🌱 Goldenwest El Pollo Loco Closed Over Rent + Vote On Pot Tax

Happy Thursday, neighbors; today is World Wildlife Day! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Huntington Beach today.

Doubling the rent led to the closure of El Pollo Loco on Goldenwest. Also, do you want a pot tax and the pot that comes with it? Finally, the Jim Fire is still burning.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 65 Low: 54.

Here are the top five stories today in Huntington Beach:

1. The El Pollo Loco at 16920 Goldenwest Street is no more. NextDoor has already been speculating what has happened to the popular eatery. We learned Tuesday “that the rent was doubled and that a Starbucks Coffee is coming in to the former location.” (HB News)
2. It’s official, you get to vote “on a cannabis business tax on the June statewide primary ballot.” On Tuesday, the City Council voted 5-2 (Councilmembers Erik Peterson and Mike Posey against) to put the item on the ballot. “It tells our voters to vote if you want to tax, and implicitly that is if they want retail cannabis in our city,” said Councilmember Dan Kalmick. (Orange County Tribune)
3. Have you seen the smoke or smelled it? It is coming from what is called the Jim Fire in the Cleveland National Forest. As of Wednesday, flames consumed “an estimated 400 acres with zero containment while a team of over 100 battled the flames.” (Patch)
4. VegiLicious update: The restaurant is temporarily closed. We have previously reported on the co-owner of the eatery sustaining a traumatic burn injury on January 19. At this time, her husband and VegiLicious co-owner is hoping to raise funds for her recovery. As of Wednesday, they have raised $186,450 of their $2,500,000 goal. (GoFundMe)
5. The OC Health Care Agency has released its schedule for mobile vaccine clinics. Starting next week, it will visit the Golden West College on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit Building 95. (@ochealth)

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Today in Huntington Beach:

• Fabulous Feather Fantasy with Moore’s Sewing Center and Kate Quinn – Sew Steady Virtual Event Live! (10 AM)
• TTB Easter & St Pats Pop Up at 7227 Edinger Ave. (10 AM to March 6, 5 PM)
• Nice Bits! Comedy Competition at The Rec Room by Off The Wall (7:30 PM)
• NA Meeting at Community Bible Church (7:30 PM)
• Electronic Thursdays at The Circle (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• Enrollment for Spring 2022 classes at the Huntington Beach Art Center begins this Tuesday, March 8th at 8am. HBAC offers a wide range of fine art classes for youth and adults taught by professional artists. (Instagram)
• If you enjoyed last month's Crafter's Corner, you can join this month in person at the Central Library on Wednesday, March 9th at 7pm! Craft supplies will be provided. (Facebook)
• A Yorktown neighbor is wondering if anyone has a rental on the big Island March 15- May 15. (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.