends as she Continued on page 6

“Rise of Gru” continues the mirth of the Minions

By Jake Coyle AP Film Writer

For a not small segment of the audience for “Minions: Rise of Gru,” only one thing really needs to be said. The Minions are in it. That’s enough.

Now five films and 12 years into the “Despicable Me” series, the appeal of the bug-eyed, overallswearing, banana-yellow henchmen horde is overwhelming apparent. They have swarmed the planet like that human mob

Movie Review in “World War Z,“ spreading a happy cartoon plague that long ago became endemic. The Minions are one of the great secondbanana success stories.

And the franchise’s latest installment, “Minions: Rise of Gru,” is smart enough not to reinvent the wheel – even if trying to do so might sound like the kind of job the Minions Continued on page 6

“THE RISE OF GRU” AMUSES Latest in “Minion” franchise is quite funny enough

6 WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

“Spongebob Musical” rocks the Gem Theatre Continued from page 5

desperately seeks a scientific solution -- and fast.

But it’s Mr. Krabs’ devious and diminutive competitor Sheldon J. Plankton (James Scognamillo), who may get the last laugh: with the help of his companion Karen the Computer (a delightfully snarky Iva Erwin), the minute menace intends to whip the populace into an antiscience frenzy to thwart Sandy and place them under his own nefarious hypnotic spell.

What’s a simple sponge supposed to do?

This Southern California premiere of “The SpongeBob Musical” is “the biggest show One More Productions has ever done” says director and OMP co-founder Damien Lorton. The costume and set design took an environmentally-friendly tack, using recycled materials – many salvaged from the oceans – for at least half of their sets and costume elements. The result is a intoxicating, imaginative, immersive environment as the

audience finds themselves stepping through the doors and into a fanciful undersea world, complete with draping kelp, fishermen’s nets and faint sound of bubbles.

The warm, French-accentednarration of the story by OMP veteran Robert Edward brings those viewers unfamiliar with the denizens of Bikini Bottom up-to-speed, as the adept musicians behind the scenes (Stephen Hulsey, Nick Bravo, Richard Lueras, Jacob Gonzalez, Spencer Evens, Vincent Hizon and Jeff Segal) perform so seamlessly that some listeners have mistaken them for a recording!

The recent class of newer additions to the OMP family continue to shine in this production, often with their own solo numbers throughout the piece: and with songs penned by some of the biggest talents in music – including David Bowie, Steven Tyler and Jeff Perry, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At The Disco, John Legend and more – it has more of a “jukebox’ musical feel to it,

giving the cast some stellar material to work with.

As with previous shows, Mangum is magnetic, even in this playful, goofy persona, and his chemistry with Crisafulli’s Patrick is heartwarming. Rangel’s Squidward is charmingly cranky, but with a secretly sensitive side; Iacopetti’s Sandy is beautifully earnest and determined, even in the face of a town riled up enough to vilify science and embrace hysteria.

(For what some might mischaracterize as simply a musical for kids, the underlying themes are surprisingly timely.)

Of particular note is the dysfunctional, yet strangely sweet dynamic between Scognamillo’s Napoleon complex-burdened Sheldon and Erwin’s cool and aloof Karen, as she gradually warms up to his diabolical plans, as well as his fevered, rapid-fire performance in “When the Going Gets Tough.”

More than just for kids, “The SpongeBob Musical” is charming, funny, witty and delightful-

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ly subversive, yet wholesome: and though you don’t need be a SpongeBob fan to enjoy it, you may certainly be one afterwards.

“The SpongeBob Musical”, Hayden Mangum, Peter Crisafulli and Matthew Rangel star in this fun visual feast for all ages. Playing through July 31 at The Gem Theater, 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA, 92840. Call 714-741-9550 x221 or e-mail boxoffice@onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information.

“Rise of Gnu” Continued from page 5

would love to get a crack at. The outline of the film is a sequel to 2015 “Minions” and “Despicable Me” prequel for Gru (Steve Carell), who here is an 11 3/4-year-old aspiring supervillain. But the coming of age belongs less to Gru than his little army of sidekicks who once again steal the show as they establish their undying allegiance to “Mini Boss.”

The perfunctory storyline centers on Gru reaching for his diabolical dreams, and proving his mettle to an evildoer group called the Vicious 6. We’re in 1976 California. The Vicious 6 has jettisoned its founder, an aged nunchuck-wielding criminal named Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin, a voice so distinctive that it pierces even something this cartoonish).

Its new leader, the disco-styled Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson), takes possession of a powerful amulet and then holds auditions for new members in the Vicious 6’s San Francisco secret lair beneath a music store called Criminal Records. With hair neatly combed, Gru shows up seeking his big break only to be immediately dismissed as a mere child.

In the fallout, Gru and the Minions sneak off with the amulet.

I’m sure you’re just dying to know the fate of that amulet. Thankfully, “Rise of Gru” knows that its MacGuffins are nothing but Minion fodder.

More than any previous film, Continued on page 7

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022 7

Angels fall to Marlins, 2-1 for fourth straight defeat Continued from page 8

The Marlins got a strong pitching effort as well, from Sandy Alcantara (9-3). He yielded just two hits in eight innings as Miami won its sixth straight game and improved its record to 3940, still fourth in the National League East.

The Angels scored their sole run in the top of the ninth as Taylor Ward’s sacrifice fly brought in Michael Stefanic from third.

Mike Trout partially shook off his recent slump with a single and a walk. He struck out twice.

The two-game series wraps up on Wednesday with Shohei Ohtani (7-4) getting the start for the Angels. Trevor Rogers (4-6) will start for the Marlins.

Dodgers running away with the NL West pennant Continued from page 8

distance between themselves and the rest of the National League West.

Combined with the San Diego Padres’ 5-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Blue Crew has a 5.5-game lead. Over the last 10 games, the second place Padres and third place Giants combined won four of 16 games.

Against the Rockies – who had tormented them just a week or so ago – the Dodgers jumped out to

a 4-1 lead highlighted by a tworun home run by Max Muncy, his eighth homer of the season. and a solo shot by Mookie Betts, his 18th.

Ryan Pepiot (1-0) worked five innings for the winners, giving up four hit and one earned run.

He struck out six and walked one batter.

On Wednesday, the two teams meet again, with Mitch White (1-1) making the start for LAD against Jose Urena (0-0).

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” continues the goofy fun Continued from page 6

this one feels engineered to enable as much slapstick hijinks for the yellow ones as possible. The plot is mostly just a mechanism for Minion mayhem, allowing them the opportunity to pilot an airliner, learn kung fu from an acupuncturist (Michelle Yeoh) and repeatedly pronounce “San Francisco.“ It’s not a recipe for the greatest movie ever, necessarily, but a far worse sin, in this world of Minion domination, would be to skimp on screen time for the little guys. “Rise of Gru,“ directed by franchise veteran Kyle Balda, supplies a brisk and breezy 88-minute Minion morsel to keep the pipsqueak masses sated before the next “Despicable Me” movie. After singling out the trio of Kevin, Stuart and Bob (all voiced by Pierre Coffin), the plump and talkative Otto gets introduced this time.

Along the way, there are plenty of `70s needle drops, from the Ramones to Sly and the Family Stone, and even a Linda Ronstadt reference. There’s plenty of affectionate period detail, too, including a Tupperware party and a trip to the movies to see “Jaws.“ (The Minions laugh their heads off.) “Rise of Gru” likewise at moments adopts a Blaxploitation vibe or a James Bond opening credit sequence.

If anything, the Minion craze has proven the timeless versatility of the googly-eyed henchmen – a cartoon concoction of childlike slapstick simplicity and eminent pliability. It’s enough to make you curious to imagine the Minions in subsequent decades – on Wall Street in the ’80s, maybe, or head banging at a Nirvana concert in 1990s Seattle.

“Minions: Rise of Gru,” a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for some action/ violence and rude humor. Running time: 88 minutes.

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8 WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Is It Strike 3 for Angel Season?

Sweep by Astros showed the team at its weakest

By Pete Zarustica with wire service reports

The best player in Major League Baseball can’t hit the ball. A pop up is a triumph.

A team that was in first place in May, dreaming of the postseason, may be looking forward instead to the end of this nightmare.

And who’s skippering this sinking ship? Depends which day it is.

Welcome to the world of the Los Angeles Angels and their fans. At the halfway point of the 2020 season, the Halos are in fourth place in the five-team American League West. They’re 16 games out of first and 6.5 games out of a wild card spot.

That’s roughly how things stood at the end of the 2021 season.

At the midpoint of this campaign it looks like – as Yogi Berra said – “deja vu all over again.”

After taking three of four games at the end of July, the Halos had climbed back into second place

MIKE TROUT, THE BEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL, BUT ...

Even he’s in an epic slump as the Angels tumbled into fourth place in the AL West in the AL West. But they hit the wall hard in Houston, losing all three games and being outscored 21 to 4 by the home team.

Symbolic of the Angels’ frustrations, they struck out 20 times in losing 4-2 to the Astros on Sunday. Symbolic of how bad things have become, Mike Trout went 0-for-11 in the series, striking out nine times.

“Mike Trout is future Hall of

Fame,” said acting interim manager Bill Haselman. “It’s too long of a season to never have struggles. And everybody goes through it, even the best in the game. And he’s going through it right now and we’re confident he’ll get out of it.”

Wait … what? Who’s Bill Haselman? Well, he’s usually the team’s catching coach. But after Joe Maddon was fired,

bench coach Phil Nevin became interim manager. But after Ray Montgomery, acting interim manager and Nevin were suspended for their roles in the “Battle vs. Seattle” last week, Haselman is in charge at least through today (Tuesday) starting a two-game series against the Marlins in Miami. The Angels are next in Baltimore Thursday through Sunday.

Hitless Halos continue a skid with loss to Marlins

Dodgers climb Rockies, 5-2

By a staff writer

By David Arthur Orange County Tribune

Casey Stengel used to chant, “You can’t hit a homer with a bat on your shoulder.” If he were managing the Los Angeles Angels today he might say, “You can’t win the race if you can’t get on base.”

With just three hits and two walks to their names, the Halos wasted a quality pitching start by Noah Syndergaard and

lost 2-1 to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday at LoanDepot Park, extending their losing streak to four games.

They’re now 37-45 and sinking deeper into fourth place in the American League West.

Syndergaard (5-7) pitched five strong innings and yielded just five hits, but two of them were home runs. He struck eight batters and walked just two.

Continued on page 7

Everybody loves a horse race, although if you’re way ahead of the field, you might not mind trotting the rest of the course.

With Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Colorado Rockies at Chavez Ravine, the Los Angeles Dodgers (51-29) are continuing to put Continued on page 7