Surf City Savings - a new discount program for locals in Huntington Beach

The city has launched a new discount program called Surf City Savings to encourage people to shop locally. Merchants displaying the Surf City Saving logo will offer discounts to customers.
Participating stores include many from Bella Terra, Old World Village and 5 Points Plaza. After the initial test run, it will go city wide. The program was initiated by Councilman Joe Carchio and supported by the City of HB and TheLocalHB.com and is free for merchants to participate.
Information: www.surfcitysavings.com.

Huntington Beach mixer for fun, networking and more

"Locals Supporting Locals" mixer - Thursday, April 30 - 6:00 pm to 7:30 pmJoin your fellow local businesses and Surf City residents for an evening of Food, Fun and Friends at this special VIP Networking Event and private preview party. Located at the all new HB Mazda Retail Revolution Store, 16800 Beach Blvd. Hosted by HB Mazda - preview their new showroom; HB Magazine - hosting some great networking; and TheLocalHB.com supporting the Relay for Life. rsvp by 4/25 to jody@hbmagazine.net. See Flyer for mixer in the calendar section of www.TheLocalHB.com

Hyatt in Huntington Beach opens new water park

The Hyatt Regency on Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Surf City will open its new $4 million miniature water park Wednesday.
The new pool is the first of its kind in Orange County and Los Angeles and has three water slides, a children's wading pool, a Jacuzzi, fire pits, and restaurant and bar, General Manager Cheryl Phelps said. The water park takes the place of a tennis court area that is at the southern part of the hotel near Beach Boulevard.
The water park will be marketed toward families with children, and the resort's main pool is being re-themed to provide more of an adult, upscale atmosphere.
(From Orange County Register <- Read full story)

A great boutique to check out. Huntington Beach locals love them!

Glory M'Lou's Boutique is located at 11110 Los Alamitos Blvd. #103 in Los Alamitos (right over the HB border. easy to get to!). 562-431-7509 to get a hold of them. Even though they are in Los Al, they are only a hop away. They like to say: "Never walk into a room - make an entrance!" They carry beautiful, glitzy, glamorous resort, smart casual, and evening wear. Fashions that make a statement. Travel with style and grace. They have one of a kind items to complete your look from hats to shoes to handbags and jewelry. Personalized service will make you feel special as well as look special. Glory M'Lou's also specializes in fashion shows and in house parties. The fashion shows are renowned for their fun and lovely fashions. Many women's clubs and charity events use Glory M'Lou's as they know the event will be fun and have an upbeat commentator, as well as glamorous fashion! Call Glory or Carmen to set up your next event. Also enjoy the once a month in-store party with lunch and wine where you can make new friends, have fun, and check out the new fashions.

eat great food and raise money for charity at the same time in Huntington Beach

Yes, it is time to satisfy those taste buds and help charity at the same time! (if links don't work, just do a cut and paste!)

Coming up early next month (Sunday, April 5) you can enjoy an all you can eat crabfest, hosted by the Huntington Beach Lions Club, and benefits the various charities the Lion's Club supports. The fest includes all you can eat crab, bread, salad and clam chowder. It is only $40 per person and worth every penny. I went last year (and will be there again this year), and it was delicious as well as very fun. There will also be a silent auction and entertainment! Tickets are presale only (deadline March 22) and the rsvp form can be found at: www.HBLionsCrabfest.com . The location this year is Old World German Restaurant, 7561 Center Ave., and the doors open at 4:30. Don't miss out on this one!

Also in April is the Taste of Huntington Beach - another one not to miss!! The date is Sunday, April 26, 12 noon to 4:00 pm. This event features Huntington Beach's finest cuisine prepared by restaurant chefs, and paired with premium wines and brews! This event benefits the Children's Wing of the Huntington Beach Library as well as Project Self Sufficiency. The location is the Sports Complex at 7111 Talbert (at Goldenwest). The cost is $52 per person, again very well worth it - I'll be there with all my friends! But tickets on line at: www.hbrestaurants.com/taste_tickets.html

Side note…. Have you all been to Flight Bistro and Social Lounge yet? If not, how come? Located at 8082 Adams (at Beach), they have a beautifully decorated location with tasty food and a fun bar. There is always something going on,,, and you can check it all out at www.flightoc.com . Give them a visit,,, tell them TheLocalHB sent you over.. and enjoy!

Strongest Man Competetion visits Huntington Beach

From Orange County Register
Huntington Beach became Muscle Beach on Saturday, the salt air in a seaside parking lot tinged with notes of sweat and testosterone as dozens of bulky beefcakes pumped unholy amounts of iron – as well as stones, tires and a U-Haul truck – in hopes of being named Southern California's Strongest Man. Read full story HERE.

