Local dignitaries, as well as Stanton locals, attended.

It was a an event to celebrate veterans but also mourn the passing of Stanton-ite Ed Royce, a World War II veteran who died on Oct. 16 at the age of 94.

Royce served as a PFC in the United States Army as a forward-advance observer. He was a leader of the Resistance Movement in France who kept communication with allied troops, enabling the military to combat the enemy.

He’s shown here at a 2017 Veterans Day ceremony.

Final score: 37-0.

The win improves Rancho’s record to 2-0 on the season.

In the photo, Rancho’s Stephan Monge runs for a TD.

From the first few rhythmic snaps of a finger, Bernstein and Sondheim’s unforgettable musical score colors outside the lines and melodiously paints the canvas with one of the most timeless moments ever to grace the stage.

“West Side Story,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, made its debut nearly 62 years ago, but its story is as relevant in today’s world as it ever was, and as One More Productions’ Co-Founder/Director/Musical Director Damien Lorton tells us, One More Productions is committed to telling the story honestly, truthfully, and without filters.

It is the summer of ‘57, somewhere in an Upper West Side New York neighborhood (and the term is used loosely) where tension and teenaged angst is sensed from the moment this enthusiastic and uber-talented cast hits the stage.

The methodically choreographed and well-executed song and dance number, “Prologue,” marks the beginning of what’s to come, the tone is set, and a battle seems evident.

War has begun between the two gangs who “own the streets,” the white American “Jets” and the Puerto Rican “Sharks.”

The idealistic and star-crossed young lovers, Tony (Brandon Taylor Jones) and Maria (Erika Baldwin), are caught between these two worlds of hate, violence, and prejudice. In the central role of Tony, Jones delivers an amazing performance that brilliantly offers passion and a more fragile and naïve quality that separates him from his life of gangs, and in the end, this becomes Tony’s one tragic flaw.

Opposite him is Maria, portrayed by Erika Baldwin, who helps to elevate this production to new heights, well beyond its grand scale, while also maintaining its intimate appeal.

Baldwin’s strength is her ability to retain an adolescent and angelic innocence while balancing that with her incredible soprano vocal skills.

OMP Co-Founder and Producer Nicole Cassesso’s portrayal of Anita is intelligent and intense. Her drugstore scene, in which she is sending a message, is ineradicable, and her singing and dancing skills are phenomenal.

Supporting role standouts are: first and foremost, Danny Diaz as Bernardo, Race Chambers as Riff, Richards Ullrich as Doc, Jon Mitchell as Schrank, John Gillies as Officer Krupke, and Simon Hedrick as Glad Hand.

Under Lorton’s baton, OMP’s Orchestra features Toni Helms on keyboard No. 1, Blake Leigh on keyboard No. 2, Nic Gonzalez on bass, Jeff Segal on drums, Doug Jones on trumpet, Vince Hizon on woodwinds, and Jesse Tellez on trombone.

This fiercely energetic production is as much a dance show as it is a music show and OMP is fortunate to have choreographers, Heather Holt-Smith, Alan Collins, and Shauna Bradford onboard.

Wally Huntoon’s set design is award-winning worthy, and Mendenhall Productions did an amazing job of lighting and set construction.

Outstanding musical numbers include “Something’s Coming” by Tony.

What gives this show its valued longevity is not merely its unsettling initiative towards social contention, racial discrimination, and national identity, but also, West Side Story’s channel for the commonality of inclusion, which is vastly evident in its final scene.

 “West Side Story”

The Gem Theatre

12852 Main St., Garden Grove

Phone: 714-741-9550, ext 221.

Website: www.info@onemoreproductions.com

Runs through Sunday, Aug. 11

The festival, the only event of its kind in California, brings together his music, impersonators, fan clubs, Cadillacs and all things Elvis for a daylong tribute to the King of Rock and Roll near the anniversary of his death (Aug. 16, 1977).

The event highlights include a full slate of Elvis tribute artists performing throughout the day including Kirk Wall of Anaheim, the festival’s ambassador since its inception as well as award winning entertainers Martin Anthony singing gospel hits, duets with Erika Boychenko as Ann Margret and Lisa Marie Presley and other favorites and James King on piano and guitar with a variety of the legend’s most beloved songs such as “Unchained Melody.”

