Tortilla Flats in the Lake Mission Viejo Shopping Center, which was renamed Lago last summer, has shut their doors. A sign on the front door reads “Due to unfortunate circumstances, the restaurant is closed”.
New Mission Viejo stores-one for pets, the other, babies
Petco will eventually be taking the retail space recently vacated by DeNault’s Hardware at Marguerite Pkwy and Rancho Santa Margarita Pkwy in the same shopping center as Sprouts Farmer’s Market and the Claim Jumper.
The Bed, Bath and Beyond company has added a store to its family that’s everything baby, aptly named “buybuy Baby”. It’s now open and located here:
25322 El Paseo (just off the 5 between Oso and La Paz)
Mission Viejo, CA
Phone: (949) 282-0024
Store Hours
Mon-Sat 9:00am to 9:30pm
Sun 9:30am to 8:00pm
Website: http://www.buybuybaby.com
Lake Forest’s Sultan Market now El Toro Marketplace & Kitchen
Old owner, new name with middle eastern restaurant inside. The food looks yummy, prices appear very reasonable. They also offer a whole rotisserie chicken, $5.99. The day I was there, there were a few organic items in the produce department.
They have a meat counter, but no fish.
The El Toro Marketplace is next to El Polo Loco in the Twin Peaks Shopping Center. 23611 El Toro Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630. (949) 588-2924
Peppino’s Italian Restaurant to become Lyoness Loyalty Merchant
This popular chain restaurant in south Orange County has recently signed on with the Lyoness Shopping Network. As with all Lyoness loyalty merchants, Lyoness members will soon be able to save and make money when patronizing all four Peppino’s locations – Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, and Foothill Ranch.
I’ll post again when they’re up and ready with ability to scan Lyoness membership cards and when it’s confirmed what the cashback and loyalty benefit amounts will be.
Click the Peppino’s website link below for restaurant locations, hours, menu, etc.
Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant
For information about Lyoness, the world’s largest shopping community, email Robin@robinbarr.com.
My new favorite pizza in the entire world, at Brizio’s Pizza, Lake Forest
Last night, my friend and I had a yen for some pizza, and looking for coupons to get a cheapie. We found one for a restaurant neither of us had been to before, Brizio’s Pizza, offering a 14″ Chicago Style Pizza (somewhere between thin and thick crust) with one topping, $11.
Oh my gosh! We both loved it! We got to talking to some of the other customers, their favorite, too!
When I love or dislike something, I’m prone to spread the word. Another reason to support this wonderful small restaurant — they have a sign out front, “Free pizza for the homeless on Monday’s, 3-5 pm”.
And they deliver, $2.50 fee.
21771 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA (in the Ralph’s shopping center at Trabuco & Lake Forest).
(949) 951-7333. They’re open 7 days a week, you’ll have to call for hours, they don’t indicate them on the website.
Changes at Marguerite Shopping Center at Trabuco & Marguerite Pkwy
This is an old picture of the shopping center
The Texaco gas station was family-owned, and at this corner since the early 1970’s. They were willing to pump gas for you upon request and check under the hood. I was often tempted to go there just for the experience of being waited on at a gas station again like back in the day but never did because the cost of their gas always seemed so high. The gas station is closed down now.
So what’s the new plan for that corner? A 7-Eleven will take over the structure of what was the service station, but they’ll be selling gas there as well. Don’t know yet if the brand will continue to be Texaco.
Sadly, the Nirvana Grill that was next to Cal-Med Pharmacy is gone now also. They still have a restaurant in Laguna Beach.
And the last bit of news is about Ranch Market. They’ve just signed on to become a participating merchant with a global shopping rewards program which will go into effect in early March. Shopping members will receive cash back on their entire purchase just as they do with other participating merchants, such as for gas, drug stores, pet stores, home improvement stores, mechanics, etc. I’ll keep you posted on the exact day cash back rewards will be available for those eligible. For more information on the shopping rewards program, shoot me an email at robin@robinbarr.com. I’ll tell you this much right now, membership is free.
One of DeNault’s Hardware Stores has closed.
It’s the one at Marguerite Pkwy and Santa Margarita Pkwy, next to Sprout’s Farmers Market in Mission Viejo. Not to worry, their bigger store at Marguerite and Oso is still alive and kicking. Petco will be taking the space left by DeNault’s.
Gandolfo’s Deli is better with recent change of ownership
If you thought Gandolfo’s Deli in Mission Viejo was good before, you should try it now. I had a pastrami sandwich on rye with Russian dressing and it was out of this world.
