The City of La Palma will observe several holiday closures during the month of November... On Veterans Day, November 11, City Hall and the Recreation and Community Services Department will be closed, while the Central Park Office will be open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, all City offices, including City Hall, the Recreation and Community Services Department, and the Central Park Office will be closed. On November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, City Hall and the Recreation and Community Services Department will be closed, but the Central Park Office will be open 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Police Department will be open on all days for emergency operations; however, administrative functions will be closed.

Trash collection will occur normally except for on Thanksgiving Day, where trash collection for the remainder of the week will be pushed back one day and no street sweeping will occur on Thanksgiving Day. Parking enforcement for street sweeping will be suspended on November 11, 26, and 27.

The City of La Palma will officially kickoff its Silver Jubilee celebration of La Palma Days festivities with the 2009 La Palma Pageant on Sunday, November 8, 2009, at 5:00 p.m... The Pageant will be held at The Performing Arts Center at John F. Kennedy High School, 8281 Walker Street, La Palma, California 90623.

Master of Ceremonies Michael Buss will host this year’s event to crown the new La Palma Ambassador and bid farewell to the 2008-2009 Miss La Palma, Tina Estrada. Nine contestants are seeking the coveted title of La Palma Ambassador, which will be featured in the La Palma Days Parade on November 14, 2009, and will represent the community throughout the year at a variety of public events. “We are very fortunate to have nine exceptional contestants,” says Alta Duke, speaking on behalf of the La Palma Pageant Committee. “We encourage everyone to attend this significant pageant, since we are observing the 25th Anniversary of La Palma Days.”

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Event tickets are currently available at the La Palma Recreation and Community Services Department for $12.00 each and will be available at the venue on the day of the event.

The City of La Palma will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of La Palma Days on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central Park, 7821 Walker Street... The volunteer La Palma Days Coordinating Committee has been working diligently to provide the La Palma community with an event to remember. The Band Review starts at 9:45 a.m. with the community parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. Special guests joining the parade this year are the 1st Marine Division Band from Camp Pendleton. Representatives from La Palma’s Sister City, Hanam, South Korea, will be on hand at the community festival following the parade to provide information and answer questions about their community.

On Saturday, November 14, over 130 units, including Honorary Grand Marshal Mickey Mouse, marching bands, dignitaries, schools, organizations, and community groups, will march down Walker Street in the annual La Palma Days Parade and Band Review. Considered one of Southern California’s premiere events, the Band Review will feature 30 high school and junior high school bands competing for top honors.

After the conclusion of the parade, Central Park will host the La Palma Days community festival. The festival will feature games and activities for all ages, entertainment, great food, specialty vendors, cultural and historical displays, and arts and crafts. To purchase discounted wristbands, which are good for all activities except for the midway games, please visit the La Palma Recreation and Community Services Department prior to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13. After that time, tickets or wristbands may be purchased at the event on November 14.

The main Pavilion Stage will feature various cultural and family entertainers throughout the day and the Arts and Crafts, and Cultural and Historical sections will provide unique opportunities for families to learn more about La Palma and its diverse community. Visit the craft booths and get a jump on your holiday shopping with a variety of handcrafted items. Come hungry as 14 food vendors will be offering delectable treats and international cuisine to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Entertainment Schedule:
11:00 a.m. 80’s Rewind (Tribute to the 80’s)
12:15 p.m. La Palma Recreation, Jazz, Tap & Ballet Dancers &
Linda Buell’s Dance Workshop
12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Pickles the Clown (Balloon Animals)
11:00 – 6:00 p.m. Air Brush Tattoos
1:00 p.m. Mariachi Divas (Mariachi Performers)
2:00 p.m. The Side Effects (Doo Wop a Cappella)
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. Country Kickers (Line Dancers)
3:45 – 4:15 p.m. Joo Korean Dance Institute
4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Sarasona (2009 La Palma/Cypress Battle of the Bands Winner)

For more information please visit call the Recreation and Community Services Department at (714) 690-3350.
[Additional info...]

The City of La Palma Building Permit Fee Holiday Program is underway. This program, which began on July 1, waives all City charged permit fees for building, planning, and related public works permits... for existing single family residential home remodels, additions, or improvements. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and also consider completing resource saving “green improvements” such as changing out old
windows, installing tankless water heaters, or adding solar panels. Fees charged by other agencies and collected by the City on their behalf are not eligible under the program. A homeowner can expect to save approximately $1,647 in plan check and permit fees for a typical 360 square foot master bedroom and bathroom addition. This program is expected to run through June 30, 2010; however, funding has been limited to the first $50,000 in permit fees and residents are encouraged to take advantage of the program early. Mayor Mark Waldman said, “Even in these difficult economic times, we have a large budget surplus due to prudent financial management. The Permit Fee Holiday Program is an excellent way to return our residents’ money and encourage home improvements that may lead to higher property values in La Palma.” For further information, please contact the Community Development Department at (714) 690-3340.

While not an exhaustive list, this report briefly memorializes the programs and significant accomplishments that occurred in the City of La Palma over the past year or so. [The List...]

In order to better serve the community, La Palma is joining the Orange County AlertOC emergency mass notification system. AlertOC is a joint County/City mass notification system designed to keep residents and businesses informed of emergencies.

La Palma residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to register their personal contacts into its confidential database. By registering with AlertOC, time-sensitive voice messages from the County or City may be sent to your home, cell or business phone. Text messages may also be sent to cell phones, e-mail accounts and hearing-impaired receiving devices.

