Rocket Man This astronaut’s journey began in Anaheim Features 10 Anaheim’s Bright Students Though the economy may be dim, these high schools are shining brightly. On the Cover 10 12 From Anaheim to Orbit Learn about Anaheim’s first astronaut to travel to outer space. Astronaut Joe Acaba recalls his early childhood dreams of travelling to outer space as a young child in Anaheim. ©NASA 15 The Sound of Music Orange County Symphony: One of Anaheim’s hidden gems. 12 Departments 2 City Scene Mayor Curt Pringle Boysen Park celebrates its re-opening; Don’t miss the FREE Anaheim Health Fair; The Anaheim Mayor’s TechScholar program continues to grow; Anaheim’s oldest school Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hernandez holds 120th anniversary celebration; Anaheim bids farewell to executive leader. Council Member Lorri Galloway Council Member Harry S. Sidhu, P.E. 15 6 Newsmakers Council Member Lucille Kring Anaheim’s newest author just happens to be in the sixth grade. City Manager David M. Morgan 7 Building for the Future Find your next job at www.anaheimjobs.com; Anaheim awarded Siemen’s Sustainable Managing Editor Martha Z. De Sollar Community Award; AC-NET holds first Clean Tech Business Plan Competition. Editor Erin Wahlen 16 Calendar of Events Contributors: Lauren Hertel, Ann Ora, Margie Otto, Ruth Ruiz, 2 Erin Wahlen, Phil Yuhas 17 Business Connection Anaheim Magazine is published quarterly by the City of Anaheim. The Disney Vacation Club comes to Anaheim; Anaheim business shows signs Address all correspondence to Anaheim Magazine, c/o Managing that business is good; A posh culinary hot spot celebrates 100 years in 2009; Editor, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805. A new resource for Anaheim’s senior citizens. The City of Anaheim is a City Council/City Manager form of government. As such, the City Council makes policy decisions at 20 Important Phone Numbers and Websites City Council meetings, Tuesdays at 5 P.M. while the City Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the City. If you have any 17 concerns regarding the City of Anaheim, simply dial 3-1-1 About Anaheim: The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation’s premier municipalities and is California’s 10th most populous city. from any landline phone or (714)765-4311. Anaheim Anytime Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 345,500 residents and more than 3,200 City employees. The municipal corporation’s annual representatives are available 7:00 A.M.—5:30 P.M. Monday budget is $1.4 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, through Friday. Recorded information is also available. Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, and the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning U.S. Women’s National Volleyball To contact the City of Anaheim 24 hours a Team. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast, day, 7 days a week, please visit the Anaheim Honda Center, The Grove of Anaheim, The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions Anytime link at www.anaheim.net. of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net. Summer 2009 T Anaheim CITY SCENE Boysen Park Adds Space Travel Theme to Play Area This past March, local schoolchildren helped Boysen Park celebrate the opening of its highly anticipated playground renovation HE ARRAY OF NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT New play equipment complements the Park’s Grumman F9F-6P “Cougar.” INCLUDES A SPACE SHUTTLE, A ROCKET SHIP, A LUNAR ROVER, A JET INTERCEPTOR AND The play area is designed for children of all ages and nicely complements the park’s iconic airplane. The historic Grum- A GEODESIC DOME. man F9F-6P “Cougar,” now in its 50th year as an Anaheim After a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, approximately landmark, was originally used by the United States Navy as a 90 third-grade students from nearby Roosevelt Elementary photoreconnaissance jet in the Korean War. The plane was School were honored as the first to play on the state-of-the- donated to the City in 1959 and permanently placed in Boy- art equipment. The group was selected for their past partic- sen Park, affectionately known as “Airplane Park” ever since. ipation in “Kids for Parks,” a Community Services program The popularity of the recently added play equipment, how- which utilizes student volunteers for beautification projects ever, may inspire yet a new nickname: “Aerospace Park.” throughout the City’s parks. Boysen Park is located at 951 South State College Boulevard. T Anaheim T Summer 2009 2 CITY SCENE Respected Anaheim Leader Closes Exciting Chapter in City’s History N JUNE 25, 2009, THE CITY OF ANAHEIM complete renovation of the Anaheim