The National Civic League announced the City of Cerritos as one of the
ten winners of the prestigious All-America City award during a June 6
celebration at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel.
Founded in 1894, the National Civic League (NCL) is
America's original advocate for good government and community democracy.
Since 1949, the All-America City Awards, America’s oldest and most
prestigious community recognition program has recognized neighborhoods,
villages, towns, cities, counties and metro regions for outstanding
civic accomplishments. To win, each community had to make a presentation
to a jury of civic experts from the public,
private and
nonprofit sectors listing three outstanding examples of collaborative,
community problem solving. The projects presented by the City of
Cerritos included the Avalon at Cerritos affordable senior housing
congregate care facility, the Festival of Friendship, and the SPICE
(Seniors Personally Involved in Children’s Enrichment) program.
“These communities really give us hope,” said National Civic League
President Gloria Rubio-Cortés, “because they show others what can happen
when people roll up their sleeves and work together.” The ten winners in
2008 are: Cerritos, California; Goodyear, Arizona; Aurora, Colorado; New
Haven, Connecticut; Kissimmee-Osceola County, Florida; Gladstone,
Missouri St. Louis Region (Missouri-Illinois); Lenoir, North Carolina;
Reidsville, North Carolina; and Akron, Ohio.
The City of Cerritos has also gained national recognition through three
other highly competitive
and prestigious award programs: the United States Conference of Mayors
2008 City Livability Award, the California Association for Local
Economic Development (CALED) Merit Award and two awards from the 2008
Southern California and Nevada Chapter of the National Association of
Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Star Awards program.
(City Manager Art Gallucci, Carver
Academy students Ciara Otero & Eunice Lee, Councilman Joseph Cho,
Councilwoman Laura Lee, Senior Services Supervisor Chelsea Otero, Mayor
Pro Tem Bruce Barrows, Mayor Jim Edwards, from left)
Joseph Cho Received
Community Service Award
On June 23, 2008, Joseph Cho received the Keith Kim
Community Service Award at the 7th annual award gala of Korean American
Coalition (KAC) of Orange County held at the Marriott Hotel in Irvine,
California. Joseph Cho was also presented Certificates of Recognition by
California State Board of Equalization member Michelle Steel, State
Senator Lou Correa, Assemblymember Van Tran and Orange County Supervisor
Janet Nguyen.
KAC is a national, nonprofit, non-partisan community
advocacy organization with fourteen
chapters throughout the country. Established in 1983,
its mission is to educate, encourage and facilitate the Korean-American
community’s participation in civic, legislative, and community affairs.
At the same time, KAC tries to educate and convey important
Korean-American issues to elected officials, government agencies, media,
and the general public. Another noteworthy goal of KAC is to identify,
train and support future leaders; the leaders who can build bridges
between Korean-Americans and other communities. Two key programs that
the KAC has engaged in have been citizenship application processing and
voter registration.
While celebrating a quarter century of community
service, KAC presented two other awards: the Dr. Sammy Lee Pioneer Award
to Master Jimmy Kim, who was the 1988 Taekwondo Gold Medalist at the
Seoul Olympics and the Dr. Luke Kim and Grace Kim Young Leader Award to
Jerry Kong, member of the Buena Park School District Governing Board.
(From left, Former KAC Director
Charles Kim, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Tony Cho, Lucy
& Councilman Joseph Cho, Councilwoman Laura Lee, Korean-American
Federation of Orange County President Jae Jun Chung, from right, Former
KAC Chairman Keith Kim & KAC-OC President Richard Choi)
Live More As Owners,
Not as Guests of Our Community
I
would like to thank President Richard Choi and the board members of
the Korean-American Coalition of Orange County for presenting me
with the Keith Kim Community Service Award.
The Council job is tougher than I had first expected, but I am very
proud to serve our wonderful community, the City of Cerritos, which
is the 2008 All-America City Award recipient. Cerritos is one of the
most diverse communities where people from all walks of life live
together in peace and harmony. I believe that Cerritos is a model
city of the 21st global century.
