Monthly Online Newsletter - March 2005
Huntington Beach gets special visit from the "voice"
of Darth Vader
Story and photos by PIO Intern Abigail Nelson
The children walked down the red carpet two by two. Dressed in their school uniforms, each student carried a copy of a children's book. They heard their teacher's voices telling them to be polite and stand tall. They knew they were going to hear someone special read them a story. This person who was going to be reading to them was a famous man, and some of the students knew that he was the voice of Mufasa, from The Lion King. 
For now, they were just excited to be walking down the red carpet with people taking their pictures.
The red carpet was rolled out for James Earl Jones at the Huntington Beach Public Library, on January 31, 2005. The man behind the voice of Darth Vader from Star Wars was full of warm smiles and handshakes for everyone as he made his way down the carpet, into the library on a sunny Monday morning.
As the spokesman for Verizon, Mr. Jones came to Huntington Beach to give a $25,000 check to the Literacy Volunteers of America, Huntington Beach Chapter. This grant, donated by Verizon, will finance the training of volunteer tutors for the group's adult literacy program.
Mr. Jones, 74, spoke to an audience of community leaders, city officials, schoolteachers, and more than 50 fourth and fifth graders from Oak View Elementary. The children sat on the floor in the front of the audience with their copies of the children's book Mr. Wolf's Pancakes. The audience knew they were in the presence of greatness when James Earl Jones came up to the podium, and in that powerful baritone voice spoke the words, "May the force be with you."
A strong advocate of literacy programs, Mr. Jones spoke of his childhood and of how he rarely spoke because as a child, he stuttered and was illiterate. He found his voice through books, and as he learned to read he said literacy became the key to his freedom.
As Mr. Jones read Mr. Wolf's Pancakes, the children followed along in their books. They giggled as he brought Mr. Wolf to life as the character gobbled up mean animals that try to steal his flapjacks.
After the reading, Mr. Jones presented the Verizon check for $25,000 to the literacy program. Two awards were also presented during the event: The first was given to Rosa Molina, who is an Oak View Branch Library literacy student and a mother of two. The second was given to Miguel Zamudio a fourth grader at Oak View, who was honored for his outstanding citizenship and excellence in academics. After the presentations, Mr. Jones posed for many group photos with the children and the recipients of the awards.
The children left with their copies of Mr. Wolf's Pancakes in hand. They had just enjoyed a nice afternoon, where a nice man with a big smile and a deep voice had read them a funny story. Perhaps some of them realized they were in the presence of greatness, but most of them probably didn't. But they knew that they were special and because of the generous supporters of Huntington Beach, they had just enjoyed a great day.
Volunteer Drivers needed for senior transportation
The City of Huntington Beach, Senior Services is in need of volunteer drivers for the Senior Transportation Program. This program provides door-to-door service to medical appointments, shopping centers, Rodgers Seniors' Center, and any other location within Huntington Beach. Volunteer drivers will receive on-the-job training and are asked to drive a four-hour shift per week.
Senior Services provides transportation for seniors, ages 55 and over, and assists with their mobility needs in order to promote self-sufficiency and independence. Drivers drive more than 90,000 miles annually collectively. There is no charge to use the service, but donations are always appreciated.
For additional information on becoming a volunteer driver, please call Diane Swarts, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at (714) 374-1544.
Huntington Beach Police in process of recruitment
Did you know that the Huntington Beach Police Department is the largest department in the City, with 220 sworn positions, 135 full-time civilian positions, and about 30 part-time positions? Did you know that it takes more than just Police Officers to make a department run smoothly? Do you know that the department is looking for quality candidates to fill a variety of open positions?
The Huntington Beach Police Department is an exciting place to work, with many specialty assignments and some of the most modern facilities and equipment in the state. Specialty assignments available, after of few years as a patrol officer, include Investigations, SWAT, K-9, Narcotics, Downtown Footbeat, Beach Patrol, and our Aero Bureau. The department has a modern full-service jail with space for 72 arrestees, one of only two crime labs in the county, and a state of the art dispatch center.
The department is now recruiting for several positions, including Police Officer, Detention Officer, Communications Operator (911 dispatcher), Records Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Parking Control Officer, Custodian, Police Cadet, and Crossing Guard. Each position has its own eligibility requirements, application procedures, and testing schedules.
