The OC Gazette

SoCal Wildflower Fest and Hike-A-Thon

2011-04-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

OC Parks is sponsoring a SoCal Wildflower Fest and Hike-A-Thon (presented by OC Hiking Club) this Saturday, April 30 from 9 am – 2 pm at Irvine Regional and Santiago Oaks Parks. The celebration will feature wildflower exploration, various levels of hiking, an Expo Fest, outdoor skills clinics, live music, and activities designed to raise money for OC Hiking Club and connect people to the

Be a "Fearless Woman" ACTivist

2011-04-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Here is your chance to be a “Fearless Woman” ACTivist. This Mother’s Day, ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today) will be hosting its annual “Fearless Women, Mother’s & Daughters Moving Mountains” fundraising luncheon on Monday, May 2nd at 10:30am. Located at the luxurious Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, Calif., the Mother’s Day event brings together the philanthropic

Paper Crane Folding Event to Support Japan

2011-04-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

To help raise hope and spread awareness for the victims of the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County are hosting an origami paper folding event on Tuesday, April 19 from 5 – 9 p.m. in the lobby of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The community is invited to learn to fold and make paper cranes, with the

Grilled Cheese

2011-04-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

As you may already know, April is National Grilled Cheese Month. What you may not know is that James Beard nominated chef, John Cuevas of the crow bar & kitchen, serves up daily renditions of a classic grilled cheese sandwich all day, every day! Just ask for ‘Today’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich’ to find twists on the favorite comfort food dish. A few of Chef Cuevas’ unique grilled cheese

Japan Benefit at Kona Gallery in SC

2011-04-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since the devastating 9.0 earthquake and deadly tsunami hit Japan. The fallout is still being felt worldwide. International Medical Corps, ZUMA Press, DOUBLEtruck Magazine, plus over two dozen merchants in San Clemente area have teamed up with the KONA Gallery and Photojournalism Workshop Center to throw a benefit for the victims. The benefit will auction and raffle off over $

MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH PARTNERS WITH SHARE OUR STRENGTH TO HOST TASTE OF THE NATION®

2011-04-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

[ The 2009 Event.] Executive Chef Craig Strong Joins Forces with Other Area Celebrity Chefs in Effort to End Childhood Hunger On May 22nd, 2011, Montage Laguna Beach will host Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation®, one of America’s leading culinary benefits, in hopes of eliminating childhood hunger across the nation. Seven celebrity chefs will share their passion and

Chef Fabio Helps Olive Crest Raise Money for OC Children!

2011-04-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

[Left to Right: Casey Reinhardt of Casey’s Cupcakes, Darrel Anderson, Olive Crest Chairman of the Board and President, Retired, Knott Anderson Enterprises, Marsha Anderson, Darrel’s wife and Orange County philanthropist, and Chef Fabio Viviani] OCG: You recently participated in a fundraiser here in Orange County with Olive Crest called “Harvesting

Olive Crest's Annual Harvesting Hope Event

2011-04-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to attend Olive Crest's annual gala on March 19th- the Harvesting Hope for Kids event at Newport's Big Canyon Country Club. I went last year just before we printed a spotlight on Olive Crest. The Olive Crest Foundation has transformed the lives of over 50,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families in Orange County. Olive Crest is truly one of the

Vonda Shepard Returns To The Coach House

2011-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

Vonda Shepard has a career that most artists only dream of - one that successfully spans decades. Beginning in the 80's, Vonda hit it big with "Don't Cry Ilene" and her duet with Dan Hill, "Can't We Try." Then she took the 90's and 2000's by storm with her 5 year stint on the incredibly popular TV show "Ally McBeal" (who's theme song she wrote and performed) where she played the sexy lounge

The Weir

2011-03-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Last night, I spent the evening in an old pub nestled deep in the Irish countryside, well off the beaten path. There was a biting wind that was howling outside and seeping into the cracks of the old building. Inside, the coal-burning stove gave the room a welcoming glow and provided just enough heat. In front of it was an old rug so worn that its pattern was unrecognizable, and a chair with

Reign Anniversary Bash This Saturday

2011-03-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, March 26th, Reign Training Center in Lake Forest is throwing a 1 Year Anniversary Bash, and you're invited! Join in on the fun: Enjoy dinner served by Boneheads (now I'm craving their Piri Piri chicken!) and check out UFC Fight Night 24: Little Nog vs Phil Davis Live! From 12-3pm, catch autograph signings, demos, raffles, and giveaways. From 4-7pm: Celebrity Poker Tournament (

Japan

2011-03-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Donate to the Red Cross by clicking here. David John posted 3 ways to help Japan, including purchasing the poster above. The Huffington Post has with many ways to help here.

Boot Camp for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

2011-03-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

Need a little extra motivation to get fit? Maybe just a fun way to burn off those Girl Scout cookies of late (darn you, Thin Mints!)? Good news!! This Saturday, March 19th, Total Training by Tammy will be hosting a Boot Camp for Charity event with all proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF). There will be a 60 Minute Boot Camp Class with a $15 minimum donation

iSanctuary Shop open this Saturday

2011-03-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

This saturday, check out iSanctuary's shop in Irvine. You can also shop online (but then you don't get the free gift!). International Sanctuary offers the world an opportunity to purchase with purpose- to buy unique, progressively-styled handcrafted products, and in so doing, help trafficked survivors earn an income with which they can sustain themselves. By creating and selling handmade items

The March issue is here!

2011-02-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

The March issue is here! Just in time for the Academy Awards this coming Sunday. Now, we're not ones to openly express biases, so our disclaimer about the above photo is: we did not pay Jeff Bridges to hold that OCG. Nor did we financially back his campaign for a two-peat victory as Best Actor this year. What can we say- with or without our monetary or emotional support, the guy just loves The

Rock of Ages Free Mini Concert Tomorrow!

2011-02-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

"Any way you want it That's the way you need it Any way you want it..." Cast members from the hit musical Rock of Ages will perform a free mini-concert of ‘80s music on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The public is invited to a free lunchtime mini-concert by the cast of Rock of Ages at South Coast Plaza on the ground level of Jewel Court. Rock of Ages

A few fun ideas for the weekend

2011-02-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

Hershey Felderr: Monsieur Chopin - Starts tonight and runs through 2/27 at Laguna Playhouse's Moulton Theater. Created by the same team that brought George Gershwin Alone to life, Monsieur Chopin begins at Fryderyk Chopin’s salon at 9 Square d’Orléans in Paris. Monsieur Chopin will teach a piano lesson that actually took place on March 4, 1848, just days after the February 1848 revolution. As the

Love 'em and Leash 'em

2011-02-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

OC Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, OC Animal Care and OC Hiking Club present “Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em," coming to Irvine Regional Park this Saturday, February 19th from 9 am-12 pm. This is a special event for dogs and dog-lovers. OC Hiking Club will host a series of guided specialty pooch hikes customized to accommodate every breed, size and age of dog. The Pokey Pooch Walk will lead

Happy Valentine's Day from The OCG!

2011-02-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

Hope you spend it curled up with the February issue, some Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and your someone special! -Blythe on my iTunes: Bon Iver's "Re: Stacks"

ABC Pilates Open House

2011-02-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, Saturday 2/12, drop by ABC Pilates in Laguna Niguel (off Crown Valley & Forbes Rd) for their Open House. There will be wine, chocolate, specials, and a FREE 50 minute work out class that incorporates TRX, Ballet Barre, Mat Pilates, Zumba, and Yoga. Call 949-305-3310 to sign up for the class - space is limited! What's more, Lynne Curtin from The Real Housewives of Orange County will

Things to do this weekend in OC: 2/10-13

2011-02-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

I don't want to hear any complaining that there's nothing fun to do in Orange County - not this weekend, of all weekends! There's so much happening! I've put together an abridged list of some fun things happening starting tonight through Sunday night- from live music to theater to kids' events! Check it out: Feb. 7th-13th: the Laguna Beach Music Festival Laguna Beach Music Festival is a

Tuesday Nights at Forest Lanes

2011-02-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

Forest Lanes in Lake Forest has a reputation for offering all sorts of fun- from their karaoke nights to beer pong nights to cosmic bowling to Friday nights with a live DJ. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, their Quartermania Special (after 8 pm) involves a $7 entrance fee and then each game is only 75 cents. Not only that, but pizza slices are 75 cents, and beer is $2. Also, every Tuesday night, from

A Midsummer Night's Dream at South Coast Repertory

2011-02-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Lovers in the woods, the mischief of fairies, a royal wedding, and the tragicomic play of labor workers. All this and more is bundled up in South Coast Repertory's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. "Led by the wildly inventive director Mark Rucker, off go four young lovers into The Woods on a midsummer evening—when strange and wonderful things are likely to happen.&

The February issue is here!

2011-02-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

The time is finally here! The February issue of The OC Gazette is out! Another bonus of this week is the Super Bowl XLV on Sunday. A double whammy, as they say! Turns out the Steelers are fans of The OCG (see photo of enthusiastic Steeler toting the new issue*)! This issue contains all kinds of nuggets, like: Dr. Marangu's Age Management Medicine (Lose weight and feel great, safely and

Little Red Dress Cocktail Party

2011-02-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

The only thing better than a great night out with girlfriends or your main squeeze is a great night out in honor of an incredible cause. Tomorrow, February 4th, The St. Regis Monarch Beach is celebrating with a Little Red Dress Cocktail Party at Michael Mina's Stonehill Tavern featuring a selection of delicious and heart-healthy menu items and the newly unveiled, exclusive Rose Petal Martini. A