Almost 60% of the Cerritos population is Asian-American, which makes
us a majority, not a minority. At the last June 3rd election,
another Asian-American Council member was elected and now,
Asian-Americans are the majority in the City’s population and on the
City Council. However, we are still not visible enough in civic
activities. Last month, we had a big city sponsored event which drew
about 500 participants, but I was the only Korean-American present
and there were less than 20 Asian Pacific Islanders in attendance.
Low civic participation of Asian American residents is one of the
serious challenges that we are now facing. We must understand that
community service is not just our privilege, it is also our duty and
responsibility. I urge all of you to be actively involved in civic
activities and to live more as owners, not as guests of our
community. Especially to all of you in the younger generation, I
challenge you to be leaders and serve your community. This is a
mission statement for all of us. I accept this award as a promise to
do my best for our community.
(Former KAC Director Charles Kim,
Councilman Joseph Cho, Former KAC Chairman Keith Kim, from right)
Cerritos Family Arts Festival
On June 1, 2008, the Cerritos Family Arts Festival was held at the
Cerritos Center for Performing Arts sponsored by the Friends of Arts
Education. From five stages, Cerritos residents enjoyed performances of
music, dance, theater and other cultural entertainments by thirty-three
performer groups such as Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy, International
Peace Choir, Grandeza Mexicana, Dream Shapers Native American, Ling’s
Dance Academy, Na Meakanu O Laka O Hawai’i, Khmer Arts Academy and Fang
Fang Shi Inouye. Kids were able to experience such activities as
origami, designing a flag, Navajo sand painting at the Young Artist
Corner, learning how to play musical instruments and
march with the Band Workshop. The Festival was concluded at 4:00 PM with
attendees able to join the Grande Parade led by Ross Middle School
Marching Band.
(Councilman Joseph Cho with Jung Im Lee Korean Dance
Academy students)
Cerritos Children Enjoyed Fishing Derby
At Cerritos Regional County Park
Nearly
1,000 children enjoyed angling for a prize catch at the 2008 Cerritos
Kids Fishing Derby at Cerritos Regional Park on Saturday, June 7, 2008.
The annual event was sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don
Knabe, along with the City of Cerritos, the Los Angeles County
Department of Parks and Recreation and the Cerritos Rod and Gun Club. A
free pancake breakfast was served at 7:00 AM and followed by the fishing
derby from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
(Cerritos Kids Fishing Derby at
Cerritos Regional County Park)
2008 American Cancer Society’s
Relay for Life®
The
American Cancer Society's event, Relay For Life,® was held on June 21
and 22, 2008 at Gahr High School. Joseph Cho participated in the Relay
with his team “Never Give Up,” which was led by team captain Kenneth
Cha, City of Cerritos Commissioner and about 50 participants including
Korean-American Federation of Orange County President Jae Jun Chung,
City of Cerritos
Commissioners Nick Kim and Dr. Alon Barlvey,
City of Cerritos Committee members Chong Sup Yi and Michelle Yun,
Mid-Cities Korean-American Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jae Choon
Yoo, Mid-Cities Korean-American Realtor Association President Phil Ahn
and Korean-American Cancer Survivor Kyu Kyung Lee.
After
the opening ceremony, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez led the first lap with
City of Cerritos Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows, Council member Joseph Cho
and Laura Lee, City of Artesia Mayor Pro Tem Tony Lima, Council member
Victor Manalo, John C. Martins and Larry R. Nelson and many cancer
survivors. The 24 hours overnight event brought together individuals who
have been affected by cancer, want to celebrate those who have won the
fight against cancer, to remember the victims of the disease, and to
inspire cancer patients to continue to fight against it.
The American Cancer Society announced that
over $80,000 was raised during the Relay For Life®.
