Orange County Society Magazine by Orange County Society Magazine

pa s t | p r e s e n t | f u t u r e | E v e r y t hin g o c | S E P T 2 016

Tales from the

Tube ONE LOVE

bob marley

tribute

ocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most

haunted

APARTMENT #68

& supercrossed the murder of

mickey

thompson

E L L I S

T H E

E R I C S O N

H I S T O R Y

R V C A . C O M

O F

S U R F I N G

# I N S P I R E D B Y R V C A

T H E B A L A N C E O F O P P O S I T E S

#PASTPresentFuture

Orange County has long been the birthplace for everything from hair styles to lifestyles to the music we listen to, influencing people all over the world down to the clothes they wear. In the late ‘70s punk rock was born and Orange County again was at the forefront with small clubs like the Cuckoo’s Nest in Costa Mesa bringing in bands that would eventually be household names, including the Ramones, OC’s own Social Distortion and here, a shot by the fabulous Ed Colver, the Dead Kennedys. They say life comes full circle, will the Dead Kennedys (with Jello Biafra) ever play OC again???? P h o t o : E dwar d C o lv er

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#PASTPRESENTFUTURE

My partner Skip always says, best photo wins! In other words, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got no story without the photo to back it. While we were delivering magazines to Grinderz Burgers in HB we saw this insanely original, giant photo on the wall. Right when we saw it, we knew we wanted to print it. Seconds later, one of the owners delivered our burgers and told us who the skater was. It was none other than punk rock legend, Brian Brannon, lead singer of the legendary punk band, JFA. Long story short, we got a call from Brian, he sent the high resolution image, and voila! Here it is. P h o t o : R u ss S ak u rai

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september | 2016

Contents #PastPresentFuture 3 epic photos!

#SpotlightOC A plethora of readable nugz

#Musick One Love: Bob Marley

#BeneathTheOrangeCurtain The Mickey Thompson Murders

#CoverStory Tales from the Tube

#OCSTATEOFMIND Posters for your bedroom wall!!

#FightKlub History of the UFC. Part 1

#Skateordie Sky High with Skyler Grocholski

#joefostersarmy Billions Served?

#hankfotomyworld The irony of Slater’s 1st pro win

#COACHHOUSEROCKS Now playing in South County

#Tattooyou Sabrina Bolster

#motorheads Ocotillo Wells

#Americanicon Straight outta HB with Kohl Laren

#eatingout A little this, a little that

#barwars Battle of the Blvds.

#cultureshocked Goodbye, Orange County.

#TruthLiesLegend OC’s Most Haunted: Apt. #68

#OCSOCIETYGIRL Hannah Ridgeway

#PASTPRESENTFUTURE

Shark!!! Seems like more sharks than ever are being sighted all over Orange County’s coast. From hammerheads to great whites, our shores are teaming with them. Hopefully it’s a sign that our oceans are healing. As for us, we’ve been swimming and surfing these shorelines for decades and we’re proud to say our ocean seems cleaner and clearer than ever lately. To some I’m sure their presence sends fear deep into their souls, but as for us, we’re glad to see they’re here ... as long as they mind their own business. P h o t o : M ars h a l l La l ly

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We are OC society PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Skip Snead skip@orangecountysociety.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Cabler steve@orangecountysociety.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Neight Adamson neight@orangecountysociety.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ray “Bones” Rodriguez MUSIC editor Jeff Weddle ILLUSTRATORS Antonio Mejias, Drew Toonz PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Weems, Tom Cozad, Strider Snead, Hank Foto, Nick the Tooth, Edward Colver, Robbie Crawford, Murphy Karges, PK, Jake Polgreen, Ken Woods, Marshall Lally, Joe Foster, John Salanoa, Dawson Maloney, Ricky Birks, Eric Barnes, Cat Gregory, Jared Sislin, Cliff Endsley, Ben Ginsberg, Matt Doheny, Bob Okvist, Stan Sievers, Bobby Zee, Jon Zich, David Holzman, Mike Voorhees, Ray Ray Garcia CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Daniel Samarin, Sean Stroh, Paul Duran, Chris Cullen, Jon Richards, Derek Rielly, Scott Theriault, Jeff Weddle, Victoria Johnson ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Andes - greg@orangecountysociety.com ADVERTISING SALES REP Buddy Purel - bpurel@gmail.com SPECIAL THANKS Michelle Banks, Chele Rubendall, Mike Molseed, Diana McCalla, Strider Snead, Carver Quinn, Dave Weems ADVERTISING INQUIRIES INVITED, EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS APPRECIATED Please submit all media kit requests, questions, or contributions via email skip@orangecountysociety.com PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY OC SOCIETY MAG 2650 Avon Street Newport Beach, CA 92663 ORANGECOUNTYSOCIETY.COM Instagram @orangecountysociety Facebook /orangecountysociety FOUNDERS Skip Snead and Steve Cabler PRINTED IN USA, All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in any part of any words or photos or drawings without the expressed written consent by OC Society Magazine is strictly prohibited.

P h o t o by J as o n M i l l er

#SPOTlightoc

Before the bigs: chili peppers This month, Red Hot Chili Peppers early ‘80s. Sadly enough we have no idea who took this shot and it’s floating around out there on the worldwide web without credit ... even Anthony Keidis doesn’t know who shot the photo. Might’ve been a fan, or a family member, but regardless of who shot it, it’s gotta be one of the best blasts to the past we’ve seen in awhile. Everyone knows Anthony and Flea were always into surfing and skating, and this shot of them, slightly before they went Gold, encompasses the stoke of skateboarding in the 1980s. Sickest board for what would be an even sicker band!!

pelagic girl of the Month

Michelle

BEHIND THE COVER: SEPT‘16 If life is a wave, then Punker Pat Towersey lives in the pit!! Punker’s been a part of the OC surf community his entire life and could arguably be one of the nicest guys in the surf industry which is odd considering his nickname and how it couldn’t be farther than who he really is! Much love to Punker and the entire Towersey family!!!! Keep on riding that tube!! P h ot o : R o bbie C raw f o r d / G o P r o

interview: Justin & Travis of New Generation

What makes your New Generation Dispensary different than the others? To start, we have the highest quality meds for the lowest donations, with our top shelf capping at $10 a gram + tax. Also, we truly are compassionate about the industry and being able to provide patients with safe access to this medicine, along with superb customer service where people remember

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your name when you walk in. Lastly, we provide a discount to Veterans, Law Enforcement, Senior Citizens, and patients with disabilities. What does the future hold for New Gen? Our name New Generation says it all. We plan on setting the standard for this industry and showing not only Orange County, but eventually expanding to other counties as well, that this industry can help bring our state out of its deficit, increase education for our children by providing schools with more tax dollars, more revenue for law enforcement, which will lead to taking more crime of the streets. We simply are the New Generation of this industry. We felt that Santa Ana was the perfect new home for us to be able to provide safe access to Prop 215 patients, for a lower donation than what they are used to around here. And be a new asset to the community.

