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
- 08.20.25 – Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort Unveils New Enhancements
- 08.20.25 – The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Completes $42 Million Renovation
- 08.20.25 – Cozy Earth Hosts Exclusive In-Store Promotion
- 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
More Daily Doses
- 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 – 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