Holiday Lights and Where to Find Them in OC

[Bob Seger, anyone?]

It's beginning to look an awful lot like Christmas, friends. Indeed, the holidays are upon us, and nothing says holidays like the holidazzle of Christmas lights. Residents across the county (and, turns out, the nation) are popping holiday lights up onto the edges of theirs houses, and some even put up those moving lit up reindeer on their lawns and roofs! It's a site to see, indeed.

Which leads me to my main point of today's blog: Christmas lights. Wondering where the tradition began? Wondering where you can find the best ones? You're in luck: both questions are answered in the December issue of The OC Gazette magazine! Our long time contributing writer Jordan Carver went out in the field for us to research the history of Christmas lights, as well as to compile a list of the best places to see light displays across the county (and even some just a little outside of it that will be well worth your drive)!

Click [here] to read the article online, or click [here] to find out how to score a hard copy of the issue.

Happy light viewing!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Local Natives' "World News"

The December issue

 

The wait is almost over- the December issue of The OC Gazette is hitting racks and mailboxes in just a few short days! Within its glossy pages, this issue will contain some golden morsels: a centerfold story telling the sweet tale of Powell's Sweet Shoppe in Laguna Niguel, interviews with big wigs Matt Barnes (the newest Laker) and Tenley Molzahn (of The Bachelor and The Bachelor Pad), delicious holiday recipes, fun holiday crafts, and plenty of interesting stories about local businesses and nonprofits! Oh, and this issue is filled with great gift ideas for everyone on your list! Be sure to look for the gift guide "gifts that give back"- we listed about a dozen ways to give great gifts that benefit underprivileged and persecuted groups in Orange County and the world. 

As always, the magazine is filled with deals and discounts from some great local businesses- whether you're looking for a great deal on a cut and color, need your carpet cleaned, or looking for an auto shop you can trust, you'll find it in The OC Gazette. 

Long story short: you'll want to get a hold of a copy! Email info@theocgazette.com or visit our "Want a Copy?" page to find out how to get your paws on your own issue.

Happy reading!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Sarah McLaughlin's "River"

The November Issue's out!

It's here! The November issue, like the classy little minx it is, proves that fashionably early is the new fashionably late. This month, you'll read all about beating the "winter white" via Unique Tan (whose Mission Viejo salon is the largest tanning salon in California).

You'll read about the history of Southern California's oldest court building (that's often used for Hollywood filming), you'll read about what inspires OC author T. Jefferson Parker, and you'll read about a cool local nonprofit organization that provides professional clothing to unemployed and disadvantaged OC-ers reentering the work place.

You'll also find pages of recipes for the holidays, DIY instructions for four great crafty decor pieces, and a calendar of November events in OC.

You can find all these articles, recipes, event listings, DIYs, and more on The OC Gazette website!
If you're one of those print-loving, hard-copy holding sort of folks (you're not alone!), you can find out how to get your paws on a copy of the magazine by clicking here.

From all of us to you, we wish you an early, very happy November! Let's ring in fall with the November issue, the premiere of Conan on TBS on 11/8, and some hot apple cider! *Cue warm fuzzy feelings.*

-Blythe

on grooveshark.com: Animal Collective's "My Girls"

ABC Pilates Grand Re-Opening!

Exciting news! ABC Pilates has moved into an awesome new location (just a hop away from their old studio, and in the same center), and they're throwing a Grand Re-opening party this Friday night, October 8th, from 5-9pm! I've always wanted to go to a ribbon-cutting, and they're going to have one! At 5:30pm, there will be a South Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony! What's more, from 5-7pm will be happy hour! Food, beer, wine tasting, and discounts on athletic wear!

[The new ABC Pilates front room]

From 7-9pm will be a free Zumba dance party, and throughout the night you can take advantage of their two Grand Opening specials:

1) Six Specialty Classes for $50 - Mix and match the following class offerings: TRX Training, Yoga, Mat Pilates, Boot Camp, and Zumba.

2) 20 Group Reformer Sessions for $440

Smokin' deals, right? The best part is, the event is free and open to the public! Anyone can seize these deals, or at least show up and enjoy the festivities!

