The Ecology Center, San Juan Capistrano’s non-profit 28-acre farm and education center, welcomes the community to celebrate 15 years of impact on Saturday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free family-friendly event is open to the public and will feature a day of hands-on activities, delicious farm-fresh food, local beverages, and a wonderful sense of community on SoCal’s only Regenerative Organic Certified™farm. 

Since its founding in 2008, The Ecology Center’s goal has been to nurture and ignite the spirit of our community, driven by the vision of a sustainable and ecologically conscious food future. This fall, the Center celebrates its 15-year anniversary and a 40-year extension of its lease from the City of San Juan Capistrano of the historic farmland on which it is located. 

Founded 15 years ago with the simple goal of connecting our community to our shared living systems, our foodways, and one another, The Ecology Center began as a one acre dirt lot and a historic farmhouse and grew into a vibrant educational space for hundreds of thousands of visitors. The Center is now proud and honored to run a dynamic organization focused on the three primary efforts of modeling a replicable, health-giving methodology of agriculture for our environment, waterways, wildlife, and families as well as mentoring the next generation of global citizens, and nourishing our community with farm-to-table culinary offerings and certified regenerative organic produce grown on its farm.

Join The Ecology Center in celebrating the momentous occasion and sharing a special afternoon on the farm. The Community Celebration is free to the public with advance RSVP at TheEcologyCenter.org/event/community-celebration/.

PRICE: 

FREE with RSVP

WHEN

Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. 

WHERE

The Ecology Center:

32701 Alipaz St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

PUBLIC CONTACT

For more information on The Ecology Center’s 15th Anniversary Community Celebration and to RSVP to the free event, please visit TheEcologyCenter.org/event/community-celebration/. To learn more about The Ecology Center and upcoming events, please visit www.TheEcologyCenter.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

Please contact farida@theaceagency.com with interest and inquiries. 

Credit: The Ecology Center.

Art Workshop: Gratitude and Grace with Jo Situ Allen – November 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

• Celebrate self-care and gratitude by working with air-dry clay to create a beautiful nature-inspired centerpiece platter. We’ll shape the clay with our hands, pressing foraged items into it to leave a unique print. The workshop will commence with a silent, meditative walk from the museum to Heisler Park and back. Bring textured items from nature to incorporate into your creation. After a 15-minute silent walk to gather materials, we’ll return to the museum for a grounding exercise and breathing session before immersing ourselves in the creative process. Jo will facilitate the remaining time, encouraging presence and gratitude for the abundance around us. More information can be found at this link.

Brain Health: The Impact of Art + Nature – November 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

• Join Dr. Cheryl Alvarez for an insightful discussion about activities promoting brain health. Delve into the benefits of art contemplation, connecting with nature, gardening, and social activity in maintaining a healthy brain. This program is presented in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Family Center of Huntington Beach. Advance tickets are recommended. More information can be found at this link.

New Moms at the Museum –  November 29, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

• Calling all new parents! Join us at the Laguna Art Museum for a special event tailored for you. Enjoy art, gain expert insights, and socialize with other parents. Learn about a featured art piece, receive advice on self-care and newborns, and meet specialists in midwifery, doula services, newborn care, nutrition, acupuncture, and massage therapy. The last 45 minutes are dedicated to mingling. This event is for infants aged 0-6 months. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. More information can be found at this link.

Holiday Glow (feat. Pacific Vocal Series) – December 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. 

• Step into the holidays with an evening of live music! Enjoy live musical moments featuring recognizable holiday classics presented in collaboration with Pacific Vocal Series. The event will showcase Laguna Beach local and international mezzo soprano Kayleigh Decker and pianist Cheryl Lin Fielding. Indulge in a sparkling signature cocktail, light bites, and shopping at our delightful museum store. Receive a gift with every purchase and an additional curated gift bag with a minimum purchase of $100. More information can be found at this link.

