Greer’s OC: Grand opening for ‘endless’ fun
Here’s a first for SoCal: Endless Food & Fun is a new giant entertainment and food center in Huntington Beach that offers something for everyone — nearly 50,000 square feet of space filled with best of arcade games, one of the largest and most advanced laser tag arenas for kids, a fine dining restaurant called Delicioso!, beer and wine for adults, and one of the largest buffets in California to satisfy the whole family.
It’s celebrating a three-day grand opening event Friday through Sunday with an all-day unlimited pass for all-you-can-eat buffet, unlimited arcade games and laser tag. (All unlimited passes cost $40.) And if you’re a Huntington Beach resident planning on attending with eight or more people, you can take advantage of complimentary limousine transportation during the first 30 days of business.
Endless Food & Fun is open 11 a.m. to midnight Friday; 7 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at 7227 Edinger Ave. in Huntington Beach. For more information or to arrange a limo service pick up, call (714) 377-7671 or visit https://www.endlessfoodandfun.com.
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SPEAKING SERIES AT UCI
It just goes to show you what a remarkable organization the Center for Living Peace, Orange County https://www.goodhappens.org in Irvine is. In only six short months of opening as a resource and community center for children, families and adults of all ages to connect and feel inspired to make a difference through programs, volunteerism, education and more, it’s already attracted world-class speakers for its first Living Peace Speaker Series in partnership with UC Irvine (https://www.livingpeace.uci.edu. The series is promoting the work of organizations and leaders who are making “good happen” in the world and to create both dialogue and action that lead to a more peaceful, connected and sustainable world.
The series launching Saturday features Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron, who will appear with Dr. Michael Bennish, of Mpilonhle (https://www.mpilonhle.org to discuss the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project https://www.charlizeafricaoutreach.org, which promotes safety and health among impoverished children and communities in South Africa — with a focus on those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Theron’s charity helps fund Mpilonhle, which brings medical and technology resources to communities that have no means of transportation and are miles away from health services.
The first Living Peace speaking engagement and working group sessions at UC Irvine are sold out; however, you can visit the website for the live feed online that day at livingpeace.uci.edu or get involved by donating to the charity.
And watch for tickets available online soon for Sir Richard Branson coming to speak about Virgin Unite on Jan. 25 at the UCI Student Center. Virgin Unite’s connects people with a will to tackle tough environmental and social problems in an entrepreneurial manner as a force for good. Earlier in the day before Branson’s speaking event, you can RSVP to attend a working group session and engage in a lively discussion on collaborative brainstorming and working to create positive outcomes for people in need.
And on May 4, the Dalai Lama will return to UCI to engage students and the community in a dialogue about global and ethical leadership, personal responsibility and compassion.
Tickets to the Branson event are free for UCI students, faculty and staff and $10 for others. Pricing for the Dalai Lama event will be available March 22. For more information, go to https://www.livingpeace.uci.edu.
The Center for Living Peace is open Tuesday through Sunday at University Center (between Lee’s Sandwiches and Focus Dance Center) at 4139 Campus Drive in Irvine. For more information, call (949) 854-5500.
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HEALTHY JUICE BAR
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, here’s your chance to indulge in some healthy drinks and snacks. Nekter Juice Bar, the first truly natural, organic, healthy juice bar in Orange County, opened in the old Diedrich Coffee location on East 17th Street in Costa Mesa.
And as a special for Greer’s OC readers, receive 20% off through Dec. 10 — just mention Greer’s OC.
All of Nekter’s juice recipes use organic fruits and vegetables, never processed ingredients. Drinks are low calorie and low sugar.
“As an example, our average drink has 100 to 200 calories with about 10 grams of carbohydrates,” owner Steve Schulze said. “Jamba Juice, as a comparison, has 300 to 500 calories and 89 grams of carbohydrates. Also, we use just under two pounds of cold pressed fruits and veggie per drink.”
Nekter offers nutrient rich juice blends, raw unprocessed smoothies (that taste amazing) and acai bowls made with all raw ingredients: raw cashew nut milk made on site, raw agave and pure unsweetened acai. It also offers a juice cleanse formula and a multitude of healthy snacks and raw foods. The kids’ smoothies include spinach (included with bananas and strawberries), but the kids never know and moms love it.
Nekter is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 474 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 642-4473 or visithttps://www.nekterjuicebar.com
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CAR WASH FOR ESTANCIA
Join Estancia High School’s football stars and cheerleaders, the 2010 Orange Coast League champion Estancia Eagles, for free car washes during Carsmetics’ grand opening Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carsmetics will donate $5 per car wash to Estancia High School football. Enjoy complimentary hot dogs, chips and beverages. Carsmetics is a new high-quality, cost-effective auto body repair shop in Orange County, located at 2861 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 429-1600 or visit https://www.carsmetics.com/location-costa-mesa.asp
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FOR TURKISH, ITALIAN FOOD
GG’s Bistro is a favorite Laguna Beach restaurant serving a combination of authentic Turkish and Italian cuisine. So if you’re craving some Mediterranean favorites like hummus, borek filled with feta, Swiss cheese and sautéed onion rings; spaghetti Bolognese, fresh panini sandwiches served on focaccia or ciabatta; Alexander gyro kebabs, and a variety of shish kebabs — even Turkish tea and coffee — here’s your spot. Choose from breakfast items like French toast, Turkish toast (grilled cheese panini with Kashkaval cheese, with Turkish sausage), Mediterranean plate, and tasty omelets served with hash browns. At lunch, selections include freshly made soups, salads, appetizers and hot pita sandwiches; and at dinner, choose also from fresh seafood entrees, lamb dishes, pastas and much more. Leave room for dessert; GG’s specializes in homemade Baklava, crème brulee cheesecake and tiramisu.
Enjoy live jazz Wednesday evenings 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; and happy hour 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. GG’s is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at 540 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 108 in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 494-9306 or visit https://www.ggscafebistro.com/4611.html
GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.