Holiday Toy Express

Coming soon to a train station near you... the Metrolink's Holiday Toy Express. So what exactly is the Holiday Toy Express? It's a "450-ton train decorated with holiday displays and 50,000 twinkling lights that delivers a live musical performance, Santa, Mr. Clause & their friends... Santa's glittering train will travel from city to city, entertaining families and collecting toys for those in need of some holiday goodwill." So, before you bundle everyone up & head out to see Santa & his holiday train, please remember to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the the Southland Firefighters' "Spark of Love" toy drive. Local firefighters typically collect more than 100,000 annually during the toy drive. All toys collected will be distributed by firefighters to families in their local communities who may not be able to afford gifts this holiday season.

Below is a list of the Orange County train stations where Holiday Toy Express will be stopping. However if you are looing for the ENTIRE schedule of the 47-city tour, which will visit six counties go HERE.

Saturday, December 5th
Tustin, 5:45 pm
Irvine, 6:30 pm
Laguna Niguel/ Mission Viejo, 7:30 pm
San Juan Capistrano, 8:30pm

Sunday, December 6th
San Clemente North, 5:45pm
Camp Pendleton USMC, 7:15pm
San Clemente Pier, 8:45pm

Saturday, December 12th
Anaheim, 5:15pm
Orange, 6:00pm
Santa Ana, 7:00pm
Fullerton, 8:30pm

xoxo, K
image via the Burbank Leader

The Science of Gingerbread at the Discovery Science Center

Just in time for the holidays, The Discovery Science Center presents The Science of Gingerbread, Now - January 3rd 201o. Families will be able to see the scientific background of how ingredients in Gingerbread work together to create a traditional holiday treat. But that's not all... besides the kitchen science activities, be sure to check out the "Science of Snow" stage show, decorating demonstrations & the gingerbread, toy & game displays.

For The Discovery Science Center hours, ticket prices, location & daily field trip schedule go HERE, or buy tickets online HERE.

Feeling a little competitive? "Try your hand at creating a delicious masterpiece out of gingerbread, icing, and other edibles in this year's Annual Gingerbread Competition." Simply bring your entry to the The Discovery Science Center by November 30th, at 4pm. Judging will occur November 30th & December 1st, and the Gingerbread Houses will be on display until January 3rd, 2010. For more information about the Annual Gingerbread Competition go HERE. For gingerbread tips & tricks a la Disneyland's Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Marc Viallet go HERE.

What: The Science of Gingerbread
Where: The Discovery Science Center
When: Now - January 3rd 201o

xoxo, K

LXM Pro Lacrosse Music Tour featuring Akon

This Saturday, November 21st, LXM PRO the first professional lacrosse event of its kind, is taking Orange County by storm... LXM PRO features a "Showcase" lacrosse game highlighting 40 of the best players in the world, an MCLA game featuring powerhouse Chapman vs. UCSB, live comedy and a BLOWOUT concert event featuring today's hottest artists.

LXM PRO will also feature an on-the-field casting call, powered by Sports Studio Casting, searching for fresh athletic-actors to cast in upcoming Hollywood productions, LAX clinics, and much more entertainment throughout the day.

Obviously, this is sooo much more than a lacrosse match. It's more like "X-Games" meets "Lollapalooza." For more schedule, ticketing, or any other information, visit the LXM PRO website HERE.

What: LXM PRO
When: Saturday, November 21st, 10am - 10pm
Where: Santa Ana Stadium, 602 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703

xoxo, K
image via LXM PRO

I scream, You scream, We all scream for Ice Cream.

Hans' Homemade Ice Cream is an old-time traditional ice cream parlor. Ice cream is made on the premises & the scoops are HUGE. With 55 flavors you're sure to find something you like. & although they've got the basics like chocolate, vanilla & strawberry, you can be sure they'll have something special in store as well... black licorice, chocolate malt, black raspberry cheesecake & swiss orange chip, just to name a few. Just in case you're in the mood for a little bit more, ice cream isn't the only thing they serve. You can also get salads, sandwiches & frozen bananas. But my favorite thing on the menu? The Mint Chocolate Munchie. It's their version of an ice cream sandwich - 2 oatmeal cookies filled with mint chocolate chip ice cream & then dipped in chocolate!

Han's Homemade Ice Cream
3640 S. Bristol St.
Santa Ana, CA
92704
(714)979-8815

xoxo, K