2014 Newsletters: What's Happening Southern California Residents Friday, March 7, 2014

Hello Friends,

I'd like to start this Newsletter Congratulating Mike Baumgartner on becoming The New Huntington Beach Marine Safety Chief.

Also Congratulations to Chris Burrous a Superb Anchor/Reporter from KTLA Channel 5 on becoming The Honorary Mayor Of Chatsworth and Porter Ranch.

A very Happy Birthday to the following people. They are: La Puente City Manager David Carmany, Buena Park City Councilman Art Brown, Huntington Beach Wave Columnist Eva Kilgore, Former Huntington Beach Planning Commissioner John Scandura, Huntington Beach Resident Mark Nelson, Huntington Beach Historical Society Vice President Kelly Rivers, Huntington Beach Musician Robby Armstrong and Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle.

Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy's Administrative Assistant Karin Reed says: Pharmaceutical Drug Disposal Program

The City of Huntington Beach has installed a Pharmaceutical Drug Disposal box in the Lobby of the Huntington Beach Police Department. The Pharmaceutical Disposal program is being implemented so citizens can properly dispose of their old prescription medications, instead of placing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. Improperly disposing of unused medications can harm others and the environment.

Medications which are flushed down the toilet are not completely removed by the sewage treatment facilities. These medications can enter the soil, surface water, and ground water. Research studies have shown that exposure to drugs found in waterways are having a serious impact on fish and other aquatic life.

The Huntington Beach Police Department front lobby is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, seven days a week.

The Huntington Beach Public Works Department Construction Manager Eric Charlonne says: Sandbags Available for Residents Huntington Beach residents may receive up to 20 sandbags from the City of Huntington Beach Corporate Yard at 17371 Gothard Street, between Warner and Slater Avenues. Sandbags are available now, during storms, and whenever significant rainfall is forecast. Regular Yard hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may be extended in the event of a major storm. Residents must show personal identification, such as a driver's license or photo ID card, a current utility bill or similar proof of residency. Customers are asked to bring their own shovel and fill their own bags, unless they are physically unable. Dry filled bags weigh approximately 20 pounds, wet bags double in weight. Sandbags are for the personal use of Huntington Beach residents only. Elderly and disabled residents may call the HB Fire Dept. CERT message line, 714-536-5974, to have sandbags delivered by volunteers. Contractors and businesses can purchase sand and bags at most building supply centers and home improvement stores. The City does not collect bags after the rainy season. It is the responsibility of the resident to lawfully dispose of the sand and the bag when no longer needed. Sand may not be released into the storm drain system. For more information on proper disposal, please call Public Works Maintenance at 714-960-8861. For information or questions on flood preparedness, visit ReadyOC.org.

Water Wise Gardening Are you tired of mowing your lawn? Are you thinking of changing your landscaping? The Huntington Beach Water Conservation's webpage offers a very informational software tool called Water Wise Gardening at surfcitygardening.com. This software displays gorgeous pictures of California Friendly Landscaping along with information about the plants that will thrive in our lovely Mediterranean climate. Not only will you be saving on water, but you'll free up many of your weekend hours. The Garden Gallery feature displays beautiful pictures of creative landscaping ideas. In the pictures, information about the trees and plants will help you make selections for your new outdoor living spaces. You'll even be able to save your favorite plant selections! Some local nurseries offer landscape design for a nominal fee. Check with your local nurseries for landscaping offers. The general tips section gives helpful tips on landscape irrigation. Watering device types are shown, from the standard nozzles, to the rotating nozzle, drip irrigation, and bubblers and their best fit for your landscape. Common irrigation challenges are listed along with their suggested solutions. You can find valuable information about basic watering schedules, which explain what time of day to water, how long to water and how often. We also have samples of irrigation schedules and how to properly program your controller. To help with the costs of transforming your outdoor areas from a water thirsty lawn to relaxing, California Friendly, outdoor living space, the Municipal Water District of Orange County offers rebates of $1 per square foot of turf removed, up to $380 for a Smart Irrigation Timer, $4 for sprinkler nozzles, and more. For rebates on turf removal, smart irrigation timers, sprinkler nozzles, clothes washers, toilets, soil moisture sensor controllers and rain barrels, go to mwdoc.com/rebates.

Free Disposal of Bulky Items for Residential Trash Customers

If you are a residential trash customer in Huntington Beach you are eligible for the 10/4 Pick-up Program. This free program allows residents to schedule special collections of up to 10 bulky items per appointment, 4 times per year. Qualifying items include bags of trash or yard clippings (that will not fit in the trash or yard waste cart), appliances, furniture, and mattresses. 

Recent Rain Storm The series of storms that came through the Southland Thursday, February 27th to Sunday, March 2nd, dropped a total of two inches of rain in the City of Huntington Beach. The rain event was much needed and very welcomed; however we are still dramatically dry, having only received four inches of our average annual rainfall of 11 inches. This is extra troublesome since this is the second drought year in a row for the City of Huntington Beach.

