Pasadena

John S. Haw, Attorney Who Paid Kickbacks in Hospital Construction Scheme, Geta a Year

Attorney John S. Haw of Aliso Viejo was sentenced Monday to a year of confinement--to be split between a halfway house and home detention--for his role in an illegal kickback scheme involving construction work at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.The 52-year-old pleaded guilty in federal cour ... More >>

Dana Rohrabacher's Path to Citizenship Would Include a Stop Where Immigrants Plead Guilty

At least you can say this about Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach): He's no Ken Calvert, the House Republican out of Riverside who says he might consider some kind of legal status for members of the undocumented class who jump through hoops, but not full citizenship. Rohrabacher, m ... More >>

April Martinez, Pete Tarazon, Carlos Lizarraga, Juan Siqueiros-Rodriguez Tied to Arizona Drug Cartel in Tustin Kidnapping/Would-be Murder

A call about a guy being beaten in a car parked in a Tustin residential neighborhood, and some follow-up police investigation, led to the discovery of an alleged conspiracy/kidnapping/attempted murder plot by an Arizona drug cartel.That's the spin from the Tustin Police Department, which claims the ... More >>

Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana To Open In Crystal Cove

Mozza, Ortica, Il Dolce, meet your newest competitor. A new pizzeria by the name of Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana is planned for Crystal Cove Promenade in Newport Beach, and they're pretty much offering what every new pizza joint that isn't Pielogy and 800 Degrees is offering these days: pizz ... More >>

Now Open: Slater's 50/50 In Lake Forest

We can't speak for San Diego or Pasadena, but the bar at Slater's 50/50 in Lake Forest is loooooooong. Like slide a pint across the countertop, Coyote Ugly dancing long. And full of male bartenders (not that we minded). Rodrigo, Bean and Tony can recommend what's on tap anytime. Our task: remember w ... More >>

On The Line: Jonathan Rollo Of Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, Part One

The award for mini-chain that took Costa Mesa by storm goes to Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop. Open since last spring, Jonathan Rollo and Kristi Ritchey helped bring sexy back to a mild-mannered strip along 17th. With meals that are neither strictly vegan nor tasteless, Greenleaf's menu includes organic ... More >>

Son: What Did You Do in the Anti-War, Daddy? Dad: What Anti-War?

"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and the daughters of life's longing for itself. They come through you but they are not from you. And though they are with you they belong not to you." Sweet Honey in the Rock, the great a cappella Civil Rights-lovin' all-woman, all-African Amer ... More >>

FBI Busts Alleged California Home Loan Mortgage Kickback Scam With Arrests

FBI agents have arrested two Southern California men, Tony Phan of Little Saigon and Troy Chattariyangkul of Los Angeles County, for their alleged involvement in a mortgage loan fraud kickback scheme, according to records reviewed at the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse in Santa Ana.Phan, a 35-year- ... More >>

On The Line: Roy Hendrickson Of Zimzala, Part Two

"I just like to see the locals come in, try new things and just come back, and back and back. Most hotel guests you never even see again. I know this community pretty well, so it's a lot of fun to be out shopping somewhere and see someone who just dined here."Read our interview with Roy Hendrickson ... More >>

Silent River Film Fest Makes Noise with Movies About Animals, the Ecology and the 99 Percent

Kalpna Singh-Chitnis says the hardest part of staging last year's first ever Silent River Film Festival was mounting the sequel, which is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday in Irvine.Dealing with programming, logistics and clashing personalities in your first year is one thing, but now that the n ... More >>

Slater's 50/50 To Open New Locations In Lake Forest And Pasadena

There's no bacon shortage over at Slater's 50/50. OC's bro-food empire, which has given us artery-clogging wonders such as the bacon milkshake, a burger patty made of 100% bacon and a peanut butter and jelly burger topped with bacon, is expanding.    

Embassy Suites Irvine Workers Strike Against New Management Company

Striking hotel workers at the non-union Embassy Suites Irvine walked off the job today and are taking their two-year long labor dispute to Pasadena. The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, which held its monthly board meeting there this morning, is a dominant investor in the ownersh ... More >>

Coyotl Tezcatlipoca Loses But So Does City in Ruling Over Costa Mesa Law Targeting Dissent

The Costa Mesa City Council was legally in the right to twice remove immigrant-rights activist and punk rocker Coyotl Tezcatlipoca (a.k.a. Benito Acosta) from council meetings in 2006 under a municipal ordinance that makes it a misdemeanor for members of the public to engage in "disorderly . . . or ... More >>

Haven Gastropub Finally Debuts Its House-Crafted Beer In OC

Back in May, Haven Gastropub released its first batches of house-crafted beer--a double IPA and a pale ale--but to our sadness, the restaurant was only pouring the brews at its Pasadena location, where the micro-production was taking place.   Finally, we'll get a taste. Haven Brewing will ... More >>

After New Report Details Police Killings of Blacks, Rapper Provocatively Asks 'Do We Need to Start a Riot?'

