Disney California Adventure: Buena Vista Street
The new Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure reflects the time when Walt Disney arrived in Los Angeles and his struggle to succeed “as a risk-taker with big dreams and big goals” during the 1920s and ’30s.
The public got its hands, and feet, on Buena Vista Street, part of the $1 billion makeoever of California Adventure, for the first time today.
Story by Sarah Tully, Eric Carpenter and Lisa Liddane, The Orange County Register
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/15/2012 for full coverage of this story.
Yosemite: Exploring the Park in the High Season!
Story by Gary A. Warner, The Orange County Register
Escape the pavement and traffic and head to Yosemite National Park. Visitors can explore the wildlife and geology, along with cultural history.
Half Dome Trail is one of the Park’s more frequented spots. The 8-mile Half Dome Trail rises over 5,000 feet above the valley floor. Avid birdwatchers can enjoy flocks of violet-green swallow around Tenaya Lake. Common bird sightings throughout the meadows include northern flickers, mountain chickadee, killdeer, Clark’s nutcracker, among others.
The dry, warm winter of 2011-2012 gives visitors more access to the park, at an earlier time this year. The Tiago Pass, the famous “backdoor” into Yosemite, opens to the public earlier. But the dry winter also means less energy and rush from the waterfalls at the Park.
Local town Oakhurst Centennial is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its name change from Fresno Flats. Events have been planned all year for the town in celebration.
Historic hotel Wawona re-opens once again. Unlike open year-round hotels, the Wawona shuts down during Thanksgiving, re-opens during Christmas, and then closes for the first three months of the year. Spring visitors can looks forward to their stay at Wawona Hotel, only four miles away from the south entrance.
Volunteer opportunities are available for those interested in helping with projects such as vegetation restoration, trail repair and building, wildlife preservation, and campsite maintenance. For a full list of opportunities, go to nps.gov/yose/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm or write to Yosemite Volunteer Office, PO Box 700, El Portal, CA 95318.
Download iPad App Edition Date: 4/24/2012 for full coverage of this story.
Life’s a Beach! OC Guide to the Top 7 Beaches
A guide to enjoying Orange County’s top 7 beaches this summer.
Story by Laylan Connelly, The Orange County Register
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/08/2012 for full coverage of this story.
“Roughing it by camping in Africa’s outback offers, uh, more intimate animal encounters.”
Story by David Whiting, The Orange County Register
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/09/2012 for full coverage of this story.
Video:
Olympic Medalist Janet Evans is Making a Comeback!
Story by Scott M Reid, The Orange County Register
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/07/2012 for full coverage of this story.
Video:
It’s the end of the 2011-2012 Anteaters season. Although they’ll lose their senior roster, UC Irvine looks forward to a fresh, strong start for 2012-13!
Watch this week’s video! Produced by Oyama Caviness, video by Scott Bagley
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/6/2012 for full coverage of this story.
Tough Knocks College Baseball is a weekly feature on OCRegister The Peel.
Rock Climbing: Joshua Tree National Park
On the latest edition of “How Tough Are You?,” David Whiting conquers the higher boulders of Joshua Tree National Park. Guided by Dennis George, wellness instructor and expert mountain climber, Whiting shares correct equipment use, rules to climb by, and how to dominate in an extreme sport.
An important reminder is to be aware that rock climbing can be extremely dangerous. Rock climbers have been stranded and deaths have been reported. Even the more seasoned rock climbers have found themselves in need of rescues, endangering the lives of those conducting the rescues as well.
Some of the best rock-climbing areas in the U.S. are located right in our backyard of Greater Orange County, specifically Joshua National Tree Park. Indoor rock-climbing gyms are also available. The nearest one near you can be found online. Anyone can rock-climb too! Find suitable routes that fit your abilities and have an expert join you.
