Classes begin in June but registration is already open. June classes include Mad Men Summer Cocktail Party (which I’ve already registered for!), Spanish Tapas, Skinny Delicious Dinner Party, Know Your Knife and many more! These three hour classes are usually $69 a person but can range from $69 to $85. If you don’t win the two spots in this giveaway, don’t worry, you can still have your opportunity to cook! I Heart OTO followers will receive a 20% discount on all June classes! Just go to the website HERE to register for the June class of your choice and enter the code ‘iheartOT’ to get the discount. Baking and Cooking boot camps for kids ages 5-12 will begin in July and also be on the lookout for free demos!  To find out more about Adventures in the Kitchen Cooking School and the classes offered, visit the website HERE.

Contest ends Monday, May 27th at noon. Winner will be announced Tuesday!

Enter to Win: 

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Discounted tickets are now available for the 2nd annual TEDxChapmanU on June 4, 2013 ! Enjoy an afternoon of inspiring speakers including the President/COO of SpaceX and President/COO of The Los Angeles Times. Click HERE to get your discounted tickets today.

Saturday, May 25, 9am-1pm: This weekend at the Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market is a special event  where you can learn to grow a giant pumpkin! Led by Stuart Shim, a giant pumpkin kahuna, master gardener and horticologist, the workshop will feature complete instructions on how to get your gourds to go big. Attendees also will receive complimentary giant pumpkin seeds. The market takes place on the corner of Cypress and Palm in Orange.

Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27: Summerhill Antiques Memorial Day Sale. Storewide discounts from 10 – 15% off. Summerhill Antiques is located at 110 South Glassell Street in Orange. You can call them at (714)771-7782 for more info.

Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27, 10am-5pm: Country Roads Antiques is having their summer kick-off sale. Join them Memorial Day Week-end for some great stuff, at great discounts! Become a Fan on the Country Roads Facebook Page to see some of their goodies. The store is located at 204 West Chapman, Orange, CA 92866. You can call (714) 532-3041 with any questions.

Monday, May 27, 10:30am: “The Spirit of Freedom” Memorial Day Event will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Featuring the Blue Eagles Honor Guard, Military Guest Speakers, Memorial Flights–Aerial Fly Over. Entertainment by the Star-Spangled Singer, OC Concert Band, Mellowaires, Dapper Tappers, and “America’s Wars” Life Sized Photo Essays, Antique Car Display, and more. Celebrate Memorial Day the right way by honoring those who deserve recognition. Fairhaven Park is located at 1702 Fairhaven Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Call (714) 633-1442.

Monday, May 27: All Orange Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hours resume Tuesday, May 28th.

Wednesday, May 29, 9am-4:30pm: Park Plaza will join an estimated 100,000 older adults across the country to celebrate the 20^th annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day® (NSHFD) on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.  The special day of awareness themed “Think Healthy, Eat Healthy, Act Healthy…Be Healthy!” is free and open to the public to participate in local fitness activities.  As the nation’s largest health promotion for older adults, the common goal is to keep older Americans healthy and fit. Park Plaza will start the day with a great breakfast and then head to the fitness center for a fitness assessment from 9:00am to 11:00am. From 11:00am to 3:00pm, Park Plaza will then head to Emerald Court Senior Living Community in Anaheim for some fun outdoor activities and a “Healthy Barbecue”.  The return trip to Park Plaza is planned in time for an afternoon stretch from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., then back to the dining room for a healthy dinner.  Those who would like to stay at Park Plaza will enjoy a co-ed bowling tournament followed by a “Senior Stretch at 1:00 p.m. Located at 620 South Glassell Street, Orange, CA 92866, call Park Plaza to register or for more information at 714-997-5355, visit the website HERE or follow on Facebook HERE.

