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:

 

Three fun classes for end of Summer. Art, Fashion Sketching, and Jazzercise

Just when you thought you were running out of things to do this summer…….along comes Dan Kurkurda at the Dept of Parks and Recreation with some exicting new stuff. 

Create Works of Art on Your Own!

“Beginning Art for Adults” will teach drawing fundamentals, including contour drawing, perspective, shading, proportion and still life rendering.  Mixed media will be used.  No prerequisite required.  This 5-week class will be offered from 8:00 – 9:00 AM.

“Art for Adults II” will teach basic techniques such as principles of linear perspective drawing as well as more advanced techniques such as three point perspective.  Mixed media will be used.  Prerequisite:  Art for Adults I.  This 5-week class will be offered from 9:00 – 10:00 AM.

Classes will be held at Fire Station 48 in the Community Room, located at 3131 North Gate road, on Tuesdays, July 31^st  – August 28^th  for ages 18+.  The session fee is $70.

Check out the classes online at www.sealbeachca.gov; under Parks and Recreation; Recreation guide or contact the Seal Beach Recreation and Community Services Office at (562) 431-2527 EXT. 1307, to sign up today!

How about Fashion Sketching?

Students are taught to develop their own style of fashion illustration with pencil, markers, and water colors.  Students will learn to draw women, men, and children’s fashion models used as a basis for drawing the idealized proportions.  Students will also learn how to draw flats.  No prerequisite required.

Fashion Sketching 1 and 2 is designed for ages 9+ years. Classes are offered on Tuesdays, July 31^st – August 28^th from 10:00 AM – 12:00  Noon. The class fee is $108 for 5 weeks and will be held at the Fire Station 48 in the Community Room, located at 3131 North Gate Road.

Check out the classes online at www.sealbeachca.gov; under Parks and Recreation; Recreation guide or contact the Seal Beach Recreation and Community Services Office at (562) 431-2527 EXT. 1307, to sign up today!

Need Cardio, Strength and Stretch Moves?  Try Jazzercise!

 “Jazzercise” classes give you all the moves you want for a total body workout.  We’ve thrown in moves from hip-hop, yoga, Pilates, jazz dance, kickboxing and resistance training.  All ages, levels and sizes welcome, so come join us today!  Please wear appropriate and sturdy athletic shoes.  Bring a towel, weights, water and a mat.  No Class 7/4 and 9/3.

Jazzercise is offered at North Seal Beach Center, located at 3333 Saint Cloud Drive on Mondays and Wednesday, July 30^th – September 5^th at 6:00 – 7:00 PM for ages 13+ years.  The session fee is $50.

Jazzercise is offered at the Marina Community Center, located at 151 Marina Drive on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:00 PM and on Saturday, 8:30 – 9:30 AM July 31^st – September 8^th for ages 13+ years.  The session fee is $70.

Check out the classes online at www.sealbeachca.gov; under Parks and Recreation; Recreation guide or contact the Seal Beach Recreation and Community Services Office at (562) 431-2527 EXT. 1307, to sign up today!

Now if only they had a class in handicapping for NFL Fantasy Leagues?

Maybe next year….

Additional questions please contact: DANA KUKURUDA,  RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, (562) 431-2527, EXT 1306

 

They Are Out to Destroy “Mayberry by the Sea!”

More On Seal Beach Neighbors vs Bay City Partners !

(As mentioned in earlier articles, What’s Up in Seal Beach receives periodic reports from a large group of Seal Beach residents who are in opposition to the Bay City Partners group who are trying put a high density residential development on the old DWP land on the waterfront beginning at First and Ocean. What follows was received at 9 p.m. Tuesday evening.)

SEAL BEACH NEIGHBORS: Thank you again for coming to the DWP Advisory Committee meeting.  We think the Council is beginning to ‘hear’ you. Tomorrow night is the “rescheduled” EQCB Meeting at 6PM in the Council Chambers. Let’s see if they try to reschedule it again!

Remember that the DWP land has been on the “high priority list” of the Coastal Commission for many years. The current owners have owned this property for 10 years and all they’ve done is construct a “block-out-the-view spite fence” and allowed motor cross to destroy the natural vegetation and perhaps natural habitats. Good Guys…they are not!

They currently have threatened the City of Seal Beach with lawsuits if the Council does not change the zoning to fit their needs. We need your help us stop the over development of this land.

Schedule of coming meetings:

* EQCB (Environmental Quality Control Board)  Wednesday April 26th at 6PM in the City Council Chambers

* Planning Commission Final EIR & Project Recommendation Wednesday May 2nd      7:30 PM in the City Council Chambers

* City Council (1st hearing) Final EIR & Final Project hearing   Monday June 11  7PM

* City Council (2nd hearing) Final EIR & Final project hearing   Monday June 25  7PM

Remember:

*The Developers not only are trying to change the existing zoning they are going to get a lot of money from the city….and we are going to pay for it!

• 48 row houses densely packed end to end & a severe reduction of the planned park land  will be covered in concrete( This is the last bluff on Southern California Coast)

*   These houses will be jammed on 25′ narrow lots.

• There will be costly  concessions from the rest of  us to these developers.

We will have to pay the developers $900,000 to lease the driveway to 1st Street parking lot & we will get ZER0 of the Parking fees!

We are still trying to find out how something like this slipped through without the citizens being told.

We don’t want:

* Increased traffic, noise, pollution

* Increased costs for sewers, roads, water, schools

* Increased FIRE and POLICE costs

* Cancellation of Open Space that has been planned for over 10 years!

EQCB CANCELLED AT LAST MINUTE !

Not sure why….perhaps the Council wasn’t ready to face the opponents to the Bay City Partners project…but it was cancelled late this afternoon.

STAY TUNED…..We’ll try again!

A Message to Concerned Citizens of Seal Beach

(What’s Up In Seal Beach received the following note from the group of residents in opposition to the planned over-development of the old power plant property at Ocean and 1^st street.)

SEAL BEACH NEIGHBORS:  Please attend the DWP meetings at the City Council meeting tonight! The DWP property has been on the high priority list of the Coastal Commission for 40 years!

AT 6 p.m. tonight there is an Environmental Quality Control Board  meeting -Monday April 17th tonight 6:PM

AT 6:30 p.m tomorrow night there is a  DWP Advisory Committee Meeting – Tuesday April 17th  6:30 PM

THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL DOESN’T BELIEVE THAT MOST OF THE CITIZENS ARE AGAINST THIS PROJECT !

In 2003 THe DWP Ocean front acres were bought for $4,000,000.  When the Bay City Partners, bought the land they knew it was Zoned 70% Open Space/30% Visitor Serving Commercial …NOW THEY WANT TO CHANGE IT.

They are trying to invalidate that zoning and reduce the open space and adversely impact the remaining space…not with “Visitor Serving Commercial development ….but with densely packed row housing.

The Developers get:

* $900,000 from the city…which we will pay for.

*   48 row houses densely packed end to end on and a severe reduction of the park land (To the last bluff on        Southern California Coast)

* 25′ narrow lots

* Costly concessions from us the taxpayers (We pay the developer $900,000 to lease the driveway to 1st Street lot?  We get no parking fees for that “gift”

Is it right to grant a zone change to developers just so they can make more money ?

Seal Beach Residents & the city get what?

* Increased traffic, noise, and pollution

* Increased costs for sewers, roads, water, schools

* Increased FIRE and POLICE costs

Densely populated housing tracts REDUCE THE VALUE OF the rest of the home values in Seal Beach.

THEN: In 2003 THe DWP “Ocean front acres: were bought for 4 Million dollars and there was strict zoning in place. Zoned 70% Open Space/30% “Visitor Serving Commercial.” (VSC would have brought lots of tax dollars to the city.)

NOW: The Developers get money back; lots instead of the planned development; more of the 70% that should have been open space; 48 row houses densely packed end to end on and a severe reduction of the park land (last bluff on southern California Coast) ;25′ narrow lots; costly concessions from us,the taxpayers, we pay the developer $900,000 to lease the driveway to 1st Street lot, 0 park fees. ( THAT’S RIGHT NO PARKING FEES TO THE CITY!)

*Is it right to grant a zone change to developers just so they can make more money ?

Seal Beach Residents get ?????

* Increased traffic, noise, pollution

* Increased costs for sewers, roads, water, schools

* Increased FIRE and POLICE costs

Why should  we subsidize this many houses ???  Densely populated housing tracts will contribute to the end of “Mayberry By The Sea” if we don’t stop this miscarriage of justice.  Please show up tonight and let your elected council member know what your feelings are about this miscarriage of justice.  It’s not too late!

(Editor’s Note: Since this project came up What’s Up in Seal Beach has seen the number of opponents within the city grow exponentially. A very, very dramatic rise …yet other publications continue to say that the developers are in the ‘driver’s seat.’  In our candid opinion…we don’t agree …and we encourage those of you in opposition to the proposed development to show up at tonight’s Council Meeting.)

Famous Cookbook Now In Belmont Shore

Long Beach, CA and Shenzhen, China – Last October, at its annual charity event, Captivating International launched the sale of its first published cookbook titled, “Our International Kitchen.”

100% of the proceeds benefit the Seng Girls’ Vocational Training School and Home (SGVTS) Project in Northern China. It supports and offers a new life for a girls’ school in China.

This bilingual book was initiated by a group of Captivating International volunteers in Shenzhen who, at the time, embraced China as their home.

