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“Curious people are interesting people, I wonder why that is.” Bill Maher may be considered to be one of the world’s most interesting people and is ready to spark your curiosity. This lively comedian is coming to the Irvine Improv on Monday February 8th to share his witty humor with his O.C. fans.

Bill started his career as a stand-up comedian nearly three decades ago in 1979. He was born in the hustle and bustle of New York City, and was raised in nearby River Vale, New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Cornell University and has now settled into the So-Cal scene in Los Angeles, the hub of some of the greatest worldwide entertainers.

Bill Maher is famous for pushing the political boundaries between reality and comedy. He first appeared on the hit show “Politically Incorrect” which ran for nearly a decade on Comedy Central. The comedian continued with his career staring for the last seven years on HBO’s hit show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” for which he has been honored for twenty-one Emmy nominations. His blunt yet charismatic honesty has carved out a reputation of creating big laughs in some of the most interesting political situations Americans commonly face on the public stage.

The comedian’s credentials cover a wide range of topics. From his political libertarian views to his frenzied opinions of organized religion, Bill Maher humor creates a light atmosphere around some of the unspoken and interesting world issues. His documentary entitled “Religulous,” directed by Larry Charles commonly known for his work on the hit comedy “Borat,” has ignited the film to become the 7th Highest Grossing Document in the history of film.

Bill Maher still performs at least fifty dates a year in Las Vegas and continues to sell out theaters across the country. Now it’s O.C.’s turn! From the glamour of LA to the relaxed style of OC, the comedian takes to the road continuing to grace the streets of Southern California. Join Bill at the Irvine Improv on Monday February 8th at 8pm. Click Here for more information or to buy tickets through the event website. You can also find out more about the comedian on his website at http://www.billmaher.com.

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Ready, Set, RED! The City of Aliso Viejo opens its heart in the month of February with a blood drive in partnership with this inspiring organization and with the help of its Child Care Amenities Group. The participating organizations invite the community to give the gift of life to those in need on Thursday February 4th from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Step by Step located at 10 Mareblu in Aliso Viejo.

The American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization since its founding in 1881. Its vision has always been to react with a helping hand to those affected by some of the world’s largest natural disasters and to improve the lives of those facing tremendous hardships and struggles. The residents of Southern California can do their part in helping to facilitate the vision of aid and support delivered by the organization.

The most recent disaster to hit the hearts of people around the world is most notably the 7.0 earthquake that shook the country of Haiti. The American Red Cross has responded in full force collecting donations and supplies to deliver to the families left with minimal amenities. Representatives will be on site for community members to discuss life saving solutions to the situation.

The drive in Aliso Viejo will support the organization’s efforts and supplies for all outlets in need. Local and global demands continue to direct the American Red Cross and every small step contributes to the growing strides that positively impact our world.

Kick off February as a month of Love by joining the city of Aliso Viejo, the Child Care Amenities Group and the American Red Cross in giving the gift of life to those in need. For more information please contact Lisa Simon at 949-360-7022.

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Winter memories are often filled with snow, sleds and hot cocoa, but not normally in Orange County. Laguna Niguel is one of the many cities built on community and family values. This year the city celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Snow Play Day on Saturday January 23rd at beautiful Chapparosa Park.

The history of Laguna Niguel is rooted in the early rancheros of California. Its name is of two origins, “Laguna,” which means lagoon, and the word “Nigueli,” which was the name of an Indian Village once grounded near Aliso Creek. It wasn’t until December 1, 1989, however that Laguna Niguel became the 29th city in Orange County.

The city layout is defined by over one-third of its land designated as open space. Its beauty can be seen in its natural features and is decorated by its official tree, the Jacaranda, and city flower, the Bougainvilla. These blossoms are just two small tokens that touch the hearts of the families who thrive in it.

This Saturday, Laguna Niguel celebrates its youth with its youth. 20 years is a true milestone and after all the hard work, it is finally time to play! The festivities start at 9 a.m. and will be enjoyed until noon. The crisp morning air will be complimented by cookies and hot cocoa for all ages with activities for children ages 2 to 12 and parents with a youthful soul. Snow runs will be open for intertubing and the crystal flakes of ice can be formed into any form the imagination desires.

Entry costs $10 per child. Parents wishing to ride with their children must pay entry fee. Activities will be cancelled if it rains on the day of the event. Parents should determine if activities are age appropriate for their children. For more information please call 949.425.5100.

Get those mittens and fluffy ear warmers ready because Orange Country soon will find snow in its forecast! Join Laguna Niguel in celebrating its 20th birthday!

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December is a month of cheer and holiday gatherings. This past Saturday the Southern Orange County Chapter of the international Surfrider Foundation combined the spirit of giving with community unity at its annual holiday party.

The event featured unbelievable silent auction items donated by local businesses and the connected members of Surfrider. Dustin Meister from Laguna Niguel won a limited edition surfboard to commemorate the winning efforts of the organization to stop the 241-toll road extension into Trestles Beach.