That time you took your girl out on the boat thinking you could impress her or teach her a few things about fishing ... only to find that she schooled you!! This is Michelle. She likes fishing for Mahi. She’s better at it than you are! Photo: Pelagic

@Drewtoonz

OCS: What do you think will happen this November in regards to the legalization of recreational cannabis? New Generation: We think Proposition 64 will pass. We believe we have enough political support and backing, plus other states proving to have successful operations, it’s finally being recognized as a legitimate industry.

#SPOTlightoc

Best Night EVER! The Pacific Symphony Hard to believe the Pacific Symphony has been with us 37 years but it’s true. Harder to believe Music Director Carl St. Clair has led the orchestra for 26 of those years! The Pacific Symphony is a must do if you’re anywhere in So Cal. It’s the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years, and is recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on the local, national and international scenes! Presenting more than 100 concerts and events a year and a rich array of education and community programs, the Symphony reaches more than 275,000 residents—from school children to senior citizens. Founded in 1978 as a collaboration between California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), and North Orange County community leaders led by Marcy Mulville, the Symphony performed its first concerts at Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium as the Pacific Chamber Orchestra, then two seasons later, the Symphony expanded its size and changed its name to Pacific Symphony Orchestra. They played Knott’s Berry Farm for one year, four years at Santa Ana High School, 12 years at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and for the last decade at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall where they continue to enrich minds today. Presented by Musketeer bail bonds So what are you waiting for?? Book your tickets today at PacificSymphony.org

Jail Babes of the OC

Just when you think the well’s run dry, boom, another hottie hits the pen. Well, the booking room, anyway. Always innocent until proven guilty, and by the look of things, we’re thinking this was a Labor Day party from the past that just plain went wrong. We could be right, or not. Either way, she’s one girl we wouldn’t mind bailing out.

Lunch with a Homie

Nature + Science with dr. purps This month: brain food for thought Your brain is an expensive organ. It is priceless to life, and in the context of fuel consumption, requires a remarkable amount of energy to run compared to the other organs of your body. On average, the brain accounts for 2% total body weight, but eats up a whopping 20% of the oxygen and calories you consume. Considering the importance of acquiring knowledge and using thought at school, work and beyond, it is wise to make healthy food choices that: 1) fuel your brain, 2) feed its structure and function and 3) offset damage caused by potentially harmful byproducts produced during normal brain metabolism. Indeed, the act of eating – even before food hits your gut – can stimulate brain centers involved in learning and memory, but the quality of food matters. Under normal conditions your brain is fueled by glucose. Note: sugar a.k.a. sucrose (glucose + fructose) should not be its primary energy source; excess refined sugar (and saturated fat) is implicated with impaired learning and increased oxidative stress. Healthy carbohydrates e.g. fruits (including beans, the magical fruit), vegetables and whole grains are good options, all of which provide additional health benefits beyond energy.

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You should also get to know the omega-3 fatty acids to feed your brain’s structure and function. There are three types: 1) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), from chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, tofu and brussel sprouts, 2) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 3) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in oily fish (e.g. wild salmon, herring, trout, sardines) and grass fed beef. In a nutshell, they are components of neuronal membranes, and are thought to support cognitive processes by facilitating synaptic plasticity involved in learning and memory, and by stimulating glucose utilization and mitochondrial function. Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce oxidative stress. Shoot for a daily average of 2-3 grams ALA and 500 mg EPA/DHA. Your brain is active! Its high metabolic load renders it susceptible to oxidative stress and inflammation caused by potentially harmful reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants are believed to help offset this damage. Vitamin C (e.g. citrus, bell pepper) and E (e.g. asparagus, avocado, nuts, olives, seeds, spinach), along with colorful fruits and veggies (e.g. red-tan, blue-purple, orange-yellow, green) harbor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Choose a variety of colors and shoot for at least 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of veggies per day. If you can do that, you’re doing better than >80% of the population.

His name’s an initial. The letter B. It could possibly stand for Brian or Bennett or Bradley or maybe he just made it up? Regardless, he’s a brother to us all. Not sure where he rolled in from, and he didn’t really stick around that long. Some of the Homies we run into around here stick around for weeks, maybe months ... but this guy, Brother B, was in and out in a day. Had a short talk, bought him a coffee and a muffin from Circle K ... he wasn’t overly joyed about the free food and beverage, maybe it’s something he’s getting used to. Not sure what became of ol’ Brother B but we know God’s looking out for him ... he looks out for us all.

Take home: The most common foods deemed brain-healthy are also associated with general health and wellness, and are rich sources of: good carbohydrates, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins (C, D, E, B6, B12, folate), minerals (calcium, copper, selenium, iron, zinc) and powerful plant-derived phytochemicals.

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#MUSICK

One Love

how B ob m a r le y set the reggae re volu ti on on fire By J eff weddle Bob Marley, the name forever intertwined with the world of reggae, achieved a rare feat by becoming synonymous with the musical genre he was part of. He sang songs of human rights and freedom, taking his music out of the impoverished areas of Jamaica and onto the international music front. Nesta Robert Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, to a British transplant father, who was nearly 60 at the time (and died when Marley was 10 years old), and his 19-year-old Jamaican village girl mother. Regardless of his parentage, Marley considered himself black, and many fans are still unaware that he was half-white. Officially beginning in 1963 with The Wailing Wailers (soon shortened to The Wailers), Marley molded a refreshing musical approach that would later prove to be universally popular. Marley’s band mates in The Wailers included Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh, who went on to become reggae superstars in their own right. In 1966, Marley, aged 21, wed Rita Anderson and stayed married to her until his death. He adopted both of her daughters and they had 3 children together (including son David aka “Ziggy”) during this time. Marley also had 8 more kids with as many different women, and rumors allude to several other “unclaimed” children. Shortly thereafter, Jamaica’s best-known singer/guitarist would soon attain newfound fame and success. He became extremely generous with this money and, having grown up poor in Jamaica, knew how difficult it was to get by. Marley decided to put his humanitarian spirit into practice by buying houses for friends and supporting many of the poor in Jamaica. Marley also committed himself to the local practicing Rastafarians, who grew their hair in dreadlocks, ate vegetarian, and smoked ganja, seeing it as a sacred herb that brought healing and enlightenment. After being arrested for marijuana possession in the 70s, Marley spent a month in prison during at which time he befriended many prisoners who would end up heavily influencing his music’s lyrics and subject matter. As “Bob Marley & The Wailers”, 11 albums were released including 7 studio albums and 4 live albums. In 1976, and after The Wailers split up in 1974, Marley relocated to the U.K. (a self imposed exile of sorts) and pursued a solo career, although he continued recording as “Bob Marley & The Wailers”. Finding even greater acclaim in the U.K., Marley released “Exodus” in 1977, helping establish his worldwide status as one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. “Exodus” remained on U.K. charts for over a year, and included 4 hit singles, amongst them being the classic “One Love”, which the BBC proclaimed as ‘Song of the Millennium.’ Marley has sold over 75 million albums globally, with “Legend”, a retrospective of his work, being the best-selling reggae album ever. Marley was also posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2001. In early 1981, doctors discovered a malignant cancerous melanoma in Marley’s toe. They recommended amputation, but he refused citing religious reasons. The tumor unfortunately spread rapidly and ultimately caused Marley’s death. Marley died of cancer in Miami at age 36 and, suffice to say, lived an eventful life in his mere 36 years on our planet. When Marley passed, his body was flown back to Jamaica for burial and in one day, 40,000 people filed past his coffin as it laid in Jamaica’s National Arena. Many more wanted in, yet were denied entry. Fittingly, just prior to his death, Marley’s final words to son Ziggy were “Money can’t buy life.”

