As the holidays quickly approach, the Orange County Rescue Mission is preparing to host its 52nd annual Thanksgiving dinner, which will feed more than 660 homeless families and individuals in the region.
The organization has announced an urgent need for food donations from the local community. Thanksgiving dinner is an important gathering for both the Village of Hope residents and those living in surrounding areas, many of whom have never had the opportunity to take part in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The Orange County Rescue Mission is currently experiencing a shortage of food, and they urgently need the help of the community in order to provide a memorable holiday experience for these men, women, and children in need.
“The holiday season is a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, and all that we can do to help others. We hope the community will join us in embracing the holiday spirit, and helping us to give back to those less fortunate.” – Jim Palmer, President of the Orange County Rescue Mission
The Rescue Mission is currently in need of:
ENTREES:
- 106 whole turkeys
- 48 whole hams
- 160 pounds of ground pork
SIDES:
- 200 pounds of potatoes
- 360 boxes of stuffing
- 80 pounds of cranberries
- 120 cans of corn
VEGETABLES:
- 120 bags of green beans
- 100 bags of carrots
- 30 pounds of mushrooms
- 650 onions
EXTRAS:
- 90 containers of butter
- 24 pounds of garlic
- 100 boxes of breadcrumbs
- 75 pounds of bacon
If you’d wish to donate any of the items listed above, you may drop off donations at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope, located at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin, California, or contact Ashley Binder at 714-247-4343 or [email protected]. The donation warehouse is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
About the Orange County Rescue Mission
The Orange County and Inland Empire Rescue Missions are part of a privately funded non-profit organization that uses Biblical principles in its programs such as relationships, finance, and parenting. The Rescue Mission’s innovative facilities and programs provide food assistance and shelter in addition to counseling, education, job training, mental wellness, life skills training, and medical services to provide a solid foundation for the transition to a self-sufficient life. Its programs and dedication to going above and beyond have earned the organization numerous recognitions including Charity Navigator’s highest rating of 4-Stars. To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities with the Rescue Mission, please contact (714) 247-4320 or visit http://www.rescuemission.org.
A Total Cost Analysis provides clear advice and simple side-by-side comparisons of your options, costs, and savings, all personalized to your unique needs. Here are some examples of what you’ll receive during a Total Cost Analysis:
For our family, we found it was more beneficial on the financial standpoint, to buy a home, rather than renting one, mainly because of the tax benefits you receive as a homeowner. With that being said, purchasing a home can also seem tricky. It can also be overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be. Although I’m a current homeowner, I found the process very helpful in providing me with the best information about my current options.
It’s important to work with someone you can relate to and build trust with when you’re going through the home-buying process. That’s why having a trusted partner, such as one of the Mortgage Loan Consultants at Orange County’s Credit Union, who is local, experienced, and accessible will provide the guidance and peace of mind you need to obtain the home loan that meets your needs. If you’re considering either purchasing a home or refinancing your own, I’d definitely recommend a visit to Orange County’s Credit Union for your own Total Cost Analysis. To save time, this can also be done right over the phone. In addition to great rates and loan products, a Membership there also provides so many other benefits. You’re eligible for Membership if you live or work in Orange or Riverside Counties or the neighboring communities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos, or Signal Hill. If you don’t live or work in the area, you may also qualify through your employer or if your immediate family member already banks with them. Orange County’s Credit Union offers all the services you’d want from a bank, but it’s owned by Members, not shareholders.
If you’re considering either purchasing a home or refinancing your own, I’d definitely recommend a visit to Orange County’s Credit Union for your own Total Cost Analysis. In addition to great rates and loan products, a membership there also provides so many other benefits. Orange County’s Credit Union offers all the services you’d want from a bank, but it’s owned by Members, not shareholders.
Come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station and drop passengers off at the North Pole. 
There are many activities for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village, located next to the train station. These activities are all available to visitors when the Christmas Train runs, regardless of whether or not guests have train tickets. (since at some point, train tickets will be sold out)
Pricing for these activities varies and can be found by visiting 
This festive season, available in the Parks through Jan. 7, 2018. includes the return of favorite holiday experiences, including Festival of Holidays, “World of Color – Season of Light,” and the “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. The Holidays at Disneyland Resort is one of our family’s favorite times of year to go and experience all of the holiday magic together! 
Experience beloved Holiday traditions in both Parks, from snowfall on Main Street U.S.A., to glistening décor, delicious Disney-themed treats and eats, holiday entertainment and the one-of-a-kind transformations that create “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday and merry new merchandise including fun items with the “ugly sweater” theme, along with home décor and festive holiday headwear., 
Here are some of the highlights in each park:
The popular Festival of Holidays is back with the sights, sounds and tastes of diverse cultural festivities and plenty of Disney magic! 
