Spring in the air at Eisenhower Park

OC Fair Season Passes & Other Discounts

Now that summer is here and school is out (or almost out) for most it’s time to start planning your summer activity calendar! The Orange County Register just featured a story about the upcoming OC Fair.   For the first time this year the OC Fair is offering season passes to visitors who like to go multiple times over the 5 week period.  The pass, which is valid from opening day on July 10 to closing day on Aug. 9, will also allow for separate lines at fair gates, 10 percent off of reserved seating at the Action Sports Arena and two-for-one ticket purchases at certain Pacific Amphitheatre concerts.   Prices for the passes start at $15 for kids and $25 for adults which seems like a great deal! 

The entertainment line up this year is looking great!  The line up includes Kelly Clarkson, The Black Eyed Peas, Alan Jackson, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Anita Baker, Blondie & Pat Benetar, the B52’s, Hewey Lewis and the News, the Steve Miller Band, Whitesnake, Three Dog Night, Smokey Robinson and more!

For more information visit the OC Fair website.

T Mobile Tower… Up In The Air

In Huntington Harbour, the T Mobile Tower is still very much  up in the air.

When “What’s Up” first reported (April 25) that T-Mobile was constructing a tower next to the Harbour View School it was shortly thereafter reported that T Mobile and Huntington Beach had come to terms to move the tower. The city had agreed to give T Mobile $50,000 for lost construction costs.

Unfortunately, as attorney’s always tell us, a deal is not a deal until you have it in writing with all the signatures.

There are some conflicting stories but the council says that T Mobile changed their mind and wanted more than $50,000 and therefore the city took their offer off the table.

T Mobile has no comment on the council’s decision because its too soon to comment?  (Could be that both the city and T Mobile are in violation of some city rules.)

Measure C, which Huntington Beach citizens voted in over 20 years ago has some caveats that T Mobile might be in violation of according to the city. 

According to the city the cost of the tower changed during the negotiations.

On April 25 we ended our story with the line, “It promises to be a lively one at next Monday’s Council meeting”…however, that meeting was in closed session so we don’t know what happened.

Let’s see what happens at next week’s Council Meeting?

(go to April 25  to read the original story)

Memorial Day Blows Hot and Cold

Since the Indy 500 was on Sunday May 24 and Monday May 25 no one had to go to work and Memorial Day is officially May 30 I’m not sure which day to refer to as Memorial Day.  However I will tell you this Sunday was absolutely beautiful and fairly warm at the beach

Warm Sunday on Seal Beach

Today, Monday,  has been pretty chilly and it’s after 2 p.m. right now and we still could use some more heat.

Nevertheless, one thing is for sure, Seal Beach is a popular stop for families from all over the Orange County and East Los Angeles County.  We seldom have problems that require police presence and it is very rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of children who may only come to the beach once or twice a year.

As you can see below…Monday was a little chilly until latee in the day.  The little one don’t know its cold.  Bless ’em.

Hope Memorial Day was pleasant for all of you

Fuel-Cell Vehicles To Compete In Annual Road Rally

Today the California Air Resources Board announced the 2009 Hydrogen Road Tour, an annual road rally to demonstrate the advancements in fuel-cell technology. It starts May 26 in San Diego,and ends June 3 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Annual road rally will highlight advances in fuel-cell technology and show that Hydrogen powered vehicles are near consumer readiness.

Organized by the ARB, California Fuel Cell Partnership, National Hydrogen Association and US Fuel Cell Council, the tour will travel more than 1,700 miles and have 28 stops. The public will be invited to test drive the vehicles and experience first hand their range, performance and road readiness.

“Fuel cell technology is on the verge of becoming a practical alternative to burning gasoline,” said Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “This year’s road tour demonstrates how far the industry has come and how near we are to putting these cars in the public’s hands.”

Currently, 300 fuel-cell vehicles have been placed on California roads and manufacturers expect to increase that to 4,300 by 2014. Fuel cell technology is also being used to power transit buses and forklifts, and to produce electricity for industrial uses. Examples of these will be showcased at some of the tour’s stops.

California is a proponent of diversifying the fuels used topower transportation. As part of ARB’s 2006-2007 budget, the California legislature allotted $25 million for the purposes of encouraging the use of biofuels and high efficiency, low-emitting vehicle technologies. These funds were used to support projects that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative fuels.

In April 2009, ARB adopted a low carbon fuel standard fulfilling Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2007 executive order. The regulation is aimed at driving down greenhouse gas emissions which accounts for 40 percent of the state’s total emissions. To achieve this goal 20 percent of petroleum used in California cars will be replaced with clean alternatives, including electricity,biofuels, hydrogen and other options by 2020.

