52 minute read
EXCURSIONS Ideas for everyone in the family to enjoy safe Mother’s Day activities away from crowds
Mother’s Day Adventures
Ideas for everyone in the family to enjoy a safe holiday away from crowds by Laura Saari
The traditional Mother’s Day brunch is likely to be packed this year, considering limits on capacity, the normal demand for brunch, and diners eager to get back to eating out. Here are some alternative ideas—from experts and my own decades of Orange County exploration—to get mom out of the house safely for your Mother’s Day celebration.
SPAS
Outdoor treatment areas are hard to find in Orange County. Here are two that are definitely worth a visit. Sycamore Spa by Hudson, Laguna Beach
Tucked in a pretty canyon on the grounds of The Ranch Laguna Beach, this is just what a local spa should be: a getaway when you are unable to get away. There are three outdoor treatment tables for massages. The tented massage area is next to a dry infrared sauna and a eucalyptus shower. “A Mother’s Day Bliss” package includes a glass of Champagne, a 60-minute massage in the outdoor tent, a custom facial indoors, and access to the heated saltwater pool for $295. 949715-1393, spabyhudson.com Montanya Spa, Santa Ana
This treasured urban spa is a secret find. A neighbor to the Bowers Museum, the Asian-inspired space lowers the blood pressure immediately. An outdoor massage in the garden will set you back $84 to get an annual membership, as those tables are reserved for members only. Do check out the other benefits for members.
Mother’s Day specials (which are not part of the membership) include the Bliss, which for $350 features a facial and hand para n, a massage and foot reflexology, sea salt body glow, and cranial massage with scalp treatment. There’s also the Mother’s Love, which for $135 includes a 55-minute massage and 20-minute sugar foot scrub, as well as a more elaborate Mother and Daughter Spa retreat for two at $500. 714-918-8888, montanya-spa.com
GARDENS
While the Fullerton Arboretum has been closed throughout the pandemic, there are other gorgeous gardens that are ready for visitors. Sherman Library and Gardens, Corona del Mar
This is my go-to spot when my soul is crying for an island getaway—pretty much this whole year. The tropical greenhouse hits you harder than a Mai Tai with a blast of hot, humid air, and the plants are exotic enough to excite your video game-deprived kids. Walk the gardens, then wind down at Café Jardin with celebrated chef Pascal Olhats. The gardens are open 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is $5.
On May 8, Sherman Gardens hosts the 25th Annual Newport Beach Virtual Garden Tour, featuring beautiful area gardens that might not normally be part of a tour ($20 for members, $30 general). 949-673-2261, thesherman.org Casa Romantica, San Clemente
Only a few blocks from the bustling San Clemente pier, Casa Romantica, the original home of San Clemente founder Ole Hansen, exudes a quiet glamour with its grand courtyard perched on a cli over the sea. I have enjoyed the gorgeous courtyard and its events over the years, including A-list poetry readings. On Mother’s Day, stand and take in the endless view over the Pacific all the way to Catalina, explore the stark white 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival, and walk the gardens buttressed by a long, mystical stand of Monterey cypress ($5, free for children). 949-498-2139, casaromantica.org
The Mission San Juan Capistrano
If your mother loves roses, this is her place. The Mission is in full bloom this month ($14 for adults, $12 seniors, $9 students, free for children younger than 4). For Mother’s Day, picnic lunches can be preordered and eaten on the grounds, among the bougainvillea and the timeless brick arches.
CASA ROMANTICA
There are many dining options within walking distance, as well. 949-234-1300, missionsjc.com
PICNICS
Cool Breezes, Whispering Pines
Pines Park in Capistrano Beach, on the blu s above Hole-in-the-Fence beach, features green grass, small rolling hills, and swaying pines, all with an endless view of the ocean. Our family loves this place so much we’ve packed up holiday dinners and eaten there. 34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point Mason’s Wild Sister
William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine can get crowded on Mother’s Day. It o ers big trees, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a pond with ducks. It’s best to get there early, move away from the tables, and bring your own blanket. Whether you find space to picnic or not, plan to stroll across Culver Drive to a little-known and less-populated refuge, the park’s 123-acre wilderness area. It has 3 miles of meandering flat trails, where you might see quail, rabbits, and even the occasional roadrunner. Parking is $7 on Mother’s Day. 18712 University Drive, Irvine Beyond the Basket
Lots of people go to Caspers Wilderness Park to hike, bike, and camp. Not many go there for a picnic. So for you last-minute types, hustle over. There are also some wonderful small hikes that even your tiny ones can handle. Check out The Nature Loop Trail, a fairly flat loop of less than a mile, or the Vista Trail by the visitor center. Bell Canyon Trail is a fairly flat out-andback hike (1.85 miles each way) with a few hills and good shade. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano
ARTS ADVENTURES
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
Mom might not be able to poke around the endless rooms of the 1924 Italian Renaissance mansion, but what a lovely setting for a picnic. Guests can access a map to the sculpture gardens online and then wander the grounds enjoying the art, the grand home of a pioneer family, and the lovely 8.5 acres of lawns. 714-738-6595, themuck.org Noguchi Garden—California Scenario
Though only 1.6 acres and sandwiched between flashing steel high-
ORANGE COAST & O.C. EATS
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rises, the Isamu Noguchi garden has always seemed larger to me, and a world unto itself. The sculptor’s love letter to his birthplace, California, it celebrates the regions and biodiversity of the state through carefully placed sculptures and plantings. There are pyramid “mountains,” jagged “rivers,” sample redwood forests, and grassland. It’s a wonderful place to let the kids explore while mom sits and reflects. 611 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa
OUTDOORS
Fly a Kite
At 208-acre Fairview Park, tug a kite across the plateau that gives Costa Mesa its name. While most people go to the beach to fly kites, some locals have discovered this wonderful, flat field with a steady wind and no trees in the way. Parts of the park were closed last year for the pandemic, but we still found a strip on the windy mesa where we could fly our kites. 2501 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa
Another great kite spot: Thornton Park in Santa Ana. Last time we flew our kites here, we saw a great blue heron and white pelicans, as well as the pond su used with an electric pink and orange sunset. My kids begged me to take them here when they were little. They called it the pirate park because it has a ship, among some other great play equipment, including the Kiwanis Barrier-Free playground with accessibility features. 1801 W. Segerstrom, Santa Ana Disc Golf
For those of you who forgot to make reservations, anywhere, there is still hope. Take your mom to the gorgeous gardens and pond of Central Park in Huntington Beach. While you’re there, pay $3 to play disc golf all day. You can even go out for lunch and come back to play another couple of rounds. The sport is blowing up right now, and Huntington Beach has one of the only courses in Orange County. 18189 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach
At Home
IN O.C.
