Seal Beach Victims Fund

Our City staff has been working around the clock to be sure all services that are needed at this very sad time are available to those who need them.

The Police Department has done a very efficient job from the arrest, through the investigation and in comforting the grieving.  The City Manager and her staff have put grief counselors into place, manned the phones and kept the City running during a most stressful time.  The website has been updated and gives the up-to-date information on what you can do should you need help or want to offer help.

This coming week there will be more chances to reach out to each other.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday Von’s Pavilion is offering to match all donations that are brought to the market in Seal Beach on PCH and Main and at the Los Alamitos store.  They have offered to match up to $25,000.  If contributing to the fund to help the victims is a way you would like to help, what better way than to double your gift by handing it in at Von’s?  The City, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Watson & Associates (shopping center owner at site of the incident), have jointly formed the “Seal Beach Victims’ Fund”.

While no doubt several other funds will be established to assist the victims’ families, we are encouraging those who would like to donate funds to contribute directly to the Seal Beach Victims’ Fund and deliver your donation to Von’s Saturday or Sunday (so your donation will be doubled) and to the Chamber of Commerce from Monday on.  Additional details regarding this fund can be found in a press release on the City’s website.

Von’s will match our donations up to $25,000.

http://www.sealbeachca.gov/tragedy.aspx

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.

Bolsa Chica Land Trust Prevails…Yahoo!

NEWS FLASH – About 9 p.m. last night, we received the following “News Flash”  from the Bolsa Chica Land Trust …California Coastal Commission Denied the Coastal Development Permit for the Shea Homes Project at Bolsa Chica.

The BCLT fight against building these homes on coastal wetland property began in 2000.  May sound like a long time but we must remember that the BCLT and the Amigos de Bolsa Chica struggled with other developers, including California Coastal Communities, for over 35 years to save the lower Bolsa Chica Wetlands…now one of the most significant ocean restoration projects in the United States.  Had the California Coastal Commission not denied this project Shea that would have been allowed to put 111 houses on the Upper Bolsa Chica Wetlands.

Thanks so much to all the Bolsa Chica Land Trust members, friends and supporters who showed up at the hearing. Your presence made a difference for our beloved Bolsa Chica!!

In denying the CDP for this project, commissioners mentioned that this land was part of a larger ecosystem, something the Land Trust has  argued since this project was first proposed about 10 years ago. Other commissioners mentioned the lack of enforcement regarding the un-permitted fill on the property. This is another issue the Land Trust has raised for years. This fill, the BCLT believes, covered then existing wetlands!

It is a very happy day for most of us who value all of Bolsa Chica!

(Editor’s Note)  It’s also a rallying cry for people all over the state to do all they can to protect the ocean front for our progeny. This denial means that if the Shea Company wants to build houses on this site they have to go back to the drawing boards. It was a close vote….6 to 5 but fortunately wiser heads prevailed.

The make up of the CCC is often changed when the Sacramento Administration changes.  Hard to believe but politics does dictate how much of our heritage can be saved.   Why Shea wants to build 111 houses, when the company that built homes on a small portion of the lower wetlands is in bankruptcy is surprising but there are always those that see asphalt as an improvement over land in its natural state.

Seal Beach supporters of  the existing land use plans for the DWP property should take note and perhaps consider a “Seal Beach Land Trust” to help save that jewel?

DWP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED BY PERSICO- 1ST MEETING MONDAY SEPT 19

“WHAT’S UP IN SEAL BEACH” RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING LETTER THURSDAY EVENING.

Dear Community Members,
You are receiving this email because you’ve expressed an interest in the Department of Water and Power Specific Plan Amendment project. Attached is a schedule outlining the review process for the DWP project.

The first meeting of the DWP Advisory Committee is on Monday, September 19 at 6:30PM in the City Council Chambers.  There will be numerous opportunities for the you to review and comment on the project. Please review the schedule to see what topics will be discussed at the various meetings.