Convention Center WILL BID FAREWELL TO LONGTIME EMPLOY- Arena and the acquisition of The Grove of Anaheim. He led the negotiations to restructure the management agreement at EE AND ITY ANAGER AVID ORGAN C M D M. M . Honda Center, resulting in a $100 million reduction in debt Morgan’s 35-year tenure with the City has been filled with on the building, as well as the local ownership of the Anaheim significant growth, development, pride and success and will Ducks. He also oversaw the construction of a new clubhouse undoubtedly leave a mark in Anaheim’s history. at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course and worked to help estab- Joining the City in 1974 as an Administrative Intern, Mor- lish the Tiger Woods Learning Center at the City-owned gan has worked in many of the City’s 13 departments and has Dad Miller Golf Course. developed a great respect and understanding for the purpose Morgan has worked diligently to help evolve Anaheim into and goals of each. Morgan’s previous City assignments include a city that’s energized, and one that remembers where it came Budget and Audit, Information Services, Intergovernmental from, but is always moving forward and continuing to stay Relations, Golf/Stadium Field Operations and Human Re- vibrant. An accomplishment he is proud of is his commitment sources. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Assist- to the formation of a strong and diversified community and ant City Manager from 1992 to 2001. business environment that promises longevity and vitality for More recently during his service as City Manager, Morgan the city. has played a lead role in the renaissance of Anaheim and has When asked if he has any disappointments during his piloted the City’s transition into the 21st Century. Working tenure, Morgan simply stated “Fortunately, I have very few; with a dynamic Mayor and City Council, he has overseen however I would have liked to help bring an NBA team to efforts for a new General Plan that provided for a revitalized Anaheim and that won’t happen for awhile yet. We always historic Downtown area as well as development and renova- would like to do more, but I feel very good about the progress tion projects including additions to the Anaheim Resort that has been made.” Area, Anaheim GardenWalk, Mountain Park Specific Plan, As Morgan transitions to retirement, he is confident the Platinum Triangle Plan and the Anaheim Regional Trans- City is positioned for continued success, but offers one last portation Intermodal Center. New community facilities, bit of advice: “I would encourage future leadership to ensure including the Haskett Branch and East Anaheim Branch that the zoning entitlements that have been set in place for Libraries, West Anaheim Police and Youth Center, East future growth are developed with high quality standards for Anaheim Gymnasium and Youth Center and the Anaheim the benefit of future generations.” Family Justice Center, as well as the addition of new fire sta- The City of Anaheim is forever thankful to Morgan for his tions, electrical substations and water reservoirs, were com- contributions to its employees, residents, businesses and vis- pleted under his guidance. During his tenure, he oversaw the itors and wishes him a busy and fulfilling retirement. T 3 Summer 2009 T Anaheim CITY SCENE Don’t Miss Anaheim’s Third Annual Free Health Fair HE CITY OF ANAHEIM CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIVING BY ONCE AGAIN JOINING WITH THE ANEKANT COMMUNITY CENTER AND GBS LINENS TO Local School HOST A FREE HEALTH FAIR AT BROOKHURST COMMUNITY CENTER ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, Celebrates Its FROM 9 A.M.–4 P.M. Introduced by Anaheim Councilmember Harry Sidhu in 120th Anniversary 2007, the health fair will feature medical and surgical special- ists from various fields who will provide free consultations T ATHERINE S ILITARY CADEMY for children and adults. Additional services include: asthma . C ’ M A and allergy screenings; blood pressure reading; bone density CELEBRATED ITS 120TH ANNIVERSARY assessment; blood sugar, cholesterol and hemoglobin testing THIS PAST MARCH, MAKING IT THE OLDEST (eight hours of fasting required); dental consultation; elec- trocardiogram (EKG); eye exams; mammography and other SCHOOL IN ANAHEIM. women’s services; and physical exams. The celebrations were held at the school, located at 215 The Brookhurst Community Center is located at 2271 Crescent North Harbor Boulevard, where the more than 500 guests Avenue in Anaheim. Translators will be available to provide enjoyed a full day of activities. The day began with an anniver- assistance for those in need. For general information regarding sary mass, followed by a performance by the Alumni band.