"IT'S NOT THE HEAT, IT'S THE HUMIDITY.....", by John Thomas, LACo OL, Ret.

Just in from Lifeguard-Surfer-Sailor-Skier-Screenwriter, John "JT" Thomas, a bit of historical nostalgia in view of the wacky weather we've experienced this past week with scorching dry heat, zero tides, thunder, lightning, hallucinatory cloud formations, a rainbow off the color charts, and now heat and humidity, not to mention a sunset to end all sunsets last nite...




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From: john thomas
Subject: "IT'S NOT THE HEAT, IT'S THE HUMIDITY........."
Date: September 30, 2010 2:56:12 PM PDT
To: WM. E MAGUIRE


FEELIN A BIT BEDRAGGLED BY THE MONSOONAL HEAT N' HUMIDITY ? CHECK THIS OUT.....
JUNE 17,1859. A DUST LADEN SIMOOM (OR DEATH WIND) WIND FROM FROM THE MOJAVE ROARS OVER THE COASTAL RANGE FROM THE NORTH EAST AND IGNITES THE SEA PLAIN FROM SANTA BARBARA TO GOLETA. TEMPS AT 7 AM WERE 73 DEGREES AND BY 2 PM TOPPED OUT AT 133 DEGREES!!!!!!!!!! THE TEMPS AT 5 PM WERE STILL 121 DEGREES. BY 7 PM THAT EVENING THE TEMP WAS BACK TO A COMFY 73. FEATURE LIFE GUARDING IN AN ASBESTOS BLAST SUIT ??? FEELING COOLER ??? THAT HIGH TEMP STOOD AS A US RECORD UNTIL THE MID 1970'S WHEN DEATH VALLEY REACHED 134...... WHEW !!!!!!

YOURS IN LIFE GUARDING
JT


( Source material/link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simoom )

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Many Thanks to JT for posting us all about Simoom, aka "Death Wind".

*** All photos by & Copyright Will Maguire 2010. All Rights Reserved. ***

Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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LACo Recurrent Lifeguard In New World Record Setting Relay!

(Source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ventura-Deep-Six-Relay-Team)

In case you had not yet heard, one of LACo's Finest... Recurrent Lifeguards, Jim McConica (No. Section) recently participated in the World Record Setting Swimming Relay from Oxnard to San Diego ! Congratulations to Jim and the rest of his team and crew, including Former UCSB Gaucho Great and All American Swimmer, Mike Schaffer, who is one of Jim's teammates on the Ventura County Masters Swim Team that also is the same club that LACo lifeguard brothers Tom and Donnie Olsen have trained with for many years.

In an exclusive, we are pleased to bring you the following account from the relay team's safety officer and safety boat operator, Guri Sejzer.

From: Guri Sejzer guardavidaslifeguards@hotmail.com
Subject: LACo recurrent LG in new world record
Date: September 26, 2010
To: Will Maguire

"I just wanted to send you some links about an open water relay team called "VD6" (Ventura Deep Six) which is part of the VCM (Ventura County Masters) -the masters division of Buenaventura Swim Club (a US Masters Swimming registered club). I had the privilege of providing them safety and support services from September 15 to 20 during their "Ventura Deep Six Ocean Challenge" from Ventura Harbor to Santa Barbara pier to La Jolla Cove in San Diego. -Setting a new world record of open water relay swim of 202 miles (the previous world record was 78). Among their 6-member team, there's Jim McConica a recurrent lifeguard from LACoFD Northern Section. Even though they set the record representing a Ventura club I thought you might be interested in including it in your blog.

(Source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ventura-Deep-Six-Relay-Team)

Here are the links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ventura-Deep-Six-Relay-Team/155167181161816?v=info&ref=ts

(note: links to their media coverage here)

and

http://venturadeep6team.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.buenaventuraswimclub.org

LA County Lifeguard Division has always been an inspiration to me and of course I'm just one of many who consider it the finest professional lifeguard agency in the world! I learned a lot from every visit and every experience shared with different county lifeguards. The OLS manual and the Images of America books on LACo and SM guards are among my favorites in the little lifeguarding library of my small services company.

Feel free to keep in touch and thanks for having such a unique and informative blog!"

Saludos,

Guri

Guri Sejzer
LIFEGUARD - P.H.T.L.S. ADVANCED PROVIDER - RESCUE DIVER - AQUATIC SAFETY CONSULTANT
C.E.R.T. REGISTERED MEMBER - SWIFTWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN
GOVT. REGISTERED CONTRACTOR

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Many Thanks to Guri for posting us on this tremendous team ocean swimming effort and record setting relay !

