Wine & Dine in Huntingon Beach... and some Halloween fun

If you are looking for a nice dinner out tomorrow, the 26th, check out what is in store at That's Amore Italian Restaurant in Peter's Landing on PCH.  They are offering an Exclusive Wine Dinner - featuring 7ANGELS CELLARS, a Boutique Wine from Paso Robles. It is $69.95 with Special Event pricing on wine purchases - The tasting is guided by the wine maker himself - Greg Martin along with cuisine prepared by Executive Chef, Alessandro Colaiacomo.  Call for reservations: 562-592-7104.

Did you catch that air show this weekend.   I was down there all 3 days.  Such a good time, what a great show.  So glad we will have them back again next year!   I don't take the best pictures, but some shots and videos I got are here on this google drive:  https://goo.gl/photos/KLTGyHL8UWDhHFgL6
In case you want to check it out.

Also, for all your Halloween fun, make sure to hit downtown on Monday,,, there will all kinds of activities for the kids from- 4-8pm,,, on both Main Street & 5th. Including a costume contest for the kids and the canines!  don't miss this super fun family friendly event.

Updates & helpful info for Huntington Beach

So you all know I have a love for Pacific City – have you been there lately to check out what is new?  Lot 579 is now open!  If you didn’t know, it is named after Lifeguard Towers 5, 7, and 9 and covers everything from gourmet sandwiches to ocean-to-table seafood, fish tacos to Australian meat pies, cold pops & homemade ice cream to champagne.   Here is a list of places now open:  Bear Flag Fish Company, Burnt Crumbs, Hans Homemade Ice Cream, Popbar, Portola Coffee Lab, Pie-Not, Petals and Pop.   And soon to open will be The American Dream (superior burgers & 60 craft brews), Frosted Cupcakery (out of Belmont Shore), Il Barone Italian Street Food (pizzas, pastas, & more), Mahogany Smoked Meats (beef, turkey, elk and bison jerky).   Also, now open is the Bungalow – pretty cool looking place with an eclectic design, quite the hangout.  They will be offering a wide range of signature cocktails as well as serving food from Bear Flag (sent via dumb waiter).

Soooo…. You also all probably know how much I love to support Waggin’ Trails Rescue Foundation (with our signature Wags-n-Wine event and more), now I have an easy way you can also help save the lives of some dogs – shop Amazon!   Yes that is right, if you shop on Amazon (I know many of you do), simply to to https://smile.amazon.com instead of the regular amazon.com.  All the same prices, everything is identical.    On your fist visit to smile you pick your charity – please pick Waggin’ Trails – so when you make a purchase, a donation goes to Waggn’ Trails.  And all future purchases will also donate to W.T. automatically.  W.T. really needs the help, they are now doing two transports a month, saving 30-50 dogs/month.  That definitely adds up in costs.  Please check it out.

Here is a Public Service Announcement – I figured this deserved a shout out!!   First a big pat on the back to our HB Police Department for breaking up a scam that took advantage of local businesses and charities.   This is the blurb form the Register newspaper:
A suspected $126 million telemarketing scheme uncovered by Huntington Beach investigators led authorities on Tuesday morning to arrest 21 people accused of defrauding small businesses and charities by selling them overpriced toner for printers and photocopiers.
You can read the rest of the story on facebook (whole story posted):    www.facebook.com/LocalHB
Thank you Leonard at Surf City Copiers for sharing this information!!   Something small businesses should be aware of!

Relay for Life in Huntington Beach this weekend

It is that time of year again – American Cancer Society Relay for Life. It happens to be this Saturday, 10am to 10pm in Central Park.  Entering off of Edwards between Slater & Garfield (by the Kathy May’s parking).  Here is the event page on Facebook for it:  https://www.facebook.com/events/932288793532890/

Just about everyone I know has been touched by cancer in some capacity, so consider coming out to join us.  On that facebook page, you will see the schedule for the day regarding all that is going on.  Lunch and dinner being cooked by our very own Huntington Beach Host Lions Club (accepting donations which go to the Relay), lots of live music, and fun themed laps.  Please try to come out and show some support.  Tell others!

A week from this Saturday (May 7 from 1-6pm) is the Therapeutic Riding Center annual fundraiser and BBQ at the Red Horse Barn at the Equestrian Riding Center (18381 Goldenwest St).  Silent auction, parade of the riding center's athletes, hat contest and free face painting are planned.  $5 children, $10 adults.  For more info:www.trchb.org.

And when you are done there, on the same day you can head over to the Seacliff Country Club for the Project Self Sufficiency annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Please fundraiser from 6-10 pm.  This year includes a sit down dinner plus all of the usual distinctive wines, decadent chocolates, gourmet cheeses, live music, auctions and more.  Get all the details and tickets at www.winecheeseandchocolateplease.com.