Our county’s diverse collection of cities provides a chance to live by the coast, near Disneyland, up in the hills, or in the canyons. We spoke with experts for tips on making the most of your living space—whether you’re updating interiors, working from home, looking to build a unique addition, or eager to improve outdoor areas.
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Crafting a Kitchen
OWNER OF HUNTINGTON BEACHBASED LL DESIGN CO. SHARES HER VISION FOR THIS CUSTOM ALISO VIEJO KITCHEN.
L L isa Rossman turned this family’s dated kitchen into an elevated, coastal-modern design. Pulling inspiration from the renovated backyard, Rossman brought the outdoors in with a pop of green. “It’s a pretty neutral home, so I thought it was a nice opportunity to bring in some color,”
Rossman says. “It has a gray tone to it, so it’s not one of those in-your-face greens; it’s defi nitely more muted down and powdery.”
1“This was definitely the wow factor when you walk in. I actually laid out all of the white oak sticks for that hood and came up with that pa ern.”
2“The terra co a brought in that touch of something that feels unique and handmade. I think when you have pieces that feel found rather than cookie-cu er light fixtures, it warms it up and makes it feel unique to the family.”
3“The cabinetry feels timeless; the door styles are a micro shaker, which keeps it really sleek and modern, but you still get that detail around the doors.”
4“It’s a long, skinny kitchen and their main dining area is in the front of the house; they really didn’t have a casual space to sit as a family and eat. It’s a twist on an island, having it more of a table mixed with storage, so it was a really nice mixed-use space.”
5“We wanted to bring in something that had leather so you get more natural elements. On top of the barstools is a wrapped leather, and it just brought in a touch of so ness.”
VOICES
HOMEOWNERS SURVIVAL GUIDE
Expert tips for owning a home and staying safe.
“If you get the small fi re extinguishers from the store for your kitchen and laundry room, make sure you’re replacing them about once a year. There is an expiration date on the side of the extinguisher. And always clean out your lint traps in your dryer—not just the screen, but also the part below it, and the hoses that run from your dryer outside your house. Lint can get trapped in there and spark a fi re if the dryer gets really hot.”
RYAN O’CONNOR, City of Orange Deputy Fire Marshal
“With earthquake kits, make sure you’re putting something together yourself that fi ts your family’s specifi c needs and includes things like medicine or food for special dietary needs. Check it at least annually. I pack clothes that are a size too large, especially for my kids, because it’s easier to make something smaller than bigger. I also keep a pair of scissors in my kit. If tennis shoes are too small, for example, I can cut o the back and make them slip-ons.”
BRENDA EMRICK, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue’s fire protection specialist/community education and national and state instructor for Community Emergency Response Team
“People call me to replace their faucet and shower heads a lot because they’re having problems with low water pressure and think the faucets are broken. The truth is, a lot of the time, they just have a lot of calcifi cation on them, and you can fi x them yourself. Just twist o the faucet screen or shower head and soak it in apple cider vinegar. Then use a toothbrush to clean it, and the deposits should come right o .”
EDWARD WAITES, owner and handyman, SPCBS Building Services
“The biggest mistake I see homeowners make with their insurance is that they seldom review and update their policies and coverages to ensure maximum protection. Homeowners should review their policy every few years. And if you remodel your home with an add-on or other upgrade, that should defi nitely trigger a review of your policy. If your policy isn’t updated, worst case scenario, you have a house fi re that burns your home down, and you don’t have enough to rebuild.”
SAMANTHA LEE, insurance agent, Auto Club of Southern California
“When you’re buying a home, you should make sure to do a CCTV scan of the house’s main sewer line. It’s not included in most home inspections, so it’s an extra step, but it’s important because in 80 percent of houses, there’s some sort of problem down there, like tree roots growing into the line. You want to take care of that because it can cause your sewer line to back up into your house, and that can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars to repair and clean up.”
Design Talk
BOBBY BERK SHARES INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS.
Y Y ou know him as the interior designer who works miracles on the Emmy-winning show “Queer Eye.” Now you can shop his furniture line, A.R.T, locally at Mathis Brothers, C.S. Wo & Sons, and West Coast Living. Berk shares ideas to refresh your interiors and some behind-thescenes insight from the hit Netflix series. Mixing high and low pieces …
I think the best-looking houses are the ones that aren’t too matchy. You know when you go in and you just buy everything the exact same wood tone or metal finish or the exact same set exactly the way it’s set up on a sales floor—I don’t like that as much as things that come from Goodwill or places like that. I think that mixing things up like that looks the best.
Trend to shop for …
Neutrals. Especially when you’re buying furniture, buy things in neutrals because that way when you want to switch it up in a few years, or six months, or a month, or however long you get bored with things, you can switch it up with accessories or pillows and rugs—things that aren’t a higher price point that you can just run and buy.
Finding your style …
It’s hard not to get caught up in the trends, especially when you see it happening all the time. My advice is finding that piece that you really love and build from that. Instead of just looking at a trend and being like, “Oh, I want my whole place to look like that,” find that one piece that really speaks to you and decorate around that. That way you know you’re not just following a trend, you’re following your heart.
My starting point is always thinking about how they’re going to use the space and how changing the space is going to help change their day-to-day lives. I try to find out as much as possible about them. I’ve learned not to ask about design, because they don’t know, or if they do know, they don’t know how to articulate it. I ask them about their favorite movies, their favorite television shows, dream vacations, their favorite piece of clothing. If I start to see a common thread in things you’re passionate about, that’s what I tie into the designs.
Updating interiors …
Honestly my biggest suggestion, because obviously everyone’s budget is so tight right now, is to get rid of stu —there’s no need to get more stu . It’s amazing sometimes how you can make a space completely di erent when you just edit. Another fun thing to do without spending any money is moving things from room to room; move your art from your bedroom to your living room. My friends and I would have community decorating parties too, where we’d put together all the things that we were bored with in our houses and we’d bring it all and we’d come together and switch stu . Instead of home interior parties, home swap parties.