Wall and his band Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies will present a set of Elvis songs bluegrass-style along with a special tribute to the Beatles. He will also serve as the officiant for the wedding vows of longtime Elvis fans, Sylvia Ronquillo and Jesse Nava of Yorba Linda held at 12:30 p.m. during the festival.

Returning for the third year to cap off the day is Scot Bruce and his band with The Early Years of the King of Rock and Roll.

Other tribute artists include Steven Williamson, Sean Martin, Anthony Alcala and Fernie Ramirez.

New this year is a set titled “The Inspiration of Elvis” featuring performances by non-Elvis looking vocalists singing Elvis songs ranging from ages 6 to 70 years. In addition, harpist Elizabeth Huston and accordionist Gee “Gigi” Rabe will perform instrumental versions of Elvis songs and will also accompany vocal numbers for Boychenko and Anthony.

In addition, the event highlights Presley’s love for cars, particularly Cadillacs, with a King of Cadillacs Car Show for passenger cars dating to 1977 and sponsored by the Shark Squad Motorcycle Attorneys. One of his other interests: motorcycles, will be featured in the Hound Dog Motorcycle Ride presented by Lifestyle Cycles.

Ken Sharp, a New York Times Best Selling writer who has authored or co-authored over 20 music books, will be at the festival signing and selling two of his limited-edition books he wrote about Elvis Presley: Elvis: Vegas ’69 and Elvis Presley: Writing for the King.

Other activities include Elvis Fan Clubs including the Jailhouse Rockers of California and Blue Suede Shoes of California, stilt walking Elvis and Priscilla, memorabilia and collectibles, Elvis Bingo, Abbit the Average Elvis, rockabilly caricature artist, Elvis-themed jewelry and accessories, a Dunka Dunka Burning Love Dunk Tank presented by the Assistance League of Garden Grove and TraumOne and a special appearance by Tanya Lemani, the belly dancer in the “Little  Egypt Guitar Man production number from Elvis’s 1968 “Comeback “TV special.

There will be special Elvis menu items from food trucks including Elvis cupcakes, Elvis themed ice cream flavors  along with the variety of restaurants and shops.  Among the restaurants is Azteca Restaurant known for its Elvis themed atmosphere with movie posters, photos and memorabilia donning the walls and the ceiling. Next door is Kaye’s Kitchen, which will feature a Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, an Elvis favorite, on the menu during the festival.

Admission and parking are free. Limited reserved stage seating available at additional cost.

The festival on Historic Main Street is located between Garden Grove Boulevard and Acacia Parkway in Garden Grove. Use the address of 12911 Main St., Garden Grove, on GPS or other map/directions locators. Parking is available at adjacent lots of Concorde and Coastline College.

More information and complete schedule is available on Facebook by locating the 20th Annual Elvis Festival page, or by sending an email to elvisfestival@yahoo.com or calling 714-267-4657.

The festival is made possible in part by presenting sponsors Fairhaven Memorial Services of Mission Viejo, Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary of Santa Ana and Dimond Shannon of Garden Grove and  the support of the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association and the Garden Grove Community Foundation.

Among the Class of 2019, 1,050 students report that they have chosen to attend a UC or CSU school.  GGUSD students consistently beat the county and stage average on completion of rigorous a-g college entrance exams.

Students in the Class of 2019 finished high school with more than 7,800 Advanced Placement courses completed and 57 percent of GGUSD seniors completed one or more AP course, many with college credits already under their belts.

“Every year, we are impressed with the caliber of our graduates and we are proud of all they have accomplished during their educational careers in GGUSD,” said Board of Education President Lan Nguyen.  “The future looks bright with GGUSD graduates ready to tackle exciting career goals and rising up as the next generation of community leaders.”

During the commencement ceremonies, district students and families heard from valedictorians who reflected on their high school experience and looked ahead to exciting futures.

Bolsa Grande High School valedictorian Jamie Vu is a National Merit Commended Scholar, trilingual in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and will attend UCLA in the fall to major in Psychobiology.

Garden Grove High School co-valedictorian Nghiem Pham earned a full ride to MIT, where he will major in linguistics with the career goal of becoming a college professor and researcher. Garden Grove High School co-valedictorian Anabella Pham excelled in the Orange County Mock Trial program, and will attend UCLA in the fall to major in political science with plans for a life of public service as an elected official or judge.

