www.SurfCitySavings.com just had two next businesses join: Prince Charters Yachts & Volleyball Market. check the site for their discounts

HB upcoming events

It is finally here, tomorrow night (March 23), the OC Largest Mixer at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. The event is from 5pm to 9pm and will feature thousands of attendees - mix and mingle with business professionals from in and around Orange County. Don't forget to bring your business cards! There will be over 250 exhibitor booths from a variety of industries. You can enjoy the tastes of 20 delicious eateries and food trucks. They will have "official networking lounges" to grab a drink and network with potential clients. Many fantastic giveaways as well. Make sure to drop your business card at admissions! All this for only $20 (plus fee for parking). www.largestmixer.com/ocmixer for more info.

And coming up next week is the RBN Regional Evening Business Networking Mixer right here in our own back yard at Endless Food & Fun, 7227 Edinger Ave. It will be next Tues, March 29, 5pm - 7:30pm. $15 to attend includes enjoying their buffet!! If you are a business and would like to display with a table, it is only $45 for the table. Come enjoy the endless food, endless refreshments, endless fun, endless networking. http://www.rbninfo.com/ for all the details.

Additionally, it is of not too early to get your tickets to one of the wonderful fundraising wine tasting events coming up this spring. May 1 is the Taste of Huntington Beach benefiting the HB Children's Library - http://www.tasteofhb.com/. and on June 26 is the Pups N Pinot Wine Tasting benefiting A Leg Up Rescue - http://www.pupsnpinot.com/. Check the websites for both these events for information and to buy tickets.

If you are a parent, at some point you may have considered having your child attend a faith based school as an alternative,,,, well, here in HB we have Coastline Christian School , 2721 Delaware St. (http://www.coastlinechristianschoolofhb.com/). Their philosophy is clear in their motto: " 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." They have a discount coupon on enrollment on http://www.surfcitysavings.com/ discount program. Check it out.

And speaking of Surf City Savings , if you haven't been to the site lately, some of the newest participants who have joined are:
Mr. Keg's - discount on your purchase
Liberty Tax - 30% off your tax preparation
Salon Cache - buy one service, get one free
Pacifica Orthopedics - 20% off remaining balance of non-insured portion of treatment
Troadec Photography - 1 hour photo session half price
Please see the site for the details of these and other offers. And remember to shop local.

REALLY Go Green for St. Patricks Day with Eco-Friendly Activities

(This Article Posted by Ian Andrew on Greener Ideal)
Although it's the first thing that often comes to mind, St Patrick's day isn't all about drinking green beer. To make your St. Patrick's Day even greener than it already is, we've come up with a few eco-friendly activities that are best suited for environmentalists living a green lifestyle on St. Patrick's Day.

1. Eat Green - Bright Green Dishes
It may be the easiest way to brighten your day with the color green, but try to find some green foods to eat. Look beyond a traditional salad, and think outside the box. Mint leaves on top of a bowl of organic ice cream could be a great St. Patrick's Day treat for the kids (and be much healthier than a Shamrock Shake)!

2. Get outside and plant something green
It may not be quite warm enough to get the shovels in the ground yet, but it's starting to look and feel a lot like spring here. It might be a good time to take stock of what you plan to do in your yard this year, and if it's too cold to get outside, look at some greenery online and choose what plants and trees you want to invest in this year.

3. If you're going somewhere, use green transportation
This tip goes double-true if you're partaking in any green beer festivities, but if the weather allows it you should leave the car keys at home and join the St. Patty's Day parade on foot. A second-best alternative for green transportation on St. Patrick's Day is public transportation. Whether you're riding the subway or the bus, fewer drivers on the road means fewer carbon emissions.

4. Wear green clothes made with organic cotton
Although most people don their favourite shade of green clothes for St. Patrick's Day, be even greener and one up them with some organic cotton duds. Many retailers are now offering organic lines of clothing to appeal to their green customers, so don't be shy to ask if you find yourself at the mall tomorrow.

5. Drink Green Organic Beer
Lastly, because it can't be avoided on St. Patrick's Day, drink some green beer. While most people will throw some food colouring in their beverages (although avoid the artificial stuff), take it a step further and order something organic.

Local to Toronto, we have a great green brewery, Steam Whistle, who pride themselves on brewing with natural ingredients and taking part in other great green initiatives like packaging made from recycled materials and biodegradable cups for events.

If you're going to indulge in the green beer today, find a local brewery near you that sources natural ingredients, and make this year's St. Patrick's Day green beer extra green.

Please visit www.facebook.com/pupsnpinot and "like" us. we want to get the word out on our 6-26 wine tasting event.

Weekly Update for Huntington Beach Locals

Wow, can you believe we are almost to mid March!?! And don't forget what that means.....this weekend is daylight savings where you "spring ahead" and hour. Make sure to change those clocks!

There is plenty of fun stuff to do around town this weekend, but a couple of highlights:

Saturday is the Annual 3/1 Run at Beach Blvd at PCH, starting at 8:30am. The run will benefit the Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation. Before the race, there will be breakfast by the Huntington Beach Firefighters and the 3rd Battalion/1st Marines will run cadence from the starting line to Pier Plaza. Information and registration at: www.hb4marines. org

From 11am-5pm on both Saturday & Sunday near the pier you will find the Annual Kite Festival. Some of the best professional kite fliers in the country come to Huntington Beach to show their skills, not to mention their colorful stunt kites, for this annual family-friendly festival. Kite fliers are by invitation only, but beach goers will have a front row seat for this fabulous event. Kites will be available for purchase and the public is invited to fly their kits outside the roped-off kite arenas on the beach. Definitely makes for a fun day at the Beach. Read about the rest of the events on the calendar section of www.TheLocalHB.com .

Often this time of year means it is time for some home improvement. We pick away at doing improvements to our own home, and one such improvement that made all the difference in the world was putting in crown molding! At the same time we also did all our base & case and it all really spruced up the place. The finish carpenter we used was a fellow local here in HB. Nedelec Construction ( 714.848.9273 / cell: 949.293.1343). The owner, Dave Nedelec, has been in the business since 1978. Back in the day he worked for a custom home builder and gained a real appreciation of the finish work on custom homes. Dave has done everything from small remodels to new custom 12,000 square foot homes. His creative eye along with your custom detail is sure to beautify your home and make it uniquely yours. I can't recommend him enough. If you or anyone you know is in need of his services, you won't be disappointed!

And now for our periodic educational piece (for daily life when you need a little help). I'm referring to needing a little extra cash. And if you need it fast, one of t he simplest way to get a loan in minutes is to head over to Title Loans Orange County for a loan on your pink slip. Title Loans on cars are quick, easy and fast. The best part about these auto title loans? You get to keep your car to drive! Customers love the service at Title Loans Orange County for their speedy process and their unique no prepayment penalty policy. You can get car title loans today and pay it off next month for no extra fees. Title Loans OC is an expert at making title loans on cars. And unlike other title loans companies, they make on the spot cash loans so there is no waiting for a check in the mail.
So, how do Auto Title Loans work?
Your paid off car holds equity so when you need emergency funds you have the option to borrow against your car title for quick cash based on the Kelly Blue Book value. Whether you have good or bad credit, getting a title loan in Orange County is almost instant and you can get $2,500 to $20,000 the same day! After you borrow the amount you desire, you can make small easy payments to your principle and pay it off at any time!
How to get started a Car Title Loan?
1. Call Title Loans Orange County at (949) 566-8170 to see immediately how much you can borrow.
2. Gather your pink slip, current registration, insurance card, proof of employment and ID.
3. Bring the required items into 15182 Goldenwest Street Suite 101, Westminster, CA 92683 and tell the loan specialist, "I'm here for my Title Loan!" There, you will find a fast, private and friendly staff fully equipped to handle your loan needs. With excellent customer reviews, and low interest rates, it has never been this simple to get a Title Loan in Orange County. For more information visit or call today and mention TheLocalHB for a free car appraisal. Tile Loans Orange County proudly serves all residents of Orange County!

Now get out there and enjoy the sun!

upcoming events for Huntington Beach

Pull out those calendars to mark off a couple of dates. These are for events coming soon (but certainly farther out than this weekend!)

First up. Taste of Huntington Beach ,www.TasteOfHB.com. This event is May 1 at the Sports Complex at Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave. But did you know tickets are available now? And if you buy your tickets before end of this month, you get a savings. Yes that is correct. Right now, it is only $50 for this GREAT event. I've been to a lot of "Taste of (insert city here)"... over the years, and really, nothing compares to our very own. Go to the site and buy your tickets now!

Next up for your calendar. March 23, 5pm-9pm, you definitely want to head down to Costa Mesa for Orange County's Largest Mixer VIII . It is your chance to join Orange County Chambers of Commerce and business organizations for this HUGE event at the OC Fair & Event Center (88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa). You will be able to mix & mingle with over 3,000 business people and check out over 300 exhibitor tables representing hundreds of industries and companies in and around OC. This is your chance to reach both small and large companies, meet new clients and learn how the different chambers and organizations can make your business grow. It is only $20 to attend (sorry no credit cards) and you can find all the info about the event (including vendor info) at www.ocmixer.com or call 949-338-8338.

