December 26, 2006

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Holiday Meals - On Christmas morning, nine Senior Services volunteers and their families delivered a holiday meal to 77 Huntington Beach frail elderly residents selected by social workers because they would be alone on the holiday. For the first time, Sunrise Senior Living at Yorktown and Main prepared the holiday meals. They were prepared at cost, and the Sunrise Dining Services Coordinator, Pat Alfaro, came in on Christmas morning to volunteer his time in preparing the meals. The seniors enjoyed a delicious roasted chicken breast, a medley of steamed vegetables, roasted red potatoes, home baked roll, and an apple cobbler for dessert. The Harbor Garden Club hand made 80 adorable butterfly bear ornaments for each senior, and a local Girl Scout troop crafted Christmas cards. Instead of a solitary Christmas, these seniors look forward to a festive meal, a thoughtful gift, and the smiles and short visit from volunteers and their families. The Huntington Beach Council on Aging and the Handy Crafters fund the holiday meal program. Holiday meals are delivered on Valentines Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Delivering holiday meals is a great way to get the family involved in community service. If you are interested in delivering a holiday meal, please contact Diane Swarts at 374-1544.

Holiday Thanks from Senior Services - Huntington Beach Senior Services wishes to thank the many community groups who generously kept seniors in mind over the holidays. The Harbor Club donated 50 Christmas bags to be delivered to elderly clients. The Elks Club adopted 15 senior clients for Christmas. The Huntington Beach City School District donated 25 poinsettias that social workers delivered to give holiday cheer to their clients. The Dream Catchers gave 27 Christmas bags filled with items from Trader Joe's. Emblem Club #314 donated six Christmas cards with a 99-Cent Store gift card worth $10 and a $25 Albertson's gift card included in each. The Assistance League donated teddy bears from their Bargain Box Store to gift local seniors. Huntington Beach Scout Troops and schools handcrafted cards and tray ornaments to deliver with the Meals to the Home Program. Also city staff, Senior Services volunteers, many Rodgers Seniors' Center participants, and other members of the community gave generously to the Senior Santa Program. Senior Services collected over 300 gifts for the Senior Santa Program including a vacuum, a TV, many grocery gift certificates, blankets, warm clothing, and toiletries. Through information, education, advocacy, and service, Huntington Beach Senior Services seeks to enhance the quality of life for seniors by promoting independence, dignity, and purpose. It is through the efforts and generosity of the community that Senior Services is successful.

Adopt-A-Family Program - Project Self-Sufficiency celebrated its 21st year of the Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program in 2006. Every one of the PS-S parents who wished to participate was adopted. Community members are still calling to be sure everyone has been remembered. Susan Edwards sends her thanks to the very kind and generous community of Huntington Beach for their continued support of the Project Self-Sufficiency Program.

PLANNING

Parkside Residential Coastal Commission Hearing Update - The hearing for the city's Local Coastal Program Amendment for the Parkside Estates (Shea Homes) project is tentatively scheduled for February 2007 before the Coastal Commission. In 2002, the City Council approved an Environmental Impact Report, General Plan Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, Local Coastal Program Amendment, Tentative Tract Map, Conditional Use Permit, and Coastal Development Permit for the development of approximately 50 acres on the west side of Graham Street, south of Warner Avenue, owned by Shea Homes. The city-approved development included 170 single-family residential homes, an 8.2 acre public park, private open space, and many public infrastructure improvements. The February 2007 meeting is currently slated to take place February 14-16 at the Catamaran Resort Hotel in San Diego.

Weekly Report Archive 2006 2005 2004