Around Town: Sexy vegans and a salute to our war dead

NOTABLES

Body by veganism

She’s been determined to be one of the sexiest vegans and she just might be your neighbor.

Marchesa Schroeder, 22, is a Huntington Beach resident and Orange Coast College student and she is one of 10 finalists to advance to the final round of PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door 2013.

Schroeder works part-time in her family’s construction business and plays basketball.

She has beaten out hundreds of entrants from around the country to make it to the top 10 female contestants. One man and one woman will be named the sexiest vegans next door and receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii.

The contestants must have been a vegan since 2004.

The winners will be determined by PETA and public voting, which ends at noon May 3. Winners will be announced May 9.

For more information and to cast your vote, please click here.

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Out of basics

Army Specialist Michael A. Cook has graduated from basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Cook is a 2004 graduate of Brethren Christian High School in Huntington Beach.

During his nine weeks of training, Cook studied the Army mission and core values, worked on physical fitness and received instruction in basic combat skills, military weapons and chemical warfare.

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A ‘Funny Thing’ at the Playhouse

The Huntington Beach Playhouse players will perform “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” on May 3.

The Stephen Sondheim musical is set in ancient Rome and surrounds the scheming of a quick-witted slave seeking his freedom all amid humor and music.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. For information or tickets, call (714) 375-0696.

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Celebration of our veterans

Huntington Beach will honor people from the city who have fought and died in war. A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. May 27 at Huntington Beach Pier Plaza.

The Huntington Beach High School Band will play, and also featured will be bagpipes and a rifle salute in memory of our lost men and women.

The Huntington Beach American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Jewish War Veterans will join the city in this memorial service.

For information contact, Dennis Bauer (714) 536-3855.

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AROUND TOWN is a weekly column about people and events in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley. Please submit information about your fundraiser, charity event or a person deserving attention to hbindependent@latimes.com or alicia.lopez@latimes.com.