HUNTINGTON BEACH NEWS: A film about the efforts to preserve Historic Wintersburg ”Land Called Wintersburg” is 10-minute ethnographic film produced as a final assignment for a class project for CSULB anthropology students who spent several months following the progress of the preservation effort for Historic Wintersburg in Huntington Beach (historicwintersburg.blogspot.com). Wintersburg is the site of the first Japanese American church in Orange County.Its story is about whether it is possible and desirable to preserve an important Orange County building, given its historic value.  The first showing of the film premiered at the Historical Society of Long Beach recently.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.– The South Coast Air Quality Management District was accused of not doing its homework recently when it weighed in on the likelihood that the majority of members would recommend banning fire rings at Southern California beaches.  So, it proceeded to do some air quality testing and the results were a bonfire pit burning all evening is the  equivalent to a diesel truck driven nearly 564 miles.

The levels of pollution varied greatly depending on the weather and wind conditions and locations and testing will continue, the agency said in a statement accompanying the release.  They did not exceed the federal limit for 24-hour exposure, but did exceed in some instances the guidelines for short-term exposure, especially for the very young, elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

While the bonfires are being targeted, possibly worse offenders are fireworks called safe & sane that Huntington Beach council members made legal a year ago.  And other pollution not being studied in this case are cars and traffic along Pacific Coast Highway, especially during busy summer weekends and the US Open. They will need to factor in these other sources when doing their tests.

The SCAQMD has previously recommended using propane fires and is still promoting that idea. If they should outlaw wood burning, then vendors who sell outdoor fire rings and pits (there are many) are looking forward to potential sales of their products.

FROM THE REPORT RELEASED BY AQMD:

Preliminary Conclusions
• Beach fire activity is impacting PM2.5 levels at the
beach and extending into neighboring communities
• Concentrations can be up to 10 times background levels
for short periods of time in beach parking areas, up to 3
times background at residential locations
• 1-hour average PM concentrations can exceed public
health guidance levels
• Some measurements are higher than observed across
the Basin over a whole year

Next steps
• Continue field sampling
• Consider deployment of federal equivalent
methods
• Continue to report findings to public as they
become available
• Continue to work with potenntially impacted cities
and state parks
• Evaluate propane and natural gas options

There’s seldom a dull moment in downtown Huntington Beach. But when summer arrives and the kids are out of school it’s especially busy–even crowded sometimes.  This week begins the build up to summer break with Surf City Nights tonight, Art Walk on Thursday, and Duckathon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 17-19, 2013. Schools in the Midwest typically get out for the summer earlier than California schools,  so the influx of national travelers is beginning.  There’s seldom a problem finding hotel rooms, except on some special weekend events such as the US Open of Surfing. Enjoy the buzz and if you’re a local, start your bike rides and exercise an hour earlier on weekends to get that pace in that you seek without too many interruptions and slow downs.

At 2 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, the parking was easy and beaches breezy in Sunset Beach. The first arrival for the annual Mother’s Day Art Festival was a vendor (bottom photo) who came an hour early to begin setting up her tent for the big weekend event. Specializing in jewelry and gift items, she said she crafted plenty of Mother’s Day heart necklaces and keepsake mementos that shoppers can buy mom, grandmother and the women in your life,  on the spot. Local HB artist Josh Serafin, who’s been getting lots of press lately, was one of the early arrivals as, well. He posted to his facebook page that he was getting his artwork display assembled.  Sunset Beach Art Festival goes Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, 2013. Free to see, it is held adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway along North and South Pacific streets along the 1 mile long greenbelt. Free parking will be limited but paid beach parking at Bolsa Chica State Beach will put you close by. Cost to park there will be $15.

Community Grand Marshal Ralph Bauer will ride in the Huntington Beach annual 4th of July parade in 2013. His volunteerism to HB hopefully doesn’t go unnoticed but just in case it does, he has donated more time and energy than you can imagine to a variety of causes including helping students, schools and seniors. Bauer will appear in the 4th of July Parade riding in a vehicle and waving to the crowds. He is one of several celebrities and local citizens appearing in the parade that lasts about two hours an entertains with bands, floats, dignitaries, equestrian units and more.

