OC Privilege is a pioneer in nightlife entertainment. Including but not limited to Release Parties, Art Exhibitions, and Special Events.

Orange County Locals, Steve Whelan a.k.a The Ruckus and Scott David have created a staple in OC for providing electronic dance music events and catering to their clients.

OC Privilege is shooting a promo video and we invite you and all your friends to come join us.

May 11th, 2012, 10-2AM
1100 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach.
21+

Shooting will start at 10pm so be there early to get a seat at the bar, dance floor, and VIP section. All of those who are 21+ are welcome!

“Club Rosa” is going to be the spot for straight up dance music every Friday and we are excited to be working with Olamendi’s, soon to be Rosa’s Cantina.

We have a consistent theme which consists of “Dai de los Muertos”, however, since it is a night club environment, it is “Noche de los Muertos” That being said, dress up accordingly if you choose to and be part of our online “Club Rosa photo scrapbook”

VIP/BOTTLE SERVICE inquires: 949.497.4148
DJ/Promoter inquiries: info@ocprivilege.com

DJ Line up

OC Privilege
Evy Martinez(Milk Karton DJ)
The Ruckus

###

Need quick access to information about Orange County–all in one convenient location? Then take a look at OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com! With just 1 click, our Quick Links & City Profiles take you from “Airports to Utilities.” Need more? Check out OC Dining, Shopping, Entertainment, Traffic, Weather & Job Search Options. OCRG is the “go to” site for both OC newcomers & established residents alike….

Welcome to OC is so pleased to welcome guest blogger, Carol Cuoco from Landscape Design by Carol

There is a movement across America, and Southern California is no exception — adding a place to grow edibles in your garden.  There are several options for finding the right spot for growing vegetables (or maybe a flower cutting garden!).  One of the following ideas or a combination of the ideas will probably work well for you.

You can amend the soil at ground level in either an existing bed, or one that you create by removing a patch of turf, etc.  The soil should be amended with manure, compost, or leaf mold to create an environment that will promote microbial activity which not only affects the texture of the soil, but also supplies nutritional benefits.  Larger beds that are lower to the ground are the perfect environment for trailing plants that have heavier fruits, such as cucumber and squash.

Another option is to build a frame 6-8” tall to create a raised bed garden, which will allow you to fill the space with soil that is perfectly suited to what you choose to grow (vegetables, cut flowers, etc.), and is loose and loamy, which creates an environment in which your plants will thrive.  This soil is available in bulk at sources such as Aguinaga Green in Irvine, and Quality Mulch and Topsoil in Orange.  Packaged varieties such as Mel’s Mix of Square Foot Gardening fame, are available at Orange County Farm Supply.  There are many other sources, too, that can be found with an online search.  Important to note is that the ground at the bottom of this newly-created bed must be tilled and — if possible — amended to allow for proper drainage and root development.

Elevated garden beds are perfect for not only waist-high gardening, but for raising your growing area up and into the sunlight of side yards or small lots.  One of our favorite raised bed products is by Gronomics, as there are no tools required for assembly, they are constructed of 100% Western Red Cedar, and are made in the USA.  The products are available at Home Depot, and can be viewed at our website at http://www.landscapedesignbycarol.com/?p=1314.

If you decide to construct a bed using wood, make sure that it has not been chemically treated  (arsenic in the form of chromated copper arsenate, or CCA, was at one time used for pressure-treated lumber as a wood preservative), as these chemicals can leach into your soil.

Now is the time to start planning for warm-season produce, such as beans, carrots, cucumbers and squash.  A handy reference guide of planting schedules can be found at Digital Seed http://www.digitalseed.com/gardener/schedule/vegetable.html).  Another invaluable resource is the website of the University of California Master Gardeners of Orange County, which provides information about vegetable gardening and also has links to their many gardening workshops (http://www.uccemg.com/).

Most edibles will require fertilizer on a regular basis.  Fertilizer options are both organic and inorganic.  Some research has shown that plants become resistant to inorganic fertilizers, requiring that more product at a greater frequency needs to be applied.  Also, inorganic fertilizers feed only the plant and do nothing to promote health in the soil.  Organic fertilizers are slow releasing and encourage the soil structure and fertility that your plants prefer.  Dr. Earth offers an extensive line of amendments, soil and fertilizers, and their website provides the answers to many questions that people have about organic vs. inorganic gardening practices:  http://drearth.net/blog. 

Fun ideas: 

• If you have the room (about 7’ in diameter), an artichoke makes a stunning addition to any landscape.  Let the chokes bloom for an extraordinary flower show, or harvest them for eating. 
• Plant sunflowers not only for their beautiful flower, but for the edible seeds. 
• If you are anxious to have something ready to harvest, plant radish seeds.  You will be amazed at how quickly they are ready to be picked and eaten. 
• If you enjoy the sweetener Stevia, grow it in your garden!  The leaves can be picked and then torn in half to release their flavor in a cup of hot tea. 
• Enjoy!

# # #

Need quick access to information about Orange County–all in one convenient location? Then take a look at OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com! With just 1 click, our Quick Links & City Profiles take you from “Airports to Utilities.” Need more? Check out OC Dining, Shopping, Entertainment, Traffic, Weather & Job Search Options. OCRG is the “go to” site for both OC newcomers & established residents alike….

The Dana Point Turkey Trot is pleased to roll out a youth running program leading up to and in conjunction with this year’s Thanksgiving Day race! 

Let’s get our kids moving, motivated and ready for the America’s Turkey Trot ®.  For 34 years the Dana Point Turkey Trot has become a family tradition and the kids race is one of the highlights of the event.  This year we are adding a program for kids of all ages to take part in!  Each child that registers for the Junior Turkey Trotter program will receive a special training t-shirt at the kick-off party, the official race t-shirt and goodie bag on race day, and a special medal upon completion of the program. 

WHO:           Children ages 5 – 12

WHAT:        Junior Turkey Trotters Program, Kids’ Gobble Wobble at the Dana Point Turkey Trot

WHEN:        The program kicks off at the end of September and continues through 11/24/11 (race day)

WHERE:      Children will accumulate mileage on their own, through school or through organized sports practices, totaling 25.2 miles.  The final mile of the program will be run at the Kids’ Gobble Wobble, part of the Dana Point Turkey Trot, 11/24/11.  They’ll be accumulating a total of 26.2 miles – that’s a marathon!

WHY:            Because it’s fun…  Because it’s healthy…  Because there’s extra swag for the kids! The Dana Point Turkey Trot helps raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.  For each dollar we give they can serve three meals!  Run knowing you are helping feed the hungry in Orange County.

HOW:             Register on line at www.turkeytrot.com.

• Registration will open for the Junior Turkey Trotter program in August and the cut-off date will be October 14, 2011. 
• Each participant will be responsible for charting their mileage on a special log created just for the Junior Turkey Trotter.  This log will need to be signed off by a parent, coach, and/or teacher
• In order to complete the program, each participant must accumulate 25.2 miles.  The final mile will be run at the Kids’ Gobble Wobble at the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, 11/24/11.
• There will be a kick-off party at Vivos Fitness in Dana Point to welcome all the participants, hand out running logs, give running tips and training advice, pass out special Junior Turkey Trotter training t-shirts, and sign the all important waivers!
• Each participant will also receive the official Dana Point Turkey Trot t-shirt and goodie bag at packet pick-up. 
• All participants that complete the program will receive a special Junior Turkey Trotter medal. 
• Each participant that completes the program will be invited to a race day VIP hospitality at Vivos Fitness. 

 For more information about the Dana Point Turkey Trot, please visit www.turkeytrot.com.

For more information about Vivos Fitness, located at 24941 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629, please visit www.vivosfitness.com or call 949.388.7000.

Need quick access to information about Orange County–all in one convenient location? Take a look at Orange County Resource Guide.

Gift Giving is important part of our lives.  We have family, friends, and even clients that we wish to celebrate or share in a special occasion.  But for some of us, it becomes difficult to justify extravagances when so many have so little.  So what are we to do?

Practical gifts are never as compelling as those with the big WOW factor, but here is a practical gift that is MOST compelling because it will warm your heart in ways you never dreamed of.  Why?  It is truly the gift that keeps giving.  You’ve heard the saying, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and feed him for life.”  That statement spells out the spirit of giving at Heifer International  This organization’s mission is to give sustainable gifts to help those in need help themselves.  How you may ask?  Here’s just one example.

Christine Makahumure lost everything in the horrible genocidal war that ravaged Rwanda in 1994. When her family tried to flee the fighting, they were caught in a crossfire, and Christine watched in horror as her husband and son were shot down before her eyes.

For years afterward, Christine, her daughter Catherine, and her parents lived a life of barest subsistence. The family would shut themselves indoors from sunset to late morning the following day, due to lack of money, activity or friends. They never dared to hope for anything more in life.
But one day, Christine heard about an organization that was giving out cows. With little else to hope for, she applied. And soon after, Christine received her cow from Heifer International.
Christine’s humble home quickly became the center of the village’s attention, with a steady stream of neighbors and local officials coming by to see her cow. Her cow was treated so royally, in fact, that Christine named her “Royal Bride.”

Thanks to the nutritious milk Royal Bride provided, the health of Christine’s daughter and parents improved dramatically. And with the money she gained from selling Royal Bride’s milk, Christine was able to buy her parents a small home of her own.
 
