Blog

Dream Prizes Here
05.29.10
Here’s proof that you too can win an incredible prize just by purchasing a $150 raffle ticket that will benefit the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, and ultimately put you down as a contender for the 7th Annual Irvine Dream Stakes Home Raffle. The grand prize winner, selected in August, will receive a luxury high-rise condo in Irvine valued at more than $700,000, or they can opt for $500,000 in cash.
Leading up to the grand prize are a series of “early bird” prizes. On Friday, a new BMW was the prize, and the winner is Mark Maddox and his wife Suzanne (pictured above). They were just pulling out of their Irvine driveway heading to Pismo Beach to mark their first vacation since their first child was born. They heard the good news and took a shortcut to Sterling BMW for a photo op and to check out the car. They have one week to decide if they will take the BMW or the $20K. He had purchased five tickets—-and hit the jackpot on Friday.
Next up on the early bird list is the “OCeanfront” prize. Just purchase a ticket before June 19, to be entered to win a dream vacation at all six of OC’s best OCeanfront resorts. It includes one night, spa treatment and dinner at each hotel: Montage Laguna Beach, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Surf and Sand Resort, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Balboa Bay Club & Resort and the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach.
Other upcoming prizes include dinner for eight hosted by Chef Cathy Pavlos at Irvine’s Lucca Cafe, two nights at the Island Hotel Newport Beach, four rounds of golf at the world-class Pelican Hill Golf Club and a year’s worth of free car washes from Pacific Coast Auto Spa.
Proceeds benefit the 27,000 students of the Irvine Unified School District.
To order tickets and learn more call 949.734.6873 or visit Irvine Dream Stakes.
Blog

Good News Goes Bad
05.28.10
I’m very sad for all involved that Orange County Local News Network (OCLNN) shut down earlier this week. The news site debuted just four months ago, and in such a short time they worked tirelessly and delivered round-the-clock breaking news, local news, sports, events, lifestyle and entertainment in Orange County. That’s not easy.
The truth was the staff and freelancers were doing an incredible job, and the abrupt closure of the site had nothing to do with their amazing effort. I’d like to believe that the cliché is true: “When one door closes another one opens.” At least that’s what people told me when I lost my columnist job, and then started Greer’s OC. However, it’s not easy and it’s not a good week for OC news consumers.
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from the blog
- 04.18.25 – Floral Park’s 32nd Annual Home & Garden Tour Returns April 26–27
- 04.17.25 – Avila’s El Ranchito in Newport Beach Celebrates 50 Years
- 04.17.25 – Easter Fun at VEA Newport Beach
- 04.16.25 – VIP Garden at LAWineFest – A Premier Tasting Experience!
- 04.15.25 – Don’t Miss the First 3rd Thursday in CdM
- 04.13.25 – Bar Becky Hosts Bougie Easter Brunch in Long Beach
- 04.10.25 – Experience a Little Part of Cuba This Easter at Habana
- 04.09.25 – Easter Brunch, Egg Hunts and More at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 04.08.25 – Final Days to Experience Bowers Museum’s Dazzling Titanium Garden
- 04.08.25 – Spring Fun in Full Bloom at 2ND & PCH
- 04.07.25 – NEP Café Redefines Modern Vietnamese Dining with a Bold New Chapter
- 04.04.25 – Book Club with Bruce Cook Featuring Born in OC Rescheduled for April 10
- 04.04.25 – NOBLE Wine & Dine Weekend Returns to Newport Beach April 12–13
- 04.04.25 – Segerstrom Center for the Arts Celebrates Broadway’s Legendary 50th Season
- 04.04.25 – SAJJ Mediterranean Rolls Out New “Mediterranean Refresh” Menu in Irvine
- 04.01.25 – Gary Howard to Be Honored at Casa Youth Shelter’s 2025 Bootstrap Ball
- 03.31.25 – Free Outdoor Movies and More This Spring at Irvine Spectrum Center
- 03.31.25 – Puesto Welcomes Spring With Seasonal Dishes From Creative Chef Raul Casillas
- 03.30.25 – Saijo, a New Japanese Dining Experience, Opens in Culver City
- 03.27.25 – South County Outreach’s Empty Bowls Gala 2025: Setting the Table for Change
More Daily Doses
- 04.17.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Dana Point
- 04.15.25 – Easter Hoppenings in Orange County
- 04.11.25 – Fashion Island Welcomes a New Season of Style
- 04.10.25 – Celebrate Easter Sunday with Brunch at Top Orange County Resorts
- 04.09.25 – Savor Easter Sunday at These South Coast Plaza Restaurants
- 04.07.25 – Now Open: Vox Kitchen & Bar at South Coast Plaza
- 04.06.25 – Pacific Symphony Premieres Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” in St.Clair’s Final Season
- 04.04.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 04.01.25 – Chef’s Table Friendship Dinner Returns to Tanaka Farms – May 3, 2025
- 03.31.25 – Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Sleeping Beauty at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 03.30.25 – Pasta Sisters Expands to Costa Mesa Kitchens
- 03.28.25 – Roger’s Gardens Celebrates 50 Years in Corona del Mar with Spring Events
- 03.25.25 – Dr. Jennifer Armstrong: Subtle, Beautiful Results That Make All the Difference
- 03.21.25 – Legendary Ramen Nagi Arrives at South Coast Plaza
- 03.20.25 – Escape to Relaxation: A Spa Day at Pacific Waters Spa
- 03.19.25 – Spring Dining Experiences at Patina Restaurant Group in Downtown Disney
- 03.16.25 – Graze Craze Expands to Costa Mesa with Charcuterie Boards & Boxes
- 03.13.25 – Executive Chef Jeffrey Boullt Unveils Flavor-Packed New Dinner Menu at SOCIAL Kitchen + Craft Bar
- 03.11.25 – Spring at Irvine Barclay Theatre: A Season of Music, Dance, and Conversation
- 03.09.25 – Deli Nerds Brings High-Quality, Clean Eating to Costa Mesa