The 2nd Overseas Korean Political Forum and
the 2nd World Korean Day Celebration
From September 29 to October 2, 2008, the Overseas
Korean Political Council held its 2nd annual Overseas Korean Political
Forum at the Grand Hilton Hotel Seoul. The event was sponsored by the
Overseas Korean Foundation, a Korea Government affiliated organization.
The Council was formed last year to extend political power of Korean
communities outside of Korea, and to educate prominent young Korean
politicians on international political affairs. To achieve its goals,
the Council works to build a network of Korean politicians and to foster
working relationships between elected officials in Korea with elected
officials of Korean descent throughout the world.
On October 2, 2008, Forum participants also joined in the 2nd World
Korean Day Ceremony, which was sponsored by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Korea. About 60 officials from all over the world
participated in the Forum, including Cerritos City Councilmember Joseph
Cho, Ph.D., Washington State Senator Paul H. Shin, Ph.D., Oregon State
Assemblymember John Lim, US Congressman (Ret.) Jay Kim, Shoreline City
(WA) Mayor Cindy Ryu, Shoreline City (WA) Councilmember (Ret.) Cheryl
Lee, Leonia City (NJ) Councilmember Philip Y. Choi, Little Falls City
(NJ) Councilmember Christie Y. Huh, Ph.D., Federal Way City (WA)
Councilmember Michael Park, Southside Place (TX) Councilmember Randy Sim,
Novosirsk (Russia) State Assembly Speaker Veniamin Park, Christchurch
City (New Zealand) Councilmember Andrew Yoon, and Japan House of
Councillors member Haku Shinkun.
(Front row from left: Councilmember Philip
Y. Choi (1st) and Joseph Cho (3rd), Assemblymember John Lim, Korea
National Assembly Speaker Hyung-O Kim, State Senator Paul H. Shin, Back
row from left: US Congressman (Ret.) Jay Kim (1st) and Mayor Cindy Ryu
(9th)
Cerritos
Celebrated the California Arts Day, National Arts & Humanities Month
and Installed Two New Artworks
During
October of 2008, the City of Cerritos celebrated the National Arts and
Humanities of Month by adding two new sculptures to the community’s
Artwork in Public Places collection. The new sculptures include “Mirage”
by Ted Schaal and “Non-Fiction Book Bench” by James Vilona and Kevin
Box.
The
“Mirage” was installed in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden, and was
dedicated on October 3, 2008, a day chosen to coincide with California
Arts Day. Following the dedication ceremony, a special concert by the
Jane Fuller Jazz Trio was held in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden.
The “Mirage” was selected out of 46 qualified submittals from around
world in response to an Open Call for Artists which the City held in
2007. The sculpture depicts the mirage’s ability to refract light in a
way that the earth and sky are combined and diffused, making it
difficult to tell exactly where one stops and the other starts.
The
other new sculpture, the “Non-Fiction Book Bench,” is located in the
Civic Center near the fallen willow tree and the Amaryllis fountain. The
sculpture is shaped like a large open book with the cover and pages
curved to form a bench which can accommodate two adults or four
children. It was generously donated to the Cerritos Library by long time
Cerritos residents Marilyn and Dennis McGorman and their family.
The
City’s Recreation Services Division incorporated art-themed children’s
activities throughout October into its programs such as Friday Night
Kids and Half Pint’s Night. The Cerritos Library and Senior Center also
offered numerous art-themed events, including the October 6
Korean-American traditional music and dance show. The outstanding
performance, held in the Library’s Skyline Room, entertained an audience
of all ages, with the colorful and authentic costumes, the music and the
choreography.
(Photos from top: Logos of the National Arts &
Humanities Month and the California Arts Day, The “Mirage”, The
“Non-Fiction Book Bench”, and Korean Traditional Music Performers)
Councilmember Joseph Cho Sponsored
The Second Neighborhood Meet and Greet
On October 18, 2008, Cerritos City Councilmember Joseph
Cho and his wife, Lucy hosted their second bimonthly Neighborhood Meet
and Greet at El Rancho Verde Park in Cerritos. About 80 Cerritos
residents enjoyed Korean style B.B.Q. while sharing various concerns
The event was co-sponsored by Parks and Recreation Commissioner Alon
Barlevy, Ph.D., Property Preservation Commissioner Kenneth Cha, Planning
Commissioner Nick Kim, Economic Development Commissioner Pino Pathak,
Fine Arts and Historical Commissioner Julietta Williams, Let Freedom
Ring Committee Members Jennifer Hong and Michelle Yun, Friends of Arts
Education at CCPA Board Member Gloria Kappe, Community Safety Committee
Members Jeanelle Padre and Chong Sop Yi. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez’s
field representative Jesse Cheng, La Palma City Councilmember Ralph
Rodriquez, La Palma City Council Candidate Steve Hwangbo and LA County
Deputy District Attorney Tony Cho also attended at the event and
listened to residents’ concerns.
Councilmember Cho assured residents that the LA-Orange County boundary
change is unlikely to happen because over 85% of Cerritos residents want
to stay in the City of Cerritos and all five Cerritos City
Councilmembers oppose the proposal. Dr. Cho also announced; “The bridge
over the Los Coyotes Creek on Del Amo Boulevard should be rebuilt to
eliminate the bend in the street. Four months ago Caltrans approved
placing this bridge in the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation
program and the design phase for the project will start in the near
future.” Dr. Cho then listened to and addressed various questions from
residents, and promised to follow up in writing to the concerns that
residents raised at the meeting.
Based on the great feedback from the first Neighborhood Meet and Greet
held in August at Westgate Park, Councilmember Cho and his appointees
decided to host similar gatherings on a bimonthly basis, each time at a
different park within the City of Cerritos. They believe that having
such an informal exchange in a relaxed setting of a picnic is a great
way to get to know what is truly on the minds of Cerritos residents. In
an informal survey at the conclusion of the event, participants gave the
event a score of 10 out of 10. In December, Dr. Cho will have a
Neighborhood Holiday Party at his home in lieu of a Neighborhood Meet
and Greet. The next Neighborhood Meet and Greet will be held in April of
2009, as the Neighborhood Meet and Greet which would have been scheduled
for February has been canceled to avoid interfering with the March 2009
elections for the Cerritos City Council.
Cerritos Was Named Playful City USA
KaBOOM!,
a national non-profit organization dedicated to bringing play back into
children’s lives, named The City of Cerritos a recipient of the Playful
City USA Award. The award was given as recognition of the City’s
outstanding recreation programs and facilities provided to children. The
City was also commended for its dedication to providing play
opportunities for kids and for adopting a Children’s Outdoor Bill of
Rights in August 2008. The Bill of Rights underscores the City’s
commitment to recreation and unstructured play and also places special
emphasis on play spaces. The City has 25 parks and recreation facilities,
including neighborhood parks, community centers, the Cerritos Olympic
Swim & Fitness Center, the Cerritos Iron-Wood 9 Golf Course and the
Cerritos Sports Complex.
KaBOOM! honored 67 communities from across the country with the Playful
City USA Award. The Playful City USA designation is a national
recognition program that honors
cities and towns across the country which create a
positive impact on childhood wellness, public safety, and quality of
life. KaBOOM!’s vision is that our communities throughout the nation
will provide a great place to play within walking distance of every
child, and to promote healthy life-styles for children.
Councilmember Joseph Cho’s
Upcoming Events
2008 Presidential and General Election
Date: November 4, 2008
Polls open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Cerritos Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: November 11, 2008 9:45 AM
Place: Cerritos Civic Center
Cerritos, California
National League of Cities 2008 Congress of Cities
Date: November 11 – 15, 2008
Place: Orlando, Florida
Korean American Federation of Los Angeles 46th Annual Heritage Night
Date: November 14, 2008 6:00 PM
Place: Wilshire Grand Hotel
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Economic Development Commission 13th Annual Eddy Awards Ceremony
Date: November 17, 2008 6:30 PM
Place: Beverly Hilton Hotel
Beverly Hills, California
Cerritos Youth Flag Football Awards Night
Date: November 18, 2008 6:30 PM
Place: Community Gymnasium at the Cerritos High School
Cerritos, California
California Contract Cities Association Dinner
Date: November 19, 2008 6:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Center for Performing Arts
Cerritos, California
Cerritos Korean Community Round Table
Date: November 22, 2008 6:30 PM
Place: L&J Development and Management, Inc.
Cerritos, California
Cerritos Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Date: November 24, 2008 6:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Civic Center
Cerritos, California
Southern California Korean Catholic Churches United Thanksgiving Mass
Date: November 27, 2008 9:00 AM
Place: El Dorado Park
Long Beach, California
Joseph Cho Cerritos City Councilmember - P.O. Box
4115, Cerritos, CA 90703 (562) 547-4434 This site was last updated
November 03, 2008
Cerritos
Celebrated the California Arts Day, National Arts & Humanities Month 
During
October of 2008, the City of Cerritos celebrated the National Arts and
Humanities of Month by adding two new sculptures to the community’s
Artwork in Public Places collection. The new sculptures include “Mirage”
by Ted Schaal and “Non-Fiction Book Bench” by James Vilona and Kevin
Box.
