We just returned from a visit to the lovely Huntington Library in San Marino to celebrate our son’s 23rd birthday.

The estate, which of course belonged to the man our city is named before (even though it’s never been proven that he ever actually visited here) is also the site of he and his wife’s final resting place – and the tomb has an amazing bit of history attached to it:

From my friends at find-a-grave: “Railroad tycoon and noted collector of art and rare books. The Mausoleum of Henry Huntington and his wife Arabella is considered to be the model for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. John Russell Pope designed the Mausoleum before he won the commission that made him famous. Henry intended the Mausoleum to be a Greek temple, erected on the spot Arabella chose for her gravesite. The Mausoleum is made of Colorado Yule marble, and its circular peristyle has four bas-relief sculptures with literary quotes alluding to the four seasons. Surrounded by orange groves, the Mausoleum was completed in 1929, two years after Henry’s death and five years after Arabella died.”

Many of you have probably seen the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. But did you know that Huntington’s mausoleum was the model for the iconic U.S. landmark?

Many of you may already know (or know of) my friend  Jacque Balbas-Ruddy. I first got to know her when I wrote about her in September.  She had recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer and as the courageous, vibrant fighter told me then, “In a way, getting breast cancer the first time was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me,” she said as we drove. “Without it, I’d never have met the most incredible people or would be in a position to help others like this.”

Well now, after bravely (and successfully) battling the disease once again, she is up against another obstacle. This one, we can all help with simply by lending our collective voices.

She sent this out yesterday to a number of us:

My dear friends, we are reaching out for help. The boys and I are facing homelessness at the end of September. Would you please consider writing a letter to our property owner on our behalf?

We currently live in an apartment building owned by Orange County Community Housing Corporation (OCCHC) at 313 11th Street, Huntington Beach. OCCHC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is as follows:

“OCCHC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to transition extremely low income families to greater self-sufficiency by assisting with housing and education.  Its founding in 1977 was based on the principle that our low-wage families deserve safe housing and safe neighborhoods so that their children would have the same education benefits as those from more affluent neighborhoods”. (Taken from OCCHC website: July 27, 2016) 

During my undergraduate studies at UC Irvine, Caden (13), Liam (7), and I became residents at the OCCHC property in November 2013. I have concluded my UCI program and will begin the final leg of education for my career in the Master of Social Work program at USC, at the Orange County Campus.  Kathy Nutter, the Leasing Director at OCCHC and the rest of the managing staff have known since we became residents in their building, that my educational program would need to include a Masters Degree in order for me to become gainfully employed. (Kathy Nutter herself is a former client who lived in OCCHC housing during her undergraduate and graduate programs.)

 On their website, OCCHC describes the success of their program and states their residents spend an average of seven years in their housing: 

“OCCHC offers an impressive track record of performance. All of our projects are 100 percent occupied at completion, they are finished on schedule and within budget, and our residents remain over seven years on average. Rent collection problems are a rarity and tenant deposits are usually returned when families move on to ownership or to other locations”. (Taken from OCCHC website July 27, 2016).

In May 2016, my family received a 90 Notice to Terminate (eviction) from OCCHC by August 31. I have been a resident for less than three years. The attached letter was written in response, hoping that the Notice was an oversight.  Ms. Nutter is now giving me until September 30 to vacate. OCCHC is claiming that because I have earned my BA and will be ending my client-relationship with another organization, Project Self Sufficiency (PSS), they were also ending my tenancy. However, when we moved into our home, I was specifically advised by Ms. Nutter, that when my PSS relationship ended (upon award of BA degree), that I could remain under the OCCHC residency program. She explained that we could remain in our home for at least four years, and that OCCHC would work with me through completion of my master degree and transition into new housing. 

I am in good standing as a tenant. My rent is, and has always been, current. During my 2.5 years of tenancy, there have been no complaints against me. I am a good tenant and neighbor.

