Week In Review: Mar. 21-28

The City Council took another step toward banning the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores on Tuesday, voting unanimously in favor of  the proposed ordinance. The Council intends the ban as a preventive measure against "puppy mill" and "kitten factory" breeders. The council will reach a final decision on the ban at its April 13 meeting.

On Thursday, Hermosa Beach Patch landed an exclusive interview with Alejandro Valladares' sister, Lucia Garcia.  Valladares was killed in an on-site accident on March 10 at the intersection of Sixth and Cypress streets. Garcia told Patch that her brother feared for his safety at the construction site. She also shared her insights into the life of her younger brother, revealing a man of integrity and moral convictions.

Hermosa Beach Patch also welcomed new columnist Joe Galliani to our pool. Galliani is an environmental activist  with  years of writing experience and in-depth knowledge on the subject of going green. Hermosa Beach prides itself as a city working toward carbon neutrality, but Galliani sees where those efforts are falling short and isn't hesitant to share his knowledge. His first contribution recounts his efforts to persuade city council  member to break their bottled water habit at meetings and implores them to use the Brita pitchers his environmentalist friend Dency Nelson provided to them at the meeting.

Patch had a great piece on Thursday that focused on the Free To Be Me drum circle that takes place every third Sunday of the month on the north side of the pier. Organizer Sabina Sandoval works with underprivileged youth and prison inmates, soothing their souls though musical therapy.

We were also proud to announce that Hermosa Beach is completing work on an Emergency Operations Center that will serve the community should a disaster occur and serve as a training center and gathering space the rest of the time. After two years of fundraising, planning and construction, the center is slated to open in May.

A fundraiser beachfront walk for the Samburu Project drew some 150 participants. The $12,000 raised will fund the construction of water wells in the Samburu district of Kenya.