SeaWorld Cancels Fireworks Display

Anheuser Busch’s SeaWorld Adventure Park announced Sunday, Aug. 20 its intention to stop its “Summer Nights” fireworks displays until they determine whether or not a discharge permit from the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board is necessary. Results could change water quality requirements for firework displays statewide.

The decision to cease firework displays was made in response to San Diego Coastkeeper’s 60-day Notice of Intent (NOI) to bring litigation to enforce the Clean Water Act’s mandate that a permit be obtained for displays that release potentially dangerous chemicals into Mission Bay.

The firework displays, which typically run around 9:50 p.m. every night from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, started in 1968 and are among the 120 or so firework displays SeaWorld puts on each year.

“We have never been required or requested to have a permit by the water board,” said Dave Koontz, public relations director for SeaWorld San Diego. “ But in light of the NOI, we decided that the most appropriate action was to ask the Quality Water Control Board to determine if a permit is required.”

In order to determine if a permit is needed, SeaWorld must fill out an application for the permit, which the water board will evaluate, Koontz said.

Bruce Reznick, executive director of San Diego Coastkeeper, says that it comes down to regulatory laziness.

from sdnews.com

http://www.westofthefive.com

Fed Takes A Break From Rate Hikes

The Federal Reserve on Tuesday ended two years of 17 consecutive increases in the federal funds rate, letting it stay put at 5.25 percent.

The Federal Open Market Committee may not be done raising interest rates to keep inflation in check, saying “some inflation risks remain.” But unemployment in July rose from 4.6 percent to 4.8 percent and economic growth slowed to 2.5 percent this spring, off by nearly half from the pace of the first three months of the year.

“Economic growth has moderated from its quite strong pace earlier this year, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices,” the committee said in a statement. Inflation risks remain, and “The extent and timing of any additional firming that may be needed to address these risks will depend on the evolution of the outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information.”

The decision to take a break from interest-rate hikes was widely expected, and long-term mortgage rates had already fallen to four-month lows in anticipation of the move. The 30-year fixed-rate average sank to 6.07 percent overnight, and the 15-year rate dipped to 5.78 percent, according to figures compiled by Bankrate.

From Inman News Aug 8th.

http://www.WestoftheFive.com

Disappearing Fire Rings Along Beach and Bay Divide Community

For the last 50 years, fire rings could be found on every court and cross street in Mission Beach and on Mission Bay. However, in the last two years, fire rings now number fewer than 100 from an original 400. Not only have they decreased in total number, they are largely gone from the residential areas altogether, with residents having to drive to park areas or parking lots to enjoy sitting around a beach fire.

The disappearance is just one more casualty of the city’s bleak financial situation, according to Michael Behan, deputy Park and Recreation director for San Diego.

Behan, whose responsibility it is to oversee Mission Beach and Bay, said money for fire rings is not on his budget.

“The City Council cut the budget last year by 50 percent for this program,” Behan said. “We went from 300 to 150 [fire rings] on the ocean front and in Mission Bay Park. It was a permanent decrease from the budget. They cut the staff that provided the service that empties the fire rings and the money to purchase them.”

read more

from sdnews.com

Beach/Park Smoking Ban Hits A Hiccup

fter unanimously approving the smoking ban ordinance on June 19, the San Diego City Council recently announced that the measure will take effect Aug. 11.

The decision came after the council’s second reading of the ban July 11.The ordinance outlaws smoking at all city beaches and parks. Violations will be considered a misdemeanor offense punishable by a maximum six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Violations can also be prosecuted as an infraction with no jail time and a $250 fine for the first offense.

There is some disagreement over whether or not beach boardwalks will also be smoke-free.

To resolve this problem, an amendment to the original ordinance is in progress. The amended ordinance will require another vote and must wait until after the legislative recess, which will end on Sept. 12.

While smoking bans are usually enacted for public health reasons, San Diego’s action is considered a response to litter, as cigarette butts are the most prolific trash item found on local beaches.

from La Jolla Village News August 03, 2006

Pending Homes Sales Index Rises

WASHINGTON (August 1, 2006) – Pending home sales – a leading indicator for the housing sector – have risen for the last two months, according to the National Association of Realtors^®.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said the small rise in the index is good news, indicating that the trend is stabilizing. “Once again, we have various housing indicators moving in different directions, which itself is an indicator of a market in transition,” he said. “The housing market is striving for balance – a process that will take several months. A quieting in the movement of indicators should restore confidence to home buyers who’ve been on the sidelines, waiting for the right time to get into the market, and now is the best time we’ve seen since the 1990s in terms of housing choices and flexible terms.” read more…

from the National Assoc. of Realtors