The Orange County Tribune March 2, 2022

Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster

Non-partisan News Opinion Arts & Living Sports

Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, March 2, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL

Voters Get To Decide on Tax on Cannabis Could reap $450k in new revenue

By Zia Zografos Orange County Tribune

Huntington Beach voters will be able to vote on a cannabis business tax on the June statewide primary ballot.

Since Proposition 64 legalized marijuana use for adults 21 and over, Coun-

Help sought in solving a homicide The public’s help is being sought in connection with a suspicious death at a restaurant in Westminster in February.

According to the WPD, the trail of events goes back to Feb. 2 when Orange County Fire Authority paramedics responded to the Ocean Blue restaurant, 14541 Brookhurst St. at about 1:18 a.m.

They found a man, Hoang Vo, a 49-year-old Westminster resident, Continued on page 2

cilmember Dan Kalmick stated that community members have been pushing for legalization, taxation, and regulation on cannabis.

Kalmick also stated that the purpose of this resolution is to gauge the community’s feelings on potential retail of cannabis within the city. Currently, Huntington Beach prohibits medical and recreational marijuana activities.

The council voted 5-2, with Councilmembers Erik Peterson and Mike Posey voting no on the item.

“It gives the council a metric for what our residents want,” said Kalmick. “We’re giving voters the option to allow us at a future date to set a tax rate…But I think most of all, it gives us real polling information. It tells our voters to vote if you want to tax, and implicitly that is if they want retail cannabis in our city.”

In order for the special tax to pass, two-thirds of Huntington Beach’s resiContinued on page 2

HAZEL WRIGHT ORGAN BACK IN CATHEDRAL (Wikipedia photo)

“Hazel” organ returns to G. Grove’s Christ Cathedral

By Deepa Bharath Associated Press

GARDEN GROVE (AP) – There are few pipe organs in the world that have a nickname, a feminine pronoun and a Facebook fan page.

The Hazel Wright organ – just “Hazel,’’ to her admirers – was removed piece by piece in 2013 from Christ Cathedral’s shimmering sanctuary in Southern California’s Orange County, and shipped to Italy for repair.

At the time, the fifth-largest pipe organ in the world was suffering from an infestation of bugs. Its pipes were melted, its trumpets corroded.

Nearly a decade and $3 million later, Hazel is back in the fully remodeled sanctuary, and heavenly chords from her pipes once again ring out in the vaulted nave of the iconic church.

“It was amazing to see people’s reactions to this powerful instrument,’’ said David La’O Ball, a Continued on page 4

Argonauts won CIF hoops title The Garden Grove High School boys’ basketball team completed an historic task in the school’s 100th year.

With a stirring 54-50 win over Fullerton High in the championship final on Friday, the Argonauts captured the CIF-SS 4AA championship, the first such title since the school opened in 1921.

For article and photo, go to page 8

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

2 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Huntingon Beach mulls cannabis tax Continued from page 1

dents must vote in favor. The special tax revenue collected must be deposited into a separate fund restricted for specific purposes, and the tax will not exceed 6 percent for retailers and 1 percent for non-retailers.

According to a presentation given by Grace Yoon-Taylor, the city’s senior administrative analyst, the tax would be put towards public safety and behavioral health services and prevention education to address the ongoing homelessness crisis.

The estimated costs for these various programs are $317,000$450,000.

Cannabis sales in the city are expected to generate approximately $300,000- $600,000 annually, according to YoonTaylor.

However both Peterson and Posey felt that an entire, comprehensive ordinance besides just the tax alone should be presented to the people.

“Right now, you’re saying ‘it’s a tax, it’s a tax’, it’s a tax on what? What are the requirements to have this? How much of it are we going to have in our city? If those factors are in there, people might change their mind,” said Peterson.

Some members of the council stated that putting the item on the ballot would deter the cannabis industry from spearheading

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.

E-mail is orangecountytribune@gmail. com.

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their own ballot initiative which would hinder the council from setting their own precedence.

