Strand plans may hit a snag

The Strand project, which gained both Planning Commission and City

Council approval, may still face another challenge before it begins

construction.

Citizens Against Redevelopment, a group of residents who sent the

project back the drawing board once already, say they plan on filing

an appeal with the California Coastal Commission.

“At this point it appears that there’s a very good chance that

we’re going to appeal the decision,” said James A. Lane, spokesman

for the group. “There’s a few things that we’re working on.”

The group’s attorney is working on the final details of the

appeal, Lane said.

“It’s a complete violation of the Downtown master plan, and the

other concern we have is the inadequate parking,” Lane said.

They are some of the same concerns the group has expressed in the

past.

Plans for the project, which would overhaul the first couple

blocks of Downtown, call for a 152-room hotel, several major retail

stores and an underground parking lot.

John Given, senior vice president of development at CIM Group, the

project developer, did not want to comment because of pending or

possible litigation.

City officials were disheartened to hear about the possible

appeal, which could delay the project even further -- or indefinitely

if the group has its way.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the [Citizens Against

Redevelopment] group will proceed with an appeal of the matter,” City

Administrator Ray Silver said. “I believe that the project continues

to increase the quality of the retail opportunities in the Downtown

area as we go forward in becoming an overnight destination resort.”

The group has until Friday to file its appeal with the coastal

commission.

Shipley Nature Center to hold restoration day

Joining forces to help restore the habitat at the Shipley Nature

Center in Huntington Beach Central Park, the Friends of Shipley

Nature Center and the city of Huntington Beach will hold a

restoration day on Nov. 23.

The event, which will include a native plant sale and a number of

information booths, will give people an opportunity to help restore

the center. Since the center has become overgrown with weeds,

restoration day aims to replace those weeds with native vegetation to

increase the biological diversity at the center and, as a result,

enhance its educational role in the community. Those people looking

to participate in the event are asked to bring their own tools,

shovels, weeders and gloves.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. For more

information, call (714) 846-0916 or send e-mails to

[email protected] or [email protected].

Surf flick premieres Downtown at Mann’s

Mann’s Pierside Pavilion 6 Theaters in Downtown Huntington Beach

will host the world premiere of Timmy Turner’s latest “surfmentary,”

“Burning the Map,” an Indonesian film directed by Dustin Humphrey and

produced by Big Red Productions’ Surf Theatre. It will premiere from

7 to 9 p.m. today.

A post-premiere “A” party hosted by Fred’s Mexican Cafe will be

held upstairs from Huntington Surf and Sport. The cafe will give

you-call-it tacos for $2 to anyone with a ticket stub.

For tickets, visit www.bigredprod.com or contact the Mann’s box

office.

Benefit for low-income single parent homes

The Project Self-Sufficiency Foundation will host a High Tea,

Toast and Tribute event to benefit low-income single-parent

households in Huntington Beach.

The event will honor exceptional donors who have contributed over

the past year and will include a silent auction of original works by

local artists, entertainment by the Circles of Life band with

violinist Robert Anthony Aviles and a speech by Lynne Van Trieste, a

motivational speaker and a single parent herself.

The foundation aims to provide help for single parents in the

program and works to empower them to become independent from

government assistance.

Since its inception in 1985, the foundation has helped nearly 100

single-parent families per year.

The event will be held Nov. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hilton

Waterfront Beach Resort. For more information call (949) 756-2120.

Workshop offered for home, property owners

The city of Huntington Beach will be offering a workshop on

irrigation efficiency for landscape contractors, property and

homeowners’ association managers.

The workshop, which is designed to give an edge in water-efficient

site management, will provide information that will help lower

maintenance costs and reduce costly property damage.

The event is hosted by the city and sponsored by the Municipal

Water District of Orange County, the Metropolitan Water District of

Southern California and other Orange County water agencies.

The workshop will be held Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the

Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave.

For more information, call (949) 215-2168 or visit www.waterprograms.com.

-- Compiled by Jose Paul Corona