Sunday, March 31, 2013

Ren's Truth or False

OK let me see some I.D. and proof of insurance


House of Ruth's 35th Anniversary Gala

 Slideshow image


This year, House of Ruth has reached an important milestone of 35 years of compassionate service to families that have been victimized by domestic violence within our community. We could not do it without the generous support from donors like you. You’re a vital part of our success in continuing to provide free services to people that need help.
We would like to invite you to save the date for House of Ruth’s 35th year Anniversary Gala on April 6, 2013 at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center in Pomona, CA. This year’s black tie affair will celebrate House of Ruth’s 35 years of service to the community, and will honor past presidents of the organization.
This year, House of Ruth is also offering sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses interested in supporting our organization at a higher level. If you’re interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities for House of Ruth’s 35th Anniversary Gala you can contact our Director of Development Pat Bell at pbell@houseofruthinc.org or (909)868-8007.

L.A. Dodgers' new owners show off changes at Dodger Stadium

Click on the image and print


Travis the Trolley gets around

 
I don't know what their going to call the trolley, but I thought the name Travis the Traveling Trolley would be cool.

Just giving you a hint on what it would look like with a Trolley in Downtown Pomona





Waiting for a friend


Ren's Music Corner


Commuters Addicted to Texting While Driving, Aware It's Not Safe

Showcase Your Talent on Monrovia Day


The Monrovia Day Association is accepting applications from entertainment groups
of all ages to showcase their talents at this fun-filled celebration.
You will have the opportunity to perform on the Library Park Band Shell Stage
for up to 15 minutes between 12:30 – 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 18th.
There is no fee to participate but time slots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Woman Injured in Roll-Over Crash on Glendora Mountain Road


Speeding on a curvy mountain road above Glendora was blamed in a solo rollover crash that seriously injured a 20-year-old woman early Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred Saturday at around 12:20 a.m. on Glendora Mountain Road, south of East Fork Road.
While the Honda CRX was traveling about 35 mph on the winding road, CHP determined that the 24-year-old male driver was unable to negotiate a curve on the road, causing the vehicle to flip over and rest on its wheels.
The injured woman was a passenger in the accident, according to the CHP. She suffered facial injuries, bruises and a broken wrist. She was taken to the hospital by a friend.
No citations or arrests were made at the scene.

Joke of the day


Claremont Prepares for Earth Day


Claremont is preparing for the upcoming Fifth annual Claremont Earth Day Celebration, scheduled for April 20.
The event will include live entertainment, workshops, art displays, kids’ activities, a bike rodeo, green building tours, including the Uncommon Good Whole Earth Building and buildings at the Claremont Colleges, and more.
The event is expected to run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Second Street between Oberlin and Yale avenues.
If you would like to be an exhibitor or event sponsor, please e-mail Kristin Miller at kmiller@ci.claremont.ca.us or call (909) 399-5472.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Ren's Music Corner

Let's Rock at the Fox



Ren's Music Corner

Coming Soon I think

 
Travis the Trolley well that's what I would call it, but anyway coming soon to the Pomona Packing House. Any moment now did I just here Travis Bell, maybe not. His hole name would be Travis Traveling Trolley, what do you think ?

Magnetic Silly Putty Time-Lapse VIDEO Shows Power Of Rare-Earth Metals

Ren and friends


Photos: The Aztec Hotel's New Mexican Restaurant


The photo blog Gem City Images posted pictures this week from inside the new Mexican restaurant at the Aztec Hotel.
To see all the images of the restaurant, click here.
Read more about the remodeled restaurant here.

Monrovia Train - Ground level

Monrovia Train Depot - Ground Level

A tentative agreement on 14 acres to be used for a Metro maintenance facility has been reached pending approval of the Monrovia City Council and the Gold Line Construction Authority. The land is just a short distance down the tracks from the depot here.

