Advocacy

A group of Huntington Beach residents protested at Mesa Water District's meeting Tuesday night, trying to stop the district from working with Poseidon Resources. To Mesa Water District President James Fisler's surprise, about 10 people were in attendance to voice their disapproval on the district's transparency of its operations and its decision to form a desalination advocacy group called CalDesal, which some from the protest group say has ties with Poseidon, which is building a plant in Huntington Beach.

Health insurance companies approved to offer plans under Medicare's prescription drug benefit, which will take effect Jan. 1, can begin marketing them to Medicare beneficiaries today. As a result, people may feel overwhelmed and bombarded with the number of choices -- 19 companies in California will offer a variety of plans, including the standard Medicare prescription plan every company is required to offer. The good news, experts say, is that with a little patience and preparation, enrolling doesn't have to be a pain.

GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Independent. If you'd like information about getting your organization listed, call (714) 965-7170. Access to Sailing Inc. offers sailing programs for disabled children and adults. Duncan Milne, (714) 722-5371. Adult Day Services offers therapeutic programs for memory-impaired adults. Volunteers are needed to assist with group activities, clerical and reception work, board committees and advocacy. (714)

Jose Paul Corona Helping seniors get the medical care that they need and deserve is Henry Ramirez's passion. The 82-year-old Huntington Beach resident volunteers about 20 hours a week as a counselor for the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program in Santa Ana and Anaheim, where he helps seniors sort out Medicare problems. "My pleasure comes from helping people," Ramirez said. "It keeps me young and active -- that helps a lot with your physical health."

Mary A. Castillo The Hope View Elementary wetlands project was more than students learning about the Bolsa Chica wetlands. It was a project that allowed new teachers to learn from a seasoned one and let children share their knowledge with other students. "Welcome to the Hope View wetlands," said Timothy Porfolio, 7 as he stopped in front of an atrium that had been transformed into a mini-wetland. "Did you know that pelicans make big nests in big trees," he asked, pointing to a papier-mache pelican on the other side of the glass.

Two groups of activists recently asked the City Council to weigh in on national issues. Both appeals were colored by reference to the current war in Iraq, but their level of success diverged sharply. A group supporting the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney rallied at an intersection near City Hall Monday to plead their cause with passersby and drivers, then took their demands to the City Council. Though more than a dozen spoke to the council in favor of a resolution calling for impeachment, council members were either silent or openly opposed to the idea.

“So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.” — Roald Dahl’s Oompa–Loompas In “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”   Thousands of young readers will descend on Orange Coast College this Sunday for the Fifth Annual Orange County Children’s Book Festival. The event includes readings and signings with top authors and illustrators, exhibits, several stages of live entertainment and a popular wild animal arena.

A pair of coastal access advocacy groups have filed suit against the California Coastal Commission, hoping to throw out the permit for two housing development signs they say illegally restrict public access to public Bolsa Chica land. The suit, filed in Orange County Superior Court last week, states that Signal Landmark, the parent company of developer Hearthside Homes, was allowed to build two “illegally constructed” signs to mark the entrance of its Brightwater housing development south of Warner Avenue.