READ MORE FROM BERK AT orangecoast.com
SOURCED
Home O ce
HOW TO SET UP A WORKSPACE IN YOUR HOME
W W ith the stay-at-home order last year, many of us had to transition from going into an o ce every day to working from the kitchen table, couch, bed, or a mix of all three. Whether you’re looking to have an interior designer give insight or just want to set up a desk in a room, there are many ways to make the perfect workfrom-home space.
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CHELSEA RAINERI, Style and Home Editor
1. Line-drawn lady vase, $158, Rex Design, Costa Mesa 2. Solid brass le er tray, $59.95, CB2, Costa Mesa, 949-308-7100
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“It’s nice to have a devoted workspace that you can walk away from for lunch or at the end of the day. I think when you are creating a work area, keep things simple. There will be computers and fi les and papers and books to clutter up your work area. So I think starting with a nice clean space helps you to be productive.”
ASHLEY CLARK, Skout Interiors
3. Mallery hard-kno ed rug, $799 to $4,999, Rejuvenation, Costa Mesa, 714-241-4150 4. Gwyneth ivory bouclé chair, $899, CB2, Costa Mesa, 949-308-7100
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LEIGH LINCOLN, Pure Salt Interiors
ALY MORFORD, Pure Salt Interiors
5. Get pieces such as these marble taper holders, $24, House of Morrison, Costa Mesa, 949-612-8070 6. Glen Ellen armchair in natural, $718, Pure Salt Interiors, Newport Beach, 949-423-7356
BALANCING ACT
Jessica Borelli, associate professor of psychological science at UC Irvine, discusses mental health tips for working at home.
How do you separate work and leisure time if you don’t have a dedicated o ice?
This is something that’s challenging even when we’re not in a pandemic. But it’s heightened during this time. One of the things that can be most e ective is setting boundaries around time. So having a clocking in and out time and not breaking those boundaries. You can also think about visually hiding everything work-related, so you don’t have reminders of work when you’re trying to relax. Even something as crude as throwing a blanket over your desk will work. The other thing I try to do is change clothes for the workday. I’m a pajamas person. But putting on nicer clothes for work changes your physical state, which can help your body know that you’re entering a new psychological state. Otherwise, it can feel like one long workday that never ends.
What about working parents with kids at home?
The fi rst thing to do is just acknowledge how hard this is and be gentle with yourself. This might not be the time when you’re going to excel in either work or parenting. We’re really being taxed to our limits here. Figure out what are the nonessential responsibilities that you can be cutting from your life. Allow yourself to have downtime. Take a few breaks during the day. Take a short walk outside. And do something at the end of the workday—have dinner, work out, anything that gives you closure and solidifi es the idea that you’re entering the relaxation part of the day.
Garden Design
ASHLEY IRENE IS THE OWNER OF HEIRLOOM POTAGER, WHICH DESIGNS AND MAINTAINS CULINARY GARDENS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND RESTAURANTS. HER SHOWCASE GARDEN IS ON THE PROPERTY OF A 1920s FRENCH TUDOR HOME IN SANTA ANA’S HISTORIC FLORAL PARK.
What inspired Heirloom Potager?
Part of the name came from the idea of history. I love to grow heirloom varieties, which are seeds that are older than 50 years. And potager is the French word for kitchen garden. It’s the idea of being able to eat fresh from your garden every day and how that could transform not only your relationship with food, but also your health, well-being, and mindset.
How do you custom-build gardens for your clients?
I love to incorporate details from the home’s architecture and personal details from my client’s memories. We usually start people o with a lot of fresh herbs and greens, and we help build their confi dence as a gardener and suggest new varieties. That way, they can customize what’s in their garden every season and expand their culinary horizons.
Tips for planting an edible garden?
Grow things that you really love and want to eat, and write down your experience as you go. We give all of our clients a garden journal and encourage them to take meticulous notes. This month, I recommend planting avocado, carrots, melons, summer squash, watermelon, arugula, lavender, sage, and tomatoes.
What are some ways you focus on sustainability and philanthropy?
We choose to use California-sourced redwood for our wooden garden beds. One tree can provide so much, and in addition, they have a really long life span. I also take out a percentage of proceeds to give back.
Favorite plants to grow?
I really enjoy growing everything, but tomatoes are my all-time favorite. This year, we’re growing 20 varieties of tomatoes—from pea-size spoon tomatoes to 2-pound brightorange accordion tomatoes.
Historic Find
QUOTES
REALTOR JENNIFER WEERHEIM SHARES SECRETS OF THE PANKEY ESTATE.
W When this 1935 California Spanish Revival home hit the market in Orange County, it drew the interest of house hunters and historians alike. Situated in Tustin’s Lemon Heights neighborhood, the gated estate was built for philanthropists Edgar and Elizabeth Pankey. The compound includes a main house with 360-degree views, plus a guest cottage. Original elements such as art deco tiles, hand-hewn beams, and arched windows recall the elegance of a bygone era. A concealed staircase leads to the former speakeasy where socialites are said to have gathered. Weerheim discusses the property.
From the moment I entered the motor court, I knew this house was something special.
I would compare this home to my grandmother: It becomes more beautiful and classic with each passing year.
Every time I show this home to a prospective buyer, I discover something I had somehow overlooked before, from the counterweight to the original fire hose.
The entire estate is just stunning and quite a showpiece. The owners have done a magnificent job in maintaining its architectural integrity.
On the 4th of July, you can see fireworks erupting in every direction, from Dana Point to Long Beach and all the way to Catalina Island.
Photographing Real Estate
THE FOUNDER OF TUSTIN-BASED MODERN TAKE MEDIA SHARES TIPS ON HOW TO BEST CAPTURE YOUR HOME.
Y Y ou’ve seen it on Zillow, Redfin, and the like— beautifully shot homes that make you feel like you could jump right into the photo. But then the next home you click on might have images where the rooms are untidy or the photo is crooked. While not all of us are professional photographers, there are many ways you can get a betterlooking photo to draw in potential buyers if you’re listing your home.
Chris Snitko, a self-taught photographer who has been working in the industry for more than a decade, has three pet peeves when it comes to real estate photography:
When a toilet seat is left up, a barbecue cover is left on, and a garbage can is left out. “I think sometimes people get in a bit of a hurry and miss stu ,” Snitko says. “We try to take our time and be meticulous about it and capture the home as well as we can on location.”
