Dec 22 2022
GRF to close for Christmas, New Year’s
In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, all Golden Rain Foundation offices except Security will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2. The Leisure World Maintenance Department will be on call for emergencies at 562-594-4754.
The Access Bus will operate from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The Minibus will be “on call” from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Passengers who need the on-call bus should call 562-431-6586, ext. 379, when they are ready to be picked up.
The Health Care Center 24-hour nurse will be available for telephone advice or home visits for a charge by calling (562) 795-6216.
Holiday Deadlines
The following holiday deadlines are in effect for the Dec. 29, Jan. 5 and Jan. 19 editions of the LW Weekly.
Dec. 29 (New Year’s)
• Classified ad deadline: Friday, Dec. 23, noon
• Editorial submissions deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Jan. 5 (Post-New Year’s)
• Classified ad deadline: Friday, Dec. 30, noon
Editorial submissions deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 4 p.m.
Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Holiday)
Classified ad deadline: Friday, Jan. 13, noon
Editorial submissions deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 4:30 p.m.
Memories Make the Season Merry
Linda Johnson, Mutual 15
In December 2019, as I entered Clubhouse 4 to decorate for our holiday luncheon, I was awestruck by the decorations on the stage of the clubhouse.
It had been transformed into a winter wonderland. I asked, “who did this?” And the answer was “Tommy Williams.”
I have never forgotten the magical feeling that I felt when I entered the clubhouse.
I didn’t know Tommy well, but I could really appreciate his energy, creativity and his happy spirit. Maybe some of us who experienced Tommy’s talent for transforming something ordinary into something magical can take a moment during our busy holiday season and remember him. What a joy it was to have him as part of our community. Tommy is gone now—but not forgotten. Thanks, Tommy. Rest in Peace.
(Editor’s Note: Thomas “Tommy” Lee Williams, 60, a dynamic entertainer was well known throughout LW for mesmerizing Leisure World residents on the Amphitheater stage and at dances, picnics and Toys for Tots Christmas shows. He died unexpectedly on Jan. 19, 2021, in his Mutual 2 home. He will be best remembered onstage, wearing a sparkly costume with a microphone in his hand and a signet ring on his finger.
Bonnie Combes, Mutual 10
For many reasons, 1974 was my favorite Christmas. My first son, Carl, was born on Dec. 24, 1969, and died on Jan. 6, 1970, from Hirschsprung’s disease, a birth defect that meant he had no nerves in his colon. We waited nearly a year after his death and applied for a “hard to place” child through adoption.
In 1971, our son, James was available for adoption. Since he is biracial (Black and Caucasian), he was considered hard to place according to the adoption rules of the time. He was a godsend. He is currently a 51-year-old social worker for the County of Los Angeles.
In 1972, we discovered that I was infertile and that I would not be able to conceive again. So, we turned to fertility drugs (which had become recently available) and artificial insemination. After two difficult years, our son Robert was born, which takes me to my favorite Christmas.
Robert was born Dec. 17, 1974, although he was due on the same day as my first son, Carl.
When we brought him home that Christmas, our family was complete for the first time. We even had a dog, Rusty. What a joyous celebration we had! Christmas was returned to us as a day to celebrate, not as a time to mourn. The two boys were a joy and still are, as are our three grandchildren.
Saundra Luther Stark,
Mutual 1
When thinking back, every Christmas has been special. I had just turned 9 in December 1951. My mother and I were living with my grandparents in Flatwoods, Kentucky. All of my mothers’ siblings were there, too, plus cousins younger than I—Billy, Beata, Rheada, Cos Jr. and Connie. The great surprise was Uncle Charles arriving after his tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force in Germany.
I remember him entering the living room in uniform and getting a huge hug from his brother Uncle Ron (Billy Ray’s dad). We all screamed. But to our delight, there were gifts for each and every one in his duffel bag. I received a green silk scarf with a map of the country of Germany, and I tried to remember all the cities as he had been stationed in Wiesbaden!
We kids ran upstairs to one of the large closets in the bedrooms. Where the roof sloped, the closets did too. The best hiding spot for us kids was behind the hanging clothes. That’s where we looked over our gifts.
Uncle Jr., who was in the Navy, and Aunt Barbara had driven from Long Beach with 4-month-old baby JoDell. Twenty people staying in the two-story farm-style house was so much fun for us kids.
When dinner time came my Papaw, who was a preacher, prayed the perfect prayer, remembering each and every one of us. I remember seeing tears in my mother’s and aunts’ eyes. I will never forget that moment and memory of family!
Unfortunately, baby JoDell passed away from crib death on Jan. 5, the morning after the family returned to Long Beach from Kentucky. That brought two carloads of Kentuckians west for her funeral.
By March, Mother and I moved to California with Uncle Cliff, Aunt Sue and Beata. All have passed away now, except for Beata, Cos Jr. and I, and those precious family memories.
Fred and Linda Fenton, Mutual 12
“Holiday joy” brings to mind a Christmas Eve many years ago that changed my life. I was a college student working at a television store, carrying heavy, boxed TV sets from a third-floor storage room to cars waiting in the alley behind the store. Drivers of expensive cars had me put their TV in the trunk and managed a hurried “Merry Christmas” before driving off.
Near closing time, I carried the smallest boxed TV we sold out to a woman in a battered, old car. She had three children in the car with her. “I bought this for my mom,” she said. “Mom is in a nursing home.” She offered me a crumpled dollar bill and thanked me warmly. It was my only tip of the evening.
That experience changed my life. It stayed with me through a career of social activism. I am reminded of the Bible story of Jesus watching people bringing their gifts to the temple. One is a poor widow who gives her last coins. Jesus says she has given more than all the rest because she has given all she has. (Mark 12:41-44).
Eileen Yordy, Mutual 10
I think the year was 1963, and I was 13 years old. I was the oldest of seven kids and even though we did not have much money for Christmas, my mom would shop at all the bargain stores to buy as much as she could at a discount.
One day my mom piled about four of us kids into our old 1948 Kaiser and took us to the sale they were having at Zody’s. After a stressful and weary afternoon of shopping, she stuffed four kids and several Zody’s bags into the backseat of the car, and we headed home. Suddenly, right after my mother had made a U-turn, we see the lights of a Buena Park policeman signaling us to pull over. We could not figure out why he was pulling us over. My mom always drove carefully, especially because she usually had a pile of kids in the car.
The cop came up to the car and said, “Ma’am, did you know that you just made an illegal U-turn?”
My mom told him that she did not realize that a U-turn was illegal because it had always been legal before.
“Well ma’am, the law recently changed, and now U-turns are illegal here.”
My mom did not notice the new sign because she had Christmas bargain shopping on her mind. She started to cry because she knew that she could not afford a traffic ticket after all the Christmas presents she still had to buy. The cop looked around the inside of the car and saw four scared kids and lots of Zody’s bags.
He continued to write the ticket while my mom continued to weep. He handed her the ticket and told her he was sorry. She said, “thank you” even though I am sure she really didn’t mean it.
As he walked back to his car, my mom slowly opened the ticket to see how much she was going to have to pay. But, instead of a large amount of money, the ticket said “I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!”
Grace Kim, Mutual 14
My holiday joy: I was in elementary school in Shanghai, China. At about 5 a.m., Korean church choir members came and sang Christmas carols. We all went out and welcomed them, and gave them bags of tangerines.
Dave Crandall, Mutual 10
In the months and years prior to Christmas 1964, I would tag along with my two older brothers and their friends riding our bikes on the neighborhood streets. Puny me with my rickety little bike, another hand-me-down from our cousins, would try to keep up with the big boys.
I thought I needed training wheels until my older brother noticed I was riding fine with both training wheels well above the ground, so we removed them from that shrimpy beat-up bike.
We played war games on the street, taking sides, and circling each other as if we were the allied forces against the Red Baron and company. In those days, your bicycle was everything, a means of transportation, recreation and status—and I was on the bottom of the totem pole, bikewise.
Of course I was anxious to see what awaited me that Christmas morning, but what I saw far exceeded my expectations.
It was a brand new, candy-apple red Schwinn stingray with a banana seat. I took it outside where it gleamed in the sun, and then, I took it for a spin. Despite cleaning being my anathema, I would regularly and proudly clean and polish the red frame, the tires, and the seat itself in the coming years to make sure it continued to maintain that gleam. It’s shining still, in my memory.
Patti Tilson, Mutual 4
One year, my husband, Brent, and I decided we’d like to save the money usually spent on Christmas wrap, so we proposed the idea of “creative wrapping” to our three children. Instead of using holiday paper and bags, we would scour the house for things in which to “wrap” our gifts. The kids were delighted with the idea.
As Christmas drew near, a large kitchen pot, a fishing tackle box, an empty cereal box, each holding a treasure and topped with a colorful bow, appeared under our tree. A pair of jeans, stuffed with crumpled newspaper until stiff and holding a few VHS movies “stood” against the pine branches. New books were sandwiched between bath towels that had been stacked and tied with ribbon. Each gift brought chuckles and discussion as it was placed under the tree, and on Christmas morning, as we un“wrapped” our presents, we laughed out loud.
Jeanne Pontac, Mutual 10
I cherish my travel memories with my husband, Tom, so much more due to the pandemic and restrictions it placed on our travel plans.
A treasured memory was when we took the Christmas Market River Cruise from Prague to Budapest for a week. In Prague, we explored the Jewish Quarters, a castle and the 600-year-old astronomical clock in Old Town Square. Budapest had amazing buildings, classical music and a ballet to enjoy.
Both cities were filled with old world charm, fairytale villages, picturesque countryside and culinary delights, including Bavarian pretzels, beer and strudel. The Christmas crafts at the markets and amazing decorations were spectacular. We even experienced snow and made a snowman for all to enjoy.
Another treasured memory during the holidays was the year we joined the festivities on New Year’s Eve with a spectacular viewing spot in Times Square, New York!
The celebration began with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve ball. We had a wonderful view of the dazzling lights and bustling energy of thousands of people, while at the top of one of the buildings. We were privileged to be confetti engineers, tossing a blizzard of colorful confetti by hand as we welcomed the New Year! This was a treasured holiday memory.
So that only leaves one question—where will we be this holiday? You will have to wait until we experience it somewhere.
Gail Morrison, Mutual 2
As a young girl, I took delight in the many preparations of Christmas: finding that special gift for those on my list, baking our traditional anise Christmas cookies and selecting the perfect tree and decorating it. We always had a live tree, and my father often went into the woods of northern Michigan to chop one down so it would be fresh.
But best of all was what lay underneath the tree: not heaps and heaps of presents but a little village. Years before, when my father began courting my mother, he had arrived to call on her at Christmas and was ushered into the living room to see their tree. Underneath the tree lay a miniature village. Quiet and still, its charm caught his eye. Tucked around the village was a “bed of snow” with pine trees scattered in profusion, thus depicting our Michigan landscape. Cottages were grouped close to the “pond,” with the larger houses (rich people’s homes, I called them) arranged up a hill, down a road or around the bend. Each of the houses was bright with lights of red, blue, green or yellow. So charmed was my father that he commented on it to my grandmother. She proudly informed him that “the little village was something we brought from the farm; Will loved it so.”