Thank you for your interest in this project.
Regards,
Mark H. Persico, AICP, Director of Development Services
City of Seal Beach - 211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 431-2527 Ext. 1313

What follows is the information contained in the attachments to the email sent by Mr. Persico:

Attachment #1

CITY OF SEAL BEACH DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER SPECIFIC PLAN   ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA Revised Start Time – Sept 19, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL AGENDA APPROVAL
By Motion of the Advisory Committee, this is the time to notify the public of any changes to the Agenda or re-arrange the order of the Agenda.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
At this time, members of the public may address the Advisory Committee regarding any items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Advisory Committee, provided that the Advisory Committee may undertake no action or discussion unless otherwise authorized by law.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.    Approval of minutes of the February 17, 2010 Committee Meeting
2.    Discussion of Hotel Studies

a.Peer Review Study (Kosmont Companies September 2011)

b. PKF Study 2009
3.    Receive and File:

a.City Council staffr eport and project timeline, September12,2011

b. Draft Environmental Impact Report Project Description

Attachment #2

Also attached was the following Schedule for future meetings on the feasibility studies for  the  project:

NOTE IF NO TIME IS SHOWN…NO MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THAT DAY.

-Sept 19 Hotel Study/Draft EIR            6:30 p.m.

-Nov 8, Draft EIR released for Public Review

-Nov 15 EQCB  on Draft EIR            6 p.m.

-Nov 16 Archaeology Section of Draft EIR 6 p.m.

-Nov 17 Draft EIR & Land Use Change  6:30 p.m.

-Dec 23  COMMENTS DUE ON Draft EIR

-Feb 1, 2012 “FINAL” EIR released for Public Review

-Feb 6, 2012 Technical Review of Subdivision Map – 6 p.m.

-Feb 8, 2012  Street Tree Removal and Tree selection – 3 p.m.

-Feb 8, 2012 Final Project Recommendation  6:30 p.m.

-Feb 15, 2012 Planning Commission (1^st Hearing)  Final EIR & Project Review  7:30

-Feb 22, 2012 Open Space and Parks Issues  6 p.m.

-Feb 29, 2012 (2^nd Hearing) Final EIR & Project Review            7:30

-March 12, 2012 (City Council – 1^st Hearing)  Final EIR and Final Project  7 p.m.

-March 26, 2012 (City Council – 2nd Hearing)  Final EIR and Final Project  7 p.m.

All Meetings will be in the City Council Chambers * = Dates & Times are subject to change please check City website for most recent information

“WHAT’S UP IN SEAL BEACH” APOLOGIZES IT CANNOT GO INTO MORE DETAIL ON THE MEETINGS…but we urge the citizens to stay active during the next 7 months.  The outcome of this project is of singular significance to the future of Seal Beach.

PLEASE CONTACT Mark Persico (562) 431-2527 IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION.

Seal Beach 96th Anniversary Honors Local Legend

On Sunday, October 2, The Los Al H.S. marching band, the Los Al “Jazz Band 1” and the Seal Beach Jazz Trio will be playing a concert to honor our 96^th Anniversary.

This concert will also honor local educator Chuck Wackerman who has enriched all our lives and our children’s lives for over 55 years.

Chuck Wackerman

Chuck began teaching in the Seal Beach school district in 1956 and we…and our children… have been the lucky recipients of his legendary skills teaching our kids ever since.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m.

Richie Sebastian will be directing the Marching Band and John Rush is the director of Jazz Band 1. The Seal Beach Jazz Trio are an outstanding added attraction.

SEAL BEACH’S FAMOUS JAZZ TRIO

The City of Seal Beach has planned a 96^th Founders Day Celebration and not only will this event  commemorate our 96th anniversary but acclimation of the thousands of Seal Beach and Los Alamitos students it will also honor our  legendary local instrumental music educator, Chuck Wackerman, who for over five decades has enriched the lives of thousands of Seal Beach/Los Al students and music lovers.

Everyone is invited and the concert is free. Please bring your own chairs.

Mr. Wackerman received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Science in Music Education from the University of Southern California. He taught elementary, junior high and high school band, orchestra and jazz bands in the Seal Beach and Los Alamitos school districts. For nine years Chuck directed the jazz combos for the Orange County High School for the Arts. At both the middle and high school levels and has developed award winning jazz ensembles.

This year our honoree was inducted into the California Jazz Alliance Hall of Fame and recognized by CSULB Jazz Orchestra for outstanding contributions to jazz education.  He began with the Seal Beach Unified School District in 1956 and when Seal Beach unified with Los Alamitos even more children had the marvelous opportunity to be under his tutelage. We will honor and recognize him for his work with our children. We encourage all former students to attend and they will have a chance to reunite with old friends and listen to great music.

