SEE PAGE 4 FOR mayor rob johnson state-of-the-city
SEE PAGE 2 for hollywood costume exhibit MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 - FEBRUARY 15, 2015
cypressnewspress.com
Boys and Girls Club Celebrate MLK Day of Service In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress hosted its Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19th. As part of the day of service, the Club hosted volunteers from various high school and middle schools in the surrounding areas. In all, forty-one different volunteers from five different schools, including a contingent of thirty-two from Oxford Academy, volunteered over 130 hours. The event was hosted in conjunction with Anaheim Union School District’s Serve-A-Thon campaign. Volunteer projects included sanding and painting Club furniture, deep cleaning the Club’s computer lab, and updating and beautifying the Club’s bulletin boards. All volunteers were enthusiastic and ready to work. The Boys & Girls Club of Cypress
Boys & Girls Club of Cypress members take a moment to pose and thank all of the volunteers that have helped the Club – Courtesy photo
is grateful to all who volunteered their time to make the Day of Service a success. For more information about ways to get involved with the Boys & Girls Club
of Cypress, stop by the Club at 10161 Moody St. in Cypress, call 714-527-2697, or visit the website at www. boysandgirlsclubofcypress. com.
Defendant was Charged in Case Prior to Passage of Proposition 35
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Dine Out to Benefit Local Boys & Girls Club of Cypress
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Man Sentenced for Pimping and Trafficking
pimp accepted a court offer and was sentenced Feb. 3 to four years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration for pimping a 16-year-old girl and trafficking a 22-year-old woman. Omaka Cash Johnson, 25, Oakland, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of human trafficking, pimping, pander-
VOLUME 2, NO. 6
ing, pimping a minor, pandering with a minor over 16 for the purpose of prostitution, and one misdemeanor count of dissuading a witness from testifying. Circumstances of the Case: In January 2012, Johnson met 16-year-old Jane Doe #1 at a concert in Sacramento and had a sexual relationship with the victim. Approximately two days later, Johnson picked up
Jane Doe #1 at her home and exploited her as a prostitute on the streets in Sacramento for two weeks. The defendant also collected the victim's payments she earned from engaging in commercial sex. The defendant had Jane Doe #1 work as a prostitute in Oakland, Chatsworth, and Lake Forest. The defendant Please see page 2
he Boys & Girls Club of Cypress invites everyone to join them at Chick-fil-A Seal Beach for food, fun, and fundraising on Thursday, Feb. 12. A portion of all meal profits from dinein and carry-out orders will be donated to the Club between the hours of 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. when a fundraising flyer is presented. Fundraising flyers can be requested by email from Erika Gary, membership coordinator, at membership@ bgccypres.org. Chick-fil-A is located at 1201 Seal Beach Blvd, Seal Beach, CA. 90740; the fundraiser is not valid at the drive-thru. The Boys and Girls Club of Cypress offers homework help, social recreation, sports and fitness programs, and specialized clubs to youth members. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase supplies for after school programming. We are very grateful to Chick-fil-A for hosting this event and appreciate their community support. For more information about upcoming events or how to get involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress, please visit our website at www.boysandgirlsclubofcypress.com, like us on Facebook, or call the Club at (714) 527-2697.
2 | FEBRUARY 9, 2015 - FEBRUARY 15, 2015
The Hollywood Costume Exhibit By Ea Nicole Madrigal
Man Sentenced for Pimping and Trafficking Continued from page 1
Shakespeare in Love, 1998. Costume courtesy of Miramax
Last Saturday, I took advantage of L.A. Free Museum Day by traveling to the Hollywood Costume Exhibit on the corner of Fairfax and Wilshire in the old May Company Building. To my pleasant surprise, it was absolutely fantastic. Filled with the inspiring, the elaborate, the sexy, and the statement costumes from the past and recent present, the exhibit reminded viewers about the role of costumes throughout history, and of course, their vital placement in film.