 

ABC Pilates is located at:

27601 Forbes Road, #21
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Call for more info: 949-305-3310

Normal operating hours:  

Monday/Wedesday 8:30am-7:30pm
Tuesday/Thursday 6 am-7 pm
Friday 6 am-12:30pm
Saturday 8 am-11 am
Sunday-closed

See you there!

-Blythe

on my blip: Voxhaul Broadcast's "Loose Change"

OC Fashion Illustrator Danny Roberts

There is certainly a lot to be excited about lately. Sometimes, I just can't take it. For instance, in this month's issue of The OC Gazette, we spotlight a local fashion illustrator Danny Roberts. Danny has created stunning illustrations for the likes of Gwen Stefani, Forever 21, Lancôme, and many more. And we were able to nab his time to answer our questions!

[one of Danny's designs for Forever 21]

See what I mean? Stunning. And I keep seeing his stuff popping up places, beautifying new items and space. For example, I recently realized that this popular sidebar icon for the blog-reader site Bloglovin' is one of Danny's illustrations,

Danny also has a YouTube channel with a bunch of cool videos of his artistic process, like these two,





Visit Danny Robert's website, blog, or YouTube channel.
Read our article on Danny Roberts on The OC Gazette website.

Happy September everyone- and happy Friday! TGIF!

-Blythe

on my blip: Simon & Garfunkel's "Keep the Customer Satisfied"

Hot off the Presses!

"That's the last time we have a monkey do our PR!"

Ah, King Kong. The most misunderstood primate of all. People thought he was out to destroy the human race (beginning with that pretty blonde), when really all he wanted was to get the word out about The OC Gazette. There's a tragedy, if I ever saw one.

But you know what's not a tragedy? The September issue, being hot off the presses! The rumors are true, it's HERE! This month we feature an exclusive interview with funny man Jon Lovitz, a look at Aerosmith's current shenanigans, a day in the life of Tiger Army front man Nick 13, an artist spotlight on fashion illustrator Danny Roberts, the history of the Tustin blimp hangars, a spotlight on Surfrider Foundation, your local events calendar, and much more!

Pick up your copy today! As always: It's free! Free! Free!

Read on and prosper!

-Blythe

on my Pandora: Spoon's "I Saw the Light" 

Moocher Monday, Because We Love You OC

Randy Newman wrote it. Orange County, you've got a friend in us.

Bogart said it. OC, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Rod Stewart sang it. OC, have we told you lately that we love you?

To all of our readers, fans, advertisers, writers, photographers, and supporters, THANK YOU! We do it for you and our shared love for this great county of ours. In a small way, we are giving back to YOU, our local community, starting this Monday, and continuing every Monday, with a little treat we're calling "Moocher Monday." << Get excited! >>

On Mondays, we will be offering all sorts of different giveaways from concert tickets to restaurant gift cards from local venues and businesses. Buy, shop, save local. All you have to do is keep up with us on our Facebook page, and comment or "like" the respective giveaway post to enter for a chance to win. Check back each week for different prizes. (We might even throw in a few bonus giveaways throughout the week!) Stay connected friends; it will serve you well.

The OC Gazette on Facebook

Also - hot off the presses - check out the August issues of the magazine. Just to give you a slight glimpse at what you will find: Amy speaks with the legendary Buzz Aldrin (try to fill his moon-walking shoes), there are babies riding alligators (seriously), and if that weren't enough, we found 58 free August events, happening in your very own hometown. This issue is of biblical proportions. Just ask Moses.

TGIF. Keep on truckin' OC,
Sara

P.S. Did any of you see Aerosmith last night at Verizon? How EPIC was that show? Our very own TourBusLive.com was there! Jill and Gary are actually in this video... can you find them?

The July Magazines Are Here!

This month we feature an exclusive interview with cowboy outlaw Merle Haggard, a look inside the Grammy Museum Sound Stage, a day in the life of Two Guys Grilling barbecuer David Biber, an artist spotlight on painter Regina Jacobson, the history of Camino San Clemente, a spotlight on the Shea Riding Center, your local events calendar, and much more!

Pick up your copy today! And the best part: It's free! Free! Free!