Sean and Danielle Whaley took over the reins last Friday, with a commitment to excellent both in quality of food and customer service. The Whaley’s also own another Gandolfo’s Deli in Rancho Cucamonga.
Gandolfo’s Deli is located at Via Fabricante and Alicia Parkway.
Address: 23981 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone:(949) 581-3354
Hours:
| Monday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Sunday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Pre-death visions & communication in the Hospice setting
This Saturday, 1/14/12, from 1 pm-4pm, there will be a talk in Tustin given by Patti Darcey, the Director of Volunteer Services with Heartland Hospice. When asked if any of their hospice clients are observed having communication or a vision not seen or heard by others in the room, her answer was “All the time”.
There will be lots of time for Q & A, or sharing.
The talk is hosted by the OC chapter of the International Alliance for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). We meet to talk about and share near-death experiences, questions about death and dying, and the latest information from NDE research. IANDS groups such as ours can be found in communities around the world.
MEETING DETAILS
We meet the 2nd Saturday of each month, from 1pm-4pm at Unity Church of Tustin, 14402 Prospect Ave., Tustin, CA. Drive to the back of the church, turn left, and park. We meet in the first room you come to.
- Each meeting contains a break half-way through, and includes questions and answers, and discussion. There is no pressure to participate in a discussion.
- Not everyone who attends has had a near-death or spiritually transformative experience. Everyone has their own reason why this group is of interest, and all are welcome.
- We encourage a donation of $10 per person for our expenses, but no one is turned away.
- An email RSVP for this meeting at OC-Iands@mail.com would be appreciated but not mandatory.
NO-HOST DINNER FOLLOWS MEETING
It’s often a fun extension of the meeting to meet for dinner afterwards. All interested are welcome. We meet at approximately 4:20 pm at Mimi’s Café, 17231 17th St., Tustin, (714) 544-5522. Directions: Leaving the church parking lot, turn right on Prospect. At 17th Street, turn Left. Get in right hand lane. A few blocks down, just before the 55 freeway, you’ll see Mimi’s on the right.
OUR MAILING LIST
Anyone wishing to be added to our mailing list may send their request with first and last names, and email address to OC-Iands@mail.com, or call Robin at (949) 855-1102.
VOLUNTEER SPEAKERS WELCOME
Have a near-death experience or transformative spiritual experience you would be willing to share as a featured speaker at a future meeting? Please send an email to OC-Iands@mail.com or call Robin at (949) 855-1102.
Coming up in February
You won’t want to miss guest speaker and author, David Bennett, who was caught in a violent storm off the California coast where he drowned and had a near-death experience. Later in time, he miraculously survived stage IV lung and bone cancer. For February only, the date we normally meet, the 2nd Saturday of the month, has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 18th, same time, 1-4pm and place. Mark your calendars now.
Video: Innovage Warehouse closes Sunday. What they sell, what I bought
Last days open until next sales event in early 2012
Thursday, December 15, 2011, 10am-6pm
Friday, December 16, 2011, 10am-6pm
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 9am-5pm
Sunday, December 18, 2011, 9am-5pm
Innovage Warehouse
19511 Pauling
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
(949) 587-9207
Subscribe at their website to be notified of upcoming events
www.InnovageWarehouseSale.com
Saddleback Valley retail store openings and closings
Openings
Ashley’s Furniture (Laguna Hills at former Circuit City location)
Swatch (already open, Shops of Mission Viejo)
BuildASofa (already open, Irvine side of The Market Place)
H & M (Shops at Mission Viejo, replacing Old Navy)
99¢ Store, Foothill Ranch (former Circuit City location)
Reflection (Irvine Spectrum)
Toys R Us Express (Laguna Hills Mall)
Crazy8 (Gymboree owned children’s store), Shops of Mission Viejo, Summer 2012
Closings
Borders (probable), Rancho Santa Margarita
The Great Indoors, Irvine
Metropark USA, Irvine Spectrum
PacSun, Laguna Hills Mall
Petco, Rancho Santa Margarita (on January 22, 2012)
Famous Footwear, Rancho Santa Margarita
Lowes (Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine)
American Eagle (Laguna Hills Mall, Shops of Mission Viejo)
Crate and Barrel, Shops of Mission Viejo (on January 24, 2012)
Missing a Farmer’s Market in Mission Viejo? We’re Getting One!
It will be owned and operated by Verge Hagopian, a former teacher at Mission Viejo High School. He’s driven by an interest in healthy eating, and as such, the 40-60 vendors participating will only be offering healthy food. If you get thirsty while you’re there and want a soda, for-getta-boud it. Hagopian says soda is unhealthy and you won’t find it sold there.
