DOUG COLEMAN of Doug’s Downtown Grill (Orange County Tribune).

The once-sleepy downtown of Garden Grove is poised to be one of the hottest (and coolest) places in Orange County. But that means changes: hellos and farewells .

Doug’s Downtown Grill, a staple on Main Street for more than a decade, closed last Saturday.

Fans of the eatery run by Doug Coleman thronged the place to say goodbye. A kind of mourning memorial appeared outside the door; flowers and candles and such. We’ve not seen the last of the food, though; Doug is planning on continuing his catering business. And perhaps the building will soon be back in business, too.

Originally the central office for the local phones (the Bell System, at one time) it’s served as location for the Colony of Performing Arts.

Speaking of changes on Main Street, a new three-story building is on the drawing boards for right across the street from Doug’s. As a harbinger of things to come, it will be a mixed-use project, with office/commercial on the below and residential above. It will take up the space that’s been serving as an auxiliary parking lot.

Busy times in Huntington Beach

If you have nothing to do this Saturday in Surf City, it’s your own fault. There is a ton of events scheduled on this Community Service Day. Among them is an Earth Day volunteer opportunity (cleanup) from 9 a.m. to noon at the Central Park. Use the Slater Avenue parking lot and bring a bucket or reusable bag, gloves, and a filled reusable water bottle.

If you’re the verbal type, the first annual Adult Spelling Bee will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Senior Center, 18061 Goldenwest Street. It’s sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club.

Want some more choices? Go to Justserve.org–CS2018 .

Two-four-six-eight  … No, it’s two or four

Voters in Westminster on June 5 will decide whether the mayor’s term should be two years – as it is now – or four years. If you’re not sure about the details of that, you can go to http://www.westminster-ca.gov/depts/cityclerk/june_5_2018_special_election_information.aspfor an analysis, and arguments for and against.  The special election will cost $85,000. If approved by voters, whoever wins in the November voting will serve a four-year term.