One Sky One World

Everyone is Japanese - Family Event

2011-04-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Please join us for

"Everyone is Japanese" - Melting Pot Moms, Inc. Benefit for Japan

Time	Sunday, May 1 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location	Flintridge Clubhouse 28112 Roanoke Drive Ladera Ranch, CA

Created By	"Everyone is Japanese" Benefit Team, Angela Williams, Kyoko Corsten, Rebecca Jacobs Castillo

More Info	Let's join together to help our brothers and sisters in Japan! Save the date for this family event from Melting Pot Moms, Inc. (meltingpotmoms.org) to benefit the relief effort in Japan. Enjoy a spring evening with hors d'oeuvres on the patio and family entertainment. All donations to directly benefit the Japan relief effort and will go to the Miyagi Prefecture Association of Southern California. Featured Entertainment: Julia Lovetere - A Stand-Up comedian who performs regularly at the Comedy Store. She is born and raised in Los Angeles and has been in the entertainment industry for over 10 years. From competing for the Irene Ryans, studying improv and LA's Improv Olympic and 2nd city, she is now developing at The World Famous Comedy Store. Nihon Buyou - Traditional Japanese dance performance by Victoria Walker.http://www.wakahisakai.com/index_e.html Origami Crane craft for the kids to benefit the Students Rebuild reconstruction effort. http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/ Also Featured: An opportunity raffle An international food station Suggested $10 donation per person, children 10 & under free. Food/Beverage will be available for an additional donation. About Melting Pot Moms: Melting Pot MomsTM is a nonprofit organization bringing together families of different ethnicities and cultures, in an effort to create a diverse and nurturing environment for our children, while promoting multiculturalism in our communities.

Focus on Activities: Old Orange County Courthouse

2011-04-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Old Orange County Courthouse

The landmark Old Orange County Courthouse is Southern California's oldest court building, and as such has been witness to many of the events which shaped present day Orange County. From its dedication in 1901, this granite and sandstone building has been the traditional home of county government. Today the 30,000-square foot building has been restored to look much as it had at the turn of the last century. The building contains the Orange County History Center (which includes the Old Courthouse Museum, the Orange County Archives, and the library of the Pacific Coast Archaeological Society) as well as government offices. The building is on the National Register of Historic places and is a State of California Historic Landmark.

TOURS:
Tours of the Old Orange County Courthouse for adult and school groups are available by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tours are also available.

To arrange a tour of the Old Orange County Courthouse, please call (714) 973-6607. Tours are free of charge.

Walk-in visitors are always welcome during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday

Old Orange County Courthouse
211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714)973-6605 or (714)973-6607

Focus on Activities: Heritage hill Historical Park

2011-04-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

Heritage Hill Historical Park

Heritage Hill Historical Park is composed of 4.1 acres, four historic buildings and associated structures for maintenance and public restrooms. The fully restored and furnished historic buildings span the early history of the Saddleback Valley and El Toro area from the Mexican Rancho era (Serrano Adobe, circa 1863), to the founding of the town of El Toro (El Toro Grammar School, 1890; St. George's Episcopal Mission, 1891), through the citrus farming days of the early twentieth century (Harvey Bennett Ranch House, 1908).

Guided tours through the buildings are provided for the public Wednesday through Sunday. The tours offer an interpretation of Saddleback area history through the artifacts, events and people associated with each building. Landscaping of the park is in keeping with the historic nature of the buildings. The grounds are also available for weddings. Park staff and associated community interest groups offer special events each year, the most popular of which is the annual Victorian Christmas held on the first Saturday of December.

Tours:

Seven free "Walk-in" tours are offered weekly for individuals and groups of seven or less. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 2:00 P.M., Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Volunteer docents meet visitors at the front porch of the Serrano Adobe and tour each building.

The buildings are open to public access only during tours in order to protect the historic furnishings and artifacts on display. Visitors not attending a "Walk in" tour or prearranged Group tour may look into each building though an open doorway, but may not go through the buildings.

Group tour arrangements should be made in advance for any group of more than eight persons. Please call the park at least three weeks in advance to arrange group tours. The fee for group tours is $2 per person.

A Living History program is offered to fourth grade children. The program enables students to experience a typical school day around the turn-of-the-century. A Hands-on program with an activity at each historic building is offered to third grade students. The Native American tour is available to elementary school children and features a visit to the Indian village exhibit to learn about the life of the "People of the Land Before 1769". Small Group Nature Tours are available to groups of all ages.

