Orange County Archives - Page 16 of 22

Irvine Park Railroad’s Annual Easter Eggstravaganza Opens March 14!

March 1, 2015 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Who else is ready for Spring to get here already? I love the flowers and all of the new baby animals and Easter time! We are so excited about the return of The Easter Bunny Irvine Park Railroad for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza because we had SO much fun together last year! He’s hopping on over starting March 14th!

This year, Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza will begin March 14th and go through April 4th. It opens daily at 10:00 am. (Note: Irvine Regional Park and Irvine Park Railroad will be open on Easter Sunday, however, the Easter Eggstravaganza events will not be open on Easter Sunday.) This event is held inside of Locomotive Loop… just behind the train station. Children and adults can participate in a variety of fun activities in the beautiful Irvine Regional Park setting.

Here are some of our pictures from last year’s Easter Eggstravaganza!

Irvine Park Railroad train rides (1 ticket per person)
hay rides
carnival games (1 ticket per game)
a moon bounce (1 ticket per person)
face painting (2 tickets per person)
Easter cookie decorating (1 ticket per cookie)
picture stands (free for all visitors)
Easter Egg Hunts– (1 ticket per child) Children ages 2 through 12 can participate in the Easter egg hunt. Each egg will be filled with candy or a prize. Hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. (Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale.) Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt.
Easter Bunny photos– Children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny for the cost of $10.00. This cost includes a complimentary photo that will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff. Each additional print of the same photo is $6.00. Photos will be printed in a few, short minutes at the Easter Bunny booth.

Activity Tickets – $5.00 each

Book of 15 Activity Tickets – $60.00 ($15.00 Savings)

*Important Note: Coupons, discounts and any other promotions are not valid for the Easter Eggstravaganza dates and are not valid to receive a wrist band to enter the Easter egg hunt. Activities are not included with the purchase of Easter egg hunt tickets and are an additional cost.

Guess what? I’m having a giveaway and one lucky reader is going to win a package that’s worth approximately $70!

The prize package includes:

6 Tickets (which can be used to ride the train OR participate in Easter Eggstravaganza activities)
1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park surrey rental (excludes the double surrey)
1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental

All you have to do is enter on the Rafflecopter below! Be sure to follow the directions carefully! Hope to see you all at Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza in a couple of weeks! Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Irvine Park Railroad is open year-round and is located inside of Irvine Regional Park! They offer other annual events include the Anniversary Celebration, Fourth Grade California History Education Program, Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Tree Ranch, and Christmas Train.

Who Else is Excited That OC Restaurant Week Begins THIS Sunday March 1? Let’s Eat!

February 27, 2015 / Food, Let's Eat!, Lifestyle, Orange County

The 2015 Orange County Restaurant Week begins Sunday, March 1st and ends Saturday, March 7th. More than 100 restaurants are participating in the countywide event. During the event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional charge. Each restaurant will showcase its best offerings by talented chefs who will personalize each menu to reflect their individual culinary style. Participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus within the following price categories: lunch for $10, $15 or $20, and dinner for $20, $30, $40 or $50.

Here is a list of this year’s participating restaurants. (each name is linked to its menu):

The list of participating restaurants is also searchable by name, location and price point at http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com!

Also, in case you hadn’t heard, OC Restaurant Week is teaming with The Girl Scouts of Orange County this year to celebrate the world’s largest girl-led business….Girl Scout Cookies sales! OC Restaurant Week happens to be the last week that Girl Scout Cookies will be available on sale in Orange County until 2016. Select restaurants will offer delicious desserts inspired by and featuring Girl Scout Cookies! Some of the OC Restaurant Week participating restaurants are even hosting local Girl Scouts for a Preview Tasting, where girls will get the chance to taste the sweet treats and meet with the restaurant’s chef, helping them strive towards earning culinary and business badges. To see the full list of restaurants participating in this, click here.

Were you aware that you could also win dinner and a movie for a year? This year, the OC Restaurant Association is offering one lucky diner the opportunity to win! The public is encouraged to post photos from their dining experiences during OC Restaurant Week and use the hashtags #OCRestaurantWeek2015 or #OCRW2015. The photos will be entered to win a grand prize of twelve (12) $100 gift cards and 24 movie passes to enjoy dinner and a movie for two once a month for a year! Diners must post photos between March 1st and March 7th to qualify. How fun is that?

Who’s ready for Orange County’s favorite culinary event to start now? Where should we eat first on March 1st?

Presenting sponsor for the 2015 Orange County Restaurant Week is The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, in Huntington Beach. Other sponsors include Orange Coast Magazine, The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, 95.5 KLOS, The Fork Report with Neil Saavedra, Irvine Spectrum Center, Fashion Island, Celebrity Cruises, Sub-zero and Wolf, Orange County Register, OC Mom Network, Archive, Melissa’s Produce, Ketel One Vodka, Open Table, Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Greer’s OC, BREAD Artisan Bakery, and The Toll Roads.