Now, back to tastings.... on June 26, 2pm-6pm, at the Newland Barn (Beach & Adams), you can get your fill at the Pups N Pinot Wine (& food) Tasting . This one is to raise money for A Leg Up Dog Rescue. Not a huge tasting event like Taste of HB, but a smaller one (about 500 folks) and we include man's best friend (leashed dogs welcome). But although it may be a smaller event, believe me, last year I left VERY full of wine & yummies. There will be live entertainment, dog costume contest, wine & food vendors, silent & live auction & more. Because this is a newer event, they are actively looking for vendors. If you or someone you know has or has access to wine or food, we'd love to know about it (I'm on the planning committee this year so you can contact me). Wine or food vendors can simply donate and volunteers will pour/serve or better yet, donors, come out and pour/serve yourself to get the best representation of your business. Folks who donate will be represented on the website, www.pupsnpinot.com, as well as at the event. This event is only $30 to attend. Please check out the website!

Finally, with all this walking at events such as these, you could end up with some sore feet.... The best way to keep this from happening is to be prepared with some good footwear. A little bit north of us, you will find Foot Solutions , 1811 Ximeno Ave in Long Beach (only about 15 from here). Even though they are not located in HB, I can talk about them because we really don't have anything like this in town. It's too bad their store isn't here!! Anyhow, they are a foot health center offering shoes, inserts and other foot care products. They have shoes specially made to help your feet whether it is for work, dress or play. Check them out at www.footsolutions.com/longbeach or call to talk to Karen: 562-961-3200. And to learn even more about them, you can check out this press release: Click to View - It is filled with great info about them.

another donation just got made to the HB Relay for Life - $2500. We're doing great. check it out at: www.relayforlifehb.com

Happy Valentine's Day

We are all aware Valentine's is right around the corner....still looking for something for that special someone?
Heres a few local ideas: Mr. Kegs at 6914 Warner Ave can supply you with that perfect gift basket, or you can pick up that special bottle of wine from their large selection!

Right across the street is Absolutely Fabulous , 6024 Warner, where you will find SO many gift ideas. And by the way, this Saturday evening they are having a special reception highlighting Randy Cooper Shadow Art - amazing stuff. check out their site, http://www.absolutelyfabulous1.com/ for info .

Ladies, do you want to get all pretty for Valentines? Depending on what end of town you are, we've got Salon Ambiance at 5075 Warner, or the Upstairs Salon at 7561 Center Ave, #45. Both full service salons. Also off of Center you can find the Image Spa , 7081 Center Ave, for more intense make-overs - a full service day spa, plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry & more! For the ladies whose men love their cars, why not give them a gift certificate to Francisco's Automotive (7662 Slater Ave) for some auto care - oil change, air conditioning service, etc.

By the way, you can find the detailed info for these local merchants as well as many others in the business listings on TheLocalHB.com . You can also find all kinds of deals on the site for the Surf City Savings Discount Program - check it out and save some money!!

Speaking of deals, here is one to check out - Pizzarito in Bella Terra, for a limited time, is offering an outrageous happy hour: from 3-6pm Monday through Friday, buy one slice and receive one slice free of equal value or less. How can you beat that?! They are the place to go for authentic New York Pizza by the slice (you can also get whole pizzas, and they deliver! They've been to my house numerous times).

Lastly, here is a a request to support a hometown friend to find his way to the North Pole. Some of you may already know Mark Chapman, through the HB Chamber of Commerce, or from his photography, or as co-host of the Miss HB Pageant, or from is involvement in leading the way for the Centennial Scavenger Hunt here in town. Well, here's the deal: Mark is trying hard to win a trip to the North Pole and in order to do this he needs another 1,500 to 2,000 votes to be among the top five contestants who will then be judged
on an essay he wrote explaining why he should be the official blogger of this trip. How exciting would that be?
This is truly a once in a lifetime experience and it would be great to have a local plant a flag at the top of the world!
Can you help him out? (I already have), Here's all you have to do:
1. Select the following link:

2. Under Mark's picture select Register
3. You can use your Facebook login or register a new login.
4. Follow the links to vote for Mark
5. Forward this e-mail to 10 friends and ask them to vote for Mark
How easy is that? He needs the votes by February 15th. So time is critical. If we can send Mark to the North Pole, he promises to bring us back snow! :-)
A very happy Valentine's Day to all......

Business Networking and Superbowl Fun in Huntington Beach

Tomorrow (Feb 1) is the night for the big RBN (Relationship Building Network) Expo and you don't want to miss it. It is their first big 2011 Kick-Off Business Expo of the year. To remind you once again, there will be 130 companies exhibiting, 17 great restaurants with complimentary food, and over 1400 attending for you to network with. 5:00pm - 8:00 pm at the Double Tree Hotel in Orange - 100 The City Drive South (at The Block of Orange). It is only $20 at the door which includes parking, food and lots of networking. It is open to everyone - no rsvp required. For more info visit: www.RBNinfo.com

Have you made your plans for Superbowl yet?? Here's a couple of good choices: Centerfield Sports Bar & Grill, 17296 Beach Blvd, always has a big sports "to-do" going on with over 45 TV's and plasma screens. You can just show up early to grab a seat, or make a reservation, ph: 714-848-0113, for $25 per person which includes a gift bags (a t-shirt included), choice of food item (have to ask them what they are) and 2 drinks a person.

There is also a Superbowl party going on at the Old World Bar , 7561 Center Ave. #49. A big screen & lots of TV's in the lounge and big screens on the patio. Appetizer menu, full cocktail bar, and of course a large beer selection. Bring the whole family! If you are bold, don't forget you can head to down town HB for the big Surf City USA Marathon. They are expecting record crowds! You can find info about the event on TheLocalHB calendar.

Pawn Shop Huntington Beach: Best place in OC to borrow instant cash on gold & jewelry items

Here is some more good info from one of our local HB businesses:
Do you need a fast and easy short-term cash loan? If you have no time to waste or have bad credit or even no credit, a pawn shop can be your best friend. They can loan you instant cash money using your personal items as collateral for the loan. A Pawnshop is run by a pawnbroker who will make loans using your personal property as collateral for the loan. And in California, all pawn shops are state regulated so the interest rates they charge are all set by the state of California. Most pawnbrokers will loan up to 65% of the actual cash value of the item. How do pawn shops work? For instant, to borrow money on a diamond ring that has a cash value of $5,000, you could borrow up to $3,000 in less than 15 minutes with no credit check and no approval. It’s fast, easy, and confidential.

So if you need cash, borrow instant cash on gold, jewelry, diamonds, silver, gold coins, art, Rolex watches, watches, chains, rings, estate jewelry, or anything of value and bring them down to your local pawn shop for a quick cash loan. There are several pawn shops stores or pawn shop locations in Orange County but only two in Huntington Beach. We recommend Pawn Shop Huntington Beach because they specialize in jewelry loans, or making loans on jewelry items so they are not your typical pawnshop with black and white TV’s hanging on the dusty shelf. There, you will find a friendly staff that will handle your transaction in a private and timely manner. You can find Pawn Shop Huntington Beach at 15182 Goldnwest Street Suite 102, Huntington Beach, CA 92683. Call them at 714-465-4950 or visit them at http://www.pawnshophuntingtonbeach.com/. Mention TheLocalHB for a free appraisal. They make loans on gold and jewelry from $2,000 up to $100,000 in minutes.

They gladly serve all residents of Orange County including Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Tustin, and Mission Viejo.

Get discounts (half price) for events from Goldstar!

Check out this site for Goldstar. They have half-price tickets and member reviews of concerts, sports, theater and more.
I'm already a member! It's free: https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F715706RB

Need a good Huntington Beach Orthopedic?

if you do, one place you can get real good care at is: Pacifica Orthopedics located at 18800 Delaware ST. Ste 1150 (their number: 714-841-5333)
Pacifica Orthopedics offers unique and comprehensive medical care specializing in general orthopedics, spine, hand & foot surgery, arthroscopy, chiropractic, neurology, physical therapy, psychology, pain management, rehabilitation medicine, and sports medicine.

Their digital imaging includes Ultrasound machine, Fluoroscopy, and Extremity MRI. All onsite. Doctors can see and explain results to you immediately, saving time and money. With on-site digital imaging there is no need to send you away for X-rays, only to have you bring back films. Digital X-ray, with instantaneous results provide a huge benefit for you and the doctor. Keep them in mind next time a need arrises!

another reminder that this Friday night, the 28th, is the kick off party for the Relay for Life (which is in May). 6-9pm is the time. Endless Food & Fun is the location. Endless is located at 7227 Edinger between GW College & Gothard. Come check out what the Relay is all about and feel free to come early and enjoy the very reasonably priced buffet. Or bring the kids and let them enjoy the arcade & laser tag.
Info on the Relay can be found at www.relayforlife.org/huntingtonbeachca

Networking Event next week

Are you in to networking for your business?? Most of us are, so you want to make sure your calendar is marked for February 1, 5pm-8pm, for the RBN Major 2011 Kick-Off Business Expo . There will be 130 businesses exhibiting, 20 great restaurants with complimentary food and over 1,400 attending to network with. The Expo will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Orange, 100 The City Drive (at the Block of Orange). The cost is $20 at the door, no rsvp necessary. Free parking. The event is open to everyone, so take advantage of this great opportunity. More info about RBN: www.rbninfo.com.

How and where to Sell Gold and Jewelry in Huntington Beach, Orange County, California

Looking for the best place to sell gold in Orange County?
While there might be a few options, your best bet is to call the premier gold buyers at Cash for Gold Huntington Beach. They buy anything that is real gold or silver and pay you cash on the spot. They even do free no-obligation appraisals. Visit them on the web at http://www.cashforgoldorangecounty.com/.
If you haven't been living under a rock this past year, you have probably heard of “cash for gold” gold buyers, seen a sell gold jewelry ad on TV, thought about selling your unwanted gold, or had someone you know throw a “gold party”. It’s only natural to be curious about what is really going on with gold in this economic climate, and whether or not you’re sitting on a potential gold mine.