Friday, May 31, 5-7pm: Arlena Schott and Annie Haven will be at The Dragonfly Shops & Gardens. Arlena will be there with her Magical Miniature Garden Tour demonstration on how to create adorable fairy gardens. Annie will have her Moo Poo Tea Talk, enlightening people on how to use Moo Poo Tea in your gardens before watering and feeding to give them the nutrients they need. Happy hour & snacks are from 5-6pm, and the program starts at 6pm. There is no cost for this event, but call (714)289-4689 to reserve your spot today.

Friday, May 31, 5-9pm: Paris In A Cup Tea Salon & Café is having a fun ladies’ night so reserve your spot now for their Girls Night Out Fashion Show. The night is all about tips on how to maximize your wardrobe with tips and tricks from fashion consultant Carol Dobbs. Tickets are $25 per person. Call (714)538-9411 to reserve your seat today!

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Saturday, May 18, 8:00am-1:30pm:

Saturday, May 18, 9am-1pm: It’s “Doggit at the Market” day at the Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market. Bring your dog to the market and support many local rescue organizations, get great tips from pet care booths, meet local pet food and pet training specialists, enter the Doggit raffle, and maybe put your dog into action on the Dog Sportz Agility course. Just remember that dogs are to be leashed at all times in the Doggit Market front area. There will also be dog sitters to watch your pups for you while you shop. We love our four-legged friends!

Saturday, May 18, 10am-5pm: BBQ Sensation Merchandise arrives at Julep’s Floral and Gifts. Just in time for summer entertaining. Stop by Juleps, located at 123 South Orange Street, Orange, CA 92866. You can call them at (714) 771-7231.

Saturday, May 18, 3-3:45pm: Come learn the fascinating secrets of honey bees at this FREE program featuring live bees! Presented by the Guerilla Beekeepers of Silverado Canyon. This event is open to all ages. Call (714)288-2420 with any questions.

Sunday, May 19, 4pm: Author John Lescroart will be at Book Carnival Bookstore in Orange. Come meet the author and learn about his new book The Ophelia Cut.
Book Carnival is located at 348 S. Tustin Avenue, Orange, CA 92866.

Monday, May 20, 2-3pm: Monday Mysteries Book Discussion Group meets today at the Orange Public Library & History Center to discuss Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Call (714)288-2410 if you have questions.

Tuesday, May 21, 11-11:30am: Join volunteer music teacher, Miss Mary, at the Orange Public Library for some fun music lessons! Contact (714)288-2420 if you have any questions.

Friday, May 24: City Hall is closed all day.

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I wanted to share some things about what Rebecca does with you, so I asked her to send me a few pointers so that I got it right and put the correct information out there. I just loved this part of what she sent over to me…

I am this weird, unique combination of creative and analytical. With me, these two things are never compartmentalized, but are always complimentarily being utilized. I’d say that I’m a photographer and media expert—but my passion for geography, landscape and people always shows through in my photographs. If I say that I am a geographer who loves making maps and conducting research, well, photography and aesthetics play a large part into what I do.

When we first met up to talk about the map, Rebecca and I had a drink at Citrus City Grille and I discovered that she has the most unique package of qualities, and we actually have a lot of things in common. She has a passion for urban geography and would love to somehow create an urban community garden in OTO ( I would love that too!). She’s a wonderful photographer, she’s a videographer and very technically skilled.

Her perfect scenario would be to be known as the ‘go to’ photographer in Old Towne Orange for events, or for businesses that need their products photographed, or realtors that need their listings shot. She also enjoys doing family portraits, head shots and capturing special moments in life.

Technically speaking, Rebecca is Geographer holding a degree in Geography and Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). As a Geographer, she specializes in demographic analysis, business and community development and for five years she conducted research and community development in Los Angeles. She was even selected to present her research to Members of Congress and Senate and it was also sent to President Obama for his viewing. So cool!

I loved this next part of what she sent me too…

When I adventured into Orange for the first time, I knew I wanted to live here and be an active part of the community. First, Orange reminded me of my hometown in the Midwest. Second, Orange is a geographer’s dream. It’s rich in history, local businesses are valued, and there are many active organizations. The city is walkable and “everybody knows your name”—all factors of a great community.  Orange is a community that I wanted to be an active, contributing member to. When the need for a new map was suggested, I saw an opportunity to contribute my cartography experience with my “heart for Old Towne Orange.”

