Southern California

The Half-Life of Half-Truths: San Onofre, Memento Mori!

I would not presume to review the science or even explain the specifics of the regulatory tar baby that, thankfully, seems to have caught up So Cal Edison in its lies and obfuscations, stubborn insistence on the viability of SONGS. Read Nick Schou and other OC Weekly reporters for that. Mine is a po ... More >>

The Bruery To Start Filling Blank Growlers

It's a common conundrum for California craft beer drinkers: Too many growlers, not enough shelf space. The assumption has been that current law only permits breweries to refill the 64-ounce to-go jugs if they're from their own shop. But in February, the head of the California Department of Alcoholic ... More >>

Whale of a Tale of a Journal of a Story on the Radio: Children's Bookstore & New Faultline & No Nukes, Too!

I am a little weary of bad news, cautionary tales and object lessons by way of instruction and warning. Another mass shooting? Thank the NRA. Mass spying on US citizens? Color me surprised, not. So, a little silver lining by way of the otherwise dark cloudy move by Whale of a Tale, whose terrific ow ... More >>

Orange County Register Wildfire Coverage Has a Huge Hole in It: Media Watchdog

Orange County fire officials recently held a press conference to go over their strategies and, more importantly, warn the public about an ever-earlier fire season. The Orange County Register covered this, as it did Southern California's recent wildfires, but a media watchdog saw a huge hole in the c ... More >>

The Gibson Amphitheatre To Close Its Doors

The storied L.A. venue announced today that it will officially close in September following a special grand finale concert honoring its history. The full press release is available below...

Cereal Milk, Breakfast's Delicious Remains, Is Now Sold In Cartons

Perhaps it was the first science discovery you made as a kid. If you let your sugary cereal sit and dissolve in milk, you end up with something magical: cereal milk. (An aside: My grandmother would always serve us Corn Flakes in milk, and then add sugar. Not sure if she thought this was healthier th ... More >>

You are Here: Orange County in the House at the LA Times Festival of Books

I especially like the title of a 12:30 panel at next weekend's two-day  annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for its helpful reminder and either existential celebration or complaint. "You are Here:  Perspectives on Life in Southern California," featuring Times columnists suggests tha ... More >>

The Kizh-Gabrieleño Factor

Despite a centuries-long campaign by Southern Californians to eradicate them, OC's remaining Gabrieleños are making a comeback

To Kill a Mockingbird and Save Mr. Lincoln: Gayle Brandeis and the Political Young Adult

Our little lit family's sojourns find us back from a week in Baja California Norte, Mexico by way of, yes, Chicago, Illinois and Maycomb, Alabama. Audio books are the absolute best travel companions (can pause, never need to go pee), and listening together to the first four cassettes (yes, old-schoo ... More >>

Telling the Bees: New, Bright OC Novel on Old, Fading OC Culture

This photograph of retired stacked-up Pacific Electric "red cars" makes me sad, as it should you, especially if you are a native Southern Californian.  Yet its arrangement offers a kind of visual poetry, so much resembling the mission of Peggy Hesketh's debut novel Telling the Bees and at the s ... More >>

Restaurant Mary: Proud Maria

[Hole In the Wall] This Santa Ana favorite makes homestyle Mexican food for abuelitas and families

Ask Exene: What Kind of Punk Do I Stock In My Record Store So I Don't Look Like a Poseur?

Exene Cervenka is a writer, visual artist and punk rock pioneer. The OC transplant is the lead singer for X, the Knitters and Original Sinners. 
If you want to ask the legendary vocalist for advice, send an email to askexene@ocweekly.com. DEAR EXENE: I'm about to open a record store in my area cat ... More >>

VIDEO: Wake for It ... Wake for It ... Now Catch Hardcore Surfers Hang Fin

Summer is the season most of us associate with surfing because when we stick our toes in the water any other time the water is too dang cold.But hardcore surfers kill the waves any time of year, as witnessed by those hanging ten . . . er . . . hanging fin in the wake of a Dana Point whale watching b ... More >>

Koo's Catering Truck: Are You Hot for Hotteok?

[Hole In the Wall] This Garden Grove food truck makes awesome Korean pancakes—but they're not pancakes!

All-Breed Dog Show Holiday Classic

OC Fair and Event Center

The 10 Most Over-Played Songs at a Mexican Wedding, California Edition

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Houston to do a book signing for my book, Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America. Afterward, I went with friends and fans to enjoy some awesome Tex-Mex at El Real Tex-Mex, and among those who attended were two colleagues/pals from our sister paper, the Houston P ... More >>

The Five Next Big Trends in Mexican Food in the United States

This Thursday, I fly to the University of Houston in what will be the official end of my Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America tour. It's been a great ride that has taken  me from the Bay Area to Texas about a million times, the South and virtually all other points, but while the tour en ... More >>

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Activist: Rebels by Accident, Intuition or Circumstance

Mr. Bib's reintroduction to quality Young Adult fiction comes mostly courtesy of the Little Bibster, aged 10, who patiently explains the often complicated relationships, plot twists, characters and worlds of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Lemony Snicket series, and especially Rick Riordan's seeming ... More >>

'Border Theory' Shows the Line That Blurs

Tony de los Reyes' exhibit at Grand Central Art Center brilliantly captures the never-ending U.S.-Mexico divide

What Does the Book Mexican American Baseball in the Inland Empire Have to do with Orange County? A Hella Lot

My office is buried in books, not just in the arcana that I love so much but also new releases that I just throw into the piles, intent on reviewing them until some damn pedo-priest or crazy-ass politician goes nuts. It's on that note that I'm finally getting to review Mexican American Baseball in t ... More >>

Kyle Isamu Hamatake Erroneously Thought He Devised A Perfect Internet Escort Scam