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things Y ou

probably

Didn ’t Know About

Great Nights Out Enjoy Unforgettable Evenings with Pacific Symphony

Bob Ma rley 1

Marley’s first recorded song, “One Cup Of Coffee” in February 1962, was released under the pseudonym Bobby Martell.

Marley received ‘The United Nations Peace Medal of the Third World’ in 1978.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Forbes Magazine lists Marley as fifth on the list of highest-earning dead celebrities. The Wailers’ album “Catch a Fire” was released in April 1973 and was packaged with a unique Zippo lighter lift-top. The follow-up to “Catch A Fire”, 1974’s “Burnin’”, included the song “I Shot the Sheriff” - Eric Clapton heard the album and was so impressed that he recorded a cover of “I Shot the Sheriff”, becoming Clapton’s first hit since “Layla” two years earlier. Marley eventually discovered that the reason his fortune did not seem to grow in proportion to his popularity was because long-time manager (and friend) Don Taylor had been robbing him blind. Marley beat Taylor nearly to death…and then he fired him. On February 6, 2015, the 70th anniversary of Marley’s birth, the Jamaican Senate decriminalized possession of marijuana up to 2 oz. Upon being married in 1966, Marley and wife Rita attempted a “normal life” by moving to Wilmington, Delaware for a short time, during which Marley worked as both a DuPont lab assistant and on the assembly line at a Chrysler plant, under the alias Donald Marley. Marley’s last concert was in September 1980 in Pittsburgh supporting his final album “Uprising.” The only known photographs from the show were featured in the documentary film “Marley.” Marley was buried with his red Gibson Les Paul (some say it was a Fender Stratocaster), a soccer ball (a sport he was passionate about), and a bud of marijuana.

CLASSICAL

Big Stars and Stirring Masterpieces

An Evening with Renée Fleming “America’s reigning diva” sings opera and Broadway favorites Sept. 13 • 8 p.m.

Kern Plays Rachmaninoff

Electrifying pianist Olga Kern and Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” Sept. 22-24 • 8 p.m.

POPS

Superstars and Unbeatable Entertainment

Amy Grant

The six-time Grammy Award winner sings her greatest hits Oct. 14-15 • 8 p.m.

Home Alone

The heart-warming holiday classic with live orchestra Nov. 11/12 • 8 p.m.

(714) 755-5799 PacificSymphony.org PACIFIC SYMPHONY PROUDLY PERFORMS AT:

600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa FOR ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: SCFTA.org

#BeneaththeOrangeCurtain

The OC Killogy series:

Supercrossed For years Mickey Thompson and his wife’s death went unsolved ... until the Founder of Supercross was charged in their murders By Sean Stroh Mickey Thompson’s lifelong obsession with speed brought him international fame, wealth and an adoring wife. Over the course of his heralded auto racing career, his many accomplishments included designing the slingshot dragster and becoming the first American to break the 400 mph barrier. In total, he would set 395 different speed records altogether. And so, naturally, even as he approached the age of 60, the thought of slowing down never even crossed his mind. How could he? Michael Goodwin, a former business partner and founder of Supercross, thought he had an answer. A brash, cocky promoter with a reputation as a marketing genius, Goodwin made the move from the rock concert business to his self-created sport he dubbed “Supercross” quite seamlessly. Whether it be the ability to bring in sponsors from outside the traditional motoring brands or developing eye-catching television commercials, his brilliantly executed promotional campaigns packed stadiums around the country. The main attraction of Goodwin’s over the top spectacle was the peristyle jump, where motorcycle riders would come flying into the stadium through a big central arch, boosting 100 feet in the air before landing on a downhill ramp.

the man he had worked with on many successful supercross events. “Nobody wins that one,” Wilson said. “Mickey’s dead and you’re in prison.” “Oh, no,” Goodwin countered back. “I’m too smart for that. They’ll never catch me.” Eventually, those menacing words became more than just a verbal declaration. On the morning of March, 16, 1988, they became a brutal reality. Like any other day, Mickey and his wife, Trudy, were up and ready to go by 6 am to make the morning drive from their home in the affluent neighborhood of Bradbury to the offices of Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group at Anaheim Stadium. But on this particular morning, a pair of killers awaited in the bushes.

...the killers returned to Mickey and pulled the trigger. The gunmen then hopped on their bikes and quietly disappeared...

While Goodwin’s shows flourished, Mickey Thompson’s own venture into the world of auto racing shows floundered. Instead of motorcycles, his shows revolved around pickup trucks and Baja buggies. Often, Thompson would lose hundreds of thousands in one night. Recognizing a change had to be made, he merged his company with Goodwin’s. The relationship deteriorated almost immediately. Their first joint production lost money and their second event at the Pontiac Silverdome unraveled before it was even held. Following a series of lawsuits that were ruled in Thompson’s favor, Goodwin became enraged. His once profitable business was now in shambles, and America’s racing legend was to blame. Those within Goodwin’s inner circle quickly become worried over the threats he began making toward Thompson. In early 1988, William Nelson, general manager of Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, and his wife, hosted a dinner party at their home for Goodwin and his wife. When Nelson asked the promoter how he was doing financially, Goodwin knew who to blame. “Terrible,” Goodwin said. “F#@king Thompson is killing me. He’s taking everything I’ve got. He’s destroying me. I’m going to take him out.” Shocked by what he was hearing, Wilson attempted to level with

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As Thompson opened the garage door for his wife to pull out, he was approached by a man and shot four times in the stomach. Clutching his arms in front of him, Thompson screamed for the two strangers not to harm his wife. They didn’t listen. Trudy, sitting in the driver’s seat of the couple’s Toyota van, was fired at once before managing to crawl out of the car.

Within a matter of seconds, she had a gun to her head and all Mickey could do was watch. After finishing their work with Trudy, the killers returned to Mickey and pulled the trigger. The gunmen then hopped on their bikes and quietly disappeared out of the quiet hillside community. Amazingly, the crime would remained unsolved until 2001, when Goodwin was charged in Orange County with the murders. However, before a trial was completed, the case was overturned and Goodwin was let go. But less than three years later, he was once again formally charged with the murders and ordered to stand trial in 2006. In a relatively swift trial, a jury found Goodwin guilty of two counts of murder on January 4, 2007. He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole inside Corcoran California State Prison. The two assassins have never been found. Additional Sources include www.courts.ca.gov, www.unsolved.com, www.ocregister. com, www.autoracing.com, www.motorsportsretro.com, www.earlyyeearsoffmx.com

#COVERSTORY

Christian Fletcher

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Surfers know the drill. Tuberiding is better than sex. No lie. It’s completely true. Maybe it’s because tubes and women are so closely related ... often hard to tame, but once inside it’s the start of a love affair for the ages. That said, here’s 10 tips for better tube riding....

p h o t o grap h y by R o bbie C raw f o r d

Bend at the knees,

not the waist. This tip applies to all surfing at all times, actually. Waist-bending is stylistic cancer that you have to consciously fight and unlearn — especially with barrels. Picture the “stinkbug” squat-stanced surfer with his legs locked stiff, his rear end high in the air, bent in half with his head down at hiplevel trying to poke his face into a two-foot tube. And then claiming his “cover-up” later. Don’t be him. Bend at the knees.

