Monthly Online Newsletter - November 2004
Please Make a Note - City Hall will be closed for Veteran's Day November 11, 2004.
Sandbags available through Public Works Department
It's raining, it's pouring, but the old man isn't snoring. In fact, he's picking up the free sandbags that are available to all residents of Huntington Beach.
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.
Plan now for the Cruise of Lights
The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee presents the 42nd annual Cruise of Lights; a 45-minute narrated boat tour through the sparkling waterways of Huntington Harbour. This year's theme is Starlight Symphony and over 20,000 visitors will see thousands of lights on boats, decks, docks and homes, plus incredible animation.
Proceeds from the Cruise of Lights benefit the Philharmonic Society's nationally recognized music outreach programs for over 250,000 Orange County students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Cruise of Lights is often described as "The most spectacular light show on water." This year's dates are December 13 through the 22nd. Prices are: Monday through Friday, Adults $12 and children $8, with cruise times 6pm, 7pm and 8pm. Saturday and Sunday, adults $14 and children $8, with cruises at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm. There will be a special "Family Night" on December 14 with reduced prices: adults $10 and children $7.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee office at 714 840-7542, or visit us on the web at www.philharmonicsociety.org.
Huntington Beach Central Library presents 
"The Slouch in the Couch" Children's Corner Band Rock and Roll Fun for Kids!
Come celebrate Children's Book Week with a fun-filled performance by the innovative musical group "The Slouch in the Couch" on Wednesday, November 17 at 4 pm. Based on a series of children's learning books, this family oriented educational band will create a fantasy world for all ages. Tickets are $3.00 child/$5.00 adult. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.
For more information call (714) 375-5107. Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at 4 p.m. Library Theater, Central Library $3.00 child / $5.00 adult
Experience Contemporary Art, Live Blues, and Much, Much More at the Huntington Beach Art Center
Brush Strokes: An Exhibition of Traditional & Contemporary Asian Calligraphy remains on view in the Art Center's galleries and runs through Sunday, November 7, 2004. Admission is free.
Friday Night Blues: "The Melvin Eddy Blues Band" Friday, November 5, 2004, 7:30-10:00 p.m.
Renowned vocalist Melvin Eddy and his band carry on the Chicago Blues tradition, delighting crowds across the Southland with their authentic blues sound. General Admission: $20; HBAC Members: $15
PER/spectives on Art
Part III: Friday, November 19, 2004 7-8:30 p.m. Part III, presented by Christopher Miles, is the final lecture in the Per/spectives Series. Part III focuses on California art and artists, beginning with California Modernism and continues on through contemporary works. Presented in a relaxed coffeehouse-like setting, enjoy an evening of entertainment and artistic adventure. Seating is limited. Please call for reservations: 714.374.1650. General admission: $5; HBAC members: Free.
In a League of Their Own
November 20 - December 19, 2004
Reception: Saturday, November 20, 7 - 9 p.m. The Huntington Harbor Art Association and The Huntington Beach Art League: Two group exhibitions of various media by members of the H.H.A.A. and Art League, and a photographic installation "Land and Sea" by Monica Furmanski.
Free Admission.
Save the Date!
Friday-Sunday, December 3-5, 2004
"It's a Wonderful Life" Presented by the Newport Repertory Theater.
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Special event for HBAC members, dress rehearsal/dinner theater.
The H.B.P.D. Retired Senior Volunteer Program is Looking for New Members
The Huntington Beach Police Department is currently accepting applications for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Applicants must be at least 55 years of age and live in the City of Huntington Beach.
Participants perform many duties for The Department including performing vacation house checks, taking down illegally posted signs, citing illegally parked cars and performing public relations duties. Volunteers also participate in community special events and assist police personnel within the Department.