My mother’s father had died of pneumonia when she was 8, causing them to rent the farm out and move to the city. The little village had been a favorite of my mother’s father, a man always known to have a twinkle in his eye.
When my parents were married, my father asked to take the little village with them, thereby continuing this family tradition. Each year, he set about to create the little village, just as my mother’s father had done in the early 1900s. The hours he spent building and creating the scene, using two or three books underneath the “snow” to depict the hills, carefully hiding the wires for the lights tucked into each house, placing each house and item in the most picturesque spot, was a work of love and wonder, and I was there to watch it come to life.
As a young bride at Christmastime far away in California, I longed for the little village. So I set out to find a replica, but there were no duplicates. Finally, I settled for ceramic houses and shops and soon took delight in setting them up. Where my Michigan family understood the joy of the little village, my California family differed. Now I was the only one who wanted to set up the little village and there were several Christmases without one.
My children are grown now and I am a grandmother. The first year my grandsons saw the village, I could see in their eyes the same wonder I felt in its charm.
Then my daughter called me to come and see something special. She had just purchased a little village complete with houses, trees, lanterns and lights. Her boys were so excited to have a village of their own, just like grandma. And so the tradition that started more than 100 years ago continues.
Ethel Ina Carter, Mutual 2
My favorite Christmas memory was when I was 5 years old (1947), living on Ball Road in the city of Anaheim with my family on a two-and-a-half acre farm. My family consisted of my mother and father, an older brother Bob, a sister named Mary Ann and myself. My sister was seven years older than I was, and Bob was five years older.
I was born in December of 1942. In 1937, Walt Disney produced the famous animated movie, “Bambi.” My folks took Mary Ann and Bob to see it when it came to a theater in Los Angeles.
My sister enjoyed the movie except for the part where Bambi’s mother was shot by a hunter. Otherwise, she loved the animal characters, especially the little skunk named Flower. So, in 1947 the Carter family met for Christmas dinner at our house on Ball Road. I was told to wait in the kitchen while everyone else was in the living room. My sister had bought me a little stuffed animal—the skunk, Flower, and she wanted it to be a surprise. She asked everyone in the living room to not talk about the little skunk, but they couldn’t resist talking about how cute it was. I heard them, but I never let on. I just pretended to be surprised.
It was my favorite gift that year, mainly because I knew how much my sister loved me, using her allowance money to buy it for me.
Hundreds turn out for toy drive
The holiday toy drive was a night of merrymaking and gift giving Dec. 17, with a couple of hundred residents in Clubhouse 2 to celebrate the season.
The event had all the hallmarks of Christmas—toys for little ones that will be under the tree on Christmas day, cookies and cocoa handed out by Theater Club elves, seasonal (and rock ‘n’ roll) music and even a dancing Santa.
The GRF thanks Optum for donating the treats, and the Brown Descents Car Club for collecting and distributing toys to the more than 250 children and teens that the group serves. It was a happy coincidence the GRF was able to connect with this club car charity. The Brown Descents’ big toy collection event was rained out in October. Meanwhile, the GRF learned that the Marine Reserves’ Toys for Tots program would not be collecting toys in Leisure World this year due to scheduling conflicts.
This was a problem because LW is legendary for its massive toy drives, rivaling Farmers and Merchants Bank most years for first or second place as the top toy collectors in Orange County.
It turns out that GRF Building Inspector Mike Meza and Recreation Manager Kathy Thayer put their heads together to save this year’s toy drive campaign.
Meza reports that enough toys were collected from LW to make Christmas bright for all the kids affiliated with the Brown Descents.
He and Robert Esparza, president of the club, attended the toy drive Dec. 17 to thank LW residents for their generosity, saying they saved Christmas for a lot of disadvantaged Orange County kids.
There will be a short video featuring the gift distribution on lwsb.com in the coming days.
LW Lights Bus Tour
The final Leisure World holiday lights tour aboard the GRF Minibus will be held on Dec. 23.
The Minibus service will conduct the tour at 5 p.m.
The tour will depart from the Health Care Center.
Seating is first come, first served.
GRF Minibuses seat approximately 19 passengers.
At the conclusion of the tour, passengers who need rides will be taken home or to any other location inside LW.
For further information, call Grant Winford, fleet manager, 562-431-6586, ext. 372.
Christmas Tree Disposal
Christmas trees can be disposed of at the 1.8-Acre site, according to the Service Maintenance Department. People who need assistance can contact the department and create an order for their trees to be picked up at the current rate of $47.50 per hour, until Jan. 1, when it will go to $50 an hour, billed in 15-minute increments. To place an order, call 562-431-6586, ext. 367, 369 or 515.
FCC program offers affordable internet
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household.
Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov for qualification guidelines, and to submit an application or print out a mail-in application. People can also contact their preferred participating internet provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to their bill.
Various internet providers, including those offering landline and wireless internet service, are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. For more information on specific service providers, visit https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers.
GRF Leash Policy
Resident Pet owners are reminded that GRF policy requires dogs to be leashed and under the control of the pet owner at all times on trust streets.
The leash should be no longer than 6 feet.
The policy also states that pet owners are responsible for damages or injury caused by their pets or support animals.
For more information on the GRF pet policy, visit lwsb.com, click GRF, then GRF Governing Documents to find GRF Pet Ownership Rules, 50-1023-1.
If a pet constitutes an immediate risk or danger to people, other pets or trust property, the owner will be asked to immediately remove the pet from trust property.
SB Senior Transportation
There are currently 1,205 users registered for the Senior Transportation Program, according to the City of Seal Beach. The program is available for Seal Beach residents ages 60 years and older and consists of a pre-fixed shuttle route and Yellow Cab Taxi service.
To register for the program, visit www.sealbeachca.gov or contact the city’s Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-431-2527, ext. 1307.
CalFresh Benefits
CalFresh, a USDA-funded nutrition assistance program, can help qualifying Leisure World residents receive healthy fruits and vegetables, among other groceries. Recipients receive a card similar to a debit card with money loaded every month to shop for more fruit, vegetables, protein and other healthy foods.
CalFresh is locally administered through the Community Action Partnership (CAP) in Leisure World to help improve the health and nutrition of people with lower incomes.
Requirements to Apply:
• Applicants must have at least one citizen or legal permanent resident with a Social Security number living in their household (including children).
• Applicants may qualify for CalFresh even if they have a full- or part-time job.
• Gross monthly income must be less than the amounts listed: One-person household, $2,128; two-person household, $2,874.
• Seniors, those on SSI or those with a disability can apply and may be eligible for CalFresh.
• Documents needed to apply: photo ID, Social Security card, proof of income and resident card (if applicable, receipt of rent and receipt of one utility bill).
Upon application, income and many other factors are taken into account to determine eligibility.
For more information or to apply online, call 1-800-281-9799 or go to https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/.
Residents who need assistance applying for Cal-Fresh should contact Robann Arshat in Member Resources at 562-431-6586, ext. 317, or Robertaa@lwsb.com.
I-405 Freeway Construction Update
The Orange County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with Caltrans, is widening the San Diego Freeway (I-405) between SR-73 and I-605. The project is improving 16 miles of I-405 between the SR-73 freeway in Costa Mesa and I-605 near the Los Angeles County line. Construction updates are as follows:
I-405 Closures for
Overhead Sign Installation
The southbound I-405 will close between the SB I-405 off-ramp to Seal Beach Boulevard and the SB I-405 on-ramp from Bolsa Chica Road for an overhead sign installation. Several ramps will also be closed.
The nightly SB I-405 closures were anticipated as early as 5 a.m., today, Dec. 22.
Once restriping has been completed, there will be one carpool lane between Bolsa Chica Road and I-605 through fall 2023.
This work may be loud. The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather.
I-405 Infrastructure
Construction
Crews are working on installing the 405 Express Lanes infrastructure between I-605 and Bolsa Chica Road.
Throughout Seal Beach, crews are actively working on installing electrical systems, barriers, and permanent concrete in the center median.
Sign up for project-wide and bridge-specific construction alerts at bit.ly/405-signup. Email 405project@octa.net or call (888) 400-8994 for more information.
Copy & Supply Passport Photos
The Copy and Supply Center in Building 5 next to the Security Decal Office offers copy and passport photo services to residents for a nominal fee.
Copy service costs 13 cents per color page; 8 cents, black-and-white; passport photos, $10 for two photos; and notary, $15 per signature (by appointment only).
The center also has small flags, emergency kits, batteries, flashlights and other items from the Purchasing Department for sale. Batteries and light bulbs can be recycled at the center.
Office hours are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call Copy and Supply at 562-431-6586, ext. 345.
Minibus Orientation Meeting is Jan. 5
A Minibus informational meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 3. It is held on the first Thursday of every month to help LW residents use the many transportation services available to the Leisure World community. No reservations are required.
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.
Monthly informational sessions are for new or current shareholders who would like to learn about the Minibus service routes and timetables.
The LW Minibus service is a community transportation service for everyone.
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.
Seal Beach City Hall closed for break
The City of Seal Beach City Hall, 211 Eighth St., will be closed from Dec. 23-Jan. 2 for the holidays.
The next city council meeting is Monday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
City Council and Planning Commission meetings can be viewed on SBTV-3 and on the city’s YouTube Channel. A recording of the meeting will be posted within 24 hours.
SB Dine-In Senior Lunch Program
The City of Seal Beach partners with Meals on Wheels OC to provide a senior lunch program at the North Seal Beach Center, 3333 St. Cloud Drive, Seal Beach.
A dine-in lunch is served from 11 a.m.-noon on weekdays. Lunches are nutritious and offer protein, vegetables, fruit and dessert, plus milk and sugar-free desserts if desired.
The lunch program is open to all adults age 60 years and older. Suggested donation is lunch is $3, but everyone is welcome, even if a contribution is not possible. Guests under 60 can enjoy lunch for a fee of $5.
Every contribution goes directly to help keep this vital program going. For more information, call 562-431-2527, ext. 1344, or visit the website at www.sealbeachca.gov/city-services/senior-services.
Transportation service to and from the center is provided by the city for people who need it. For more information on the city’s shuttle service, see https://www.sealbeachca.gov and click on Senior Resources. For menus, visit https://www.mealsonwheelsoc.org/senior-services/senior-lunch/.
GRF ID cards must be renewed by some LWers
GRF identification cards expire in 2023 for members in Mutual 8, 9, 11 and 14. Residents who live those Mutuals must renew their GRF ID cards during their month of birth.
To renew a GRF ID, people should stop by Stock Transfer anytime during the month of their birthday to obtain a replacement card.
The expiration date is located in the right corner of all GRF ID cards. Shareholders in other Mutuals should look at their ID cards to see what year their cards expire.
New ID cards will be replaced upon surrender of an old card. There is a $20 fee to replace a lost card.
Per Policy 50-1201-1, GRF ID cards are renewed every five years for all shareholders.
Interact Solutions Town Halls
Interact Solutions will host informational meetings for LW residents interested in learning more about the bulk cable and Internet service coming to LW.
Town halls will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Saturday, Jan. 21, in the lobby of Clubhouse 3 from 1:30-5 p.m.
LW’s bulk cable contract is set to expire Dec. 31.
