The Real OC Orange County CA Home of Disneyland, Anaheim Angels, Palm Trees, Beaches, Crime and Police

Christian based news of Orange County, CA and abroad.

In Orange County, CA it's not all about gorgeous and peaceful ocean views, swaying palm trees, and sunny sunshine. Anaheim is one prime example that the REAL OC is not just home to Mickey Mouse, and surfers or the rich in one of the most expensive places to live.

NBC News today: July 25 Anaheim protesters turn to riot; police shoot pepper spray


Anaheim: A nice place that I would not choose to live in. It is not the top of my list of places to live in due to crime, gangs, drugs, and apparently a policeman, in caution, that shot an unarmed man (-see news link above- this has happened here in OC and I'm sure other places abroad). There are nicer places in Anaheim, with nice homes known more as Anaheim Hills, but near Disneyland, I'm sorry to say is not the safest of areas. This would not stop me from going there, but it would stop me from moving here, unless it's downtown in Disneyland square. :) California Adventure Park is also located adjacent to Disneyland in Anaheim, which is the birthplace of the first Disneyland. Anaheim is the oldest city in Orange County.

Some people meeting Mickey Mouse (opens in separate window).

Other cities I would not choose to live in: Santa Ana is next on the list due to gang and poverty crime areas (also home to one of the Orange County Jails), San Juan Capistrano (famous historical place and home of the returning Swallows (birds) is also home to gangs). While most of SJC is nice I would not live near gang areas. Garden Grove also a higher crime area and the city of Orange also makes the list on my no go except to shop in the nice market places there -which I also have to add to my gluten-free readers opened a store in Old Town Market Place featuring gluten free foods recently-.

There are other cities I would not choose to live in that I haven't listed here, and while others like these areas still, I am cautious when even going to all of these cities. It's too bad OC can't maintain it's beauty and peace. I would guess that money is the main factor that crime is higher is some areas.

What do we do about crime? How can we help our children? Protest and Riot? Protesting is good and has its place, without the crime and violence from either party (the law and the people). I'll just pray.

My prayer for OC: Gangs decrease and end and replace Jesus in their hearts where there is anger and pride. More help for those struggling financially, and a good police system with less flaws. Thank you Jesus -amen.


2012 August 25-26 Anaheim Harvest with Greg Laurie
So many people personally relating with Jesus Christ.

The Harvest: Church and Live Music from Popular Christian Bands.

Chart of Crime in larger cities of Orange County

That said, even the nicest lowest crime areas mostly in South O.C. still have crime, some gang activity, and even murder also. Like anywhere, there is crime. Be safe, lock your doors, and keep pepper spray (stay away from protesters and police with pepper spray), alarm your home, teach your kids about crime and safety, keep watch over your kids playing outside also as there are child predators too.

Orange County is a great place to live, just be aware also of the not so great areas, and in the good areas still be cautious, but most of all enjoy living! Worrying doesn't add a day to your life.

About Orange County, CA

OC Register News article: June 2012 OC Crime Rates Decrease


Related blog post:http://alysagoodstuffoc.blogspot.com/2012/04/nice-areas-of-oc-are-also-not-so-nice.html

Summer Fun in Orange County California

Water and Fun ideas: 

Summer Fun on a Budget in OC or Anywhere the sun is shining! 


1. Back yard water sprinklers! Easy, saves money (no gas costs), and kids dance and hop and run and get all their busy energy out. You don't need all the fancy water slip and slides and plastic pools (Though plastic pools are still fun too especially if you don't have a yard). Fun is as simple as sprinklers or a sprinkler attachment for your garden hose and it waters your lawn at the same time. Outside clean with swimsuits they can shampoo their hair with the garden hose and rinse clean and they are good to go back inside and get into cozy jameez.


Vista Hermosa Sports Park NEW! In San Clemente: Large Castle slides play area, sports areas, and aquatic swimming area- click here for pool fees and information!


Crown Valley Community Pool in Laguna Niguel - click here for pool fees and information.