Chuck has served as an auditioner, band manager and a director for the California School Band Orchestra Assoc. Junior High Jazz All Stars. He received the Irene Schoepfle award for his contributions to music education in Orange County. He also has been awarded the Jazz Educator of the Year from the Fullerton College Jazz Festival. Currently he is teaching jazz band at McAuliffe Middle School in Los Alamitos. Mr. Wackerman’s Jazz Groups have always been great musical examples at jazz festivals thru out CA. He was a Master teacher for nearly two dozen student teachers from Cal State Long Beach. His own children are also entrenched in Musical Careers and Chuck has certainly been a pioneer and role model for jazz education in California. Chuck is celebrating his fifty fourth year of teaching instrumental music.

So, you think you know everything about Mr. Wackerman. Well, he came from a musical family himself.  He grew up in Alhambra.  His mother was a pianist and his father was a jazz fan so he listened to a lot of jazz.  When he was ten years old he decided he wanted to play the trumpet so he went into a that small local music store and got a used trumpet for $20 which included ten free lessons. The rest is history.

This is an opportunity for all former students of Mr. Wackerman to come and celebrate the 96th anniversary of Seal Beach with him.

Chuck is not a ‘spring chicken’ but  just to be clear his is much hounger than Seal Beach. Our town  was incorporated in 1915 with a Joy Zone that covered several blocks that included a roller coaster named “The Derby” and the Jewel City Cafe where the dance floor was built with springs underneath so that dancers could sway.  This 96th celebration is a harbinger of things to come in 2015 when our 100th anniversary arrives.  Libby Applegate assures us that all the volunteers working with her on Founder’s Day Committee have big plans for that special birthday.  Until then we’ll have  smaller celebrations each October until 2015.

In the meantime Y’all come down to the pier on Sunday Oct 2. and add your name to the list of volunteers to help plan our centennial when the Joy Zone will return once again.

This is an opportunity for all former students of Mr. Wackerman to come and celebrate the 96th anniversary of Seal Beach with him.

For more information: Please go to www.sealbeachfoundersday.com,  Seal Beach Community Services Dept.  562 431-2527  Ext. 1306  or  Carla Watson  e-mail: carlawatson@verizon.net

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.

A Massachusetts Birthday Greeting to the U.S.

we loved this and think you will too!

Happy (belated) Independence Day!!!
http://youtu.be/X5lbNXNn3CI
–

Today’s the Day – California Pizza Kitchen Donates to Los Al High Tennis

Hello family and friends of Los Alamitos High School Tennis . Go to California Pizza Kitchen for the BEST Pizza you’ve ever tasted and CPK donates to us!

Today ONLY (no specific time, just any time today) is the day to head out to California Pizza Kitchen in Rossmoor at 12171 Seal Beach Blvd – Rossmoor Center Drive  - present the attached flyer(shown below)  and 20% of the proceeds from your meal with be donated back to the Los Alamitos High School Girls Tennis team.  Unfortunately, the sports programs at the high school have had cuts due to the California budget crisis, so we  have to raise funds to offset the things needed to run the program and keep the girls playing in their sport.  We hope to see you there and the girls would be so very appreciative of your support.

(Pleaase Copy invitation below – 8×11 if possible and take it with you)

Philanthropizza

Please join us at California Pizza Kitchen for a

flavorsome fundraising event.  All you need to do is bring

in this flyer on our scheduled date and present it to your

server when ordering. 20% of your check will benefit our

organization.  So come out and enjoy something

delicious from the CPK menu.

Your taste buds will thank you, and so will we

Los Alamitos HS Girls Tennis

California Pizza Kitchen

Seal Beach

12171 Seal Beach Blvd.

562.430.2695

Monday June 27, 2011

Thanks for the support. We can’t wait to see you.

Donation amount excludes proceeds from tax & gratuity.

Manager, please attach this flyer to the guest check.

Valid for dine-in and take-out only.

Event proceeds void if flyers are distributed in or near the restaurant.

