Collaborating to Create the “WOW” for HB Seniors
The Senior Center in Central Park collaborates with multiple community agencies, philanthropies, faith-based groups, volunteers and others all year long to excellently serve older adults. During the holiday season, they doubled down on their efforts to help make the holidays brighter for hundreds of seniors. In October, members of the CareMore Corporate Team assembled 150 goodie bags with quality toiletries, warm fuzzy socks, and other swag items as a fun Halloween treat. In November, Huntington Beach Hospital will donate 70 hot and delicious holiday meals that will be delivered by senior center volunteers to home-alone senior clients on Thanksgiving Day. In December, 50 specially made gift bags full of festive fun and practical items will be donated by the Assistance League of Huntington Beach, DreamCatchers Axillary for Care Management clients. The Big Gift Collection through Winter Wishes will take place November 15 – December 15 at the Senior Center. A holiday tree with specific gift request tags benefitting clients of Home Delivered Meals and Care Management will be in the Senior Center Travel & Resource Room. Anyone who is interested in picking up a request tag and purchasing a gift for a senior client in HB can stop by Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information on senior services and programs, please contact the Senior Center in Central Park at (714) 536-5600.
Huntington Beach Fire Department Support Drowning Prevention 5K Run/Walk
On Sunday, October 22, the Jasper Ray Foundation and Swim Brayv sponsored the Fish Outta Water 5K Fun Run/Walk that was held in support of the Orange County Drowning Prevention Coalition. The event raised over $20,000 for drowning prevention programs.
The Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division provided volunteers for the route along the beach, including Division personnel and Junior Lifeguards. Senator Josh Newman attended in support of drowning prevention. This event was of special interest to him since he has authored legislation regarding drowning prevention and water safety.
The funds raised will contribute to water safety programs and swim lessons in Orange County. Over 150 runners and walkers participated and enjoyed pancakes afterward, provided by the Huntington Beach Firefighters Association.
Jasper Ray Foundation founders Jonathan St. Clair and Julie Lopiccolo thanked the City of Huntington Beach for its support of the event.
HB Sports Complex – Soccer Field Improvement Project
The HB Sports Complex has an enclosed soccer field utilized by community sports programs seven days a week. Due to age and high usage, the field’s turf had reached the end of its useful life. The Public Works Department’s soccer field improvement project scope of work included new artificial turf, new padding under the turf, a new field scoreboard, new netting, and a fresh coat of paint on the perimeter walls. The Public Works and Community and Library Services Departments worked in coordination to schedule necessary improvements with minimal impact to field users.
Self-Service Compost Station Available to HB Residents
The Public Works Department is excited to announce the opening of its new permanent compost station located at the City’s Corporate Yard at 17371 Gothard Street. This free, self-service compost station is open to Huntington Beach residents Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Residents will need to bring their own shovel and container to transport the compost.
The compost being distributed is created from organic and green waste collected from homes and businesses across Orange County. The compost is STA Certified, meaning it has the Seal of Testing Assurance from the U.S. Composting Council.
I-405 Express Lane Testing
The City has received notice from the Orange County Transit Authority that crews will begin testing the new 405 Express Lanes system as part of the I-405 Improvement Project. This work will require closing the existing carpool lanes within the project limits for approximately one month.
As early as 11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, the NB I-405 carpool lane will close near SR-73. In addition, the I-405 carpool lanes between I-605 and SR-22 as well as the I-605 and SR-22 carpool connectors will close as early as 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1. Drivers should expect significant delays and use alternate routes if possible.
Once testing is complete, the 405 Express Lanes will open to the public between SR-73 and the Orange County/LA County Line. A FasTrak transponder will be required for all vehicles to use the new 405 Express Lanes. With a switchable FasTrak transponder, vehicles with three or more are always free, two-person carpools are free off-peak, and solo drivers can choose to pay a toll to use the new Express Lanes, which replace the traditional carpool lanes.
In addition to the 405 Express Lanes, the 405 Improvement Project – a centerpiece of OCTA’s Measure M – added one regular lane in each direction, improved interchanges, and rebuilt overpasses with new bike lanes and sidewalks.
For more information regarding the 405 Express Lanes, visit 405expresslanes.com, and to reach someone from the 405 Community Outreach Team, email [email protected] or call 888-400-8994.