The cookbook committee, made up of 6 ladies, includes Lynn Velez (nee Mutke), a Wilson High School and San Diego State University grad currently living in Shenzhen.

“This book is a testimony of their willingness to give back to a country that has given them and their families so much,” commented Valerie Kingsland and Lisa Sommerville of Apostrophe Books in Belmont Shore.”

“Our committee saw a need to create an English/Chinese cookbook, featuring recipes from all over the world, submitted by people in our immediate community” said Lynn Velez.  “It does take a village to raise a child and the ‘Shenzhen Village’ has exemplified this through the publication of the cookbook, which is now helping to support over 120 girls at SGVTS.”

For more than two years hundreds of people volunteered their time and expertise by translating and test-cooking recipes, photographing the cooked dishes (and the girls) …  and, diligently proofing the cookbook.  The book would not be the work of art it is today without the volunteer design team who turned it into a “coffee table book.” Print Ninja, a Columbia, MO – based printing company, is to thank, as well, for donating their services and covering the majority of the printing costs.

The Seng Girls’ Vocational Training School and Home is a place of safety and promise for girls from extremely disadvantaged circumstances.  Located in the southern part of China’s Qinghai Province, the SGVTS was established in 2005 by a family who had a passion to see girls from ‘at-risk’ circumstances given the chance to achieve their dreams. The SGVTS is a registered vocational training school and operates with the full cooperation of local and provincial governments of Qinghai.  It is central to the vision and dreams of a Chinese registered non-profit organization called LOVEQTRA.  Captivating International, www.captivating.org who partners with LOVEQTRA to see these impoverished girls reach out for a better tomorrow, fully funds the operating costs of this program and its strategic development.

Apostrophe Books www.apostrophebooks.net is located in the heart of Belmont Shore at 4712 E. 2^nd Street, Long Beach Ca 90803. Phone: 562-438-7950.

Lynn Velez Email: lvelez@whalenasia.com

(Editor’s apology: We were not able to upload the photo of the book. It’s beyond beautiful.  Go by Apostrophe to see it.)

The passing of a legend

Last week there was a celebration of life for a Wilson High School Teacher, a friend to many of us, Bob Gruneisen.

Bob passed from this life in a manner that many of us might envy.

He had a small cut on his leg that wasn’t healing and Frank Addleman encouraged him to go see a doctor.  He did and the doctor said it was quite serious and asked him to go to a hospital for a more in depth review.  The hospital told Bob that yes the leg was serious, however, something even more serious was found. He had a very aggressive form of leukemia and while he could take some very strong chemo treatments…they did not have a good record against the type of leukemia he had and there was much sickness along with the treatments….but if he didn’t take them death was imminent.  Perhaps 7 days.

Bob opted for the 7 days.  During that short time he wrote his own epitath and made arrangements for his family and those few friends that he expected to come to his memorial at the Long Beach Yacht Club.  After all, he was 78 and your circle of pals diminishes with age. At least, so he thought.  Humble to the last.

I hope he was able to look down and see the approximate 500  people who showed up at the Long Beach Yacht Club.

Over 75 people wrote their thoughts in the “Legacy” section of the Press Telegram. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lbpresstelegram/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-robert-gruneisen-bob&pid=155873115

At one point during the remarks, one of the speakers sked if everyone in the audience who’d had Bob as a teacher or had competed in swimming events against him or his team would raise their hand.  Over 90% of the hands went up.

The Long Beach Lifeguards had two rescue boats outside ….Bob’s nephew is a guard….and they shot giant plumes of water up in the air for 5 minutes.  It was a striking display.

By and large the majority of those in attendance were men and women who had Bob as a teacher and much younger than his older gang from Belmont Shore days.  And such a turnout tells us the importance of a good teacher to our children and grandchildren…if we didn’t already know.

Just a few of the comments from the many in the Legacy section:

Neil Conkings said “Mr. Gruneisen was my favorite teacher at Wilson. (class of ‘69) My friends were on the swim and water Polo teams, so myself and my girlfriends were around him a lot. He even talked me into handing out trophies at one of the swim events. Several years back I saw him again at the Wilson Alumni golf tournament at rec park and was so happy to have some time to chat with him. He was a great man and will be sorely missed.

Theresa Bixby said, ”I met Bob when I was training with the US Women’s Waterpolo team. He let me train with the Wilson boy’s swim team to keep in shape. He always had such a great smile and a natural joy for life. It was contagious. He had that twinkle in his eye… I never knew exactly what ‘twinkel in the eye’ meant until I met Bob.”

Steve Nott said “ I attended Bob’s celebration of life with more that 400 others @ LB Yacht Club. I will always carry with me that when the question was asked: “Who here was coached by Bob or coached with or against him?” and it seemed like almost every hand went up!  Also, his nephew summed up Bob’s finest qualities: a great listener; very caring; extremely kind. He will be missed, and he most definitely had a wonderful life.

