Looking for great Orange County weekend events?  Then read today’s post from Lance Perkins, Chairman of Chocolate – The Event:

Have   you heard? Everything’s coming up “Chocolate” this summer in Southern  California and we’d be particularly honored were you to be a part of it!

Starting  on Friday evening, July 29th as part of the opening festivities, VIP guests  are invited to a sumptuous dinner hosted by the world-famous Bruno Serato’s   “White House Restaurant”. Bruno is delighted to offer the kind of five-star   cuisine that his celebrated establishment has become famous for. In fact,   these award winning dishes, along with his work with numerous children’s   charities have been recognized across the globe, and he was recently honored   by CNN as one of their “CNN Heroes“. Bruno feeds 300 underprivileged kids every   single day of the year!

Then  on Saturday morning, July 30th we’ll kick off the fun early at 10 am with an   extravagant “Chocolate Walk” down The Center Promenade Plaza. Afterward and   throughout the day, there will be live music, street performers and a whole   myriad of epicurean and chocolate delicacies to tantalize and delight the   palate! Major Celebrity Hosts, Live Bands, Top Chefs and Chocolatier’s   featured at the festival including: Tamra Barney (The Real Housewives of OC),   Judy Tenuta (The Love Goddess), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson of Little House   on the Prairie), Adam Gertler (TV Food Networks, “Kid in A Candy Store”), Chef   Meg Hall (Extreme Chef), Chef Emmanuel Delcour (Chef Masters), Chef Jill Davie   (Sunkist’s Spokeswoman), Chef Stef Candy (Belmont Shores Best Chocolatier),   Randy Fuhrman, Chocolatier Jonathan Graham (Chocolatier to the Stars featured   on Oprah) and Chef Susan Irby (aka The Bikini Chef). There’ll be a variety of   entertainment and top bands including; the Adam Lasher Band, The Go-Sheilas,   ACIDIC with many more TBA. Even a dynamic fashion show with notable hosts   Daniel DiCriscio (Messiah of Makeover”), Joe Exclusive (Fashion Stylist to the   Stars) and Project Runway’s Season 8 designer Michael Costello! So not   only will those in attendance enjoy scrumptious chocolate of all   sorts, there will be savory wine tastings, gourmet coffee samples, live   concerts, a celebrity chef challenge, and extra special–extra fun–surprises   for the entire family to enjoy! (not to mention some of the hottest   entertainment around.)

Then,   on Sunday July 31, we will be having a “Grand Closing Gala “–a curtain call   if you will, to the entire event. We will have a feature screening of Charlie   and the Chocolate Factory at UltraLuxe CInema http://youtu.be/8MDbu8nMLNE in   GardenWalk, Anaheim next to Disneyland. This will close the sweet fun of the   festival with a celebrity star studded red carpet, surprise celebrity guests,   chocolate awards, movie memorabilia displays, “Golden Ticket” giveaways, Wonka   movie character look alike’s and chocolate tastings.

“Chocolate-The   Event” is a fund-raising effort for both the MUZEO’s Eniro programs for   access to the Arts for at-risk youth and children throughout the region, along   with the Downtown Anaheim Association, as well as other charities which are   being added daily. One of the main features of the event in addition to the   amazing chef talent at the expose is Chocolate: The Exhibition. This national tour runs June   9th – September 10th. At the event you’ll explore the plant, the products, the   history, and the culture of chocolate through the lenses of botany and   ecology, anthropology and economics, conservation and popular culture.

Already promising to be the “Can’t Miss” premier   celebration of the 2011 summer season, “Chocolate: The Event” is designed to   appeal–not just to chocolate lovers, but to anyone of any age who enjoys a   plain old terrific time!

And for other great activities here in the fabulous OC, take a look at this helpful Entertainment Guide.