AlertOC can be activated on regional or neighborhood-specific levels to deliver messages directly to affected individuals via phone, email or text. The system is pre-loaded with all landline phone numbers. However, phone service provided through cable or cell companies is not included and these customers must self-register. Additionally, residents or businesses should self-register additional contact points, such as cell phone numbers or email addresses, in order to maximize the system’s effectiveness.

To receive important messages from AlertOC, La Palma residents are encouraged to register their contact information online. The registration is quick and simple and will allow you to receive important emergency notifications. La Palma residents who have previously registered with the CodeRed system, must re-register with AlertOC to continue to receive emergency messages. [Additional info & Registration...]

The City offers residents a free local Universal Waste Recycling Program for household batteries and fluorescent light bulbs, including compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s).

The program is funded by a grant from the County of Orange, in partnership with the cities of Cypress, Los Alamitos, and Stanton. Residents can drop-off all household batteries (no vehicle batteries) at La Palma City Hall in the designated “battery box”. Additionally, small bags are available at City Hall to store batteries or CFL’s until they can be properly recycled. Please note, all fluorescent light bulbs must be recycled at one of the following participating commercial locations:

• Ganahl Lumber, 10742 Los Alamitos Blvd, Los Alamitos
• Jiffy Lube, 4942 Lincoln Ave, Cypress
• Jiffy Lube, 3311 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos
• True-Value Hardware, 7612 Katella Ave, Stanton

Should you have any additional questions regarding this local universal waste recycling program, please contact the recycling coordinator at (714) 690-3337.
[Additional info...]

Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) are very aggressive ants that were originally native to South America, that were accidentally introduced to North America and are beginning to colonize parts of California, including Orange County.

They vigorously defend their nests, attack in large numbers and sting repeatedly. Orange County residents are encouraged to be vigilant in their own yards as well as any time they are visiting a park, golf course or any place that has a large turf area. Fire ant colonies are distinct but southern California colonies rarely build the large mounds typical of RIFA in other parts of the country. Almost all of the mounds in Orange County are found in irrigated areas, most often turf which gets mowed every week. Look for a patch of fine granular soil where it doesn’t belong; for example, in the middle of a lawn. It is possible that if a colony has settled into an irrigated planter or other landscaped area, a mound will develop, usually at the base of a shrub. Another common location is adjacent to a hardscape feature like a large rock or a concrete walkway. These large, dense objects store heat during the day and release it slowly during the night.

If you suspect you may have located a RIFA colony, do not disturb it; call the Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) at (714) 971-2421. An OCVCD inspector will visit the site within a couple of days and if RIFA are confirmed, treatment will begin. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible about the location. Simply naming the park may result in OCVCD inspectors failing to find the colony, or spending too much time searching. It is important to confirm the presence of fire ants prior to treating, so the more detailed the directions, the better. [Orange County Vector Control Information]

The La Palma City Council recently approved a Permit Fee Holiday Program to encourage and promote investment and improvements to existing single family residential properties throughout the City. The La Palma City Council recently approved a Permit Fee Holiday Program to encourage and promote investment and improvements to existing single family residential properties throughout the City.

Beginning July 1, all City charged permit fees for building, planning, and related public works permits will be waived for single family residential home remodels, additions, or improvements. Residents are encourged to take advanatage of this opportunity and consider completing resource saving "green improvements" such as changing out old windows, installing tankless water heaters, or adding skylights. Fees charges by other agencies and collected by the City on their behalf are not eligible under the program. A homeowner can expect to save approximately $1,647 in plan check and permit fees for a typical 360 square foot master bedroom and bathroom addition. This program is expected to run through June 30, 2010; however funding has been limited and residents are encouraged to take advantage of the program early.

For further information, please contact the Community Development Department at (714) 690-3340.

In order to better serve the community, La Palma is joining the Orange County AlertOC emergency mass notification system. AlertOC is a joint County/City mass notification system designed to keep residents and businesses informed of emergencies.

La Palma residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to register their personal contacts into its confidential database. By registering with AlertOC, time-sensitive voice messages from the County or City may be sent to your home, cell or business phone. Text messages may also be sent to cell phones, e-mail accounts and hearing-impaired receiving devices.

AlertOC can be activated on regional or neighborhood-specific levels to deliver messages directly to affected individuals via phone, email or text. The system is pre-loaded with all landline phone numbers. However, phone service provided through cable or cell companies is not included and these customers must self-register. Additionally, residents or businesses should self-register additional contact points, such as cell phone numbers or email addresses, in order to maximize the system’s effectiveness.

To receive important messages from AlertOC, La Palma residents are encouraged to register their contact information online. The registration is quick and simple and will allow you to receive important emergency notifications. La Palma residents who have previously registered with the CodeRed system, must re-register with AlertOC to continue to receive emergency messages. [Additional info & Registration...]

The Cypress School District has indicated that because of declining enrollment and the worsening budget crisis they will likely need to close two additional schools in 2010... Steve Luther Elementary School, located on La Palma Avenue near Redford Lane, has been identified as one of several schools being considered for closure. The District indicates that the closure identification process will likely take the next several months, with the goal of identifying specific school sites by December 2009 and conduct formal School Board action in February 2010. Although the Cypress School District is an independent agency not directly affiliated with the City of La Palma, city staff members are monitoring the closure discussion process.

The Cypress School District has established the Master Facilities Plan Committee to develop a Master Plan for the District, which will address school site modernization projects, facilities needs, future enrollment trends, property development, possible school closures, and financial resources. The committee’s recent meetings have involved the school closure discussion. More information about this potential school closure is available at the Cypress School District’s website http://www.cypsd.k12.ca.us under the tab Master Facilities Plan Committee or by calling (714) 220-6900.
[Cypress School District Website...]