Greer's OC

Now you have a new choice in fine dining at South Coast Plaza! Adding to its collection of award-winning restaurants, the Capital Grille just opened at the center. The nationally acclaimed establishment is known for its dry-aged, hand-carved steaks, fresh seafood, and extensive wine list. Find out for yourself why the New York Times says, “The national reputation of the Capital Grille has crowds beating down the doors.” Open for lunch 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily; open for dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; to 9 p.m. Sunday. The lounge stays open throughout the day. The 9,500-square-foot restaurant is on the south side of the shopping center facing Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. 714.432.1140.

Pumpkins & Pancakes!

Celebrate the 19th Annual Pumpkins & Pancakes, a children’s Halloween extravaganza, this Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m. at South Coast Plaza. It’s fun-filled morning of music and entertainment that benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) that trains volunteers to serve as powerful mentors and advocates for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Kids can wear their favorite costume and enjoy a gourmet pancake breakfast, live entertainment, balloon artists, trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, face painting, cartoon characters, dancing, opportunity prizes, a silent auction, a costume contest and more. Costs $30 per person, $25 for groups of 10 or more, $35 per person at the door. Children two and under are free. South Coast Plaza Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wing in Costa Mesa. 714.619.5158 or go to www.southcoastplaza.com/pumpkins.

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

Dress up in your favorite costume and join the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel for its Creatures of the Night event in celebration of Halloween. It’s offered nightly from 6 to 9 p.m. Wed., Oct. 27 through Sat., October 30. Guests can participate in a treat for their five senses. Activities include a game of identifying shadows, a Halloween aroma test; verifying scary and spooking songs and animal noises; guessing items through touching; and a candy bar taste test. The evening costs $65 per person and is full of tricks and treats, including a prize for best costume. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel at One Ritz Carlton Drive in Dana Point. 949.240.5088.

BE THE CHANGE!

The drastic effects of the statewide school budget cuts impacted every single student. However you can help students raise funds for technology at Dana Hills High School (they’re eligible for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi Refresh program) by taking one minute to sign up in Pepsi’s secure website, make your password, and vote for Be the Change Club and Dana Hills High School. You can also vote by text, send message 103341 to 73774 (Pepsi) and to vote online, the website is: http://www.refresheverything.com/bethechangeclubatdanahillshighschool2010. Please vote often, every single day in October, the top two ideas in education will receive the $250,000 grant.