I’m a huge tennis fan so I’ve been watching, when I can, end-to-end daily coverage of Wimbledon on ESPN2, until yesterday. I woke up early and saw the end of the Federer match. At 7:00 a.m. PDT, ESPN announces that they are going to stay with the match until it ends, but that NBC is picking up the coverage at 10:00 a.m. in ALL time zones. WTF?

That means the rest of the live matches will be over by the time 10:00 a.m. rolls around here and the scores posted all over the Internet. There were only eight matches yesterday, four women’s and four men’s. It happened again today, no live matches after Safina’s (which went past 7:00/10:00 a.m.) and there were only four women’s matches. The same stupid set-up is scheduled for tomorrow. God forbid they preempt the Today Show. Does anyone on the West Coast even watch it? Everyone I know either watches Good Day L.A. or KTLA.

By the way, NBC pulled this same bullshit with the 2008 Summer Olympics … tape delaying coverage for the West Coast, while airing live on the East Coast. I mean seriously, the Olympics, they only come around every four years. We couldn’t even watch Fishy Phelps win his 8th gold medal live. Is anyone else as pissed-off about this as me?

So you ask, what the hell does this have to do with Orange County? It’s where my TV is. Simple as that.

I had dinner at the Ruby’s at the Irvine Spectrum last night, along with my wonderful colleagues here at the OC Metblogs.

Now, I asked for a grilled cheese sandwich, and a side of Frings. You know, that delectable mixture of fries and onion rings.

The waitress said that wasn’t an option for a side, and I could only get it as a separate appetizer.

Now, maybe some early Alzheimer’s is kicking in, but I swear I have ordered Frings as a side to my main entree before and even though I was charged extra, I got what I wanted.

Can anyone tell me if my memory is correct, or am I lying to myself?

According to the Register, a nudist group lost a court battle to keep Trail 6 of San Onofre Beach a legal haven for the clothing-less.

Problem is that there was no true set policy, the one being relied upon to fight the legal ban on nudity at public beaches being a letter written by a deputy-director parks official twenty years ago.

I’m no jurist, but a letter, as opposed to an official memo, doesn’t sound like a valid reason to being an exception to the existing no-nudity policy.

I don’t think the human body is something one should be ashamed of, but I think it is presumptuous of people who wish to be nude to assume that someone on a public beach is OK with seeing them nude. I have no problem with nudists, but I am of the opinion that they should keep their nudity confined to the eyes of like-minded people.

And on a public beach, that just isn’t possible.

Well, actually it’s Buy One Get One Free. BUT that’s still an awesome deal!

And what’s better is that it’s until July 12! So you can print up a bunch of these and do it over and over again!

C’mon. Buy something refreshing AND good for you!
(mostly….read the nutritional facts to see what I mean. Of course, they’re always a better decision than McDonald’s)

I would include a store locator, but let’s face it. Who in Orange County doesn’t know where the nearest Jamba is?? That’s like saying you don’t know where the local Starbucks is.

Tomorrow, June 27th from 10AM to 4PM, enjoy what is being billed as a “Bizarre Guitar” competition!

WHAT: MUZEO’s popular Guitar Hero Competition continues with an all-new version entitled “Bizarre Guitar,” in honor of the Bizarre Beasts exhibition now open at MUZEO. “Bizarre Guitar” participants will receive prize points for the following activities: Guitar Hero scores, wearing a costume, bringing a friend, answering trivia questions about the exhibition and more. Every one wins. Prizes range from MUZEO tickets for future exhibitions to cool posters and MUZEO totes. Top scoring Guitar Hero participants will be entered into a $100 grand prize drawing. Winner announced at 4:30 PM. Must be present to win.

WHEN: Saturday, JUNE 27, 2009 (10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.)

WHERE: The MUZEO 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily INFO: (714) 95-MUZEO • (714) 956-8936 • www.muzeo.org Parking available in the structure at Center Street Promenade and S. Lemon St.

HOW: Admission: $13 for adults and $9 for children (12 and under) to participate and enjoy the exhibition, MONSTERS & BEASTS, Hairy, Scary and Unleashed. For more information and to register for Bizarre Guitar www.muzeo. 241 S Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA, 92805www.muzeo.org 714.95.MUZEO 714.956.8936

The other day I was walking on PCH in Laguna Beach and I saw the above meter against a wall. Upon further investigation I realized it was part of a program the local businesses and residents have implemented to stop panhandling in the city. As I thought more about it, I realized that it has been a while since I have been approached for change when walking the downtown area. I am not opposed to helping those in need, but panhandling can get a little annoying, especially when they don’t believe that you don’t have any change. I have been challenged more than once, and most of the time I don’t, living off the debit card.
The program was launched last July and there are five parking meters that have been individually painted by local artists around the downtown area. The money goes to the Laguna Resource Center, which provides assistance to the homeless, as well as low income families.
I personally think this is a great way to go about it, and it gives a passerby the option to donate, and the homeless person an option to receive assistance if they want it.

For more information go to change4homeless.com

The OC Register just ran a story about how Disney/Pixar granted an Orange County girl’s dying wish to see Up. After hearing about Colby’s situation, Pixar sent someone to her house the next day with a DVD for a special in-home screening. Grab your kleenex before you click because this one’s a tear-jerker. I don’t have much more to say, mainly because I am a blubbering mess at the moment.

In 1955, Vice President Richard Nixon visits the less-than-1-month-old Disneyland Park in Anaheim, CA. Of the Seven Dwarfs whose names grace the cars in the “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” ride, “Slippery Dick” chooses “Dopey.”

Strong work Mr. Vice President.

But you know, it’s all relative.

According to this chart from the Register, we lag slightly behind both the United States and California unemployment rates.

But 8.6% is nothing to brag about, either. There is of course no number on those that have fallen of the unemployment rolls or those that are under-employed.

It’s weird because I know we are in a recession, or possibly a depression, but I still see plenty of people in restaurants, driving new luxury cars, and shopping malls aren’t exactly ghost towns.

I always wonder if people are still spending money they don’t really have, or if they can truly afford all of the things they buy and consume. There is no doubt in my mind that people here still feel as if they have to have all their material things to feel successful.

Are the latest numbers a harbinger of things to come? Or have we left the worst behind?

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, the Rockport store recently closed. However, as I was walking by the other day I saw workmen in the old store and a new sign go up for Pure Light, a create your own candle studio. I think this sort of thing is really fun, so I checked out their website to learn a little bit more about the store/studio and contacted the owner Judy Kelly for a bit more information. 

I recommend you read the story of how Pure Light came to be, it’s very touching and inspirational. The Kelly family truly developed a positive uplifting space and message when they created and opened Pure Light in Laguna Beach. They are hoping to bring that positive energy to the Irvine Spectrum (I think it’s great to have a local boutique store amongst all of the chains … IMHO, of course).

When do you plan on opening? 

If all goes to plan, we hope to open our doors in the Spectrum on Sunday, June 21… Summer Solstice and Father’s Day (in honor of my son and his being a father to Tyeson Lhyric). We will hold a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, July 9th.

Are you still going to have your Laguna Beach store?

Yes.

How will the Spectrum store be different or the same?

The Spectrum store will be primarily focused on candle making and gift shopping. We do have a “Celebration Room” where people can have candle making parties for birthdays, team celebrations, girls night out etc., along with a whole host of events that will soon show up on a separate calendar for the Irvine store on our website. The Laguna store is where we hold blessing ceremonies and can cater in food for a full service type of event in addition to the candle making and retail. The look and feel of both stores will be similar with a few different aspects to each store.  But we are all about Bali and nature and feel good.  

Why an additional location? 

Laguna Beach is magic, especially being in the Laguna Canyon, but the walk by traffic is non-existent. Most of our business is during the Sawdust Festival and events on weekends. We have had such an amazing response to the store with repeated requests that we open in cities all across the county so we thought we would give a modified model of the store a try in a high traffic area and see where it goes. It seems many people love candles, and the idea of making one themselves. It’s fun, positive, smells great, and people love to make them for themselves or to give as gifts.   

Why now?

Just being lead this way as I have been in this entire process of creating Pure Light. What we offer does not cost a lot of money, and it’s a very uplifting and positive experience for people to share with friends or family. There are a lot of reasons why, and in this economy, could be a lot of reasons to say not to. However, I trust the process and hope to provide something fun and uplifting that is a positive experience, and makes people feel good because it is something completely unusual that can be made with great meaning behind them, created by them. It helps with the void of lack of art in the schools, it’s not difficult to do, it appeals to so many of the senses, and no two candles made are ever the same. Why not now! We all need some good, positive experiences in our lives… especially now. We are about moving positive energy, so we hope to move some in a good direction.  

Are all of the same services going to be offered, that are available in LB, and at the same price? 

As I mentioned above, the candle making will be in both locations, along with our Candle Bouquet line and our retail gift shopping. Ceremonies and catering are only in Laguna. 

Is there anything you’d like to specifically make mention of or point people to on your website? 

If your readers are into something fun and unusual to do that will bring them accolades for finding something awesome, they should check us out, and the story behind us.

Can you accommodate children or is the candle making primarily geared to adults? 

We accommodate ages 5 on up! There is something for just about everyone.  

“We miss our son, Tyeson, so very much, but his creative spirit shines on at Pure Light and we are very blessed to feel his presence come through in the creative going on at the shops.  Check out our latest creations at www.CandleBouquet.com.  These are candles that can be sent as bouquets as an alternative to the traditional flower, cookie or fruit bouquets.  Each one has a message in a bottle.” ~ Judy Kelly

I am very much looking forward to checking this store out when it opens. Have any of you been to the Laguna Beach store? If so, what are you thoughts, impressions, etc.? 

In an interesting article in the LA Times today, Tony Barboza writes about some residents in the Wilshire Square area of Santa Ana being fed up with people going through their recycle bins.

So much so that they have signed up for a city program that provides them with containers originally built to withstand scavenging bears. Except the locks didn’t quite hold up to bears, but they’re hoping they will withstand a homeless person or two.

Resident Paula Faccou is quoted as saying:

“It just scared the living heck out of me,” said the 67-year-old retiree. “A complete stranger, standing outside. It was very brazen, and that’s pushing it too much. They have told me, ‘What’s your problem, lady? It’s just trash,’ but I pay for trash service. . . . I should decide where it goes.”

I have to say I’m ambivalent about the issue. I’m not sure that I’m cool with people taking something that someone has not intended for them, i.e. recycling that the property owners want the city to take care of, for themselves and their own personal profit. On the other hand, I understand that people are desperate, and you’d have to be fairly desperate to rummage through trashcans to make some money.

So, what you do you think?

photo courtesy of wikimedia commons

If I remember correctly, last June was scorching hot. I hate scorching hot.

And yes, I know that I probably live in the wrong geographical area for someone that doesn’t really like heat, but hey, I was born here.

So, count me out amongst the complainers. Give me clouds and cool breezes any day of the week.

And yes, even a bit of drizzle.

I’ve got a perma-tan from living here all my life, I don’t need to worry about the state of my tan lines.

Tomorrow Monday, June 15 is FREE hot dog day at Hot Dog On A Stick!!

Head over after work from 5-8pm! Yay!!!!!!!

Concerts in Hart Park: Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.

OK, so it’s kinda schmaltzy but who doesn’t love a free concert on a nice warm summer evening? So pack your snacks and drinkies and settle in for some free entertainment. Blankets or (low) lawn chairs are welcomed but leave you pets at home - nobody wants to listen to your Basset Hound howl. Additionally, food will be available for purchase courtesy of Kiwanis of Orange.

2009 Concerts in Hart Park dates:

• July 8, The Wise Guys Big Band Machine - Big band/swing music
• July 15, The Fenians - Traditional and contemporary Irish music
• July 22, Stone Soul - Motown, soul and R & B classics
• July 29, Open Wide - Classic rock
• August 5, Crashdance - Top 40 dance favorites
• August 12, The Sam Morrison Band - southern classic rock
• August 19, The Hodads - 50’s and 60’s rock-n-roll
• August 26, Film at Eleven - Motown and R & B classics

Hart Park is located at 701 South Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866

See you there!

I would like to thank the sisters of St. Joseph Hospital in Orange for providing some beauty and color on this colorless, gloomy day.