I live in the Plaza-East/El Dorado Park section of Long Beach. My neighbor, Fred Costa, is one gem of a character who deserves a huge standing ovation for what he contributes to our area. Fred tells us he came from Pearl Harbor, worked for years at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and retired several years ago.

He rises every morning shortly before the sun does, to patrol our area and to do "his thing" for the neighborhood. This could include house-sitting, watering your grass or picking up and storing your mail while you're on vacation. All this with your prior approval, of course.

Usually he patrols periodically during the day until the sun sets. On his cruises through our area, he slowly pedals his valiant steed block by block, rain or shine. He wears a "hard hat" helmet, T-shirt and shorts. I guess he still thinks he's in Hawaii. Fred has been super active in the neighborhood watch program since its inception in our area and hardly ever misses a meeting.

Although Fred is highly opinionated, he always allows you to say your piece. When he disagrees with your view he simply says, "No hard feelings, friend, but you're all wet." One pet peeve of his is long-winded speakers; You know the kind, long-playing (L.P.) politician types and wanabees who like to hear themselves talk.

My friend Fred is a very humble, big-hearted guy, and I'm sure he always has been. People like Fred Costa make our area a great place in which to live. We need a few other "Freds" in Long Beach, maybe even one in your neighborhood. I'm just super happy we have our Fred in East Long Beach.