Holiday Travel Tips for Safety, Security and Health

(Thanks to Sunset Survival & First Aid for this info)
Holiday travel tips and simple steps travelers can take to prevent the spread of the flu:
“Following these simple travel tips will help expedite the screening process at airports and keep travelers healthy and safe throughout the holiday travel season.”
TSA’s holiday travel tips will help decrease the amount of time passengers spend in line at airport security checkpoints, increase the overall efficiency of airport operations and enhance security by engaging passengers in the shared responsibility of watching out for suspicious activity at airports across the nation.
TSA Travel Tips
· Pay attention to your health before traveling
o The best way to prevent the spread of the flu is to stay home if you’re sick or have flu-like symptoms.
o The CDC recommends you get both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.
· Practice good hygiene while traveling
o Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
o Wash your hands regularly to help prevent the spread of germs and illness.
· Ensure your government-issued ID and boarding pass are out and ready
o Getting all travel documents together and ready before you get in line will help security officers quickly verify that you, your identification, and your boarding pass match and are valid.
· Wear easily removable shoes and jackets
o Wearing footwear that can be easily removed helps speed the process for X-ray screening. Be prepared to remove all shoes, jackets and other outerwear for screening.
· Take out liquids and laptops
o Remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and aerosols at the checkpoint:
- 3-ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols;
- 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic zip-top bag; and
- 1 bag per passenger placed separately in a security bin for X-ray screening.
o The liquid restriction applies only to carry-on bags. Passengers can pack larger quantities of liquids and gels in checked baggage.
o Be prepared to remove your laptop from its case and place it in separate bin for X-ray screening.
· Use TSA Family Lanes if you or your family needs extra time or assistance
o Last year, TSA expanded its popular Family Lanes to every security checkpoint in the United States.
o Family Lanes allow infrequent travelers, those with small children or passengers who need additional assistance to move through security at their own pace. Officers in these lanes work with passengers to screen medically necessary items like baby formula and insulin.
· Keep an eye out for suspicious activity
o Transportation security is a shared responsibility. The traveling public plays an important role in keeping holiday travel safe.
o Travelers should report all suspicious activities or items to airport security personnel.
· Remember TSA’s new Secure Flight program when booking new airline tickets
o Fulfilling a key 9/11 Commission recommendation, TSA is working with airlines to implement Secure Flight.
o Secure Flight prescreens passenger name, date of birth and gender against government watch lists for domestic and international flights—making travel safer and easier by keeping known or suspected terrorists from obtaining a boarding pass.
o In addition, Secure Flight helps prevent the misidentification of passengers who have names similar to individuals on government watch lists.
o When booking airline tickets, use your name as it appears on the government ID you plan to use when traveling—along with your date of birth and gender. Providing this information will clear 99 percent of travelers to print boarding passes at home.
o Airlines are phasing in this program; if you are not prompted for this information when booking travel or if there are small variations between your name and your reservation, don’t worry—you will still be able to travel.

Holiday Boutique in Huntington Beach - a Fundraiser for Relay for Life

How about some holiday shopping and have it be with a purpose! Come on down to Old World on Saturday, December 12, noon to 5pm for their Holiday Event. All kinds of fun stuff going on: craft vendors, decorate ornaments and stockings, virtual snowboard machine, pedi-cab rides to and from Bella Terra, raffle & more...
And for the part with a purpose: The American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be joining forces with old world to have a fundraising holiday boutique with crafts, products and food. Merchants who wish to participate can have a booth space in the Relay section for free as long as they donate back 20% of the event profit to the Relay. How cool is that? Merchants can get some great exposure for their business while they do something good for charity at the same time. And all the rest of you, make sure to come on down and buy, buy, buy -what an opportunity to do some holiday shopping. There is bound to be some special surprises there too! If you are interested in participating, open this link for the flyer and vendor form: http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii295/thelocalhb/Fundraiser12-12-09copy-1.jpg
If you have a place of business, please post the flyer so everyone will know about the event. If you'd like to know more about what the Relay for Life is all about, visit: www.RelayForLifeHB.com. Everyone I know, including myself, have been touched by cancer in some way. Help us to make a difference in the fight against this terrible disease.

