CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Runaways drummer West dies

Legendary Huntington Beach drummer Sandy West died of lung cancer Oct. 21 in a San Dimas rest home. She was 47.

When West was 16 years old, she formed the all-girl hard-rock group Runaways in 1975 with singer and guitarist Joan Jett. She was diagnosed with cancer last year.

The band Runaways produced hits such as “Cherry Bomb” and “Born to be Bad.” Lita Ford and Cherie Currie were the other members of the rock ‘n’ roll quartet.

West loved surfing, skiing and her drum set.

“We shared the dream of girls playing rock and roll,” said Jett in a news release. “Sandy was an exuberant and powerful drummer.”

The band toured the world many times and opened for Tom Petty and Cheap Trick. The Runaways’ music inspired and influenced many rock and punk groups. They produced more than 60 albums, singles, bootlegs and compilations, and their bootleg performances are coveted in rock ‘n’ roll circles. The Runaways were nominated for the Hollywood Rock Walk.

When the Runaways broke up in 1979, West worked solo as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist on her own with The Sandy West Band. She recorded an acclaimed EP CD and several videos.

“So underrated, she was the caliber of John Bonham,” Jett said. “I am overcome from the loss of my friend. I always told her we changed the world.”

West was the best female drummer in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, said longtime friend and vocalist Currie in a news release. “No one could compete or even come close to her,” she said.

“It will never be the same for me again to step on a stage, because Sandy West was the best, and I will miss her forever,” Currie said.

Ex-police chief appointed to commission

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Ronald Lowenberg, dean and director of the Golden West College’s Criminal Justice Center, to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Lowenberg, 60, was the police chief of several cities, including Huntington Beach — where he also lives — for 13 years, eight years with Cypress and three years with Pomona before taking on the position of dean and director at the Golden West College center.

The appointment requires confirmation by the Senate and is an unpaid position.

Before joining Cypress as police chief, Lowenberg served as a police captain in Tustin. He is a registered Democrat.

Free flu shots offered throughout county

The Orange County Health Care Agency and several local groups are organizing a countywide mass vaccination effort.

Free flu shots will be offered to adults and children who are 4 years and older on Friday at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. The clinic will offer shots from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. or while vaccinations last.

“This exercise will greatly benefit the public as well as the emergency preparedness efforts of our community partners and the Health Care Agency,” Dr. Eric Handler, county health officer, said in a news release.

The free flu shots clinic will help the county and its partners improve their abilities to respond in a public health emergency situation, Handler said.

Two other clinics will be held at Cal State Fullerton and Saddleback Valley Community Church in Lake Forest.

Local organizations, such as Golden West College, the Coast Community College District, Huntington Beach city and the Huntington Beach Fire Department, are participating in the vaccination effort.

Flu shots for children younger than 4 were not available due to delays in vaccine distribution, the health care agency said in a news release.

To get a flu shot, adults and children must be feeling well and complete a brief health screening. Participants should enter the Golden West College parking lot off Gothard Street at Center Avenue.

The agency is hosting the exercise to prevent illness and potential spread of disease by providing timely medications and vaccinations in an epidemic or biological terrorist incident. The agency’s goal is to administer 1,000 flu shots per hour.

Fourth of July board looking for volunteers

The group that organizes the city’s Fourth of July Parade is seeking volunteers to fill positions on its board. The City Council recently voted to approve restructuring of the board and paring down events that are part of July 4 festivities.

Council members opted to streamline parade celebrations following difficulties retaining volunteer board members and a $31,000 operating loss for this year’s parade. City staff recommended several changes, including expanding the board and increasing the beach parking rates to $20 on the Fourth of July.

Staff also recommended doing away with the parade gala; breakfast for parade participants; bleachers at Lake Park; and the home decorating contest on Main Street to make it easier for board members to cope with organizing what is known as the biggest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi.

The board is looking for volunteers to fill positions in sponsorships, Pier Plaza Expo, event merchandise, securing and management of celebrities, military, hospitality and event logistics. Applications are available online or can be downloaded at surfcity-hb.org under Government/Boards and Committees or by contacting Community Services at (714) 536-5486.

Mayor withdraws agenda items

Mayor Dave Sullivan pulled two items on a specially convened City Council meeting agenda on Monday relating to the proposed senior center at the Central Park site.

The two items to be voted on by council members recommended installing a Measure T information sign on the future center site on Golden West Street and adding a pool to the project.

The two items were withdrawn by Sullivan after several people told him it would be viewed as taking sides, he said.

“I wanted to get a sign on the site so people would know where it is,” he said. Many residents were being swayed by misinformation about the senior center’s location, he added.

Measure T is a ballot measure to be voted on Nov. 7 about the proposed senior center at the Central Park site.

The second item, adding a small pool at the center, was proposed after several seniors told the mayor that a pool could be used for exercise classes as well as to help seniors with arthritis.