2. Swimming pool fun! Community pools are great. Go early to avoid the crowds. Make sure the water is clear and not cloudy, otherwise well you know, the water is not clean :). Where sunblock and reapply as needed.

3. Beach fun! Sunblock needed or you will look like an overcooked salmon out of water. Natural sunblock is a good choice better for your health and the environment. Reapply a few times during the day or after getting out of the water. During the hours 10am-12 noon the sun is hottest and sunburns can occur easily. Get a little sun before sunblock first to get a good stuff dose of natural vitamin D.

4. Backyard water balloon fun! Squirt guns and water balloons... Good quick fun for kids 5 and up.

5. Pack enough favorite water and sand tolerable toys for your kids as well as at least 2 buckets and 2 hand shovels or enough to share. Pack what you and your kids can carry only. Kids can where their beach towels around the shoulders and carry a toy basket or bucket to help or their size backpack.

6. Picnic: Outdoor fun: Food and drinks. Pack healthy protein foods, fruit and veggies that are heat tolerable like sandwiches -hold the mayo-, carrots, grapes, uncut fruit. Also, lots of juice and water to drink. Store with ice in an ice chest or a bag with ice packs. A great way to end the day: Stop at the snack bar for a cool treat or your favorite ice cream place after the fun.

7. Plan an outdoor fun sunny bbq day and combine fun outdoor activities for a family or friends gathering this can be great for any meal of the day.

4th of July God Bless America Video: Kate Smith

photobucket.com

Kate Smith sings God Bless America. This is an Alysa Good Stuff 4th of July video and song pick -enjoy!

Pray as you celebrate the 4th!

Under God, God bless America.

~ In Jesus ~ Amen.

Recommended news regarding the United States of America... 

"...under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all": 

July 4, 2012 Regarding President Obama leadership and deterioration of our liberties.

Have fun this 4th of July!

Alysa Good Stuff Orange County Favorite 
4th of July hot spot:


San Clemente, CA Pier -map-

The San Clemente Pier does an excellent fireworks display! Parking is minimal, be prepared to go early (for the day) and also be prepared for much walking. Fireworks start after dark.

Safety tips:  

Keep sober, drive sober, and careful with any fireworks and people walking to the beach for fireworks. Bring a blanket for children while watching fireworks outdoors. 

Be extra careful about drivers and others playing with fireworks in the streets. 

Bring glow sticks and flashlight for fun and safety while walking on the busy streets. Careful your children don't bite on any glow sticks (my daughter once bit into one it was not toxic but not good either!)

More Fireworks Places in Southern California

Best Beaches of Orange County!

 

Click to find out more information from an OC site...

Balboa Island

Corona Del Mar

Dana Point

Huntington Beach

Laguna Beach

Newport Beach

San Clemente

Seal Beach

Sunset Beach

Surfside

Pets OK Beaches & Parks

Places to Stay by the Beach

$300-Person Hopper Tickets: 3 Days for 4 Disneyland Resort Orange County, CA -Anaheim

Sale Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park.

You must book between: June 1 - July 31, 2012

One day at Disneyland or The California Adventure Park is not enough, you'll miss LOTS of rides and attractions!

Travel to southern California and have the vacation of a lifetime at Disneyland Resorts!

For a family of 4 it is only about $1,188.00 to book a 3 day, 2 night stay at the Disneyland Resort with Park Hopper tickets for 3 days plus more bonuses! That's about $300 per person.

Plus there is the new Cars attraction opening and more expansions to the Disney California Adventure Park opening TODAY (June 15)!!

Orange County CA Beach Conditions Surf Events

 

Croft And Barrow Fit For You Watercolor Swim Separates

Nike Triathlon 2 Men's Swim Trunks - Black, M

Southern California especially in Orange County, CA is known for surfing and surf events and other beach activities. South Orange County Beach Trestles is a popular surf location as well as the San Clemente Pier and Huntington Beach or other OC beach locations.

For information on beaches and surf events in Orange County click here.