Keep it real OC,
- Sara
Listening to "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel

May 2010 OC Gazette

photo by Lewis Wickes Hine

Hello there OC Gazette fans. Today I've loaded up this post with one-liners from our latest magazine to give you a little taste of the goods you'll find inside the May issues. From interviews with a chef and a TV actor (she stars next to the handsome Joseph Fiennes and seriously cool Dominic Monaghan) to stories about great organizations and venues like Olive Crest and Downtown Santa Ana's Yost Theater (who played host to the 2010 OC Music Awards). We do it for you OC, so enjoy each and every page. Hey, the temp dropped today; read it next to a warm fire. Without further delay, here are the fruits of our labor...

 photo by TourBusLive.com

(1) On playing at the legendary Hollywood Bowl back in 1964...
"The first time we came here, we were little kids. Then, we thought we were great big men. You couldn't hear anything we were singing because the girls were screaming...but, nowadays WE are louder!"
- Paul McCartney (Read the full story in May's EntertainMe)

 

(2) On her character Janice Hawk from the ABC hit show FlashForward...
"Initially, I was supposed to be this computer nerd who dated the wrong guys. ...Then they were like, 'We're going to give you a gun and you're going to be a lesbian."
- Christine Woods (Born in HB, grew up in Lake Forest, and went to El Toro High School; read the exclusive interview in May's Off The Record)

Chef Deb with head chef Octavio Flores, photo by Blythe Hill

(3) "Somebody told me a long time ago, 'Suit up. Show up. Shut up. And do your best.' I love that."
- Deborah Schneider, author and Executive Chef at SOL Cocina in Newport Beach (Read the exclusive interview in May's A Day In The Life)

 photo by Eric Stoner Photography

(4) "My heart has always been in Santa Ana. I have lived here for 5 years and I feel it really needs to be a central entertainment hub."
- Dennis Lluy (Read more about the Yost Theater in May's Local History)

"Together = One" [Haiti Poster Project], 12"x24" Screenprint

(5) "If it's not fun, I'm not doing my best work."
- Brian Lindstrom, graphic designer (Read more in May's Artist Spotlight)

 photo by Blythe Hill

(6) "There are forty-year-old women, who Olive Crest practically raised, counseling girls in our programs today."
- Donald Verleur, Olive Crest CEO (Read more in May's Charity Spotlight) 

Keep it real OC
- Sara
Listening to Pinback's "Good To Sea"
(get excited; they're playing at The Coach House July 25th)

Why Ashley Eckenweiler Loves OC

featuring ASHLEY ECKENWEILER

For the month of February, we asked local business owners, celebrities, musicians, entertainers, athletes, students, and all around stand up citizens why they love this great county of ours. Without further ado, here is the first installment in our month-long loveletter to OC.

Why Ashley Eckenweiler, OC Music Consultant, Talent Buyer, & PR Consultant, loves Orange County:

“A few of my favorites in Orange County (in alphabetical order) are: 

The Art Institute of California – Orange County, 

Detroit Bar, 

Downtown Santa Ana, 

Laguna Art Museum, 

Memphis Café, 

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 

OC Music Awards, 

OC Parks, 

Orange County Museum of Art, 

Orange County Performing Arts Center, 

SOUNDowntown, 

The Camp, 

The Lab, 

Yost Theater

...all of this and more right here in our backyard! These incredible organizations and the amazing people at their helms are spearheading-advocates for arts and culture in Orange County. What an exciting effort to be a part of!”

Cheers!

Ashley E.

 Photo by Jeni Rosenthal

From Canada To The California Coast

[fig 1] Denise, Richard, and Anna - OC Gazette Fans

Thank you Lauren Conrad and Seth Cohen. Because of shows like "The O.C." and "Laguna Beach", people everywhere got a glimpse into our sun-tanned Orange County world, and everyone wants to be a part of it! Even our northern neighbors in Canada. Over the weekend we received an email from Marvin and Anna Smith (from San Juan Capistrano), and their visitors Denise and Richard Zanatta (from Canada) [see fig. 1] telling us how much they loved The OC Gazette, this months cover story, and all the local coverage. So we'd like to thank Denise, Richard, Marvin, and Anna for making what we do worth while!

On our ipod: Social Distortion's Highway 101