The exhibit displays costumes from Hollywood’s most magnetizing films including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pretty Woman, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Gangs of New York, and Mary Poppins, just to name a few. Not only do viewers (both young and mature) learn about the painstakingly intricate process that goes into making the costumes but they also learn about the intellectual methods taken to come up with exactly the right costume to match the story and theme
- Photo courtesy of Oscars.org
of each film. The exhibit even includes the famous “ruby slippers” worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz. Yet it is not simply what is on display that makes this exhibit truly excellent; it is how the exhibit is displayed. The creators and curators of this exhibit aimed for a truly 21st century model for exhibition. They utilized and implemented digital technology throughout the entirety of the exhibit including projections, interactive videos, and film clips. On top of this, visitors walk around in the dark in order to enhance their experience of the digital technology. All in all, the Hollywood Costume exhibit is an extraordinary success and utterly entertaining! I am so glad that I took advantage of the L.A. Free Museum Day since it is a once-ayear event. Yet, I will also add, I would have happily paid to see this exhibit. Nonetheless, you should know that there are other free days at many of the most popular museums across Los Angeles, but you must visit the museum website or call for further information.
forced 22-year-old Jane Doe #2 work as a prostitute throughout various cities in Northern California and the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) learned of Jane Doe #1's disappearance and possible involvement in human trafficking through the Innocence Lost Project. The FBI and Anaheim Police Department (APD) organized a covert operation at a hotel in Lake Forest after contacting Jane Doe #1 through an online advertisement on a website known for prostitution. The Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) filed charges against Johnson on July 26, 2013. APD, FBI, and the Hayward Police Department arrested Johnson in Hayward on July 28, 2013. Johnson was charged with this case before Proposition 35 (Prop 35) was enacted in the state of California. Had Johnson been tried under the strictures of Prop 35, he would have faced a maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison due to the expanded definition of trafficking a minor as detailed in Prop 35. Members of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) and the OCDA work proactively to protect women and minors from falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation. This case was investigated by OCHTTF, a partnership between the APD, California Highway Patrol, FBI, Huntington Beach Police Department, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff's Department, and community and non-profit partners. Deputy District Attorney Bradley Schoenleben of the HEAT Unit prosecuted this case.
FEBRUARY 9, 2015 - FEBRUARY 15, 2015 | 3
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Battleship Iowa to Honor Black History Month Series of Special Events and Tributes
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February is Black History month. Battleship IOWA will honor and celebrate the impact African Americans have had in the United States Navy and to this country with a series of free events and tributes, culminating with the presentation of the second annual Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Service and Leadership Award. On Sunday Feb. 1, a new display entitled “Celebrating the American Spirit – Battleship Iowa Salutes Black History Month” will be unveiled. Artifacts, news clippings, and photography will offer visitors insight into five pioneering black servicemen. Focusing on the contributions of Robert Penn (1872-1912), Alex Haley (19211992), John Henry “Dick” Turpin (1876-1962), Doris “Dorie” Miller (1919-1943) and Samuel L. Gravely (1922-2004), the display will be part of the ship’s tour through Feb. 28. On Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5:00 p.m., the first in the monthly series “Movie Under the Guns” will open with a FREE viewing of “Tuskegee Airmen,” starring Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding, Jr. This is the story of the first group of AfricanAmerican military aviators in the United States Armed Forces, who fought the spread of fascism in Europe while facing racism at home. Special guest Lt. Col. Robert Friend will be on hand to introduce the film and do a brief question and answer session. Lt. Col. Friend is one of the surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and flew 142 combat missions over Europe in WWII. On Wednesday Feb. 18, the Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Service and Leadership Award, which is conferred annually, will be presented. This prestigious award recognizes African Americans leaders in Southern California area who exemplify the trailblazing, cou-
rageous service of the late U.S. Navy Vice Admiral. Gravely was the first African American to command a warship, command a major warship, to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral and command a numbered fleet. His naval career lasted 38 years, including serving as a radio communications officer aboard USS Iowa in 1952. In 2010, the Navy honored Admiral Gravely’s service by commissioning the guided missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107). Battleship IOWA is The West Coast’s only Battleship open to the public. Operated by the nonprofit Pacific Battle-
