Orange County Blog

Did you know Orange County is home to 14 Regional Parks, 7 Wilderness Parks, and 7 Historical Parks? And besides miles and miles of hiking trails, most of the parks offer amazing community programs.  Today let’s focus on Riley Wilderness Park…

“As a wildlife sanctuary, Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park is home to an abundant number of native plants and animal life. Old groves of Western Sycamores and Coast Live Oaks border the park's two seasonally flowing creeks. The remaining land features rolling hills and canyons of Coastal Sage Scrub and grasslands.”  http://www.ocparks.com/wildernessparks/

Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park
30952 Oso Parkway
Coto de Caza, CA 92679
(949)923-2265 or (949)923-2266

Astronomy Night - Star Program
October 1st  - 6:45 pm (Sunset) to 9:30 pm
Have you ever been curious about the stars and planets that are visible in the night sky? Have you wondered what they would look like through a telescope? If so, come participate in our Astronomy Night program led by our Volunteer Astronomers for an evening under the stars!
Event Fee: Free
Parking Fee: $3.00 per vehicle
Special Instructions: Dress for the night weather; Bring beach chairs and maybe a picnic dinner. Please note: Overcast or cloudy conditions cancels event.

Sunset Hike
October 15th - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Experience Riley Wilderness Park at Sunset by joining a Ranger for a leisurely 1 hour hike through Oak Woodland, Coastal Sage Scrub and Grassland communities. Enjoy the wide variety of plants and animals that make their home here.
Event Fee: Free
Parking Fee: $3.00 per vehicle
Special Instructions: Be sure to wear comfortable weather appropriate clothing and hiking shoes. Bring water and insect repellent. Please - No stroller or Baby Joggers.

Be sure to visit http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/beaches-parks.html to explore all the offerings that OC brings to its residents!

Sand Dollar Guild’s California Cruising Event Benefits Ocean Institute

Dana Point – On Sunday, August 28, 2011, The Sand Dollar Guild is having their annual California Cruising event. Event goers will experience an evening of lively surf music, a sampling of delicious food from local restaurants, a classic Woodie Car display, and casino –themed fun. Guests can try their luck at casino games, enter opportunity drawing and bid for some great silent auction items.

The proceeds of this event benefit the Ocean Institute, nationally known for its hands-on marine science, environmental and ocean education, and maritime history programs. More than 110,000 k-12 students and 8,000 teachers annually participate in the Institute’s 61 award winning programs.

Since 1988 the Sand Dollar Guild has been dedicated to furthering the education goals of the Ocean Institute by fundraising activities and events. To date the Sand Dollar guild has raised over 1.3 million dollars helping with the capital campaign for the new building, purchasing items over the years to enhance the education programs, ocean in motion van, sails for the pilgrim, squid lights, just to name a few. The new goal is to raise funds for the seaside learning center.

California Cruising
Sunday, August 28, 2011
4:00 to 8:00 pm
Location: Ocean Institute, Samueli Lecture Hall and Conference Center

For more information how to purchase tickets to the event contact
Natasha Berenzden
nberenzden@ocean-institute.org
(949) 496-2274, ext. 412

To learn more about the Sand Dollar Guild go to: www.sanddollarguild.org

The Heart of an Orange County Community is in the Library

Libraries connect us with the world of imagination, ideas and information.  As a child, the library was a place to escape into Narnia, get lost in the world of medieval Europe or pretend that Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth were my sisters and I, too, was one of the Little Women.  Later, the library was a place to dissect research papers and locate fact upon fact to support my thesis.  As a parent, the library provided a sometimes necessary distraction from home, introducing my toddlers to the wonderful world of story time and summertime craft programs.  And as an adult, the library still doesn’t disappoint.  Besides the treasure trove of reading, I can also join a book club or learn to knit, yes, knit.  Truly, the library is the heart of every community.

To find the library in your community, click here:  http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/libraries.html

To learn about some of the programs orange county libraries offer, go to www.welcometooc.com