Category: Orange County Community

Laguna Beach’s Art Festivals Draw Large Crowds This Summer

Laguna Beach’s Festival of the Arts and Sawdust Art Festival are back, drawing large crowds along Laguna Canyon Road and the main beach this summer. The 56th annual Sawdust Art Festival, open daily until Aug. 28, features work from 162 of the city’s own artists. Artists have their own vending booths where visitors can purchase…


The Last-Second Move That Determined the Fate of Irvine Ranch

Commentary The recent piece, “Who Are the Irvines?” provided a little glimpse of the family’s impact on Orange County. Except for a couple of seconds, this family’s impact and heritage would not have even happened. The story is a fascinating portion of Orange County’s history, and it was captured by Robert Glass Cleland in his…


‘Taste of Yorba Linda’ is Returning on July 29

For the 38th year, the Taste of Yorba Linda event will be returning on July 29 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Yorba Linda Community Center. Around 75 food, beverage, and sponsor vendors will be on site, with local restaurants, breweries, and wineries showcasing their unique flavors. Meanwhile, guests can dance and enjoy…


7 Things to Do in Orange County This Weekend

2022 US Open of Surfing The U.S. Open of Surfing hosted by Huntington Beach is the world’s largest surf competition. Guests can enjoy world-class surfing, product demos, and samples from their favorite industry brands. 315 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach. July 30 through Aug. 7, 2022. Free. For more information. Rams Training Camp at UC…


OC Streetcar Construction Delayed, Frustrating Business Owners

The OC Streetcar is expected to start running about a year later than originally planned due to project delays, officials announced July 25—frustrating small business owners who continue to lose customers and revenue because of the construction. The $509 million project—a modern streetcar line that will run through Santa Ana and Garden Grove—was originally set…


Disney Changes ‘Fairy Godmothers in Training’ to Be More Gender-Neutral

Disney theme parks in the United States recently changed their “Fairy Godmothers in Training” program title to “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” to be more gender-neutral. At “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique” locations in the parks, visiting children have been traditionally dressed and styled by the “fairy godmothers” as their favorite Disney characters. But now these employees will have…


Knott’s Berry Farm Adds 3rd Day to Chaperone Policy

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Knott’s Berry Farm officials Tuesday announced the expansion of their policy regarding chaperones for youths in light of a recent brawl among teenagers at the theme park. Previously, the theme park required all guests 17 and younger to be accompanied by a 21-or-older chaperone on Fridays and Saturdays, but now the theme park…


Butterflies Find a New Home in Santa Ana

“Dad, look at this one!” a child exclaimed, pointing at a large blue butterfly, roughly the size of an adult hand, as it flew over their heads toward the wall of the enclosure. “Look, now he’s resting, Dad!” Santa Ana Zoo’s Flight exhibit opened July 25, exposing visitors to a live butterfly experience where zoogoers…


Santa Ana Founder William Spurgeon’s Fascinating History

The story of William H. Spurgeon—the founder of the city of Santa Ana and one of Orange County’s first supervisors—is a microcosm of the county’s dramatic early history. Spurgeon, known as Uncle Billy, was born on Oct. 10, 1829, in Henry County, Kentucky, In 1830, his parents moved with him to Indiana, and then to…


Disney Adds 2 Orange County Schools to Its Free-Tuition Program

The Walt Disney Company July 20 added two more Orange County schools to its program that allows its employees to attend college for free. The company recently partnered with Cal State University–Fullerton and Fullerton College through Disney Aspire, which covers 100 percent tuition for employees and cast members who have been working with Disney for…