Right? Don’t so many of you feel that way about our city too??

Rebecca has 15 years of experience in photography and videography for businesses and community organizations. She also has 10 years experience in media production and marketing in the private and non-profit sectors. She’s clearly got a lot of tricks in her bag and she’s looking for her next project. You can contact Rebecca via website, www.rebeccakelly.us , email: rebeccakellyw@gmail.com or by phone 262-412-3479.

You can take a look at the awesome map she created for me by clicking on the picture below:

You should also follow her photography page on Facebook by clicking HERE and check out some of her amazing work in the photos on the page. Here’s a great album from the recent 125 year city celebration (click image below).

Rebecca, I can’t thank you enough for helping me out with the map. I look forward to making it interactive soon with all of our local businesses too! You are the BEST!!!

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“My home bakery is special because all orders are homemade from scratch and are made fresh to order, and delivered within 24 hours of coming out of the oven.  I sell individual cookies and muffins in varying quantities based on customer’s needs. I have been baking for years with my mom, Madge (the bakery’s namesake) and recently decided to turn it into my own business since every time we made our cookies or muffins for others, everyone asked why we weren’t selling them since they are so good.  I deliver anywhere within Orange County at no additional cost. I do not have a retail facility. My goal is to start selling at some of the local farmers markets. My menu currently consists of:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Banana Crumb Muffins

• Zucchini Bread Muffins

People have asked me about adding other baked goods to my menu, but I will only bake and sell goods that I know are delicious in flavor and texture.

 A little about me and why I decided to open a home food business…Earlier this year I quit my full time job as a Project Manager at a successful software company to pursue my dream of having my own business. Since California just passed the Homemade Food Act at the beginning of this year, there are not many legal homemade food businesses. I discovered when applying for my business license in the city of Orange, that I was the first person in our city to implement this type of business. I was able to educate the city planning division and the city attorney’s office about this new type of business.”

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In honor of Sunspark’s 1 year anniversary, they are giving away 1 month of free, unlimited yoga along with a free yoga mat!

For a complete list of their classes from now until May 12, you can check out their Facebook page HERE. Whether or not you win this week’s awesome giveaway, you should definitely check out Sunspark and try some yoga. They have tons of really wonderful classes all throughout the week and weekends, including Sound and Healing Mediation, Restorative Yoga, Mat Pilates, classes based on hip hop moves, and so much more!

So to recap, this week’s prizes include: 1 month yoga FREE + 1 yoga mat!

The giveaway closes on Sunday at noon. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

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Saturday, May 11,9am-1pm: It’s the second Saturday of the month, which means Bikes Build Futures will be accepting donations of used bicycles at the Orange Home Grown Farmer’s and Artisans Market!

Saturday, May 11, 11am-4pm: It’s National Train Day! Ride the Metrolink Train down to Union Station in Los Angeles and you will be greeted with train equipment displays, live entertainment, giveaways, educational exhibits, and more! Click HERE for more details on the event.

Saturday, May 11, 12-3pm: Come to Tiddlywinks OC to help celebrate Mother’s Day! They will be hosting Mother Sorrel Cottontail from the Calico Critters Collection in our store. She will be stopping by from 12pm-3pm to play with all of our friends and we will be having arts, crafts, and raffles! Call them at (714)997-8697 with questions. Visit them in the Orange Plaza!

Saturday, May 11, 1-3pm: The City of Orange Presents the Free Summer Expo. The City of Orange offers an amazing variety of camp fun for kids of all ages.   Selecting the right camp can be a challenge for parents, so this year Orange is trying something new, we are offering a free sneak preview of all of our summer camp fun in one day. The Expo will be an afternoon of special demonstrations, hands-on activities, and summer camp information, all in one convenient location.  On-site registration will be available for those who want to make sure their kids get into the most popular classes. The event will take place at Sports Center at Grijalva Park located at 368 N. Prospect Ave., Orange 92869. For more information about the Expo, or any of the City of Orange summer programs, please contact Morgan Gonzalez, Recreation Services Supervisor, at mgonzalez@cityoforange.org or (714) 744-5570.

Saturday, May 11- Sunday May 12, 11am & 2:30pm: Take mom to “Paris” for Mother’s Day this year at Paris in a Cup Tea Salon. Guests will be treated to a five course tea and mothers will receive a nice gift. Make your reservations early. This Mother’s Day menu includes sparkling apple cider, hot tea, iced tea, or coffee, scones, salad, assorted tea sandwiches, and dessert. The cost is $59.95 per guest or $29.95 per child. Call (714) 538-9411 to reserve your place today!

Saturday, May 11, 12-4pm: Orange High School FFA is holding their annual Farm Fest at the OHS Agriculture Department. Farm Fest is Orange High FFA’s annual open house. This event is run completely by the students and their teacher from planning it to running it. They open the farm to the community to show animals, agriculture and where our food comes from in our community. They have animals, displays, games, prizes, demonstrations, sheep shearing, petting zoo, food and lots of fun. Most people in Orange do not realize that we have a full working farm in the middle of Orange with a bunch of city Cows and city Pigs! There will be petting zoo animals to see including Lama, alpaca, goats, sheep, mini horses, and their new addition Norman, a mini steer they were able to buy with donation from the Orange Home Grown. It is their main fundraiser for the year and all money goes right back into the farm to keep it running. Admission is $3.00 and $5.00 for the lunch deal. Call 714-997 6299 for details. Orange High School’s farm is located at the corner of Walnut and Harwood at the end inside campus.

Saturday, May 11, 1:30pm: The Orange Public Library will have a special presentation by Sam Dawson, author of Broad Appeal. Broad Appeal is the culmination of Sam Dawson’s candid conversations with mature women that reveals that “over‐the­‐hill” is actually a new and exciting frontier. These everyday women share their wit and wisdom on such subjects as:

• What is great about being older than sixty
• Why physical changes are a laughing matter
• How to love large and ditch the toxic people
• When to employ the “give­‐a­‐bleep” factor and live life your way.

Get ready for a surprising and uplifting read that will inspire you to live a fun­‐filled, outrageous, and joyful life.

Saturday, May 11, 7pm: Haunted Orange County in cooperation with the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society is proud to Present An Evening With Poe. This event is the first of it’s kind held at the historic Howe-Waffle House in downtown Santa Ana and will feature live readings by costumed actors, refreshments, in a Victorian setting. Tickets to this event are $30 per person and are extremely limited. Space will fill soon.

Sunday, May 12, 2pm: Book Signing at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Sponsored by the OSLC book club. Come meet the author Lana Dalberg, Villa Park High school graduate, lay theologian and storyteller. She leads workshops linking spirituality with writing and social justice in congregations and retreat centers throughout the United States. Her award-winning writing has appeared in many publications and anthologies. Lana holds a master’s of fine arts in Writing from the University of San Francisco and a master’s in Theological Studies from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Hear her stories, ask questions. Location: Creek View Senior Apt Complex 353 S Tustin Avenue, Orange.

Friday, May 17, 6pm: Beer & Cheese pairing at Valiant Brewing. Come out to the tasting room (located at 2294 N. Batavia, Unit C, in Orange) and try a special beer & cheese pairing at the Valiant Tasting room. $15 for a flight of samples including a pre-taste of First Flight a 13.7% Strong Ale. We’ll also have a pairings for each beer of cheese and specialty fingerfoods.

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The Orange Police Department has received reports of two males attempting to distract the homeowners to gain entry into the residence. These individuals will sometimes pose as handymen, contractors or utility company workers. The ruse that they use varies. Regardless of the ruse, one male distracts the homeowner while the other commits the burglary/theft.   Sometimes this includes having the homeowners walk outside of their home.