ship Center (PBC), the IOWA opened on July 7, 2012 as an interactive naval museum at the L.A. Waterfront. It is dedicated to “Celebrating the American Spirit” through the preservation and interpretation of the Battleship IOWA. By sharing the accomplishments and sacrifices of American patriots and engaging visitors in unique and exciting ways PBC brings the ship to life by connecting the past with the future. Battleship IOWA is open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information on these events and more, please visit www.pacificbattleship.com
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4 | FEBRUARY 9, 2015 - FEBRUARY 15, 2015
Mayor Rob Johnson Delivers 2015 State-of-the-City Address Cypress Mayor Rob Johnson delivered his State of the City Address and presented bBusiness of the Year awards at the Cypress Community Center on Jan. 21. Mayor Johnson’s speech recounted many of Cypress’ strengths: 17% year-over-year drop in serious crime; a vibrant, thriving business base; strong leadership and city management reflected in the City’s conservative fiscal policies and prudent budgeting. And in 2014, Cypress was ranked as the eighth best place to raise a family in Southern California by an online financial advice website. Mayor Johnson’s address focused on the long-standing tradition of dedicated volunteerism in Cypress. He highlighted residents and community volunteers from the Cypress Senior Center, the Cypress Community Festival Association and other groups such as the Friends of Cypress Recreation & Parks, Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club. “Corporate volunteerism is also alive and well in Cypress,” said Mayor Johnson, recognizing Van’s volunteer efforts and Bandai’s generous contributions to community non-profit groups. Mayor Johnson also recounted his work on the Habi-
tat for Humanity project in Cypress and thanked Habitat for its efforts to provide homes to deserving families. Mayor Johnson also commended the various groups of volunteers that support City services. The Volunteers in Policing (VIP), Chaplains, and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) contributed over 4,000 hours in 2014. Mayor Johnson stated, “I would like to thank these volunteers for their efforts. They contribute immensely to the overall safety of the community and save thousands of taxpayer dollars.” Three businesses were honored during the event with the Annual BRACE, AGENT, and SPIRIT Business of the Year Awards. Additionally, the Mayor awarded a special recognition to Yamaha Motor Corporation in honor of their 35th anniversary in Cypress. The recipient of the BRACE Business of the Year Award was Los Alamitos Race Course. In attendance to receive the award was Dr. Edward Allred. Los Alamitos Race Course recently expanded its operations to include thoroughbred racing and brought fame to the community as the home of California Chrome, 2014 Horse of the Year and winner of the
From left: Mayor Rob Johnson; Ms. Kim Ruiz, Vice President Finance & Accounting, Yamaha Corp; Mr. Peter Grant, City Manager
Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Los Alamitos Race Course also contributes to the community through its annual sponsorship of the Boys & Girls Club Fundraising event and provided seed money to establish the Challenger Baseball program in Cypress. The AGENT Business of the Year Award was awarded to SoCal Office Technologies. Mr. David Riener, President, was in attendance to receive the award. SoCal Office Technologies is an industry leader and has been providing document asset management solutions since 1977. SoCal Office Technologies pioneered the PrinteGration™ Workflow Assessment and has an expanding presence in the fields of digital imaging and 3D printing. The recipient of the SPIRIT Business of the Year Award was Brain Rehabilitation and Injury Network (B.R.A.I.N.). Ms. Sue Rueb, Founder and President of B.R.A.I.N. accepted the award on the company’s behalf. B.R.A.I.N. is a non-profit organization with the mission to advance the highest level of research, recovery and residual care for adults who have sustained a brain injury. They provide services without regard for a client’s ability to pay for service. “Clearly this
is a phenomenal organization that not only services its client’s needs but also exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that we are recognizing today,” said Mayor Johnson. Mayor Johnson concluded the event with a presentation of special recognition to Yamaha Motor Corporation in honor of its 35th anniversary in Cypress. Yamaha constructed its national corporate headquarters in Cypress in 1980. They were the first corporate tenant in Cypress’ business park and laid the foundation for its future development. “I am honored to recognize the anniversary of this milestone achievement and thank Yamaha for its commitment to the Cypress community and wish them continued success,” stated Mayor Johnson. For more information regarding the City of Cypress, the BRACE, AGENT, and SPIRIT programs, other City services for the business community, or for information on how to relocate your business to the City of Cypress, please contact Redevelopment Project Manager Steve Clarke at (714) 229-6728. A video of the Mayor’s State of the City Address can be found on the City’s website at www.ci.cypress.ca.us.