Ready to Run: Derby Day 5K

 
Hopefully, you've already whipped yourself into shape if you plan on participating in the Derby Day 5k at Santa Anita Park on April 6.
But if you haven't registered yet, you still have time.
You can register online up until 6 a.m. on Thursday or in person at the Run With Us store at 35 N. Lake Ave. in Pasadena up until 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. You can also register on site at 6 a.m. on race day.
Registration costs $32 for adults and $20 for seniors over age 60 and youths 18 and under.
The main race kicks off in an authentic starting gate near Gate 3. Then, the course snakes through the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden and finishes on Santa Anita's legendary track.
Other races include the Kids' 6 Furlong (3/4 mile) race for children ages 7 to 12 and the Homestretch Dash (1/8 mile) for kids ages 6 and under.
And...they're off!

False 'Dangerous Situation' Report Prompts School Lockdown

 
A lockdown at Emmerson Middle School today (March 29) was lifted after it was determined that a story of a dangerous situation reported there was made up by two students who skipped out of school early, according to school officials.
The lockdown was lifted at 2 p.m., said Pomona Unified School District spokesman Ryan Hightower said.
Officers were called to the campus earlier today after two female students, who had left school early, told family members a made up a story about some kind of danger at the campus, Hightower said. He did not elaborate on what the girls said. According to a KCAL/Ch. 9 report, one of the girls told her mother that she had seen a man with a gun in a lunch line.
But the story prompted a call, possibly from a family member, to school officials who in turn called Pomona Police to investigate, Hightower said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, district security conducted a full search of the campus just to make sure the students were completely safe,” Hightower said.
Pomona Police worked with the school and eventually it was found there was no danger, Hightower said. According to a City News Service report, every classroom was checked.
Just after 2 p.m., it was business as usual at the school although a few parents did opt to pick up their children following the lockdown, Hightower said. The incident ended near the end of the school day.
If nothing else, the incident provided the Pomona Unified School District a chance to work with Pomona Police.
“It was a great example of cooperation for us,” Hightower said.

Dance will blow you away

Friday, March 29, 2013

Lockdown Lifted At Pomona Middle School


Foothill Extension E-News
March 29, 2013
Pasadena to Azusa Update
The FTC (Foothill Transit Constructors - a Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture) team has made significant progress on the design for the 11.5-mile light rail extension. Nearly all of the packages have been approved for construction, and FTC is on schedule to have the design substantially complete this coming month.

Construction continues to result in street closures and other impactful activities. The Construction Authority is sending periodic construction notices via email to those that sign up. If you have not already, we encourage you to sign up to receive these construction
e-notices at www.foothillextension.org.

Construction Highlights
Below is a highlight of some of the construction activities now underway:
Azusa
Nine bridges are under construction in the city of Azusa at three crossings (Foothill Blvd., Palm Dr. and Citrus Ave.) - six new bridges and three modifications.

Utility relocation and mass grading continues throughout the corridor city, and improvements at the first major at-grade crossing (Dalton Ave.) has begun. Dalton Ave closed to traffic in February and will continue to be closed until the end of April. Track and ties are being installed for the future relocated freight line (pictured above).
Irwindale
Demolition of the old 700-ft long single-track San Gabriel River Bridge is now complete (pictured left). Crews will continue with the removal of existing abutments as they prepare for a new dual-track bridge will be built in the future.

Duarte

The Duarte station is the first of six new stations to start construction. Early this month, FTC poured concrete for the platform foundations. Additionally, Highland Ave was the first of nearly two dozen at-grade crossings to begin construction. Construction began in early February and was completed on March 11 when street was re-opened for public use.

Monrovia
Construction of the crossing improvements at California Ave began on March 9. As a reminder, California Ave at the railroad crossing will be closed for the next five months as this work is completed. Additionally, work at the Monrovia Gold Line Station has also begun and will be on-going.

Arcadia
Demolition is complete on the old Colorado Blvd bridge. Crews have begun construction on the new bridge abutment walls. Work is also underway on the Arcadia Gold Line Station.

Want more information? Read the latest project newsletter, by clicking here.