New Businesses to be Found on the Huntington Beach Surf City Savings Discount Program

The Surf City Savings Discount Program is coming along nicely. We've recently had some new vendors come on board. This site is an effort by the city of HB to help keep our spending dollars local. It is free for the businesses participating in the program to offer a incentive on the site. When you are out and about, feel free to mention the program to any business owners you know so they can get involved too.
The businesses most recently added to the site are: Body & Sol Tanning Center, Absolutely Fabulous Unique Gifts & Decor, Avis Car Rental, Main Street Hair Company, Bethany Owen Woman of 1001 Voices & Faces and Fresch Electric Bikes. Go to the site, www.SurfCitySavings.com and click on participants to see what they and all the others have to offer. Print out the discounts, use them and save!

Getting Tan in Huntington Beach - look good all winter long!

There is no reason to not look good with some color on our skin all winter long. At Body and Sol tanning Centers, you have all you need to do that! At Body and Sol Tanning Centers, each room is a comfortable private air conditioned oasis. They provide a spotlessly sanitized and clean environment providing fresh towels, tissues, make-up removers and spray deodorant for your use. Their staff is friendly, courteous and very helpful in designing your tanning experience. They carry a full line of indoor, outdoor and self-tanning lotions and moisturizers. Featuring Designer Skin, Supre, Devoted Creations, Pro Tan, Australian Gold, California Tan and Mystic Tan products.

Two location to serve you: 15053 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, 92647. Phone: 714-895-4440

or 6958 Katella Ave. Cypress, 90630. Phone: 714-895-6141

Save Money Have Fun on The Road with HB Scooters in Huntington Beach

HB Scooters is a newer scooter, electric bicycle and moped dealership here in Huntington Beach! Gas 50cc and 150cc scooters, really cool electric bicycles (no gas), and Ridley mopeds. HB Scooters is a full service dealership that services what we sell. From everyone I've talked to, they are the only place they take their scooter to be serviced. They Located in the Warner Springdale shopping center, 5960 Warner Ave, on the opposite end of the center behind Fritzankotter's Deli. They can be reached at 714.840.8090 or visit them on the web at: www.hbscooters.com - there are definitely some fun rides there!

Hey Huntington Beach, Here are Some Tips and Tricks for Advanced Surfers

To put matters into perspective, California is to surfing what the Himalayas are to mountain climbing. Indeed, California, which is located along the beautiful southwest coastline of the United States, is the de facto home of surfing in respect to the sport`s global commercialisation and growing popularity. As the most populous, fashionable and third largest state in the US, California is a major destination for all kinds of people from all over the world. However, the so-called `Golden State` is most commonly regarded as a surfing mecca by hundreds of thousands of dedicated surfers who make their way to the state on a regular basis. Renowned for its golden sands, regular hot sunshine, beautiful people and challenging swells, California is a true haven for surfers.

As might be expected of such a popular surfing destination, California is home to some of the world`s finest surfing spots. Surfrider Beach in Malibu, for instance, is notable for its exceptional waves that can be ridden for almost half a mile in perfect conditions. Furthermore, Surfrider Beach is home to a large community of muscular male surfers, model-hot females, A-list Hollywood stars and a handful of hardened professional surfers. In short, Surfrider Beach is a little on the crowded side but nonetheless thoroughly entertaining. By contrast, San Onofre State Beach is one of the most friendly surfing destinations in California for beginners. Moreover, its easy-breaking waves are a delight for novice surfers, who will also appreciate the renowned party atmosphere that precludes the otherwise ubiquitous `locals only` mentality.

Although there are many other top surfing destinations in California that are suitable for both beginners and advanced professional surfers, the Golden State does demand a certain level of quality in respect to aesthetic appearance and physical grace. Indeed, the body beautiful is a default standard for beach-bound Californians and it is also essential that every aspect of a surfer`s ability to ride the waves looks good too. Therefore, learning a few tips and tricks for advanced surfers is likely to impress even the most hardened of spectating Californians.

Hitting the lip is one of the first moves that will be performed on a short board and it basically involves accelerating up the face of a wave before hitting its lip and then surfing back down. This move can look more impressive than it actually is but is also a great deal of fun to perform. The frontside roundhouse, frontside bottom turn, frontside snap, backside roundhouse, cutback, floaters and the layback snap are all other examples of tricks for advanced surfers.

However, it is important not to rush straight into any such tricks without first observing other professional surfers and taking qualified professional instruction. Indeed, surfing remains a dangerous outdoor adventure activity that must be undertaken with great care and skill. Furthermore, it is necessary to wear appropriate gear, clothing and equipment on any surfing adventure, which will include items of safety such as a concealed pocket knife. Surfing in such a fashionable and highly populated area as California also requires suitable clothing to be worn when not on the waves, such as items from the popular animal surf range.