With this email, I am asking that my friends, community leaders, business professionals, professors, and those who are inclined to lend a hand, please write a letter to OCCHC, on my behalf, asking them to keep Caden, Liam, and me in our home until the completion of my graduate program. 

We have nowhere to go and will be homeless, should OCCHC insist we move in September. The boys and I request you to write this letter based on OCCHC’s statement on their website that residents stay an average of seven years, that I was lead to believe I would be able to live here through my educational program, and that I have been an upstanding tenant. If you chose to write a letter, I ask that you present what you know about our family, me as a parent, breast cancer survivor, student, community leader, volunteer, advocate, and future licensed clinical social worker. I am working toward a degree in a helping field so that I can provide financially for our family and be of service to others. 

I humbly thank you for your assistance in this regard.

Jacque 

Please send your letters to:

Allen Baldwin, President/Operations

Nora Mendez, Executive Director

Kathy Nutter, Leasing Director

Their email addresses are:

Kathy@occhc.org, nora@occhc.org, allen@occhc.org

Please send a copy to me:

Jacqueline Ruddy – ruddyj@uci.edu

I’m writing my letters this morning. If you have a moment to write in support of this amazing woman, she’d really appreciate it.

Update from the other night, when my son and I confronted the radicals that wrote the name of the Dallas cop killer during their “vigil of peace.”

In my opinion we have since been threatened  by a local leftist blogger – Vern Patrick Nelson – who also suggests I posted the phone numbers of the anti-cop organizers. As you can see – the OCWeekly posted the numbers publicly-the day before they themselves wrote a blistering and clueless attack on our local police force. This is an organized, anti-cop movement – plain and simple.

See what is happening? This person calls me on behalf of the organizers, then says “there’s gonna be trouble” if I don’t take orders and remove publicly posted numbers (which I never even saw).

“White supremacy.” See how fast and loose they play the race card?

Passing along a message from our friends at the upcoming airshow this fall – be a part of it!

Please join us for the second Huntington Beach Airshow “WINGMAN” Volunteer meeting this Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00PM. The meeting will be hosted at the International Surfing Museum, located at 411 Olive Avenue  Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714-337-9176). We invite you to give back to your community in a fun and educational way! As an early volunteer you will be instrumental in the planning this year’s event. Feel free to invite your friends.

I’m very honored to be leading a historic walking tour in Sunset Beach on the afternoon of July 11, to help celebrate the release of a special printed walking tour map that will be released that day.I had the privilege of helping to write the material, but the real credit goes to local Sunset Beach history expert Mike VanVoorhis along with many other locals that contributed to this really unique map, which features many rare photos, facts and tons of trivia. Special thanks as well to the Sunset Beach Community Association and Visit Huntington Beach.

Look forward to leading you on this fun, informative walk next month.

— Airshow will be free to the public with VIP experiences available for purchase —

(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) May 12, 2016 – The Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow toay announces two premium viewing options for the October 22- 23 airshow and the October 21 practice day,  and tickets are on sale now. The Airshow, which is free for the general public, will feature two upgraded viewing experiences, giving enthusiasts a closer look at the action.

The two premium venues will be located at “show center” on the beach at Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Blvd. The Flight Line will feature premium viewing for all ages, snacks and water with beer, wine and upgraded food vendor options available for purchase.  The Aviator’s Beach Club, a first-class experience, will feature soaring views from an exclusive Beach Bungalow tent with tables and chairs, private beach area, concert quality sound and narration, lunch, beer, wine, coconut water and close to portable restrooms. Ticket prices are $199 for the Aviator Beach Club and $59 for the Flight Line ,and an early bird special discount is available now at $139 and $49, respectively.

“We are pleased to offer these premium viewing areas for attendees looking for an upgraded experience at this premier airshow,” said Michael McCabe, Airshow Director for the Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow. “While the airshow is open to the public, these viewing areas give aviation enthusiasts the option of customizing the experience in way that’s best for them.”