Gold Line Operations Campus Update
Crews have started work on the foundation for the main building for the operations campus. Pictured right, crews are building the foundation for the blow-down pit that will allow future maintenance crews to clean under the light rail vehicles.
NEW Construction Activity Maps

Construction Activity Maps are now available via the Construction Authority website www.foothillextension.org. These maps display up-to-date construction activities in your community including lane and road closures, traffic detours, and construction notices along the 11.5-mile Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Azusa. Click on the map below to view the construction activity in your community:


Construction Activity Map: http://www.foothillextension.org/images/uploads/maps/00FullMap.pdf
Azusa to Montclair Update:
At their March 6, 2013 meeting, the Construction Authority board of directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Azusa to Montclair segment of the project; selecting the Locally Preferred Alternative for the next phase of the Foothill Extension. The Authority will start preparing for advanced conceptual engineering and design, ultimately readying the now-certified project for nearly $1 billion in funding.

A Few Easy Ways to Stay Updated:
Have you dropped by a public information office lately? If not, come by! There are three offices available to the community for questions or comments:

Arcadia
400 N Santa Anita Ave, Suite 101-B, Arcadia, CA 91006
(Northeast corner of Santa Anita Ave. and La Porte St.)
Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays ONLY: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monrovia
406 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 202, Monrovia, CA 91016
(Construction Authority Offices)
Hours: Mondays through Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Azusa
1300 W. Optical Drive, Suite 500, Azusa, CA 91702
Hours: Mondays through Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Other Community Resources Include:

Other Community Resources Include:
Thank you for your continued interest in the Foothill Extension,

NASA Offers Extremely High-Definition View Of Mars, just click on the link below.


Mars Gigapixel Panorama - Curiosity rover: Martian solar days 136-149 in The World


Experience the Excitement!

 

 
This year’s airshow will feature nearly 40 historic aircraft performing for your enjoyment as well as a salute to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Planes of Fame Air Museum is proud to present Air Show 2013: "Lightning Strikes Chino". We invite you to Airshow 2013 to celebrate the history and contributions of this great aircraft. In addition to many other fantastic airplanes performing, there will be panel discussions with our honored veterans. Check back often for updates on the veterans who will participate. Also, be sure to catch the Airshow Preview Event and check out the Air Show 2013 Promotional Video!

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH


 

 
The church is getting new rain gutters, so if you look up today that's what the guys are up to. They needed some new ones that's for sure and we are happy that the church is in good hands.

Rain & Thunder Oct. 1, 2010


Ren's Music Corner

Click on image and print


La Placita Olvera

 



More than a little strange to see Olvera Street without any vendor kiosks or restaurants! This photo was taken just prior to the dedication of El Paseo de Los Angeles in 1930. We're looking south here, toward the Plaza.

