L.B.’s Interval House Receives Excellence Award!

by Thyda Duong
INTERVAL HOUSE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEALTH EXCELLENCE AWARD
To be Honored At Centro CHA’s 14th Annual Nuestra Imagen Awards

LONG BEACH, Calif – Interval House Crisis Shelters and Centers for Victims of Domestic Violence will be honored with Centro C.H.A.’s 2010 Health Communities Public Health Excellence Award during it’s 14th Annual Nuestra Imagen Awards Dinner on September 16. The “Image Awards” celebrates extraordinary community  leaders who have made outstanding  contributions to improve the public health, safety and quality of life for diverse youth and families in the City of Long Beach.

“We are extremely honored to receive the Nuestra Imagen Award from Centro C.H.A., an outstanding organization that has, itself, demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to improving our community,” said Interval House Executive Director Carol Williams, a Long Beach native and nationally recognized domestic violence pioneer.

“We have long admired Centro C.H.A. for its success and dedication to enriching the lives of underserved Latino youth and families through both social and economic empowerment,” Williams added. “It is a mission that we, at Interval House, hold close to our hearts, as we have always been guided by a philosophy of inclusion and empowerment. This unique approach has helped our clients blossom into our community and our nation’s foremost cultural leaders.”

Founded in 1979, Interval House is the largest comprehensive domestic violence program serving the City of Long Beach and Orange County. Interval House’s history is characterized by a tireless commitment to pioneering innovative programs and services on behalf of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, serving as a critical lifeline to underserved victims in crisis. Interval House started the nation’s first and largest comprehensive Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern, Slavic, and African American Interfaith programs for victims of domestic violence. In 1988, Interval House received the U.S. Department of Justice Award for its groundbreaking Interval House Amnesty program, which legalized nearly 2,000 individuals who were dual victims of domestic violence and financial fraud. Another tribute to Interval House’s commitment to culturally underserved communities is its overwhelming success as an early pioneer with political asylum and Violence Against Women’s Act citizenship petitions.

Interval House’s specialization in serving culturally diverse victims will culminate in this, its 30th year of award-winning service, by founding the International Institute Against Violence, which will serve as a premier forum for dialogue about violence against women. Scheduled to launch in 2011, the Institute will convene world renowned experts to provide leadership on issues of violence against women through multicultural seminars, speaker’s forums, and conferences throughout the year.

For more information about Interval House or to make a donation, please call (562) 594-9492 or visit www.intervalhouse.org http://www.intervalhouse.org .

Special Security Unit, 300 strong, coming to Seal Beach

Navy to Commission New Security Unit at Seal Beach on September 11, 2010

SEAL BEACH, Calif. – The Navy will commission the newest Maritime Expeditionary Squadron, MSRON-11, during a ceremony 1 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.

Capt. Gary R. Buchanan is the commanding officer of MSRON-11.  The squadron consists of approximately 300 officers, chief petty officers and enlisted Sailors.

MSRON-11 will be home ported at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach as a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

MSRON-11 is a specialized security unit that provides anti-terrorism and force protection from local harbors to foreign ports.  They operate in high-density, multi-threat environments utilizing advanced communications, boats, sensors and security measures to protect and defend seaward approaches, waterways and high-value assets.

MSRONs, formerly known as Mobile Security Squadrons (MSS), were established in the wake of terrorist attacks abroad, in particular the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole (DDG 67). MSRONs provide rapidly deployable point defense personnel and assets for force protection and anti-terrorism operations in support of fleet commanders.

Guest Speaker for the commissioning will be  Vice Commander of Naval Surface Forces, Rear Adm. Michael Shatynski.

The event is not open to the public.

Lifeguard Memories…..from Anaheim Landing to Main Beach

Story by Libby Appelgate and Andy Seymour.

Earl Whittington was the only lifeguard in Seal Beach from  the 1920s until the early ’40s!

During those years, most of the swimming activity was centered At Anaheim Landing. Swimmers were protected from the currents of outgoing tides by a bouy line that enclosed the swimming area.

The Red Car line that ran down Electric Ave crossed by trestle over Anaheim Landing on its run to Newport Beach. By 1944 Whittington was relocated to a lifeguard station at 10th Street, equipped with a rescue dory when the navy moved in.

