An Explanation of the Hermosa Beach Daily Noon Siren

by admin on 04. Jun, 2010 in Uncategorized

WHAT’S THAT NOON SIREN?
Several people have asked about the siren that is heard at noon in Hermosa Beach. Delving into our Historical Society Museum’s archives, and into our file copies of the December 14, 1923, Hermosa Beach review weekly newspaper, the following was reported.
Fire Chief Clark Sergeant proposed to the Hermosa Beach Board of Trustees that a nightly 9 p.m. curfew siren be used to remind the town’s children to be off the city streets and return to their homes. Additionally, the daily use of the siren would keep it in good condition preventing rust from forming which would keep it in good condition in case of a fire warning.
The trustees decided a daily noon sounding of the siren would be a better use and gave Chief Sergeant direction to do so. Back in 1923, the Fire Department was manned by volunteer firemen, the sounding of the siren served to call the crew to fire duty. To this day the siren accurately announces to city residents, business people and visitors alike that the noon hour has occurred. The siren is located atop the roof of the Fire Department and year round sounds the noon hour Monday through Saturday. The change from standard time to daylight-saving time, and its reverse, seems to confuse the programming in the siren and several days may pass before it is properly adjusted.
Written by John Hales
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Hermosa’s endless summer construction

by admin on 11. May, 2010 in Uncategorized

Here’s an excerpt from the Easy Reader by Robb Fulcher

“The main thing I hear is that business owners feel they don’t have somewhere go keep up to date with what is going on,” Bobko said.

He said the city website is not doing the job.

“It won’t shock you when I say the city is not cutting-edge with its I.T.,” Bobko said. “We try really hard, but sometimes I feel we’re using the best East German technology available.”

Creating an updated web presence is among the council’s goals, “we just are not there yet,” he said.

He turned to local business consultant Josh Ochs, owner of Media Leaders, who said he would pitch in to help city officials communicate through Facebook, Twitter and emails. He said about 75 percent of Hermosa families use Facebook, and most local businesses do to.

Ochs said he envisions fresh updates on a Facebook page every 24 hours, for the businesses and the residents. People would also be able to leave comments.

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Hermosa Beach Fire Department Receives $15,000 Grant from The Fireman's Fund

by admin on 17. Nov, 2009 in Uncategorized

One Sunday afternoon in Hermosa Beach, my friend Jeff Coles and I were talking business.  He mentioned that his company, Swett & Crawford had the opportunity to donate money through the Fireman’s Fund to a department in need of new equipment.  I explained to Jeff that our city would be a great place to give the grant.  On November 11th the Fireman’s Fund presented a grant of $15,000 to the Hermosa Beach Fire Department.  This money will be used to purchase new equipment.

Photo credit: Louis Felix Photography

Photo credit: Louis Felix Photography

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Photos of the #Hermosa Beach Biltmore Hotel in 1941

by admin on 14. Sep, 2009 in Uncategorized

These are some of my favorite images of the Biltmore Hotel that used to reside in Hermosa Beach…


This is an old postcard showing the “Biltmore Hotel” in the 1940s

Biltmore Hotel from a postcsrd rendering


Photos and captions taken in 1941 by Leonard August Horstman, Sr.
by Roger Horstman
As detailed by the Hermosa Beach Historical Society

Attached are four photos taken in 1941 by my dad, Leonard August Horstman, Sr., when he first came to California. He lived on the Strand in Hermosa Beach for about two years. His apartment was on Strand St. between the pier and the Biltmore Hotel.

Biltore Hotel photo from 1941

The caption reads, “This was taken from the roof of our apt. house, looking north. The big building is the Biltmore Hotel, the largest building in Hermosa. The street is Strand Street — 1941″.

He took pictures everywhere he went. From Gettysburg to Mt. Rushmore (unfinished) to California. He would send them back to his family in Iowa. The attached photos were no exception. He wrote on the back of each photo so his parents would know about them. These were brought back to California along with many others in 1956.

hermosa beach scene -- 1941

The caption reads, “In front of our apt. on Sunday 2 weeks ago. These larger pictures were taken by the fellows from Texas — 1941.”

