August 22, 2006

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Huck Finn Fishing Derby - Saturday, August 12, was a great day at the pier for 240 participants in the 44th Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby. As the children, ages up to 15, grabbed their lucky spot, parents looked on and untangled fishing lines. Sponsors donated so many prizes that no one went away empty handed. The top prizes were a bike donated by Sport Chalet and a full assortment of fishing gear. Let's Go Fishing donated enough bait for everyone. Members of Fish Talk Radio presented many prizes and secured donated items including fishing trips, poles, and other tackle. The largest fish was caught by Joshua Schulz who landed a 21-oz. Yellowfin Croaker.

Distance Derby - The 52nd Annual Distance Derby was held on August 19 at the beach. There were over 1,100 participants who ran 5 and 10 miles. The Distance Derby is the oldest footrace in Orange County. The race travels along the beach bike path, which provides a scenic, flat course enjoyed by many returning participants each year.

Senior Care Management - In July, the Senior Services Care Management team made 85 home visits and provided information and referrals--586 by phone and 47 walk-in. The Care Management team consists of one full-time and three part-time professionally trained social workers who team with Huntington Beach seniors, families, caregivers, and senior service providers to develop a plan for facing late-life transitions and to facilitate independent living. Connecting clients to appropriate services allows the client to remain at home safely and with confidence. Care Management links Huntington Beach seniors to resources in the community in order to extend their stay at home with an improved quality of life. For more information, please contact Seniors' Outreach 960-2478.

National Lifeguard Championships - Huntington City Beach lifeguards placed seventh in the annual National Lifeguard Championships held last week in its first-ever appearance in Surf City, USA on August 10-12. The Huntington Beach Surf Lifesaving Association (HBSLSA), comprised of lifeguards employed by the city of Huntington Beach, scored 73 points for seventh overall, its best national placing in almost 40 years. The HBSLSA's success was largely due to the incredible performance of Micha Burden, 24, who scored 51.5 of Huntington's 73 points. Remarkably, Burden was named the United States Lifesaving Association's (USLA) Top Female Lifeguard competitor in the nation for her performance. She dominated the women's events by finishing first in the Women's Run-Swim-Run, the American Iron Woman, and the Women's Distance Swim. Burden also finished second in the Women's Rescue Race with Aubrey Panis, sixth in the Open Rescue Race with Bryce Elser, and fourth in the Women's Paddleboard. Elser and Panis also played a key role in overall team points. Elser finished seventh in the Men's Run-Swim-Run, and eighth in the Men's Distance Swim, while Panis finished tenth in the Women's Run-Swim-Run, and fifteenth in the Distance Swim. Administered by the nonprofit USLA, the national surf lifesaving competition featured hundreds of the nation's top open-water lifeguard competitors, from Hawaii to the east coast, competing for national medals in various beach and surf-related tests of physical endurance. The Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Association hosted the national surf lifesaving competition. The event was a huge success with thousands of competitors and spectators enjoying excellent conditions for an event of this magnitude. To view a complete list of the competition results and other related information, please log onto www.usla.org and point your cursor to Events-USLA Nationals. USLA, the nation's association of open-water lifesavers, works to prevent drownings and related accidents through public education, competition, the promotion of high standards among lifesavers, and by encouraging the provision of lifeguard protection. Over 100 lifesaving agencies from across the United States are certified as meeting USLA's recommended minimum standards.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Apartment Fire - On August 10 at approximately 5:30 a.m., Fire units from both Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley responded to an apartment fire at 1317 Huntington Street # C. On arrival, firefighters reported a two-story, multi-residential building with heavy smoke coming from a second-floor apartment. As firefighters attacked the second story fire, the living room window shattered, and the apartment unit became fully involved in fire. Firefighters fought the fire from the front door before advancing down the hallway into the rear bedroom. The fire was under control in approximately 10-15 minutes. One of the two residents who escaped without injury stated she woke up and noticed fire burning against the bedroom wall under the window. When she shouted to her roommate, he immediately ran outside and downstairs to retrieve a fire extinguisher. By the time he returned, he could see the fire had grown considerably; they both evacuated without using the extinguisher. During overhaul operations, two unresponsive cats were found inside the apartment. They were taken outside where oxygen was administered. One of the cats recovered and was returned to the resident. The other cat, unfortunately, did not survive. Two firefighters were slightly injured during the incident, one with minor burns to his neck and the other with a strained back. Medical treatment was sought after the incident, but both returned to work the following shift. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

