COMMUNITY SERVICES
51st Annual Distance Derby - On Saturday, August 20, the 51st Annual Distance Derby was conducted along the beach. This annual event drew over 1,100 runners from around the country, and proceeds went to support the Project Self-Sufficiency program. The top runner in the 10-mile race was Ben Mejia with a time of 53:26 minutes. The overall winner of the 5-mile event was Justin Chung from Manchester, CT. There was a large exhibition area with many sponsors participating. Rainbow Disposal was the title sponsor for the race this year. The day would not have been possible without all of the great help that was provided by many volunteers. Recognition goes to the Huntington Beach Junior Guards, the Lions Club, the Breakfast Kiwanis, RACES, the Morning Rotary, the PSS Foundation, and the United Methodist Church for their assistance.
Book Club - Have you wanted to join a book club but didn't know how or where? Now is your opportunity. The Rodgers Seniors' Center is offering a four-session, soup, dinner, and book club beginning October 12. This is a great way to unwind and relax. The first book to be discussed is "Devil in the White City" by Eric Larson, and you are asked to read it before the first class. The class will select the remaining books each month. Class meets October 12, November 9, December 14, and January 11. The fee is $30 plus $5 for materials. Sign up now and begin reading for relaxation.
Beach Crew Finds Missing Woman - Tim Turner and Tim Dugan, Beach Maintenance Crewleaders, discovered an elderly woman wandering the pier on Saturday, August 20, while closing the pier for the night for maintenance. When asked if they could help her, she just walked off. On a coffee break on Main Street, Turner and Dugan saw the woman again. They chased away some intoxicated men who were bothering her and bought her a hot cup of coffee. When they saw her finally on Pacific Coast Highway, they called the Police Department and discovered the elderly woman was from Downey and had been missing for three days. Good work guys!
Feedback Foundation Lunch Program - The TLC/Feedback Foundation serves a wide variety of delicious and nutritious lunches each weekday at 11:30 a.m. at the Rodgers Seniors' Center. A donation is suggested ($3.50 for under 60, and $2.50 for 60 and above). For more information, please call 536-8404.
Volunteer Opportunities in Senior Services - Senior Services offers many opportunities for volunteers to help enhance the lives of seniors in Huntington Beach. There are volunteer programs for the active seniors at Rodgers Seniors' Center as well as for the frail elderly served by the Seniors' Outreach Center. Senior Services' volunteers gave a total of 43,845 hours in 2004 in a variety of ways: Handy Crafters - 7,471; Meals to the Home - 6,293; TLC Congregate Meals - 5,179; Transportation - 6,651; Office Support - 3,388; Singing Goodtimers - 4,822; Project SHARE - Tutoring - 185; CHERISH-In Home Help - 1,696; Bright Outlook Newsletter - 634; Council on Aging (COA) Board - 1,792; Food Distribution - 532; Monthly COA Dance - 382; Friendly Visitors - 545; AARP/Tax Assistance - 617; Professional Services - 1,147; Adopt-a-Beach - 292; Tele-Care Callers - 77; Holiday Meals - 135; Senior Saturday Festival - 258; SHIP-Home Safety Inspections - 164; Volunteer Training - 308; and Bingo - 1,277. If you would like to volunteer, please call 374-1544.
Marine Safety - The Community Services Junior Lifeguard Program capped off an extremely successful summer season with graduation ceremonies on August 18. The Mayor and City Council were on hand at the Huntington Beach High School Stadium to celebrate the graduation of the program's 1,143 Junior Lifeguards. Program Coordinator Dave Simcox and Assistant Coordinator Mike Eich received the Mayor's Award at the August 15 City Council meeting in recognition of their many years of dedicated service to making youth water-safe.
Jazz at the Center - The Huntington Beach Art Center presents a "Singer's Showcase." Hosted by Tom Margitan, the evening will feature a range of vocal styles from a variety of performers. Entertainment abounds as each performer regales you with their particular specialties. The stellar list includes the fabulous Peggy Duquesnel, Peggy Perkins, Cindy Picquelle, Alex Taylor, and Jack Wood. Backed by an awesome group of musicians, with Llew Matthews on piano, Benjamin May on bass, Harold Mason on drums, and Tom on sax and vocals, the evening offers top notch musicianship. Presented in an intimate cabaret-style setting, jazz at its best will grace the Art Center's stage on Friday, August 26, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Seating is limited, and prepaid reservations are recommended. For more information, call the Art Center at 374-1650.
PUBLIC WORKS
Traffic Signal Installations - On August 15, the City Council awarded a contract to install traffic signals at two locations. The intersections of Graham Street at Heil Avenue, and Nichols Street at Warner Avenue were identified as the most necessary from the citywide traffic signal priority list. Construction should begin in approximately 30 days and be complete within six months. The $537,000 project is funded through the developer-paid Traffic Impact Fees.
Weekly Report Archive 2005 2004 2003
