Jan 6 2022
Celebrating 60— LW began as an unprecedented experiment
Part 1
The GRF Board of Directors is reviewing its online strategy to better introduce Leisure World to a broader public. This is the first part of an updated Leisure World history to be posted on Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that receives nearly one-half billion page views per month. GRF Director William Thompson, a retired University of Louisville professor, applied his academic skills to research our community’s unprecedented and enduring 60-year experiment in cooperative senior living. LW Weekly’s next two editions will complete the story.
by William Thompson
GRF director
LEISURE WORLD
SEAL BEACH
Leisure World Seal Beach is an active-seniors’ retirement community opened in 1962 that introduced many innovations characterizing later senior property developments. When built, it was the nation’s first mass-marketed housing project, first gated senior community, first all-electric community, and the first to have a health insurance plan and access to an on-site medical center included in its residents’ monthly payments. At its opening, it was the world’s largest housing development for seniors, (1) the United States’ largest cooperative housing development, and the prototype for six other Leisure World communities across the United States (2) built by the Rossmoor Corp., co-founded by developers Ross W. Cortese and his wife, Alona Marlowe Cortese. (3)
It is located in Seal Beach, which fronts the Pacific Ocean in Orange County, California. It houses approximately 9,600 residents in 6,608 one- and two-bedroom apartments and condominiums.
HISTORY
While both were taking evening real estate classes at Hollywood High School, Ross W. Cortese, a Depression-era high-school dropout and a part-time contractor flipping homes in Compton, met former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract actress Alona Marlowe (née Ilona L. Goetten). (4) They married in 1948, and capitalizing on her real estate license, organized a corporation under the name Alona Rey Homes, Inc. (5) After building a small development in Culver City, the couple began undertaking larger projects such as Frematic Homes in Anaheim. (6)
Frematic Homes employed designer Cliff May’s innovative California Ranch residential concept “that let the outside in,” integrating extensive prefabrication techniques, post-and-beam construction, slab floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows later incorporated into Leisure World. (7) The Frematic development also showcased the Corteses’ emerging public relations sensibility, with Westinghouse spokeswoman and Hollywood actress Betty Furness appearing in newspaper photographs with Ross Cortese in one of Frematic’s “Betty Furness Beautility Kitchens.” (8)
The Corteses’ repeated successes led them, along with general contractor Murray Ward, to found Rossmoor Corp. in 1951. (6) From 1955 through 1961, the company built the “Walled City of Rossmoor,” (9) a comprehensive Orange County development the company envisioned would contain all the services of a town for its projected 10,000 residents (10). However, Ross Cortese’s concept of a “comprehensive” development was thwarted when the hospital he wished to build for Rossmoor’s population was repeatedly denied. (11)
Nonetheless, the couple’s study of medical services drew their attention to the health and housing needs of older adults, whose numbers were growing rapidly in the post-war period. The Corteses’ interest culminated in the couple’s $4 million gift (12) founding what became the University of Southern California’s gerontology school, now the world’s largest academic program researching older adults (13). Alona Cortese later endowed The Alona Cortese Elder Law Center at the Chapman University School of Law, which provides pro bono legal representation for seniors. (14)
This interest influenced many of the Corteses’ future business enterprises. In 1961, upon finishing the Rossmoor housing development bordering Los Alamitos, California, Ross Cortese said the housing needs of seniors “have not been met even half-way thus far. None has answered the attendant economic, medical and sociological needs of the majority of our senior citizens.” (15)
While Arizona’s Youngtown and Sun City senior living developments had already established the concept of dedicated retirement communities (16), the Corteses contemplated a new model for senior housing: a comprehensive cooperative development in which the residents owned not their residential unit, but a share of stock that permitted them to live in the community and own the rights to all the development’s common amenities. The community’s managers, not individual residents, would be responsible for their homes’ maintenance, painting and plumbing, appliances, and landscaping. It would be “not stuck out in the desert,” but near a city so residents could continue to enjoy a city’s cultural opportunities and frequent visits from families and old friends. (9) Emulating the company’s “Walled City of Rossmoor” experience, the community would be the United States’ first and largest gate-controlled, walled retirement community. One of the most important amenities was a plan offering free on-site medical care and prescriptions as part of the monthly resident’s fees, again a first in a U.S. retirement community (17).
Rossmoor Leisure World (as it was initially named) was to be built on a portion of the Hellman Ranch in what was then an unincorporated square-mile plot in Orange County. Nearly adjacent to the walled Rossmoor development, the $150 million project ($1.3 billion in 2021 dollars) (16) (18) would be the United States’ largest cooperative housing development and its first all-electric community (19).
However, the project’s scope and its “untried” cooperative ownership scheme generated skepticism among potential lenders. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. eventually agreed to finance the project (10), but stipulated the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guarantee the loan (11).
FHA authorities agreed, but established “very strict regulations.” Rossmoor could provide the land and the plans, but “could have no part in building, sales or management.” Instead, the FHA required that separate not-for-profit corporations share the project’s ownership. One, the Leisure World Foundation, would supervise the project’s construction and marketing. When residents began to move in, there would be elections from among the residents to serve on the Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) as trustees for all the development’s common facilities and to provide community-wide services such as recreation and security. Finally, as each of the parcels comprising the development were populated, the 6,470 planned residential units (9) and the land on which they would be built would be controlled by “mutuals,” a third level of non-profit corporation collectively owned and managed by a board elected by residents of each of the development’s parcels (11).
Notwithstanding the awkward governing arrangement, construction of the Seal Beach Leisure World began in mid-1961. (20) Interest rose quickly, propelled by a national marketing campaign that included a 1962 Life magazine advertisement claiming the development was “the most revolutionary new concept in housing since World War II.” (21)
The Life advertisement was part of what is thought to be the first national mass-marketing campaign for a housing project. (11) Hill and Knowlton, then the world’s largest public relations firm, obtained widespread newspaper, radio and television coverage that by mid-1963 let the community claim residents from 43 states and 11 countries. (22) The Corteses’ Los Angeles-based advertising firm, Brangham Brewer, spent so much money marketing the development that Leisure World’s 1963 ad budget was announced in a free-standing Advertising Age magazine item. (23)
Leisure World’s prominence soon allowed the Corteses to assemble a Leisure World Foundation board headed by William G. Simon, the former head of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office and a founding director of The J. Edgar Hoover Foundation (24); and executive vice president Kenneth E. BeLiue, the former undersecretary of both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. The other seven trustees included Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter F. O’Malley; Hollywood producer Mervyn LeRoy; Paramount Pictures vice president Y. Frank Freeman; Sylvester Smith Jr., a past president of the American Bar Association; and former U.S. Rep. Allan O. Hunter. (10)
While the development would include the usual retirement amenities-—a golf course, swimming pool, clubhouses and shuffleboard courts-—the Seal Beach construction incorporated insights the Corteses had gained through their “desire for data about older adults.” (13) Stairs, steps and curbs would be replaced by ramps. Countertops and wide doors simplified wheelchair access. Showers had built-in seats to avoid slipping accidents (17). An on-site medical center and pharmacy would provide free access to doctors, diagnostic services, physical therapy and medication to all residents. (25) Every mutual would include large greenbelts, and centralized parking structures would preserve the residential units’ parklike setting and encourage walking and physical activity.
On Oct. 29, 1961, about four months after construction began, the first model units, called “manors,” went on public display. (26) By day’s end, 10,000 people had thronged the grounds and approximately 550 of the 844 units offered had been sold. (27) By March 1963, the administration estimated 300,000 people had toured the grounds and the model homes. (28)
The development’s sub-800-square-foot units (29) drew surprisingly prosperous buyers. Even though most residents no longer worked, their annual per-capita income in 1963 was $6,000 (30), 180% higher than the national average. (31)
On June 8, 1962, a single year after construction began, the first residents moved in (32) and within five months there were over 3,000 residents. (16) Over 10% of the first 4,500 units were purchased via mail transactions, many without the buyers ever having seen Leisure World. (28) All the original units were sold by late 1964 (33).
Next week: Leisure World’s Medical Care and LW Services; Jan. 20: In the News, Demographics, Attractions, In Popular Culture, Recognition and Notable People. Like to know more? Professor Thompson’s sources appear below.
Works Cited:
1. Peterson, Robert. Largest Housing Project for Seniors. The Hanford Sentinel. October 2, 1961, p. 12.
2. Destination for the Ageless Generation. LeisureWorld.com. [Online] 2019. [Cited: December 4, 2021.] https://leisureworld.com/home/.
3. Alona Cortese, 97; Co-Developer of Leisure World. Orange County Register. April 23, 2006.
4. Alona Marlowe. imdb.com. [Online] [Cited: March 2, 2021.] https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0549255/.
5. California Secretary of State. Corporate Search Results. Sacramento, California : s.n. Dr. Shirley N. Weber.
6. Strawther, Larry. A Brief History of Los Alamitos and Rossmoor. Charleston : The History Press, 2012. pp. 130-131. ISBN 1609498615.
7. Hidden Communities: Mid-Century Modern Homes in Orange County. OC’s Mid-Century Modern Real Estate. [Online] June 2, 2014. [Cited: June 4, 2021.] http://www.ocmodhomes.com/hidden-communities-mid-century-modern-homes-orange-county/.
8. Big Crowds See Frematic Homes. Independent-Press-Telegram. September 25, 1955, p. C6.
9. Rossmoor Leisure World. Rossmoor Corporation, 1963.
10. Dorsey, John. A New Life. Rossmoor Corporation, 1965.
11. Baker, Terry. The History of Leisure World 1963-1975. The Historian. [Online] July-August 2009. [Cited: February 18, 2019.] http://lagunawoodshistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2009_07_Journal.pdf.
12. USC, Edison Both Honor Ross Cortese. Independent-Press-Dispatch. March 14, 1965, p. R7.
13. Belman, Orli. USC Leonard Davis School Honors the Legacy of Ross Cortese. USC Leonard School of Gerontology. [Online] March 29, 2018. https://gero.usc.edu/2018/03/29/usc-leonard-davis-school-honors-the-legacy-of-ross-cortese/.
14. Alona Cortese Elder Law Center. chapman.edu. [Online] [Cited: February 27, 2021.] https://www.chapman.edu/law/legal-clinics/elder-law.aspx.
15. Sellout of Community Tribute to Developer. Los Angeles Times. May 7, 1961, p. C14.
16. Strawther, Larry. Seal Beach: A Brief History. Charleston: The History Press, 2014. pp. 166-170. ISBN 978.1.62619.489.2.
17. Elderly Housing Calls for Non-Profit Medicare. Santa Rosa (CA) Press Democrat. March 21, 1962, p. 33.
18. Census Bureau. US Inflation Calculator. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [Online] [Cited: February 25, 2021.] https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm.
19. Aron, Doris. Rossmoor Liquidates: Grand Finale for a Bravura Performance. The Washington Post. May 30, 1981.
20. Building Permits Up in Seal Beach. Independent. July 6, 1961, p. B6.
21. Kopetman, Roberta. Leisure World celebrates 50th today. The Orange County Register. June 23, 2012.
22. World Responds to World of Leisure. Herald-Examiner. June 16, 1963.
23. Rossmoor Leisure World Sets ‘63 Ad Budget. Advertising Age. December 13, 1962.
24. The J. Edgar Hoover Foundation. J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Board of Directors. The J. Edgar Hoover Foundation. [Online] [Cited: February 16, 2021.] http://www.jedgarhooverfoundation.org/directors.asp.
