Local Events

A Taste of San Juan

One of the highlights of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas season is the annual Taste of San Juan. This festive event will be held on Wednesday, February 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the historic El Adobe Restaurant in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Billed as the kick-off celebration of the return of the swallows, the Taste of San Juan is the first of many events leading up to the Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Fair.

Delightful dishes from over twenty local restaurants and dancing to live country music will make for an evening of great food and fun. Some of the local restaurants featured at this year’s event include L’Hirondelle, Ricardo’s Place, Sundried Tomato Café, The Vintage Steakhouse, Marbella Farmers Market, Sarducci’s Café, Thai Juan On, Simply Fondue, O’Neill’s Bar and Grill, NYC Café and Catering, Donna B’s Bakery and Akioni’s Catering. Under one roof, tastes from these and other area establishments will tempt guests with their signature fare.

The Taste of San Juan is an important fundraiser for the nonprofit San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. Proceeds support a variety of community events throughout the year including the annual Swallows Day Parade that will take place on Saturday, March 26th. Other upcoming 2011 Fiesta Association events are the Kids Pet Parade, El Presidente Ball, Fiesta Grande and Hoos’gow Day.

Admission to the Taste of San Juan is $20 per person and includes food and live entertainment. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at the San Juan Capistrano Chamber office. For more information, please call 949.493.4700 or visit:www.swallowsparade.org.

The Laguna Playhouse: Featuring Hershey Felder in Maestro

Activities in South Orange County
By Shelley T. Hudson

Dana Point:
Harbor The Holidays
What’s better than a fruitcake? Dana Point’s jam-packed holiday calendar, starting with Holiday in the Harbor on December 3rd. This event has everything—photos with Frosty and Santa, holiday crafts, face painting, a puppet show, carolers, balloon artists, live music and comedy! The activities take place at Mariner’s Village, Mariner’s Alley and Dana Wharf beginning at 4:00 p.m. Visit www.danapoint.org for the full schedule of events.

If that’s not enough, hop on a Free Boat Ride with Mr. Bowl-full-o-jelly on December 4th and 5th. Cruises run every 20 minutes from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. from Dana Wharf. Bundle up and don’t forget your camera! For more information, log on to www.danawharf.com

A Boatload Of Fun
Mark your calendar for the 36th Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. This year’s theme is “Jingle Bell Rock,” so you can expect many creative musical tributes. You’ll get several chances to take in this local tradition: December 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Let It Snow!
Dana Point’s Winter Festival hits La Plaza Park again with merriment to spare. The fun starts on December 12th at noon with face painting, a crafts fair, carnival games, a petting zoo (with real reindeer!), cookie decorating, North Pole VIPs, a marionette show, balloon and caricature artists and a real snow play area! The Dana Point Police Departmentwill be onhand to fingerprint your child, and the Dana Point Fire Department will collect new, unwrapped toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. After the tree lighting at 5:15 p.m., enjoy cocoa and cookies and a screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This extravaganza features live music throughout the day. Bring your camera, mittens, lawn chair and toy donation!

Deck Your Halls
If you like to keep up with the Joneses, then consider entering your home in the 11th Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest on Dec. 17th from 5 – 7 pm. The Dana Point Youth Board judges this fun event and awards prizes for “creativity, spirit and overall enthusiasm.” Call 949.248.3514 to enter.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Get Your Ducks In A Row
ZOOMARS Petting Zoo will also be a bevy of activity on Los Rios Street on December 4th. Admission is free until 9:00 p.m. and you won’t want to miss Pathway to Hope’s Live Nativity Performances at 6:15 and 7:00 p.m. near the petting zoo. To sweeten the deal, SJC’s Downtown Shops will stay open late and offer special discounts!

Merriment At The Mission
Mission San Juan Capistrano continues its tradition with Christmas at the Mission. For a $2.00 admission, guests enjoy carolers, Santa photo ops and mariachi and choir performances. A Santa’s Workshop studio for kids will keep little fingers busy while grownups sip on mugs of Mexican hot chocolate. Please bring a canned food donation for Serra’s Pantry. The event immediately follows the Tree Lighting Ceremony on
December 4th and runs until 8:00 p.m.

Smiles For Miles
Bring the little ones to Del Obispo Terrace in San Juan Capistrano on December 5th from 10:00 – 11:30 for a special Smiles for Seniors event. Pack your holiday cheer and a camera, because Santa will be in the house to share the moment! The fun takes place at 32200 Del Obispo Street. For more information, call 949.496.8802.

SAN CLEMENTE:
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The city’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on December 2nd at the San Clemente Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Santa’s elves will serve cocoa and cookies (how do they find the time?) before a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by The Jolly One. The mayor will be on hand for the official tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m.

