First Ever! Clean up at Navy Beach

Kim Masoner <kim@saveourbeacgh.org> is calling All Hands On Deck For 1st Ever Public Navy Beach Cleanup this Saturday – February 12th ~ 8:30 to Noon – Please rsvp to kim@saveourbeach.org or (562) 884-6764

The Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station has kindly invited us to assist with their 1st ever public beach cleanup. This cleanup will be different from any other cleanup we’ve done because we will be using rakes to pile debris and then use shovels to put debris into trash cans and the Navy’s amphibious vehicle “the gator” will take trash cans to the dumpster to empty.

There is tons of trash on the beach and we will be picking up everything (unlike our normal cleanups where we leave natural debris). And if you happen to come across clear plastic bottles or aluminum cans, we will keep those separate so I can recycle them. If you find Capri Sun juice pouches, old cigarette lighters, any kind of balls, sand toys, baby bottles, sippy cups or other items I call “treasures” (something someone else might be able to use), please keep them separate and I’ll collect them at the end of the day. (You can put them into one of our reusable bags).

Join us any time between 8:30 a.m. and Noon to help restore this beautiful isolated beach habitat that has become choked with litter and debris from winter storms. This area is a national wildlife protectorate and provides crucial foraging habitat for a large number of migratory and resident waterfowl and shorebirds.

Long Beach looks for applicants for 22nd Leadership Class

Oscar Cosby announced that “Leadership Long Beach”, the city’s premier leadership development program, is accepting applications for its 2012 Institute Program. LLB invites community members who have expressed an interest in the future of Long Beach through their community involvement.

Interested individuals should apply online at www.leadershiplb.org or pick up an application at 3939 Atlantic Ave., Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90807.

With the completion of this year’s program in June, Leadership Long Beach will graduate its 1,000th program participant. Since 1989 more than 700 adults and over 250 youth have completed the LLB program, becoming more knowledgeable about their community and contributing to community improvement through their volunteerism, activism and participation.

“LLB Institute offers the rewarding opportunity to become more involved in our community by immersing class members in all aspects and issues plus introducing them to key players and decision makers,” said LLB Board President Tom Farrand. “Graduates of the program go on to serve in various leadership roles including serving non-profits, boards, and commissions within the City. It is this source of committed and involved principled leaders that really strengthens our community.”

The 10-month Institute program holds sessions every month beginning in October 2011 through June 2012 with an orientation meeting in August 2011 and a weekend retreat in Big Bear in September 2011. Throughout the program participants gain insights about the city of Long Beach and are able to connect and interact with leaders in the community. Each class completes service projects that benefit Long Beach such as Youth Diversity Summit, Bricks by the Sea, and Community Health and Wellness fair.

The LLB Institute program goals include connecting people of diverse backgrounds with demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment for the future of Long Beach; providing an educational experience that encompasses all aspects of the city; and creating a strong network of alumni who can serve as resources for the community. The 2012 Institute graduates will join an alumni community—many of whom serve on city commissions and various non-profit boards, doing volunteer work and making Long Beach a better place for its residents.

The early application deadline is March 31. The program tuition is $3,000 plus a $25 application fee. Partial scholarships are available for individuals, small business owners, and non-profit organizations. The application fee will be waived for those who apply by March 31. For more information, go to www.leadershiplb.org or contact Oscar Cosby at (562) 9979194 or by email at o.cosby@leadershiplb.org.

Farewell Reception for Charles Antos

by Jill Ingram – Asst to City Mgr

On February 14, 2011, Council Member Charles Antos will participate in his final City Council meeting after eight years of dedicated service to the Seal Beach community.  A reception will be held at City Hall on February 14^th for the City Council, City staff, and community members to express their thanks and best wishes to Council Member Antos for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the City.

Council Member Antos was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 to represent District 1, including Old Town and the Surfside Colony.  He served as Mayor for two one-year terms during his tenure, as well as Mayor Pro Tem and Chairman of the Redevelopment Agency.  Council Member Antos served with a keen interest in planning issues, and was an instrumental supporter of several projects over the years for the betterment of not only District 1 residents that he was elected to represent, but the greater community as well.  Just to name a few….. Marina Drive bridge, Old Town sewer lining project and manhole upgrades, annual concrete repair program, annual slurry seal program, news racks on Main Street, three storm drain projects, pier decking replacement, East Sand Beach replenishment and nourishment project, Eisenhower Park restroom upgrades, Old Town street improvements, McGaugh community pool improvements, development of the Street Tree Master Plan, Police Department remodel, City hall restroom remodel, “In God We Trust” motto in the Council Chambers, Lampson Avenue water well development, North Gate Road and reservoir improvements, and the replacement of Fire Station 48.

Council Member Antos was active with the League of California Cities, League of California Cities – Orange County Division, Los Alamitos Unified School District Standing Committee, Orange County Sanitation District, West Orange County Water Board, Seal Beach Affordable Housing Corporation, Southern California Association of Governments, Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency, Orange County Library Board, and the Orange County Fire Authority.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the reception.