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When the assignment to cover the retirement ceremony of the Base Commander at the Weapons Station dropped in my lap my first thought was, “just another retirement…. No big deal.”
I was told the Change of Command Ceremony was a “time honored tradition” particular to the Navy. No other branch of our services has such a ceremony. Nevertheless I was completely unprepared for the elegance of day.
Captain Jonathan Kurtz was retiring from his Command, after 27 years in the Navy, the last few as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach. Technically he was being “relieved” by Captain Terry Auberry, and therein lies what makes such a rite particular to the Navy.
It originated with Royal Navy in the 16th Century and no one is sure how long the U. S. Navy has been doing it but most likely for 200 years. The men and women of the Navy Munitions Command, Continental U.S. West Division made sure that Captains Kurtz and Auberry received the full honors they were entitled to.
The Kurtz Family and Admiral French
Over 250 guests and servicemen and women were present including two Rear Admirals (Hering and French) and a Major General. (USMC) and I sat behind over 20 four-stripers (Captains) and saw more brass and medals than at a pentagon dinner.
Kurtz was graduated from Annapolis in 1982 and began his duties as an officer on destroyers and after becoming the Flag Lieutenant on the staff of the Group Commander he went back to Annapolis as an instructor. From there his career was blazoned with personal awards, Master’s Degrees and Service Medals and Commendation awards. While at Seal Beach he and his staff received several commendations for environmental improvements and substantial cost saving improvements in excess of $3 million dollars.
Rear Admiral Len Hering, a personal friend as well as a man Capt. Kurtz served under twice during his career, was the guest speaker and he joked that S.B. Weapons Station probably had more green grass than all the other bases under his command . . . . even though in 2008 the base had established a record reduction in water use!
Capt. Auberry who will be the new Base Commander and Auberry is “Mustang.” In military parlance a mustang in an enlisted man who becomes an officer and some of our greatest officers have been “Mustangs.” Auberry graduated from basic seaman training in 1974 and then spent 10 years in various Mine shops and vessels during which time he became a commissioned officer. His last assignment before coming to Seal Beach was as Chief of Staff, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command in Corpus Christi, TX.
I thought the high light of the ceremony was “Retirement of the Colors.” After Capt. Kurtz was presented with an honor and scroll from President Obama, an honor guard of commissioned men and women presented a flag that flew over the Capital in Washington D.C. to the Captain. The honor guard was made up of officers of different rank, but each one represented a rank that Kurtz had held during his career. An Ensign, a Lt. JG, a Lt, a Lt. Commander, and a Commander and, of course, he was the Captain. Many, including Admiral Hering felt that Kurtz could easily have had his own Star. (Admiral)
The ending was when Kurtz asked to be relieved of command (just as navy captains have for over 400 years) and Capt. Auberry said “I relieve you sir.” The plaintive cry of the boatswain’s whistle followed as Capt. Kurtz and his wife, daughter and parents were whistled into his new life.
The Kurtz family, originally from Delaware, intends to remain in Seal Beach much to the delight of their friends and neighbors. Welcome Home, Jon Kurtz!
The Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club recently announced the 2009 honorees who will be recognized at the Human Rights Awaards Banquet on September 26th at the Queen Mary. The theme for this year’s banquet is “Out of the Rainbow and Into the Streets.”
Fitting to this year’s theme, Tom Crowe, founder of Long Beach Equality and Organizer of the November march down Broadway will be honored with the President’s Special Recognition Award.
Openly gay Long Beach City Council Members Robert Garcia and Gerrie Schipske will be honored with the Community Man and Woman of the Year Awards.
Additional community awards will be granted to St. Lukes Episcopal Church Herbert “John” Berry III.
Lambda’s highest honor, the Michael Lonergan Memorial Award will be presented to Pedro Nava, who represents California’s 35th Assembly District.
To read more about this year’s honorees, please read the article in the LBPost.com.
To find out how you can purchase tickets please visit the Long Beach Lambda website.
What: Long Beach Funkfest. Music, Food, Art, Vendors & More!
Where: Downtown Long Beach
When: Saturday, August 29th, 12pm – midnight
Cost: FREE
This first-time event is the brainchild of Long Beach resident and funkateer Bobby Easton of the Long Beach band Delta Nove. It is part of the SAM (Summer and Music) series, founded by Justin Hectus and Rand Foster and backed by the DLBA (Downtown Long Beach Associates) and Long Beach Redevelopment Agency.
The idea for the LB Funk Fest was born out of the realization that the genre of funk music is highly underrated and despite its vast influence on both American and global culture, it remains beyond most people’s recognition. After some research, it was also apparent that there is a severe lack of “true” funk fests happening. There are many events that feature some funk, some old-school concerts, but there is a need for 100% funk! That’s why the LBFF has manifested, to bring an event of uncut funk magnitude to Long Beach.
This is not going to be a jazz funk fest. This is not a hip hop funk fest. This is not going to be an old school show. It’s not a rock festival with a few funky bands. The Long Beach Funk Fest features all funk and nuttin but the funk. This is going to be a festival to bring together funk fans old and new, to show where funk came from and where it’s going.
Our goal is to bring the funk music community together (musicians and fans) and invoke the spirit of the great 70’s funk fests, and to help nurture and develop funk’s acceptance and acknowledgment as a complete North American musical genre. Much in the way jazz and blues are considered “American art forms”, funk is American music too, our music, and has influenced countless other genres, musicians, and people around the world.
For more information visit longbeachfunkfest.com
The Ranchos Palos Verdes fire which broke out around 8pm last night could be seen from many areas of Long Beach. The fire which resulted in mandatory evacuations of the Ranchos Palos Verdes area last night is now 35% contained has burned 2 homes and 35 acres. As of this morning evacuation orders were being lifted and the fire was expected to be fully contained at some point today.
The RPV fire is one of four fires currently burning in Southern California including the Station fire in the Angeles National Forest near La Canada Flintridge, the Morris in the area of Morris Dam north of Azusa and Glendora and the Hemet fire. Extreme heat and dry weather conditions (102 in Long Beach yesterday!) are contributing to the early start to fire season and the ongoing extreme fire danger throughout Southern California.
For more information on Southern California fires please visit the LA Times.
A friend who knows how much I admire Tiger Woods recently sent me photos of his home in Isleworth, Florida near Orlando. See Photos at: http://officespam.chattablogs.com/archives/2006/06/pictures-of-tiger-woods-house.html
It is, quite naturally, an exceptionally beautiful home. An entry with a phenomenal staircase, a living room with a custom 30 foot couch, 6 bathrooms, 5 marble bathrooms, 2 ½ baths AND 22 TVs!
This 9,000 foot estate overlooks one quarter of a mile of a crystal white sand beach and has a 90 foot infinity pool. Its within walking distance of 3 world renowned golf courses.
The lighting system is so spectacular that if you were allowed to rent it for a weekend you could create your own ambience.
Nevertheless, while I would grant Tiger Woods anything he wants in life because he’s done so much good for those less fortunate and is generally a very class act among celebrities, I questioned if this was really Tiger’s camping grounds. What do you think? Go to: http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/tigerwoods.asp
Beth Daniel, Capt of U.S. Team circles the 18th green with the Stars and Stripes after the U.S. girls staged an amazing come from behind victory in the 2009 Solheim Cup.
In the most exciting golf of the weekend the U.S. LPGA Team came from behind to score a decisive 16 -12 victory over the European Women on Sunday at Rich Harvest Farms, outside of Chicago. This was very exciting golf and they drew a gallery of over 100,000 for the three days of the Cup.
Going into Sunday’s final the U.S. and the European’s were tied with 8 points each but the Europeans were leading in most matches on the front 9 holes. But then the Yanks buckled down and some absolutely amazing putting as well as some great recoveries saved the day.
It would be hard to pick one player as more outstanding than another, and that includes the European women. This was some real high excitement golf.
Christina Kim had to be the most excited golfer on the course and he enthusiasm transferred to the crowd. She was the head cheerleader. 41 year old Julie Inkster was down by 3 holes on the back 9 and then started a string of birdies and one amazing recovery from deep in the bulrushes to cinch a tie with Gladys Nocera. Inkster said being selected to play with these talented kids was a great vote of confidence in her by Beth Daniel, however, this will be her last Solheim. “Its time to move on and make room for all the young talent that is in the LPGA.”
Michelle Wie and Kim were a successful team earlier in the week and on Sunday Wie defeated Helen Alfredsson 1 up. Angela Stanford had the most lopsided victory defeating Beck Brewerton 5 & 4. Brittany Lang halved with Laura Davies after Davies struggled on the last two holes and Natalie Gulbis and Christie Kerr halved in their contests.