While these are quick fixes, there are other mistakes Snitko spots instantly. “A lot of the time, when a seller shoots (on their iPhone) they hold the phone up and shoot, so 99 percent of the shots the average person takes are vertical,” he says. “For the sake of selling a property, (turn your phone horizontally)—you want it to look as wide as possible and as big as possible.” He also notes that images can come out crooked if you don’t have your grid on, which can be turned on in your settings. Sellers also tend to shoot from high up, which puts too much ceiling and too little floor in their shot. To remedy this, shoot from a lower angle, such as near your hip, or use a tripod and take the time to set up your shot.
Be sure to tidy your home and remove any clutter that will distract the viewer’s eye from the focal point. If
you’re trying to capture a beautiful sink, put the paper towel holder away. “You want to give people the easiest way to look at the space and what you’re featuring as opposed to anything else your eye might be drawn to,” Snitko says. “Less is always more, and in photographing properties, you want people to be able to visualize their stu in it.”
He also suggests shooting interiors during the day so they’re light and bright. Be sure to check the colors of your walls at various times to see when they look best before snapping a photo.
If you’re still not completely sure how you want to photograph your home, spend some time looking through real estate photography. “You’ll see right away what you like and what you don’t like, and I think the more you look at photos, the easier it is to emulate,” Snitko says.
BUYING A HOME? 5 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Kimberly Schulze, co-owner of Wise Choices Realty in Aliso Viejo, shares tips for fi nding and buying your dream home.
1Get preapproved “Suppose you fall in love with a house but don’t have a secured loan ready to go. In today’s low-inventory market, by the time you get your loan paperwork done, someone else has snatched up the property.”
2Know the competition “People need to understand how crazy the current market is. The inventory is lower than normal right now, so there’s more competition for the properties that are available. Sellers are getting multiple o ers a day. Buyers who come in o ering only asking price are likely going to lose the house.”
3Know the pandemic’s impact “Folks have been living with their extended families for a while now. With some restrictions being lifted, they feel now’s the time to get a bigger house. Or they’re getting a divorce as in, ‘I’ve been cooped up in this house with this person all year’ and they need a new place.”
4Do your homework “Buyers can best help themselves by doing their research before contacting a realtor. Less working hours for the agent means more savings for the client. Doing your homework ahead of time is like scratching o a winning lottery ticket. Suddenly you’ve got money to get that new carpet.”
5Keep calm “Agents deal with all aspects of home buying and selling. Appraisals, repairs, negotiations … it’s a lot. Buyers deal with all that plus the emotions. Some clients panic and end up canceling the deal only to come back a week later saying they’ve changed their minds. But by then, the house is gone. Take deep breaths and work with your agent. That’s the fastest way I know to getting the keys to your new home.”
Co ee & Comfort
ED STEFANOVIC OF HUNTINGTON BEACH BUILT A MINI COFFEEHOUSE IN HIS BACKYARD, WHICH WENT VIRAL WHEN HIS DAUGHTER JULIANNA POSTED ABOUT IT ON TWITTER.
Why build a cafe in your yard?
I’m a carpenter by trade. I’ve always loved cafes, and I told my family I was going to build one in our backyard, right before Covid hit. The idea was that I’d be in my own yard, but I would feel like I was somewhere else.
How long did it take?
It’s 120 square feet, and it took me three months working on it on and o between my full-time job. I’m still constantly adding fi ne touches onto it, and I think that will go on forever. It’s freestanding and built with mostly repurposed stu or materials other people would throw out. But that makes it one of a kind, and it only cost about $12,000 in materials.
What do you have brewing?
Nothing too fancy, but I have a small co ee maker and an espresso maker. I have an acrylic bakery case that I fi ll up on weekends when my kids come over.
What was your reaction to going viral?
I was overwhelmed and excited. I never thought something I built would be seen by so many. Suddenly I was on the news. I’ve had people ask me to build them their own, or a juice bar or ice cream shop. It was all because of my daughter.
‘I DO’ AT HOME
This local couple moved their wedding to a backyard.
When new COVID-19 restrictions were put in place a month before their big day, Samee and Kathy Aboubakare were forced to shift gears quickly and plan a backyard wedding. The wedding was held at Samee’s parents’ Garden Grove home, which was also where the couple got engaged. “In 23 days, with the help of our friends, family, and vendors, we were able to transform the backyard into the wedding venue we never imagined,” Kathy says.
Some of the O.C. vendors included wedding coordinator Roselyn and Co., The Flower Boutique, and Twenty Eight Restaurant & Bar, which provided beautifully packaged, individual dinner boxes that came with an entree, salad, hors d’oeuvres, and a cocktail or other beverage. The standout design elements included a floral arch, a rustic backyard fence, and pipe and drape backdrops by Ben’s Events. “A backyard wedding is not often what many people imagine their weddings to look like,” Kathy says. “In the end, we were able to create our special day because we never limited ourselves to what ‘normal’ weddings look like.”
MEDIAN SOLD HOME PRICES BY CITY
Source: realtor.com (February 2021)
ALISO VIEJO • newest city ANAHEIM • most populous city BREA
BUENA PARK
COSTA MESA • o icial mo o is “City of the Arts” CYPRESS
DANA POINT • the Whale Watching Capital of the World FOUNTAIN VALLEY
FULLERTON • considered the birthplace of the electric guitar GARDEN GROVE $675K
$700K
$805K
$685K
$949K
$770K
$1.3M
$836K
$719K
$640K
HUNTINGTON BEACH • has the only beach where dogs can be o leash $915K
IRVINE • Its park system is ranked seventh in the nation. $899K
LA HABRA $557K
LA PALMA • the smallest city by size at 1.8 square meters LAGUNA BEACH • more than 3 million visitors annually LAGUNA HILLS $900K
$2.4M
$835K
LAGUNA NIGUEL • one-third of the land is designated open space LAGUNA WOODS • 90 percent consists of a retirement community LAKE FOREST
LOS ALAMITOS $800K
$300K
$660K
$822K
MISSION VIEJO
NEWPORT BEACH • 10 miles of coastline $805K
$2.2M
ORANGE • The Sha er house is the city’s oldest home, built in 1874. PLACENTIA
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA $775K
$728K
$816K
SAN CLEMENTE
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO • oldest city SANTA ANA • home to a 20-acre zoo
SEAL BEACH • listings range from $160K to $4.2M STANTON
TUSTIN
VILLA PARK • least-populous city WESTMINSTER • home to Li le Saigon YORBA LINDA • has dozens of horse trails $1.2M
$1.1M
$620K
$252K
$503K
$714K
$1.6M
$810K
$1.1M
WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH ARRIGHI BORSTING, HANNAH DILANCHYAN, ROBIN JONES, ASTGIK KHATCHATRYAN, BARBARA NEAL VARMA, MICHELLE PAGARAN, AND CHELSEA RAINERI
LETTERS HOME
An immense collection of American war letters at Chapman University o ers a glimpse into the minds of troops writing from battles throughout history.