Reminder: On Sunday March 10th it is time to turn our clocks back an hour as Daylight Saving Time begins. Please remember to also change the time on your irrigation system controllers!

Fix a Leak Week We all know by now that California is experiencing a severe drought, so the upcoming "Fix a Leak Week", March 17-23, 2014, is quite timely and a wonderful opportunity to improve your home's water efficiency. What better time than now to check for leaks around your house and garden and make sure you are not wasting water. Innocent leaks like a dripping faucet or a running toilet, typically waste more water (and money!) than most homeowners are aware of. Why not use the "Fix a Leak week" as an annual reminder to check for, and fix leaks as they are often are as easy as tightening a nut or replacing a faucet seal. Leaks outside your home are often more difficult to detect and a leaking irrigation system buried underground can cost quite a bit of money and waste a lot of water. A few key locations to pay attention to include: hose bibs, sprinkler heads, irrigation piping, and valves. Consider installing pressure-regulating sprinklers with high efficiency nozzles to control the amount of water being applied to your landscape and reduce maintenance at the head. Reducing high pressure also eliminates problems such as misting sprinklers, water lost to evaporation, and potential irrigation system damage. Another great resource you can utilize during "Fix a Leak Week" - or anytime throughout the year - is the Water Smart Home Program. The City of Huntington Beach is partnering with the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and the Water Smart Home Program provides free home water surveys for H.B. residents. If you decide to sign up, a trained technician will visit your home and evaluate all of your water use practices and devices. A customized report will be sent to you summarizing the results of your home survey and providing you with valuable water-savings tips, rebate programs, and water use efficiency information. Your custom report will also provide you with valuable information, such as:

* The location of any indoor and/or outdoor leaks * Flow rates of indoor plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, toilets, clothes washers, and dishwashers * Where and how water is being used in your landscape * The role your water meter plays in home water management

 
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Tune in to The KTLA Channel 5 Weekend News on Saturdays from 5am to 7am and Sundays from 6am to 9am. Join Chris Burrous, Lu Parker, Liberte Chan, Erin Myers, Dave Mecham and Gayle Anderson's On The Go Segment. This is the best news Show in Southern California. You can give them comments on their Facebook Page/ e-mail them at weekends(at)ktla.com.

Here are some Events happening in Your Area:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday It's The 68th Annual Fred Hall Fishing Show at The Long Beach Convention Center - 300 East Ocean Boulevard. The Show Hours are Friday from 1pm to 9pm. Saturday from 10am to 8:30pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Questions and ticket prices are available at: fredhall.com .

Saturday Only:

More than 60 Vendors are at The Peters Landing Local Harvest Farmers Market at 16400 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach from 9am to 2pm. Bring your kids to the petting zoo, ride the ponies, eat fresh foods, shop for crafts and arts. Listen to Live Entertainment. Some vendors Include: Winks Lobster Rolls, Olive Wood Pizza, Sunset Bay Candy Company, A Myriad Of Ideas, Stella Magnetica, Mumbi's Designs and much more. Questions call Lee Ostendorf at: . You can also look at her website - localharvestfarmersmarkets.com .

The 12th Annual Kite Party near The Huntington Beach Pier. Log on to: kiteparty.com to get all the details. You can also call Dave Shenkman at: (714) 536-3630.

The Sunset Beach Community Association Presents an afternoon with Local Artist, Bill Anderson, please come from 3-6pm to view his amazing Artwork and see the remodeled Sunset Beach Nobles Family Community Center at 16861 12th Street. You can purchase Bill's beautiful coffee table book and have them signed while you're there. Also Barbara Delgleize is providing the refreshments.

Sunday:

The 12th Annual Kite Party near The Huntington Beach Pier continues. Log on to: kiteparty.com to get all the details. You can also call Dave Shenkman at: (714) 536-3630.

Monday:

The Buena Park Historical Society presents Gold Rush Tales of Now and Then with Famous Author/Historian Craig MacDonald at 6:30pm. This free event shall be at The Buena Park Community Center - 6688 Beach Boulevard behind the Police Station off of Pinchot Court. They'll be refreshments. Call Art Brown with your questions at: (714) 521-1887.

Tuesday:

Come to Surf City Nights in Downtown Huntington Beach on Main Street between 5pm and 9pm and shoot hoops for March Madness near The Information Booth at the Event and win prizes. Questions: (714) 536-8300.

Wednesday:

Log on to seecalifornia.com to see what is happening in your Area.

Thursday:

Join Jean Nagy and The Huntington Beach Tree Society as the plant trees for Arbor Day in front of Kathy Mays Lakeview Cafe in Central Park West at 12:30pm. Questions: (562) 760-0733.

Thank you very much for reading this Newsletter.

I appreciate any comments.

Sincerely, Chris MacDonald Website: calcoasthomes.com E-Mail: justlisted(at)yahoo.com