25. Tenants to Get Doctor Care in Combined House Payment. Press-Telegraph. June 28, 1961, p. B1.
26. Mulcahy, Frank. Unique City Opening Today. Los Angeles Times. October 29, 1961, p. J1.
27. Crowds Attend Opening of New Retirement City. Los Angeles Times. November 5, 1961, p. J8.
28. RLW Records Peak Month. Rossmoor Leisure World News. March 1963, Vol. 1, 1, pp. 1, 2.
29. Golden Rain Foundation. What About Housing at Rossmoor Leisure World. Rossmoor Leisure World: A New Way of Life. Seal Beach, CA : s.n., 1963. p. 10.
30. Ray, Bill. Widening World of Retirement Towns. Life. November 8, 1963, pp. 93-98, 100, 102.
31. U.S. GNI Per-Capita 1960-2021. Macrotrends. [Online] [Cited: March 19, 2021.] https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/gni-per-capita.
32. Senior Citizens Move Into Leisure World. Independent-Press-Telegram. June 9, 1962, p. A3.
33. Final Unit Near Sellout in Leisure World “City”. Independent-Press Telegram. November 15, 1964.
Complimentary scooter flags will be handed out
Come get a complimentary safety flag for your scooter, bike or trike on Jan. 8 from 9 a.m-noon at the parking lot in front of Clubhouse 6, courtesy of the Golden Age Foundation (GAF) and the Rollin’ Thunder Golf Cart Club.
Those neon orange pennants flying from the tops and backs of golf carts and mobility devices add an extra layer of safety to people on carts, scooters, motorized wheelchairs, bikes and trikes.
Recognizing the important role the safety flag plays in preventing serious accidents, the GAF and Mutual 17 resident Andree O’Brien have generously purchased 300 pennants; installing them will be volunteer members of the Rollin’ Thunder Golf Cart Club.
For further information, contact Jan Kuhl of the GAF at (562) 446-0082 or Pat Davis of Rollin’ Thunder at (562) 431-6859.
Recycle Christmas Trees
LW residents can recycle Christmas trees at the green waste bin at the 1.8 lot/Mini Farm area.
People who need assistance can contact the GRF Service Maintenance Department at (562) 431-6586, ext. 363, and place an order for tree pick-up at a rate of $47.20 per hour.
The rate is charged in 15-minute increments.
Library to close for annual inventory
The Leisure World Library will be closed from Tuesday, Jan. 11, to Friday, Jan. 14, for its annual inventory.
The library will reopen Saturday, Jan. 15, at during regular business hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Beaches are reopening after sewage spill
On Dec. 31, the City of Seal Beach became aware of a sewage spill from the City of Carson, resulting in millions of gallons of untreated sewage being discharged into the Dominguez Channel, according to a press release from the Seal Beach Police Department. With the raw sewage reaching the beach, the City of Seal Beach closed water access within the city.
Seal Beach and other OC beaches reopened as of Tuesday, but Long Beach and Cabrillo Beach remained closed, according to a KCAL-9 news report.
The Seal Beach Police Department, Marine Safety Department and the County of Orange are also monitoring this spill. The affected ocean water area will remain closed to swimming, surfing and all water related activities until water quality levels meet acceptable standards.
Workers stopped the raw sewage flow from a broken pipeline on Dec. 31, but not before millions of gallons spilled into the ocean downstream.
The spill impacted beaches from Pales Verdes to Huntington, according to news reports.
The estimated amount spilled, first thought to be 6 to 7 million gallons, was increased to 8.5 million Jan. 1, according to LA County Sanitation Districts.
The escaped sewage reportedly reached the Los Angeles Harbor at the Port of Los Angeles and Seal Beach’s Surfside Beach and Huntington Beach’s Sunset Beach. Workers installed a fifth bypass to stop the flow of the untreated sewage and installed three additional bypass systems to catch extra flow.
Stock Transfer closed for week
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the GRF Stock Transfer Office was closed Jan. 3.
The office is expected to reopen on Monday, Jan. 10, at 9 a.m. For urgent matters, call the GRF main line at (562) 431-6586 and issues will be handled accordingly.
The mail room will remain open for Mutual Directors.
The GRF appreciates everyone’s patience during this time.
American Legion helps LWers retire worn flags
The LW Library has a new flag collection box to help LW residents properly retire American flags. The service is provided by the American Legion Post 327. The retirement of an American flag is a time-honored tradition and one that carries a great significance.
Taking your flag to the disposal location will ensure that these traditions and ceremonies are utilized in its retirement.
Since the flag box has been in service, Post 327 has received more than 100 U.S. flags, which will be delivered to military bases in the area for Ceremonial Flag Burning Services in accordance with proper procedures, according to Phil Hood, chaplain, Post 327.
U.S. Flag Code
The U.S. Flag Code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which Americans give respect to the flag, as well as contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. The following is a list of do’s and don’ts associated with Old Glory, the U.S. Flag, according to www.military.com.
When displaying the flag, DO the following:
• Display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. When a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
• When placed on a single staff or lanyard, the U.S. Flag is above all other flags.
• When flags are displayed in a row, the U.S. flag goes to the observer’s left. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. State and local flags are traditionally flown lower.
• When used during a marching ceremony or parade with other flags, the U.S. Flag will be to the observer’s left.
• On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day, it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
• When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. “Half-staff” means lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
• When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union (blue field of stars) to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
• When placed on a podium, the flag should be positioned on the speaker’s right or the staging area. Other flags should be placed to the left.
• When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall (or other flat surface), the union (blue field of stars) should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left.
• When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way—with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
• When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
• When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
When saluting the flag, DO the following:
• All persons present in uniform (military, police, fire, etc.) should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
• All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
When stowing or disposing of the flag, DO the following:
• Fold in the traditional triangle for stowage, never wadded up.
• The flag should be folded in its customary manner.
• It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.
• Place the flag on the fire.
• The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
• After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.
• Make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes.
Quick list of flag etiquette don’ts:
• Don’t dip the U.S. Flag for any person, flag or vessel.
• Don’t let the flag touch the ground.
• Don’t fly the flag upside-down unless there is an emergency.
• Don’t carry the flag flat or carry things in it.
• Don’t use the flag as clothing.
• Don’t store the flag where it can get dirty.
• Don’t use it as a cover.
• Don’t fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
• Don’t draw on or otherwise mark the flag.
CDC advises people to avoid cruise ship travel
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) increased the risk level for cruise ship travel to its highest level and said it should be avoided by everyone, even those who are vaccinated and boosted.
The agency bumped up the travel risk level for cruise travel from Level 3 to Level 4 on Dec. 30, indicating the risk for COVID-19 is “very high.”
The move “reflects increases in cases onboard cruise ships since identification of the Omicron variant,” according to cdc.gov, the CDC’s website.
In addition to including cruise travel in its wider list of travel advisories looking at countries worldwide, the agency has created a color status classification for cruise ships.
On Dec. 30, the agency listed 91 ships in its yellow category that indicates that the volume of COVID cases reported has met the CDC’s threshold for investigation.
As of Dec. 30, no ships were listed as red, which indicates that reported cases are at or above the threshold for investigation.
Three ships were listed as orange on Dec. 30, indicating that reported cases are below the CDC’s threshold for investigation. Sixteen ships were listed as green, meaning that the ships had no reported cases of COVID-19.
Green, orange, yellow and red designations indicate a ship’s COVID situation from best to worst. A gray designation is reserved for ships that the CDC has not reviewed for COVID safety.
Last week, four ocean cruise ships were turned away from ports of call or were prohibited from letting passengers disembark in the Americas this week because of COVID-19 cases aboard.
Advice for People Who Decide to Cruise Anyway
While the CDC says to “avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status,” it advises those who do travel on a cruise ship to make sure they are fully vaccinated and boosted, if eligible.
People who go on a cruise should also get tested one to three days before their trip, and three to five days after, regardless of vaccination status.
The unvaccinated should also self-quarantine for a five full days after. People on cruise ships should also wear masks in shared places, according to the CDC.
Most cruise lines are requiring all or most passengers and crew to be vaccinated, in compliance with a CDC Conditional Sailing Order that was implemented to allow cruise operations to resume more than a year after the industry came to a standstill at the start of the pandemic. Many cruise lines also require pre-departure testing, regardless of vaccination status. Some lines, including Royal Caribbean, require all passengers 2 and older to be masked in indoor public areas, except while actively eating and drinking.
Before coronavirus variants brought a rise in breakthrough cases among the vaccinated, some lines did not require vaccinated passengers to wear masks in areas reserved for vaccinated guests.
NOCE registration is Jan. 14
Register for NOCE’s spring semester classes on Jan. 14 in Clubhouse 2 from 9 a.m.-noon or until classes are full. Classes are held in LW and include health and wellness, arts and crafts and driver education among other topics. (For the class list, see page 5 of the Dec. 30 issue of the LW Weekly.)
New students can fill out a NOCE application at www.tinyurl.com/NOCEapply; paper applications are also available at the LW Library. Returning students should bring their student IDs (banner ID) to the registration event. People who are unsure of their banner ID should call NOCE Star Help at (714) 808-4679 to retrieve it. Both new and returning students need to bring their COVID vaccine cards with them to registration.
Recent Leisure World NOCE classes were visited by a NOCE staff member, giving students the option of pre-enrolling in the same class. NOCE staffers also helped people upload COVID vaccination cards. People who are interested in a class and were not previously enrolled will need to attend the in-person registration on Jan. 14. For more information, callTaylor Greene at (562) 598-2431.
Calling All Centenarians
The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) is calling upon all LW residents who have reached the age of 100 or will achieve that fantastic milestone in 2022 to sign up for a special day to honor them.
The GAF, along with GRF, wants to recognize LW’s long-lived residents who have been witness to world events since 1922.
Help is needed in identifying and contacting LW centenarians in time for the April 20 celebration.
To participate, people need to call no later than Feb. 11 so plans can be finalized. Contact GAF President Anna Derby at (562) 301-5339 or GAF Centenarian Event Coordinator Jan Kuhl at (562) 446-0082 for more information and to sign up.
Ronde Winkler Memorial Service is Jan. 22
A memorial service for Ronde Winkler, a past GRF president and Mutual 10 resident, will be held on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. in Clubhouse 4. The family requests that all who attend wear protective masks.
Winkler died Nov. 30 after a brief and sudden illness.
She served on the her Mutual and GRF boards starting in August 2006, when she moved to Leisure World. She was a planning commissioner for the City of Seal Beach at the time of her death.
Pool Progress Report
Starting off the new year, work continues at the LW pool, which is undergoing a complete renovation.
This week’s schedule is as follows:
•Electrical and rough plumbing in women’s and men’s bathrooms are nearly finished.
• Rough electrical is being installed for mechanical/attendant room.
• Interior painting of mechanical room prior to setting the equipment.
• Rough inspection of electrical, plumbing and framing is due later in the week.
• Final prepping for Southern California Edison transformer installation.
HCC Blood Drive
A blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross will be held Friday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Health Care Center.
To schedule an appointment, sign up online at RedCrossBlood.org. Use sponsor code “leisure.” Residents can also schedule appointments at 1(800) 733-2767.
To streamline the donation experience and save up to 15 minutes, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete a pre-donation screening and answer health history questions on the day of the appointment.
Perspectives, pg 4
Letter to Editor
Editor:
Last week I suffered a painful leg injury, so I called Optum Care in the morning, hoping to get an appointment. By 10 a.m., I was being seen by Walter, then evaluated by Dr. Dayon. I want to thank them both.