Michael Moussalli, who led a cannabis study session a few weeks prior and operates two manufacturing and distribution facilities in Costa Mesa, voiced his full support for the item.

“It cleans up the illicit market,” said Moussalli. “Unfortunately, there’s quite a few illegal dispensaries operating in Huntington Beach as there were in Costa Mesa a few years ago. We’ve seen that market get cleaned

Help sought in solving a homicide Continued from page 1

who had sustained a head injury.

He was taken to a local trauma center and was pronounced dead on Feb. 14.

Noting multiple skull fractures, the Orange County Coroner’s office declared the death “suspicious,” and an autopsy led to the death being ruled a homicide.

With a search warrant and with further investigation, police developed this narrative. Vo was at the restaurant celebrating the lunar new year with family and friends when an argument broke out between him and some other patrons, which led to Vo’s injury and death.

“The restaurant was wellattended by patrons and employees,” said Deputy Chief Cameron Knauerhaze. “We know somebody witnessed the altercation and they are likely afraid to get involved. We urge witnesses to do the right thing and come forward. Please have the courage to help bring closure to the victim’s family.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the crime or have other relevant information are asked to call the WPD at (714) 548-3212.

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ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022 3

News&Views

Coronavirus Stats Rise in New Count

By Health Agency DROUGHT CONDITIONS PERSISTING Efforts to cut back on water use are encouraged

Drought is back, so it’s time to save some water

In response to increasingly severe drought conditions in California, the state has adopted temporary emergency drought regulations to ensure that urban water conservation continues this year.

With local water storage levels currently stable, the City of Garden Grove remains in Stage 1 Voluntary Conservation Water Watch.

The city encourages the community to use water efficiently and conserve whenever possible.

Permanent water use guidelines currently in place are: • Residents may water every other day, before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m., for a maximum of 15 minutes per station with a hose. Watering by use of a handheld hose equipped with a selfclosing water shut-off device is permitted any day.

• No watering between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• Watering is limited to 15 minutes per day, per station with auto sprinklers. Watering by low-flow drip systems or weather-based controllers are exempt from this guideline.

•Water runoff onto adjoining

sidewalk, driveway, street gutter or ditch is prohibited.

•No washing down hard or paved surfaces.

•Washing vehicles is allowed by use of a hand-held bucket or hand-held hose equipped with a self-closing water shut-off device.

• Homeowners are required to fix leaks, breaks or malfunctioning plumbing immediately.

• Decorative fountains or ponds are allowed if they re-circulate water only. Re-filling is allowed when the water has evaporated.

• No irrigation of landscape within 48 hours after rainfall of at least ¼ of one inch of rain, based on records from the National Weather Service.

The city will send a written notice to individuals who are in non-compliance of the regulations.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to explore landscape water conservation practices, such as installing dripirrigation systems or droughttolerant landscapes. Individuals residing in a Homeowner’s Association property may install water efficient landscaping.

Three of four measurements of the status of the coronavirus in Orange County saw increases on Wednesday.

According to the county health care agency, the count of confirmed new cases reached 385, up from Tuesday’s 257.

Deaths rose from eight to 11.

The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units went from 35 to 37.

However, the hospitalizations declined from 223 to 217.

So far, Orange County has had 539,236 cases, of which 520,699 are considered recovered. The total of deaths is at 6,628.

Nationally, The New York Times reports that – over a 14-day period – new cases are down 58 percent, and deaths by 18 percent. In California, cases are down 68 percent and deaths by 21 percent, according to the Los Angeles Times.

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

New district map is selected for November A new council district map for the November 2022 election has been selected by the Westminster City Council, but it might not be the one used when voters go to the polls this fall.

On Wednesday night, the council voted unanimously in favor of “Public Map 402” for a four-district city council, with the mayor elected directly. An ordinance implementing that change will come before the city council at its next meeting on March 9.

But voters in June will be asked to decide on whether to replace the existing council configuration by eliminating the direct election of the mayor and

instead creating a five-district structure. The office of mayor – which is largely ceremonial – would be rotated among council members.

