Sweet Orange

Photo: South Coast Repertory, located in the cultural district of Costa Mesa’s South Coast Metro

Following is a history of the number of sales for homes in Costa Mesa by ZIP.

92626: South Coast Metro, Mesa Verde, part of Central Costa Mesa

• June 2010: 37 (down 2.6% from June 2009)
• May 2010: 26 (down 1.5% from May 2009)
• April 2010: 28 (down 6.7% from March 2009)
• March 2010:  32 (down 22.0% from March 2009)

92627: Eastside, Southwest, part of Central Costa Mesa

• June 2010: 43 (no change from June 2009)
• May 2010: 46 (up 4.5% from May 2009)
• April 2010: 30 (down 9.1% from April 2009)
• March 2010: 36 (up 24.1% from March 2009)

Source unless otherwise noted: DataQuick/OC Register

South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa

Here are the some recent housing numbers for Costa Mesa by ZIP. The 92626 ZIP includes South Coast Metro, Mesa Verde, and part of Central Costa Mesa. The 92627 ZIP includes Eastside, Southwest and part of Central Costa Mesa.

Median Selling Price

92626

• April 2010: $512,250 (up 6.4% from April 2009)
• March 2010: $515,000 (up 12% from March 2009)

92627

• April 2010: $435,000 (down 5.6% from April 2009)
• March 2010: $467,500 (up 24.7% from March 2009)

Number of Sales

92626

• April 2010: 28 (down 6.7% from March 2009)
• Marach 2010:  32 (down 22.0% from March 2009)

92627

• April 2010: 30 (down 9.1% from April 2009)
• March 2010: 36 (up 24.1% from March 2009)

Source: DataQuick

Photo Courtesy South Coast Repertory

Tomorrow is the first day of spring, and according to Robert Frost, it is time to stop and smell the flowers, live in the moment, and appreciate what we have:

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest keep us here,
All simply in the springing of the year.
–”A Prayer in Spring,” Robert Frost

What’s blooming in Southern California? Contact the Theodore Payne Foundation Wildflower Hotline, a 24-hour service, at 818-768-3533 or theodorepayne.org. Or read the OC Parks Wildflower blog.

Enjoy!

Photo Courtesy Desert USA–Wildflower Report 2010, Southern California

Note: In addition to tomorrow being the first day of spring, it is also the one-year anniversary of this blog. Happy Birthday to the Sweet Orange!

The 5 ambassadors from the remote Pacific Island of Tanna were handpicked by their elders to undertake the mission to America. They come from a community with a traditional way of life ….

They have never left Vanuatu before, and though aware of the outside world, they have made an active choice to retain these traditional ways.–Travel Channel

Today is Christmas, a good time to ask the question: Can we all find a way to set aside our differences and establish some good will in spite of these differences? Tribesmen from the remote Pacific island of Tanna, where none of the modern conveniences exist, seem to have found a way to find common ground with the various “U.S. tribes,” including the “Orange County tribe.” And the U.S. tribes seem to have taken a liking to these Tanna natives in spite of the many differences.

Take a look at some of the clips, and you will see what I mean. They suggest that common ground is possible among the various tribes of the world.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a peaceful New Year.

According to Orange County United Way, requests for food are up 98% from last year. So in honor of Thanksgiving Day, I am reposting a previous Sweet Orange post that suggests a way to help–and it doesn’t cost anything!

Best wishes for a great Thanksgiving Day. Here is the post:

Fall, the season of reaping what we have sown, starts today. And what we have sown, according to many economists, is an economy that is coming out of recession. But as is common in recessions, employment numbers are lagging behind in the recovery and will lag for some time. The result is that donations of all kinds are down but the need is up. Food banks are no exception. This is particularly troubling at a time of year when we should be seeing the abundance of the harvest season.

But maybe we have resource that we are not using fully. I read an article a few months ago about a local church that had a harvesting/gleaning campaign. The parishioners noticed that the some of the fruit and vegetables from their gardens often end up on the ground and went to waste. I know the times I had a garden more was produced than I could eat or even give away.

The church asked the parishioners to collect the extra fruits and vegetables from their yards, and they had a sale. The money collected as well as the produce that did not sell was given to a food bank. Perhaps some version of this could be done on a larger basis. The harvesting program could be overseen by either individual cities or organizations. Or individuals and neighborhoods could glean the extra fruits and vegetables from their yards and have it delivered to a local food bank. And maybe the harvesting program could be maintained throughout the year.