This heartwarming holiday celebration is inspired by Christmas/Navidad, Hannukah, Diwali, Kwanza and Three Kings Day. Guests will experience:
Will you be visiting the Disneyland Resort for the Holidays this year with your family? This is the place where traditions are shared, memories are made and new experiences make the spirit of the season shine even brighter. Be sure to keep your eyes on the 
facCurves® is a one-stop-shop for every woman’s fitness needs offering a 30 minute, total-body workout with 
Curves® recently celebrated its 25th birthday. Wow, 25 years of empowering women to take control of their health and fitness levels! 
I was excited to participate in their birthday celebration on one of the days I went to work out.
I want to share about my experience with you and share 5 Things (I think) you’ll love most about working out at Curves.
The Monster Academy features a “day-scare” learning center designed exclusively for teaching junior monsters what it takes for school success. Activities focus on creative play, shapes and colors as part of an Early Learning Core Initiative and electricity, chemistry, and optical illusions as part of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Proficiency Core Initiative.
My contributor spent a very special evening at Discovery Cube Orange County with some other “young monsters”, participating in the Monster Academy. Some of the activities to explore during your visit include:
All of the “Spooky Science” activities will be available through October 31 and are included in the price of regular admission. For more information or to purchase your tickets online, please visit 
Connect with Discovery Cube OC on
We spent a day there last weekend and it was so much fun. Since the weather is almost always perfect here in Southern California, it really turned out to be the perfect “Sunday Funday” for us, between all of the Knott’s Spooky Farm activities to the regular attractions, included water rides. Since there’s still plenty of time to head to Knott’s Spooky Farm this year, I want to share about all of the fun things you can explore on your visit. Here’s my family guide to Knott’s Spooky Farm, which includes all of the things I think you won’t want to miss!
Go Trick-or-Treating in Ghost Town
Children will be able to interact spooky (but very friendly) shopkeepers and ghosts in Ghost Town. Children are welcome to dress up in costumes. Adults are too. (no masks please.)
Visit the Creepy Crawlers of Calico in Livery Stable
Enter the Peanuts Costume Contest 
Catch a Performance of “The Monsters Are Coming, Charlie Brown” Stage Show 
Take “A Trip to Camp Spooky” on The Grand Sierra Railroad in Camp Snoopy
Take a Ride on Halloween Hootenanny
Decorate a Pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch
Visit the Ghastly Gallery
Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends September 30 – October 29 from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Halloween Day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is included with regular park admission. For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, click 
A very special thank you to Knott’s for hosting our family. 
With the ability to choose every part of the invitations or cards you’re ordering, you’ll be able to create the cute cards you’ve been dreaming of. (Keep reading because I have a discount code for you to use on your Basic Invite holiday cards order, to save 30%, at the bottom of this post.)
It’s so hard to narrow down my choices but I’m thinking foil cards for our own 
In addition to their foil 2017 Christmas cards, here are just a couple other pictures of some of the other cute Christmas cards you’ll find on their site: 
To check out more of their cute Christmas cards, go
Kids ages 3 -11 can participate in Trick-or-Treating throughout Ghost Town, and interact with an array of spooky but friendly Shopkeepers. New this year, Stanley Scarecrow has opened the Livery Stable for guests of all ages to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico.
The Grand Sierra Railroad in Camp Snoopy transforms to a one-of-a-kind experience which takes riders on an adventure, along with the Peanuts Gang, to Camp Spooky with added special Halloween theming effects.
Come to Camp Snoopy Theatre to show off your best Halloween costume at the Peanuts Costume Contest and afterwards, join Peanuts characters in a Peanuts Dance Party!. Additionally, families can watch the Peanuts Gang in The Monsters Are Coming, Charlie Brown, where they’ll have guests of all ages singing and dancing along to classic Halloween tunes.
This Halloween season, the Timber Mountain Log Ride mystically converts into the Halloween Hootenanny by adding a new family friendly twist to a park favorite. Every year the citizens of the Timber Mountain invite the mysterious creatures that live out in the woods and caverns of the area to join them as they celebrate the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The ride’s interior will feature new fun surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns. The seasonal ride will also feature an original song performed by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies. Open for day and night guests, this is the perfect family experience for all to enjoy this Halloween season.
In Fiesta Village, join the Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in the Fiesta Stage area for an interactive, non-scary, educational celebration of the season. The themed area offers a walk through village filled with photo ops, educational activities and face paintings at a nominal fee.
Then visit the Ghastly Gallery in the Boardwalk Ballroom for a slate of entertaining activities including a live show and opportunities for your little ghouls to participate in drawing their best “monsterpiece.”
A 2018 Season Pass is the best way to experience Knott’s Spooky Farm. With a 2018 Season Pass you will get to enjoy all of the Seasons of Fun next year but will also receive one free admission to use in 2017. You can get your Season Pass now at the Best Offer of the Year! A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and the newly expanded Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Regular passes are just $92 or nine easy payments of $10.22 and Gold Season Passes are $110 or nine payments of just $12.22. These offers end October 29, 2017. Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.
Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends September 30 – October 29 from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Halloween Day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is included with regular park admission. For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, visit