Snoop Dogg and Willie McGinnest Come Home to Long Beach

Two Poly high Jackrabbits have long wanted to do something to help the kids from the neighborhood where they grew up.

Finally there is a project  that will work for them. It is the construction of a $140 million dollar Community Center that will be constructed at the old Hamilton Bowl at Walnut Ave and Pacific Coast Highway next to Long Beach City College BTD Campus. (Where Park’s gasoline used to give away a new Cadillac every three months.)

Rapper “Snoop Dogg”  (AKA Calvin Broadus) and 15 year NFL star Willie McGinnest are just two of many Poly High graduates to make it to the “Big Time” but they both agreed this would be the ultimate “big time” for them.

Willie and Snoop appeared with 6^th District Councilman Dee Andrews , also a track star at Poly and CSULB and NFL, and Snoop Dog spoke to the audience and said that he is going to produce and release a song and all the proceeds will go toward the construction and could be as much as $10 millon. The Salvation Community Center will be known as the “Kroc Center” since the late widow of Ray Kroc, McDonald’s heiress, Joan Kroc, made a very large donation toward the construction of the center.

McGinnest remembers playing baseball at Hamilton BowlSnoop Dogg said “it would mean the world to me to also put on a benefit concert at the center.”

For more info go to Press Telegram at:http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_12564274

New Smoking Ban at Farmer’s Market

The Long Beach City Council approved a measure on Tuesday that would add bus stops and farmers markets to the list of no-smoking zones later this summer.   Currently the City of Long Beach prohibits smoking at beaches, parks, hospitals, bars, restaurants, school campuses and most workplaces.  

Quoted by the Press Telegram, Councilman Robert Garcia, who sponsored the ban with Suja Lowenthal, said “It’s a common sense approach. I don’t think people want to be shopping for fresh produce and inhaling cigarette smoke at the same time.”

The ban which was could result in fines $100 to $500 for anyone caught smoking within 20 feet of banned areas is set to take effect later this summer.   Watch for new signs to be posted soon. 

For more information on the new ordinance please read the full story in the Press Telegram  http://www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_12557157?IADID=Search-www.presstelegram.com-www.presstelegram.com&IADID=Search-www.presstelegram.com-www.presstelegram.com

“Run and Cut” for Cancer

“Run” is the Relay for Life in July.  “Cut” is shaving the heads of Seal Beach’s “finest” this Saturday.

July 25/26 is the Fourth Annual Relay For Life by Los Alamitos and Seal Beach and it will be run at the Joint Forces Training Base. The relay will raise much needed dollars for the American Cancer Society.

As a means to draw attention to the relay, this Saturday,  June 13 the Seal Beach Police have scheduled a “Buzz the Fuzz” event on the pier.  Seal Beach officers, including the Chief  will be shaving their heads for the charity.

Now if that isn’t enough of a stimulus to get the citizens out on a Saturday morning I don’t know what is.  You can identify the guy that gave you that ticket that you didn’t deserve and make him look like he did when his mother first saw him.  BALD! (Please note: “Guy” isn’t being sexist in the above case because none of the female officers are cutting their hair to skull.)

The gathering will begin about 11 a.m. but the “Fuzzing”  (is that a word?) won’t start until noon. There will also be a “dunking” tank where those with baseball throwing skills will be able to drop their favorite copper into an ice cold tank of water while being cheered on by the Los Angeles/Anaheim Angels’ cheerleaders.

Many Seal Beach and Los Alamitos Police Officers have relay teams that run in the Relay for Life every  year and this is an excellent opportunity to introduce your children to the spirit of giving and at the same time teach them why our policemen and women mean so much to our community.

Almost all of us have either had the disease or know a family member or friend who has.  If your life hasn’t been touched by cancer you are one person in a million and the odds are that you will have been touched by it soon.

Nationally the Relay for Life  has been going on for over 25 years and because of the Relays around the country the fight against cancer has shown dramatic improvements. Cancers that were death sentences 20 years ago are now treated successfully every day.  Unfortunately that’s not the case for all cancers but we’re getting closer and closer to the elimination of the disease.

If you can’t run, you can walk. If you can’t walk you can watch.  Just come out for the “Buzz the Fuzz” on Saturday and for the race on Saturday and Sunday , July the 25th and 26th.

To watch an inspiring film clip go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=13701
You can also call 800 227-2345

Lakers in Five..you heard it here!

Predictions on the NBA finals starting tonight are all over the charts.

Some Laker hopefuls say a 4 game sweep.  Most experienced prognosticators say it will be a six game series with Los Angeles prevailing over Orlando.

What a lot of folks don’t consider is the changed format for this final match.  Two games in Los Angeles; then three games in Orlando and then back to Los Angeles for two..if necessary.

Let me tell you folks it is almost impossible to win three NBA games in a row when you’re on the other guys home court.

But I believe they can win two in Orlando. Big ‘Ol Superman Howard is going to have to go through Bigger  ‘Ol Bynum. (Not taller..bigger!)  Andrew is going to be the difference in this series. “Superman” is going to pay the price when he goes to the rim.  Bynum  knows he is the key to changing Orlando’s method of leaving four guys outside the three point line for Dwight Howard to pass to when he is double or tripled teamed.

By keeping Bynum on the bench when he was less than dominating in the playoffs, Phil Jackson has  let his young center know – without words – what he’s got to do to become the next Kareem Abdul Jabbar…only a little stronger.

That’s why Ol’ Wilm is telling you to take the Lakers in five.

Impossible….nah.

The New Baseball Phenom– will he be an Angel or Dodger?

Bryce Harper iis destined to attack the records of DiMaggio and Aaron.

