Handwritten Letters Line Main Street Ahead of Pier Ceremony

Seal Beach, CA · November 10, 2026

Morning fog is keeping things cool along the water, but take a slow walk down Main Street early—the first batch of student thank-you notes is already brightening shop windows.

The Lead

Storefront windows along Main Street are filling with crayon-drawn flags and handwritten thank-you notes from local elementary students this week, marking the lead-up to tomorrow’s annual Veterans Day observance at Eisenhower Park.

Organized by the Seal Beach Lions Club in partnership with the city, the November 11 gathering at the foot of the pier remains one of Old Town’s most personal civic traditions. Volunteers spend the morning setting out rows of folding chairs—each topped with an individual student letter—facing the ocean breeze, with military vehicles and a ceremonial howitzer arranged nearby. Active-duty personnel from the Naval Weapons Station and local veterans will join neighbors for the 11:00 AM program, which includes patriotic music, a color guard presentation, and reflections from service members.

Chairs fill quickly on the grass before the opening invocation, so arriving twenty minutes early ensures a seat with a view of the water.

Local Pulse

Planners Revoke Short-Term Rental Permit on Riviera Housing Commissioners voted to cancel an existing short-term vacation rental permit following recurring neighborhood complaints over parking and noise rules.
City Hall Closes Wednesday for Veterans Day City Hall Municipal offices and the local branch library pause operations Wednesday while residential curbside trash collections remain on schedule.
OCTA Seeks Bidders for Weapons Station Upgrades Roads Regional transit officials opened bidding on a million-dollar pavement and signage project supporting ongoing freeway corridor improvements.

Today's Outlook

High 78°F · Low 58°F — Fog
- Dense morning coastal fog gives way to warm, mild afternoon sunshine.

What's On Around Town

Today

Adult Craft: Painted Alebrijes Mary Wilson Branch Library (707 Electric Ave), 2:00–3:00 PM · Free Sculpt and paint Mexican folk art creatures with all supplies provided.
Robbie Dean Live Boathouse on the Bay (190 N Marina Dr), Long Beach, 5:00–9:00 PM Waterfront acoustic sets paired with bay views and sunset drinks.
Trivia Night Marni's (620 Pacific Coast Hwy), 7:00 PM · Free Test your general knowledge and compete for weekly local prizes.

Tomorrow

Veterans Day Ceremony Eisenhower Park, 11:00 AM · Free
Appreciate Our Veterans Day Seal Beach Yacht Club (255 N Marina Dr), Long Beach, 6:00–10:00 PM
Flashback Fabulous: History & Drag Hamburger Mary's (330 Pine Ave), Long Beach, 6:30–8:00 PM · Free

Thursday

Morning Bird Walk Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Rd), Long Beach, 8:00–9:30 AM · Free
Kyle LaLone Live Boathouse on the Bay (190 N Marina Dr), Long Beach, 5:00–9:00 PM
The Black Market Trust Spaghettini (3005 Old Ranch Pkwy), 7:00–8:30 PM · Paid

Spotlight & Story

Walt's Wharf
- Long before oak smoke drifted over 201 Main Street, the 1920s building operated as an upstairs boarding house during the town’s rum-running era. In 1970, local dentist Walter Babcock turned the downstairs into a market for his boat's fresh catch.

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