Square your shoulders. Keeping your shoulders open and square to the exit will keep you moving in the right direction. You shouldn’t find them closed and parallel to shore, facing out to sea (frontside) or toward the beach (backside). There are exceptions, of course — watch any surf video — but while you’re still getting comfortable in the barrel, square shoulders will help you keep the right line. The one that takes you back out of the tube. That is, after all, the point here.

Keep your eyes open.

This seems obvious but tube novices are prone to shutting their eyes at the first sign of a pitching lip — as though they’re bracing for something bad. Don’t brace. You wouldn’t close your eyes at the plate right when the pitcher winds up, so don’t do it here. Stay calm — or at least capable of seeing.

Travel.

Another “duh” tip but its value can’t be overstated. A week or two in good, hollow waves is like boot camp for barrel riding. Your surfing will transform. You’ll progress so much further in a few days abroad than you would in years of hunting the odd lucky head-dip at home (unless home is Hawaii). Among its many other benefits, a surf trip will fast-track your tube skills, so book one and skip a few levels. Sumatra’s nice.

Pull in on closeouts. It doesn’t count if you

don’t come out, but that’s not very helpful. Closeouts are a tool — they’re your driving range, your batting cage, your practice field. For decades low-rung surfers at Pipe and Backdoor have gained respect and experience by forcing themselves into closeouts nobody wants. The same will work for you. Use closeouts to get familiar with the tube, with getting in and traveling. The exit can come later. For decades low-rung surfers at Pipe and Backdoor have gained respect and experience by forcing themselves into closeouts nobody wants. The same will work for you.

Don’t won’t go. Guys in the Momentum Generation

used to use “You won’t go” on each other as a little reverse psychological nudge in heavy waves. The natural human response to “You won’t go” is an emboldened, “Oh yeah? Watch this.” You may have to use this trick on yourself to maximize tube opportunities, because a lot of the best ones will look like closeouts. Too ledgy. Too deep. Too shallow. Unmakeable. But you have to be in it to win it. Silence your doubts with an imaginary friend taunting, “You won’t go,” then show that punk he’s wrong.

Stay low on the face. Particularly on small

waves with small barrels. They’re hard to fit into, so the tendency is to hug the face, stall hard and lean into the wave, trying to squeeze under a tight lip. But this pulls you up the face of the wave. You cease forward motion, get sucked upward and pitched. Done. Instead, stay low on the face and as compact as possible (see: bend at the knees). If you have to try that hard to fit in the tube, it’s probably not worth it.

Plan to come out. One of the simplest barrel-

riding mistakes is that surfers put all their focus on getting in — but forget that the real goal is to come out afterward. When you set your line and pull in, do so with full intention to make a clean exit. There should be no question in your mind that you’ll come out. It sounds simplistic but this makes a giant difference. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

Rudy Palmboom

T ia in in d o nesia c o u rtes y reef

Don’t be surprised. Beginners, or anyone rarely

tubed, are often so shocked at finally finding themselves in a barrel that they freeze up. They get stage fright. They don’t want to blow it and waste their shot, so of course they do, and that’s frustrating. But avoidable! Don’t be surprised when tubes happen. Relax. It’s just like being on the open face, but with a ceiling.

Don’t claim.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, please mask your private awe at having successfully come out of your little barrel. Nothing will ruin it faster than a selfserving fist pump or two arms in the air. Don’t even look at the beach. Be cool. Yawn if possible. What would Curren do?

teddy navarro

Crash landing. photo by Ridge Ben Ben

#OCstateofmind

Perfect poise. photo by Fabien Monteil

#OCstateofmind

Make America Skate Again! Anthony Marcus by Joe Gall / Red Bull Content Pool

#OCstateofmind

Time waits for no one. Newport Beach Pier circa 1940s. Photo by Hugh R. McMillan

#OCstateofmind

Tilt the scale. photo by Fabien Monteil

#OCstateofmind

Crystal blue persuasion. photo by Ryan Miller / Red Bull Content Pool

#OCstateofmind

Kaleidoscope. photo by Kalani Cummins

#OCstateofmind

Open Sesame. Steele Pulse Rastaman by Ray Ray Garcia

#OCstateofmind

Miracle on 51st Street Sunset vision by Eric Ordonez

#OCstateofmind

Miss 420 Central. Just another girl of your dreams. photo by Yellow J

#OCstateofmind

#FIGHTKLUB

P h o t o by A . ricar d o

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History This month we take a look at the first few years of the UFC: The Early 90’s UFC has come a long way since its inception in the early 1990s. It all came down to a guy called Art Davie who proposed to John Milius and Rorion Gracie an eight-man single-elimination tournament called “War of the Worlds”. The tournament was inspired by the Gracies in Action videoseries produced by the Gracie family of Brazil which featured Gracie Jiu-Jitsu students defeating martial-arts masters of various disciplines such as karate, kung fu and kickboxing. The tournament would also feature martial artists from different disciplines facing each other in no-holds-barred combat to determine the best martial art and would aim to replicate the excitement of the matches Davie saw on the videos. Milius, a noted film director and screenwriter, as well as a Gracie student, agreed to act as the event’s creative director. Davie drafted the business plan and twentyeight investors contributed the initial capital to start WOW Promotions with the intent to develop the tournament into a television franchise. In 1993, WOW Promotions sought a television partner and approached pay-per-view producers TVKO (HBO), SET (Showtime) and Campbell McLaren at the Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG). Both TVKO and SET declined, but SEG – a pioneer in pay-per-view television which had produced such offbeat events as a gender versus gender tennis match between Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova – became WOW’s partner in May 1993. SEG contacted video and film art director Jason Cusson to design the trademarked “Octagon”, a signature piece for the event. Cusson remained the Production Designer through UFC 27. SEG devised the name for the show as The Ultimate Fighting Championship. WOW Promotions and SEG produced the first event, later called UFC 1, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 12, 1993. Art Davie functioned as the show’s booker and matchmaker. The show proposed to find an answer for sports fans’ questions such as: Can a wrestler beat a boxer? As with most martial arts at the time, fighters typically had skills in just one discipline and had little experience against opponents with different skills. The television broadcast featured kickboxers Patrick Smith and Kevin Rosier, savate fighter Gerard Gordeau, karate expert Zane Frazier, shootfighter Ken Shamrock, sumo wrestler Teila Tuli, boxer Art Jimmerson, and 175 lb (79 kg) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Royce Gracie—younger brother of UFC co-founder Rorion, whom Rorion handpicked to represent his family in the competition. Royce Gracie’s submission skills proved the

