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.

TODAY

The “Best Live Electric Band Competition” is at Martini Blues Supper Club, 5874 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, at 7:30 p.m. The competition features a 30-minute set by artists, musicians or bands with at least one member from Orange County. There is a $5 cover charge; parking is free. Call (714) 840-2129 or go to www.martiniblues.com.

“Tow In Surfing,” a 70-minute movie by Brazilian filmmaker Rosaldo Cavalcanti about the thrills and danger involved in using motorized water craft to “hunt down and catch the biggest waves in the world,” is being shown at 7 and 9 p.m. at the Pierside SurfCity 6 Theatres, 300 Pacific Coast Highway, #203, Huntington Beach. Tickets are $8. Call (714) 969-3151 or go to www.bigredprod.com.

FRIDAY

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.

FRIDAY TILL JAN. 28

The Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave., presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” about a floral assistant and his exotic “man-eating” plant. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18 to $20. Call (714) 375-0696 or go to www.hbph.com.

SATURDAY

The Anderson Gallery, 16812 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach, is hosting a reception from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 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

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

The public is invited to come out and watch the National Scholastic Surfing Association Southwest Conference Open Season’s Event #6 from 8 to 4 p.m., just south of the Huntington Beach pier at 315 Pacific Coast Highway. The competition is open to students in grades 6 through 12; categories include Shortboard, Longboard and Bodyboarding and Girls Surfing Shortboard. Admission is free. Call (714) 378-0899 or go to www.nssa.org.

JAN. 15

The fiction book group at Barnes & Noble, 7881 Edinger Avenue, #110, Huntington Beach, will be discussing, “Leaf Storm,” author Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s first novella, at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call (714) 897-8781.

JAN. 16

The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Surf City Lunch Bunch at 11:30 a.m. at Ruby Palace, 18330 Beach Blvd. Bring business cards and fliers; cost is $10. Call (714) 848-6088.

JAN. 17

Magician Tony Daniels will share his love of magic and reading with a special show at 4 p.m. in the theater at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for children. Call (714) 375-5107 or go to www.hbpl.org.

JAN. 19 TILL FEB. 18

The Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St., is hosting a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday to introduce 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.

JAN. 20

The American Association of University Women, Huntington Beach branch, is holding its general meeting and luncheon at 10:30 a.m. at the Meadowlark Golf Course, 16782 Graham St. Guest speakers Jeanne Flint of Women Helping Women and wardrobe consultant Jane Haxton will be discussing “Achieving Your Full Potential.” Cost is $18. For reservations, call (714) 842-9433.

JAN. 21

Author Peggy Howell will read selected stories from and sign her book, “Tales of Tinker’s Tails,” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Park Bench Cafe, 17732 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. Howell will be joined by the book’s illustrator, Toreen West, and special guest Dean Torrence, from the 60’s band Jan & Dean, who designed the book’s cover. Admission is free ;proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Beach. To RSVP, call (714) 845-4835.

JAN. 22

The Interval House, a shelter for abused women, will benefit from a fundraiser held from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mane Moves and Body Works, 7171 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the salon will offer customers discounts on hair care products and tools, free conditioning treatments and makeup demonstrations; refreshments, appetizers and prize giveaways will be offered. Call (714) 842-4221.

JAN. 24

The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach is hosting, “A Night of Surf City Stars,” the 103rd annual dinner for the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce. Evening’s activities include a cocktail reception and dinner, silent auction and raffle prizes. Tickets are $75; proceeds benefit Chamber programs. Call (714) 536-8888 or go to www.hbchamber.org.

JAN. 30

Friends of the Children’s Library will host the 20th Anniversary Authors Festival and Reception at 2:30 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave. The public is invited to meet over 40 children’s authors and illustrators; books will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call (714) 375-5107 or go to www.hbpl.org.

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.

ONGOING

Windows Gallery in the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., features works from amateur and professional artists with themes that range from landscapes to abstracts. Admission is free.

Call (714) 847-5973.

Tumble-N-Kids, Inc. offers beginning through advanced gymnastics classes for children from birth to 12 years. A series of Yoga-4-Kids classes has been added, and all sessions last for 10 weeks. Classes are held at the Murdy, Edison and City Gym and Pool Community Centers in Huntington Beach. Call Dayle Lusk at (714) 842-3586 for information on class times, prices and locations or go to www.tumblenkids.com.

The historic Newland House Museum, 19820 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, offers tours from local historians who provide information about the two-story Victorian home built in 1898. The house is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For information, call (714) 962-5777.

“Pajamarama” with Miss Susanna is offered at the Barnes & Noble, 7881 Edinger Avenue, #110, Huntington Beach, every Monday evening at 7 p.m., and features a new book each week for children and toddlers. Admission is free. For information, call: (714) 897-8781.

Kids Klub at Bella Terra mall, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach meets every Monday from 11 to 11:45 a.m. and features puppets, story-telling, jugglers, musicians and more. Designed for parents & small children, this free program is held in the amphitheater just outside Century Theatres. For information, call (714) 897-2534 or go to www.bellaterra-hb.com.

The Huntington Beach Adult School is holding free circuit training classes in the Huntington Beach High School weight room from 6 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Everyone from 18 to 80 years old is welcome to attend and receive a personalized workout with a certified fitness professional. Information: (714) 847-2873, ext. 219 or www.hbadultschool.com.

Rodgers’ Senior Center hosts the Huntington Beach Council on Aging Ballroom Dance 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Adults of all ages are invited to join the festivities, which include live music, food and refreshments. Admission: $5. For more information, call (714) 536-9387. Location: 1706 Orange Ave.

Saturday Sunrise Car Cruisers, billed as the best free car show in the world, is a 15-year tradition that brings classic and hot rod car collectors, known as the Donut Derelicts, to the parking lot at Magnolia and Adams Ave. every Saturday from 6 to 9 a.m. Admission is free. For more information, call Rodding Around at (714) 963-2928 or go to www.river-road.net/oldcars.

Golden West College’s school of cosmetology offers specialty treatments, makeup application and hair waxing to members of the community for a fraction of the cost of a traditional spa every Tuesday and Friday. Price: $3.50 to $25. Location: Fine Arts Room 112, 15744 Golden West St. For more information and appointments, call (714) 895-8124.

The Edison Community Center hosts themed “Friday Nite Funtime Dances” for developmentally disabled youths every third Friday of the month from 7 to 9:30 p.m.. Participants can dance the night away to the sounds of a DJ. Admission: $2. Location: 2137 Magnolia St. For more information, call (714) 960-8870.

A two-hour walking tour of the Bolsa Chica mesa and wetlands is conducted from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Sunday of every month by the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. This docent-led tour makes five stops along the walk bridge and loop trails of the wetlands. Meet in the reserve parking lot on Warner Avenue. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes and binoculars are recommended. Tours are free and open to the public. For more information, call (714) 846-1001 or go to www.bolsachicalandtrust.org.

The Clara Barton Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets at 9:30 a.m. every third Saturday at Community United Methodist Church, 6652 Heil Ave., Huntington Beach. Membership in Daughters of the American Revolution is open to any woman who is at least 18 years of age and can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. For more information, call (714) 962-0840.

Phil’s Flea in HB antique collectibles market returns to the Ocean View High School parking lot from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month. Portions of the proceeds go to the Ocean View basketball team. Come and browse through vintage jewelry, furniture and other antiques. For more information, call (714) 893-1518. Location: 17071 Gothard St.

Woody’s Diner hosts a classic car get together, featuring actual classics and some newer classics. The event is free. Location: 7871 Warner Ave. Information: www.socalcarculture.com.

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. For more information, call (714) 375-5071.