Was one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get healthy and exercise more?  Let’s combine Orange County weekend events with these heart healthy resolution keeper activities!  Put on your running shoes and pick an event…

February:

20th Annual Brea 8K Classic presented by the Brea Mall: 
The Brea 8K Classic, sanctioned and certified by USA Track and Field, is run on the streets of Brea with start and finish lines at the Brea Mall.  The race benefits academics and the arts at Brea Olinda High School through the Instrumental Music and Academic Booster clubs.
Sunday, February 27th. The race will be run rain or shine.

March:

Dove Dash – All proceeds and donations go to Ryan’s Reach. Ryan’s Reach envisions a nationwide network of High Hopes Neurological Recovery Group

Sunday, March 20, 2011 @ 8:00 AM
Corner of Dove Canyon Drive and Sycamore Drive
32003 Dove Canyon Drive
 
April:

Irvine Mud Run
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Expect to get muddy (over and over again) with professionally built obstacles and multiple mud pits to run, crawl and jump through.

May:

OC Marathon - May 1st
Over the past 6 years, The OC Marathon has grown and changed to become community event focused on the health and wellness of our youngest citizens, Orange County youth. With a beautiful course running through 26.2 miles of OC landmarks, runners view the pristine baches of Corona del Mar, the scenic Back Bay Estuary, the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Plaza and the OC Fair & Event Center. 

Not ready for a marathon?  There is also a half-marathon and 5K available.

Be sure to visit each website to get the full scoop on the races including registration dates.  It’s time to keep your resolution and start training!

Welcome To OC  presents Guest Blogger Craig Carbonniere, President|Orange County Coastal Concierge, with a timely post on a perfect holiday in Orange County.

The sun is shining on a chilly winter morning and the air is clean and crisp.  The family gets wrapped up in their scarves and is geared up and ready to drive up the coast to start your annual family holiday outing.  Don’t forget your sunglasses!  Although the temperature may seem brisk, this is a perfect beautiful morning on the Orange County Coast. 

 Alongside the famous PCH, you stumble across Nick’s Restaurant in Laguna Beach.  Nick’s is a small eatery serving Classic American comfort food.  My recommendation would be to order their Café Breakfast (2 Eggs, Hash Browns or Fresh Fruit and Toast) which is a great deal for $7.  Feeling a little daring?  If you feel like you’ve made the “naughty” list this year,try their exclusive Oatmeal Brulee served with fresh berries and topped with sealed caramelized sugar.   Imagine… breaking into a crunchy sugar shell before delving into the freshly made oatmeal. 

As you finish your filling breakfast at Nick’s you certainly need to “walk it off.” From the patio of the restaurant you spot Main Beach and the famous Laguna Beach Lifeguard Tower.   You decide to take a walk to the ocean and remember that you forgot to send out holiday cards for the season! There is no better place to take a family photo then in front of the Lifeguard Tower.  The tower has been themed for the holiday season with decorated wreaths.  Just like that-you can take the Christmas card photo off of your list.  On your way back to the car, don’t forget to stop by the Candy Baron.  The kids will think they’ve hit the jackpot walking into this dream of an unending variety of candy.  Take your time picking through yourfavorite flavors of Salt Water taffy, hard candies, imported chocolates and more!

Everyone is ready to go back in the car to explore further up the coast.  You’ve arrive in Costa Mesa, another hidden gem of the OC.  Your beach rendezvous has made you hungry and the cold weather tricks your stomach into wanting something spicy to warm you and the family up.  Santouka Ramen is where you can find the best spicy dish called Spicy Miso Chashyu Ramen. The broth is decadent with thin slices of pork cooked to perfection making this light lunch absolutely irresistible.  You take the family around to see the sights in Costa Mesa, perhaps even get a little jump on holiday shopping.

Shopping has been checked off your list as you’ve checked it twice and now everyone is ready for dinner.  You’ve already set up reservations to dine at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in the Downtown Disney District of Anaheim.  Starting off with an appetizer of Southern Garlic Cheese bread made with large slices of mozzarella sandwiched in between each slice of roasted garlic bread.  Squeezing a little lemon over the bread also enhances the flavor and heightens the experience.  Your family has never had garlic cheese bread like this before!  You have a variety of options for your main entrée from Pasta Jambalaya to a New York Strip served with truffle compound butter.  Don’t worry, there’s also a kids menu that offers items such as Cornflake Crusted Chicken or Macaroni and Cheese.  You skipped dessert at dinner and your family is wondering why?

Now, this is your opportunity to create one heck of a memory your family will never forget.  You surprise the family with something they would never expect.  Little do they know… you’ve pre-purchased tickets to go to Disneyland Park to spend the rest of your evening!  “We’re having dessert inside of Disneyland!” Suddenly, the cheers from the surprise are captured in your camera and you are headed off into the turnstiles of the most magical place on earth!  It is a winter wonderland as make your way to Blue Ribbon Bakery.  The sights and smells cinnamon and spiced pastries and desserts are tempting.  The family cannot take their eyes off of the giant cinnamon roll (they’re so big that everyone can share). A cup of freshly made hot chocolate or coffee to accompany it is the perfect match.  Now that you have your dessert, you grab a seat on a bench at the end of Main Street waiting for the Fireworks show and towards the end of the show you find that winter is truly here. 

