Mold Remediation in Huntington Beach, CA

Fastest-Growing "Rage Room" Franchise Expands Nationwide with 37 Units Sold in Just Six Months

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iSmash, the nation's only rage room franchise, is proud to announce the sale of its 50th franchise unit, now set to open in Huntington Beach, California. This significant milestone marks a new chapter in the company's rapid expansion across the United States. With 37 new franchises sold in the past six months alone, iSmash is quickly establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing entertainment brands in the country, offering customers a unique experience where fun meets stress relief through smashing old, unwanted items.

For more information, please visit: www.ismashfranchise.com

"Reaching 50 units is a proud moment for iSmash and speaks to the demand for immersive entertainment experiences that provide an escape from the everyday," said Steven Shortino, Founder and CEO of iSmash. "Our franchisees are at the heart of our growth, and we're thrilled to support a passionate network of entrepreneurs who believe in our vision."

Franchisees like Melissa Matassa of Farmingdale, New York, and Robert Knapp of Tampa, Florida, are experiencing firsthand the unique success that iSmash offers. "My first impression of the business model left me intrigued to investigate and understand more," said Melissa Matassa, who opened her Farmingdale location in January 2024. "After visiting the Syracuse store and meeting Steve and Jacquie, I knew I wanted to be part of iSmash. I am supported, encouraged, and continue to share the family-friendly vision in my location. I believe iSmash has only just begun, and I am completely satisfied with my decision to join this team!"

Robert Knapp, who launched iSmash in Tampa in August 2023, echoed Melissa's enthusiasm. "Investing in iSmash is one of the best things I could have done! The franchise is well run, we have support from leadership, and a business model built for success. All the experiences are in mainstream culture right now, so strike while the iron is hot! You won't be sorry."

As a brand, iSmash is dedicated to making an impact through a mix of high-energy activities—Rage Room, Black Light Splatter Painting, and Axe Throwing—offering high-margin experiences that resonate with families, friends, and coworkers alike. With iSmash, franchisees have access to a proven playbook that includes support in site selection, construction management, marketing, and an efficient supply chain, all while keeping start-up costs competitive.

"Franchisees often see immediate results," added Steven Shortino. "We're making a name for ourselves not only because of the concept but because of the success our franchisees are experiencing from day one."

With the growing digitization of entertainment options, iSmash brings a much-needed break from screens and a way to create unforgettable, in-person memories. Backed by a unique business model and unparalleled support, iSmash is well-positioned to reach new heights and continue its mission to become a household name in entertainment across the globe.

For more information about iSmash and franchise opportunities, visit ismashfranchise.com.

About iSmash:

iSmash is the first and only Rage Room franchise in the United States, offering customers a unique experience where they can smash away stress and have fun in a safe, controlled environment. With a rapidly growing presence across the country, iSmash is revolutionizing the entertainment industry, providing franchisees with a highly profitable business model and extensive support.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ismash-celebrates-milestone-sells-50th-franchise-unit-in-huntington-beach-ca-amidst-unprecedented-growth-302315491.html

SOURCE iSmash

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It was six years ago that Jose Martinez hit rock bottom.

He lost an arm, a leg, and several fingers while serving in the Army in Afghanistan in 2012 – and now out of the military and casting about he had to find a way to stay afloat.

“Instead of doing something dumb, I remember some of the therapy that worked for me and I ended up calling one of my buddies and said ‘I need to surf again,’” he recalled. “It’s given me my life back. It’s been super helpful to understand being in the moment and appreciating the little things. It feels like for most of the world, everybody makes their problems so big, when they are truly miniscule. I‘ve got nothing to complain about. I’m still mobile, I can still move, I can still surf.”

Not only did surfing help Martinez out of that dark place, but it also has turned him into an elite athlete looking to earn yet another world championship title.

Martinez is one of more than 150 competitors from around the world who have been in Huntington Beach this week for the International Surfing Association’s World Para Championships, an event that brings athletes of various abilities together to not only earn their own medals, but to surf for their country’s pride.