most effective in the inaugural tournament, earning him the first ever UFC tournament championship after submitting Jimmerson, Shamrock and Gordeau in succession. The show proved extremely successful with 86,592 television subscribers on pay-per-view. It’s disputed whether the promoters intended for the event to become a precursor to a series of future events. “That show was only supposed to be a one-off”, eventual UFC president Dana White said. “It did so well on pay-per-view they decided to do another, and another. Never in a million years did these guys think they were creating a sport.” Art Davie, in his 2014 book Is This Legal?, an account of the creation of the first UFC event, disputes the perception that the UFC was seen by WOW Promotions and SEG as a oneoff, since SEG offered a five-year joint development deal to WOW. He says, “Clearly, both Campbell and Meyrowitz shared my unwavering belief that War of the Worlds would be a continuing series of fighting tournaments—a franchise, rather than a one-night stand.” With no weight classes, fighters often faced significantly larger or taller opponents. Keith “The Giant Killer” Hackney faced Emmanuel Yarborough at UFC 3 with a 9-inch height and 400 lb. weight disadvantage. Many martial artists believed that technique could overcome these size disadvantages, and that a skilled fighter could use an opponent’s size and strength against him. With the 175 lb. Royce Gracie winning three of the first four events, the UFC quickly proved that size does not always determine the outcome of the fight. During this early part of the organization, the UFC would showcase a bevy of different styles and fighters. Aside from the aforementioned Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Patrick Smith, the competitions also featured competitors such as Hall of Famer Dan Severn, Marco Ruas, Gary Goodridge, Don Frye, Kimo Leopoldo, Oleg Taktarov and Tank Abbott. Although the first events were dominated by jiu-jitsu, other fighting styles became successful: first wrestling, then ground and pound, kickboxing, boxing, and dirty boxing, which eventually melded into modern mixed martial arts. In April 1995, following UFC 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Davie and Gracie sold their interest in the franchise to SEG and disbanded WOW Promotions. Davie continued with SEG as the show’s booker and matchmaker, as well as the commissioner of Ultimate Fighting, until December 1997.... To be cont.---- Wikipedia

P h o t o : Dav e Weems

#Skateordie 44

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Skate or die

Skyler Grocholski

sky high

My name’s Skyler Grocholski and I’m 21 years of age. I started skating when I was around 10 years old and my main influences are Ben Raybourn, Kevin Kawalski, Chris Russell, and Brad McLain. My favorite places to skate are Washington Jefferson skatepark in Eugene, Potrero skatepark in San Fran, Burnside in Portland, and my hometown skatepark in Klamath Falls, Oregon. My favorite bands are Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, and AC/DC and my current sponsors are Skatecrime Skateboards, Stereotypes by Society Clothing and 51Fifty Energy Drink. I’ve won so many contests I couldn’t tell you them all but I can tell you a couple; I placed first overall in the North State Skate Series, and a fun contest I took first in a couple times was the Medford Mayhem -- I always have a blast there! But my favorite contest that I took first in was the Destroy the Terrordome contest in Riverside, CA at Nick Daiello’s bowl. That was by far the best contest I’ve ever skated in my opinion. I’m not sure what contest I’m skating in next. I’ll usually just wait for my sponsor to tell me when and where to go for the next event, or sometimes I find events myself mostly from posts on Facebook or Instagram.

#JOEFOSTERSARMY 46

millions No, your mind isn’t playing tricks on you, there really were this many surfers out in the lineup during a recent swell here in the county formerly dominated by citrus groves. Now it seems to be dominated by surfers!! What’s epic about this shot is what’s really going on in the shot. So much, really. Surfers taking waves, surfers duck-diving waves, surfers watching waves, surfers talking to each other about waves, surfers missing waves, surfers hanging out in packs, surfers thinking about how rad it would be to catch a wave ... yeah, it can get quite crowded surfing in Orange County. The saddest part of all are the 20% of the surfers in this photo who never actually caught a wave. They paddled out ... sat there, maybe had some pros paddle around them ... maybe they almost got a wave but someone else beat them to it. Whatever the case, wave or not, they paddled out and for a moment were a part of the coolest lifestyle on the planet.

served

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Photo: Joe Foster

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Delta Rae on 9/23 The landscape of America is sprawling and vast, reflecting a storied past and a looming sense of possibility for the future. That topography and what it can represent is the basis for Delta Rae’s second album, After It All, a collection of songs that looks to the folklore and romance of the American frontier as a means of understanding our angst about what is yet to come. It began as a concept album, a story of young lovers who fall on hard times during the recent recession, but throughout the writing and recording process it became clear that Delta Rae’s music had to tell stories as the band was personally experiencing them. “Our goals for the record were to make something cinematic, romantic and American,” Eric says. “And to make music that we love, which is an ever-changing goal, but something we strive toward.” Brittany adds, “We kept coming back to ourselves as we were writing. These songs were integral to our own stories in our own lives. It had to be an honest reflection of what we were feeling instead of being projected onto characters we created.” The songs sound like the American frontier as the lyrics tell its stories. It is a journey because the musicians embarked on one in order to create it. “This album was a search,” Eric says. “We worked in three cities and we’ve traveled to many more. It’s been an exploration in a lot of ways. We arrived at this album and this statement. I’m so proud of the songs and the different shades of us that are showcased.”

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9/12 9/15 9/16

9/12 DELTA DEEP

9/15

GUITAR ARMY

9/17 9/18 9/23 9/24 9/29 9/30 10/1 10/2 10/7 10/8

MARSHALL TUCKER BAND MARSHALL TUCKER BAND THE ZOMBIES MICK ADAMS & THE STONES FELIX CAVALIERE’S RASCALS WRIGHT RECORDS BATTLE OF THE BANDS II DELTA DEEP GUITAR ARMY FEAT. ROBBEN FORD, LEE ROY PARNELL, JOE ROBINSON RICHARD CHEESE & LOUNGE AGAINST THE MACHINE DICK DALE NELSON DELTA RAE THE BLASTERS DWEEZIL ZAPPA ERIC SARDINAS TAL WILKENFELD SHOOTER JENNINGS TREVOR HALL SUPER DIAMOND (NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE)

10/13 ERIC HUTCHINSON

- THE ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME TOUR

10/14 WILD CHILD (DOORS TRIBUTE) 10/15 PETTY VS EAGLES - THE PETTY - BREAKERS & THE BOYS

9/17

DICK DALE

Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine on 9/16 America’s loudest lounge singer Richard Cheese performs swingin’ Vegas versions of rock, rap, and Top 40 hits and contemporary songs into traditional pop vocal standards with his Lounge Against The Machine swing band. Cheese has sold more than 200,000 CDs, and played hundreds of sellout concerts around the world. The finger-snapping, liquor-lapping, night-capping crooner first stepped into the spotlight in 2000 with his LOUNGE AGAINST THE MACHINE album. This critically acclaimed CD featured swankified versions of alternative rock songs, such as Radiohead’s CREEP and Limp Bizkit’s NOOKIE, arranged for a big band sound. Thanks to radio stations like KROQ and the nationallysyndicated Dr. Demento Show, Cheese soon found an audience that shared his love of lounge music, including rockstar Brian Setzer, who hired Richard Cheese and Lounge Against The Machine to play at his private Christmas party with The Stray Cats! Soon, Dick landed a gig as the co-host and bandleader on MTV’s Say What Karaoke series. Now, sixteen years after the debut of his LOUNGE AGAINST THE MACHINE CD, he’s considered one of the hardest working Dicks in show business and continues to perform sellout shows all over the world, from Las Vegas to London, from New York to New Orleans, from Hollywood to South Orange County at the Coach House. Come check him out on the 16th!