Whether a Vacation or an annual family day, it is so much easier with proper planning. During the holidays it is difficult to squeeze all of your tasks in such a small amount of time.  From restaurant dining reservations to pre-purchasing theme park tickets, let Coastal Concierge of Orange County do that work for you.  Taking the opportunity to let us plan your events or itinerary can create more time you can spend with your family.

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

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:

• Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors.
• Use water resistant sunscreens as they cannot be easily removed by sweating or swimming.
• Sunscreens should have an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light.
• Don’t skimp on the proper amount of sunscreen. A rule of thumb is nickel-size amount for your face and two shot glasses’ worth on your body.
• Apply frequently – Sunscreen should be applied every day to exposed skin, and not just if you are going to be in the sun. UVB rays cannot penetrate glass windows, but UVA rays can, leaving you prone to these damaging effects if unprotected.

From strolling through the seaside community of Seal Beach to camping at San Clemente state beach, the OC coastline has something for everyone.  Click HERE for a listing of OC Beaches and their amenities.   And don’t forget the sunscreen!

Today is June 21^st, the Summer Solstice, known as the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.  Today, we associate summer solstice with the end of school, the start of summer, and a plethora of Orange County weekend events. 

Looking for some family fun at bargain prices?  Try these local events:

Mission Viejo 4^th of July Street Faire located at  Marguerite and Olympiad, 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Niguel: Grab your blankets, chairs and picnics and join us for a community favorite, the FREE Summer Concert Series! A fun and energetic lineup of music is scheduled and sure to please all ages!

Summer Movies in  Aliso Viejo – Bring your blankets and low-back chairs to enjoy a movie under the stars. Movie will begin at dusk.

Of course, this is just a few activities on a long list of summer fun. For an easy way to peruse the events in your community, click HERE

Orange County 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.

Here is just a small sampling of what a few of our libraries offer:

• RSM: Community wide book club, film series
• San Clemente: Preschool story time
• Lake Forest: Summer reading program, story time
• Irvine: Family night programs, summer reading program
• Tustin: Homework club, teen “zone”
• Laguna Hills: Technology
• Laguna Niguel: Book Club, family nights, computer classes
• San Juan Capistrano: Film programs, Spanish language programs
• Mission Viejo: Story time, parenting workshops
• Aliso Viejo: Adult book clubs, teen anime club, preschool story time
• Foothill Ranch: Craft programs, story time
• Ladera Ranch: Toddler story time, job and career information

What do you love about your local library?  What makes it special to you?  And lastly, what is your favorite book?  Love to hear from you!

To find the library in your community, click here

Last Month Welcome To OC invited its readers to participate in a contest held by So-Cal Solar on “How Green Are You?”  Take a look below to read about the winners and their great ideas on being green.

Green Contest Winner…The Komar’s Impact

March 18th, 2010
So-Cal Solar Inc. ran a contest last month on how green are you. After many entries we are happy to announce Nick and Brooke Komar as our winners. This couple really has made saving our planet a priority in their household and together their contributions make a positive impact on our environment. Below is their story on how they work together to reduce, reuse and recycle.

“Reduce: For the past 6 years I’ve been reducing the amount of plastic bags in our landfills by shopping with fabric grocery bags. If I forget them in the car, I ask the grocer to put my cart aside and I run and grab them (they’re only 50 feet away! no biggie!); at malls I reduce shopping bags by asking subsequent stores to place their merchandise in my initial bag; I do all my shopping on one day to reduce emissions; we keep our A/C and heat as low as possible and just put on or take off layers to regulate our temperature; recently I’ve learned my hubby limits himself to just a few squares of toilet paper per bathroom pit stop!

Reuse: I’ve always been a fan of reconstituting items. As an artist, I will repurpose objects and make them into new things (clothing into a purse, curtains into a canvas, wine corks into a trivet); our wedding day was even green! Our e-vites/RSVP were virtual & I went to antique stores to purchase the centerpieces (candelabra’s) and have used them to decorate our home since then. My wedding dress will be re-worn by a friend and then I’m having it turned into a quilt!

Recycle: I began recycling in 4th grade after I completed a school project on ozone layer depletion and greenhouse gases. It impacted me greatly. I thought I wouldn’t live to see my 18th birthday because of pollution! Thankfully I am still here, and our earth is here too! But that made a big impact on how I live my life. My husband and I thankfully now live in a town/city that encourages living green! Plano, TX accepts all plastics, papers, glass, and metal and they collect them at our doorstep biweekly! However, before that, I lived in Germany (where they enforced recycling) and in Indiana where I would have to take separate recyclables myself and then transport them in my car to the local recycling plant.”

