Huntington Beach Surf City California Information and Travel Guide

 SurfCityCalifornia Information, Entertainment, Hotels & Resorts News Edition

 

HBNEWS 2004 NOVEMBER
Plan now for the Cruise of Lights

The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee presents the 42nd annual Cruise of Lights; a 45-minute narrated boat tour through the sparkling waterways of Huntington Harbour. This year's theme is Starlight Symphony and over 20,000 visitors will see thousands of lights on boats, decks, docks and homes, plus incredible animation.

Proceeds from the Cruise of Lights benefit the Philharmonic Society's nationally recognized music outreach programs for over 250,000 Orange County students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Cruise of Lights is often described as "The most spectacular light show on water." This year's dates are December 13 through the 22nd. Prices are: Monday through Friday, Adults $12 and children $8, with cruise times 6pm, 7pm and 8pm. Saturday and Sunday, adults $14 and children $8, with cruises at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm. There will be a special "Family Night" on December 14 with reduced prices: adults $10 and children $7.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee office at 714 840-7542, or visit us on the web at www.philharmonicsociety.org.

Huntington Beach Central Library presents
"The Slouch in the Couch" Children's Corner Band Rock and Roll Fun for Kids!

Come celebrate Children's Book Week with a fun-filled performance by the innovative musical group "The Slouch in the Couch" on Wednesday, November 17 at 4 pm. Based on a series of children's learning books, this family oriented educational band will create a fantasy world for all ages. Tickets are $3.00 child/$5.00 adult. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.

For more information call (714) 375-5107. Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at 4 p.m. Library Theater, Central Library $3.00 child / $5.00 adult




Experience Contemporary Art, Live Blues, and Much, Much More at the Huntington Beach Art Center

Brush Strokes: An Exhibition of Traditional & Contemporary Asian Calligraphy remains on view in the Art Center's galleries and runs through Sunday, November 7, 2004. Admission is free.

Friday Night Blues: "The Melvin Eddy Blues Band" Friday, November 5, 2004, 7:30-10:00 p.m.
Renowned vocalist Melvin Eddy and his band carry on the Chicago Blues tradition, delighting crowds across the Southland with their authentic blues sound. General Admission: $20; HBAC Members: $15

PER/spectives on Art
Part III: Friday, November 19, 2004 7-8:30 p.m. Part III, presented by Christopher Miles, is the final lecture in the Per/spectives Series. Part III focuses on California art and artists, beginning with California Modernism and continues on through contemporary works. Presented in a relaxed coffeehouse-like setting, enjoy an evening of entertainment and artistic adventure. Seating is limited. Please call for reservations: 714.374.1650. General admission: $5; HBAC members: Free.

In a League of Their Own
November 20 - December 19, 2004
Reception: Saturday, November 20, 7 - 9 p.m. The Huntington Harbor Art Association and The Huntington Beach Art League: Two group exhibitions of various media by members of the H.H.A.A. and Art League, and a photographic installation "Land and Sea" by Monica Furmanski.
Free Admission.

Save the Date!
Friday-Sunday, December 3-5, 2004
"It's a Wonderful Life" Presented by the Newport Repertory Theater.
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Special event for HBAC members, dress rehearsal/dinner theater.

The H.B.P.D. Retired Senior Volunteer Program is Looking for New Members

The Huntington Beach Police Department is currently accepting applications for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Applicants must be at least 55 years of age and live in the City of Huntington Beach.

Participants perform many duties for The Department including performing vacation house checks, taking down illegally posted signs, citing illegally parked cars and performing public relations duties. Volunteers also participate in community special events and assist police personnel within the Department.

All interested applicants should contact the program coordinator for an application at (714) 536-5933. Training for the new RSVP class is expected to begin March, 2005

Lia Hernandez receives Mayor's Award

A popular and respected Librarian is the most recent recipient of the Mayor's Award. Lia Hernandez received this honor at the City Council meeting on October 18th. Ms. Hernandez's enthusiasm and dedication to the Central Library's Young Adult program is most impressive. She has transformed a weary and worn section within the main book stacks into a bustling, bean-bagged book area for teens.

She is shown standing between Library Director Ron Hayden and Mayor Cathy Green and joined by her husband Daniel and co-workers.


The Huntington Beach Fire Department has been presented with a Life Safety Achievement Award for the year 2003 by the Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI). The Life Safety Achievement Award recognizes fire prevention activities that contribute to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires.

The Fire Department qualified for this award in year 2003 because it recorded zero fire deaths in structures during that year. Since 1995, the Fire Department has received this award for eight years. Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20% of all fires, they result in 80% of all fire deaths.


Everything you ever wanted to know about the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau

The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation that promotes HB as the premier overnight beach destination in Orange County and Southern California - a vision that our city's founders had more than 100 years ago but is only now coming to fruition. By providing important visitor services and luring more guests to Surf City, the Bureau helps strengthen our economy and enhance our lifestyle.