Basic equipment needed includes a harness, rock climbing shoes, (the tighter, the better), and a helmet. Chalk and chalk bags can make a huge difference when rock climbing as well. A locking carabiner is used to fasten the rope to your harness. A crash pad absorbs your jumps when bouldering and a belay devices is used for belaying other and rappelling down.
Remember, it’s not about racing to the top. Pace yourself and don’t push your limits. Safety first helps ensure you’ll at least make it out in one piece!
Story by David Whiting, The Orange County Register
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/01/2012 for full coverage of this story and bonus tips on how to reach the top of that boulder peak!
Alas, the long summer nights have arrived to the Golden Coast. Enjoy some light and refreshing wines over dinner or brunch, without having to overspend.
All priced under $25, take a peek at a few of the wines that made the list. All are from the world’s major sparkling wine regions.
Chilean sparkling wine, Fresita, (750 ml for under $20 or 5 x 200 ml for under $30), is infused with hand-picked strawberries. It is a Prosecco style sparkler. The very distinct aroma and taste of strawberries is not too overwhelming. It’s a surprisingly dry and light pink sparkler.
Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvée ($24) is among northern California’s best mid-priced sparkling wines.With brights aromas of cherry and lemon. As noted by Wine Spectator, the Brut Cuvée has succulent flavors of raspberry, yeasty pear, and crisp mineral.
Pisoni Estate 2009 Pinot Noir, from the Saint Lucia Highlands, is fully loaded with a lot of black cherry and all spice. It holds a very thorough and persistent finish on the palate.
The Krupp Brothers 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon offers big, bold, and fruit-forward flavors. From their Napa Valley stagecoach vineyard, the grapes have reached high demand. Over 75 wine producers are on a waiting list to even buy the stagecoach vineyard’s grapes.
Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rosé 2010, ($15), has been a one of California’s favorite pink sparklers for some time now. Named after the famous winemaker/filmmaker’s daughter, the sparkler offers rich flavors of juicy black cherry, raspberry and kiwi fruit.
Main Street Wine Company in Huntington Beach :
Story by Paul Hodgins, The Orange County Register
Download iPad App Edition Date: 6/05/2012 for full coverage of this story.
Angels Finally Find Their Groove
Closing out April with a depressive 8-15, the Angels suddenly resurrected themselves by the end of May with a 28-27 record, only 4 1/2 games behind the AL West division-leading Texas Rangers.
They had the second-worst batting average (.238) with only 17 home runs in the month of April. They were eight games under .500 April 29. But they managed to surprise disgruntled fans who were more than ready to throw in the towel. They sky-rocketed their performance, batting .265, fifth-best in the AL, with 31 homeruns and 114 RBI’s.
Lakers: Who’s Staying, Who’s Going…
Seems like next season’s roster lies on the amount of money the Lakers are willing to spend. As the highest- paying team in the NBA again with $85.7 million, and with their seven highest paid players under contact for next season, the Lakers seem to be overwhelmed financially. Slashing their payroll is their priority in order to avoid immense luxury tax penalties they would have to pay in 2014-2015.
The Lakers not only need to focus on improving their team for next season, they must do it on a budget. Tax penalties have the Lakers hesitating to offer anything more than a one-year contract, capping salary payrolls for future talent. Free-agent players can look forward to a mini-mid-level salary cap starting around $3 million, which seems like a measly amount in comparison to Andrew Bynum’s $16.1 million contract for next season.
Although the Lakers success can be placed on its lavish dollar distribution, their triumph has also had much to do with their bold talent and calculated trades. Under owner Jerry Buss, they’ve made the playoffs 31 out of 33 seasons, winning the Western Conference almost half those years.
The move from the zen coach Phil Jackson to Mike Brown is yet to be seen if it was the correct one. Brown must work to improve a team that has seemingly spiraled downward these last two years.
And as Kobe Bryant nears his 34th birthday, the question remains of who will remain standing with him next season and what new young blood will join the Laker franchise.
Download iPad App Edition Date: 5/31/2012 for full coverage of this story.
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