Christine gave her first calf to a neighbor, fulfilling her Heifer commitment of Passing on the Gift. But she didn’t stop there. She gave her neighbors the money they needed to buy a shed, so that they too could apply for a cow from Heifer. Most amazingly, Christine also adopted four local children who had been orphaned by the war.

Christine is living proof of the life-changing difference an animal from Heifer can make in a community in desperate need of healing.  This Cows for Peace Project in Rwanda does more than just bring cows to the area. Heifer’s field staff introduce zero-grazing technology, so that participants can learn how to protect their land while managing their new livestock. Heifer staff also import improved breeds of cattle to ensure better offspring.

But perhaps most importantly, the Heifer cows have become rallying points of communal togetherness. As with Christine’s neighbors, different population groups now work together in “Family-Cow Cooperatives” that foster understanding and share knowledge.

In Rwanda, where only a decade ago neighbors were killing each other, this is a miraculous achievement.  For more information on Heifer International, Click HERE

To regift or not to regift, this is becoming an increasingly popular question especially at this time of year.  For many regifting (to give a gift to someone after it has already been given to you) comes into play when you have received a gift for which you have absolutely no use.  Practically speaking, why keep something when you know it would be perfect for someone else.  That would just be selfish, right?  Perhaps.  Or maybe you tried regifting the first time when a friend dropped by unexpectantly with a gift and you were caught with your hands empty.  Quick, what do you have that you could put into a gift bag with some fresh tissue and voila, look like Martha Stewart?   

But when regifting, keep in mind that there are some guidelines.  Make sure the gift is not dirty, torn, stained or otherwise in poor condition.  Look for hidden gift tags or cards that identify you as the original recipient. Don’t pass on a gift to someone who is friends with the original giver.  And of course, don’t regift anything used unless you are honest about being the first recipient.

Although there very well may be perfect occasions for which regifting is appropriate, remembering friends and family with the perfect gift can be accomplished with shopping early and keeping a list.  Check out this comprehensive shopping guide.  Perhaps the issue of regifting can be avoided by making great shopping decisions the first time around.

In Orange County, being environmentally aware and reducing our carbon footprint is a big focus in our lives today.  But did you ever stop to consider what chemicals you are putting onto your face? Does parabens, harsh chemicals, petroleum, synthetic colors and fragrances, Paraffin, PABA, mineral oil, propylene-glycol, phthalates, genetically modified organic material, DEA and animal ingredients sound like a smart investment in you and in your skin. Today’s savvy women are putting pressure on the cosmetic companies to produce organic products because while we care about our skin, we are not ready to give up the luxury of make-up.  The major focus of “green cosmetics” is the ingredients and the more organic the ingredients the better.

Ready to get started?  Here are some great ways to ease into going green.

~ Use fewer products. The chemicals coming in contact with your skin the better so take a look at your daily routine and see if there is a product you can use less often or even not at all.
~Read labels. There are no laws governing the marketing claims on personal care products, and so claims like organic, natural, hypoallergenic, animal cruelty free, and fragrance free can mean anything or nothing at all.  Read the ingredient label carefully to find evidence that the claims are true. 
~ Use milder soaps.  While soap removes dirt and grease from the surface of your skin it also strips away your body’s own natural skin oils. By choosing a milder soap  you may reduce skin dryness and therefore your need for moisturizers to replace your skin’s natural oils. 
~ Minimize your use of dark hair dyes. Many contain coal tar ingredients that in some studies have been linked to cancer. 
~ Cut down on your use of powders; avoid the use of baby powder on newborns and infants. A number of ingredients common in powder have been linked to cancer and other lung problems when they are inhaled. FDA warns that powders may cause lung damage if inhaled regularly.
~ Choose products that are “fragrance”-free. Fragrances can cause allergic reactions. Read the ingredient label carefully because some poducts claim to be fragrance free when they are not.  In products truly free of fragrance, the word “fragrance” will not appear there. 
~ Reduce your use of nail polish. It’s one of the few types of products that routinely contain ingredients linked to birth defects. If you need to make a compromise, paint your toenails and skip the fingernails.

Start with small changes, but don’t stop there.  There are more and more cosmetic lines promoting organic makeup.  Some even have biodegradable packaging!  Make an investment in the future of our Earth and your skin at the same time.  For more help in your project to become environmentally conscious, click HERE

Orange County residents know that in a disaster, quick action is the key.  But quick action is accomplished most effectively when planning is already in place. 

“PrepareOC is the County of Orange’s comprehensive incident preparedness, response and recovery program. The PrepareOC website makes critical information available to authorized users on an anytime, anywhere basis. Site users can develop, post and share the information needed to plan for, respond to and recover from emergencies, disasters and business disruptions. The site features four main sub-sites: PlanOC, ReadyOC, RespondOC and RecoverOC. Each sub-site houses content specific to that phase of disaster preparedness.”