Interact Solutions representatives will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate its product.
Government, page 5
GRF Meetings
Golden Rain Foundation committee and board meetings are open to Leisure World residents. The following is a tentative schedule.
Tue., Jan. 3 Information Technology Services
Committee
Conf. Rm A/virtual 10 a.m.
Wed., Jan. 4 Physical Property Committee
Conf. Rm B/virtual 1 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 5 GRF Board Executive Session
Conf. Rm A 1 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 6 Recreation Committee
Conf. Rm B/virtual 1 p.m.
A quorum or more of the directors may be present, only to listen and observe, and no formal board action will be taken at committee meetings. Attendees will be provided an opportunity to address the committee.
Pet registration is required
Per GRF pet policy, LW pets must be registered with the Stock Transfer Office before they are brought onto the Mutual premises. Further, the pet registration and licensing must be updated on or before Dec. 31 of each year. Mutual Pet Registration Forms can be picked up at the Stock Transfer Office. For more information, call 562-431-6586, ext. 339, 346 or 347.
Mutual Meetings
Mutual residents are invited to attend the open meetings of their mutual boards. The following is a tentative schedule.
Wed., Dec. 28 Mutual 10*
Conf. Rm A/Zoom 9 a.m.
Thu., Dec. 29 Mutual 8* (open forum 9:15 a.m.)
Conf. Rm A/Zoom 9:30 a.m.
Tue., Jan. 3 Mutual 17
Conf. Rm A/Zoom 1:30 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 5 Presidents’ Council
Clubhouse 4/Zoom 9 a.m.
*Rescheduled due to holiday.
Carport Cleaning Schedule
Due to the Christmas holiday the cleaning schedule will be adjusted. The carport that would have been cleaned on Monday, Dec. 26 will be moved to Thursday, Dec. 29.
In the morning:
Mutual 10: Carports 117-122.
In the afternoon:
Mutual 10: Carports 123 and 124.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients are considered household hazardous waste.
Products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special handling when residents dispose of them.
Residents are prohibited from disposing of household hazardous waste at the 1.8-Acre site.
Residents can dispose of their toxic waste at any of Orange County’s four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. The closest one to LW is the Huntington Beach Collection Center, 17121 Nichols Lane, 92647, Gate 6.
Proof of county residence may be requested. E-waste such as televisions, tablets, cell phones and computers can also be taken to this collection center.
It is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (closed on major holidays and during rainy weather).
People who need special assistance with household hazardous waste collection and are unable to bring it to a center should call 714-834-4000 for more information about Orange County’s door-to-door service.
For more information, visit www.oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste.
Community, pages 8-10
Sunshine Club
Club celebrated Christmas with a Korean buffet lunch on Dec. 16
The Sunshine Club held a Christmas and end of the year party on featuring a Korean buffet lunch catered by Water Mill Rice Cake in Buena Park and a Hui O Hula performance on Dec. 16. The clubhouse as decorated with red, green and bright colors to bring jolly holiday spirits to everyone in the room.
The lunch included famous teriyaki beef, stir-fried vegetables, brown rice, Japchae (glass noodles), pan-fried fish filet, lightly-battered tempura that included shrimp, zucchini and carrots, plus rice cake for dessert.
Hui O Hula dancers lifted holiday spirits by dancing to the songs “God Bless America,” “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night/Po La’i E.”
To make guests feel part of the program, the Hui O Hula dancers invited guests to dance with them during the songs “White Christmas” in traditional and Los Angeles style dance moves, and finished the performance with the “12 Days Of Christmas,” which included many club members and brought waves of laughter from everyone.
During the party, club President Anna Derby reflected on the club’s adventures and meetings, which included the in-person meeting since COVID-19 on April 1, the club picnic, and trips to the Getty Museum and the Griffith Observatory.
At the end of the party many members sang holiday songs together.
Special thanks goes to Lillian Silva, who was in charge of taking RSVPs and payments and Loni Gardette, who is in charge of the club’s finances. Special thanks also goes to George Pinada and Chung Cha Lewis, plus Albert and Gladys Comia for volunteering to serve the buffet lunch to guests.
The Sunshine Club began on Jan. 12, 2012, with the mission to “Build Bridges for a Brighter Leisure World”, and to help all residents in the community get along and to get the best out of living in Leisure World by learning how to use available information.
The Sunshine Club will take a holiday break following the party. It will meet again on Jan. 6, without a guest speaker. The meeting will serve as a way for club members to catch up after the three week break.
The first official meeting of the new year will be held on Jan. 13 with GRF Security Services Director Victor Rocha.
The Sunshine Club meets every Friday in Clubhouse 3, Room 2 from 10 a.m-noon.
American Legion Auxiliary spreads holiday cheer
The LW American Legion Auxiliary has been busy the past week making important Christmas deliveries.
The first stop as was at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base to deliver toys and gift cards to be given at its annual Christmas party.
The Auxiliary then went to the American Family Housing’s Potters Lane in Midway City to deliver gift cards for the veterans who live there plus bedding for the recently completed apartment complex with 71 apartments.
The group then visited the Fisher House at the VA Medical Center to donate gift cards for food, gas and Uber. The Fisher House offers free housing for 16 families and/or caregivers of patients in the VA hospital while their loved one is being treated.
The final stop for the Auxiliary members was the VA Food Pantry. The Auxiliary supports the pantry throughout the year.
To assist veterans’ families with holiday needs, additional gift cards were donated and a veteran’s family needing assistance was sponsored by the Auxiliary in the “Operation Santa” project.
Hospitality Room will be open for coffee and treats on Dec. 25
Residents who are looking for something to do on Christmas morning can stop by the Hospitality Room in Clubhouse 6 on Dec. 25 from 9-11 a.m. and have a cup coffee, Christmas treats and enjoy holiday music with friends, neighbors and the Golden Age Foundation’s hospitality team. . This is a great opportunity to get together and discuss who’s been naughty and whose been nice this year.
Call Carl Kennedy for more information at 661-810-9410.
Filipino Association of Leisure World
Next club bingo games will be held on Jan. 15 in Clubhouse 2
The Filipino Association of Leisure World (FALW)celebrated the December birthdays of Rose Bolos and Alice De Guzman and presented a$1,000 donation to the Golden Age Foundation.
The next FALW meeting will be held on Jan. 8, in Clubhouse 3 at 2:30 p.m. The FALW is a multicultural club and invites everyone to join this very active,productive and fun-loving group. Membership now $10 per year.
The next FALW Bingos will be held on January15, 2023. Bingos are in clh 2 at 1 pm. Doors open at 12 noon.
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.
Thursday, Dec. 22
4 pm Korean Community Church
Chorale/LW Orchestra
4:40 pm Cowboy Silent Movie
4:47 pm LW Christmas
5 pm Wonderelles’ First Set
6 pm Life and Times in SB:
The Lawhead Brothers
7 pm America’s Oldest City
7:30 pm Rob Roy Christmas
Harmonica
8 pm McGaugh Go West 2022
9 pm SB City Limits:
Richard Hastings
10 pm Americana Show Songs
10:50 pm Magic Red Hats
Friday, Dec. 23
4 pm Korean Nights
5 pm Napa Wine Train
5:30 pm Head Master or Aliens Walk Among Us
6 pm Christmas Stories Entertainment
6:30 pm Society Babe Red Hats
6:45 pm Magic Red Hats
7 pm McGaugh Pageant of the Arts
8 pm Studio Cafe
8:30 pm LW Tribute Concert 2022:
Stone Soul Motown
10:10 pm Neil Diamond Tribute 11:40 pm Savannah Holidays
11:50 pm Canadian Rockies
Saturday, Dec. 24
4 pm Mystery at the Theater
4:30pm The Bug Guy
5 pm Jazz Holiday Concert
with Hank Barto
6:16 pm Woodshop Soft Opening
6:30 pm Studio Cafe
7 pm McGaugh Pageant of the Arts
8 pm LAUSD
Sunday, Dec. 25
4 pm 2022 FALW Luau
5 pm Wonderelles Second Set
6 pm Bombs Away
7 pm McGaugh Goes West
2022
7:30 pm Emergency Prep Expo 2022
7:40 pm Canadian Rockies
8 pm Bob Cole Conservancy
9 pm LW Tribute Concert 2022:
Rod Stewart
10:35 pm Korean Nights
11:50 pm Napa Wine Train
Monday, Dec. 26
4 pm Jazz Holiday Concert
with Hank Barto
5:20 pm May Day Hawaiian Party
6:20 pm Magic Red Hats
6:30 pm Studio Cafe
7 pm Seal Beach Planning
Commission: LIVE
8 pm Seal Beach City Limits:
Richard Hastings
9 pm TLR Experience:
the Eagles Tribute
10:50 pm Duck Pond Reunion
11:30 pm The Bug Guy
Tuesday, Dec. 27
4 pm Rob Roy Christmas
Harmonica
4:30 pm Society Babes Red Hats
5 pm LW Tribute Concert 2022:
Hail to the King
7 pm Neil Diamond Tribute
8:30 pm LW Tribute Concert 2022:
Stone Soul Motown
10 pm Ronstadt Revival
11:40 pm LW Christmas
11:45 pm The Cowboy Silent Movie
Wednesday, Dec. 28
4 pm Life and Times in SB:
Lawhead Brothers
5 pm LW FALW Picnic 2022
6 pm LW Tribute Concert 2022:
Live and Let Die,
Paul McCartney
7:40 pm The Velvetones
8:30 pm McGaugh Go West
9 pm LW Tribute Concert 2022:
Stone Soul Motown
10:10 pm Rod Stewart Tribute Ban
11:40 pm Kennedy Space Center
Democratic Club
by Mary Larson
LW contributor
LW Democrats and supporters are reminded that there will be no club meeting in December. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Mariann Klinger, who is the Seal Beach City Council District 5 candidate in the Jan. 31 runoff election, will be the featured speaker. The Democratic Club has endorsed Klinger in this election.
Only residents living west of St. Andrews Drive can vote in District 5. Nevertheless, the outcome of this runoff election should be of concern to everyone in the LW community. Every individual vote will be important. Whoever wins on Jan. 31 will be the only LW resident on the City Council.
This has been (and continues to be) a historic election in District 5 for Leisure World residents. It was the first time in which there were four candidates competing with one another in the November General Election. It is the first time for a need for a runoff between the two top vote-getters. It is the first time “concerned citizens” from outside Leisure World and even from outside Seal Beach threw their support into the LW District 5 election. It is also the first time that one candidate has reportedly outspent the other three candidates by more than 10 times.
All Leisure World voters registered as Democrats will have the opportunity to elect 14 members to the party’s Calfornia governing body (the State Central Committee). Club President Mary Tromp is a candidate in this election. Both voter registration and actual voting will take place online. Registration closes on Dec. 31. Go to https://www.adem.cadem.org/candidates-results/ad-72 for details or call 562-412-0898.
For in-depth reporting on issues, Democrats and supporters can subscribe to the club’s free electronic newsletter. Call 562-296-8521 or email democraticclubsblw@gmail.com. People are asked to include their full name, address, phone number and party affiliation.