Other silent auction items included a Burton crafted snowboard, a signed Corey Perry jersey donated by the Anaheim Ducks, wine tasting excursions and more. Raffle prizes from skate decks to gift certificates from local restaurants were handed out to supporters.

Thousands of dollars were raised for the efforts of the organization. Volunteers passionately educated the holiday party attendees on the harmful effects of plastics littering our shores and waters. The organization’s philanthropic efforts fuel the many Orange County residents who live and love the ocean lifestyle.

Surfrider Foundation would like to invite you to participate in its “Day Without A Bag,” set to be honored worldwide December 18th. Each year, we use more than six billion plastic bags, and only five percent of that is recycled. The bags that are not recycled become part of our waste stream, where they litter our streets, take up space in the landfill, and threaten marine life.

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The signs of holiday spirit come in many different forms: hot cocoa, candy canes, and little santas and reindeer across the city. One of the most iconic scenes that compliment all these holiday hints is a brightly lit home covered in tiny lights that resemble crystal snowflakes falling on the streets of OC. This year, the city of Mission Viejo welcomes contestants for its 37th annual Home Lighting Contest.

Prizes will be awarded to the top five homes that brighten their neighborhood with the most creative holiday cheer. Winners will receive a beautiful floral centerpiece for their season’s greetings to share with their friends and family. Jingle Bells will be singing in the minds of all who look upon the home with bright smiles

Let your imagination run wild in a flurry of decorations with endless possibilities to deliver your own winter wonderland to southern California. Houses must be decorated and entries must be received by Friday, December 4th. Call 949.830.7066 or visit http://www.mvactivities.com/ to download entry forms for the contest.

Preliminary judging will be December 7th and 8th with final judging commencing on December 9th. The city will provide maps to locations of the winning homes that will be available to residents starting Saturday, December 12th.

You can be the brightest home in the city or just a kid looking for the local North Pole, this is a wonderful opportunity to brighten the hearts of your neighbors of Mission Viejo. 

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This Friday was a sold out night at Saddleback College’s McKinney Theatre as the lights dimmed and the curtain rose. Dancers expressing all forms of the art gathered to perform in the Winter Dance collection directed by Dorothy Anderson Garant.

The first number kicked off the worldly adventure with a colorful enactment of the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. Tie die shirts and florescent tights decorated the stage in beautiful formations. The smiles on the stage reflected in the bright eyes of the inspired audience.

Each piece carried onlookers through a story of life. A three-part modern dance solo entitled ‘Changing the Sheets’ was a powerful expression of the many sides of love. Kathryn Totheroh passionately performed with creative choreography that glided her across the stage and incorporated the intimacy of a bedroom scene. The music flowed through her with elegance as she executed modern technique with a heart and soul.

Classical ballet found its place in the show with the piece reflecting ‘The Four Seasons.” Choreographer Deidre Cavazzi brought a year’s cycle to life to the Pointe with the graceful melodies of Antonio Vivaldi. The costumes were exquisitely designed and selected to bring the spirit of spring, summer, fall and winter to the brightly lit stage.

The eclectic programming was clear when the audience was pleasantly surprised by a new spin on the timeless story of Alice in Wonderland. This number brought the fairy tale to the streets with hip-hop and jazz influences and choreography by John Nasteff. The soundtrack was a remix of up beat pop songs with a funky twist that fueled the mind with a youthful imagination.
Dance is an art that is created with inspiration. Music and life can be the fire that pushes the art in its movement and evolution. The final dance was a full reflection of the artist who inspired the world. The dancers performing a tap ensemble choreographed by Mindy Millard Copeland, paid tribute to Michael Jackson, the pop icon that touched the hearts of people around the world.

The Winter Dance by the students of Saddleback College was a beautiful success. Everyone in attendance that night left the McKinney Theatre glowing after experiencing the talents of so many passionate artists.

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Orange County has a deep-rooted history of living in the ocean lifestyle. From the surf to the sand this southern California land is devoted to its beaches. The South OC Chapter of the internationally recognized Surfrider Foundation held a beach clean up this past Saturday at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. volunteers from around the county showed up to help preserve this popular shore. The smallest of debris were not to be overlooked, as most of the detrimental materials on the beach are small plastics and other non-biodegradable materials.

Despite statewide laws restricting smoking on public beaches, cigarette butts are still a major problem for littering the sands. Many surfers and leisure seekers are saddened by the conditions of their beaches and actively work with Surfrider to protect these precious coastal ecosystems from unnatural clutter.

The mission statement of the foundation describes Surfrider as “a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education (C.A.R.E).”

The Orange County Chapter has faced many battles to save the beaches of Southern California. From toll roads to construction near our childhood beaches, battles with the expansion of the city have presented challenges for Surfrider and its supporters. Its gorilla preservation tactics of beach cleanups and other events, the foundation has found the OC community to be a positive force in preservation of our prized recreation areas.

Come out and meet other ocean lovers in the community at the chapter’s Holiday Party happening Friday December 4th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hennessey’s in Dana Point. There will be free admission, live music and silent auction items to support the So Cal Beaches.