If you missed the extravaganza last week at Surf City’s Peter’s Landing Farmer’s Market, there was plenty of hoopla to celebrate the 2nd year of the market located on PCH in Huntington Beach. Father Christian Mondor blessed the farm animals, fruits and vegetables, vendors and all who came to enjoy the beach event that makes HB so proud. It is one of several farmer’s markets launched a couple years ago with the help of the City of Huntington Beach Economic Development Department.

Lee Ostendorf, who runs the market, operates a handful of similar markets in Southern California in cities such as Long Beach, San Pedro and Buena Park. There is usually free musical entertainment at the Peter’s Landing free market event, pony rides and a petting zoo, which may charge a small fee.  Other exciting attractions at the mall include Sunset Gondola, great restaurants, and Starbucks.

SURF CITY SHUTTLE 

The Surf City Downtown Shuttle has met with success during its pilot program, alleviating parking problems for those heading to Main Street near Pacific Coast Highway. The 2013 schedule goes May 18 – October 1, offering a free ride to Downtown HB on weekends, Tuesdays during Surf City Nights, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Shuttle  departs every 30 minutes from the Huntington Beach Civic Center at 2000 Main Street, stopping at Main and Orange Streets and 5th and Walnut at The Strand on weekends, and, on Tuesdays, to Main and Orange at the entrance to the award-winning Surf City Nights street fair and certified Farmer’s Market. Free rides abound throughout California’s destinations.

PARTY BUS:

In Huntington Beach a bus that goes between Newport and Huntington’s favorite bars has been incredibly successful. For less than $5 one way, you can be transported 8-10 miles. Sure, OCTA pubic buses also make the trip for less, but like-minded party people favor buses heading directly for bars without any bus numbers to confuse them. The privately owned party bus is packing them in, while OCTA hasn’t gotten a handle on this unique crowd looking for a cheap ride.

Huntington Beach: HB2Newport picks up passengers on the hour starting at 6 p.m. The loading zone is just outside 25 Degrees at 412 Walnut Ave.

Newport Beach: Pickups are every hour starting at 6:30 p.m. The loading zone is just across the street from Cassidy’s Bar and Grill, 2603 Newport Blvd. The bus runs until 2:30 a.m.

Cost is $3 one way and the bus holds 30 people. See partybushb.com

It’s not exactly the cover of the Rolling Stone, but getting on the cover the local HB Sands community parks and recreation guide is OK. The real bonus in winner-takes-all is a free beach parking pass, valued at over $100! That’s good enough. Participate in the “Parks Make Life Better!” Photo Contest sponsored by Huntington Beach Community Services Department. Submit a photo of you and/or family and friends enjoying your favorite community park, program or facility. Park or playground, senior or art center, secret beach spot, youth or adult sports program, or community center class are all fair game. Photo submissions accepted through May 31, 2013,  and must include a signed Huntington Beach photo release waiver (available at HBsands.org). Email PMLB@surfcity-hb.org with your photo submission or for more information call (714) 374-1710.

A company that has proposed to build a desalination plant near the AES site in Huntington Beach calls itself Poseidon, a fitting name for this entity. In Greek mythology Poseidon, one of 12 deities, ruled the ocean. The “God of the Sea” is also referred to as “Earth-Shaker” due to his role in causing earthquakes. The proposed water-making facility sits on or close to an earthquake fault zone (Inglewood-Newport) so the company’s name is quite applicable to the facility it proposes to build.

Previous city councils gave the desal project a green light but the current council in 2013 isn’t so eager to buy into this Poseidon venture. The HB mayor recently tried to gain approval to send a letter sponsored by the council to the California Coastal Commission, noting disapproval of the project. At the last minute, Poseidon swept in on a chariot (actually an attorney for Poseidon sent a letter to the City of HB threatening legal action) and the mayor’s letter concept fell in defeat at Poseidon’s mighty hand. You don’t take on the gods and win–not in mythology, anyway.

Have you put on a little weight lately? Don’t blame it on the bossa nova…blame it on the Food Truck Fever. Fans of gourmet dishes served in mobile restaurants that stop along some of HB’s favorite spots. This Thursday May 9, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kogi BBQ Eat ‘Em Up Truck stops at a most convenient spot near Marina High School at 15061 Springdale Street, Huntington Beach. To find your faves, stay posted at https://www.facebook.com/StFoodAlliance  Or eat in HB at restaurants every day.