9/1 9/2 9/3 9/9 9/10 9/11

9/29 DWEEZIL ZAPPA

9/30 ERIC SARDINAS

SUMMER

10/21 COCO MONTOYA 10/22 THE PROCLAIMERS / JENNY O 10/27 THE DIRTY KNOBS - W/ MIKE CAMPBELL, JASON SINAY, MATT LAUG, LANCE MORRISON / MARC FORD 10/28 ZEPPELIN USA (LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE) 10/29 OINGO BOINGO DANCE PARTY 10/30 SAVOY BROWN 11/4 DON MCLEAN 11/5 THREE DOG NIGHT 11/11 AMERICA 11/12 AMERICA 11/18 BEATLES VS STONES - A MUSICAL SHOOT OUT 11/19 JOHN MAYALL 11/20 TYRONE WELLS / TONY LUCCA 11/25 YOUNG DUBLINERS 12/2 DAVE MASON 12/7 LEE ANN WOMACK 12/10 WHICH ONE’S PINK (PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE)

12/15 CASEY ABRAMS 12/30 THE BIRD DOGS PRESENT: THE

10/2 SHOOTER JENNINGS

MIDGE URE DESPERADO (EAGLES TRIBUTE) STICK MEN (TONY LEVIN)

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sabrina bolster by Jon Richards

Sabrina is a 27-year-old model who splits her time between Las Vegas and So Cal. Most of her work has been done by Roman Abrego but not all of it. OC Society interviews!

OC Society: Okay, Sabrina, first tell me all about your very first tattoo and how it all started... Sabrina Bolster: I started getting tattooed on my 18th birthday and I apprenticed as a tattoo artist and piercer in Reno, NV. But my first tattoo was a skull and crossbones on my achilles tendon, that I drew on with sharpie and had the artist trace over (laughs) ... Ah, to be 18 again! Who are some of the artists who have worked on you? Mostly Roman Abrego who is an incredibly talented artist, also Hova Villasenor who also works at Roman’s shop, Artistic Element in Yucaipa, California. I also have small pieces from around the US by multiple artists including DJ Minor, Thommy Crowder and Brandon Collins to name a few How did you get into modeling? I’ve been really fortunate to have artistic friends, a couple of whom are photographers who encouraged me to give it a try. It’s been a fun way for me to practice my own art by coming up with ideas to create fun concepts and collaborations to create living paintings.

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How has being a tattooed model changed your life? The combination of the two has been an incredible experience. Industry seems a lot more open, right? Yes, it’s wonderful ... the industry is expanding and changing from a traditional conservative background to include unique individuals with body modifications and other creative looks that differ from the “standard norm”. Being able to model has been very uplifting and helped boost my self esteem and confidence. Being tattooed has been a great way to decorate my body and express myself, and it’s also allowed me to collect some amazing pieces of art that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Who in your life has contributed to your success? I’ve had a small army of very supportive friends and family who have always encouraged me to chase my dreams and try new things, but if I had to pick one key individual, it would have to be my mom. She has been there for me from the beginning and continues to be my rock, my biggest fan, and my closest friend. She is always there to push me when

I doubt myself and to encourage me to reach for greater things. Gotta love mom!!! I absolutely love her, and none of this would have been possible without her! I also wouldn’t be here without the incredibly talented artists and photographers that have coached and helped me capture some incredible images. A few in particular that have really helped me grow and that I love working with are Chrissy Sparks of Dollhouse Photography, Jason Holmes of RetroDolls, Chelsea Tavis of Tragic Glamour, Chris Gomez, and Jellyfish Jones. There have been so many others that will have to forgive me for not naming them here and many more that I hope to work with in the future. To book Sabrina for your next ad campaign or shoot, contact Sara@BrandTalent.net

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Ocotillo! Ronnie Renner Returns to the Birthplace of FMX With summer on the outs it’s time to start thinking about those weekend strike missions to that 80,000 acre off-road vehicular wonderland of prime So Cal desert called Ocotillo Wells. And for fun, here’s legendary MX’er Ronnie Renner (shown jumping) talking about what it was like to return to Ocotillo last season and what Ocotillo’s meant for the sport of freestyle motocross.

@ O r a n g e C o u n t yS O C IETY

P h o t o by stefan h o l m

I don’t even know where to begin when talking about Ocotillo. It’s been a heck of a story that goes back 15- 20 years deep with guys, you know, who were getting away from racing and coming out here to the hills to kind of blow off some steam and have some fun just finding some jumps in some natural terrain. When we went out there last season, we had the goal to come out and just session some of the old hits, and we hit a couple new ones, and brought back to life a couple old ones that we thought were dead. Ocotillo’s just special to the sport because this is where freestyle started. I mean, Mike Metzger serving heel clickers out here ... I could name 10 to 15 guys who pioneered the sport and a lot of it was done right out here. --Ronnie Renner

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Straigh t Out t a HB

Kohl Laren just might be the next Bad Boy from Huntington Beach Twenty-year-old Huntington Beach local Kohl Laren loves nothing more than taking a punch to the face and then returning the favor by throwing a vintage Al Capone baseball bat to the head leg kick. You think you’re bad ass because you got tattoos, some juiced muscles and run your mouth like a prime Santino Corleone? Think again, Sonny Boy, and step into the shoes of what a real bad ass trained assassin ... not some jerk job from the bars in downtown HB!