Catalina Castro of Chile celebrates winning the women’s stand 1 category at the International Surfing Association’s World Para Surfing Championship in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The nine-day event, which started Nov. 3 and wraps up on Nov. 9, features teams from 25 nations that compete in an Olympic-style format. The event kicked off with a parade down Main Street and a Sands of the World ceremony at the north side of the pier.

There are various categories, with the sit and visually impaired divisions taking to the water for their finals on Friday.

France’s Guillaume Colin was all smiles as he was hoisted across the sand after winning his final, earning a championship in a heat that also included Team USA surfers Chirs Oberle, who took silver, and Jeff Munson, with a copper medal.

“I feel very proud, very proud to be part of the team,” said Colin, noting there were 17 surfers from his country who traveled to Huntington Beach to compete. “I’m very happy and proud to be part of the team, proud to represent France and proud to win gold for the sit surf category.”

He said he was nervous about the small, inconsistent waves for Friday’s final.

“You have to wait for the waves, so I was a bit scared about that,” he said. “But I managed to catch my waves.”

Team USA surfer Cass Eckroth bested mentor Alana Nichols, who has won several world championships.

Eckroth grew up in Nevada and was left paralyzed following a surfing lesson in Maui, when she felt a shooting pain in her back as she stood for the first time, according to her bio on Adaptive Training Foundation. By the time she returned to the shore, she was unable to stand, experiencing a rare spinal cord injury called “surfer’s myelopathy” that caused her to be paralyzed from the waist down.

During an interview with ISA, she said she was thankful to her coach Courtney Conlogue and her teammates.

“It’s been such a fun journey,” she said, noting she’s only been surfing for two years, calling Nichols her mentor and her fiercest competition. “It’s just so incredible, those are my only words. It’s so exciting to be out here winning gold.”

Competitor David Chavez, of El Salvador, was watching the competition from his wheelchair on the sand. This is his third ISA event, and while he didn’t make it to the semifinals like he did last year, the team still ended up Top 10 in the world.

He hopes by showing up in Huntington Beach representing his country, it will inspire other Central American surfers to join the competition, he said.

Surfing’s first world champion Peter “PT” Townend was on the sand with team Australia. Back in 1972, he won bronze for his home country, and has also been part of Team USA as a coach.

“This particular event has the most spiritual meaning of any contest you’ll ever go to,” said Townend, now executive director of the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum. “The camaraderie among the competitors is what is incredible.”

The Costa Rica team is staying at his home in Huntington Beach and hearing all of their stories has been amazing, he said.

He said participation suffered this year due to LA2028 organizers not approving surfing for the Paralympic Games, opting for sport climbing instead. Several countries pulled out of the ISA event, unable to get government support for the travel and training without surfing in the Paralympics on the horizon, he said.

Still, the stoke was at an all-time high among the athletes who did make the journey.

Townend quoted the late Kobe Bryant, who said winning a gold medal meant more than any NBA championship.

“It’s not about points or money, it’s about pride for your country,” Townend said. “That’s what’s most important.”

For Martinez, who grew up in Los Angeles and now lives in Apple Valley, surfing has given him a renewed drive to succeed.

He earned a world championship at Pismo Beach in 2021 and hopes to once again take the podium. He was selected Team USA captain by his teammates this year.

It’s more than about showing their abilities in the water – but also about what it means to be a part of Team USA, he said.

“I’m trying to make sure I’m showing them how to connect,” he said, “be a team and be one.”

Originally Published: November 8, 2024 at 4:54 PM PST

The protracted legal battle Huntington Beach is waging against California’s housing law has entered a new phase after city voters approved a ballot measure which declares that zoning and planning is a local matter “beyond the reach of state control.”

Measure U, an amendment to the City Charter that requires voter approval of certain city-initiated zoning or general plan changes, was approved by city voters in last week’s election by a margin of 57 to 43 percent.

Under the charter amendment, city-initiated zoning or general plan changes for projects that have generated environmental impact reports (EIR) which indicate “significant and unavoidable negative impacts to the environment” must be submitted to city voters for approval.

