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Sun Region cities announce pilot commercial recycling program

For the Sun
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Sun Region cities announce pilot commercial recycling program

The city of Cypress, in conjunction with the cities of Los Alamitos and Seal Beach, recently announced a free recycling program for one year to 100 commercial and multi-family account holders in the tri-city area.  The cities aim to utilize this pilot program to increase recyclable materials diversion in the business sector by two to five percent.

Eligible parties will receive a site inspection of their property to ensure that it is suitable for the pilot program.  The site inspection looks at the following criteria:

• Is there adequate enclosed space for a recycling bin at your business/dwelling?

• Will your business/dwelling generate enough recyclables to fill a bin on a regular basis?

• Would an additional recycling bin be allowed to be placed at your business/dwelling?

This is a single year grant funded program; would your business/dwelling be interested in continuing the program and become financially responsible after the grant is complete?

The recycling bin can only be used for recyclables.

Chronic contamination can result in discontinuation. Is your business/dwelling willing to accept this condition?

If your business/dwelling currently has a recycling program would there be a benefit to increase the amount of bins available for use?

Does your business/dwelling have a representative available to take responsibility for monitoring the program if you are selected?

For more information, call Consolidated Disposal Service at (562) 259-2826.

Bridgeport Update: County says ARCO clean-up plan “inadequate”

For the Sun
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Bridgeport Update: County says ARCO clean-up plan “inadequate”

Orange County officials called ARCO’s plan for cleaning up the Bridgeport neighborhood “inadequate” last week.

County health officials have given ARCO/BP 60 days to revise the Corrective Action Plan for cleaning up the site of a Bridgeport neighborhood gas station in Seal Beach.

A Monday, April 19 letter from the Orange County Health Care Agency appears to support excavation, also known as “dig and haul,” as the best method for cleaning up the toxic site.

In related news, approximately 25-30 Bridgeport residents picketed the ARCO station on Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, April 24, in an apparent attempt to pressure ARCO to comply with the health agency’s direction.

In February, Atlantic Richfield Company/BP America, Inc., submitted a Corrective Action Plan for cleaning up the contaminated soil and ground water in the part of the Bridgeport neighborhood nearest the Seal Beach ARCO station. Twenty-five homes are in the “study zone” near the station. There are 175 homes in Bridgeport.

In the CAP, ARCO listed four options. The ARCO plan said using chemical oxidation to break down toxins in the soil was the company’s preferred method of decontamination. While the OC Health Care Agency did not use a simple sentence to say so, the April 19 letter did indicate that excavation had strong support.

“They presented four options, as you know,” said Richard Sanchez, director of environmental health for the HCA.  Sanchez was one of two county officials who signed the letter. The other official was Anthony Martinez, a senior engineering geologist for the health agency.

“We narrowed it down to basically excavation of the material on the site of the gas station with perhaps some alternative methods used to remove the contamination off site,” Sanchez told the Sun.

However, Matt Rezvani, general manager for external affairs for ARCO/BP in La Palma, pointed out that the county letter also said that excavation would not eliminate all soil vapor or groundwater contamination in the area.

“We will comply with all of the requests outlined in that letter,” Rezvani said.

After pointing out the support for excavation from the public and other agencies, the Health Care Agency letter requested 22 revisions to the original clean up plan.

Rezvani said everyone wants to do what is best for cleaning up the site. If excavation turns out to be what is best, then the site will be excavated.

“We know there is a lot of interest in that,” Rezvani said, referring to excavation.

Support for “dig and haul”

According to the letter, the county received 51 written and 30 verbal comments on the ARCO plan. The letter said the “vast majority” of the comments favored excavation. The letter also pointed out that the Bridgeport Technical Advisory Committee and the city of Seal Beach favor excavation.

The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has also concluded excavation was the best solution to the problem, according to the letter.

The county health agency also pointed out that the contamination problems at the ARCO site have gone on for approximately 24 years.

One of the issues raised in the April 19 letter is cost effectiveness. Legally, the company is allowed to use a cost effective method for cleaning up the site.

“The estimated costs for the pilot testing and reporting for three of the remedial alternatives seem low,” said the Health Care Agency letter.

The letter said cost effectiveness was one of the factors in planning the decontamination of any underground storage tank case, health risks and disruption to the community required a plan that provided the fastest and most certain remedy for the problem.

Residents living nearest the gas station are concerned that they are at increased risk of developing cancer as a result of possible exposure to benzene. The chemical benzene is found in gasoline vapors and is known to cause cancer. Gas vapors were detected in Bridgeport soil last year.

While all four alternatives had the potential to clean up the Bridgeport site “only excavation of the source area provides the highest level of certainty” for this case, according to the letter.

Demonstration

However, some Bridgeport residents are concerned that ARCO would not follow the county’s direction. Bridgeport resident Robert Goldberg told the Sun that a demonstration was held Saturday, April 24, to encourage ARCO to proceed with “dig and haul.” The protest took the form of an early morning picket of the PCH gas station by 25-30 Bridgeport residents, according to Goldberg. Ironically, the protesters chose the day of the Seal Beach Car Show as the day to picket the gas station.

Both Goldberg and ARCO’s La Palma General Manager Rezvani described the demonstration as peaceful.

Rezvani said the company appreciated the fact that the protest was “done safely.”

“The important thing is that we appreciate folks taking their time to express their opinions about how the site should be cleaned up,” Rezvani said.

Rezvani also expressed appreciation for the demonstration not disrupting the dealer’s business. Rezvani pointed out that the man who owns the station is not an ARCO employee.

