As a kid growing up not far from Long Beach, I always looked forward to summer trips with my mom to Belmont Pier for long days of fishing.
My mom loved fishing off the pier, even if we only caught a few tomcod or perch.
On Saturday, March 14, youngsters can catch the fishing fever when OC Parks, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Angler Chronicles host the 20th annual free Kids’ Fishing Derby at the North Lake at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley.
Registration will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with the fishing derby from 9 a.m. to noon. I hear the North Lake will be well-stocked for the event.
Children, age 6 to 15, can fish for free. Prizes and trophies will be awarded for different age groups.
Registration is required at the OC Parks check-in table on the day of the event. Space is limited and early arrival is suggested. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Fishing clinics will be held on site, and a limited number of fishing rods will be available for loan. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and adults are not permitted to fish until the derby has concluded. Rain will not cancel the event.
For more information, call 714-973-6600 or email milesquare@ocparks.com
On a more serious topic …
Questions that may be on the minds of residents who are renters will be addressed Monday, Feb. 24 when the Fair Housing Council of Orange County holds a Fair Housing Tenant Workshop in the council chambers at Fountain Valley City Hall.
The Fair Housing Council provides counseling on housing rights, obligations and laws, and answers questions about the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The workshop is set for 10 a.m. to noon and will address a variety of issues, such as:
- What is fair housing?
- What is housing discrimination?
- How much can my landlord raise my rent?
- How do I get my landlord to make necessary repairs?
- What do I do when I receive a three-day notice?
- When can my landlord keep my security deposit?
The Fair Housing Council will hold a similar workshop for landlords on Tuesday, March 24.
Among the potential questions landlords might have are:
- Can I raise my tenant’s rent if he or she has been living on my property more than a year?
- What can I deduct from a security deposit?
- What is the difference between a service animal and an emotional support animal?
The landlord workshop is also set for 10 a.m. to noon.
Fountain Valley City Hall is at 10200 Slater Ave. For more information, call Linda Tran or Maria Isidoro at 714-569-0823, ext. 209 or 211.