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"

Black {Bra} Friday!

Guess what? {Intimacy} bra boutique (in Westfield Century City and and at South Coast Plaza) will be running their first official Black Friday promotion! They are giving away $15,000 worth of prizes company-wide to the first 50 customers who purchase a bra on Friday, November 26! Prizes range from $5 off your purchase to a $100 gift card, and include some of their bestsellers – free Hanky Panky thongs, lingerie wash, world famous Spanx products, and more! 

[click above flier to enlarge]

Have a delicious Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday!

Happy Shopping :)

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Peggy Lee's "I'll Be Seeing You"

StandUp on the Vine was a hit!

 You might remember our post about the StandUp on the Vine event that was to be held at Bacchus Secret Cellar a couple weeks ago- well, the night came and was a smash hit! Cal State Fullerton students held a wine tasting night to raise money and awareness for the nonprofit organization StandUp For Kids; StandUp on the Vine brought in over $2,600 and more than 50 attendees! So far, StandUp For Kids has raised $36,00 of the $380,000 needed to build the center. Once built, the center will provide youth with supplies, counseling services, a drop-in center, transitional housing, and a central meeting location for StandUp For Kids.

All proceeds from the night will go toward building a transitional living center for the homeless youth of Orange County. Bacchus owners Jeff and Valerie Roos generously donated an additional 50% of ticket sales to StandUp For Kids. 

The night included a performance by the Ryan Rost Quartet, with pianist Kei Akagi (who has worked with the likes of Miles Davis)! The band donated their time and talent for the night's festivities:

A number of great items were raffled off, including spa packages, Duck tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and jewelry.

Some happy attendees:

The place was a-bustlin':

 Another group of attendees happily tasting away:

The menu included four choices of red and white wines, two beer choices, and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. Appetizers and desserts were also served.

At 7:13, a candlelight vigil was held to honor the 13 children who die daily on the streets.


StandUp For Kids was founded in 1990 and is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless and at-risk youth by providing them with access to health services, life skills training, and basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. To find out more or to make a donation, visit www.standupforkids.org

Bacchus Secret Cellar is always hosting cool events and even has a nightly happy hour! Be sure to check out their website so you'll be in the loop for the next great event!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Aimee Mann's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Beauty & The Beast at OCPAC

"Little town, it's a quiet village, little town, like the one before. Little town, full of little people waking up to say-"
"Bonjour!"
"Bonjour!"

And thus begins the familiar, epic love story, Beauty and the Beast. Good news for kids, romantics, and Disney-lovers alike: the classic tale hit OCPAC's stage on Tuesday and is currently playing nightly, with two performances (afternoon and night) scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The only bad news is that the play's taking a short run- its closing night is this Sunday, November 21st. Amy and I were able to attend opening night, and the place was packed with enthusiastic people like us, so I advise you to plan a night and nab your tickets quickly! They start at just $20!

I think there's a bit of Belle in us all- aching for adventure, romance, and wanting a little more than what everyone says we ought to be content with. It's not that we're ungrateful, it's that, like Belle, we're dreamers. We have something in us that stirs us to pursue greatness. We have hope. 
Liz Shivener plays Belle, and along with her characteristically graceful optimism, Shivener adds a hint of sauciness- Shivener's Belle bites back a bit more than the colorful cartoon we're all used to, but she does so in a way that doesn't draw us away from the Belle we love; rather, her portrayal adds even more life and fullness to an already dynamic heroine. Picture classic Disney Belle with a sprinkle of Amy Poehler.

[Liz Shivener as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (c) Joan Marcus]

Opposite Liz Shivener is Justin Glaser as the Beast. Arguably one of the most complex Disney "princes," the Beast is a tough role to play. Glaser tackles the role with gusto, portraying a Beast that is at times intimidating and unpredictable, and at times vulnerable and misunderstood. The Beast is like an onion, and Glaser makes himself the best sort of onion. Midway through Act II, we're a bit more familiar with the Beast, and ready to chum up to him, despite his little temper tantrums. It doesn't hurt that he has the voice of an angel. Picture He-Man mixed with Josh Groban and Will Ferrell as the Devil.

[Justin Glaser as the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (c) Joan Marcus]

The play is filled with all the familiar Disney songs plus a few more new songs sprinkled into the mix. There were two show-stealing scenes, in my humble opinion; one of which was NETwork's renditions of "Be Our Guest" (in which golden-clad cutlery prances among elaborately decorated dishes and salt and pepper shakers in a beautifully choreographed number that ends with "champagne explosions" on stage and confetti streamers into the audience [who doesn't love confetti? The audience went wild]):

[Liz Shivener as Belle and the cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (c)Joan Marcus]

 The second of my two favorite scenes was the pub scene with the singing of "Gaston." I should back up to mention that Nathaniel Hackmann as Gaston stole the show. The man is brimming with talent and oozing personality- two traits that work well in his favor as he portrays the world's most lovable egomaniac, Gaston. Hackmann sprinkled his portrayal with freeze-frame sports/model poses, one-hand eye-brow smoothing, Elvis-like pelvic movements, and a brilliant use of chin. Picture John Travolta as Danny Zuko mixed with Uncle Jesse and add Elvis' hips. Got it? Good. 

In NETwork's performance of "Gaston," the 15 or so members of the pub crowd sing and dance in an impressively choreographed routine, complete with rhythmic metal beer stein clinking, stomping, and overall hoo-hawing. It was glorious. Words fail to fully describe it, so I will simply say this: see it.

