Get Ready For “Detours” … Coming up this summer

There will be several detours affecting Seal Beach drivers in the coming months.  SOME FOR AS LONG AS 6 MONTHS!  

However, there are some pretty clear maps telling you when and exactly where your driving will be affected.

For a full description go to: http://www.octa.net/pdf/newsletterwcc.pdf

Once there scroll down until you come to “Project Specific Closures” on the 2nd page.  You will see the words   7th street Detour Map and to get there go to http://www.octa.net/pdf/wcc_detours.pdf

You will also see “Other Proposed Detours” and to get there go to : http://www.octa.net/pdf/wcc_other.pdf 

FREE Leis this Saturday on the pier

The 95th Seal Beach Founders Day group are having a “Birthday Shirt Sale.”    Its a May Day Sale and it begins at 9 a.m. AT THE PIER and will run until 1 p.m. but get there early if you want to get a FREE Lei .

The first 10 people who purchase $40 or more of goods will receive a free fresh flower lei….and you’ll also get the thanks of volunteers for  supporting Seal Beach Parks and Recreation.

Who’s going for who’s throat? Developer and City FAce Off

Monday Night Council Meeting will discuss pending litigation between the city and the group that wants to develop the old power plant property on First street.  So what’s all the fuss about?  ( Ed. Note “What’s Up” inadvertently said it was happening 2 weeks ago.)

In a nutshell the land has long been approved for a small hotel or residential at a 75% / 25% split between what is left as open space and what is used for development.  That’s percentage was arrived at several years ago and was the subject of considerable discussion at past council meetings. Perhaps before Bay City Partners even owned the land.

Naturally any developer wants to get the maximum number of homes it can when doing a development. Especially when the land is literally on the water. Conversely the city wants to protect the very unique “smallness” of Seal Beach and at the same time protect
the citizen’s rights to have view and access to the water in this world of larger and larger developments.  Bay City Partners would like to have more of the land developed and less kept as open space.

The city balked, rightfully in this reporter’s opinion, at increasing the developable area.  Not long after that Bay City Partners put a large green cover  on the wire fence that surrounds the property.  Not sure why they did that but it certainly did affect any “open space viewing” that the neighbors might have enjoyed.  Then it was said that a small part of the road going down to the River’s End area actually was owned by Bay City Partners      ( about 10,5000 feet) and they might be taking it over…it also would have affected some underground sewage lines that had been there for decades.

The city received a large grant from a conservancy to be spent on the area for acquisition and improvements and started eminent domain proceedings to buy the land and keep it open access to River’s End, Windsurfer Park and the parking lot and beach. Bay Cities said their offer wasn’t high enough…BUT….they’d accept the offer… IF… the city agreed to let them build the additional houses.

It almost sounds like a family squabble that just got out of hand….but when we’re talking about protecting the atmosphere Seal Beach and Old Town…..it takes on a whole new meaning.

Anyhow, Monday night you should attend the council meeting and state your preference.  Tell the council how you feel….and what you want them to do.

For the entire story go to: http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-245606-land-bay.html

Celebrity Sightings On The Rise Long Beach and Seal Beach

Phil Trani’s restaurant (Long Beach) continues to have the sports stars slipping in the back door.Since we know they don’t come to see each other it must be the food?

Last week Mark Sanchez drops in and guess who’s in tow?  Nope your wrong..not some New York showgirl but his dad and his brother.  Mark has reached the point of fame that he has to wear an ugly winter hat with ear flaps to avoid the crowds…even at Trani’s.

The week before it was Troy Polamalu and his family.  Wife, kids, father-in-law (sweet guy and a “stud” football player for Michigan) and brother-in-law.  Troy and the entire family couldn’t have been nicer.  When you start throwing down on Big Ben…just remember there are some first class people playing for the Steelers.

Of course earlier in the month we saw the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Mike Mullin, in full uniform, shaking hands with the owner/chef, Phil Trani.  Not a sports star you say.  Don’t tell that to Trani.

Mullin played for Notre Dame High and Trani played for Mary Star of the Sea…at the same time.

Who won the game?  (Neither could remember…they said)

First Photos From Car Show

Well, by 9 a.m. all the cars were not in place so it looked like there was definitely going to be fewer entries than in 2009.  There were many more paid entries and over 70 cars were on a waiting list to be in the show.

Quien Sabe?

Nevertheless there were some very different autos in this years show.  A Canadian Chrysler Allard knock-off was a very unique entry.  The car looked original in every way except it had been lengthened slightly to accomodate longer legs.  (Guess Americans have gotten taller since the 1950’s?)

Another outstanding entry was a 32 Ford Pick-up…that really “picked-up” when the owner turned on the hydraulic lift that put the tail gate about 6 feet in the air.  Everyone who looked at the car was amazed at the workmanship. Looked like several man and woman hours to us.

Joe Scanlin wasn’t there this year with his 34 Ford Phaeton, however, there was a large selection of phaetons and all can be seen in our “flicker” file….on the right side of the home page and 1/2 way down.  Just click on it.

