Huntington Beach Events

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Skyhawks Flag Football – Week of July 6

This flag football program offers a complete package of skills and thrills that teach young athletes to enjoy the fast-paced game. The camp introduces the core skills of passing, catching, and de-flagging or defensive positioning – all presented in a fun and invigorating training environment. Class cost is $140 for a one-week session designed for children ages 6 to 12. Please see the SANDS Bulletin online for details on the three scheduled camps: www.surfcity-hb.org. !

H B Senior Services

Travel and Trips – Test your luck with a trip to the Pala Casino arranged by the Huntington Beach Council on Aging’s Travel and Trips program. The Pala Casino, near Temecula, features 2300 state-of-the-art slot machines, 87 Vegas-style table games, eight restaurants and live entertainment daily. The bus will depart from the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. The $35.00 advance registration fee can be paid at the senior center front counter on Tuesday between 9:00 a.m. and 11a.m. or Thursday and Friday between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. You can present picture identification at the casino and sign-up for a Pala Rewards Card for a $15.00 rebate. For more information, call 714-536-9387.

Youth Sports Programs

The city’s summer youth sports programs are in full swing offering youth between the ages of 3 and 13 a variety of youth sports programs. On Mondays and Wednesdays, it’s the extremely popular Pee Wee T-ball program offered at Edison and Murdy Community Centers starting at 10:30 a.m. Pee Wee T-ball is followed by the Junior Baseball and Softball programs at 1:30 p.m. Boys and girls in grades 3 through 6 can develop their sports skills with our instructional baseball or softball programs on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., or take their basketball game to the next level with our Instructional Basketball Program held at Murdy Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for youth in grades of 3 through 7. On Saturdays, Murdy Community Center and the City Gym and Pool are offering Pee Wee Basketball at 9:15 a.m. followed by Junior Basketball at 10:00 a.m. The City Gym will also be offering Shooting Stars Basketball for youth with special needs at 11:30 a.m..

Movies at the Beach – Pier Plaza

Beginning every Thursday in August, the HB Downtown Business Improvement District will present family fun movies beginning at dusk. Enjoy a unique outdoor theater experience with oceanfront view and get comfy with a blanket and chair. Pick up dinner to go at participating downtown restaurants offering dinner specials. The following movies will be scheduled for the month of August:

August 6th Wall-E/ August 13th Kung-Fu Panda/August 20th The Wizard of OZ/ August 27th Monster vs. Aliens /For more information log on to www.hbdowntown.com

 

INFORMATION SERVICES – Surf City “Pipeline Stats” ( Not an oil pipeline folks!)

Surf City Pipeline is the City’s citizen information and service request system. It has been in operation for over four months now and has been successful in providing easy access to information about City and other government services. You might be interested to know that during this period:

Surf City Pipeline information has been viewed over 18,000 times; over 900 requests for service or additional information have been submitted; requestors have completed 280 surveys following completion of their request; 80% of completed surveys returned rated City staff’s work on their request to be good to superior with employee courtesy rated 86% good to superior. You can access Surf City Pipeline on the City’s website: http://www.surfcity-hb.org.

LIBRARY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Family Literacy Program, part of Literacy Volunteers-HBPL, held its Annual Awards Night on Thursday, June 25, 2009, with more than 130 in attendance. Mayor Keith Bohr and Library Director Stephanie Beverage helped welcome and thank all literacy students and volunteers. The program awarded 7 adult students with literacy awards in the categories of motivation, persistence, and dedication to learning – three important ingredients for success in learning and achieving goals. Several volunteers received pins for 5 and 10 years of service to the program and 3 volunteers received special recognition for their outstanding work. We appreciate all our volunteers and the difference they make in the lives of literacy students.

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Great Police Work by the Helicopter Pilot

At about 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2009, officers received a radio call of a subject breaking the windows of a house and throwing furniture in the street in front of a residence. The streets, sidewalks, and beach were still teaming with residents and visitors from the 4th of July celebrations. The police helicopter, HB1, was first to arrive at the location; the pilots observed a motorcycle fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. The pilots were able to keep an eye on him as he drove around recklessly for a several minutes. The safety of the helicopter proved invaluable since it was able to observe the path of the motorcycle, eliminating the need for patrol officers to take part in a dangerous high speed pursuit.

The fleeing motorcycle reached speeds estimated at over 120 miles per hour while circling around the area trying to avoid capture by the patrol officers coming to the scene. The driver of the motorcycle, a Huntington Beach resident, eventually lost control and crashed into a parked vehicle at Walnut and 21st Street. The driver then took off running on foot, onto the beach in an effort to blend in with the crowds. The pilots were able to keep an observation of the running suspect and led the patrol officers on the ground to him where he was taken into custody. The driver was booked for driving under the influence, reckless driving, hit and run, and outstanding warrants.

Water Conservation

For the reporting period of January through June, Huntington Beach water consumption is down 4% from last year. Residents are encouraged to keep up the good conservation habits, especially as we head into the summer months.