And for another perspective and article on this record setting swim relay, check this out:

"Swimming by the hour kept Deep 6 going for 202 miles"

Presidio Sports

By Barry Punzal on Tuesday, September 21, 2010

“Just one hour. Just one hour. Just one hour. Just one hour, Just one hour. Just one hour...”

http://presidiosports.com/2010/09/swimming-by-the-hour-kept-deep-6-going-for-202-miles/


Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Maybe This Will Help Cool Things Off!

Just in from LACo Lifeguard, Cal Porter, some classic shots from "back in the day" just in time to cool us all off during the current heat wave!

From: Cal Porter
Subject: cool off
Date: September 27, 2010 5:31:03 PM PDT
To: Will Maguire

To cool off when my thermometer in the shade hit 100 at the beach in Malibu today, I dragged out these old photos I took on the morning of January 10, 1949 when I arrived for work at S.M. Canyon State Beach for my lifeguard shift.


The photos I took are lousy but that’s a thick blanket of snow across the beach and onto the volleyball court south of the station (above).

The other photo (below) is where you turn up the road into Topanga where the snow was deep enough you couldn’t drive.


Do you feel cooler now? CP

p.s. I forgot to mention, that has never happened again (and probably never before that day either).

p.s.s. Also forgot to mention that several of the guards looked for hills smooth enough to ski on that day and found the best at Palos Verdes where a great time was had and there were photos in the papers. Old timers, Fred Kerwin and Hugh Mulhern were two that went. They lifeguarded for the county in the 30’s and 40’s.



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Many Thanks to Cal ! Fantastic stuff, eh?! I feel cooler already. How about you?

10-4


Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Heads Up! Re: Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation "Surf Fiesta": Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010

(Source: "County Recurrent" News. June 2010)

Just in from Jeff Miller of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation.

From: Jeff Miller
Subject: Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Surf Fiesta 10-10-10
Date: September 27, 2010 9:48:17 AM PDT
To: Will Maguire , info@lacola.org

Will and LACOLA,

Can you guys help the spread the word for our event on Sunday October 10th. The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Surf Fiesta. Below is the info and links to more info, online sign up, Facebook event page and more.

Thanks!!!

Jeff

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Dear Lifeguard Friends and Family,


( Source: JimmyMillerFoundation.org )

We’re gearing up for the 2010 edition of “The Jimmy” Surf Fiesta in honor of Jimmy Miller. This past August marked the six year point since fellow lifeguard Jimmy Miller left us. In that six years, the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation (JMMF) has touched the lives of so many people in amazing and profound ways. From the underprivileged children in the LA area to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, both participants and volunteers have experienced the healing power of the ocean via our Ocean Therapy programs.

( Source: JimmyMillerFoundation.org )

On Sunday October 10 (10-10-10), we’re going to gather together once again to celebrate Jimmy’s life and raise some money to help the JMMF continue its mission. I hope you can join us- either participating in the Surf Fiesta (a fun and unique format that encourages all levels from first time beginner surfers to rippers), helping out on the beach for set-up/breakdown/raffles or joining us at the After Party and Auction at Sangria on Sunday evening (6-11PM).

I’ve attached an entry form for your convenience and below are links to more info, the online sign up and the Facebook Event Page.. For those of you that have participated in past “Jimmy’s”, you know how amazing there are, and how the aloha flows. Last year, all of the spots sold out before the event and this year it looks like it will fill up even quicker. If you want to participate, please don’t wait - print out the attached application, fill it out and mail it in NOW or better yet sign up online now..

Following are the details:

When: Sunday October 10th: Check In 7:00am, First heat 7:30am.

Where: Contest is at/near 40th Street, Manhattan Beach

After party, awards ceremony and Silent Auction will follow at Sangria Restaurant, 68 Pier Ave. Hermosa Beach (6-11pm)

Cost: $40 for sign-ups before October 8th. $50 after October 8th and for beach sign-ups (if space available). There are only 160 spaces so get your entry in soon. Sign-ups are first come, first served and we sold out last year early. Your fee includes contest entry, T-shirt, breakfast, lunch and dinner/after party at Sangria. We also hold an insane raffle throughout the day with prizes donated from many local surf shops and brands.

Event Website Page:
http://jimmymillerfoundation.org/events/catalina-classic-paddleboard-race/

Online Sign Up:
http://www.active.com/surfing/manhattan-beach-ca/jimmy-surf-fiesta-2010

Facebook Event Page:
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#!/event.php?eid=152092418158787

(Note: RSVPing on Facebook does not guarantee a spot)

Printed Entry Form:
http://jimmymillerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-Jimmy-Surf-Fiesta-Entry.pdf

Please print, fill out and mail the attached entry form with your check filled out to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation to:

Jimmy Miller Surf Fiesta
524 14th St
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Volunteers/Donations: If you are unable to surf in the event, we welcome you to participate as a volunteer at the contest and/or make a donation to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation. To volunteer, please email Nancy Miller at nanz524@mac.com and let her know what you would like to do or that you are available to help with anything. To make a donation, please send a check to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation at the address above.

