Orange County Blog

Laguna Beach welcomes over 3 million visitors each year and it’s certainly not hard to understand the appeal of this coastal community.  The picturesque canyons, coastal hills, and 7 miles of scenic beaches are hard to resist.  Add in a quaint shopping district, blufftop walkways and a tram system and Laguna Beach becomes a not to miss destination!  During the summer months, an added highlight is the art shows…

Art-a-Fair Festival
 “Art is beauty in its purest form. It inspires us; it brings forth passion; it awes us. This summer, the juried art featured at Art-A-Fair promises to do just this. View fine art by 125 renowned artists and master craftspeople from around the world, across the United States and gifted local artists as well. Stroll through Art-A-Fair's lovely and peaceful garden setting, with cool ocean breezes, and enjoy a memorable day among the artists as they work on their oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass and wood. “

Sawdust Festival
 “The Sawdust will feature the fine art and craft of over 200 Laguna Beach artists and is sure to be the highlight of your summer adventures. Art enthusiasts, collectors, and novice artists have come to the Sawdust since our beginning in 1966 for our mix of fine art and craft. Media include hand-blown and fused glass, painting, jewelry, surf art, ceramics, clothing and textiles, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw, photography, and so much more.”

Need other ideas for summer destinations? 
Check out the Entertainment guide on Orange County Resource Guide.com

For some, summer arrives the day school is over.  For others, it becomes official based upon the calendar date of June 21st.  But for many OC residents, summer arrives with a carefree shopping trip with one goal - to fill the closet with shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and sundresses.
 
It’s time to check out the Orange County Marketplace, a far cry from the swap meets of days past. The Orange County Market Place is now one of the largest weekly events in Southern California with some two million visitors each year. With over 1100 merchants and nearly 4 miles of walking aisles, the selling area extends over 20 acres. And while it’s most assuredly a shopping Mecca, it’s so much more!

Take a look…
Shopping:  Antiques, clothing, furniture, food items, beauty supplies, shoes, toys, bikes, sunglasses, mirrors, silk plants, home accessories, pet supplies, jewelry, and the fan favorites…As Seen on TV products!  And this is just a sample of the vast array of available items!

Entertainment: held most every weekend on the ACE productions' Stage presented by KSBR Radio Located across from Carlos Cantina. There is also DJ playing music and a variety of other entertainment featured every weekend on the Golden Mike Entertainment Stage.

Special Events:  Concert Series – Check the website for the current schedule of family friendly bands and activities.
So slap on a hat, some sunscreen and your favorite pair of walking shoes and welcome in summer at the OC Marketplace!

Open Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 4 pm
at the OC Fair & Events Center
88 Fair Drive - Orange County Fairgrounds
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
http://www.ocmarketplace.com

Like to have more options or do you want a shopping marathon?  Take a look at this list of OC Shopping Malls!http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/shopping-malls.html 

Looking for something unique to do this summer?  Try San Clemente’s Art Walk on the last Thursday of the month from 6 – 9 pm.  Stroll through the downtown of “The Spanish Village by the Sea” enjoying the work of San Clemente’s talented artisans.  Discover local artists’ paintings, art for sale, as well as live entertainment.  The San Clemente Art Gallery will be open with demonstrations.  The art walk is sponsored by San Clemente Art Association and San Clemente Downtown Business Association.  For more information, visit: http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/san-clemente-useful-links.html

Orange County, with its 42 miles of coastline, is a spectacular place to live. A day at the beach washes away cares and concerns while watching the sun set over the vast ocean offers a new perspective to life.  All in all, there is no such thing as a bad day at the beach.  And Orange County has a multitude of beaches from which to choose to spend a day.

But before heading out to enjoy sea and sand, take a look at these important reminders from the American Academy of Dermatology at www.WelcomeToOC.com

You can wind down the summer and support south Orange County’s community radio station at the third annual KSBR Morning Breeze Schmooze. It’s coming Sunday evening, September 6 at 6 p.m. at the Dana Marina Center courtyard in Dana Point Harbor.

You’ll dine under the stars while being serenaded by world-renowned violinist Scarlet Rivera (www.scarletrivera.com); pianist and composer Kori Linae Carothers (www.koritunes.com); New Age Reporter Piano Album of the Year nominee Denise Young (www.deniseyoung.com); songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Luttrell (myspace.com/johnluttrellmusic); and NAR Album of the Year winner Jeff Oster and friends (www.jeffoster.com). 
Featured will be sumptuous appetizers from What a Dish Bistro (www.whatadish.biz), a buffet dinner from Mahé (www.eatatmahe.com) and Two Guys Grilling (www.twoguysgrilling.com), and desert from It’s All About the Cake (www.itsallaboutthecake.com).

Throughout the concert, you will be able to bid on several original pieces of surf art as well as a customized Morning Breeze surf board created by Paul Carter during a silent auction.Tickets for this distinctive event, including the concert, dinner, and beverages begin at just $55, and fewer than 180 tickets are being sold.  For an extra special experience, you are invited to purchase a Cruiser Pass for $100.  With a Cruiser Pass, you will be treated to a special pre-concert sunset cruise aboard the Ocean Institute’s sailing ship, Spirit of Dana Point (beginning at 4:30), plus you will be seated at the tables closest to the stage.  You may purchase tickets by logging on to www.KSBR.org.  For more information, you may call KSBR’s Membership Services office at (949) 582-4501.

The Morning Breeze is the most popular specialty show on KSBR (88.5 FM), featuring an eclectic blend of electronic and acoustic World and New Age Music Saturdays 5 – 9 A.M. and Sunday 5 A.M. - noon. It is easy to forget that the Morning Breeze programming is commercial free because the flow of the music elevates you beyond those concerns. However, the way KSBR is able to provide this great music without interruption is by receiving the support of its listeners.  This will be an exciting way to treat yourself to a special experience while supporting the station that brings you the unique music of the Morning Breeze every Saturday and Sunday morning. KSBR (88.5 FM) is a commercial-free contemporary jazz and community information station serving Orange County and is broadcasted from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.KSBR’s primary format is contemporary jazz and offers weekend specialty shows featuring other musical styles such as Techno, Reggae, Folk, Latin Jazz, and Blues.

KSBR began broadcasting in 1975 when the FCC granted an educational license to the Saddleback Community College District. In 1979, KSBR was granted a power increase to cover all of south Orange County and began broadcasting jazz as part of its programming.  KSBR is operated by Saddleback College Communication Arts students and is funded through membership drives, local fundraising events, and sponsorships.

28000 Marguerite Parkway Mission Viejo CA 92692  www.KSBR.org
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Thomas A. Fuentes, William O. Jay, David B. Lang, Marcia Milchiker, Nancy M. Padberg, Donald P. Wagner, John S. Williams Dr. Raghu P. Mathur, Chancellor  SADDLEBACK COLLEGE: Tod A. Burnett Ed.D., President

Ah, summer. How we love the relaxing days of summer.  It’s the time of the year that children daydream about all school year and parents strive to find ways to keep their children busy.  Although theme parks and movie theatres are exciting and entertaining, they can be a drain on the bank account.  Besides they are not the only way to entertain on those warm, lazy days of summer. 

Most communities offer an alternative – concerts in the park.  San Clemente takes us to the coastal sand for their concerts while Dana Point brings us the bluffs with gorgeous ocean views.  Rancho Santa Margarita calls us to picnic in the park and San Juan Capistrano entertains us just a block from the Mission.  Best of all, this time with family and friends is free.  Bring a blanket or chairs and a willingness to enjoy music which may vary from the 60’s, disco, country, or good ol’ rock and roll.  Besides the fun at summer concerts, most communities also offer great family activities on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.  How wonderful to enjoy activities right in your own backyard!

For an easy way to review all the cities in your area and what activities they offer, visit http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/city-information.html

It’s time to slide into summer and dance the night away.