CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Pennies for preventive programs

A citywide campaign to collect pennies to fund anti-drug and anti-violence education for Huntington Beach youth will be running through October.

The preventive programs will be offered at schools and in the city.

The Promoting Resources in Drug Education Foundation, based locally, will donate $1 for every pound of pennies collected in schools.

Volunteers collected about $15,000 last year, said Shirley Carey, foundation liaison. The foundation started the drive about five years ago and since has “collected tons of pennies” — once as much as $22,000, Carey said.

“Schools benefit significantly because then they can have a site-based program and get speakers on the subject or an after-school club keeping the kids busy,” she said.

The foundation also supports other charities in the city such as Red Ribbon Week, Every 15 minutes and the Substance Abuse and Violence education task force.

Pennies can be dropped off until Oct. 27 at Huntington Beach police substations or fire stations. The final collection site will be at Civic Center, 2000 Main St., on Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (714) 493-6169.

Rail tracks on Edinger to undergo repairs

Edinger Avenue between Beach Boulevard and Gothard Street will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. Saturday through 6 p.m. Sunday due to construction. Union Pacific Railroad is set to repair the railroad tracks crossing Edinger Avenue.

Employees of local businesses, however, would be allowed to get to work. Other traffic will have to use another route around the work area guided by detour signs at Beach Boulevard and Gothard Street.

Union Pacific will replace tracks and crossing pads as well as put in new paving on Edinger to smooth the road for traffic crossing the tracks. For more information, call Jason Churchill or Jim Jones of the Department of Public Works at (714) 960-8861.

Library offers new databases

The Huntington Beach Library is offering several new online databases for research. Instead of students picking up test books to prepare for a new job, or information for a high school or college report, they can use new library databases from its website. The databases help in history and science research, and in finding selected articles as well as trade journals. To access the databases, log on to the library’s website at www.hbpl.org and log in with the card and pin number.

Students can take tests online and do all of their research from home using the library’s website.

Appreciating the customer

The city celebrated its first Customer Appreciation Day on Wednesday with a slew of activities, prizes and Surf City attire. City departments handed out fliers, city information and giveaways.

Customer Appreciation Day was celebrated along with the nationwide Customer Service Week.

“It’s to recognize customers and people that we serve, honoring them and thanking them,” said Laurie Payne, city spokeswoman, who also headed the customer service committee.

To mark the day, city employee Gerald Caraig created artwork to represent the Surf City attitude with a slogan “HB Red Carpet Treatment.” City Clerk Joan Flynn modeled an apron with the logo at the City Council meeting Monday.

“The idea was city employees can come to work wearing regular business attire but make it fun by wearing some sort of Surf City attire, like flip-flops, leis or surf city sunglasses,” Payne said.

Department giveaways included certificates for a police ride-along, gift baskets and Surf City goodies.