(Source: "County Recurrent" News. June 2010).

The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation dedicated to healing mental and physical illness through surfing and ocean related activities. Through recreational, educational and mentoring programs, we bring together surfers, educators, lifeguards, therapists and friends to reach out to those affected or stricken with mental or physical illness and guide them to experiencing the joy and healing power of the ocean. Please visit the Jimmy Miller Foundation website at www.jimmymillerfoundation.org to learn more about the foundation and see some of the inspiring photos from our Ocean Therapy sessions.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who you think may be interested. You may receive this email multiple times from different people.

In memory of Jimmy,

( Source: JimmyMillerFoundation.org )

Jeff Miller
President
Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation
www.jimmymillerfoundation.org


Jeff Miller
Director of Interactive Marketing and E-commerce
Body Glove International
310-374-3441 Ext 283
jeffm@bodyglove.com
Website: www.bodyglove.com
Blog: http://bodygloveartbox.blogspot.com/

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For those of you interested in getting more involved in the community while also sharing your love and enthusiasm for the ocean, this may be just the ticket!


Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD or the JMMF.

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Summer, er... Fall 2010 !

Wow ! Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 was
S E N S A T I O N A L at the beach! It was HOT and SUNNY and barely a stitch of wind. Simply GORGEOUS! At Santa Monica North Tower #4, there was a nice size crowd, but not a whole lot of people in the water. Mostly kids braved the 62 degree water. On the other hand, we did observe LACo Recurrent Lifeguard, Paul Silka, M.D.,off duty, running back from the Santa Monica Pier in his wet suit with the top down after having swam from Will Rogers Lifeguard Headquarters to the Santa Monica Pier (over 2.25 miles!)...... This is the same Paul Silka that pumps his own gas at the Mobil Mart, as previously reported recently...

In any case, back to the weather. Take tomorrow off too because Monday, Sept. 27th is supposed to be the warmest day of all ! And the beach will be EMPTY save for the European tourists that hover around the Santa Monica Pier.

Another reason to get to the beach this weekend are the ZERO tides! We had a zero tide on Saturday at approximately 5 pm, and today (Sunday) another ZERO TIDE will hit around 6 pm. On a hot sunny day with little to no surf and no wind, standing along the low tide line on a zero tide is an event you must experience. In fact, it is spiritual.

And if you are still not convinced about how nice it is on the beach this weekend in Southern California, just check out these photos from yesterday, Sat., Sept. 25, 2010 from Santa Monica North.

















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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

"COUNTY LIFEGUARD", Sept. 1978, Vol. 4, No. 1

Count em. 32 years... Sept, 1978 to Sept., 2010. Whoda thunk it?!...

Just the front and back page but it will either bring back memories for the well seasoned recurrent and permanent or you've never seen it before.

The President of LACOLA at the time, Gary Crum.

The Headline: Aussies to Visit

My personal favorite article: Recurrent Unit Certified

That's what I'm talkin' about !

And in the photograph in the right lower corner of the front page above, get this:
"Lifeguard Ira Gruber administers resuscitation to unknown drug over-dose victim. Victim was unconscious when lifeguards arrived, but she was saved through proper medical treatment." Wow ! Way to go Ira !

And check out the back page with this vintage, albeit undated, photo below of BAYWATCH II with Dwight Crum and Mickie O'Brien on deck! Wow!


Taplin Victory. LACo Central Section won it that Summer of 1978 at what was then the 16th Annual International Surf Festival.

And on the last page, the County Gossip column known as "Good Happenings Announced" kept us all in the loop "back in the day" some 25 plus years before Facebook....


Hope you enjoyed this blast from the past.

10-4

Until next time.....



"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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"County Recurrent" Presents: "Oh... the good old days...

(Source: L.A. Times, Wed., Sept. 27, 1989)

Do you remember where you were on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1989? If you were Terry Hearst, you were fighting off a knife wielding transient while you were opening your tower. True story!


(Source: Evening Outlook, Sept. 1989)


(Source: Police Sketch, Sept. 26, 1989).

Happy Ending, not to worry. Thankfully, Hearst dodged most of the knife thrust and escaped with a flesh injury which was treated at the hospital and Terry was thereafter released.

Moral of the story: Shit Happens! So Stay Vigilant.

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Summer 1976, Santa Monica South: For The Record...

LACo Lifeguards Featured in LOS ANGELES Magazine, Oct. 2010 Issue

Attn: Recurrents, Perms, Family and Friends

Check out the new issue of LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE on page 150 ! Wow!