Those of us who live and work here are well aware of HB's charms. Without visitors, however, our cost-of-living would be higher and our quality-of-life would be diminished. Visitors enrich our economy with purchasing power and revenue generated from room, sales and property taxes. And don't forget all of the jobs created - not only in the hospitality industry. Many of the recreational, dining and shopping options that make HB so dynamic would not exist today without tourism. (Even our police department and parks are partially funded by these vital tax dollars.)

The Bureau offers a free visitors guide, toll-free 24-hour recorded information, advertising, public relations, a first-rate website - www.hbvisit.com - and numerous other promotions and activities to attract and inform visitors. Additionally, it staffs two visitor information centers (main office and a seasonal pier-side kiosk) to welcome visitors and direct them to area businesses.

Want to learn more? Well, here's your chance! The HB Pipeline, an online Bureau publication, is available bimonthly from the City's Website.


Surf City Huntington Beach Visa Card



Passport Services available at City Hall

If your future travel plans call for a destination beyond the borders of the United States, then you either need a new passport or you may want to check your current passport to make sure it is up-to-date.

The City of Huntington Beach, through the City Clerk's Office, has been designated as a United States Acceptance Facility for people needing a passport for the first time, as well as for people needing to renew their existing passport.

The City Clerk's Office also provides information packets to help you expedite your application for a Passport. Located at the Huntington Beach City Hall, 2000 Main Street, on the 2nd floor, it is open Monday thru Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including lunchtime hours. For more information call 714-374-1600.

Art Center newest exhibit

The Huntington Beach Art Center is presenting the exhibition Brushstrokes: An Exhibition of Traditional & Contemporary Asian Calligraphy in the main galleries that will feature approximately 45 works in several mediums including wood carvings, hanging scrolls and works on paper. This is the 8th Biennial exhibition by the Mook Hyang Calligraphy Society.

The Mook Hyang Calligraphy Society is an association of Korean-American calligraphers in Orange County. Since its inception in 1983 it has been promoting Asian calligraphy to the multiethnic American society. Under the leadership of Dr. Sun W. Kim, the current ten active members are comprised of professional calligraphers of international prominence as well as amateur calligraphers. The members share the goal to enrich their lives by learning more about calligraphy and their cultural heritage, and to help others as well as their children understand the traditions of East Asian culture.

The exhibition is scheduled from October 24 - November 7, 2004 with an opening reception on Saturday, October 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public and a calligraphy demonstration will be included during the reception.

The Huntington Beach Art Center is a community arts and cultural center serving Huntington Beach and the Southern California region. The Center presents the works of artists producing in all media. Through exhibitions, performances, film/video screenings, lectures and educational programming, the HBAC serves to advance public awareness and understanding of cultural, historic, and contemporary perspectives.

For more information on exhibitions, programs, and gallery hours please call the Art Center at 714/374-1650.

"Hay Fever" coming to HB

The Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) presents Hay Fever at the Huntington Beach Historic Theater. Performances will run November 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and November 21 at 2:00 p.m. The theater is located at 1905 Main Street, on the corner of Yorktown and Main. Admission $9.00 Students/Seniors $7.00. Tickets are available at the box office starting 45 minutes prior to curtain. Recorded Information: 714.536.2514 ext. 602

This 1920's drawing room comedy features a rather Bohemian family of four: Actress Judith Bliss (Kelly Dixon), Author David Bliss (Alec Malcynski), and the two children, Simon and Sorel (AJ Gutierrez, Nicole Weber), who haven't found themselves. Each invites a rather interesting guest for the weekend without disclosing it to each other. Well, they do arrive. First, Sandy Tyrell (Ryan Field) closely followed by Myra (Dani Kerry), Richard (Alessandro Randazzo), and Jackie (Amanda Bolten). Consequently, a most entertaining weekend filled with many romantic twists and turns begins at an explosive pace!

Hay Fever is a British humor at its theatrical best-and is one of the director's favorite plays.



Overnight Parking at City Beach now re-opened

The City of Huntington Beach has opened up a parking lot between Huntington St. and First St. to overnight parking, said Parking/Camping Supervisor Steve Benson. Forty-six spaces have been made available for campers and RVs. All spaces must be reserved up to one month ahead, and can only be made in person or by mail. No reservations will be taken over the phone.

Spaces may be reserved for up to 14 consecutive days. A five-day waiting period must pass before reserving another space. Reservation dates began on October 1st and end in late March. Rates are $40/night plus a deposit, although HB residents, seniors age 62 and over, and the disabled receive a five dollar discount.

Each space has water and electricity services available. There is no dumping sewage on site, but there is an off-site dumping area on the south end of the lot.

For more information, please call the information line at 969- 5621. The parking office can also be called at 536- 5286.