Re-paving of College Park Streets soon to end

The re-paving project for certain College Park East street which began on April 12 is nearing completion and should end by June 14.

The project covered the following street sections:

Street                                    From                        To

Fir Ave                                 Wisteria                   Rose

Tulip                                     Ironwood               Lampson

Goldenrod                           Elder                        Cul-de-sac

Fuchsia Circle                     Fir                             Cul-de-sac

Fuchsia  St.                         Birchwood                Elder

Candleberry                        Marigold                   Aster

Fir                                         Ironwood                  Goldenrod

Guava                                   Ironwood                  Cul-de-sac

Hazelnut                              Guava                         Heather

For additional information contact: David Spitz, City of Seal Beach -562- 431-2527 ext 1331 Or email to <dspitz@ci.seal-beach.ca.us>

Gallery 212…something special!

Gallery 212 is relatively new in town and is next door to Wacky Sushi.  Last week I was ordering sushi to go and had time for a brief venture in the gallery next door.

I was taken by a very unique plate that I thought my wife would like  and owner Ruth Harrel took the time to introduce me (figuritvely) to the artist .

Ruth said that “Many of our artists are local from Seal Beach, Long Beach and Orange County. We also have an artist from Stockholm, Sweden, one from Pennsylvania and one from Colorado. The art and artist change each month.”   Such a rapid turnover seems like a pretty good idea for young and beginning artists in addition to being an idea that will encourage constant visits by the community and tourists.

Ruth went on ” We specialize in edgy urban art and emerging artists. We also carry established artists that have a following.  We have some Seal beach artists that we carry regularly: Joan Wussow, Garret Williams, and Ron Hust.”

I went to the 212 website…which was quite good… and  there saw excellent examples from present artists that are being shown as well as previous displays.  It’s much like visiting a small museum and very relaxing. I almost forgot to pick up my sushi order.

You can check out  the gallery and the artists at http://www.gallery212.com

McGaugh Pool to close for 4 to 6 weeks

Beginning on May 17, 2010, the McGaugh Pool at 1698 Bolsa Avenue, will be closed for maintenance and repairs.  The pool has been leaking a large quantity of water and is in need   of immediate repairs in order to expand its useful life.

On April 12, 2010, the City Council authorized a contract with Commercial Aquatics Services, Inc., to make immediate repairs to the pool to address the high rate of water leakage, as well as replace all main drain covers in the large pool and skimmer equalizer covers in the small pool to meet compliance requirements with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.

The City is undergoing this repair project with the goal of re-opening the pool to the public for the summer aquatics programs beginning on Monday, June 21st.  The scope of work is estimated to take 4 to 6 weeks.

The general contractor for the project is Commercial Aquatics Services, Inc., a licensed California contractor with over 50 years of experience in the commercial pool industry.

“We thank our pool patrons in advance for your patience and apologize for any inconvenience during the time of closure, and look forward to the pool re-opening on Monday, June 21st.” said Mayor David Sloan.

The McGaugh Pool was built in 1964.  It is 25 yards in length and has six lanes for lap swimming. City residents also enjoy shallow and deep water aerobics.  A salt conversion system is used to sanitize the water.

The Seal Beach Recreation and Community Services Dept. makes a positive difference in our community by encouraging resident involvement and strengthening community resiliency.

For information:   Tim Kelsey, Supervisor Community Services (562) 431-2527, ext. 1341.
Pool office: (562) 430-9612 http://www.ci.seal-beach.ca.us/parksandrec/index.html –

A typical “Valley Gal” ….she ain’t!

Darlene Rudisill is on her way back to what will soon be her new home in Moose Pass, Alaska.

Darlene, a native of San Gariel Valley is on her way back to Alaska in what once was her Grandfather’s plane. The valleys she loves are to be found all over our biggest state and she says the beauty of Alaska is overwhelming.

Rudisill, a well-known flight instructor who lived in San Marino and instructed at El Monte airport is flying to Alaska in the 64-year-old airplane. She originally learned to fly in the 1946 Luscombe 35 years ago.

Darlene began the restoration of the plane in 1991, three years after her Grandfather’s death and it has been a labor of love.  The trip will not be an attempt at a speed record as the plane will be lucky to average 65 mph.

There are many emergency stops along the way, however.  They used to be called “The Al/Can Highway.”

Rudisill has flown and taught in everything from the Luscombe to Lear Jets says her good Seal Beach friends Jerry and Janet Rootlieb, where recently visited.  (Jerry flies a piper cub that is older than the Luscomb.)

For the complete story and photos go to: http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_15081983?nclick_check=1

SUNSET becomes a city….without its beach?

Seal Beach firm hiring 278 in Vegas

A local company  is planning to build a multi-million dollar solar power plant in the Las Vegas area.

Amonix , based in Seal Beach, says the operation will employ about 278 workers. Amonix CEO Brian Robertson says workers will make concentrated photovoltaic solar equipment—the same type of solar cells used to power satellites.

The panels convert sunlight into electricity.plan was announced Saturday during a dedication ceremony in Henderson for a 308-kilowatt solar installation that the company sold to Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said at the ceremony that these types of projects are important for diversifying Nevada’s economy.

WHY COULDN’T WE HAVE DONE THIS IN SEAL BEACH?

For complete story go to  http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_15098346

SAVE OUR BEACH !