Looking for things to do with kids in Orange County? Or maybe just need a great date night idea? Does the word “free” sound appealing?  The answers are just a click away…

Rancho Santa Margarita:

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita provides a variety of excellent musical performances with the sunset as your backdrop. These concerts offer an opportunity for residents to benefit from the Rancho lifestyle in a safe and positive environment. Join your friends and neighbors to celebrate fantastic live music and dancing while enjoying the great outdoors. Please visit some of RSM’s local restaurants before the concerts and bring a picnic dinner with you!

Dana Point:

Celebrating over 20 years of FREE Summer Concerts in the Park, the City of Dana Point Community Services & Parks Department is proud to announce our 2011 line up. All concerts are held from 4:30pm-6:00pm, and are geared for the entire family. Bring your lawn chairs (low back) and blankets and enjoy listening and dancing to a variety of great music this summer.

San Clemente:

The 12th Annual Beach Concert Series is “Bringing the Bands to the Sand!” Join the community to celebrate live music on the beach with the sunset as your backdrop and free seating in the sand.

San Juan Capistrano:

The San Juan Summer Nites Series kicks off on Wednesday, June 15th at 6:00pm. Join the fun at Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real in San Juan Capistrano. Free community concert, a business expo with local San Juan Capistrano Businesses, a youth area with plenty of fun free activities for the kids, food booths and a beer/wine wagon hosted by the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. There is plenty of parking available.

This is just a taste of what our fabulous OC cities are offering this summer!  What does your city have to offer?

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!

Thank you to Gary Blair for his insightful listing of the top ten New Year Resolutions.We  have added links to Orange County Business Listings to help you in your quest to achieve your goals.

New Year’s is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that’s why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves.

The following list is the result of our extensive survey, which consisted of over 300,000 responses worldwide.

1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape

Physical activity builds physical vitality. With every year of your life, you have more to gain from being physically active; as your age-related risks of chronic disease increase, regular exercise generally slows or reverses that trend.

In fact, you’re even more likely to notice the benefits of regular exercise if you already have a chronic condition.

Are you ever going to be fit again as long as you live? The answer is unless you make a resolution to get fit – you’re never going to be fit – ever. The choice is yours; it begins by opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, fruit in place of chocolate, and active rather than sedentary activities.

2. Stick to a Budget

It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. Developing and sticking to a realistic budget is a brilliant offensive move as it prevents overspending and ensures peace of mind.

Many people find it very difficult to stick to a budget. It does take hard work and a lot of self-discipline, at least in the beginning. The good news is that most people find the longer they can stick to a budget, the easier it becomes.

3. Debt Reduction

One of the first things you have to do before any debt can be eliminated is to stop using charge accounts. If you continue to use the accounts, you are only fueling the problem, and building on it, not solving it.

Make a resolution now to stop charging anything and to get financially stable. If you can’t pay cash for it, you don’t need it, make it just that simple and you will find yourself out of debt in no time at all.

Keep a diary of all money spent, whether it is by cash, check, credit card, etc. Once you know where your money is going, then, and only then, can you take the steps needed to prepare a good budget that you can live with and make huge strides to budgeting your debt away.

4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends

More and more people are resolving to spend more quality time with family and friends this year. This means you must consciously decide to actively and purposely work on improving your family situation every day.

You may need to do such things as reschedule business activities to make time for your kids, help your children set and achieve worthwhile goals, and setting aside an hour a day for the family, every day.

Starting right now, you can begin to make choices and take day-to-day actions that will create nothing short of a phenomenal family. You can choose to have one if you just resolve to do it and know where to put your focus. Making our families stronger and healthier is important to our communities, our state and our world.

5. Find My Soul Mate

Romance is alive and well as more and more people are looking for that special someone, their soul mate who lights their fire, the ONE whom they love unequivocally and who shares their worldview.

Soul mate relationships are the sort of romantic relationships most of us dreamt of when we were young and innocent: loving and erotic, committed and inspiring and best of all – lasting.

Soul mate relationships give both partners the fulfillment that deeply satisfies them and makes them feel that they have found the most wonderful person in the whole universe.

