Upcoming Third Annual Tri-Give-A-Thon to Support With My Own Two Hands Foundation

Orange County fitness studios combine cycling and yoga to raise money for local nonprofit

San Clemente, Calif. – [Saturday, November 19, 2016] – CB CycleBarn® and Pure.Love.Yoga. San Clemente will be hosting the third annual Tri-Give-A-Thon in support of With My Own Two Hands Nonprofit, a Laguna Beach based nonprofit, that provides sustainable solutions to projects in Africa that benefit orphaned and disadvantaged children in need. The charity event raised $1,800 last year for the local nonprofit, with 38 residents participating.

The 2016 Tri-Give-A-Thon will bring together Orange County residents to start at CB Cycle Barn where they will spend 45 minutes spinning for a cause on decked out bikes with donated swag. The participants will set out on a three-mile run to Pure. Love. Yoga., where they will be rewarded with freshly squeezed organic fruits and greens followed by a blissful hour-long yoga class.

“With My Own Two Hands seeks to inspire our communities to help improve the lives of children in need, and this event is a great way to show our community that everyone can make a difference. As a lifelong resident of San Clemente, it is wonderful to see the community come together to help the deserving kids in Africa,” said Lindsey Pluimer, founder and CEO of With My Own Two Hands.

100% of the proceeds from Tri-Give-A-Thon donations will directly support With My Own Two Hands Foundation, helping to provide education, shelter, water and food for orphaned and disadvantaged children in need.

About With My Own Two Hands
With My Own Two Hands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned or disadvantaged children in need. With the belief that diminishing poverty must start with the children, the organization’s goal is to provide an education to children in need while making sure they have the necessities of shelter, water, and food. For ticket information, please visit trigiveathon2016.eventbrite.com.

For more information:
Mary Beth Pugh- Operations Manager
Marybeth@WithMyOwn2Hands.org // (949) 315-9856
WithMyOwn2Hands.org

Dana Point Harbor Welcomes
UNDER THE SEA
42nd Annual Boat Parade of Lights
with Festive Holiday Activities Dec. 2-17

(Dana Point, Calif.) – The County of Orange, OC Parks and Dana Point Harbor invite families to deck the halls “Under the Sea” at the 42nd Annual Boat Parade of Lights. Enjoy festive family activities and celebrations by the waters’ edge on select dates December 2 – 17.

The 42nd Annual Boat Parade of Lights will take place on December 9, 10, 16 and 17 beginning at 7:30 p.m. On each evening of the parade, OC Parks will host free festive family activities throughout Mariner’s Village, Mariner’s Alley and Dana Wharf beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be available at the Doheny State Beach lot for $2 per hour. Free trolleys will be running from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. and will be dropping off and picking up along Dana Point Harbor Drive. 

The holiday season at Dana Point Harbor kicks off on Friday, December 2 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. with the Holiday In The Harbor Open House at Mariner’s Village, Mariner’s Alley and Dana Wharf. 

Take a boat ride in the harbor with Santa Claus himself on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rides launch from Dana Wharf Sportfishing.  

Santa will be available for photos and selfies on Friday, December 2 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 8 from 3 – 5 p.m. in the El Torito Courtyard and Thursday, December 15 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Dana Wharf Courtyard. Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. also welcomes Santa Paws, for festive photos with the furry friends in your life.

Get into the holiday spirit this year “Under the Sea” at Dana Point Harbor. Visit DanaPointHarbor.com for more information.

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

U.S. Reclaimed

Vintage Lumber & Wood Works

by Veronica Badzey

Ben Bonin spent 15 years as a contractor before opening U.S. Reclaimed Vintage Lumber and Wood Works in Laguna Niguel. Traveling throughout the U.S., from Mississippi to New York, Ben and his team repurpose pre-1900s barns, houses and old buildings, saving them from being demolished, burned down or winding up in landfills. Ben’s passion for reusing timeworn materials and artifacts in contemporary ways is expressed in the creative designs, quality products and one-of-a-kind treasures he creates.

Ben’s vision for starting his own company was inspired by his experiences with other reclaimed wood companies. “I wanted a store that was super customer friendly,” Ben says, “where people could walk in, find what they were looking for and talk with an expert without getting the run around.” Ben’s commitment to his customers is paramount and he often develops personal, lasting relationships with many of them.