By Daniel Samarin

ohl Laren already knows the path that God has set him on and is 100% mentally focused on becoming not only a professional in the world of combat sports, but becoming a champion. Already well-versed in wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai, Kohl’s hunger, attitude, aspirations and drive in life are impressive for a man of his age. His path to glory and greatness started when he was eight years old. “It was my birthday,” Kohl recalls, “and my grandpa came over with his dad, my great grandpa who was a professional boxer, and I saw Klitschko fight and saw him KO some dude and the sweat went flying off the guy’s face because he got hit so hard. I told everyone, ‘I wanna do that.’” Like a true warrior boy of the bushido era in Japan, seeing first blood in that boxing fight sparked an interest in young Kohl’s life that would drive him to this day. Originally from rural Tehachapi, CA, Kohl started training boxing with his father who was in the Marine

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Corps martial arts program and a black belt in Karate himself. After years as a youth moving from place to place, boxing at his house and doing jiu-jitsu with his cousins, Kohl landed in sunny Huntington Beach at 14 and met Ricardo Testai, a 3rd degree Brazilian JiuJitsu black belt and former professional MMA fighter. Ricardo saw something in Kohl, and not only helped mold Kohl’s BJJ game into championship level for his age, but help mold him into the man he is today. “Ricardo is seriously like family to me,” says Kohl. “He’s not only somebody that helps take my BJJ game to the next level but he’s someone I can always depend on and someone who’s always there for me through thick and thin.” Through Ricardo’s connections and his gym, King’s MMA in Huntington Beach, Kohl’s had the opportunity to roll with some of the baddest dudes in the world, including former Light Heavyweight UFC Champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida among others. But having an awesome ground game in that day and age of MMA didn’t cut it, something Kohl found out the hard way during his first MMA fight. “My first ever MMA fight was at the Yost theater in Santa Ana in the promotion Get Down Fights under Juliano Prado,” he remembers. “I took the guy down with ease because I was so much more athletic than him, but at the time I only had a wrestling and jiu-jitsu game --- no stand up. Come the second round, I got clipped on the chin

and was knocked out cold.” Oddly enough losing that first fight was the best thing that ever happened to him in his young career, and from that moment on Kohl sacked up and realized he needed a serious stand up game if he was going to be the complete package. Step in Austin Ahlgren of OC Muay Thai and American Gym right here in the OC. “Austin’s by far the best coach I’ve ever had,” Kohl says. “He pushes me harder, farther and more intense than anybody I’ve ever come across. He’s my best friend! We text all day, watch Muay Thai films together, go body surfing together and basically just train all day. His trainings are so intense that even when holding pads he’s beating my ass and literally pushing me to the point of tears.” Hard work, determination, dedication, and faith in God is a recipe for success, and that is exactly what Kohl has been doing. The ceiling is truly the limit for this kid, as not only his striking and ground game is scary good; his drive and motivation is what is going to take him into championship professional levels. Perhaps Teddy Roosevelt said it best, “Walk softly and carry a big stick” and that is the aura and machismo that Mr. Laren already oozes. Look out, world!

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EATINGOUT @Orangecount ysociet y Bes t C h i c k e n C u r r y i n O C ! Captain Mauri’s in San Clement It’s called “Captain Mauri’s” now, and although it doesn’t have the same ring as Captain Culver’s once did, the food hasn’t changed and that’s all that matters to me. See, when I worked in San Clemente back in the day, I’d grab lunch at Captain’s on Avenida Del Mar at least three times a week! No lie! But before I get into the food, I’ve gotta tell ya just how magical Avenida Del Mar really is. The street hasn’t changed in about 50 years and looks like something off a movie set, you know, with shops like “Sam’s Shoe Repair” and stuff like that. So it’s got that going for it! As for the food, all I can say is that it’s epic and you’ve gotta check it out, and when you do make sure you order the Bombay Melt, i.e. the best sandwich in the history of ever, featuring the best chicken curry you’ve ever tasted, served on an English muffin with melted cheese and a special sauce so good I don’t even want to know what the hell it is out of fear that I’ll buy some, bring it home, put it on everything, then burn out on it so hard that I’ll never want it again. And I can’t imagine life without another Bombay Melt. Seriously, you’ve just gotta try it!!

3 questions w i t h l oc a l r es ta u r a n t eu r

J eff C hon

Nearly 10 years ago he took over The Alley in Newport Beach, four years ago he opened Tabushabu in Costa Mesa, two years ago he took over The Wayfarer and his most recent endeavor is Oak and Coal, also in Costa Mesa that should be open in early 2017....Needless to say, Jeff’s a local OC icon in the food industry and we caught up with to pick his brain .... OC Society: What did you do in your early years that prepared you for a career in the food and beverage world? Jeff Chon: Well I started working in restaurants when I was 16 years old. My very first job was at Cheesecake Factory and I was a front desk host. I wouldn’t say I was thinking about going into it longterm, as a lifetime career, but I took it seriously. I walked into work with a dress shirt and tie and treated it like any other job. There was no long term intention, but I had fun, I was making money and thought, why not?

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What’s the key to longevity in the restaurant business? No two restaurants are the same. As much as anyone wants to say that something is replicatable, I think every single food service establishment is its own entity, and so you have to love it and treat it as such. They’re not all going to be winners no matter how hard you try. But I really believe longevity comes with putting your best foot forward, just like it does with anything else in life, relationships, jobs and all the friendships -- what you get out is what you put in. I think from day one, with me and The Alley, I really did give it 120%. I went in every day trying to reinvent the wheel because if you’re not growing, you’re dying. So always coming up with new promotions, and staying on top of staff... all the normal stuff a restaurant owner should do! I was blessed to have a loyal crew down there, and healthy client base ... What’s the best advice you have for someone thinking about getting into the food and beverage industry? Absolutely have a passion for it. This is not the type of industry to walk into unless you have a serious love of food and drink and you love to be around people and foster new relationships ... if you’re not into that, and you want to be a recluse, you’ll absolutely fail.

H e a lt h y O p t i o n s O n ly ! . . . Greenleaf Chopshop in Costa Mesa Seems like everyone is health-minded these days! Long gone is the McDonalds generation - even they’ve had their come to Jesus moment and now offer a healthier menu. Full disclosure: I live right behind GreenLeaf so I honestly probably would’ve never tried it otherwise. But I gotta say, this place is awesome. Great, clean atmosphere and genuine delicious food, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s always an awesome choice. I love the breakfast burrito, it’s the best in the area; egg whites, black beans, avocado pesto & roasted pepperoncini blend loaded with delicious turkey sausage wrapped in a hot soft whole wheat tortilla. They also have a plethora of the freshest squeezed juices! For lunch I’m in for the turkey melt on soft baked pretzel bread and for dinner I go straight for the BBQ Chicken thin-crust pizza chased by one of their famous ABC’s protein shakes made of fresh almond butter, banana, chocolate almond milk and chocolate protein! This is food that makes you feel good! Service is great and it’s always packed!

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Rudy’s Pub

@ R udy s N ewport We gotta admit, there’s no better sportsbar in Newport Beach than Rudy’s! And with the addition of Waffleholics and breakfast served until 2PM, it’s only that much better! The food and bar service has always been top notch and the place is always packed. September marks the return of Rudy’s raging Monday Night Football events and with 32 high definition plasmas you’ll always have one of the best seats in the house. Locals pack the joint for all the best games, from Dodgers to Angels, Lakers to Clippers, Ducks to Bruins and of course all your favorite NCAA college sports teams. Rudy’s even takes an active role in community sports. They sponsor an AYSO soccer team called Rudy’s Rockets not to mention many other community programs they contribute to. So if it’s Monday Night Football or a killer waffle for breakfast, a burger, or a place to party on a weekend night, Rudy’s has it all. 3110 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 723-0293

B a l b oa B lv d .

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Stag Bar

Newpo r t B lv d .

