City of Huntington Beach Updates

Here are a couple of updates from our city - events to check out and a summer shuttle update.  The first one below is for Peter's landing - make sure to go to that early, so you can head to 5 Points Plaza for the Barking Lot Party (flyer), fun stuff planned for this free event from 11am-3pm.  If you know anyone looking to adopt a dog, definitely pass on the info as we'll have several rescues there with available dogs!   Please go to our facebook, www.facebook.com/waggintrails, and find it under events.  Please share this information with everyone on your list!!  Let's make this a successful event and save the lives of some dogs!

City updates:

Peter’s Landing Farmers Market Celebration. The Peters Landing Weekly Farmers Market is celebrating the success of its first two years this Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The day begins with a blessing of the market from Father Christian Mondor from Sts. Simon and Jude at 9:00 a.m. continuing at noon with a ceremony featuring Mayor Pro Tem Matthew Harper and Councilmember Jim Katapodis, as well as cake for everyone. There will also be bounce houses, a balloon man, a petting zoo, ponies, as well as the outstanding assortment of foods, arts and crafts which have made the market such a success, as well as live music from Carmine. Peter’s Landing is located at 16400 Pacific Coast Highway. For questions, please call (562) 449-9299.

Red Table Restaurant Hosts Event to Support Historic Wintersburg Preservation

Red Table Restaurant will donate a percentage of proceeds for the entire day’s returns on Monday, May 13 from 11:30am to 9:00pm, to the Historic Wintersburg Preservation Fund. Everyone eating at Red Table Restaurant that day will enjoy a great meal and help preserve Huntington Beach history. The Huntington Harbour Mall also has announced it will match the donation by Red Table Restaurant, doubling the support for Historic Wintersburg. Historic Wintersburg is a century-old goldfish and flower farm including the Wintersburg Japanese Presbyterian Mission complex, founded in 1904. It is a unique, intact pioneer farm and mission site representing Huntington Beach’s pioneer settlement and agricultural era. Information about Historic Wintersburg can be found at: www.HistoricWintersburg.blogspot.com. The Red Table Restaurant is in the Huntington Harbour Mall in northwest Huntington Beach, 16821 Algonquin St., Huntington Beach, CA 92649, (714) 846-4700. It is a popular gastropub featuring dishes like crab ceviche, Barbacoa beef tacos, and a variety of small plate dishes with warm cupcakes and broken banana cream pie to finish. Historic preservation tastes great!

Surf City Downtown Shuttle Returns.  The Surf City Downtown Shuttle returns to service May 18 through October 1, offering a free, fun and convenient way to visit the Downtown on weekends, Tuesdays during Surf City Nights, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Parking for all shuttle passengers is free at the City Hall parking lot, located at 2000 Main Street, with the Shuttle departing on the hour and half-hour from that location to Main and Orange Streets and 5th; and Walnut at The Strand on weekends. On Tuesdays, the Shuttle provides service to Main and Orange at the entrance to the award-winning Surf City Nights street fair and Certified Farmer’s Market. Perhaps biking is more your style? If so, then be sure to take advantage of free, secured bicycle parking offered by Pedego Electric Bikes at 5th and Olive Streets every weekend from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This service is unique to our community, in a fenced environment, and best of all, it’s absolutely free! For more information about these programs, please click HERE.

Taste of Huntington Beach this weekend

Only 4 days left to the big Taste of Huntington Beach! This Sunday.  Do you have your tickets yet?  Not too late of course.  Go to www.tastehb.com for all the info.   The price is all inclusive so you can eat and drink to your heart's content.  And once again the Tijuana Dogs will be playing for some great music.

Following this great food/wine beer event, the next up is the following Saturday, May 4.  It is the Barking Lot Party at 5 Points Plaza.  This is a dog adoption event with several dog rescues present.  But besides checking out a furry friend you could take home with you, there will also be live entertainment, food, fun for kids and more.  It is free.  Please stop by and show some support for all that Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation in partnership with 5 Points is doing to save the lives of shelter dogs!  You can contact me if you want more info.

Speaking of Waggin' Trails, and while you have your calendar out, don't forget to go ahead and mark June 23 for the best dog event around - Wags N Wine (previously named Pups N Pinot), we will now be located at the Hilton.  Check out the pictures from last year at www.wagsnwine.com.   Yes, you can bring your dogs to this one!!

Happy Easter Huntington Beach

Got great plans?  One thing you can do is start off your Easter weekend with the Family Fun Day tomorrow at the Sports Complex next to Central Library.  It runs 9am to 2pm and tons of fun for the entire family is in store!  The City of Huntington Beach Community Services Department and Kiwanis Club purchase and pour thousands of pounds of candy for kids to capture from the ground. Take a picture with Easter Bunny, play at game booths, see displays from Community Services, Public Works, Fire, and Police, learn about summer camps and classes offered through Community Services, enjoy the live band, and try out some new classes. Pancake breakfast and the hot lunch made by the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club.

And once Easter has passed, it is time to throw on those cowboy boots and head over to the Equestrian Center the following weekend.  On Sunday the 7th is the Rescue Roundup benefiting Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation (www.waggintrails.org for Roundup info).  It is an afternoon (2-6pm) of family fun.  Great all you can eat BBQ lunch, line dancing and music, silent auction and more.  Fun for kids include pony rides, crafts, face painting, bounce house!   Sorry no dogs at this event however. But come on down and have some fun.

With spring right around the corner you may be thinking of doing a once over to the ol' abode.  Well if the carpets are dingy, my guys at Pro-Quality Carpet & Tile Cleaning are offering a spring special.  Check it out at the SurfCity Savings Discount Program - their direct  Discount Link.   They are offering a 3 room special for $99 (room is up to 250s.f.).   Want to call them instead??  714-671-0658.   They will definitely take good care of you.

Now get out there and color some eggs and have a great weekend.

Lions, Crabs, Mixin' and More

As some of you know I involved in the Huntington Beach Lions Club.  We are having a restart meeting for our Branch Club THE SURF CITY LIONS - This club will meet one day a month the will do some networking as well as community service and they will also assist our Parent Club.  Please join us we are meeting tomorrow the 20th at Carrows in at Warner & Beach.   PLEASE RSVP come learn how much fun it is to give back to your community and also build your business.  Hope to see you all there.  The networking part is 11:30-12 and the meeting is from 12-1. Please invite some one you know!  

And while on the Lions, we are having our annual All You Can Eat Crabfest coming up on the 24th of March at Old World. There will be a silent auction, entertainment and lots of fun. And LOTS of crab, clam chowder, salad and even shrimps!  All you can eat for only $45 per person. Reserve your spot on the website: www.hblionscrabfest.com.

Another of my pet charities is Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation (hah, did you get pun - pet charity).  They recently joined Communities for Cause.  Take your smart phone and look up and download their app. easy.  once you do, you can set it up to have Waggin' Trails be your charity of choice. That means if you shop/dine at a participating business and show them the app, they will donate to W.T.  An easy way to help Waggin' Trails raise some money to help keep the transportation up and running.  If you don't remember what we do, visit www.waggintrails.org for the skinny.

Finally, right around the corner is the biggie networking event, Orange Counties Largest Mixer.  It will be held Wed, March 20 at the OC Fair & Event Center (88 Fair Dr in Costa Mesa).  5pm-9pm.  This is where you can join Orange County chambers of commerce and business organizations for the ultimate business networking event and mix and mingle with over 3000 business people and 300 exhibitors representing hundreds of industries and companies in and around Orange County.    This Largest Mixer is a great opportunity to reach small to large companies, meet new clients and learn how the different chambers of commerce and business organizations can make your business grow!  Miser admission is $20 per persona at the door (no credit cards).  For more info call 949-338-8338 or www.ocmixer.com.

Happy Valentines Day Huntington Beach

You've all seen me write about the RBN networking group before.  Well they have a new location.  Where they were meeting previously at Meadowlark has been moved a bit south to Fountain Valley at Baker's Park Place (Mile Square golf area), 10410 Edinger Ave (at Brookhusrt). The new meeting date is the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 11:30am-1:30pm. Yes that means tomorrow Feb 12!!  Come check out the new location and do some excellent networking.  The all inclusive cost is $25 for members, and $35 for non-members.  More info and reservations at www.rbninfo.com or call 949-830-5776.  Also if you mention TheLocalHB.com you can go for the member price!!  I will be there, will you??  

One of the charitable groups I proudly belong to is our Huntington Beach Host Lions Club.  And it is close to that time of year again - All You Can Eat Crabfest!  Only $45 to stuff your gullet with as much crab, clam chowder, salad, and rolls you can handle.  There is a great silent auction and raffle, live music and camaraderie.  Get your tickets before they sell out. www.hblionscrabfest.com has the registration form you can send in.  The event is March 24 at Old World German Festival Hall (7561 Center Ave).  The doors open at 4pm.