With gold at an all time high it is one of the best “band wagons” to be on. Here are some facts about how and where to sell gold jewelry in Orange County:

1. Sell locally. There are numerous cash for gold locations in Huntington Beach and all over Orange County. Gather up anything gold, (even jewelry you might question) jewelry, rings, broken chains, dental gold, silver, platinum, gold bars, and old coins with an 1964 or older date. Remember, just because you bring it in doesn't mean you have to sell it, there isn’t any harm of seeing how much something is worth. Separate the items you gather into different piles or bags, for example have a bag for 14 karat, 18 karat or sterling silver. Find a local jewelry buyer (I like to support the local economy). I really like Cash for Gold Orange County, located at 15182 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92683 at 714-901-8000 Visit them at www.cashforgoldorangecounty.com. A number of cas4gold locations also are pawn shops, so if you don’t want to sell gold, you can always loan your gold for any period of time. Once you get there, ask a lot of questions about selling silver and selling gold, negotiate a reasonable price, and get cash right away. Even a free gold appraisal.
2. You can sell it privately. With this option you can have a garage sale, post an ad on craigslist, or take your gold or silver to a swap meet. If you choose to sell gold on your own please be careful and know that you will have to haggle and negotiate with individuals while at the same time advertise and respond to potential buyers. Be careful if you choose this option.
3. Send in your gold by mail. This method is also more risky and not recommended when there is a reputable local buyer like Cash for Gold in Huntington Beach. If you do send in your gold to a place like Cash4Gold, there is no guarantee you will get the maximum cash value of current gold prices. Once you send off your gold, it’s gone and the company pays you what they pay you. There are typically no negotiations, and you then have to wait for a check in the mail. This is not the best option for most people.

a couple of announcements

This week we have a couple of public service announcements for you.
First, the Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Pageant is just around the corner and they are still looking for applicants from girls wishing to change their lives forever. It is for girls between 17-24 years-of-age, who either work or live in Huntington Beach. They can apply now at www.misshb.org . Applications must be turned in by January 25 by 7pm, inside the Old World Village Festival Hall, 7561 Center Ave. or via the website. Interested contestants can also call the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce: 714.536.8888. The contest for the crown is February 19th and will be held at the Historic Huntington Beach High School Auditorium. The new Miss Huntington Beach and her court receive scholarship money and annually the Queen competes in June for the title of Miss California. Please pass this info on to any gal who might be interested.

The Pageant is also sponsoring a Little Princess section in this year’s Pageant. The Lil’ Princess program is open to ages 5-12 and includes a crown, sash and a dance on the stage. The program participants will share in a tea party with Miss Huntington Beach herself. Additional questions can be answered by Pam Alagata, executive director, at 714. 654.9219.

Another announcement: Coming up on January 28, 6pm-9pm, will be the Kick Off Party for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life that is held here in Huntington Beach. Learn what the Relay is all about. Speakers, light appetizers, raffles, silent auction, fun! This event is to "kick-off" our Relay season and our fundraising efforts to help find a cure for cancer. www.relayforlife.org/huntingtonbeachca has more info. The kick off will be held at Endless Food and Fun on 7227 Edinger Ave. Here's an idea, plan to arrive early and enjoy dinner at their endless buffet - only $9.99. While you attend the kick off, you can let your kiddies (if you brought them) enjoy all the arcade games or lazer tag. I'm sure it would cost less than leaving them at home with a babysitter!! Keep up to date on the Relay at www.relayforlife.org/huntingtonbeachca .

And speaking of the Relay Kick Off, if you'd like to get your business a little extra recognition and do something good for this cause, please consider donating something for our raffle or silent auction. Every bit we raise that night goes toward our HB Relay. You will get recognition for your donation in our program and it would sure help us out. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like donate something. I thank you in advance for considering helping.

Don't forget tonight is the opening night of the Wednesday specials at the Huntington Beach Playhouse . The schedule of the shows can be found on their site (as well as my calendar section). www.hbph.com. I'll be there tonight for the first show! Maybe see you there.....

Happy New Year Huntington Beach locals!

Happy New Year Huntington Beach locals. Here's to wishing you the very best for 2011. Hopefully it will be a great year for all of us.

So, let me ask you this, are you ready to break the New Year's resolution yet? I mean the one on cutting back food intake! Well, here is your chance. Tommy Pastrami is holding a pastrami eating contest! Here is the excerpt from their press release:

Tommy Pastrami New York Delicatessen is excited to announce the first promotion of its kind; a "Pastrami Eating" Competition.
The eight, fastest contestants at each store will "face-off" with one another on National Pastrami Day, January 14, 2011.
The top two finalist of each store will receive a Tommy Pastrami gift certificate; (Second Place $25.00 and First Place $50.00) and move forward to compete in the Tommy Pastrami Tri County Pastrami Competition. The event will be held in Huntington Beach, at Tommy Pastrami New York Delicatessen (18001 Beach Blvd) on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 1 pm.
The twelve final contestants will compete to devour Tommy Pastrami New York Delicatessen's "Biggest Pastrami Sandwich" within thirty minutes. The person who eats the entire sandwich in the fastest time period will receive $500.00 and the bragging rights for the entire 2011 year.
Come out and help us celebrate. We invite everyone to attend The First Official Tommy Pastrami New York Delicatessen "Pastrami Wars."
Are you up to the challenge? Contact your local store for the details.

How yummy is that? And tummy filling too! Call our local location for more info: (714) 848-4567.

Have you ever been to the Huntington Beach Playhouse for one of their many wonderful shows? Make sure to make 2011 be the year you get over to Central Library (7111 Talbert Ave) to see a show. For those of you who are regulars, did you know about their new Wednesday night specials? Check out their site, www.hbph.com , for the schedule. They have some great shows coming up, starting next week, including the Shenanigans comedy sketches & skits, Corporate Recess Players Improv, Meledramadness, and more. Dates and times are on their website, plus all the info about the rest of the plays coming up this season.
Again, all the best for a successful New Year

Happy Holidays from TheLocalHB

Are you all set for the holidays? Can you believe they are already upon us? Where oh where did the year go??

Need a couple last minute shopping ideas? Got a few for you:
Holidays are full of parties.... why not pay Mr. Kegs a visit? Located at 5914 Warner Ave. (at Springdale, phone: 714-861-7270). After all, they are known as the party people! What better way to celebrate the season than give the gift of booze!! They are considered a unique and full service provider of beer, wine and spirits and can make any gift giving a success. They carry the largest selection of craft beers in town by the way. They also offer custom gift baskets (and that is year round!). And if it is your holiday party that is still in some need of help, you can pick up that "help yourself" kegerator or take advantage of their full service bar experience.

Other gift ideas: Absolutely Fabulous (6026 Warner Ave / 714-842-1608) for the most unique gift items you can find anywhere - they were just written up in the paper for the awards they've received lately!

Give a gift of car maintenance from Francisco's Auto Repair (7662 Slater Ave. / 714-375-2661). Swing by and pick up a gift certificate for an oil change, or any kind of maintenance loved one's car might need!

If that car is not worth fixing, how about giving a nice "big ticket" item.....a new car!!! And you know who to go to for that don't you? Fox Auto is the only one. Why go to a dealer when you can save so much time (and often money) by going to a broker. It is the only way to purchase a car. Our last 4 vehicles are all broker bought! Give WC Fox a call, 714-846-7599 and talk to him about how he can help you.

All kinds of other savings can be found on the Surf City Savings Discount Program website. Many local Huntington Beach businesses have offers on the site including some of the new ones: Cross Fit Training (give the gift of getting in shape); Five Star Pool Management (what better gift than not having to take care of your own pool); Sandyle Kids & Baby Boutique (lots of gifts to choose from for the youngsters); American Nails (pick up a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure); Affinity Jewelers (who doesn't like the gift of jewelry); Endless Food and Fun (certificates for food & fun with them,,, including their yummy buffet and laser tag). There are so many merchants on the site, take a look and see who can fill your needs: www.SurfCitySavings.com

There still is fun to be had downtown this xmas weekend, including having your photo taken with the Surfing Santa and enjoying the snow on Main during the afternoon & evening. Over on the Strand, there is ice skating available. Get out there and have some fun. Details of days & times can be found on the calendar section of TheLocalHB . Hopefully we'll have some dry days this week/weekend.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters of TheLocalHB website. It is always appreciated. I love Huntington Beach and am all about the locals. If ever I can help or answer questions, just give a holler.

Wishing everyone the best for the holidays and may 2011 be a great year!

Special Monday Night Football at Centerfield in Huntington Beach

Centerfield Sports Bar, 17296 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach, will honor the late football great and broadcaster Don Meredith during Monday Night Football December 13.

A favorite beer of Meredith, who passed away December 6, was Pabst Blue Ribbon. There will be a PBR pint special for only $1.95. Additionally, There will be other drink and food specials, including $1.00 tacos.

During the Monday Night Football halftime, a YOUTUBE video will play as part of the tribute to the legendary football star and former Monday Night Football host, who died at the age of 72. “He will be missed,” said Paul Hamilton, owner of Centerfield.