6. Quit Smoking

Becoming a non-smoker is probably one of the best decisions you can ever make, and is a life changing as well as a life saving decision.

The benefits to your health, relationships, finances, vitality, the environment and to your sense of self-esteem for having conquered a really hard-to-kick habit will make any and all of your efforts and determination more than worth while. The resolution to become a non-smoker will also help you to live longer and enjoy the finer things in life.

Once you’ve made the resolution to stop, acted upon it and succeeded, you’ll feel great about what you have achieved. Resolving to give up is your decision, and will improve your life from that moment on. No one can make you quit, and no one can help you make the resolution. You have to do it yourself, you have to want to do it, and you need to do it now!

7. Find a Better Job

A new year provides a sense of getting a free do-over, so you can try again and get it right. Many people resolve to find better jobs or to take a new approach to the jobs they’ve already got.

It’s corny, but true — most of us get reflective at this time of year and if we are in jobs already, we begin thinking: Am I on the right path? Do I like where my position and my company are headed? Am I even in the right career?

So you’ve been hearing that voice again, the one that says you’re not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?

To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Resolve to ask and answer those essential questions before making any new career changes.

8. Learn Something New

People throughout the world are realizing that a strong resolve to lifelong learning is more than just education and training beyond formal schooling. A lifelong learning framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from cradle to grave and in different learning environments, formal, non-formal and informal.

Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language or musical instrument, or just how to become a better cook? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating and beneficial resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, break out of currents routines and challenge every comfort zone and watch your horizons expand.

9. Volunteer and Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms such as spending time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house to name a few.

Volunteering has risen sharply in the years since we began collecting resolutions. This suggests the possible emergence of a new civic generation and a resolve to make a bigger and better difference with your life.

Resolve to replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur, the critical question must move from, “How can I become successful?” to, “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people’s lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful.

10. Get Organized

Resolve this year to plan your days, reduce interruptions, clean off your desk, say “No”, and make detailed lists. The benefits of getting more organized include being able to save time, as you no longer look for the same things over and over again or need to replace things you can’t find at all.

You will reduce stress because when you know where everything is, there’s no last-minute rush to find what you need and get out the door on time for school, soccer practice, or that important business meeting.

You will also find yourself being much more productive, as all the time you once spent looking for things can now be used to do more important or more enjoyable tasks.

Most people define being organized as quickly and easily able to find what you need. While this is certainly true, organization is so much more. The ability to staying organized lets you focus on accomplishing your most important goals. That’s the true benefit of being organized.

Reprint Policy: You can freely reprint this material with the following reference source:

Gary Ryan Blair is the inspiration behind New Year’s Resolution Week. This annual event was founded on the premise, that a single resolution can positively and profoundly create lasting change in your life and help to make the world a better place. To become part of the world’s largest personal change initiative, visit www.GoalsGuy.com.

New Year’s Day would not be complete without watching The Rose Parade!

Each New Year’s Day, the world focuses its attention on Pasadena, home of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. The Tournament of Roses has come a long way since its origin in the winter of 1890. The Rose Parade’s elaborate floats now feature high-tech computerized animation and exotic natural materials from around the world. With needing nearly a year to complete, the construction of the floats is no small undertaking.

This year the 122nd Rose Parade themed “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories”, will take place on Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. (PST) featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats, and high-stepping equestrian units.

There are several ways to enjoy the parade:

Volunteer to decorate a float – It’s surprisingly hard work, but definitely a great time.  And on New Year’s morning, you have a sense of ownership when you spot the float you worked on and can say that you contributed to its overall beauty.

Take a sneak peak – Get a backstage glimpse of the floral floats in their final stages of preparation at three different locations.  See a variety of fruit, seeds, bark, grasses and of course, flowers being applied to the floats by experienced professionals as well as hard working volunteers.

And of course, be a spectator – Whether curbside or from the comfort of your own couch, the grandeur and pageantry of the Rose Parade is not to be missed.

Click HERE for information on volunteering, tickets, parking, and other pertinent information.

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!

