Wescom credit union recently opened its 30th branch, and it’s not in your typical strip mall in Buena Park.
Nope, this branch is just a few steps from a fried chicken dinner or a gut-clenching plunge on GhostRider.
If you guessed Knott’s Berry Farm, you win. The Pasadena-based credit union is operating just outside the gates in the theme park’s California Marketplace.
“By opening this new branch we’re providing convenient, better banking services to Knott’s associates, season passholders, and park guests, as well as current Wescom members and the community at large,” said Michael Cederbaum, vice president of Partner Development at Wescom, in a statement.
The Knott’s branch marks the credit union’s ninth in Orange County. For more information, go to wescom.org/knotts.
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Fitness studio opens on Huntington Harbour
A new fitness gym opened recently in Huntington Beach.
The Surf City Body Fit Training franchise is owned and operated by Scott DeFoe, who opened BFT this summer at 16360 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 130.
The studio offers personal training in a group setting with two to three accredited personal trainers to “modify, motivate and transform your training,” DeFoe says.
For more information, go to bodyfittraining.com
Dueling piano fundraiser returns in Fullerton
Radiant Futures, formerly Women’s Transitional Living Center, is selling tickets to its popular fundraiser Strike up the band! 3/4 Time Dueling Pianos.
The annual event returns in October, this time presented under the stars on the nonprofit’s Fullerton campus.
Jake Cassman and Laura Wiley will be duking it out on pianos 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at 201 E Amerige Ave.
Cassman and Wiley will play and sing musical requests, ranging from classic rock, to country, to rap and more while raising money to help survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. If you’re brave enough, participants can join the singing, too.
Refreshments will be served.
“Help us break the silence by singing you heart out or just tapping your feet in support of ending the cycle of domestic violence,” said Mark Lee, the nonprofit’s chief executive.
The fundraiser’s name is derived from the fact that one in three women and one in four men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
Tickets are $35 each. For more information, contact Lana Erlanson, director of development, at [email protected] or 714-992-1939 ext. 137.
For more information about Radiant Futures, go to radiantfutures.org.
On the move
Tachen Lee recently was promoted to director of operations at Savely Healthcare Architects in Irvine. His role involves directing and monitoring all professional project team members. The firm specializes in architectural services focused on healthcare and its environments.
Food donations needed
South County Outreach and partner Love Irvine are seeking donations from the community for their 2024 Citywide Food Drive throughout October.
The drive, which includes 17 collection sites in the city, will end with an annual citywide service day on Nov. 2.
South County Outreach estimates one in five children in Orange County are at risk of hunger.
“We won’t stop helping our community until everyone has food to eat and a place to call home,” says LaVal Brewer, the nonprofit’s CEO. “This food drive is critical in our ongoing effort to end food insecurity and empower our neighbors by providing the resources they need to thrive.”
SCO is looking for donations that include macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauces, canned meat and fish, cooking Oil (corn, vegetable, olive), condiments such as ketchup, mustard and salad dressing, snacks like crackers, bars and nuts, pancake mix and boxed dinners.
For more information on what items to give and where to drop them off, go to loveirvine.org/citywidefooddrive
Fundraisers
Orange County United Way raised close nearly $100,000 at its “Journey to 100” Golf Tournament held Sept. 9 at The Huntington Club in Huntington Beach. The money raised will support the nonprofit’s programs for local students and families struggling with education or housing. The day-long tournament consisted of 18 holes of golf, an awards dinner, and a silent auction.
University Lab Partners on Sept. 14 raised $50,000 at its first annual Ignite Gala at Soka University of America. The event celebrated the organization’s outstanding students, educators and volunteers. Money raised is going toward outfitting ULP’s new learning center at Soka University. ULP said its learning center will be a hub of life science education for the next generation of innovators in Orange County. At the gala, Catherine Chang, a senior at Portola High School and a ULP Leadership in Training program volunteer, was given ULP’s President’s Service Award. She has committed more than 250 volunteer hours to ULP.
Recap of retail headlines
In case you missed any news last week, here’s a brief recap …
H.H. Cotton’s closing: After 10 years in business in San Clemente, the contemporary restaurant is closing later this month, according to food reporter Brock Keeling. The owners did not provide a reason for the closure.
Sushi Laguna, a popular spot in Laguna Beach since 2001, is also closing by the end of the month. A sign on the door said the owner was retiring, Keeling wrote on Friday.
BOGO deal at Chipotle: The Newport Beach-based Mexican chain is giving away a lot of quesadillas Monday, Sept. 23 through Sept. 25 for National Quesadilla Day. The company is sending text-to-claim codes through its social media accounts @Chipotle on Instagram and @ChipotleTweets on X.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
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