Easter in the San Gabriel Valley


AZUSA
Easter egg hunt

The city of Azusa's Recreation and Family Services Department, Azusa Youth Program and Shepherd's Pantry will be holding the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Memorial Park, 320 N. Orange Place. Children ages 2-12 will have free arts and crafts, moon bounce and food booths. Pictures with the Easter bunny begin at 4:30 p.m. and are free with donation with canned goods. The egg hunt begins at 7:30 p.m. in three age divisions, with a special prize for finding the golden egg. No sacks or baskets are allowed. For more information, call 626-812-5287. DIAMOND BAR
Easter egg hunt set for March 30
Diamond Bar and the Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions Club will hold their annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30 at Pantera Park, 738 Pantera Drive. The fun will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast provided by the Fire Explorers Post 19 for a nominal fee, followed by the free egg hunt at 10 a.m. featuring 11,000 treat-filled, plastic eggs. Hunting areas will be divided into six areas based on age groups, with parental assistance allowed for the youngest attendees. Photo packages with the Easter Bunny will be available starting at $10. Children need to bring their own baskets for the egg collection. For more information, call the city's Recreation Services Division at 909-839-7070. EL MONTE
City to host family egg hunt
The El Monte Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Department will hold the city's inaugural Healthy Easter Family Fund Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Mt. View Park, 12127 Elliot Ave. The event will kick off with a breakfast with the Easter bunny from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast can be purchased for $4 per person. The Easter egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. with three different age divisions. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag or basket. Other events include arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a moon bounce, face painting, a carrot eating contest and more. Breakfast tickets can be purchased at the park or at the door. Take photos with the Easter bunny for $2. For more information, call 626-580-2200. INDUSTRY
Free egg hunt slated at SpeedZone
An Easter Egg Hunt will be held for children ages 10 and under, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at SpeedZone Los Angeles, 17871 Castleton St. Registration for the egg hunt will begin at 10:30 a.m., with the hunt beginning at 11:30 a.m. Participants will be separated into different age groups and each person can collect up to 10 free eggs. This year's event will feature more than 3,000 eggs, photo opportunities, prizes and more. The grand raffle prize will be a Kindle Fire HD. For more information, go to SpeedZone.com. LA PUENTE
Egg hunt to be held at La Puente Park
The community is invited to grab their spring baskets and head over to La Puente Park for the city's annual Spring Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 30. The family-friendly event will feature games, activities, food booths, arts and crafts, live entertainment and an egg hunt. Bunnies will be on hand to greet participants and take photos. The free event will be held at 501 N. Glendora Ave. For more information, call 626-855-1560. DIAMOND BAR
Walnut holds Easter egg hunt
The city of Walnut and the Diamond Bar Lions Club will hold the annual spring Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30, in Walnut Ranch Park at 20101 Amar Road. The fun begins with an pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. The cost is only $5 per person. The egg hunt is divided up into age groups: Preschool at 10 a.m., 5 and 6 years at 10:10, 7 and 8 years at 10:20, 9 and 10 years at 10:30, and 11 to 12 years at 10:40. ARCADIA
Santa Anita Racetrack host egg hunt
On Easter Sunday, March 31, enjoy the biggest egg hunt in the San Gabriel Valley. There will be more than 15,000 eggs filled with Easter candy! Stay for the races while the kids have a day to remember and enjoy the family fun zone which includes pony rides, face painting, carnival games, bounce houses, and more. Each hunt is $2. Family 4-Pack of tickets include:
    4 General Admission Passes
    1 General Parking
    2 Daily Racing Programs
    4 Regular Hot Dogs, Chips, and Medium Sodas
    2 Pony Rides
    8 Carnival Games
    2 Face Paintings
    Free Inflatable Jumpers, Seabiscuit, and Playground. It's the best deal in town.
    (Please note that the egg hunt is not included in this package)
COVINA
Church of God celebrates Easter season
Inter-Community Church of God, 150 W. Badillo St. will hold a Palm Sunday service at 10 a.m. Sunday. It will be a combined service with both English and the ASL/Deaf congregation. Pastor Francis Casale, PhD, will give the message. At 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through March 29, the church will present "Journey to the Cross," an interactive exhibit featuring nine separate stations to experience and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. For more information, contact 626-967-2728 or email ICChoG@Juno.com. AZUSA
'Fun-tastic Easter' event planned
Palm Sunday services will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Canyon Christian Fellowship Church, 405 N. Azusa Ave. Lead pastor the Rev. Jesse Aramburo will deliver the message. Between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Good Friday, the church will be open for prayer. A "Fun-tastic Easter" free event is set for 11:30 a.m. March 30. It will feature games, face painting, crafts and an Easter egg hunt. For more information, call 626-922-3076.

Easter eggstravaganza and pancake breakfast planned in Montclair


MONTCLAIR - Montclair-Ontario Junior Women's Club, and Montclair Kiwanis Club and the city will be sponsoring a community wide Easter Eggstravaganza and pancake breakfast on Saturday, at the Montclair Community Center, 5111 Benito Street, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The free Easter event is open to all children ten years of age and younger. Children will have the opportunity to participate in Easter themed games and activities and earn candy filled eggs as prizes (children are asked to bring their own basket from home to collect eggs). Prizes will be awarded for specially marked eggs, given away at random throughout the event. The Easter Bunny will arrive at the event and be available for photographs. Pictures will cost $3 per photo or $1 for participants to take a photo with their own camera. Sponsored by Women's Junior Club, all picture proceeds will benefit youth and community programs. The pancake breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, orange juice, coffee and all the fixings for $3 per person. Sponsored by Montclair Kiwanis Club, all proceeds from the breakfast will benefit youth programs.

