Seal Beach Animal Care Center…looking for cat lovers!

Are you aware that our pet center does not “destroy” animals?  They are not routinely “put down” as happens in many municipal run dog and cat pounds.   The reason?  In Seal Beach they are cared for by compassionate and loving people.  So, from time to time, the facility gets a little crowded.  Right now there are some wonderful cats and kittens that need homes.

The SBACC is located right behind the main police station on Seal Beach Blvd, across the street from the Navy Base.

Why don’t you stop by and take a look at more than 100 cats that are looking for someone to love…and someone who will love them.  (Of course there are some puppies too….most of the kitties avoid the dogs..but not all) Visiting the pet center from time to time can be a rewarding experience for children…even if they don’t take a pet home.  And its could therapy for the animals too!

The Seal Beach Animal Care Center—and all the animals in our care—thank our members, the City of Seal Beach, and the public for their continued support. The SBACC is a California non-profit 501-C3 Corporation #33-0192138.

All donations made to the Care Center are tax deductible, with the largest share going directly toward the care of our animals.

What the oil boats cost Seal Beach visitors health ?

EPA’s Recent Assessment of Toxic Air Pollutants and their affect on you.

The EPA has released the latest version of a state-of-the-science tool that estimates health risks from breathing air toxics in the United States. The National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), based on 2002 air emissions data, helps state, and local governments identify areas and specific pollutants to better understand risks they may pose.

Air toxics are of concern because they are known to, or are suspected of, causing cancer and other serious health problems, including birth defects. The report assessed 180 air toxics plus diesel particulate matter from stationary sources of all sizes and from mobile sources such as cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment.

The 2002 NATA estimates that most people in the United States have an average cancer risk of 36 in 1 million if exposed to 2002 emissions levels over the course of their lifetime. In addition, 2 million people—less than one percent of the total U.S. population—have an increased cancer risk of greater than 100 in 1 million.

HOW IT AFFECTS SEAL BEACH

One thing not included in the study is any harm caused by diesel pollutants that come from the “oil boats”, “Capt. T Li” and “Peter Mac”, that regularly pick up men and equipment from the Seal Beach Pier. Whats Up in Seal Beach estimates there are not less than 20 pick-ups and drop offs in each 24 hour period.

The boats pull up next to the pier and NEVER shut off their engines. We’re told that’s the city’s decision.Clouds of noxious fumes affect fisherman and people on the pier a few feet away. Also affected are surfers and boogie boarders nearby and, when the wind is offshore Ruby’s diner 100 feet away.

TODDLERS PLAYGROUND

Most important is the play area for our children. It is only a few hundred yards away and the prevailing winds suck the fumes directly in that direction. When you read EPA reports of toxic fumes you’ll notice there is always an emphasis on what the fumes do to small children and pregnant women.

Sometimes the boat is running (and spewing fumes) for considerable periods. The photos above were taken on July 4th and prevailing winds were strong enough that day that the fumes shown are pretty well dispersed and do not accurately show how concentrated they are most of the time. On Independence day the “Peter Mac” was at the pier for almost 45 minutes waiting for ONE person.

TRUCKS CONTROLLED, HARBOR BOATS ARE NOT?

California state law states that a diesel truck operating in the harbor can only idle for 5 minutes….after 5 minutes if it doesn’t shout down it is fined. The oil boats have diesel engines 10 times as big as a diesel truck yet they can run those engines next to an exposed group of holiday beachgoers for 45 minutes!

CHILDREN’S HEALTH STUDY

According to the Clean Air Task Force in diesel engine particulates carry a number of potent carcinogens. In children, particulate matter has also been associated with crib death. A 2004 study showed that particles and nitrogen dioxide have chronic adverse effects on lung development 10-18 year olds leading to deficits in lung function as the children reached adulthood. What’s more, diesel engines also release other gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides that form ground level ozone. Results of the California Children’s Health Study suggest that ozone is associated with birth defects and new diagnoses of asthma.

PIER DAMAGE OVERESTIMATED?

Since the oil boats approach from the east side of the pier they are usually being pushed away by the prevailing winds, so the engine is always working hard to push the boat back to the dock. If the boats tied-up at the loading dock they could shut their engines or at least reduce them to “idle mode.”

NO TIE-UP MEANS WORKERS MUST JUMP ON BOARD

The city says that they do not want the ship to tie-up because if they did the operators might bang into the pier and do damage to the pier. (What does the city think happens to the pier when the boat is being constantly pushed away by wave action and has to keep pushing back?) The photo below shows a worker jumping on board.

Admittedly a small jump and not a big risk, however, when it is repeated 100 times in 24 hours, sometimes in dark and inclement weather; and often with an exhausted worker at the end of a long day…the risk to injury or death increases exponentially.

