COMMUNITY SERVICES
Gift Certificates for City Beach Parking Pass Make a Great Christmas Gift!!! - The 2007 Municipal Beach Parking Pass went on sale December 1. The pass is good in the city beach lots from Beach Boulevard to Seapoint, including the meters on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway. Also, the pass is valid at the Main Promenade Parking Structure located in downtown Huntington Beach and is a great option to use for parking to shop and dine after a day at the beach.
Municipal pass fees for 2007:
Regular Pass - $125; Senior Pass - $50 (62 and older)
Visa & MasterCard accepted
Note: Thirteen paid entries pays for a regular beach pass
Municipal passes may be purchased at: Beach Headquarters, 103 Pacific Coast Highway
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday, closed holidays; or
Community Services Desk, 5th Floor City Hall, 2000 Main Street
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed holidays
For more information on the Municipal Beach Parking Pass, see the city's web site at www.surfcity-hb.org or call 536-5281.
Winter Sands Is in the Mail - The Community Services Guide for winter 2007 has arrived full of city news, services, facilities, special events, day camps, one-day workshops, and classes for seniors, adults, teens, and tots. If you don't receive yours in the mail, pick up a bulletin at any community center, library, or the Civic Center. Mail-in registration begins immediately through December 29; walk-in registration begins January 3.
118th Annual Rose Parade Excursion - Community Services still has seats available on the excursion buses to the 2007 Rose Parade. The cost is $90 per person. Buses leave at 6:45 a.m. from the Civic Center and return at approximately 3 p.m. For more information, please call 536-5486.
Santa Home Visits - "Santa" is available to come to your home and bring special Seasons Greetings. Candy canes will be given out, and families will have an opportunity to take pictures. Appointments are available between 12 - 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, beginning December 9 and ending December 17; and between 6 - 9 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, from December 6 through 22. The cost is $30 for a 15-minute visit with up to five children. Call 536-5486 for an appointment.
Seniors' Christmas - The Handycrafters from Rodgers Seniors' Center will be selling their handmade baby clothes, holiday items, and blankets/throws from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, in the lobby of City Hall. You can start your Christmas shopping early, as well as help support senior programs such as the Holiday Meals Program. December 8 is the last date to bring in your old cell phones for the Phones for Life Program and your Senior Santa donation. The Phones for Life Program will provide seniors, victims of domestic violence, and disabled adults with a free emergency cell phone. Senior Santa provides Christmas presents to seniors and disabled adults in need throughout Orange County. The collection boxes for the Senior Santa and the Phones for Life Programs are located at the Outreach Center, 1718 Orange Avenue, and in Community Services on the 5th floor of City Hall.
Christmas Dreamcatchers - The Dreamcatchers, an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Huntington Beach, delivered 27 large Christmas bags to Huntington Beach Senior Services. Each bag was filled with non-perishable food items from Trader Joe's; a cosmetic bag with toiletries; scratch pads, pencil & pens; stamps; greeting cards; and a first-aid kit. The Senior Service Social Workers will deliver the Christmas bags to selected clients.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Community Development Block Grant Application - The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application is now available at www.surfcity-hb.org/CityDepartments/ED/CDBG/. The deadline to receive completed applications is January 26. The Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the annual allocation of CDBG funding to the city to assist with projects that benefit the city's low-moderate income population. Only qualified organizations who will enter into a contract with the city may apply for funding. HUD is requesting that the city use block group data to evaluate projects for eligibility. With the assistance of the GIS Division, the CDBG Enhancement Area maps are being refined to show the eligible block groups for CDBG projects. For the city of Huntington Beach, eligible block groups have at least 40.3% of the population that are low-moderate income. Persons needing technical assistance may call the Department of Economic Development at 536-5224.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Firefighter/Paramedics Save Toddler - On Saturday, November 25, the Fire Department responded to a 23-month-old choking victim. The victim's distraught mother met the Paramedics on her driveway with her child lying listlessly in her arms. While Paramedics were examining the child, police officers, also on scene, searched the house where the child was playing for clues as to what may have caused the child's airway obstruction. Paramedics attempted to locate the item that was obstructing the small boy's airway. Using a laryngoscope, they searched the child's upper airway for the obstruction. They chose to continue the search for the obstruction rather than ceasing their attempts and transporting the child to the hospital. They found the obstruction, a clear glass marble, located past the child's vocal cords. Using special forceps, they were able to remove the obstruction, saving the child's life. It is rare that an obstruction located so far down a child's airway can be removed outside the hospital environment. Both mother and child were escorted to the hospital. Mother and child were last reported as doing fine.
Memorial for Fire Chaplain - Monsignor John Sammon, Orange County Fire Service Chaplain since 1946, passed away on November 24. He was 90 years old. On November 30, members from various county fire, police, and sheriffs agencies paid tribute to Monsignor Sammon at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Over the years, Sammon was also chaplain for the Los Angeles and Santa Monica Police Departments and the Santa Monica Fire Department. He's always had a special spot in his heart for fire and law enforcement personnel. "They are always there to support others," he once said, "but no one is there to support them." Through his efforts, a monument for firefighters was erected at the Santa Ana Civic Center. He is also credited with coining the term "Fire Family," one he used often in speeches, sermons, and regular essays in fire service publications. Given his wit, humor, and low-key approach, Monsignor Sammon was loved and known by the fire service throughout the state. Huntington Beach Fire Chief Duane Olson, who is the President of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association, gave a moving eulogy, along with Michael S. Carona, Orange County Sheriff, Tod D. Brown, Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange, Chip Prather, Fire Chief, Orange County Fire Authority, and others.
PUBLIC WORKS
Unauthorized Water Quality Inspection Solicitation - The Public Works Utilities Division has received a number of recent inquiries from concerned residents who have been solicited by offers for in-home water quality testing or inspection services. These callers and their written materials falsely claim to be city employees affiliated with the city's Water Department. In this manner, residents are misled to believe an inspection of their water service is being directed by the city. Ultimately, the supposed inspector attempts to sell an unnecessary service or product to the customer such as water filter or water testing device. Unfortunately, this type of misleading calls and solicitations is common. Customers should be aware that the city's Water Quality Section does not generally schedule inspections, testing, or other services at the customer's residence or business. Most water quality testing is done through special testing sites. On those occasions when city staff must contact residents, the employee will identify themselves by name. In addition, all employees are issued photo city identification cards and will readily display them on request. Should a visit be required that is not requested by a customer, it will normally occur during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Water service customers can verify the request by calling the Utilities Division. Should you receive a water quality testing or inspection call or handout, please call the Utilities Division at 536-5921.
Weekly Report Archive 2006 2005 2004