For further information, contact Michelle Hamilton at Centerfield: 714. 848.0113. www.centerfieldsportsbar.com

Our very own Huntington Beach Absolutely Fabulous is named a top U.S. ‘Gifted Retailer’

(posted by Jan Norman, small-business columnist, December 4th, 2010, 4:00 am · 9 Comments)
Absolutely Fabulous — yes that really is the name of the shop — has been named one of the top three “visual merchandisers” in the nation by Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine. For those of you unfamiliar with retail lingo, that means the Huntington Beach gift shop is one of those places that always looks and feels great for shoppers. Absolutely Fabulous owner Diane Silverstein, right, with store designer Brett Richardson Now, on top of that award, Absolutely Fabulous is one of 25 retailers nationwide, and the only one in California, featured in the magazine’s November “25 Gifted Retailers” edition.

Owner Diane Silverstein says she entered the publication’s annual contest in April and was notified by Facebook that her shop was a winner. “We went to New York in August to get the award…but I didn’t know anything about the ‘Gifted Retailers’ (spread) until I got the magazine in the mail.
“This is more special to me because it takes everyone in the store working as a team to pull it off,” she adds. Silverstein credits the shop’s great looks, in part, to an August expansion into the adjacent shop that has not only given Absolutely Fabulous more room to merchandize, from 1,100 square feet to 2,700 square feet, but an easier-to-find front door. “The added window space has brought in so many new, wonderful people,” she says.

Store designer Brett Richardson “has an innate ability to transfer his and our personalities onto the floor of our store. We carry so much product, that he has the constant struggle of getting the stuff out without cluttering the store. And obviously, he’s doing a great job,” Silverstein says. Not many small businesses have been expanding in the recession and slow recovery, but Silverstein says, “It has made a huge difference because what makes people come in are the visual delights they see in the window. It’s like New York City 20 years ago.”

Silverstein, born in England, was a nurse specializing in spinal cord injuries for 20 years until she hurt her own back and had three surgeries. She didn’t work for eight years. In 2006 she drove past the Warner Avenue and Springdale Street intersection, saw a “for lease” sign and decided to open a gift and decor shop. “I don’t buy things you can find in other retailers within a certain geographic area,” she says. “Everyone carries Russ cuddly toys; I do Bearington (bears). We have a price point of $5 up to $8,000 so everyone can find something in their price range. And it’s all displayed beautifully.”

Absolutely Fabulous hosts art nights every few months to raise money for children’s charities and Silverstein serves champagne every afternoon. She also comes up with fun events. Currently the shop has an “ugly sweater” contest until Dec. 10. The winner will receive a $50 store gift certificate.

new additions to the Surf City Savings Discount Program in Huntington Beach

Hi all, It's been pretty busy for the Surf City Savings Discount Program - merchants have been anxious to sign up. Since the last notification of current sign-ups, we now have with us:
Hyatt Regency down on PCH - special discounted good neighbor rate (get those pesky family members from out of town out of your house and into a hotel!)
Caffe Gazelle - discount on bill or free desert (why cook when you can eat out!)
Burtucci's New York Pizza - 4 different specials offered (again, why cook!)
Wire-A-Cake.com - get a discount when you call in your order (why send flowers when you can send a cake to a loved one!)
Cross Fit School of Elite Fitness - complimentary introductory session (don't wait til a New Year's resolution to get in shape, start now!)
Five Star Pool Management - discount on monthly service (keep that pool sparkling, why mess with it yourself!)
Sandyle Kids & Baby Boutique - discount on purchase (do your holiday shopping for the kiddies, plus they have free Santa photos this month!)
American Nails & Spa - discounts on all their services (they do a great job on your nails...I should know, it's where I go!)
Affinity & Co Jewelers - discount on purchase (can't go wrong with your holiday shopping here, beautiful jewelry!)
Endless Food & Fun - free lazer tag (when you're done with all that shopping, treat yourself to some fun!)

Of course there are MANY more great discounts to be had in the Surf City Savings Discount Program, you should visit the site and check them out - take advantage of all the savings for your holiday needs!

Happy Holidays to all,

Mr. Kegs in Huntington Beach: did you know.....

Did you know Mr. Kegs are the Party People! They have it all, they do it all! Mr. Kegs is a unique and full service provider of beer, wine and spirits to enhance any celebration or gathering. They carry the largest selection of craft beers in town. Whether you are looking for that "help yourself" kegerator or a full service bar experience, Mr. Kegs can meet your needs. In addition, they offer custom gift baskets year round. They specialize in private and corporate event planning. And to make it even easier on you - THEY DELIVER! Mr. Kegs is located at 5914 Warner Ave. at Springdale in Huntington Beach. Give them a call: 714-861-7270

Happy Post Thanksgiving Huntington Beach

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I can't believe we are full on in to the holiday season….
So, what do we have on the agenda for the rest of this week? I'm glad you asked, here are some highlights (hopefully I didn't leave out any pertinent info this time!):

Wednesday, 5:30 - 7:30pm is the Toys for Joy Holiday Mixer at Old World Festival Hall (7561 Center Ave). This is hosted by the Sand Dollars (formerly the Women of Action) and the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce. The admission is an unwrapped toy appropriate for a child 3-15 and includes buffet, raffle prizes, entertainment. There will also be a gift auction. Proceeds to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, the Huntington Beach Therapeutic Riding Center and Alzheimer's Family Services Center

This weekend, Friday, Saturday & Sunday is the highly anticipated Grand Opening Extravaganza for Endless Food & Fun at 7227 Edinger Ave. $40 a person on any of those days will get you an all day unlimited pass including and endless buffet, arcade, lazer tag, entertainment and more!! Space is limited so reserve your spot now at www.endlessfoodandfun.com . Endless Food & Fun is a one stop destination for great food and great fun. You will find Delicioso!, a full service restaurant, the famous endless buffet, themed dining rooms and party rooms (for those special events), of course the lazer tag and arcade, redemption store and of course, more fun than you can handle. Pay them a visit, they are officially open to the public this Friday. Call them for the hours or questions: 714-846-7533

This weekend is downtowns official kick off for the holiday season with Saturday being the “Miracle on Main Street” Tree Lighting Ceremony on the 200 block of Main, from 5-6:30pm. There will be musical entertainment, free hot chocolate, cookies, popcorn & candy canes for all, as well as the arrival of Santa Claus!

On Sunday, the HB Youth Shelter is hosting the annual Light a Light of Love at the Pier. This event is the largest fundraiser for the shelter. Come out and show some support. It's a day full of holiday festivities starting at The Strand (about 1pm), beginning with a Holiday Bazaar and Holiday Dog Costume Contest. Other activities include a Children's Holiday Parade which will be on at Main Street (4:30pm), Surf City Santa photo ops at Pier Plaza, performances by Beach City Big Band, local High School Groups and bands (throughout day/evening), followed by the finale of the Pier and Main Street Snowflake Lighting (6pm). Businesses will offer special discounts and sales on from 3:00 to 7:00 pm - a percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Youth Shelter. For more information contact the CSP Youth Shelter at 714.842.6608.

Lastly, speaking of shelters, our own animal shelter on Newland (just north of PCH) is in desperate need of some holiday love for the dogs with these cold nights they have been having. Their wish list includes space heaters and bedding. Please consider dropping by something to help out these cold dogs. I just dropped off several blankets and beach towels that I no longer needed. The heaters are REALLY needed. Another idea - adopt a dog or cat to take home to share your life! Thank you for keeping these poor souls in your hearts - my two adopted dogs have provided more love than I could have imagined

the rain is supposed to stop by 9am...the Holiday Boutique at Old World today (11-4) is still on. come on out and do early holiday shopping. www.relayforlife.org/huntingtonbeachca under active fundraisers has all the info!

Ready for a Soggy Weekend in Huntington Beach?

Looks like a wet weekend ahead for Huntington Beach! But that shouldn't keep you from getting out there and enjoying what is going on! Of course the biggie this weekend, rain or shine, is the Holiday Boutique at Old World Festival Hall, 7561 Center Ave, 11am-4pm. This is a benefit for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and all the vendors present will be donating a portion of their profits of the day to the Relay here in Huntington Beach (which will be next May 21/22) to help with the fight against cancer. Come on out, don't be afraid of a little wetness and show some support, do some shopping, get some of your gift shopping out of the way. The list of vendors can be found at www.relayforlife.org/huntingtonbeachca on the Active Fundraisers link. You can help us out by forwarding on the info to everyone on your own list, or how about going to the Relay Facebook page and LIKE us: www.facebook.com/relayforlifehb . Thanks much!! Speaking of Facebook, pay a visit to ours: www.facebook.com/thelocalhb . Friend me up! :-)

Thanksgiving is next week…can hardly believe it. And with that, Christmas is right around the corner. Want to look good for the holidays? One top notch place in town to visit is The Spa at the Image Center , 7801 Center Ave. Reach them at 714-230-2440. They offer the finest in Day Spa and Med Spa services. Beyond ordinary day spas & med spas.... they have extraordinary spa treatments, medical skin therapies and image enhancement options. Go in to rejuvenate your skin, refresh your body, renew your confidence, smile without reservations and stand out from the crowd! Their site, www.imagecenter.info has a description of all they have to offer (they are also part of the Surf City Savings Discount Program - check out their specials)

Once your face & body are looking top notch, get that mop on top of your head looking good. Just down the street from the Image Center is The Upstairs Salon , located in Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave. #45 (ph: 714-897-5307, www.theupstairssalon.com ). Making you look & feel your best is their business! Custom colors & weaves, designer cuts, nails, eyelash perming, permanent hair removal, permanent make-up, brow & lash tinting, waxing, facials, chemical peels, hot oil & paraffin dips, spa pedicures. Truly a full service salon! Who could ask for more.