The Class of 2019 boasts an impressive 35 National Merit Scholars and 1,225 seniors earned the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma demonstrating mastery in at least six subject areas.

For the second year in a row, all seven comprehensive high schools were named to U.S. News and World Report’s elite rankings as America’s Best High Schools.

The district is committed to equipping students with the academic and personal skills for lifelong success, teaching students about motivation, grit and perseverance.

Hare High School valedictorian Angel Pivaral demonstrated perseverance coming to the United States from Guatemala his sophomore year knowing very little English, but mastering his goal of graduating on time with a 4.0.  He plans to attend Cypress College with a goal of transferring to a four-year university to major in biology and become a surgeon.

Several of the district’s valedictorians aspire to pursue careers in the medical field including La Quinta High School’s Hillary Nguyen, who will attend Yale in the fall to major in neuroscience and was selected as one of 300 students nationwide to receive a four-year full-ride Gates Scholarship.

Katherine Ngo from La Quinta High School will attend UCLA to major in microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics; Los Amigos High School valedictorian Tiffany Tran will attend UCI to major in biological sciences with a goal of becoming an emergency room doctor; and Rancho Alamitos valedictorian Jennifer Nguyen will attend University of California, San Diego to major in bioengineering/biotechnology with plans to go into genetic research.

Pacifica High School valedictorian Andrew Huynh will attend UCLA to major in aerospace engineering with the goal of becoming a spacecraft engineer and Santiago High School valedictorian Quyen Nguyen will major in computer science at University of California, San Diego with plans to develop a start-up software company.

The City Council did not come to a consensus on the issue at a contentious May 28 City Council meeting, which effectively ends the issue.

About 30 speakers aired their views. The majority supported flying a rainbow or gay pride flag during the month of June.

“I’m here to voice support for flying the pride and rainbow flag,” said resident Bob Tucker.

Tucker cited an oft-used Muslim quote to drive home his point: “A lot of different flowers make up a bouquet.”

Councilwoman Kim Nguyen has brought the proposal to the City Council, sparking a city-wide debate.

Council members John O’Neill, Phat Bui and George Brietigam, who all supported a proclamation recognizing June as Gay Pride Month, did not support flying a flag.

O’Neill said the city has a policy in place, and he chooses to follow it.

“We do have a flag policy and our flag policy for the last 60 years is we only fly governmental flags.”

Brietigam criticized some supporters of the gay pride flag.

“We have various folks come here and if you have a difference of opinion… you become homophobic, racist, uncompassionate,” he said. “We can’t just have a logical difference of opinion. I’m offended by that.”

Locals in favor of flying the flag said doing so would send a message that Garden Grove supports LGBTQ+ people who have long been marginalized.

“It’s important to recognize people for who they are,” said Ethan Wynn.

Chuck Jones implored the city to display the flag, saying it’s not only the right thing to do socially, but it’s the right thing to do economically, and he concluded with this:

“Homosexuality exists in over 450 species. Homophobia exists in one. So, what are you afraid of?”

Councilwoman Kim Nguyen, Mayor Steve Jones and Councilwoman Thu-Ha Nguyen have supported flying the flag. Councilwoman Stephanie Klopfenstein was absent because of illness during the May 14, 3-3 vote on the issue. There was no vote at the May 28 meeting, but Klopfenstein seconded Councilwoman Nguyen’s motion to take a second look at the city’s flag policy.

A handful of locals urged the council to vote no on flying the flag.

“I believe we already have a flag that represents every American,” said James Webb.

Webb said if the gay pride flag is allowed to be displayed at City Hall, it will open the door for other non-governmental groups to demand that their flags be flown.

“Why not the Rebel flag?” he asked. “The Jewish flag? The Christian flag?”

One resident offered a compromise: Post all proclamations — including the proclamation recognizing Gay Pride Month — in the City Hall lobby.

Mi Nguyen and several others said LGBTQ youth are looking for affirmation; many are in despair and have attempted suicide because they are ashamed or feel unaccepted in their communities.

“This flag not only represents the LGBTQ community, it represents our story,” Nguyen said. “I’m asking you to send a message to our youth.”

At the end of the discussion, the council agreed to consider a new policy allowing commemorative flags to be displayed at City Hall. That meeting will take place June 11.

