This is Why Anaheim High School is Awesome

Westboro Baptist Church members abandoned their protest of Anaheim High
School because of cool counter-protesters (image via OC Weekly)

The dreaded Westboro Baptist Church (the ones that like to disrupt funerals to spew their hateful beliefs) came to Anaheim High School on Wednesday, according to OC Weekly.

Here's OC Weekly's rundown:

Westboro writes they'll be picketing because "the young generation is utterly without hope" and "illiterate in anything that matters--especially the Bible." They say they're targeting high schools because they're "the training grounds for universities" that teach students fornication, sodomy, and rape. After denouncing high schools for teaching students math and reading, they end--in classic Westboro fashion--with "YOU HATE YOUR CHILDREN!"

In true OC fashion, a counter-protest was staged where signs affirming acceptance and diversity were held up, and one Anaheim counter-protester reported Westboro left after ten minutes.

Afterwards the jubilant counter-protestors played "We Are the Champions," by Queen. Sound like a good day to be at school!

Checking Out Rockfire Grill in Mission Viejo

Rockfire Grill in Mission Viejo makes fresh, made-to-order
food that leave you wanting more

After reading in OC Weekly that a second Rockfire Grill was going to open in Santa Ana, I thought I should check out the first one in Mission Viejo.

The yelp reviews were extremely positive; they gave the place 4.5 out of 5 stars, out of a total of 278 reviews.

Their menu boasts burgers, pizzas, and hot sandwiches, but the twist is they use baked-to-order flatbread for everything. Almost all of their menu items are served with this fluffy and warm bread to give it a next level lunch experience.

On my trip, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no crowd and despite everything being baked-to-order, I didn't have to wait longer than ten minutes. I ordered the bacon cheddar cheeseburger, and wild Alaskan salmon burger for my parents and a spinach and kale salad for me (eating healthy, boo).

The bacon cheddar cheeseburger from Rockfire Grill

Everything was tasty, although my parents couldn't quite grasp the concept of a flatbread as a hamburger bun. They ended up calling it a tortilla and declared it good.

The prices were reasonable, the customer service was excellent, and it's definite worth checking out when you're burned-out on typical fast food options.




Rockfire Grill
28251 Marguerite Pkwy
Mission Viejo

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Riot Grrrl on Display at OCMA

Alien She is an exhibition at the OCMA that covers the Riot
Grrrl feminist movement that started in the 90s

Right now the Orange County Museum of Art is showcasing the exhibition Alien She, which showcases the punk feminist movement Riot Grrrl that gained prominence in the 90s and continues today in many parts of the world.

Taking a walk through the exhibition, what comes to mind is the amount of detailed handwork that crafted the different forms of the movement's expression. Zines, posters, flyers were all self-published and the music, of course, was independent and loud.


From the OCMA website:

Formed in reaction to sexism, racism, and homophobia in the punk music scene and in the culture at large, Riot Grrrl emerged in the early 1990s and inspired many people around the world to pursue socially and politically progressive careers as artists, activists, authors, and educators. 
This self-organized network made up of teenagers and twenty-somethings reached one another through various platforms...emphasizing female and youth empowerment, collaborative organization, creative resistance, and DIY ethics, Riot Grrrl helped a new generation to become active feminists who created their own culture and communities to reflect their values and experiences.

Zines on display (Image by Annette Paquin)

Close up of zines on display 

A detailed sampling of flyers that adorn one wall
of the exhibit

The wall of flyers that are on display (image by Annette Paquin)

Excerpt: Because a safe space needs to be created for
girls where we can open our eyes and reach out to each
other without being threatened by this sexist society and
our day to day bullshit.

A sampling of flyers promoting Riot Grrrl activities and materials
(Image by Annette Paquin)

The exhibit continues through May, and it's a definite can't-miss! My tip - check it out on Friday, when admission is free.


Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Dr
Newport Beach, CA

Gloomy Monday in the OC

It may not be a historic storm or blizzard, but Orange County had some gloomy weather too - check out the time lapse video posted on Twitter by @NewportBeach.

Conan Visits Taco Bell HQ in Irvine!

Visiting that "tiny little Mexican village" known as the Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, Conan O'Brien took the head of his IT department (and Taco Bell "super fan" ) on a tour of the restaurant's headquarters.

It's kind of neat to finally see the inside of a building I used to drive past everyday.

How Orange County Remembered 9/11

This year Orange County remembered 9/11 with bursts of color and moments of reflection - here is a round up of how some cities chose to pay tribute to the ones we lost thirteen years ago.

Fullerton resident Scott Townley is one of many around
Orange County who paid tribute to those lost in 9/11
(image via OC Register)

Fullerton
Scott Townley has decorated his lawn with patriot flags and white crosses, each one with the name of someone lost on 9/11. He planted 3,500 to 5,000 flags, and has 343 crosses. The crosses bear the names of the fallen firefighters, Port Authority and New York City police officers. He's also included a large wooden cross with names of the first responders who died from cancer and other illnesses associated with the debris they helped to clear up in the aftermath.

A passerby takes in Scott Townley's 9/11 display
(Image via NBC Los Angeles)

Townley, an Orange County Fire Authority engineer, explained, "I want a complete memorial done out of respect and dignity for everyone we lost."

Costa Mesa

Hosted by Catholics at Work, there was a ceremony held at the Hilton that included artist Jon Krawczyk, who sculpted a cross that is now in place at Ground Zero. 

Jon Krawczyk's cross, which he describes as
wavy, so viewers not only see themselves, but
the world and faces around them (image via
Catholic Vote)

He was commissioned to create a cross as an artisitic replacement for the "9/11 Cross" famously created by the steal beams that appeared among the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Trabuco Canyon

Since 2004, firefighter Garry Biggerstaff and his motorcyclist friends take a ride from Cook's Corner to Long Beach in commemoration of the fallen heroes on 9/11. 

What began as unexpected trip with a group of firemen has become an annual tradition that has grown from 50 to over 1,500 participants. Now known as "Remember 9/11 the Ride," the hope of the group is to continue to "raise awareness and support for those who continue to keep our city, state and nation safe and sound all year round." 

"Remember 9/11 the Ride" starts in Cook's Corner and ends in Long Beach
(image via Facebook)

Happy Labor Day!

Greetings from Newport Beach! Hope it's a day to remember!

Image via Visit Newport Beach on Instagram