Twenty years after social unrest gripped the city of Los Angeles, a new report on 2012 security force killings of Blacks in the United States has one rapper, Jasiri X, asking if no justice is done, "Do We Need to Start a Riot?" in a song and video released this week. The lyrics are provocative to be ... More >>

On the Line: Frederic Castan of Motif Restaurant, Part Two

"There's always a great love behind a great man.", per Chef Castan. His wife, Maria, is equally talented in the fine arts as a painter. She attends workshops, and has hundreds of works completed. Maria often travels with Frederic, but admittedly prefers the climate close to home. Good thing he didn' ... More >>

"Celebrate Gospel" Returns to Disney California Adventure

​ Do you like gospel music? What about Disney California Adventure?Well, if you like both prepare to have your mind blown, because those two worlds are about to collide when "Celebrate Gospel" (an annual celebration of gospel music... duh) makes its way back to the park this Saturday.Lea ... More >>

[UPDATED With Dispatches from the Port:] Occupy Converges on the Port of Long Beach; Over 200 Protestors Block Access to Pier

Brandon Ferguson​UPDATE DEC. 12, 1:15 P.M.: Though there were several incredibly tense moments at the Port of Long Beach this morning as protesters and police squared off, the day ended without any serious incidents. Between 200 and 300 Occupy activists from Irvine, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, La ... More >>

Ozma

Glass House

Victoria Patterson, OC's Best Author, to Speak at Fullerton Library THIS Thursday

​Screw Dean Koontz, T. Jefferson Parker, yours truly, and all the other "authors" who couldn't write a kindergarten tract if you gave them the "see" and the "spot": Victoria Patterson is our best writer, both in fiction and in writing about Orange County, and an awesome, awesome mind.She'll be spe ... More >>

Idina Menzel at The Greek Theatre Last Night

Michelle Woo/OC Weekly​Under the warm evening sky, Idina Menzel glided onto the stage and opened with the jazzy "Life Of The Party," a fitting selection because for the next hour and a half, she most certainly was."I got a new dress for you!" she announced, showing off her flowing fuchsia evening ... More >>

Richard Chairez, Armored Car Guard, Accused of Firing Gun on Freeway to Relieve Stress

​Armored car guard Richard Chairez of Santa Ana has apparently found a unique way to relieve stress while on freeway runs.Make that unique and disturbing.The 25-year-old is accused of whipping open the passenger door while being driven on the Pasadena (210) Freeway through Glendora during the Mond ... More >>

On The Line: Peter Stavros Of Peter's Gourmade Grill, Part Two

Photo by Kevin Lara​Our second installment of On The Line explores the people and experiences that shape Peter Stavros of Peter's Gourmade Grill. We delve into a little family history and learn about what makes him speechless. He even recalls the job that caused his foodservice epiphany. To catch ... More >>

Lobsta Truck's OC Debut TODAY!!

lobstatruck.com​Let's finish our trio of luxe lonchera updates with this: Michelle told you two weeks ago about the Lobsta Truck coming to Orange County. Starting today, they'll be dropping anchor in our local waters. Turn the page for the locations!

OC Weekly Intern Lunch! Extremely Student-Friendly Fare at Mitsuwa Market

Javier CabralSpicy Miso Pork Ramen and Curry Rice Soba Noodle Combo: Both for Under $20​ Being an (unpaid!) intern at any publication is really a selfless act into publishing martyrdom. Yes, the experience is invaluable for a blossoming journalist who refuses to let the grim realities of print j ... More >>

What You Missed: Sugar Rush, The Get Up Kids, Social Distortion, Throw Rag

Christopher Victorio/OC Weekly​What'd you do this weekend? And what'd you miss? There was Sugar Rush (a "cupcake extravaganza"), The Get Up Kids performed at the Glass House, Social Distortion performed a sold-out show at the Palladium, and Throw Rag helped Alex's Bar celebrate its 11th anniversar ... More >>

Blo Out Lounge Will Blo You

[Trendzilla] The latest salon trend invades South Coast Metro

3hree Things About The LA Times Food & Wine Celebration at the Paramount Pictures Lot