Phil Poland said “I met Bob a few years ago when we were sometimes in the same foursome playing golf at Rec Park. I found him to be a really great guy and very friendly. I learned that he had been a teacher at Wilson High School and had taught History to one of my younger friends. We never got around to discussing our common interests such as being Porsche owners or times spent in Hawaii. I envied his handsome looks, slim build and eternal tan. A real gentleman that I regret not having the opportunity to know better.”

Barry Wood said “Bob was a gentleman. He coached me for 3 years in water polo with Pete Archer. What a great team-those two were. And I could call him a friend after polo. I would sit with him at Wilson-Newport games and he would come to our reunions. What a great guy. He will be missed…..

Jodi Pelegrino-Sewell, the daughter of his close friend Ed Sewell said ,“You were a great influence in my life, Mr. G. When I was in high school and at my lowest, you raised my head up with your direct honesty and your gracious generosity. When I felt like less than nothing, you treated me to a full day at a Long Beach day spa. I’ve never forgotten that. Thank you, God, for Mr. Gruniesen. I loved him.”

And lastly, Lew Gordon summed it  up.  He said, “ I don’t remember any of my teachers other than Mr. Gruneisen. He was a wonderful teacher and a very nice man.

Grundoon….we’ll never forget you.

SEAL BEACH IS CRYING!

To see a headline that said “Seal Beach Massacre”  seemed to me to be an oxymoron. To the people that live here.  Our first thought – that has to be a misprint?

Unfortunately it wasn’t.  It seems that random acts of violence know no bounds.

It been said that the accused gunman was in a custody battle for his 7 year old son.  The first thing one thinks is….who will take care of the boy now?

And what of the sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, mothers and fathers, and friends of: Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54, David Caouette, 64, Laura Lee Elody, 46, Randy Lee Fannin, 62, Michelle Daschbach Fast, 47, Michelle Marie Fournier, 48, Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65 and Christy Lynn Wilson, 47?

The only survivor, Hattie Stretz, 73, mother of Laura Elody, remains in critical condition at Long Beach Memorial.

That’s hundreds, maybe thousands of broken hearts that are left to heal.

Does man’s inhumanity to his fellow man and woman know no bounds?

When does angst become terror?  When does different thinking become so bizarre that it should require hospitalization or incarceration.

I have friends in Long Beach who today must be going through hell.  They’ve had someone threatening them for over two years and cannot get a restraining order…but as many know a restraining order means nothing if someone is on a suicide mission.  The man accused of the crime, Scott Dekraai, however, was wearing a bullet proof vest.  So we must assume it was not a suicide mission.

My son asked me what is happening in this world?  Is this the way it was when I was growing up?  My guess is that it probably is pretty much the same except that now there are so many more people in the world, so many more guns, so much more news coverage – – that people in the Congo yesterday were hearing about a place called Seal Beach for the first and only time they will in their life.

There is no way we can control anger through legislation.  Could we control or reduce it with medication? Probably if, and that’s a big ‘if’ we were allowed to treat the person with the problem.

All I know is that Seal Beach IS CRYING and I think we’ll be crying for quite a while.

SAVE OUR OCEAN…AND WINS OOODLES OF PRIZES SATURDAY

Join us at the last celebration of summer cleanup next Saturday September 17th – it’s going to be an awesome day.  We’re going to be part of over 80,000 volunteers cleaning the whole coast of California!

LOCATION: 15 1st Street, Seal Beach – anytime from 8 a.m. to Noon!

Our sponsors have provided awesome prizes, INCLUDING A BRAND NEW BIKE BUILT BY STATE BICYCLE!   Register for the walk or the cleanup and then when you’re done registering, go to the contest page and enter yourself in to win the bike and much more!!  The way this works is – the more people you recruit to volunteer, the higher your chance to win!!! By doing it that way, you get to do more good for our coast, AND it’s good for you too!

So come volunteer, register to win awesome prizes like a bike and a day at Burke Williams Spa or tickets for your family to go to Disneyland, the Aquarium or Pretend City – and join in all the fun!

Thanks again for your contribution to keeping our beaches beautiful ~

Kim Masoner, Founder
www.saveourbeach.org

What July 4th means to this little American

Madeline Rose Rootlieb didn’t need to be told by anyone.

On her Daddy John’s shoulders he couldn’t even see her little hand was held over her heart. Of course it brought a tear to his eye when he saw the picture.

Madeline – 3 1/2 years young –  was participating in the Pledge of Allegiance during the Brook Street 4th of July celebration in Laguna Beach.

A proud little American girl and maybe a future leader?

Happy Fourth to us all.

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