Beachcombing

"Emergency Alert: Severe. Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On, Protect Yourself. – USGS ShakeAlert."

That’s what my cell phone posted at 10:08 a.m. on Monday, about 15 seconds after the 10-second event! It was recorded at 5.2 magnitude near Julian, in San Diego County. That’s 128 miles from Long Beach and did not come close to disturbing our pool water, which has been known to splash over the sides when there’s a temblor on a larger scale.

I guess that message could be called progress, considering that we did not have such automatic notifications in the past.

The 1971 Sylmar earthquake of 6.6 magnitude caused about $500 million in damage and sloshed lots of pool water at our Anaheim Road apartment complex. The 1994 Northridge 6.7 quake caused $20 billion in damage and our home pool water took notice as well.

I’m glad that we were born after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, recorded at 6.4 magnitude and $50 million ($1.2 billion today) in damage.

All things considered, our infrequent major temblors are much more tolerable in comparison to the lost lives and property destruction seen annually in the eastern states from hurricanes and tornadoes.

This issue of the Beachcomber announces the winners in our 24th annual Best of Long Beach contest. Also on page 7 are the prize winners who submitted contest ballots and had their names drawn to win gift cards and admission tickets.

In recent years our list of sponsors has gotten smaller, meaning that fewer participants get prizes. Any business that distributes gift cards or free admission tickets can greatly grow their customer base by participating in this low-cost marketing program. It’s also an excellent way for a new personal service business (hair care, nails, massage, etc.) to build a client base.

To become a Beachcomber contest sponsor, provide us with 12 gift certificates or gift cards with a minimum value of $25 each. Sponsors who also run a minimum of six display advertisements throughout the year will have their organization’s logo displayed on page one of every issue. Call us for details: (562) 597-8000.

Things to ponder:

• Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
• Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
• I intend to live forever ... So far, so good.
• If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
• Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.
• What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
• My mechanic told me, “I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.”
• Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

publisher@beachcomber.news