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, 562-570-7387, or go online at www.longbeach.gov/acs/wildlife/coyote-report. Do not engage and give space to wild animals and any sick or aggressive looking animal.
neighbors helping neighbors
Sarah Glass Mutual 4, is a LW resident of 2 months. Jerry Canty Mutual 14 is taking Sarah around Leisure world showing her the many wonderful places to stop and take part in,, eg. pool, health center, etc Jerry has always been an ambassador of good will for over 14 years as LW resident helping others enjoy our world.
Humanist Association
by Dave Silva
LW contributor
The Leisure World Humanist Association will not meet in January, since the first Sunday of the month falls on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
In the November meeting the group watched Philosopher Peter Singer discuss ethics and religion. The audience then discussed that subject.
Perhaps the best way to answer that question is to compare strong religious belief with crime rates. The Pew Research Foundation asked Americans, “Is religion very important in your life?” The religion wasn’t specified.
Alabama and Mississippi were the most religious states at 77%, while New Hampshire and Massachusetts were the lowest at 33%. The crime rates per 100,000 people were Alabama, 2591; Mississippi, 2393; New Hampshire, 1245; and Massachusetts 1162. The four least religious states were the states with the lowest crime rates. The one exception to this is Alaska, which has the highest crime rate of any state and only 45% are religious.
Countries with low rates of religious belief, Japan 14%, Denmark 19% and the Czech Republic 21% were among the countries with the lowest rates of crime, While Venezuela 79%, Afghanistan 97%, Syria 89% had the three highest crime rates.
This data does not say why this is happening. Two major reasons for increased crime are poverty and bad government. Perhaps, simply living by the Golden Rule and the utilitarian principle, “The greatest good for the greatest number of people,” produces a more compassionate society.
French Club
A French Club has started in Leisure World. The club’s goal is to gather all residents who share a common interest in the French language and culture. Those who want to get involved or learn more information can contact An Truong at andtruong22@gmail.com or 714-932-1244.
LW Birthdays
Friends and neighbors put together a 90th birthday party for Maria Giegerich (seated, holding balloons) on Dec. 15.
Linda Roswurm wants to wish her father Don Roswurm a “Happy 98th Birthday” today, Dec. 22. Don has been a resident in Leisure World in Mutual 14 for over 32 years.
Filipino Association of Leisure World donates $1,000 to the Golden Age Foundation
The Filipino Association of Leisure World (FALW) was established in August 2009. Its mission was to build strong relationships within a diverse community. It is a nonprofit charitable organization geared to support the needs of the Leisure World community.
The FALW helps the Golden Age Foundation’s (GAF) programs in assisting the needs of the community. At present, there are 63 paid and active members of the FALW. Only LW residents can be members of the club.
FALW has two fundraising events in a year, its annual luau dinner and dance in September and Valentine’s Ball in February. FALW supports and hosts the annual picnic for all veterans residing in Leisure World. Even during difficult times, FALW continuously made its annual donation to GAF.
The Valentine Ball party is in review and possibly discontinued in the future.
FALW renounces violence as an instrument of organizational policy and adheres to a policy of peace, justice, freedom, cooperation and unity with all organizations and individuals.
The GAF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving the needs of residents. The GAF was established in 1973 by members of the Board of Directors of the Golden Rain Foundation.
GAF’s mission is to make the community a better and happier place to live. Through the generosity of individuals in the community, the GAF can provide various programs and projects to residents. All GAF programs are provided free to Leisure World residents, and the GAF is entirely staffed by resident volunteers. Its major income source is contributions from residents, either individually or through clubs and organizations.
For more information go to www.GoldenAgeFdn.org.
Korean American Association donates to GAF
The Korean American Association (KAA) presented its annual donation to the Golden Age Foundation (GAF) with $1,000. The KAA has been consistent donor since 2015 when it was established as an organization to foster Korean cultural activities.
The GAF appreciates the KAA’s generosity to support special programs to help shareholders who are in need.
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, over 450 residents with Korean ethnic background registered as members.
The KAA meets quarterly, in March, June, September and December. Since COVID-19, the KAA’s in-person meetings have been canceled for a few years. The group has kept in touch with members through its monthly newsletter, phone calls and emails.
After a two year hiatus, the KAA had its annual meeting to celebrate its five year anniversary of supporting Korean Americans in Leisure World.
For more information about KAA, call Won S. Ryu at 714-982-7793.
—Anna Derby
obituaries, page 10
Catherine M. Milliot
1946-2022
Catherine Davidson Milliot, a resident of Leisure World, died on Dec. 3, in Newport Beach with her family by her side.
Catherine was born in New York to Robert and Catherine Davidson during the Christmas season of 1946. She was a registered nurse for over 20 years and served in many hospitals in New York, Maryland and California.
Catherine was married to William (Bill) Milliot with whom she had two sons, Daryll and Scott. She served in many philanthropic clubs and associations and enjoyed gardening and traveling. But her greatest joy was spending time with her family.
Catherine is survived by her two sons, her sister Patricia and granddaughters Haley and Taylor. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert.
•••
In Memoriam
Juan Hurtado 64
Honofre Goluya 87
Wendell Welch 89
Mary Ann Saupe 78
Faith Curry 64
Sheryl Huff 68
Anna Pearson 97
Michael Jablonski 69
Saratu Kashalla 76
Jean Cote 72
Violet Schwabenland 99
Nestor Godoy 84
James WIlliams 74
Jose Roman Moreno 81
Families assisted by
McKenzie Mortuary,
562-961-9301
•••
The obituaries deadline is Friday at 4 p.m., prior to the desired Thursday publication date. Obituaries that are received later than Friday will go in the following week’s issue.
Email obituary notices to laurieb@lwsb.com with photos attached as jpg files.
For more information, call 562-430-0534, ext. 801, or email laurieb@lwsb.com.
religion, pages 22-23, 27
Leisure World Korean Community Church
Leisure World Korean Community Church’s (LWKCC), choir performed alongside the LW community orchestra on Dec. 10, in Clubhouse 4. The performance was led by Pastor Dr. Kim Gyu-sam.
The group performed “Low, How a rose E’er Blooming” by Michael Pretorius, “Gloria “ by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and also sang several Christmas songs.
LWKCC celebrated Pastor Hwang Lowe’s 80th birthday on Dec. 11. Lowe also preached a Sunday sermon, titled “Blessed Word, Blessed Life.”
In South Korea, Lowe majored in education philosophy at Seoul National University’s Department of Education Administration and Graduate School. He then worked as a teacher at Sunrin Commercial High School and at the Ministry of Education’s editorial office.
Lowe immigrated to the United States in 1976, completed a doctorate in missionary theology at Wesleyan Theological Seminary and Howard University College of Theology in the United States. He served as a senior pastor at Washington Life Church, then moved to Leisure World in December 2020 and is currently a LWKCC member; serving in the ministry team and choir.
His family includes his wife, Sandra Lowe, two daughters and four granddaughters.
LWKCC is the nesting church of LW Community Church. A worship service is held every Sunday worship at 11:50 a.m. in the sanctuary. The dawn prayer meeting is held on Tuesday-Saturday in the sanctuary at 6 a.m. in the sanctuary. After the Sunday service and Saturday prayer meeting,the church serves a meal in the fellowship room.
Assembly of God
Service/Gathering Times: Sunday morning at 10:30 in Clubhouse 3, Room 2; Wednesday morning Bible study is currently on break. The Hymn Sing is held on the fourth Sunday of the month, at 6 p.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Lobby.
Sermon for this week: There are just a few more squares on the calendar until Christmas Day. Sometimes a review of just how packed with schedules, deadlines and appointments those little squares are steals any flicker of joy one might find in the season. Residents are encouraged to spend at least a few minutes this week pondering the truth of Christmas and the hope it inspires. Christmas songs tell the story of the thrill, joy, and wonder experienced by eyewitnesses. Pastor Chuck Franco will bring a message titled “The Thrill of that Silent Night,” on Sunday, Dec. 25. The one-hour service will be highlighted by singing Christmas carols.
Bible Study: The Bible study is on break until Wednesday, Jan. 4.
Contact: More information about the church can be found at www.lwassemblyofgod.com.
Those who would like prayer, personal contact from a pastor or 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 the Faithlife app under “Leisure World Assembly of God,” where people can also give online.
First Christian Church
The excitement of the Christmas season is evident at First Christian Church including the beautiful decorations, the beloved Christmas carols, and the anticipation of the birthday celebration of the Lord. Anyone who wants to experience the joy of the season is welcome to join in the celebration.
Message From the Pastor
All around the world there are Christmas celebrations with tree trimmings, gift giving, carols and family gatherings. Often the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the savior, Jesus—seems to get lost in the busyness. Outlined below is a simplified description of who, what, where and why of the wonderful reason and season of Christmas.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” John 1:1-4.
“The Word is Jesus Christ, who set aside His glory for a time, but not His deity and came as a babe born in a stable in Bethlehem and laid in a manger” Luke 2:7.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14.
“Therefore, in all things He, Jesus, had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” Hebrews 2:17.
The reason for those of the Christian faith to celebrate Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. The messiah came in the likeness of men to be the propitiation, the atonement for their sins and indeed the sins of the world. May Christmas be a reminder of the babe Jesus, born to be the savior of all. .
Christmas Services
Saturday’s Christmas Eve service will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. The music is more contemporary with Gregory Black leading songs of worship with guitar accompaniment.
The Christmas day service will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Janet Ray will lead the hymnal songs with Pat Kogok at the piano.
The First Christian Church Choir will perform the beautiful Christmas hymn “That Holy Night.”
Midweek Studies
Melli Herrera leads the new women’s Bible study on Mondays from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Pastor Gary Whitlach leads the Bible study held on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Thursday’s Bible study, led by Elder Jack Frost, is held from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Pastor Bruce Humes leads Friday’s prayer and Bible study from 6-7 p.m.
Scripture of the Week
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” Matthew 20:28.
Contact
First Christian Church is located on Northwood Road behind Carport 125.
To learn more information, call 562-431-8810.
Congregation Sholom
Congregation Sholom will hold services via Zoom with Rabbi Eric Dangott on Friday, Dec. 23, at 6:30 p.m. Rabbi Mike Mymon will lead hybrid services on Saturday, Dec. 24, in Clubhouse 3, Room 9, and via Zoom at 10 a.m. To receive a Zoom invitation, call or text Jeff Sacks at 714-642-0122.
This week’s Torah portion is Mikeitz from the book of Genesis. Miketz (after) follows Joseph as he interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and rises to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He insists that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and later plants a goblet in Benjamin’s bag.
The Congregation Sholom Chanukah party is set for Monday, Dec. 26, at 5:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9. All members are invited to attend, including those interested in becoming a member of Congregation Sholom.
Congregation Sholom will serve latkes, soup and salad at the party. Members can also participate in spinning the dreidel and singing favorite Chanukah songs.
A white elephant gift exchange will also be part of the party. Members are asked to bring something in excellent condition from their home or purchase a gift in the $15 range. Gifts must be wrapped before the party. There is no charge to attend the party but donations are appreciated.
People can RSVP for the party by calling 562-331-3949.
Congregation Sholom has served Leisure World since 1962. It offers a traditional Jewish service in person and online. Those who want to become a member of Congregation Sholom should call Howard Brass at 714-396-0121 for a membership packet.
