Around Town: Downtown H.B. scavenger hunt offers prizes

Renewing an event that started last January, 25 businesses in downtown Huntington Beach are part of a month-long public scavenger hunt offering players more than $2,500 in prizes.

Players can pick up a game form at any of the participating businesses. The scavenger hunt takes players over several blocks in the downtown area, where they learn answers to business clues such as “What do the three dots represent in the Bruxie logo?”, “Who invented the first permanent wave?” and “What is the temperature of liquid nitrogen used to make fresh ice cream?”

“The hunt takes visitors out on the pier, five blocks up Main Street and up and down Fifth Street, Walnut and Olive,” Nicole Thompson, president of the HB Downtown Business Improvement District, said in a statement. “Players have fun learning about downtown businesses and get excited for the chance to win great prizes.”

When a player visits a store, he or she is given a sticker from that business. A completed form makes the player eligible to win the grand prize of $250. A player who completes at least 10 of the clues can win a $10 gift card; 15 stickers can win a $25 gift card and 24 stickers a $50 gift card. More than 100 prizes will be awarded.

Entries need to returned to Mangiamo Gelato Cafe by 7 p.m. Jan. 31. The grand-prize winner will be announced Feb. 2.

For a list of participating businesses, visit facebook.com/HBDowntownScavHunt.

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H.B. solar company to help fund teacher training

Huntington Beach-based PFMG Solar, a solar energy provider for Southern California schools, has announced a $500,000 teacher training fund and a new partnership with Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana to help school districts meet state science standards using Discovery Cube’s professional development workshops.

All teachers in California must meet the new Next Generation Science Standards requirement in 2016. Discovery Cube currently offers teacher development programs that explore methods and strategies associated with teaching the standards. PFMG Solar pledged to help offset the cost of those workshops for Orange County school districts that implement a solar energy program with PFMG.

“Our mission of enriching our local school districts is in complete concert with the Cube, and we are thrilled about our new partnership,” Paul Mikos, president of PFMG Solar, said in a statement.

“We are excited to be partnering with an innovative and community-focused company like PFMG Solar,” Joe Adams, president of Discovery Cube, said in a statement. “Through this partnership, we will be able to train a higher number of educators, thus creating long-term impact in the classroom and on Orange County students.”

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Deadline to apply for O.C. grand jury extended

Orange County Superior Court has extended the deadline to apply to be on the next grand jury to Jan. 29.

The court empanels a new 19-member grand jury each year to serve a one-year term beginning July 1.

Grand jury duties include reviewing and evaluating county, city and other local agencies, including jails, schools and special districts, and writing a final report with findings and recommendations for improvement. The grand jury also may consider evidence for possible indictments in criminal cases and may review complaints submitted by residents.

The stipend for grand jury service is $50 per day for up to five days per week. Panelists receive reimbursement for mileage.

Superior Court judges interview qualified applicants and choose the top candidates. Final selection of the panelists is by a random drawing of 25 to 30 nominees representing a cross section of the county.

To serve, an applicant must be:

• At least 18 years old;

• A U.S. citizen;

• A resident of Orange County for at least a year;

• Knowledgeable of English.

For an application form or more information, visit ocgrandjury.org, call (657) 622-6747 or go to the jury commissioner’s office, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana.