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

The Bold, The Bald and the Beautiful Real Women of OC - Southern California

(by omgg_SceneHair - Photobucket)

Orange County residents definitely have a variety of styles. The year round mostly warm weather and modestly cold weather are part of the reason for the casual looks where many a flip flops can be seen. The city life and nearby LA and celebrities could be the reason for the fashionably fashionable. The punks and goths and emos are also thrown in the mix of those seen here. I myself love to add a touch of all styles, sometimes into one look. How is that possible? Let's see to mix the looks you could fashion: bright red hair, a long black skirt with a bright colored top, and hair with bangs wisped across the forehead. Then there is the surfer look. For women this means wearing flip-flops, shorts and surfer brand tops like, Roxy (the female version of Quicksilver surf brand). There is also a lot of Mexican culture here too. I'd have to say those from Mexico bring their own styles to Southern California, from casual to my favorite: eyeliner accented eyes and bold color fashionable dresses. Most people in OC dress very casual and some strut their stuff in what looks like they just purchased from a model magazine or right off a mannequin. Some dress too skimpy, like short short shorts, that look like "Boyshorts" underwear, and I can't help but think, "Come on put some pants on!" I like short shorts but, make sure the butt is covered and not like swimsuit type coverage. Some are seen, mostly in the Summer months, wearing a bathing suit, or shorts and a bikini top even walking by or in the store, this is not often, but occasionally. It's acceptable, but only when it really is hot enough and you look like you just took a swim or came from the beach, or are actually at the beach. Otherwise, I think again, "Come on, put some clothes on!" Most fashionable or casual women are seen in flip-flops or flats, some in sneakers, though some in totally too high heels. High heeled women can even be seen grocery shopping or walking kids to school- which I assume walking by choice in heels must be for attention or show?

(Chrisac118 - photobucket)

Today I saw a variety of women worth noting. A young mother outside with here little guy wearing lounge wear and flip flops, but still a cute little bow clip in her hair, while just outside her home. Her clothes showed she was lounging today, but her bow said I still look good. Another casual look I saw was a woman walking into the store with a cute little tank dress accented with layers of lace in the front and layered over a tank top, she was pushing a cart with a child. She looked like a pretty casual mother. Coming out of Wal-mart was a beautiful tall woman who wore a long, sleeveless brightly colored floral dress and heels, as I walked by her on my way in Wal-mart, I noticed she also fashioned a pedicure with a design too. All different types of people I notice here in So Cal on a daily basis from casual to fashionably dressy.

(Betsey Johnson Store in California - by muddzvonslatt - Photobucket)

(Nail Polish; Love_Cady- Photobucket)

I consider myself some "wear" in between. A little fashion, a little casual, like my jean shorts and a Betsey Johnson top layered over a tank, and medium heeled flip-flops. (Betsey Johnson: my favorite Good Stuff designer ever! For better price deals buy at discount stores like Marshall's or eBay.) I like dressing up to a degree, I don't go out a whole lot, if I did I'd probably dress up more. I also like my nails done, I do them myself, but who has time really, maybe if you don't have kids? Maybe if you have a maid, butler or help of some type. I like to paint my nails usually in black or some color and come up with different designs and this I do very cheaply, cause I do it myself. At the (Good Stuff) Dollar Tree, they have nail polish called Art Deco with all sorts of colors and priced at 1 dollar each, it's easy to have a nice collection. (Tip: heat bottles first to make it easier to apply and the nail polish thinner.) These nail polishes have longer thin brushes for designing. There are stick on nail polish designs also available at some stores, but expensive to keep up. So far I have painted my nails like Zebra (or white tiger) stripes, and I have painted my nails black with red stripes with little heart accents on a couple nails, and my latest creation, black with red hearts, diamond, and even a spade for a "Queen of Hearts"/Poker Hand look. :) Currently, my nails are all half black, cause I am typing more then painting. I am a busy girl! Pampering is not on my list, if I had one, of top priority!

(Breast cancer awareness image by, LungCancerAwareness - Photobucket)

Anyway, back to real OC women, so I  know someone that has just gone through chemotherapy, she has lost her hair and is now waiting for the signs to show that her hair is coming back. Her head wardrobe has primarily been a beanie. Today, I could not help but notice another woman, she was dressed casually in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip flops, stylin shades, make-up and earrings, but, no hair. Not Sinead O'Conner and copycat Britney Spears shaved, but bald. Either she was opting for the look, or she quite possibly was also in the wait for the return of her hair due to chemo. Anyway, I was noticing how bold she was, her head held up straight, and the casualness about her in how she seemed to carry herself as she got a grocery cart and entered the store to do her shopping. She could've opted for a scarf or head wrap like most, a hat or a wig, but she didn't. She was bald and that's the way it was going to be, she seemed to say without saying. Somehow, her baldness made me admire her strength. Could I be that bold? She did have a good shaped head, mines not so shaped well and my ears stick out! If I had to, since I've had bright hair before, my boldness would be brightly colored wigs! I would so rock it!

Keep it real, be your fashionable self, whatever you like. It's not about labeling or wearing the best designer labels either. Us beach city girls don't all look or act the same.

