Hillburg recalled wondering -- during a leisurely drive along a coastal highway -- what the city's shoreline waters would be like without the stony structure. That question led to a Hillburg series of "what if" articles that, in turn, began the push for change.

That was before he left town -- and journalism -- to earn an income and raise his family in Washingtons, D.C. The good news is that Hillburg says he plans to return to Long Beach when he retires in the near future.

TO OAR, OR NOT TO OAR

Mike O'Toole heads for City Hall this week for some details that might impact his popular business; the Gondola Getaway.

The Italian vessels glide through the charming canals of the Naples Isiands waterways. The big rub for O'Toole is that planned restoration work on the canals could start sometime in November; but exactly when isn't clear.

There's also a possibility that the gondolas might be banned during the restoration work. But when? And for how long, if at all? Those are questions he hopes to have answered by Eric Lopez, Tidelands capital projects manager..