The Lucky Few

USS Kirk The Lucky Few

To all Service members involved in the evacuation of South Vietnam in April 1975, thank you. Those involved in “Operation Frequent Wind” did their part in what was in low estimations as reportedly an evacuation of tens of thousands of people as the Republic of South Viet Nam fell.
Expanding an event last year, “Vietnamese Americans, The Lucky Few” will pay tribute to the US and Vietnamese Navy personnel who were a part of the fleet of Navy ships during “Operation Frequent Wind” in 1975. Of all the ships involved, the USS Kirk has been receiving a bit of attention for it’s leadership in the operation from stations like NPR. Come to the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove April 21, 2012. I hope to see you on Saturday.

Come Help Out the Kids in OC

“Come help out the Kids!!!” Tonight in OC!

My good buddy, WH, has such a positive outlook on life and always has an inspriational/funny quotes & phrases.  He’s also advocating making things a little better for the younger generation.  I’d like to help him out.  So even though this is not too close to Fountain Valley, I think we can make another exception here. If you’re looking for an Orange County event that is also a charity event, here you go!

Orange County Charity Event

The good folks at Living Room/Commonwealth OC and the OC Weekly are hosting a party called Cocktails for a Cause, After Party and Fashion Show!  For those of you fashionistas and party-goers in the world, there will be a FASHION SHOW & MUSIC by Jason Blakemore & Danny Love…along with – and celebrating the birthday of – special celebrity HOST from WU-TANG CLAN…KILLAH PRIEST! This should be enough to get people out there.  However it gets even better!  Coincidentally,Living Room OC will be donating funds to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capo Valley! Great news for philanthropists and bleeding hearts.  If you want to party in style (and who doesn’t) go RSVP for tables at (714) 497-0663.  Good times to be had by all!

Music Event in Fountain Valley Tonight

“Hành Trình về Đất Mẹ” is an event in Fountain Valley featuring Vietnamese Music, Traditional Dress, Vietnamese History.

Ladies in Traditional Ao Dai Dress

Come and see everything from the pageantry and beautiful colors of the traditional áo dài dresses tonight at the Saigon Performing Arts Center in Fountain Valley.   The elaborate show is the work of renowned dress designer, Trần Thị Lai Hồng.  Her show has been well received in other metropolitan areas and she is happy to bring her work to Orange County where Little Saigon finds its home.  Trần Thị Lai Hồng is skilled in her silk art paintings.  Anticipate her work being modeled by the ladies proudly wearing their áo dài dresses.

Saigon Performing Arts Center

The Saigon Performing Arts Center is located at  16149 Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley.  Come out tonight to the Saigon Performing Arts Center around 7 PM to get seated for a wonderful night of music and culture here in Fountain Valley!

Orange County BBQ Event

Yummy! There are few foods better than barbecue.  The Fountain Valley Sports Center at Mile Square Park will be hosting an All You Can Eat and Drink with  the OC BBQ Event here.This food event is a great way to enjoy the summer in Fountain Valley. The Orange County BBQ Bonanza is coming up on the weekend of August 18-21, 2011. It’s only $5 to get in to see the award-winning BBQ Teams show off their culinary skills! For all of the serious barbecue enthusiasts, the all -you-can-eat / VIP tickets are $100.  That includes ribs, salads, sides, alcohol, and non-alcoholic drinks.  There’s more information at http://www.ocbbqbonanza.com

What's Better than the Combination of Summer and BBQ?

 

OC BBQ Bonanza and Movies in the Park Banners

Annual Fall Festival in Fountain Valley

The 5th Annual Fall Festival in Fountain Valley is soon to arrive.

So Summer is more than half over and you’re dreading the Fall and the start of school. Well, it won’t be all that bad. I remember dreading the start of school.  Yes, people will pick on you in the hallways and take your lunch money. There is, however, one ray of hope for the upcoming Autumn season. One of the Biggest Annual Fall Festivals in Fountain Valley is the Taste of the Holy Spirit Festival at Holy Spirit Church on Ward Street. It’s Free to go! Food is the only thing I pay for.  I am too much of a wimp to go on the carnival rides!

As you may recall, last year’s festival was quite a blast! Last year, I saw my friend that I had not seen since high school!  It is great how the community comes together here!  I also really enjoyed the food!  The Vietnamese and Filipino food booths were especially good.  Just thinking about it is making me crave egg rolls!

This year’s Taste of Holy Spirit Fall Festival is September 16th through the 18th. Come out to enjoy food, fun, and good times with friends at the 5th Annual Fall Festival in Fountain Valley.  You’ll hear some music and have a few laughs.  Plus, you’re bound to see some people you know and/or make some new friends. Now unlike at school, these friends won’t beat you up and take your lunch money…at least not at the festival. They’ll also give you food in exchange for your lunch money.  If you have time, hopefully you can volunteer as well.  Sign up and give back to the community as you have a little fun!

Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 17270 Ward St.,Fountain Valley, CA 92708

International Youth Fellowship Fun Run in Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley is the location of the International Youth Fellowship’s 2011 Fun Run event held today at Mile Square Park.

IYF (International Youth Fellowship) is hosting a FREE 5K Run & Fun to support youth programs. At this community event IYF will have a cultural festival They are working to increase cultural awareness through visual and performing arts, ethnic food, traditional games, and more. IYF invites everyone to this event at Mile Square Park right here in Fountain Valley.

Family Time on Fourth of July Weekend!

Family Time on Fourth of July Weekend!

Fourth of July Weekend. Family time in Fountain Valley, CA. It’s that time, ladies and gents. A festive holiday is upon us and family members gather to party it up.  Now I was pondering just what makes a holiday a real holiday? Some people say it’s to commemorate a big event (Independence from Imperialistic Britain is a good reason). My gf emphatically asserted that a holiday simply meant time off from work.  (That’s also a very good working definition of a holiday.)  I say that a holiday really isn’t a holiday unless you spend it having fun and relaxing with the loved ones. 

Celebrate up a storm this Independence Day!  We are a free nation!  If you are scheduled to work, shame on your company! Take the day off or call in sick! And spend a little time with friends and family.  Spend time showing Junior how to throw a football.  Spend time reading with Daddy’s little girl.  If you need to get out of the house to celebrate, then there are a myriad of things to do all over Orange County.  Take a beach cruiser down Pacific Coast Highway. In Fountain Valley you can barbecue at Mile Square Park.  Take your family out for Cosmic Bowling at Fountain Bowl on Friday.  If you just so happen to be in Irvine and in the mood to save a little cash, then have I got a deal for you!  Get shoe rentals, a drink, and a lane for $5! 

Then since you’re in Irvine, you can go see a show and maybe some fireworks.  Irvine calls their Fourth of July show a “patriotic” tribute to Elvis if you want to shell out the dough. Huntington Beach always has a good parade and fireworks show that you can watch for free. Disney will also celebrate America with a 4th of July Concert in the Sky at 9:30. 

Fireworks will light up the sky over Orange County!

Now on a serious note…However you celebrate, please do so responsibly!  Some people really party hard and have a few too many brewskis.  Please know that there are probably going to be other families trying to just have a good time and get home safely.  If you’re thinking about drinking and driving, please don’t.  I want to live a while longer.  (Also, the police will probably have sobriety checkpoints throughout Orange County like they did last year.) If you must drink, then here are some FREE or inexpensive services to get you home safely:

The Tipsy Tow Service
1-800-400-4AAA for a free tow home of up to seven miles.

Safe Ride Solutions
(208) 938-4500 Membership

or call a Taxi!  Yellow Cab Taxi 1-877-YELLOWCAB (877-935-5692) or My Taxi Service at 1-800-200-0000. Any of these options are far batter than a DUI.

Calling Volunteers!

Are you ready for a fun, family-friendly event to return to Fountain Valley? The Taste of the Holy Spirit Parish Festival is coming back to town this September 16th through the 18th.

Taste Holy Spirit Fall Festival

It’s still a long way off but we need to plan it and find volunteers for the booths, setup, cleanup and other services. If you can spare a few hours that weekend, please let us know. The Taste Holy Spirit Fall Festival is coming to Fountain Valley. Sign up to help and enjoy the weekend’s festivities! We can definitely use your assistance to make this year’s Taste of the Holy Spirit Festival the best one Fountain Valley has seen!

So Long Summerfest!

So Long Summerfest!

It was a great weekend for fun in Fountain Valley.  There was a big turnout at Mile Square Park. Many people got to take part in the festive event by braving the rides, listening to the live bands, eating waaay too much food, and more.

Alas, the Summerfest is over.  Last night I watched the crew packing up everything. The most symbolic feature of any carnival is the Ferris Wheel.  I silently watched as the workers took that apart little by little. It made me just a tad bit sad. It’s not that I really want to go on any of these rides, because I have no desire to. I believe that it stems from wanting to keep the fun going.

There is a silver lining though.  The Fountain Valley Summerfest will be back again for 2012!  So be of good cheer and be on the lookout for the annual festive event spring up again in Mile Square Park next summer!

Ferris Wheel in the waning moments of Summerfest

The Silent Go Gator Rollercoaster...going away

Last Day of the Summerfest

Last Day of the Summerfest

All good things must come to an end. Summerfest 2011 in Fountain Valley has been fun, but the festival is leaving town today. It’s your last chance to enjoy the food, rides, and all the fun! There’s a taco eating contest this morning! Who can eat 54 tacos first!?

The Fountain Valley Summerfest 2011 event is still going strong but not for long!  Come out and have a good time!