The Stag Bar is a chunk of OC history without a doubt! The building was built in 1908, and became Stag bar just six years later. I remember getting Chinese food from their kitchen in the ‘80s, and it was legendary! I’ve also spent many years playing pool and drinking beer in the classic, rootsy, old school bar that any local worth his or her salt would venture into at least once a week. Well, they’ve gone through many changes since then, from owners to actually changing the name of the bar to The District, which was still cool. Now, the new owner, Mario Marovic has brought the bar back to its classic roots, even keeping the original woodwork and adorning the walls with classic stag heads. He also boasts about keeping the original solid wood 100-foot bar that also happens to be the longest in Newport Beach! I still go there a lot, and the bartenders all know me by name. Drinks are top shelf and the food is among the best bar food available, featuring craft pizzas, spicy wings made from scratch, and the best meatball sandwiches you’ll ever taste. Well done, Mario! 121 McFadden Place Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 673-4470

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#CULTURESHOCKed

Goodbye, Orange County In this special edition of Culture Shock, aka “Reverse Culture Shock”, we hear from our lovely intern Victoria Johnson who stuck with us here at the magazine for her very last year living in Orange County. She’s an Arizona girl at heart, and wanted to write her last piece in regards to what it was like for her living in Orange County the past few years. Words & Photos by Victoria Johnson

When I first moved to Orange County, I was seventeen, and up until that point I’d only lived in Arizona. At first glance, Orange didn’t seem all that different from Phoenix, besides the nicer weather and the easy beach access. But after I few

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weeks, I noticed that everyone seemed to be on a different wavelength. I couldn’t keep up with the girls who perfected the art of sunbathing, and wore their hair long, and their skirts short. I was intimidated by the frat boys with loud voices and perfectly gelled hair. I didn’t know how to get in with the groups who went to the beach every weekend and parties every other. I couldn’t pull off the laid-back boho style, either with fashion or my personality. It seemed like all of my peers already knew the key to living the SoCal lifestyle, and the harder I tried to keep up, the more out of touch I felt. Looking back on my four years in Orange County, I’ve realized that the key to the OC

vibe is not knowing how to surf or where to shop – it’s confidence. Whether bold or easygoing, this self-assurance seems present in those who most respect and enjoy this place. And though I certainly didn’t have it in the beginning, I think this is something I was lucky enough to gain. Now that I’m back in Phoenix, there’s so much I miss about OC: the people, the weather, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Old Towne Orange, Balboa Island and Downtown Disney – I could go on. It’s really a great place to live. Shout out to Skip and Steve for the opportunity to write for this awesome magazine. It’s been fun. Goodbye, Orange County.

#TruthLiesLegends OC’s Most Haunted

Apartment #68 This is something I haven’t told many people. I think even if I had, most people would never believe it happened in the first place, or even doubt my sanity. But here it goes .... Ever since I was a kid I loved scary movies, ghost stories, and serial killer stories. So maybe I opened the “portal” to the unknown unwittingly. It all started when I was living in this apartment complex in the late ‘80s in Santa Ana with my mom and my little brother. Apartment 68. It was a pretty cool setup. The complex had a gym, massive swimming pool, ping pong tables, you name it. It was heaven for us kids, and my mom loved it. It was probably about two in the morning when it all began. We were all sleeping and then came a pounding on the front door. I told my mom and brother to stay in bed and I’d see who it is. All the way to the door I was thinking, was this the police? Did someone die? Why were they pounding so hard. I got to the door and no one was there. I thought, wow, that was weird! We live up two flights of stairs and you can always hear if someone comes up or down the stairs. I closed the door and walked away, then, boom! The door started pounding again, this time more violently and more intense. I ran back to the door. No one. My skin stood up on my arms and neck. I just knew something wasn’t right. I explained to my family what happened, then we all fell back asleeep. Then an hour later, the stereo in the living room started cranking, full volume. I jumped up and I’ll never forget the song that was playing: I’m Burning for You by Blue Oyster Cult. So I rushed in the living room to turn it off and the living room was freezing, about ten degrees cooler than the rest of the house. I turned off the stereo and headed back to my room when a can of Lysol cleaner smashed against the wall above my head as if someone threw it at me. Now I’m freaking out, my mom is crying and my little brother is clinging on to her in a death grip. At that point we knew we had a problem ... a big super natural problem.

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Well, time went on and things only got worse. We could hear what sounded like a girl screaming in the other room, and then we’d go to the room in which we heard the screams, then the screams would come from the room we just left: freaky. It finally got to the point that stuff would just fly across the room and we got so used to it that we’d just go over and pick it up and set it back on the table routinely. Believe it or not, it got worse. I woke one night to find I couldn’t move. I was sleeping on my back, and there I was, face to face with a young disfigured girl kneeling on my chest. She was semi-transparent blue but her face, I’ll never forget, severely burned, melted as if she’s been in a fire. You know how you have to pinch yourself to see if you’re dreaming? Well, I did and she was still there. It was the craziest thing. I tried, but I couldn’t move. She stared straight into my eyes and then in a reverse cloud of dust she disappeared into the ceiling. I thought, man, this shit’s for real, and she seemed so sad. I wanted to know who she was and what she wanted from our family. So I went to the local newspaper and looked up the history of the property our apartment was built on. I about shit when I discovered that on the exact same property we were living on there was once a farmhouse where a man, his wife and 17-year-old daughter had burned to death. The young girl had woken during the blaze, and in an attempt to wake and save her parents, burned to death as the entire roof of the farmhouse caved in on them. After I told my mom what I had learned, she put in our 30 day notice and we soon moved. In that last 30 days, nothing ever happened again. It was almost as if she just wanted us to know who she was. I have often thought of going back to apartment 68 to ask the present day tenants if they’d ever seen or heard from her.... — Curtis Greenfield

#OCTeenSOCIETYGirl

M iss S eptember

Hannah Ri dge way Hannah was born and raised in San Diego but has plenty of OC blood running through her veins because her dad grew up in the OC and Hannah still spends a lot of time in San Clemente visiting relatives and enjoying one of her favorite cities. Hannah has also been interested in photography since she was able to hold a camera. “When I was a child, I would make my dad pull over during vacation because I saw an odd shaped tree or a funky looking fence I wanted to take a photo of,” she recalls. It wasn’t until high school that her photography teacher, “Mr. Harris”, inspired her regarding just how limitless photography can really be. “Most recently, I’ve been experimenting with cool creative stuff by varying exposures and painting with light, mostly at night,” she explains. “Photography is an important part of my life as it is one of the ways I express myself.” Hannah also enjoys hiking and traveling and has already been to Europe a few times. One day she hopes to take her camera to Asia! Hannah is currently a model for Brand Models. “I love modeling for different photographers as they all have unique styles I can learn from,” she explains, “so I try to work with different varieties whenever I can. I value their work and I love learning new tips and tricks that they’ve learned along the way. It’s cool because every photographer has a different vision when they look through the lens.” And we now have a better vision of you, Hannah! The world is yours!

To book Hannah for your next shoot, contact Sara@brandtalent.com, follow them on Instagram @Brand_Talent or online at BrandTalent.net

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CAP TURED BY JAMIE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN