Blog

Pancakes in Paris Living the American Dream in France
09.16.16
Author and diner-owner in Paris, Craig Carlson will be at the Laguna Beach Books on Sunday, September 18 at 4 p.m. for a book signing for his just released memoir, “Pancakes in Paris.” After working in Paris, where breakfast is an espresso, a cigarette and a croissant he craved a traditional American breakfast.
Against all odds such as never even working in a restaurant, never raising money, and not knowing the labor laws in France, Craig created the first American style diner in Paris called Breakfast in America. Now, 13 years later and with three locations, his fascinating story is being told in this book and soon to be a film or series.
Laguna Beach Books is at 1200 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.
Blog

Canstruction Awards ceremony
09.16.16
Orange County’s top architecture and engineering design firms have elevate canned food to an art form with CANstruction throughout South Coast Plaza and ARTIC through Sunday, Sept. 25
At the end of the CANstruction display, the sculptures made entirely out of cans will be distributed by the OC Food Bank to nearly 400 soup kitchens and food pantries across the county.
Celebrating their ninth year, CANstruction Orange County is taking an artistically fresh perspective on today’s pop culture icons for this year’s competition. Inspirations range from Pokémon and Kobe Bryant, to the loveable characters in The Book of Life, Kung Fu Panda, and Finding Dory.
An annual art show, design competition, and food drive all rolled into one, CANstruction raises hunger awareness by challenging teams to create giant, whimsical, and wildly inventive sculptural masterpieces.
Each team spends months planning and designing their entries, but are only allowed one adrenaline-filled night to meticulously stack and color coordinate cans into incredible and whimsical feats of engineering.
You can come out and celebrate CANstruction Orange County at the “CAN-Do Awards” on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Pirch at SOCO in Costa Mesa to thank and meet the hard-working and creative teams for their work throughout the year. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, and beer included. Tickets cost $50 per person and great gourmet appetizers and unlimited wine and beer. Tickets are available here.
PIRCH is at 3303 Hyland Ave. in Costa Mesa.
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from the blog
- 05.20.26 – Casa Romantica Showcases Festival of Arts Legacy in New Summer Exhibition
- 05.18.26 – Azure Day Party Debuts Sundays at The Bungalow Huntington Beach
- 05.18.26 – Newport Dunes Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend With Music, Movies, and More
- 05.17.26 – Free Summer Dance Nights and Concerts Return to Segerstrom Center
- 05.17.26 – CasaDami Teams Up With Gelato Paradiso for a Summer Dessert Flight
- 05.14.26 – 44 Women for Orangewood Luncheon in Newport Beach
- 05.13.26 – Riverdance 30 Brings a New Generation to Segerstrom Center
- 05.11.26 – Lido Theater Receives 2026 Preservation Award
- 05.08.26 – Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With Seafood Tastings and Holiday Specials
- 05.08.26 – Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza Debuts Mother’s Day Menu
- 05.05.26 – Alabaster International Debuts in OC with ‘Her Light & Legacy’
- 04.29.26 – ILYA Welcomes Sunday Brunch to San Clemente
- 04.28.26 – Mastro’s Plans Mother’s Day Brunch in Irvine and Costa Mesa
- 04.28.26 – Mother’s Day Style: Matching Moments for Moms and Minis at Famous Footwear
- 04.27.26 – March for Babies Returns to Irvine May 2
- 04.25.26 – Classic Packards Take Center Stage in Newport Beach
- 04.23.26 – Spring Menu Arrives at The Park Club California
- 04.23.26 – SpiceQuest Brings the Heat Home
- 04.20.26 – Honda Center Serves Up Playoff-Ready Menu for Ducks Fans
- 04.17.26 – A Night of Fashion and Giving in Newport Beach
More Daily Doses
- 05.18.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
- 05.17.26 – Champagnes Kitchen Expands to Huntington Beach
- 05.17.26 – Newport Beach TV Fest Returns With Star-Powered Lineup at Lido Theater
- 05.13.26 – Pure Salt Marks 10 Years With New Newport Beach Flagship
- 05.10.26 – A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
- 05.10.26 – Cozy Earth’s Cuddle Collection Brings Luxury Comfort to Corona del Mar
- 05.07.26 – Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center
- 05.06.26 – Icons of Napa Valley Wine Dinner Returns to Henry’s Coastal Cuisine
- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
- 04.29.26 – La La Land Kind Cafe Grand Opening at Irvine Spectrum
- 04.29.26 – J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna
- 04.28.26 – A New Chapter for Zov’s in San Clemente
- 04.23.26 – David Spade Takes The Lido Theater Stage
- 04.20.26 – Arrive in Style. Leave the Driving to Us.
- 04.19.26 – Candace Bushnell Brings One-Woman Show to South Coast Repertory
- 04.18.26 – A Coastal Weekend of Wine, Food and Ocean Views
- 04.13.26 – An Evening of Connection and Compassion in Aliso Viejo
- 04.08.26 – A Mother’s Day Gathering with Costa Mesa History
- 04.06.26 – Spring in Full Bloom at South Coast Plaza
- 04.05.26 – Taste of Napa Comes to Huntington Beach and Returns to Napa Valley