Annular Solar Eclipse May 20, 2012 What, Where and How to See it

May 20, 2012 Be prepared to view the annular solar eclipse which is the "Ring of Fire" solar eclipse. The moon is passing in front of the sun at its farthest point from the earth, appearing smaller, so when the eclipse occurs, it will still show a light ring around the shade of the moon.
Southern California eclipse times are approximately between a little after 5pm to before 8pm.
Use protective filters on telescopes and only project the image through a single binocular or telescope onto a white paper covered cardboard to see the projected image. Solar Shades are also good, do not watch by looking with your bare eyes or even with sunglasses.
Best places to see the eclipse... Read about the Annular Solar Eclipse here.

More info. and a video how to make a home projection of the eclipse

Cinco De Mayo Celebrated in OC Mini Mall in Santa Ana

I was in Santa Ana, CA today. It is not my favorite area of Orange County, CA. Santa Ana, Anaheim and Garden Grove which connect together have some nice and not so nice areas. They may not be my favorite Orange County cities... But a little place called the Santa Ana Mini Mall (located off the 5 freeway and the 22W freeway at 3412 Westminster Ave, Santa Ana, 92703 CA) there was a little bit of fun going on as well as Good Stuff deals.
Mariachi bands with loud drums played in the entrance area of the indoor mini mall as a group of people in full costume and outlandish headdresses danced around each other, some children also in on the act. People enjoyed themselves and watched the fun. The indoor mall is not upscale, but there are some good sales. I got a few pairs of jeans for a total of $36.00. Not bad and one pair was worth $39.99. I paid cash with that seller, though other sellers may accept other payments. There was a cell phone booth, speakers section that my man headed straight for, and many other booths. Adjacent to the mall is mexican food. The parking lot is not that big, though the store building is not that large, and not overcrowded. It is worth a look if you're in the area, for some deals. There are other outlet stores nearby as well heading into Anaheim.
http://www.santaanaminimall.com/
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

What People Drive in Orange County, CA Part 2

(See also What People Drive in Orange County, CA -part 1)

Part 2

I love finding cool cars to photograph. Here's a few more fun photos. This is a look at what usual classic cars people drive in Orange County, CA. With gas prices being over $4.00 in most of Orange County, CA it's surprising there is still a lot of cars on the road. We gotta drive though, without a car, most people here are just not used to walking. Orange County, CA offers multiple traveling options besides OC local airport and car rentals, there is the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses, Orange County Yellow Cab taxis, and Metrolink and Amtrak trains (including a California high-speed bullet train coming soon to include a stop in Anaheim, CA. - near Disneyland and Angel's baseball stadium). 

People on the west coast still prefer to travel in their own personal vehicles. Take a look at some classic and unusual Alysa Good Stuff pick original car photos from 2011.  (All rights reserved.)

1965 or so Ford Mustang

OC School buses

Classic retro model Porsche

Another style Classic Ford Mustang

An interesting old Dodge

El Camino

Buick Riviera

Last but definitely not least... what a hot rod... or is it a hotdog? This traveling mobile American food work of art.. is certainly not my most favorite of vehicles, but yes it is a traveling Alysa Good Stuff Favorite! The Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile. This mobile hotdog has changed much over the years and has traveled across the U.S. to unsuspecting visitors like me or you? This is the latest model of the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile, spotted in south Orange County, CA. 2011. They gave out free wiener mobile whistles to kids, coupons, also photo ops.

Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile 2011 parked at a grocery store.

All photos by AV Alysa Good Stuff 2011 Copyright all rights reserved.

What People Drive in South Orange County, California Cool Cars

Part 1
For the upper class residents in South Orange County, California what they drive is evident to their pay check... with the middle class following a step above in car cool rank then the lower income drivers of OC. Although, I must say even people with less money are driving some cool cars too. Toyota and Honda cars from the 1980's are styled like little race cars with tinted windows and many cars and trucks are bumping music from pricey loud amps as they zoom by. Also popular, people like to drive Ford and Toyota trucks with over-sized tires.

Beamers, Mercedes, Hondas, and Toyotas are among the most common choice cars for the lower income and up drivers. While there are lots of types of cars driven in OC,  here's a few photo snap shots of Alysa Good Stuff fun and cool local vehicles spotted in Orange County, California in 2011.

