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Colorful Joy Christmas Card

Heartfelt: Christmas photo cards and holiday cards at Shutterfly.

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Christmas Tree Farms in Orange County, CA

Although it might be quick and easy to pick up a Christmas tree in the parking lot of a nearby Home Depot or Walmart, searching for the perfect tree at a local Christmas tree farm provides a much richer experience and is an annual tradition that the entire family will look forward to.

Purchasing a tree at a local farm is more environmentally friendly too because the trees are not leaving a large carbon footprint by being shipped from miles away. The trees are grown locally and therefore us less gas for transportation.

Here are just a few Christmas tree farms worth visiting in the Orange County area:

• Peltzer Pines Christmas Tree Farms: More than 30 acres of Christmas trees. They will cut for you. Location in Irvine, Silverado Canyon and Brea/Yorba Linda. Trees can be delivered to your home. Prices range from $19-$109.

• Mountain Pines Christmas Tree Farm: Leyland Cypress or Monterey Pine trees available. Located in San Juan Capistrano, this farm offers trees stand and netting, plus tree delivery.

• Richfield Pines Christmas Tree Farm: This family-owned farm located in Yorba Linda has 10 acres of live Monterey Pine trees.

Get out and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine while searching for a Christmas tree. While cutting and carrying your tree might seem like more work, the memory will be worth the effort. Happy tree hunting!

Green Festival Los Angeles

If you're in the L.A. area this weekend, you won't want to miss the Green Festival held on November 17-18 at the LA Convention Center located at 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. The festival will include hundreds of green exhibitors and numerous outstanding keynote speakers that are leaders in the ecology movement.

From eco-fashion to organic gardening and seasonal cooking, there is bound to be something for everyone interested in promoting sustainability.

There will be eco-friendly children's activities, inspiring films, and DIY hands-on workshops. Whether you are a business owner, a parent, or just a concerned citizens, this festival will provide inspiration, education, networking opportunities within the following venues:

• Main Stage
• Green Living Stage
• Community Action Stage
• Green Business Stage
• DIY Stage
• Green Kids Zone
• Tadasana Yoga & Movement Pavilion
• Fair Trade Stage
• Sierra Club Green Cinema
• Good Food Stage

Admission is $10 per day or $15 per weekend. For full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.greenfestivals.org.

Going Green this Halloween

When most people think of Halloween, orange pumpkins and black cats come to mind, but this year...think green. With a little planning and thoughtfulness, you can make your holiday festive and earth friendly. Here are some ideas to get your started.

Recycled Costumes

As tempting as it is to give in to your child's request for that $40 costume at the pop-up Halloween store this time of year, think about the impact to the landfill when you're child only wears the outfit once and then tosses it. Instead, get creative and reuse items that you have, or hit a local thrift store to pick up unique used items. It can be a treasure chest of options. Check out these consignment shops in Laguna Beach:

• Second Chance, 355 Broadway Street Laguna Beach, CA 92651, (949) 464-0070
• Turnabout Thrift Shop, 526 Glenneyre Street, 949-494-5977

Another fun way to create a recycled costume is to get a group of kids together and swap costumes from previous years. Or, if they've outgrown the costumes, hit up the friends' older siblings.

Home-grown Pumpkins

Rather than spending an arm-and-a-leg at the local supermarket to buy a pumpkin that has been shipped in from who knows where, try growing your own pumpkins. It's fun and easy and kids love watching the progress of tiny seeds growing into massive soon-to-be Jack o'Lanterns. Yes, you will need a patch of soil to grow your pumpkins, They do take up space. If your backyard (or front yard!) isn't big enough, consider checking into a community garden, such as the South Laguna Community Garden in Laguna Beach. Oftentimes you can share a community plot with others, if you don't have the time to take care of it yourself.