Dirtbags pack your bags. It’s spring break. Let the California Legislative junkets begin!. Say it's not so Norma Torres


Yep, its that time of the year again when the influence-peddlers mollycoddle California lawmakers whom accepted food, travel, tickets and other gifts totaling more than a half-million dollars last year, ranging from a $14,000 trips to Brazil to expensive fine crystal glass.
It’s all free. Or is it… Actually it’s too good to be true.
Lawmakers are selling themselves to the highest bidding lobbyist like common street whores (no offense intended to women whom make a living doing what they do).
Many legislators are the worst kind of whores whom sell themselves, their votes – and sell out the public because they are compromising the political system.
When they return from their free trips after all the Lindsay Lohan partying, massages and the likes, the lobbyist get their vote. Often to the detriment of the public.
Gift-giving to the Senate and Assembly totaled roughly $171,500 in gift items and $329,000 in travel, according to annual financial disclosure statements released Saturday.
A pack of five legislatures along with the head honcho of the Public Utilities Commission are headed to Poland on a free eight-day trip bank rolled by influence peddling lobbyists. You can bet the six will be in bed with these folks down the road when the ayes or nays are called.
While a nine-members herd of freeloader from the California Assembly are flying to the island of Taiwan.
Just to mention a few freebie, $700 in cigars or cigar boxes, $500 in in crystal ducks. Drinks on the house everyone. That is if you are a legislative whore, like Sen. Alex Padilla and Assemblyman Luis Alejo who reported receiving $6,572 and $5,495 in gift items.
Assembly leader Norma Torres, D-Pomona, accepted $20,000 in trips, including $10,811 from the American Israel Education Foundation.
Dirtbag Sen. Anthony Cannella was the Senate’s top recipient of travel gifts, $18,979, including a Brazil trip.
A couple of other freeloaders includes Assemblywoman Connie Conway, and Susan Bonilla. Their March 23-29 trip is funded by the government of Taiwan.
Legislators in Poland are Sens. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, and Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, and Assemblymen Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach; Steven Bradford, D-Gardena; Henry Perea, D-Fresno; and Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont.
California Energy Division Director Edward Randolph made the trip with his female “John”, lobbyist Karen Edson, President of Independent Energy Producers Association.
The best case scenario is no public official could accept a gift of any sort. Not even a cigar or dinner. How extreme would that be? Genuine public servants is pretty extreme.

Families Spend $3K Per Year on Gas


Gas prices have steadily dropped for nearly a month in Los Angeles County, but a new government energy report shows that families are spending more to fuel up now than in previous years.
The average household spent almost $3,000 — or just under 4 percent of income before taxes — on buying gasoline in 2012, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration report released last month.
With the exception of similar dramatic increases in gasoline expenditures in 2008, last year saw families spending more money on the fuel than in the previous 30 years, according to EIA estimates.
Americans travel more, but because of the increased efficiency that newer vehicles enjoy, less gas is consumed per mile. Gasoline consumption in the country fell to 134.2 billion gallons in 2011, when the average price of a gallon climbed to $3.70. The price of gas rose faster than did the average household income, according to the report.
A gallon of gas in Los Angeles County cost an average of $4.11 on Tuesday, down seven-tenths of a cent the previous day; 7 cents less than one week ago; 21.5 cents lower than one month ago and 25.6 cents below what it was one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service, as reported by City News Service.
The best price for gas in Monrovia is $4.10, according to Map Quest.
Have you spotted a local gas station that sells cheaper gas?
How much of your budget goes toward buying gas?
Do you have any gas-saving tips?

Bears Break Into Occupied Monrovia Home Through Doggie Door, Raid Kitchen


Bears broke into an occupied Monrovia home through a doggie door Wednesday and raided the kitchen as a man inside the house looked on with his dog.
Jason Lee told NBC4 News that he made eye contact with one of the bears after it entered the home. He snapped a photo of the bear before retreating with his dog up the stairs.
Click here to see the photo of the bear taken by Lee.
The bears were later chased out of the neighborhood by Monrovia Animal Control.

