Orange County Blog

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.

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.

It arrived quietly and still isn’t widely known.  This unassuming farmers’ market features booths selling produce, sweets, treats, goat cheese, plants, and more.  One of the perks of shopping at farmers’ markets is the samples!  We taste tested apples, oranges, warm roasted peanuts, caramels, and delicious cakes (this resulted in a purchase!)   Sadly we had just made trip to the grocery store so we didn’t need much in the way of produce, but my culinary bent daughter bought a bag of fresh snow peas.  She also couldn’t live without eating a pickle on a stick! Laguna Hills Nursery had a great booth and we left with two blueberry plants along with all the necessary info to help them grow strong and healthy.  Planning ahead for our next visit, we will bring our own bags, an appetite for the tacos, and more time!
It is located in the Big Lots shopping center on Avenida De Las Flores and is open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Fridays. We found that several of the booths shutting down prior to 6:00 as it gets dark so early.  There is talk that during the spring, it will be open both on Fridays and from 10 – 2 on Saturdays.  We certainly hope this comes to fruition!
Let’s support this local venue by planning your visit now.
For a list of other farmers markets, visit: http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/farmers-markets.html