If you are interesting in applying for any of these positions, please visit the City of Huntington Beach website at www.surfcity-hb.org/jobs. Candidates will be required to pass a comprehensive background investigation prior to hire. Recent drug use, convictions, or crimes of moral turpitude could cause disqualification.
Passport Services available at City Hall 
If your future travel plans call for a destination beyond the borders of the United States, then you either need a new passport or you may want to check your current passport to make sure it is up-to-date.
The City of Huntington Beach, through the City Clerk's Office, has been designated as a United States Acceptance Facility for people needing a passport for the first time, as well as for people needing to renew their existing passport.
The City Clerk's Office also provides information packets to help you expedite your application for a Passport. Located at the Huntington Beach City Hall, 2000 Main Street, on the 2nd floor, it is open Monday thru Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including lunchtime hours. For more information call 714-374-1600.
Central Park will be busy with Easter Hunters March 26
The fifteenth annual Easter Hunt will be held on March 26 this year. The event is coordinated by the City of Huntington Beach Community Services Department and the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club.
This is a fun event for the entire family to come out and enjoy spring in Central Park. The Easter Hunt will be held off of Edwards near the picnic shelter. Candy will be collected by children through the age of 8 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Ages 2 and under will start at 10:00, followed by 3-4 year olds at 10:30, 5-6 year olds at 11:00, and 7-8 year old children at 11:30.
The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos and other city mascots will be roaming through the event. Demonstrations and information will be provided by Public Works, Police, Fire and other city departments. Entertainment will be provided by the Shorelife Band. Children will not only have the opportunity to climb on tractors but will have several game booths to keep them entertained. The event is free and we anticipate a great turnout so arrive early and bring your Easter Baskets.
Conference and Visitor's Bureau Update
Living or working in Huntington Beach is a singular experience. However, many residents are not aware of the vital role that tourism plays in the city's quality of life. Visitors enrich our economy with purchasing power and revenue generated from room, sales and property taxes. Additionally, many new jobs are created - and not just in the hospitality industry (even our police department and parks are partially funded by these vital tax dollars).
The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau (HBCVB) promotes Surf City as the premier overnight beach destination in Orange County and Southern California - a vision of our city's founders more than a century ago. This non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation provides important visitor services and entices people to choose to the Surf City USA™ destination for their travel needs.
The Bureau offers a free visitors guide, toll-free 24-hour recorded information, advertising, public relations, a world-class website - www.surfcityusa.com - and myriad other promotions and activities to attract and inform visitors. The HBCVB also operates a year-round visitor information center Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST in its offices at 301 Main St., Ste. 208. Additional visitor information and services are provided through the Bureau's Visitor Services Ambassador Program. Located in a pier-side kiosk, the complimentary service offered from noon to 7 p.m. May 28-Sept. 5, 2005.
Want to learn more? Well, here's your chance. The HB Pipeline, an online Bureau publication, is available bimonthly from the City's Website. Just check out www.surfcity-hb.org to see the link.
Surf City USA™ is a trademark of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.
Swing Band to perform at Pier on Mother's Day
Put on your dancing shoes and bring your mom down to Pier Plaza on Mothers Day, Sunday May 8. The Pier Plaza Presents Concert series kicks off with the sound of the Royal Crown Review,
a seven piece swing band that combines jazz and jump in an elegant blend of everything from be-bop to gut-bucket blues.
This popular band signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1995, releasing their first album Mugzy's Move, which formally established the band's "hard-boiled" style with songs of Hollywood street life and big-top tragedies.
Over the past several years, the group has toured extensively and made innumerable television and radio appearances, including "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", the "Today Show" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
Royal Crown Review has appeared at the Playboy Jazz Festival, performed live with Bette Midler at the Billboard Music Awards, and performed at an eclectic mix of events from major jazz festivals such as the Concord and Newport to the Warped Tour.
Most recently the groups' music was included the films "Cat in the Hat" and "Something's Gotta Give" as well as the television series "Wonder Falls". Royal Crown Review has released several albums that have gained positive critical acclaim and fans throughout the world.
The Royal Crown Review will be at Pier Plaza on Sunday, May 8 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
The Pier Plaza Presents Concert series is sponsored by Farmers and Merchants Bank. It is presented on various Sundays from May through August. For a complete lineup of the 2005 series, contact the Community Services Department at 714-536-5486.