Please contact the park office to arrange Group tours, Living History tours, Hands On tours, Native American and Small Group Nature tours. Tuesday through Friday 8:30 - 4:30 at (949) 923-2230.

Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
(949)923-2230 or (949)923-2232

Focus on Activities: Ramon Peralta Historic Adobe

2011-04-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

Ramon Peralta Adobe Historic Site

It is believed that Ramon Peralta built the adobe in 1871. After he died in 1873, the adobe was vacant at times and may have been damaged by vandals and a fire.

In 1881, Pablo Dominguez and his young bride, Felipa Yorba, moved into the adobe after considerable repair and remodeling to the structure. There is some evidence that so much work was required that many thought that Pablo had built the adobe. Five children were born to Pablo and Felipa in the years 1882-1889.

In 1895, Pablo Dominguez died. When Felipa grew ill, the children had to be temporarily cared for by others. The family occupied the adobe off and on after 1895, but eventually moved to the north side of the river.

The Dominguez family sold the adobe to E. Walter Pyne in 1908. Mr. Pyne later set about to preserve the adobe. To prevent the walls from weathering and deteriorating, he covered the exterior surface with 2 and a half inches of concrete. This measure is one reason that the adobe is still in existence while the other adobes in the area are not.

About 1920, with the realignment of the Santa Ana Canyon Road, the Canyon Cafe and gas station were built adjacent to the adobe. The adobe served as housing for the family operating the cafe, and was later connected to the cafe structure. The adobe would later become a storage room for the Canyon Cafe as traffic increased on Santa Ana Canyon Road until the 1950s.

In 1977, the adobe became the property of the Environment Management Agency. After many restoration proposals, the structure and the surrounding property were leased to C. Robert Langslet with the understanding that he restore and operate the adobe as an historical site open to the public.The Peralta Adobe is located on land that once was part of the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. While the Peralta Adobe was not the oldest adobe built in the canyon, it is the only one still standing today in the Santa Ana Canyon.

The Ramon Peralta Adobe officially opened for public use on September 27, 1986. The building was re-opened on April 28, 2006 as an official museum featuring the history of the Santa Ana Canyon from 1769 to present. Historical exhibits which include artifacts excavated on site and a timeline mural are available for viewing. A furnished period room and numerous photographs tracing the history of the first settlers to the canyon are on exhibit.

Peralta Adobe
6398 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road
Anaheim, CA 92807
(714)973-3190 or (714)973-3191

PLEASE CALL FOR TOUR INFORMATION

Focus on Events: Rancho Days Fiesta

2011-03-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 1st
Rancho Days Fiesta
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Come explore the rich history of Orange County's Native American tribes and the Mexican Ranchos! Visitors will experience the past through music, dance, crafts, food and first-person presentations.

Event Fee: $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for children (ages 3-12 years)

Parking Fee: Free

Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
(949)923-2230 or (949)923-2232

Focus on Events: Help keep the Bay's habitat clean for local wildlife!

2011-03-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 10th
Second Sundays at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Join Preserve staff and other volunteers in enhancing the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup and Butterfly Garden maintenance. No experience is necessary; water, snacks and tools are provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please phone (949) 923–2275, or e-mail unbic@ocparks.com to register or receive monthly e-mail notifications. Minors aged 15 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.

Event Fee: Free
Parking Fee: Free
Age: All

Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center
2301 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949)923-2290

Focus on Events: Vietnamese International Film Festival

2011-03-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

This is a "grown ups" event, but I wanted to make sure I shared!

http://www.vietfilmfest.com/2011/

The fifth Vietnamese International Film Festival will take place April 7-10 and April 14-17 at UC Irvine, Edwards University Town Center 6 in Irvine, the Bowers Museum and UCLA.

"Saigon Electric," a hip-hop and dance drama written and directed by Stephane Gauger, will make its Southern California premiere and open the biennial film fest at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Edwards University. Gauger, who grew up in Orange County and graduated from Cal State Fullerton, also wrote and directed "Owl and the Sparrow," which won the audience award for best narrative feature at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival.

"Bi, Don't Be Afraid," a contemporary romantic drama directed by Phan Dang Di, will close the fest, called "ViFF" by organizers and participants. "Bi" made its world premiere at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

This year's ViFF gathering is the biggest to date, with 67 short and feature-length films scheduled from around the world. The 2011 theme is "Reel Momentum," which reflects the growing movement of Vietnamese movie making by both established and emerging filmmakers.