“We want our high school seniors to feel tremendous pride and to know that getting accepted into college is something worth celebrating,” said Walter Muneton, board of education trustee.  “As a district, it is our mission to prepare students for lifelong success and these College Signing Day events are a visual reminder of why we do what we do.”

In addition to the high school celebrations, hundreds of GGUSD high school students attended UCLA for former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher College Signing Campaign event, where they heard Mrs. Obama speak about college being the most important investment in one’s life.  According to the Reach Higher Initiative, the average worker with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker who only has a high school diploma over the course of a lifetime.

Garden Grove Unified School District continues to soar as a leader in college readiness with 58 percent of the district’s Class of 2018 meeting rigorous college entrance requirements qualifying students to attend UC or CSU schools.

For the second year in a row, all seven of GGUSD’s comprehensive high schools were named to U.S. News and World Report’s elite rankings of America’s Best High Schools.

To view the district’s College Signing Day photos, visit ggusd.us/CollegeSigning.  GGUSD students, parents, and community members are encouraged to post their photos on social media and engage with the district’s social media campaign using #GGUSDCollegeSigning.

The event featured cars, a kids area with games, crafts and more.

Food trucks were available, offering lunch options. Pictured here are classic cars.

The four-day festival, held in downtown, featured contests, rides, games, a parade and, of course, strawberry shortcake.

Pictured, student volunteers from Garden Grove High and Pacifica High served more than 2,500 pieces of strawberry shortcake.

The festival draws nearly 300,000 fun-seekers every year, with many eager to show off their bravery on exhilarating rides like the Mega FLIP, Turbo, Vertigo, Quasar, Himalaya, Giant Pole Position Coaster, Giant Wheel, Wave Swinger, 1001 Nights, Grand Carousel and Orbiter.

Those who want a gentler experience can board any of the nine major rides such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, Starship 3000, Kite Flyer, Eagle 16, Wacky Worm, Mardi-Gras, Scrambler, Zombie Carnival and the Giant Slide.

And 15 more rides are perfect for little kids:  Dizzy Dragon, Pirate Jet, Frog Hopper, Looney Tooter Train, Chopper Hopper, Lolli Swing, Firehouse, Tom Kangaroo, Wet Boats, Jungle of Fun, Wacky Tracks, Quad Runner and Jet Ski.

Special one-price ride-all-day wristbands will be offered for all festival days at $30 per wristband on Friday and $35 each on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Tickets for individual rides can also be purchased separately at $1 per ticket.

Local civic groups and non-profit organizations — including athletic booster clubs, Boy and Girl Scout troops, churches and schools—will be setting up game booths to raise money.  They will challenge players’ skills with a wide range of toss games.

Friday afternoon in the amphitheater the festival will hold its annual Tiny Tots King and Queen Contest.  The cute little crowned winners will be honored with a ride in the Saturday morning parade.  In the afternoon following the parade this venue will host the famous Ochoa Boyz Band which has been touring across America, performing at hundreds of concerts.

In addition to writing and co-producing their own music and music videos, they are all working actors on television and the big screen. Ryan Ochoa was featured in the hit shows Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Disney XD’s Pair of Kings. Raymond Ochoa voices Arlo in Disney/Pixar’s movie, The Good Dinosaur, and Robert Ochoa is in the latest season of Shameless on HBO.

The Amphitheater is also where festival-goers can find the Berry, Berry Beautiful Baby Contest, the Redhead Roundup and the Strawberry Idol Karaoke Contest, as well as a performance by the Foundations Dance Company.

The line-up of live entertainment performing on the Showmobile stage features local top performers such as Frenzy, a “Metro-Retro” band playing renditions of hits from the 60’s to the present,  plus The  Rockin’ Neptunes, who recapture old and new Rock ‘n Roll and country music.  Festival-goers can dance to the bluesy tunes of Dudes Got Blues and The 3rd Degree Band, then enjoy the Takes 3 Band, who will be playing everything from pop to rock to country.  Full Spectrum Band, a classy, high-energy ensemble, will be putting out jazz, swing, blues, classic rock, R&B, plus current Top 40 and hip hop.

A full list of events and times is available at www.strawberryfestival.org

For more information, call 714-638-0981 or visit www.strawberryfestival.org.