“City Planning and Zoning is a local, municipal affair, beyond the reach of State control or interference, a local activity reserved for the City and its people, not the State,” Measure U states.

In July, the Huntington Beach City Council voted to put Measure U on the November ballot in the midst of a battle in state and federal courts over the city’s failure to adopt an eight-year housing element plan, mandated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, to allow 13,368 new housing units to be built in the city by 2029.

For the past two years, California has been imposing builder's remedy zoning overrides on cities that fail to adopt housing element plans in compliance with goals mandated by the state for building new housing units.

Huntington Beach has invoked its status as one of California’s charter cities in its legal fight against the state housing mandate, maintaining that a city with its own municipal constitution has some independence from state law.

In March of last year, hours after the state sued Huntington Beach over its failure to enact a housing element plan, the city filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state law as unconstitutional.

Last November, a federal judge ruled against Huntington Beach, rejecting the city’s argument that housing mandates violated the city’s 1st Amendment protection for compelled speech and 14th Amendment due process protections. The city appealed to the Ninth District Court of Appeals.

A month ago, a three-judge panel from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the lower court’s ruling. The panel of judges wrote that California cities remain subordinate political bodies to the state regardless of whether they are categorized as a charter city.

City officials have said they will appeal the panel’s ruling, possibly all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In May, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled that Huntington Beach must pass a housing element plan compliant with state law. The city is appealing.

In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom called out Huntington Beach as he signed a new state law that allows the state attorney general to seek civil penalties against local governments that violate state housing law.

"You will soon be able to ask the folks in Huntington Beach if the law I'm about to sign is not impactful," Newsom said. "They continue to thumb their nose at the state of California, the people of this great state. They continue to lose decision after decision after decision. They abuse the process, they abuse the law and now we will enforce aggressive fines."

Newsom was referencing SB 1037, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025 and imposes a minimum penalty on violators of $10,000 per month, with the maximum penalty set at $50,000 per month for each violation calculated from the date of violation. Under the new law, revenue from the penalty will be allocated for the development of affordable housing in the affected jurisdiction.

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What is the best internet provider in Huntington Beach?

Spectrum is the best internet service provider in Huntington Beach, California, thanks to its wide coverage and reasonable pricing. Spectrum covers over 93% of Huntington Beach addresses, according to data from the Federal Communications Commission, significantly more than other providers in the area. Though ISPs like Frontier Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet are also solid picks for home broadband, depending on what's available at your location.

Astound Broadband offers the most affordable plan in Huntington Beach: $20 per month for download speeds up to 300 megabits per second. However, Astound's network is only available to select households, making Frontier's $45 per month plan the next most cost-effective option. Frontier Fiber also takes the gold for the fastest service in Huntington Beach, offering 5 gigabits of symmetrical speed for $155 per month.

Best internet in Huntington Beach, California, in 2024

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Huntington Beach

The best internet deals and top promotions in Huntington Beach depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Huntington Beach internet providers, such as Spectrum and Astound Broadband, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, such as Frontier and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Huntington Beach

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We use the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our page on how we test ISPs.

Internet providers in Huntington Beach FAQs

What is the best internet service provider in Huntington Beach?

Spectrum is Huntington Beach's best internet service provider due to its wide coverage, reasonable rates and speeds up to 1,000Mbps. However, Frontier Fiber is a close second, meaning it's worth considering if it's available at your home.

Is fiber internet available in Huntington Beach?

Yes. Fiber internet is available to over 55% of Huntington Beach addresses, with Frontier Fiber being the largest fiber provider in the area by far.

What is the cheapest internet provider in Huntington Beach?

Astound Broadband offers the cheapest plan in Huntington Beach, costing only $20 for speeds up to 300Mbps. However, Astound is only available to 10% of addresses, so Frontier Fiber's $45 per month plan is the cheapest option for most.

Staff Writer

Don Kennedy got three hours of sleep Tuesday night.

That’s if he’s being optimistic.