All interested applicants should contact the program coordinator for an application at (714) 536-5933. Training for the new RSVP class is expected to begin March, 2005
Lia Hernandez receives Mayor's Award
A popular and respected Librarian is the most recent recipient of the Mayor's Award. Lia Hernandez received this honor at the City Council meeting on October 18th. Ms. Hernandez's enthusiasm and dedication to the Central Library's Young Adult program is most impressive. She has transformed a weary and worn section within the main book stacks into a bustling, bean-bagged book area for teens.
She is shown standing between Library Director Ron Hayden and Mayor Cathy Green and joined by her husband Daniel and co-workers.
Save Energy - Help the Environment While You Save Money Information from the Huntington Beach Environmental Board
Decreasing energy use is one of the easiest ways to save money and conserve resources. Every time you use less energy around your home, you save money on your electric and natural gas bills.
Using less energy around the home can be as simple as 1-2-3: 1) good energy practices or habits, 2) do-it-yourself remedies or household repairs, and 3) replacing old appliances with energy efficient ones.
Good energy practices can be simple and easy. Turn off lights when they are not needed, close the fireplace flue when the fireplace is not un use, put on a sweater or throw an extra blanket on the bed when chilly rather than turning up the thermostat, close the vents and doors to rooms not in use, and shut off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving to easily yet effectively reduce energy consumption. Save energy and water by taking a short shower rather than a bath. Run the dishwasher only when full and air-dry the dishes to reduce dishwasher energy usage by 40%. Wash laundry in the coolest water temperature appropriate and always use cold water for rinses. Microwave ovens use approximately half the energy of conventional ovens.
Do-it-yourself remedies and minor household repairs can be inexpensive, easy to do, and save a surprising amount of energy. By replacing incandescent light bulbs with higher efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs you will use 75% less energy for the same amount of light. Replace worn washers in leaking faucets to save water and energy; a drip of water each second wastes 200 gallons of water each month. Clean or replace the heating system filter at least twice during the heating season. Caulking, weather stripping, and insulation are simple and effective ways to save energy since up to 40% of your home heating energy can be lost due to gaps around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and fireplaces.
Replace old appliances with energy efficient appliances to lower energy bills. Front-loading washers use 75% less water than traditional top-loading models. Using a cover on your pool or spa can lower your pool heating costs as much as 50%, reduce water evaporation, and cut down on chemical costs.
It can be easy to save money on your energy bills. Good energy practices and minor household repairs can save you money by lowering your energy costs.
Fire Department earns Life Safety Achievement Award
The Huntington Beach Fire Department has been presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for the year 2003 by the Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI). The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire prevention activities that contribute to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires.
The Fire Department qualified for this award in year 2003 because it recorded zero fire deaths in structures during that year. Since 1995, the Fire Department has received this award for eight years. Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20% of all fires, they result in 80% of all fire deaths.
Experience shows that fire prevention activity and public education can significantly reduce life and property loss from residential fires.
Prevention and education are very cost effective compared to the traditional approach of relying on fire suppression. The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire departments for their fire prevention efforts and encourages them to continually improve those efforts.
Of the 35,000 recognized public fire departments in the nation only 970 received this award.
The RFSI is a public interest group whose mission is to reduce residential fire deaths and injuries. They advocate the use of residential fire sprinklers; smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and teaching people fire-safe behavior.
The RSFI's membership includes the United States Fire Administration, the National Association of State Fire Marshals and private industry and associations with an interest in and commitment to residential fire safety. For more information about this organization their website is www.firesafehome.org.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau
The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation that promotes HB as the premier overnight beach destination in Orange County and Southern California - a vision that our city's founders had more than 100 years ago but is only now coming to fruition. By providing important visitor services and luring more guests to Surf City, the Bureau helps strengthen our economy and enhance our lifestyle.
Those of us who live and work here are well aware of HB's charms. Without visitors, however, our cost-of-living would be higher and our quality-of-life would be diminished. Visitors enrich our economy with purchasing power and revenue generated from room, sales and property taxes. And don't forget all of the jobs created - not only in the hospitality industry. Many of the recreational, dining and shopping options that make HB so dynamic would not exist today without tourism. (Even our police department and parks are partially funded by these vital tax dollars.)
