Blog

THE ECOLOGY CENTER BEGINS TRANSITION WITH SOUTH COAST FARMS
10.09.18
The Ecology Center officially began consolidating with South Coast Farms increasing the non-profit organization’s footprint by 27 acres.
To offer more opportunities for visitors to meaningfully support their community, The Ecology Center will design, curate and stock the new Farm Store to reflect the local community and region. This redesign will happen in phases over the next year. The goal of the Farm Store is to empower the local economy, with an emphasis on providing access to hyper-local products and fresh fruits and vegetables.
As The Ecology Center begins the Farm Store transformation, changes will include diverse offerings curated to celebrate the local food community. This includes more dry goods offered year round like local grains and legumes, artisan products like local honey and jam, and organic bread from Rye Goods on the weekends. The Farm Store will continue to offer organic produce sourced from local farmers within 250 miles, and visitors will still be able to enjoy u-pick days when strawberries are fresh and in-season.
The Ecology Center is at 32701 Alipaz St, San Juan Capistrano. 949.443.4223.
Blog

PRETEND CITY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM ‘STARTS SMART’ ANNUAL FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON
10.09.18
Pretend City Children’s Museum is holding its annual Start Smart Luncheon on Friday, October 12 at Lido House in Newport Beach. The Start Smart Luncheon is one of two annual events with proceeds funding resources for the educational nonprofit.
‘Start Smart’ brings together 150 champions - corporate and community leaders, education experts, and donors - who understand that healthy child development, early intervention, and play are critical for school readiness and a thriving workforce and community. Start Smart is on a mission to ensure every child is ready for school success by providing immersive learning experiences that children need to develop essential foundational learning skills
Only 50% of Orange County’s children across all socio-economic levels are developmentally on-track when they enter kindergarten and studies show that many don’t catch up by third grade.
The event will provide an engaging dialogue with Dr. Laura Jana, author of The Toddler Brain, and Dr. Gregory Washington, Dean of the Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine.
Tickets to the luncheon cost $150 per person and are available here.
For more information on the museum and its programs, visit PretendCity.org.
The Lido House Hotel is at 3300 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 08.17.25 – Buena Vista Orchestra Live in Costa Mesa
- 08.17.25 – Award-Winning Chef Ralph Estrada Joins IL Girasole in Costa Mesa
- 08.05.25 – Puesto Unveils Flavor-Packed Summer Menu Across SoCal Locations
- 08.03.25 – One Night in Asia – An Immersive Culinary and Entertainment Experience
- 08.01.25 – MoonGoat Coffee Roasters Opens Fifth and Largest OC Location at Pacific Arts Plaza
- 08.01.25 – Fritz and Friends Set for One-Night Show in Orange County
- 07.29.25 – A Botanical Bug Spray That Smells Like Summer
- 07.27.25 – Hotel Maya Celebrates 50 Years as a Long Beach Icon
- 07.24.25 – darkroom Pop-Up: Spanish AF
- 07.16.25 – ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
- 07.16.25 – Hotel del Coronado Unveils Restored Victorian Building
- 07.07.25 – Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
- 07.04.25 – Fit Bodies by Amanda Marks 15th Anniversary With Pop-Up Celebration
- 07.04.25 – Puesto Debuts Protein-Packed Bowls and Summer Specials
- 06.29.25 – Celebrate the Fourth from Offshore 9’s Rooftop in Huntington Beach
- 06.27.25 – Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point Wins 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
- 06.24.25 – Luxury Designer Pop-Up in Tustin: Up to 90% Off Now Through June 29
- 06.24.25 – Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Orange County
- 06.23.25 – New Chapter for Sushi Ii: Acclaimed Chefs Join MICHELIN-Recognized Kitchen
- 06.18.25 – Tender Greens Unveils Seasonal Summer Menu Inspired by Local Harvests
More Daily Doses
- 08.16.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 08.14.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
- 08.14.25 – Harvest Restaurant Showcases Seasonal California Cuisine
- 08.06.25 – ClubSport Aliso Viejo Debuts Recovery Upgrades and New Friends Membership
- 08.05.25 – A Taste of Japan in Irvine: Izakaya Osen
- 08.01.25 – Bubble Blast Brings Summer Fun to The District
- 07.24.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 07.21.25 – Gala of the Stars Returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 07.17.25 – Beats & Brews: Outdoor Concert Series at The District at Tustin Legacy
- 07.12.25 – Studio Mediterranean Debuts at Montage Laguna Beach with Reimagined Coastal Dining Experience
- 07.12.25 – World Taste Returns to Anaheim Packing District July 16
- 07.11.25 – Pacific Waters Spa Introduces Innovative Wellness Therapies at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 07.11.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi Debuts Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar
- 06.30.25 – Sip Into Summer at The District Tustin’s Cocktail Tour
- 06.25.25 – Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Orange County
- 06.22.25 – Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach Unveils Property-wide Transformation
- 06.17.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.15.25 – Sweetgreen Welcomes 5th O.C. Restaurant To Laguna Niguel
- 06.15.25 – Casa de Onda Brings Modern Mexican Fusion and Coastal Cool to Triangle Square
- 06.10.25 – Step inside California Kinship at Langson IMCA