The inaugural Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow will be the only beachfront airshow on the West Coast, and the first airshow held in Huntington Beach, California in over twenty years. Thousands are expected to attend to see first-hand the jaw-dropping jet stunts of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform an impressive hour-long demonstration featuring sharply choreographed routines that show F-16 Fighting Falcons wingtip to wingtip and give the crowd a glimpse of the exacting skills and capabilities possessed by these accomplished fighter pilots. The flying aces of the Breitling Jet Team will showcase the fast and powerful L-39 Albatross aircrafts with precise and dramatic maneuvers. The team will round out their two-year tour of the United States with a final U.S. performance at the Huntington Beach Airshow.

Other performers include the Red Bull’s Kirby Chambliss, California’s own Bill Stein, US National Aerobatic Champion Mike Goulain, the Red Bull Air force skydive team, an F-18 Super Hornet demonstration, Douglas C-47 “Skytrain” and Jet Powered Waco Biplane Screamin’ Sasquatch.

The Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow will take place on October 22 – 23 with a practice day on the 21 and will include a variety of exciting aviation performances and vendors. For more information on the tickets, performances and sponsorships, please visit hbairshow.com.  Fans can follow the Airshow on Facebook and Twitter (@HBAirshow).

Last week, Assemblyman Mathew Harper was ALL over the news talking about his efforts to have a day designated for Hollywood legend (and OC local) John Wayne. In this audio edition of Surf City Chronicles, he describes what ended up killing the bill.

Not much else to say except a beautiful person in our community needs out help. Juliette Miles is one of the most positive rays of light in this community; a courageous and amazing woman that has been through a lot and now is faced with another one of life’s more serious hurdles (that’s Juliette second in from the right) and here is what she posted last night:

Her girlfriends from OVHS have swooped in to get things going and this promises to be one of Huntington Beach’s biggest miracles ever. Here is how, in addition to thoughts and prayers, you can help this magnificent woman:

https://www.gofundme.com/JuliettesAngels

We are here for you, Juliette, with love, light and support.

It may be the oldest continually operated sit-down restaurant in Huntington Beach – the Denny’s at Five Points. Owner Lael Bland (who has been in charge since 2000) has done some homework (as have I) and it’s hard to find a place that is officially older, that has operated at the same location for that period of time.

But regardless, this summer he is planning some fun promotional events to help celebrate, and Surf City Chronicles will be helping to spread the word, giveaway some cool promo items and even do a book signing or two.

I had breakfast with Lael this morning and he was wondering if any long time locals have special memories of eating here over the years. Maybe it was after a movie at the theater that used to be across the street. Or back in high school. Feel free to leave comments here on the site and I’ll see they get to him, and stay tuned for what promises to be a memorable summer at the only Denny’s in HB.

SURF CITY Comes Together! That’s the theme for a very special event.  Pastor/HB Lifeguard Chaplain Sumo Sato, beloved friend to HBand spiritual leader, is battling against colon and abdominal cancer. Sumo, aka the “Surfer’s Savior” Warrior for the homeless, has been a source of comfort and spiritual support for surfer’s in recovery, officiated marriages and memorial’s and baptized numerous follower’s and their families. Through his Ministry he supports orphan’s worldwide who depend on his monthly contribution for the most basic of necessities. Please help HB to “pay it forward” and share the love and spirit of Aloha. It’s called the “Luau of Love” and it will benefit for Pastor Sumo Sato and ALL cancer survivor’s.

Mark your calendar: Saturday, April 9, 2016, 12-5pm@ Don the Beachcomber 16278 PCH, HB Ca. 92649 Tickets are available now @ Rockin’ Fig’s Surf HDQ (714) 536-1058 or Huntington Surf & Sport. Check the event Facebook page for more information.

Tickets are a minimum donation of $20.00 and that includes: 3 No Host Bars, Beautiful hula tribute “Kanaka WaiWai” Floor show, LIVE auction, silent auction and the highly anticipated “Visual Blessings” devotional gallery with original submissions exclusively for this event.

Hope to see you there.