"This is the best lineup we've ever had," said Ysa Le, co-director of the festival. "A lot of the films are new. Technically, they're way better than when we started in 2003. There are a lot of different stories and different genres."

The film fest, held every other year, is presented by the Vietnamese American Arts a sneak preview screening April 16 of "Touch," a story about a nail salon worker shot entirely in Orange County; and free days for seniors on April 8 and high school students on April 15 at the Bowers Museum. Question and answer sessions will follow most screenings.

General admission will be $8 per screening, $6 for students. Tickets for the opening film will be $20 and $50 (includes gala), and tickets for the closing film will be $20. All-festival passes will be $150.

For tickets and more information, visit VietFilmFest.com.

Focus on Culture: Giving

2011-03-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

As we watch the people of Japan go through this terrible natural disaster, it is a good time to bring up the topic of charity with your children.

"Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for the acts that we call "charity" in English: giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity" suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.

Many families have (or create) something called a Tzedakah Box to collect money. Once the box is full, they can give the money as they see fit. The money may be given to an individual, charity, really anyone in need!

Interested in helping the people of Japan?

American Red Cross, you can donate directly on their website or, you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, and Food For the Hungry, you can donate directly on their website atwww.fh.org.

Focus on Activities: Bowers Kidseum

2011-03-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a fun, easy and inexpensive way to incorporate culture into your child's life...look no further than Bowers Kidseum in Santa Ana.

The Kidseum is the only cultural art-based children's museum in Orange County. Their focus is on the beauty and meaning behind art and traditions.

Dress Up: Have you ever wanted to dress up like an Indian princess or a Mexican Caballero? Here you can do just that! We have a giant "multicultural closet" at your finger tips.
Tribal Instruments: Play instruments from across the globe!
Tribal Masks: Every culture wears masks. Try one on! Can you guess where it's from or for what reason it's worn?
Languages from around the world: Listen to languages from near and far! Where do they come from? Where are they spoken now?
Art Lab: Where else can you make a dragon from the orient or create your own Chi Wara headdress? Take your cultural lesson home with you in the form of your own artistic creation!

Zidseum Details:

1802 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA

714.480.1520

Admission (3yrs+): $6.00

Friday: 10AM - 4PM

Saturday and Sunday: 11AM - 4PM

($$ Tip: First Sundays are always FREE thanks to a sponsorship from Target)

Zidseum offers weekly programs for preschoolers and fun events (like the one below) for older children, on the weekends. Check out their website at http://www.bowers.org/kidseum.php for more details.

TREASURES OF ANCIENT CHINA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVENTURES: DIG, DISCOVER & CREATE

Sunday, March 27, 2011 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Take part in an authentic archaeological dig to recover, date and catalog replicas of artifacts from ancient China in our sand pits. For parents and children age 6 and up. Minimum: 15 participants

Fee: Members $20/General $25, Advance reservations required

For information and reservations: kidseum@bowers.org or call 714.480.1520.

Focus on Events: Boabab at Segerstrom Center For The Arts

2011-03-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Under a blazing West African sun, we’re welcomed into a local village as a startling discovery is made at the base of a centuries-old Baobab tree. Thus begins this magical legend where the courage of a child can change the future of the world.

There will be free pre performance activities in the lobby of Samueli Theater 1 hour before each performance of Boabab. These activities are designed to give families opportunities to spend quality time together before the performances at the Segerstrom Center.

Renowned kora musician and storyteller Asha’s Baba will conduct pre-performance activities for families before the 1 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday (March 5 and 6).

Asha’s Baba will perform and also display a variety of West African instruments, including ones used in Baobab. These activities are designed to give families opportunities to spend quality time together before the performances at the Segerstrom Center. Asha’s Baba is also part of Segerstrom Center’s innovative education programs which work with schools to integrate the arts into standard curriculum to enhance learning, creative thinking, cognitive and social skills.

Running time (approximate): 50 minutes

Focus on Activities: Penpals for kids

2011-02-25T20:25:00.000-08:00

Did you ever have a penpal when you were in school?

Penpals are a fun way to introduce your children to the art of letter writing AND they also offer a great opportunity to teach your child about someone else's culture and traditions!