Monrovia Day Celebration Needs Volunteers



If you are Monrovia teen who needs community service hours for college entrance, Monrovia Day Association needs you. The Monrovia Day celebration will take place between the Monrovia Library and Community Center on Saturday, May 18th from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Volunteer for an hour or two or for the entire event. Adults are also encouraged to volunteer, especially with our pancake breakfast. If you would like to volunteer email Tammy Lofton at: tlofton@monroviaschools.net
Sponsors for booths are demand as well, so if you have a business in Monrovia and you would like to be part of the celebration, please contact Tammy.

Public Weighs in on Proposal to Close Swaths of National Forest to Vehicles


The public gathered at the Angeles National Forest headquarters in Arcadia this week to weigh in on the U.S. Forest Service proposal to redesignate up to 67,715 acres of back country in the Angeles National Forest as wilderness, the most protective zones for forest lands possible.
The proposal may affect about 4,000 acres along the West Fork of the San Gabriel River above Azusa.
The wilderness designation effectively bans all mechanized equipment, from cell towers to mountain bikes.
The Angeles National Forest proposal is part of a larger plan to amend the Forest Service's 2006 land management plan for the Angeles, Los Padres, Cleveland and San Bernardino forests as required by a settlement with the California Resources Agency, which successfully challenged the LMP on the grounds that the document did not go far enough in protecting California's pristine back country.
Forest Service officials say maintaining the balance between making the forests as accessible as possible and protecting the environment is difficult.
"People enjoy the forest and we protect the natural resources people enjoy," Forest Service spokesperson Justin Seastrand said. "It's a constant dichotomy."
There are three alternatives the public can choose from, although the regional forester will ultimately make the final decision as to which alternative will go into effect.
Alternative 1 would make no changes to the land management plan — an option that isn't really an option, Seastrand says, because the Service would likely wind up back in court.
The Forest Service's recommended Alternative 2 designates 41,065 acres of the Angeles, 71,991 of the Cleveland, 338,011 acres of the Los Padres and 47,755 acres of the San Bernardino national forests' land as wilderness.
Alternative 3 is much more restrictive. Under this alternative, 67,715 acres of Angeles National Forest would become designated wilderness.
"[The Forest Service] is doing exaclty what I think they should be doing," said San Gabriel Valley resident Steve Hernandez, adding that he favors Alternative 3. "They're trying to preserve the wilderness for future generations...We've got kids and grandkids."
If you weren't able to attend Tuesday's meeting, you may still submit written comments. Mail comments toCleveland National Forest, ATTN: LMP Amendment, 10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200 San Diego, Ca. 92127-2107.
You can also file comments via email to socal_nf_lmp_amendment@fs.fed.us or the project website.

Fate of Beach Fire Pits Placed in the Hands of Diamond Bar Agency



Beach-goers converged on Diamond Bar today (March 28) to discuss the future of the Huntington Beach and Newport Beach fire pits in Orange County.
More than 30 people spoke on a recommendation by South Coast Air Quality Management District officials to prohibit fire rings on beaches throughout much of Southern California. The meeting went on for about three hours, said Sam Atwood, spokesman for the SCAQMD.
The meeting was a public hearing. No decision was made by the board. Discussion will continue on May 3.
Speakers from Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, the two city’s impacted, attended. Newport Beach officials want to prohibit the fire pits, but their counterparts from Huntington Beach want to keep them legal.
“I would say nearly everyone who came out from Huntington Beach expressed that viewpoint,” Atwood said.
Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce officials say the city would lose $1 million annually in parking income if the fire pits are banned. About 11.9 million people visit state parks in Orange County, bringing in $19 million in revenue, but a fire pit ban would cut that in half, chamber officials contend.
Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman sent a letter to the AQMD last week opposing the proposed ban on fire pits.
"The city of Huntington Beach receives more than 11 million visitors annually," Boardman said.
"While not all of those visitors participate in recreational fires on our beach areas, a large majority visit our beaches solely for that purpose. We estimate that these visitors generate more than $1 million annually in revenue through parking fees, sales tax from local shopping and transient occupancy tax from overnight stays."
The city, which has offered the fire rings for six decades, has more than any other beach city in Orange and Los Angeles counties, Boardman said.
"The concept of a warm open fire evokes a sense of family and special memories for many generations," Boardman said in the letter. "A few years ago, as a way to reduce maintenance costs at the beach, the city considered removing some of the fire rings. Our residents were outraged. The proposal was dropped."
Newport Beach officials contend the fire pits pose a health hazard for beachgoers and neighbors. The AQMD staff agrees.
There are no residential units near Huntington Beach's fire rings, Boardman said.
The AQMD is also looking at alternatives to removing the fire pits. One suggestion is to make them propane or natural gas burning rather than wood burning fire pits.
The agency oversees all of Orange County and most of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, so if the district board in May upholds the staff's recommendation it would prohibit the fire pits throughout Orange County and most beaches in Los Angeles County.
Earlier this month, the California Coastal Commission postponed a decision on Newport Beach's request to remove fire pits from the city's beaches because that agency wanted to wait for feedback from the AQMD.

