Alcohol

Editor's note: This corrects who gave the dissenting vote in the street performances issue. The Huntington Beach City Council has directed its staff to revise a resolution to limit alcohol-related problems downtown. The council voted 4 to 2 in favor of bringing back the resolution for revision after a heated argument among those who wanted to ease the restrictions and council members Connie Boardman and Joe Shaw, who wanted to maintain the status quo. Councilman Devin Dwyer was absent from Tuesday's meeting.

Ever since Air debuted in grocery stores, organic markets, beverage shops and convenience stores throughout Orange County, it's upping the ante on carbonated water by making it more exciting. Air is the first sparkling water infused with alcohol that comes in natural fruit flavors like berry and citrus. It's low calorie - just 95 calories - and with only 4% alcohol it's a perfect beverage option for a healthier lifestyle. Think a light club soda drink with an alcohol content similar to light beer.

The City Council will get back to work after almost a month-long hiatus Tuesday with a number of issues, including a resolution for tougher conditions of approval for downtown businesses selling alcohol or providing entertainment. The council approved a resolution to increase fines for entertainment permit violators in December, and another resolution is on the table to standardize conditions for new entertainment permits and alcohol sales permits, according to city documents. The changes are meant to “change the current nightclub atmosphere, which has created a public safety issue along with compromising the surrounding neighborhoods’ quality of life,” according to the documents.

Kenneth Ma HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The council's approval of a plan to have a code enforcement officer ensure compliance of a city law permitting Downtown businesses to serve alcohol on public property has drawn stiff criticism from merchants who will have to pay for it.A split City Council voted 4 to 3 to hire a part-time code enforcement officer who will be paid from a new fee that will require businesses to pay $4 per...

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission denied a downtown burger joint's request on Tuesday to serve beer and wine to its customers. Bomburger Restaurant, which has been serving burgers, fries and onion rings at 200 Main St. for almost a year, applied for the alcohol permit to help boost business, said owner Rob Sleenhof. The request, however, violates a city resolution designed to limit alcohol-related issues in downtown. The resolution, which was approved in January 2010, requires any restaurant or bar serving alcohol to close at midnight.

Huntington Beach parents could potentially be fined for serving alcohol to minors at gatherings. Council members voted Tuesday night to add a social hosting ordinance to the city's "loud party" law, giving police the ability to fine those who knowingly serve alcohol to underage persons. Preliminary approval of the item, submitted by Councilman Joe Carchio, passed in a 5-2 vote, with Councilwoman Jill Hardy and Mayor Pro Tem Matt Harper dissenting. "The kids in high school are begging for something to be in place," Carchio said, believing that teens will feel safer going to parties knowing that a law would deter parents from serving alcohol.

Former porn actress Jenna Jameson pleaded guilty Thursday to driving under the influence in Orange County after crashing into a light pole in Westminster, the Los Angeles Times reports . Jameson, 38, whose given name is Jenna Marie Massoli, was taken into custody by Westminster police May 25 after her Range Rover struck the pole. Jameson's attorney entered the guilty plea for his client. The charges were misdemeanors, and Jameson was not required to appear in court.

Andrew Edwards Substance abuse in the Huntington Beach City School District is declining, according to a survey of seventh-graders taken last spring. The California Healthy Kids Survey measured rates of drug, alcohol and tobacco use. It also gathered information on campus safety and whether students participated in healthful activities such as regular exercise. Answers from 627 district seventh-graders were included in the confidential survey.

Andrew Edwards A survey on substance abuse and safety in the Huntington Beach City School District shows drug and alcohol use among Surf City students is on par with other California communities, with slight spikes in alcohol and cigarette use. But educators found positive indicators that suggest local children are learning to lead healthy lives. "We have around average amounts in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, drug use," said Lynn Bogart, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

John J. Collins Over the last few months there have been several news stories and controversies regarding the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Project. Newspapers have carried editorials questioning the advisability of retaining the D.A.R.E. Project, along with several pro or con letters to the editor condemning or extolling D.A.R.E. as an effective educational program. Since 1990, I have attended approximately 70 D.A.R.E. culminations where students and parents assemble to honor the completion of the 17-week, 5th grade program.

