Satisfy your longing for a classic board

TUBIN’ FOR TOTS: If you’re interested in procuring a long boarder’s dream, and helping a disadvantaged youth learn to shoot the tube, you may want to check out the deal offered by Chevron Surf Camp.

The Chevron program, which teaches underprivileged youngsters surfing techniques and safety, will give away a 1960 Hobie Alter long board, to be raffled off next month. For $2 a ticket, people can buy a chance to win the blue-and-orange board, a reconditioned classic valued at more than $1,000.

Over the last 15 years, style has dictated a shift from long boards to shorter, more maneuverable boards. But connoisseurs of a smooth and stable ride say the longer boards are coming back.

Potential winners can buy tickets and ogle the board at First Federal Bank, 1100 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. The board dangles from the bank’s ceiling and is flanked by a collection of more than 60 surfing photographs dating back to the 1930s. Many of the photos feature surfing greats like Hap Jacobs and Dewey Weber.

The raffle will take place May 29 at the Fiesta De Las Artes at Pier and Hermosa avenues.

ET Surfboards donated the long board and will make available applications for this summer’s surf camp in two weeks.

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THE BAD SEED: Rolling Hills residents like to think they can escape the rough and tumble of big city life, tucked away in their gated community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

But Joan Chen Zuckerman is finding out that Rolling Hills is not immune to one big city problem: tree killing.

Chen Zuckerman, the caretaker for her sister’s Rolling Hills home, has filed a crime report indicating that someone drilled holes and dropped poison into 10 trees on the 5-acre property. An additional 13 trees were topped, or trimmed, and some are dying.

“Everyone assumes that Rolling Hills, behind the gates, is a neighborly place,” said Chen Zuckerman, who expressed outrage over the incident, “and that everyone respects everyone else’s property.”

The police report estimates the damage at $400, which classifies the case as misdemeanor vandalism. The penalty could be up to one year in county jail and a $5,000 fine.

Chen Zuckerman said a neighbor had requested that some trees--including at least one that was poisoned--be trimmed because they were blocking his ocean and city views. She said she complied with almost every request, and two years ago, the neighbor even shelled out $400 to pay for the trimming he had requested.

The neighbor was not available for comment.

Martin Oghigian, a deputy district attorney based in Torrance, said he sees about two cases of illegal tree trimming or poisoning a year.

“It is common for people to top off other people’s trees when they’re on vacation,” Oghigian said.

Chen Zuckerman says she will pursue the case as far as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and will ask the federal agency if it can offer any advice on tracking tree killers.

“Even though it’s not human life,” Chen Zuckerman said, “it’s not right to hurt and vandalize.”

--Compiled by DAVE GRIMM