by MILES CORWIN photography by EMILY J. DAVIS
ne letter was written by a Black soldier fi ghting for the Union Army to the woman who had enslaved his daughter. Another, written by a Confederate soldier, was pulled o the soldier’s dead body. A sailor, trapped aboard a ship, dashed o a note as Japanese planes were bombing Pearl Harbor. A prisoner of war during World War II scrawled a message on the back of a family photo, shortly before his death. An army sergeant who had pilfered Adolf Hitler’s personal stationery, emblazoned with a swastika, crossed out the name at the top, inserted his own, and penned a letter to his family.
Some of these war letters are stained with blood, dusted with desert sand, encrusted with mud, or pierced by bullets. They are from troops that span the Revolutionary War to the confl icts in Iraq and Afghanistan and are part of a growing collection of more than 150,000 housed at Chapman University’s Center for American War Letters, the largest private collection of its type in the nation.
This remarkable epistolary history of American warfare was donated to Chapman by Andrew Carroll. Many universities and museums had been vying for Carroll’s collection, but he decided Chapman was the ideal repository because he knew the letters would not be stuck in a corner of a library, gathering dust; they would be a resource for students and faculty, in addition to scholars and the general public. Chapman professors employ the letters in various departments. Graduate students in the War and Society program and undergraduates in history and Holocaust studies classes use the letters as source material for projects. Theater students have acted in a play based on Carroll’s collection.
BELOW: Spotswood Rice le er RIGHT: Dean Allen le er OPPOSITE PAGE: Lt. Thomas R. Kennedy le ers
“I said to Chapman that I’ll give you the entire collection for no payment, but I have only one request: I don’t want them locked in an archive,” Carroll says. “I want them accessible, and I want the project to be ongoing so it will continue to receive letters. The students have been so respectful of the material and the professors so supportive, that I feel Chapman is the perfect home.” The project, Carroll says, has no agenda. The letters neither glorify war, nor are they anti-war. They represent a multitude of views and perspectives: eyewitness accounts of storied battles, letters to sweethearts, heartfelt feelings of patriotism, refl ections of mortality, skepticism of a war’s purpose.
“This is America’s undiscovered literature,” says Carroll, whose passion for the project has remained undiminished during his 23-year quest. A brief question often precipitates a lengthy monologue, an animated recitation of the project’s origins and an enthusiastic recounting of recent gems he has uncovered. “Some are so profound and beautifully written. They remind this generation of the sacrifi ces the troops made and what this country has been through. If you stripped away the dates and location, you might not know the war. The emotions are so timeless and universal.”
It is pretty hard to check out this way without a fighting chance, but we can’t live forever. I’m not afraid to die, I just hate the thought of not seeing you again. Take care of my nieces and nephews. Don’t let them ever want anything as I want even warmth or water now.
LT. THOMAS R. KENNEDY, who was aboard a Japanese prison ship, died soon a er he wrote to his parents.
While there is a universality of emotion among troops throughout history, the writing styles during the various periods of war are distinctive. The language used by soldiers in the Revolutionary War and Civil War was often fl owery and distinctively eloquent, Carroll says, because during that time most people’s reading was limited to the King James Bible. The language during and after World War I was more conversational. Troops from Iraq and Afghanistan sent mostly emails. Because so many troops served in World War II, these are the most varied and represent the largest portion of the collection, but they di er from those in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, which were more candid and sometimes critical because they weren’t censored.
Being a good platoon leader is a lonely job. I don’t want to really get to know anybody over here because it would be bad enough to lose a man—I damn sure don’t want to lose a friend.
DEAN ALLEN wrote to his wife from Vietnam, four days before he was killed stepping on a land mine.
Carroll’s pursuit of war letters stems from a fi re that gutted his family’s Washington, D.C., home while he was a sophomore in college. He was most distraught by the loss of photos, memorabilia, and letters. A distant relative, James Carroll Jordan, who had been a pilot during World War II, responded by sending a piece of family history: a letter he had written to his wife in April 1945. Jordan described in graphic detail the horrifi c scene his squadron had observed at the Buchenwald concentration camp, which had recently been liberated. “I saw something today that made me realize why we’re over here fi ghting the war,” Jordan wrote. When Carroll promised to return the letter, Jordan told him to keep it.
“This is what sparked the whole project,” Carroll says. “I was shocked he was going to get rid of it. I’ll never forget holding the thin, onion-skin paper and thinking how fragile the paper was compared to the enormity of the words. This is what really made me realize that these letters refl ect the human side of history, and how many people don’t realize how important it is to preserve this history.”
Carroll spent the next decade asking friends, family, teachers, and acquaintances for war letters. The project was merely an avocation; his vocation was co-founder with Nobel Laureate Joseph Brodsky of the American Poetry & Literacy Project, a nonprofi t that distributed free books of poetry. What began as a desultory quest was immediately transformed when his plea for wartime correspondence was published as part of the Dear Abby column on Veteran’s Day 1998. Carroll had hoped to receive a few dozen letters. Four days later, a postal clerk called and told Carroll his P.O. box was full. He said he’d hop on his bicycle and head right over. The clerk told him he should bring a car.
The correspondence continued to grow and eventually evolved into Carroll’s life’s work. He compiled several bestselling anthologies, including “War Letters” and “Behind the Lines”—the profi ts from which he donated to veterans’ organizations— and collaborated on a number of documentaries, all of which spawned more letters. Soon his apartment was overrun with fi le cabinets and crates of letters, and he ended up renting another unit in his building for storage. His most valuable letters were stored in a safety deposit box.
I want you to understand … that where ever you and I meets we are (enemies) … When I get ready to come after Mary, I will have … a power and authority to bring (her) away and to execute (vengeance) on them that holds my Child. Then you will know how to talke to me.