Since we're talking about all you can eat, it is not too early to secure your tickets for the Taste of Huntington Beach which will be April 28 at the Sports Complex across from Central Library.  www.TasteHB.com has all the info.  This is one super fun event.
With Valentines being right around the corner, have you found that perfect gift for your loved one?   One of the best places to find that just right item is Absolutely Fabulous (Springdale & Warner - southeast corner).  They have an amazing selection of items, so unique, every price range.  You can't go wrong.  Check out their online store HERE.  But it can't compare to seeing what they have in person!  So with that, you all have a great week and happy Valentines Day.  

(a belated wishing you a) Happy New Year

Have I been a slacker in my posts???   A very belated Happy New Year to everyone and I apologize for letting so much time go by since my last update!  I have been overly busy with work - building lots of websites for local businesses, but of course that is a good problem to have!

So, a couple of things coming up you might want to know about:
Jan 31, 6-8pm at Central Library (7111 Talbert Ave) the Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation is hosting a very special fundraiser - an evening with Intuitive Medium Bonnie Whiting.  Experience the magic of this very popular Psychic Medium Show. With Bonnie's pioneering techniques, Bonnie gives extraordinary accurate readings with specific facts and exquisite timing. Laugh and learn, be inspired when Bonnie connects you with your loved ones and pets that are in the Afterlife.  Bonnie will also teach how her simple techniques work, giving you the tools to enhance and maintain your own intuitive awareness. She will also help you identify your own intuitive strengths, making you more equipped to make better life choices. This promises to be a super fun evening for a great cause.  Only $25 per person which includes the show plus appetizers & beverages.  www.WagginTrails.org for tickets and more info.

Ready to help kick cancer's butt? The following night after Bonnie, Feb 1, join us for the Relay For Life Kick-Off party.   Also 6-8 pm at the student center at Goldenwest College.  Get involved, enjoy food, drink, silent auction and meet those involved with the Relay (which will be held May 18/19 in Central Park).  I've been involved with this for years. The kick-off is always enjoyable and the actual Relay is so worth while.  All the info on the site:  www.relayforlife.org/huntingtonbeachca.

Finally, for this email at least..... Are you a Chamber of Commerce member?  Even if you aren't and looking for a super fun event, our Chamber is holding their Annual Dinner February 22nd.  It is open to all.  I've been going since I joined the Chamber and this is by far one of the funnest events.  It is so fun because each year there is a theme and they encourage guests to decorate their table in the theme and even dress to the theme!   This year it is a casino night.  So there will even be casino gaming to enjoy on top of everything else.  You can image all the creativity that will go in to this one.  I already signed up to have a table.  If you know me, or have been before, you know I like to do it up right.  :-)
Feel free to contact me if you are planning on going and would like to sit with us.  I have a couple spots still open.  Go the Chamber's site, HERE for all the details.  If you'd like to see  photos of past dinners, I've got a lot of them posted -table decorations and outfits - on my album:  www.TheLocalHB.shutterfly.com.  Check it out.

And like always, there is tons of other stuff going on in HB, just go to the calendar section of www.TheLocalHB.com to find an event for you!

Happy Holiday time 
It is that crazy shopping time of year! Have you done all yours?  Want to make it easy?  Here are a couple of ideas.

Our Surfing Museum has a great special til the end of this month.  They are offering a limited number of $25 annual memberships with some added benefits - they will include a fabulous reusable Hawaiian print tote bag, $20 gift certificate to Dukes, a Surfing Museum coffee mug & decal, plus 10% off  all your purchases in the gift shop for one year!   How can you go wrong with that one. I know I'm buying one, plus you are helping support the oldest surfing museum in the world - they just celebrated their 25th anniversary.  Visit their site, www.surfingmuseum.org or pop over to the museum (411 Olive) to get yours before they are all gone.

Another great (and easy) gift idea is picking up tickets for the 2013 Taste of HB - they are discounted til the end of this year.  Get tickets now and save - for yourself and for gifts.  Everyone loves the event. It is truly one of the don't miss events here in Huntington Beach.  Buy your tickets right on the site:  www.TasteofHB.com.

And in the spirit of saving money this holiday season, when was the last time you took a peek at Surf City Savings Discount Program?   www.SurfCitySavings.com is full of discounts and many merchants throughout our beautiful city.  Products, dining, services and more.  Please take a look and help support the businesses that choose to make HB their home.