Ben loves the process and outcomes of working with reclaimed wood because of its beauty, history, and superior quality. In the beginning, Ben and his wife, Bethany, hunted for wooden gems themselves; now they receive calls on a weekly basis from owners who have heard of U.S. Reclaimed and want to sell their old structures. These unique pieces of history are built using, as Ben says, “just about every kind of hardwood that grew in America.” As Ben explains, “The wood we retrieve is first generation lumber from some of the first trees cut down in America. It’s just solid, good wood. Today, everything is farmed, and the trees have lost the natural defenses that keep out bugs and diseases that cause rot.”

Recycled materials from deconstructed buildings provide a seemingly inexhaustible supply of high quality lumber. Newer lumber from farmed trees can’t compare to the beauty and quality of reclaimed wood. “It’s a joy to work with,” states Ben. “It’s more beautiful; you don’t get the same grains, density, and colors from farmed trees that have been cut down six or seven times since the country has started logging.”

U.S. Reclaimed Vintage Lumber offers a design store, lumber yard, and woodworking shop all in one, providing clients with design services, construction, and raw materials for any DIY project. The company has created everything from furniture to flooring, wall paneling, ceiling beams, fireplace mantles and tabletops – even shelving, frames, and sliding barn doors. Ben’s expertise and the shop’s wide range of unique, raw materials ensure that every customer walks away with a truly one-of-a-kind piece no matter the scope of the project.

Many customers will even research the back-story behind their lumber, discovering details of American history from the time when the structure was originally built. “My favorite part of this business,” says Ben, “is traveling and meeting the characters from all these different towns in areas of the U.S. where people don’t normally want to go. Jumping into their way of life for a couple of days is fun and then I get to bring a piece of that back with me.”

Some of his more memorable projects include historical renovations, like the old grain mill tower on Alicia Parkway that was constructed in the early 1900s, or rebuilding the floors of a 19th century church in Santa Ana. Projects like these often require Ben to use the relationships he’s developed to source out reclaimed materials that match those used in the initial construction. He has also designed and outfitted many popular businesses around town. The Cellar restaurant in San Clemente, for example, commissioned Ben to build its bar from reclaimed wine barrels and to create custom wine racks. His newest project, Water Grill in Costa Mesa, features impressive wood beamed ceilings, pillars, and a stunning herringbone patterned floor.

To customize your own unique piece of history, stop by U.S. Reclaimed Vintage Lumber &
Wood Works, located on Camino Capistrano in Laguna Niguel, just off Avery Parkway and the 5 Freeway. For a glimpse of U.S. Reclaimed’s extensive gallery of work, visit USreclaimed.com.

U.S. Reclaimed Vintage Lumber & Wood Works
28052 Camino Capistrano Ste. 103, Laguna Niguel
(949) 364-1207 • USreclaimed.com

Dana Point Turkey Trot

Strut Your Stuff

The 39th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot is an Orange County Thanksgiving Day tradition attracting 11,000 participants and 6,000 volunteers to Dana Point Harbor. The event includes scenic 5K and 10K courses, a Kids Gobble Wobble race, costume contest, on-course entertainment and a two-day Health & Wellness Expo. From world-class competitors to recreational runners and walkers of all ages, the Turkey Trot provides a family-friendly, fun and active start to the holiday season while helping area nonprofit organizations.

The Turkey Trot has chosen VFW Post 9934 as the local nonprofit beneficiary for this year’s event. A portion of each runner’s registration fee will go toward supporting the VFW’s mission of assisting fellow veterans and their families with unexpected expenses as well as delivering thousands of pounds of food to Camp Pendleton each week.

“We go down to Pendleton and see women lined up with their strollers, waiting to receive the food and supplies that we bring,” said Bob Fowler, post service officer. “The sad part is that we have to; the good part is that we get to. We appreciate the contributions of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, the community and all race participants.” Participants can also make an additional donation during the registration process or by visiting TurkeyTrot.com/charities.

Don’t delay, register now and save! Online registration closes on November 21st at midnight. You can register on-site at the Health & Wellness Expo on Wednesday, November 23rd and on race day, Thursday, November 24th. Prices go up $10 for on-site registration. Visit TurkeyTrot.com for event details, registration and to become a race volunteer.

The Diamond Ball

November 12 at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
Veterans and Volunteers Honored with an Evening of Inspiration Committed to Changing Lives

Alex & Sierra, winners of The X Factor, will perform at the much anticipated Diamond Ball at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel on Saturday, November 12. The Diamond Ball is held each year to support The Canine Companions Veterans Initiative.