Movie-Made Los Angeles Lecture and Book Signing – December 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

• Embark on a captivating exploration of the historic ties between Laguna and early Hollywood with renowned film professor and author John Trafton. Meet the author and have your copy of his latest masterpiece, Movie-Made Los Angeles, personally signed after the program. Discover the cinematic origins of Los Angeles and delve into Southern California’s artistic heritage that laid the foundation for Hollywood’s rise. More information can be found at this link.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

It’s that time of the year when Rubio’s guests enjoy the return of seasonal fan favorites. Craveable Langostino Lobster makes its return, along with the highly requested Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Langostino Lobster

Kicking off the holiday season, wild-caught and certified sustainable Langostino Lobster will be featured on Rubio’s menu now through January 2. Drizzled in warm garlic herb butter and featuring authentic Baja flavors, dishes include the Langostino Lobster Two Taco Plate, the Langostino Lobster Bowl, the Puerto Nuevo Burrito and returning with double the cheese, the Más Queso Quesadilla.

Rubio’s Chicken Tortilla Soup

Back by popular demand after several years, guests will enjoy the return of Rubio’s heart-warming Chicken Tortilla Soup. This modern take on a Mexican classic features marinated grilled chicken in a savory chicken broth with Hass avocado slices, salsa fresca, citrus rice and a blend of cheese. 

Credit: Rubio’s. Some form of compensation was received to post.

Dana Point Harbor is hosting a special Halloween edition of Little Folk Club this month to celebrate the spooky season with little ones. Everyone is invited to wear costumes, bring a favorite musical instrument and sing along together to join the festive fun. The event is free and will take place on Friday, October 27 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Clock Courtyard by El Torito.

Victoria Bailey originally started Little Folk Club in 2016 to introduce children and families in her community to her love of traditional folk music and instruments. Little Folk Club will also return to Dana Point Harbor in December for a special Christmas edition to spread the holiday cheer. 

WHEN:

Friday, October 27, 10 – 11 a.m.

WHERE: 

Dana Point Harbor, 34521 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point, CA 92629. 

Little Folk Club will take place in the Clock Courtyard near El Torito. 

MORE INFORMATION

For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com or connect via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Credit: Dana Point Harbor

Disney Theatrical Productions and Segerstrom Center for the Arts announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King will go on sale to the public on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10 AM.  Costa Mesa’s most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the Segerstrom Center for the Arts stage on Thursday, February 1, 2024 for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, February 25, 2024.  The opening night is Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 PM. 

In Costa Mesa, The Lion King will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM and 6:30 PM. There will also be a 2 PM matinee on Thursday, February 1. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a souvenir program, and a cinch bag, are also available. Beginning October 30 at 10 AM, tickets will be available online at scfta.org, in person at Segerstrom Center for the Arts Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or by phone at (714) 556-2787.  To charge tickets, call (714) 556-2787 on Monday from 10 AM – 2 PM, or Tuesday through Friday from 12 PM – 5 PM. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling (714) 755-0236.

Ticket buyers are reminded that scfta.org and the box office at Segerstrom Center for the Arts are the only official ticket outlets for all performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Segerstrom Center for the Arts is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance. Additionally, third-party ticket brokers often impose substantial fees and markups well beyond the face value of tickets.

For more than 20 years, the North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by over 21 million theatergoers. Having already played more than 9,000 performances in over 90 cities across North America, The Lion King now proudly returns to Costa Mesa at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. 

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com, www.facebook.com/thelionkingusa and www.instagram.com/thelionking. 

Credit: Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Anxiety negatively impacts a victim’s mental and physical health. Someone with anxiety can feel restless and nervous. The condition’s long-term effects include insomnia and depression. You may also experience suicidal thoughts and difficulties with socialization/ work/ school. Discussed below are five ways to reduce anxiety.

1.    Leverage CBD

Studies suggest that CBD can effectively relieve anxiety. The appropriate dosage for a victim to reduce stress varies depending on the CBD product they’re using, how they’re administering it, and individual health factors. The administration method you choose determines how fast cannabinoids start taking effect. Orally administered CBD, including edibles and oils, takes longer to show effects than vaping/smoking CBD oil.

