Nature Center

Jose Paul Corona A plan proposed by the City Council two weeks ago to keep the Shipley Nature Center open wasn't feasible, at least for now, so the center will close its doors on Oct. 1. The volunteer group that the City Council handed responsibility for the center to, the Friends of the Shipley Nature Center, is not yet in a position to take on that kind of responsibility. The fledgling group, still working on gaining its nonprofit status, would need to develop a docent program for the center, and recruit and schedule volunteers to run it and get organized before it could feasibly run the center, said Stephanie Pacheco, president of the Friends of the Shipley Nature Center.

Ten years ago, the future of Shipley Nature Center was threatened due to difficult economic times in the city of Huntington Beach. Faced with closure, a group of dedicated volunteers stepped forward to make sure that the gates of Shipley would remain open for the public to enjoy. Today, with more than 100 volunteers and more than 28,000 visitors per year, Shipley Nature Center is thriving and allowing the local population to enjoy and utilize the information and natural beauty that Shipley has to offer.

The city of Huntington Beach and Shipley Nature Center are offering two free seminars on rainwater harvesting. The seminars will be presented by Rain Barrels Intl. and will focus on the importance of rainwater harvesting, the benefits of a rain barrel, installation of a rain barrel, and helpful methods to conserve water on your property. Rain barrels can be purchased at a wholesale community event price of $75. (They are currently selling for $129.00 to $169.00 in Southern California retail stores, according to a news release.)

VIC LEIPZIG AND LOU MURRAY The first sign of trouble was the pair of mallards swimming in our front yard. The ducks thought our flooded front yard was a fine place to spend a rainy morning. When it rains as much as it did this past weekend, excess water flows from our little pond in front, across the driveway, and down a small drain that keeps storm water out of our garage. Well, usually the drain keeps water out of the garage. Not on Monday.

VIC LEIPZIG AND LOU MURRAY Just more than a year ago, the city closed the Shipley Nature Center because of lack of funds. A fledgling group called the Friends of Shipley Nature Center had formed only a few months earlier to inform the public about the plight of the nature center. But when the city locked the gates, the group's members bravely shouldered the task of renovating and reopening the center. They probably had no idea what a huge task they were facing.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS The Bolsa Chica Land Trust has a table set up with wetlands information from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the third Sunday of each month at Bolsa Chica in the parking lot by the pedestrian walk bridge on Pacific Coast Highway. For more information call (714) 960-9939. The Bolsa Chica Stewards needs help with its native planting project at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The group plants native plants, removes non-native vegetation, grooms trails, collects trash and waters new plants.

Send AROUND TOWN items to the Huntington Beach Independent, 18682 Beach Blvd., Suite 160, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; fax to (714) 965-7174; call (714) 965-7176 or e-mail at hbindy@ latimes.com. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. FRIDAY "God at the Movies," a unique Bible study that will look at movies in a new, creative way will last for six weeks on Friday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Christ Presbyterian Church, 20112 Magnolia St. Admission is free and child care is available with one-week advance notice.

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)

Happenings Rising stars Huntington Beach girls Breanna Bowers, 13, and Lauryn Judson, 9, are performing in Broadway on Tour's production of "Annie" at the Ebell Theater in Santa Ana until Sept. 15. B1 ALSO: Reel critics review "Simone" and "Possession." B2 Rockin' Fig gives the latest from the surf scene. B1 CITYSCAPE Shipley saved As budget talks continue, one thing is for certain, Shipley Nature Center will remain open and Ranger Dave Winkler will have a job. A4 SPORTS Dreams realized Huntington Beach High graduate Vince Strang has realized his dream as a walk-on for the Golden Bears football team.