Blog

Write the Perfect College Essay at Essay Sanctuary
02.25.19
Newport Beach-based THE KEY Academic Advising offers students expert advice with college admissions. It’s a comprehensive and individualized resource to navigating high school academics and tackling the complicated college admissions process. And now, its founder Eva Scalzo has created Essay Sanctuary, a weekend retreat May 17-19 at Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs where high school junior can learn all the secrets to writing the perfect college essay to gain admissions to their dream school.
Students will be able to get live feedback while writing their Common Application Essay months in advance of the application deadline.
High school juniors and a parent can enjoy the extended weekend that includes:
- A serene and peaceful environment which allows for physical, emotional, and spiritual clarity while fostering the creative process. The sanctuary daytime program is for the teens only.
- Moroccan tea service each afternoon.
- Swag bags and snack baskets.
- A delicious made-to-order cooked breakfast daily.
- Guest speaker.
- Sound bath meditation and guided spiritual meditation sessions.
- Essay brainstorming exercises.
- Educational sessions on all the ins-and-outs of writing the perfect college essay.
- Quiet writing time and free time.
- Live essay feedback and edits all weekend.
- Sunrise outdoor yoga on Sunday morning.
This is an exclusive event with a very limited number of spots currently available.
The retreat takes place on May 17-19. Book by March 10.
Blog

Cafe Sevilla at Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week
02.22.19
With Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week kicking off on Sunday, Feb. 24 through Saturday, March 2, you’ll want to get into Café Sevilla, a favorite Spanish eatery providing culture, live music, and food since 1987. Located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, Cafe Sevilla offers the most authentic Spanish ambiance in their tapas bar, restaurant, and nightclub.
Choose any three courses from the five-course menu for $45 dinner for two. Plus, enjoy ½ off a wine bottle or sangria pitcher with purchase.
First Course –choose one-- Albondigas al Jerez, Halibut Ceviche, Tortilla Espanola, Croqueta de Queso.
Second Course – choose one—Grilled Spanish Salchichas, Datiles Rellenos, Papas Bravas, 2 Pinchos de Pollo.
Third Course – choose one – Mushroom and Fig Coca Flatbread or Short Rib Coca Flatbread.
Fourth Course – choose two—Stuffed Pork Chop, Pan Seared Salmon, Rioja Short Ribs or Paella Valencia for Two. Dessert Course is an Almond Tarta de Santiago with Linguee Cherrie, Sangria Reduction, Soaked in Sweet Cherry.
Café Sevilla’s Spanish tapas or small plates are perfect for a fun, interactive and sharable dining experience. Menu offerings include over 30 award-winning tapas as well as traditional paellas, fresh seafood, and savory meat dishes. They also feature a large variety of Spanish wines, refreshing sangrias, and craft cocktails. You can enjoy live Gypsy Kings style music in the tapas bar as well as a Flamenco Dinner Show on the weekends!
Café Sevilla also offers vegan and gluten-free selections.
Open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
140 Pine Avenue in Long Beach. 562.495.1111.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 11.05.25 – Dolly Parton’s Songs Come to Life with Pacific Symphony
- 11.05.25 – Savor the Season by the Sea at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
- 11.05.25 – Shucked Musical Comedy Heads to Segerstrom Center November 11–23
- 11.05.25 – Philz Coffee Debuts Holiday Menu and Launches First-Ever Rewards Program
- 11.04.25 – McG, Nancy Silverton, and Rick Caruso Team Up for Spacca Tutto at Palisades Village
- 11.04.25 – Ice at Santa Monica Returns for the Holidays
- 11.03.25 – ZAFFRE Fine Linens Celebrates Two Years in Costa Mesa
- 11.02.25 – North Italia Debuts Seasonal Fall + Winter Menu in Irvine and Beyond
- 10.30.25 – An Evening with John O’Hurley at The Lido
- 10.28.25 – Día de los Muertos Rooftop Brunch at Top of the V
- 10.27.25 – Sip & Shuck Returns to Laguna Beach Nov. 2 to Benefit CASA
- 10.26.25 – A Crystal Cove Takes Mimosa Brunch to the Next Level
- 10.26.25 – Rose Bakery Café Opens in Orange
- 10.21.25 – Last Chance to Dine at 608 Dahlia Before Oct. 26
- 10.20.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Announces Fall and Holiday Season Lineup
- 10.20.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival 2025: ‘Blue Moon’ Shines on Opening Night
- 10.19.25 – Wahoo’s Marks 38 Years with Free Community Celebration in Costa Mesa
- 10.15.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 10.14.25 – Irish Spotlight at the Newport Beach Film Festival
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
More Daily Doses
- 11.07.25 – Mother-Daughter Duo Launch Eugénie Boutique in Newport Beach
- 11.03.25 – Culinary Dropout Opens in Old Towne Orange
- 11.02.25 – Super Irvine International Market Opens in Irvine
- 11.02.25 – Prime Pizza Opens First Orange County Location in Mission Viejo
- 10.30.25 – Zara Man Opens First U.S. Store at South Coast Plaza
- 10.27.25 – Jack Johnson Headlines Two-Night Coast Film & Music Benefit Concert
- 10.20.25 – Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria Brings Elevated Flavor to Costa Mesa
- 10.19.25 – Fall Fun at The District: Halloween Boo Bash and Cocktail Tour
- 10.16.25 – Luxury Wellness Meets Concierge Medicine at Coastal Wellness MD
- 10.16.25 – Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine
- 10.16.25 – Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest
- 10.15.25 – Tales of Wonder and Imagination: Alexander Shelley Leads Pacific Symphony in ‘Scheherazade’
- 10.14.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 10.13.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.05.25 – Fashion Meets Film: StyleWeekOC Returns to Fashion Island October 15–19
- 09.29.25 – Pacific Airshow Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5
- 09.26.25 – Mastro’s Brings Its Iconic Dining Experience to Irvine Spectrum
- 09.25.25 – San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein Comes to Segerstrom Center
- 09.19.25 – 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup
