Endeavor’s Last Flight …the last moments over Seal Beach

 

Nothing much can be added after looking at the photo above.

It’s somewhat like adding a peroration to an epitath at a funeral. After its over….you sort of stand there stunned and wonder if there will ever be anything like that in your lifetime again?

Let’s hope!

97th Seal Beach Founders Day Honors Naval Weapons Station

97^th Seal Beach Founders Day Honors Naval Weapons Station

       Special to What’s Up by Libby Applegate

2012’s Founder’s Day theme is “Hometown Heroes.”  They would like all the input and photos they can get from local residents regarding  women and men who currently serve or have been stationed at the base in the past. It has been a part of our city since 1944 and its detachments provide shore-based infrastructure support to the Navy’s ordnance mission and other activities.

Initial construction costs were approximately $30 million, including over $4 million to buy out property from numerous local landowners who were living in an area of Seal Beach called Anaheim Landing. This area had a bowling alley, grocery store and according to locals was the best place to swim while going in and out with the tide in the 1920‘s and ‘30’s.

It is also home to several historical sites.  From 1963 through 1974, North American Aviation (now Boeing ) used the base property to build the second stage for the powerful Saturn V rocket, which propelled man to the moon during the Apollo program.  These huge vehicles were built in special multi-story structures, which are today used by base personnel for a variety of purposes.

A contingent of enlisted sailors as well as Commander Paul Werring, USN and his wife, Linda, from the Weapons Station will be attending the 97^th Seal Beach Founders Day Celebration in honor of the personnel and military here in Seal Beach. That will  be held on our world famous pier on Sunday, October 7, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

 Commander Paul G. Werring is the ?Executive Officer ?for the base. CDR Werring enlisted in the Navy in July 1982 and graduated from Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, IL in February 1983. Among many more deployments, too numerous to mention, in June 1995 CDR Werring reported to the Tactical Support Center in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico where he was a Watch Officer supporting P-3 squadrons deployed to the Caribbean. He also made several trips to Panama supporting P-3s forward deployed to that country.

CDR Werring then reported to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office in Washington, DC in June 2004. During this tour he was selected as the Military Officer of the Year in 2006. In July 2007 CDR Werring reported to Naval Station Chinhae, Korea where he served as Executive Officer. CDR Werring’s most recent tour was with the Joint Warfare Analysis Center where he served from October 2008 until October 2011. During this tour CDR Werring deployed to Afghanistan in support of US forces.

Entertainment will include music provided by Hank Barto Quartet from Leisure World; Oak Middle School Choir; Los Al High School Jazz Band (Ed note…”They are GREAT!) and the Los Alamitos High School Marching Band

 The 97^th Seal Beach Founders Day Celebration is proud to honor all of the men and women who have been our good neighbors for so many years.

Please visit our Seal Beach Founders Day blog for updates and history of the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach at sbfoundersday.wordpress.com.

Don’t Forget  – Seal Beach Pier -Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 12:30

Email your memories and photos to:  sbfoundersday.wordpress.com

Walk For “The Clean Beach” Sept 15!

Register for the walk here:

OR

Print And Mail Registration Walk For The Beach
OR

Register for the cleanup here:

 

California’s biggest resident taken by a brother in the sky…

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

All balsa wood boards 1956

Oscar Night Full of Humor, Grace and Karmic Lessons

What makes every contest more interesting is a back story, whether it be the Superbowl or the Oscars a little drama goes a long way to help make for a more interesting viewing experience. Whether you were rooting for the underdog, the ex, or the hometown girl with a great sense of humor you were likely not disappointed with the results of tonight’s Oscars.

Kathryn Bigelow was awarded the Best Director Oscar for Hurt Locker over James Cameron for Avatar, making her the first female to win the honor. Hurt Locker won a total of six Oscars including Best Picture. Not to discount her talent or quality of the movie but perhaps a lesson in karma is also to be had. Bigelow was married to (and divorced) James Cameron back in the 90’s when he allegedly had an affair with his next wife Linda Hamilton on the set of Terminator 2.

Hometown favorite, Sandra Bullock won for Best Actress, just one night after accepting a Razzie award in Hollywood for her role in “All About Steve”, making her the first actress (or Actor for that matter) to win both a Razzie and an Oscar in the same weekend. Bullock’s acceptance speech was poignant yet funny including a moment where she thanked her Mother for raising her to be accepting of all people while joking about Meryl Streep being “a great kisser” in a way that only Sandra Bullock could pull off.

As predicted the Best Actor Oscar went to Jeff Bridges for his role in “Crazy Heart”.  Comedian Mo’Nique won for Best Supporting Actress for her dramatic role as Mary Jones, an abused and criminally abusive mother, in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push” by Sapphire.”

Video of Sandra Bullock Winning Razzie Award on Saturday Night:

Video of Sandra Bullock Winning Oscar Award on Sunday Night (poor quality):

OC’s most Delicious Dining event returns February 28th – March 6th

More than 100 restaurants across Orange County’s vast dining landscape are ready to dish up amazing food at fantastic prices during Orange County’s most anticipated culinary event.

From all corners of the county this foodie celebration provides OC locals the opportunity to indulge in a selection of specially priced prix fixe menus from over 100 of Orange County’s best Restaurants. These menus showcase some of the region’s most talented chefs who have personalized each menu to reflect their culinary style. The prix fixe menus are priced at $10, $15 and $20 per person for lunch, and $20, $30 or $40 per person for dinner. The only thing to make for dinner during Restaurant Week is reservations!

