This is the official blog of The OC Gazette, Orange County's "Everything local" Magazine. Within the following pages you'll find insights into the nooks and crannies of all the things our local culture has to offer. Enjoy, friends.
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 OC Gazette. The picture speaks for itself.
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*)!
If Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, he might well be a fan and follower of The OC Gazette magazine. It's hard to say, since The OCG is still a fairly young mag (in our 4th year!), and MLK, Jr. is no longer with us, God rest his soul.
In just a couple Mondays, on Jan. 17th, we'll celebrate a man who made a lasting impact on our nation- and on the world (U2 even wrote about this influential man, and they're from Dublin). He is what you might call a titan of history.
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.
Feeling crafty? Maybe you just like buying crafty things? Well, you're in luck! There are two upcoming Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festivals where you can buy some sweet, one-of-a-kind handmade items and vintage goods from local sellers. Now's the time to wow your friends with a great new headband, necklace, or purse- or better yet, to get a leg up on your Christmas shopping! You're sure to find something clever for everyone on your list!
There are two dates and locations to choose from:
1) Nov. 21st at Long Beach's Marine Stadium, 11-5pm
2) Nov. 28th in Santa Ana at Main St. @ Buffalo, 11-5pm
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 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.*
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,
"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.
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
Name Changes. They’re the simplest form of rebranding. Just ask anyone in Hollywood (namely Demi Moore, who was born Demetria Guynes – not exactly Ghost end credit material). Following are more examples to justify our recent name revision:
Before Sandra Dee was Sandra Dee, she was Alexandra Zuck.
Kirk Douglas used to be Isidore Demsky… or Issur Danielovich, depending on whom you ask. In both cases, whomever you ask will not know how to say either.
Cary Grant might still have been a stilt walker in the Bob Pender Stage Troupe if he hadn’t changed his name from Archibald Alexander Leach.
The eternal standard of class, Audrey Hepburn, was born Edda Van Heemstra Hepburn-Rusten. It would take more than a couple of weeks with voice coach Professor Henry Higgins to get the phonetics of that one down.
Joaquin Phoenix was Joaquin Raphael Bottom before he signed the legal papers that banished his euphemism-for-a-rear original surname.
Leonard Franklin Slye changed his name to Roy Rogers at the suggestion of his studio.
Die Hard Bruce Willis was once a milder Walter Willis.
Oprah used to be Orpah. Isn’t that a vegetable?
And John Wayne would be a big, burly cowboy of a man named Marion (sounds like the premise of “A Boy Named Sue”), if not for a wise name change.
No one really knows why Arnold George Dorsey thought the switch to Engelbert Humperdink was a step up and a battle won.
Stevie Wonder was possibly named after an Appalachian backwoods themepark: Steveland Judkins. OK, maybe not, but bless the agent who told him a name reinvention was in order.
[Hey, is that Jay-Z? Nope, it's Stevie Wonder]
Pepsi made a right turn when they changed their name from the original dubbing of Brad’s Drink (besides being a non-eventful name, does anyone else get visions of some basement-jockey making nondescript beverages in bathtubs?). The company soon went on to make a wrong turn, though, when they spent beaucoup bucks on a Chinese ad campaign in which a poor translation turned their slogan “Pepsi gives you life” into “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.” Needless to say, it scared the natives. At least now they know the foolproof system for ad campaigns: a Bob Dylan song and plenty of celebrity endorsement.
Gerald Ford was once Leslie Lynch King Jr. Perhaps he foresaw that the name might be too monarchic for a representative democracy?
Would Mother Teresa be as endearing if she were still riddled with the top-point-Scrabble-letters as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu?
YAHOO used to be called Jerry's Guide to the World Wide Web. Which would mean your email address could’ve been hotstuff@Jerrysguidetotheworldwideweb.com. Every secretary managing an email database manually is thanking her lucky stars right now. YAHOO was an improvement. Especially since they chose the acronym version instead of the full name: Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle. Not even sure what that means.
Name changes can be game changers. I mean would “Google” be the word of the decade if the corporation was still inexplicably named BackRub? Would Nintendo be the cornerstone of so many youths’ childhoods if they had had to ask mom for a Marafuku set instead?
We’re following in this long list of timely and mostly necessary name changes. All the cool kids are doing it! And unlike Datsun, who expended $30 mill, 3 years and the Datsun Fairlady in their switch to Nissan, we’re making a smooth transition.
[Datsun Fairlady]
What you formerly knew and loved as The Gazette (a little too macro), has now been specialized into The OC Gazette. Like all good gangs, we wanna give props to our hood, Orange County. We've re-branded the blog to match the name change as you might have noted. Plus, check out our new logo embracing our new name:
What’s in a name? A lot, it turns out. Which is exactly why Mr. Ed is no longer known as Bamboo Harvester.
Cheers,
Jen
On my iPod: "Let It Bleed" by The Rolling Stones
P.S. Meet our new mascott and mischief man, Mr. G. What up G?
The OC Gazette is a free local Orange County, CA magazine that reaches 100,000 homes. We're dedicated to music, art, entertainment, community, people - in short, everything local. Visit our website at www.theocgazette.com, and look for The OC Gazette magazine on newstands or in your mailbox. This blog is dedicated to all the things concerning Orange County, and features things that we couldn't fit in the magazine, be they notes, thoughts, reader feedback, or local happenings. So check back often for updates!
Note: these are opinions, not facts. Enjoy, friends.