Watch out for 3hree Things every Tuesday, where Riley Breckenridge, drummer of Orange County's favorite local alt-rock band Thrice, gives his take on life in Southern California as an OC native.​The lady and I headed up to Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon to see what the first-ever LA Ti ... More >>

Street, Heat and Meat: The Long Beach Street Food Fest

Dave Lieberman​Click here for the Long Beach Street Food Fest slideshow!What do you get when you put a couple of thousand people, 21 new-style food trucks, a pretty good cover band, and a beer and margarita tent in a park near the ocean?If you're me, you get a belly full, an earful and a nasty sun ... More >>

Shooting for a Pole-In-One in Disc Golf

[Summer Guide] The fast-growing sport has several homes in OC

The 88 front man Keith Slettedahl on Backing Ray Davies

Singer/guitarist Keith Slettedahl is a happy-go-lucky guy, as witnessed by his band the 88's irresistibly upbeat lyrics and catchy hooks. But the last couple of years were a little dark for the serenely-married Pasadena dad. The band got signed and dropped by Island Records. But they did manage to l ... More >>

On The Line: James Sar of Cambinos Asian BBQ

​ Of all the chefs and restauranteurs we've profiled on this blog feature, I can't say that I've met any of them in person. But I can say that I have had the pleasure of meeting James Sar of Cambinos Asian BBQ . If you eat at there, you will too. James will be the one taking your order and serv ... More >>

Last Night: U2 at the Rose Bowl

Andrew Youssef​Last Night: U2, at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena; October 25, 2009. (More photos here!) Better Than: Any other stadium tour I have witnessed.Historic. Epic. Magical. These are just a few of the words that come to mind in describing U2's performance at the Rose Bowl. Even as I watch the re ... More >>

U2 Rose Bowl Show to Be Streamed Live on YouTube

Chris SansenbachU2 in Anaheim, April 2005.​U2, YouTube. It just makes too much sense.We talked earlier this week about how massively packed the Rose Bowl in Pasadena will be for the U2 show this Sunday, with 100,000 cross-generational music fans coming from across Southern California--really, just ... More >>

New Local Deadbeats Join State List of Top Tax Delinquents

Bruce McNallThe State Board of Equalization list of California's top sales and use tax delinquents has welcomed 17 new members who owe nearly $22 million as a group--and, yes, some locals are among them. Richard Steven Lansburg of Long Beach-based Best Billiards and a Fullerton filer for ban ... More >>

Dâm Funk? Damn Right

Finally, Studio At Montage Laguna Beach Names New Executive Chef

Following a lengthy countrywide search, the Montage has announced Craig Strong as Executive Chef of Studio, replacing James Boyce, who left earlier this year.Strong, until yesterday Chef de Cuisine at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa (formerly Ritz-Carlton) in Pasadena, was a semifinalist for ... More >>

OC Weekly Receives 8 SoCal Journalism Awards Nominations

The OC Weekly--as in ORANGE COUNTY Weekly--plot for Los Angeles media market domination has been slow to achieve but persistent, as evidenced by the impressive showing Weeklings make on the Los Angeles Press Club's list of finalists for the 51st annual SoCal Journalism Awards.Winners will be announc ... More >>

What the Hell is Loretta Sanchez Talking About?

ANNOUNCER: It's the hot new game show sweeping the country, What the Hell is Loretta Sanchez Talking About? Here's your host, Rock Pudding.PUDDING: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another thrilling chance to win four bucks, a bottle of Armor All and a job. Contestants, please look at the ... More >>

Rohrabacher went in drag to solve already solved RFK assassination?

While the nation struggles with two wars, financial disasters, devastating hurricanes, regular political sex and ethics scandals, ridiculously priced gas and global warming, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) has been busy attempting to singlehandedly solve the already solved 196 ... More >>

The Great Photo

The Guinness Book of World records has announced a gigantic photo taken from an airport hangar turned camera obscura at Irvine's Great Park, the former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, is the largest in the world! According to a release from the Great Park's marketing people, “The Great Pict ... More >>

Ladys Chattering Lover

My gay husband can outtalk your gay husband

Fame!

Im gonna live forever

The Last Bear

Teddy Roosevelt, race suicide and the killing of Orange County's last grizzly

Shrimp Balls and Chococat Coitus

Our critic comes clean on his carnal indiscretions while dining at Yujean Kangs

Letters

United We Brand!

So a priest, an imam and a Buddhist guy make a long-distance phone call . . .

Goodbye, Gurza

Plus, the powers out! The Times bites! Let Freedom wring!

Letters

Out of Sight