Faith Christian Assembly
For many people, December is a wonderful time of year. The beautiful colors, the lights, and the music of the Christmas season is loved by many. For others, this season can bring up difficult emotions.
Around one in five adults experience mental illness each year.. The world is in desperate need of hope. But Christians serve the God of life; where hope is found in Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:3 Gives believers a glorious promise:“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope.”
The hope that believers have is a living hope. It has living power. It isn’t cold, or inoperative. It is active and powerful.
Hebrews 6:19-20 says “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing an anchor does for a ship: it makes it secure. What happens to believers when the waves rage and the wind blows? As long as the anchor of faith is secure, the ship is safe.
Join Faith Christian Assembly for its Christmas morning on Dec. 25 at 10:30. The church will sing hymns and carols alongside a Bible-based message. There will be no evening service on Dec. 25.
Faith Christian Assembly’s regular Sunday service times are 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with the pre-service prayer at beginning at 5. The weekly Bible study is in the main sanctuary every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Grief Share meets every Thursday in the Garden Room at 5:30 p.m.
To receive a copy of the church’s free monthly newsletter or to receive more information, contact the office at 562-598-9010 during business hours Tuesday-Friday or email contact@fcachurch.net. The church is located at 13820 Seal Beach Blvd. People can also visit the church website at www.FCAchurch.net.
Community Church
Community Church will hold its Christmas Eve “Lessons and Carols” service on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. This service serves as a beautiful expression of praise for the love of God offered to the world.
The church will also hold a Christmas Day service on Sunday, Dec. 25, at 9:50 a.m. This service will celebrate the Epiphany—the coming of the Magi from the east to visit Christ as a child.
The word Gospel means “good news,” and Community Church’s mission is to spread the good news, both in person and online. When believers is to learn to accept and embrace God’s love for each person as they are, they are released from hidden burdens and can share that love with others.
Entrances to the church may be found both at the front of the church and by the pedestrian gate near the shopping center.
The church no longer requires proof of vaccination in the sanctuary, however it asks people to wear masks during the Christmas season. After the service, the church will hand out cookies for members to take home.
Community Church also offers virtual worship on Zoom and Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
Those who want more information or are in need without another way to address it may call the church office at 562-431-2503.
LW Baptist
LW Baptist will hold a Christmas Day worship service on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 4. Music during the service includes “The Birthday of a King,” “What Child is This?” “How Great Our Joy,” “O Come all Ye Faithful”, “O Holy Night,” and “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” Pastor Rolland Coburn will preach a sermon titled “The First Christmas, the Incarnation: the Shepherds’ Story.” Call 562-430-8598 for more information.
Christian Women’s Fellowship and Bible Study
The Christian Women’s Fellowship and Bible Study group will meet on Monday, Dec. 26, at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 6. The group will finish discussing the last few chapters in the book “Loving God with all your Mind” by Elizabeth George.
For more information, call Jean Davidson at 562-431-0597 or Margie Singleton at 562-594-8100
Redeemer Lutheran
“Abounding Love and Resounding Joy” is the theme for Redeemer Luthan’s Christmas worship service on Sunday, Dec. 25. LWers are invited to reflect, join the celebration and share Scripture and Communion of the Great Thanksgiving Feast at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary at 13564 St. Andrews Drive, across from the Administration building where ample parking is provided.
The organist and choir will lift spirits in song as the congregation joins voices to celebrate the birth of the Messiah and Lord Jesus Christ.
As part of its ongoing service to the community, Redeemer Lutheran asks members and residents to bring a few cans of non-perishable food items to distribute to neighbors in need.
For more information about the service or the work of the church, call 562-598-8697.
Holy Family Catholic Church
Holy Family Catholic Church’s Christmas Mass schedule is as follows:
Saturday, Dec. 24: Youth Choir Concert at 3:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Mass at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon
Adult Choir Concert at 9:30 a.m.
The Feast of the Holy Family and New Year services are as follows:
Saturday, Dec. 31: Mass at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 1: Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon.
Confessions are every Saturday except Dec. 24 at 9 a.m.
Beit HaLev
Beit HaLev will begin live streaming service again starting Jan. 5 and 6, at 5 p.m. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9152434704, the Facebook link is https://www.facebook.com/galityomtovand, or watch on YouTube on the Beit HaLev Live! channel.
Buddha Circle
Buddha Circle will meet on Saturday, Jan. 7, in Clubhouse 3, Room 1, from 9:30-11 a.m. with Ven. Kusala, who presents Buddhism in a simple way.
Donations are welcome and will support Kusala in his teachings.
For more information, go to www.urbandharma.org or call 714-468-6887.
Sports and Games Page 12
Pickleball Players Club
The Pickleball Players Club held its holiday dinner on Dec. 11. Over 70 people were in attendance. They were entertained by the “Pickletones” and enjoyed an Italian dinner hosted by the club.
The club meets on the first Sunday of each month at 5 p.m. in Clubhouse 2. Due to the New Year’s holiday, the next meeting will be Jan. 8. For more information, email lwsbpickleballclub@gmail.com or call club President Linda Evenson at 561-577-3283.
The first free beginners lesson offered in the new year will be Jan. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the pickleball courts. Jim Thomason will provide instruction, while the club will loan paddles and balls to players. The classes are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Those who have a spare paddle and are no longer playing, or those who borrowed one and did not return it, should contact Evenson, as the club needs more loaner paddles.
—Peggy Beste
Women’s Golf
The second and final round of the Turkey Shoot tournament was played on Dec. 13. The scores by flight of this 18-hole ladies golf competition were as follows:
Flight A—Low Gross: Devora Kim, 58; Low Net: Jassca Choi, 49.
Flight B—Low Gross: Theresa Lim, 66; Low Net: Jee Choi, 53.
Flight C—Low Gross: Soo Kim, 71; Low Net: Liz Meripol, 54.
Flight D—Low Gross: Anne Walshe, 73; Low Net: Kum Delias, 52.
The club congratulates all the winners of this event, which was postponed from November to December due to rain.
Thirty-eight women golfers participated in regular weekly tournament play on Dec. 13. They competed for low gross, low net and birdies. Nine ladies shot 12 birdies. The club congradulates Bert Thompson, who scored three birdies during the nine-hole round.
The flight winnners were:
Flight A—Low Gross: Devora Kim, 27; Low Net: Jessica Choi, 23; Birdies: Jessica Choi at Hole 1 and 2; Devora Kim and Veronica Chang at Hole 2, Lisa Kim and Zoe Pickell at Hole 6, and Susie Kim at Hole 7.
Flight B—Low Gross: Theresa Lim, 31; Low Net: Jee Choi, 27; Birdies: none.
Flight C—Low Gross: Bert Thompson, 28; Low Net: Soo Kim, 25; Birdies: Nancy Reid at Hole 2, Bert Thompson at Holes 3, 6 and 7.
Flight D—Low Gross: Keiko Seiko, 32; Low Net: Anne Walshe, 22; Birdie: Kum Delias at Hole 5.
—Dale Quinn
Men’s Golf League
Friday Golf
On Dec. 9, 14 golfers and a guest from the Leisure World Men’s Golf League braved the very cold and damp morning at the 4,000-yard, par 62 David L. Baker Golf Course in Fountain Valley. The course was very wet at the 7 a.m. tee time. The skies were overcast, but there was no wind. Early on, the greens had a bit of frost creating very tricky putting and, with the cool weather, the ball did not travel well. Mid-round the sun broke through but not enough to warm up the cold hands of the golfers.
This course has great greens, but the fairways and tee boxes are still undergoing much needed maintenance. Tee boxes were way up, shortening the course significantly. With this and the weather conditions in mind, the course permitted nine of the 14 golfers to shoot net under par. Dave LaCascia was closest to the pin on the par 3 twelfth hole and Fujio Norihiro was closest on the par 3 third hole, Mark Mallet and Ron Jackson had fewest putts; and there were eight birdies.
Winners:
A Flight (handicaps 0-19)—First place: Stivers, a well-played 7 under 55, plus two birdies; second: tie between Norihiro and Chris Lankford (plus two birdies), a hard earned 5 over 57; third: tie between Mallet (plus a birdie) and Bill McKusky, a nice 1 under 61; fourth: tie between Clay Fischer (plus two birdies), Tim Looney (plus a birdie), Dave La Cascia, and Larry Hillhouse.
B Flight (handicaps 20 and over)—First place: Bob Munn, an excellent 7 under 55; second: Jackson, a terrific 5 under 57; third: Digna Vesely, a sweet 4 under 58; fourth: Keiko Sekino, a well-played 3 under 59; fifth: Gene Vesely. The Monday and Friday Golf Leagues play at four local courses, all within 15-20 minutes of Leisure World. The courses the group plays are always quite full, so advance League reservations are required with a sign-up sheet available at each round.
There is a prize pool for each round that players are not obligated to enter. Rewards are given for low net in each flight, birdies, closest to the pin on two par threes, and for the lowest number of putts in each flight. Holes-in-one and Eagles (2 under par), although infrequent, are generously rewarded. If interested, contact Gary Stivers, 714-313-3697, or Dave LaCascia, 801-674-5975.
—Dave LaCascia
Shuffleboard Club
Surprises abound when the Shuffleboard Club plays on all six courts in the Shuffleboard Building behind Clubhouse 1.
Members share refreshments every league game and enjoy open-play practice every Monday and Wednesday mornings. In addition, a critical part of the club is its monthly social gatherings, including the club’s Christmas/holiday party.
Recently, one Friday morning league group declared a particularly challenging court “out of bounds.” The team captains agreed to close the infamous court for the final three games of the fall season, substituting a different court for the assigned games. Flexibility helps define the club.
In the Tuesday evening league, new players have suddenly blossomed and are challenging more experienced players for game wins. Sometimes winners have a negative score that is higher than the negative score of their competitor.
As Sal LaScala of Mutual 12, one of the club’s best players, says, “This game is half skill and half luck!” A key to the game is to have fun and to laugh at the inconsistencies.
The Tuesday Evening League completed its final night of the fall season on Dec. 13 between the Night Sliders—captained by Sally Fowler of Mutual 8—and the Hot Shots—captained by Jack O’Brien of Mutual 2. The Evening Sliders won the evening’s contest winning seven of the 12 games.
There were three players throughout the evening who won all their games: Chandra Patel of Mutual 15 and Ellie West of Mutual 8 for the Evening Sliders; and Harshad Patel of Mutual 15 for the Hot Shots.
The Courts Building will be closed from Dec. 23-27 with open-play resuming on Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 9-11, returning to the regular schedule on Monday, January 2, with open-play each Monday and Wednesday, from 9-11 a.m.
The winter league season will begin Friday, Jan. 6.
Winter schedules and team rosters are available in the Courts Building. For more information, call or text Kay Mount at 775-527-0426.
—Kay Mount
Bocce Ball Club
The bocce ball winter league starts the week of Jan. 10. League games are played on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Games are played on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. On Thursdays and Sundays, games are played in the afternoon from 11:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
To sign up, call Roger Bennett at 562-296-5644.