A Benefit For Others, A Benefit For You

Do something to benefit others, then do something to benefit you!

Tomorrow night (Wed, 28th), Salon Cache (5940 Warner Ave, at Springdale) will be hosting an Evening of Wine, Women & Hope ! of course it is not just open to women! Salon Cache and Breast Cancer Angels came together to help raise funds for women with breast cancer. From 5pm to 8pm, go in to enjoy (suggested donation of $10) wine tasting (courtesy of Mr. Kegs), food,raffle prizes and everyone who attends receives a certificate for a complimentary blowdry & style. More info at www.saloncache.com, 714-840-0026.

That was something to help others,,,now how about a benefit for yourself? Have you heard of Blasoff yet? Blastoff is your launch pad to the Internet which can be customized with your favorite news, music, videos, blogs, social networks, and shopping, all in one place! Blastoff also pays you when you shop online - not kidding! Shop from over 400 retailers like Target, Macy's, Best Buy, or Starbucks.com like you normally would, and get paid cash back just for being a Blastoff member. And when you launch your network by inviting your friends, you'll get paid when they make purchases online too! So sign up, save money, have fun, and make money! Your Blastoff membership is FREE! Check it our here: http://ppl.blastoffnetwork.com/AmericanDream4U

Have a great rest of the week, and hope to see some of you HB folks make it up to Long Beach for the 21st Annual Halloween BOO that I throw. www.TheLocalCoast.com has all the info!

events going on in Huntington Beach

Here is the info I sent out in my last newsletter.... There's some fun stuff going on in Huntington Beach.

First, Gallaghers (downtown HB) has been implementing a lot of changes and now they have even more entertainment than ever. Pop in on any Wednesday night, 6:30 - 9:30, to enjoy some Jazz! Performing is Elaine Miles and special guest guitarist John Chiodini. Go for the Jazz, stay for the great food & spirits.

On Thursday night, you really do need visit Absolutely Fabulous, 6026 Warner Ave. (at Springdale). They are having a ribbon cutting at 5pm for their expansion, more than doubling their space. They are truly a fabulous shop, filled with unbelievable and unique gift items. And at 6:30, world renowned sculptor, Randy Cooper will be doing a live demonstration of his work. Mr. Cooper is best-known for his unique "shadow sculptures." Each sculpture is crafted by hand, without molds, from wire mesh to form beautiful human figures, animals or abstract forms. The form is brought to life by a source of light over the sculpture, onto a canvas. The public is welcome and it will be worth the visit, I've seen Mr. Coopers work - very impressive!

If you missed Bethany Owen (woman of 1001 Voices and Faces) when she performed over Labor Day weekend, will have another chance to see this talented and funny lady! She will be performing on the 23rd & 24th (6pm) at Baci, 18784 Beach Blvd. It's dinner & a show, which includes Antipasto House Salad Baci, Filet Mignon Rossini or Salmone s/Champagne Sauce, Tiramisu desert. Reservations or more info: 714-965-1194 or http://www.bethanyowen.net/

It's not too late to catch Oktoberfest either. Running two more weeks (last day, Nov 1). Old World Festival Hall (on Center behind Bella Terra) is where you will find all the beer and fun you can handle. I've been twice now - one time I even had the VIP area for all my friends. Talk to them about renting one of their VIP areas. So nice to have a place to sit when ever you want! And still so close to the dance floor to get out and chicken dance! All the info (and discounts) can be on their site: www.oldworld.ws

Finally, you know what is around the corner don't you? Halloween of course. Did you know I throw an annual party? Of course my HB locals are welcome, the only problem is you have to venture in to Long Beach for the party. (I have yet to find a place that can accommodate me here.) It is the 21st Annual Halloween BOO with about 300 people attending. Live band & DJ (two areas for dancing), food, tarot cards, professional photographer, tons of decorations. The party is Friday, October 30, 8pm - 2am at Berth 55 Queens Wharf (555 Pico Ave, Long Beach). It is only $20 in advance ($25 a the door). Get all the details at: www.TheLocalCoast.com . And if you still need a costume, I totally recommend Bianca's Costumes : www.biancascostumes.com . Most are historical, but there are so many looks she can create - she is so creative and you'll be the best dressed at your Halloween gig. Check it out!

Need some sprucing up of your house?

If you are in the market for some excellent finish carpentry, then Nedelec Construction is the place to go. Dave Nedelec has done a lot of work in our home - crown molding, baseboards, fireplace mantels, casing, etc. He is reasonable and does great work. you can see pictures of the work he has done at www.nedelecconstruction.com. Contact him at 714-848-9273. In this day of folks finding it not the right time to move in to a new home, take the option of making their existing one nicer. Some finish carpentry is a great way to go.

