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Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster
Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, May 4, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com
n HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL
New City Mgr. Is Chosen, Will Start in June Alfred Zelinka is from Riverside By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune
SALUTING VIETNAM AND AMERICA Irene Alipio sang “The Star Spangled Banner” at Saturday’s “Black April” observance in Westminster (OCT photos; additional photo on page 3)
“Black April” tragedy observed in Westminster The flags rippled in the April breeze, songs were sung, speeches made as hundreds of people solemnly observed “Black April” – the fall of the Republic of (South) Vietnam in 1975 – at an
event at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Saturday morning. It was forty-seven years ago Communist forces seized control of Saigon, climaxing a war that
Arrest made in stabbing attack in Garden Grove A 31-year-old Anaheim man was arrested Saturday evening in Garden Grove after allegedly attacking another person with a knife. According to the GGPD, the incident took place in the 14000 block of Euclid Street (just north of Westminster Avenue).
Officers were dispatched at around 4:43 p.m. regarding a fight with weapons. On arrival, they learned that a suspect had attacked a victim with a knife and had barricaded himself in the restroom of a nearby business. Continued on page 2
took the lives of an estimated 250,000 South Vietnamese troops and nearly 60,000 American military personnel. Each year, Westminster – the city with the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam – observes the conquest of the Republic of Vietnam. In the opening remarks, Interim City Manager Christine Cordon urged those in attendance to “Listen with your hearts” to the emotions stirred by those remembering the people who lost their nation and their freedom, before finding a new home and liberty in the United States. The national anthems of the Republic of (South) Continued on page 2
On a unanimous vote, the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night appointed Alfred Zelinka as the new city manager. Zelinka, who is currently serving as city manager of Riverside, will take over leadership of Surf City on Monday, June 27. After receiving the post, Zelinka said that “Huntington Beach has captured my imagination, and I want to be part of this journey.” His salary will be $320,000 a year. HB Mayor Barbara Delgleize praised the council’s choice. “After an exhaustive national search I am so pleased to
ALFRED ZELINKA New city manager
have Al Zelinka join us as Huntington Beach city manager. Other council members joined in, citing what they called his “innovative ideas” and “outside the box thinking” as demonstrated by his tenure in Riverside. Continued on page 2
Coyote that attacked girl was killed by HB police (AP) – DNA from a coyote that bit a girl on Huntington Beach last week matched samples from one of two coyotes shot and killed following the attack, authorities said. The 2-year-old child was hospitalized with bites to her head and face
that were not considered life-threatening after she was attacked near the Huntington Beach Pier last Thursday night. Huntington Beach police responded and shot two coyotes found in the coastal area south of Los Angeles, police Lt. Shawn Continued on page 2
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Stanton 2 WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
New manager for HB Continued from page 1
In that city, he served as community and economic development director, assistant city manager and – since May 2018 – as city manager. Oliver Chi was Huntington Beach’s city manager from 2019 to 2021, leaving to become the chief executive officer of Irvine. Another major topic discussed at Tuesday’s meeting was coyotes, an issue brought to the forefront by an attack on a 2-year-old girl Friday night near the Huntington Beach Pier. The girl was injured and the coyote was later killed by police. Interim City Manager Sean Joyce announced that the city was planning a major town hall event to invite the public to speak on their concerns, and hear the city’s plans to curb the threats posed by the wild canines. The date and time are to be announced. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the council is set for Tuesday, May 17.
“Black April” observed Continued from page 1
Vietnam and the U.S. were sung, and remarks were made by all five members of the Westminster City Council, as well as other elected officials. A wreath was laid at the Vietnam War Memorial in the park and there were songs and prayers offered.
Stabbing suspect arrested Continued from page 1
A perimeter was set up around the location and attempts were made to get the suspect to surrender. Eventually, the SWAT team was activated and after “several hours of failed crisis negotiations,” police used chemical agents and the suspect – indentified as Reynaldo Valencia – surrendered without further incident.
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. Our 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 and the Online News Association.
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HB police kill the coyote Continued from page 1
Randell said. Samples taken from the girl’s wounds were used to confirm that the animal that bit her had been killed, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy said. The girl was with her mother on the sand when she wandered ``a mere few feet’’ and was attacked, Foy said last week. The coyote came out of the dark, hit and knocked over the girl and attacked her for 12 seconds before her cry alerted adults and the animal ran off, Foy said. However, it stayed around, pacing, before finally fleeing, Foy said.