This is the time for food lovers to try new places, get groups of friend and dine out and just really enjoy a week of fabulous dining. Start planning your week of dining out.

For more information visit OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com.

Sun and Snow at Seal Beach Pier

Snow and Beach by Ken Welch Photography

Dogs Compete for Top Honors In Long Beach

The American Kennel Club® and Eukanuba announced today that nearly 4,000 dogs will compete for more than $225,000 in cash prizes at the Ninth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Dec. 12 and 13, 2009 in Long Beach, Calif. The two-day event is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 457 and 109 respectively) making for a combined entry of almost 5,000 dogs competing in all events. 

 In celebration of AKC’s 125th anniversary, the show has adopted an open format for 2009 (it will return to invitation-only in 2010), which means any AKC registered purebred unaltered dog six months of age or older has an opportunity to compete for top dog honors.  

“With our partners, we’re thrilled to host one of the most well-respected dog shows in the world and to be able to commemorate the AKC’s anniversary with the open format at this year’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship,” said Jason Taylor, external relations manager, Procter & Gamble Pet Care. “Every year the road to best in show is full of suspense for owners, handlers and breeders and the open format allows for more surprises in the ring and opportunities for established champions and new contenders alike to make a run for the title of top dog.”

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is also host to the Eukanuba World Challenge, a unique event showcasing top canines from 41 countries all competing for prestigious international recognition. Rare breeds such as the Cesky Fousek, Thai Ridgeback and Bracco Italiano will compete against more traditional favorites such as the Doberman Pinscher, Poodle and Golden Retriever for the title of “World Challenge Champion” and a total of $15,000 in prize money. 

“We are proud to celebrate AKC’s 125th anniversary with this unique show,” said Ron Menaker, show chairman. “With nearly 5,000 entries in the conformation, agility and obedience competitions, it’s the largest AKC dog show in 2009, and will be a memorable event for both spectators and competitors.” 
HAPPENINGS AT THE AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

• Best in Show Competition – Because of this year’s open format, more dogs than ever will be competing for top dog honors including dogs who have never shown before and the country’s top show dogs from each of the 161 AKC recognized breeds. The owner of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner will receive more than $50,000, and the breeder/s of the Best in Show winner will be awarded $15,000.  

• AKC Agility Invitational – This year the invitational will be housed in 60,000 square foot pavilion adjacent to the Convention Center that is 39 feet tall and spans the length of a football field. Under the big top during the two-day show, the agility competition demonstrates the versatility and speed of canines as they race against the clock and overcome a challenging obstacle course of tunnels, weave poles, jumps and seesaws. It is a sport of physical skill, control, patience and most importantly, teamwork between handler and dog.

• AKC National Obedience Invitational – Obedience trials demonstrate how useful a dog is as a valued companion. Accuracy and precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and the willingness and enjoyment of the dog also are important. 

• Eukanuba World Challenge – The international challenge will feature top dogs from 41 countries and six continents. Watch and cheer on Holly, the 2008 AENC Best in Show champion, as she represents the U.S. in this intense competition.

• Junior Handlers – Top-ranking preteen and teen handlers (ages 9-18), who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition will compete for prestigious wins and scholarship money.

• AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) – Each year dogs are recognized for their outstanding contributions to their respective communities. There are five categories the ACE Award recognizes: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion.  These honorees and their owners will be on-hand in Long Beach to receive their awards and be recognized in front of the AENC audience. 

• AKC Meet the Breeds® – Showcasing more than 150 breeds, with dogs of all ages, AKC Meet the Breeds is designed to teach responsible dog ownership while providing an interactive and fun experience for show attendees. Debuting at the event are some of the newest breeds recognized by the AKC – the Irish Red and White Setter, Norwegian Buhund and Pyrenean Shepherd.

• Dog Sensory Exhibit – The Eukanuba booth will feature a full-sensory exhibit where attendees can see, smell, hear and taste exactly as a dog does.
 
AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

• All 161 AKC registered breeds are entered to compete. 
• The largest entries include: 106 Golden Retrievers; 80 French Bulldogs; 66 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels; 65 Australian Shepherds; and 63 Rottweilers.
• The newest breeds to compete include: 10 Irish Red & White Setters; 6 Norwegian Buhund and 15 Pyrenean Shepherds.
• By group, entry totals are: Sporting – 680; Hound – 554; Working – 676; Terrier – 505; Toy – 573; Non-Sporting – 481; Herding – 404 and Miscellaneous – 47.
• Dogs from 41 international countries will compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge including Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.
• More than $225,000 in cash and prizes are offered by Eukanuba. In addition, another $10,000 has been offered by many of the 133 breed clubs that are hosting a specialty or supported entry in commemoration of the AKC’s 125th anniversary.
• The owner/s of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner will receive more than $50,000 while the breeder/s of the Best in Show winner is awarded $15,000. 
• More than 1,300 dogs are entered in the Bred-by-Exhibitor (the dog’s handler is both breeder and owner) competition, making up 32 percent of the entry who will be eligible to win the $15,000 cash prize. Same-day video coverage of the Bred-by-Exhibitor Groups will be provided on akc.org. 
• Nearly 300,000 square feet of event space will be utilized.
 
AGILITY AND OBEDIENCE INVITATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS

• Agility (held in a unique, 60,000 square foot, enclosed pavilion) – 457 total; 130 breeds from 41 states (plus Canada, Brazil and Japan). 

• Obedience – 109 total; 44 breeds from 31 states and Canada.

To purchase tickets, get more information about the show and sign up to receive updates on show results via our Facebook and Twitter pages, visit www.akc.org/aenc.

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