Gifts That Keep Giving...
Family Assistance Ministries is sponsoring a Gift Exchange Program on December 11th at 11:00 a.m., also at the Community Center. Lunch will be served. What a great opportunity to demonstrate your holiday spirit by making a donation for children in need. For details, contact FamilyAssistance Ministries at 949.492.8477.

Feeling Nutty?
Pacific Coast Dance Academy’s Youth America Ballet will perform The Nutcracker locally this year. This magical holiday show is a must-see for all ages. Performances are December 4th at 2:30 and 7:00 p.m. and December 5th at 2:30 p.m. at San Juan Hills High School’s Collaborative Arts Theatre. For the younger, attention span-challenged set, check out the Holiday Follies at the academy’s studio on December 15th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Students will sing and dance, and Santa and The Nutcracker’s Mother Ginger will be available for photographs. For information on either event, call 949.361.9277.

LAGUNA BEACH
When The Sawdust Settles
Laguna Beach’s premiere holiday event is the Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy—A Palette of Holiday Treasures. TheFestival is pulling out the stops for this 20th Annual celebration. Over 170 exhibitors will show and sell their creations on the grounds of this “winter wonderland.” Kids will enjoy craft projects and visits with Ole St. Nick. The Winter Fantasy is the perfect way to shop while enjoying live entertainment and food from four outdoor cafes. The event runs December 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for kids, but if you attend on a Sunday, bring a new, unwrapped toy for free admission!

Holiday Activities in South Orange County – Puttin’ On The Glitz

On Saturday, November 27th, San Clemente kicks off the season with its premiere holiday event – Puttin’ on the Glitz. The San Clemente Downtown Business Association, in conjunction with the City of San Clemente, present a magical evening of fun for the entire family.

Decked out in twinkling lights, historic Avenida Del Mar will be transformed into a festive pedestrian mall as children enjoy rides on a motorized mini-train and an enchanting horse-drawn fantasy carriage. Face painters, balloon artists and magicians will captivate the crowd while carolers in Victorian costumes, a barbershop quartet, a bagpipe troupe and other performers will fill the air with live music.

The charming shops and windows lining the avenue will be decorated for the season and will remain open to accommodate holiday shoppers anxious to get a jump on their lists. Organizations and vendors such as the Boy Scouts of America will offer hot apple cider, fire roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, snow cones and cotton candy as you stroll the quaint downtown village.

Sirens will signal the arrival of Santa Claus perched upon a fire truck, as he leads a fanfare procession down Del Mar to the Community Center. Mrs. Claus & their elves will greet and take Santa to his awaiting fireside chair where children will have an opportunity to profess their hearts’ desires and create a lasting memory with a photo.

Puttin’ on the Glitz is free to the public and runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. A complimentary shuttle service is provided from the San Clemente High School parking lot, located just East of the freeway on Avenida Pico.

For more information about the event, please contact the San Clemente Downtown Business Association at 949.218.5378 orwww.villagesanclemente.org.

The Vintage at The Mission
By Jennifer Pham

Take a short drive to the Mission San Juan Capistrano and enjoy The Vintage, a “Celebration of Good Taste,” on Saturday, October 16th from 6 p.m. to 10p.m. This 14th annual evening of gourmet food and fine wine is brought to you by top local restaurants and surrounding wineries. The Vintage Silent Auction, gaming tables, dancing and live musical performances from Steely Jam, Tim Robert Johnson and Douglas Roegiers will keep you entertained throughout the night. Proceeds from the event support the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce to benefit the local business community and the Mission San Juan Capistrano and its various programs.

Tim Robert Johnson, solo finger guitarist and Founder of Lord of Strings Concerts, will entertain guests in the Mission front courtyard. The smooth sounds of Douglas Roegiers will open for the Vintage’s final performance from Steely Jam. Roegiers, who has focused his work in “great American Crooning,” will be singing the best tunes of Frank Sinatra. Steely Dan’s most faithful tribute band, Steely Jam, will dip into R&B, Soul, Rock and Jazz with musicianship and style to complete the sounds of the evening. Steely Jam will recreate the artistry of the “thinking man’s band.”

Guests at this year’s Vintage will sample sweet treats and savory eats from many premier local restaurants including Bad to the Bone BBQ, El Adobe De Capistrano, Marbella Country Club, Mahé, Ricardo’s Place, Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot, Sundried Tomato American Bistro & Café, The Derby Deli & Dueling Piano Bar and The Vintage Steakhouse. Local wineries will also participate at the event, showcasing some of their finest selections.