—Marsha Stamper
Arts and Leisure Page 18
Leisure World Lights Up
Leisure World lights up for the holidays every year. The following is a list of exceptional decorations to enjoy during December.
• Glenna Hoff, 1371 Pelham Road, 66-G, has a four-foot angel in her bay window. The angel is large and lovely, with sterioptic wings, crown and a bouquet. “She is ready and waiting to be a blessing to those who come to see her God’s helper,” Hoff said.
• Sandy Tessier and Mike Skinner, 1710 Tam O’ Shanter Road, 12-D, have their Christmas lights up and invite everyone to walk or drive by to enjoy the magic of Christmas. Sandy thanked God, and said the Lord knew she needed this, “because when we turned on the lights, looking at the house lifted my well-needed spirit and made me smile.”
• Andrea Maas, 1300 Knollwood Road, 41-B, has a spectacular display of nativities on display every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call her at 562-481-2290 to arrange another day and time if desired.
• Dick Crowe has festive lights around his home in Mutual 12, 60-C.
• Jeanne Haislett, 1541 Interlachen Road, has lights at Mutual 10, Unit 259-G.
• Janet Hendricks, Mutual 6, 63-B, said “the Grinch is at it again, pulling down Christmas lights” at her house.
• David Naegle, 13260 Fairfield Lane, 171-J, Mutual 7, has Christmas lights and decorations.
• Margo Wheeler and Jacque and Tullie Faris, 1400 Mayfield Road, Mutual 6, 57-G and 57-H, have a joint light display. As dog owners, their decorations have an emphasis on decorative dogs.
• Debra Schaufer at Mutual 9, 208-H, has ocean-themed Christmas decorations.
•Alma Zamzow, 1541 Homewood Road, Mutual 5, 112-B, has a nativity scene.
• Devota Elaine Burrows, Mutual 15, 13-F, has hedges covered in lights. The front of the house is decorated with colorful lights.
• Keith Goodner and Chuck Charles, Mutual 17, Building 3, have reindeer, trees and laser lights on the grounds. Their and their neighbors’ balconies are also decorated: Goodner and Charles’ at 87-A, the balcony just above the reindeer; Jacklyn Taylor and Peter Mason at 88-A, to the right of 87-A; and Liz Meripol, 102-B, right above 88-A.
• Jeri Nowell, Mutual 5, 96-A, has lots of lights and two inflatables. Her neighbors at 95-L and 95-J have lots of lights, and their neighbors at 95-H have lights and a great nutcracker.
• Michael Camarena and Vinton Ash, Mutual 2, 4-C, have decorations for the holidays.
• Pam Turner, 13201 El Dorado Drive, Mutual 9, 207-L, has a Christmas village displayed in her front window. The village is made up of a collection of over 30 houses and figurines, which started in 1988 with the Department 56 Dickens Train Station. It now includes primarily houses from the North Pole series. This year’s display includes a G Gage train and animated Santakins.
• Sharon Woodruff, 13331 Twin Hills Drive, Mutual 12, 56-L, has lights and farm animal decorations in her front yard, including a white Jersey cow, a Texas longhorn, a pig, goat, rooster, hen and chicks.
• Lorna Binger thinks her neighbors at 13824 Fresh Meadow Lane, 13-A and 13-L, have exceptional Christmas decorations that are like “Disneyland at night.”
• Greg and Candy Meyers, 13199 El Dorado Dr. 208-F off of Nassau Drive, have decorations up.
• Martine Whitford, 13181 Del Monte Dr. 38-F, Mutual 12, has Christmas palm trees.
• Elizabeth Kennedy, 13320 Del Monte Drive, 9-D, has rainbow Christmas lights lining her bushes and white Christmas lights lining the windows of her home.
Hui O Hula
This week, Hui O Hula Hawaiian dance club wishes everyone in Leisure World a merry Christmas. A very special happy Christmas Eve birthday to dancer Kaye “KK” Huff, who started the Hui O Hula with John and Marge Turner, who are no longer here, and instructor Jojo Weingart 18 years ago. “I never looked back,” she said. KK was raised in Long Beach and had a job in the hospitality sector that enabled her to travel around the world.
In 1988, she and husband, Owen, a minister, moved into LW from Studio City. Since then, KK has tirelessly brought her dancers to entertain whenever and wherever she can. Even though COVID has halted many activities, her aloha spirit is still up. As she leads her dancers into 2023, she is looking forward to good times ahead and hoping to continue to “bring blessings to all people.”
During the holiday season, Hui O Hula continues to offer hula lessons twice a week. On Tuesday, dancers meet in Clubhouse 6 with a lesson on basic hula from 12:30 p.m., then a follow-and-dance-along class from 1 p.m., and finally a regular class from 2 p.m. On Thursdays at 1 p.m., the club holds a regular class either outdoors in Veterans Plaza or, in bad weather, inside Clubhouse 3.
Hula uses gentle movements of the hands and body to the rhythm of the melodic music. Remembering the storyline in the dances help keep the mind sharp. All are welcome to observe the class or join in the dancing immediately.
For more hula information or to book a Hawaiian style program, call Kaye Huff at 562-431-2242 or email jojo@huiohula.com.
—Jojo Weingart
Arts and Leisure Page 19
Community Karaoke
At the Wednesday karaoke party, the audience loved hearing the Christmas carols intermixed with cute tunes like “Kiss Me Quick” sung by Vito Villomar and “I Got You Babe” by Kyung Ju and Bob Barnum. With cheerful energy, Karen Morris had the room rockin’ when she sang “Mustang Sally.” Carmen Edwards and Susan Kelleghan harmonized “Mele Kalikimika.” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was beautifully sung by Rob Illingsworth. With holiday spirit, Alena Eaby and Arleen Cullison sang the silly “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”
An old pop tune “Earth Angel” sung by Tony Tupas revived teenage memories. A Dolly Parton hit “Coat of Many Colors” was sung by Barbie May. The pleasant number “On and On” was nicely done by Elizabeth Butterfield. The evening moved quickly with 30 vocalists to entertain the audience.
On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the club will celebrate the New Year with a potluck. Each Wednesday evening in Clubhouse 1 is karaoke night. Members look forward to entertaining the audience with their choice of songs from the club’s large selection of artists.
Many folks use the weekly practice sessions in Clubhouse 6 on Monday afternoons from 1-3 to rehearse. Everyone is welcome.
—Margie Thompson
Saturday Social Bunco
The Saturday Social Bunco Club meets on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. The next meeting will be held Jan. 14 in Clubhouse 3, Room 1. The meeting will be the club’s post-holiday party. People are encouraged to bring a side dish. The luncheon will begin at noon. Play begins at 1:30.
The club will not meet Dec. 24. The winners from Dec. 10 meeting are: Sandy Weisenstein, and Mary Milhone, most wins; a tie between Yvonne Vostry and Karen Riner for most babies; and a tie between Marilyn Moody and Kathy Rapp for most losses. The door prize winner was Rita Fueyo.
For more information, call club President Doris Dack at 562-356-0443.
—Doris Dack
Silver Fox Classic Car Club
On Dec. 13, the Silver Fox Classic Car Club dual meeting and Christmas party was attended and celebrated by 17 members of the club. Ted Green (Santa hat) and his wife, Patti, (lower right) presided over the merriment. The car club meets on the second Tuesday of each the month in Clubhouse 3, Room 5, at 6 p.m. People don’t have to own a vintage, classic or collectible vehicle to join the club, just a passion for cars.
Arts and Leisure Page 20
Orchestra concert nets largest audience yet
The Leisure World Orchestra had its largest audience turnout yet during a concert on Dec. 10. With almost 50 musicians, the orchestra had a very full sound. Paula St. John, first violin and a private music teacher, commented that the quality of the orchestra has steadily grown under the direction of Dr. Samuel Kim.
The Korean Church Choir performed with great beauty along side of the orchestra. The club is looking for instruments to join the orchestra, including players of tuba, string bass, French horn, drums and violas and violins (the orchestra has a violin that can be borrowed). For information, contact Fred Rekker at 615-898-0669.
Drone Club
Bruce Reynolds (l) and Larry Blitstein prepare to launch their drones at 1st Street in Seal Beach. People are welcome to join the Leisure World Drone Club in the new year at Clubhouse 3, Room 7, at 11:30 a.m. every fourth Thursday of the month. Members are happy to answer questions and welcome newcomers. For information about the club, email Joseph Valentenetti at 0501042@gmail.com.
Photo Arts Club
In lieu of the regular Dec. 8 Photo Arts Club meeting, the club held a holiday party. It was a great opportunity for people to get to know their fellow photographers, socialize and share knowledge and ideas about photography.
The next meeting of the Photo Arts Club is on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 1:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9.
The assignment is to photograph an image with lots of texture. It could be something small or large, but a major part of the photograph must be “razor sharp”. If the background is slightly (or definitely) out of focus, that is okay, because it will emphasize the object or subject. Backlighting or side lighting of the subject will increase texture, which is the desired objective. Send images to Ben Benjamins at benbenjamins@hotmail.com and the class will see everybody’s interpretation of this assignment at the January meeting. Multiple photos by the same artist are encouraged.Everyone is welcome. For information about the club, call Regine Schumacher at 562-430-7978.
—Regine Schumacher
Duplicate Bridge
Some 70 bridge players and their guests attended the annual Leisure World Duplicate Bridge Club holiday party on Dec. 9.
Appetizers with wine, beer, and soft drinks were followed by a buffet dinner of roast “beast” with all the trimmings. Lynne Herman, a Leisure World resident, provided lively entertainment for the evening with her accordion.
The highlight of the evening was when club member Larry Slutsky sang a great rendition of “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”
Preceding the party was a 16-table bridge game. Overall winners were Sylvia and Ralph Brunson with a 60.7% game; second were Sharon Beran and Gene Yaffee with a 59.93% game; third were Judy Jones and Mark Singer with a 59.86% game; fourth were Thad Mikols and Marilyn McClintock with a 58.97% game; fifth were Bill Brooks and April Berg with a 58.82% game; sixth were Larry Topper and Lynn Danielson with a 55.80% game.
North/South winners in the six-table game on Dec. 8 were Jeanette Estill and Diane Schmitz with a 62.39% game. East/West winners were Fern Dunbar and LaVonne McQuilkin with a 55.66% game.
Sharon Beran and Gene Yaffee were the North/South winners in the 8.5-table game on Dec. 12 with a 55.66% game; second were Sibyl Smith and Diane Schmitz with a 53.87% game. Linda Nye and Alan Olschwang were the East/West winners with a 59.79% game; second were Shmuel Fisher and Thad Mikols with a 55.56% game.
Games are played on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons in Clubhouse 1 beginning at 12:30. Players are asked to arrive no later than 12:15 p.m. to confirm their reservations. Reservations can be made at any game using the sign-up sheets and/or by contacting Linda Nye at 562-453-6678, or by email at yuelingnye@yahoo.com no later than 10 a.m. on game day.
—Gene Yaffee
Arts and Leisure Page 21
Saturday Morning Dance Class
Two dance classes are held every Saturday in Clubhouse 6, Section C at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. In January, Candice Davis will teach East Coast swing on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and foxtrot at 10 a.m. to the Saturday Morning Dance Classs group.
New topics are voted on each month. Classes are $7 per person. Partners are not needed.
