CITY ROUNDUP:Hilton resort opens Shades

The recently renovated Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort is opening its new flagship restaurant Shades this week, promising seasonal menus and a casually sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant and bar offers indoor and outdoor dining, full bar, a fire pit and outdoor lounge, views of the Pacific, and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

Shades has a bistro-style menu with salads, sandwiches and hot entrees, as well as steak and seafood at dinners. Executive chef Jeff Littlefield’s offerings are expected to include half-pound Angus beef burgers, Kurobuta pork from Snake River Farms, and Colorado Lamb.

Huntington Beach artists created much of the signed artwork throughout the restaurant, as well as all the glass tabletops. The resort recently underwent a $10 million renovation, and Shades replaces the Mediterranean-tinged Palm Court restaurant, also helmed by Littlefield.

Call (714) 845-8444 for reservations.

City parking passes to cost $75 July 1

City parking passes, which are valid both at beach lots and the Main Promenade Parking structure, will rise in price to $75 on July 1; senior passes are $30. To purchase a pass, go to the community services office at City Hall, 2000 Main St., or Moorhouse Lifeguard Headquarters, 103 Pacific Coast Highway.

Donations requested for Adventure Playground

Huntington Beach Central Park’s Adventure Playground east of Central Library, where kids can navigate a rope bridge, float on a raft, or slide down a zip line, opened Tuesday for the summer season. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Wood, hammers and saws are requested for donation, while entry fees are $2 for resident children and $3 for nonresident children, or for kids in groups of 10 or more. Adults may enter for free.

Submit applications for environmental contest

The city Environmental Board is now accepting nominations for its 2007 Huntington Beach Environmental Awards, the 13th annual recognition of environmentally conscious people and groups in the community. Businesses, community groups, schools and individuals may submit candidates for the awards, which honor efforts to protect or conserve the city’s environmental resources. This year, the committee is particularly interested in businesses and residents who have energy conservation efforts or green building methods.

The nomination deadline is Aug. 1. For more information call Craig Justice at (951) 826-5120 or Rosemary Medel at (714) 536-5271.

Applications should include a written description of what the nominee did and all benefits to the environment and community, as well as any supporting materials.

Ocean View narrows choices for superintendent

Ocean View school board members have narrowed their choices for a new superintendent down to three, and expect to offer a job after a closed-door meeting July 5.

Man faces charges of possession of pot

A Los Alamitos man faces allegations of evading police and possession of marijuana after he was accused of leading police on a high-speed chase on Pacific Coast Highway, authorities said.

No one was hurt in the chase.

A Huntington Beach police officer on a motorcycle attempted to pull Aric Jordan Matson, 21, over at about 1:45 p.m. Monday at 6th Street and Pacific Coast Highway after he noticed Matson’s motorcycle did not have a license plate, Lt. Corby Bright said.

Matson refused to pull over and sped away, police said. During the pursuit he swerved onto the shoulder and crossed over into oncoming traffic, police said.

Man sought in road rage incident

Huntington Beach police are seeking a man in connection with a road-rage shooting on the 405 that injured a Redondo Beach man who was not involved in the dispute.

Michael Layton, 35, of Long Beach, and the suspect still being sought, exchanged gunfire shortly after they got on the northbound 405 Freeway at Beach Boulevard at about 4 p.m. Friday, police said.

Layton was arrested on suspicion of possession of a gun and reckless discharge of a gun, Lt. Craig Junginger said.

The dispute started when one of the drivers cut the other one off, police said.

Mark Chang, 29, who was driving south, suffered cuts to the face by shrapnel from the gunfire exchange, Det. Steve Mack said.

Layton was later arrested after reporting the shooting to authorities, police said. Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Huntington Beach police at (714) 375-5066.