OC LIFE Magazine and OC Restaurant Association present...

The Orange County chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is pleased to announce that the inaugural OC Wine Opener event is to be held at 4pm on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Orange County Wine & Food Center in Costa Mesa. Sponsored by the OC Restaurant Association and OC Life Magazine and A-Med Health Care, the event will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s research and care programs.

The evening will feature a special celebrity chef guest appearance and cooking demonstration with award-winning executive chef, Bravo Top Chef finalist, and host of a television cooking segment, Brian Malarkey. Brian recently won San Diego Magazine’s “Chef of the Year”, and will be appearing in Bravo’s new show, Top Chef Masters. Participating Orange County restaurants include Antonello’s, Chaparosa Grill, Citrus City Grille, Brasserie Pascal, El Callejon, Geisha House, Lucca Café, Pacific Whey, 118 Degrees, The OC Wine & Food Center and more.

The OC Wine Opener will also feature local Orange County winery, Jumping Vines, as well as Temecula’s award winning Briar Rose Winery, and others including, Constellation Wines, J. Lohr Vineyards, Oreana Winery, Semler & Saddlerock Wines, PRP International, with St. James Spirits, Karma Tequila and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery. A special limited edition OC Wine Opener t-shirt will be designed by the trendsetting Orange County-based Hozell clothing, whose shirts can be found at Fred Segal and worn by several cast members of HBO’s Entourage.

Please join us for this inaugural event!

Event Date: Sunday 12/6/2009, 5:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Location: Orange County Wine & Food Center
Address: The OC Wine & Food Center, 1570 Scenic Ave, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626

Westwood College Dedicates a Memorial to our Publisher...

The recently completed commons area at Westwood College - South Bay Campus has been dedicated to the memory of former CAD/ID Lead Instructor and Westwood's 2007 National Instructor of the Year, Saeed Danosian, who passed away in December of 2008. Students using the facilities are now welcomed by a portrait of Saeed, drawn by Interior Design student Ace Cesar Mendez. A tribute to Saeed’s passion for teaching was written by faculty and hand painted by Game Art student Isabel Zapata.







You are truly missed.

Thank you to everyone at Westwood College for this amazing honor.

A Sneak Peek at our Winter Issue!

As we round out 2009 and slowly inch towards 2010, there are many trends to look forward to in the new year. From fashion to food to the economy, we've got everything you need to know and look forward to in the new year. Last year was a tough year for everyone - including the good old OC - but we've all made it through and are looking forward to bigger and brighter things in the new year!



With that said, flip through our winter issue to find an exclusive interview with renowned chef and restaurateur Michael Mina. He shares with us how he got started from a young age and how his Egyptian roots and mom's home cooking influenced his style. With more than 16 restaurants under his management, he lets us in on his world and how he runs everything while spending time with his family! And read all about his latest project in Las Vegas, American Fish, in the new City Center. And, of course, for all of us OC foodies, how could you not be obsessed with the one and only Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis Resort? Love it.

What else is hot in 2010? Food, of course. Let us fill you in on the most amazing delights... from French macarons to Korean tacos, OC LIFE's food editor has everything covered... including some foodie terms you should add to your vocab ;)



Want more? Of course you do! Pick up the REAL thing starting tomorrow at all of our OC locations! And if you can't wait till tomorrow... check out our website tonight for a page-by-page version!

Until next season... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Check us out on Facebook!

Become a fan of OC LIFE on Facebook and you won't miss a single one of our events!

www.facebook.com/oclifemagazine

Fall Cover Shoot

We just wrapped up our fall cover shoot featuring internationally acclaimed writer and scholar Reza Aslan.



We even captured some images with Reza's ADORABLE 11-month-old puppy!



Another fun shoot as always! Special thanks to photographer Ben Bernous :) Stay tuned for the finished product which will be on stands September 1st.

Another Bloomi's Cooking Demo!

GREAT GRILLING FOR FATHER'S DAY
With OC LIFE Magazine’s Chef Anahita Naderi!

Wednesday, June 10th @ 6:00pm
Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza

This Father's Day, treat Dad to a BBQ for once! Not sure where to start? Chef Anahita's going to teach you essential grilling techniques for a great celebration with Dad.

On the menu:
Grilled Lamb Chops with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce & Herbed Pita

YUM!

** These amazing demos are FREE and open to the public so take advantage!!

OC LIFE at Bloomi's!

Our food editor Anahita Naderi had an awesome demo last weekend at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza. Check out the pics!






Watermelon Caprese Salad

Spicy Romesco Chicken

... and Strawberry Marscapone Parfait - YUM!

Stay tuned for more upcoming demos featuring some of the Chefs we've featured in previous issues!

Meet our Food Editor Chef Anahita Naderi at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza... and be the first to pick up a copy of our June issue!

Chef Anahita’s love for cooking and entertaining will inspire you to create an easy and delicious Bridal Shower Brunch in your home.

Saturday, May 16 @ 1:00p
Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza

ON THE MENU:
Watermelon Caprese Salad, Spicy Romesco Chicken, Strawberry Marscapone Parfait, and a delicious Mimosa Float!

RSVP at 714.824.4562

PS: Don't forget to pick up a copy of our June issue!

Check out the June issue!

The June issue is available online starting today... and will be available at all of our O.C. locations on Monday!

This month we've dedicated our entire issue to ethnic and exotic food trends. From hot stone cooking to the luscious lychee fruit to a list of 7 exotic must-have spices!