We’ve seen senior boat operators who could put a vessel a lot bigger than the oil boats next to a dock as gently as one would stroke a kitten. If the operators did that they could tie-up without any damage to the pier. As it is presently done the boat MUST bump the dock several times because it is constantly being pushed off by wave action and prevailing winds. Even if there was a chance of occasional harder pier bumps the boat operator could easily carry a bond that would cover any possible damage to the pier.

DO WE EVEN NEED THE OIL BOATS AT OUR PIER?

If we don’t allow the boats to use the pier there are lots of other options for them. Alamitos Bay has a usable pier which they use when they can’t come here. Perhap the Belmont Pier ? Huntington Beach has both a helicopter pad and a pier…but maybe Huntington is more conscious of their pier users and doesn’t want the oil boats there. Yes we’d lose some revenue but is the revenue generated enough  to justify the risks to the health of our citizens and visitors. Might we be held mutually liable for health risks to nearby residents who are forced to breath substantially more of these carcinogens brought into the city by a contract between the city and boat operator?

NATA provides broad estimates of risk over geographic areas of the country and not definitive risks to specific individuals. The results are best used to prioritize pollutants and areas for further study, not as the sole basis for regulation or risk reduction activities.

Since the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, air toxic emissions have decreased by 40 percent from all sources. NATA can be used to help all levels of government target further reductions in air toxics emissions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION :

Diesel and Health in America: The Lingering Threat

http://www.catf.us/publications/view/83

www.epa.gov/nata2002

www.epa.gov/oar/toxicair/newtoxics.html

Once upon a time we were competing with San Francisco for our name?

All balsa wood boards 1956

Belmont Shore Car Show Looking For New Members

The “Bay City Rodders” one of the smallest but most influential Hot Rod Clubs in the U.S. is looking for new members.  The “Rodders” have an active membership of about 50 members and among other things they put on the Belmont Shore Car Show every September. Their home base is Seal Beach, most of the members live in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach and the surrounding area. 

The Belmont Shore Show is on September 12, 2010.  Not to be confused with the  Seal Beach Classic Car Show which is on Saturday, April 24, 2010.  Some of the same autos are shown in both shows. (To see autos from last years Seal Beach show go to:http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=whatsupinsealbeach&ei=utf-8    or scroll down to Flicker on our home page.) 

The Bay City Rodders are looking for members witht a ’67 or older rod or custom and wives are more than welcome… if they bring their husbands.  

You can contact the club at  P.O. Box 2538, Seal Beach, CA 90740 or at info@baycityrodders.com

St. Paddy’s Day in Seal Beach is a “Piece of Cake”

The “Day After” police report on St. Paddy’s Day 2010 on Main Street was….the true charm of the Irish came out last night.  The Watch Sargent said that the night before was quiet compared to previous years.  ‘In fact most of the arrests we made last night were not related to St. Patrick’s day revelry at all” he said with a chuckle. 

This would great news indeed if it is a trend for the future.  There is no doubt that the Irish holiday is a boon to the eateries of Seal Beach.  Many of the revelers start out looking for corned beef and cabbage but crowds can change their minds when lines are too long ……. and they find out that maybe its a night for Thai, Vietnamese or Japanese food.  The nice thing about the Irish is that they were never “colony making” inclined – – –  so they haven’t made any enemies overseas…and they’re welcome everywhere….or so I’m told.

The residents of Old Town overall enjoy living close to Main St., the Pier and feel of  “Mayberry by the Sea” most of the time. Let’s admit it…Main St. Seal Beach is a lot like Main St. Disneyland…without the admission fees.   Admittedly much of the joy disappears when you hear a couple of drunks discussing world politics outside your bedroom window at 2 a.m. in the morning.

Our police and some of the local departments that assist when necessary, do an admiral job…and get a little over-time which I’m sure they like.  But let’s  face it … it is not a lot of fun talking to people who don’t make sense when your sober – – even if your getting paid to do it.  So when arrests go down it must mean that our visitors are drinking less and are therefore better guests.

(Photos are from previous year’s celebrations)

A Headline Story to Make American’s Proud

Every member of this high school’s graduating class – – ALL 107 OF THEM….had been accepted at four year universities in the United States.  The Urban Prep Academy in Englewood, Illinois is only four years old.  This is their first graduating class.

Go to: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/happynews/chi-100305chicago-charter-school-graduates,0,2406746.story

The entire senior class at Chicago’s only public all-male, all-African-American high school has been accepted to four-year colleges. At last count, the 107 seniors had earned spots at 72 schools across the nation.

Mayor Richard Daley and Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman surprised students at an all-school assembly at Urban Prep Academy for Young Men in Englewood this morning to congratulate them. It’s the first graduating class at Urban Prep since it opened its doors in 2006.
Huberman applauded the seniors for making CPS shine.

“All of you in the senior class have shown that what matters is perseverance, what matters is focus, what matters is having a dream and following that dream,” Huberman said.
The school enforces a strict uniform of black blazers, khaki pants and red ties — with one exception. After a student receives the news he was accepted into college, he swaps his red tie for a red and gold one at an assembly.