The evening will also honor veteran Jason Morgan, United States Air Force (Ret.), and his Service Dog, Rue, as well as Anne Roberts, recipient of the Geneva Davis Award, recognizing leadership in individuals who have been ambassadors of Canine Companions’ program and its goals to promote and inspire volunteers and volunteer activity.

“The Diamond Ball is a vital charitable event that draws influential leaders and supporters across our community together to raise funds for The Canine Companions Veterans Initiative,” shares Bruce Brainerd, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and founder of The Diamond Ball. “With existing and emerging conflicts around the globe, there are an increasing number of veterans returning home in need of these amazing assistance dogs. We are honored to support Canine Companions so they may continue to change the lives of our veterans in need,” he adds.

The Canine Companions Veterans Initiative provides an opportunity for veterans to regain their independence through the support of a Canine Companions service animal. To date, Canine Companions has placed 154 assistance dogs nationally with veterans of 119 active teams that include 39 teams from the Southwest Region. There are also 22 current PTSD study placement teams utilizing the service.

In addition to a four-course dinner, entertainment by Alex & Sierra, dancing, and the Diamond Drop, the gala features live and silent auctions with items including luxury hotel stays, dining packages, golf getaways, fine jewelry, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Diamond Ball tickets are $250 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to become a sponsor, visit www.TheDiamondBall.org.

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point • (949) 240-2000
TheDiamondBall.org

Driftwood Festival

Country Music Washes Ashore

Saturday, November 12 marks the debut of Driftwood at Doheny State Beach, an afternoon of music, craft beer, artisan wine and top-notch BBQ at the scenic Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. Festival attendees will roam throughout the lush grass areas of Doheny State Beach, right off the shore of the Pacific Ocean. 

Produced by premier music festival production company Synergy Global Entertainment (SGE), Orange partners Brew Ha Ha Productions, and California’s new country KFRG-FM (K-Frog), Driftwood at Doheny State Beach will feature tastings from over 100 craft beers and wines, some of the best BBQ in the region, as well as a full day of music with performances from Nashville hitmaker Jerrod Niemann, along with Rodney Atkins, Thompson Square, Parmalee, The White Buffalo, and Mariachi El Bronx.

Driftwood at Doheny State Beach kicks off at 12 p.m. Saturday for early entry guests. General admission to the festival starts at 1 p.m., with music lasting until 8 p.m. Festival attendees 21 and over will enjoy complimentary adult beverage tastings from 1 to 4 p.m. Tastings are included with the price of admission. VIP tickets and artist Meet & Greets are also available on a limited basis.

A portion of the festival’s proceeds will be donated to the San Onofre Parks Foundation — a California non-profit that partners with the California State Parks to develop, preserve and enhance the recreation and experience of California’s unique and beautiful coastal parks — and the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA), the non-profit cooperating association of Doheny State Beach, dedicated to the protection of the park’s beaches, facilities, marine refuge and its historical, cultural and social stories.

The festival will also debut the Country Strong veteran appreciation area for non-profits that support and create awareness for veterans causes.  For more information, visit www.DriftwoodFest.com.

Driftwood Festival at Doheny State Beach
Saturday, November 12  |  12 – 8pm
DriftwoodFest.com

Driftwood at Doheny State Beach

KFRG PRESENTS DRIFTWOOD AT DOHENY STATE BEACH
DEBUTING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 IN DANA POINT, CA
DURING VETERANS DAY WEEKEND

FESTIVAL PRODUCED BY SGE AND BREW HA HA PRODUCTIONS
WILL FEATURE CALIFORNIA CRAFT BEER & WINE TASTING,
ALONG WITH TOP REGIONAL BBQ AND
MUSIC FROM NASHVILLE HITMAKER JERROD NIEMANN,
PLUS RODNEY ATKINS, THOMPSON SQUARE, PARMALEE,
THE WHITE BUFFALO AND MARIACHI EL BRONX

TICKET PRESALE BEGINS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
GENERAL ONSALE STARTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Country Music • Craft Beer & Wine • BBQ

Saturday, November 12 marks the debut of KFRG presents Driftwood at Doheny State Beach, an afternoon of country music, craft beer, artisan wine and top notch BBQ at the scenic Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, CA. Festival attendees will roam throughout the lush grass areas of Doheny State Beach, right off the shore of the Pacific Ocean, touching the sand.