An area of the Mission’s courtyard will be transformed into “Little Italy,” celebrating San Juan Capistrano’s sister city in Capestrano, Italy. The section will be full of fine Italian wine and food, honoring Capestrano, Italy from Banfi Wines, Frankies Biscotti, Brio Tuscany Grille, Casa Torelli Wines, Dolce Gelato, San Pellegrino Sparkling Water and Trader Joe’s of Laguna Niguel among others.

The Vintage Silent Auction will feature over 100 gift baskets that have been donated by various sponsors. Auction items range from health and beauty certificates and sporting goods to vacation packages and other services. A live auction will also take place that evening with three exclusive packages being presented to the highest bidders.

General admission tickets are $75 and include admission, food, wine, beer, entertainment, dancing and $25 in complimentary chips for the casino area. VIP table seating can also be purchased for $900 and accommodates up to 10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visitwww.thevintagesjc.com or stop by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce at 31421 La Matanza in San Juan.

Fall Gardening Tips from Laguna Nursery
By Ruben Flores

For those of us who reside along the coast, summer has left us wondering if we actually had one. With June gloom, July grey skies and “Fogust” behind us, we’re all looking forward to beautiful fall weather and blooming gardens.

This time of the year is ideal for planting and there are several tricks that will allow your garden to thrive and flourish. As with most things, it comes down to basic preparation and a willingness to dig in.

Tackle the soil first. In gardening, fertilizing is the key to healthy plants. Just as you would supplement your diet with daily vitamins, fertilizers provide a natural boost to plants. We recommend organic products because they are absorbed slowly each day. A well-balanced concoction of bone meal, blood meal and cottonseed meal will have your garden green and growing in as short as a month.

Now is the time to mulch. The addition of compost or a wood-based product reduces weed growth and keeps moisture in. It’s as simple and easy as spreading bags of your favorite mix to a 1” thick layer throughout your garden. Happier plants and less weed pulling will be your future!

Choose plant specimens that are indigenous to the area.Why fight Mother Nature when you don’t have to? Our local area is home to countless specimens of plants that thrive naturally with little care. Ceanothus, Salvia, Thyme, Manzanita, Cistus, Boxwood, Lavender, Rosemary, Phlomis, Bougainvillea, and Wisteria are just a few of the beautiful California natives, succulents and drought tolerant options to select from.

Seek advice from professional. Stop by Laguna Nursery and ask one of our sales assistants to answer your questions. Whether you need information about plant selection, soil amendment or want to redesign your entire garden, we’re here to help. We’re located at 1370 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Give us a call or check us out online…. 949.494.5200 or LagunaNursery.net.

Tall 2010 Tall Ships Festival

The Ocean Institute presents the largest annual gathering of tall ships on the West Coast the weekend of September 10th through 12th. The event kicks off on Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., with The Tall Ship and Great Schooner Parade. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Certainly the highlight of the festival, The Tall Ships parade commences in South Laguna Beach and the flotilla slowly appear off the Dana Point Headlands. The fleet gathers in preparation for entering the harbor around sunset. From shore, watch the crews of the Tall Ships furl the sails and make preparations for entry into the harbor. All this furious activity occurs while the crews are defending themselves from the cannon blasts of renegade vessels. Participating Tall Ships and Great Schooners will include the “Spirit of Dana Point,” “Pilgrim,” “Irving Johnson,” “Curlew,” “Californian,” “Exy Johnson,” “American Pride,” and “Lynx.”

Come and explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships through the smells, sounds and sights of real working vessels. Walk aboard and tour these living museums or take a cruise to experience the sensation first-hand. Interactive living-history encampments, including knottiers, blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists and the infamous Port Royal Privateers are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages. Visitors can also participate in knot tying races or witness the spectacular art of traditional rope work.

Visit the Ocean Institute during the festival to explore their work protecting the local watersheds through hands-on labs and art activities and get up-close and personal with some of the ocean’s most amazing sea creatures, including rays, sea stars, jelly fish and octopuses. Travel back in time to the seafaring world of Richard Henry Dana Jr. as the Dana Point Historical Society reads aloud his famed novel, Two Years Before the Mast, and learn the history behind the city of Dana Point.

Live music concerts will take place at Baby Beach throughout the festival on Saturday and Sunday. The air will be filled with sea faring’s best music. Sea chanteys, forebitters, ballads and more will be performed, featuring nationally acclaimed musicians and storytellers. With a spectacular view of the tall ships, the grass park and Baby Beach host a fun-filled variety of activities. Check out the unique fine arts and craft show that has continued to grow each year, offering a fabulous array of creative works. Last but not least, enjoy the delicious variety of foods and tasty treats offered in the food court.

Visit www.tallshipsfestival.com for admission prices, event information and cruise tickets.