"FIGHTING THE TIDE": What It's Like To Be An L.A. Lifeguard




This is an expansive and extensively researched article with multiple interviews, plus photos of veteran Zuma Guards such as:

Dick Heinrich
Chris Heinrich
Capt. Chuck Moore
Mark Tempkin
Gary Fortune
Tim Ryan
Rebecca Gilman
Preston Delgado

and others!!!..... including Veteran LACo Recurrent Lifeguard and Prof. Arthur C. Verge, Ph.d, who is quoted regarding the early 20th Century Lifeguard, George Freeth and his role in the development of beach lifeguarding in So. Calif.

All we can say is Wow! You have GOT to read this article. It should be required reading for all LACo beach lifeguards.

Note: A portion of the article is available online but at the present time the only way to read the full article online is with a subscription or to go purchase a copy of the printed magazine itself. Here is a preview of this feature article online at the Los Angeles Magazine's website:

http://www.lamag.com/article.aspx?id=27454


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As an aside, we also haven't seen this much lifeguard beefcake in traditional print media since the Summer 1996 Men's Health Magazine "Fitness Special" featured a semi-nude photograph of Phil Topar... but we digress.





Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

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Is that A Fish Taco In Your Hand or What?!...

INTRODUCTION:

FISH TACOS! Did someone say "FISH TACOS"? Is this grammatically correct? Does Rob McGowan think about surfing more than he does eating fish tacos? The answers to these questions and others will be answered next weekend at the 2010 Annual Fish Taco Booth and fundraiser hosted by and for the Southbay Surf Club. Will YOU be swept up in the maelstrom and cyclone of Fish Taco Mania as did the editorial staff of this fine blog did at the 2009 Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair.

In any case and without further adieu, PLEASE be advised as follows Fish Taco Lovers:

CHEAT SHEET:

If you only want to eat fish tacos, head to the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 and 3, 2010! See the flyer below.

If you want to help out with the booth set up and clean up, etc., please see the flyer below which indicates staff can volunteer on the following days, Friday, Oct. 1, Sat., Oct. 2, Sunday, Oct. 3, and Monday, Oct. 4.

THE MEMO:

From: Joel Gitelson (Fish Taco Consul General)
Subject: FISH TACO TIME
Date: September 22, 2010 7:13:32 PM PDT
TO: Will Maguire

Good evening!

Can we get this flyer out to the troops on the various cyber networks please. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Joel
(email: joel77st@sbcglobal.net )

*** If you have any questions, please contact Joel. ***

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Subscribers and readers of "County Recurrent News" will recall our blog post this same time last year in anticipation of the 2009 Event, and which is available for your review and recollection at the following link:

http://countyrecurrent.blogspot.com/search?q=south+bay+fish+tacos

And if you didn't see any of our staff photographer's photos of last year's booth, well here ya go:


Yes, that is a FISH TACO in my hand below!





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Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD or the Southbay Surf Club, but we do support and applaud these organizations.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

"Summer Is Over!": Say it isn't so!!!

September 22, 2010

If the perpetual overcast, fog and gloom weren't a big enough clue, yesterday was the last official calendar day of Summer, and so it seems certain that Summer 2010 is indeed truly over. Nevertheless, and by no means merely a symbolic gesture, we just got confirmation of this Fall's anticipated physical and metaphorical return to normalcy, at least as far as the appearance of our LACo Lifeguard Towers are concerned. And it was none other than "County Recurrent" Freelance Correspondent, Adam Sandler, who sent in the following report to our news desk yesterday:

"Will
Another sign that summer -- such as it was -- is officially over: Students from UCLA deployed along Zuma Beach this morning (Tuesday, Sept. 21st) to re-paint the towers from their Portrait of Hope motif and restore them to their original bland light blue color. The multi-colored panels will soon be removed and shipped off to various locations such as schools and hospitals to be put on display.

Feel free to use.

-Adam"




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While some of us may be sad to see some of the more creatively painted towers return to "County Blue", we know that there are some who will not miss the brightly colored towers of this past 2010 Summer of Colors. Nevertheless, this will be a summer to remember, not only for the fog but also for the public relations success that this Summer of Colors project has been for the LACo Fire Dept., and especially its Lifeguard Operations. The public has an even more positive impression of Lifeguard Operations than before because of this community inclusive arts project.

Lastly, Many Thanks to Adam Sandler for his dutiful reporting and efforts to keep all of us informed and up to date on what is going on the beach and in or on the water.

Until next time.....


"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com

Service • Training • Commitment

*** Keeping the County Recurrent "in the loop"..... whether he/she likes it or NOT ! ***

DISCLAIMER: County Recurrent is not affiliated with nor sponsored by LACOLA or LACoFD.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****