Produced by premier music festival production company Synergy Global Entertainment (SGE), Orange County, California’s most successful and respected craft beer festival producer Brew Ha Ha Productions, and California’s new country KFRG-FM (K-Frog), Driftwood at Doheny State Beach will feature over 100 craft beers and artisan wines, some of the best BBQ in the region, as well as a full day of eclectic music ranging from country to Americana and mariachi rock, with performances from Nashville hitmaker Jerrod Niemann, along with Rodney Atkins, Thompson Square, Parmalee, The White Buffalo, and Mariachi El Bronx.

Headliner Jerrod Niemann says, “Jerrod Niemann here…looking forward to hanging with y’all at Driftwood for some good laughs, some awesome music and some great California beverages!”

A limited number of discount presale tickets for Driftwood at Doheny State Beach will be available from Tuesday, September 27 at 10:00 AM PT through Thursday, September 29 at 10:00 PM PT. The presale code is available by visiting the festival’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/driftwoodfestival. Regularly priced tickets go on sale on Friday, September 30 at 10:00 AM PT.

Driftwood at Doheny State Beach kicks off at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 12 (with early entry guests arriving at 11:00 AM). Tastings are included with admission, with music lasting until 8:00 PM. Festival attendees will choose from over 100 craft beers and wines to taste until 4:00 PM (for those 21 and up), and will have the chance to enjoy the best of California’s BBQ.

The initial list of participating breweries includes: Ballast Point (San Diego, CA), Bottle Logic Brewing (Anaheim, CA), Ninkasi (Eugene, OR), Stone Brewing Co. (San Diego, CA) and Sierra Nevada (Chico, CA), with many more to be announced.

Participating wineries include: Liberated, Maggio Winery, Mark West, Rebel Coast, William Hill, and tons more to be announced.

Festival co-producer Cameron Collins of Brew Ha Ha Productions explains, “Driftwood is going to be a really unique and special event! We’re bringing in some of the best beer and most sought after wine in the country in addition to some of the world’s best BBQ. To top it all off, we’re holding it at one of California’s most beautiful parks and beaches! There have been plenty of beer and wine festivals, but there has never been one like this!”

Driftwood co-producer John Reese of SGE says, “We are so excited to bring south Orange County its very first all-day country music, craft beer and BBQ festival at the beautiful Doheny State Beach. We’re also giving back to the San Onofre Parks Foundation and Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association with every ticket sold. So in addition to throwing a great local event in our own backyard, we are also helping to preserve our beaches, parks and coastlines, which is what it’s really all about.”

“K-FROG is very excited about presenting the Driftwood festival at Doheny State Beach,” says Steve Hay, Director of Live Events & Experiences for 95.1 KFRG-FM. “We’ve always been California Country, and what’s more California than the beach? We’re bringing an awesome country lineup from Nashville to perform right on the sand of one of our most beautiful beaches.  Great country music with Pacific Coast Highway and a California beach sunset as a backdrop.  It’s something that’s never been done before, and K-FROG is proud to be the station to do it.  You don’t want to miss this one!”

Driftwood at Doheny State Beach has been an idea looking for a home for a long time. We refused to launch until we found the perfect place for the country music-loving crowd. Working with California State Parks to bring another star-studded event to Doheny State Beach is a match made in heaven for Driftwood. Craft beer and wine tastings for four hours, the best BBQ that California has to offer, and HUGE country music acts, all day on the beach in the park with your toes in the sand? OK!,” co-producer Heather Vantress of SGE adds.

A portion of the proceeds from Driftwood at Doheny State Beach will be donated to the San Onofre Parks Foundation–a California non-profit that cooperatively works with the California State Parks to develop, preserve and enhance the recreation and experience of California’s unique and beautiful coastal parks–and the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA), the non-profit cooperating association of Doheny State Beach, dedicated to the protection of the park’s beaches, facilities, marine refuge and its historical, cultural and social stories.

General Admission and VIP tickets will be available for purchase for the following prices. All tickets include beer and wine tasting, and access to view the music stage.

In honor of Veterans Day weekend, the festival is offering a $50 discounted ticket for active and retired military. The military ticket includes Early Entry Admission, with the opportunity to enter one hour early entry to taste over 100 craft beers and wines until 4:00 PM, with music lasting until 8:00 PM. Also included is a complimentary roundtrip shuttle to and from the San Juan Capistrano area.