Johnny Carson on Politicians

Email of the week…very funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKgmScYcK6g

DUI STOPS THIS WEEKEND – – AVOID THE POKEY!

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY A.M.  the Seal Beach P.D. will be checking on drunk drivers.

The officers are looking for drunks….and other violations.

They want people to know they are out there because they believe..andhope… that will make us all more responsible.

The last checkpoint was in During the department’s last sobriety checkpoint was mid February and 10 cars were imounded and 14  citations were issued.

How Do Turkish Politics Affect the West ?

I admiit this is not exactly “local news” but I believe that if you don’t pay attention to international news….it can often become local news when you don’t want it to.

Last week a Turkish friend sent me an article by Daniel Pipes.  Mr. Pipes according to his website and bio is  an outstanding author on the Middle East and power politics.

His website, http://www.danielpipes.org is one of the most accessed internet sources of specialized information on the Middle East and Islam. It offers an archive of his work and an opportunity to sign up to receive e-mails of his writings as they appear.

What follows are his comments on last week’s “almost” coup.

–         –         –         –

“The arrest and indictment of top military figures in Turkey last week precipitated potentially the most severe crisis since Atatürk founded the republic in 1923. The weeks ahead will probably indicate whether the country continues its slide toward Islamism or reverts to its traditional secularism. The denouement has major implications for Muslims everywhere.

Turkey’s military has long been both the state’s most trusted institution and the guarantor of Atatürk’s legacy, especially his laicism. Devotion to the founder is not some dry abstraction but a very real and central part of a Turkish officer’s life; as journalist Mehmet Ali Birand has documented, cadet-officers hardly go an hour without hearing Atatürk’s name invoked.

On four occasions between 1960 and 1997, the military intervened to repair a political process gone awry. On the last of these occasions, it forced the Islamist government of Necmettin Erbakan out of power. Chastened by this experience, some of Erbakan’s staff re-organized themselves as the more cautious Justice and Development Party (AKP). In Turkey’s decisive election of 2002, they surged ahead of discredited and fragmented centrist parties with a plurality of 34 percent of the popular vote.

Parliamentary rules then transformed that plurality into a 66 percent supermajority of assembly seats and a rare case of single-party rule. Not only did the AKP skillfully take advantage of its opportunity to lay the foundations of an Islamic order but no other party or leader emerged to challenge it. As a result, the AKP increased its portion of the vote in the 2007 elections to a resounding 47 percent, with control over 62 percent of parliamentary seats.

Repeated AKP electoral successes encouraged it to drop its earlier caution and to hasten moving the country toward its dream of an Islamic Republic of Turkey. The party placed partisans in the presidency and the judiciary while seizing increased control of the educational, business, media, and other leading institutions. It even challenged the secularists’ hold over what Turks call the “deep state” – the non-elected institutions of the intelligence agencies, security services, and the judiciary. Only the military, ultimate arbiter of the country’s direction, remained beyond AKP control.

Several factors then prompted the AKP to confront the military: European Union accession demands for civilian control over the military; a 2008 court case that came close to shutting down the AKP; and the growing assertiveness of its Islamist ally, the Fethullah Gülen Movement. An erosion in AKP popularity (from 47 percent in 2007 to 29 percent now) added a sense of urgency to this confrontation, for it points to the end of one-party AKP rule in the next elections.

The AKP devised an elaborate conspiracy theory in 2007, dubbed Ergenekon, to arrest about two hundred AKP critics, including military officers, under accusation of plotting to overthrow the elected government. The military responded passively, so the AKP raised the stakes on Jan. 22 by concocting a second conspiracy theory, this one termed Balyoz (“Sledgehammer”) and exclusively directed against the military.

The military denied any illegal activities and the chief of general staff, ?lker Ba?bu?, warned that “Our patience has a limit.” Nonetheless, the government proceeded, starting on Feb. 22, to arrest 67 active and retired military officers, including former heads of the air force and navy. So far, 35 officers have been indicted.

Thus has the AKP thrown down the gauntlet, leaving the military leadership basically with two unattractive options: (1) continue selectively to acquiesce to the AKP and hope that fair elections by 2011 will terminate and reverse this process; or (2) stage a coup d’état, risking voter backlash and increased Islamist electoral strength.

At stake is whether the Ergenekon/Balyoz offensives will succeed in transforming the military from an Atatürkist to a Gülenist institution; or whether the AKP’s blatant deceit and over-reaching will spur secularists to find their voice and their confidence. Ultimately the issue concerns whether Shari’a (Islamic law) rules Turkey or the country returns to secularism.

Turkey’s Islamic importance suggests that the outcome of this crisis has consequences for Muslims everywhere. AKP domination of the military means Islamists control the umma‘s most powerful secular institution, proving that, for the moment, they are unstoppable. But if the military retains its independence, Atatürk’s vision will remain alive in Turkey and offer Muslims worldwide an alternative to the Islamist juggernaut.”

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