Goldberg told the Sun that the picketers had persuaded some motorists to buy their gasoline at another station, even though the price dropped by about 10 cents a gallon.

Rezvani said ARCO would follow the county health agency’s final decision on cleaning up the Bridgeport sight.

As previously reported in the Sun, Seal Beach City Manager David Carmany said the county has the final authority on how the site is cleaned up.

According to the Web site for ARCO, there are “nearly” 1,300 stations on the West Coast.

Seal Beach council adopts new water rates

For the Sun
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The Seal Beach City Council voted 5-0 to revise the city’s water rates on Monday, April 12.

The rates will be lowered. Leisure World residents in particular will benefit from the new rates.

However, the new rates do not reward water conservation.

The decision came at the end of a public hearing that had continued from two previous council meetings.

On April 12, City Attorney Quinn Barrow reviewed the impact of Proposition 218 on the new water rates.

Barrow explained that Prop. 218 requires water rates to be based on cost only. They cannot be arbitrary and they cannot generate revenue for the city.

Barrow said that in August 2003, when Seal Beach water rates were last calculated, the projections for water rates were too high.

He said the new consultant recommended the current water rates be lowered.

City Engineer Michael Ho told the council that the Leisure World meter charge would go down.

The Leisure World retirement community is served by a single water meter, rather than water meters for each individual unit.

Katie Wilson spoke to the council on behalf of Willdan Financial Services, the city’s consultant on the new water rates.

Wilson said Leisure World had been reclassified as a residential account from a commercial account. She also said the water usage allotted to Leisure World had increased.

“Why did the meter rates go down?” asked District4 Councilman Gary Miller.

Wilson said the meter rates went down based on the cost.

Barrow said the consulting firm recommended changing the Seal Beach water rate from a four-tier system to a two-tier sy

Seal Beach City Council proposes special beach event permits

For the Sun
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Seal Beach City Council proposes special beach event permits

Seal Beach District 1 Councilman Charles Antos proposed requiring special permits for events at the beach at the Monday, April 12 council meeting.

Antos said the Parks and Recreation Commission should approve such applications. The council unanimously agreed with his proposal.

Staff will probably have to come back to the council with a resolution working out the details.

According to the staff report by Jill Ingram, assistant to the city manager, and Mark Persico, director of Development Services, Antos first suggested the council change the special event process at the March 22 council meeting.

Persico presented the staff report on the event permit process at the April 12 meeting. He said to make the change proposed by Antos, the city code would have to be changed. He also said the Parks and Recreation Commission would need to meet every month.

According to the staff report, the commission is dark five months a year.

Antos said he is concerned about people from out of town having events on the beach. He said with city sponsored events you know when they start and when they end. Antos said people living on Seal Way could be adversely impacted by amplified music from an event on the beach.

Antos said he had no problem with special events that are not on the beach. He said he would rather not be accommodating to out-of-towners than annoy residents of Seal Way with events that last for two or three days.

District 3 Councilman Gordon Shanks asked how Huntington Beach handled special events. Persico said staff hadn’t researched the matter. Shanks said small events should not go through Parks and Recreation.

District 5 Councilman Michael Levitt said the Parks and Recreation Commission doesn’t meet often enough to make decisions about permit applications in a timely manner. According to the staff report, requiring the parks commission to approve permits would add 60 to 90 days to the application process. District 4 Councilman Gary Miller said the parks commission could be called back in to make decisions.

Seth Eaker, president of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, said Seal Beach had a functioning special event permitting process. He said adding more government regulation was not necessarily for the best.

The council voted 5-0 to support the Antos proposal.

However, City Attorney Quinn Barrow said changing the permit process would probably require amending the Municipal Code. He said staff would come back to the council at a future meeting.

Persico said staff would like to look at how the change might be implemented. Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are not advertised in legal notices the way Planning Commission and City Council meetings are, because the parks commission does not make decisions. He said it was possible the new permit process would change that.

St. Hedwig celebrates 50 years of service

Staff report
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St. Hedwig celebrates 50 years of service

Bishop Tod Brown, left, greets Dottie Lane.  Brown celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, April 17 commemorating the 50 years of St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos and its service to its parishioners and the community. The gala celebration continued on Sunday with a continental breakfast and afternoon activities, music and food.

Leisure World residents hope to update its name

Dennis Kaiser
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Leisure World residents hope to update its name

Anne Seifert is on a mission. The Leisure World resident says she believes the time has come to update the name of the gated community that makes up about two-fifths of the city of Seal Beach.

Siefert says she polled other members of the community and found there are many like-minded Leisure World residents who feel the same. “Many other residents said they were also tired of having to face jokes about the name,” Siefert said, adding that nicknames such as calling the community “Seizure World” had taken their toll.

“Many said they were reluctant to tell anyone in their business that they lived in Leisure World because they feared the name might suggest they were retiring and they would not get further promotions in their job,” Seifert said. “These are the ones who would wish to put the idea of updating the name to a community vote.”

About seven months ago, Siefert and friends began to research how they could get the name upated. They discovered they would have to form a club in order to hold meetings. They formed the Where We Live Club and made Siefert, who holds a Ph.D. in epidemiology and a master’s degree in psychology its president. In February they completed a proposal to change the community’s name. Siefert said the club has since approved the proposal and submitted it to the executive committee of the Golden Rain Foundation, which oversees the community’s operations.

Included in the proposal are other reasons for changing the name to something other than Leisure World. The club says it would benefit all of the community’s shareholders. Leisure World residents do not own the units in which they live, instead they own share in the subdivided mutual corporations. There are 15 mutuals in Leisure World.