Local Audabon Warns of EIR Omissions on DWP Project

6-16-11

El Dorado Audubon                                                                                                California Chapter of The National Audubon  Society Long Beach, Seal Beach and surrounding  communities

June 13, 2011- City of Seal Beach-211 8th Street
Seal Beach, CA 90740

Att: Mark Persico, AICP, Director of Development  Services (562)431-2527
RE: Dept. of Water and Power Specific Plan  Amendment, Initial Study, June 2011

(Ed Note- This article is longer than we usually run…but Mary Parcell lists many potential environmental problems.)

Project Location: The project site is generally bounded by Marina Drive to the  north, 1st Street to the east, the Rivers End Cafe/beach  parking lot to the south, and the San Gabriel River to the  west.

We (local Audubon) are concerned  with open space (7O% in current plan), impact on wetlands per California  Coastal Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, impact on migratory  wildlife corridors, and impacts on species Department of Fish and Game and US Fish and Wildlife Service (see  below).

Open Space
“The proposed project includes approximately 6.4  acres of open space/parkland, in addition to the residential uses discussed above. The DWP Specific Plan Amendment would revise  (Read ‘reduce’) the open space area from 70 percent to 60 percent within the  Specific Plan. Proposed park uses would include, but not be limited to: natural areas with trails, passive turf areas, and neighborhood-serving play areas (e.g., “tot-lots).”

Due to the value and sensitivity of our coastal  Resources:  We do not support the change from 70% to 60% of open space  (requires Specific Plan Amendment).  Also, questions have been raised that this is really a change from 70% to  50%!

California Coastal Commission: Coastal  Development Permit required

We support open space (30% and visitor serving use, hotel, (70%) as specified in existing plan.  Preference given to .100% open space due to location next to the San Gabriel River  and the ocean. “Coordination with other agencies and adjacent jurisdictions  referenced in this document may also be required, including, but not limited to: City of Long  Beach; Los Angeles County  Flood Control District; and California Department of  Transportation.”

There is no documentation from California Dept. of Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US  Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies with jurisdiction over  biological resources.

Potentially Significant Impacts have not been studied as follows:

-Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?- Potentially Significant Impact. There are two primary sources of  light: light emanating from building interiors  that pass through windows and light from exterior  sources (i.e., street lighting, parking lot lighting, building illumination, security lighting, and  landscape lighting). Light introduction can be a nuisance to adjacent uses, diminish the view of the clear night  sky and, if uncontrolled, can disturb wildlife in natural habitat areas. Lighting associated with  non-residential uses may cause spillover impacts to nearby sensitive receptors. No light sources currently exist at the project site (other than the residential unit located at the northwestern corner of the  project site).

Short-term light and glare impacts associated with construction  activities would likely be limited to nighttime lighting (for security purposes) in the evening hours.  In accordance with Title 7 of the Municipal Code, Public Peace, Morals and Welfare, the  project’s  construction activities would be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and between  8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Construction activities are also prohibited on Sundays. Further  review is necessary to confirm whether potential construction-related lighting would create a new  source of substantial light or glare in the project area.

The project would result in the future development of residential uses and park/open space uses. The future uses would include street lighting, security lighting, and lighting associated with the interior of structures. These new light sources would create nighttime  lighting and glare in the project area. Thus, further review is necessary.

4.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through  habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status  species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of  Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Potentially Significant Impact. The project site consists primarily of vacant land. The potential exists for candidate, sensitive, or special status species to be  located within the boundaries of the project site. Further review is necessary to confirm the project’s potential  impacts to candidate, sensitive, and special status species.

b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or  other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or  by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Potentially Significant Impact. While no known riparian habitat is present on-site, based on the property’s proximity to the San Gabriel River and coastline,  there is a  potential for sensitive natural communities to occur on-site. Further review is necessary to confirm  the project’s potential impacts in this regard.

c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh,  vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other  means?

Potentially Significant Impact. Currently, the site is undeveloped  (with the exception of one residential structure), and may have the potential to contain wetlands, as defined by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and California Coastal Commission (CCC).  Further review is necessary to confirm the project’s potential impacts to Federally protected  wetlands.

d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory  wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?

Potentially Significant Impact. The potential for the project to  interfere with movement of species or to affect migratory wildlife corridors requires further  review.

Sincerely,

Mary Parsell – 1st VP & Conservation Chair, El Dorado Audubon SocietyCelebration 43 years of Conservation, Education and Citizen  Science

(Readers are encouraged to go to Monday’s Council Meeting June 20 at 7 p.m.

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