Huntington Beach parents could potentially be fined for serving alcohol to minors at gatherings. Council members voted Tuesday night to add a social hosting ordinance to the city's "loud party" law, giving police the ability to fine those who knowingly serve alcohol to underage persons. Preliminary approval of the item, submitted by Councilman Joe Carchio, passed in a 5-2 vote, with Councilwoman Jill Hardy and Mayor Pro Tem Matt Harper dissenting. "The kids in high school are begging for something to be in place," Carchio said, believing that teens will feel safer going to parties knowing that a law would deter parents from serving alcohol.

I was touched when I read the letter from Huntington Beach resident Carolyn Crockett regarding the kindness she has been shown in local venues around our town ("Thanks to you all for being there," Jan. 17). It inspired me to share my own similar experience: The other evening my son and I stopped at the drive-through at the Del Taco on Beach Boulevard and Slater Avenue. When we pulled up to the window to pay, I handed the friendly cashier my credit card and with a smile he said, "the lady in front of you paid your bill for you. " What a pleasant surprise, and not only that, what a wonderful example this stranger made for both the teenaged employee and my teenaged son as well.

A recommendation to draft a social host ordinance drew plenty of support at the Huntington Beach City Council meeting Monday. The board approved Councilman Joe Carchio's suggestion to have city attorney Jennifer McGrath draft a social host ordinance similar to ones adopted in Laguna Beach and Irvine with a 6-1 vote with Mayor Pro Tem Matthew Harper dissenting. Carchio asked the council to add Huntington Beach to a list of more than 100 cities in California that have social host laws that impose civil liabilities to adults who host parties where kids are in possession of alcohol.

A Huntington Beach planning commissioner and council candidate last week pleaded guilty to driving with a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. An attorney for Tim Ryan entered the plea in Orange County Superior Court on his client's behalf. "Mr. Ryan's decision was to accept the consequences of his actions and authorize me to enter a plea [of guilty] today," said Ryan's attorney, Todd Landgren, who filed a motion Sept. 18 to ensure Ryan's rights weren't violated when he was arrested or booked.

Ever since Air debuted in grocery stores, organic markets, beverage shops and convenience stores throughout Orange County, it's upping the ante on carbonated water by making it more exciting. Air is the first sparkling water infused with alcohol that comes in natural fruit flavors like berry and citrus. It's low calorie - just 95 calories - and with only 4% alcohol it's a perfect beverage option for a healthier lifestyle. Think a light club soda drink with an alcohol content similar to light beer.

Former porn actress Jenna Jameson pleaded guilty Thursday to driving under the influence in Orange County after crashing into a light pole in Westminster, the Los Angeles Times reports . Jameson, 38, whose given name is Jenna Marie Massoli, was taken into custody by Westminster police May 25 after her Range Rover struck the pole. Jameson's attorney entered the guilty plea for his client. The charges were misdemeanors, and Jameson was not required to appear in court.

A planned 7-Eleven store in downtown Huntington Beach has applied for a license to sell beer and wine, causing some to protest another business selling alcohol in the DUI-plagued neighborhood. A Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control spokesman confirmed that the mini mart, which the company hopes to open at the Plaza Almeria complex at 301 Main St., applied for a license May 17. Residents have until the end of June to send protests or other input to the department.

Huntington Beach, which topped all California cities its size in alcohol-related injury traffic collisions in 2009, fared slightly better the following year, according to statistics released in March by the Office of Traffic Safety. The city ranked fifth out of 53 in its population category in 2010, the numbers showed. A total of 136 people were killed or injured in alcohol-related collisions, down from 195 the year before. DUI arrests were slightly down from the year before as well, with 1,274 compared to 1,558 in 2009.

Huntington Beach's top newsmaker of 2011 wasn't a person or an organization, but rather a controlled substance. Throughout the year, the Independent's front page featured more drinks than a typical bachelor party. Statistics showed Huntington at the top of California cities its size in alcohol-related car accidents. State officials investigated a popular restaurant that had been tied to a large number of DUIs. Residents incited a hearing on whether downtown could have one more liquor-serving license.

Amid ongoing concern about drinking problems in Huntington Beach, a group of restaurant owners has banded together to form a nonprofit to lead classes in how to serve alcohol responsibly. Marco Perry, general manager of the Shorebreak Hotel, announced last week the formation of the Surf City Food and Beverage Marketing Assn., which would train bar and restaurant employees to identify customers who have had too much to drink and explain the legal consequences of serving intoxicated patrons.