The Seymour family lived year round in a cottage at Anaheim Landing.   Andy Seymour describes the further evolution of life guarding in Seal Beach. “From 1948 to 1950 John Wright headed the department, he was followed by Lloyd Murray from 1951 to 1955.”   In l953 Andy Seymour moved up to Lifeguard Captain and held it until 1983 when Tim Dorsey assumed command.

During four of those summers – –  at the request of the City Manager – – Seymour also served as Recreation Director. During the off season Seymour was a high school teacher. Andy  concluded his teaching career as a high school principal in the Palos Verdes school district in 1992. After retiring from teaching Seymour returned for a second tour of duty with the city as Director of Parks, Beaches, and Recreation.

Seymour recounts a most unexpected life-guarding experience that occurred during his senior year in high school. Police Chief Lee Howard called his house early one winter morning. He said he would be by to pick up young Seymour in a few minutes. They drove quickly to the beach, opened the lifeguard tower and pulled the dory to the water line. The Chief said, “On the other side of the pier.” – nothing more. Dutifully, Seymour rowed to that location where he discovered a body floating in the water – a suicide victim. He tried unsuccessfully to lift the body into the dory. As a last resort, he tied a line to the body and rowed ashore feeling somewhat disrespectful as the morning pier walkers watched from the railing. Thus began a  summer experience with the Seal Beach Lifeguard Department that lasted 30 years.

Initially it was the local young men who applied for the summer lifeguard positions: Rich Chew, Tim and Dan Dorsey, Bob Polis, Paul Chafe, Chi Kredell, Harry Schurch, Tim McElrath, Jack and Mike Haley, (Jack was the first World Surfing Champion and the first to “shoot” the HB Pier!) Lisa Gonzales (Seal Beach’s first female lifeguard) et al. Over the years the turn-out for the lifeguard test grew to 40-50 applicants and included headline swimmers from CSULB and local high schools.

From the single tower at 10th Street, the department gradually grew to include seven towers on the main beach, two towers in Surfside, a tower and PA on the pier, and a headquarters station in the 8th Street parking lot. Three jeeps were in service each day as well as a 28 foot, twin screw rescue boat.

Their week-end crowds topped 15,000 and they recorded some 400 rescues each summer in the late 1970s. During that thirty year period only two drownings occurred – one, a heart attack victim, and a second, a swimmer in the unpatrolled San Gabriel River channel.

Don’t forget Seal Beach’s 95th Birthday Dinner/Dance on Saturday, October 2 at the Old Ranch Country Club, 3001 Lampson Ave., Seal Beach at 6 p.m.and bring all your friends. Meet Andy and his wife, Mary Privett Seymour.  Casual dress or in the style of your favorite Seal Beach era and prepare for the time of your life dancing to the music of The Emperors, a classic rock band.  A live auction will be held and all proceeds will go to “Save Our Pool”.  $75 Advance ticket sales – Call Gwen Forsythe at 562 598-9044

We are also planning a “Kids-whose-parents-are-going-to the-dance” party at Marina park if enough are interested.   It will probably cost about $20- $25 ? Games,  food, movies and fun activities from 5:30 p.m. to 10. With qualified supervision.

Parents, if you think you would be interested please contact Tim Kelsey, tkelsey@ci.seal-beach.ca.us or Carla Watson, carlawatson@verizon.net

What A Finale For Our Summer Concerts

by George Banker

Thanks to our Concert Series Sponsors – Alan Brawer at Verizon FIOS and Jim & Shana Klisanin at Baytown Realty.  Special thanks to O’Malley’s Brian Kyle for sponsoring The Elm Street Band last night.

As usual the blankets and chairs had filled Eisenhower Park by 7 a.m.  Needless to say the chairs weren’t filled until 5 p.m.  Some Seal Beacher’s brought their dinners and sandwiches and many others took care of their appetites at our local bistros.

As usual the event was packed happy people.  The 50/50 Opportunity Drawing sent one lucky attendee out to shop local with $700 cash.  The Chamber appreciates your support and those of us at What’s Up In Seal Beach thank the Chamber for all they do to keep our city the town that it is.

Lots of “downtown” areas  across our great country have unfortunately  turned into deserts since the rise of suburbs and the “big-box” stores; but because of our very active Chamber of Commerce and our very loyal citizens we’ve managed to not only save our downtown area but it has prospered. The summer band series, the Car Show, Christmas Parade and similar venues have allowed Seal Beach to maintain that way of life that some of us remember from our childhood and now our children and grandchildren can experience it themselves.  That doesn’t exist in many places in the U. S.

The Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce sponsors and promotes a ton of great events in the Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Long Beach and Rossmoor areas.  Check them out at sealbeachchamber.org. If you or any of  your business contacts want to get involved in our great community, please let me know.

Hope you enjoy the attached photos!  Please forward to others who may enjoy the pictures.  If you want to see yourself or your friends in future pictures contact George Banker at the address at the bottom of this page.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=720937599803%3A1807470427&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

George Banker
Seal Beach Chamber – Director of Membership
562-842-6690
Pearce Consulting, Inc.

Walk For the Beach and Yourself !

September 18, 2010 a day for all of us. Starting location: 15 1st Street, Seal Beach. $25 Entry Fee-tax deductible.

Entry fee Includes Pink or Black “Keep It Clean” T-shirt, Water, Free Parking

EASY Route-  Jetty to Jetty 2.25 miles

For really ambitious participants, we will be conducting a beach cleanup on
this day and you are welcome to take a bag and pick up trash along the route.

Register online at www.saveourbeach.org

Your participation helps support Save Our Beach in our efforts to keep our beach beautiful and educate others how they can help.

(If you’re not registered by 9/4, cost is only $20 but will not include t-shirt
and children 12 & under are only $15)

Here’s what is up for grabs…in addition to how good you’ll feel after helping our town and our beach!

====================

8 a.m. FREE Yoga for first 50 entries
(Yoga provided by Karen Kazanci)

9 a.m. start of walk

10 a.m. FREE Boot Camp for first 25 entries
(Boot Camp provided by www.fitnessworkx.com <http://www.fitnessworkx.com> )

FREE Kids Zone
(bounce house – temporary tattoos – face painting – buried treasures game – coloring contest)

FREE Mini Massage & Back Alignment 9 to 11
(Massage & Back Alignment provided by Champion Chiropractic)

Save Our Beach is a 501c3 non profit organization ID #35-2176382

Seal Beach’s own “Ole” Receives Surfing Hall of Fame Award

Last Saturday was the 17th annual “Ole Long-board Classic”  in Maui. The guy it was named after is Bob ‘Ole’ Olson who started shaping boards in Seal Beach in 1956 and he was inducted into the Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame this month.

Ole was a wood shop teacher at Rancho Los Alamitos High School and he’d shape boards at night and on weekends.  He likes to reminisce …. in a low key way…”Aw you know…surfing was just becoming popular and you could sell a two by four as a surfboard.”

Ole is the 5th Hawaii builder to be inducted into the Surfboard Builder’s Hall of Fame…joining such as Duke Kahanamoku and Rabbit Kekai. He’s the oldest living board builder that’s still making boards.

Ole was one of  Hobie’s first shapers (if  not the first?) He still surfs the Maui reef almost everyday.  Not for too many waves ….. but every day. This writer is proud to say the Ole is his friend!

For the complete story see the August 13 issue of the Maui News

Grand Marshals Chosen for Seal Beach’s 95th Birthday

A parade that will march down Electric Ave. on Sunday, October 10

It will be celebrating the 95th Anniversary of Seal Beach and  Kim and Steve Masoner and Lynne Pranter Phipps will be co-Grand Marshalls.

They will represent two different times in our town’s history. Kim and Steve, the present and the Lynne Pranter Phipps family …the historic times of our town.

Kim Masoner and her husband, Steve founded ‘Save Our Beach’ and the effort has grown from a handful of local volunteers to a nonprofit organization with a mailing list of more than 12,000 people across Southern California. Kim explains, “We started “Save Our Beach” because we live along the ocean. It’s literally our backyard and we took  long walks and picked up trash along the way. We were often asked if we had any extra bags. People just wanted to help. So we started carrying extra trash bags on our walks. And then we decided if there is that much interest …we’ll just make it easier for them by conducting a beach cleanup on a monthly basis.

Kim said, “Then we added ‘California Coastal Day,’ where we have 3 locations AND we also added a monthly “Riverbed/Wetlands Cleanup.”  Masoner schedules beach cleanups normally on the third Saturday of every month, and also organizes impromptu cleanups after major storms.

Once a week, she hosts field trips for elementary school children from San Diego to Santa Monica. Students help clean up a local beach and also learn how to prevent trash from ending up on the sand. Save Our Beach’s work doesn’t stop at the shore. After each event, Masoner donates old tennis balls to the local animal shelter and washes clothing found on the beach to donate to the homeless.The Masoners have received more awards than we can print here for their efforts in cleaning up the coast for over 10 years.

