Orange County Blog

 

Have you jumped on the Food Truck Frenzy yet?  No? Well, here is your chance.

Every Wednesday, from 5:30 – 9:00 at the OC Fair & Event Center enjoy sampling from a variety of food from gourmet food trucks.  The trucks change weekly so there is always the opportunity for something new.  While admission and parking are free, prices for the food vary from truck to truck. 

Or if lunch is more your thing, the Food trucks also roll into the OC Fair & Event Center every Thursday from 11:00 – 2:00.

To see each week’s offering, visit http://www.ocfair.com and click on Food Truck Fare.

Farmers Market opens January 13 with fresh produce, food and entertainment
The new Mission Viejo Farmers Market opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 13 in the Civic Center Courtyard boasting fresh produce, homemade food products and living products produced by Gary Matsuoka. Gary was the longtime owner of Laguna Hills Nursery in Lake Forest and is well known for his rose selection, fruit trees and other unique plants.  He also makes a distinctive blend of potting soil that is sure to enrich the local residential garden.

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday and will feature live entertainment the first Friday of the month.  The grand opening day will include the talents of singer/songwriter Phillip Bardowell, who was influenced early on by songwriting greats – The Beatles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Queen, Earth Wind And Fire, and Bob Marley. In his youth he formed a band with actor John Stamos and later backed the legendary surf duo Jan and Dean as their bassist and vocalist.  Mike Love of the Beach Boys hired Phillip to serve as lead guitarist and vocalist in his Endless Summer Beach Band.  His talent and energy are sure to entertain market-goes.

For more information about the Mission Viejo Farmers Market or to find a farmers market in your community, please visit the Farmers Market Quick Link on the home page of this OC Resource Guide.

Was your New Year Resolution to spend more time with your family?  How about to get more exercise? Maybe you want to get out of the house and see more of Orange County?  Here are 5 easy hikes to accomplish all 3 goals:

San Juan Capistrano: El Cariso Nature Trail, a self guided loop trail, is a 1.5 miles with an elevation gain of only 100 feet.  It begins at the Forest Service Station at El Cariso off the Ortega Highway.
“From the parking lot, head up the stairs and begin your climb on the self-guided nature trail. Interpretive signs will describe the plant and tree life you are seeing, which include Manzanitas, Coulter pines and more. As you climb, you get nice, wide-ranging views of the Los Pinos complex to the north, Decker Canyon to the south and the southern Santa Anas into San Diego County in the east. Over your shoulder, you can see San Gorgoino Mountain on clear days.” http://nobodyhikesinla.com/tag/el-cariso-nature-trail/

Lake Forest: Borrego Canyon to Red Rock Canyon, a four mile hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet.  It begins at the Borrego Canyon trailhead (Whiting Ranch) off Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch.
“Borrego Canyon Trail is a dirt path lined on both sides by housing tracts on top of steep canyon walls. Despite the nearby homes, the trail feels quite secluded, and is very popular with hikers and mountain bikers (mountain bikers may only ride the trail one-way, into the park). The trail roughly follows a small creek and is dotted with shrub and chaparral, which is broken up by occasional shady groves of like oaks.” http://www.greeneadventures.com/2011/01/30/hiking-whiting-ranch-wilderness-park-borrego-canyon-to-red-rock-canyon/

Trabuco Canyon: Holy Jim Falls Trail is a 2.8 mile roundtrip with a 625 foot elevation gain.  It requires a drive back into Holy Jim Canyon to access it.
“Heavy winter rains are essential to a pleasant journey. Along the way, you will see many small cascades and cross the stream several times before you reach the split where the main trail ascends to the Main Divide Road to the left and the trail to the waterfall shoots off to the right. Watch for poison oak as you scramble over the last quarter of a mile to the twenty foot falls.” http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/HolyJimFalls_4472.asp

Orange: Peters Canyon Lake Loop, a 2.5 easy loop trail with an elevation gain of 250 feet.  It is part of Peters Canyon Regional Park.
“This trail circles the 55-acre Upper Peters Canyon Reservoir, which provides valuable habitat to migrating waterfowl. The rolling terrain takes you from marsh edge to open hillsides looking east over the lake toward the crest of the northern Santa Ana Mountains.” http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XFA020-011

Newport Beach: North Shore Trail Upper Newport Bay, is a 3.12 mile round trip with an elevation gain of only 50 feet. There is a parking area on University Drive near the interpretive center.
“Pickleweed and eel grass fill the low flats. Willows, sycamores, and invasive Brazillian Pepper (do not touch!) cover the ground between the dry coastal sage habitat (distinguished by its grasses, buckwheat, and, in some places, cholla cactus) and the salt marsh. Bring binoculars or spotting scopes for a good look at the rare California least tern, skimmers, Great Blue Herons, white pelicans, snowy egrets, and savannah sparrows.” http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/IrvineCoast_4472.asp

And for other great family outings be sure to check out the Beaches and Parks Link on the home page of this Orange County Resource Guide.

 

 

Tick, tick, tick…time is zooming by.  Do you have plans to ring in the New Year yet?  Here are two ideas of fabulous ways to celebrate the arrival of 2012!

The OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party http://ocfair.com/blockparty/index.php
Brought to you by the folks who bring you the annual OC Fair
“Unlike other New Year's Eve celebrations, the New Year's Eve Block Party is offering great fun in a casual setting. No black ties here! “
Saturday, December 31
7:30 pm – 1:30 am
The OC Fair New Year's Eve Block Party will offer live tribute bands and DJ entertainment by the decade – from the '60s to the '90s.
Be sure to visit the website to see pictures and videos from last year’s celebration and to get all the ticket information.

San Clemente Historical Society
~New Year’s Eve under the dome presents:
“Ole”
Enjoy dinner, dancing, and live entertainment at the historical “Casino” San Clemente!
$125/ticket –Spanish inspired attire optional
December 31, 2011
7 p.m. til 12:30 a.m.
Get your tickets now! (949) 498-0116 http://www.sanclementehistoricalsociety.org/events.html

 

For many the holiday season begins with Black Friday. Others prefer armchair shopping during Cyber Monday. But all agree that the holidays can be a hectic and often stress filled time.  So how about this: Take a break from the shopping and check out a holiday-related event or activity with your family. It will clear your mind and remind you how the holidays are supposed to make you feel in the first place!

Dana Point
Dec. 9-10, 16-17: 37th Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
Hundreds of decorated boats compete for the coveted Best in Show award. You can view the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of the many restaurants to view it from a cozy and
warm spot. Come on down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season Dana Point Harbor (949)923-2255 www.danapointharbor.com

Huntington Beach
Dec. 10-23: 49th Annual Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights
Narrated boat tours of holiday decorated homes, boats, decks, and docks. Experience the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays. Huntington Harbour. For more information and how to purchase tickets call (714) 840-7542 or visit www.cruiseoflights.org

Newport Beach
Dec. 14-18: 103rd Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes set sail around the harbor to the sounds of festive music. If this is your first time to see the parade, a great place to view the parade is at the Fun Zone. Admission is FREE and there is plenty of nearby parking. Newport Harbor. (949) 729-4400.
www.christmasboatparade.com

 

 

Homelessness, Hunger, Poverty: A Reality in Orange County
Let’s join with The Orange County Register in helping those in need during 2011’s Season of Caring. http://www2.ocregister.com/about_us/seasonofcaring/

The 2011 Season of Caring campaign recipients include the following Orange County charities:

Casa Youth Shelter - The purpose of Casa Youth Shelter is to provide temporary shelter for runaways and youth in crisis, enabling them to come through the crisis with an increased personal strength and a sense of renewal while in a supportive environment, with family reunification as a primary goal.

Project Dignity - Project Dignity is a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving Orange County’s homeless population. In 2010 Project Dignity's 16 volunteers provided over 2,000 hours of service to nearly 10,000 individuals, distributed over 130,000 pounds of food and clothing, assisted 400 children with school enrollment and distributed 1600 gifts at various events; and hundreds of books.

Providence Speech and Hearing Center - Enriching life through the gifts of speech and hearing by offering a one-of-a-kind experience where patients receive care with advanced technology and a supportive, optimistic vibe.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County - Working to eliminate hunger in Orange County.  In partnership with over 470 member charities, the Food Bank helps feed more than 240,000 individuals each month. Those served include the working poor, children, seniors on fixed incomes, single parents, the disabled, the homeless and individuals experiencing medical emergencies or recent job layoffs.

The Salvation Army Orange County – Provides emergency shelter, food, career counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation, youth center programs, and senior citizen programs. In addition, The Salvation Army's services include a home for unwed mothers, a missing person’s bureau, a residence for destitute AIDS victims, prison visitations, food pantries, assisted living homes and English as a second language classes.

Community SeniorServ – Provides healthy, tasty meals to adult day health care centers, adult day care centers, and seniors throughout Orange County. More than 15,000 clients are served annually with 1.5 million meals delivered. The majority of these clients are below the poverty line.

