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About Town: Redondo Beach
Jumping the gun on the Fourth of July
by Jason Dietrich
When the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, feet were a principal means of transportation. The automobile, the bicycle and the razor scooter have changed all that. Every year, more than 2000 athletic patriots have prepared for their Fourth of July barbecue by waking up early, skipping breakfast and sprinting for five kilometers along Redondo’s waterfront in the Village Runner 5K race.
"The 5K is for everyone," sponsorship coordinator Mike Ward said. "And this year we have invited all 12 high schools and middle/elementary schools throughout the South Bay area to participate in a competitive challenge based on their fellow students’ participation. They can race for their sports teams and winners can gain top prize money and recognition, which will benefit their schools sports program."
The course for the run and walk starts at the Village Runner shop, 1811 South Catalina, and winds along Catalina Avenue and the Esplanade, looping back to the shop. Last year’s men’s winner took home the $200 prize with a time of 15:15, while the first place woman’s finisher crossed the line after 17:07.
Promoters expect more than 4000 runners this year. This includes the more than 600 kids and 1,200 cheering parents that will be competing in the 12 and under Firecracker Dash, with prizes awarded by division.
Proceeds from the events benefit the Redondo Beach Firefighter’s Community Relief Fund and the Redondo Beach Police Department’s DARE program.
For more information about the Village runner, call 310-324-4369 and ask for Mike.
Pier Fireworks
In addition, the Redondo Beach Pier Association will be holding its annual fireworks display off the Redondo Beach Pier. Starting around 9 p.m. pyrotechnicians will be lighting up the night sky from a barge in King Harbor. Surf rockers, the "Hula Monsters" will warming up the crowd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the Caribbean sounds of the Island Jam Band at 7:30 p.m.
"The best viewing will probably be on the pier or some place in the harbor," Lyn Greenham said, the Harbor’s facility director.
Flat rate parking is available at the pier-area parking structures, but the best vantage point is still from the deck of a friend’s boat.
"Folks can come down and have dinner and then watch the fireworks," Greenham said.
Police Beat
Bystander saved Seaside toddler
by Carly Mayberry
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Seaside Lagoon Brett Jordan keeps an eye on swimmers Monday afternoon. Photo by Carly Mayberry. |
A bystander who was a nurse resuscitated a 5-year old boy found floating face down in Seaside Lagoon Saturday afternoon.
According to Redondo Beach Fire Department Chief Bob Kittell, when paramedics arrived, they found the boy in his father’s arms, lethargic, crying and wanting to go home.
"A bystander performed rescue breathing," Kittell read from the accident report. "The boy began to breathe, vomited and began to cry."
According to the report, the boy was unconscious three to four minutes.
Following the accident, other children were ordered out of the water for approximately 30 minutes. "Whenever there is anything wrong, we pull the kids out, as a matter of safety," said Seaside Lagoon recreation director John York.
Delia Samperio who took her kids the Seaside Lagoon on Monday said that turning her kids loose in the man-made pool of sea water requires a lot of parent supervision.
"This is our first time here. I feel that my kids are safe obviously because I’m here watching them," Samperio said. "But it takes a lot of supervision."
"I just don’t let my kids out of my sight. I’m surprised they only have one lifeguard supervising this large area," mother Michael Otto said, referring to a large section of the lagoon. "There’s no way they can watch all the kids."
"I watch these guys and I wonder how they watch all these kids," said mom Joyce Yamashiro. "Especially with all the summer groups and camps that come in."
But according to Seaside Lagoon officials, the number of lifeguards on duty is appropriate for the number of children in the water.
"I basically scan the water," Lifeguard Brett Jordan said. Jordan said that he completed a 40-hour lifeguard training course to work at the lagoon.
Skateboarder’s death rings police warning
The death last week of an 11-year old boy hit by a car while riding his skateboard like a luge down a hill in El Segundo has prompted Redondo Beach police to remind skateboarders and their parents of the laws applying to skateboarding.
"Skate-boarders are considered pedestrians and need to abide by the rules for pedestrians," said Redondo Beach Police Officer Mark Rodina. "This means skateboarding should be done on the sidewalk and skateboarding down steep hills should not be done at all. It’s dangerous and it’s illegal."
Rodina said that most cities have ordinances about skateboarding in the street.
"And kids should not be luging," he added.
Rodina also mentioned the importance of wearing a helmet.
"It may not be cool," Rodina said, "but it’s just smart." ER