Seal Beach’s own “Ole” Receives Surfing Hall of Fame Award

Last Saturday was the 17th annual “Ole Long-board Classic”  in Maui. The guy it was named after is Bob ‘Ole’ Olson who started shaping boards in Seal Beach in 1956 and he was inducted into the Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame this month.

Ole was a wood shop teacher at Rancho Los Alamitos High School and he’d shape boards at night and on weekends.  He likes to reminisce …. in a low key way…”Aw you know…surfing was just becoming popular and you could sell a two by four as a surfboard.”

Ole is the 5th Hawaii builder to be inducted into the Surfboard Builder’s Hall of Fame…joining such as Duke Kahanamoku and Rabbit Kekai. He’s the oldest living board builder that’s still making boards.

Ole was one of  Hobie’s first shapers (if  not the first?) He still surfs the Maui reef almost everyday.  Not for too many waves ….. but every day. This writer is proud to say the Ole is his friend!

For the complete story see the August 13 issue of the Maui News

Grand Marshals Chosen for Seal Beach’s 95th Birthday

A parade that will march down Electric Ave. on Sunday, October 10

It will be celebrating the 95th Anniversary of Seal Beach and  Kim and Steve Masoner and Lynne Pranter Phipps will be co-Grand Marshalls.

They will represent two different times in our town’s history. Kim and Steve, the present and the Lynne Pranter Phipps family …the historic times of our town.

Kim Masoner and her husband, Steve founded ‘Save Our Beach’ and the effort has grown from a handful of local volunteers to a nonprofit organization with a mailing list of more than 12,000 people across Southern California. Kim explains, “We started “Save Our Beach” because we live along the ocean. It’s literally our backyard and we took  long walks and picked up trash along the way. We were often asked if we had any extra bags. People just wanted to help. So we started carrying extra trash bags on our walks. And then we decided if there is that much interest …we’ll just make it easier for them by conducting a beach cleanup on a monthly basis.

Kim said, “Then we added ‘California Coastal Day,’ where we have 3 locations AND we also added a monthly “Riverbed/Wetlands Cleanup.”  Masoner schedules beach cleanups normally on the third Saturday of every month, and also organizes impromptu cleanups after major storms.

Once a week, she hosts field trips for elementary school children from San Diego to Santa Monica. Students help clean up a local beach and also learn how to prevent trash from ending up on the sand. Save Our Beach’s work doesn’t stop at the shore. After each event, Masoner donates old tennis balls to the local animal shelter and washes clothing found on the beach to donate to the homeless.The Masoners have received more awards than we can print here for their efforts in cleaning up the coast for over 10 years.

Regarding our other Grand Marshall, well her family has played an important part in “old” Seal Beach and “new” Seal Beach. Pretty much been on the scene for most of its 95 years.

Lynne Pranter Phipps’ great grandmother, Clara E. Boling Watts, lived in Tent City; grandmother; Jessie Reed was first woman mayor in Orange County when she became our Mayor.  She fought the legal gambling ordinance all her life. Founder of the Woman’s Club of Seal Beach in 1923 and proprietor of Tent City. Lynne’s mother, Norma Pranter, also lived in Tent City.  Tent City also had some wooden cottages and it was a resort for “summer people.” It was  between 12th and 14th streets and was popular between 1918 and 1938 .  Norma was president of the Woman’s Club of Seal Beach 1951 -52.

Lynne has a son and granddaughter living in the same building she lived in and it was , remodeled by her Great Grandmother and Grandfather.  It was a hone that  that was brought over from the Seal Beach Airport in 1944 when the navy moved in and now still sits on the property at 316 & 316 1/2 10th St. Her son, Lee, wife and Granddaughter, Haley, live there. 11 year old Haley is the sixth generation Seal Beacher.

How lucky we are to have a “ForeMother” and two outstanding young whippersnappers bringing all these kudos to our town’s 95th birthday.

Congratulations, Kim, Steve and Lynne!

HELP POLICE FIND THIS HIT AND RUN DRIVER!

On Saturday, August 14, 2010 between approximately 2:50 am and 3:01 a.m., Seal Beach Police Officers responded to the area of Seal Beach Blvd and Bradbury on the report of an injury traffic collision in which a bicyclist had been struck and severely injured by a Hit & Run driver.

The victim, described as a male in his mid-twenties, was found at the scene by people walking home.  At the time of this press release the victim was in surgery at Long Beach Memorial Hospital with severe head trauma.

