May 23, 2006

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Summer Sands - The Community Services Guide, the SANDS, reaches Huntington Beach resident mailboxes this week filled with city news, facility information, special events, day camps, workshops, and recreational classes for all ages. Of special note, included in the SANDS is the opening of Adventure Playground in mid-June, the 102nd Annual Fourth of July Parade and Celebration, and the 52nd Annual Distance Derby coming up August 19 to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency. The SANDS is also on the city website at www.surfcity-hb.org

American Youth Character Awards - The Huntington Beach Children's Needs Task Force, together with the city of Huntington Beach, sponsored the American Youth Character Awards program on Saturday, May 20, at Pier Plaza. The purpose of the awards is to honor young people whose lives and achievements demonstrate an enduring commitment to qualities associated with good character including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Fifty-four children were nominated to receive this prestigious honor. From this group, 13 individuals and one Girl Scout troop were inducted into the "Huntington Beach Youth Character Hall of Fame," spotlighting them as role models for their generation. These honorees were selected based on an established criteria that includes inner-strength in overcoming obstacles, making the right choices, helping others while serving the community, and doing the right thing despite social pressures or personal risks. The Hall of Fame honorees will also receive recognition at the City Council Meeting on June 5, at 6 p.m.

A Dream for Seniors - The DreamCatchers, an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Huntington Beach, have provided Huntington Beach Senior Services with $5,000 in gift certificates for the 2005/2006 fiscal year. DreamCatcher volunteers purchase and deliver to Senior Services gift certificates in $25 increments from Ralph's, Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Von's, and Stater Brother's. The certificates are given out to elderly clients whose need is determined by city social workers. This grocery gift certificate service enables senior clients to remain in their homes safely. On a monthly basis, the Senior Services' Care Management team serves 200 clients, goes on 100 home visits, and provides 760 seniors and adult children with information and referrals. In addition, on behalf of Huntington Beach senior clients, the team works in conjunction with the following local agencies: Police Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Adult Day Center of Orange County, and local hospitals. On the county level, Social Workers partner with Adult Protective Services, Older Adult Services, the Senior Health Outreach & Prevention Program (SHOPP), and the Substance Abuse Resources Team (START). The Care Management team also hosts Surf City Senior Providers, a bi-monthly countywide networking group. For more information about care management for Huntington Beach Seniors, contact Seniors' Outreach 960-2478.

Wired Seniors - Computer classes and the PC Buddy club continue to be very popular at Rodgers Seniors' Center. The PC Buddy club is a free, social club for new and experienced computer users. Twenty-five to thirty people meet at the Senior Center on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. to discuss PC issues. Upcoming issues include: "How do I delete files from my computer," "What is Windows Office," and "Saving money by making greeting cards on your computer." The low-cost computer classes and Friday workshops continue to sell out. Popular workshops include digital photography and EBay. Victor Cohn, a volunteer for senior services, has been instrumental in setting up the computer lab, personally instructed many of the classes, and received the Volunteer Center of Orange County's 2006 Sprit of Volunteerism Award for his efforts. For more information about computer classes, workshops, or the PC Buddy club, contact Rodgers Seniors Center at 536-9387.

Swing for Seniors - The Council on Aging's On Course Golf Tournament will be held Friday, June 23, at Meadowlark Golf course in Huntington Beach with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Each player package of $100 includes green fees, cart, BBQ lunch, and a buffet awards dinner. A Tournament Package is also available for an additional $50, which automatically enters the golfer in the putting contest, big prize drawing, five raffle tickets, and one mulligan. The Huntington Beach Council on Aging represents local senior citizens, and all proceeds from the On Course Golf Tournament directly benefit Huntington Beach seniors through the many programs offered by the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors' Center and Huntington Beach Seniors' Outreach Center. For more information, contact Cathy Meschuk at 968-7219. Registration packets are available at Rodgers.

The 56th Annual Huntington Beach Open "Rough Water" Pier Swim Will Be Held Saturday, June 10 - The event is sponsored by the Huntington Beach Community Services Department. The first race is for ages 16-31 and will start at 8:45 a.m. The second race is for Masters through Ultra Masters and starts at approximately 9:30 a.m. followed by the Junior Men and Junior Women, 12-15 years of age, at 10:15 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for first through third places in each of the 11 divisions, with the Gene Belshe Memorial Perpetual Trophy going to the winning team and a trophy to the first Huntington Beach boy and girl. This is one of the first regular ocean swims of the season. Almost 400 contestants participated last year. The public is invited to participate or come and watch the competition. Pre-registration will be taken at 2000 Main Street in Community Services until June 1. The fee for pre-registration is $15 with a shirt, or $11 without a shirt. Late registration will be taken at the beach on June 10 between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. for $13 without a shirt. For further information, please call 536-5486.

PLANNING

Pacific City Hotel Update - On Thursday, May 18, the Design Review Board reviewed the proposed elevations, materials, and colors for a new 165-room hotel within the Pacific City mixed-use project area along Pacific Coast Highway between Huntington and First Streets. Designed by the Rockwell Group, it is intended to be a high quality, luxury boutique hotel serving Huntington Beach residents and visitors. The DRB voted to recommend approval to the Director of Planning.

PUBLIC WORKS

April 2006 Water Consumption - Conservation Tip - the average homeowner uses twice the amount of water needed to keep plants healthy. Use the watering calculator and index at bewaterwise.com to know exactly how much water your plants need.

Weekly Report Archive 2006 2005 2004