  

Just kidding :)

Let's face it... those with money drivin in style...

I believe this one was a Lotus

Lamborghini... This car deserved more than one photo!



All photos by AV Alysa Good Stuff 2011 Copyright all rights reserved.

See also: What People Drive in South Orange County, CA Part 2

Albertson's Wish Big Win Big or Win Small?

Are you one of many collecting Albertson's grocery store Wish Big Win Big stamps? I have a lunch size paper bag full of unneeded yet, collected stamps... up for grabs!

So far I have played along with the game since it's start, the more "grocery product" stamps I earned the more I wanted to shop, wishing to win big! I won $2.00 and didn't cash in. I won $2.00 - 2 more times. I gave one of my $2.00 gifts away to a friend needing a missing stamp. She said I was lucky when I won my first $2.00! It's something right?

There are a few that won bigger prizes, and one wished and won big. The family in need in Anaheim, CA. Got the nice $50,000.00 cash prize. That OC family needed the extra income and I couldn't be happier for them! Yet, I am still hoping it will be me!? Probably not.

My gambling, I hope in this case, Lord forgive me I try to win for goodness sake though. I know I play scratchers sometimes even praying for a win, and the Mega or Super Lotto... so far nothing, and if the California Lotto gives to schools, I haven't noticed it. Well, I have won occassionally with scratchers, not much though and usually a free ticket. I get Albertson's instant win tickets too, even an instant win can of vegetables... I had to laugh about this one.. I'm thinking, I'll pick artichokes if it's available. Albertson's has a good gimmick going, ha that's funny to say. I'm guessing the winning tickets could easily have gotten lost though too, like in a gutter somewhere... that $250,000.00 ticket could just be sitting there, accidentally dropped by an unaware shopper. I hope to find it!

What would I do with the money?
#1 Help my family, #2 Buy a home, #3 Invest, #4 Do something good for the homeless, including animals.

Before you spend like crazy to feed a gambling addiction, shop carefully, Albertson's prices are sometimes higher priced then other retailers. I suggest, a careful shop with coupons and sales.

Alysa Good Stuff Shopping to WIN Tips:

I got Albertson's ice cream with an instant coupon, and a Wish Big Win Big Coupon, plus the ice cream is (currently) on sale so it was a great deal. I also bought some favorite candy bars on sale with the Bonus ticket mark, at a dollar a piece and tripled tickets (tripled tickets until Jan.17th) this doesn't hurt the bank. My guess is the better tickets are after this date (Jan. 17) though. As far as trying to win, shop at different nearby Albertson's stores- that's what I'm doing. Save money, don't spend all your instant win tickets at once, but different times, when new tickets come in, my guess is maybe weekly.

Have fun, but don't be bummed if you don't win. :)

9-2011 More Free FUNNY Craigslist Online Listings

What's a blog without some humor and discounts... I found some more funny "free" Craigslist Orange County, CA ad listings... (These are not my listings. Use the back arrow on browser to return to my blog post.) If you choose to get the free items, always use caution when purchasing or picking up items via craigslist.

Here's my favorite one I found today:

• Free living room
• This one freaks me out somewhat: Jockstraps Why do they have so many of them?
• Snails still wait for homes: Curb Alert Freshwater Snails
• 6 Dolphins and Seahorse Shaped Bushes- :) Cool 
• 14 Foot! Avocado Tree  This tree is huge! Cool, avocados are expensive!

On less sillier side note...  had to share this after reading:
 This is more of an awe: Sick Leopard Gecko needs a home

A Tribute 9/11 like a 911 call we need Psalms 91:1

It is almost the anniversary of 9/11 when I am writing this. I remember that morning still. I was working as an executive assistant and came into work as usual. My employer came in notifying me about something serious going on. He brought in a mini television and from there, I watched the horrifying news and a second plane strike the tower. The towers collapsing. I thought of bible prophesy. The dawn of the end... end times in bible prophecy that is. Wars and famines.