Surf City steakhouse and Huntington Beach try to come to terms

By ANNIE BURRIS of The Orange County Register
The owner of the Black Bull Chop House and city officials are getting closer to finding middle ground after months of debate over complaints about intoxicated patrons, assaults and overcrowding.
The Planning Commission on Tuesday will reconsider the permits that allow the downtown steakhouse to sell alcohol and have music, a disc jockey, dancing and a popular mechanical bull ride. Read full story HERE.

Things to do with your dog in Huntington Beach CA

Thanks to Angela Fuller (http://www.upon-request.com/) for this info.
There are many neighborhood parks in and around Huntington Beach, however, the two favorite standouts for for locals are Dog Beach & Central Park. Like so many of my neighbors, these are the two spots I hang out with most often with my favorite girl (she's a golden retriever). To read all the suggestions, read the article HERE.

Fire Fighters to honor one of their own in Surf City Marathon

About 2,600 runners are expected for Sunday's 13th annual Surf City USA Marathon in Huntington Beach. Among them will be firefighters from the Newport Beach Fire Department, who will be running in the memory of a fallen comrade.
Captain Jeff Boyles and his fellow Newport Beach firefighters have been training for the hoping to honor former firefighter.
"When Kevin died he was 31-years-old, and that had an impact," said Capt. Boyles. "We're not immortal and life does pass you by pretty quickly if you don't stop and look around."
Real full story HERE.

New Year's Eve - avoid DUI: alternatives to driving drunk

Still can't figure out who's going to be the designated driver this New Year's Eve?
Southern Californians have several options for getting around New Year's Eve when bus and light rail lines offer all-night service.
Orange County Transportation Authority buses will run all night four of its most heavily used routes. To Read the full story from the Orange County Register, go HERE.

Huntington Beach in the Rose Parade - excitement growing

By ERIC CARPENTER
The Orange County Register

The rush is on. Today begins the final push toward the 120th Tournament of Roses parade, which will feature floats from three Orange County cities – Anaheim, Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo.
There's been no shortage of enthusiasm from O.C. residents who want to help their cities show off in the parade, which just happens to be watched by an estimated 40 million Americans on New Year's Day.
Hundreds of people from local community groups and families who just want to help out have volunteered to attach seaweed, carnations, tulips and, of course, roses to the floats' bare metal frames. Volunteer shifts for each city filled up weeks ago. Read the rest of the story HERE.

Tips for having a "green" Christmas: both eco-friendly and money wise

A "green" Christmas can be good for your wallet as well as the Earth, according to environmentalists who advocate doing more with less. "We're suggesting cutting back 20 percent. Twenty percent in gifts, 20 percent in greeting cards, 20 percent in gift wrap, 20 percent in miles traveled," says Peter Sander, co-author of Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season. The result would be a trimmer holiday budget.
Read the full story here.

Did you know the Huntington Beach Independent is "green"?

What is green and black all over? The HB Independent with help from its parent company, The Los Angeles Times. They are an industry leader in recycling. In fact, the Los Angeles Times has won several honors including a national Environment and Conservation Challenge Award for its recycling efforts and other programs.According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, The Times is the largest user of recycled newsprint. More than 70% - about 216, 360 metric tons – of all newsprint used by the Times contained a recycled fiber content of at least 40%. They were the first U.S. daily newspaper in 1992 to transition entirely from petroleum based black ink to water soluble soy based ink. The soy based ink is highly resistant to rub-off; it significantly reduces the airborne release of volatile organic compounds and the issues that arise from recycling newspapers that are printed with petroleum-based ink. Almost all of the ink used at their printing facilities is returned back into the production cycle for reuse. The South Coast Air Quality Management District Clean Air Award was given to the Los Angeles Times for this particular initiative.Their Aluminum plates they use to print onto the paper are also recycled, in fact, they usually come back to consumers within two weeks as a soda or beer can. Good thing they use the soy based ink so they can be environmentally friendly to your stomach.As a company they are committed to their readers, advertisers and our environment. Just thought it was worth passing on this information!

Four Seasons Holiday Boutique

-> Four Seasons Boutique - November 22 & 23 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Boutique featuring upscale home decor items, holiday paper products, children's toys. All major holiday themes. Deeply discounted prices. Up to 90% off. Gift wrapping services available. Benefiting Canine Companions for Independence. Sponsored by the HB Host & Surf City Lions Club. Location: Villa Pacific Community Clubhouse, 9933 Villa Pacific Dr. For more info call Lee Love 714-349-7706

Catch up on what's going on in Huntington Beach at Savannah At The Beach

Savannah's is a great place not just in the summer for their outdoor patio, but for all your holiday needs as well. Enjoy a beautiful sunset at this great ON THE BEACH restaurant. And for the holidays if you are planning a party, you can receive a $50 gift card as a thank you for all holiday parties of 15 or more guests that are booked for the month of December. The deadline is November 15th, 2008. They must call Marilee Movius, Shellie Carrillo, or Jennifer Kruse at the restaurant (714-374-7273) to book the party for Savannah at the beach.
And a few other things to note at Savannah:
~ Check out the updated Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet. It is now $24.95 and children 12 and under are $12.95, the menu can't be beat.
~ Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesday nights (4 pm – close). 2 children per adult.
~ Happy hour is Monday through Saturday 2 – 6 pm. Their mango martini’s are the best!
~ There is live music every first Friday night of each month from 7 pm – 10 pm. by Louie Pascua in our Inside Lower Dining area. He is a guitarist and singer who works at Dukes. He sounds a bit like John Mayer and Jack Johnson.
Get down to Savannahs at the Beach, 315 Pacific Coast Hwy at the Pier, for some great atmosphere, food and drink.