If gardening is not your thing, then at least check out a local farm...rather than a mall parking lot pumpkin patch. Kids will love seeing where and how pumpkins are actually grown. At Tanaka Farms in Irvine, kids can pick their pumpkin from the patch, enjoy a hay ride and wander through a corn maze.

Organic Treats

If you'd rather stay home and hand out candy, consider offering the little ghosts and goblins a healthy alternative instead of high-fructose laded treats. Here are some tasty, yet healthy alternatives:

• Veggie Snack Packs (such as carrots and Ranch dressing)
• Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
• Pretzels
• Organic Lollipops
• Fair-trade Chocolate bars
• Locally grown apples or oranges
• Non-Candy Treats: Erasers, temporary tattoos, stickers

For a wide range of organic options, check out Whole Foods in Laguna Beach or Trader Joesin Crystal Cove.

Green Transportation

A great thing about Halloween is that it's the perfect time to ditch the car and head out on foot. It's good exercise and reduces your carbon footprint. If you plan on heading to a neighborhood other than your own, consider carpooling or taking the local bus.

Halloween is the perfect time to teach kids that holidays can be fun without being wasteful and that with a little effort, we can all be kinder to the earth while keeping our traditions.

Orange County Pumpkin Patches

With Halloween just around the corner, it's time to take the kids to a local pumpkin patch for a fun and festive outing. Pumpkin patches are a great way to get in the holiday spirit. Younger kids might like to dress up in their costumes, which makes for a great photo opportunity. Whether you're looking to pick your own pumpkin, visit a spooky haunted house, or take a wagon ride, enjoy the fall weather at a pumpkin patch near you.

Tanaka Farms:

This real working farm in Irvine allows visitors to pick their own pumpkin from their pumpkin patch. At Tanaka Farms there are a wide variety of pumpkins in various sizes. The kids will enjoy hunting for the perfect pumpkin! There is also a wagon ride that gives families a tour of the farm, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and a pumpkin cannon that shoots pumpkins high into the air (kids love watching this!). Free admission and parking. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.

Pumpkin City's Pumpkin Farm:

Located in the parking lot of Laguna Hills Mall, this temporary pumpkin patch is filled with fun for the kids. From pony rides to carnival rides, there is plenty to do besides picking out a pumpkin.Pumpkin City's Pumpkin Farm also offers a petting zoo and live music. Free parking and admission.

Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch:

This pumpkin patch at Irvine Park is full of activities to entertain children of all ages. At the Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch you can take a train ride or hay ride, race a mini tractor, enjoy the bounce house, decorate a cookie, get your face painted, pan for gold, navigate the hay maze, ride a pony, brave the haunted house...and of course, pick out a pumpkin. Open at 10 a.m. daily. Activity prices vary.

Mickey's Halloween Party:

Looking to "go big" for Halloween? Take it beyond the pumping patch and join Mickey and pals atMickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. Kids can go trick-or-treating, enjoy a fireworks display, watch a Mickey Halloween parade, and have access to the Disneyland rides and attractions, such as the Haunted Mansion. Select nights only. Prices start at $64.

Weather you're looking to take your toddler for a stroll through pumpkins or your school-aged child for a spooky walk through a haunted house, there are plenty of options for some Halloween fun in Orange County. Get out and enjoy the spirit of the holiday.

It's been a long time coming, but I finally published (digitally) my children's book about getting kids to eat their veggies! Check it out: http://epubbud.com/book.php?g=KV2AL6CX

Jr. Master Gardener Course

Dates: Thurs. Sept. 13-Dec. 20, 3:30-5 p.m.; Grades: 3-5; Fee: $225 per session, Supply fee: $30. Instructor: Sharael Kolberg, Master Gardener 

JMG Mission: To grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education.

Classes will cover the following topics:

• Plant Growth and Development
• Soils and Water
• Ecology and Environmental Horticulture

This class will include:

• Independent and group learning experiences
• Life/skill and career exploration
• Service learning opportunities for youth
• Correlation to state teaching standards

Student Recognition: Youths who participate in the program for an entire year and complete requirements in a given chapter or for the overall program earn certification awarded by National JMG Program Office and JMG state program partners.

