Orange County Blog

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.

South Coast Repertory presents the classic A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
adapted by Jerry Patch

19th-century London comes to life when your family joins the SCR family to celebrate Hal Landon Jr.’s 31st season as everyone’s favorite curmudgeon (“The quintessential Ebenezer Scrooge!” according to the Daily Pilot). Recapture the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas with this timeless Dickens classic and all your favorite characters—Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, the Fezziwigs, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come—and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge himself.

Performances: December 3 – 26, 2010
No children under age six will be admitted to A Christmas Carol. Regardless of age, everyone must have a ticket, sit in a seat and be able to sit quietly through the performance.

Box Office
Phone: (714) 708-5555

655 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

During the holidays, many families welcome the opportunity to look outside their own walls for ways to help others.  Crime Survivors is a wonderful organization helping victims of crime to recover from their experience mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially by receiving respect, support, and protection from law enforcement, the judicial system, and the community.

Crime Survivors is committed to serving our community by being an advocate and resource for crime victims and their families. All victims of crime have the right and responsibility to survive.  Here are two upcoming events in which we would like to encourage your participation to support victims and their families. 

Survivors Gift Drive

December 1st – December 18th, 2010

Bring a new unwrapped gift valued at $10 or more to Boomers, Irvine or Boomers, Fountain Valley and receive a 4 Hour Unlimited Play Pass for just $10. (Includes unlimited miniature golf, rock wall, bumper boats, go-karts and much more) www.boomersparks.com

Elf’s Holly Day

Sunday, December 19, 2010

1 PM – 4 PM at Boomers, Irvine

This year the Elf’s Holly Day will provide victims, survivors and their families the opportunity to pick up their food baskets and gifts and stay for a day of entertainment and fun, including snacks and treats.  Sponsorship opportunities are available and any help is appreciated.  Please contact Crime Survivors for more details at (949) 872-7892 or crimesurvivors@aol.com