The farmer’s market will start in January 2012, every Friday morning next to the Mission Viejo Library. The exact hours haven’t been announced yet, but I’ll post it here later.
For more details, read Peter Schelden’s online article about the new Farmer’s Market at the Mission Viejo Patch.
Foothill Ranch: Innovage Warehouse sale coming again, 30 new products
Starting Friday, 10/21, ending Sunday, 10/30/11, open only on Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sundays.
Lots of informercial products greatly reduced in price.
Hours: Fridays, 10am – 6pm; other days, 9am-5pm.
Click HERE for details.
Printer doggedly works to improve the lives of animals worldwide
I met Rene Bruce tonight at the Irvine Dog Park. I was there with my two dogs, Molly and Noodles, and my foster terrier puppy, Skoshi whose first time it was to go to the dog park.
Rene was there with two of his dogs. I watched how in sync he was with the dogs, quietly and easily calling out commands, both dogs obeying happily. I was in awe because that’s not the way it is with my little pack. I continued to watch him for a good 45 minutes, transfixed. It became a little cold, so gathered my brood, attached leashes, and readied to go, passing Rene who was now on the bench next to me.
Something inspired me to stop and ask if he trained his dogs himself. He did, something that comes naturally to him and has since he was a child.
I learned that he works closely with an animal shelter as a volunteer, don’t recall which one, working with dogs that are unadoptable due to aggression and other problems. He has a high success rate, in fact, one of the dogs at the park was one of his graduates.
Rene is an entrepreneur and inventor. Perhaps in another blog, I’ll write about that part of his life, but for now, he’s the co-founder of Print4aPet.com, a printing company that offers all the things you might expect from a printer and more, but his prices are more economical and 20% of his gross goes to an animal in need, whether it be a dog, dolphin or turtle.
If you’ve ever been to Orange County Animal Services, you will have seen orange and blue signage. It was created and donated by Rene.
He’s currently working with a name you may recognize, the founder of PETA, Alex Pacheco. The website is 600million.org, its purpose to help save millions of stray dogs globally due to overpopulation.
If you have ever loved an animal, please help support the work Rene is doing by having your printing needs met through his business. You’ll save money and help animals at the same time.
Print4aPet.com, 2104 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (866) 744-1629
Email: info@Print4aPet.com.
He provides printing services not only in O.C., but anywhere. Please pass this on to your animal loving friends and family, and organizations you may be involved with.
Rene is an interesting guy. His life hasn’t followed a traditional path. Learn a little more about him at his blog.
Animal Communicator to Speak at Event. Bring Your Questions!
The OC chapter of the International Association for Near Death Studies (IANDS) is hosting speaker Frances W Greenspan, an animal communicator. She speaks with animals both here and to those who have crossed over by tuning in telepathically to their spirit/higher self to ask questions and receive their answers.
She’ll be speaking on the death experience of animals, their afterlife, and how it compares to that of humans.
Frances has appeared on numerous pet related radio shows, in print and online magazines, and is author of the book “What Do Your Pets Want You to Know? My Story of Animal Communication”.
She’s also an artist, specializing in illustrations of animals. She was recognized by Cat Fancy Magazine as one of the most gifted animal artists in the world.
Feel free to invite all your pet owner friends and everyone else who has an interest in this topic or near-death experiences to join us.
This is an ever-growing area of interest according to the producer of Fox LA News. At OC IANDS’ meeting last month, they were there filming segments for a piece on near-death experiences. It will be televised Monday, October 10th, 2011 during the 10pm news hour. The story will also be on their website after it plays.
Q & A will follow her talk. If you have questions that are not necessarily animal related, but concerning near-death or any spiritually transformative experience, you’re welcome to ask those as well. Group members with first hand knowledge of these kinds of experiences may join in to help answer those questions.
Afterwards, everyone is invited to a no-host dinner beginning 4:20 pm at Mimi’s Café, 17231 17th St., Tustin, CA. The restaurant phone number is 714-544-5522.
We encourage a donation of $10 per person for our expenses, but no one is turned away. RSVP at robinbarr1@cox.net.
OC IANDS meets the 2nd Saturday of each month, from 1pm-4pm at Unity Church of Tustin, 14402 Prospect Ave., Tustin, CA. Drive to the back of the church, turn left, and park. The first room you come to will be the classroom where we meet. If you get lost, call Robin at 949-290-1949.
Saddleback Buzz 