One reason is financial. The club said the community members must compete for sales with others for people 55 and older whose name portrays a more upscale image and an active lifestyle.

According to the proposal, a local realty office manager in the letter to the club said the image of Leisure World is that “it is a place where old people live.”

“This affects our property values,” Seifert said.

In addition, Seifert said the club wants to avoid the potential for licensing fess to continue to use the name Leisure World.

“Unbeknownst to us, at the same time we were informed that the developer’s (the late Ross Cortese’s) daughter made a request for a possible trademark to be implemented,” Seifert said.

According to Seifert, she was told there could be a fee of up to $18,000 a year.

“After five years that would be $90,000,” Seifert said. “We could do a lot more with that money for the residents.”

So what would Leisure World update its name to?

Siefert said the club narrowed down 39 proposed names to three names that would please the majority of its members:

Seal Beach Pointe, Seal Beach Highlands and Seal Beach Meadows.

However, Siefert said the club would be open to accepting other names proposed by the Golden Rain Foundation.

A sometime actor, Seifert came to live in Seal Beach from Del Mar so she could be closer to Hollywood and have a shorter commute to auditions.

“I was following a childhood dream,” Seifert said. “I was lucky. On my ninth audition I got an international Cup O Noodles commercial. I was going to auditions three days a week. One day I was coning home and made a wrong turn off the freeway and saw this enormous globe outside of what I thought was amusement park, which I discovered was a retirement community.”

Siefert said the idea to move to Seal Beach was prompted by her being elected by other professional actors to a three-year seat on the Screen Actors Guild’s board of directors.

Seifert’s husband of 41 years, Fred Hoyt, a former business owner for European Mercedes and German car repair, is now retired.

Siefert said she is excited about the possible outcome in favor of updating Leisure World’s name.

The club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 23 and Friday, May 14 in Leisure World Clubhouse 2.

For more information, send e-mail to wherewelive@yahoo.com.

If you have a comment or response to this story” write us at dennis@sunnews.org or go directly online to www.sunnews.org. Find the story and leave your comment there.

Rossmoor joins consortium

For the Sun
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Rossmoor joins consortium

The Joint Forces Training Base composting project appears to be over.

The five-community committee that lobbied against it will continue  to work on matters of mutual interest to Rossmoor and neighboring communities, according to Elizabeth Deering, administrative assistant for the Rossmoor Community Services District.

The decision was made at the district’s Tuesday, April 13 board of directors meeting.

“The RCSD board unanimously agreed to remain a part of what is now known as the West Orange County Consortium of Mayors,” Deering said in an e-mail to the Sun.

The consortium represents Seal Beach, Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, Cypress and Garden Grove.

“Director Alfred Coletta was appointed to the Consortium by the RCSD board,” Deering said.

According to an unsigned staff report presented to the board on April 13, the four-city and unincorporated district committee was formed to oppose the composting project at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.

The project was cancelled by the California Army National Guard in response to complaints about the stench from the composting project.

“The success of the termination of the composting project can certainly be attributed to the work of the committee,” the report said.

During the Monday, April 12 Seal Beach City Council meeting, Councilman Gordon Shanks said Councilman Gary Miller’s work had a great deal to do with the cancellation of the project.

Shanks said no one person deserved all the credit, but Miller deserved a great deal.

Miller, for his part, said Shanks also contributed to ending the project.

The Rossmoor staff report recommended that Rossmoor continue to participate in the committee, now known as the Consortium.

The Rossmoor Board agreed and appointed Coletta to continue representing Rossmoor as a member of the Consortium.

The Consortium is now lobbying for more money for the Los Alamitos military base, especially money for the airport runway.

The Rossmoor Homeowners Association will present a day full of fun at the 53rd Annual Rossmoor Festival and Family Fun Day  from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 2 at Rush Park.

This year the Rossmoor Festival will be bigger and better than ever with something for everyone:  featuring exciting rides (a giant dual lane slide, a giant obstacle course, a bunging/jousting contest course, a castle bounce for the little kids, a pony ride, a trackless train ride; four game booths with prizes; great food and drinks; arts and crafts booths; an improved classic car show with an estimated 60 entrants; the seventh annual Rossmoor Dog Parade with prizes for the Best Looking in three size categories, Funniest, Best Costume, Funniest Costume, Owner/Dog Look-alike and Best Trick; and of course great entertainment.

This year, all rides are only $1 and tickets can be purchased at the festival.

Entertainment will include:  Music Sur Le Mer, the Leisure World Hula Dancers, Rhonda and Nate (Singers), Los Alamitos High School Jazz Band and a Karaoke Contest.  And the Festival will feature the Youth Center Gymnastics group.

The Classic Car Show starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday and the 7th Annual Dog Parade starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tiger and Wolf scouts visit the Sun

For the Sun
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Tiger and Wolf scouts visit the Sun

Tiger Cub Scout Den 3 and Wolf Scout Den 1, Pack 506, visited the Sun Newspapers on Friday, April 2. In the front row, in alphabetical order, are: William Brooks, Landon Gochman, Ethan Haber, Matthew Kriesel, Sean Sternbentz, Andrew Takasuka and Hannah Takasuka.

In the back are, left to right, Scout Leader Randy Takasuka, Sun Assistant Editor Charles M. Kelly and Scout Leader Robert Brooks.

The Sun offers tours to scouts free, by appointment only. No infants are toddlers are allowed. The children must be accompanied by at least one adult.

For information, call Kelly at (562) 430-7555, extension 221, or e-mail him at editor2@sunnews.org. Include a phone number in your e-mail.

Seal Beach opts to repair McGaugh pool

For the Sun
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Seal Beach opts to repair McGaugh pool

Seal Beach will repair the McGaugh swimming pool.

The cost will be less than $100,000.

The repair will give the pool at least seven more years of life.

The City Council voted unanimously to repair the pool at the agency’s Monday, April 12 meeting.

The council authorized the city manager to hire a repair service without putting the project out for bid.

Jill Ingram, assistant to the city manager, and Tim Kelsey, director of the department of Recreation and Community Services, presented the staff report to the council.

Ingram signed the report. Ingram said urgent repairs were needed for the pool without advertising for bids.

Kelsey presented information based on a report by the city’s consultant on the swimming pool, Commercial Aquatic Services, Inc.

At a previous meeting, the council had directed staff to find out how much of the water leaking from the pool was from evaporation and how much from other sources.

Kelsey said that Commercial Aquatic Services, Inc. found that less than 0.38 gallons of water a day was lost due to evaporation.

“It was previously reported that the pool loses approximately 10,771 gallons per day or  gallons per minute for February 2008,” the staff report said.

Commercial Aquatics tested for leaks on March 27. Commercial Aquatics is a contractor specializing in repairing swimming pools. The company found five sources of leaks: the expansion joint, the surge pit, the filtration system, equipment leaks and the small pool skimmer.

The pool’s pipes, however, were fine. In a telephone interview, Kelsey said this was a surprise.

Kelsey said the pipes were a major source of concern because they were 50 years old.

Ingram’s report echoed this concern.

“Although the (piping) is past its useable lifespan it is still holding pressure and at this time can be assumed to be in working condition,” the report said.

Yet the five leaks were not the only issue facing the council.

It seems the condition of the pool is not in compliance with a federal law called the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

The state legislature has granted counties the authority to enforce the federal law.

The Ingram report said Seal Beach had until July 1 to put McGaugh pool into compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act, or the pool would be shut down anyway.

According to the Ingram report, repairing the five leaks would cost an estimated $79,500.

The estimate added another $7,950 to the estimate as a contingency.

“The contractor has indicated that there could be an additional cost of $10,000 to repair the main drain in the large room,” the report said.

District 4 Councilman Gary Miller asked how much improvement would result if the city made the repairs.

Kelsey said the repairs wold eliminate the leaks entirely.

“I’m really at a loss as to why we didn’t do this in 2008,” Miller said.

In 2008, the consulting firm Rowley International Inc. reported that the cost of refurbishing the old swimming pool would be $3,747,000.

“We really dodged a bullet here,” said Seal Beach resident Dr. Robert Goldberg.

He pointed out that Rowley International specialized in designing swimming pools. Commercial Aquatics, on the other hand, specialized in repairing pools.

Goldberg said it would be in Seal Beach’s interest to get a new estimate for a new pool in the future.

He also pointed out that the issue of the pool came up most recently because of a report that water leaking from the pool had undermined one of the neighboring tennis courts.

Resident Dan Bailey asked the council to look at a long-term financial plan for replacing the pool.

District 3 Councilman Gordon Shanks said the city put aside $5 million to build a new pool three years earlier.

District 1 Councilman Charles Antos asked when the Orange County Health Care Agency would close the pool if repairs were not made.

Kelsey said July 1.

Heather Woodland, director of operations for Commercial Aquatic Services, said municipal pools in Southern California had already been shut down for failure to comply with the Graeme Baker Act.

“I can get the permits turned in and approved within a week,” Woodland said.

“If you act now, you can get the pool done in time before summer,” Woodland said.

She said it would take three weeks to acquire replacement filters for the pool. The other repairs could begin immediately. The pool would have to be drained to make the repairs.

Woodland estimated the pool would be closed for four weeks.

Miller asked if the repairs would give the pool another year.

Kelsey said the repairs would give the pool another seven years.

Miller said he didn’t think the city should give up a pool it had until the city had acquired land for a new pool.

Later, he said Seal Beach shouldn’t wait until McGaugh pool falls apart again.

Miller proposed hiring the consultant, Commercial Aquatics, to make the repairs rather than putting the matter out for bid.

The audience applauded.

City Attorney Quinn Barrow said the resolution before the council authorized City Manager David Carmany to hire a repair service.

Barrow advised the council to give Carmany direction to hire Commercial Aquatics.

Rossmoor Festival and Family Fun event on May 2

For the Sun
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Rossmoor Festival and Family Fun event on May 2

The Rossmoor Homeowners Association will present a day full of fun at the 53rd Annual Rossmoor Festival and Family Fun Day  from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 2 at Rush Park.

This year the Rossmoor Festival will be bigger and better than ever with something for everyone:  featuring exciting rides (a giant dual lane slide, a giant obstacle course, a bunging/jousting contest course, a castle bounce for the little kids, a pony ride, a trackless train ride; four game booths with prizes; great food and drinks; arts and crafts booths; an improved classic car show with an estimated 60 entrants; the seventh annual Rossmoor Dog Parade with prizes for the Best Looking in three size categories, Funniest, Best Costume, Funniest Costume, Owner/Dog Look-alike and Best Trick; and of course great entertainment.

This year, all rides are only $1 and tickets can be purchased at the festival.

Entertainment will include:  Music Sur Le Mer, the Leisure World Hula Dancers, Rhonda and Nate (Singers), Los Alamitos High School Jazz Band and a Karaoke Contest.  And the Festival will feature the Youth Center Gymnastics group.

