Merry Christmas To You All

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR....
It's time to turn the old cauldron down to simmer again so my sweet and very patient wife and I can join you all in celebrating this holiday season.  Enjoy the photo of my neighbor, Sharon's, tree... thousands of lights and ornaments. 

....FOR PEACE AND GOODWILL
It's been a very interesting year, to say the very least.  I doubt there has ever been a need for more "peace on earth, goodwill to men" in Costa Mesa than right now, today.

THANK YOU...
Thanks to all of you who try to make our city a better place.  Your efforts are very much appreciated.  I'd list you all here, but that would exceed the limits of the storage on this site.  And thanks to the thousands of you who read these pages each month.  I know some of you don't agree with me, but that's OK...  You're still welcome here.

WATCH FOR THE DP 103
And, before we close for now, keep your eyes peeled for the Daily Pilot DP 103, which is scheduled to be published on Friday.  It's always an adventure and fun to see which of our neighbors make the list - and which do not.  Last year Chief Tom Gazsi was, appropriately, listed in the top spot.  He's moved on to an exciting new assignment so I have no idea who will lead the pack this year - it sure won't be me! 

AND, IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON...
As has become a kind of tradition here, I present to you for your listening pleasure, one of my favorite Christmas parodies - the remarkable Stan Freberg's Green Christmas.  Yeah, you have your Bing Crosby's White Christmas and Johnny Mathis singing Silent Night, but nothing says Christmas to me like old Stan.

AND THERE'S FOOTBALL, TOO!
We'll be back sometime soon.  So, a Very Merry Christmas to you all and a Very Happy New Year.  Go Ducks - win two!




MR. FREBERG...
And now, Stan, if you please....

'Tis The Season

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS...

This Christmas Eve we here at A Bubbling Cauldron want wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

ANDY WILLIAMS describes the season perfectly...

HARRY BELAFONTE reminds us of the reason for the season...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY...

Merry Christmas, Everyone...

 SOME MUSIC FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
In case you needed a little music to help you through this day, here are a couple ditties that you may find enjoyable.

A CLASSIC
This first one, The Christmas Song by Nat "King" Cole is a classic.


A NEW ONE
This one, by Ray Stevens, is newer, but sends an important message.

 
MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL...
We here at A Bubbling Cauldron wish every one of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a safe, prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

A Little More Christmas Spirit...

MORE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FOR YOU ALL
I think it's time for a little more Christmas spirit.  In light of some of the horrendous events of the past few days, I suspect you all need a little smile about now.

I provided this one for you last year, too, so I know many of you enjoyed it.

You'll remember this one every time you grab an Arby's...

So, now, as you finish your lunch....



(Slide your cursor over to the side and click on the link for this one under "Previous Posts" before you play it.  You'll get rid of most of that clutter on the right side of the play window.  Better yet, click on the "full screen" option and enjoy)

Have Yourself A Merry....

A GOOD WAY TO BEGIN...
It's time to get into that old Christmas spirit, folks.  This clip will be a great way to start.

Miss Judy, if you please...

Closures And The 19th Street Bridge, Again

SLOWING NEWS...
OK, folks... we're getting closer to Christmas and the news is slowing down..





CITY HALL HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Today Bill Lobdell, who is still Interim Communication Director for the City of Costa Mesa, sent a little love note out to let us know that City Hall will be closed from December 26th through January 2nd. He also advised that there will be a small number of employees on duty to handle any maintenance issues. I wrote back and told him I have his cell number, so I'll be able to call him to have a park toilet plunged or a tree pruned, if necessary.

OTHER CLOSURES
He also advised that the Neighborhood Community Center, Downtown Recreation Center and Balearic Community Center will be closed, and that there will be no street sweeping next week.