Photo of the pier from 1941

The caption reads, “Here is the pier which is 300 feet from our front door. The dark spots on the beach are sea weeds left from the tide during the night and the white spots are gulls. This trash is cleared away every day from the beach. — 1941″

Pier Avenue photo from 1941

The caption reads, “The main street of Hermosa Beach taken from the pier. — 1941.”

Short biography of Leonard August Horstman Sr.
by his son Roger Horstman

Leonard August Horstman Sr. left Iowa in about 1939. He first went to Pennsylvania. He worked on the Pennsylvania turnpike as a grader operator. He took pictures of the Pennsylvania turnpike under construction, Gettysburg and Shippensburg. He went to visit and take photos everywhere he went. He wrote on the back of each one and sent them back to his parents In Iowa. After Pennsylvania, he went back to Iowa and then on to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore which was unfinished at that time. He really wanted to move someplace where it was warm all year so he came to California. He ended up in Hermosa Beach. He rented an apartment in the Ramona Hotel on Strand St. next to the Biltmore Hotel. He worked for a sash and door mill for a short time but business was slow. Things were picking up at North American Aviation due to the war so he hired on with them. He started working in assembly and was soon promoted to lead and on to supervisor. He lived in Hermosa beach about a year when he met his future wife. They were married in 1942. They moved to Redondo Beach shortly thereafter. He retired from North American Aviation (Rockwell Int. Rocketdyne Div) after 34 years.

Hermosa Biltmore – gambling equipment seized 1951

Hermosa Biltmore - gambling equipment seized 1951 by Ron Felsing.

750 gamblers were routed, and equipment seized as police raided the swanky Hermosa Beach Biltmore. Hermosa Beach Officer Bill Hart, displays crap table, chuck-a-luck setup, and chips and cards taken in the raid. Photo dated: May 26, 1951.

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Volunteering for HB Fire Association at Fiesta Hermosa

by admin on 10. Sep, 2009 in Uncategorized

My friend Susie Fraley and I volunteered during Fiesta Hermosa in the HB Fire Association booth.

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Candidate Statement

by admin on 19. Aug, 2009 in Uncategorized

JOSH OCHS – Candidate Statement
Candidate for Hermosa Beach City Council
Municipal Election
Member of the City Council

Occupation: Local Business Owner

Josh Ochs has worked with over 1,000 employers to bring jobs to Hermosa Beach and the
South Bay, improving our economy, strengthening our city, and helping provide funding
for critical services like police and fire.

Josh Ochs knows that the threat of violent criminals in our neighborhoods means that we
need an ever stronger commitment to our police. Josh is endorsed by over two dozen
Hermosa families and is the founder of Hermosa Family Events because he is fully
committed to keeping every school, park, and neighborhood in Hermosa safe from
violence and crime.

Josh Ochs is running for City Council to make sure that even when the recession tightens
our city budget, our firefighters and paramedics – those that we rely on for our very lives
in times of emergency – will have the resources they need to protect every senior, every
family, and every business.

Josh Ochs grew up going to the beaches of the South Bay and is a native of our county.
His family is here. Josh understands how special our little community of Hermosa Beach
is and the very real challenges we face.

Please vote for Josh Ochs for a better, stronger, and safer Hermosa Beach.

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Hermosa Beach, CA

by admin on 19. Jul, 2009 in Uncategorized

Friends:
I’m running for city council in Hermosa Beach and I’m asking for your support.

I’m running because I love Hermosa. It’s a very special place. We are blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast, a lifestyle we treasure, and neighborhoods with character. But more than that – what makes Hermosa home – is the sense of connection we feel to our community and to each other. Years from now, when my neighbors and family take stock of the decisions we have made, I want them to know that we passed along the best of Hermosa to them. I am confident that as a city council member, we will.

This is an exciting time for Hermosa because elections are about the future. I ask you to join with me as we write the next chapter in Hermosa’s history together.

– Josh Ochs
www.supportJOSH.com
Hermosa Beach City Council
(424) 241-3720 Campaign Hotline

Please connect with me here:
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