🌱 Fishing’s Open + Homeless HS Students + Perry Park Tree's Gone

Hey, people of Huntington Beach! It's me again, Sylvia, your host of the Huntington Beach Daily.

Fishing is once again allowed in HB. Also, homeless HS students are getting some help. Finally, the huge tree that used to be in Perry Park is causing upset by its absence.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 70 Low: 49.

Here are the top stories today in Huntington Beach:

1. The Department of Fish and Wildlife lifted the ban “on the taking of fish and shellfish” on Tuesday. The agency’s tests showed that the seafood is safe for consumption. This step reopens the 45 miles of shoreline and 650 square miles of ocean that were closed in October after the oil spill. (KSBY)
2. According to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, there are currently 30 students at Huntington Beach High School that qualify as homeless. Administrators do mention a dark figure, which refers to learners who hide their circumstances from teachers and counselors. Recently, the school partnered with the Project Hope Alliance and received a $600,000 donation to help these students, a Monday report explains. (OC Register/pay wall)
3. The huge tree at Perry Park is no more. On Sunday, Facebook went into overdrive as neighbors reported that the tree had been cut down. Many residents shared memories of the tree they climbed in their youths. As of right now, neighbors are in the dark why the city would cut down the big tree. (Facebook)
4. Serving people experiencing homelessness is a double-edged sword. On Saturday, a group of kind souls left food on the benches at the Main Street post office. The people who ate the food carelessly tossed the containers on the ground, where they attracted insects. Other homeless people are scared to eat food left for them because they worry that someone might try to poison them. (HB News)
5. Black Friday was busy this year. A Tuesday report notes that at South Coast Plaza, people stood in line to enter luxury retailers like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. Entering the Lego store took 15 minutes of patience while shoppers watched those already inside buying up the deals. Shoppers are following a “see now, buy now” philosophy rather than shopping around or trusting online retailers to get the products in time for Christmas. (Spectrum News 1)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

• Basketball Fundraiser for HBHS at Panda Express, 18575 Beach Boulevard (10 AM)
• Barnes & Noble Book Fair to benefit the Marina Instrumental Department at 7881 Edinger Avenue (10 AM)
• Ballet with Mrs. Claus at Bella Terra, 7777 Edinger Avenue (10:30 AM)
• Drum Circle (FREE) at Seal Beach Pier Playground, 900 Ocean Avenue (3:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Visit Huntington Beach: Join Waymakers and the Huntington Beach Community at the annual 25th Light a Light of Love Pier Lighting on December 5, 2021, at Pier Plaza. This annual celebration benefits the Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter. (Facebook)
• The PastaThon to benefit Caterina's Club is back! Donate on-site or drive-thru and drop off pasta & sauce donations (any size, any brand, any variety) between 8 am-10 pm at the Anaheim White House Restaurant. You could mail a check made out to 'Caterina's Club' to: 451 W. Lincoln Ave #251 Anaheim, CA 92805. Or, go into ANY Smart & Final store through Sunday, December 5, 2021, and make a donation of $10 for the PastaThon right at the register. That $10 donation provides 14 meals.

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you around. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntington Beach Daily? Reach out anytime to huntingtonbeach-ca@patch.com.