The Classic Car Show starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday and the 7th Annual Dog Parade starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Los Al Grad Angela Medina on Deans Honor Roll at University of California Santa Cruz

Staff report
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Los Al Grad Angela Medina on Deans Honor Roll at University of California Santa Cruz

Angela Medina class of 2006 has been named to the Deans Honor List  at UC Santa Cruz.  Angela will graduate in June.   She also received a Gilman, US State Dept scholarship to spend her final semester with the Study Abroad program and is presently attending the Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. She is the daughter of the late Julie Smith Medina and granddaughter of Charlotte Smith of Rossmoor.

Beach soccer returns for annual tourney

Special to the Sun
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Beach soccer returns for annual tourney

Copa Cabana Beach Soccer will hold its second annual tournament from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2, on the beach at the eighth street parking lot just north of the pier in Seal Beach.

Started last year with 60 teams attending, from ten year old players on up to adults and adult coed teams.

“The tournament will again have that family fun and weekend beach experience for everyone,” said local Jaime Hernandez.  “Families come to play soccer on the beach with their children, as well as the parents, playing at varies levels of competition while enjoying a great day.”

The Copa Cabana vendors again will bring the Brazilian style barbecue, coffees, shaved ices, ice creams, smoothies and all the other foods that make for a great day at the beach. There will be music and entertainment in the vendor area as well as the excitement of competition on the fields and the professional level of play to watch at the centerfield. Come enjoy, hang out for free, or pre-register your team at least a week before to play in the tournament. All teams are welcome whether you are a company, recreational team, club, or youth soccer team. Make up your own team and uniform if you like.

Copa Cabana Beach Soccer started 40 years ago on the beaches of Copacabana, Brazil.

It has grown to become a world recognized sport with national teams entering from all over the world competing for the world cup. The last world cup was played on the beaches of Dubai in the Arab Emirate. The game is five versus five players including the goalkeeper and up to seven substitute players. The game consists of three twelve minute periods and is played on a 30 by 40 yard sand-pitch.

Copa Cabana is not your typical tournament where you go strictly for competition, we are inviting you to come and play in a new and different way.

With more aerial acrobatics higher scoring and a very challenging, running in the sand barefoot or with sand-socks, game. Fast moving and high scoring make this an exciting game to watch, as well as a great conditioning workout while acquiring additional soccer ball-control skills.

Every team is guaranteed three games, two on Saturday and a minimum of one on Sunday with awards given to the first and second place finishers in each age bracket.

For information go to the Web site: www.copacabanabeachsoccer.com. Or call the Copa Cabana hotline at (949) 294-2989.

Letters to the Editor April 22

For the Sun
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Letters to the Editor April 22

College Park Westside Story

I was asked by a few of my neighbors what are the rules for parking boats, trailers, recreational vehicles, trucks and automobiles on our property.

I checked the Municipal Code for the city of Seal Beach, and this is what was written into the Zoning Code of chapter 28, Article 22 part G.  Parking Prohibited:  In residential zones, No motor vehicle, boat or recreational vehicle of any kind may be parked or stored in any required yard or open space other than a PAVED area on one side of the lot to the rear of the required front yard. (Ord. No. 1274,S4).

If you want to park any of the above mentioned vehicles, they have to be as far back from the city property, which is the park way and the sidewalk, as you can on your property.  No vehicle can be parked on a grass, gravel or dirt area in front of your property. If you park in front of your property on the city street, there is a three day limit.  Recreational vehicles parked longer than three days will need a permit which can be picked up at City Hall, 8th and Central in Seal Beach.

One more bit of information:  No trailer can be left on the street which is not hitched to a current licensed and in running condition vehicle. There is nothing the city can do about vehicles rusting away on the owners property.

I still haven’t heard any new information about the intersection of College Park Drive and Studebaker road.  Waiting for our city engineer to update me.

Charles Cohen, Seal Beach

Big Brother celebrates anniversary

For the Sun
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Big Brother celebrates anniversary

Seal Beach resident and Big Brother Bob Romo is celebrating the 1st anniversary of his match to Little Brother David through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County.  The pair meets regularly for a variety of relationship-building activities.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County welcomes donor support as well as additional volunteers.  Male mentors are especially needed.  For information, visit www.bigbrooc.org or call (714) 544-7773.

The SAT test is still a big key to college entry

Staff report
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The SAT test is still a big key to college entry

For more than 80 years, the Scholastic Assessment Test test scores have been essential tools for students and families in assessing the student’s preparedness for college and their ability to handle college courses.   It is not meant to evaluate high schools or their districts but rather to help college admissions officers make fair and informed college admission decisions.

Once students take the SAT they request their scores be sent to their chosen colleges.  These scores are added to the admission process.

There are three parts to the SAT I: verbal, math and writing.  The verbal test emphasizes reading.  It assesses the student’s ability to draw inferences, to distinguish between main and supporting ideas and to understand vocabulary.

The math test requires students to apply mathematical concepts and use skill in interpreting tables, charts and graphs.  The writing test includes two portions.  The multiple-choice section shows how a student uses standard written English.

The essay portion provides the student an opportunity to develop their point of view and use evidence and reasoning to support their ideas. A perfect score is 800 points on each section for a total of 2400. This score is rarely achieved.

With reference to the SAT II subject tests, there are 20 different subjects available.  Colleges may require one or more of these tests in addition to the SAT I.  Check with each school regarding their SAT II test requirements.

It is highly recommended that students take their SAT II Subject Test immediately after they finish each course.  This will ensure the subject material stays fresh in the student’s mind.