The Bureau offers a free visitors guide, toll-free 24-hour recorded information, advertising, public relations, a first-rate website - www.hbvisit.com - and numerous other promotions and activities to attract and inform visitors. Additionally, it staffs two visitor information centers (main office and a seasonal pier-side kiosk) to welcome visitors and direct them to area businesses.
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 Huntington Beach Visa Card
Last December, the City of Huntington Beach launched the new Surf City Visa Credit Card program and it became a great way for many residents to finish off their holiday shopping. While the new cardholders benefit from both the convenience of a Visa card and low introductory rates, the City also benefits.
For every Surf City Huntington Beach Visa card issued, and for every purchase made, the community receives revenue for parks, recreation, libraries, cultural programs and more. In addition to shopping locally, day-to-day purchases with your Surf City Huntington Beach Visa card will help provide programs and activities for children and others here in Huntington Beach.
Now our partner, U.S. Bank, has announced new changes that will make the Visa card even more attractive. Beginning this fall, they will be offering new benefits to cardholders, including member rewards such as travel, merchandise or cash; and customizable card art to make our card look even more like 'Surf City'!
Keep an eye out for additional information as it becomes available. Or, to apply now, log on to the City's website, www.surfcity-hb.org and use the link provided to the U.S. Bank's secure on-line application page. You may also pick up an application at any one of a number of City public counters and return it in the postage paid mailer.
Fats, Oils, and Grease used in the kitchen, when dumped down the sink, have been found to be a major contributor to sewer pipe blockages. When the pipe gets blocked, the sewer often backs up to the surface and if not properly contained, can flow to the storm drain and into the ocean.
The City is in the process of adopting an ordinance to control the amount of fats, oils and grease, commonly referred to as FOG, that is generated by food service establishments from entering the sewer. However, all residents can do their part by not dumping fats, oils and grease down the drain. Instead, mix it with absorbent materials such as kitty litter or coffee grounds and throw it in the trash. Remember, the drain is not a dump.
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.
Art Center newest exhibit
The Huntington Beach Art Center is presenting the exhibition Brushstrokes: An Exhibition of Traditional & Contemporary Asian Calligraphy in the main galleries that will feature approximately 45 works in several mediums including wood carvings, hanging scrolls and works on paper. This is the 8th Biennial exhibition by the Mook Hyang Calligraphy Society.
The Mook Hyang Calligraphy Society is an association of Korean-American calligraphers in Orange County. Since its inception in 1983 it has been promoting Asian calligraphy to the multiethnic American society. Under the leadership of Dr. Sun W. Kim, the current ten active members are comprised of professional calligraphers of international prominence as well as amateur calligraphers. The members share the goal to enrich their lives by learning more about calligraphy and their cultural heritage, and to help others as well as their children understand the traditions of East Asian culture.
The exhibition is scheduled from October 24 - November 7, 2004 with an opening reception on Saturday, October 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public and a calligraphy demonstration will be included during the reception.
The Huntington Beach Art Center is a community arts and cultural center serving Huntington Beach and the Southern California region. The Center presents the works of artists producing in all media. Through exhibitions, performances, film/video screenings, lectures and educational programming, the HBAC serves to advance public awareness and understanding of cultural, historic, and contemporary perspectives.
For more information on exhibitions, programs, and gallery hours please call the Art Center at 714/374-1650.
