About AHIA
It All Started in 1923!
When Getty Oil, horse head pumping jacks, and oil derricks dotted the Alamitos Heights landscape, 35 Alamitos Heights neighbors formed the Alamitos Heights Improvement Association. Today, AHIA is organized as a 501 (c) 4 nonprofit organization.
Building Community Together
We are a neighborhood nonprofit organization of volunteers focused on Building Community Together. This is our mission statement, and our focus on community safety and social events is focused on building relationships and communication between neighbors.
AHIA Social Events Include:
- Community Meetings with Local Officials
- Annual Neighborhood Picnic in Summer
- Annual Colorado Lagoon Holiday Tree Lighting in Winter
- Wine Down Fridays
- Neighborhood Beautification Projects
- Toss-Shred-Recycle Event
Membership Matters Thank You
Your membership matters. Your dues, donations, and time support our events and efforts to build a strong community here in Alamitos Heights. Please consider paying your annual dues, volunteering your time, and recruiting your neighbors to join AHIA. Many hands make light work. We can't accomplish our goals without the help of members like YOU.
A Bit of History & What We Do
Alamitos Heights Improvement Association
The Alamitos Heights Improvement Association is a volunteer organization made up of homeowners and residents dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in our neighborhood. Alamitos Heights is a beautiful, safe, friendly, and well-established neighborhood with a strong sense of community. This association was formed by the residents to provide leadership, resources, and a common voice to ensure that Alamitos Heights continues to be a great place to live.
AHIA is a voluntary organization that exists to promote, develop, and protect the interests and welfare of the property owners and residents of Alamitos Heights while fostering community spirit, maintaining the quality of the neighborhood, and engaging in activities of civic and public benefit.
There are no covenants, conditions, or restrictions, and the Association does not own any common areas. Membership is open to all residents of Alamitos Heights.
What Your Membership Supports
AHIA benefits the residents of Alamitos Heights in many ways. The Association acts as a forum for two-way communication between our residents and our city government. AHIA meets with our 3rd District Councilperson, as well as local police, fire, and safety personnel. Information on issues affecting our neighborhood is passed on to residents through our newsletter, website, and community meetings. Feedback, comments, and requests from our neighborhood are fed back up to our city officials.
AHIA sponsors social events for the entire neighborhood. Our annual neighborhood picnic in June brings out many members, and it is a great way to connect with your neighbors.
AHIA sponsors the Colorado Lagoon Christmas Trees and a Tree Lighting ceremony that is fun for everyone.
AHIA publishes our newsletter containing articles written by your neighbors, and we maintain this website to promote communication between neighbors.
AHIA supports tree planting and neighborhood safety with community watch and National Night Out, sidewalk and street repair, and we look for new ways to make Alamitos Heights an even better neighborhood to live in.
Alamitos Height Improvement Association
Wine Down Fridays
Annual Neighborhood Picnic
Toss|Shred|Recycle Event
Twice a month, from Spring to Fall, our neighbors gather together in a casual front yard setting to "Wine Down" from the busy week. While neighbors bring a beverage to share, AHIA provides a "Host Kit" to our generous host for opening up their home.
Interested in hosting next season?
Contact our AHIA Coordinator, Janine Ransom, by text at
Twice a month, from Spring to Fall, our neighbors gather together in a casual front yard setting to "Wine Down" from the busy week. While neighbors bring a beverage to share, AHIA provides a "Host Kit" to our generous host for opening up their home.
Interested in hosting next season?
Contact our AHIA Coordinator, Janine Ransom, by text at 562-400-2915. She will share with you all the details on hosting.
Toss|Shred|Recycle Event
Annual Neighborhood Picnic
Toss|Shred|Recycle Event
We secure the permit and shredding truck to assist neighbors in their Spring Cleaning and Document disposal. A popular annual event each Spring.
Annual Neighborhood Picnic
Annual Neighborhood Picnic
Annual Colorado Lagoon Tree Lighting
A long-standing tradition, AHIA hosts an annual neighborhood picnic with ALL the fixings for a fantastic day outside; food, treats, games, vendors, door prizes, nieghbors and good old-fashioned FUN!
Annual Colorado Lagoon Tree Lighting
Neighborhood Tree Planting and Beautification Projects
Annual Colorado Lagoon Tree Lighting
Our signature event and community favorite. Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, our Community gathers at the Colorado Lagoon for the annual countdown to light the trees. Complete with Carolers. Hot Coco, Treats, and Santa!
Neighborhood Tree Planting and Beautification Projects
Neighborhood Tree Planting and Beautification Projects
Neighborhood Tree Planting and Beautification Projects
In the Fall we work on planting parkway trees that are complementary to the existing Magnolia trees in our neighborhood. The program is funded through a Port of Long Beach grant we secured. Our neighbors at the Conservation Corps partner with us on planting the new young trees. Interested in getting a new tree in your parkway?
Community Meeting
Neighborhood Tree Planting and Beautification Projects
Neighborhood Tree Planting and Beautification Projects
We are proud to have a working relationship with our city officials to advocate for our neighborhood. As part of our mission, we host a community meeting every year to inform our neighbors. The meeting focuses on the issues that matter most to Alamitos Heights Residents.
Feb. 2026 Meeting Featured:
District 3 Representative
Paul Van Dyke,
We are proud to have a working relationship with our city officials to advocate for our neighborhood. As part of our mission, we host a community meeting every year to inform our neighbors. The meeting focuses on the issues that matter most to Alamitos Heights Residents.
Feb. 2026 Meeting Featured:
District 3 Representative
Paul Van Dyke, Traffic Engineer
Adrian Puyott, Project Specialist
Sean Devereaux, Community Engagement Officer, Office of the City Manager, and liaison with the LA28 Olympics.
Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers Welcome
Creating Community Together is our slogan. Volunteers are the backbone of AHIA. If you are interested in helping our community at one of these events, we welcome your assistance. Please email president@ahia.info
Membership Matters
Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers Welcome
In addition to our volunteers, AHIA can not function without your support. Starting at $45, please make sure your annual membership is current. Thank you!
AHIA Board of Directors
- Dan Ornelas, President
- Craig Wallace, Vice President
- Lori Hess, Treasurer
- Annette Dhein, Secretary, Community Events Chair
- Barbara Geortner, Membership Chair
- Janine Ransom, Wine Down Friday Chair
- Lee Ostendorf, Annual Picnic Chair
- Maria Kisska, Grants / Sustainability Chair
- Catherine Grace, Neighborhood Beautification Chair
- Jeannine Saucedo, Communications Chair
- Naomi Hyland, Board Member
- Charlie Nicholas, Board Member