My young child was away from me at school. I wanted to get to her, but I worked through my day anyway. I felt a sunk feeling in the deep of my heart. I went to the beach before sunset to reflect on those hurting. It was then that I noticed on the sand, a large beached tree trunk perched in the sand and in that trunk, a pole waving the American flag. This memorial on the west coast continues right there on the sand for those on the east coast. Some people may not remember how this flag came to be on this local beach and why it is still there, but I remember every time I see it. I don't know who put it there, or who replaces the flag. I am glad it stands even after rainstorms and after high tides.

Forgetting all the politics, America is about freedom, we the free people. A lot of times politics, and corruption gets in the way of this. Religion gets in the way of life. I do not consider myself religious. "Religion is what kills innocent men, women and children..." someone said. In the case of 9/11 this qoute rings true. I believe in Jesus! I'm not afraid to say it. I don't want to preach it at anyone, but in such a time of hardship and suffering as this world often proves to be full of, yes, even here in sunny old California (it rained and thundered a little today), life can surely be tough and it's by Jesus I want to be. Thank God, that He cares, even if we the people, sometimes have doubted it, we even cursed Him without thought, even accused- Why God, over and over. He still hears, He still cares. God bless those that are hurting and those that have enemies and those that are.. enemies, have mercy. Terrorism even happens on our homeland, by our own people. Terrorism happens. I pray it ceases. John Lennon said, "Give peace a chance..." and we the people, in America feel it too that, "all we are saying is, give peace a chance." One day... I'm thinking though, it's in the next world.

God heal and bless America, the land that I love. 
God help its leaders, those that we need. 

People love each other, in our land. 
People love one another, in other lands.

It's now, September 11 in 2011.

For those that died, for those that hurt...

Psalm 91:1 

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Zoom in until you see the street/sand.
Move the map up until you see the tree stump and you will see the shadow of the flag.
click here to view on google maps

View Larger Map

September 8, 2011 BLACK OUT! My power's back on so I can blog. Real OC News

A little after 3:30 pm PST in South Orange County, CA: Electricity gone.

Arizona, California, and Mexico affected by a major black out. September 8, 2011 

Blinking lights by San Clemente High School; traffic and stressed drivers.

A little too scary for the town of San Clemente, that just yesterday dealt with a bomb threat at a local high school. Turned out no explosives were found. Now on the second day of school here in Orange County, California a major black out occured this afternoon until about 8pm tonight and in many parts the electricity is out still all over Orange County, San Diego County, parts of the state of Arizona, and even in Mexico.

Heavy traffic and stressed drivers in OC after black out.

Grocery store employee informs customers that store is closed.

Based on news reports that I heard a major electrical line in Arizona was damaged. This caused widespread electrical outage. But the fear of things here in Orange County, especially after a bomb threat, makes people anxious, especially close to upcoming 9-11, a remembrance day, the day when the Twin Towers were destroyed in New York and thousands of US citizens died. I immediately bought bags of ice as they were melting already all over the store of the grocery store that had 20 minutes of electrical generator going for people to shop quick. Not knowing yet what was going on.. expect that the power was out "...all over." Finally I heard a radio station reporting on the situation (here in Orange County it is on station 101.5 fm), my neighbor listening attentively. They don't know if it was intentional damage to the power or not. Some people in southern California also had to conserve water, due to water pump situation if they live at higher elevation. It eased my mind later to hear all should be well by tomorrow sometime. The school district in my home area sent an automated phone message that there will be no school tomorrow, September 9th. Some areas do not have power and also the difficulty to get gas.

Sheriff patrolling San Clemente, CA area.

While I felt almost prepared for the evening, my food packed with ice, I hand lit my stove to heat up some left overs, and my candles shining, the neighborhood kids had fun under a beautiful full moon, God knew we needed the extra light tonight. A group of kids role played outside in the dark, under the moonlight with swords (of the plastic nature). I came out with my flashlight... someone needed to be sheriff. Of course, I was just wanting to have fun too! It was nice to see the kids embracing the change: no TV, computer or video games. 