Many parents and students are frenzied and worried about SAT scores. But do not despair. To help students prepare, the PSAT/NMSQT is administered in the fall of each year.  This test is typically taken by sophomores and juniors and will be excellent practice for the SAT.  It also shows the student’s weaknesses and allows them to study these areas.

In the past, students who took the test more than once were not given the option to send only their best scores.  College Board (administrator of the SAT) submitted all scores to the selected colleges.  This has changed.  Starting March 2009 students select the scores they want colleges to see and may hide unsatisfactory scores.  Not all schools are happy with this change.

Some schools will continue to ask for all scores.  Check with your selected schools to see how they handle this new policy.Another change involves the University of California system.  Starting with the class 2012 the UC system will no longer require the SAT II subject tests for admission.  Although they are not required, some majors may recommend certain SAT II tests.  If  students apply to a selective UC campus they may wish to submit the recommended subject test scores.

The final SAT and SAT II test date for the 2010 school year is June 5, with a registration deadline of May 5, 2010.  If you miss the deadline you may still register with a late charge fee.  You may only take the SAT I or up to three SAT II subject tests on test days.   You may not combine both tests.  The cost of the SAT I is $45.  The price for a SAT II Subject Test is $20 plus $9 for each additional test.  For more information on fees and dates please call 866-756-7346 or go to www.collegeboard.com.

On a final note to parents, remember, for every student there is a college that will come very close to matching their personality, likes and comforts.

High SAT scores and Ivy League schools do not insure a successful adult. Being in a college where the student can mature, study and experience new things are equally important.

The goal is to graduate from a school where the student can feel at home for the next four years.  So if your child’s SAT scores do not jump off the page be assured there is a school waiting with open arms to accept your student.  And that college will probably be their best “fit”.

Information for this article was collected from www.collegeboard.com a Web site dedicated to assisting and advising college-bound students.

Margene Walz is an academic and athletic counselor for Quest College Counseling in Los Alamitos.  For more information call (562) 280-0460.

Crime Log: Hit-and-run pick up strikes Seal Beach boy

For the Sun
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Crime Log: Hit-and-run pick up strikes Seal Beach boy

Seal Beach Police are seeking a hit-and-run driver who struck a local child just days before his 11th birthday, according to the victim’s father.

The boy suffered only minor injuries.

Steve Julien of Old Town told the Sun that his son Wes Julien was on his way to school Friday morning, April 16, when the collision took place.

According to Steve Julien, relaying his son’s account second-hand to the Sun Newspapers, it was about 7:30 a.m. when a white pick up ran a stop sign at the intersection of Electric Avenue and 12th Street. The truck then reportedly hit the then 10-year-old boy.

Wes Julien celebrated his 11th birthday on Monday, April 19.

He was riding his bike and wearing his helmet when the collision occurred.

“That’s probably what kept him from going under,” his father Steve Julien said.

He said Wes suffered multiple bruises  among other injuries.

According to the boy’s account, the driver stopped, looked around, showed his face and then continued driving.

Steve Julien said the motorist drove around the fallen boy before driving away. The suspect was described as a white man, about 50 years old, with short hair, a blond mustache and beard.

The vehicle was described as a a mid-size white pick up with black grill guard.

Steve Julien said it was the guard that struck his son.

Steve Julien is concerned that the hit-and-run driver is a threat to other people.

He reported the crime to the Seal Beach Police Department at 4:14 p.m., Friday, April 16. The incident was recorded in the police log for that day. The names were blacked out in the log. However, the location and time of the hit-and-run matched Steve Julien’s account.

To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.

Rossmoor crime states: Three burglaries in first quarter

By Charles M. Kelly

There were three burglaries and one robbery during the first quarter of 2010, according to Lt. Bob Wren, commander of North Patrol for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Wren delivered the quarterly crime statistics to the Tuesday, April 13 meeting of the Rossmoor Community Services District Board of Directors.

His predecessor, Capt. Tom Gallivan—who is now commander of North Operations for the Sheriff’s Department—introduced Wren to the board.

Wren then presented the crime statistics to the meeting.

The Sheriff’s Department breaks crimes down into three groups: Part I, Part II and Part III.

“Part I offenses include criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson,” according to the report.

There were 12 Part 1 crimes reported in Rossmoor during the first three months of 2010.

Part II offenses include vehicular manslaughter, embezzlement, fraud, vandalism, weapons law violations, sex offenses (other than forcible rape), offenses against the family and children, narcotics law violations and driving under the influence.

There were 26 Part II offenses reported in Rossmoor during the first quarter.

“Part III offenses include vehicles handled, stolen and recovered property, traffic accidents, medical aid, non-criminal deaths, mental cases, inebriates, and missing persons,” according to the report.

There were 23 Part III offenses reported in Rossmoor during the first quarter. In all, there were 505 calls for law enforcement services in Rossmoor in January, February and March 2010. There were 617 calls for service in the last quarter of 2009.

To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.

Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly

The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between April  5 and  April  17, 2010. Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times. Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.

IN SEAL BEACH

Monday, April  5

Petty Theft Report—8:47 a.m.—Montecito Road—Someone stole a cell phone from the caller’s unlocked vehicle sometime during the night. Report taken.

Identity Theft—7:36 p.m.—10th Street—Someone used the caller’s Social Security Number to open up bank accounts. Report taken.

Tuesday, April  6

Counseling—12:25 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Two motorists apparently got into an argument over a parking space. One motorist, a woman, got out and reportedly hit the second motorist’s car with her hand. The second motorist phoned the police  just as the woman was leaving. The caller insisted on speaking with an officer. The officer counseled the caller.