Now get out there and look pretty or handsome as the case may be.

new post on TheLocalHB blog. early holiday shopping suggestions. blog post at: www.thelocalhb.blogspot.com

ready for some holiday shopping in Huntington Beach?

With the holidays right around the corner it is time for some shopping updates. First we have some new additions to the City Savings Program. Recently joined: Seventh Chakra Yoga; ABC Painting & Wall Covering, Home Run Media Group printing, The Mailbox Center, Pageantry World Flags, All Star Garage Door, Pacific One Lending, Caffe Gazelle Italian Restaurant, Burtucci's New York Pizza, Wire-A-Cake.com and the Hyatt down on PCH. To view these new offers plus all the others that are on the site, make sure to visit www.SurfCitySavings.com . Please visit the merchants in the program and use their services, it is a great way to help support our local businesses - keep our spending dollars local. Also, stay tuned for news about SCS joining the social media scene. I'll let you know what that is all up and ready….now go out and spend some money with HB businesses!

Oh, by the way, while you are out there spending, a couple of the places you need to make sure to hit up are:
Absolutely Fabulous (6026 Warner Ave at Springdale, south of Warner, 714.842.1608). By November 6th, their store will be back to full operating status (they have been moving in the fall and holiday stuff!). They have some great holiday gifts and decorations going in, stuff you'll definitely want to check out. Also, you don't want to miss their fabulous window scenes!! I check them out every time I drive by. They are also offering a FREE GIFT for all purchases over $25, while supplies last, and make sure to check out their discount on Surf City Savings. A fun thing they also have going on: an UGLY SWEATER CONTEST running from Friday, December 3rd until Friday, December 10th. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Absolutely Fabulous! Certainly worth a visit, wouldn't you say?

For some more holiday shopping/spending, mark your calendar for Nov 21. 11am-4pm will be a holiday boutique at Old World Festival Hall, 7561 Center ave. 50+ vendors will be displaying their wares, including jewelry, clothing, baby items, health care products, holiday items and much more. And what makes this even better is the vendors are going to be donating a portion of their profit of the day to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. How cool is that? do your holiday shopping knowing you are giving back to charity at the same time. For more info and a list of participating vendors, go to www.RelayForLife.org/HuntingtonBeachCA . on the left of the page is a link for Active Fundraisers - that is where you'll find the info.

And finally this weekend (among other events you'll find on TheLocalHB Calendar) is the OC Chocolate Festival this Friday night and all day Saturday. Bring your family, your date and your taste buds. the Festival is sponsored by Fountain Valley Living Magazine and the city of Fountain Valley. 100 exhibitors will be featuring the finest chocolates, wine tastings, demonstrations, speakers, live jazz, gift shopping. Yes, it is more opportunity to shop!! For times, info and tickets: www.occhocolate festival.com or 714-847-7714

Looking to do some early holiday shopping? 11/21 at Old World, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, 11am-2pm. Holiday Boutiqe. 50+ vendors, selling their stuff and donating money to the ACS Relay for Life.

new additions to the Huntington Beach Surf City Savings Discount Program

Time for some updates to the Surf City Savings Discount Program here in Huntington Beach. We have some good ones who have recently joined up and her is their info:

Seventh Chakra Yoga - 10 days of yoga for $20
ABC Painting & Wall Covering - 10% off all services for HB residents, plus additional 10% off for senior citizens
Home Run Media Group - 20% off your printing order for decals, magnets, newsletters, brochure
The Mailbox Center (on Edinger) - $2 off or free box for any UPS/FedEx shipment or 15% off express international shipping
Pageantry World - 10% off any American flag
All Star Garage Door - free wireless/keyless entry with door or motor purchase
Pacific One Lending - free appraisal upon closing of escrow for any lending or free home protection warranty on any purchase at the close of escrow.

To view these offers plus all the others that are on the site, make sure to visit www.SurfCitySavings.com . Within the last week, we even have an additional 4 merchants signed up, but you will have to visit the site to find them…. Of course I will tell you who they are (plus any new ones) in the next email. Got to tease you a bit :-)

Please visit the merchants in the program and use their services, it is a great way to help support our local businesses - keep our spending dollars local. Also, stay tuned for news about SCS joining the social media scene. I'll let you know what that is all up and ready….now go out and spend some money with HB businesses!

Halloween Fun in Huntington Beach

Halloween in Huntington Beach!!

Around town there are plenty of things you can do with the kiddies this weekend including the Halloween costume contest at Bella Terra on Saturday: Prizes will be awarded for ages 3 and under, 4-6 years and 7-14 years. Registration will begin at 11:30 AM at the Bella Terra Amphitheater with final judging starting at 1:00 PM. On Sunday you can take the kids over to the Equestrian Center for their Halloween parade & costume contest: No horse necessary! Collect candy, win prizes and share in some delicious food at the potluck in the Red Horse Barn from 2pm to 5pm. Be sure to bring your favorite dish for the potluck! 714-848-6565 or www.hcpec.com for more info. When you are done there, head on down to Main Street downtown for the annual Trick or Treat on Main: A fun evening for children and families with trick or treating booths, a moon bounce, petting zoo, Ferris wheel, pumpkin carving, costume contests and more. Also, feel free to dress up your dog and bring them along, as this event is pet friendly! Activities will run from 5pm to 8pm. You will also find shopping centers around town offer trick or treating for the youngsters, just keep your eyes open while driving around town, you are sure to spot the signs.

If you want to get in some adult action, on this Friday night it is not too late to get in on the fun at the Annual Halloween BOO ! thrown by yours truly. It is held in Long Beach, but a lot of HB folks are coming over for it. (hopefully one of my HB locals will have an idea for a location in HB or closer to home for next year!). it is 250+ people. 21+ please, and of course everyone will be in costume. Live band & DJ, food, tarot cards, etc. If your name is on the list at the door, it will still be $20 (otherwise $25 at door). If you'd like to come, email me your name. If you'd like to pay in advance, the link for that plus the address of the event can be found at: www.TheLocalCoast.com . See some of you there.

This weekend is also your last chance to get in some Oktoberfest fun at Old World. Enjoy their Oompah band, beer drinking contests, shot girls, chicken dance, great beer, food & more. Even the Dachshund races on Sunday. For more info: www.oldworld.ws . Don't forget to check the calendar on TheLocalHB to see what other types of events are going on this weekend.

Have you visited www.SurfCitySavings.com lately to see who is new to the discount program? Since the last announcement about them, they've added Seventh Chakra Yoga, ABC Painting, Homerun Media Group, The Mailbox Center, Pageantry World Flags and All Star Garage Door. A couple more are being added shortly, visit the site often. Use the discounts, support our local businesses!!

Hope everyone has a scary good Halloween weekend.

New Private School in Huntington Beach

Come learn more about a new private school coming to Huntington Beach this December. At Fusion Academy each class is taught one to one – one teacher to one student. This accredited school offers 6th -12th graders a completely individualized education program and flexible schedule. Fusion students can take a full course load or just one class for credit, which can transfer over to another school. Fusion Academy Huntington Beach is enrolling now. So please stop by for one of their information sessions or contact Amy Rocha for more details: arocha@fusionacademy.com, (866) 311-7495, http://www.fusionhuntingtonbeach.com.

good events for your business to participate in or just attend

There is an event coming up in November put on by the city of Huntington Beach you might want to take advantage of if you are a business located in our city!! It is the 2nd Annual Mall at City Hall ! Last year, it was a success for both businesses and our City Employees! This event will provide the opportunity for your store to promote the sale of gift cards, merchandise, services, samples, coupons, and Black Friday promotions. Its free to exhibit and a table and chairs will be provided. This year’s event is Thursday, November 18 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the lower level at City Hall. Here is an an application form you can fill out for their records: http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii295/thelocalhb/mallatcityhall , you can email it back to Trishia.Pascobillo@surfcity-hb.org or fax to 714-375-5087. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Trishia via email or telephone: 714-536-5582.

Also in November, on the 21st, there will be a holiday boutique at Old World that is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Any vendor who has something they'd like to sell is welcome to participate. Vendor space is free, all we ask is you donate 20% of the profit of the day to the Relay for Life. Get some business exposure and sell some stuff while doing something good for charity. If you are interested in participating, fill out this form: http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii295/thelocalhb/Fundraiser11-21-10copy.jpg and send it back to me. And for everyone, please attend the boutique and do some holiday shopping. there will be 40+ vendors present, and you can see those who have signed up so far on the Relay website , as well all the details of the event.

A few events coming up this weekend are the Brain Tumor Walk on Saturday, a couple of Chamber of Commerce ribbon cuttings on Sunday, plus the regular ongoing events like the Scooter/Electrical bike meetup and of course Oktoberfest going on til the end of the month. Check the calendar on TheLocalHB for all the details for what is going on around town.

We'd like to welcome the newest member of TheLocalHB family: Pageantry World ( http://pageantry-world.com/301.htm ). Everyone should be flying an American Flag and Pageantry is where you should go for that flag! They have been a supplier of flags and banners to 7 Olympic Games & 5 Worlds Fairs, so of course they can take care of you. They can provide you with that one flag (which also makes a good gift by the way) or make something custom for you or your business. Give Cindy a call ( 714-330-4190) and she how she can help you, or you can check out their listing on TheLocalHB - there's a pretty cool video about them on the site as well.