[Justin Glaser as the Beast and Liz Shivener as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (c) Joan Marcus]

I've seen the Disney movie a thousand times, but NETwork's production still had me on the edge of my seat wondering if Belle and the Beast would fall in love before the last rose petal dropped- and anxious for a stage transformation of the Beast into a handsome prince.
SPOILER ALERT! The magical transformation did of course occur, and it was far from the cheesy, fog-machine, man-behind-the curtain swap scene from a high school drama that I half expected; the Beast's body rose into the air and swiveled by the use of what I can only assume was an invisible harness, lights flashed and twinkled (in a way that didn't interrupt the audience's perception of the scene), and truly, like magic, the Beast was transformed into a man. He and Belle have the moment of recognition, kissing ensues, warm feelings blanket the audience, and we have our ever-welcome happily ever after ending. Watch for Chip, the boy who was a teacup- he turns into quite possibly the cutest little red-haired boy imaginable. 

So, if you're in the mood for a little romance, a little magic, a little wit, and a lot of fun, grab a couple loved ones and head to OCPAC for a performance that won't disappoint. Remember: closing night is this Sunday, November 21st! So, plan a night and get your tickets now! Like I said, they start at only $20 per person!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Disney's "Gaston"

TACA's Ante Up For Autism Event

Autism is a National Emergency: 

Did you know that 1 in every 91 children is diagnosed with autism?
More than 2 million are living with autism in the United States.
Every 21 minutes a parent is being told their child has autism.

TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to speed up the time from diagnosis to treatment for families who have just received an autism diagnosis. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families with the professionals who can help them, leading to a better quality of life for people affected by autism. 

I mentioned last week (here) that Amy and I would be attending Ante Up For Autism, a poker night fundraiser held by TACA at St. Regis Resort. Well, it was awesome! I took plenty of pictures to show you guys, so I'll let those do the talking:

 [Olympic Gold Medal Hurdle Winner Felix Sanchez & Red Carpet MC Renee Herlocker]

[Actor Jacob Vargas]

[Actor/Producer/Writer Sevier Crespo]

[Actress/Singer Kate Voegele] 

[Kate Voegele chatting with Amy]

"It's really inspiring to me to see an organization like TACA being determined to diagnose [autism] early, and really investigate what is making it such an increasing issue among children. It was amazing to me to read that something like one in 90 children are diagnosed with autism. So, it's pretty awesome to be here and be a part of it." -Kate Voegele, to Amy 

[Actor Johnathon Schaech]

[Amy gets a word in with Johnathon Schaech...we're hoping he liked our That Thing You Do allusions]

"I've been coming [to this event] for about four years now...being a creative artist, I'm artistic and I relate to the autistic. They need forms of expression; they need to be understood. They are misunderstood, and places like TACA provides parents with places to take their children to find hope to get through troubled times that they're going to face with an autistic child.
It's a silent epidemic. People are scared to admit that it's actually happening. TACA offers a responsible hope; they don't feed you falseness. They make sure you understand that it's a journey...Curing is one thing, but also just helping a child get through his day is another." -Johnathon Schaech, to Amy

[Event host- and retired NFL QB- Jim Everett]

[Amy makes friends with event host Jim Everett, his wife Rachel, and their two daughters. Turns out the Everetts live in OC!]

"We understand the mountains that each family has to climb with children, let alone family with autism. So, we believe that if we can help build awareness about where they can find help and assistance so we can make a difference. If we can make a difference in one child's life, great; but hopefully we can make a difference in 20,000 or more." -Jim Everett, to Amy

"I have a friend named Dylan, and he has autism. We were friends since we were very little, and he;s about my age- two months apart. I think TACA's really going to help him." -Alexandra Everett, Jim Everett's daughter

[Retired NFL player Mike Lansford, also an OC native]

[Mike Lansford takes a minute to chat with Amy]

"I don't have a personal connection [with autism]; I played with Jim Everett, so I had no choice. [laughs] He did not drag me here...to show up to this event, and to raise awareness for autism and for TACA is our pleasure." -Mike Lansford, to Amy

[BMX Rider Stephen Murray]

[Stephen Murray tells Amy about his interest in TACA]

"I know they'll find a cure for autism. The stuff these parents go through for their kids is amazing." -Stephen Murray, to Amy

[Amy gets some face time with world champion cyclist Brian Lopes, who happens to be an OC native!]

“I’m good friends with Pat and Stephanie and they’re heavily involved with TACA. Their kid has autism. So, basically from the first year that this event was put on, I came here to support them and to support TACA and help raise money. 
I never win. Not at poker. That’s not my game. I don’t really like gambling that much, but I like to do it here because it’s for a good cause.”  -Brian Lopes, to Amy

As you can see, the place was brimming with all kinds of talent- athletic, musical, and otherwise- and we got to chat with a great selection of these bigwigs! We had a blast! After the red carpet entry, we ventured to the courtyard for the cocktail hour and silent auction. There was some great loot up for auction.

[Two of the Thomas Kincade paintings up for auction. The proceeds from the silent auction went to TACA]

[Beautiful St. Regis! Amy made me take this]

Here's a shot looking back down at the courtyard auction. It's not the clearest shot, but it gives you an idea of the turnout- it was a hit!

To learn more,  visit TACA's website. You can join for free, find support and mentoring, find out about some cool upcoming events, and more- you can even shop for a cause on TACA's site!


-Blythe

on my iTunes: Sea Wolf's "You're a Wolf"