Orangewood Children’s Foundation – Provides innovative services for abused and neglected children and at risk families to end the cycle of child abuse. The Foundation focuses on transitioning emancipated foster youth, supporting children in foster care, sustaining the Orangewood Children’s Home, and strengthening at risk families.

Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service - Provides emergency food, transitional housing and other support services to the hungry and homeless in our community.

 

 

Special Event: Weekend at the Nix Center, Native American Toys and Games

First, a little history about this beautiful region…The Native Americans of the Orange County region call themselves the Acjachemen (A-ha-che-men) Nation. For more than 10,000 years, they lived a prosperous lifestyle on the coastlands of Orange County. They were among the over 250,000 people that inhabited California before Spanish contact. At one point in history, their nation’s territory consisted of numerous villages, and spanned from Long Beach to Oceanside, as far east as Lake Elsinore, and westward to Catalina and San Clemente Islands.

“Join OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation on Saturday, November 12th from 1:00pm-4:00pm for a special Weekend at the Nix Nature Center - American Indian Stories, Toys and Games. Join the talented Acjachemen performer, Jacque Nunez, as she transports you into the traditions of the Acjachemen people - and into the world of our shared past.

Make your own American Indian toys and games to take home - or to give as gifts for the holidays! This amazing event will be fun for the entire family. Space is limited. For more information and to sign up www.lagunacanyon.org.
The Laguna Canyon Foundation is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing, and promoting the South Coast Wilderness Area. This 20,000-acre area of includes Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks, Crystal Cove State Park, and the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. We work to Keep It Wild!

The Laguna Canyon Foundation fulfills its mission by managing and supporting park volunteers in Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks, providing educational and recreational programs and activities, coordinating land acquisitions, coordinating habitat restoration programs, and providing supplemental funding to our partner parks.” www.lagunacanyon.org

 

Did you know that approximately 24,000 parents and their children are homeless in Orange County on any given night?  Enter HomeAid Orange County –

HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.  Their vision is to be a vital force in eliminating homelessness.

And now HomeAid Orange County’s Project Playhouse has arrived in Irvine Spectrum for its 20th anniversary.  The Playhouse Village will remain on display for five weeks in the Edwards Courtyard. Take a sneak peak at the amazing creations at Playhouse Photo Gallery www.projectplayhouse.org/cat5.php The Playhouse Village Tour tickets will be available for purchase at the Playhouse Village during operating hours from 12:00 – 6:00 pm every weekend until Sunday, November 6th. Tour tickets are only $2 for both adults and kids. 

With the support of the community, HomeAid has renovated or constructed 47 housing developments in Orange County providing refuge for homeless men, women, and children. (The Coto de Caza News, Oct.7, 2011)
For more information, please visit:
http://www.homeaidoc.org/
http://www.projectplayhouse.org/

Celebrating the City of Aliso Viejo’s 10th Anniversary
Saturday, October 15th
12:00 noon to 6:00 pm
100 Park Avenue, Aliso Viejo

Free Admission, Rides and Attractions!

• Live Entertainment • Delicious Food and Treats • Carnival Games • Panning for Gold
• Blacksmith • Rope Maker • Rock Climbing Wall • Dunk Tank • High Striker • Pony Rides
•Petting Zoos • Inflatables • Ferris Wheel • Kids’ Carousel • Historical Displays
• Antique Farm Equipment

http://www.cityofalisoviejo.com

Birra Moretti Presents La Dolce Vita Italian Festival!  
http://www.ladolcevitafestival.com/

Italy is coming to Laguna Niguel on Friday, Sept 30th 5pm to 10pm and Saturday, Oct. 1st 10am to 10 pm
Free Admission and Free Parking –Fun for the whole Family.
Endorsed by the City of Laguna Niguel

“Image yourself being transported across the ocean to the land where La Dolce Vita means enjoying everything life has to offer. Italians know how to enjoy and celebrate the finest things in life. But if you can't go to Italy this fall go to Laguna Niguel and share in the joy and excitement of living La Dolce Vita.

Delight in the amazing food like pasta, pizza, and gelato. Have a "Lucy" moment in the grape stomp. Feel like "Lady and the Tramp" in our Spaghetti eating contest, or just stroll through the festival enjoying the breath taking art work of I Madonnari! Bring your kids to play in Il Giardino while you sip on Italian Wine and Beer while listening to great Italian Performers! Plus, don't forget to shop till you drop in our showcase of the finest Italian Vendors in Il Mercato. All day and night entertainment and keep your eye out for the Italian celebrities.”

This fun-filled family event is being organized and hosted by the Laguna Niguel Lions Club and the Sons of Italy, two non-profit organizations. Proceeds from this event will go to help citizens in our community.