DAILY PILOT 19TH STREET BRIDGE ARTICLE
You recall my previous post about the meeting in Huntington Beach on January 5th at which Supervisor John Moorlach will apparently lead the discussion of a possible 19th Street Bridge over the Santa Ana River to Huntington Beach. Well, the Daily Pilot wrote about it, too, and it generated a growing storm of discontent in the comments that were attached. Then the computer system that manages that stuff for them apparently had a seizure because the date line on the article was OCTOBER 1st and all the comments posted carried OCTOBER dates... too strange. Then, apparently in the process of correcting this problem the entire article, which appeared HERE, just disappeared! Not to worry. We here at A Bubbling Cauldron are at your service. Here, for your reading pleasure, are all the comments that had accumulated the last time I saw this article: (Note: there's more fun at the end)

Drew N at 5:15 PM September 30, 2011

Why bring this turkey of an idea back? It's not remotely affordable, it's not remotely needed and even if it was there's the cost/benefit analysis. It will undoubtedly spawn a legion of lawsuits as folks quite rightly scream bloody murder when they get imminent domained out of their homes. This is just more back room maneuvering to force acceptance of the Banning Ranch development. It's only a f-ing quarter mile up to Hamilton/Victoria which isn't exactly bumper to bumper with traffic. Someone is getting some developer kickbacks methinks

Ontheharbor at 5:58 PM September 30, 2011

--BRIDGE for SALE-- Includes views of California Gnatcatcher habitat and sports park. Must sell before November 2012, so Willing to Deal! Contact Seller Directly. ***Available only to buyers outside NB Council District 2.

Drew N at 6:15 PM September 30, 2011

I hate to double post,but this just pisses me off so much. A quick glance at a map will show anyone with a brain how stupid this idea is. Bushard f-ing ends at Magnolia on the H.B. side so to go into downtown H.B. you'll still need to go down Brookhurst to PCH or up to Atlanta. Anyone coming into C.M. from H.B. isn't going to either come up from PCH to Magnolia, or down from Hamilton to this ridiculous bridge when it's faster to take Victoria or Adams in and shoot down Placentia or Harbor. The only folks whom this would impact are those on Bushard who don't even want it. It's our very own bridge to f-ing nowhere. This is just as asinine as the proposal to connect 19th to PCH, when there are easy routes already available. Quit trying to line your pockets with developer money while screwing over your constituents, and quit supporting this ridiculous Banning Ranch proposal that benefits the rich few while destroying a natural resource that belongs to everyone. The whole damn world doesn't need to be covered in crappy condos.

Gericault77 at 8:30 PM September 30, 2011

RRRRRRIgheimer..........doesn't live on the westside. Westsiders ride their bikes to the beach.....and we like not having the unnecessary traffic.This is what happens, when you elect a developer and NOT a Costa Mesan.

Alex4321 at 1:27 AM October 1, 2011

F the bridge and F Righeimer. That guy will sell out Costa Mesa faster than you can say the fairgrounds. Costa Mesa doesn't need more traffic. Huntington Beach and Newport Beach already cut through our city enough.

sadie1 at 8:18 AM October 1, 2011

Costa Mesa Council members that support the 19th St bridge need to go.

GOP Nutcase at 9:25 AM October 1, 2011

I'm sure this whole scheme was dredged up again by the king of corruption Jim Righeimer. Nobody in Costa Mesa wants this to happen, it's a horrible idea and always has been. That being said, since Righeimer has only HIS interests at stake and cares nothing about the city or it's residents we should be very worried.

Another publicity stunt to benefit the worst councilman the city has ever been infected with.

John Feeney at 2:41 PM October 1, 2011

Newport Beach Councilmember Steve Rosansky is another blowhard from Newport Beach trying to tell us what to do in Costa Mesa. Hey Rosansky, put a sock in it!

Drew N at 3:06 PM October 1, 2011

It's not just us Westsiders that should be up in arms over this. Anyone who lives along 19th east of Newport should be pretty upset about this as well since this will create a straight shot all the way to Dover. That stretch of 19th is already plenty busy enough.

Alex4321 at 4:28 PM October 1, 2011

It would increase traffic for Newport Blvd. and 19th street too which is already maxed out. Last I checked East Siders don't want more traffic either.

Deja Vu at 3:32 PM October 1, 2011

Just like a bad penny, this bad idea keeps coming back.

Tom Egan2 at 3:49 PM October 1, 2011

Just suppose there was enough money to optimize. What might it look like?