Walnut Firefighters Honored for Saving Toddler's Life


 
Their quick actions and training saved the life of a 13-month-old girl in February.
The Walnut City Council celebrated their efforts Wednesday night, presenting firefighters and paramedics from Station 61 involved in administering aid to the lifeless toddler with proclamations.
Mayor Mary Su thanked the squad for its fast actions and dedication to the city.
Mayor Pro Tem Tom King shared that Los Angeles County firefighters rescued him once, adding that they are “part of the Walnut family.”
“You saved a kid that was right on the cusp of almost passing away and I know that’s tough,” he said. “I, as a dad, can’t thank you enough.”
The rescue took place on Feb. 18 at Station 61 at La Puente Road and Lemon Avenue. At 11:38 a.m., the station had received a call about an infant in full cardiac arrest, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department website.
Just as Engine 61 began to drive out of the station, parents of the toddler drove into the parking lot holding their lifeless daughter. The baby, who had just learned to walk, had fallen into a child-sized swimming pool, according to the fire department. When her parents found her, she had no pulse and was not breathing.
While firefighter paramedics Gary Durian, Cameron Bothwell, and David Roberts administered CPR and other measures to revive the child, Capt. Gil Sanchez spoke to dispatch to make sure the ambulance and Sheriff’s Department came to the station instead of the family’s home.
Fred Sandoval, a firefighter specialist, worked to calm the parents and get the full story of how she drowned, according to fire officials.
The father was babysitting the toddler and two other children when the drowning occurred. The dad had focused on the other two children for a brief moment when the little girl wandered out the back door and fell into the pool, according to the fire department. The family didn’t realize what happened until the mother returned home, officials said.
Soon after the parents brought the child to the station, the department’s paramedics were able to get a pulse and when the ambulance arrived, Durian, Bothwell, and Roberts climbed in with her to keep her alive while she was taken to the Pomona Valley Medical Center.
"It may have only been a few moments reviving her, but it seemed like an eternity," Sanchez said in a story on the fire department’s website. "When our paramedics finally got that pulse they all loaded in the back of the ambulance to make sure they had as many capable hands as possible to keep her going."
By the time they arrived at the hospital, the little girl was breathing again.
"It was a very heart-wrenching experience for our personnel," Sanchez said. "We all have children so situations like this hit close to home. Though it felt like pandemonium at the station, especially with the devastated parents there begging us to save their daughter, our guys both professionally and mentally did the best job they could. But it was emotionally very draining."
The little girl subsequently was transferred to Loma Linda University Hospital, where she had CT scans that showed normal brain activity. Sanchez said that hearing that the toddler was breathing on her own and that doctors were optimistic that she would have a normal life “brightened up our week.”
At the council meeting, Assistant Chief Dave Stone fought back tears as he lauded the efforts of the squad and recalled the station receiving a poster from a very grateful family.
“As firefighters, it is very rare that we the success of our work,” Stone said. “It really makes me emotional.”