Around Town: H.B. chamber goes green with forum and expo

The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce will focus on the environment as it presents the Green Forum on Thursday and the Green Expo on Saturday.

The forum, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel at 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., will feature a presentation by former California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura, who co-owns Orange County Produce LLC.

Tickets are $30. For more information, visit hbchamber.com or call (714) 500-6108.

The free expo, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. under the solar panels at City Hall at 2000 Main St., will include a display of electric cars, more than 50 vendors, an electronic-waste drop-off, free document shredding, food trucks, live bands and children’s activities and shows. The Huntington Beach Police Department will offer a bicycle safety course, and there will be free bike valets and fix-it stations.

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Old World raises its stein to Oktoberfest

If it’s September, it must be October – or at least Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach.

And sure enough, the European-style commercial village at 7561 Center Ave. is hosting its 39th annual celebration of the German tradition Wednesdays through Sundays through Nov. 1.

The festival features authentic German food, German beers and German bands, plus games, competitions and more.

The schedule is 6:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays (free admission), 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays (21 and older only) and 2 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays for the family-friendly Kinderfest (dachshund races from 3 to 4 p.m.).

General admission for Fridays and Saturdays in September is $10 online and at the door. Friday admission in October is $15 online and $10 at the door. Saturday admission in October is $25 online and $15 at the door.

Sunday admission for adults is $5 online and at the door, $2 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and younger.

Tickets are available at oldworld.ws/oktoberfest-admission-ticket.html.

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Surf camp for veterans on Saturday in H.B.

Military veterans will get a chance to learn to surf on Saturday at a Waves of Valor surf camp from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Huntington City Beach.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

To register as a volunteer, go to wavesofvalor.com.

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Debut set for catering service on double-decker bus

A Huntington Beach couple who plan to run a catering business out of a customized 1984 double-decker bus will hold a free public launch party Saturday night in downtown Huntington Beach.

Matt and Sarah Harrison’s Monarch Social bus will feature a full kitchen and a wood-fired stone oven on the first floor and a dining area on the second floor. The catering service will be available throughout Orange County, with plans to expand to San Diego and Los Angeles counties.

Saturday’s event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Sixth Street.

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Taco Bell shutters U.S. Taco restaurant

Taco Bell has closed U.S. Taco, its experimental fast-casual restaurant at 150 Fifth St. in Huntington Beach, after a year in business.

The chain said U.S. Taco’s foot traffic was lower than expected and that it encountered “hurdles securing alcohol permits.”

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Fountain Valley teachers get $500 grants

More than 100 Fountain Valley School District teachers were given $500 checks recently by the Assistance League of Huntington Beach.

The group raised almost $110,000 this year for its Links to Learning program, which provides grants to teachers in the Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Ocean View and Westminster school districts to use for classroom needs.

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H.B. library plans children’s activities

The children’s department of the Huntington Beach Public Library announced a series of fall events:

• Free Scratch computer coding classes: Twice a month through December. Information: hbpl.org or Melissa Ronning at (714) 374-5330.

• Free math tutoring: Thirty-minute sessions every Tuesday and Thursday for students in grades 8 through 12. Register online or call Ronning at (714) 374-5330.

• Free Homework Club: Central, Banning and Oak View library branches. Register online or call Barbara Richardson at (714) 374-5338.

• In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Program: Beginning Oct. 3, children ages 4 to 12 can earn a certificate for a free hamburger for every five books they read. Register online or at any Huntington Beach branch library.

• Author’s Festival Writing Contest: Entries will be accepted Oct. 1 through Dec. 19 for children up to eighth grade. This year’s theme is “Locked in the Library.” Applications are available at FOTCL.org or the Central Library.

• Halloween Magic Show: Johnny Ace Palmer will perform at 4 and 7 p.m. Oct. 27. A costume parade will follow. Tickets are $4 and go on sale Monday at the Central Library.

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Harbour Rackhouse to open in October in H.B.

Steve Lewis and his son Scott, owners of The Blue Beet and Alta Coffee in Newport Beach, are expanding to Huntington Beach with next month’s planned opening of the Harbour Rackhouse.

The site of the House of Brews at 16903 Algonquin St. will be converted into a restaurant/bar featuring California craft beers, small-batch whiskeys, pool tournaments and more.

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F.V. chamber ready for Chamber of Commerce Awareness Month

The Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce plans several events for Chamber of Commerce Awareness Month in October.

The program aims to attract customers to local stores and introduce residents to services available at Fountain Valley City Hall.

Events include a “Barbeque with the Mayor” during a City Hall open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1, events at local shopping centers with children’s activities, food, beverages and prizes, and a Mayor’s Social on Oct. 24 at Mile Square Golf Course.

For more information, visit fvchamber.com or contact the chamber at (714) 962-3822 or info@fvchamber.com.