In the Pipeline: A look at Endless Food & Fun, which is coming to Huntington Beach

By Chris Epting, Huntington Beach Independent columnist

“The buffet will be about 100 feet long and will extend down that way.”

Andrew Pereira, a local entrepreneur, is guiding me through the vast space of a single-story structure that seems to stretch for miles. The building is adjacent to the Thomasville Home Furnishings store at 7227 Edinger Ave. in Huntington Beach, and though it is hot and sunny outside, inside it is cool and dark and small earthmovers are clearing mini-mountains of dirt.

Construction workers are making like busy bees throughout the complex, welding, hammering, sodering and, in general, converting the empty space into something Pereira hopes will help transform the city – or at least this part of the Edinger corridor.

But I ask to ask again. A 100-foot buffet?
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City Lights: H.B. elections are upon us

I’m a political junkie, and one of the greatest thrills I have is watching the excitement that surrounds an election. Years ago, I volunteered for a presidential campaign in New Hampshire and took part in what we called “visibility,” which meant driving up and down the icy streets at 5 a.m., sticking our candidate’s signs in the ground and trying to dominate entire blocks.

In most elections, it’s easy to draw a line between the contenders who have a chance and those who don’t. But when those colorful signs dot every corner downtown, it’s hard not to grin at democracy in action.

Right now, the spectacle has hit Surf City. Drive down Warner Avenue and surname-bearing signs leap out from both sides of the road. Given the 20 candidates’ vastly different budgets, though, it’s unlikely that they’ll get equal exposure.
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Huntington Beach police, firefighters announce endorsements

The Huntington Beach police and fire unions have endorsed nearly the same candidates for this year’s election, with the two groups differing only on a single council member.

The Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn. and the Huntington Beach Firefighter’s Assn. announced this week that they support incumbent Joe Carchio, former Mayor Connie Boardman and Planning Commissioner Fred Speaker for the council. The police union gave its fourth nod to Jim Katapodis, a sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Department, while the firefighters tapped Planning Commissioner Blair Farley as their fourth choice.

The unions also favored incumbent Jennifer McGrath for city attorney, city Treasurer Shari Freidenrich for Orange County treasurer and Mayor Cathy Green, who will be termed out in November, for the Orange County Water District board. The groups also recommended a “no” vote on Measure O, which would amend Huntington Beach’s charter.
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Huntington Beach logistics firm needs to find its niche

Marc Schnell is a fixer.

Companies such as Quiksilver Inc. and Smashbox Cosmetics have hired his logistics firm to take care of problems with incoming goods. He has, to cite some examples, hired temporary workers to replace too-small snaps on a shipment of 10,000 shorts that came into a company from Asia, repair 200,000 kids’ lamps with faulty wiring and shrink-wrap thousands of individual boxes of cosmetics for distribution to exacting retailers.

But now Schnell needs a fixer himself.
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Body of drowning victim recovered at Bolsa Chica beach

The body of one of two young men who disappeared off Huntington Beach Pier a week ago washed ashore on Bolsa Chica state beach, authorities said Sunday.

The Orange County coroner’s office identified the victim as 20-year-old Shao Moua, who went missing in the afternoon of Aug. 28. Authorities said Moua and John Shua Lee, 24, both of Banning, were swept off their feet by waves five to six feet tall.

Moua, whose body was discovered Saturday morning, died of apparent drowning, according to coroner’s officials.

Moua and Lee were among a group of revelers from the Lao Evangelical Church who had attended a wedding. They were presumed drowned after a search effort involving a flotilla of rescue boats, jet skis and scuba divers could not locate them.

Two other men were also swept away but survived; one swam ashore and another was rescued by lifeguards.

– Victoria Kim

The college conversation: Her daughter is headed off to school

LISA McLAUGHLIN, Daily Pilot columnist

My 5-year-old heads off to kindergarten this week, and even though she’s been in preschool and pre-K for three years, I’m a mess.

This transition is the real deal, and I’m beside myself wondering if I’ll have enough tissues the first day.

She, on the other hand, is ecstatic. The thought of new friends. New clothes. What her new teacher will be like.

And, more than that, she can’t wait to get back to school and learn. The Montessori school that she attended for three years called the time when students were focusing on academics “work,” so she’s really excited for new “work.”
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O.C. Bargainista: Pretty in pink, lipgloss that is

By Cadice Baker, Daily Pilot columnist

Freebie of the Week: A free lip gloss from Express stores! Better hurry if you want to cash in on this one — the offer only is active today, to receive a coupon to redeem Sept. 8 to 10. Go to www.facebook.com/expresshttp://www.facebook.com/express and select the “New Fans” tab, saying you want to be a fan, then fill out the form for your personalized coupon.

While the kids are away, Mommy can play

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PHOTOS: Marina High School Football

Marina High School football players practice Tuesday, Aug. 31 in preparation for the upcoming season.

Marina's quarterback Nick Marshall hands off the ball to Harley Shoffner during practice Tuesday, Aug. 3. (Scott Smeltzer)

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PHOTOS: Ocean View Football

Ocean View High School players practice Tuesday, Aug. 31 in preparation for the start of the season.

Ocean View's Tyren Hudson wraps up Willie Jarus during a drill at practice Tuesday, Aug. 3. (Scott Smeltzer)

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PHOTOS: Project Self Sufficiency Back-to-School Celebration

Project Self Sufficiency hosts a back-to-school celebration with free backpacks and school supplies at the Edison Community Center Monday, Aug. 30.

Brayden Green, 4, and his mom Dana Pull eagerly look inside a donated backpack during a back-to-school celebration hosted by Project Self Sufficiency at the Edison Community Center Monday, Aug. 30. The First Christian Church and the Huntington Beach Rotary Club donated the backpacks for the students. (Scott Smeltzer)

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