Good Night Huntington Beach!
17 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Kathleen
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The day is over in Huntington Beach. A bright sun hangs low in the sky and quickly sinks lower and lower towards the horizon where it will soon slip out of sight behind the horizon of the Long Beach skyline.
Reluctant Children are called away from the waves and their sand castles to be dusted off and packed up in order to be taken home to baths and bedtime. Their families can be seen hauling what looks like a ton of beach equipment back up the sand dunes to their cars that may be parked blocks away to avoid the parking meters.
The vendors from the booths that had lined the sidewalks have packed up and gone home for the night, while nightlife performers are just getting geared up for the night of music with their tip jar silently asking to be filled.
The fisherman are packing up their catches of the day and thinking of the meal that will be fried up with their catches.
The beach is almost empty by the time that the sun is completely gone. Lovers and friends walk to and from Ruby’s Diner at the end of the pier where they have or will enjoy the juicy hamburgers and rich milkshakes.
It has been a long day int he surfing capital of the world. For many it has been a good day, for some it was just another day at the beach where they got to practice their skills. No matter the reason that pulled the people to the beach or the area around it, the day has ended and it is time to go home.
19th Annual Duck-a-thon at the pier
15 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Celia
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The 19th annual Duck-a-thon was held Friday through Sunday in Huntington Beach, Calif. The Duck-a-thon took off on Friday with a wine tasting at the pier. Saturday was filled with family fun, rubber duckies and the big event, the dropping of hundreds of the yellow duck figures into the ocean from the pier to race to shore for everyone standing by to watch. And Sunday was the corporate duck race.
I was there on Saturday for the big event. It works like this, you go and buy a rubber duck for $10 or a “Beachcomber” for $20 for the race. Then you look around the open air shops. There you can find all kinds of gifts and many different varieties of rubber dickies, arts, crafts and games for the kids and some for adults.
Then at 3 P.M. the two duck bulldozer holding all of the rubber duckies make their way onto the pier to launch them into the ocean. Once in the ocean the rubber ducks float around, and the first 60 to reach the shore win! The official two duck mascots and Ms. Huntington Beach are present for the big event.
It was lots of fun to be in the middle of all the anticipating spectators and to see hundreds of yellow rubber duckies get launch off from the pier and then see them reach the shore.
Once again this is an annual event and is perfect for the whole family. And of course it is free for everyone.
till next time.
-Celia
The Search for Spinny Park
10 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Liana
Remember those times as a child when you would sit on a spin-able chair and your brother/sister would spin you around and around till you almost puked? Ahh yes, good times good times. Ever wish there was a park that was devoted to having the equipment spin?
Well guess what! There is a such a place and it’s called Spinny Park. But here’s the thing, I’m going to make this a quest for you guys. Yup, you gotta go out and look for it! I know my first time going I ran like a chicken’s head cut off looking for that place.
I got lucky, and my cousin, a local, rescued me and pointed me in the right direction. Supposedly, according to my sources, the park is meant to be a secret and the only people who know of it are the locals and if the locals are nice enough, the locals’ friends (hence why I am giving you this challenge). So here are some clues…
1. It’s in Huntington Beach I promise you that!
2. It’s close to the beach. Actually, when you are up in that area you get a beautiful view of the beach.
3. When you get to the destination, PLEASE, don’t look for a sign that says “WELCOME TO SPINNY PARK,” because there is none.
4. Majority of the attractions all spin!
5. The park is tucked inside, hiding behind the restroom building and a small parking lot.
6. When, you cruise down PCH, depending on which side your coming from you can make a right/left on this one street and it will be on your right/left hand side. (There are beautiful apartments in that are.)
7. Last but not least, if you type in spinny park the closest thing you will probably get are youtube videos (Not going to lie it’s not the funniest BUT that’s why you need to find it and make funny videos on your own!)…UNLESS some genius has already blown its cover there will be no directions.
Good Luck! Have Fun! Spin away my friends!
The Strength Project
08 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Lindsey
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On one of my recent Saturdays venturing around the pier I ran into these guys you can also see some of their acrobatics on Youtube. They are street performers but are also involved in fitness. Although they do their stunts for “donations” at the end they also spread the word to kids to be safe and not to do drugs. Their show is amusing and is fun for everyone of all ages.
A Saturday on the Pier
07 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Lindsey
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There are a lot of things to do in Huntington Beach especially on the weekends. One thing is to hang out and around the pier, it’s definitely a hotspot and there is always something going on out there. You can catch lunch at Ruby’s and watch the surfers catch some waves. There are cleaning tables for fishing, which seems fun but not that much great when it comes to the smell. Nets are up for volleyball or if you aren’t too sporty you can definitely watch everyone play. Also if you’re a photographer you can get out there and take pictures of the scenery! Enjoy your upcoming Saturday in HB!
International Surfing Museum
29 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Kathleen
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One part of down town Huntington Beach that gets very little traffic is the International Surf Museum.A few streets back from the Pacific Coast Highway on Cyprus Street sits a little building that has housed surfing memorabilia for the past twenty years. No entrance fee is charged and anyone just passing by can walk in.