Good Coffee & Good Fun in Huntington Beach

How about starting off your day with a great cup of Joe? And to top that off, how about a FREE cup of Joe....
Every Thursday during the month of October, 7am - 9am, Poverello Coffee is serving up a free cup of coffee, because as Mark (owner) says: "everyone deserves great coffee". Poverello Coffee roasts beans right their at their shop, 16582 Gothard Unit O. It should be your source for coffee for your home or business. Create your own flavors, doesn't get any fresher. Pop in to say hi to Mark and have a cup and take home a bag of superb artisan roasted coffee! ( www.poverellocoffee.com for more info).

This weekend you can learn a bit more about what our firemen do here in Huntington Beach at their open house . Saturday the 9th, 10am-3p at the 18311 Gothard Street firehouse. It is in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week. Activities include meeting firefighters, touring the station and learning fire safety tips. There will be demonstrations at 11:30am & 1:30pm of vehicle extrication and live fire senarios. info: 714-536-5411

On Saturday (with a repeat on Sunday) you can hear a talk by Michael Franzese entitled "He Quit the Mob and Lived". Michael grew up as the son of the notorious Underboss of New York's violent and feared Colombo crime family. At his most affluent, he generated an estimated five to eight million dollars per week from legal and illegal businesses. It was a life filled with power, luxury ... and deadly violence. His talk will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Saturday at 6pm and again on Sunday at 10:15am where he'll recount his life in the mob and tell about his dramatic conversion. That should be an interesting story. More info: 714-962-5005

Do you have something on your calendar for Halloween yet? Do you like throwing on that costume and having a frightful good time? On Friday the 29th of this month, yours truly will hold my Annual Halloween BOO! the only downside is I still have to throw the party in Long Beach as I haven't been able to find a place around here that will accomodate me. bummer huh? Well if you feel like coming to a great party, all the info can be found at www.TheLocalCoast.com . it runs 8pm -2am. It is $20 and that includes food and all the fun you can handle (no host bar). There will be both a DJ in one area and live band in another for dancing. Tarot card reading and more. About 300 folks show up for this shin-dig. It is my 22nd year throwing this party so why not venture over the border and join the fun!

Pageantry World makes flags & sells American Flags - we all should be flying one

Pageantry World is the supplier of flags & banners to 7 Olymic Games and five Worlds Fairs
"Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." Adlai Stevenson
It's not about waving a flag on the 4th of July or on Memorial Day. It is about waving the flag everyday of your life. We owe a lot to this country. Fly Your American Flag everyday. We specialize in custom and stock flags, banners, flagpoles and mounting hardware. Their goal is to give you personal attention whether you are the Olympics, a fair, an Amusement Park, corporation or an individual. They pride ourselves on delivering prompt and courteous service. Whether it is an American flag or any other custom flag, there are here to help. Remember, an American flag makes a great gift, Christmas or other times a gift is needed. They can be reached at: 714-330-4190 or cindy@wemakeflags.com

HB Propane come to you to change out your tank

Huntington Beach Propane is a great service here in Huntington Beach. Located at
18961 Gothard Street (at Garfield). Call them at 714-375-5701 / 24 hour: 714-709-3073 www.HBPropane.com
they come to you - free delivery - they will come to your home or office and exchange your standard tank for your BBQ or patio heater with a full one. Only $14.99 (plus tax) per tank. Let them do the dirty work. They also set up restaurants, hotels and bars with patio heaters for long or short term lease programs, as well as providing rental of patio heaters for home or business events/parties. Bring in your own tank to have filled at their location - Walk ins, RV's, campers, commercial truck are all welcome

new additions to Surf City Savings discount program

If you haven't visited Surf City Savings discount program in a while, it is time to go back to the site and check it out. There have been some additions made, check them out:
La Brique Steakhouse - $10 off your bill
DMES Medical Supplies - 10% off medical supplies
Mary Kay Cosmetics - 25% off entire order
Dr. Michael Fishman podiatrist - no copay discount
The Sweat House workout/training - dicount on classes
Southern Hemisphere Wine Center - $10 off purchase (of $50 or more)
Surf City DJ's for all your party needs - 20% off all services
Yep, some great discounts! and there are many other great discounts to be had in this city sponsored/endorsed program. If you know a business in town that would like to be part of it, have them contact me! If you are a business already in the program, keep in mind there is an opportunity to have your banner w/discount show up on the home page!! very inexpensive too. You will also get extra shoutouts in the email blasts with your home page presence. Feel free to contact me with questions.

Have a great weekend all and shop local in Huntington Beach!!

Events this weekend in Huntington Beach & new businesses in Surf City Savings program

so, you ask, "what is going on this weekend in Huntington Beach?", well let me tell you, there definitely is some good stuff and plenty of it.

Oktoberfest at Old World is fully underway. www.oldworld.ws has the schedule. get out and do some chicken dancing and beer guzzling. I'll be popping in there next week for Chamber of Commerce night (Thurs)!

On Saturday you will find the National Alliance on Mental Illness 5k walk: www.namiwalksoc.org ; Shipley Restoration Days: www.shipleynature.org ; Tribal Festival, Wetlands Tour, 2010 SoCal Film Festival - descriptions on the calendar of TheLocalHB. And one big event is the Grand Re-Opening of the College Country Shopping Center at 7378 Center Ave (at Gothard). It also doubles as the grand opening party for Good to Go Restaurants & The Living Temple. There will be Live music, Free Samples, Fun and Games, Raffle Prizes. It runs all day - 11am to 6pm, with some special music at 5pm.

The big deal for Sunday is the "Walk for the Animals" at 9am in Central Park (behind the Library). Take a walk and have some fun…Hawaiian style! 13th annual “Walk for the Animals” benefits the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There will be over 500 animal lovers and dogs for a morning of fun, so come decked out in your favorite Hawaiian shirt! Lots of details about the event can be found...you know where....TheLocalHB calendar!!

Coming up on the 23rd is the Distance Derby and they are still have open vendors spots. You can get some great business exposure at this one with over 700 runners, their families, and beach-goers present. If you are a business with a product to give away, you can have a free vendor spot. It could be drinks, food bars, gift items, promotional products like (good) goodie bags (no, a pen with your name on it does not count!). You just can't hand out literature alone. You bring your own ezy-up, table chairs. if you don't have a canopy, the charge is $100. Still a great deal. If you are a business interested in being part of it and hand out just literature, the cost is $250, and that includes the canopy. If you'd like more info about the event, contact Gisela Campagne at (714) 374-5397 or gcampagne@surfcity-hb.org

If you're looking for a great gift for your wife or girlfriend, look no further than Absolutely Fabulous , 6026 Warner Ave (at Springdale in the Warner-Dale Square),for a great selection of Christine Alexander fine Swarovski clothing. Right now they are offering 40% off her line!!! details at www.absolutelyfabulous1.com

If you haven't visited Surf City Savings discount program in a while, it is time to go back to the site and check it out. A few of the new businesses now in the program are: La Brique Steakhouse, DMES Medical Supplies, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Dr. Michael Fishman podiatrist, The Sweat House workout/training, Southern Hemisphere Wine Center, and Surf City DJ's for all your party needs!! Yep, tons of great discounts to be had in this city sponsored/endorsed program. If you know a business in town that would like to be part of it, have them contact me! (I do the back end work on the site for the city).

Shred your documents FREE this Saturday in Huntington Beach

Got Paper? Need Shredding? Orange Community Bank & the Surf City Lions Club present this FREE Community Shred-a-thon in the bank's parking lot at 6491 Edinger (at Edwards) from 10am to 2pm this Saturday, the 25th. Bring your records (5 legal size boxes max) for professional shredding services provided by The Shredders. Stay and have lunch for a donation. All proceeds to benefit Lions Club charities. www.SurfCityLio ns.org.

It's not too late to register for the 13th Annual "Walk for Animals" to be held in Central Park East on Sunday October 3 to support the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . Join the Orange County SPCA as well as Beach Blvd. of Cars and Advanced Veterinary Specialty Group (AVSG) and over 500 animal lovers and dogs for a morning of fun. You can pre-register on Saturday, September 25th John's Philly Grille. Cost: $20.00 by September 25th and $25.00 thereafter. Children under 12 are FREE. Packs of five or more pay $15.00 each if pre-registered by September 25th. At the event registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K/2K walks starts at 9:00 a.m. And don't forget to wear your Hawaiian digs for this fun filled event. For more information feel free to call (714) 374-7738 or visit www.orangecountyspca.org - the site has all the info that is planned that day and believe me, there will be a lot going on!

Ever look for a unique way to get your name out there? You've seen the lighted banner on those blimps at night? What about the same concept on a helicopter? Well, Skylight California offers a new and unique way to control and position your advertising over the exact target market that you need to reach with the use of the lighted banner mounted on their helicopter. Imagine the advertising impact when an 8 foot by 36 foot lighted bill board flies overhead and then hovers for up to 5 minutes over crowds of on lookers reading your compelling message in the night sky. See the banner in action at www.skylightcalifonria.com or call Tom at 714-225-6476 (or email tom@skylightcaliforia.com) to ask him questions. It's a pretty cool concept!

Lots of stuff to do in Huntington Beach this weekend

So, are we going to be seeing you all down at the Green Expo this Saturday? We are expecting a big crowd down at the pier - 10am to 4pm. Plus live music the during the event! Check out the vendors who will be present at www.HuntingtonBeachGoesGreen.com . Also going on this weekend is the Walk 4 Water at 8:30am down at Beach & PCH; the Pacific Islander Festival both Saturday & Sunday behind Central Library - of course you want to wait to go to that one on Sunday since you'll be at the Green Expo on Saturday! :-)
you will also find a couple of good events a little north of us (Sunset Beach/Seal Beach): Walk for the Beach & a Chili Cook-off. Sunday also has, here ih HB, the Surf City Dog Contest, Scooter/Electric Bike Meetup, Chefs for Scholarships, Dachshund Races (with Oktoberfest), and more. And you know where you can get all the details for these events don't you? www.TheLocalHB.com calendar section . Have fun this weekend, there is plenty to do!

