What’s Up in Huntington Beach?

Huck Finn Fishing Derby

Last Saturday was a great day at the pier for 250 kids and their families in the 46th Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby.  As the children, up to age 15, grabbed their lucky spot, parents watched on and untangled fishing lines.  Sponsors donated so many prizes that no one went away empty handed.  The top prizes were bikes donated by Sport Chalet along with a full assortment of fishing gear and fishing trips.  Let’s Go Fishing donated enough bait for everyone.  Members of Fish Talk Radio presented many prizes and secured donated items including fishing trips, poles, and other tackle.  Poles and assistance were available from the Department of Fish and Game.

Children’s Library to Host Concert for Record Breaking Summer Reading Program’s Participants!

This year’s Summer Reading Program, “Home Run Readers”, is breaking previous year’s records.  The final tally for the 2008 program was 5056 participants.  So far, with less than a week to go, an amazing 5123 children have signed up for the 2009 program!  Sponsored by the Angels Baseball Foundation and the Beach Pit BBQ, this year’s program has been wildly popular.  With so many children signed up, the children’s librarians are extra appreciative of the teen volunteers.  Upwards of 200 young adults have volunteered their time to staff the prize desk, read aloud to children, help at Storytime or shelve books this summer.  This is another record breaker, as last year’s volunteers tallied in at around 160.  To top it all off, on August 14, the final day of the program, children’s musical performer “Razzle Bam Boom” will be making a special appearance outside at the Central Park Bandstand.  There will be two shows at 11 am and 1 pm, free for anyone who participated in the program and their family members.  Hot dogs, drinks, and snacks will be on sale.  Since this day will most likely be a scorcher, guests are advised to bring sunscreen and hats! Public Comment Meeting on Downtown Specific Plan Draft EIR

Downtown Specific Plan Update
The Planning Department and Economic Development Department will hold a public comment meeting on Thursday, August 13 at 6:00 P.M at City Hall, Room B-8, to take comments related to the adequacy of the environmental issues analyzed in the Downtown Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  Hodge & Associates, the consultant who prepared the Draft EIR, along with city staff, will be present to answer questions and record comments on the Draft EIR.

Vandalism in Gibbs Park

Gibbs Park, also known as Butterfly Park, is on the west side of Graham between Warner and Heil Avenue.  During this past weekend an unknown person(s) broke the tops off about ten of the younger trees in the park.  These trees had recently been planted by a Boy Scout troop.  The police department is looking into this vandalism, but at this time there are no suspects or witnesses to what occurred.  The police department is also making extra patrol checks of the park, which has a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. park curfew.raft EIR is available on the Planning Department website at:
http://www.surfcity-hb.org/Government/Departments/Planning/major/DTSP.cfm.  For additional information, contact Jennifer Villasenor, Associate Planner, at (714) 536-5271.