IN THE PIPELINE:

“She wore an itsy bitsy, teenie weenie, fresh and green lettuce bikini…” Huntington Beach local Kim Somers laughs when she talks about her lettuce bikini photo shoot last year.

Yet what sounds preposterous makes a bit more sense when you see the attractive blond in all of her green glory, as part of the website lettuceladies.com, which is part of an effort by PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to help promote a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle.

Pamela Anderson and a bevy of other fetching women, including Sky Valencia, Sunny Subramanian and Jenae Noonan, also don lettuce bikinis on the site. Those last three ladies, along with Somers, make up the group Vegan Vixens, a multimedia concept started by Valencia several years ago to help celebrate/create awareness for veganism. One part rock ’n’ roll band, one part sexy pinup quartet, the buxom foursome playfully use their ample physical gifts to promote several causes near and dear to their collective hearts, from veganism to putting an end to animal cruelty.

Somers, who worked for 10 years as a special-education teacher and today is producing a fitness video for moms and kids, also volunteers with the St. Martin’s Animal Foundation in Northridge, a recovery center founded by Valencia. According to a release, the turning point in Somers’ attitude toward animals came during a family trip when she was 8. Her father ordered a crab and handed the bag to young Kim, who had no idea that her father intended to eat the animal. Kim was fascinated by the crab and even named him. When “Sam” was taken from Kim and cooked, she was devastated and “never got over it.” That’s one reason why Somers’ 2-year-old daughter, Noella, is a healthy, happy vegan.

Somers told me she likes being a part of the Vegan Vixens because it’s a way to spread messages without “being obnoxious.”

“We have fun, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we seriously believe in the vegan lifestyle and other eco-friendlier lifestyle choices,” she said. “Because of our attitude and how we look, we’re able to reach all kinds of people, from kids to the elderly, and at least explain the facts and what we feel. People can take away what they want, but we’re having lots of fun, and the Vixens and I are four of the best girlfriends you’ll ever find.”

As far as a favorite vegan restaurant in town, Somers prefers the Bodhi Tree Café on Main Street.

“They’re awesome,” she says. “I brought some of their Egg-less Egg Rolls to a party, and people were blown away when they found out they were vegan.”

Sky said she’s currently shopping the Vegan Vixens as a TV concept, and judging from her passion and ability to generate media heat, don’t be surprised if one day the ladies, perhaps even wearing lettuce bikinis, find their way onto the tube.

The Vegan Vixens will be performing a benefit Saturday for the St. Martins Animal Foundation called “Rock and Rover — a benefit for homeless animals.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the show starts at 6:30 p.m., and it takes place at The Little Rock, 5507 Reseda Blvd. in Tarzana.

For more information visit veganvixens.com.

In other news, Hurley is hosting a “Dane Williams Memorial Festival” surf contest Sunday at Goldenwest Street, and Dane Williams’ family and the American Red Cross are hosting a “keeping his spirit alive” blood drive at Huntington Beach lifeguard headquarters Monday. This in honor of Williams, the young man who tragically and mysteriously lost his life in San Diego in January. In the weeks to come I will be writing a follow-up with Dane’s folks to see where the investigation is at.

Also, in honor of Veterans Day this year, I am planning on writing a column or two recounting stories of men and women from Huntington Beach who served their country. If you’d care to share your experience(s) please drop me a line in the next week or two.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at [email protected].