The best in local news The Orange County TRIBUNE
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022 3
News&Views
Coronavirus stats showing more declines
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
New case and deaths reduced Confirmed new cases of coronavirus, as well as deaths and hospitalizations, declined in Orange County according to Tuesday’s report from the county health care agency. The latest tallies – which include April 29 to May 2 – showed new cases to be 1,235, which averages to 308.75. That compares to last Friday’s report of 357 per day over three days. Deaths declined from 10 to two. Hospitalizations ticked down from 76 to 74. The count of patients being treated for
COVID-19 in intensive care units rose from 11 to 13. So far, Orange County has had 554,229 cases, of which 540,814 are considered recovered. The death total is 7,009. Nationally, new cases are up 55 percent – over a 14-day period – according to The New York Times. Deaths are down 22 percent. In California, Los Angeles Times calculates a 12 percent increase in new cases and a 39 percent decrease in death over a similar period.
BANNERS OF THE U.S. AND REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM Both were honored at Saturday’s “Black April” observance at Sid Golstein Park in Westminster (See story, photo on page one).
n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL
Time extension OK’d on Quang Tri By Carolina Valencia Orange County Tribune
n GARDEN GROVE SCHOOL BOARD
Food costs to schools rising By Tatum Foulger Orange County Tribune
The Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education agreed to price increases for food services yet again at its meeting Tuesday night. On Sept. 15, 2020, the board accepted bids for food service supplies.
The bid specifications contained a price escalation clause for price adjustments. Individual Food Service is now requesting this escalation due to manufacturer price increases, worldwide disruption of supply chains and rising freight charges. Continued on page 4
Facing a heavy agenda on April 27, the Westminster City Council took on the fate of the controversial Quang Tri Monument, retooled its program to deal with homelessness and took action to cut the practice of the theft of catalytic converters. The council granted a request to extend the deadline for the Quang Tri Monument Committee and Community Services and Recreation Commission in regards to the design and location of the proposed monument. The council unanimously voted to extend the deadline to have an agenda item by May 25 or to have members of the committee address the council if they are not able to have a proposal for council review regarding the Quang Tri Monument design and location. This recommendation comes as it was brought up to the council that the
committees had not met. The council wanted to know the details of the “unforeseen circumstances” for the committee’s meeting cancellations. To tackle this, the council directed the Quang Tri Monument Committee to meet on May 9 after a meeting was rescheduled and then canceled by the committee. The Community Services and Recreation also canceled its meeting which was scheduled for April 14 and is to meet May 16 to make a recommendation. “My concern is that the committee has direction from city council to reach an agreement and decision with a deadline, but it seems like the city committee is doing whatever they want and do not follow the council direction and I am really concerned that we need to fix that,” said Councilmember Tai Do. If the project moves forward, it would commemorate the second Battle of Continued on page 4
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The cost of food to schools is increasing Continued from page 3
Staff is recommended that the board approve a 37.8 percent price increase from Individual Food Service for Bid No. 2003 for food service supplies. The increases are within the bid terms and are still the most costeffective means to procure the products and supplies. In just the last month, the board has also accepted price escalations for other services such as pool supplies, construction, and audio-visual equipment. After questions about the district’s ability to continue to accept price escalations for differ-
ent services, it was assured that the GGUSD had already previously planned for price increases by predicting future escalation clauses, inflation, and different factors given the industry. The effect this will have, if any, on the average price of meals for students remains unclear. Also Tuesday night, the board conferred with labor negotiators as well as the superintendent, assistant superintendent, and members of personnel services in a closed session. No action was taken. The meeting also revealed Jennifer Tran’s time as the district’s
student representative is coming to an end. At Tuesday’s meeting she announced an election will be underway in the next couple of weeks to determine who her successor will be. The next board meeting is set for Tuesday, May 17. The board will meet at 7 p.m. in the district offices at 10331 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove. The GGUSD is a K-12 district serving most of Garden Grove and portions of Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster.
Extension granted for Quang Tri plan Continued from page 3
Quang Tri in 1972 in which South Vietnamese forces – with help from American units – retook a vital citadel from Communist troops.