<3 Alysa Good Stuff

Funny Free Ads On Craigslist in Orange County, CA

I have seen a monkey for free on Craigslist in Orange County, and I still remember the ad for a whole living room set of high-end furniture listed because husband and wife wanted new furniture!
Today a funny ad for Honey! But seriously, I hope this honey bee hive goes to someone that knows how to transport bees and collect the honey, wow Craigslist is entertaining at times...
Free Bees in San Clemente http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/zip/2000845829.html
10-9 Make $25 for picking up free wood crates in San Clemente http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/zip/1997608447.html

5.4 Earthquake San Diego, CA 7-7-2010 Rockin in my Chair Orange County

I was just wondering the other day... we haven't had an earthquake recently, I wonder when we are going to have another one. Well as I am working here at my desk with my feet up on a chair, slouchy style, both chairs decided to rock with me in them in a sort of rumbly fashion. So I checked the earthquake site, it wasn't up yet... and then a call from a sister who saw it on the news and here it is on the earthquake site:
5.4 Magnitude in the desert inland area of San Diego near Borrego Springs. Those earthquakes are scooting there way up towards my house! Check it out:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci10736069.html

I posted an earthquake response "Did you feel it?" survey. They said my area was felt as a 4 magnitude otherwise called MMI 4 intensity felt. Which was higher than some of the LA and San Diego areas. Pretty much the earthquake was a little south and west of South Orange County. Eeek! I will assume we will have more, it seems at the rate of uh, monthly? -here in the south-land.
This rumbling feels like my frustration I had today... the earth gave a preemptive "errr-ahh moment" before my day got difficult. 

If these smaller but large earthquakes are only God's land mumbling in its anger... boy, do I want to be up in the air (with all my family) when it really lets loose!? Will it this year- here and big? Feeling this many earthquakes is not usually what So Cal is like. Yeah we have them, but it's more of maybe a year or two between feeling them as we are now, feeling so many.
My little poem...

 With earthquakes abroad and close, with the leaking oil on our coast...

Will God heal our land? 

"America, America God shed his light on thee, 

and crown us good with brotherhood 

from Sea to shining Sea." 

Forgive us- some of us know not what we do, 

some of us do.

Send us your Grace

in so many mistakes.

America freedoms and many dreams, keep us together knit at the seams.

"We all well know, we're gonna reap what we sow, 

but Grace, we all know, can take the place of all we owe, 

so why not let's Forgive

everyone, everywhere, everything..." mewithoutYou

Ezekiel 38:20-22 (New Living Translation)

²⁰ All living things—the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth. ²¹ I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your men will turn their swords against each other. ²² I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!

James 5:9
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

Beach House Family Vacation Rental San Clemente, CA 3 Bedrooms orange county california Summer and Year-Round Bargain!

Summer Fall Winter Spring Vacation Spot tips: Come to the place where it is the best overall year-round climate in the world! Southern Orange County: San Clemente, CA.

Vacation home for rent near the San Clemente Pier with gorgeous ocean and sunset view from patio. 3 bed. 2.5 bath, sleeps up to 7, fireplace, 3 parking spaces, + more amenities.

The San Clemente Pier Bowl area has on pier dining and fishing, and nearby restaurants, shopping, train station, and of course beach fun and surfing. San Clemente Pier also has a fireworks display show on the 4th of July, and other Summer events like the Ocean Festival and Beach Concerts. Nearby the pier, downtown San Clemente on Del Mar street is the Village Art Fair, Farmer's Market, Classic Car Shows, and other events.

San Clemente,CA. Events
More about the City of San Clemente, CA (located in South Orange County)
See beach home website here: http://www.sanclementebeachhouse.com/

San Clemente Beach House Rates for 2010:

October 1-June15: $275.00/Day (3 night min.), $1550.00/Week, $2600.00/Month

June 16-August 31: $2,000.00/Week

September 1-September30: $300.00/Day (3 night min.), $1600.00/Week, $2600.00/Month

Visit my other blog for more on Vacations on a Budget in Southern California... Mini Vacations in Orange County, California! http://alysagoodstuff.blogspot.com/2010/04/afford-vacation-on-budget-in-orange.html

More on Visiting Orange County and other So Cal destinations, check out this site I found: http://www.socal-vacation-guru.com/orange-county-vacation.html

Yet Another Earthquake 6-14-2010 Southern California

I was working on my blog when I felt some rumbling below my feet and my desk shaking. Very minor in my area felt more like a 2-3 magnitude. I gathered my children and stopped at the front door, just like my last "earthquake dream", in it I stopped before we went out the door. Except in my dream, I felt/heard the voice of God telling me to be prepared. We do need to be prepared as this is more earthquakes in such a close time (all over the world too) than I can remember in all the years growing up here. Are we really prepared? We have some bottles of water, can food, band-aids, and... what about our souls, are they prepared for any unexpected events that may bring life change? We got to live for Him. Keep the faith.

6-14-2010 9:26 pm Earthquake 5.7 magnitude in Southern California, near Ocotillo. Southeast from Orange County and San Diego near the Mexico border. More around the area.
For more details and to report if you felt it click here. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci14745580.php#details

photo from: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci14745580.php#details

Click here to see the recent lists of earthquakes in the same areas. You can see the smaller earthquakes over a period of time before a larger one, then again smaller after shocks occur.