You’re Invited to Kaleidoscope Center’s 5th Annual Easter Garden Party!

February 26, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Spring is on its way, with Easter not too far behind it! Mark your calendars because you are invited to Kaleidoscope Center’s Fifth Annual Easter Garden Party. Come out for this free family event on Saturday, April 4th from 12 to 2:30 p.m. when The Easter Bunny will hop into town!

The event will take place in the courtyard of the main level of the center and will kick off with an Easter egg hunt at 12 noon. Children should bring their own basket to collect Easter eggs. Passport cards will be given out to the first 200 children attending the event. They will help direct the children to Kaleidoscope businesses where they will each receive a candy-filled egg. (participants will receive one egg per business)

Children enjoy visiting with the Easter Bunny at last year’s Easter Garden Party at Kaleidoscope.

The Easter Garden Party will also offer a complimentary photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny for guests who bring their own camera. Adding to the fun will be cookie decorating from Donna B’s Bakery, free face painting, and a petting zoo with bunnies and baby chicks.

Connect with Kaleidoscope Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Orange County Simon Malls Will Make Books Come to Life at Their Annual Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast Event on February 28!

February 25, 2015 / Brea Mall, Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo, Westminster Mall

On Saturday, February 28, the Simon Kidgits Club® at Brea Mall, Westminster Mall and The Shops at Mission Viejo are welcoming families to experience the magic of reading at the mall. Each of these Orange County Simon® malls is hosting an annual Book Blast event and inviting parents and children to bring books to life through special read-aloud sessions, giveaways and story-inspired activities. The events will be taking place at the following times and locations:

The Shops at Mission Viejo: Event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on the center’s upper level near the Play Area. Book Blast event activities will kick off with an exciting read-aloud session of the “Olivia” book series, followed by a character appearance from “Olivia” herself, who will pose for photos with families. Children’s crafts and special retailer activities will be available as well.
Westminster Mall: Event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on the center’s lower level in Target Court.
Brea Mall: Event runs from noon to 2 p.m. in Center Court.

Simon is also teaming up with Better World Books to provide Kidgits Club members who attend the event with a pre-loved book and Kidgits seat cushion to take home, while supplies last. In addition, families are encouraged to bring a gently used book to the event at The Shops at Mission Viejo, to be donated to a local charity.

Simon Kidgits Club’s Book Blast will provide families the chance to make reading a fun, social experience with various kid-focused offerings. Book Blast event activities will kick off with an exciting read-aloud session presented by surprise guests from the community.

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. Since 2003, the Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games. Kidgits Club members receive a variety of goodies, including a Kidgits Club T-shirt, membership card, birthday card and gift, discounts and scheduled activities. For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, click here.

Girl Scouts and Chefs Team Up During 2015 OC Restaurant Week! Did Someone Say Girl Scout Cookies?  

February 22, 2015 / Food, Let's Eat!, Lifestyle, Orange County

Girl Scouts of Orange County is partnering with OC Restaurant Week from March 1st – 7th to celebrate the world’s largest girl-led business, Girl Scout Cookies sales, during Orange County’s favorite culinary event!

Slapfish Girl Scout Cookie Dessert

During OC Restaurant Week – which happens to be the last week that Girl Scout Cookies will be available on sale in Orange County until 2016 – select restaurants will offer delicious desserts inspired by and featuring Girl Scout Cookies! Some of the OC Restaurant Week participating restaurants are even hosting local Girl Scouts for a Preview Tasting, where girls will get the chance to taste the sweet treats and meet with the restaurant’s chef – all important as many of them strive to earn culinary and business badges.

Provenance Girl Scout Cookie Dessert

Featured desserts include:

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants – Lemonades Cookie Cream Soda
Maro Wood Grill – Girl Scout Cookie Crunch Sundae with Gluten-Free Trios Crumble
Pascal – Thin Mints Mousse Cake
Paul Martin’s American Grill – Homemade Ice Cream with Assorted Girl Scout Cookies
Provenance – “Girl Scouts Rock” – Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Torte with Gluten-Free Trios Cookie Crust
Slapfish – Caramel deLites Chipwich with Thin Mints-studded Ice Cream
Slater’s 50/50 – Peanut Butter Patties Push Pops and Caramel deLites Push Pops
Sundried Tomato American Bistros and Catering – Lemonades Cookie Sandwich
In 2015, new Gluten-Free Trios were added to the traditional cookie lineup. These Girl Scout Cookies feature chocolate chips nestled in a gluten-free peanut butter oatmeal cookie. Meet all the cookies here!

Maro Wood Grill Girl Scout Cookie Dessert

Watch this video featuring adorable Girl Scouts of Orange County as they prepare a decadent dessert! https://vimeo.com/channels/foodenthusiast/119776627

ABOUT OC RESTAURANT WEEK
The 2015 Orange County Restaurant Week will be held Sunday, March 1st through Saturday, March 7th with more than 100 restaurants participating in the countywide event. During the weeklong event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus, many with a cocktail or signature item at no additional charge. Each restaurant will have the freedom and flexibility to showcase its best offerings by talented chefs who will, no doubt, personalize each menu to reflect their individual culinary style. Participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus within the following price categories: lunch for $10, $15 or $20, and dinner for $20, $30, $40 or $50. Guests will have the opportunity to search the list of more than 100 expected participating restaurants by name, location and price point at http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com.

Pascal Girl Scout Cookie Dessert

Presenting sponsor for the 2015 Orange County Restaurant Week is The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, in Huntington Beach, who will host the event’s official launch party on February 28, 2015. Other sponsors include Orange Coast Magazine, The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, 95.5 KLOS, The Fork Report with Neil Saavedra, Irvine Spectrum Center, Fashion Island, Celebrity Cruises, Sub-zero and Wolf, Orange County Register, OC Mom Network, Archive, Melissa’s Produce, Ketel One Vodka, Open Table, Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Greer’s OC, BREAD Artisan Bakery, and The Toll Roads.

Discovery Cube Celebrates National Engineer’s Week with Exhibits, NASA Guest Speaker and Egg-Drop Competition

February 18, 2015 / Discovery Cube LA, Discovery Cube OC, Family Fun, Family Fun, Lifestyle, Los Angeles, Orange County

Aspiring engineers are invited to learn and experiment at Discovery Cube Orange County and Discovery Cube Los Angeles between February 21 and March 1, 2015. The Cube is celebrating National Engineer’s Week with a lineup of friendly competitions, hands-on activities, and a special guest speaker from NASA to engage young minds in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The week begins on Saturday, February 21 with hands-on activities that allow guests to put their engineering talents to the test. Guests will experiment and compete for prizes in daily parachute drops, learn about physics, electrical engineering, and participate in the annual Egg Drop Competition during this week-long workshop.

Activities include:

Parachute Drop: Build and test a parachute, daily prizes awarded for the longest “hang-time”
Mini Monoliths: Strategically stack as many blocks as possible to build the tallest tower
Snap Circuit Building: Interactive electrical engineering table top that teaches about series and parallel circuits.
Forces & Motion Stage Show: A game show style presentation teaches guests about the basic physics of forces and motion in a simplified demonstration relating to Newton’s First Law of Motion.

Guests are also invited to join the annual Egg Drop Competition and enjoy a special presentation by NASA Ambassador, Richard Stember, on Saturday, February 28 at Discovery Cube OC and Sunday, March 1 at Discovery Cube LA. Guests who participate in the thrilling Egg Drop Competition must create an “ETV” (egg transport vehicle) to protect an egg as it drops 20 feet to the ground. Prizes will be awarded to the builders of the three devices with the lightest weight, least amount of materials, and a surviving egg.

Doors open to the public February 21, and Engineer’s Week is included in general admission to Discovery Cube OC and Discovery Cube LA. Tickets can be bought at Discovery Cube or online at http://www.discoverycube.org. Prices are as follows: adult ($16.95), senior ($12.95), and children 3-14 ($12.95). Discovery Cube OC and Discovery Cube LA are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, Discovery Cube LA has a special admission price of $10.00 for any guest.

Union Market Mission Viejo at Kaleidoscope Center Announces First Restaurants & Retailers

February 14, 2015 / Kaleidoscope Center, Lifestyle, Orange County, Shopping

Union Market Mission Viejo has announced more than a dozen specialty retailers and restaurants who have begun construction at Kaleidoscope Center! It will open a 28,000 square foot space in early summer, featuring 20 independent retailers and chef-driven restaurants. This is such exciting news! Here’s a sneak peek of what’s been announced to join Union Market Mission Viejo so far:

Restaurants

Portola Coffee, a specialty coffee bar that was recently honored as Roaster of the Year 2015
Milk Box, a healthy, playful and premium brand bringing organic ingredients to milk teas, along with boba and desserts
Hummus bowl, a fresh, organic hummus bar
Oyu Shabu, a Japanese Shabu-Shabu that offers a fun hot pot (cook it yourself) dining style
Poke Shack, offering a unique and interactive experience where guests will build their own meal with an array of fresh ingredients to suit their preference. Diners will watch the process as their bowl of rice, choice of protein, sauce, vegetable and condiment is prepared to order
Kroft, featuring a farm to table menu and reinventing comfort food with fresh, local, organic, sustainable and seasonal ingredients (F.L.O.S.S.) with sandwiches and poutines (Canadian French specialty fries.)
Central Bar, serving specialty craft cocktails and libations, using only fresh and local ingredients, and a wine bar featuring eclectic and small boutique wines. Central Bar will offer an educational and fun experience with monthly wine and spirit tastings
Anchor Hitch – Seafood and Raw Bar, is a contemporary take on the traditional fare of a fish and oyster bar, focused on sustainable and fresh seafood
Noodle Bar, traditional Vietnamese Pho with a modern build-your-own experience
Youngstone Cheese Shop, featuring cheese plates, fondue, and build-your-own grilled cheese sandwiches
Market 2 Plate, offering pasta and freshly made salads

Retailers

Bambu Earth, responsible and natural soap and skincare products
Miel, women’s clothing and accessories

Other concepts soon to be announced include a bakery, olive oil bar, juice bar, a baby & children’s boutique, home décor, and a jeweler.

Union Market Mission Viejo will include indoor and outdoor dining with stunning views overlooking the city of Mission Viejo, as well as communal areas to dine, meet with friends, or relax over coffee.

Be sure to follow all the happenings at Kaleidoscope via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Annual Orchid Expo to Take Bloom at Westminster Mall February 13-15!

February 13, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, Shopping, Westminster Mall

The Newport Harbor Orchid Society will host its 13th Annual Orchid Expo and Sale, this year themed “Orchids: Jewels of the Jungle,” February 13-15, at Westminster Mall.

The Expo, which is free and open to the public, will showcase thousands of high quality orchids in bloom from all over the world. Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants with over 35,000 known species and hybrids.

Without having to leave Southern California, show goers will be dazzled by the diversity and beauty of the orchids to be displayed by professional growers, area orchid societies, and individual hobbyists.

A large sales area will feature expert commercial growers who will be offering unique species and hybrids for sale. There will also be two potting workshops designed specifically for new growers, which are scheduled for Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15. Registration is limited to the first 20 registrants for each class. To register, e-mail [email protected].

Judging of the plants will be conducted by accredited judges of the American Orchid Society and the Cymbidium Society of America, as well as by local society members. An exhibit of orchid art by members of the Westminster Mall’s Kidgits Club will also be on exhibit during the show.

Show admission and parking are free. Specific hours are as follows:

Friday February 13: 10am – 9pm
Saturday, February 14: 10am – 7pm
Sunday, February 15: 11am – 6pm

For more information visit http://www.nhosinfo.org/.

About The Newport Harbor Orchid Society:
Founded in 1979, the Newport Harbor Orchid Society has over 150 participating members who reside in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Counties. The organization’s primary mission is to foster the culture, cultivation, and conservation of orchids and to educate its members and the public about orchids. The society meets onthe third Tuesday of each month at the Neighborhood Community Center in Costa Mesa, 1845 Park Avenue. Guests and new members are welcome.

About Westminster Mall:
Westminster Mall is a modern shopping center that features some of the best names in retail including Macy’s, JC Penney, Sears, Target, Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Old Navy and more. In addition to more than 180 specialty stores with shops ranging from teen apparel to shoes to women’s apparel and jewelry, Westminster Mall also features exciting dining destinations such as Outback Steakhouse and TGI Fridays.In November 2008, Westminster Mall completed a multi-million dollar renovation. Included were brand new family restrooms, a first of its kind children’s fully soft play area, new interior and exterior directional signage. The entire lower level of the center was carpeted for guest’s shopping enjoyment and comfort. For a map and store listings, as well as directions, events and job listings, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/westminster-mall or call 714-898-2558.

Connect with Westminster Mall on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Join OCTA on February 21 For a Free Family Event at the Irvine Station to Celebrate the Lunar New Year! (They’re Giving Away Tickets to Ride the Metrolink, Too)

February 12, 2015 / Celebrations, Holiday Fun, Lifestyle, Los Angeles, Orange County

Lunar New Year is the most celebrated holiday of the year for the nearly 1.5 million people of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese descent living in Southern California. Celebrate Lunar New Year by visiting the 116th Annual Golden Dragon Parade and Festival in Los Angeles’ Chinatown. With colorful parades, elaborately decorated floats, marching bands and cultural performances by some of the nation’s best Chinese acts, this free event is fun for all ages.

Before riding Metrolink to L.A. on February 21, join OCTA for a Lunar New Year celebration at the Irvine station. This is a free event for the whole family. Just arrive at the Irvine Metrolink Station at 8:00 a.m. Enjoy a traditional Lion Dance and enter to win Lucky Red envelopes. Bring a non-perishable food donation for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to play Plinko and win a prize.

The first 100 people at the Metrolink Irvine Station on February 21 will each receive a free Metrolink ticket too, for a ride up to LA! (First come, first served)

Metrolink is the best way to get to LA from Orange County. You’ll avoid traffic and parking hassles and enjoying a relaxing ride with friends and family. The train is a great way to start your family adventure to Los Angeles.