Amazing Kids! is a non-profit organization that has a legitimate penpal program for children ages 5 - 17 years old. (Finding a legitimate program is very important)

"The Amazing Kids! PenPals Program is a literacy-based, traditional letter writing pen pal program, available to all children ages 5-17 worldwide.

At $10 per child, per pen pal, our program is a low-cost (and fun!) way to help your child practice their literacy skills, while making a new friend. Teachers or groups of 15 or more receive a 50% discount, at just $5 per child. Some scholarships are available; just ask!"

http://amazing-kids.org/get-involved/amazing-kids-penpals-program/

While you are at www.amazing-kids.org to sign up for the penpal program, check out the many contests they have for children 5 - 17 years old. Winners of the contest get published in their monthly publication. How cool is that??

Focus on Activities: Bolsa-Chica Wetlands

2011-02-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

Cultural Significance: The Bolsa Chica Wetlands have a rich cultural history that dates back over 8,000 years to the Native Americans. Within the Bolsa Chica wetlands and mesas linger the artifacts and people of early California, with the most impressive find of an 8,000 year old village and burial ground.

The wetlands have become even more important as a second nearby archeological site was lost to housing development.

Activity: The Bolsa Chica Wetlands are very easy to find and parking is FREE and readily available.

The beginning of the trail is a little odd as you can enjoy the lush green grass around you, you can see the wetlands and the many birds... but there is also the Pacific Coast Highway to your right, which makes it very difficult to become fully engulfed in your surroundings. As you move deeper into the wetlands, you move further away from civilization and get the full experience.

Once you get to the end of the main trail, there is a large lookout with photos of the many birds and mammals that are part of the natural habitat of the wetlands. At that point, you have the option of turning right (towards PCH) or left (up the hill).

If you turn left, you will find these two signs that provide you with information on the indigenous people of the wetlands.

Tip: Read these signs and start a conversation with your family about what it must have been like to live there 8,000 years ago. What they may have eaten (fish?), how did they live, what were they afraid of? There is a specific artifact found called a "cogged stone". It is not clearly known what they were used for. Maybe you and your family can come up with some ideas!

As you continue to explore, I highly recommend that you continue up the hill and back down into the deepest areas of the wetlands. Between the eerie beauty of the trees popping up out of the water and the sounds of the birds, this is an adventure that you will never forget!

Focus on Museums: African American Museum (LA)

2011-02-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

California African American Museum (Free - Donations appreciated)

Parking: $8 -

Our family really enjoyed the "How We Roll" exhibit at the African American museum. It was fun to see the black influence in the world of rollerskating and skateboarding.

They currently have an photographic exhibit of the town of Allensworth which was California's first Black founded, financed and governed town.

Their permanent exhibit does cover more mature subject matter, such as slavery. Martin and I walked through it and found it to be a very good conversation starter on the subject of right and wrong as well as how we treat other human beings. However, if you would like to avoid that subject matter, I suggest you still go to this museum, but avoid that particular exhibit. All of the exhibits are in separate rooms, so that is very easy to do.

The staff was incredibly friendly and interested in telling us more about the museum and upcoming events.

Of course, while your at Exposition park to visit the California African American Museum, there is so much to explore and see! From the Science Center to the Natural History museum and, my favorite, the Rose Garden, this is a wonderful day trip.

One Sky One World

2011-02-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

When we think of bringing culture into our children's lives, it is often the culture of our own families. We surround them with the food and celebrations of our home lands. We share photos and memories to keep the traditions alive.

So why is it important to learn about culture?

It's fun! Could you imagine a birthday party without a piñata? What about March without St Patrick's Day? and really, how would we kiss if it weren't for the French (hehe)?

As Orange County continues to grow more diverse each year, we are surrounded by different cultures where we live, work and go to school. It's important for us to understand and relate to one another.

The intention of my blog "One Sky One World: Multicultural Adventures in Orange County" is to provide you with family friendly ideas to explore different cultures in Orange County.

Events: I will partner up with cultural groups to provide you with all the details for any local cultural celebrations or events.

Activities: I will show you places around the county that offer cultural activities or insight (or how to find culture in places you may not even think to look)

Resources: I will provide a fun list of resources that include family friendly restaurants (that offer a cultural experience), Cultural Centers, language classes, etc...

Now, let's go explore the Melting Pot World of Orange County!

A little about me....

My name is Trisha Jones. I'm married to Derrick and I have two sons, Martin - 5 and step son Malcolm - 15.

We are a proud melting pot family that loves to learn about all cultures!