CAITLIN Vu and Nathy Hoang showcase the science behind their winning invention, the uTEMPsil, during the 2017 ocMaker Challenge.

Student teams from La Quinta High School in Westminster took home first and second place in their division, which included 94 total teams, at the 2017 ocMaker Challenge.  The countywide competition challenges students to design and build or repurpose a product that will solve a problem, want, or need.

La Quinta High School Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation students Ana Tran and Vanessa Nava’s design “Magnetique,” a makeup brush with magnetized replaceable/interchangeable brushes, won first place. In second place was the team of Nathy Hoang and Caitlin Vu who created a product called uTEMPsil, an interchangeable fork and spoon for babies and toddlers that reads the temperature of the food it is picking up.

The two teams of students, and teacher Nick Ruzzi, were recognized during an awards ceremony at Chapman University on May 13 and awarded a total of $350 from the event’s business supporters and sponsors. Overall La Quinta High School – part of the Garden Grove Unified School District – had 13 teams participate in two different divisions at the event which featured approximately 200 teams competing in four divisions.

HOUSING PROJECTS GET COUNCIL OK

Two housing projects which could add up to 61 more homes were approved by the Westminster City Council Thursday night.

One of them involved the consolidation of three lots into one in order to clear the way for the development of 11 multi-family homes at 7241 and 7251 20th St. The second was for the development of 50 residential rental units at 14800 Beach Blvd.

The council also approved the second and final reading of an ordinance which will change the title of mayor pro tem to vice mayor. That post is currently held by Tyler Diep.

KAROAKE STUDIO SEEKS APPROVAL

A public hearing on a proposal to establish a karaoke studio at Westminster Avenue and Brookhurst Street tops the agenda for the June 1 meeting of the Garden Grove Planning Commmision.

The panel will consider a request for a conditional use permit to allow the operation of the 3,800 studio in the space previously occupied by restaurant, and having the same owner.

Also on the agenda is an ordinance bringing Garden Grove’s municipal code in line with state requirements on landscape water efficiency. The panel meets in the council chambers in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.