Gains & Losses

GAINS

COLLINS, CARROZZO OK AGAIN

When Fountain Valley Mayor Guy Carrozzo and Councilman John Collins

exchanged harsh words during a City Council meeting last month, some

wondered if it would upset the cohesiveness -- and calm -- of the

council. The jolt came when Carrozzo was appointed to the Orange County

Sanitation District board, a spot Collins held for nine years. But by

last week’s meeting, the pair had put the incident behind them. “There

was no power struggle,” Carrozzo said. “I have no animosity.”

SHARING MUSIC WITH THE WORLD

Golden West College student Helen Wong will be among 1,000 musicians who

will perform at the prestigious Rome Festival in Italy this summer. “I

feel overwhelmed,” Wong said. “I didn’t expect to be chosen.” Musicians

from more than 20 countries competed for a spot in the festival, which

also serves as a learning experience for the participants. They will

receive tutelage from renowned teachers and coaches. But she’s not there

yet. Although she was awarded a $1,600 scholarship, it costs $2,700 to

attend. Wong has been baby sitting to earn the remaining $1,100.

EXPANDING BLOODLESS MEDICINE

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center has begun using

bloodless medicine -- a method of handling surgeries and other procedures

without blood transfusions -- in pediatric and obstetrical care. “We can

handle any medical problem without the use of blood or blood products,”

said Dr. Vinod Malhotra, medical director of the bloodless medicine and

surgery program at the hospital. The hospital has been using the

technique for about 20 years but is breaking new ground with its use in

pediatric and obstetrical care.

LOSSES

LITERACY PROGRAM IN JEOPARDY

The Family Literacy Program has helped hundreds of parents learn to read

-- and as a result, helped them help their children do the same. Now the

program is in jeopardy since losing a $9,500 state grant. But the

program’s coordinators haven’t lost hope. “We’ve always managed to

survive because people help us,” said Rose Saylin, program director.

“It’s very touching. We got a $10 donation from a man [a program student]

who works part time for minimum wage.”

SEWAGE SPILL CLOSES DOCK, BEACH

A block in a pipeline leading to the Westchester Bay Docks was the cause

of a sewage spill in Huntington Harbour, forcing the closure of a small

beach and a boat dock. The same problem was the source of a larger spill

in late November that forced the closure of Peters Landing, Sunset

Aquatic, Portofino Cove and Mothers Beach.