Don't forget all of these can be found on Facebook - pay a visit to their page and like the heck out of them and pass on the word.  Hey, you can do that for me to:  www.facebook.com/localhb.  I'm always posting info like these ideas on there, plus all kinds of other stuff as well of course.

Happy Festivus to all - in the spirit of being politically correct.  :-) 

(PS - don't forget about the HB chamber of Commerce special holiday breakfast tomorrow, 14th, at SeaCliff Country Club. 7:15am.  714-536-8888 for info)

Want to lend a little help to others?  Help out our own Project Self Sufficiency this year during their toy drive.  Donate an unwrapped toy for a child and you will be helping the PSS families who are single parents currently enrolled in school working to become self-sufficient!  The drive is currently going on until Dec 17. You can drop off your donation at their Outreach Building at 1718 Orange Ave.  More info on their site:  www.pssfoundation.org.

Once you've done some giving, why not get in to some holiday spirit by joining our Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce for a holiday breakfast.  Dec 14 at 7:15 am at the SeaCliff Country Club (6501 Palm Ave). They are offering the member price ($20) to everyone. Start the season with friends and other locals and enjoy live music by Da Capo Players as the play Christmas and classical music!  Check them out on their website www.dacapoplayers.com.  Any questions, contact the chamber at 714-536-8888 for more info.  You might even catch Santa or his elf that morning!

And, if you have a holiday party coming up and need a bit of a hand, you can call my friends at Baja Sonora and have them cater.  Their food is soooo good.  Their services can include: delivery to your event location, their Baja Sonora Signature Salsa Bar, decorations, stainless steel chafing dishes with sterno, plates & utensils, and serving staff if needed.  Call and talk to their catering specialist at 562-425-8088 to begin planning your special event. 

Thank you for supporting TheLocalHB.com:
Coastline Christian School 2721 Delaware St.  Huntington Beach, 92646
714-536-1740 /    Email: ccsoffumchb@verizon.netCoastline Christian School believes the primary learning center for children is home. Our goal is to assist parents by affirming the value system they instill in their children.    Additionally, we believe that children must learn in a firm but loving environment where they can excel to their God-given potential. We provide a positive approach in building a child's self-esteem. We will encourage acceptable social behavior, being kind, and learning to work together for the well being of the class.

a shout out for one of the supporters of TheLocalHB.com:
Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach
P.O.Box 2298, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-848-0966 or trchb@earthlink.net
Our students come to us from all over Orange County and beyond. Learning proper horse riding techniques our students are able to strengthen core muscles and muscles in their arms, legs and back. Although exercising these muscles can be painful for many of our students, strengthening these muscles provides our students with more flexibility and movement in performing everyday needs. We use the techniques and strategies established by the North American Riding for the Hancicapped Association (NARHA), located, in Denver Colorado. As a member of NARHA, TRC uses guidelines and support to create and sustain an effective and safe program which includes horsemanship, body positioning, steering, and problem solving opportunities.

Happy Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of us want to help others as part of giving thanks.   Here is one way to do so: This Saturday (11/17) from 11am-4pm, New Jersey native, Councilman Joe Carchio is hosting a luncheon at Zack's Pier Plaza with all proceeds going to the Red Cross for relief efforts to help Sandy victims.  They hope to raise at least $6000.   What an easy way to give back!  Pop on down to Zack's and enjoy some grub.

And either before or after your Zack's visit, take the coast north to Peter's Landing for their craft fair & farmers market.  They have seasonal fresh produce, arts and crafts, tasty food vendors, entertainment, children's activities and more - stock up on all the fresh veggies you could possibly need for your Thanksgiving feasts!  www.peterslanding.com.  They happen to have this event every Saturday, 9am-2pm.  Show our north west HB some love.
Finally, to kick off the holiday season, mark your calendar for Nov 28 for a wine tasting fundraiser at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort.  5:30-8:30.  This benefits Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation (www.waggintrails.org has all the details), which saves the lives of dogs on "death row" at local shelters and transports them up to states (Oregon, Wash, Idaho, & even Canada), where there are folks waiting to adopt!!  We did this last year and it was SO much fun, such great people and such a good cause.  Remember our slogan:  "Saving the life of one dog will not change the world, but it will surely change the world of that one dog".  Actually, that is just one of our slogans.  :-)    They other two being "No dog should ever be without a family, and no family should ever be without a dog", and lastly "DON'T SHOP, ADOPT".  Can you tell I love my doggies??

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Eat lots and be happy.