Have you been to Saint Marc over at Pacific City yet?  They happened to have won 1st place at the Taste of Huntington Beach this past Sunday in the appetizer category for their bacon wrapped dates and watermelon skewers.  I can tell you, I personally had to make a few visits to their booth because it was so good.   So, speaking of bacon, they now have opened their To-Go-Bacon-Bar.  For the ultimate grab-n-go experience, they offer 11 signature flavors of bacon 'buy' the slice which can be ordered to-go at the special bacon bar door. Signature bacon flavors include:  Nueske’s Wild Cherry,  Garlic Parmesan,  Paprika Slanina, Benton’s Country, Tender Belly Maple, English Style Back, Zoe’s Applewood Uncured,  Apple Pie, Tender Belly Habanero, Nueske’s Double Cut,  Coffee Rubbed – If you love bacon, this is sure to make you hungry.

Besides Saint Marc, there are so many other establishments at Pacific City worth a visit.  Great restaurants and wonderful shops.  A must visit if you haven’t been there yet. I’m a huge fan.

Pacific City event

Hi HB locals….. I’m doing a shout out for my friends over at the new Pacific City.  Here is something you will want to check out this Saturday Beach Clean Up & Pasea Career Fair on Monday.

First up from Pacific City:
Members of the Huntington Beach community, including students, residents and beach goers, will join top female pro surfer Lakey Peterson at Pacific City - a new ocean view shopping and dining destination in Huntington Beach - for a fun-filled day celebrating Surf City USA with a Beach Clean-Up!

Beginning at 9am, participants will meet at Pacific City (in the ocean view plaza between Lemonade and Simmzy’s) to enjoy one of the best wake-up calls – complimentary Portola Coffee and a warm-up stretch with one of Equinox’s talented trainers. At 10am, the group will hit the beach with Peterson, a passionate environmentalist who currently is ranked the number-four female surfer in the world, to collect trash. Parking will be complimentary for volunteers at the beach clean-up, and attendees also will receive a complimentary gift bag from Pacific City.

To join in the day’s free activities, and to help make Huntington Beach cleaner for everyone, please RSVP at http://bit.ly/1KBg8lY.

When: Saturday, February 20, 2016, 9am - 12Noon

Where: Pacific City
21010 Pacific Coast Highway (meet on the plaza between Lemonade and Simmzy’s)
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
 
Photo/Interview Opportunities:
•      Top female pro surfer Lakey Peterson
•      Volunteers of all ages cleaning Huntington City Beach
•      Large groups of people taking an outdoor stretch class with Equinox instructors


Also coming up next door to Pacific City at our new hotel Pasea….on Monday they are doing a career fair.
It is listed on their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaseaHotel.  This is the description:
Interested in joining our growing team? Stop by Pacific City Monday, February 22nd from 3pm - 6pm for our first Career Mixer. Meet current staff, explore open positions and more.
If you know of anyone looking for a job, you might want to get over there on Monday!

Scavenger Hunt in Huntington Beach (plus more)

January is half over, are you participating in the Scavenger Hunt downtown?   It goes til the end of the month, so there is still time.  25 HB Downtown businesses are participating in this month-long scavenger hunt with over $2500 in prizes.

"Players" can pick up a game form at any of the twenty-five businesses and start playing right away.  The Scavenger Hunt adventure takes players over several blocks in the downtown destination, where they learn answers to a variety of business clues, such as:  What do the 3 dots represent in the Bruxie logo, or who invented the first permanent wave, and what is the temperature of liquid nitrogen used to make fresh ice cream?  When a player visits the store, he or she is given a sticker from that business.  A completed form makes them eligible to win the Grand Prize of $250.00 cash.  A player who completes at least 10 of the clues can win a $10 gift card; entries with 15 stickers can win a $25 gift card and 24 stickers entries are entered to win a $50.00 gift card.  Over $2500 in prizes will awarded to game players.  Entries are returned to Mangiamo Gelato Cafe by 7pm on Sunday, January 31st. Over 100 prizes will be awarded.  The Grand Prize Winner will be announced during Surf City Nights on Tuesday, February 2nd.  More info on their website:  www.hbdowntown.com.

Have you been to OPM yet?  Warner & Magnolia (next to the Jiffy Lube)…. Well if you haven’t, or even if you have and want an excuse to go back, come join a bunch of us at a business mixer Thursday the 21st, 5-7pm.   Very casual.  Simply enjoying the happy hour and visiting.  No cost, just buy what drinks and appetizers you want.  Their food is very good.  I’ve been to their happy hour many times. It is YUM.  (they also have a great Sunday brunch –with a bloody mary bar – can I say yum again).  Anyhow, come join us and mingle with other business folks and enjoy good company.

And finally (for this blast) thisFriday the 22nd is the unveiling of the Big Board at the International Surfing Museum.  10am to 11am.  That is one you don’t want to miss!   And don’t forget, all these events and MUCH more are on the calendar at www.TheLocalHB.com.