Morgan Pressel, however, gets the honors for being the player who actually clinched the title when she defeated Anna Nordqvist 3 & 2. Pressel had been putting like a genie all days and earlier sunk a sand-shot to add to her birdie run.. Another birdie on 16 left her three points up with only two holes to go and that did it.
For more info go to: http://www.lpga.com/solheimcup.aspx
Shops Along 4th Street (from Junipero to Cherry) Offer Good Buys & Great Deals One Day Only!
Come one, come all to 4th Street’s Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, August 22nd, from Noon to 6pm. Over 30 merchants along ‘Retro Row’ will be offering good buys and bargains galore for one day only! Plus, we’ll have a host of circus performers and live music on-hand to entertain while you’re picking up on all the great deals to be had.
4th Street has a lot to offer including furnishings (vintage to contemporary), toys and togs for kids of all ages, vintage threads and accessories, surf gear, gifts and one-of-a-kind tchotsky’s, original artwork and handcrafted jewelry, and much, much more!
Make a day of it, and grab a bite to eat at any of the eateries along the way. For a full listing of all the shops, services and restaurants along the Retro Row corridor, go to: www.4thstreetlongbeach.com
About 4th Street: Dubbed “Retro Row”, 4th Street is Long Beach, CA’s Independent Shopping & Dining District! Featured recently in both Lucky and Sunset magazines, as well as in the New York Times (Travel Section, October 2007), as well as in the August 2008 Los Angeles Magazine’s “Best of LA” Issue and The District Weekly (September 2008), the 4th Street District stretches from Junipero to Cherry Streets. Over 30 unique shops and restaurants to choose from, 4th Street is also home to the newly renovated and reopened Art Theatre. www.4thstreetlongbeach.com
Sunset Beach has asked Seal Beach to include their area as part of the city of Seal Beach and many citizens spoke against that move at council two weeks ago.
Now Island Village is also thinking about leaving Long Beach and joining Seal Beach.
This has happened before according to Jenny Pack the editor of “The Village Voice” a homeowner’s association newsletter. “Some say it’s a five year cycle.”
Seal Beach citizens didn’t sound too receptive to the Sunset Beach offer but Island Village may be a different story. The only question is why does Long Beach seem so welcome to give up 182 tax paying homes?
For the complete story go to: http://thedistrictweekly.com/2009/print/news/there-goes-the-neighborhood-2/
SAN FRANCISCO– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on its technical analysis and options for reducing air pollution from two power plants in the Four Corners area that affect air quality and visibility at nearby national parks, wilderness areas, and national monuments.
The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR), among other criteria, compares the cost and visibility modeling inputs used by the facilities with those inputs used by the EPA. The agency is providing a 30-day public comment period on the ANPR and is not taking action or proposing a best available retrofit technology determination at this time. The EPA expects to propose the technology that will be used to reduce air pollution coming from the two power plants this fall.
“This action is a first step towards improving visibility at areas impacted by these two facilities,” said Deborah Jordan, the EPA’s Air Division director for the Pacific Southwest region. “It is important for the public.to understand how we evaluate air pollution control technologies and to have input on our process.”
Although the ANPR focuses on the visibility improvements at the surrounding national park and wilderness areas, and the cost effectiveness of applying best available retrofit technology at the two power plants, the agency will accept comments on other factors, such as the remaining useful life of the facilities, existing controls at the facilities, energy and non-air quality environmental impacts.
The best available retrofit technology provisions of the regional haze rule require reductions in emissions of air pollutants that impact visibility based on a multi-factor analysis that considers cost effectiveness and the degree of visibility improvements.
The Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Generating Station are two of the largest pollution sources in the United States. Air pollution from the Four Corners Power Plant and the Navajo Generating Station impacts many of our most pristine and precious natural areas.
Additional information on the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking is available on the EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/navajo/index.html
Integrated Defense Systems, “IDS”, Boeing’s defense 32 billion subsidiary received a $12.5 million dollar contract for test vehicles for delivery of a 30,000 pound bomb.
The delivery vehicle will be the venerable B-52 bomber….referred to by USAF veterans as the “BUFF.” The aircraft’s first contract was issued in 1946 and its maiden flight was in 1952. Needless to say the “Buff” has been older than its pilots for about 20 years yet it continues to serve…. and it does it well.
(“What’s Up In Seal Beach” is unable to translate the anachronism “Buff” but reliable sources have told us that any retired Air Force person can explain it to our readers.)
Boeing IDS has operations in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Long Beach, Canoga Park and Garden Grove.
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