On this Memorial Day, we hope that you're able to relax and spend time with family and friends, while celebrating all the men and women who have served our great nation.
Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing
May 22, 2012 by
If you wish you could express yourself better on the page, don’t fret. There are a few very simple tips that you can use to make yourself a clearer, more vibrant writer. Let’s get right to them.
The easiest thing you can do to improve your writing is simply to write more often. Even if you don’t show your work to anyone, the process of writing will help you get more in tune with your thoughts. As you write, you’ll turn phrases that work and phrases that don’t.
Along with that suggestion, also make it a goal to read more. Reading a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction will improve your vocabulary and help you learn how professional writers structure sentences and paragraphs.
One way to combine the last two tips is by taking a passage of existing writing and rewriting it in your own voice. Study the piece, pick out the essential information and then try to present it to a new reader. This can help you understand why writers make the choices they do.
Although English grammar can be a very difficult subject to master, understanding a few simple rules can make your writing clearer and more pleasurable. There are a number of excellent grammar resources online, including the excellent Guide to Grammar and Writing at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/.
Mr. Stox: A Tradition for a Classic American Dining Experience
May 16, 2012 by
If all you want is a hearty American meal served in a luxurious atmosphere at a reasonable price, Anaheim’s Mr. Stox is the restaurant of your dreams. Family owned and operated since 1977 and located conveniently near Disneyland and the Convention Center, this upscale eatery has long been a destination for locals. Regulars praise the incredibly well-cooked prime rib, which is seared to perfection and expertly juicy. The rest of the menu is just as promising, with a delicious lobster bisque perfectly capturing decadent chunks of shellfish meat in an amazing, creamy soup. Other dishes that have captured the attention of many a diner are astounding onion rings cooked in buttermilk and Parmesan cheese, the incredible crabcakes, and the oso bucco. This place definitely attracts an older crowd, so don’t go if you’re looking for a pick-up spot. However, Mr. Stox is a great choice for a low-key birthday or business meeting with a client you’re trying to impress.
Mr. Stox
1105 East Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 634-2994
www.mrstox.com
Happy Mother’s Day!
May 13, 2012 by
Wishing all of the mothers a very happy and relaxing Mother's Day surrounded by the ones you love.
The Benefits of Omega-3s
May 8, 2012 by
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids found in foods such as olive oil, flaxseed oil, salmon, sardines, and walnuts, and we all need them in order for our bodies to function properly. One of their most crucial benefits is that these fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, and a lot of diseases, such as heart disease and arthritis are linked to the inflammatory issues.
The Mayo Clinic touts some of the health benefits of Omega-3s, benefits such as:
- reducing the risk of heart attack
- reducing heart arhythmia
- reducing risk of stroke
- lowering blood pressure
- lowering triglycerides
Visit the Mayo Clinic's website to learn more about Omega-3s.
Muzeo: An Unusual Museum to Explore
May 2, 2012 by
Most museums and cultural institutions pay lip service to the communities that host them, but Anaheim’s Muzeo is a little different. It’s totally dedicated to celebrating the unique blend of cultures that characterize Southern California, from the early influence of Native Americans to the impact of immigrants from all over the world. Opened in the fall of 1997, the museum has already begun to attract a diverse clientele from all over the region, hosting three traveling exhibitions a year plus a wide variety of local artists, events, and programs. The 25,000 square foot space swallowed up the Carnegie Library—which is still operational on the grounds—and several galleries. The exhibitions that have been scheduled so far have been nothing but eclectic—live displays of exotic, colorful frogs shared floorspace with biographical tales of Delta blues legends—but visitors have all raved about the high quality of the place. Support this kind of inventiveness and pay them a visit today.
Muzeo
241 S. Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 956-8936
www.muzeo.org/home.php
A SoCal Favorite Pastime: A Visit to Shoreline Village
April 24, 2012 by
Yeah, it’s a tourist trap, but there’s a reason Long Beach’s Shoreline Village has had such staying power even among locals: It’s one of SoCal’s best spots for fishing, watercraft riding, biking along the beach, shopping, dining, drinking—you name it, they’ve got it—and with the warm California sunshine in spades to boot. The shops are cute boutiques; the restaurants have hot happy hours. Check out Tequila Jack’s for food and drinks, or the Funnel House for funnel cakes (of course!), and do not miss Rocky Mountain Chocolate. A quick word of warning: Finding parking can be a bit difficult, but the views—especially the view of the Pacific at night, and the Queen Mary cruise ship out on the ocean—and the plethora of cutesy shops more than make up for any parking-related hassles.
Shoreline Village
429-P Shoreline Village Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 435-2668
shorelinevillage.com
Orange Hill Restaurant: It’s Good At The Top
April 17, 2012 by
Gorgeous views of lush Orange County and Catalina Island greet you at this fine dining restaurant that offers some of the best dinners in Orange County. Decorated with soothing koi ponds and ornamental waterfalls, Orange Hill manages to match the atmosphere with quality food. A robust wine list, presented by a truly expert sommelier, greets you at the table, and the staff is exceptionally courteous and friendly. The steaks are uniformly perfectly cooked, and the filet mignon is excellent. Some regulars caution that the seafood is not the best, but others swear by it. On Saturdays and Sundays, Orange Hill hosts an extremely popular buffet brunch, with a massive variety of food available including Eggs Benedict, made-to-order omelets and a gigantic carving station with hams and roast beef. Prices, naturally, are a little high, but the ambience (and especially the view) is definitely worth the cost.
Orange Hill Restaurant
6410 East Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-2910
www.theorangehillrestaurant.com
A Green Oasis in Orange County: Fullerton Arboretum
April 10, 2012 by
Arboretums don’t get as much respect as they should, but in this increasingly citified world they can provide a real oasis from modern life. The Fullerton Arboretum, located on the corner of the Cal State Fullerton campus, has become a popular destination for Orange County residents to visit and relax. Taking up 26 acres of property with a wide variety of plant types, the Arboretum features four major collections to explore—a desert biome, a Mediterranean sampling, a recreation of the natural woodland areas, and a cultivated garden. Walk through the orange groves and feel free to pick fruit off of the ground and eat it—it’s a local snacking tradition. The park also encompasses the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, where you can explore the farming history of the area with special attention to the contributions of Japanese immigrants, as well as the Heritage House, a transplanted 1890s residence that is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 – 4 p.m.
Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road
Fullerton, CA 92831
(657) 278-3407
www.fullertonarboretum.org
Wishes for a Happy Spring!
April 6, 2012 by
The world is alive with color now that spring is in the air! Wishing you a wonderful spring season!
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