This Saturday join Kim Masoner, the founder of “Save Our Beach” and many other volunteers who do yeoman’s work for our community.

Contact her at kim@saveourbeach.org or go to the site at www.saveourbeach.org

These are wonderful folks to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.

Give them an hour of your time and make your day at the same time.

Your guess…Were they DUI’s or just texting?

RED LIGHT CAMERAS IN SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

This has got to scare the heck out of you. Pass it  on…it  may save a life somewhere….The fact  that – – you have the green light – – won’t protect you from negligent  drivers.

Stay Alert and assume the worst from the guy coming the other way!

We wonder how many of the drivers shown in this video were talking, texting, on a cell phone, DUI or simply on another planet. The semi-truck crash near the end of the video may have been the worst.

Should we install camera like this in Seal Beach?

Click on: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1418565565?bctid=70368898001

City Council Unanimously Approves Settlement Agreement with BP/ARCO

Sewer project controversy resolved – Projected costs of 1 million reduced to $55,000 !

Seal Beach, May 11, 2010- Establishing financial responsibility for contaminated soil cleanup at the intersection of Seal Beach Blvd. and Lampson Avenue has enabled the City of Seal Beach to reach an agreement with BP/ARCO.  The main points of the agreement hinged on a willingness of the City and BP/ARCO to quickly and amicably delineate which aspects of the project were the city’s duty, and which were BP/ARCO’s.

Said Seal Beach City Manager David Carmany “when we first discussed the problem with representatives of BP/ARCO, about the only thing we knew for sure was that the city’s public works project had an open bore hole with the odor of gasoline”.  The city was tunneling underneath Seal Beach Blvd to install a new sewer line.  BP/ARCO worked closely with the City to review historic construction records, and to develop a proper cleanup plan.  The contaminated soil was segregated and trucked to a class I landfill in Adelanto.
 
“When we first started this process, we identified several objectives of our efforts to protect public health and the environment. With this agreement and some key construction strategies that resulted from the city’s efforts, we have accomplished our objectives,” said Seal Beach Mayor David Sloan, speaking for the City Council. “We can now redirect our resources, time and money to other capital projects and other initiatives to improve the quality of life for our residents. We remain committed to protecting the environment and have been pleased with the cooperation of BP/ARCO. We have laid the groundwork for future actions to collectively promote the interests of Seal Beach residents.”
 
To put the agreement’s financial implications into perspective, the City of Seal Beach operates on an annual General Fund budget of $26 million dollars.  The additional expenditures for environmental cleanup of nearly one million dollars were quite significant for the city.  The public works project was immediately stopped until a cleanup plan could be devised.  

“I am extremely proud the way our public works staff handled this.  Their normal project management attention was suddenly diverted to an arena rich in regulatory overview, and they stepped up.  Especially, I’d like to compliment our City Engineering staff and especially Associate Civil Engineer David Spitz.  With these projects, the devil’s in the details.  They did their jobs well. Because of their can-do attitudes and meticulous record-keeping, the city was able to quite clearly make its case to BP/ARCO”.  Under the terms of the settlement, the taxpayers of Seal Beach will be reimbursed $945,000 for additional necessary project costs.
 
“The Chamber of Commerce is proud of the efforts of the city and a major corporation to quickly and amicably resolve a major problem. The efforts of the City have heightened awareness about the value residents place upon the environment as a resource,” said Seth Eaker, President of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber believes the settlement agreement enhances the community’s environmental enforcement and cleanup capacities.”
 
Beyond proper soil cleanup, the City also needed to comply with a number of safety measures on the job including fresh air import, worker safety, and confined space rescue contingency plans.  The settlement addresses the primary concerns that began with discussion between the City Manager and BP/ARCO representatives and led to the city providing additional safety protections beyond those included in the original project contract and scope.  It also demonstrates the parties’ ability to resolve the issue at the local level without further involvement by outside regulatory agencies or the judicial system.
 
“This bodes well for the ability of Seal Beach and BP/ARCO to resolve other major community issues in the future,” said City Manager David Carmany. “Through the settlement agreement we have defined these efforts and demonstrated we will continue to be aggressive in protecting public health.”  “We are pleased to be able to reach this agreement,” said Seal Beach Mayor David Sloan. “I am proud of the steps that have been taken by our city to protect the environment and we will continue to work to protect the integrity of the community.”
 
 For further information:
   Mayor David Sloan – (562) 431-2527, ext. 1303
   City Manager David Carmany – (562) 431-2527, ext. 1300 or by email: dcarmany@ci.seal-beach.ca.us

Weapon’s Station “Exercises” on Wednesday May 12

Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station to Hold Exercises, Test “Giant Voice” Mass Notification System Wednesday 

 Seal Beach, Calif.  On Wednesday, May 12 personnel at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station will be conducting emergency response exercises.  Local residents may see increased security and fire department activity around the base throughout the day.   

 As a part of these operations, the station’s “Giant Voice” mass notification system will also be tested.  This loudspeaker system includes both sirens and voice announcements, and may be heard by local residents at the south end of Old Town, inside the communities of Surfside Colony and Heron Pointe, around the Peter’s Landing center, and in Navy family housing.  

System testing is scheduled to take place some time between 9:00-9:30 am.  Anyone with questions or concerns may contact the station’s Public Affairs Officer at (562) 626-7215.

« Previous Page — Next Page »