Parking at Driftwood at Doheny State Beach will be extremely limited, so attendees are strongly encouraged to carpool and rideshare.

Doheny State Beach is easily accessible by car from Los Angeles County, San Diego County, the Inland Empire, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, the San Joaquin Valley, and via flights to Orange County’s John Wayne Airport.

The festival producers encourage attendees to drink responsibly.

Sponsors for KFRG presents Driftwood at Doheny State Beach include: Audi Of Mission Viejo, Snickers Crisper, Krave Jerky, Deep Eddy Vodka, Tom Gore Wines, Cosmic Fog and Lyft.

For the most up-to-date information on KFRG presents Driftwood at Doheny State Beach, please visit:

Website: www.DriftwoodFest.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/driftwoodfestival
Twitter: @driftwoodfest
Instagram: @driftwoodfest

(photo-by-brian-bloss)

About Synergy Global Entertainment, Inc.: Synergy Global Entertainment, Inc. (SGE) is one of the world’s premier music festival production companies. With hundreds of live events worldwide each year, SGE works with agencies, brands and musical talent to produce or co-produce concerts across various genres and interests. SGE produces Funny Or Die’s ODDBALL Comedy And Curiosity Festival. In addition, SGE co-produced the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and the worldwide Rockstar Taste of Chaos, produced the Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival and conceived and developed KNOTFEST with Slipknot and 5B Artist Management. SGE has also produced many other national festivals and tours. SGE senior staff have a combined 60 years of experience in artist management, large scale festival production and brand integration and have worked with artists as diverse as Guns N’ Roses and The Cure. SGE excels at integrating brands’ needs with large scale musical entertainment.

About Brew Ha Ha Productions: Brew Ha Ha Productions (BHHP) is Orange County, California’s most successful craft beer event producer. Its team brings years of successful event production and business experience along with an inside view of the craft beer industry and its enthusiasts. Fueled by a desire to promote craft beer, along with a vision of a different kind of beer fest, the Orange County Brew Ha Ha Craft Beer Festival was conceived. BHHP is known best for their events like the Orange County Brew Ha Ha, Brew Ho Ho ‘Holiday Ale Festival’, Sabroso ‘Craft Beer & Taco Festival’ and the Brew Hee Haw at the OC Fair. The events have been a resounding success and the OC Brew Ha Ha has been voted “BEST Craft Beer Festivals in Southern California” six years in a row by the Orange County Beer Society. In six short years, BHHP has enjoyed unprecedented growth making them the largest craft beer event producers in Orange County and one of the largest on the west coast.

About KFRG: KFRG (95.1 FM, “K-FROG”) is a commercial country music formatted radio station in Southern California broadcasting to Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Owned by CBS Radio, its studios are in Colton, CA and the transmitter site for KFRG is north of San Bernardino.  Programming on 95.1 KFRG-FM is also simulcast on 92.9 KXFG-FM in the Temecula Valley region of South Riverside County. Together, the two frequencies reach an audience of over 600,000 listeners each week.

Publicity Contacts:
Ashton-Magnuson Media
Kristine Ashton-Magnuson: kristine@am-media.net; (818) 996-2496
Ashley Di Buduo: ashley@a12entertainment.com; (323) 379-9684

Dana Point Oktoberfest

Free Admission  |  October 15th  |  12 – 7 p.m. |  Sea Terrace Park

Dana Point’s 3rd annual Oktoberfest captures the true spirit of the season, combining German food, music and dancing with a bit of fun in the sun. This time-honored folk festival, which originated in Munich in 1810, delivers the Bavarian traditions you’d expect with a California-style twist!

“We’re here to celebrate!” enthuses Master of Ceremonies Peter Melton, or the “Pieter Meister,” as he is affectionately called throughout the event. “Plan to come early and stay late. We always have a rockin’ good time!” 

The free, family-friendly event is produced by Eventwerks in conjunction with the City of Dana Point, and has been growing in popularity since its inception three years ago. Last year, thousands attended the festival, partying until the end of the day and drinking up every last bit of tasty German beer. This year, the same tempting array of authentic German Bratwurst, Knockwurst, German potatoes, sauerkraut, sweet treats, pretzels (the Pieter Meister’s favorite), and of course, plenty of beer – including at least 15 varieties of premium German and American brew, plus wine and non-alcoholic beverages for the kids will be on hand. Munich’s famous Spaten beer takes center stage, along with favorites from Franziskaner, Beck’s and Hoegaarden. Enjoy your favorite brew in a 16.9 oz. commemorative Dana Point Oktoberfest mug  that comes with party beads and your first beer for only $20. Refills are only $8.

It wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without festive music! The Bavarian BeerGarden Band will provide traditional and fun German music starting at noon and the Warsaw Poland Bros. will liven things up with their unique Oktoberfest Polka-Billy musical style starting at 4 p.m. Games include musical chairs for the kids, the hilarious and now-famous sausage toss, the ever-popular chicken dance, a sauerkraut eating contest, stein holding, and beer chugging. The festivities also feature sing-a-long songs and a dance party, lending this traditional German folk festival a distinctly American flavor.

“Part of what’s made our Oktoberfest event such a success,” shares Peter, “is how we’ve combined German tradition with good, old American fun. I’ve had people come up to me, even traditional people who’ve been to Oktoberfest celebrations for years, and tell me they prefer ours greatly.”

Sea Terrace Park in Dana Point provides a stunning venue, with gorgeous ocean views of Salt Creek Beach, fresh sea breezes, grassy park areas where the kids can run around and play, and an abundance of picnic tables. For a close-up view of the stage and the Pieter Meister’s crazy brand of German-American fun, arrive early to get the best table. Many attendees come dressed in costume, but if you happen to forget your lederhosen, vendors will be selling gear and souvenirs on-site. 

Most of all, come prepared to have a good time. Whether you’re German or American, have attended Oktoberfest every year or if this is your first one, you will find something to enjoy. Starting with the playful opening ceremony and tapping of the keg, the day promises a boisterous good time with family and friends, and hilarity as revelers dance, sing, and toast to the bounty of the harvest season. As the Pieter Meister says, “The dance party at the end, as it’s getting dark, is worth the trip alone!”

Dana Point’s Oktoberfest runs from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 15th. Free parking and a free shuttle to and from the event can be found at Dana Hills High School (33333 Golden Lantern Road). The first shuttle starts from Dana Hills High School at 11:30 a.m. and runs every half hour thereafter until 7:30 p.m. Additional parking is easily accessible on Niguel Road and Stonehill Drive, and entrances to the event can be found behind the Dana Point Library walking path and through the underground Pacific Coast Highway tunnel adjacent to the Salt Creek Beach parking lot. For more information on parking visit the website at DanaPointOktoberfest.com.

read more

Inka Mama’s

by Claire Cote

Although I haven’t had the pleasure of traveling to Peru, I feel like a connoisseur of its cuisine after my inaugural visit to Inka Mama’s. Located in San Clemente’s Talega Village Center, this cozy establishment will have you feeling like a South American tourist who stumbled upon a local, hidden gem from the moment you step foot through the front door.

Breaking away from the ubiquitous, yet hackneyed “New American” cuisine, this Peruvian eatery brings traditional recipes, fresh ingredients and zippy cocktails to the forefront, without sacrificing affordability or style.

My dinner companion and I sampled our way through the happy hour menu with gusto. I fell hard for the Causas, a layered stack of potato cakes and chicken salad, while my friend was over the moon for the Shrimp Empanadas — impeccably prepared pillows of buttery crust and saucy shrimp. We were both in love with the seductive, green aji sauce, a Peruvian staple which is used for dipping, slathering or as an additive to just about any dish on the menu. This punchy salsa was perfect for spreading on rolls, dipping a Yuka (sweet potato) fry or drizzling over your entire plate. A veritable wimp in the face of anything remotely spicy, even I didn’t mind my burning lips after my 10th helping. 

The Croqueta Sliders were impossible to resist. These top sirloin patties served on sweet bread and adorned with a tomato slice, chili mayo and a side of sweet potato fries, were tasty and well prepared. The Chicharon de Pollo is not your mama’s fried chicken! Marinated in garlic and spices and then deep fried, this tender meat packs a crispy texture and exciting flavor.

Inka Mama’s offers happy hour Monday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. and all day Sunday. Enjoy house wines and Sangria for $6 a glass and discounts on select appetizers. The bar is stocked with local beer on tap, the food is adventurous without being intimidating, and the mood is on point when the sun goes down and the bistro lights come on. With additional locations in Aliso Viejo, Foothill Ranch, and Santa Ana, there’s always tasty Peruvian fare right around the corner. ¡Salud!

821 Via Suerte, #104, San Clemente
949.369.6262  •  InkaMamas.com