The Quang Tri Monument has been a matter of contention as some people expressed concern that the proposed monument would take away from the existing Vietnam War
Memorial and others fear it is not historically accurate. The council also approved the allocation of grant funds for the Mendez Freedom Trail. The Trail will honor the key court case that ended racial segregation in California public schools. The Mendez Tribute Monument Park is expected to be completed by September 2022, according to a city staff presentation. Addionally, the city council reviewed the CityNet relationship that was established in 2017. A 30-day notice is required to terminate the contract with the firm that handles Westminster’s outreach to the unsheltered. “The Westminster Police Department appreciates everything City Net has done,” said Special Operations Commander Kevin MacCormick. “It is my personal recommendation and opinion that we start moving towards a more self-sufficient in-house Westminster specific approach to case management.” The city council voted to end its agreement with City Net and to add a full-time community outreach coordinator position as an alternative. The cost of a fulltime of a community outreach coordinator would be $113,500 per year, which would be funded with savings realized in the contractual budget.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022 5
Arts&Living Movie Review
“Memory’ is a bit like a flashback By Jake Coyle AP Film Writer
“Memory`` is an interesting title for the latest Liam Neeson thrialler. Do you remember the last Liam Neeson thriller? Or the one before that? Who was it that got took in that one? It began getting hard to tell these films from one another years ago, and yet they’ve kept coming. “Key & Peele`` only seems more prophetic for making the actor’s name plural. “Liam Neesons’’ is right. He contains, and kills, multitudes. “Memory,’’ which opened in theaters Friday, doesn’t much alter the formula but makes for a brutal and bleak variation on the Liam Neeson theme. It casts a broader, more interwoven noir tapestry set around the Texas borderlands, with an ensemble cast including Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci, and Ray Stevenson. If you come to “Memory’’ hoping Neeson is going to growl one-liners like “Commit THAT to memory!’’ or “If memory serves me correctly, you’re toast!`` you may be surprised to find a movie less interested in such action-star heroics than it is Continued on page 6
LIAM NEESON
A FLAMBOYANT RETELLING OF BIBLICAL STORY “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Gem Theater in Garden Grove
“Dreamcoat” dazzles at Gem Dancing, singing and a lot of, uh. sensuality on stage By Thom deMartino Orange County Tribune
A funny thing happened on the way to the Pharaoh... Andrew Lloyd Webber’s neon-hued musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” comes to flamboyant life in this newest offering from Garden Grove’s award-winning Gem Theater. The Narrator (Brittany Gerardi) and her “Narratorettes” (Hannah Clair and Giovanna Martinez) introduce this musical tale of young Joseph (Hayden Mangum), one of the 12 sons of the biblical patriarch Jacob (Randy Calcetas): so beloved as the favorite son, that his father gifts him a gorgeous, radiantly colorful coat. His numerous jealous brothers, however, already seethe at their father’s unparalleled affection
Stage Review for Joseph ... but the final straw to break the proverbial camel’s back comes when the humble young man’s prophetic dreams of his siblings bowing before him in submission is more than they can stand. Initially planning to do away with the lad, they instead choose to sell him into slavery, covering their misdeed by shredding Joseph’s treasured coat and telling their father his adored son was slain by beasts. Meanwhile, Joseph has been brought to Egypt and sold to the wealthy Potiphar (director and OMP co-founder Damian Lorton, in a rare but hysterically colorful Gem stage cameo.) Rather than curse his misfortune, the plucky Joseph remains upbeat, making the most of his circumstances – so impressing his keeper that he is eventually promoted to run the master’s household. Unfortunately for Joseph, Potiphar isn’t the only one impressed with him: the striking
young man has also caught the eye of Potiphar’s alluring and lusty wife (Lexi Cross)... and one doesn’t need prophetic dreams to predict the dire results. Despite obstacle after obstacle, Jacob’s precious lost son remains optimistic -- but how long can Joseph’s gentle heart sustain, through these seemingly endless trials? While Gem Theater has been recognized numerous times for the quality of their productions,
Great: HHHH and the acting and singing talents of their performers, the recent addition of their new state-of-the-art lighting system has augmented the lighting design of their shows to an incredible degree, enhancing the already jaw-dropping choreography in this show. The dance numbers performed by the players are hypnotic, frenetic and quite distinct in their styles, whether the westernContinued on page 6
6 WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
Gem’s “Dreamcoat” dazzles on the stage Continued from page 5
style hoedown helmed by the exuberant Peter Crisafulli for “One More Angel In Heaven,” the island-style melody of the “Benjamin Calypso” (the unlucky sibling played by the animated and affable Matthew Rangel) or the distinctive and strangely familiar over-thetop style of the Pharaoh (a mesmerizing, magnetic and hysterically scene-stealing James Scognamillo.) But while the main players are without question the heart of the show (particularly the dazzling, moving performances by Mangum as Joseph), the backbone is certainly the choreography and the incredible dancing and singing talents of the myriad brothers, their wives, and the ensemble as a whole: pieces such as “Go Go Joseph” and the ending “Mega Mix” are absolutely breathtaking. Offering stunning musical and dance numbers, vibrant costumes, top-tier performances
and an extravagant staging unlike any other, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Gem Theater is a brilliantly unconventional take on the beloved Weber musical... just remember – don’t mess with the Pharaoh when he’s takin’ care of business
(a-huh huh.) “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, Hayden Mangum, Randy Calcetas and James Scognamillo star in this unconventional and uplifting interpretation of the classic Andrew Lloyd
Weber musical. Playing through May 15 at The Gem Theater, 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove. (714) 741-9550 x221 or e-mail boxoffice@ onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information.