Now let me tell you about a fairly new service here in HB...it will be useful for you if you use propane tanks in your home or business,,, you know for that outdoor heater or BBQ: HB Propane ( www.HBPropane.com ) has a service that will come to you! I used them for the first time earlier this week, and what a great service they have. Instead of dragging those empty tanks to a place to fill, they come to you. Free! For $14.99 (plus tax per tank) they will come to your place, take away the empty tank/tanks and leave full ones. You are paying pretty much the same price (possibly less) as taking them somewhere to fill or switch out. Visit their website or give them a call: 714-375-5701 / 24 hour: 714-709-3073. By the way, the also rent heaters if you find yourself in need of one.

So now that you have that filled and ready to go heater, you know what you need to go with it?? How about a new home! Pick one up while the prices are still so low. For some help with that, one fellow I like to recommend is Ray Peckham . He has been a realtor since 1972 and really knows his stuff, as well as having won many awards. You can reach him at 714-915-9520 or ray@Ray4Homes.com . If you are in the market at all, it is worth getting in contact with him. His website is www.Ray4Homes.com - you can read all about him there.

Have a great weekend and visit www.SurfCitySavings.com to download some coupons to save you some money while you are out and about.

Huntington Beach Green Expo this month

The Green Expo is right around the corner. September 18 right down at the Huntington Beach Pier, 10am to 4pm. Visit vendor booths displaying all kinds of information about being green, sustainable, & eco-friendly! You can enjoy live music from local bands while strolling the vendor area as well as live event painting! Check out the vendors who will be present at www.HuntingtonBeachGoesGreen.com .

If you are a business that is "green" and would like to be a part of the expo, it is not too late, although time is running out there are a few spaces left. The website also has the particulars for sponsor & exhibitor space. Let us know if you'd like to be part of this great event.

Now what if you are business that involves chocolate or wine?? Like a baker, candy store, restaurateurs, liquor store, wine distributor, holiday gift vendor, etc. Or know someone who is, well the Orange County Chocolate Festival is looking for you! November 5 & 6 there is going to be a big festival at Mile Square Park and they are still in search of exhibitors/vendors for that event. There is going to be chocolate tasting, wine tasting, demonstrations, holiday gifts and more. If you are interested, send me an email and I'll forward on the pdf with all the info to you. Or you can read more about and download a vendor application at www.OCchocolatefestival.com .

Since we are on the topic of causes, here is an event going on this weekend:
just north of the Wetland jetty at Brookhurst will be Walk for Wildlife, a 5k walk/run presented by the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center. Registrations begins at 8am. Info about the event at www.wwccoc.org . Also this weekend you'll find the Surf City Surf Dog Clinic, the BB Jazz Concert, ballet, pet adoptions, beach cleanup and more. Read the details about all the events going on at TheLocalHB.com calendar section .

Don't forget next Tuesday is the RBN luncheon at Seacliff Country Club - a great event bringing businesses from Huntington Beach as well as all surrounding communities together to network and do business together. Download the flyer here: https://acrobat.com/#d=UtiSho*h0M3e9P-HSGRHbA.

Labor Day weekend is here!!!

Can you believe Oktoberfest is already upon us! Try to make it out there this Sunday for opening day. It is only $10 and that includes admission and a meal. It is all to benefit the Therapeutic Riding Center of HB (www.trchb.org). Come by for Music, Food & Fun at Old World, 7561 Center Ave. There will be an Oompah band, beer drinking contests, shot girls, chicken dance, great beer & more. For tickets call 714-848-0966. Oktoberfest is just as fun as being at Oktoberfest Munich Germany or German Fest!!

Also this weekend over in Central Park you will find the annual Civil War Days which features live weapons demonstrations, living histories and battle reenactments. All refreshment proceeds benefit the Huntington Beach Historical Society. That runs all three days of the holiday and more info can be found on the calendar on my site.

With summer coming to a close, are you still contemplating doing a little house remodeling? If so, Bluemel Construction (562- 208-2623 or www.Bluemelconstruction.com ) is one contractor you can count on to do the job right. Quality and workmanship are a top priority for them. They can work with you, or your interior designer. Renovating your home or launching an improvement project is one of the most important decisions you can make. Making this decision with a licensed general contractor, a construction professional, ensures you are protected and you are receiving the highest quality workmanship and that is exactly what you get with Bluemel Construction!

Have some fun while supporting Huntington Beach charity!

Well it looks like the hard financial times it all the way around. I was talking to the folks down at our animal shelter (21632 Newland Ave), and they were saying adoptions are way down. If you are thinking at all about getting a dog or cat, please please consider adopting one. There are so many animals out there badly in need of a loving home. A few of them are posted on TheLocalHB ( http://thelocalhb.com/HB_locals/Pet_Adoption.html) , or better yet go by and give them a visit, it will be hard to walk out of there without a new "family member". Need some convincing as to how special dogs are as companions? watch this video: www.dogwork.com/feeling - it will make you smile for sure.

Looking for something to do this Friday night?
Think about heading on down to Old World for a some comedy improv. The Corporate Recess Players are performing. I've been to the show and is was darn funny. We laughed so hard. And, not only do you get a fun evening, you'll be helping out our very own Miss Huntington Beach with her charity fundraising efforts. If you go, when you buy your tickets, just say it is for Miss HB and a portion of the ticket sales go to her program. The show is only $15 pp and Old World is located at 7561 Center Ave. The show starts at 7pm (arrive early) and reservations can be made at 714-362-7480.

Another fun thing going on this weekend is a classic car show at the HB Elks Lodge on 7711 Talbert Ave. (it runs from 8:30am to 3pm). The admission is free and you find food, drink, vendors and raffles as well as plenty of cars and motorcycles. It is all to benefit the "The Will Surf Again" program which offers adaptive surfing for those who have suffered spinal cord injuries. Yep, another fun event for a good cause. So go out there have have a real good time.

Green Expo in Huntington Beach is right around the corner!!

Do you have the Huntington Beach Green Expo on your calendar yet? If not, well here you go: September 18, 10am-4pm. This year we will be at the Huntington Beach Pier. We expect a great turnout being at the beach. Plus there will be live concerts during the event for your listening enjoyment. If you'd like to be a vendor at the expo, please visit the expo website at www.HuntingtonBeachGoesGreen.com. All the info about the event as well as the vendor application can be found on the website.

Coming up Wednesday night (8/11) is an opportunity to get in some great networking. RBN is having their major business expo that night. They pull from all surrounding communities and expecting about 1400 attendees. The event is from 5pm - 8pm at the Hilton Hotel Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St in Costa Mesa. the $20 entrance fee includes all the networking you can handle (over 150 exhibitors!), parking, food & refreshments. No rsvp necessary. For more info: www.expo.rbningo.com/oc/index.asp

Have you been in to Absolutely Fabulous lately?? If you have not visited their expanded shop lately, you are missing out. The gift items are always being updated and with summer being a popular time for weddings, you can always find that perfect wedding gift there. Be unusual - don't get the standard "stuff" everyone else does for a gift! They carry the best home decor, jewelry and gifts to fit any budget. Visit them online at
www.absolutelyfabulous1.com or better yet, pop in to the shop, they are located at 6026 Warner Ave (at Springdale).

US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach - on now!

Have you ventured to down town yet to see the US Open of Surfing? The week started off with manageable crowds, but this weekend is going to be crazy! I was down there today and couldn't believe all the people. Got some great shots of the surfers though - that is when there was a wave to catch! The details of the competition are on my calendar page. check it out. If you are going to brave the crowds, you might want to take the free shuttle from City Hall (details also on the calendar page).

While downtown, one of the fun attractions we now have is the GW Segway Tours ...right at 300 PCH you'll find them (across from the Pier). You can't get in much more fun than being on the beach riding a segway. Want more details? Check it out HERE . They have all kinds of package deals and you can take advantage of a two for one discount at www.SurfCitySavings.com , under the Leisure/Fun category. I've done the tour... and I'm not kidding, riding those segways on the sand is SO fun. See it in action on this video.

Finally, if you plan on going downtown and anticipate a lot of walking, let me recommend a shoe store store that can't be beat to make your feet feel incredible! It's called Foot Solutions , and they offer shoes, inserts, and other foot care products for work, dress or play. They are located at 1811 Xemino in Long Beach - yes it is across the "border" from us, but there is no place in HB like it, and they are great! I've talked to so many folks wearing their shoes and they swear by them! I made sure to check them out myself and I totally agree! You can also give them a call at 562-961-3200,,,tell them TheLocalHB sent you.

Do you enjoy a good cup of coffee?

So, do you drink coffee at home? Want to enjoy one of the best cups of java around? Pay a visit to Poverello Coffee, 16582 Gothard St. Unit O, just south of Heil. They are a roaster of specialty gourmet coffee, roasting a full range of coffees from around the world & specialize in flavored coffee. So many flavors you can create. Take a bag (or two or three....) home, you won't be disappointed! Give them a call, 877-520-8877 and tell them what you'd like.