Learn about the use of biodiesel fuel in vehicles

November 5, 6:30 pm, will be the formation meeting for the Orange County Biodiesel Co-op. They will be organizing a group of folks in order to coordinate the collection of waste vegetable oil (WVO) for the use of making biodiesel motor fuel. Learn how and where to get WVO and how to process it to be used as a fuel itself and also how to make it into clean burning biodiesel. They will be discussing what types of cars and trucks are best suited for the use of vegetable oil and biodiesel for fuel. Many members of the group already have diesel vehicles that are running on biodiesel. Come check it out. Location: Great Earth Vitamin Store, 7164 Edinger Ave. (east of Goldenwest). More info: 714-552-5533

Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach

Did you know The Therapeutic Riding Center was here in HB? The TRC was founded in 1990 by a group of community volunteers to provide services to individuals with disabilities as a form of Therapy on Horseback. We are a 501 C 3 non-profit organization and a Member of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). We serve individuals of all ages and most disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Meningitis, Down’s Syndrome, vision and hearing impairments, learning disabilities and mild mental retardation. TRC serves students from Huntington Beach, as well as greater Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

The value of a horse as a therapeutic tool has been well documented over the past fifty years. In a world where we are often judged by appearances, where our abilities are over shadowed by our disabilities, the horse does not judge.TRCHB receives no government funding. We rely solely on grants, fund-raising events, individual and corporate donations, and a minimal tuition to meet our operating costs.

VOLUNTEERS are a vital part of their program. Without them, their students do not ride. The volunteers are trained under the direct guidance of a NARHA certified instructor. They are taught to sidewalk, lead, tack and groom our gentle horses. Please contact the TRC (714-848-0966 or trchb@earthlink.net) if you'd like to be a part of this incredible program.

Therapeutic Riding Center is located at the Equestrian Center: 18381 Goldenwest St. Huntington Beach. http://www.trchb.org/

Rubber Ducky Derby & Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce info

A good charity event to keep in mind for this weekend is the Mighty Rubber Ducky Derby on Sunday, October 5 - 11:00 am to 400 pm. This is the 15th Annual Mighty Rubber Ducky Derby & 3rd Annual Just Ducky Car Show. Although this event is being held in Irvine (at Wild Rivers Waterpark, 8770 Irvine Center Dr.), it benefits the Children's Bureau's Child Abuse Prevention programs which includes our very own Oak View Resource Center here in town. For more info and to register online, go to www.duckyderbyoc.com

For you local Chamber of Commerce members, you already know about the Surf City Lunch Bunch networking lunches. For those of you who might like to check out the chamber, feel free to visit us at our next lunch, Tuesday, October 7 - 11:15 am to 1:00 pm. Cost $15 members, $20 non members. We switch locations every two months, and this next meeting will be held at Martini Blues , 5874 Edinger Ave, (at Springdale). If you haven’t been to Martini Blues lately, you need to check them out. New ownership, new look - remodeled, great new menu. Come check out the Chamber and meet fellow local businesses. Bring business cards (display area for chamber members), self introductions. For more info, you can call Linda at the HB Chamber (714) 536-8888

Huntington Beach Green Expo a Success

Huntington Beach: Surf City hosted it first Green Expo this past weekend (Sept 20) at Central Library and what a success it was. The free event has speakers, product demonstrations, samples, workshops and information booths. Issues discussed were water reduction, energy efficiency, solar energy, water conservation, recycling materials, reducing greenhouse gases and organic products. Many folks are already looking forward to the next event! To see the list of participating vendors and photos from the event, check out: www.HuntingtonBeachGoesGreen.com

Huntington Beach fire and water damage services by Orange County Restoration

If you find yourself in a jam for damage to your house, wheter it be water or fire or more, you can trust OC Restoration to take care of it for you. Located at 15102 Bolsa Chica St. Unit D. Huntington Beach, 92649 (714-625-8635) Experiencing wind, water, or fire damage to your home, often your most valuable asset, can be very upsetting, and deciding which restoration company to hire can be difficult. O.C. Restoration Inc. understands this and wants to help in your decision so your home is restored back to its pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. In times like this it is extremely important to address the situation immediately, as to avoid any secondary damage which could result in mold growth. They are available 24/7 with a 90 minute response time.