This “Memory” seems like a flashback Continued from page 6
something murkier and more cynical. Does that make it good? Well, I wouldn’t go that far. The filmmaking, by Martin Campbell, the British director of thrillers both glossy (“Casino Royale”) and gritty (“Edge of Darkness”), lacks the texture and sense of place that could have made “Memory’’ (much of which was shot in Bulgaria) something more than a throwaway. But the performers– Neeson
and particularly Pearce – don’t phone anything in. Neeson plays an El Paso, Texas, assassin named Alex Lewis who tilts more toward bad guy territory than most of the actor’s protagonists. Of course, though, Alex has a moral compass that won’t tolerate certain things. He smashes one guy’s head against the bar for his rude behavior toward a prostitute. And he won’t kill kids. When Alex refuses to kill a 13-yearold girl (Mia Sanchez), a crime syndicate seeking to cover up a child trafficking ring comes after him. At the same time, Alex is beginning to experience early onset Alzheimer’s. That, curiously, only seldom affects his mission to protect the girl and bring down the syndicate, but it does make Alex even bolder; his life is fading away, anyway. At the same time, the FBI agent Vincent Serra (Pearce) is trying to bring down the ring and is watching over the very same teenage girl, but his higher-ups keep pushing him toward other cases. Pearce’s very presence in a memory-loss thriller is a nod to “Memento.’’ In one scene, when Neeson writes clues on his forearm to
Fair: HH help himself remember, you half expect Pearce to grab the pen and give him a few pointers. There’s much that’s familiar in “Memory,’’ a remake of the 2003 Belgian thriller “Memory of a Killer.’’ Alex and Vincent form a loose partnership as two men trying to carry out one act of justice in a place without it. If the Liam Neeson thriller has cast Neeson as a kind of globe-trotting vigilante and defender of justice in a fallen world, it’s fitting that he should make his way to the U.S.-Mexican border. Credit “Memory’’ for summoning outrage for the plight of young Mexican immigrants along the border. Pearce, sweaty and grungy, steadies “Memory’’; it’s his film as much as Neeson’s. But if anything, they seem like actors who ought to be in something better than this, an often slipshod movie populated largely by stock and half-formed characters –– like Bellucci’s somewhat ridiculous millionaire, an El Paso mogul pulling strings to cover for her son. There’s just enough here to imagine a better, more memorable iteration of “Memory.’’ “Memory,’’ an Open Road release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for for violence, some bloody images and language throughout. Running time: 114 minutes.
ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022 7
CIF-SS baseball playoffs starting this week Continued from page 8
Canyon (Thursday, 3:15 p.m.) Division 5 (Friday, 3:15 p.m.) • Loara at Orange Division 7 • On Friday, Los Amigos hosts the winner of wild card game between Newbury Park Adventist and Leuzinger. Santiago hosts a wild card game on Wednesday against St Monica Catholic. The winner will visit Calvary Chapel/ Downey on Friday. Four champs from West OC Recapping the final league
standings for area teams, four locals were crowned as conference champs. Los Amigos won the Garden Grove League title, Ocean View is the champ of the Golden West League, Orange grabbed the pennant of the Orange Coast League and Huntington Beach
has the Surf League plaque. And, wait, there’s more … In CIF-SS boys’ team tennis, Rancho Alamitos will visit Jurupa Valley on Wednesday in Division 4 play. In girls’ lacrosse, Edison will visit Foothill today (Tuesday).