Vehicle Burglary—4:42 p.m.—Westminster Avenue—There were no details about the crime in the log.

Traffic Stop—10:56 p.m.—405 Freeway and Seal Beach Boulevard—Police unit 120 apparently made a DUI arrest as a result of this call. The name of the suspect had not been confirmed at press time.

Wednesday, April  7

Counseling—9:39 a.m.—th Street—The caller has garden statues that look like ducks. The caller said someone had stolen the ducks during the night and returned them on the front porch in the morning.

Trespassing—3:15 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—An individual collecting voter signatures for was in front of the location and refused to leave when asked. Police unit 111 counseled the individual. The log did not say what cause or party he might have been collecting signatures for.

Thursday, April  8

Petty Theft Report—5:57 a.m.—17th Street—The caller unlocked his car and then when back inside the house. When he returned, he discovered that some of his property had been stolen from the vehicle. Loss: wallet, checkbook, cameras, guitar and keys. No suspect information. Report taken.

Friday, April  9

Booking—9:04 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—A pay-to-stay inmate was booked into the city jail.

Saturday, April  10

Disturbance—6:55 p.m.—Welcome Lane—A white man described as a transient was standing at the entrance to the trailer park, yelling and screaming. He was upset because he had been asked to leave. Police unit 123 counseled him and he left.

Sunday, April  11

Disturbance, Music—1:09 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said a man had a piano in the bed of his trunk. The caller’s complaint: he was playing and singing both loudly and poorly. Police unit 113 counseled the piano man about making noise and he said he would comply.

IN LEISURE WORLD

Friday, April  9

Vandalism Report—4:14 p.m.—Interlachen Road, Mutual Unknown—The right passenger window of the caller’s car was broken during the night. Report taken.

IN LOS ALAMITOS

Monday, April 12

Traffic Hazard—6: p.m.—Farquhar and Rochelle—A van was reportedly blocking traffic. Officers assisted in getting the matter solved.

Tuesday, April 13

Suspicious Person—8:36 a.m.—Farquhar and Maple—A man walking his dog reportedly hit the animal with a newspaper.

Wednesday, April 14

Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—7:49 a.m.—Howard and Maple—The caller looked into a suspicious vehicle. The person inside the vehicle ducked down like he didn’t want caller to know what he was doing. Officers spoke to the person in the suspicious vehicle.

Thursday, April 15

Welfare Check—8:14 a.m.—Farquhar and Los Alamitos—An individual in a grey vehicle nearly hit a crossing guard about five minutes before the call to police. The crossing guard was shaken up, but okay.

Saturday, April 17

Suspicious Person—1:33 p.m.—Pine and Rossmoor—An individual was reported going door to door talking but is not selling anything. Officers spoke to an individual and advised the person to discontinue their behavior.

Sunday, April 18

Disturbance Juveniles—3:07 p.m.—Katella Avenue—A number of juveniles were loitering in front of a business, making it difficult for people to get in and out. Officers broke up the gathering.

IN ROSSMOOR

Monday, April 12

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—4:45 p.m.—Blume Drive—A caller reported a person that was unknown to the area.  Deputies stopped and detained the individual, but determined nothing suspicious occurred.

Tuesday, April 13

Stolen Vehicle—7:27 p.m.—Inverness Drive—Deputies determined that the vehicle was not stolen. However, the vehicle was towed away for other (unknown) reasons.

Wednesday, April 14

Grand Theft Report—4:36 p.m.—Donnie Ann Road—Report taken.

Burglary in Progress—6:03 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive—Someone stole a bicycle from a garage.

Deputies checked the area and found the bike, but were unable to locate the suspect. Report taken.

Thursday, April 15

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—4:17 a.m.—Quail Run Road—An individual was reported on foot in the area.

Burglary Report—7:14 a.m.—Copa D’Oro Drive—No burglary occurred. No further information was available.

Saturday, April 17

Disturbance, Family Dispute—3:09 p.m.—Quail Run Road—A woman reused to leave the residence. By the time the deputy arrived the unwelcome guest had left.

IN SUNSET BEACH

Friday, April 16

Disturbance—7:23 p.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and Warner Avenue—The caller reported a loud gathering of juveniles on the greenbelt. They were gone by the time deputies arrived.

Saturday, April 17

Narcotic Violation—12:51 a.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and Warner Avenue—A deputy cited an individual for possession of marijuana.


Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.

Los Al baseball in free fall

Special to the Sun
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Los Al baseball in free fall

Special to the Sun

Los Alamitos opened the second round of Sunset League play on an off note Wednesday afternoon, as visiting Edison used a pair of big innings early to wind up with an 11-1 win over the Griffins.

With the loss, the squad’s third straight in league play, Los Al falls to 2-4 and 9-8 overall. Edison, the league leaders, stays atop the league at 5-1 and 11-6 overall.

Griffin Coach Aaron Moore said his squad’s lack of maturity in big games showed.

“We simply didn’t compete today,” Moore said matter-of-factly afterwards. “I’m very disappointed with the effort.”

Moore said coming off a consolation championship in the OC Nissan Tournament the week before had his squad on a high note. Still, he made no excuses about his squad’s play.

“We simply don’t know how to handle playing in the big game or leading up to the big games,” Moore said. “With the coaching staff’s expectations, the players may have put a lot of pressure on themselves.”

Los Al picked up just six hits in the game and stranded eight runners, six of them in scoring position. It was an improvement from the first meeting where the squad had just four hits and did not have a runner reach third base.