(Keep in mind the crucial requirements and constraints:

• Newport wants to get commuter traffic off “its” stretch of PCH between Dover and the city limits with HB);
• Costa Mesa wants its downtown back;
• Eastsiders and Westsiders are adamantly opposed to commuter traffic through their neighborhoods;
• Eastside HBers don’t want commuter traffic going through their neighborhoods either;
• Bever wants less commute traffic on “his” street, W. Victoria;
• Righeimer wants to have major infrastructure projects on his political cv;
• many, many people don’t want sensitive environments between the bluffs and river messed with.)

Summary: put everything under ground. Three tunnels splitting off from the end of the surface freeway at 19th:

1. one that goes straight under downtown and emerges at about 16th (already under study);
2. a second one that heads west under 19th, under the river, emerging at PCH and Brookhurst;
3. a third one that heads east to emerge at Dover and PCH.

Everybody goes away happy!

Money to pay for it? Hey, our developer leaders can show their stuff by finding financial angels.

bwcmwest at 11:25 PM October 1, 2011

This is just another example of how Jim Righeimer is the worst Councilmember ever!! If he wants the bridge, go put it down his neighborhood off Gisler right in Mesa Verde. Lets see how popular he becomes.

On the other hand this is the perfect issue for the entire city to see just how horable he really is. Righeimers new election words are -

"Vote for me, I will fire the entire Police Department, outsource the City to any low bid contractor (his friends) , wast your tax dollars on a worthless bridge, and slurry your streets, and by the way I dont even own a home here".

This man has only been in the city for less then 5 years and he has all but destroyed the city. He posts signs all around Mesa Verde talking about "you tax dollars at work" These are Measure M funds and he wants to take the credit. Jim and his fat texting friend need to be recalled.

If this is the best the the GOP has to offer, then we are in trouble.

Fighter Pilot at 12:35 AM October 2, 2011

Yes. Someone else who sees Righeimer for exactly what he is. How this man got elected to the City Council just baffles me. He has not done one thing positive for the City of Costa Mesa.

GOP Nutcase at 10:28 AM October 2, 2011

You forgot to mention the millions (yes millions) of dollars he is wasting on overpriced and unnecessary legal fees. He is without a doubt the worst councilman our city has ever had.

Brocktoon at 1:58 AM October 2, 2011

After we build the bridge, we should start work on doubling the capacity of the 55, and extend it all the way to Balboa. Then, we should build a bridge over the Back Bay. I'm thinking some kind of feeder straight to Fashion Island. Once that's done, maybe we can pay for full-time science teachers. But ONLY if I get tax cut; I needs a new boat!

Joseph Tinnirello at 3:30 AM October 2, 2011

Elected officials... So not that corrupt slime ball appointee Mesdinger, right?

checkyoursix at 7:55 AM October 2, 2011

As much as I love the OCGOP and appreciate the recent efforts of council, this bridge is a bad idea. I would love for it to be forced on Gericault with noise 24/7 as payback for his constant noise but would not wish it on the other people, the normal ones, who live there. Building new roads or widening existing ones does not work here in the beach area. They will ALL fill up. The best solution is actually slowing things down by constricting flow, then they go elsewhere. Hate to see this but at least if it does happen it will happen to Gericault but major disappointment has and will continue to flow his way (bad karma) so this is overkill.

Fighter Pilot at 10:46 AM October 2, 2011

My God give it a rest. You make just as much noise as Gericault. Can't you just comment on the issue at hand than to always attack someone because they disagree with you. Don't you think you little love fest with the Council and the OCGOP is a little sick? Agreeing with a group is fine, but loving them?

JohnnyLuv at 7:32 AM October 3, 2011

Bitter, right back at you... it's pretty apparent some folks are here just to complain about the city council even when it's not relevant. Like that wacky greg ridge fella. I wouldn't be surprised if you were just another of his personalities.

EstanciaGrad'2011 at 9:29 AM October 2, 2011

This bridge would cut through a great ecological enviroment that stretches alont the santa ana river, and add too much traffic to an already busy 19th street. Also, it would add too many crowds to my favorite taco joint on the corner of 19th and monrovia!! If Rosanski and Righeimer want to get to HB, they just have to drive one street down to Victoria/ Hamilton, lazy asses!