We also have some updates to the Surf City Savings discount program, go to the site, www.surfcitysavings.com and check them out. Here are the newest additions: Katie Raber Face & Body Esthetiques, Linda's Mexican Restaurant, Gustafson Brothers Automotive, Crandalls Plumbing, Travelcom travel, The Scoop on Cookies, Tan Palace, Christian Science Reading Room, and Bella Body & Mind
Training. And of course there are many other great deals on the site.
As for what is going on this weekend, a family event to consider is the Pioneer Day Celebration Picnic at Gibbs "Butterfly" Park, Graham St between Warner & Heil. Saturday, 11am - 2pm. There will be free picnic food, games, entertainment, children's parade, bounce house, booths, and more. All the details on the calendar section of TheLocalHB.com

Quicksliver crowns "King of the Groms" in Huntington Beach

Yesterday in Huntington Beach, California, Quiksilver crowned Hawaii’s Josh Moniz 2010 ‘King of the Groms’ regional west coast winner in a competition that saw some massive wave destruction by forty-eight of the top groms in the west. In addition to winning the title and a $400 cash prize, Josh will also be going on an all-expense paid trip to the Quiksilver Pro France to compete in the Global King of the Groms Championships this September.
“Winning the King of the Groms feels super good,” says Josh. “I didn’t think I was going to able to win it, so I’m super stoked! I'm really excited to be going to France and I’ll be bringing my dad.”
Please read press release outlining Quiksilver's King of the Groms competition and Josh Moniz's massive win!

Top 5 Reasons to Spend Your Senior Years in Huntington Beach

(guest blog entry provided by www.SeniorHomes.com)
At first glance, Surf City USA may seem like the last place seniors would want to spend their aging years. On the contrary, Huntington Beach offers a range of activities that appeal to a broad range of age groups – from Huntington Beach assisted living residents to college students. If you're considering a move to Surf City USA, consider this list of the top five reasons to spend your elder years in Huntington Beach.

1. The beach, of course. You'll relish the ability to put your toes in the sand every day. Huntington Beach's 8.5 miles of coastline provides plenty of opportunities for beach-going and people watching.
2. Fabulous dining. Foodies can't get enough of Huntington Beach's wide selection of local cuisine. Choose from Coach's Mediterranean Grill, Black Bull Chop House, Bodhi Tree Café, and more right in the heart of downtown Huntington Beach. On the outskirts of town, Kona, The Bee Hive, and Fitzgerald's Pub are among dozens of fine dining options.
3. Nature. If the beach isn't enough for you, take a walk in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands or Huntington Central Park. Within Central Park, Shipley Nature Center offers 18 acres of wildlife and free programs on Thursday evenings during July and August.
4. Arts. Browse art exhibits at the Huntington Beach Arts Center, or take in a live jazz or blues concert. If jazz and blues aren't your thing, the Pier offers plenty of live music events of various genres throughout the summer.
5. A caring community. Huntington Beach isn't all fun and games. The community boasts excellent medical care, residents that are active in supporting worthy causes (such as the American Cancer Society), and a strong safety record.
Huntington Beach is sun and sand, paired with plentiful opportunities for wholesome, young-at-heart fun. Whether you prefer to relax on the beach and watch the ocean or hit the town, Surf City USA is a great location to live an active lifestyle well into retirement.

Chris Rodde is the CEO of SeniorHomes.com, a free resource for people looking for senior housing or senior care for a loved one or themselves. With valuable articles and a comprehensive directory of care options, SeniorHomes.com is the best place to start your search for assisted living, independent living, Alzheimer's care, a retirement community or home care

Big Fun in Huntington Beach this weekend

Huntington Beach is the place to be this weekend. So much is going on. Here are some highlights: Project Save Our Surf is having a 24 hour surfing event (south of the pier) which is a full on two day festival of surfing, live music, film, guest speakers, and eco-friendly vendors. It starts at noon on Saturday and closing ceremonies are noon on Sunday. Live music, guest speakers, and eco-friendly vendors.

Also on Saturday & Sunday, stroll up Main to enjoy the annual "Chili at the Beach" family fun event starting at 11am. Activities will include a Chili Cook-off (Saturday only), Charity Raffle with prizes galore, (benefiting CHOC), a Business Expo, Special Attractions, Children’s Activities, Street Performers, Father’s Day specials, Auto and Motorcycle exhibits, a Surf City Art Show, and much more. When there on Saturday, make sure to visit the booth by Tommy Pastrami . They are teaming up with Surf City Kiwanis. Their chili is called "Tommy Pastrami's Good Time Save the World Kiwanis Chili".... now that's a mouthful. And I heard it is going to be some tasty stuff!!

On Sunday afternoon make your way up Beach Blvd to check out the " Pups & Pinot" wine/food tasting, 2-5pm. This casual event will be held at the Newland House (19820 Beach) and will feature the finest wines from Napa Co., Sonoma Co. and will be paired with our favorite foods from Lazy Dog, Fred's, The Hilton Waterfront and more. Bid on fabulous bargains at the silent auction tables. Week long stay trips in vacation homes from Sonoma to a few days in Catalina, home decor, gift cards, fantastic wines, pet pampering items to name a few. Listen to jazz, meet Ed McCabe in person (the closest thing to a dog whisperer in The OC), and enjoy a dog parade. Feel free to bring your dog, pet sitting is available! Proceeds to go to A Leg Up Animal Rescue. All guests receive a free gift! All for only $30. Just show up!!

Now with the wild and crazy weekend, hopefully you don't get yourself in any kind of trouble, but if you happen to, who you gonna call??? One local specialist is Rosanne Faul . She is an Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer to help those finding themselves in the unfortunate position of being charged with DUI, assault, possession of marijuana, driving offenses and other misdemeanors and even felonies. I'm sure none of that applies to you, but just in case..... or maybe someone you know, you can get ahold of her at 949-275-6377. Tell her you are a friend of TheLocalHB.com and she'll be happy to help you out.

Since we are on this lovely topic, what if that bad thing did happen and you went and got yourself arrested? Before you can get Rosanne to help you out, you might need bailing out. And that is where Awesome Bail Bonds comes in. The owner, Rod Frontino, is a long time friend and very good at what he does. He can take care of all kinds of bonds and is available 24/7. Maybe some day someone you know will need this service... keep his number handy: 888-877-BAIL (2245).

Father's Day in Huntington Beach

Can you believe Father's Day is right around the corner?! yikes. Have you picked up something for dad yet? How about skipping the tradition "tie" type of gift? What about giving a gift of auto repair? How about a gift certificate for an oil change? Pop in to see Francisco's Automotive and pick up a gift certificate for dad!! Francisco will certainly take care of you. Find him at 7662 Slater Ave. (714-375-2661).
Here's an additional idea for dad: Take him to the "Pups & Pinot" wine & food tasting . On Father's Day from 2-5pm you can enjoy an amazing afternoon of tasting great wines and foods, as well as jazz entertainment and a fashion show. There will be a silent auction for some great stuff and all is to benefit A Leg Up animal rescue. Only $25 per person or $30 at the door. And if you don't have a dad, gather up friends and come out to support a great cause. I already have my tickets!! Want more info? 714-328-8661 or campagne123@socal.rr.com
Need something fun to do this weekend? Think about hitting The Strand from 3-8pm on Saturday, it is the Liquid Aloha Festival presented by the Kona Brewing Company & OC Weekly. Great music, great beer. What more do you need? For full details, visit www.ocwe ekly.com/micros ites/liquidaloh a-event .
There are some other fun events happening this weekend and can be viewed on the calendar of TheLocalHB.com or go directly to www.ThisWeekInHuntingtonBeach.com . And speaking of events, our very own HB Scooters (5960 Warner Ave, at Warner and Springdale behind the Mobil Station) will be hosting a Scooter & Electric Bicycle meet up which will be held every Sunday thru the summer starting on 6/20, Father's Day, @ 11am till 12pm. Meet new friends, start a local club, exchange ideas, go for rides together and most of all, have fun on your gas savers with like minded people from all walks of life. See the latest models on display, free coffee and donuts. All Scooters and Electric Bicycles are welcome, any brand, any type and any age. 714 840 8090 www.hbscooters.com .
And if all else fails, enjoy some World Cup Soccer... Old World (7561 Center Ave) will be having all the games on and it is sure to be a wild time. Bar open early to accommodate all the fans. Check out their other events at www.oldworld.ws
One last thing,,, Thursday evening, the 24th, the Huntington Beach Lions Club will be hosting a mixer for folks interested in learning what the Lions are all about. I happen to be a Lion myself and they do a lot of good in town! The mixer will be at the Orange Community Bank, 6491 Edinger Ave (at Edwards) from 6-8pm. Refreshements will be served. Come meet some Lions, do some networking and have a good ol' time. www.hbhlions.org .

"Pups & Pinot" Wine & Food Tasting to benefit A Leg Up Animal Rescue

Join for an amazing afternnon of tasting great wines along with delightful morsels of food on June 20, 2pm to 5pm. To be held at the Newland House, Newland Shopping Center (Adams Avenue & Beach Boulevard) in Huntington Beach. A silent autction will allow you to bid on a 3 night stay in Napa Valley, a week’s stay on the Sonoma Coast, dinners at local restaurants, jewelry and many more surprises. free gift to everyone in attendance. There will even be a parade of pups!! To benefit A Leg Up Animal Rescue, which rescues animals from shelters and other situations where they are in immediate danger of euthanasia. Once in the program, the animals are treated for any medical issues, microchiped and vaccinated, spayed or neutered and placed in a foster home where they remain with a family until an adoptive forever home can be found. $25 donation pre event. $30 at door. info: campagne123@socall.rr.com or 714-328-8661