The ensuing traffic collision investigation uncovered information indicating that the suspect vehicle may have been a mid-80’s Toyota.  The severity of the collision  indicates that the vehicle undoubtedly sustained considerable front-end damage as a result of the collision.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Seal Beach Police Department and ask for:

• Officer Craig Jones, Traffic Investigator:                        (562) 799-4100 x-1632
• Officer Joseph Garcia, Traffic Investigator:            (562) 799-4100 x-1649
• On-Duty Watch Commander:                                     (562) 799-4100 x-1115

Our police need your help in solving this accident!

Charles Antos says “Goodbye” to District One in November

With the upcoming election, when  popular Council Member Charles Antos is not  able to run since he’s just completed his second four year term, his supporters will be looking for his guidance in picking a successor.

Its fitting that there are four candidates vying for his District One seat.  District One encompasses Old Town and Surfside and rest assured that there are private interests at play that would like to have a friend in that  District One seat.

There are four people scheduled to challenge for Antos vacated seat: Elley Deaton,  Scott Levitt (son of Mike Levitt  – District Five Councilman) Robert Aguilar and Joe Kalmick.  Most likely there will be a run-off for the Old Town seat since its unlikely that any candidate will get more than 50% of the vote and if that happens there will another election in January.

The other two Council seats to be voted on are: District Three and District Five.  District Three encompasses Bridgeport, the Coves, the Hill and Herron Pointe.  Gordon Shanks is the present Councilman and Amalia Almasy is the challenger.  District Five has portions of Leisure World and Councilman Michael Levitt is being challenged by Anne Seifert.

Hold on to your hats folks…there may some fireworks near election time!

BP has to clean up Seal Beach gas station NOW. . . says Orange County Health agency

BP, nee British Petroleum, has been given the ultimatum we all hoped for.  “Clean up the dirt that’s been affected by underground leaking of gas tanks at the ARCO station at 490 Pacific Coast Highway.”

This has been a long battle against BP…but on  Thursday August 10 the Orange County Health Care Agency directed BP to get the process started….and its great news for the residents in the area who have been suffering from the leakage.

For the full story go to: http://www.oc180news.com/article/West_Orange_County_Features/Current_Interest/County_Issues_Seal_Beach_Gas_Station_Clean_Up_Directive_To_BPARCO_City_Manager_Calls_letter_Perfect/19003

‘Seniors’ personal ads running in a Florida newspaper:

Who says seniors don’t have a sense of humor?

FOXY LADY: ?Sexy, fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, ?80’s, slim, 5’4′ (used to be 5’6′), ?searching for sharp-looking, sharp-dressing companion. ?Matching white shoes and ?belt a plus.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT: ?Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband,?and am looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. ?Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath not a problem.

SERENITY NOW: ?I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga and meditation. ?If you are the silent type, let’s get together, ?take our hearing aids out and enjoy quiet times.

WINNING SMILE: ?Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flosser ?to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.

BEATLES OR STONES? ?I still like to rock, ?still like to cruise in my Camaro on Saturday nights and still like to play the guitar. ?If you were a groovy chick, or are now a groovy hen, ?let’s get together and listen to my eight-track tapes.

MEMORIES: ?I can usually remember Monday through Thursday. ?If you can remember Friday, Saturday and Sunday, let’s put our two heads together.

MINT CONDITION: ?Male, 1932, high mileage, good condition, some hair, ?many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves. ?Isn’t in running condition, but walks well.

Now there’s some people who should write for “What’s Up.”

Rancho Los Alamitos- – our nearby treasure calls

If you haven’t visited this delightful remnant of a once giant 18th century land grant you are missing an enjoyable afternoon.  The tour of the adobe home is wonderful and the grounds are spectacular.

Its behind CSULB but the only access is at the end of Palo Verde Rd.   Get off the 405 at Palo Verde and go south to the end.  There is a gated community and you just tell the guard you are going to the Rancho. Its about 10 minutes from Seal Beach.

Its a hidden treasure of Long Beach that I just found a few months ago. No entry fee and dedicated docents to tell you tall tales .

When you go there you can just take a tour of the gardens or you can visit the Rancho or do both.  The grounds are in spectacular conditions. Be sure and tell them that you want to see their box bamboo trees. If there is a little wind they will play you a soothing melody.

If you have a 1/2 hour it is a delightful garden to walk through.  Mostly cacti but some very interesting trees.  The two humungous trees in front of the home are ‘only’ 75/80 years old…..I’d have guessed several centuries.

For the complete story go to:
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-rancho-alamitos-20100807,0,2914747.story