I'd like to thank Joe for asking me to contribute here--I really respect his ideas and desire to forge a healthy future for Main Street. For me, it will always be what defines the city. Also thanks to Joe for posting my traffic video that was written up in the paper. I wish I could say there was some significant response from City Council (they all received the video) but there wasn't. Maybe they think the driving is fine. Me? I think the driving standards here in HB are declining at a rate that's almost too fast to track--the distracted, self-absorbed, impatient, cell phone yakking "drivers" (I use that term loosely) who are making this city senselessly unsafe. The lady the other day in the bright orange Hummer, on the phone, applying makeup and enjoying what looked like an iced mocha seemed to totally forget she was piloting a three-ton death sled before she found the time (and the free hand) to flip me off after I merely glared her way. Speed limits are getting doubled in some cases, stop signs and red lights are simply a reason to slow down and the last time a turn signal was used, I believe Al Stewart was playing at the Golden Bear.
Oh well. At least I found a sliver of peace, protected from the tangle and congestion of angry, wreckless drivers...
I used to roll my eyes a bit when we'd drive past Dog Beach. "Do dogs need that much beach?"
"Isn't it a bit excessive?" "Is it clean?" Then we adopted a dog. One visit, and I was hooked. Sure, it's good for the dogs, who get a blissful sensory overload of sand, salty water and other dogs. But I think Dog Beach might be even better for the people who bring the dogs. This tucked away stretch of sand seems to function as its own little Utopia. People seem relaxed, civil, even thoughtful as they watch their hounds bound in the surf. There are common bonds here, shared responsibilites and lots of basic decency. Personally, I love watching our kids play with the dog here, because it's a great place to just be a kid. Or to be anyone. People seem meditative here, some surfers and perhaps some dolphins might dot the water's surface, and on the right day it's the perfect Huntington Beach postcard. No ads, no development... just a laid-back slice of classic Southern California culture. For all you know down on the beach, the year might be 1965. or 1975. There are no clues to give it away. It's like a beautiful time warp.
There is much local development on the horizon near downtown. No doubt it will bring more of the boorish drivers who place actual "driving" at about 8th on the list of what they are doing in the car. Congestion, heavy traffic and more modern clattter will certainly follow. That is the world we live in. But I hope this little paradise is left alone. Dog Beach may be the last sanctuary to find some sanity, small-town civility and the true spirit of what "Surf City" means to a lot of people. And besides... the dogs love it.
To support these good people, visit: http://www.dogbeach.org/
Dog Beach has always been one of my joys and contributes greatly to our quality of life here in HB.
Posted by: Joe Shaw | February 07, 2007 at 01:01 PM