While a good deal of the website is only for authorized users such as county or city agencies, the side bar has a variety of links which are essential to being prepared. 

AlertOC -  a mass notification system designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed of emergencies and certain community events. Once registered with Alert OC, time sensitive messages will be sent to the phone or email registered with the system.

OperationOC provides direct assistance to victims of natural and manmade disasters.

ReadyOC – Learn how to make a disaster kit, make a plan, and be informed on how everyone can help during an emergency.

2-1-1 OC – Provides a comprehensive information and referral system that links Orange County residents to community health and human services and support.  Provides resources from securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent to finding treatment for substance abuse.

OC Animal Care – Evacuation procedures as well as other disaster preparation tips for animals

OC Red Cross – CPR/First Aid classes

For more information about PrepareOC and its many valuable resources, click here 

Many are the reasons one might use a self-storage facility in Orange County. Perhaps you are between homes and staying at a hotel or with friends.  Or the current economy might have fueled the need to move into a smaller place for a little while, but you are not prepared to part with all your belongings.  Or it might just boil down to the fact that you too much stuff and too little storage space.   Whatever your reason, you will need to know how to choose a self-storage facility that suits your needs.  Don Willis of Storage West offers these thoughts on what to consider.
 
Security and Safety- If the grounds are well kept and the staff professional in their appearance, then the staff are probably actively involved in the overall operation of the facility.  A quick call to the local police department can also answer questions regarding crime in the area.

Management – Longevity of the management is one factor to consider when choosing a facility.  Again, the appearances of the grounds as well as the staff show how well it is being managed.

Access – Ask how often managers do a complete lock down of the facility, what is the procedure if tampering is detected, and what type of lock they recommend.

Temperature Control – As there are no industry definitions for the term “temperature controlled” ask the manager for their definition and be sure to discuss your needs for temperature/humidity.

Insurance – All storage renters should consult their own agent, show a copy of the lease and ask about supplemental coverage available through the facility or through the business insurance policy.

Asking questions and receiving adequate answers are the key to choosing a self-storage facility.
Storage West has 10 locations in the Orange County area.  To learn more about Storage West, click here.

OC residents know that reducing their carbon footprint is paramount to the future of their world and are actively researching solar energy businesses. 

 Our environment’s resources are not limitless and we should always be looking for ways to be good caretakers of Mother Earth.  Using the sun to turn your roof into a miniature electrical power plant for your home makes sense on two fronts.  One, solar electricity is a clean power source.  It generates electricity that is free of harmful CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.  Two, many state and local government programs offer incentives and rebates to subsidize the cost of equipment and installation so it makes good financial sense to go solar.  Solar electricity converts sunlight directly into electricity, which can help reduce your electricity bills by as much as 60 percent.  What a great savings!

So how does it work?  Solar electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert sunlight into electricity.  The building blocks of a PV system consist of solar cells.  When sunlight is absorbed by the semiconductor materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms.  This “photoelectric effect” causes the free electrons to travel into a circuit built into the solar cell to form a current.  PV systems produce more electricity on sunny days, but will still work on cloudy days.  To produce more power, the solar cell must be interconnected to form panels or modules.  Then if more power is needed, several modules can be installed on a building. Modules come in different sizes and range from about 10 to 300 watts in power output. About 10–20 PV arrays can provide enough power for a household.  A well-designed and maintained PV system will operate for more than 20 years and the PV module, with no moving parts, has an expected lifetime exceeding 30 years. A PV system generates more than $10,000 worth of electricity over 30 years. Now that is a staggering figure.

Just like buying a car or making any other long-term investment, it is important to do your research before making a purchase. Mail-order companies, large discount warehouses, small mom-and pop businesses, and large corporations all sell and install renewable energy (RE) systems.  You want to be sure that the person or company that is designing and installing your new solar system has the expertise to install an efficient, safe, and reliable system.  You will want to check their professional credentials and be sure they have an electrical license.  If they don’t have the electrical license, you need to sure that either the installer does or you hire a licensed electrician to obtain the permit, supervise the job, and do the final AC hookups.  It’s a good idea to hire an installer who is bonded and insured, although this generally means that they will cost a little more.  Making sure the products are UL, ETL, or CSA approved is one way to ensure the safety and reliabiltiy of the product.  Ask about service agreements and performance guarantees.  Lastly, ask for references.

Don’t delay.  Make a difference today.  Visit OCRG and get a listing of companies in Orange County to help you plan your conversion to solar energy.

Thanks for visiting our new blog.  Web construction can be like home-remodeling–always falls a bit behind schedule.  We have many exciting things to share with you during the coming months about Orange County events, businesses, shopping, dining, demographics, news, entertainment, and more!  So you won’t leave empty handed, please visit our other OC blog at the Orange County Resource Guide online.