The Huntington Beach City Council candidate stayed up until 1:30 a.m. watching national election results. Then, he and fellow candidate Butch Twining got up at 4 a.m. to start the arduous process of taking down campaign signs in windy conditions.

“It’s a lot more fun to pull signs down than it is to put them up,” Kennedy said Wednesday.

Especially after you’ve won.

The all-conservative trio of Chad Williams, Twining and Kennedy, who dubbed themselves the “HB3” and held a watch party in Huntington Harbour, appeared to be headed to victory by the time the night was over.

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They would have unseated the three minority members of the council, incumbents Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser and Rhonda Bolton.

Williams, Twining and Kennedy would form an all-conservative City Council in the city, along with Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns, Tony Strickland and Casey McKeon.

In the latest results released Wednesday at 5 p.m. by the Orange County Registrar of Voters, Williams had 41,638 votes, followed by Twining with 35,182 votes and Kennedy with 34,769 votes.

Moser (30,519 votes), Kalmick (29,654) and Bolton (28,227) lagged behind in fourth through sixth place, followed by Marissa Jackson with 7,823 votes and Amory Hanson with 3,213 votes.

A conservative endorsed by the council majority has also been elected in as the new city clerk. Lisa Lane Barnes led Regina Blankenhorn in the most recent update, 41,862 votes to 29,486.

Barnes will replace retiring Robin Estanislau, who had held the position since 2016.

Alisa Backstrom, who ran unopposed, was reelected as city treasurer.

Measure U, which requires voter approval before city-initiated zoning changes with a “significant and unavoidable” environmental impact could be implemented, also appeared headed to victory, with 43,601 voters favoring the measure and 32,344 voting no.

Kennedy said hard work led the newly elected conservatives to their spots on the dais, as they did 129 meet-and-greet events by an unofficial count.

“We joked around with [the sitting conservative majority] because they all supported our candidacy,” Kennedy said. “They said they did 108, so we said we’re going to do 109. We’re going to out-work you.”

Twining and Kennedy, who are both on the Planning Commission, have been residents of the city for at least 60 years. Williams, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and current keynote speaker and youth pastor, is also a lifelong resident of Huntington Beach.

Kennedy and Twining both said Wednesday they will vote the way they feel is best, no matter what the makeup of the council is.

“I’m trying to preserve what I call the best city in the country, the Huntington Beach I grew up in, which is a suburban culture full of friendly people,” Kennedy said. “I want to keep it laid back, great climate, good beach life and a great community.”

Twining said none of the “HB3” are politicians, but they realized that beating three incumbents was a tall order.

“Politics is partially a game of name recognition,” he said. “Bolton, Kalmick and Moser all have good name recognition, so we had to introduce ourselves to a heck of a lot of people, and that’s how we did it. I feel like we outworked them.

“The difference between them and us is that I think our message just resonated more.”

The city has seen division over the last two years on issues like suing the state over housing mandates and screening of children’s library books. A 4-3 vote on the council dais has been extremely common.

Moser, who was elected in 2020 along with Kalmick, said she was concerned about the new council makeup.

“As a lifelong resident raising a family here, it is concerning to see a council so unified in perspective, with limited diversity of thought or representation,” she said in a statement via text message. “A thriving democracy depends on a robust exchange of ideas, where consensus and coalition building ensure that decisions reflect the needs of all residents. While I may have concerns about the direction of this incoming council, I hold a strong hope for our city’s success. Huntington Beach deserves leadership that is committed to openness, inclusivity and true representation.”

Kalmick said he felt like he, Moser and Bolton ran great campaigns with a lot of volunteer support.

“I’m fascinated to see what a 7-0 majority vote looks like,” he said. “We’ll see. I think divided government makes better government … I’m disappointed in Huntington Beach, and I’m worried for its future.”

“We’re not conceding,” Kalmick said Wednesday night, adding that there was up to 30,000 votes yet to be counted and that he believed there was a path to victory.

Neighboring Newport Beach also has had an all-conservative council.

“They don’t have an elected city attorney, and they also are better stewards of their money than the current majority is [in Huntington Beach],” Kalmick said. “They passed their housing element.”