New at the Art Center
The Huntington Beach Art Center located at 538 Main Street is presenting DETOURS, a multimedia exhibition that defines various collective practices and explores their motivations, methodologies, and audiences as viable models of interaction and production through installation, documentation, print, video, and web material. The Center for Tactical Magic, Finishing School, and Survival Research Laboratories will be included in the presentation scheduled for March 12 - April 10, 2005. The exhibition opens on Saturday, March 12 with a panel discussion entitled, "What We Do and Why We Do It" beginning at 6 p.m. Continuing from 7 to 10 p.m., the multimedia presentation and exhibition of works by these dynamic and innovative collectives will delight, motivate, and challenge your ideas of public space through playful and critical methods and forms. The discussion, exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
Finishing School (FS) is a collective identity that enlists tactical media to investigate the many intersections between educational models, critical theory, and covert and common everyday activities. FS demystifies cultural production and redefines viewers as active participants engaged in a learning process. Their contribution to the exhibition at the Huntington Beach Art Center will include works that span the history of the collective, including a new project that re-presents vital information regarding the artist Dr. Steven Kurtz, a member of the artist collective Critical Art Ensemble (CAE). Beatriz da Costa, a collaborator with CAE and Assistant Professor at the University of California, Irvine, will be delivering a lecture at the Huntington Beach Art Center concerning the CAE case on Thursday, March 17, 2005 at 7:30p.m.
The Center for Tactical Magic engages in extensive research, development, and deployment of the pragmatic system known as Tactical Magic. A fusion force summoned from the ways of the artist, the magician, the ninja, and the private investigator, Tactical Magic is an amalgam of disparate arts invoked for the purpose of actively addressing Power on individual, communal, and transnational fronts. Center for Tactical Magic in collaboration with Eva Strohmeier will present UPRISING! a community kite-making project that invites participants to design and build their own kites with a message they wish to communicate from up high. An example is illustrated in the graphic above.
Survival Research Laboratories was conceived and founded by Mark Pauline in 1978 as an organization of creative technicians dedicated to redirecting the techniques, tools, and tenets of industry, science, and the military away from their typical manifestations in practicality, product or warfare. SRL has staged over 50 mechanized performances in the United States, Europe, and Japan that consist of a unique set of ritualized interactions between machines, robots, and special effects devices, employed in developing themes of socio-political satire. Humans are present only as audience or operators. SRL's presentation will include print media and documentation on previous projects.
City's Building and Safety working to be more business friendly
The Building Department sponsored a broker luncheon on Wednesday, February 16th at the Waterfront Hilton Hotel to unveil a new preliminary Certificate of Occupancy inspection program and to build better links with the brokerage community through constructive dialogue. The Building Department invited representatives from the Planning, Fire and Economic Development departments as well an impressive group of brokers that are responsible for the lease or sale of a majority of the industrial buildings that are leased or sold in the City of Huntington Beach.
Ross Cranmer, the Director of Building and Safety, led the discussion, explaining the new program as well as fielding questions from brokers about various city policies. The preliminary Certificate of Occupancy inspection will allow brokers and prospective buyers or lessees the opportunity to find out any building issues before they buy, sell or lease an industrial building in the city. This new program better positions the City of Huntington Beach as friendly to business by mitigating some of the risk involved in moving an industrial business to the city. The well-attended luncheon was tremendously successful as an outreach effort to brokers.
Sandbags available through Public Works Department
Local citizens can receive up to 20 sandbags from the City of Huntington Beach Corporate Yard at 17371 Gothard St. The sandbags are available during storms and when significant rainfall is in our forecast. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. These hours may be extended in the event of a major storm.
Sandbags are for the personal use of Huntington Beach residents only. Contractors and businesses can purchase sand and bags at most building supply centers and home improvement stores. Residents should be prepared to show a form of personal identification, like a driver's license or photo I.D card, and a current utility bill or similar proof of HB residency. Citizens are asked to bring their own shovel and fill their own bags, unless they are physically unable.
The elderly and disabled may call the HB Fire Dept. CERT message line, (714) 536-5974, to have sandbags delivered by volunteers. The City does not collect bags after the rainy season. It is the responsibility of the resident to lawfully dispose of the sand and the bag when no longer needed.
The Yard is located at 17371 Gothard St. between Warner and Slater Avenues. For more information, please call Public Works Maintenance at 960-8861. For all information or questions on flood preparedness, call the Huntington Beach Fire Department Emergency Services Office at 536-5980.