What do you think? Can we put to use what is readily available instead of letting it go to waste? Maybe we have more available to us than we realize.

Here are some locations that accept food and cash donations as well as donations of your time and services:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 949-653-2900
Web Site: http://www.feedoc.org

Community Action Partnership of Orange County Food Bank
12640 Knott Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Phone: (714) 897-6670
Web Site: http://www.capoc.org/

GRAPHIC COURTESY BILL BARBER

Movie on the Lawn–free admission, $8 parking-located at the Preview Park

“The Dark Knight“–October 10, 2009–8:00 PM

Balloon Rides–free admission-located at the Preview Park

“The Great Park Balloon is the Orange County Great Park’s first major attraction. With the ability to hold up to 25 to 30 visitors and soar up to 500 feet above the surrounding landscape, passengers can watch the Great Park’s development unfold as construction activity increases.”

The free flights are available year round, weather and wind permitting. Call ahead (866) 829-3829 (toll-free), or send an email to info@greatparkballoon.org.

Great Park Pumpkin Harvest (and Food Drive)–free admission, $8 parking–located at the Preview Park

October 24, 2009–1 PM to 5 PM

“Enjoy an afternoon of fall activities, including pumpkin picking* and decorating, games, kids crafts and activities, a costume parade, Halloween treats, a petting zoo, and more!”

*One pumpkin per child, while supplies last.

Fall Gardening Workshops—free admission and parking–located at the Great Park Farm and Food Lab

“In 2009, the Park opened its Farm and Food Lab, the beginning of a larger agricultural program planned for the Great Park. The Garden Workshop Series is part of a pilot program designed to introduce community members to the Farm and Food Lab, where they can learn about sustainable home gardening practices for a healthy lifestyle.”

• The Busy Gardener–October 10, 2009–10:00 AM to Noon–October 10, 2009-10:00 AM to Noon
• Spice Up Your Life - Grow Your Own Herbs–November 14, 2009–10:00 AM to Noon
• Holiday Crafts from the Garden–November 21, 2009–10:00 AM to Noon

Over 100 tons of fruits and vegetables grown at the Orange County Great Park Community Farm and neighboring farms have been donated to the Orange County Food Bank. If you have a garden, you might do the same. You can make sure nothing from your garden is wasted by donating any extra fruits and vegetables to a food bank, such as the Second Harvest Food Bank, which is located at the Great Park, or the Orange County Food Bank.

Natural History Lecture series–free admission and parking–located at Second Harvest

“The Orange County Great Park presents the Natural History Lecture series, a series of evening events offering new insights into our natural and dynamic Southern Californian environment.”

• Native California Bees Looking for New Real Estate–October 8, 2009–7 PM
• 21st Century Megafires in Southern California: Adapting to Fires in Paradise–October 22, 2009–7:00 PM

Also, tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s January 2009 performances at the Great Park are currently on sale.

PHOTOS AND QUOTES COURTESY THE ORANGE COUTNY GREAT PARK WEBSITE

Fall, the season of reaping what we have sown, starts today. And what we have sown, according to many economists, is an economy that is coming out of recession. But as is common in recessions, employment numbers are lagging behind in the recovery and will lag for some time. The result is that donations of all kinds are down but the need is up. Food banks are no exception. This is particularly troubling at a time of year when we should be seeing the abundance of the harvest season.

But maybe we have resource that we are not using fully. I read an article a few months ago about a local church that had a harvesting/gleaning campaign. The parishioners noticed that the some of the fruit and vegetables from their gardens often end up on the ground and went to waste. I know the times I had a garden more was produced than I could eat or even give away.

The church asked the parishioners to collect the extra fruits and vegetables from their yards, and they had a sale. The money collected as well as the produce that did not sell was given to a food bank. Perhaps some version of this could be done on a larger basis. The harvesting program could be overseen by either individual cities or organizations. Or individuals and neighborhoods could glean the extra fruits and vegetables from their yards and have it delivered to a local food bank. And maybe the harvesting program could be maintained throughout the year.

What do you think? Can we put to use what is readily available instead of letting it go to waste? Maybe we have more available to us than we realize.

It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in Autumn.
- B. C. Forbes

Here are some locations that accept food and cash donations as well as donations of your time and services:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 949-653-2900
Web Site: http://www.feedoc.org

Community Action Partnership of Orange County Food Bank
12640 Knott Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Phone: (714) 897-6670
Web Site: http://www.capoc.org/

GRAPHIC COURTESY BILL BARBER

On July 17 at 6:30 pm, the  Great Park Conservancy is presenting the fourth annual Jewel of Orange County fundraiser, which will include a hosted reception with cocktails, wines and hors d’oeuvres followed by a mesquite grilled dinner. Both will be held in Hangar 244, which is a former El Toro Marine base hangar that has been converted for use during Great Park events.. After dinner, the event moves outside for a concert and dancing. In addition, a silent jewelery auction will be part of the event.

The Great Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization with the goal of supporting the development of the Orange County Great Park as a world-class metropolitan park. Some Great Park project that the Conservancy is currently supporting are the Conservancy Nature Education Garden, Aviation and Heritage Museum, wildlife corridor, Great Park Farm and Food Lab, Great Park Citrus Orchard.

Tickets for this fund raising event are $250 each. Sponsorships and underwriting options are also available.

If the Conservancy event is not in your budget, here are some upcoming free Great Park events that should do the trick for you:

July 11–Growing the Park, Great Park anniversary events. Here is the description from the city of Irvine’s website:

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Orange County Great Park, bring your friends and family to Growing the Park, a sprawling festival divided into three activity areas — each representing a different aspect of the park’s past, present and future. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, activities will include a wingwalker show, petting zoo, live music, kite flying, vintage aircraft, food, hands-on activities, and appearances by the LA Galaxy Street Team and the Anaheim Ducks Street Team.

August-September 2009–the second annual free summer concert and dance series. The schedule for these events is now available. The events are free, but parking is $8. For more on these events, see my previous post “At the Orange County Great Park: Cirque du Soleil, Free Summer Concerts and Dances, Free Balloon Rides.”

Ongoing–day and evening rides in the Great Park balloon. Rides on this tethered balloon are dependent on wind and weather conditions, so call the Visitor Center at (866) 829-3829 (toll-free), or check the Great Park website before you go.

In addition, to these free summer events, ticket for the Cirque du Soleil’s January 2010 performances at the Great Park are now on sale.

GRAPHICS COURTESY THE GREAT PARK CONSERVANCY AND THE ORANGE COUNTY GREAT PARK

Related post: At the Orange County Great Park: Cirque du Soleil, Free Summer Concert Series, Free Balloon Rides

This Saturday is the Fourth of July, our birthday. I hope that everyone has a chance to get out and enjoy

the intrinsic beauty of the organism called America
–Aldo Leopold

PHOTO COLLAGE COURESTY The Irvine Ranch Conservancy

“Daedalus fashioned two pairs of wings out of wax and feathers for himself and his son. Before they took off from the island, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, nor too close to the sea. Overcome by the giddiness that flying lent him, Icarus soared through the sky curiously, but in the process he came too close to the sun, which melted the wax. Icarus kept flapping his wings but soon realized that he had no feathers left and that he was only flapping his bare arms.”—the story of Icarus as told in Wikipedia

Summer started this week. On June 20th at 10:45 pm, we left the new-beginnings season of spring and entered the long-days, abundant-light, and easy-living season of summer. On the first day of summer, also known as summer solstice or midsummer’s day, we can enjoy the longest day of the year when we have more sunlight hours than on any of the other 364 days of the year.

Each day after this first day of summer, we will have fewer minutes of sunlight than we had the previous day. This will continue until we reach the first day of winter (winter solstice, usually December 21). The first day of winter is the shortest and, therefore, darkest day of the year. So even in the full light of that first summer’s day, we were entering “The true beginning of our end” (William Shakespeare, A Midsummer’s Night Dream).

For a while, we thought that we had found the formula for an endless summer. At least we did when it came to our economy. But everything has it’s time and place. Summer has no depth of meaning without the fall, winter and spring. Each of these seasons has their own worth that must be respected. And like Icarus flying to close to the sun, we found that any attempt at achieving an endless summer must be paid for eventually.

So our endless summer is gone, but that is OK. Summer is here, and that is enough. Enjoy!

THEATRICAL RELEASE POSTER IMAGE COURTESY WIKIPEDIA