For more information, contact President William Young at 408-858-3560.
—William Young
Pinochle Club
The winners on Dec. 5 were: Suzanne Tester, first, 13,470; Marilyn Allred, second, 12,946; Donna Gorman, third, 11,890; and Tony Dodero, fourth, 11,140.
The winners on Dec. 10 were: Joan Boryta, first, 10,370; Maureen Hable, second, 10,300; Nita Dixon, third, 9,990; and Marge Dodero, fourth, 9,940.
The winners on Dec. 12 were: Suzanne Tester, first, 11,600; roth Bonnema, second, 11,010; Joan Boryta, third, 10,420; and Gene Smith, fourth, 10,180.
The Pinochle Club meets on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 11-11:30 a.m. in Clubhouse 1.
—Marge Dodero
GRF gives tours of LW on Tuesdays
The GRF Transportation Department conducts monthly bus tours of Leisure World on Tuesdays for new and recently moved-in residents.
Included in the tours are GRF clubhouses, Turtle Lake Golf Course, Mission Park and its activity courts and gaming rooms, the 1.8-Acre disposal and recycling area, as well as the Leisure World Library and the Main Gate bus station.
The 1.5-hour tours begin at the bus hub on the east side of the Amphitheater north of the Administration Building.
Stock Transfer can book tours when new buyers check in, or people can schedule one at https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/NewMemberBusTours@lwsb.com/bookings/.
For more information, call or email Melissa Gomez at melissag@lwsb.com or 562-431-6586, ext. 326; or Kathy Thayer at kathyt@lwsb.com or 562-431-6586, ext. 398.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in LW
Velvetones: Clubhouse 4
The Velvetones Ballroom Dance Orchestra is Leisure World’s own professional big band, playing Big Band Swing and jazz standards—music for dreaming and dancing. Back by popular demand, the band will play on New Year’s Eve in Clubhouse 4. Doors open at 8:30 and the band will play from 9 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 31.
Abilene: Clubhouse 2
Abilene will hold its annual New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, Dec. 31, in Clubhouse 2 at 9 p.m. Abilene is Seal Beach Leisure World’s No. 1 country rock band going strong for 20 years. Terry Otte leads Abilene and shares singing duties with Tina Schaffer. Guitarist Rod Anderson, bassist Doug Decker and drummer Jim Greer round out the group. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and the music goes until midnight.
Health and Safety Guide-lines
Masks are no longer required at shows but are strongly recommended. People are not allowed to save tables, but they may bring their own snacks.
Attendees must be out of the clubhouse no later than 10 p.m. to permit adequate time for the custodian to tear down and arrange the setup for the following day (except New Year’s Eve).
People cannot make announcements from the stage nor adjust audio-visual equipment.
People should sign in, either as a resident or guest, in the proper spot. This is the only way GRF can judge the popularity of residents’ favorite bands.
California Retired Teachers Association
California Retired Teachers Asssociation Division 56 members Sue Grimsley (l-r), Mary Ann Worthington-Mills, Beverly Lloyd, Ann Stone and William and Linda Quemada attended the Southern California holiday winter luncheon at Mi Hacienda in Santa Ana. The club encourages teachers and friends to attend its luncheons, which are complimentary to teachers, and to receive up-to-date information on repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). For more information, call William Quemada at 562-430-0445.
Tournament Poker Club
Four tables of eight players enjoyed a great time at the tournament. The holders of the two highest hands of the day each won $10. The winners were John Burns with a straight flush (34567) and Joyce Smith with a higher straight flush (45678). By playing and winning the promotional hand of 7-4, Dick Jones won $5.
The final table players were Dick Jones, Joyce Smith, Lee Pfiefer and Jeff Rolnick. These four table winners played a hard-fought game at the final table. Dick went out first in fourth place, Joyce went out next in third place, which left Lee and Jeff to play for first. In the winning hand, Jeff’s hole cards were 67 and Lee’s were 7J. Lee went all in when the flop came, 769, and Jeff called. The turn was an A, and the river card was a J. Jeff had two pair 6’s and 7’s, but the river gave Lee a larger two pair 7’s and J’s which gave her the win. Jeff, who was ahead until the river card, came in second with two pair 6’s and 7’s.
Jack “Lee” Pfiefer has lived in Leisure World for 10 years. She has been a member of the club for nine of those years. Lee has won the final table six times, including this latest victory. In addition to poker, she plays cribbage and bocce ball. She is also a runner who ran 93.2 miles in 24 hours on European Ultra marathon circuit.
To play a fun and friendly game of Texas Hold ‘Em, join the club on the first three Saturdays of each month at 11:30 a.m. in the lobby of Clubhouse 6.
—Deborah Barner
Coin Club
The Coin Club will hold its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 11 in Clubhouse 3, Room 2, at 1:30 p.m. Members can participate in the club’s door prizes, refreshments, coin auction, coin raffle and group discussions regarding currency and coins. Refreshments will be provided. Leisure World residents can have their coins evaluated at no cost.
Cribbage Club
The Cribbage Club thanks Hannah Rubenstein for celebrating her birthday with members by providing a chocolate cake last Tuesday. Carrie Kistner assisted Rubenstein in serving refreshments to all 53 members who attended.
Prizes went to the following members: first place Suzanne Frank with a score of 837; second place went to Darlene Meyers with 834; Grace Holdaway placed third with 832; and Sam Ray took fourth place with 829. Bobbie Straley won six of seven games played.
Seven games of cribbage are played each Tuesday in Clubhouse 1 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Those who want to learn how to play cribbage, to brush up on the game or to learn more about the club should call and leave a message with Terry Thrift at 714-394-5885.
Yahtzee Club
On Dec. 16 the winner for most Yahtzees was Pat Wilson. The winner for the highest score was Margaret DesRochers. The winner for the lowest score was Mary Milhone. The door prize winner was Gail Levitt. The next meeting is on Dec. 30. There will be a halftime holiday social. The club meets the first, third and fifth Fridays of each month. For more information, contact Diane Seeger at 562-533-5997.
—Diane Seeger
Monday Bunco
The Monday Night Bunco Club results for Dec. 12 were: Gail Levitt, most buncos; Kathy Wilcox, most wins; Larry Shulman, most babies; and Cindy Zurn, most losses. Nancy Floyd was the door prize winnner. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 26.
The Monday Night Bunco Club meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in Clubhouse 3, Room 1. Play begins at 6 p.m. sharp. All Leisure World residents and their guests are invited to come. It is an easy dice game and a lot of fun. The club has a halftime social for all attending. For more information, contact Gail Levitt at 562-596-1346.
Health & Fitness
Wa-Rite
The total loss for the week was 6.5 pounds. The biggest loser was Judy Chambers with a loss of 4 pounds.
The club’s reminder for the holiday season is to believe in yourself and give yourself permission to enjoy the holidays.
Next weigh in is on Dec. 30 in Clubhouse 3, Room 1, from 8-8:45 a.m. The meeting begins at 9.
—Carol Chambers
———————————
Dancing Feet Club
The Dancing Feet Club line dance classes are held on Mondays from 7-9 p.m. in Clubhouse 2, with a social dance every fourth Sunday of the month from 6-10 p.m. Both are free to attend. Dress appropriately and bring your own snacks. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed.
The Dec. 25 ballroom event is canceled. Monthly social events will resume on Jan. 22. For more information, text Ed Bolos at 551-998-4223.
———————————-
Meals on Wheels, Long Beach
Meals on Wheels of Long Beach Inc. delivers freshly cooked meals for $9.75 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 or cancel a meal for the following day, before 9 a.m. the prior business day.
Thursday, Dec. 22
Baked ham with honey glaze sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, seasoned green beans, apple pie, roast beef and cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato and pickle, homemade macaroni salad.
Friday, Dec. 23
Closed for Christmas.
Monday, Dec. 26
Closed for Christmas.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Beef goulash, whole grain dinner roll, zucchini medley, chocolate pudding, egg salad sandwich with spinach and tomato, homemade potato salad.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Lemon pepper chicken, brown and wild rice, green bean almandine, mandarin oranges, ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato and pickle, tricolor pasta salad.
———————————–
The Impaired Vision and Hearing Club
The Impaired Vision and Hearing Club held its annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 13, with over 100 members in attendance. Hospitality chairwoman Phyllis Pierce planned a wonderful catered luncheon of turkey and all the fixings. Apple pie was served for dessert. The Lions Club of Seal Beach volunteers every year to come and serve the luncheon and the club is grateful for their help.
After lunch, the 2023 board of directors was installed, including: Dianne Hart, board member; Sandy Esslinger, publicity; Marilyn Bongiorno, board member; Linda Johnson, treasurer; Danese Anderson, secretary; Don Craig, board member; Sharon Kohn, Vice President; Juanita Townsend, president. Not pictured is Phyllis Pierce, hospitality chairwoman.
The club meets monthly. All LW residents are welcome to attend. The dues are $3 a year. Members will learn about hearing and vision news and listen to knowledgeable speakers.
For more information, call Sharon Kohn at 562-596-1969.
—Sandy Esslinger
————————————
The Dance Fitness Club is enjoying the holiday season. Everyone is welcome to join the classes on Monday at Veterans Plaza at 4 p.m. and Tuesday in Clubhouse 6 at 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact Jim Blanchard at 714-487-2446.
————————————
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.
———————————–
SBTV Fitness
The following weekly excercise classes air 24/7 on SBTV-3 via TWC Spectrum CH3, Frontier Fios CH37 and online streaming at sbtv3.org/schedule. Have ROKU channel? Go to http://roku.streamsource.tv/add/sbtv.
Playback schedule available each week in LWWeekly and SBTV3.org.
Sunday
5:30 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
6:30 a.m.: Silver Age Yoga (4.5 hrs)
Monday
6:30 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
8:30 a.m.: Silver Age Yoga (4.5 hrs)
Noon: Silver Age Yoga (2.5 hrs)
Tuesday
7:30 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
11 a.m.: Yoga for All Ages (30 mins)
Wednesday
5:30 a.m.: Yoga for All Ages (30 mins)
6 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
7:30 a.m.: Silver Age Yoga (3.5 hrs)
Thursday
6:30 a.m.: Silver Age Yoga (4.5 hrs)
8:30 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
Noon: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
Friday
6:30 a.m.: Silver Age Yoga (4.5 hrs)
8:30 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
Saturday
6:30 a.m.: Silver Age Yoga (4.5 hrs)
8:30 a.m.: Feeling Fit (1 hr)
——————————————
Easy to Keep New Year’s Resolutions
Resolutions focused on improving personal health are popular for a good reason—they can have positive implications for years to come. Keeping them simple could lead to a higher success rate.
• Walk daily and add more steps once your body starts to adapt.
• Spend less time on social media. Instead, use it to engage in a physical activity you enjoy.
• Eat more whole foods including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains and fish.
• Avoid sweetened beverages and opt for more water or unsweetened teas.
• Find a physical activity you like and aim to do it a few times a week.
Avoid restrictive health and wellness resolutions that can be unsustainable. By downsizing expectations and taking small steps to reach your goals you may be more motivated to stay the course.
