Around Town: Fundraiser underway in support of fallen officer Nicholas Vella’s family

A fundraiser was started this week to provide support to the family of Nicholas Vella, the Huntington Beach police officer who was killed when the HB-1 helicopter crashed into the waters off Newport Beach on Feb. 19.

The campaign can be found on the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California website, porac.org. As of Friday afternoon, more than $164,000 had been raised.

Prior to his 14 years with the Huntington Beach Police Department, Vella served with the Laguna Beach Police Department.

“It is with tremendous sorrow to learn about Officer Nick Vella’s passing,” Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a statement. “Nick was an exceptional officer and had a larger-than-life smile. He was loved by our team and the Laguna Beach community and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Huntington Beach Police Department and his family.

OCTA makes ‘Youth Ride Free’ passes permanent for kids ages 6 to 18

A temporary program initiated by the Orange County Transportation Authority, which offered free fixed-route bus fare to youth ages 6 to 18 has been made permanent, county officials announced Friday.

The Youth Ride Free pass program was initiated in September to allow youth access to safe transportation to school, sports, work and other activities. Although slated to end Monday, officials announced extended passes would be issued in March.

Passes can be obtained through parent requests, which can be made online at OCBus.com and will be valid through September of this year, after which time a new pass will be provided. OCTA is also working with school districts to distribute the passes.

During a six-month pilot period, more than 765,000 trips of riders using the pass was reported, while projections indicate as many as 1.7 million annual trips might be taken under the program.

Vanguard’s Ensure Justice conference March 4-5 asks, ‘How Are Our Children?’

Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University, in collaboration with the campus’ Global Center for Women and Justice will host a two-day Ensure Justice conference on March 4 and 5 in person and online that will provide updates on the state of children and youth in Orange County and examine the factors that contribute to human trafficking and exploitation.

The fourth annual conference, held in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education will provide candid conversations about the mental, physical and emotional needs of young people, guided by experts who will provide strategies and resources for families, educators and childcare workers.

Keynote speakers include Kathy McGibbon-Givens — a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and co-founder of Twelve 11 Partners trafficking victim support organization — and Sarah Byrne, an attorney and founding member of the National Survivor Law Collective, a network of lawyers who aid survivors.

For more information, and to register to attend, visit gcwj.org/ensurejustice.

Laguna Beach community survey results to be discussed

After surveys were circulated to residents and businesses in Laguna Beach between November and January, the results will be presented by Polco at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday.

The surveys looked at community satisfaction with respect to quality of life, public safety, the arts and more, as well as areas for future improvement such as parking and affordable housing.

“With these survey results, we hope to create a more connected and effective community and start a dialog between residents, businesses and city leaders,” Mayor Sue Kempf said in a statement. “Through these surveys, we have heard the voice of our community and will consider their input as we move forward and set goals and priorities for the next five years.”

The regular meeting of the City Council on Tuesday will be a hybrid meeting, allowing the public to participate in person or over Zoom. Masks remain a requirement for members of the public, regardless of vaccination status.

Also occurring on Tuesday is Laguna Beach’s State of the City Address, which will take place on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Montage.

The Laguna Beach City Council will have a strategic planning meeting on Friday, March 4.

Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade is March 5

The Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5.

Since 1967, the parade has taken place on the first Saturday of March in Laguna Beach.

The parade route will begin at the intersection of Park Avenue and Legion Street. It will proceed down Park Avenue, make a right at Glenneyre Street, another right at Forest Avenue and finish up just past City Hall.

Due to the parade, there will not be a farmer’s market that day, but it will return on March 12.

Parts of Forest Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Beach Street, 3rd Street, Glenneyre Street, Short Street, Legion Street, Park Avenue and the Peppertree parking lot will be closed off to traffic in advance of and during the parade.

Entries solicited for Arbor Day Youth Art Contest

Laguna Beach Unified School District students are encouraged to submit creative projects in the city of Laguna Beach’s second annual Arbor Day Youth Art Contest.

Students may submit entries in the form of a poem, picture or painting that addresses the theme, “Thank you, trees.” Entries are limited to 8½-by-11 inches in size and should be turned in to the Susi Q Center front desk by March 1.

The winners will be announced during an Arbor Day social media livestream event, and their art will be displayed inside City Hall. They will also receive a topical gift that keeps trees in mind.

LBCAC Women’s History Month Film Festival

The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center is putting on a Women’s History Month Film Festival, with feature films being shown each Wednesday of March.

Scheduled to be shown are “On the Basis of Sex” (March 2), “Respect” (March 9), “I am Greta” (March 16), “The Glorias” (March 23), and “Queen of Katwe” (March 30).

Admission is free to the screenings, but those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP, as seating is limited. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours is required, or a mask must be worn on site.

For more information, visit lbculturalartscenter.org.

Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra to perform Sunday

The Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra will be performing “The Magic Flute” on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Beach Central Library Theater.

The performance runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults ($30 at the door) and $22 for students and seniors ($25 at the door). Additionally, an online promotion of four tickets for $75 is available at hbsymphony.org.

For more information call (714) 274-5524.

Four Sons Brewing opening Main Street tap room

Huntington Beach-based Four Sons Brewing has a grand opening for its Main Street tap room scheduled for Saturday, March 5. It will be located at Main Street and Orange Avenue.

The local brewery, which first opened in 2014, is expanding.

—Daily Pilot Staff

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