Mark A. Rafter

The 2026 China-California Business Forum was held at the world-famous Biltmore Hotel. The event brought together over 600 government officials, business leaders, and representatives from China and the United States to explore win-win cooperation and promote exchanges. The China-California Business Forum is an annual economic and trade event designed to boost cooperation in commerce, trade, and investment between Chinese cities, provinces, the U.S., and directly with the State of California.

I had the pleasure of being invited as one of the many in the community that helped make Slice House of Fountain Valley, California, a success. I was happy to be a VIP guest celebrating its one-year anniversary with a visit from company founder and 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani and a packed restaurant filled with community folks and VIP guests.

The Golden West College men’s volleyball team rolled into Long Beach City College and successfully defended its crown as the top program in the state. GWC sweeping win over the host LBCC Vikings earned back-to-back state titles in the finals of the 3C2A Men’s 2026 Volleyball State Championships. This was the GWC Rustlers eighth men’s volleyball championship in school history — 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2013, 2025, and 2026.