Blake Anderson at 10:51 AM October 2, 2011

The proposed bridge will cross the northern 1/3 of the Sanitation District's 100-acre Plant 2 in Huntington Beach, one of its wastewater treatment plants. The Sanitation District secured this site (and a 2nd 100 acre site in Fountain Valley) over 60 years ago to provide wastewater treatment and later water reclamation. That foresight has provided the northwestern half of OC with the ability to build families and businesses while simultaneously protecting public health and our ocean. Since the early 70s, the Orange County Water District has built three world-famous water reclamation plants on portions of the Fountain Valley property. Eventually, water reclamation plants may be built in Huntington Beach.

Today, the Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley sites serve the long-term needs of over 2 million people. How many will they serve 60 years from now? Imagine the impact of a roadway and bridge crossing this vital piece of OC infrastructure. The portion of the 100 acres we are talking about is vacant land now, held in reserve for, well, forever. More families, more businesses, more wastewater and more reclaimed water are eventually in our collective futures.

Business and environmental leaders take note. Do we exchange the necessity of long-term regional needs for local traffic convenience? Do we?

Blake Anderson, Retired General Manager, Orange County Sanitation District

Alex4321 at 1:35 PM October 2, 2011

More cars will not make our city nicer or more livable.

JohnnyLuv at 7:28 AM October 3, 2011

I live several blocks away from 19th street. The bridge was a bad idea last time it was brought up and guess what? It still is a bad idea!

Developers may see $$$ building this albatross but residents dont want it. Costa Mesa City council do the right thing and listen to city residents. Either way, we will remember the decisions made now come next election.

jberry at 3:20 PM October 3, 2011

I have lived here for 20 years and this bad bridge idea comes up every few years. 19th Street is already backed up at Harbor/Newport Blvd/55. It will not help anyone in Costa Mesa. Traffic will be going to 18th, 17th, 16th, etc to get out of the traffic jam. It will not keep traffic off Victoria, and it will ruin the bike trail view. I don't have a problem discussing it, but I think the answer should still be no to the bridge. I think we should vote it down and not allow it to rear its ugly head for another 5 years.

kurtz101 at 3:58 PM October 3, 2011

STOP THESE TERRIBLE COMMENTS AT ONCE! THE RIGGMARSHAL WANTS A BRIDGE AND YOU WILL SHUT UP AND BUILD IT! USE YOUR KIDS' COLLEGE MONEY TO FUND IT! NOBODY DENIES DAS RIGGMARSHAL HIS WISHES!

OCJester at 7:09 PM October 3, 2011

The bridge will end up being ANOTHER "pass through" Costa Mesa 'til I get to the 55 route. Take a look at eastbound Victoria at the 55 at the morning commute.

Hey Riggy and Morelick,,,what's in it for Costa Mesa RESIDENTS? (read OWNERS not RENTERS) RENTERS don't have quite as much at stake, eh?

Rob Dickson at 11:56 AM October 4, 2011

These talks are long overdue - Costa Mesa needs to work with its neighbors to determine the fate of the Santa Ana River Crossings once and for all. This has been a contentious issue for at least 20 years. Simply wishing that the bridges will never be built will not erase them from the County Master Plan of Arterial Highways (http://www.octa.net/pdf/mpah2010.pdf). As evidenced by the attempts to remove the Gisler bridge, resulting in an MOU between the cities of Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach and OCTA - we cannot unilaterally decide. Despite concerted efforts by Costa Mesa, the MOU did not remove the Gisler bridge, only changed the classification to "Right-of-Way Reserve." As long as the bridges are on the MPAH, they are still on the table.

Jamie- at 2:42 PM October 4, 2011

I'm not clear. Exactly WHY does the area need this bridge? I live in Newport. On the rare occasion that I go to Wal-Mart or some place in HB I make the pleasant drive up PCH, or else over the Victoria or Adams Bridge. I've never encountered a traffic back-up. So why another bridge other than as a way for a few beach area HB residents to reach the 55 a bit quicker?

vespa_1 at 3:36 PM October 5, 2011

The article, 19th Street Bridge talks revived, states that about 5 years ago the cities agreed to "hold off on the Gisler Bridge". Actually what happened was that in 1993 an effort was made to build bridges across the Santa Ana River connecting Garfield with Gisler and connecting Banning with 19th Street. Traffic personnel from the four cities involved, county officials who were in charge of the Master Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH), and citizen representatives met for many months to determine improvements needed to provide for the area’s traffic without the two bridges. This group met for many months approving roadway improvements along the way. When the County of Orange went bankrupt OCTA took over the MPAH.

