Movie Fame
by TimDaoust
So, the city of Orange is actually pretty often used in hollywood pictures. Often enough, that in the two weeks I was here in 2003, there was a film crew here shooting a film called First Daughter
Here's a list of some of the movies I found on another site that have been done here:
Big Mama's House
That Thing You Do
Clockstoppers
The Man Who Wasn't There
Frailty
Forever Lulu
Rocky & Bullwinkle
Small Soldiers
Crimson Tide
American Wedding
First Daughter (2004 release)
Surviving Christmas (2004 release) ...some of my students got dressed up and tried to get in the shots as extras but the crew had release forms from the real extras and knew who wasn't supposed to be there.
Italy, Argentina, Spain or O.C. ?
by marinarena
Travelling particularly in south county, one may feel as if in a charming, pristine Italian region. Many street names here fool people thinking as if we really were. Not that there are not regular "Main St" and the like here, however there is, for instance, Via Presa, along with the similar Via Pansa (via-street in Ital). Another is Via Iglesia, which conjures up Argentina, with the mix of Italian-Spanish in one (iglesia-church in Sp). Moreover, "via" is joined with "paseo" in south county. One major road is Paseo de Valencia in Laguna Hills, but surely, there must be this exact name somewhere in Spain.
So, those Italian or Spanish speaking could feel right at home in south county. California coast, like in Laguna particularly, has a Mediterrean feel (sans the freezing cold Pacific water). Though no noticeably strong community of Italians, I have personally heard on some occasion Italian being spoken in grocery stores and other shops-much to my surprise. I would not be surprised that European Spanish speakers were also present here, along with those of Mexican and Latin American. Also, I have noticed that native Europeans, including northerners (Birtish and others) are drawn to south county to live and travel.
Rating the (traditional) malls of OC
by marinarena
Mall hopping of course!
So, here's my list of best traditional (mostly indoor) malls of Orange county*:
(* Based on my criteria : affordability, accessibility in OC, dining options, exterior quality, interior quality luxury, uniqueness and variety of shops)
1. South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa) giant shopping mecca, overall excellent in each category!
2. Mainplace (Santa Ana)
3. Westminster Mall the best of the smaller malls!
4. The Shops at Mission Viejo high points in uniqueness and luxury!
5. Brea Mall
6. Buena Park Mall
7. Laguna Hills Mall
Seek out Little Saigon 4 Pho and more!
by marinarena
If you want to see very ethnic culture in Orange county, Little Saigon is where its at. Decidely Vietnamese culture is represented here, and looking around, one can really imagine being in Saigon. Down Bolsa and Westminter Aves is the historic OC version of Little Saigon, the largest designated Vietnamese town in the U.S. Come here to get you "pho" (noodles with beef) on and take in Vietnamese. In some parts, English really is a second language. The OC Little Saigon has been a centerpoint of Vietnamese celebration (Tet holiday parade) and controversy (including anti-communist and other socio-political protest). Other ethnicities are in the mix here, including Chinese and south Asian communities.
Pics to come sometime!
America's Favourite Pasttime - Baseball
by Reznut
If you are in Orange or anywhere in Southern California during the summer months, why not catch a game of baseball with the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field?
You can easily just take the train to the stadium since the AmTrak and Metrolink stop are right next to the parking lot! If you would rather drive, check out the website for driving directions.
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Filling Station brkft nook in Old Towne Orange, CA
View of Huntington Beach sign from balcony.
Asia Garden Mall
Celebrating Nikki, 9.30.06
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