Never allow anyone in your home you don’t know or are not expecting. This includes allowing access into your backyard. If you feel the purpose for their visit is legitimate, call and verify their information before making a decision to allow them into your home. If it sounds or looks suspicious, it probably is.

In our most recent case, two males were wearing clothes resembling construction uniforms and described as Middle Eastern, 20 – 30 years old, average build and weight, black hair and no facial hair or accent. The ruse they used was that they were hired by their neighbor to do some construction work and needed to access their backyard. One of the males convinced the homeowner to walk to the backyard with her, while the other stayed in the front and attempted to go inside. Fortunately, the homeowner locked her door prior to walking to the backyard, which prevented the crime.

When you see a suspicious person or vehicle in your neighborhood, call the Orange Police Department immediately at 714-744-7444. For any in-progress crime, call 9-1-1.

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What are your plans for Mother’s Day? Do they involve a delicious FREE champagne plated brunch at Ruby’s Diner Orange Depot & The Streamliner Lounge? Well what are you waiting for? Enter our giveaway and win a yummy brunch for you, mom and the whole family!

If you haven’t already been, Ruby’s Diner & Streamliner Lounge are really cool spots right by the Orange Depot, just outside the Plaza. The minute you step inside you can sense what a unique place it is. There’s even a giant model train that runs right above the dining area (always a big hit with the kids). The family friendly atmosphere won’t disappoint on Mother’s Day, nor will the champagne that comes with it!

For this week’s giveaway I’ll be giving out free brunch at Ruby’s/Streamliner for up to 6 people! They are already 50% booked for Mother’s Day, so now’s your chance to get a delicious brunch on the house! I highly recommend you call and make a reservation anyway and if you win, we’ll make sure they know that yours is FREE! Call (714)639-7829 and mention you heard it from me on Facebook or Twitter! 

Brunch is from 10 am to 3pm on May 12 and includes:

• Choice of 1 starter: Blueberry Blintz, Smoked Salmon or Yogurt Parfait.
• Choice of 1 entree: Omelettes, Cinnamon Roll French toast, Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros or Corned Beef Scramble.
• 1 glass of sparkling champagne or O.J. – you can also pay an additional $3 for a bottomless glass of the sparkly stuff.
• Best of all it’s only $14.50 per person!

Contest ends Saturday night and I will announce the winner Sunday morning.

Enter below:
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Orange Blossoms Auxiliary, an Auxiliary of Assistance League® of Orange (ALO) provides grants for educational enrichment to assist teachers and counselors in the elementary schools of the Orange Unified School District. The funds granted through this program may be used for equipment, field trips, or classroom aids not funded by (but approved by) the school district. Projects should directly benefit and involve students, and/or improve or increase self-esteem and encourage interdisciplinary instruction, team teaching, or multiple teacher use, multi-age structures, and/or cooperative learning experiences.

Grant applications may be obtained from your school’s office or by downloading the Orange Blossoms application HERE.

Links to Learning awards range from $100-$1000.

Your typed application, budget (including all associated costs such as equipment, supplies, taxes and shipping fees), and a cover page including your name, school, school address, project title, and the principal’s signature should be emailed to Learning@OrangeBlossomsALO.org.

Orange Blossoms Auxiliary and Assistance League of Orange has been dedicated to serving the community for 70 years. We feel “enriching a child’s education benefits us all.” Assistance League is a volunteer service organization that supports philanthropic programs that meet our community needs.

Applications must be received by May 15, 2013. Please send to:

Jasmine Corapci
Links to Learning
124 South Orange Street
Orange, CA 92866

or contact

Learning@OrangeBlossomsALO.org
(714) 264-0786

An allocation committee comprised of members of Orange Blossoms Auxiliary, an Auxiliary of Assistance League of Orange will review all applications. Awards will be announced by May 25, 2013.

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