X rays and blood work were done. A prescription was called in to the pharmacy next door.
I was headed home by 11:30. If you can find better emergent care elsewhere, good luck.
Craig Shanewise
Mutual 1
Perspectives Policy
Submissions in each of the following categories may be published at the discretion of the managing editor.
Letters to the Editor: The maximum number of words is 250. Letters should be typed and delivered to LW Weekly by email (preferred), regular mail or hand-delivered.
Letters must be of general interest to the community and may contain opinions, suggestions, compliments and complaints without being scurrilous, libelous, defamatory, repetitive or otherwise inappropriate.
The names of individual employees, titles and/or departments will not be permitted in letters that could adversely impact any GRF employee directly or indirectly.
Member Column: At a maximum 500 words, columns may present an argument or opinion or information about pending issues of concern to the community. Priority is given to first-time or less frequent writers. Some names will be left out to protect privacy.
Contributor: Restaurant reviews, theater reviews or travel journal submissions are welcome, subject to terms and conditions in the policy unless otherwise noted.
Political: Submissions concerning political issues outside of Leisure World and the City of Seal Beach will not be published.
How to place a classified ad
Classified ads may be ordered over the phone by calling (562) 431-6586, ext. 383, or (562) 430-0534; emailed to debbiek@lwsb.com (staff will call back for payment information and ad confirmation) or in person at the LW Weekly office, 13521 St. Andrews Drive (two-story white building at the Amphitheater complex).
The office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Classified Rates
Resident rate: Classifieds are $8 for 12 words or fewer; each additional word is 25 cents.
Non-resident rate: Ads start at $12 for 12 words or fewer. Discounts are available for ads that run at least four weeks in a row without changes. Payment must be made at the time the ad is placed.
Deadline
The LW Weekly classified advertising deadline is Monday at 12:30 p.m. for that week’s Thursday edition. Deadline changes due to the holidays will be printed in the LW Weekly.
For Information
For more information, call (562) 431-6586, ext. 383.
Submitting Press Releases
Weekly Deadlines
• Contributor submissions are due by 4 p.m. on Thursdays to run in the following week’s issue.
• LW Weekly editors will acknowledge receipt of all emailed submissions. It is the responsibility of the contributor to make sure the LW Weekly received his or her submission if no reply is received from an editor.
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Submitting Articles
Articles must have the following information:
• Contributor’s name and Mutual number
• Phone number
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Articles may run a maximum of three consecutive times unless an extension is approved by an editor. Additional publication beyond three times is not guaranteed.
Word Limits and Bylines
The following are the word limits. Articles: 500 words or less. Columns: 500 words or less. Letters to the editor: 250 words or less.
If you are writing a special feature, requests for extensions on the word limit can be made.
Any article that contains quotes or commentary must have appropriate attribution and a byline with the contributor’s name. All other articles can have a tagline with just the club or organization name.
Email is Best
Email is the preferred method of submitting articles, either as a Word attachment or in the body of the email. Send it to the appropriate editor (as listed in the staff box below). Emailed articles always get a reply; if you don’t receive one, follow up with a call to (562) 430-0534. Handwritten articles will be accepted but they must be legible.
Guidelines:
• Do not type articles in all capital letters or use bold, italics or underlines.
• Do not use multiple tabs, spaces or other format alterations. (All articles are edited and reformatted in accordance with news style.)
• Flyers are not published in the newspaper.
• Double check dates and names for accuracy. This is the contributor’s responsibility.
Corrections
• Email articles after everyone in your group has proofread it.
•If making a correction after sending the article, bold or change the font color for the change in the article.
• Always double check that the day of the week and date match.
Editing
All content submitted to the LW Weekly is edited for consistency and to align with AP Style and GRF guidelines.
Edited articles cannot be emailed back to correspondents for review because of time and the volume of content received. The style guidelines below can help writers to submit articles that are less likely to need extensive editing.
Photos
To have a photo taken, contact your editor at the LW Weekly (see contact information in the staff box on page 4). To set up an appointment, you can call or email the request. Give plenty of lead time as schedules fill up.
Residents may submit photos, but they will be used at the editor’s discretion. Photos must be submitted by email in a jpeg format (preferred), on a flash drive or in person at the LW Weekly office. The Weekly cannot use photos that have been reproduced in other newspapers or magazines nor can it use copyrighted photos without permission.
To submit a photo, be sure it is clear and in focus and that faces are large enough to be recognized. For group photos, try to avoid crowding too many people in one shot. Arrange groups in rows (some seated, some standing) to make it more interesting.
When sending a photo shot with a cell phone, be sure to send the “original” size so it is large enough to be published in the paper. Photos must be at least 300 dpi
A maximum of three photos can be submitted per article; there are no guarantees that all photos will be published.
Photos with five or fewer people must include the full names of the people photographed. For larger group shots, a generic caption is acceptable. List the names of people from left to right, top row to bottom.
GENERAL EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
• Do not use personal pronouns like “I,” “we,” “you,” “our” or “us” in articles. For example: “The club will hold …” not “We will hold …”
• The first paragraph should begin with the most important facts: who, what, when, where and how. Paragraphs should be short, two to four sentences.
• The LW Weekly follows the Associated Press Stylebook guidelines and will edit accordingly for space. As a general rule, shorter is better. Be clear and concise.
• Do not give a full introduction of speakers. Supply just enough information to draw people to the meeting. This could include information about the speaker’s background and qualifications (one to two paragraphs).
• Every article should have a contact person and phone number or email address at the bottom. Phone numbers must include area codes, including (562).
Fact Check
It is the responsibility of the correspondent to fact check dates, names, phone numbers and email addresses. Be sure names are spelled correctly in the captions. These are the most common mistakes editors see.
AP Style Guide
Here are some rules per AP Stylebook and some that are specific to the LW Weekly.
Day, time and place:
Make sure the day, date, time and place are included in the first paragraph of the story.
Dates:
The name of a month is written out unless it includes a date. When including a date, the following are the months with abbreviations: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.
Do not include the year in any date unless it was last year or a date next year.
Numbers:
In general (except in dates, times, addresses), spell out numbers one to nine and use figures for 10 and above.
The rule is the same for first to ninth, 10th and above in figures. This applies even in winners. However, scores such as in tennis may be in numerals (6-1, 6-2, etc.).
Phone Numbers:
Starting October 2021, all phone numbers dialed from Leisure World, Seal Beach, will will require 10-digits. Landlines will require the 1- before the number. Therefore, all phone numbers should be written as (562) 555-5555.
Clubhouse:
Clubhouse is one word. Only capitalize it when referring to specific clubhouse or room in a clubhouse. Don’t use “the” before the name of a clubhouse.
• Capitalize titles such as president, reverend and chairman only when used before a person’s name. If used as an identifying term or in a general way, do not capitalize it.
For example:
• President John Doe is going to…
• John Doe, president, is going to…
COMMON AREAS OF STYLE MISUSE
The following are areas in which editing is most often needed:
• Don’t use please; thank you can be used only with bylined stories and must be written in third-person (i.e., “The club thanks its volunteers,” not “We thank the volunteers”).
• Capitalize only proper pronouns when listing menu items (i.e. house salad, Caesar salad, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, etc.)
• “underway” is one word in all instances.
• “cutoff” as a noun and adjective is one word; as a verb, two words.
• When referring to a decade, the 1930s, 1990s, etc., is the correct usage (without the apostrophe). For example: “A group of women in their 90s” and “He was a mechanic back in the ’20s.”
• Periods and commas are inside quotation marks; semicolons are outside.
• “brown-bag lunch” has a hyphen.
• “car pool” is two words as a noun and an adjective; one word as a verb.
• Use “its” when referring to a group. For example: “The Community Club will hold its meeting…”
• Seasons (winter, summer, etc.) are not capitalized.
• Academic degrees should appear as: bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, doctoral program, a doctorate degree (preferred form for Ph.D.).
• Most acronyms do not have periods: example, CSULB.
• In the LW Weekly, Mutual is capitalized.
• Board is only capitalized when referring to the GRF Board.
• “Sign-ups” (the noun, not the verb) and “long-term” has a hyphen; “nonprofit” and “longtime” do not.
• Use hyphens and parentheses for phone numbers, i.e. (562) 555-5555.
• Don’t abbreviate the days of the weeks. It’s Sunday, not Sun.
• Overused and trite phrases will be edited out of stories. For example, “mark your calendar” and “and a good time was had by all.”
• Use women, not ladies.
• Avoid overusing exclamation points. Editors will delete these.
• Movie, play, song and book titles should be in quotes.
WRITING TIPS
• Limit use of adjectives and adverbs: In general, they should not be used except when there’s a bylined article. Never use “very.”
• Use the fewest words possible (i.e., not “will be meeting” but “will meet”).
• Don’t describe the weather for a past event, unless it was significant. For example, “The heavy rain resulted in low attendance.”
• Remember to write for all Leisure World residents, not just members of the club or organization.
• Remove redundancy in phrases, words and whole sentences, e.g., “the fact that” or “in order to.”
• Keep it simple: Long sentences often contain more than one idea. Cut longer sentences in two.
• All the sentences in a paragraph should relate to the point of that paragraph.
• Keep verb tense consistent all the way through, don’t switch from past to present.
• Remove jargon and references that others outside the club might not understand, and avoid exclamatory phrases (for example, “We’ll see you there!”).
• Try to use the active rather than the passive voice. Use “the club accomplished its goals in 2020,” instead of “the goals were accomplished by the club in 2020.”
Minibus Orientation
A Minibus informational meeting is held on the first Thursday of every month in Clubhouse 3, Room 3, to assist LW residents with using the many transportation services available to the Leisure World community. No reservations are required. The meeting starts at 10 a.m.
The GRF Transportation Department provides information on the LW Minibus service as well as the GRF appointment-based Access bus service for people with mobility challenges.
Information on other local area bus and transportation services to nearby grocery shopping and medical service destinations is also presented. Meetings often include information and updates on the City of Seal Beach Senior Shopping Shuttle to Rossmoor and Old Ranch shopping centers and the Seal Beach Old Town Pier shuttle. These sessions are for new or current shareholders who would like to learn about the Minibus service routes and timetables.
The LW Minibus service is for everyone. Residents, Leisure World employees, visitors, family members of residents and caregivers can all ride the minibuses. Anyone who has a valid pass to enter the community can ride on the LW buses. The only rule is each person must be 18 years of age or older or accompanied by someone who is 18 years of age or older.
Government
Comments/Questions at Meetings
The Open Meeting Act allows boards of directors to establish reasonable time limits for the open forum and for speakers to address the board (Civ. Code §4925(b).) Time limits per speaker are four minutes per speaker for 15 or fewer speakers; three minutes per speaker for 16-25 speakers; and two minutes per speaker, more than 26 speakers.
To address the GRF Board of Directors, submit your request to the GRF Board Office, P.O. Box 2069, Seal Beach, CA 90740, Attention: Executive Coordinator, no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the meeting. You may also drop off your question/comment at the Stock Transfer Office, Attention: Executive Coordinator, or email your question/comment to grfboardaction@lwsb.com.
Carport Cleaning
Since most of the holidays in 2022 fall on workdays for LWSB’s cleaning contractor, some carports will be cleaned this year on the actual holiday, with the exception of President’s Day (Feb. 21).
The following carports will be cleaned on Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Day, and Jan. 31.
