An honor and a privilege
Do you ever wonder what it feels like to be the “hometown hero?”
I know I don’t anymore.
I had the privilege of being grand marshal of the Seal Beach Christmas parade this past Friday, and I have one word for it: magical.
It all started with the announcement by Scott Newton at the Chamber of Commerce’s Inaugural dinner in front of my family, and culminated in cutting the ribbon with the Miss Seal Beach Court and riding in a fabulous Rolls Royce Phantom convertible.
Along the way there were social media posts, congratulations, parties and press.
It was like nothing else I have experienced to date.
Reflecting back on the parade, it was humbling and only made me more committed to Seal Beach, community activism and grateful to have walked in the footsteps of other leaders in our town.
Both my partner Anthony and I were overwhelmed by the positive, warm wishes of the entire town and all those who were along the parade route.
Thank you to the Lions, the Chamber and city of Seal Beach for the privilege to be in the parade. I look forward to rejoining the production and announcement team of the parade for 2013.
Seth Eaker
Grand Marshal
Seal Beach Christmas parade 2012
Leave Gum Grove Park alone
I have a slightly different take on Gum Grove Park. Every month or so I put on some gloves and take a garbage bag and walk the length of the park. I usually fill the bag.
I’ve picked up everything from used toilet paper to discarded toys to broken bottles and many cans.
I do this because I enjoy the undeveloped nature of Gum Grove Park and hate to see trash of any kind spoiling the view.
I don’t bother with the dog poop because I would need a larger bag (hint to dog owners to use the little blue bags that the city has provided).
The real beauty of Gum Grove is that it is totally undeveloped and un-maintained. The eucalyptus trees which abound there are not native.
They are actually eucalyptus globulus, also known as Tasmanian blue gum and were originally imported from Australia and grown to provide firewood for a nearby ranch house.
They haven’t been cut for firewood for many years and so are incredibly large.
These fast growing trees have a short total life cycle.
When an older tree rots and falls there are always new ones coming up from the roots.
I don’t see any lack of new growth in the park.
Yes, young people do go up there from time to time and dig in the dirt. I can think of some worse activities.
Yes there is some pot smoked up there occasionally but that is definitely not a major problem. And the city is very good at walking the park to paint out the graffiti that sometimes appears.
While Gum Grove would make a great place to establish a Koala Bear preserve, I gave up on that idea after a negative experience with some pellet gun warriors.
I believe that the present city policy of what I term as “loving neglect” is exactly what we need for Gum Grove Park. Public Works picks up the garbage cans and I believe now sweep the parking lot.
The gate is secured at night. The police patrol only occasionally but respond quickly when called.
As it is, the park seems to provide something for everyone. I don’t know of another totally undeveloped area like Gum Grove anywhere near Seal Beach. Lets think carefully before we try to “improve” this little gem too much. Untouched there will still be eucalyptus trees and quiet walks and play dirt there long after all of us are gone.
John Mayer
Seal Beach
Parade Thanks
The 34th Annual Seal Beach Christmas Parade is now in the record books with more than 3,600 participants and what seemed to be the largest crowd of spectators ever. Main Street was filled with Holiday Spirit as people enjoyed the showcase of our kids, local business, bands and dignitaries who all brought great joy to our community.
What I love most about our parade is the volunteers and sponsors who give of their time and treasure to make this such a successful event.
More than 100 volunteers from the Lions Club, Chamber, Seal Beach TV, SBPD VIPs and Explorers expended over 500 hours to make the parade a success.
A very special thanks to Run Seal Beach, Phillip’s Steel, Bay Hardware and Baytown Realty who gave generously to help support lighting and other services for the parade.
The city of Seal Beach’s public works department and the Seal Beach Police Department did an outstanding job managing the streets, closures and traffic rerouting for the event.
Thanks to Darren Kelly, John Scott and Tim Kelsey who led the charge.
I want to also thank the businesses and residents for their patience and understanding as our town played host to so many parade spectators. So many of these folks are the ones who spend their money in our town or wish that they too could live in “Mayberry by the Sea.”
And finally thanks goes out to the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Seal Beach Lions Club and the city of Seal Beach who sponsored the parade and made it all possible.
Mark your calendars for Dec. 6, 2013, as we celebrate our 35th Annual Christmas Parade on Main Street in Seal Beach.
Scott Newton
Parade Chairman
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.
