Blog
Empowering UCI Students Through the Gift of Music
09.29.23
UC Irvine students with a passion for music, regardless of their major, now have an exciting opportunity to apply for scholarships, all thanks to a generous $100,000 pledge from The Drake Gives, a charitable organization founded by Alec Glasser, a distinguished commercial developer and restaurateur.
“We believe that music is a fundamental part of the soul and it can be applied in many different contexts,” Glasser says. These scholarships are aimed at supporting students who envision integrating music into their future careers.
Glasser, the proud owner of The Drake Restaurant in Laguna Beach, traces his own musical journey back to his school days in New York, where he learned to play the saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He advocates for universal access to music education and enjoyment, even for those who may not pursue music professionally. His love for music is evident as he integrates live nightly jazz and blues performances at The Drake, infusing musical experiences into his business.
The profound effects of music on the brain have been widely studied, showcasing benefits such as enhanced memory, especially in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Music has also shown its potential to aid healing processes, as evidenced by various UCI studies. Additionally, research highlights that children and teens studying music tend to perform better academically, enhancing various cognitive skills and promoting social and emotional awareness.
In alignment with these principles, the School of Social Ecology and Glasser are joining forces to forge collaborations that further the influence of music in society, both locally and globally. Glasser's inspiration for the name of his restaurant, The Drake, harkens back to the renowned Drake Hotel in New York, where he worked in his youth.
This experience profoundly shaped his understanding of hospitality and the importance of genuine interactions with people. "I learned how to be a young businessman, and I met these wonderful people," Glasser fondly recalls, reminiscing about encounters with notable figures such as Sammy Davis Jr., Mohammad Ali, John Coltrane, the Grateful Dead, and The Who during his time at The Drake. These interactions demonstrated the value of hard work, trust-building, and how genuine efforts are inherently rewarded.
Now, Glasser is paying this lesson forward by giving back to the community. In 2021, he established The Drake Gives and partnered with the Save The Music Foundation, aiming to support thousands of schools nationwide in initiating and sustaining music programs.
Blog
Santa Ana Dedication Day: A New Beginning in Affordable Home Ownership
09.29.23
On Saturday, Sept. 30, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is uniting volunteers, sponsors, and community members for a momentous occasion - Santa Ana Dedication Day. This event will be a celebration of hope and progress as two deserving local families will be presented with the key and mortgage to their brand-new Habitat OC homes. For these families, it's a remarkable shift toward achievable home ownership.
The vibrant celebration will unfold in the charming historic French Park in Santa Ana, specifically at two incredible Habitat homes on Lacy Street, showcasing the fruit of relentless construction efforts for hardworking Santa Ana families. Notable local leaders, including Mayor Valerie Amezcua, Supervisor Katrina Foley from the Fifth District, and Supervisor Vincente Sarmiento, will be in attendance for this significant milestone.
Event attendees will have a unique opportunity to tour the newly constructed homes on Lacy Street, gaining insights from existing Habitat for Humanity of Orange County families about their experiences with the organization and their inspiring journeys to acquiring their new homes.
826 and 830 N. Lacy Street in Santa Ana
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from the blog
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
- 10.09.25 – Born in OC Book Signing at Lido Village Books
- 10.07.25 – Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Reopens Reimagined Anaheim Hills Flagship
- 10.07.25 – Moonlit Magic to Shine at 2025 Wish Gala
- 10.05.25 – Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Musco Center
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- 10.02.25 – Musco Presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- 10.02.25 – Newport Beach Becomes Global Beach Volleyball Capital Oct. 7–12
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- 09.29.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
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- 09.26.25 – Segerstrom Center Expands Feel Good, Do Good Donation Drives
- 09.25.25 – GLOW Coalition Hosts First Fundraiser for Save Newport Nature
- 09.24.25 – Ilissa Michele Jewelry: Purpose-Driven, Handmade, and One-of-a-Kind
- 09.21.25 – Your Business. Our Audience.
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- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.08.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 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
- 09.16.25 – Tastemakers of Orange County Returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 09.16.25 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns September 20
- 09.15.25 – The Market Place Opening Celebration
- 09.12.25 – Segerstrom Center Welcomes Yearlong Karon Davis Installation
- 09.08.25 – Pacific Symphony Opens 47th Season with Rachmaninoff and Sibelius
- 09.08.25 – Roger’s Gardens Celebrates 50 Years with Halloween Boutique, Midnight Market
- 08.24.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
- 08.20.25 – Seafolly Opens First U.S. Flagship in Corona del Mar
- 08.16.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 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