(Above, Councilman
Joseph Cho walked with other participants, Bottom photo, Councilman
Joseph Cho, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Korean-American Cancer Survivor
Kyu Kyung Lee and KAF-OC President Jae Jun Chung, from left)
Cerritos Let Freedom Ring Celebration &
All-America City Award Celebration
Date: July 4, 2008 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Civic Center
Cerritos, California
New Citizen Voter Registration
Mobilization Date: July 11, 2008 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Place: Los Angeles Convention Center
Los Angeles, California
15th Annual Keep LA Running 5K Run/Walk &
10K Run
Date: July 13, 2008 7:30 AM
Place: Dockweiler Beach
Playa Del Rey, California
Cerritos Senior Center Volunteer
Recognition
Date: July 14, 2008 6:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Senior Center
Cerritos, California
Korean-American Federation of East LA
Inaugural Ceremony
Date: July 15, 2008 7:00 PM
Place: Diamond Bar Center
Diamond Bar, California
Cerritos City Wide Pride Banquet Date: July 25, 2008 6:30 PM
Place: Cerritos Sheraton Hotel
Cerritos, California
Cerritos Korean-American Community Round
Table Date: July 26, 2008 7:00 PM
Place: L&J Development and Management, Inc.
Artesia, California
Enjoy the FREE
Family Entertainment Showcase
Enjoy quality family time
at the 2008 City of Cerritos FREE Family Entertainment Showcase
featuring movies, entertainment and concerts throughout July, August
and September.
Monday Night at the Movies
Family movies will be presented at Liberty Park on Monday nights at
8:15 p.m. through August 25. July 7, “Oliver & Company” (1988), July
14, “Dumbo” (1941), July 21, “Babe” (1995), July 28, “Aristocats”
(1970), August 4, “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986), August 11,
“The Jungle Book” (1967), August 18, “The Muppet Movie” (1979) and
August 25, “Peter Pan” (1953).
Tuesday Family Nights
Every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. through August 26, families are
invited to enjoy entertainment and activities at Friendship (7/22,
8/19), Frontier (7/8, 8/5), Sunshine (7/15, 8/12) and Westgate Parks
(7/29, 8/26). Each program will last approximately 45 minutes and
will begin with a pre-show craft or activity.
Wednesday Little Kids’ Big Show
The entire family is invited to enjoy entertainment and activities
at Heritage Park on Wednesday evenings through July 30. The
amphitheater gates will open at 6 p.m., and the show will start at
6:45. All shows are approximately 45 minutes long. July 9, Julien
the Juggler, July 16, Franklin Haynes Marionettes, July 23, Mad
Science and July 30, John Abrams Animal Magic.
Thursday Concerts Under the Stars
The Heritage Park Island Stage will be the hottest ticket in town
this summer as exciting musical groups perform on Thursdays at 7
p.m. through August 28. July 10, All American Wranglers (Classic
Country), July 17, Back Beats (Beatles Tribute), July 24, Summer of
Love (Tribute to the Late ‘60s), July 31, The Wiseguys (Big
Band/Swing), August 7, Instant Replay (Rockin’ Surf), August 14,
Barry Holdship 4 (Classic Rock), August 21, Funkomatics
(Disco/Funk/R&B) and August 28, Film at Eleven (Classic ‘60s &
‘70s).
Friday Concerts in the Plaza
Enjoy a free concert at the Liberty Park plaza on Fridays at 7 p.m.
August 1, Dan & Leland (Acoustic Rock) and September 5, Glasgow &
Steel (Steel Drum).
Saturday Family Swim-in Movies
Bring a raft and suit up for swim-in movies at 7 p.m. on Saturdays
at the Cerritos Swim Center. The cost for Cerritos residents is $4
for individuals and $11 for families. The cost for non-residents is
$6 for individuals and $17 for families. July 12, “Surf’s Up” and
August 9, “Jaws.”
For the enjoyment of all and pursuant to the Cerritos Municipal
Ordinance 9.48.030(p), dogs, cats or other pets are not allowed in
the park during special events and concerts. For more information
about the Family Entertainment Showcase, call the City’s Recreation
Services Division office at (562) 916-1254.
Joseph Cho Cerritos City Councilmember - P.O. Box
4115, Cerritos, CA 90703 (562) 547-4434 This site was last updated
November 01, 2008