West Nile Virus still a threat in County
Update provided by Orange County Vector Control
The alternation between rainy days, and bright sunny days is fairly typical of southern California winters. The difference this year, is that winter of 2004-05 has seen record setting rainfall, and the sunny days have frequently been quite warm. These factors result in ideal conditions for producing a bumper crop of mosquitoes. We are set up for what could be a very bad mosquito year if nothing is done.
We are still regularly finding evidence of ongoing West Nile virus transmission, both in dead birds brought into the district, by the public, and our wild bird bleed-and-release program. This means West Nile virus remained active in the County all winter, though at far lower levels than last summer. No one is sure what the infection rate is going to be this season, but the Orange County Vector Control District is prepared with an even more forceful response than we mounted last year.
Our greatest challenge remains the tremendous number of mosquitoes emerging from the almost 700,000 backyards around the County. Possibly as many as half the mosquitoes in Orange County come from backyards. We are again asking residents to help out by eliminating all standing water they come across, at home and at the work place.
We all must keep in mind that during warm weather mosquitoes can develop in as little time as a week, in a few tablespoons full of water. Residents are also cautioned to take personal protective measures like making sure window screens are in good repair, and properly installed. We also recommend that individuals that are outdoors during periods of peak mosquito activity wear long sleeves, long pants and wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET.
The Orange County Vector Control District is prepared to deal with known sources, residents should report any suspected breeding sites we may not be aware of, and remember to monitor their own property. The Orange County Vector Control District website, www.ocvcd.org contains information and links about West Nile virus, as well as other vector issues in Orange County.
HB has been experiencing interesting weather as is shown by this photo of a waterspout that was taken by Lifeguard Claude Panis from Tower Zero on Feb. 19th at 7:30 am.
Pacific Shoreline Marathon reaches record number of participants
The Ninth Annual Pacific Shoreline Marathon was held in Huntington Beach on Sunday, February 6, 2005. The event included a marathon, a half marathon, a 5K Run/Walk, a Surf Kids Mile. A three-day Surf City Health and Fitness EXPO, a Beach Front Finish Line Festival with Beer Garden and a Carbo-Load Party also took place throughout the weekend.
This year marked a new beginning for the Pacific Shoreline Marathon behind the leadership of Louise Weiner, the former Event Manager. More than 1,000 volunteers were needed to ensure the event ran smoothly. The ninth consecutive year of this marathon was record-setting with 7,656 registered runners from across the country, which marks a 14.7% increase in participation from 2004.
The event which attracted many spectators and media raised money for several charities, including: Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguards, Huntington Beach Firefighters Association, International Surfing Museum, Phoenix House, and Hope House. No event of this magnitude is possible without the support and dedication of volunteers, sponsors, spectators, and the local community who truly are the lifeblood of the event. The Pacific Shoreline Staff and the City of Huntington Beach appreciates everyone that made this event a success.
Fifth Annual Taste of Huntington Beach will be held April 24th
The fifth annual "Taste of Huntington Beach" will serve tastes from over 50 of the City's favorite eateries and over 30 nationally recognized wineries and breweries Sunday, April 24 from 12 noon-4pm at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway.
The Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt will be the scene once again for the Huntington Beach Restaurant Association to raise over $30,000 for the Children's Wing of the Huntington Beach Central Library, complete with an extensive silent auction, raffle prizes and live musical entertainment.
Pre-sale tickets are available for $40 through April 4 - which includes a $4 beach side parking for those not wishing to valet park at the Hyatt. Otherwise, tickets are $50 at the door for the all inclusive one-price day of sampling the finest cuisine from some of the favorite eateries in Huntington Beach.
Presale tickets are found at the Huntington Beach Central Library: (714) 842-4481 and the Visitors & Conference Bureau, 301 Main Street, Ste. 208 (714) 969-3492 as well as The Longboard Restaurant & Pub and Duke's Surf City. Photo shows last year's Taste of Huntington Beach with the HB Pie Company providing samples.
Junior Lifeguard program will hold tryouts in May
The City of Huntington Beach's 2005 Junior Lifeguard Program will be holding tryouts this May. Open to boys and girls ages 9-17, this program teaches ocean and beach safety, lifesaving techniques, procedures for safe bodysurfing, body boarding, board surfing, development of swimming skills, competitions with other Jr. Lifeguard programs, volleyball, and miscellaneous beach games, activities, field trips and ecology.
