Great Holiday Gifts — for a Dime
Need a last-minute present? a stocking stuffer? something to give with that tin of cookies? Shop at a local nonprofit—the Friends of the Seal Beach Library—and snag some deals on great used books. Seen on the carts in the lobby recently: John LeCarré’s “A Perfect Spy,” Tracy Kidder’s “Among Schoolchildren,” and Phil Jackson’s “Sacred Hoops.”
All classics, all hardcover, all in excellent condition. Price: 10¢ each. Among the paperbacks, also a dime, were more best sellers, such as Frances Mayes’s “Under the Tuscan Sun” and James McBride’s “The Color of Water.” And there are hundreds, maybe thousands, more in the Friends bookstore for just a little more.
Buying used books is good green practice, of course. But even better, you’re shopping local and supporting a very good cause. Now that’s a real bargain.
Mary Ann Fenderson
Seal Beach
Retailers endangered
Thanks for printing my rant regarding slow shopping on Main Street in Seal Beach (“Main Street’s New Lights,” Letters to the Editor, Sun Newspapers, Thursday, Dec. 12).
Small Business Saturday was the slowest this year and Brita, myself and several other retailers are becoming an endangered species if we can’t get people off their couches and on Main Street.
Dave Dunton, Owner
Main Street Cyclery
Seal Beach
Children’s Christmas Party
This year’s Children’s Christmas Party will be held at COA located at 515 E. 3rd Street on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
COA has been giving the gift of a wonderful Christmas experience to children in the community for many years.
Last year, we served over 1,100 children and with families still struggling to put food on their tables, we anticipate serving even more children this year.
All children are welcome to attend ages (baby-16 years old).
Featured at the event will be entertainment acts such as Wilson High School Choir, International Peace Choir, Rich Hurley-Magician, Youth Ministry Spirit Team, Long Beach Community Flute Trio, Onstage Dance Center and more. Children will also be treated to cookies (donated by Food Finders) and milk (donated by Rockview Dairy), arts and crafts activities, face painting, Christmas Carolers and storytellers.
They will be able to select a new unwrapped toy of their choice and what would a Christmas Party be without a Visit with Santa and picture with him.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and doors close at 2 p.m., so arrive early to get your spot in line.
No food will be provided except for the milk and cookies once the children enter inside, so please bring your own water and snacks for while you are waiting to enter the party.
Many of the local churches and businesses are helping us to collect toys. Sponsorships are available for any businesses that wish to participate and we are still collecting toys for distribution that day.
To make a donation, please contact Contact Ana De La Torre at COA (562) 432-1440.
COA is a small non-profit who has been serving those in need for over 30 years.
We are not affiliated with any church or religious sect, but are founded on the belief that we must respond when we see our neighbors in need.
The services we provide all year: hot meals twice a day, groceries, clothing, household goods, hygiene products and furniture as it is donated, we help our clients stretch the income they do have to maintain their housing, health and dignity.
For more information, visit http://www.coalongbeach.org/ or call (562) 432-1440.
Lisa Hoffmaster chief Elf in Charge of Christmas at COA
Long Beach
Holiday tragedies
Victims, law enforcement, and community leaders discussed the threat to lives tragically ending due to driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday, Dec. 16.
No one thinks that their holiday celebration will end in tragedy.
However, for those who include alcohol in their celebrations and then get behind the wheel, this is too often the case.
Information and resources on how everyone can enjoy their holiday and come home safely will be provided.
The press conference will also address the need for the Social Host Ordinance, which the City of Irvine passed in 2011.
In 2012, nearly one in 10 collisions (or 9.7 percent) in Orange County involved the use of alcohol.
Furthermore, in 2011 there were 16,003 DUI arrests in Orange County alone. Underage DUI has become an epidemic in this county. Based on DMV and CHP statistics, in O.C. in 2010 there were 941 underage DUI convictions, and 150 fatal or injury collisions involving underage DUI drivers.
This holiday season, make sure to plan ahead for a safe way home:
Don’t drink and drive—always designate a non-drinking driver.
Never serve alcohol to those under the legal drinking age of 21.
Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you’ve been drinking.
Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet for a ride home.
Be a responsible party host, don’t let guests drive after consuming alcoholic beverages.
Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.
Report suspected impaired drivers to law enforcement. Call 911 (pull over before using cell phone).
Always buckle up.
Orange County
DUI Task Force
The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the Sun. The Sun welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 300 words maximum. Letters should be e-mailed, signed by the author and include the author’s address and phone number (the latter two are for verification, not publication). The Sun reserves the right to accept, edit, or reject letters for any reason. Unless otherwise indicated, all letters sent to the Sun are understood to be intended for publication. E-mail letters to: dennis@sunnews.org.