WE APOLOGISE BUT WE

WON’T HAVE ALL THE

PHOTOS UP FOR A COUPLE

OF DAYS.

HANG LOOSE..THEY’RE COMING!

World’s Best Car Show This Saturday

The Annual Seal Beach Classic Car show happens this Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 10 am to 3 pm.  Now in its 23^rd year, this show and the associated Main Street party, is one of the longest running annual events in our community.

The show features cars, vendors & visitors, and, as always–our Main Street becomes classic car heaven.  More than 500 cars will begin to fill up our downtown around 6 am.  From woodies to muscle cars, there is plenty for every gearhead to admire. We expect thousands of visitors to come and enjoy our community and show.

The Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce has continued to partner with the Seal Beach Lions and Leos for a Pancake Breakfast, which has been a part of the car show tradition for the last nine years.  Long term Lion, past Chamber president and car show corporate sponsor Jim Klisanin feels, “We have always had good car shows, but this year we have made it even better. I have talked to a lot of the participants in years past and they almost always say this car show is their favorite.” The Lions will be continuing through lunch this year with their famous bratwursts so stop on down by the pier and get some.

Thanks to sponsorship chair Gina Phillips,   More than twenty vendors are expected at Eisenhower Park, and new to the events at the park will be the Pinewood Derby.  Eaker said “It certainly adds even more of a family friendly atmosphere to have the kids all racing cars too.”

The Derby will be held in Eisenhower Park at noon on April 24^th. Participants can buy kits and register at Knock Knock Toys & Gifts at 219 ½ Main St. Seal Beach, thanks to Lisa McHenry, owner. Car kit plus registration is $15.00, car kit only is $5.00.  Ruth Harrell said “This is a treat to watch and fun for the participants. Be sure to wander down to Eisenhower Park at the Seal Beach Pier at noon on April 24^th during the Car Show to view the Pinewood Derby.”

Car show central is located at the Electric and Main intersections and will be an information and registration hub. Judging begins at 10 am and wraps up around 1 pm.  Master of Ceremonies Rick Paap, will begin the awards ceremony around 2:30 pm.  The award categories have been expanded from 20 to 30 this year to bring the judging more in line with other car shows.

Seth Eaker the Chamber President encouraged everyone to “invite friends and family to come down to Seal Beach on the 24^th to help us celebrate classic cars, our community and our merchants.”

As usual “What’s Up In Seal Beach” will be taking photos of most of the cars and will run them in subsequent weeks for your review.

Seal Beach Run Draws 5,000 Entries

The only thing tht could have drawn a bigger crowd to the annual Seal Beach 5/10k run would have been if Sandra Bullock had been leading the pack!

Naturally the fastest of the group were in the front when they came by Bogart’s coffee shop (picture below)

 

Nevertheless…the real “rush” of the wind for those standing on the curb (to be as close to the racers as possible) came when the crowd of over 5,000 racers came by.

(No kidding there  was breeze you could feel from the running crowd.)

The Seal Beach run has become one of Southern California’s spring highlights.  It doesn’t draw big crowds of on lookers….like the car show will next weekend (April 24) but you have to consider those runners.  Thousands of them with their spouses, children and  pets – all running side-by-side – – some with smiles a mile wide. 

And then, of course, we can’t forget our service guys and gals.  Making it look so easy. Shouting cadence as they covered the 10k as if it were a cakewalk.  

The guy carrying the flag should get a special award from the Run sponsors.

Over 5,000 entered 2010 5/10k run…not counting strollers!

NO BUTTS ON STATE BEACHES?

Today the State Senate approved on a bipartisan vote a proposed statewide effort to protect California´s coastal landscape and help prevent forest fires. (We’re not sure how a forest fire can start on a beach but it still sounds like a good idea.  You can find butts on Seal Beach’s sand any day you want.)

Of course getting rid of cigarettes won’t solve Seal Beach’s smoke problem. To see a really gross sight go to: https://www.whatsupinsealbeach.com/local_news/what-the-oil-boats-cost-seal-beach/

If Gov. Schwarzenegger signs into law, Senate Bill 4 would impose a $100 fine starting next year on anyone cited of smoking at state beaches and parks.  Gov. Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the bill, which would be the first of its kind in the nation but unnamed sources say he is expected to sign it.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, of Long Beach and she’s worked on it for four years.

The bill is supported by the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance, as well as state firefighters, the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. For the complete story go to: http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/view/151380

Did Rohrabacher go over the top at Chamber Meeting in Seal Beach?

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher spoke at last week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting in O’Malley’s before over 100 members and guests.

Included in the group that heard the Congressman was Mayor Sloan and Councilmembers Levit and Antos. Congressman Rohrbacher agreed to try to include a Seal Beach Chamber meeting on his list of annual stops.

The Congressman’s speech was a little confusing to some.  He took the usual expected shots at President Obama … and then going over the top, as some said,  and called him a “Marxist” instead of just the usual  socialist babble.  To read the entire story click here.

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