For more than a year beginning in late 2009, Kyle Isamu Hamatake must have thought he'd devised the perfect Internet scam in Southern California.The Orange County man published online employment advertisements seeking drivers for sex industry escorts, tricked the individuals into making cash deposit ... More >>

Ju-Ju-Be Pairs With Tokidoki to Create Diaper Bags for Hip Moms

[Trendzilla] The Costa Mesa company makes baby lugging downright hipster

Heretic To Film Live DVD In Santa Ana This Weekend

See Also: *fun. - The Wiltern - 8/17/12* Phish - Long Beach Arena - 8/15/12 *How Alabama Shakes Turned a Shitty Career Break Into a Major Score Since reemerging a year ago, Southern California speed/thrash metal outfit Heretic have been pretty busy. Three members from the band's formative days, gui ... More >>

The Jezebelles: An All-Girl Rock Choir With Serious Balls

By: Katrina NattressThe Jezebelles are not your traditional choir. In fact, the Southern California all-girl rock 'n' roll choir has never even competed in a choral competition. Conversely, most of the ladies in the 17-member group have pasts in rock bands, and two years ago Kelsey Dyer formed The J ... More >>

Foxy Shazam's Alex Nauth Talks About the Time He Found Entire Pizza in His Pants

Cincinnati's Foxy Shazam is in the middle of a busy 2012. They released their fourth LP, The Church of Rock and Roll. The glam rockers bounced around the major label circuit for years before landing on I.R.S./EMI in 2011 and are having their greatest success to date. Catching up with the band before ... More >>

Sea Otters Get Coastal Commission Assist as Shellfish Groups Take Aim

Environmental and mammal-protection groups are hailing a recent California Coastal Commission vote they say will allow sea otters to swim freely and legally in Southern California waters.This is the result of the commission deciding unanimously last week that a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposa ... More >>

Ochoa's Chorizo With Amnesty

[Hole In the Wall] This Santa Ana foodmaker hints at the potential of OC's cottage-food industry

Free Sundae at Farrell's For Military All Month Long

​Now here's something nice: for Military Appreciation Month, Farrell's is treating all servicemen and women past and present to an ice cream sundae from now to the end of May at all its Southern California locations, including Mission Viejo and Brea. The Red White and Blue Thank You Sundae is ... More >>

3hree Things: Must-Haves For Unapologetic Baseball Geeks

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.If you're a baseball superfan like me, your GeekMeter™ has probably been in the red since Spri ... More >>

Xodó Grill Opens in Orange

Back in January, we noticed a new Brazilian barbecue restaurant hiding next to Target on Tustin Street in Orange. The workers building out the restaurant said the owners hoped to open in February; we snarkily suggested April, and we were right.

OC Music Awards Ceremony

City National Grove of Anaheim

The Weather Channel Produces a Reality Show Starring OC Lifeguards

The Weather Channel​Here in SoCal, unless you're a huge weather nerd or have family where there's actually weather, our wild guess is that you're not an avid watcher of The Weather Channel.   Seems that producers are hoping to change that. In an effort to boost its viewership, the channe ... More >>

Bulldog Beauty Contest

Marine Stadium

3hree Things: A Box Full Of Cassettes And Shame

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.​I'm not gonna lie. I didn't spend my formative years as a music listener (late-80's/earl ... More >>

Tet Festival

Garden Grove Park

[UPDATE: A Statement From Tovar] Goldenvoice's 30th Anniversary Fest: Social D, Bad Religion, Descendents Headline

​UPDATE, NOV. 7, 9:52 A.M.: Founder Gary Tovar explains the lineup in a statement: "The artists and lineup for these special shows were chosen to reflect the bands that embraced and were instrumental in building Goldenvoice from day one. Like us, they had just the right screws loose. Because of th ... More >>

3hree Things: On The Art Of Falling Down

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.​Last Friday afternoon, I took a leisurely stroll down East Carson, a busy street flanked with ... More >>

3hree Things: On Getting Ready For Tour (Or Not)

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.​ I leave for tour in two days. And I'm not ready. Again.You'd think that after touring for ab ... More >>

3hree Things: On Hawleywood's Barbershop

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.​I've never been really big on "hairstyles," as a damning Google image search of me will surel ... More >>

Debt Ceiling, Schmebt Ceiling: Let's Eliminate Money

​While the debt-ceiling crisis was averted today, even President Barack Obama indicated that much more work needs to be done in a Washington, D.C., that's split between those who do not want to tax the super rich and those who do not want to cut services to the very poor.Perhaps everyone is focuse ... More >>

100 Reasons to Be Ecstatic About Summer In OC!

Summer here is bliss, better than anyplace else in the States

Old Towne Orange Farmers Market Debuts, a Success

​ Though the weather was overcast Saturday morning, and parking was at a premium, that didn't stop hundreds of people from attending the debut of Orange's latest farmers' market, the one with the most potential upswing.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

Downtown Santa Ana

This Week in Food: Great Pot-Laced Desserts, Cal-Mex, and Mega-Bacon!

Flickr user zieak​As always, so many great things this week we have to give it to you after the jump!

The State of the Art House

When it comes to hip indie film theaters, OC is no LA—but LA is no NYC. Why not?

Preview Review Revue

A look at what STAGES, Theater Out, Monkey Wrench Collective and other great OC theater companies will stage in 2011

Little Arabia Grows Up

[Hole In the Wall] Andaluz Restaurant and Bakery spins a sublime shawarma

[This Hole-in-the-Wall Life] Mad Mongolian at Mad Wolf Mongolian BBQ

The Anti-Immigrant All-Stars

Hangin with the haters at Santa Anas Day Without an Immigrant

!Ask a Mexican!

'Sensenbeaners'