On Saturday November 27th 2010, the San Clemente Downtown Business Association, along with the City of San Clemente, proudly presents Puttin’ On the Glitz, San Clemente’s premiere holiday gala, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.  Free to the public, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to begin the holiday season.  It is a magical event that invokes the small-town holiday spirit in one of the only true downtown seaside villages of Southern California.

Decked out in twinkling lights, historical Avenida Del Mar becomes a festive pedestrian mall, closed to traffic for the evening as children enjoy rides on a motorized mini-train and an enchanting horse-drawn fantasy carriage.  Face painters, balloon artists, and magicians are on hand to captivate one and all.  Entertainment includes carolers in Victorian costumes, a barber-shop quartet, bagpipers troupe, live music and much more.  The charming shops and windows which line the avenue are decorated for the season and open through the evening to accommodate holiday shopping lists, with many offering treats & refreshments.  Organizations and vendors such as the Boy Scouts of America offer up hot apple cider, fire roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, snow cones  and cotton candy as you stroll the quaint downtown village.

Sirens signal the arrival of Santa Claus perched upon a fire truck, as he leads a fanfare procession down Del Mar to the Community Center.  Mrs. Claus & their elves are there to greet him and take Santa to his awaiting fireside chair where the children come to profess their hearts desires and make a lasting memory with a photo.

This year, let San Clemente become one of your holiday traditions by attending Puttin’ on the Glitz.  Be sure to pick up the San Clemente Downtown Business Association’s limited edition Surfing Santa ornament at the DBA booth before they are sold out.  Free shuttle service is provided from the San Clemente High School parking lot, located just East of the freeway on Avenida Pico. Once you have been to the Glitz, you will never miss it again!

For other great things to do with kids in orange county during the holidays, click HERE.

Halloween is just a few days away…do you have plans for your kids yet?  Let us help:

Aliso Viejo – Halloween Fair and Haunted House

Welcome to OC is pleased to bring you important information about a charity event hosted by Pirate Coast Paddle Company.

Pirate Coast Paddle Company is a program at the newport aquatic center. Pirate coast is committed to offering the best Stand Up Paddle experience in Southern California. Pirate Coast will provide lessons, tours, corporate events, kids camps and excursions that offer an alternative activity for physical fitness, ocean appreciation, and recreational enjoyment. Pirate Coast is more then a paddle company, we believe the world and its people need help, so we give a percentage of every dollar we make to causes to bring the world hope. We support Surfrider Foundation, Krochet Kids, 31 Bits, Charity Water , Young Life International, One Days Wages,and Ever After.

PADDLE  FOR  WATER

We’re excited to announce that Pirate Coast Paddle Company will be hosting our first annual “Paddle for Water” event in Newport Beach this Fall. Pirate Coast has partnered with Charity Water to bring fresh water wells to the Bayaka people in the Central African Republic and wants to invite you to join us in saving lives and bringing joy to those in need.

 Charity Water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 1 billion people in the world today do not have access to the most basic human need, water. The truth is that 42,000 people die each week due to unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions. Sadly, 90% of those who die are under the age of 5.

 With your help we have the ability to provide multiple clean water drinking wells for the Bayaka people. With just $5,000 we can provide one well that has the ability to provide clean water for 250 people over 20 years.

 With local Corporations already pledging to match donations it is up to you to help raise the first $5,000. To help encourage the giving, Pirate Coast will be offering, free of charge, a spot in our “Paddle for Water” event that will take place on October 23, 2010. In order to celebrate your generosity as well as raise awareness for this cause we will paddle from the Newport Aquatic Center to Beacon Bay.

 How you can help…

Donate any amount to our cause at: www.mycharitywater.org/piratecoast and join us on October 23^rd for the paddling event. With free paddling to those who give $50 or more, raffle prizes, and great people. we can’t wait to share this exciting day with you! For a list of prizes and updates please visit us at www.piratecoastpaddleco.blogspot.com. You can also check us out on Twitter and Facebook.