The Griffins’ problem of getting an opportune hit reared its ugly head throughout the contest. Patrick Ivison opened the first with a leadoff walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Edison lefty Henry Owens struck out the next three hitters, part of 12 strikeouts on the day, to keep the game scoreless.

Edison struck for four runs in the second to give the Chargers all the offense they’d need. Los Alamitos got on the board with a two-out rally in the third.

Ivison was hit by an Owens pitch. Frankie Padulo’s single, the first Griffin hit, moved the runner over. The hit parade continued as senior Brad Hartong stroked another single to left, plating Ivison. A walk to Nick Vilter loaded the bases … which they would remain as the next hitter struck out.

Starting pitcher Kyle Ferramola was knocked from the mound after a leadoff walk in the third. Jared Cortez came on to get out of the jam, including picking a runner off of first. Edison would strike for four runs in the fourth on just one hit. Three walks, a balk and an error helped Edison take an 8-1 lead. Edison would score twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to end the scoring.

Los Al threatened in its last two at bats. Vilter beat out an infield single with one gone in the sixth. Michael Farris was hit by a pitch one out later but the pair were stranded as the next hitter struck out.

Singles by Ivison and Padulo got a two-out rally started in the seventh but a strikeout ended the 2:42 contest.

Philanthropist donates funds for Los Alamitos/Cypress fireworks show

Staff report
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Philanthropist donates funds for Los Alamitos/Cypress fireworks show

Local philanthropist Kenny Brandyberry has donated $15,000 to help Los Alamitos potentially keep its Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Brandyberry made the donation during Monday night’s Los Alamitos City Council meeting.

City officials and those that attended the meeting were brought to their feet by Brandyberry’s donation.

Before making the donation, Brandyberry called the thought of not having the event, which is in its 22nd year,  a shame.

“The Fourth of July in Los Alamitos is a time where families get together, where neighbors get together to enjoy each other’s company and to enjoy the fireworks show,” Brandyberry said.

Brandyberry then presented a cashier’s check for $15,000 to Mayor Marilynn Poe as he was cheered on.

Poe said the council was grateful for the donation and thanked him for it. Robert Graham thanked Brandyberry for his support.

“Anytime something needs to get done in this community, Kenny is simply the man to do it,” Graham said. “Kenny should get another round of applause for this.”

An additional donation of $500 was presented on behalf of the News-Enterprise by General Manager Guy Cariglio.

He encouraged other businesses and citizens to donate as well. “We will keep a running tabulation and publish donations each week,” he said.

The event was in danger of being cancelled if it could not become a more cost neutral event.

Last year, both Los Alamitos and Cypress each lost more than $9,500 in hosting the event.

This year’s costs were expected to rise because of increased pay because of Los Alamitos employees making double time on the holiday.

During Oral Communications, many citizens criticized the city for what they thought was a last-minute attempt to raise the monies.

Poe said the council has been talking about the fireworks for the last two years.

“We discussed this last year. We discussed this heading into budget talks for this year’s budget,” Poe said. “We made cuts to last year’s fireworks to trim costs and that worked. We know how important this is to the citizens. The discussion that this is last minute is simply wrong.”

The city had been in talks with the base on the possibility of charging admission to the Joint Forces Training Base to defray costs.

That idea was refused as it is illegal to charge admission to get on a military base.

Cypress City Manager John Bahorski said the city was waiting to hear from base officials to ensure the event was going to happen before discussing the funds.

Donations for the event are still being accepted and can be made out to the Fireworks Spectacular and brought or mailed to City Hall, 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA,  90720.

Griffins swim meet win comes down to races’ last relay

Scott Durzo
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Griffins swim meet win comes down to races’ last relay

Proud parents and supporters surrounded the pool deck as the Griffins hosted the Barons of Fountain Valley High School.  The swim meet between these two teams was expected to be close and exciting.

It was.

The girls competed magnificently but the Los Alamitos team was edged out at the end by losing 80-90.  Dari Watkins won two individual events.  Watkins won the 100-Butterfly (58.71) and the 200-Individual Medley (2:08:22).  The girls team is 1-2 in league.

With 11 events per meet, the boys relay came down to the final race against a tough and fast Baron team.

With the Griffins trailing most of the meet, there were only two brief lead changes, and the Griffins trailed heading into the last event of the day.

With the boys 4×100 the last event, swimmers Alex Merrill, a senior, his little brother, freshman Max Merrill, junior Joe Ferretti, and junior Jack Blake, put the burners on and won the race amongst cheers and pandemonium from the crowd.

Earlier in the meet, Senior Alex Merrill won two individual events.

He won the 100-Butterfly (53.58) and the 500-Freestyle (4:55:11).  Junior Joe Ferretti won 2 events.  He won the 50-Freestyle (21.91) and the 100-Freestyle (49.42).  Freshman, Derek Ahmed won the 100-Backstroke (57.85).   The boys swim team is 1-2 in league.

Coach Dave Carlson was proud of his swimmers.  “The sunset league is the fastest league in Orange County.

Five Sunset League teams are ranked in the top 10 in the county and the competition is really tough,” said Carlson.

The Griffins take on Esperanza next week.

Tony Luna’s 80th birthday

For the Sun
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On Feb. 13, 2010, about 200 friends and family from all over Southern California came together at Moreno’s Restaurant in Orange to celebrate the 80th birthday of long-time Seal Beach resident Antonio “Tony” Luna. He and his wife Gloria moved to Seal Beach in 1962 settling in the just developing “Hill” neighborhood.  The Luna Family has been active members of various local organizations. Tony was president of the Seal Beach Tennis Club, a coach for Seal Beach Kids Baseball and a member of the St. Anne’s Chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

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