Recycling, reusing, and recycling are a great way to start your quest to care for our planet.  There are many Orange County businesses who have gone the extra step and have “greened” up their business practices.   Check them out HERE!

In the 1930s, the National Association of Real Estate Boards (the predecessor of NAR) witnessed a growth of women working in real estate and an increased participation of women at national conventions, as women were becoming aware of their potential in and importance to the industry.

Today, Women’s Council is a nationwide community of 16,000 real estate professionals who include many of the best and brightest in the business. The backbone of WCR is its network of more than 300 local and state chapters with volunteer managers trained to position their groups as a business resource in their REALTOR® communities.

WCR has grown to be the twelfth largest U.S. women’s professional organization and has one of the most successful communication networks in the NAR family. Chapters include real estate professionals who support the objectives of WCR and are interested in serving the industry, the community and fellow REALTORS®.

The Women’s Council of Realtors’ Mission Statement is – “We are a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders”.   They work toward their mission by establishing themselves as a reliable source of knowledge committed to both the personal and professional success of their members.  They have been trusted by professional Realtors for more than 60 years as bearers of professional and personal excellence.  WCR provides programs to build relevant skills and has built a referral network generating 100 million commission dollars annually.  WCR strives to be the premier organization for individual achievement. 

Click Women’s Council of REALTORS® for more information.

Dana Point Festival of Whales 2010
March 6,7
March 13,14
Festival of Whales Parade –   Parade begins promptly at 10 am with a route along Pacific Coast Highway from Selva Road to Golden Lantern in Dana Point.  FREE shuttle service to and from Harbor parking lots will be available. Arrive early, enjoy breakfast harborside, board the free shuttle and then spend the day visiting all the great events located throughout the Harbor and Dana Point Plaza.  Parade entrants are encouraged to embrace the Festival’s theme of Magical Migration when designing parade floats and costumes.

Street Faire  – Hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, beginning immediately after the Festival of Whales Parade at Dana Point La Plaza Park,  Pacific Coast Highway North at La Plaza, 10am- 5pm.  It’s a family event, with fun for everyone.  FREE shuttle service from most Harbor parking lots to Dana Point La Plaza Park.

Ocean Institute –  During the festival weekends the learning labs will focus on new discoveries in marine mammal research and allow visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to the magnificent whale. Families will have the opportunity to listen to underwater whale sounds to discover how they communicate, enjoy hands-on activities, learn from special speakers each day of the festival and create fun children’s crafts. Public hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission price is $6.50 for adults (13 yrs+) and $4.50 for children (3 -12 yrs); Children 2 and under are free. Members are free.

Harbor Music Series – Presented by the Dana Point Harbor Association in the Jolly Roger Courtyard in Dana Wharf and Harpoon Henry Grassy Area near Mariner’s Village 12 – 3 pm.  Enjoy a variety of musical styles and sounds.   FREE 

And this is just a very small sampling of the many exciting family friendly activities.  There is so much more going on both weekends in Dana Point.   Learn more about the Festival of Whales and other family activities in and around Orange County.

So Cal Solar wants to know “How Green Are You”. Tell us your story on what you do to impact the environment in a positive way. No impact is too small or large and we want to hear about it to share with the world and continue increasing awareness. If you recycle we want hear about it. If you have a solar electric system we want to what your system’s environmental impact has done. If you stopped using plastic bags we want to know how you adjusted from plastic to eco-bags. If you do it all WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!!!!

Bringing environmental awareness to our readers is a top priority for So-Cal Solar Inc. That is why we have decided to run a contest and hear how our readers have changed their lifestyles to help the environment. The “How Green Are You” contest will be from February 22-March 17, 2010.   Details of the contest can be found on http://tinyurl.com/ygktxgr.

Another great way to express your environmental savvy is to patronize green businesses.  Every step toward reducing our carbon footprint is a step in the right direction.  Make your first step by visiting Going Green in OC!

Orange County Weekend Events are many, but in  today’s fast paced world, the dream of rest and relaxation stays just that, a dream. You want to be in control of your life, but how?  Work, family, friends, volunteer work, there just isn’t enough time in the day.   With all the choices available you today, there is one choice that will help you carve out time in your day.  A personal concierge service is just what the doctor ordered.

What  service does a concierge provide?

* help with shopping for a personal gift
* waiting for a home delivery
* planning and catering that special event
* arranging pet sitting while you are out of town
* checking on a homebound loved one 

Basically, if it is on your “to do” list, a concierge service can help with it.  Many concierge services are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day so it is important to shop around.  But all services are designed to be flexible to your needs and your deadlines. With just a call or an email, you will receive an estimate of the fees and the time needed to accomplish your task. Often the best rates come when you purchase weekly, monthly or annual packages. Be sure to ask whether there are any obligations, membership or enrollment fees involved in using their services. Best of all, you only use the services when needed.

It’s time to take control and regain the balance you crave both in your business and family life.  To find companies specializing in concierge service, click HERE. Now all that is left is planning what are you going to do with all your extra time.