Regarding our other Grand Marshall, well her family has played an important part in “old” Seal Beach and “new” Seal Beach. Pretty much been on the scene for most of its 95 years.

Lynne Pranter Phipps’ great grandmother, Clara E. Boling Watts, lived in Tent City; grandmother; Jessie Reed was first woman mayor in Orange County when she became our Mayor.  She fought the legal gambling ordinance all her life. Founder of the Woman’s Club of Seal Beach in 1923 and proprietor of Tent City. Lynne’s mother, Norma Pranter, also lived in Tent City.  Tent City also had some wooden cottages and it was a resort for “summer people.” It was  between 12th and 14th streets and was popular between 1918 and 1938 .  Norma was president of the Woman’s Club of Seal Beach 1951 -52.

Lynne has a son and granddaughter living in the same building she lived in and it was , remodeled by her Great Grandmother and Grandfather.  It was a hone that  that was brought over from the Seal Beach Airport in 1944 when the navy moved in and now still sits on the property at 316 & 316 1/2 10th St. Her son, Lee, wife and Granddaughter, Haley, live there. 11 year old Haley is the sixth generation Seal Beacher.

How lucky we are to have a “ForeMother” and two outstanding young whippersnappers bringing all these kudos to our town’s 95th birthday.

Congratulations, Kim, Steve and Lynne!

HELP POLICE FIND THIS HIT AND RUN DRIVER!

On Saturday, August 14, 2010 between approximately 2:50 am and 3:01 a.m., Seal Beach Police Officers responded to the area of Seal Beach Blvd and Bradbury on the report of an injury traffic collision in which a bicyclist had been struck and severely injured by a Hit & Run driver.

The victim, described as a male in his mid-twenties, was found at the scene by people walking home.  At the time of this press release the victim was in surgery at Long Beach Memorial Hospital with severe head trauma.

The ensuing traffic collision investigation uncovered information indicating that the suspect vehicle may have been a mid-80’s Toyota.  The severity of the collision  indicates that the vehicle undoubtedly sustained considerable front-end damage as a result of the collision.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Seal Beach Police Department and ask for:

• Officer Craig Jones, Traffic Investigator:                        (562) 799-4100 x-1632
• Officer Joseph Garcia, Traffic Investigator:            (562) 799-4100 x-1649
• On-Duty Watch Commander:                                     (562) 799-4100 x-1115

Our police need your help in solving this accident!

BP has to clean up Seal Beach gas station NOW. . . says Orange County Health agency

BP, nee British Petroleum, has been given the ultimatum we all hoped for.  “Clean up the dirt that’s been affected by underground leaking of gas tanks at the ARCO station at 490 Pacific Coast Highway.”

This has been a long battle against BP…but on  Thursday August 10 the Orange County Health Care Agency directed BP to get the process started….and its great news for the residents in the area who have been suffering from the leakage.

For the full story go to: http://www.oc180news.com/article/West_Orange_County_Features/Current_Interest/County_Issues_Seal_Beach_Gas_Station_Clean_Up_Directive_To_BPARCO_City_Manager_Calls_letter_Perfect/19003

Rancho Los Alamitos- – our nearby treasure calls

If you haven’t visited this delightful remnant of a once giant 18th century land grant you are missing an enjoyable afternoon.  The tour of the adobe home is wonderful and the grounds are spectacular.

Its behind CSULB but the only access is at the end of Palo Verde Rd.   Get off the 405 at Palo Verde and go south to the end.  There is a gated community and you just tell the guard you are going to the Rancho. Its about 10 minutes from Seal Beach.

Its a hidden treasure of Long Beach that I just found a few months ago. No entry fee and dedicated docents to tell you tall tales .

When you go there you can just take a tour of the gardens or you can visit the Rancho or do both.  The grounds are in spectacular conditions. Be sure and tell them that you want to see their box bamboo trees. If there is a little wind they will play you a soothing melody.

If you have a 1/2 hour it is a delightful garden to walk through.  Mostly cacti but some very interesting trees.  The two humungous trees in front of the home are ‘only’ 75/80 years old…..I’d have guessed several centuries.

For the complete story go to:
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-rancho-alamitos-20100807,0,2914747.story

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