Good Stuff Store: Everything 99 kept business going with a few lights/pay by cash.

Then in the middle of making dinner, after slicing celery in the dark, poof! The lights were on in my neighborhood. It was like a horray! Then, awe... I was having fun though! I had just searched for all my candles and was just about ready to make it through the night. My man scurried just about all over Orange County to get more supplies and gas for his can and mine. Earlier, I actually saw a handful of cars that were stuck at a gas station hoping to get a hold of someone that could bring them gas. I myself was right at "E". Word of mouth was going around about where to go, I just backed my car out and headed home before I ended up stuck. Hope this all gets fixed and we get some normalcy here in OC soon.
Update 9-9-11, black out fixed in SDGE service areas here.

 

God lit up the night sky, the stars could be seen better without the street lights.

• http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110908/california-onofre-nuclear-plant-power-outage-110908/
• Update 9-9-2011  http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/blackout-affected-5-million-people-in-california-agency-says/
• See related Alysa Good Stuff blog post: Sept. 7, 2011 Bomb Threat at San Clemente High School; The Real Orange County, CA

Sept. 7, 2011 Bomb Threat at San Clemente High School; The Real Orange County, CA

Real Orange County, California special report:

San Clemente High School, home of the "Tritans", was evacuated on the first day of school due to bomb threat.

San Clemente High School

Orange County doesn't have a curtain from crime like some think. Orange County, California is for the most part a rather safe place to live. Today, declared there is no safe place for the students at a local high school, San Clemente High school. Bomb threat! On the first day of School, September 7, 2011, 3,200 students and 180 school employees were evacuated.

Why did this happen? Was it possibly a call for attention that a man from the United States Navy plotted this? A Navy medic that had gone AWOL, did not show up for work so they searched his barracks in Camp Pendleton (South Orange County/North San Diego area) and found a note or multiple notes about leaving bombs at the campus of San Clemente High School.

Today was a hot day in San Clemente and students were not allowed in class today, 

News reporter outside the High School

 instead they were instructed to go to the football field and were finally brought some water bottles, some complained it was not enough done for them as they waited while Swat and bombsquads (Orange County Sherrifs Special Weapons and Tactics) searched the entire campus today for explosives. One high school student thought a couple were found, though, media sources say no explosives were found.

The Navy man, 22 year old Daniel Morgan was missing, then later turned himself in and is being questioned by military police. I met one parent who was working and said she was nervous about her child who just started school as a freshman. Another students father I spoke with waited at a nearby McDonald's and called his son, instructing him where to go if an explosive was found or went off. He also said that sheriffs pulled kids off the street that were walking by the high school and they were told to go to the football field, even though they did not go to that school.

Outside San Clemente High School

Finally, around 1pm, students were slowly dismissed early. Some students waited at a nearby grocery store for parents to pick them up, others walked or drove home. Many cars were being searched, I saw one sheriff digging through a trunk of a car parked on the main street. It looked like cars on the main street were lined with yellow tape.

Fire Authority truck carried water for students that waited in the heat.

I counted over 15 news vans and cars lined on the main street, Many Firetrucks, ambulances, sheriffs cars and a sheriff's motorcycle, and Special Weapons and Tactics truck. Never, did I think there would be a bomb threat in this area. Students will resume at school tomorrow as regularly scheduled. What a way to start the new year. Could this Navy man be only seeking for a way out of the Navy? Could he really be a terrorist in his own country, and why kids? Possibly because it's a lot of people in one place near the military base. But, why would he leave a note easily found anyway? Good thing the military and city officials were on top of this incident before a more serious one occurred.

I witnessed a Sheriff searching through the trunk of this car and others nearby.

Hill Marks the number 12 (2011-2012 school year? maybe)

 

 

News vans outside San Clemente High School

News reporter at shopping center were some students were picked up.

• USA Today News Report about the bomb threat at San Clemente High School
• AWOL Navy Medic in Custody
• abc News Search of San Clemente High Ends...  
• Update 9-8-2011: Associated Press News- Military Investigating Navy Medic