City's Emergency Operations Center to hold a Grand Re-Opening - The public is invited to enter the not-often-seen Emergency Operations Center for an Open House on August 31 from 2-5 p.m. The EOC is located in City Hall in the Lower Lobby. The EOC is designed to serve as a headquarters during a major disaster or incident. The Open House will allow the public to view the new technology and equipment that will be used in the event of a disaster. The new technology, including a large video wall for incident tracking, a SmartBoard, and software that will provide real-time incident tracking and improved internal and external communications, was paid for through grants and agency funding. The technology also allows for a live video feed from the city's Police helicopter and the field operations. The Open House will kick off with a dedication by Mayor Sullivan at 2 p.m., this will then be followed by a five-minute presentation describing how grants and agency funding were used to complete the project. The Open House will include displays about the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), RACES, Employee Safety Officer Program, Disaster Preparedness Programs, and tours of the EOC. Disaster Alley will be set up to provide current information to prepare for major incidents. Along with the many different handouts, there will be refreshments served. Any questions can be directed to Glorria Morrison - gmorrison@surfcity-hb.org.

PLANNING

New Associate Planner in Planning - The Planning Department is proud to welcome our newest Associate Planner, Tess Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen comes to us from the private sector where she has worked for Civic Solutions, Inc. as a contract planner for such cities as Aliso Viejo, West Hollywood, and Lake Forest. She has also worked in the public sector for Culver City, Stanislaus Council of Governments, and the city of Los Alamitos. She will be assigned to the Current Planning Division and will work primarily on entitlements, the counter, and assorted assignments as deemed necessary.

General Plan Now Available on City website - An electronic version (PDF) of the General Plan Element is now available on the Planning Department section of the city's website, http://www.surfcity-hb.org/CityDepartments/planning/gp/. The General Plan is a fundamental policy document of the city of Huntington Beach that provides the framework for management and utilization of the city's physical, economic, and human resources. The General Plan Map and Zoning Map are also available at this site. Other Planning documents will soon be placed on the website.

POLICE

Citizen Police Academy Starting September 26 - The Huntington Beach Police Department is proud to offer the Citizen Police Academy to local residents. Designed to increase the understanding of the Police Department, the academy is conducted over a 10-week period. Students will learn from department personnel who are experts in the areas of patrol and traffic operations, criminal law, narcotics, SWAT, K-9, AERO operations, and other fields. All students will participate in one ride-along during the academy. Whether you live or work in the city of Huntington Beach, your attendance is welcome. The only additional requirements are that you must be at least 18 years of age and pass a background check. All interested persons must complete an application. An eligibility list is then compiled, and students are assigned to the next available session. The deadline for the next class will be September 19. The September class will begin on the 26th and run until December 5. Class times will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information or an application, you may contact Officer Jerry Abrahams at 375-5095 or email jabrahams@hbpd.org.

PUBLIC WORKS

New TV Series for California's Water - "California's Water" is a new multi-part series airing throughout 2006 on PBS. The show is produced by Huell Howser and underwritten by the Association of California Water Agencies. The series explores California's water resources and the complex system of natural and man-made features that have allowed growing communities, businesses, productive farms, and ecosystems to co-exist. The series highlights key aspects of water management today, from water storage and recycling, to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Colorado River. Check your local PBS station listing for dates and times. For more information, please visit www.acwa.com or call Orange County Water District at 378-3200.

Weekly Report Archive 2006 2005 2004