INSIDE SCOOP

-- Compiled by Eron Ben-Yehuda, Angelique Flores and Paula Pisani

A red light means more than stop at Huntington Beach City Council

meetings.

As time runs out for the three minutes a person has to speak during the

public comment period, the lights on the lectern’s timing device change

from green to amber and finally red, which is accompanied by a loud

buzzing sound.

But Councilman Tom Harman informed those wishing to speak at last week’s

meeting that the city just added a new twist to further discourage people

from talking too much.

“There’s a trap door underneath where you’re standing, and you’ll be

dropped into the catacombs of City Hall,” he joked. “Please go ahead.”

All zipped up

When resident Al Caressa spoke at last week’s Huntington Beach City

Council meeting, he congratulated Mayor Dave Garofalo, who was watching

the meeting on television, for his entry into an exclusive group made up

of those who successfully undergo heart bypass surgery. “You are a member

of the zipper club,” he said.

What, no jelly?

After the proclamation declaring April as Earthquake Preparedness month,

Fountain Valley Fire Chief Bernie Heimos explained that one part of being

prepared is having 72 hours’ worth of food on hand.

Mayor Guy Carrozzo said he is sure that he will be just fine surviving an

earthquake -- as long as he has a large supply of peanut butter stocked.

Ready to shake, rattle and roll

It may not have monkey bars, but St. Bonaventure School is swinging if

the ground becomes shaky.

The school was retrofitted a few years ago to meet seismic safety

requirements, and no money was left over to build a playground for the

students.

Pointing at a metal brace attached to the ceiling, Vice Principal Carole

Inzitari quipped, “This is the place to come in an earthquake.”