Contents Spring 2014 Feature Story: Citrus Fair comes back to town April 11-13 ........................................ page 4 CITY NEWS City Draft General Plan Approved ...........................7 Bicycle Patrol Comes to La Habra .......................... 8 Celebrating Success .............................................. 9 Plant of the Quarter ............................................. 10 City Updates Its Phone System .............................11 Family, Youth, Information Guide ......................... 13 Chamber of Commerce News .............................. 15 CLASS AND RECREATION GUIDE Registration Info .................................................. 16 Class Location Key ................................................17 Children’s Museum ...............................................17 Activities for Kids ................................................. 18 Summer Day Camp .............................................. 19 Kids’ Night Out.....................................................24 New Family Activities ...........................................25 Activities for Adults ..............................................27 Activities for Seniors ............................................35 Trips for Everyone ............................................... 38 Cover photo and Citrus Fair article photos courtesy of SunKen Photography: www.sunkenphotography.com Advertisers support Life in La Habra. Support local business and Shop La Habra! Interested in advertising in Life in La Habra? Call Kathy Campanelli at 562-697-1704 for rates. Spring 2014 | Life in La Habra | 3 2014 Citrus Fair: “Back to the Farm!” Everyone is invited “Back to the Farm” for this year’s Spring Citrus Fair, which will focus on La Habra’s agricultural past, present and future. Come enjoy Sadie’s Farm-Tastic Adventure Show, a 30-minute performance featuring Sadie and her animatronic side kick, Old “Virgil” MacDonald. The duo’s fun-filled performance mixes comedy, music, balloon twisting, and lots of audience participation with some facts about farming, so that you will walk away wiser, as well as entertained. Mascots Limon the Lemon, Val the Orange with its current exhibit “Old La Habra Businesses,” many of and Hass the Avocado will be making rounds and are sure to which centered on the community’s agricultural roots. We please the kids, so bring your cameras. The fair will include a will also have country and folk music on our second stage to display of vintage farming equipment and citrus and farming get us into the “back at the farm” mood. memorabilia provided by the Old Settlers Historical Society. In addition, the La Habra Historical Museum (located next Each year we also celebrate our farming history by sharing to City Hall), will be open for visits on Saturday, 12 to 4 pm, the latest news about growing your own fruits and vegetables to live a healthier and more self-sufficient lifestyle. We are planning a mini farmer’s marketplace, which will include information about a proposed community garden. Back by popular demand, the La Habra Church of Christ will sponsor the Lemon & Orange Eating Contest (also known as the Sweet & Sour Challenge). And the Future Farmers of America will show livestock currently being raised at La Habra and Sonora High Schools. No fair would be complete without offering dining and drinking adventures. Drum roll please… we are excited to announce the addition of the Citrus Fair Beer & Wine Garden, featuring Shock Top beer, craft beers and Stella Rosa wines from the San Antonio Winery. A new international food plaza adds to your dining options, along with the Visit RFRealtor.com/HomeValues Grilled Cheese Truck, Brats & Sausages, Salvadoran pupusas, For a FREE Market report and barbecue. Those with a sweet tooth are sure to love on your home. the funnel cakes, candy apples, shaved ice and other great selection of sweet treats. *Special Bonus, buy or sell with me before 2014 and I will The Fair is three fun-filled days, jam packed with thrilling give $250 to the school of your choice.* rides, exciting shows on two stages, including local music and Restictions Apply dance performances, 60 fabulous merchandise vendors, along with delicious food. So come on down and enjoy yourself. continued on page 6 >>> 4 | Life in La Habra | Spring 2014 When I say “good,” Welcome you say “neighbor.” TO LIFE IN LA HABRA Eloisa Villarreal Sharp, Agent Now that's teamwork. Insurance Lic#: 0527328 CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7 Bus: 562-694-1029 Toll Free: 800-694-1029 LA HABRA MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL [email protected] www.eloisasharp.com Tom Beamish, Mayor Michael Blazey, Mayor Pro Tem P097314.1 State Farm Home Office, Bloomington, IL James Gomez, City Council Tim Shaw, City Council Rose Espinoza, City Council German Continental Delicatessen COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION OPEN Shavan Brown, Chairperson Monday - Saturday Kathy Felix, Vice Chairperson From 9am to 6pm Jess Badillo, Commissioner Known for the Best Bratwurst Melody Drake, Commissioner in Orange County rated by Yelp and the OC Weekly… Monica Faith, Commissioner IT’S WORTH THE TRIP… Debbie Musser, Commissioner AUTHENTIC GERMAN SAUSAGES Located in the Palm Court Center Next to Michaels LIFE IN LA HABRA STAFF Robert Ferrier, Editor-in-Chief Sal Failla, Community Services Editor Mark Sturdevant, Business Editor Marcia Taylor, Managing Editor Kathy Campanelli, Advertising Sales Representative Shelly Recchio, Graphic Designer Administration Building 201 E. La Habra Blvd. • La Habra, CA 90631 Tel: 562-383-4000 • Fax: 562-383-4474 www.lahabraca.gov 321 E. La Habra Blvd. • La Habra, CA 90631 Tel: 562-697-1704 • Fax: 562-697-8359 [email protected] www.lahabrachamber.com Spring 2014 | Life in La Habra | 5 continued from page 4>>> You might even want to put on some overalls or old work Advance purchase discounted ride tickets will be offered clothes to get in the “back to the farm” state of mind. But no through the La Habra Area Chamber of Commerce in matter how you dress, you’re guaranteed to have a good time! March. For more information, please visit: www.citrusfair. com or call 562-697-1704. Friday, April 11th from 5 pm to 11 pm Saturday, April 12th from 12 pm to 11 pm Beer/Wine & Rides available at 2 pm Sunday, April 13th from 12 pm to 9 pm Beer/Wine & Rides available at 2 pm 6 | Life in La Habra | Spring 2014 City of La Habra Draft General Plan 2035 Approved City Manager Don Hannah Says Goodbye On January 21st, the City Council certified the final La Habra City Manager Don Hannah retired from Environmental Impact Report and approved the La Habra his position with the City effective Dec. 30, 2013. General Plan 2035, the 2014-2021 Housing Element, and Don, who was appointed as City Manager in 2007, Climate Action Plan. The adoption of the General Plan is the has had a long and distinguished career in public culmination of nearly three years of work by residents, the service, serving previously as a Captain with the General Plan Advisory Committee, and staff. Pursuant to law, the Whittier Police Department. During his time at State of California requires every city and county to prepare and La Habra, he assumed responsibility for the City’s adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for their physical day-to-day operations, providing steady leadership, development. It requires seven topics, or “elements”: land use, guidance and mentoring to staff; worked closely housing, circulation, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. with the City Council to develop and implement The evolution of the General Plan 2035, the 2014-2021 Housing policies and programs to improve the lives of Element Update, Climate Action Plan, and Environmental residents and to create a prosperous environment Impact Report involved a broad spectrum of community input. for businesses; and led the organization through The public was provided opportunities to participate throughout severe economic conditions while completing their preparation at key benchmarks. The engagement of several critical infrastructure projects. Those projects community members was achieved through 19 meetings of included the City’s Pavement Management Program the General Plan Advisory Committee, four public workshops, and expansion of our local water production a scoping meeting, housing workshop, EIR scoping meeting, capabilities. Additionally, Don reinvigorated the three joint Planning Commission and City Council meetings, City’s focus on values, ethics and a high standard and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City of customer service, thereby ensuring La Habra’s Council. residents and businesses receive excellent service and a high quality of life. We are certain to miss him, Residents and businesses were made aware of these events through but as he also happens to be a longtime La Habra the creation of a General Plan Update website, flyers to all property resident, we will see him around town as he intends owner through water bills, e-mail announcements, announcements to remain an active part of our community. at City Council and Planning Commission meetings, public service announcements on Channel 3, advertisements in the La Fortunately, the City remains in good hands as Habra Journal, press releases to the Orange County Register and Jim Sadro, who has led the City’s Finance and Los Angeles Times, announcements in the Chamber of Commerce Administration Department for nearly a decade, has newsletter, along with the placement of posters in local businesses. agreed to fill the position as Interim