Softball starts post-season Continued from page 8
Division 5 • La Quinta (14-5) at Rio Hondo Prep (18-5) • Rancho Alamitos (15-7) at El Toro (15-8) Division 6 • If Magnolia (12-7) defeats A.B. Miller in a wild card game Tuesday, it will visit Eisenhower (16-5) on Thursday • Garden Grove (17-8) at Serra (7-5). All games are scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m.
Consider placing advertising in The Orange County Tribune (print and website) Reach thousands for pennies. Call Jim at (714) 458-1860 for details.
8 WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE
TheSportsPage Seven local teams headed for CIF-SS baseball playoffs
HALL OF FAME, HERE HE COMES Is Clayton Kershaw the best Dodger pitcher? (David Slaughter photo)
Here’s the pitch: He’s best Dodger pitcher
These are great times for LA-Orange County baseball fans. Both the Dodgers and the Angels are in first place in their divisions. The Dodgers are especially interesting because they are involved in another Great Race in the National League West, with the top four teams all within a game and a half. The Angels are especially interesting because for the first time in nearly a decade they appear to have just the right balance of hitting, pitching and team cohesion. And, of course, we are blessed with three of the most outstanding stars in baseball history in Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. The latter nailed his name into the history books on Saturday at Chavez Ravine when he became the Dodgers’ career leader in strikeouts by fanning Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers for his 2,697th strikeout of his 15-year career, all with the Dodgers. He’s in pretty good company with Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Don Sutton. His performance outshines more than those in Dodger Blue. The Associated Press points out that since the start of the live-ball era in 1920, he has the lowest career ERA (2.48) among starting pitchers with at least 1,500
SportsWeek innings. He’s fourth among active players in strikeouts. “It speaks to longevity and consistency. It’s just going to add to his lore, not just in Dodger but baseball history,” said manager Dave Roberts. “I think for a fan base that’s followed him his entire career, to ultimately reach this milestone at home, get that ovation and share that with the fans certainly makes it sweeter.” A Taylor-made performance Who is that bearded man? Taylor Ward of the Angels made himself known this past week with a spectacular performance that – we can hope – heralded the arrival of another Halo star. Ward, 28, was named American League Player of the Week for batting .448, scoring 10 runs and driving in 11 (including a grand slam). To date the Angel third baseman is batting .400 and has hit five home runs in 15 games. Fast starts sometimes fade out, but in this, his fifth season with the team, maybe Taylor can finally find a playing style that “suits” him perfectly.
All that pre-league, league, tournament and non-league action are finally over for area high school baseball teams and the CIF-SS playoffs are about to begin. Divisions 2, 4 and 6 are starting play today (Tuesday) and Divisions 1,3,5,7 on Wednesday where wild card games are necessary. First round games will start on Thursday for Divisions 2, 4, and 6, and on Friday for Divisions 1,3,5,7. Two local teams are seeded. Huntington Beach (20-8) is seeded fourth in Division 1 and Los Amigos (22-4) is first in Division 7. Here are the first round matchups for area high school teams Division 1 (Friday, 3:15 p.m.)
• Huntington Beach has a bye • Bishop Amat at Ocean View Division 2 • Pacifica at Temescal Continued on page 7
Playoff scores Some results from Tuesday’s CIF-SS playoff action. Softball Division 1 • Magnolia 16, Miller 4 Boys’ tennis Wild card round Division 5 • Garden Grove 14, West Valley 2 • Valley Christian/Cerritos 10, Orange 8 Girls’ lacrosse Division 1 • Foothill 16, Edison 10.
Softball teams also sending 7 to CIF-SS The CIF-SS softball playoffs will start next week, with wild card games on Tuesday, May 3 and first round games on Thursday, May 5. Seven teams from The Tribune’s coverage area of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Stanton and Westminster will be in action, although just one – Garden Grove in Division 7 – in seeded. The Argonauts are seeded third. The final CIF-SS softball polls include three area teams. Pacifica
and Huntington Beach are ranked sixth and seventh in Division 1, and Garden Grove is fourth in Division 6. Here are the pairings, as announced on Saturday. Division 1 • Great Oak (16-10) at Pacifica (24-4) • La Serna (19-10) at Huntington Beach (217) Division 4 • Lompoc (21-7) at Santiago (12-7) Continued on page 7