He’s sixteen years old and hits, throws and pitches like a major leaguer already.  6 feet 2 inches and with a faster bat than some of the all time home run hitters in the record books of both the National and American leagues.

Bryce is on this week’s Sports Illustrated and the kid has hubris. He wants to be in the Hall of Fame and be known as the greatest baseball player in history.

Read more about this Las Vegas youngster at <http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Bryce-Harper-punches-his-ticket-to-Cooperstown-a?urn=mlb,167844>

T Mobile Tower… Up In The Air

In Huntington Harbour, the T Mobile Tower is still very much  up in the air.

When “What’s Up” first reported (April 25) that T-Mobile was constructing a tower next to the Harbour View School it was shortly thereafter reported that T Mobile and Huntington Beach had come to terms to move the tower. The city had agreed to give T Mobile $50,000 for lost construction costs.

Unfortunately, as attorney’s always tell us, a deal is not a deal until you have it in writing with all the signatures.

There are some conflicting stories but the council says that T Mobile changed their mind and wanted more than $50,000 and therefore the city took their offer off the table.

T Mobile has no comment on the council’s decision because its too soon to comment?  (Could be that both the city and T Mobile are in violation of some city rules.)

Measure C, which Huntington Beach citizens voted in over 20 years ago has some caveats that T Mobile might be in violation of according to the city. 

According to the city the cost of the tower changed during the negotiations.

On April 25 we ended our story with the line, “It promises to be a lively one at next Monday’s Council meeting”…however, that meeting was in closed session so we don’t know what happened.

Let’s see what happens at next week’s Council Meeting?

(go to April 25  to read the original story)

Memorial Day Blows Hot and Cold

Since the Indy 500 was on Sunday May 24 and Monday May 25 no one had to go to work and Memorial Day is officially May 30 I’m not sure which day to refer to as Memorial Day.  However I will tell you this Sunday was absolutely beautiful and fairly warm at the beach

Warm Sunday on Seal Beach

Today, Monday,  has been pretty chilly and it’s after 2 p.m. right now and we still could use some more heat.

Nevertheless, one thing is for sure, Seal Beach is a popular stop for families from all over the Orange County and East Los Angeles County.  We seldom have problems that require police presence and it is very rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of children who may only come to the beach once or twice a year.

As you can see below…Monday was a little chilly until latee in the day.  The little one don’t know its cold.  Bless ’em.

Hope Memorial Day was pleasant for all of you

United Rentals Fined $166,000

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board fined United Rentals Inc. $166,800 this month for diesel emissions violations that occurred throughout the state in 2007 and 2008. 

An ARB investigation found emissions violations occurred throughout United Rentals California facilities including Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Bakersfield, Fresno, Long Beach, Riverside, Oakland and San Francisco. United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world, with nearly 625 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Everyone should do their part to keep California’s air clean,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols.”Meeting clean air standards is a requirement for businesses throughout the state.” 

 The law requires annual smoke tests for diesel fleets and, in conjunction with ARB’s roadside smoke inspection program, ensures that all vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

In addition to the fine United Rentals is required to:

? Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections will attend a California Community College training class on diesel emissions compliance testing and provide certificates of completion within one year; 

? Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years; 

? Ensure all of the company’s on-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles have their software updated with the latest Low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions) programming; 

? Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state’s idling regulations for on and off road diesel powered vehicles; 

? Comply with all other applicable ARB regulations; and, 

? Ensure that all diesel trucks are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with the manufacturer’s emissions control engine certification label. 

United Rentals will pay $166,800 in penalties: $125,100 will go to the California Air Pollution Fund that provides money for projects and research to improve California’s air quality; $20,850 will go to the Peralta Community College District to fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California community colleges; and, the remaining $20,850 will go to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority that guarantees loans to off-road vehicle fleets that need to buy exhaust retrofits to comply with state regulations.

Diesel particulate emissions are associated with causing a variety of health effects including premature death and a number of heart and lung diseases. The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. 

ARB’s mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

25 Feet Still The Limit …. At least right now!

Surprise donation staggers Pride Star Talent Show Finals

The third annual Pride Star! Karaoke competition may have ended this year but for Niko Jaquez, it is only the beginning.

Niko held his trophy high on Sunday as he waved to a cheering crowd  including his number one fan, his mother. Niko walks away with $2,500.00 in prize money, a fully produced original track and air play on the gay Internet network StudioOut.com.
Niko’s Pride Star! journey began at Hamburger Marys as he took one of three spots in the quarterfinals.  He then moved on to the semi-final round and  competed against eleven other contestants.  The Semi-finals began on Saturday at the Main stage at Long Beach Pride.  This years semi-finals and final rounds were hosted by the talented Christine O’ Leary, or as she like to be called, ” The gay Ryan Seacrest”.  The evening ended with a tie for third sending Niko and three hopefuls to the final round on Sunday.

The drama did not end there.  A generous man from the audience began to wave cash  towards the four finalists as they stood on the stage.  This man, identified later as Dr. Alqaisi,  generously donated $3000.00 to be split between the three finalist in the final round.  He later stated he was on his way somewhere else and stopped to listen.  He was touched by the singing and the performers.   This amazing gift assured all that nobody was going to be going home empty handed.

The final round of competition began with  a sizzling performance  by previous Pride Star! winner, Tom Crowe singing “Fever”.  The four finalist took the stage each singing two songs for the judges.  After an evening of great performances, the results were in and  ”Chandra”  was named fourth runner up, Jonathan Jimenez took third and Latonius placed second.  Niko won over the judges and the crowd with his first performance of “I’ll be” by Edwin McCain and an applause meter breaking final song ,” I’m feeling good”.   Niko Jaquez took first place becoming the Third Annual Pride Star! winner.

This year’s competition was filled with talented, gifted artists and we all hope to see them compete again next year.

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