United Rentals Fined $166,000

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board fined United Rentals Inc. $166,800 this month for diesel emissions violations that occurred throughout the state in 2007 and 2008. 

An ARB investigation found emissions violations occurred throughout United Rentals California facilities including Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Bakersfield, Fresno, Long Beach, Riverside, Oakland and San Francisco. United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world, with nearly 625 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Everyone should do their part to keep California’s air clean,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols.”Meeting clean air standards is a requirement for businesses throughout the state.” 

 The law requires annual smoke tests for diesel fleets and, in conjunction with ARB’s roadside smoke inspection program, ensures that all vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

In addition to the fine United Rentals is required to:

? Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections will attend a California Community College training class on diesel emissions compliance testing and provide certificates of completion within one year; 

? Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years; 

? Ensure all of the company’s on-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles have their software updated with the latest Low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions) programming; 

? Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state’s idling regulations for on and off road diesel powered vehicles; 

? Comply with all other applicable ARB regulations; and, 

? Ensure that all diesel trucks are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with the manufacturer’s emissions control engine certification label. 

United Rentals will pay $166,800 in penalties: $125,100 will go to the California Air Pollution Fund that provides money for projects and research to improve California’s air quality; $20,850 will go to the Peralta Community College District to fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California community colleges; and, the remaining $20,850 will go to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority that guarantees loans to off-road vehicle fleets that need to buy exhaust retrofits to comply with state regulations.

Diesel particulate emissions are associated with causing a variety of health effects including premature death and a number of heart and lung diseases. The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. 

ARB’s mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

25 Feet Still The Limit …. At least right now!

Memorial Day Civil War Reenactment At El Dorado Park

On May 30th and  31st California will have its largest display of Civil War battles ever at  Eldorado Park in Long Beach.  

El Dorado Park East will host a 2-day Civil War Reenactment from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The 400-acre park is located at 7550 E. Spring St and can be accessed by taking the 605 Southbound exit and going west or by taking Katella Avenue west until Katella turns into Spring St.

The event, developed by Gold Coast Festivals and Visions In Time Foundation will bring together Civil War reenactment groups from all over California who will spend the weekend recreating one of the most important periods in American History.

This will be the largest reenactment ever held in this area. Visitors will have a first hand look at the sights and sounds of battle as well as a chance at involvement in living history presentations in the camps.

Visitors can expect to see real live cannon fire, period costumes, historical figures, authentic battles, meet with the soldiers in their camps, attend demonstrations and more during the two-day festival.

Battles will be held twice daily at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. both days. Civil War living history tours will be held throughout the weekend and include demonstrations as well as displays.

Find out about California’s role in the Civil War and how close it came to supporting the Confederacy.

Surprise donation staggers Pride Star Talent Show Finals

The third annual Pride Star! Karaoke competition may have ended this year but for Niko Jaquez, it is only the beginning.

Niko held his trophy high on Sunday as he waved to a cheering crowd  including his number one fan, his mother. Niko walks away with $2,500.00 in prize money, a fully produced original track and air play on the gay Internet network StudioOut.com.
Niko’s Pride Star! journey began at Hamburger Marys as he took one of three spots in the quarterfinals.  He then moved on to the semi-final round and  competed against eleven other contestants.  The Semi-finals began on Saturday at the Main stage at Long Beach Pride.  This years semi-finals and final rounds were hosted by the talented Christine O’ Leary, or as she like to be called, ” The gay Ryan Seacrest”.  The evening ended with a tie for third sending Niko and three hopefuls to the final round on Sunday.

The drama did not end there.  A generous man from the audience began to wave cash  towards the four finalists as they stood on the stage.  This man, identified later as Dr. Alqaisi,  generously donated $3000.00 to be split between the three finalist in the final round.  He later stated he was on his way somewhere else and stopped to listen.  He was touched by the singing and the performers.   This amazing gift assured all that nobody was going to be going home empty handed.

The final round of competition began with  a sizzling performance  by previous Pride Star! winner, Tom Crowe singing “Fever”.  The four finalist took the stage each singing two songs for the judges.  After an evening of great performances, the results were in and  ”Chandra”  was named fourth runner up, Jonathan Jimenez took third and Latonius placed second.  Niko won over the judges and the crowd with his first performance of “I’ll be” by Edwin McCain and an applause meter breaking final song ,” I’m feeling good”.   Niko Jaquez took first place becoming the Third Annual Pride Star! winner.

This year’s competition was filled with talented, gifted artists and we all hope to see them compete again next year.

Bird on Sand

Taken by a local photographer in Seal Beach.

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