Huntington Beach's own Bethany Owen's show "One Voice" was a great performance

Bethany Owen had her show "One Voice" this past weekend, and what a great show it was! Her voice impressions are spot on. We were laughing so hard I had tears running down my face! When she has another show, you want to make sure you put it on your calendar and see her. Of course you can find her schedule on her site: http://www.bethanyowen.net/

Stuff going on Labor Day weekend in Huntington Beach

Labor Day weekend is only a week away, are you staying in town? If so, I’ve got a couple of ideas for you to keep you entertained next weekend.

First on Saturday night the 5th, I’m going to be going to the Bethany Owen show “One Voice”. This woman is full of talent. She is a one woman show doing impersonations of many female celebrities. The show is full of comedy and vocal tributes to these superstars. Bethany is a HB local, so come out and show her some support. The show is at 8pm at the Star Performing Arts Center in Fountain Valley, only $20 per person. You can get more info about Bethany at www.bethanyowen.net. And to buy tickets, the best way is to visit the site: www.bolsatickets.com. The number is 714-418-2499 if you prefer. Hope to see some of you there!

Then on Sunday, September 6 from 2pm to 6pm, why not get on down to opening day of Oktoberfest at Old World Village Festival Hall. It is a great deal at $10 which includes dinner. Also that day you will enjoy Dachshund Races, German music, prizes & drawings and so much more. Tickets are being sold through the Therapeutic Riding Center and you can find more info & get tickets on their site: www.trchb.org. Please check them out, they are such a worthwhile organization!

In between these activities, don’t forget down at the pier is the annual Baordfest. You will get surf, skate, snow all in one festival. Plus music, fashion and interactive exhibits. It runs the 3 days of the long weekend, and you can get more info at www.boardfest.com
Finally, if you find yourself downtown during the weekend, or any time for that matter, pop in to Gallaghers – they are on Walnut just east of Main (their address shows as 300 PCH, #113 however). This little Irish pub is a nice hang out for locals. The new owners have brought in a new chef and the food is worth a visit! Plus there are awesome beers as well as nightly shows (music, karaoke, comedy,etc). You can find their whole entertainment schedule at their site: www.gallagherspub.com

Have fun what ever you choose to do Labor Day weekend (and be safe!)

Huntington Beach local, Bethany Owen (Woman of 1001 Voices & Faces) will be performing local Labor Day weekend.

A shout out for one of our HB locals: Bethany Owen is called the Woman of 1001 Voices and Faces. She is a rare and unique blend of talent to the world of voice impressionists. Her one-woman show "ONE VOICE" celebrates the zany and fun side of celebrity personalities through the use of comedic parody and musical vocal tributes to some of the world's most legendary female superstars of our time. Their look, body language and facial expressions are brought to life through her quick costume and wig changes done right in front of the audience. Check out her show Labor Day weekend (Saturday, Sept 5). You won't want to miss it. You can get all the show details on her website: www.bethanyowen.net

Fun in the sun in Huntington Beach

Once again 4th of July in Huntington Beach was day packed full of fun. We added a lot of pictures of the parade and fireworks to the site, so check out www.TheLocalHB.shutterfly.com to view the albums.
If you've been downtown this week, you've noticed all the commotion going on at the beach around the pier, so you know what that means…. The US Open of Surfing is coming to town. From this Friday, the 17th to July 26 our city will see over 500,000 visitors come to this sports fest comprised of surfing competitions, skateboard, FMX and BMX bike demos, fashion shows, and the popular annual Festival Surfers Village. For more info, visit: www.usopenofsurfing.com
Here's a fun little activity you might want to check out before hitting the Surf Open, Old World is hosting an interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show! This Friday night. It's called Hollywood Confidential and from what I've been hearing, it is quite the hit. It might not be too late to get reservations for this Friday, find out by calling 714-538-6080.
How about this summer idea: turn that back yard into a tropical paradise with some fun accessories. Or maybe you have a tropical tiki party in the planning. Bensons Tropical Sea Imports has everything you could want to transform your place. They carry all kinds of quality tropical & nautical decor for decorating. They have life-like palm trees, fish nets, tikis, masks, luau accessories and other exotic decorative arts, more than I could ever list here. Check out all they have on their website: www.bambooandthatchetc.com - they happen to be located right here in HB.
Get out and enjoy this perfect Surf City weather!