DATEBOOK

Huntington Beach Independent, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; fax to (714) 965-7174; call (714) 965-7176 or e-mail [email protected]. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication.

TILL FEB. 18

The Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St., introduces its “open call exhibition” show, featuring paintings, drawings, photography and other forms of artwork by “ordinary people,” art students and professional artists. Admission is free. For information, or to submit entries, call (714) 374-1650.

TILL FEB 25

The Anderson Gallery, 16812 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach, is featuring new works by artist Howard Hitchcock. The Gallery is also home to a collection of watercolors, oils and sculptures from artist and owner Bill Anderson, Raul Anguiano, Henry Fukuhara, Milford Zornes and others; hours are 1 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays. For information, call (562) 592-4393

FEB. 6 TILL 23

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, there will be an exhibition at Golden West College’s Fine Art Gallery, 15744 Golden West Street, featuring a collection of vintage photographs and campus memorabilia from the past to the present. The exhibition will also feature architectural renderings of proposed future projects for the college campus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; Friday by appointment only. Call Cheryl Tittle, the gallery coordinator at (714) 895-8358.

FEB. 7

BB Jazz, a nonprofit organization raising awareness and funds for children with autism, is sponsoring the 6th annual Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series with performances by saxophonist Paul Taylor at 7 and 9 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave. Tickets are $40 to $95; buffet dinner is optional. Call (714) 377-7574 or go to www.bbjazz.com.

FEB. 9

The Sweet Charity Ball, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Huntington Beach to benefit the West County YMCA, will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. Evening events include dinner, dancing, and a silent/live auction. Tickets are $100. Call (714) 892-3351.

The Huntington Beach Council on Aging Ballroom Dance is meeting from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Rodgers Seniors’ Center, 1706 Orange Ave., Huntington Beach. Adults of all ages are welcome; event includes live music, snacks and beverages. Cost is $5; parking is free. Call (714) 536-9387.

FEB. 11

The Orange County Transporter Organization presents, “Winter Meet 2007,” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main Street. This event features a swap meet and display of original and restored Volkswagen buses, trucks and campers from 1967 and earlier. Raffle prizes and refreshments will be offered. Tickets are $2; children 12 and under are free. Call (714) 374-7506 or go to www.octo.org.

FEB. 13

Ballet Etudes will be performing “American Dances” at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Central Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for children. Call (714) 375-5107.

FEB. 16

A contemporary blues concert will be performed in a cabaret-style setting from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at The Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main Street. Tickets are $20; $15 for HBAC members. Call (714) 374-1650.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS

The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, 411 Olive Ave., presents its newest exhibit, SurFin’, a Direction of the Sport, the first time a collection of surfboard fins has been available for public viewing. Fins from 1953 to present day are on display. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for students. For information, call (714) 960-3483.

CHILDREN/LIBRARY

The Main Street Library Branch will accept book donations for the Friends of Library book sales during normal library hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at 525 Main St. Information: (714) 375-5071.

Huntington Beach Central Library will host Books Art Storytime every Saturday from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Children 5 through 9 are invited to enjoy stories and related crafts at the library, at 7111 Talbert Ave. Information: (714) 375-5107.

The Shipley Nature Center presents Restoration Days, where the Friends of the Shipley Nature Center invite the public to help in planting, weeding, birding, walking and other nature activities, on the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at Huntington Beach Central Park, 6622 Lakeview. Information: (714) 842-4772 or www.fsnc.org.

The Huntington Beach Library’s popular Sandcastle story time series is shown at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on Time Warner Cable Channel 6. (714) 375-5107.

The Huntington Beach Children’s Library presents Folktale Story Time, for kindergartners through fourth graders, starting at 3 p.m. Thursdays at 7111 Talbert Ave. (714) 375-5107.

Enjoy stories, activities and fun at a story time held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the children’s section of Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 7777 Edinger Ave. Pajamarama is held from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays. Story time is held at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Information: (714) 897-8781.

The Huntington Beach Library presents Laptime Storytime at 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays at 7111 Talbert Ave. for children 18 months to 3 years old. The library’s Preschool Storytime for children 3 to 5 are held at 10 and 11 a.m. Fridays. (714) 842-4481.

The Main Street Library presents a story time at 3 p.m. Fridays at 525 Main St. The library’s Preschool Storytime will be 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesdays. (714) 375-5071.