Also on the menu, OC LIFE's Chef Anahita reviews the newly opened Italian restaurant Pizzeria Ortica in Costa Mesa.

And finally, don't miss our natural hair and beauty tips, summer fashion trends and another hilarious Ask An Asian column.

www.ocLIFEmagazine.com

Don't forget the NEW locations where you can pick up OC LIFE:
Wholesome Choice, Anaheim Hills
Jordan Market, Laguna Hills
Urban Ranch Market, Irvine @ the Plaza

Until next time!

Behind the scenes of our June issue!

Another awesome photo shoot!

Our June issue focuses on ethnic food trends in O.C. and this month we had the pleasure of working with the talented Bob Hodson and his assistant Justin Veiga - YOU GUYS ROCK!

Special thanks to H-Mart for providing us with an authentic Bibimbap bowl... and last, but certainly not least, our food editor Anahita Naderi for preparing the Bibimbap (from scratch!) and designing the plating.

Stay tuned for the final product on stands mid-May!

New Locations!

You can now pick up your copy of OC LIFE at two new locations in OC!

- Wholesome Choice, Anaheim Hills
- Urban Ranch Market, Irvine

Pick up your copy today!

OC LIFE supports the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles + Noor Iranian Film Festival

OC LIFE has partnered up with the 2009 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles as a media sponsor (http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/sponsors.php)

And speaking of international film festivals in Los Angeles, OC LIFE is once again partnering with the Noor Iranian Film Festival as a media sponsor this year.

Stay tuned for all the details in our April-May issue of OC LIFE!

a sneak peek at our march-april issue

Our March-April issue features a famous O.C. family. We've all been to their restaurant, but few know the story behind their journey. From Tijuana to Orange County, the Sosa family tell us all about their road to success.

Stay tuned!

Find us on Facebook!

A fan of the magazine? Check out our new page on Facebook:

CLICK HERE!

Behind the Scenes of our February Cover

The February cover was an amazing experience... we witnessed the beautiful art of mendhi being intricately drawn on the hands of our model, former Miss India USA Ayushka Singh, and we also had the pleasure of working with Frontier Heritage Boutique and Raj Jewels who provided over $50,000 worth of clothing and jewels for the shoot.





Special thanks to Ziba Beauty - particularly artistic director Oscar Naranjo who did the hair and makeup - and Patty, the amazing mendhi artist.

A change in our release date!

Effective February 1, 2009, OC LIFE will now be published on the 15th of each month. Therefore, our issue will be labeled in this format:

February-March 2009
March-April 2009
April-May 2009

And so on...

Even though two months are listed on the cover, we are still a MONTHLY magazine!

Flamenco Fever: The Language of the Fan

Our January cover story featured a few meanings of the different ways flamenco dancers pose with their fans. Check out the full list below!

1) THE FAN PLACED NEAR THE HEART:
"You have won my love."
2) A CLOSED FAN TOUCHING THE RIGHT EYE:
"When may I be allowed to see you?"
3) THE NUMBER OF STICKS SHOWN ANSWERED THE QUESTION:
At what hour?"
4) THREATENING MOVEMENTS WITH A FAN CLOSED:
Do not be so imprudent"
5) HALF-OPENED FAN PRESSED TO THE LIPS:
"You may kiss me."
6) HANDS CLASPED TOGETHER HOLDING AN OPEN FAN:
"Forgive me."
7) COVERING THE LEFT EAR WITH AN OPEN FAN:
"Do not betray our secret."
8) HIDING THE EYES BEHIND AN OPEN FAN:
"I love you."
9) SHUTTING A FULLY OPENED FAN SLOWLY:
"I promise to marry you."
10) DRAWING THE FAN ACROSS THE EYES:
"I am sorry."
11) TOUCHING THE FINGER TO THE TIP OF THE FAN:
"I wish to speak with you."
12) LETTING THE FAN REST ON THE RIGHT CHEEK:
"Yes."
13) LETTING THE FAN REST ON THE LEFT CHEEK:
"No."
14) OPENING AND CLOSING THE FAN SEVERAL TIMES:
"You are cruel"
15) DROPPING THE FAN:
"We will be friends."
16) FANNING SLOWLY:
"I am married."
17) FANNING QUICKLY:
"I am engaged."
18) PUTTING THE FAN HANDLE TO THE LIPS:
"Kiss me."
19) OPENING A FAN WIDE:
"Wait for me."
20) PLACING THE FAN BEHIND THE HEAD:
"Do not forget me"
21) PLACING THE FAN BEHIND THE HEAD WITH FINGER EXTENDED:
"Goodbye."
22) FAN IN RIGHT HAND IN FRONT OF FACE:
"Follow me."
23) FAN IN LEFT HAND IN FRONT OF FACE:
"I am desirous of your acquaintance."
24) FAN HELD OVER LEFT EAR:
"I wish to get rid of you."
25) DRAWING THE FAN ACROSS THE FOREHEAD:
"You have changed."
26) TWIRLING THE FAN IN THE LEFT HAND:
"We are being watched."
27) TWIRLING THE FAN IN THE RIGHT HAND:
"I love another."
28) CARRYING THE OPEN FAN IN THE RIGHT HAND:
"You are too willing."
29) CARRYING THE OPEN FAN IN THE LEFT HAND:
"Come and talk to me."
30) DRAWING THE FAN THROUGH THE HAND:
"I hate you!"
31) DRAWING THE FAN ACROSS THE CHEEK:
"I love you!"
32) PRESENTING THE FAN SHUT:
"Do you love me?"