"Hay Fever" coming to HB
The Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) presents Hay Fever at the Huntington Beach Historic Theater. Performances will run November 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and November 21 at 2:00 p.m. The theater is located at 1905 Main Street, on the corner of Yorktown and Main. Admission $9.00 Students/Seniors $7.00. Tickets are available at the box office starting 45 minutes prior to curtain. Recorded Information: 714.536.2514 ext. 602
This 1920's drawing room comedy features a rather Bohemian family of four: Actress Judith Bliss (Kelly Dixon), Author David Bliss (Alec Malcynski), and the two children, Simon and Sorel (AJ Gutierrez, Nicole Weber), who haven't found themselves. Each invites a rather interesting guest for the weekend without disclosing it to each other. Well, they do arrive. First, Sandy Tyrell (Ryan Field) closely followed by Myra (Dani Kerry), Richard (Alessandro Randazzo), and Jackie (Amanda Bolten). Consequently, a most entertaining weekend filled with many romantic twists and turns begins at an explosive pace!
Hay Fever is a British humor at its theatrical best-and is one of the director's favorite plays.
Grand Juror Applicants Needed for Orange County
All qualified citizens interested in serving on the 2005/2006 Orange County Grand Jury are encouraged to submit their applications to the Superior Court for consideration, announced the Hon. Nancy Wieben Stock, Chair of the Grand Jury Recruitment/Selection Committee. Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2004 until January 14, 2005. The 2005/2006 Grand Jury term will begin on July 1, 2005.
Selection Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- U.S. citizenship and a resident of Orange County for at least one year
- Sufficiently fluent in written and spoken English
- May not serve on any other governmental board or commission during the term
- Cannot be presently holding a public office or become personally active in any campaign of a candidate for elective office
- Prior to being nominated, each qualifying applicant is interviewed by a Superior Court judge and background investigations are conducted by the Orange County Sheriff
Members on the Grand Jury will be selected by random drawing from those applicants nominated by the judges of the Superior Court.
Position Requirements
- Be available five days a week and some evening and weekend hours may be required.
- Requires a full-time commitment for a full year.
- Those employed should not apply unless they obtain leave from their employers for the duration of their term of service. Written confirmation from the employer must be submitted with each application.
- $50 a day for service
- Round-trip mileage
- Free parking
The official term of the Grand Jury is July 1, 2005 until June 30, 2006.
An orientation program for all Grand Juror applicants will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Justice Center, Department C1, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana. The orientation program will be conducted by the Grand Jury Recruitment and Selection Committee and members of the current Grand Jury. All applicants are required to attend this orientation program.
The application and related information is available on the Internet at: www.occourts.org or by calling the Grand Jury Hotline at (714) 834-6747.
Overnight Parking at City Beach now re-opened
The City of Huntington Beach has opened up a parking lot between Huntington St. and First St. to overnight parking, said Parking/Camping Supervisor Steve Benson. Forty-six spaces have been made available for campers and RVs. All spaces must be reserved up to one month ahead, and can only be made in person or by mail. No reservations will be taken over the phone.
Spaces may be reserved for up to 14 consecutive days. A five-day waiting period must pass before reserving another space. Reservation dates began on October 1st and end in late March. Rates are $40/night plus a deposit, although HB residents, seniors age 62 and over, and the disabled receive a five dollar discount.
Each space has water and electricity services available. There is no dumping sewage on site, but there is an off-site dumping area on the south end of the lot.
For more information, please call the information line at 969- 5621. The parking office can also be called at 536- 5286.
October Television Schedule for Channel Three
| Community Bulletin Board | All Day, Everyday |
| City Council Live Broadcasts | November 1st and 15th starting at 7pm |
| City Council Re-Broadcasts | Nov. 2nd at 10am and Nov. 3rd at 7pm For the November 1st meeting Nov. 16th at 10 am & Nov. 17th at 7 pm For the November 15th meeting |
| Planning Commission Broadcasts | November 9th and 23rd at 7 pm |
| Planning Commission Re-Broadcasts | Thursday following the meeting at 7 pm |
*** A Special Broadcast of the City Council Candidate Forum will be shown live on October 14th at 7 pm. It will be re-broadcast on October 15th and 21st at 7 pm and October 16th at 10 am.