REGISTER NOW

Spring Spa Treatments at the Spa at Pelican Hill

Check out the spring "Blossoms and Blooms" spa treatments at the Spa at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. The treatment features one of three scents made with natural ingredients from McEvoy Ranch in Padadena: Lavendar, Verde, or Blood Orange. Guests get to select a 50-minute luxurious spa treatment of their choice: massage, scrub, or bath. Treatments start at $140 weekdays and include a gift bag with products based on the scent of their choice. Fore more info, visit http://www.pelicanhill.com/Spa.

Farm-to-Fork Menu at Pelican Grill

Enjoy the spring Farm-to-Fork menu at Pelican Grill at the Resort at Pelican Hill. Chef Chang Sivilay works with the Irvine Ranch to source local produce for the menu, which changes every week or two depending on what's available at the ranch. The pre-fixe menu includes a variety of three courses for $40 and is served weekdays. For more info, visit http://www.pelicanhill.com/Dining_Pelican_Grill.

Vegan Mani/Pedis at The Spa at Pelican Hill

Check out the organic, vegan nail polish by Spa Ritual used in the mani/pedis at the Spa at Pelican Hill.

More info, visit www.sparitual.com and www.pelicanhill.com

Habitat Restoration in Orange County

Join in the "Keep It Wild" days at the Laguna Coast Wilderness to enjoy the beautiful open space and protect it too! These volunteer days are great ways to help restore the habitat to what it should be and encourage native plants and wildlife to thrive in these areas. For more info, visit www.lagunacanyon.org.

Check out this video to find out about habitat restoration in the OC Parks...

Wildlife at Nix Nature Center

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is bustling with wildlife. Check out the beautiful and amazing creatures by joining a guided outing sponsored by Laguna Canyon Foundation.

Check out this video to see more about the wildlife in the OC Parks...

Chef Craig Plants a Spring Garden

Springtime Fun in Mammoth Lakes, CA

Mammoth Lakes, California is a perfect winter or spring destination for families wanting convenience, a little luxury and a lot of outdoor fun in the snow.

If a no-hassle spring break is what your family needs, Mammoth Lakes, California makes it easy to enjoy the snow without the headache.

Read full story...

Snack, Sip & Surf at Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach

By Emma Haber, Blink LA


Pacific Edge Hotel, located on the beach in Laguna Beach, CA, is hosting a "Snack, Sip & Surf" event as part of  Laguna Beach A la Carte. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Mauli Ola Foundation, benefitting children with Cystic Fibrosis.  

WHEN: Sunday, March 11 from 2-5 PM

WHERE: Pacific Edge Hotel
647 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 
949.777.6328 

PRICE: $45. Reserve a spot by calling (949) 281-5704.

Promising to be an afternoon full of food, fun and friendly competition on the hotel's oceanfront deck with competitions to find the best local mixologist, taco, and paddle board team. Each of the hotel's five surf-themed ocean view cabanas will feature a different local mixologist with serving up their own signature cocktail. Attendees will have the chance to sample each recipe and vote on their favorite. The winning drink will be Pacific Edge Hotel's cocktail of the summer. Participating in the taco competition are Olamendi's, Basement Table and La Sirena Grill who will each be serving up their own specialty tacos for guests to taste and vote on their favorite. Rounding out the competition line-up is the paddleboard relay race which will take place directly in front of the hotel. Local teams of four members each will compete. Tray-passed appetizers will also be served throughout the day. 

The Lorax -- not just for kids

If you haven't seen The Lorax movie...you should. It is not just for kids. The message is too important to be missed..."Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to get better. It's not."

OC's Green Scene

Check out weekly eco-friendly activities in Orange County on my new blog, "Green Scene" with Sharael Kolberg.