The plan was for future traffic without either bridge was completed. OCTA then determined that all parties had to agree or the plan would not be adopted. Neither Fountain Valley nor Newport Beach would agree. OCTA quietly, without any public discussion, allowed all of the months of effort to come to naught. The cities did not agree to “hold off on the Gisler Bridge”.

A left turn lane was added on southbound Brookhurst to Victoria to move traffic through that intersection. That was done with a brush and a small can of white paint. Someone should get Moorlach a brush and a can of white paint.

***

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR YOU
And now I leave you today with another little YouTube Christmas clip. This one is dedicated to our own municipal Scrooges, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and rookie non-elected councilman, Steve Mensinger. Enjoy the timeless talent of Dawes Butler and Stan Freberg - hit it, boys...

Santa's Getting Ready...

FEELIN' GRUMPY
With just 8 days to go until Christmas I'm feeling more like The Grinch than one of Santa's elves these days, so I find myself in need of some "perking up". After all, I don't want that jolly old fella to leave me a lump of coal in my stocking, do I?


SMILES GUARANTEED
So, here's a little early Christmas cheer for you. I gave you this "gift" a couple years ago, so you might consider this a kind of "re-gifting" event.

Enjoy...

Putting A Damper On Christmas

'TIS THE SEASON
I know some folks get depressed this time of the year. All the hub-bub of scurrying around buying presents, decorating every available surface with ornaments and faux foliage, the parties, etc. kind of gets to you. We lose track of what this season is really supposed to be all about. You know - "peace on earth, good will toward men" and all that stuff.

BLOGS TO BLAME!
This year it's been worse for me than others and I think I've discovered the reason. It's the darned blogs! Of course, it's my fault because I've allowed myself to become hooked on reading comment threads on our local newspaper of record, the Daily Pilot, and others.

ANONYMOUS GRINCHES
I'm depressed because it seems that, regardless the theme, some anonymous grinches will defile a wonderful communication tool and use the comment threads to criticize, demean, defame and slander folks. In a recent comment thread attached to an article about a long-time football coach at one of our high schools being fired, the more than five dozen comments shredded him, current and former players by name, parents and each other.

NO SUBJECT IS SPARED
Almost any article about education will typically end up with a long comment thread which can be guaranteed to be turned into an anti-illegal immigrant screed - even when those comments are completely irrelevant to the subject. When education articles discuss significant accomplishment at one of our local schools, comments will be posted twisting the accomplishment and attempting, again, to divert the praise for the accomplishment into a harangue about illegal immigration.

PETULANT POLITICIANS
I'm also disappointed and depressed that some of our local politicians - our young jailer/mayor and his buffoonish sidekick, the mayor pro tem, for example - use the comment threads as a forum to chide and criticize fellow council members. Sure, they can do it if they choose, but it certainly is a low-class move and pretty typical of them in everything they do. That's what we get when we elect small people to big jobs.

GUTLESS ANONYMOUS POSTERS (GAPS)
I'm depressed when I realize that the comment threads seem to be dominated by only a few people - some of whom certainly post under several anonymous names on the same thread. Much like stuffing the ballot box, this practice makes it appear that there is overwhelming support for his position. (I say "his" because I know who it is) My personal opinion is that no anonymous posts should be permitted. I mean, who knows where those comments are coming from? They could be from Irvine, Santa Ana or Rancho Cucamonga. It's my opinion that the Daily Pilot should hold the folks who post comments on their threads to the same standards that they do letters to the editor in the print edition, which requires signing your name and providing a telephone number for verification purposes. My pal, Byron de Arakal, has described these prolific anonymous posts as "graffiti", and he may be right.

MAY YOUR DAYS BE MERRY...
So, with just over a week until Christmas, I'll leave you to ponder those thoughts. And, in the spirit of the season, I'll leave you this time with the chorus from one of the classic Christmas songs of my youth - Stan Freberg's "Green Chri$tma$":



We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And please buy our beer!



Bah! Humbug!