A few steps through the door, and already you can see that the collection highlights the history of surfing in Huntington Beach. The original pier was destroyed, but the original documents and corner stone are on display.
Those who have made an impact on the surfing industry, are given priority in the museum, Duke Kahanamoku especially, along with the most recent record breakers in the surfing world.
The museum is small for a museum, but a lot is crammed into the small space, including a model of the Silver surfer from the movie Fantastic Four 2. Not one inch of wall space is not covered by a picture or award or piece of history, where as the only surface, (including the floor,) is covered by the trophies and artifacts that have been donated or acquired by the museum.
One of the corners of the square building is made into a make shift movie theater where the surfing movies of the 1960′s are showcased. a few desk chairs are set up so that the visitors can take a load off and enjoy the movies that brought the sport to the mainstream audience.
Petey the Petroglyph is the mascot of the museum and can be viewed on the banners outside the museum and on many different articles that can be purchased in the gift shop that is crammed into the corner of the museum.
The museum may be small, but the passion for surfing can be felt in every corner of the museum. Every part of the wall is covered with something and any surface had a trophy or statue of some kind that represents surfing in some way. You do not have to know anything about surfing to enjoy the small museum and take something away when you leave.
Surfers Hall of Fame
28 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Kathleen
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In 1997 the city of Huntington Beach began the first ever hall of fame for surfers, in which the commemorated those who had made an impact on the sport by imortalizing their hand prints in cement. Just across the street from the famous pier along the Pacific Coast Highway surfers are initiated each year with a large ceremony.The ceremony became a yearly event in 2001 with the blessing of the city and the erection of a statue of Duke Kahanamoku. The statue stands over all of the hand prints of the surfers that have come to surf and made a real impact on the city and the industry.
This year, 2011, Taylor Knox and Chuck Linnenbecame will become the newest members of the hall of fame. They are due to be inducted on August 5, 2011.
The small circle that contains the surfers hand prints is available for all to see and be inspired by, just a short walk from the edge of the ocean.
http://www.hsssurf.com/shof/
Dogs Race on in April
17 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Celia, Kathleen
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As it does every month, the Dog Races at the German Village in Huntington Beach went off without a hitch, with the exception that some of the dogs ran the wrong direction.
Dachshunds were put into the racing boxes, and at the sound bell they raced out of their boxes and down the track to where one of their owners waited at the other end trying to get them to run to the treat that acted as a carrot of enticement.
There was a large number of viewers who took pleasure in watching the little dogs run a few yards. They sipped on beer and ate delicacies form the German themed restaurant where this monthly event is held.
A one dollar ticket will get you in the door where you can sit for the hour long event and pick a winner. German candies can be purchased to go along with the German sausages and Heineken beer.
It is not the most main stream event that can be found in Huntington Beach, but it is definitely one of the most unique events that can interest and entertain anyone.
7th Annual “Customs and Classics Car Show”
10 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Celia
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The 7th annual Customs and Classics Car and Motorcycle Show was held at Marina High School in Huntington Beach on April 9th. This was my first time to a car show. I got there a right when they were giving away ruffle prices and awards. I barely had time to take photos of the cars that would draw my eye. I’m not much of a car fanatic, all I care about cars is them running good enough to take me from point A to point B.
Therefore, at this event I let my biased vision sense make the decision on what classic to photograph. I went for the ones that I thought had some nice elements, color, or just some funky head light or accessory.
I found out that I do like old classic cars and I found my self wanting to get in the cars to see what it feels like to be in deck out old classic. One of my favorites was the Volkswagen old van that had a little airplane as a companion. In side the van there was a table and the roof would open up almost like a convertible. This van was perfect to take it out to the park to have a picnic, it was one of my favorite colors, red.
This is an annual event so if you like to look at some really nice old classics and again not spend much plan to come to this event next year, it is a free event to spectators with free parking as well. Now, if you have a nice classic or deck out motorcycle you can enter it and show it off. You can get more information here.
till next time.
-Celia
They Will Surf Again, brought to you by Life Rolls On
10 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Celia
On Saturday April 9th I found the event They Will Surf Again/Life Rolls On by accident. I went to Huntington Beach that Saturday morning to cover an event called Roller Blading Fun Roll, but I could not find them, either I missed them or the event didn’t happen.
That Saturday I also wanted to cover a car show later in the day, but I just couldn’t believe I couldn’t find the roller bladders, so I walked around the beach to see if maybe I could find some information on them.
I saw the banners for Life Rolls On and I found out that this event is organized to give a chance to people that have had spinal injuries to go out to the waves and enjoy the excitement of the ocean. This event is held all around the country as well. I actually was very interested in the cause of this organization and decided to stay and take some pictures.
A group of volunteers would take one of the participants out to surf and make sure they would stray safe in the ocean. I was great to see how people help one another and make each other smile.
It was amazing to see the amount of volunteers that were there and the expressions of happiness in the faces of those that went out to the waves. There was some food offered and music to get people in the mood of good feeling and everyone seemed to have a great time.
To find out more about the cause and the organization please visit their website here.
till next time.
-Celia