The purpose of the Junior Lifeguard Program is to acquaint the youth of our community with the experience of ocean swimming and its hazards. They will be exposed to an environment that will teach them courtesy, respect, discipline, sound morals, and good sportsmanship. This summer program runs Monday through Friday from June 27 to August 18, 2005. There are two sessions each day: Morning Session, which runs from 8:30 AM to 12 noon, and Afternoon Session, which runs from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
The applicants for the Junior Lifeguard Program must possess a basic swimming ability. The tryouts will consist of several prerequisite exams: applicants must be able to swim 100 yards in less than 1 minute and 50 seconds, tread water for 5 minutes, and swim underwater for approximately 10 yards. The tryouts will be held at Fountain Valley High School Pool (behind the gym) located at Talbert and Slater, on Bushard. Tryouts will be held from 8 AM to 12 noon on May 7, 14, 21 and 22.
After the swimming tests have been successfully completed, applicants can register for the program. Returning Junior Guards may register by "mail in registration" which are mailed to last year's participants. These must be returned no later than May 31.
New applicants, or those who have not completed mail-in registration, must register and receive their uniform at Junior Lifeguard Headquarters on the weekends of June 4 and 5, or June 11 and 12, from 8:00 AM to 12 noon. New applicants must have tryout verification on their registration forms. You must have a proof of age (a birth certificate) in order to register.
The fee for this program is $475 for Huntington Beach Residents and $515 for non-residents. This fee includes one beach parking pass per registered student, T-shirt, sweatshirt, hat, backpack, patches and the cost of all field trips and events. There are additional costs for group photos, swimsuits and rash guards.
For more information call 374-1501.
New flagpoles dedicated at Pier Plaza
On a rainy President's Day, Monday February 21st, the sun came out just long enough for the American Legion to hold a ceremony on Pier Plaza. 
The ceremony was held to raise the flags on three new flag poles, located on Pier Plaza, and to dedicate these new poles to the community.
The American Legion, a veteran's association, often holds ceremonies on Pier Plaza and noticed the absence of the American flag in this location. Through major donations and fundraising efforts by the members of the Legion, more than $23,000 was raised to fund this project.
Three flagpoles now stand next to the pier, featuring the American flag, the POW/MIA flag, the California State flag, and the City of Huntington Beach flag.
A group of about 60 people, including several City Council members and Assemblyman Tom Harman, were present as the flags were officially raised to their new home overlooking Pier Plaza.
Nancy Blacksher receives February Mayor's Award
Nancy Wiese Blacksher is a Code Enforcement Officer in the City's Planning Department. She began her career in code enforcement over 25 years ago with the City of Upland and has been with the City of Huntington Beach for the past 4 ½ years. During her time with Huntington Beach, the City has benefited from her devotion, extensive knowledge of code enforcement, and her ability to put a friendly face on the often difficult job of code enforcement.
One of Nancy's most valuable skills is her ability to take the Municipal Code and make it easily understandable to residents and businesses so that they can better understand not only what the code requires, but the underlying need and importance of the code.
Aside from her daily duties as a code enforcement officer, Nancy has taken the initiative to educate the public about the importance of code enforcement by making presentations, including participating in an elementary school Career Day, making several presentations to the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol members of the Police Department, and writing several articles on code enforcement for the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter.
Nancy is devoted to her family, especially her grandson Nick, and is also a newlywed, marrying her husband, Jim, 1 ½ years ago. The photo shows Nancy with her husband on her right, then Planning Director Howard Zelefsky, Mayor Jill Hardy on her left and additional family and planning staff members surrounding her.
March Television Schedule for Channel Three
| Community Bulletin Board | All Day, Everyday |
| City Council Live Broadcasts | March 7th and 21st starting at 6 pm |
| City Council Re-Broadcasts | March 8th at 10 am For the Mrach 7th meeting |
| March 22nd at 10 am For the March 21st meeting |
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| Planning Commission Broadcasts | March 8th and 22nd at 7 pm |
| Planning Commission Re-Broadcasts | Thursday following the meeting at 7 pm |
This fun photo was taken by HB resident Jim Carlson at the February Kite Festival held at the beach and sponsored by Dave Shenkman's Kite Store.