—MetroCreativeConnection
—————————————-
Joyful Line Dance celebrates another year of dancing
On Dec. 1, over 40 members of the Joyful Line Dance Club enjoyed a year-end holiday party held in Clubhouse 2 and led by Chung Cha Lewis and George Pinada with dancing and an authentic Korean buffet lunch and dessert. From the inception of the Joyful Line Dance Club in February 2014, Lewis and Pinada shared the responsibilities with Anna Derby and Lucia Nakamura to keep the club going and assist the members. The club appreciates their continuous involvement and leadership and sends special thanks to Gina Baik for the catering information and assistance.
The last class of the year is today, Dec. 22, followed by a holiday break. Classes resume Thursday, Jan. 5, in Clubhouse 6 upstairs, section C, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The club thanks its members and also Albert and Gladys Comia, Carmel Atkinson, David Powell, Chung Cha Lewis, George Pinada, Sunny Kim, and Anna Derby for leading the classes and creating a comfortable and fun atmosphere for everyone attending.
For safety, classes are limited 35 people, on a first-come, first-served basis. Face masks and exercise shoes are strongly recommended. No membership or fees are required. Donations are welcome. For more information, text 562-301-5339.
—Anna Derby
—————————————–
News Deadlines for the LW Weekly
The editorial deadline is 4 p.m. on Thursday for the following Thursday’s edition, except holidays. 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.
BATHTUB & SHOWER REFINISHING
Nu Kote 562-833-3911. SB Business License 699080. Exp 1/11/2023
FLOOR COVERINGS
562-596-0559, LW DECOR INC.
Vinyl Plank/Carpeting. Patio Carpet Tile. 40+/Years in LW. License 723262. Exp 2/08/2023
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 every Mutual. Honest and Reliable. State Contractor’s License 779462. Call 562-863-7739,
562-743-3832 or 714-527-1172. Exp 3/15/2023
HANDYMAN SERVICES
JR HOME REPAIRS. Quality work. Perfectionist, honest & reliable. Call JR 562-519-2764. SB Business License JRH0001. Exp 7/12/2023
———————————————————————–
562-596-0559
LW DECOR INC.
Kitchen/Bathroom-Remodeling. Install Microwave/Dishwasher/Recessed-Lights/Closets Redesigned/Cabinets-Refaced/New-Windows/Patio-Storage and Enclosures. Exp 2/08/2023
40+/Years in LW
License 723262
PAINTING
Painting/FREE Estimates. 1-room or entire-house and refinish kitchen cabinets. (714)-826-8636. Call Jerry. CA State License 675336. Exp 3/01/2023
———————————————————————–
Cory Gee Painting. Affordable – Professional, Licensed-and-Insured. Interior/Exterior Drywall Repairs/Texturing/Pressure-Washing/Cabinets. Senior discounts 714-308-9931. License 1049257. Exp 2/08/2023
———————————————————————–
562-596-0559, LW DECOR INC.
Premium-Paints. Interiors/Cabinets/Ceilings/Exterior-Windows/Frames. Our Own Painting-Crew. 40+/Years in LW. Business License 723262. Exp 2/08/2023
———————————————————————–
Bel-Rich Painting. Small-Jobs, Bathrooms, Walls, Gates & More! Call Bret 714-220-9702. Business License 705131.
Exp 2/22/2023
———————————————————————–
Painting service for exterior or interior repairs, texture/drywall/cabinets/skylights/gates/frames. Joshua 714-267-6756. State Contractor License 1081798. Exp 11/22/2023
———————————————————————–
LADY PAINTER
Cindy Beatteay 714-356-1539. Interior paint, speciality-finishes, cabinets, murals and MORE! License 1033927. Exp 1/04/23
SKYLIGHT SERVICES
SKYLIGHTS
CLEAN AND REPAIR. Licensed and insured. Dan (562) 841-3787. Seal Beach License BRA0002. Exp 1/25/2023
——————————————-
SKYLIGHT Cleaning & Repairs, Contact Eugene (714) 774-4385. Contractor License 634613-B. Exp 1/04/2023
UPHOLSTERY/Carpet cleaning and tile & grout
All Year Carpet Cleaning since 1988. Tile & Grout. Tito/562-658-9841. State Contractors License 578194. Exp 3/01/2023.
WINDOW COVERINGS
562-596-0559, Leisure World Decorators. Shutters/Blinds/Shades/Drapes/New Windows. Exp 2/08/2023
Window Washing
BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS. 40+ YEARS EXPERIENCE. PHIL (562)-881-2093. Seal Beach Business License AB0001.
Exp 3/01/2023
Leisure World Helping Leisure World
Does your walker need new tennis balls? Delivery and installation provided. Please provide your name and phone number. Free of charge. Diane Hart 714-955-2885
——————————————-
“ROLLIN THUNDER” GOLF CART CLUB
Offering FREE advice on buying/selling of your golf cart. Also batteries and Safety Flags. 562-431-6859
EMPLOYMENT
Seeking Beautiful Cursive Handwriters for short personal notes and envelopes. Work from home. Please send a handwriting sample to lb2077@gmail.com Negotiable compensation/rate.
PET SERVICES
Specializing in Cats. Nail cutting and bathing. Karen Cell 562-544-9555. Seal Beach Business License JEN0006. Exp 12/28
HOME CARE PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Experienced Caregiver available to assist with/Daily-Care/Doctor-Appointments/Errands/Available_24/7. 949-899-7770. SB Business License HEL0006 Exp 1/18/23
——————————————–
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. Exp 1/04/2023
——————————————–
MOST AFFORDABLE RATES with/optimum service, 30-years LW experience. Licensed Reliable, Honest Caregivers. 24-hours/Part-Time/Doctor-Appointments. References, Fluent English. Ann /714-624-1911 and 562-277-3650 /Heide. SB Business License HYC0001. Exp 2/15/2023
——————————————–
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. Exp 2/01/2023
———————————————
Elderly care. Live-in, Live-out. 30+ years experience. Cooking, cleaning, medications, companions, doctors. Experience with dementia. Gloria 949-371-7425. Seal Beach Business License RAZ0002. Exp 2/22/2023
——————————————-
Maria’s experienced caregivers. Run errands, Doctor appointments, cleaning, part-time, full-time, live-in. (562)-230-4648. SB Business License License CAM0006. Exp 5/03/2023
——————————————-
Albert & Patricia Caregiver Services. Daily Care, Errands/Medication/Doctor-Appointments/Honey-Do-List. (562)-397-4659,(323)-413-0830 Seal Beach License14206409. Exp 1/11/2023
BEAUTY SERVICES
Tammy Nguyen Phenix Salon. Service in private suite. One-customer, one-hairstylist. Sanitized & professional. Haircut for men-and-women. Shampoo/Set/Color/Highlights/Perms, Nails/Toenails. In-house service available. 13944 Seal Beach Boulevard, #116. Tammy Nguyen/(714)-425-4198. Exp 1/18/2023
———————————————————————
In home haircare, serving the men-and-women of Leisure-World for 36Years+. Mel Cell/562-480-9341. SB Business License #KC75538. Exp 1/25/2023
HOUSE CLEANING
Experienced Housekeeper providing Weekly-and-Monthly cleaning. Call/949-899-7770. SB Business License HEL0006 Exp 1/18/2023
———————————————————————
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. Exp 1/18/2023
———————————————————————
General housekeeping, 30+ years experience. Bi-weekly or monthly. Gloria 949-371-7425. Seal Beach License RAZ002. Exp 2/22/2023
———————————————————————-
Maria House-Cleaning. We’ll make your house look NICE-as-Possible! 15+/years experience. We can work with/your schedule. Bi-weekly/Monthly. Deep-Cleaning. Call/Text/714-496-2885. Business License HER0008. Exp 2/22/2023
———————————————————————-
Albert & Patricia House-Cleaning. Weekly/Bi-Weekly/Monthly. (562)-397-4659, (323)-413-0830. Seal Beach License14206409. Exp 1/11/2023
COMPUTERS
FRUSTRATED (562)755-6199
Everything for your computer (PC-or-Mac), Cellphone, TV, Stereo, any Electronic-Device. Tina Schaffer. Seal Beach Business License CIP0001 Exp 5/03/2023
——————————————
John’s Computer Services 562-733-9193
Virus-Removal/Internet Security Repair, Training, Wireless and Smart-TV Setup. LW Resident. SB License FUH0001.
Exp 2/22/2023
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 562-684-0901, we can come out and give you a quote. CA Business License 046854. Exp 1/18/2023
ELECTRIC CARTS/SCOOTERS/MOBILE CHAIRS FOR SALE
Golf Cars SELL, BUY, TRADE and REPAIRS. Call 714-292-9124. Exp 1/04/2023
Transportation
Need a lift? Pam Miller. LW Residents ONLY. 310-227-1258 Exp 1/18/2023
——————————————
Inexpensive Shuttle. Airports, Shopping, Doctors, etc. SB Business License ABL0001. 562-881-2093. Exp 3/01/2023
autos/boats/RV’s trailers FOR SALE
ELECTRIC CAR PADS
Installed at your residence. Call Frank 562-743-3832. Contractor’s License 779462. Exp 3/15/2023
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. Exp 1/25/2023
———————————————————————
A FRIEND AND A TRUCK
Your moving service, any size job. Call/310-387-2618. Business License RO263644. Exp 2/01/2023
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
2-solid wood wall-sconces, brown, 12×4, with large battery-operated candles, $25.00-for-both/Like-New. 2 free standing heat-radiators, $35.00-each/Like-New. Batman cookie-jar, $19.00/Like-New. 8-track portable-player, works-great plus 24-assorted Elvis-tapes/$30. Torch-lamp, tripod-wood with beige drum-shade/Perfect-Condition. Rattan 6-foot-high room-divider, 4-panels/Excellent-Condition. Royal Safari Manual-Typewriter in case, needs new ribbon, $20/Perfect-Condition. Call/714-469-7519.
———————————————————————
Miami Sun 3-speed tricycle with/broad seat and Nexus $100.00 includes two free helmets. Electric drum-set $10.00. Portable MIRI electronic and built-in speaker charging. 562-431-2355
———————————————————————
Pronto Full-Sized Motorized Wheelchair. Batteries Good. Charge Fully. Runs-Well/$350. Apartment-257F/Mutual-10. Call 562 343 4673.
———————————————————————
Household Items Sale. Thursday/December-22nd and Friday/December-23rd, 9:00am-3:00pm. Many christmas-lights, small-statues, CD/DVDs/(music-and-movies), pin-boards/wall-clocks/kitchen-appliances/dollies/pet-carrier/portable-radios and many hand-tools. MANY $1.00 items. Across from CH-2, 562-386-6070.
———————————————————————
Happy Holidays!
from Estate Sales by Docia Drake
LEISURE WORLD CARPORT NEEDed
Wanted Carport Space to rent in Mutual-15. Call Irene 209-609-0923.
CERTIFIED personal tRAINER
I specialize in improving strength, balance, posture, flexibility, and mobility • shoulders • back • hips • legs • core muscles. Call Howard • 516-659-3314. SB Business License 14206682 Exp 1/04/2023
Free item
Country style hutch with wine rack and wine glass holder. Mutual-4, (909) 647-5607.