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The spirit of giving is right around the corner as the city of Mission Viejo prepares for its 39 Annual Gifts and Goodies Boutique set for November 21st. Just a few days before the first giving holiday of the season, this event ignites resident’s high spirits.
For nearly four decades, this fabulous shopping experience has helped families get a jump-start on their holiday wish lists. Visitors will enjoy thee beautiful craftsmanship of over 75 artisans offering hand-made holiday decorations, ornaments and other specialty items.

Get an early start as doors open at 8 a.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. Visitors can rise and shine with a pancake breakfast or barbeque lunch from a full Boutique Food Court menu. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend valuable time with friends and loved ones and get ready for the upcoming jolly holidays.
Admission to the event is free for all to browse, enjoy and share the holiday gifts personally designed by local artists. No matter the weather, rain or shine, the event will continue its long time tradition of early bird shopping.

Come stroll through seven rooms with vendors decorated for the holiday season. The event will last until 5 p.m. November 21st. Don’t miss out on this year’s Gifts and Goodies Boutique in Mission Viejo. It is the perfect beginning to this year’s joyful giving season.

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 “Land of the free, and the home of the brave,” these words are sung to compliment nearly every American tradition. Cities all around the country and the honored government of the United States annually honors its military heroes, past and present, November 11 with Veterans Day, formally referred to as Armistice Day.

The city of Mission Viejo holds its own tradition to celebrate this patriotic day. This year’s observance ceremony will be held at Norman P. Murray Community Center at 2 p.m. It will be followed by a performance of Timeless Melodies: Songs that Inspired a Nation featuring tunes from Yankee Doodle to God Bless America. The concert begins at 3:30 p.m. and costs $5, which is waved for veterans.

Mission Viejo takes support for American troops a step further with its ongoing efforts with its program that adopts Marines, Sailors and their families. There is an array of options for residents to get involved this holiday season and throughout the year.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and celebrating the bonds between those we care about the most. For the men and women in our force this time is especially meaningful. Residents may adopt a single force member or their family by sending them a $50 grocery store gift card to help with their festivities.

The holiday spirit continues with the opportunity to contribute toys and gifts for their families’ homecoming gatherings in December. From the simplest everyday needs of toiletries to small dried snacks, gifts can go a long way for our troops overseas. These are the items and luxuries we may take advantage of, but for our Marines and Sailors they can be the difference between struggling and bringing comfort to their homes away from home. Locations for drop off for boxes can be found on the Mission Viejo website.

The return for any troop is grounds for celebration. The transition can be the happiest moment in recent memory while also taking on challenges of facing lost time with family members. The city of Mission Viejo and its residents can help by donating baby supplies and furniture to ease their relocation off base their houses built on love.

The city has already raised funds through their Support Our Adopted Marines and Sailors program to send entry-level troops to their annual ball this past October and extends their efforts by accepting year round donations.

Any amount of monetary support is also accepted at any time. Checks (made payable to “Mission Viejo Community Foundation) and gift cards can be sent or hand delivered to: City of Mission Viejo, Recreation and Community Services Dept., 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. Please include your address to receive a written confirmation of your donation.

For more information on Mission Viejo’s Support Our Adopted Marines and Sailors program please call 949-470-3061. Volunteer opportunities are also available for residents who would like to give the gift of their time and talents to the United States military. The city thanks its residents for their ongoing support and blesses our troops with a strong and united community to return to.

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“Malama” is a Hawaiian word that means to care for and protect. This is the philosophy a local Southern Orange County company lives by as it builds outstanding relationships with inspiring organizations throughout the world. This weekend OluKai Premium Footwear will host its annual warehouse sale to benefit Surf Aid International.

A portion of proceeds from the OluKai event will go to Surf Aid’s efforts to support the people of Padang, Sumatra Indonesia, who were hit by the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake in late September. A second quake measuring 6.2 occurred 22 minutes later and a third followed the next morning with the strength of 6.8. OluKai is proud to work with Surf Aid in its contributions to revive the Indonesian people.

OluKai will have an array of in season styles on sale up to 70% off retail prices. This is a great opportunity to stock up on the most comfortable footwear with selections for men women and kids. To learn more about OluKai and to view its fall collections please visit http://olukai.com/. Hinano Clothing, a Tahitian inspired apparel company, will also be showcasing for sale merchandise at the OluKai warehouse sale.

Founded in 2005, OluKai was conceived from a desire for a premium ocean lifestyle brand with a distinctively different point of view and deep values. It is committed to building a unique and better class of products that blends ocean heritage and modern performance. Each year, OluKai donates time, money and resources to its ‘Ohana Giveback Program’s cultural and environmental preservation efforts in Hawaii.

OluKai’s annual warehouse sale will be held at its Southern California offices in Aliso Viejo. It will be open Friday November 6th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday November 7th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. OluKai is located at 75 Argonaut, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. Come be a part of the OluKai ‘Ohana and help support Surf Aid International’s philanthropic disaster relief efforts.