In the morning:
Mutual 6: Carports 72-73, 81-82.
In the afternoon:
Mutual 7: Carports 83-84, 86-89.
News Deadlines
The editorial deadline is 4 p.m. on Thursday for the following Thursday’s edition. People may email articles or drop them into the letter slot at the front of the News Building, located on the east side of the Amphitheater. See page 4 of any edition for a list of section editors and their email addresses.
Street Sweeping
GRF trust streets are swept on the fourth Thursday of the month. Parked vehicles must be removed from trust streets before midnight the night before. Contact Mutual directors to find out when your carports are scheduled for sweeping.
Religion, pages 9-11
Holy Family Catholic Church
Holy Family Church, located at 13900 Church Place, next to St. Andrews gate, will host its monthly Mass of anointing of the sick on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 8:30 a.m. Those with serious illness or advanced age who have not been recently anointed should benefit from the healing sacraments. Homebound members who want to receive the sacraments can contact the office at (562) 430-8170 to schedule a visit with Pastor Rev. Joseph Son Nguyen.
The readings for Sunday, Jan. 9, are as follows: First reading, Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; second reading, Acts 10:34-38; gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.
Saturday (Vigil Mass) is at 5 p.m., and Sunday Masses are at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon, with weekday Masses (Monday-Saturday) at 8:30 a.m. Confessions are on Saturdays from 4-4:45 p.m.
The church thanks the children’s choir from Holy Spirit Church of Fountain Valley for its generosity in bringing joy to the hearts and minds of the community during its Christmas Eve Mass.
To receive the parish bulletin via email, sign up at https://ebulletin.jspaluch.com or https://www.jspaluch.com/Subscribe. For more information on the church, visit www.holyfamilysb.com.
St. Theodore’s of Canterbury
St. Theodore of Canterbury’s monthly Episcopal worship service will be held at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9. Join St. Theodore’s for traditional worship, Communion and fellowship at Redeemer Lutheran Church’s sanctuary at 13564 St. Andrews Drive. Come follow the star and the magi as inspirational hymns will be offered by organist Laura Dickey.
In order to care for one another’s safety and follow Leisure World’s guidelines, everyone is asked to wear a mask and social distance.
Redeemer Lutheran
A Celebration of the Epiphany will be held on Sunday, Jan. 9. The Communion service with organ and song is held inside the stained-glass sanctuary at 13564 St. Andrews Drive at 10:30 a.m. Dee Sessa and Maria Swift are greeters, and Anne Walsh is the prayer leader and reader.
Join Redeemer Lutheran as the congregation prays: “O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory.” All are welcome to attend.
To care for one another’s safety and follow Leisure World’s healthcare guidelines, everyone is asked to wear a mask and social distance.
Christian Woman’s Fellowship Group
The Christian Woman’s Fellowship Group will meet Jan. 10 and 24 at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 6, to discuss Elizabeth George’s book “Loving God With All Your Heart.” All LWers are welcome. For more information, call Jean Davidson at (562) 431-0597 or Margie Singleton at (562) 594-8100.
Beit HaLev
Services for Erev Shabbat will now begin at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday morning services start at 10.
Beit HaLev will begin live, in-person services every week beginning on Friday, Jan. 7, in Clubhouse 3, Room 4. Members are required to wear masks to attend. Beit HaLev will have complimentary masks available.
The Beit HaLev livestream services are on Facebook.com/galityomtov and Zoom. To join the Zoomagogue community, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9152434704?pwd=THJGTE1OUXI5VXFDTWtuZHF4K3VxUT09. The meeting ID is 915 243 4704, and the passcode is RavGalit.
“Bo” (Come), in Exodus 12:29-13:16, follows the final plague inflicted on Egypt, the Death of the Firstborn. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened after each previous plague but finally was forced to allow the Israelites to leave. Not only were they given their freedom, but they were also allowed to plunder the wealth of the Egyptians, taking clothing, silver and gold. As they traveled from Egypt into the Sinai, Moses instructs the people to observe the Passover in perpetuity, eating only matzah and the Passover offering for seven days and explaining the festival to every succeeding generation.
All Beit HaLev services use special prayerbooks, “Lev L’Lev,” which include excerpts from the Reform Siddur, “Mishkan HaT’filah.” Printed versions of the prayerbooks will be available for sale at the in-person services.
Beit HaLev and Rabbi Galit-Shirah are a part of the Union of Jewish Universalist Clergy and Communities. It is progressive in thought and traditional in liturgy. The services are joyous, meaningful and musical. Beit HaLev welcomes everyone who seeks a path to the divine and doesn’t believe in labels. It considers all religions holy and valid.
To request a membership form for Beit HaLev, call Rabbi Galit-Shirah at (562) 715-0888 or email duets@icloud.com.
Community Church
“With you I am well pleased.”
Isn’t that what every believer hopes to hear when it is their turn to come before Lord? Praise from a mother or father is a treasure; praise from the Lord who made every person is the ultimate affirmation.
When Jesus presented himself to John the Baptist to receive baptism–washing away of the old life and initiation into a new life–the Spirit of God in a form like a dove descended upon him, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
To show God’s loving kindness in this life, Leisure World Community Church welcomes everyone. The church has made a point recently as a faith community to say loudly and repeatedly, “You are welcome here.” The welcome has some constraints imposed by the pandemic it is still absolute. Community Church will continue to worship in person with its new air filtration system, masks and vaccination.
On Sunday, Jan. 9, Kelly Frankiewicz, who holds a Master’s of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, will preach a message titled “With You I am Well Pleased.”
Find Community Church on Facebook for live streamed worship at @communitychurchleisureworld. Those who don’t have Facebook and want to join the service via Zoom can call the church office or email leisurewccsue@yahoo.com.
As always, those who have a need without another way to address that need may call the church office and leave a message at (562) 431-2503.
LW Baptist
LW Baptist’s Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. celebrates the blessed hope, Christ’s return. It is a topic Jesus addressed often. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again.”
Christian believers share this hope but differ on the timing, a matter Jesus also addressed, saying, “No one knows the day or the hour, but be ready.” During passion week, Jesus’ foretelling that not one stone would be left on another on Jerusalem’s temple mount prompted his followers questions: when and what signs will signal this event and Christ’s return and the end of the age? Jesus answered the question by saying, “Don’t be misled by false teachings, and don’t be terrified by global disturbances.” Then, regarding signs, he said to watch for his coming, to recognize that it will be sooner than people might begin to think, to keep alert, be ready, not distracted with sinful preoccupations, and to pray in anticipation.
Sunday school precedes worship at 9:15 a.m. The women’s Bible study is on Mondays at 10 a.m. For more information, call (562) 430-8598.
First Christian Church
First Christian Church of Leisure World teaches from God’s word, the Holy Bible, most often verse by verse. It is a friendly church that welcomes all visitors.
Services
Saturday and Sunday services have the same message given by Pastor Bruce Humes. Sunday services are from 9:30-10:45 a.m. and are traditional, with hymnal music featuring Pat Kogok at the piano.
This week, the church choir will sing, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.”
Saturday services, from 9:30-10:45 a.m., are more contemporary, with Gregory Black leading in worship with guitar accompaniment.
Friday evening prayer meetings are from 6-7, and weekly Bible study, led by Jack Frost, resumes on Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
All events are open to anyone interested.
The Message
In 1 Thessalonians 2:17, the apostle Paul writes, “But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.” The apostle was taken away prematurely physically, but his heart was still with them. He then writes in verse 18, “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.” Satan, which means “the adversary,” will do everything within his power to hinder the Gospel message from going out.
He continues in verse 19, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”
That should be every Christian’s hope, and from that hope comes an abundance of joy that prompts believers to rejoice with a grateful heart the anticipation of Christ’s return. Will it happen in the year 2022? That’s a question only God the father has an answer to, but believers should be living their lives as if it could happen at any moment.
As he finished up his Revelation of Jesus Christ in Rev. 22:20, the apostle John says, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’” And our response certainly will be, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Scripture of the Week
“Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are my beloved son, in you I am well-pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22).
Announcements
Anyone who wants to speak to someone at the church or has a need should leave a message at (562) 431-8810. The call will be returned at the earliest opportunity.
Congregation Sholom
Congregation Sholom’s new board of directors will be installed during services on Friday, Jan. 7.
Join Congregation Sholom as it thanks the outgoing board and President Carol Levine for their service and welcomes its new board and President Murray Pollack. Rabbi Mike Moshe Mymon will conduct the service.
A dairy potluck will be provided by members. People should contact Jeff Sacks at jfsacks@gmail.com with what they will bring. The dinner will begin at 5 p.m., and service will start at 6:30 p.m.
Although members will not wear masks during dinner, for the safety and health of the congregation, Congregation Sholom now requires everyone to wear a mask during in-person services. It also requests that anyone displaying possible symptoms to stay home.
Services will also be available on Zoom beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7. To join the Zoom meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3752519429?pwd=UDREWTA1N21jaXVUZUhyQmY1U01JQT09. The meeting ID is 375 251 9429, and the passcode is 8ZYy69.
Hybrid services will continue with Rabbi Mymon on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 9:30 a.m.
The walking group walks 6 feet apart while wearing masks every Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. meet at the bus stop across from Clubhouse 3.
Lisa Brass is crocheting double-thick pot holders as a fund raiser for $18 a pair. Call (562) 794-9090 to order.
Congregation Sholom has silk-screened, reusable Congregation Sholom of Leisure Masks for sale at $5 each or four masks for $18, including shipping. All proceeds will go the general fund. Email Murray Pollack at murrjet@yahoo.com or call (562) 331-3949 to place an order.
The book club is reading “Here I Am: A Book of Contemporary Jewish Short Stories From Around the World.” It will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. to read the sixth short story, “Madagascar.”
Violins of Hope will be playing at the Beverly O’Neill Performing Arts Center of the Terrace Theater on Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. Call Long Beach Symphony at (562) 436-3203 for tickets. .
Those who want to plant a tree in Israel for any occasion can contact Michele Vallens at (562) 230-7464.
Those who needs to be added the yahrzeit list should tell Lisa Brass by Wednesday so she can inform the clergy.
Those who need to be added or removed from the misheberach list should call Darlene Rose at (562) 347-8088 by Wednesday, so she can inform the clergy.
Those who want to join the congregation should let Howard Brass know at (562) 794-9090.
To receive Zoom invitations to all Congregation Sholom events, call Jeff Sacks at (714) 642-0122.
Assembly of God
Service/Gathering Times: Assembly of God meets Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 2. Wednesday morning Bible study is at 10 in Clubhouse 3, Room 2. The Hymn Sing is held on the third Sunday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Lobby.
Sermon for this week: Pastor Chuck Franco will begin a new “How To” series of sermons for believers to put in their tool belt to help them through the new year. On Jan. 9, Pastor Chuck will present “How to be an Encourager.” Acts 9:26-27 reveals Barnabas’ nature as an encourager, calming fears and building up his peers, traits all Christians should possess and exercise.
Bible Study: A new Bible study session starts on Wednesday, Jan. 12. 1 Peter and 2 Peter illustrate how to live a victorious Christian life, even when challenged by society, family and other outside pressures. This series is particularly relevant in today’s culture. Explore with other students fresh insight from God’s Word.
Contact: More information about Leisure World Assembly of God can be found at www.lwassemblyofgod.com. Those who want to receive prayer, a personal contact from a pastor, or have not received a DVD of the Sunday morning sermon can contact Pastors Chuck and Sheryl Franco by calling (562) 357-4360 or emailing pastorchuck@lwassemblyofgod.com. Carolyn van Aalst is also available to receive prayer requests at (562) 343-8424. Pastor Chuck’s sermons can be accessed on Facebook (Chuck Franco) and the Faithlife app under the group “Leisure World Assembly of God,” where people can also give online.
Faith Christian Assembly
The brain is like a muscle. Every time a person learns something new, the brain makes a new connection. Learning enhances blood flow and activity in the brain. If someone goes for long periods without learning something new, the brain can start to struggle with memory and learning. With that in mind, LWers are should take advantage of Faith Christian Assembly’s midweek Bible study, which meets each Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Every week, Pastor Sheri Leming teaches a study straight from the Word of God, and there’s always something new to learn in the Bible that is applicable to everyday living. People will walk away from these studies feeling encouraged and refreshed. They are encouraged to learn something new that not only will help their brain, but will enhance their life as well. All are welcome to join the Bible study, and even bring a friend or neighbor.
Sunday service times are at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The pre-service prayer is at Sunday at 5 p.m. Call the church office for the most updated schedule information.
To receive a free copy of the newly designed newsletter call (562)-598-9010. For more information about the church, visit www.FCAchurch.net.
Community, pages 16-18
Sunshine Club
Remembering the first meeting 10 years ago
On Jan. 12, 2012, the Sunshine Club hosted its first class with less than a dozen people attending. With the mission statement “Building Bridges for a Brighter Leisure World,” the group used the LW Weekly as its guide for the meeting.
Members would read the newspaper, and if any questions were brought up, the club would invite supervisors or directors from the appropriate department to answer those questions and share information about any special projects they had at that time. A wide variety of specialists from “outside the walls” were also invited to share their experiences and ideas with club members.
The club was proud to assist shareholders, especially newcomers, in becoming familiar with the community. The meetings were also designed to help people of all backgrounds get along in Leisure World and improve communication between neighbors.
On Friday, Jan. 7, the Sunshine Club will have a Zoom meeting without speakers so that members may catch up and socialize. Anyone who wants to join the Zoom meeting can go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87427954280?pwd=dExQR2dDblZSbUNkQlVoclhrajFhUT09. The meeting ID is 874 2795 4280, and the passcode is 080651. Those who want the link emailed directly to them should text their email address to (562) 301-5339 no later than today, Jan. 6, at 5 p.m. (text only, no phone calls).
For the safety of its members, the club will continue to have meetings via Zoom until further notice. GRF Security Director Victor Rocha will join the club on Jan. 14, and on Jan. 21, the guest will be Christine Nuygen, a pharmacist who takes a deep interest in ambulatory care, community pharmacy, and social and health equity. On Jan. 28, Meals On Wheels Long Beach Executive Director Bill Cruikshank will talk about how the program helps many homebound seniors, especially during the pandemic.
For more information, text Anna Derby at (562) 301-5339.
LWer says goodbye to Mini Farm
Anna Derby of Mutual 5 recently harvested the last of her crops from her beloved Mini Farm before the Recreation Department closed access to the 1.8 Acres until further notice.
During the past five years, she has grown lettuce, zucchini, red peppers, cucumber, kale, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, Korean yeul mu, leafy radish, spinach, leaf mustard, corn, green onions, potatoes, sesame seed leaf, garlic and minari, among others.
“It’s beyond words the feeling of satisfaction,” she said. “No other activity could compare to what farmers get from playing in dirt—nothing but pleasure.”
Derby reflected on her experiences with appreciation, recalling how she learned which fruits and vegetables grew well in Southern California’s climate and which ones didn’t, despite what she read in books. “Often, you would get to meet your Mini Farm neighbors and learn more about what would be the better way to grow various items, expanding your knowledge,” she said.
Though she will miss growing fresh vegetables in the Mini Farms, she said she hopes to get back to digging in the dirt soon.
LW Anniversary
Ron and Gene Yaffee were married on Jan. 5, 1951. They eloped to Twin Falls, Idaho. Gene actually put her suitcases out her bedroom window. The two chose to get married in Idaho because it was the closest state that permitted 19-year-old men to get married without parental consent.
They met in November 1949 while working part-time at the restaurant in the old Compton/Lynwood Sears store and going to Compton College.
They had three sons; their two surviving sons and their wives live in Southern California. One granddaughter and her family lives in Kentucky. Ron and Gene’s great-grandchildren are students at Louisville University. The oldest granddaughter and her family live in Rancho Cucamonga. Her daughter is a junior at Los Osos in Rancho Cucamonga and her son is in sixth grade at Ruth Musser Middle School in Rancho Cucamonga. One grandson and his partner live in Woodland Hills. The next oldest grandson and his wife live in Laguna Niguel and presented Ron and Gene with their fifth great-grandchild, a boy, six months ago. The youngest grandson lives in Aliso Niguel.
Ron and Gene have been residents of Leisure World for more than 31 years and have been very active in several clubs and organizations. They still play bridge as partners once a week at the Leisure World Duplicate Bridge Club.
Schmooze Club
Start 2022 in a creative way on Tuesday, Jan. 11, when Susan Michlin presents “Jewish Home Arts.” The hybrid meeting will be held in-person in Clubhouse 3, Room 9, and via Zoom. Sign-in, refreshments and socializing (schmoozing) will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the program from 10:30-11:30.
In addition to making beautiful creations enjoyed by guests in her home, Susan is a member of the Quilting Bees in Leisure World, and the Pomegranate Guild, participates in the Judaic Needlework website, and is a pattern creator. Patterns will be available for purchase alongside a display of her creations, ideas on what you can create, and how to learn more on YouTube or in classes nearby. You don’t have to be a woman to do needlework, nor do you have to be Jewish to enjoy this program. Everyone who is interested is welcomed to the friendly group.
Susan began designing when she was 6 years old, learned to sew at age 7, was a fashion designer for 15 years, and created a doll house featured on TV in the local area. She was also a kosher caterer for 15 years. She will teach the Schmooze Club members what they can create throughout the year.
This meeting is great for those who found themselves bored during the pandemic, want to improve their mental health by learning something new, desire to express their creativity, or want to spend an interesting and inspiring morning with friends. All vaccinated Leisure Worlders are welcome. Wearing a mask is required for everyone’s safety.
There is no cost to attend, although donations are gladly accepted.
RSVP no later than Friday, Jan. 7, to Darlene Rose by texting (562) 347-8088 or emailing darlenearose@gmail.com. Be sure to include your phone number and email address to receive the Zoom link.
American Legion
On Monday, Jan. 17, the Post will host speakers from the Orange County Rescue Mission. During the meeting, the representatives will talk about the Veterans Wing of the Mission. District officers will also be in attendance. For the program, the Post and guests will meet with the Auxiliary in Clubhouse 3, Room 1. Members are encouraged to come to the meeting and hear about this new exciting program.
ECC ends 2021 with fun, prizes
The English Conversation Club (ECC) enjoyed special activities on Dec. 23, including bingo led by Joy Park, a question-and-answer session with club Vice President Kirk Xu, and President Jatty Yu reciting the poem “The New Colossus.”
ECC teacher Joan Schwichtenberg was the luckiest at bingo, winning $10, while Min Chen and Susan Yu each won $5.
During the Q&A, another chance for ECC members to win prizes, the group had fun with the spelling of the teacher’s last name. Though no one was correct, Schwichtenberg explained why her German name could be so difficult. She remarked that she never expected her name to be the subject of a question.
The club also sang several Christmas carols, including “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Auld Lang Syne,” all accompanied by Jatty Yu on guitar.
ECC members, plus guests K.C. Park, Myung-ok Park, Linda Choo and Susan Yu, finished the gathering with a potluck party with foods originating from many countries.
GAF
Korean American Association donates to the GAF
Korean American Association of Leisure World Seal Beach (KAA) presented its annual donation to Golden Age Foundation (GAF) of $1,000. The KAA has been consistent a donor since 2016 when it formed the organization to foster Korean cultural activities.
With COVID impacting everyone in LW and the U.S., the GAF was not expecting many donations from community organizations this year.
The GAF appreciates KAA’s generosity in supporting the special programs the GAF organized during the pandemic.
The KAA welcomes all residents to participate in its activities. The purpose of the KAA is to promote fellowship, create and foster Korean cultural activities, promote the principles of good citizenship, and encourage community services.
The KAA was established in May 2016. As of December 2021, it counts over 750 residents with Korean backgrounds as members.
The KAA meets quarterly, in March, June, September and December but due to COVID-19, the meetings have been cancelled. The KAA stays connected with members through its monthly newsletter in addition to phone calls and emails.
After a two-year hiatus, the KAA group had an annual meeting to celebrate its five-year anniversary.
For more information about the KAA, call Won S. Ryu at (714) 982-7793.
Social CLub
Club returns on Friday, Jan. 28
The Social Club will reopen on Friday, Jan. 28, in Clubhouse 1 at noon to play cards or games. The club will serve lunch and snacks, plus coffee and tea. The cost to join is $4 per person.
Those who are interested in registering a new table should call Marj Earls at (562) 275-1778 or Joan Taylor at (562) 240-5416.
Animal Care Services
Long Beach Animal Care Services provides animal control services to Seal Beach. To report coyote activities or other animal control issues, call the 24-hour animal services line at (562) 570-7387 or go online at www.longbeach.gov/acs/wildlife/coyote-report. Remember to not enagage and give space to wild animals, strays and any sick or agressive looking animal you come across.
The Korean American Classical Music Association will meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Clubhouse 2 on Jan. 13, 20 and 27.
Y Service Club
The Y Service Club sells MiraFiber Cloths to raise funds to send kids to camp. With just water, MiraFiber Cloths will clean any surface without chemicals. They are guaranteed to last a long time, if directions are followed. The cost is $6 each or five for $25.
For more information, call Glenna Hoff at (562) 296-5040.
Republican Club
by Brian Harmon
LW contributor
It looks like the school board recall is dead.
Fortunately, according to Republican Club President David Harlow, voters have another way to make school boards accountable: the School Choice Initiative.
“School Choice will make it possible for all parents to send their school children to the school of their choice, whether it is a public, private, religious or charter school,” Harlow said.
The initiative would provide parents a voucher worth $14,000 to spend at the school of their choice.
Rather than trying to recall school board members, parents can send their children to another school if they are not happy with the education they are getting.
•••
The Republican Club booth is open every Monday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parking lot by Building 6. School Choice petitions will be available for those wishing to sign. The issue is relevant to LWers even though they do not have young children as some have grandchildren in school.
•••
Correction: Due to an editing error in the previous issue, Brian Harmon was said to be the president of the LW GOP Club. The club president is David Harlow, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. This is the highest civilian rank in the United States military. Brian Harmon is the second vice president of the club.
Democratic Club
by Mary Larson
LW contributor
In last week’s column, the Democratic Club reported that the Orange County Registrar of Voters announced that there would be no election to recall Los Alamitos School District Board trustees. The effort to oust Chris Forehan, Scott Fayette and Megan Cutuli had failed. This was good news for Democratic Club members and supporters who had been urging Leisure World voters not to sign the recall petitions if they were certified for distribution.
There is a new push to support non-public school education through what is being identified by its supporters as school choice. Reportedly, there will even be an effort to put Education Savings Accounts, or “ESA” voucher programs on the November 2022 California ballot.
Locally, there is a new Orange County club that focuses on issues facing school boards, community college boards and the Orange County Board of Education. The goal of Supporters of Public Education (SOPE-OC) is to protect and promote truth and excellence in public education.
Information about this newest Orange County Democratic Club is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SOPEOC.
Anyone who is interested in what is going on in the Los Alamitos School District should Google “Spotlight Education.” This online newsletter is committed to accurate, fact-based reporting that clarifies the issues by going beyond partisan narratives.
For more information about these and other issues, LW Democrats and supporters can subscribe to the club’s free electronic newsletter. Email democraticclubsblw@gmail.com or call editor Mary Larson at (562) 296-8521.
SBTV-3 Listings
SBTV-3 airs on TWC-Spectrum Channel 3, Frontier Fios Channel 37 and online streaming at sbtv3.org/schedule. Have Roku? Go to http://roku.streamsource.tv/add/sbtv. The playback schedule is available at SBTV3.org.
Thursday, Jan. 6
4 pm LW Emergency Preparedness
Expo 2021
4:45 pm LW Christmas Tree Lighting
5:15 pm Christmas in Quarantine:
Pops Show 2020
6 pm An LW Christmas
6:15 pm LW Veterans Memorial
6:45 pm Rich Harbour Paddle-Out
6:50 pm Broadway in the Park
8 pm Seal Beach Christmas Parade
9:30 pm Studio Cafe Nov. 2021
10 pm Shakespeare in the Park:
Cymbeline
Friday, Jan. 7
4 pm LW Veterans Memorial
4:30 pm LW Yoga
4:35 pm Vinyl Band at the Expo
5 pm Wonderelles’ First and
Second Sets
6:40 pm Spiritones December 2021
7 pm Seal Beach Christmas
Parade
8:30 pm Bobe Cole Conservancy
9 pm Shakespeare in the Park:
Othello
10:30 pm Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Saturday, Jan. 8
4 pm Broadway in the Park
5:15 pm An LW Christmas
5:30 pm LW Menorah Lighting
Ceremony 2021
6:15 pm Spiritones December 2021
6:30 pm LW Veterans Memorial
7 pm An LW Christmas
7:15 pm Christmas in Quarantine:
Pops Show 2020
8 pm LAUSD
Sunday, Jan. 9
4 pm Cerritos Center–
Northriver Chicago Dance
5:29 pm LW Christmas Tree Lighting
5:40 pm Vinyl Band at the Expo
6 pm Broadway in the Park
7:15 pm An LW Christmas
8:45 pm Spiritones December 2021
9 pm Studio Cafe
9:30 pm Seal Beach Christmas Parade
11 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
Monday, Jan. 10
4 pm Canadian Rockies 2021
4:08 pm LW Yoga
4:15 pm LW Emergency Preparedness
Expo 2021
5 pm Christmas in Quarantine:
Pops Show 2020
5:45 pm LW Menorah Lighting
Ceremony 2021
6:30 pm Seal Beach Christmas Parade
8 pm Studio Cafe
8:30 pm Wonderelles’ First and
Second Sets
10:10 pm Shakespeare in the Park:
Taming of the Shrew
Tuesday, Jan. 11
4 pm LW Emergency Preparedness
Expo 2021
4:45 pm LW Veterans Memorial
5:15 pm Christmas in Quarantine:
Pops Show 202
6 pm An LW Christmas
6:15 pm Rick Harbour Paddleout
6:20 pm LW Christmas Tree Lighting
6:50 pm Broadway in the Park
8 pm Studio Cafe
8:30 pm Cerritos Center–
Lady Jazz
10 pm Shakespeare in the Park:
Merry Wives of Windsor
Wednesday, Dec. 15
4 pm LW Veterans Memorial
4:29 pm Spiritones December 2021
4:45 pm An LW Christmas
5 pm Christmas in Quarantine:
Pops Show 2020
6 pm Seal Beach Christmas Parade
7:29 pm LW Christmas Tree Lighting
8 pm Wonderelles’ First and
Second Sets
9:11 pm Vinyl Band at the Expo
9:30 pm Live at the Ford:
Vaud and the Villains
11:30 pm Studio Cafe
*All programming is subject to change.
obituaries, page 18
Teri Subia
Teri Subia moved to Leisure World in August 2015 and became involved in the Sunshine Club and Senior Patriots for Peace, writing grants for mobility devices, authoring articles for the LW newspaper, and promoting the Golden Age Foundation annual fundraising drive, while also making stunning holiday baskets for GAF silent auctions.
Teri was an active member of the Sunshine Club, attending weekly informational meetings and asking speakers the most nuanced and insightful questions with grace and diplomacy. She loved learning, and her enthusiasm easily influenced others to have fun while becoming educated and building community.
Teri started working in finance and banking in 1964 and was vice president of a major bank at a time when Latina women were not usually invited into upper management. She was a founding member of Hispanics in Banking, was a role model for young women, socialized with senators, had lunches with high-ranking officers of banks, all while being recognized for her charming and gracious personality. After retiring from banking, she became an officer at a non-profit organization, and under her leadership, hundreds of people receiving government aid were placed into full-time employment.
Teri and her husband, Bob, traveled throughout the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico, and enjoyed dancing and baseball. They had a love for their culture. Bob predeceased Teri. She is survived by her daughter, Teresa, as well as siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family. Teresa says that no matter where she goes, she hears, “I just love your mom!” “She is such a great lady!” “I would do anything for her!”
•••
Loraine B. James
1930-2021
Loraine James, aka “Beaver,” formally of Mutual 12, passed away Dec. 26 at her nursing home in Stanton. She was born on Jan. 24, 1930, in Dayton, Ohio.
Loraine married the love of her life, David James, in 1953 and was his devoted wife until his death in 2010.
In 2011, Loraine moved from Clearlake to Leisure World, Seal Beach. She was active in the Knitting Club and WaRite. She was on a first-name basis with anyone who crossed her path. Loraine loved reading, and during the height of the pandemic, she read 21 books in just one month. She never missed “Wheel of Fortune” or “Jeopardy” and was always working on a crossword puzzle.
Loraine is survived by her daughter, Kathy Black of Mutual 14, and granddaughters Kelly Curtis and Tracy Black. She was a classy lady with a wonderful wit and will be greatly missed. Cheers, Beaver.
A private service will be held in Clearlake in the spring. She and her husband’s ashes will be scattered together, in a place where they spent some of their best years.
•••
In Memoriam
Lazarus Freeman 74
Thomas Payne 82
Dane Maul 68
Sharon Dixon 77
Elizabeth Appletyard 99
Heriberto Torres Chavez 61
Ryan Berkley 74
David Goux 80
Ki Kwak 78
Monica Wright 65
Joyce Gatz 72
Peter Yatco 59
Dana Roson 56
Lauro Ruiz 65
Annetta Cruz 56
Oscar Gudino Sr. 60
Havila Galeai 67
Maria Rosales 62
Jeanne Pender 69
Ryan Berkely 75
Cheryl Copeland 58
Laura Rayle 80
Colleen Cartwright 73
Nancy Mauger 81
Celestina Garcia 62
Families assisted by
McKenzie Mortuary,
(562) 961-9301
—Paid obituary
•••
The obituaries deadline is Monday at 1 p.m., prior to the desired Thursday publication date.
Obituaries that are received later than Monday will go in the following week’s issue.
Email obituary notices to laurieb@lwsb.com with photos attached as jpg files.
The first 250 words, plus one picture, are free to publish in the newspaper; each additional word is 25 cents.
For more information, call (562) 430-0534, ext. 801, or email laurieb@lwsb.com.
Arts & Leisure
Weekend Night Dances
Vinyl Rock moves its grooves to CH4
Vinyl Rock is moving to Clubhouse 4 starting Saturday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. The nine-piece, Orange County-based band passionately performs classic rock, Motown and pop tunes primarily from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, keeping everyone smiling, singing, swinging and swaying to the songs they grew up listening to and easily recognize. Sponsored by the Cabaret Entertainers, the band engages the audience through sing-alongs and mingling on the dance floor.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
GRF’s Weekend Night Dances feature regular performances from Leisure World Seal Beach’s own beloved entertainers. The Velvetones Ballroom Dance Orchestra plays music for dreaming and dancing (big band, swing and jazz standards) on the first and third Sundays from 6-9 p.m., also in Clubhouse 4. Its next performance is scheduled for Jan. 16.
Abilene has been going strong for nearly 20 years. Last year, the group opened the Amphitheater season with a rockabilly show that drew nearly 2,000 fans. Led by Terry Otte, the country rock band includes vocalist Tina Schaffer, guitarist Rod Anderson, guitar synthesizer player Jim Long, bassist Mike Simpson and drummer Jim Greer. Abilene will be rocking Clubhouse 2 on Jan. 22. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the band takes the stage at 7 p.m.
Until further notice, masks are required at the dances. Table saving is not permitted, and attendees must be out of the clubhouse no later than 10 p.m. to allow adequate time for the custodian to tear down the setup and arrange things for the following day. Clubhouse lighting and audio-visual equipment can only be adjusted by the custodian, according to the instructions they have been given. Only bands may make announcements from the stage.
GRF requests everyone sign in, either as a resident or guest, in the proper spot, as this is the only way staff can judge the popularity of the featured bands.
—Kathy Thayer, assistant Recreation manager
Chess Club
This week’s puzzle is checkmate in three moves. White moves first; any answer by Black, and White’s third move is checkmate.
The solution to this week’s puzzle: The first move is Qh8.
The White queen moves from c3 to h8, then Black king to h8, followed by White bishop to f6 and Black king to g8. The next move by White is checkmate.
The Chess Club meets every Friday from 1:30-6 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 7.
The Leisure World Cloggers encourages anyone who likes jazzercise, zumba, tap dance, line dance or to just dance to join the group on Jan. 12 upstairs in Clubhouse 6. Class starts at 8:30 a.m., and beginners are welcome at 10 a.m. For more information, call (562) 598-9974.
Community Karaoke
Despite the rain, 14 karaoke singers were excited to sing on Dec. 29. In fact, “Singing in the Rain” and other precipitation-themed songs were chosen by Don Sunday, Bev Adams, Essie Hicks and Bob Barnum.
Rick Riley and Ellen Brannigan had fun with Grandpa Jones’ banjo-playing hit “Mountain Dew.” And both Richard Yokomi and Bob Barnum paid tribute to Walter St. Clair, a popular, longtime member of the karaoke audience.
Also singing that night were Vilma Lina, Gerry Tagaloa, Barbie May, Eileen Merritt and Walter Bier.
Everyone is welcome to sing or be entertained every Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 1. Those looking to try out new songs or fine-tune old favorites are encouraged to attend practice sessions on Mondays from 1-3 p.m. in Clubhouse 6.
—Margie Thompson
The Let the Good Times Roll Club President Frank Destra invites all LW residents and their guests to a special Saturday-night dance with a live performance by the rock band Sugar Lips on Jan. 15 in Clubhouse 2. More information can be found on the club’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/533379131198447.
Art League welcomes Dana Point artist Carolyn Machado
Dana Point-based mixed-media artist Carolyn Machado will be the guest at the Art League meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. in Clubhouse 4.
Art-lovers may have seen Machado’s works at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach this past summer. According to her website, her art is about “recycling the odd yet pre-cious things that I have very carefully collected over the years.” Machado intentionally mixes recyled materials into her works, and celebrates the natural aging process in all her chosen items. “I find such an overlooked beauty in the various stages and imperfec-tions that come with the passage of time,” she writes. “The challenge is always to find beauty and harmony and perhaps a story in things so easily discarded by others.”
Machado finds her assemblages form vignettes. “Sometimes they tell a story, and some-times they give a moment of pause, a moment of universal personal reflection,” she says on www.machadoart.net. “For me, these works are my visual expres-sion of my personal lyricism.”
All league members and friends are welcome to attend the meeting and live demonstration. Members are also invited to participate in the theme competition, titled “Winter.” All entries must be submitted by 6:30 for judging.
Seal Beach Guitar Ensemble
Seal Beach Guitar Ensemble held its annual luncheon and Christmas party on Dec. 23 in Clubhouse 3, Room 6. Lunch included sushi, Korean rice cakes, potato chips, cookies and oranges, plus a variety of hot teas.
The group will resume meetings today, Jan. 6, with guest instructor Kevin Kim, president of the Korean American Guitar Society of Orange County. Anyone interested in playing is invited to join in on Thursdays from 9 a.m.-noon in Clubhouse 3, Room 6. Members are learning classic guitar skills and harmony.
Over the past 11 years, the ensemble has performed for both the community and celebrities. Another performance is being planned for April, featuring several group pieces and each member playing a solo.
For safety reasons, wearing face masks is mandatory until further notice. Contact Mimi Lee via text at (914) 843-1696 for more information.
Combined Bridge Party
Combined Bridge Party has been canceled for Jan. 7 and 14 because of the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19. The club encourages everyone to stay home and safe. Meetings will resume in February. The group generally meets the first and second Fridays. Contact Jan Krehbiel at (562) 431-8240 for additional information.
Hui O Hula sends big kudos to LWers Bernie and Martha Goosens (seated) for their gifts of hand-knitted scarves for the hula dancers and musicians. The group was pleasantly surprised and thankful. LWers are welcome to join the Hawaiian dance lessons on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. upstairs in Clubhouse 6 and Thursdays at 1 p.m. in Veterans Plaza. Beginners should arrive on time to learn basic steps. For more information, call (562) 431-2242 or email Jojo@HuiOHula.com.
Bunco Club
The LW Bunco Club meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Anyone who wants to play is welcome to join the group on Jan. 10 in Clubhouse 3, Room 1, starting at 6 p.m. sharp. There is a halftime social. Contact Gail Levitt at (562) 596-1346 with any questions.
The winners from the Dec. 27 meeting are as follows:
Most Buncos: Liz Meripol and Dolorie Thurner
Most Wins: Larry Shulman
Most Babies: Rita Fueyo
Most Losses: Leena Shulman
Door Prize: Joanne Lester
Sunday Bingo
American Legion Post 327 continues to sponsor Sunday Bingo in Clubhouse 2. Doors open at 1 p.m. On Jan. 23, the buy-in for Super Bingo is $15, with each additional six-pack of cards costing $15. There will also be other games, raffle prizes and desserts. All proceeds benefit veterans in the community. Anyone with questions should call (310) 491-8990.
Pickleball’s history continues at Leisure World
by Peggy Beste
LW contributor
Pickleball has been played in Leisure World since 2016. It started indoors with one court set up one day a week in Clubhouse 1, the lines marked with blue painter’s tape. It soon expanded to several indoor courts, and a club was formed on Oct. 9 of that year. Among the initial 20 members were Connie Adkins, Penny Alberts, Bob Margie, Connie Deady, Sandy Bird and Tim Linehan.
The first president of the Pickleball Players Club was Darlene Boyce; Wayne Gould was vice president, with Susan Jacquelin as secretary/treasurer. The group gathered once a month for a potluck dinner and meeting. The club credits Boyce, Kim Pigeon, Gould and Leah Perotti, Recreation Committee president at that time, as pivotal in helping to get pickleball started in LW. The group also worked closely with the GRF Recreation Department as plans were made for the state-of-the-art courts that now exist at Mission Park.
According to the U.S.A. Pickleball Association, it is considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell, pickleball is played by two to four players using paddles to hit a perforated ball similar to a wiffle ball over a net. In a column for the Parkersburg (WV) News and Sentinel, Joel’s wife, Joan Pritchard, wrote, “The name of the game became Pickle Ball after I said it reminded me of the Pickle Boat in crew, where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.” A friend of the men, Barney McCallum, is credited with fabricating the sport’s first paddles; he later started a company to manufacture them commercially.
The LW Pickleball Players Club sets rules of play as well as a code of conduct that encourages sportsmanship and player safety. There are currently 190 members, with Linda Evenson as president, Jerry Wrenn as vice president and Peggy Beste Hackenberg as secretary. Phil Arnold continues as webmaster, a job he has done since the beginning.
Novice players can join open play each morning on the pickleball courts from 9-11 a.m. Beginners are also invited to play Mondays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Anyone interested can contact Peggy Beste at (310) 489-2390.
The Pickleball Players Club is open to all levels of players. There is no fee, and meetings are held the first Sunday of every month in Clubhouse 2 at 5 p.m.
Free beginner lessons start Jan. 18. Sessions will continue every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m. for two weeks.
Anyone interested in learning more or joining the club should contact Linda Evenson at lwsbpickleballclub@gmail.com or (561) 577-3283.
Members of the Joyful Line Dance enjoyed a group lunch on Dec. 16. The class took a two-week break but returns to Clubhouse 6 today, Jan. 6, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Face masks are mandatory, and exercise shoes are recommended for safety reasons. Classes are currently limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, send a text to (562) 301-5339.
Scrabble Club
The Leisure World Scrabble Club had an eventful December. In addition to weekly meetings, there was a Christmas luncheon on Dec. 15, and the club scoring record was broken when Bob Ruderman posted a 510.
There were 36 scores above 300 and 13 bingos (i.e., the use of all seven tiles in one move). Diane Seeger led with nine scores above 300; her best was a 350. Ruderman was next, with seven scores higher than 300; he also recorded nine bingos. Suthy Chhoeuy had five 300-plus scores, two bingos and a top game of 390.
Larry Edgar, whose high score was 461, had four scores above 300 and one bingo. Others who scored above 300 were: Marilyn Moody (three times, with a high of 356), club president Maria Giegerich (two times, with a high of 326 and one bingo), Wanda Bemben (three times, with a high of 367), Sue Gass (two times, with a high of 312), and Sylvia Makus (one time, with 327).
The club meets Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 5. New members are welcome.
—Larry Edgar
The Pickle Tones will celebrate with the LW Entertainment & Video Club during the group’s “After Christmas With Love” presentation on Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse 4. Refreshments will be served.
Pinochle
Pinochle is played in Clubhouse 1 every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The warmup game starts at 11:30 a.m., with the regular game beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The following are the winning scores from recent games.
Dec. 16: First place: Charlotte Westcott, 11,670; second: Marilyn Allred, 11,170; third: Gene Smith, 10,810; fourth: Pat Blum, 10,510.
Dec. 18: First place: Tony Dodero, 10,850; second: Gayle Colden, 10,530; third: Marge Dodero, 10,240; fourth: Amy Kasayama, 9,990.
Dec. 20: First place: Marilyn Allred, 10,930; second: Peg Kasper, 10,540; third: Oscar Moya, 10,430; fourth: Keith Clausen, 8,700.
Anyone interested in playing pinochle should call Marge Dodero at (310) 968-9509.
Women’s Golf Club
On Dec. 28, 37 women braved frigid, windy weather to compete for low gross, low net and chip-ins. Seven players hit the golf ball from the fairway directly into the hole
The winners were:
Flight A: Low gross: Devora Kim, 26; low net: Karen Mendon, 23; chip-ins: Stella Yoon (Hole 2), Devora Kim (Hole 8), Veronica Chang (Hole 5) and Sandy Derouin (Hole 5).
Flight B: Low gross: Pam Krug, 27; low net: Bert Thompson, 23; chip-ins: Jee Choi (Hole 2), Young Suk (Hole 5) and Mary Grieg (Hole 7).
Flight C: Low gross: tie between Patty Litrell and Dale Quinn, 30; low net: Neva Senske, 22.
Flight D: Low gross: Kum Delias, 34; low net: Sandra deDuBovay, 24.
—Dale Quinn
Dancing Feet Club
The Dancing Feet Club line dancers finished 2021 by dancing to rumba and flash dance, followed by a cha-cha ballroom-dance presentation by Essie Hicks and her partner. They also celebrated the December birthdays of members with a sumptuous cake.
The club hosts line-dancing lessons and practice every Monday from 7-9 p.m., as well as social ballroom dancing every fourth Sunday of the month from 6-9:30 p.m. Dancers may bring their favorite snacks and drinks, though liquor is not permitted. All events are in Clubhouse 2; entrance is free. Masks are required except when eating.
For more information, text Ed Bolos at (551) 998-4223.
Bocce Club
The Bocce Club’s Winter Tournament Season begins Saturday, Jan. 8. Players are needed for Saturday morning tournaments. Games are scheduled between 9 a.m.-noon. Winter League schedules are now posted at the Bocce Court. Those interested in playing should contact Laura Garcia at (562) 230-5302.
Annual dues of $5 per member will be collected Jan. 8, 9, 11 and 13. Anyone with questions can call Kathy Russell at (949) 293-7517.
Members of Mututal 4’s mahjong group recently gathered at Shenandoah at the Arbor in Los Alamitos for a Christmas-celebration lunch.
Health & Fitness
Fitness Fusion Club invites LWers to join its members for a workout using light hand weights, standing yoga and qigong. The group meets Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Clubhouse 6 and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Veterans Plaza (bring hand weights).
Saturday Morning Dance Class
There will be no Saturday Morning Dance Class with Candi Davis on Jan. 8. Classes will resume Jan. 16 in Clubhouse 6.
The first class session is from 9-10 a.m., while the second session is from 10-11 a.m. The sessions focus on different styles of dance, and each is $7. For more information, call Debbie Degrazia at (562) 296-3393.
Leisure Leggers
The Leisure Leggers, a running and walking club in Leisure World for more than 20 years, meets every Monday at Clubhouse 6 at 8 a.m. for a brisk trot around the neighborhood, followed by coffee and camaraderie. Dues are 99 cents per year.
For more information, call club president Tom Pontac at (562) 304-0880.
Balance & Stability Class
The Landmark Balance & Stability class is available on Fridays at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84982522530; the meeting ID is 849 8252 2530, and the password is practice.
Instructor Adrianne Rosenfeld teaches the free, 40-minute class that focuses on balance, shifting weight and cognizant activities. It broadcasts around 4:20-4:40 p.m. every day on the Spectrum Cable Channel 1390 and is available on youtube.com. Rosenfeld is certified in Zumba, Zumba Gold, Silver Sneakers, and Balance & Stability. She also has certification from the Fitness Aging Institute and an ACE Group exercise certificate. For more information, call (562) 397-1519 or email arosenfeld1@verizon.net.
Meals on Wheels, Long Beach
Meals on Wheels of Long Beach Inc. delivers freshly cooked meals for $8.75 per day Monday-Friday, between 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Deliveries include an 8-ounce carton of 1 percent milk. An alternate dessert is available for those on a diabetic diet. Contact Client Manager Caron Adler at (562) 439-5000, ext. 1, or visit www.mowlb.org to complete an online application. To cancel a meal for the following day, you must contact Adler before 9 a.m. the prior business day. Menu is subject to change without notice.
Thursday, Jan. 6: Roasted turkey with sage gravy, cornbread stuffing and Brussels sprouts; fresh banana; roast beef and cheese sandwich, with lettuce, tomato and pickle, plus homemade macaroni salad.
Friday, Jan. 7: Chili relleno casserole, Spanish rice and pinto beans; fresh orange; taco salad, with shredded chicken, diced tomato, corn, black beans, cheese, cilantro and salsa dressing, plus crackers.
Monday, Jan. 10: Beef teriyaki, brown rice and Oriental vegetables; applesauce with cinnamon; chicken salad sandwich, with spinach and tomato, plus homemade macaroni salad.
Tuesday, Jan. 11: Herb-roasted chicken breast with honey-garlic sauce, mashed sweet potatoes and cauliflower; vanilla pudding; Greek chicken salad, with tomato, olives, cucumber, feta cheese and vinaigrette dressing, plus crackers.
Wednesday, Jan. 12: Stuffed bell peppers, garlic-and-chive mashed potatoes, and peas with onions and pimentos; fresh pear; ham-and-cheese sandwich, with lettuce, tomato and pickle, plus tricolor pasta salad.
Leisure Bikers
Join the Leisure Bikers on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. at the North Gate. Sunday’s ride often includes breakfast and a 2-mile nature hike. Helmets, safe shoes and masks are a must.
Call Mary Romero at (562) 810-4266 for details.
GENERAL
AVON
Lenora Browning, LW Resident. Phone 562-493-5457. Seal Beach Business License #BRN000. 6/30
GARDENING & LANDSCAPING
FRANK’S GARDENING SERVICE
Complete maintenance and landscape. Serving Leisure World since 1978. Planting, clean-ups, fertilization. New lawns, etc. Offering my services to all Mutuals. Honest and reliable. State Contractor’s License #779462. Call 562-863-7739,
562-743-3832 or 714-527-1172. 3/24
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Want to beautify your GARDEN? ALC has installed many lovely gardens in LW. Call Estee 562-208-2540 1/27
HANDYMAN SERVICES
Additions & Remodeling, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Windows, Tile & Stonework. State Contractor’s License #393071.
OGAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. (562) 596-7757. 3/31
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JR HOME REPAIRS. Quality work. Perfectionist, honest & reliable. Call JR 562-519-2764. SB Business License #JRH0001. 7/07
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562-596-0559 LW DECOR INC – LIC 723262
Install doors, new windows, recessed lights, fans, light fixtures. Cabinet refacing & refinishing, paint exterior window frames, ceilings made smooth, closets redone, misc. repairs. Kitchen/bathroom remodeling. 40+ yrs in LW.
LW DECOR INC 562-596-0559. 2/10
BATHTUB & SHOWER REFINISHING
We refinish your TUB/SHOWER to look brand new. Convert to a WALK-IN SHOWER and/or raise seat. Nu Kote 562-833-3911
License #699080 Serving LW since 1999. 2/03
PAINTING
Painting – Free estimates. 1 room or entire house & refinish kitchen cabinets. Call Jerry (714) 826-8636.
CA State License #675336. 3/24
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Affordable – Professional, Licensed and Insured. Interior – exterior drywall repair, texturing, pressure washing, cabinets. Senior discounts. Cory Gee Painting 714-308-9931. License #1049257. 03/03
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562-596-0559 LEISURE WORLD DECORATORS
Lic 723262. 40+ yrs in LW. Interiors, cabinets, exterior window frames, kitchen, bath, doors, trim, primered only premium paints. Ceilings made smooth, crown moulding & baseboards installed. LW Decor Inc.562-596-0559. 02/10
FLOOR COVERINGS
562-596-0559
LW DECOR INC.
40+ yrs in LW. Vinyl plank, laminate, tile indoor and outdoor patio carpet. License 723262. 562-596-0559. 02/10
UPHOLSTERY/Carpet cleaning and tile & grout
All Year Carpet Cleaning since 1988. Tile & Grout. Call Tito (562) 658 – 9841. State Contractors Lic. #578194. 3/24
SKYLIGHT SERVICES
SKYLIGHTS
CLEAN, REPAIR, REPLACE. Licensed and insured. Dan (562) 841-3787. Seal Beach License #BRA0002. 2/17
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SKYLIGHT Cleaning and Repairs Contact Eugene at (714) 774-4385. Contractor State License 634613-B. 1/13
WINDOW COVERINGS
562-596-0559
LEISURE WORLD DECORATORS
Shutters, blinds, roll-up shades, custom drapes. 562-596-0559. 2/10
Leisure World Helping Leisure World
Y’s Service Club of the YMCA will assist residents with small non-professional jobs. We change light bulbs, clean air conditioner filters, hang a small picture or mirror, remove or place items on a high shelf, air bicycle tires, etc. Donations gladly accepted. Call weekdays between 9 am-5 pm. (714) 955-2885.
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Does your walker need new tennis balls? Delivery and installation provided. Please give your name and phone number. Free of charge. Diane Hart 714-955-2885.
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“ROLLIN THUNDER” GOLF CART CLUB
Offers FREE advice on buying and selling of your golf cart. Also batteries and Safety Flags. 562-431-6859.
PET SERVICES
Cats/Dogs, nail cutting, bathing, COVID-19 PPE Safe. Karen Cell 562-544-9555, Seal Beach Business License JEN0006.
HOME CARE PERSONAL ASSISTANT
I am an experienced housekeeper providing weekly-and-monthly cleaning. Call/949-899-7770. Seal Beach Business License HEL0006. 3/24
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CHRISTIAN HOME CARE
Experienced, knowledgeable caregivers, honest, assertive, fluent English. Hourly/full-time, doctor’s appointments, errands. Bernadine 562-310-0280. Seal Beach Business License #BCS0002. Bonded/insured. 6/16
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MOST AFFORDABLE RATES with optimum service, 30-years LW experience, reliable, honest caregivers. Licensed, 24-hours, part-time, doctors, appointments, references, fluent English. Ann 714-624-1911, 562-277-3650 – Heidi. Seal Beach License #HYC0001. 6/02
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EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER
Over 25+ years in Leisure World with Excellent References. Hourly or Live-in. Please Call Pampet: 562-371-4895. Seal Beach License PAN0003 2/24
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Elderly care. Live-in, live-out. 30 years of experience. Cooking, cleaning, medications, companions, doctors. Experience with dementia. Licensed by the state. Gloria 949-371-7425. 3/17
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Maria’s experienced caregivers, run errands, Dr’s appointments, cleaning, part-time, full-time, live-in. (562) 230-4648. Seal Beach Business License License #CAM0006. 5/26
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Leisure World Caregiver with/experience. Has car & can provide references.Maria/562-257-7631. Seal Beach Business License LOP007. 1/06
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Do you need Hospice, Rehab or Long-Term Care? Yearly Board & Care in Cerritos. We provide 24-hour care. We accept short or long-term stays. We have more than 20years experience in the Healthcare Industry. Our experienced Care Staff provide home-like, safe, caring, and loving environment. We offer affordable rates, call us for a FREE consultation. We care for Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Hospice, Home-Health, Rehab, Diabetes, Gastroenterology-Tube, C-Pap or Bi-Pap Use. Isabel Tangonan/RN, 562-307-7668. State License 198603276. 1/06
BEAUTY SERVICES
Tammy Nguyen Phenix Salon – Service in private suite. One customer, one hairstylist. Sanitized & professional. Haircut for men & women, shampoo, set, color, highlights, perm, nails & toenails. In-house service available. Tammy Nguyen. 13944 Seal Beach Blvd, #116. (714) 425-4198. 2/10
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In home hair care, serving the men and women of Leisure World for 36 years. Mel, cell: 562-480-9341. License #KC75538. 1/27
HOUSE CLEANING
Experienced housekeeper. I do weekly and monthly cleaning. Call 949-899-7770. Seal Beach Business License HEL0006. 3/24
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MOVE-IN, MOVE-OUT
WINDOWS, HOUSECLEANING CALL PHIL AT 562-881-2093 Over 30 years Experience! Seal Beach Business License #AB0001. 3/24
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GRACIAN’S HOUSECLEANING & WINDOWS.
Windows 10% off first cleaning. General housecleaning. Excellent referrals in LW. (562) 307-3861. 20 years experience.
Seal Beach Business License gra0006. 2/10
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General housekeeping, 30 years of experience. Bi-weekly or monthly. Seal Beach License RAZ0002. Call Gloria
949-371-7425. 3/17
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Maria House Cleaning
We’ll make your house look as nice as possible! 15 years of experience, We can work with your schedule. Bi-weekly or monthly.
Deep cleaning. Call or text 714-496-2885. Bus. Lic #HER0008. 3/17
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MAGALY’S CLEANING SERVICE
We make your home sparkle! 7-days call anytime! Complete cleaning. Seal Beach Business License #M0001A.
Call 562-505-1613. 03/03
COMPUTERS
FRUSTRATED (562)755-6199
Everything for your computer (PC or Mac), cell phone, TV, stereo, any electronic device. Tina Schaffer. Seal Beach Bus. License License #CIP0001 2/17
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John’s Computer Services 562-733-9193
Virus removal, Repair, Training, Software, Wireless, Internet Security. LW Resident SB License FUH0001. 3/17
AUTOS WANTED
ANY KIND OF CAR
Cars, motorcycle, truck – running or not. We are local – call anytime! We pay cash and remove promptly! We do DMV and Release of liability for you! Bonded/Licensed, since 1985! Call us so we can come out and give you a quote. 562-684-0901. 2/10
ELECTRIC CARTS/SCOOTERS/MOBILE CHAIRS FOR SALE
Golf Cars BUY SELL TRADE and REPAIRS. Call 714-292-9124. 12/29/2022
GOLF CART PADS
Need a GOLF CART PAD? Look no further! We have installed many cart pads in LW and handle everything from start to finish. Call Estee 562-208-2540 1/27
Transportation
Need a lift? Pam Miller. LW Residents ONLY. 310-227-1258 1/13
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Inexpensive Shuttle. Airports, Shopping, Doctors, etc. SB License ABL0001. 562-881-2093. 3/24
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Rides by Russ 714-655-1544. 1/27
autos/boats/rv’s trailers FOR SALE
ELECTRIC CAR PADS
Installed at your residence. Call Frank 562-743-3832. Contractor’s License #779462. 3/24
MOVING, HAULING & STORAGE SERVICES
J&D HAUL AWAY AND CLEAN-UP SERVICE
No job too small! Fast, reliable, great prices. Seal Beach Business License BRA0002. 562-841-3787: Dan. 2/17
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A FRIEND AND A TRUCK
Your moving service, any size job. Business License RO263644. Call 310-387-2618. 2/24
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
Santa Claus with/red velvet suit, belt/hat/gloves/boot-covers/curly beard/all fur trim. Mrs. Claus with/jacket/belt/apron/boot-covers. $30 Excellent condition 562-598-1849.
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Estate Sale – 1730 O’Shanter, Mutual 14, Apartment 13H. Thursday, January 6th and Friday, January 7th from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. Gorgeous rattan furniture. Queen bed, small kitchen island. Bose radio/cd, Hawaiian art, signed lithographs. Costume jewelry, ladies clothing (XS), designer shoes (size 4 to 5-1/2). Vitamix, Instant Pot, Dyson slim, microware, potted plants and more. Estate Sale by Docia Drake 714-514-8232, PO Box 427, Seal Beach Business License ESD0001.
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Sole F60 Treadmill (Walk or Jog without leaving home)! Does not take up too much space & moves around easily. $400/OBO. John/562-596-8139.
Leisure world carport wanted
Looking for a carport-space in Mutual-1 ONLY. 562-588-3058