SEAL BEACH : Plenty of Activities Planned This Weekend--Too Many, Some Argue

It promises to be a busy weekend here with an antique car show, a health fair and a professional volleyball tournament all scheduled for today--a little too busy, some council members say.

The council members say a volunteer group that coordinates the city calendar has a history of scheduling too many simultaneous events.

The antique car show is expected to attract hundreds of visitors to Main Street from Pacific Coast Highway to the beach today. But a two-day, professional beach volleyball tournament also begins today.

“Where people are going to park I have absolutely no idea,” Councilman William J. Doane said.

A Red Cross health fair with a host of community health organizations offering free health screenings is also scheduled, across town at the Rossmoor shopping center.

Doane said he was contacted by concerned business owners and residents who fear an overload of traffic and tourists pouring into the city this weekend.

Councilwoman Gwen Forsythe said the pileup of community events on the same day has happened too often. In the past, she said, it has hampered fund-raising efforts by local schools and community groups.

“You end up with competition for the same customers and a phenomenal impact on the community as far as traffic is concerned,” Forsythe said.

The city’s coordinating council, made up of elected volunteers from community groups ranging from the Lions Club to the Chamber of Commerce, is responsible for scheduling.

Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Marcel Daniels said the large number of community groups in the city makes scheduling difficult.

“Unfortunately, things fall through the cracks,” Daniels said. “Sometimes organizations fail to send representatives to the coordinating council meeting. But these are all service organizations who are trying to do their best.”

Doane said the scheduling glitch points to the city’s need for a master calendar that would list all city events and governmental meetings.

“That’s something we don’t have,” Doane said, “and I think the city ought to take it over.”