The right CBD dosage for anxiety differs from one individual to another. So, start small and increase your dosage based on how your body reacts. Since CBD consumption may have side effects like drowsiness and weight changes, consulting a medical professional is necessary. Since not all CBD products are top quality, consider consuming a reputable product, such as Secret Nature CBD, for effective anxiety relief.

2.    Embrace physical activity

When undergoing anxiety, exercising could be the last thing on your mind. Working out regularly can help ease anxiety by:

• Taking the mind off whatever is worrying you, which gets you away from the negative thoughts cycle that feeds anxiety
• Releasing endorphins responsible for enhancing happiness and well-being

Starting and adhering to a workout routine isn’t easy. However, these steps can help:

• Identifying the activities you love
• Consulting your doctor or mental health specialist for support
• Setting reasonable goals
• Assess your barriers to solutions
• Preparing for setbacks

3.    Consider anxiety journaling

Anxiety journaling aims at getting negative thoughts out of your mind and into a record. It lays bare your fears by writing them on paper, which is an initial step to accepting your anxiety issues and finding ways to move past them. Journaling enables you to monitor your symptoms. It records your experiences to assist you in learning how to work on your mental health for anxiety relief.

Writing your thoughts down helps you fight your vulnerabilities, reducing anxiety. If you’re new to journaling, start by keeping it simple and making it a habit. There are no rules for journaling. You don’t need to follow a specific format or template. Finding journaling prompts can help you cope with anxiety effectively.

4.    Leverage cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively treats anxiety disorders. Its primary focus is looking for practical solutions to an individual’s anxiety symptoms and triggers. It equips you with the skills necessary for interrupting and altering problematic or  negative behavior and thoughts that feed your mental health issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based practice that can effectively treat multiple anxiety disorders, including:

• Social anxiety disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Specific phobias
• Noise sensitivity anxiety
• Panic disorder

CBT can also aid with other disorders sharing the anxiety symptom like PTSD.

5.    Join an anxiety support group

Anxiety support groups usually assist victims to develop skills to minimize anxiety effects. Most of these groups provide online and in-person meetings. Joining a support group enables you to feel less lonely/ judged/ isolated while allowing you to openly and honestly express your emotions, which helps reduce anxiety.

Endnote

Anxiety’s effects on your mental and physical health can be severe. Consider using these tips to reduce anxiety.

Join OC Parks, Newport Bay Conservancy and volunteers around the world for Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay on Saturday, Sept. 23. Lend a helping hand and make a positive impact on our coastlines as we work together to remove trash and recyclables from the marsh, waterway and beaches.

Every September, families, friends, co-workers, schools and scouts from across Orange County come together to volunteer their time cleaning up Upper Newport Bay. This year’s goal is to remove more than 10,000 pounds of trash, as waste items can harm wildlife, pollute waterways and impact public health.

“I look forward to participating in Coastal Cleanup Day at the Upper Newport Bay every year,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Last year, we cleaned up thousands of tiny Styrofoam particles that washed into the Bay. We must protect our beautiful Newport Bay for current and future generations to enjoy. I invite volunteers of all ages to participate in this great opportunity to clean our coast and get involved in your community.”

At least 800 volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to clean up trash from the uplands and marsh areas of the Bay and remove invasive plant species. Volunteers will meet at various mini-cleanup sites around the 11-mile stretch of the Bay. Exact meeting locations will be announced prior to Sept. 23.

Participants are encouraged to wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes (tall/rubber boots are best) and bring a refillable water bottle, reusable mask, gloves and a trash bag or bucket. A commemorative t-shirt will be given to everyone volunteering. 

September 23 – Coastal Cleanup Day

Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cost and Parking: Free

Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cleanup-day  

Additional Event Partners: Newport Bay Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Coastkeeper and Newport Aquatic Center.

Credit: OC Parks.