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
- 05.12.25 – LAWineFest 2025 – Celebrating 20 Years of Wine, Community, and Fun
- 05.09.25 – Bowers Museum Celebrates $500,000 Lead Gift for Terracotta Warriors Exhibition
- 05.07.25 – The Ranch at Laguna Beach Introduces Ceramic Collaboration With Isa Carr
- 05.07.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day with Brunch, Flamenco, and Champagne at Café Sevilla
- 05.06.25 – UCI Opera and Symphony Present Puccini’s Suor Angelica at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 05.04.25 – A Weekend Escape to Catalina Island Just Got Even Better
- 05.02.25 – Hilton Anaheim Debuts Hansen’s Market
- 05.01.25 – Celebrate Mom at Casa Palmero, a Hidden Gem at Pebble Beach
- 04.28.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- 04.25.25 – Play for Gray Charity Pickleball Tournament Returns May 17
- 04.25.25 – Trevor’s at the Tracks Launches Farm-to-Table Program with Two Local Farms
- 04.24.25 – Descanso Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Four Days of Food, Cocktails, and Festivities
- 04.23.25 – 2025 Breeders’ Cup Returns to Del Mar: Tickets On Sale Now
- 04.23.25 – Up to 80% Off at the Beach Riot Warehouse Sale in Tustin
- 04.23.25 – Score Up to 70% Off at the Zumiez Warehouse Sale in Santa Ana
- 04.20.25 – Burger Boss Introduces Halal Poultry, Salmon and Meal Deals
- 04.18.25 – Floral Park’s 32nd Annual Home & Garden Tour Returns April 26–27
- 04.17.25 – Avila’s El Ranchito in Newport Beach Celebrates 50 Years
- 04.17.25 – Easter Fun at VEA Newport Beach
- 04.16.25 – VIP Garden at LAWineFest – A Premier Tasting Experience!
More Daily Doses
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach
- 05.08.25 – Mom-Worthy Dining in Orange County
- 05.08.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Unforgettable Stops
- 05.07.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 05.05.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style Across Orange County
- 04.29.25 – Mother’s Day Dining and Experiences in Orange County
- 04.25.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 04.24.25 – Monaco Italian Kitchen Brings Neapolitan Pizzas and Housemade Pastas to Irvine
- 04.23.25 – South Coast Plaza Celebrates 35 Years of Southern California’s Premier Garden Show
- 04.20.25 – The District at Tustin Legacy Hosts Earth Day Celebration
- 04.17.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Dana Point
- 04.15.25 – Easter Hoppenings in Orange County
- 04.11.25 – Fashion Island Welcomes a New Season of Style
- 04.10.25 – Celebrate Easter Sunday with Brunch at Top Orange County Resorts
- 04.09.25 – Savor Easter Sunday at These South Coast Plaza Restaurants
- 04.07.25 – Now Open: Vox Kitchen & Bar at South Coast Plaza
- 04.06.25 – Pacific Symphony Premieres Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” in St.Clair’s Final Season
- 04.01.25 – Chef’s Table Friendship Dinner Returns to Tanaka Farms – May 3, 2025
- 03.31.25 – Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Sleeping Beauty at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 03.30.25 – Pasta Sisters Expands to Costa Mesa Kitchens