The council could not agree on a map for the possible fivedistrict model.

A motion to approve “Public Map 503” failed when two members voted in favor, one against and two abstained. A majority is required.

Unable to reach consensus, the council decided to continue the public hearing on choosing a five-district map until the next council meeting.

4 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

“Hazel” returns to Christ Cathedral Continued from page 1

Juilliard-trained organist and head of music ministry at Christ Cathedral, where Hazel was played for the public for the first time this month during a Mass on World Marriage Day. “Their eyes widened, and they were turning their heads from side to side to see where these sounds were coming from.

You can really feel its visceral power with every note.’’

The organ “is huge, but also very intimate,’’ Ball said.

Named for its original benefactor, the Hazel Wright organ was heard by millions worldwide during the heyday of what was then known as the Crystal Cathedral, founded by the televangelist, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, who hosted the weekly Christian TV program, “Hour of Power.’’ The Garden Grove church is a local

landmark and tourist attraction, with its majestic spire visible from some of the freeways that crisscross the county.

After Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy, the organ was acquired along with the building in 2011 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, which later launched a $72 million renovation of the sanctuary that was completed in 2019.

Resuscitating the organ was a top priority, regardless of cost, said the Very Rev. Christopher Smith, rector of Christ Cathedral. While $3 million may seem like a hefty price, he said it would cost five times that or more for a brand-new organ of comparable scope.

“It is an iconic instrument with a tremendous history and heritage,’’ Smith said. ``It also represents an ancient craft, and

we felt bringing it to the 21st century is significant. To me the pipe organ is just like our church where so many diverse people come together in harmony, just as so many diverse sounds in an organ converge to make this beautiful music.’’

The organ was crafted in the late 1970s under the supervision of master organist Virgil Fox and dedicated in 1982. The Fratelli Ruffatti – or Ruffatti brothers – a multigenerational company of specialists in Padua, Italy, grafted an AeolianSkinner organ purchased from New York City’s Philharmonic Hall with one made by Fratelli Ruffatti in 1977, to create the Hazel Wright organ.

Its rehabilitation has been arduous.

It went back to the Ruffattis’ Padua factory in 2013 when it was time for the repairs. After extensive work, the pieces were shipped back to Orange County where they sat in a temperaturecontrolled storage facility for four years as the cathedral was renovated. Then in late 2019, Piero Ruffatti, who originally built Hazel, returned for the reinstallation.

But that was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, which early on hit Italy as hard as any other country. Ruffatti paused work on the project and took the last flight out of Los Angeles on March 17, 2020, to return home. He finally returned in November 2021 after travel restrictions eased and completed the job in late January.

“It’s been an amazing experience building this organ not once but twice,’’ Ruffatti said, speaking from Italy. “I’ve never done anything like this before.’’

The organ originally featured 270 ranks, or sets of pipes, ranging in length from 4 inches to 32 feet; five keyboards; and the largest draw-knob console in the world to control the sound.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022 5

Arts&Living

PETER DINKLAGE STARS IN THE TITLE ROLE A different look at the classic story of love and regret from an earlier age

The love is evident in this ‘Cyrano’

By Lindsey Bahr AP Film Writer

Movie Review

Joe Wright is at his best when he’s making movies about love.

They may not always have a happy ending. In fact, they usually don’t. But truly romantic movies seem to be a rarer and rarer thing in contemporary cinema and, like Max Ophuls and Jacques Demy before him, Wright is almost peerless in his ability to make an audience swoon and suffer in maximalist splendor.

“Cyrano”is one of his finer efforts among a flock of high achievers including

“Atonement’’ and `“Pride & Prejudice.’’ And this lush adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac’’ feels like it was made by people who are IN love, which could be at least partially attributed to the fact that the creatives behind the camera were with the ones in front: Wright is married to Haley Bennett, who plays Roxanne, and the screenwriter, Erica Schmidt, is married to Peter Dinklage, who plays Cyrano.

Schmidt, it should be said,

deserves more credit than just screenwriter. She is the playwright who not only had the idea to have Dinklage play the lovelorn wit (and without his signature schnoz), but to enlist members of the rock band The National to help make it a stage musical. Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner wrote the music and front man Matt Berninger collaborated with his wife Carin Besser on the lyrics.

Though hardly the first costume drama to do so, it is an inspired choice to juxtapose The National’s signature sounds, aching and wistful and undeniably modern, within a

Great: HHHH classical setting. Bennett has a particularly powerful and sumptuous voice that makes you yearn with her as she cries out about wanting more. She’s a trained singer who doesn’t get to use those talents very often (though one of her early roles was as the popstar in ``Music and Lyrics’’). Dinklage does not have the voice of a professional singer, but there’s a sweetness to its ordinariness that’s more “Umbrellas of Cherbourg’’ than Rex Harrison in “My Fair Continued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

This “Cyrano” is a film that’s infused with love Continued from page 5

Lady.’’

Besides, Dinklage doesn’t need a Broadway voice. He’s got that face and its gorgeous expressiveness that he uses so masterfully. And goodness does Cyrano need an actor who can show every emotion in a few moments. Just take the exciting

tension of the scene where Roxanne, who he secretly pines for, reveals to him that she’s fallen in love-at-first-sight with a handsome soldier Christian de Neuvillette (Kelvin Harrison Jr).

Everyone knows this story and how it turns out. But ``Cyrano’’ does a wonderful job of letting you cling to the hope that it might

go differently, as agonizing as it might be.

And the three leads make their cases compellingly here.

Christian may be tongue-tied and somewhat basic, but he’s still a human with a heart whose love for Roxanne does seem sincere, if surface. And Cyrano, for all his worldliness, ego and bravery, is reduced to crumbles around Roxanne, with whom he shares genuine chemistry.

She also is allowed to inhabit contradictions – innocence and the wisdom of an old soul – while navigating her desires and disgusts (including a slimy and entitled third suitor, De Guiche, who is played with moustache-twirling decadence

by Ben Mendelsohn, hiding behind dusty makeup and dandy costuming).

This new film production transposes Cyrano to the mid1700s (up a century from

Rostand’s play), allowing costumer Massimo Cantini Parrini and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey to relish in ethereal watercolors and light, billowy fabrics as we fall for our tragic leads. The Sicilian city Noto provides the beautiful baroque backdrops.

Wright has said that he just wanted to make something beautiful during the pandemic.

He did even if, and maybe because, there were a few tears in the mix too.

“Cyrano,’’ a United Artists release now in theaters is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for “some strong violence, thematic and suggestive material, and brief language.’’

Parents strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

A DIFFERENT SPIN ON A CLASSIC TALE This Cyrano has a different physical challenge

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022 7

Anaheim Ducks are falling flat on the ice How the mighty have fallen.

The Anaheim (former Mighty) Ducks were battling at the top of the NHL Pacific Division not too long ago, and now they are in a tailspin, having gone 2-5 for February.

At 25-21-9, with 69 points, they are in fifth place and only one point out of sixth. As things stand right now, they would miss the Stanley Cup playoffs.

What’s gone wrong?

“We’re not sneaking up on anybody any more,” said FALLEN AND CAN’T GET UP The Anaheim Ducks and goalie John Gibson had a rought February and may miss the playoffs.

Ducks’ coach Dallas Eakins after Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday at Honda Center. “They firmly know where our offense lies. It lies with a handful of guys.”

Yes, but it also looks like the problem is also in the goal crease.

Over the weekend, the Ducks lost a pair of games by lopsided scores. On Friday, they lost 4-1 to the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. Goalkeeper John Gibson allowed four goals on 20 shots before being pulled. Since the All-Star break, he’s had a 1-4 record with a 5.72-goals against average.

“I think he’s been greatly fatigued,” said Eakins. “We didn’t play very well in front of him. He was in the net for three games in four nights.”

The backup, Anthony Stolarz didn’t do much better on Sunday when the Ducks lost 4-1 to the New York Islanders, also at Honda Center. He yielded four goals on 22 shots.