SPOTSWOOD RICE, a freed man who had joined the Union army, realized he was only a few miles from his former slave owner’s home. He wrote to the man’s wife, who had enslaved his daughter, Mary. (The project has a copy of this le er, not the original.)
Carroll’s connection to Chapman began more than a decade ago when theater professor John Benitz contacted him. Benitz believed the story of Carroll seeking the letters interspersed with actors and actresses reading them could be the basis of a play. Carroll wrote the script and Benitz o ered guidance. The play, “If All the Sky Were Paper,” premiered at Chapman in 2010, was directed by Benitz, and students in the theater department were cast. The play was later performed at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Los Angeles, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and other theaters across the country. Renowned actors, including Annette Bening, Laura Dern, and Ed Asner,
BELOW: Andy Harman with a le er inscribed on a coconut RIGHT: Ensign William Czako le er OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: Andrew Carroll OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: Gary Cole, columnist “Dear Abby,” Andrew Carroll, Laura Dern, and Daniele Struppa
have played featured roles.
Carroll was impressed that Daniele Struppa, then a chancellor at Chapman and now the president, was so enthusiastic and insightful about the project. Their rapport was immediate, Carroll says, which eventually led to his donation. Struppa now hopes the collection eventually becomes the largest repository of war letters in the world. “I thought this was such a fabulous collection that it was a pity it was kept in someone’s closet,” Struppa says. “A university can do so much with these letters, even more than a museum, because we have students and faculty who can value and study them. I reached out to Andrew and the idea was born.”
We were just struck by a bomb near the bow. I don’t know why I am writing this because if we are hit with a bomb here they won’t find enough of me … let alone this le er. I imagine it is to show myself that I can be calm under fire.
ENSIGN WILLIAM CZAKO wrote to his sister from Pearl Harbor as Japanese bombers roared overhead. He survived the war.
Carroll splits his time between Washington, D.C., and Orange County, but he has remained on the East Coast since the pandemic, so archivist Andy Harman provided a reporter with a tour of the Center for American War Letters, which is housed on the ground fl oor of Chapman’s Leatherby Libraries. The letters are stored in acid-free folders and the hundreds of boxes, shelved in chronological order, are housed in the archive room. The collection includes letters written on wallpaper, a coconut, and toilet paper, and one includes a shard of wood peeled o Hitler’s desk from his Berlin o ce. The spacious reading room is lined with tables and chairs for classroom activities as well as posters, display cases, and bookshelves fi lled with Carroll’s collection of Armed Service Edition paperbacks that were sent to the troops during World War II. Before the pandemic, the
ANDREW CARROLL PHOTOGRAPHS AND LETTER PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ANDREW CARROLL reading room featured frequent exhibits, including one about the 100th Anniversary of the World War I Armistice, “California in the World Wars,” “War in the Pacifi c,” one on love letters, and another about Christmas overseas. One poignant exhibit remains: “The Casualty Corner,” which includes last letters sent from soldiers and sailors before they were killed in combat, condolence notes sent by commanding o cers to surviving family members, and telegrams informing families that their sons were missing in action or killed.
Removing a letter sent by a family member from an envelope and perusing it is often quite moving, Harman says. “You can feel what the letter writer felt—that sense of emotion—and you realize the sacrifi ce they made. The sense of history is amazing. When I have a Civil War letter, I can literally feel the history of the country in my hand.”
A year ago today I was sweating out shells on Anzio Beachhead. Today I am si ing in Hitler’s luxuriously furnished apartment in Munich writing a few lines home. … I can’t shrug o the feeling of u er hate I now hold for these people.
HORACE EVERS writing to his mother
The project also contains correspondence from the home front, including letters from parents to children and husbands and wives to spouses serving overseas, and from nurses serving in war zones. Carroll eventually embarked on a seven-month journey meeting with veterans and historians and collecting letters in numerous war-torn cities around the world, including Baghdad, Kabul, and Hiroshima.
Included in the collection is a letter sent to the surviving family members of six people, fi ve of them children, who were killed by a Japanese balloon bomb while on a church picnic in Oregon. They were the only Americans to die during World War II in an attack on the continental United States. Tetsuko Tanaka was 16 years old when she was pulled out of school and sent to a munitions plant to construct the bombs. She wrote the letter 42 years after the incident, and included 1,000 folded paper cranes, a Japanese symbol of peace and reconciliation.
We learned for the first time about what is known as “The Oregon Tragedy,” involving the loss of six lives. … Such a realization truly sent a chill down my spine. My heart pains. … These 1,000 cranes were folded one by one by some of us who made the balloon bombs, seeking forgiveness, and with a prayer for peace and a vow that the error of the past shall never again be repeated. We pray from afar in Japan that the six victims rest eternally in peace.
TETSUKO TANAKA
SNAPSHOT
HER SECOND ACT
O.C. native and Orange County School of the Arts alumna Lauren Lim Jackson returns to her old stomping grounds, in more ways than one, after a successful career on Broadway. by Alan Gibbons
After a few years at Harvard, Jackson wanted to quit and pursue her Broadway dreams. Her father nixed that plan but agreed that once she graduated, she could do what she wanted. With her degree in hand, she moved to New York and spent nearly 15 years performing in hit shows such as “Memphis,” “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Motown,” and “Pretty Woman,” as well as acting for film and TV. She also got married and had a baby. “When I had my daughter, we thought, ‘How long do we want to stay in New York?’ It’s horrible raising a toddler in New York City unless you’re a millionaire. Carrying strollers up and down icy stairwells, plus the subway, and schooling is so expensive. We made the decision it’s time to move back to California.”
Jackson grew up in Lake Forest and found her love for performing early. “I have an older sister, and I did whatever she did. She was in ballet class, so I wanted to be in ballet class. I started dancing at 3; I’ve been professionally dancing and working since the age of 6. I started choreographing at OCSA. Every year, they do a choreography showcase. Rarely would freshmen be able to choreograph, but my piece got chosen.”
After she came back to Orange County last summer, OCSA leaders invited her to host the season premiere and be a guest mentor. When the director of musical theatre
In any off time, we have our feet in the sand. The ocean is our sanctuary; we didn’t get to do stuff like that in New York.
took another job, Jackson seemed the logical choice to take over. “That job literally fell out of the sky in the most magical way possible. … I wrote my personal statement for college about the importance of arts education. I’d always planned and dreamed of coming back to OCSA at some point. I’m now ready to share the knowledge I’ve accrued with the next generation. They’re the ones who are going to take the torch and keep running, and I want to give them a well-lit torch.”
She says she feels right at home after many years away. “The energy has not changed. The best part about OCSA, it’s a community where all are welcome. You’re different; that’s cool. If you’re exploring who you want to be in life, you are welcome. That culture has maintained. What’s really fun is that there are still teachers who were there when I was there. Our new principal, I was one of his first students. He was a mentor. To see him grow as an educator and administrator and to work alongside him is the best thing ever.”
Being actors, Jackson and her husband, Vince Oddo, had originally planned to move to L.A. After spending time with her parents in Lake Forest during the pandemic, they decided to stay here. “My family is still here, and it’s so important for my daughter to spend time with her grandparents. My sister has a daughter, and we’ve been podded together. Being in Orange County is a game changer for us. The innate quality of life—the sunshine, family, Disneyland, the beaches—it’s such a gift. We want to focus on enjoying that gift.”
A HELPING HAND
PROFILING LOCAL NONPROFITS & CHARITIES – MISSIONS, STORIES, EVENTS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WAYS TO HELP GIVE BACK TO THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY.
vecteezy.com
Illustration: vecteezy.com
OUR STORY
After nearly 100 years matching the right candidate with the right job, Goodwill of Orange County knows one thing to be true: a job can change a life. For individuals with physical or developmental disabilities, a young person trying to start a new chapter after making a mistake or a veteran transitioning from the military to civilian life, finding meaningful employment can change everything. For these individuals, a job means more than just a paycheck. It means empowerment through employment. For Salvador, a job allowed him to turn over a new leaf.
Connected through Orange County’s Young Adult Court to Goodwill’s Young Adult Life Launch, or YALL, program, like so many of us, Salvador needed a second chance. Goodwill gave him that opportunity. Today, Salvador thrives in his job as an Ecommerce Clerk for shopgoodwill. com. Salvador’s manager Ted saw beyond his past with the justice system, and instead gave him the opportunity to start over. The YALL program is one of 25 Goodwill programs aimed at changing lives through the power of work. Salvador is one of more than 17,800 individuals whose lives were transformed by employment last year. Goodwill of Orange County has been a part of the fabric of Orange County for 97 years. We are the leader in workforce development and job placement for people in our community. Our employment training specialists, job coaches and advocates are ready to help individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, people with mental health diagnoses, veterans, individuals with limited work experience or justice involvement, those in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, and more, find their own pathway to greater independence.
If you need a job. If you have a disability. If you are a veteran. If you are an employer ready to hire. Goodwill is here. And we see the power of employment every day.
MISSION
Goodwill helps people who are facing barriers find and keep jobs, which provides purpose, pride, and dignity. 410 N. Fairview Sreet Santa Ana, CA 92703 P. 714-547-6308
ocgoodwill.org
UPCOMING EVENTS:
See The Good Virtual Tour
Year Round Join us for a virtual inside look at the heartbeat of Goodwill, the programs and services we operate and the incredible people we serve. RSVP to communitydevelopment@ ocgoodwill.org to join the next tour.
2021 Goodwill Golf Classic
May 25, 2021
Pelican Hill Golf Club Newport Beach
Join Goodwill of Orange County for its annual Golf Classic to support local veterans and their families. The tournament will raise important funds for the Tierney Center for Veteran Services, a comprehensive resource for veterans in Orange County that provides job placement, housing assistance, support navigating and accessing benefits, emergency services, and more.
WHY DONATE
Change a life. Everyone deserves to feel the purpose, pride and dignity that comes from meaningful employment.
As part of our pandemic relief efforts, we provided $500 emergency debit cards to close to 8,000 OC families impacted by COVID-19 to help with rent, food, and other basic needs.
OUR STORY
Orange County United Way is committed to leading the fi ght for equity by removing barriers, closing gaps, and leveling the playing fi eld for everyone who lives here.
We put our mission into action through three initiatives: United for Student Success, United for Financial Security, and United to End Homelessness. Each includes programming to meet basic needs, develop skills, and ensure long-term success. Orange County United Way also steps up whenever our communities need us to respond to immediate or emerging crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us in helping our students succeed, our struggling families gain fi nancial security, and our homeless neighbors fi nd a place to call home.
Learn more at UnitedWayOC.org.
Our Class of 2021 program is helping 300 high school seniors from OC communities hardest hit by COVID-19 graduate on time and bridge the digital divide. It includes an e-Mentorship component, a robust virtual workshop series, and a new laptop to incentivize students to fi nish high school strong.
VISION
We envision an Orange County where every person receives a quality education, is fi nancially stable, is healthy and thriving, and has a place to call home. 18012 Mitchell South Irvine, CA 92614 P. 949-660-7600
UnitedWayOC.org
UPCOMING EVENT:
Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast
Thursday, May 20, 2021 Connect virtually with over 900 of OC’s most infl uential philanthropists at our annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast. This signature event, ranked #1 Charity Breakfast for community impact by the Orange County Business Journal, raises funds for our programmatic work to help local families transition from surviving to thriving, making a di erence for those facing housing instability or struggling to get by. In the wake of COVID-19, the continued support of these programs is critical.
We’re proud to present Lisa Ling, executive producer, journalist, and host of CNN’s This Is Life as this year’s celebrity guest.
To learn more, visit WPFBreakfast.org.
WHY DONATE
When you contribute to Orange County United Way, your gift transforms lives right here in our community.
OUR STORY:
Becoming a parent at any age is a life-altering experience. When a teenager becomes a parent, the new responsibilities can be overwhelming. Fristers helps young parents become successful parents. We provide education, mentoring, and case management for mothers, fathers and children. With our support adolescent parents are graduating high school, enrolling in college and vocational training, securing employment, building healthy relationships, and learning how to parent. Children are improving their developmental, social and educational gains. Families are being strengthened.
MISSION
Fristers is dedicated to helping adolescent parents build healthy and stable lives and families. 17815 Sky Park Circle, Ste. H Irvine, CA 92614 P: 949-387-7889
fristers.org
OUR STORY:
After their young son Max was diagnosed with brain cancer, Audra and Justin Wilford started MaxLove Project to help other families thrive in the face of childhood cancer. MLP employs evidence-based practices in all of its programming, including wholefood cooking classes at hospitals and the MaxLove Connect mobile app, serving childhood cancer families nationwide. Since Audra’s appearance in Orange Coast’s 35 Kick-Ass Women issue in 2020, the Wilfords began expansion of MLP to the East Coast, and Max continues to thrive.
MISSION
To increase quality of life and reduce health risks for all children surviving cancer, in treatment and beyond, by empowering families with “fi erce foods,” whole-body wellness, education and research. 805 W. La Veta Ste. 205 Orange, CA 92868 P: 888-399-6511
maxloveproject.org
UPCOMING EVENT:
Celebration Gala
September 24, 2021 Gather to support Fristers’ programs for young parents and children, and celebrate the positive impact made - including 100% of mothers who graduate from Fristers have earned a high school diploma, compared to 50% national average. Cocktails, dinner and live auction. Sponsorships available.
WHY DONATE: Young parents face enormous challenges, most often alone. You can help provide the community of support they need to thrive.
UPCOMING EVENT:
#forkchildhoodcancer Campaign
July 1-September 25, 2021 Virtual Event
Farm To Fork Dinner September 25, 2021
Tanaka Farms Irvine, CA
WHY DONATE Most kids with cancer survive to adulthood but experience signifi cantly reduced quality of life and enormous health risks. Our goal is to ensure that every kid with cancer thrives against the odds.
OUR STORY
NAMI Orange County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization that provides no-cost education, support, and advocacy for those affected by mental illness within Orange County. Over the past 40 years, we have been a founding member of OC’s push toward creating a more inclusive and #stigmafreeOC. In addition to our signature programs available to all community members, we offer a wealth of no-cost programs and events targeted toward First Responders, Transitional Aged Youth, and Healthcare Workers. Visit namioc.org to learn more.
MISSION
To provide mental heath education, support and advocacy to all Orange County families affected by mental illness. 24822 Jeronimo Lane Lake Forest, CA 92630 P: 714-544-8488
namioc.org
Orange County
UPCOMING EVENT:
NAMIWalks Orange County
Coming this Fall NAMIWalks Orange County is our largest community awareness campaign to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and to fund crucial NAMI programs for families, peers, and providers.
WHY DONATE All NAM-OC programs are always provided at no-cost to our community. Donations to our organization help countless families navigate their mental health journey’s.
Charitable Events CALENDAR
ALL YEAR LONG
See The Good Virtual Tour Goodwill Orange County
RSVP to communitydevelopment@ ocgoodwill.org
OneOC Volunteer Opportunities
volunteers.oneoc.org
MAY 3
Annual Golf Tournament Big Brothers Big Sisters OC
ocbigs.org/events
8 *Virtual*
March for Babies March of Dimes Orange County
Marchforbabies.org/team/ marchofdimesoc 13
Adventure Guides Golf Tournament YMCA OC Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club
ymcaoc.org/community-events
15-25
Field of Honor Exchange Club of Newport Harbor Castaway Park
exchangeclubofnewportharbor.com/fi eldof-honor
20 *Virtual*
Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast Orange County United Way
wpfbreakfast.org
22 *Virtual*
CHOC Walk CHOC Foundation
chocwalk.org 23
Pickleball Tournament CASA OC Tennis Club of Newport Beach
casaoc.org/event/pickleball
25
Goodwill Golf Classic Goodwill OC
Pelican Hill Golf Club Newport Beach ocgoodwill.org
JUNE 3 *Virtual*
1000 Founders’ Virtual Celebration Hoag Hospital Foundation
hoaghospitalfoundation.org
4 *Virtual*
Better Together Girls Inc. of Orange County
girlsinc-oc.org
4
Brighter Futures Luncheon Laura’s House Balboa Bay Resort
laurashouse.org
10
Audi - Volvo Cars Mission Viejo Golf Classic Mission Hospital Foundation Pelican Hill Golf Club
supportmissionhospital.org
26 *Virtual*
Blaze Your Own Trail Make-A-Wish Orange County
wish.org/ocie/2021-blaze-your-own-trailchallenge
27
Chef’s Table Illumination Foundation Private Estate
ifhomeless.org
JULY 1-September 25
#forkchildhoodcancer Campaign Virtual Event Max Love Project
maxloveproject.org
15-17
38th Annual Concert The Wooden Floor The Wooden Floor Main Street Location
thewoodenfl oor.org/annualconcert
24
Celebration Gala Fristers OC Pelican Hill Golf Club
fristers.org
AUGUST 7
Relay for Life South OC American Cancer Society Oso Viejo Community Park
acsevents.org
29
Table for Ten Newoprt Beach Marriott
wish.org/ocie/table-ten FALL 2021
NAMIWalks Orange County NAMI Orange County
namioc.org
SEPTEMBER 17
Romance of the Mission Benefi t Gala The Mission Preservation Foundation Mission San Juan Capistrano
missionsjc.com
10
HomeAid OC’s Annual Fundraiser HomeAid Orange County Christ Cathedral
homeaidoc.org
18
32ND Annual Crabfeast & Auction YMCA OC Fullerton Family YMCA
ymcaoc.org/community-events
23
Keep The Promise Wine Tasting Benefi t The Wooden Floor TBA
thewoodenfl oor.org/winetasting
24
Celebration Gala Fristers OC
fristers.org
25
Farm to Fork Dinner Max Love Project Tanaka Farms
maxloveproject.org
30
Gourmet Dinner Big Brothers Big Sisters Orange County Balboa Bay Resort
ocbigs.org/gourmetdinner
OCTOBER 2
Light the Night Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Lightthenight.org/events/orange-county 6
Harvesters Fashion Show & Luncheon Second Harvest Food Bank TBA
feedoc.org/harvesters
17
Wine Celebration Rooster’s Foundation Old Ranch Country Club
roostersfoundation.org/roosters-events
24
Making Strides of Orange County American Cancer Society TBA
acsevents.org
NOVEMBER 5 & 6
Chapman Celebrates Chapman University TBA
Chapman.edu/chapman-celebrates
DECEMBER 4
Holiday Gala Celebrating Proidence Mission Hospital 50th Anniversary Providence Mission Hospital – Mission Viejo campus
supportmissionhospital.org/blog/2021holiday-gala
Please check with event organizers as some dates and details may have changed.
