BRIEFS

Some Huntington Beach residents trying to recall Councilman Dave

Garofalo have organized an official group: Citizens for Honest and

Responsible Government.

The group plans to meet throughout the month as it prepares to

circulate petitions to gain support for the recall.

Huntington Beach City Clerk Connie Brockway is now reviewing the

petition forms, said Sandra Cole, one of the group’s members.

Cole announced the recall plan to Garofalo during an October City

Council meeting, saying it stemmed from the controversy surrounding his

term as the city’s mayor. Garofalo was accused of voting on matters

concerning advertisers that appeared in publications with which he had a

financial interest and unfairly using his official city position to gain

a desirable home in a new housing development in the city. The

allegations are under review by the Orange County district attorney’s

office, the Orange County Grand Jury and the state’s Fair Political

Practices Commission.

Garofalo has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and has said he looks

forward to campaigning for himself if a recall election takes place. The

process, he added, will vindicate him.

Annual chamber dinner set

The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce is taking reservations for

its 97th annual dinner, 2001 A Business Odyssey, scheduled for Jan. 19.

Chamber officials said the evening, which will be held at the Hilton

Waterfront Beach Resort, 21110 Pacific Coast Highway, will feature a

silent auction, entertainment and a table-decorating contest, as well as

presentations for Chamber Member of the Year and Ambassador of the Year.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served an hour

later.

Tickets range from $60 per person to $550 for a 10-person table.

Information: (714) 536-8888.

Volunteers sought for Dog Beach cleanup

The Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach seeks volunteers for

its monthly bluff and beach cleanup Sunday.

Volunteers must up between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with all cleaning

materials provided by the society, and check in at the organization’s

blue canopy near Tower 24. Metered parking is available off Pacific Coast

Highway, between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Avenue.

The event may be rescheduled if the weather is bad, and society

officials encourage volunteers to call for alternative dates.

Information: (714) 841-8644 or https://o7 www.dogbeach.orgf7 .

Water district offers scholarship

The Orange County Water District, along with the California Water

Awareness, invites students to apply for a $2,500 scholarship. Eligible

students must be high school seniors or first-year college students who

exhibit an interest -- or pursuing a career -- in the water industry.

Applications are due Feb. 15 and may be obtained by visiting the

California Water Awareness Campaign Web site at https://o7

www.wateraware.orgf7 or by calling the Orange County Water District at

(714) 378-3228.