As for the Los Angeles Kings, they’re doing just fine. They’ve won five games in a row, including a 5-2 win over those same Islanders at The Arena Formerly Known as Staples Center.

Over the last 12 games, the Kings have gone 9-1-2 and are in second place in the NHL Pacific at 29-17-7, and are only

SportsWeek three points behind the firstplace Calgary Flames.

Clippers sailing, Lakers lagging

Chances for the Los Angeles Lakers to qualify for the “real” NBA playoffs instead of the one-and-done “play-in” tournament are getting slimmer and slimmer. They’ve lost three in a row and at 27-33, they’ve fallen into ninth place in the Western Conference, including Sunday’s 123-95 embarrassment at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Conversely, the Los Angeles Clippers have won two in a row, defeating the Lakers and then the Houston Rockets. They’re 32-31 and in eighth in the conference. The top six teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs; teams finishing seventh to 10th go to the playin. The others stay home.

Final Out: “Teams are coming in and playing harder.” That’s LeBron James’ answer for why the Lakers are sinking in the west.

“Sports Monday” is written by Pete Zarustica with wire service reports.

8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Argonauts Made History With CIF Title As usual, Grove won a nail-biter in final minutes

By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune

The fire marshal probably wouldn’t have liked it, but the hometown fans were delighted.

A standing room only crowd at the venerable gymnasium on the Garden Grove High School campus groaned, cheered, gasped and finally watched history being made as the host Argonauts won the school’s first CIF-SS boys’ basketball title in the school’s 100-year history by defeating Fullerton 54-50 for the 4AA crown.

The Argonauts (now 22-8) have played – and won – two fistfuls of close games en route to a Golden West League title and now CIF gold.

This one was no different. And the primary engine of those close victories was no different, either.

“I look smart,” said coach Brian Girard, “when I just tell Miguel to get the ball.”

That’s number 25, senior forward-center Miguel Ortega, who led his team with 18 points, 14 of them in the second half when the Argonauts broke open a close game to pull out to a 10-point lead at 40-30 in the third quarter.

The Indians were able to creep back, much of it on ace free throw shooting, hitting 11 of 12 from the line.

One of those free throws knotted the score at 49-all and fans on both sides of the gym were on their feet shouting and cheer-

A ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY TRIUMPH Garden Grove High School’s boys’ basketball team won the CIF-SS Division 4AA title Friday night over Fullerton. It was the school’s first since it opened in 1921 (OC Tribune photos) ing.

But Vidal Jimenez hit a threepointer with 51.7 seconds to play to give Grove a lead it would not relinquish at 52-49. The swarming Fullerton defense suffered a momentary breakdown, and a long pass to Number 25 finished with a layup and a 54-49 margin.

The visitors managed one more free throw before time ran out, and Argo fans poured onto the hardwood to celebrate the historic triumph.

Players and students were giddy, but Girard sat for a long moment on a chair, looking a little worse for the wear for having gone through so many tight contests.

“I’m tired,” he said. “I’m tired.

We’re not going to practice tomorrow. We’re taking the day off.”

Miguel’s brother Ivan finished with 12 points and Jimenez and Mendoza each had eight for Grove. Fullerton was led by Josiah Reed’s 18 points and Christian Hubbard’s 14.

Did I say finish? Not yet. Both teams have a chance for more glory and maybe make more history as they enter the CIF Southern California regionals next week.

(See results in adjacent article) • In the CIF-SS 4A finals, Western (19-9) defeated Dos Pueblos 65-49.

Three locals win in regionals Three of five local high school teams posted wins in the first round of the CIF Southern California Regionals on Tuesday.

BOYS In Division II play, Edison edged Mission Bay 64-63.

In Division IV action, Garden Grove lost to Los Angeles CES 54-39 and Western was defeated by Golden Valley 50-34.

In Division V, La Quinta bested Rosamond 65-39.

GIRLS Orangewood Academy opened Division I action with a 62-48 victory over Mount Miguel.