Now in its 21st year, Wild & Crazy Taco Night™ has become one of the most popular events in Orange County! Get ready for a fun and festive evening where 25 of Orange County’s finest chefs and restaurants each prepare an unusual and unique taco. The chefs’ creativity is endless and the food leaves guests talking for the rest of the year!  Mike and I went last year and enjoyed the food, the chefs from places like The Island Hotel, Taco Asylum, Slapfish, Sol Cochina and meeting lots of new Friends!

You don’t want to miss the pre-event VIP Party! Participating guests will enjoy early admission into the event and will have the opportunity to meet all of the chefs and sample their tacos before the general event begins. The VIP Reception has sold out each year. VIP ticket purchasers will also be entered to win a Tres Sietes Tequila basket featuring three bottles of premium tequilas, including a Limited Edition Wyland Series bottle.

The Wild and Crazy Taco Night is held at Share Our Selves, 1550 Superior Avenue, Costa Mesa, 92627 5:30—7:30 pm To Purchase Tickets go to: http://www.shareourselves.org/events/

Event proceeds benefit the SOS Food Pantry feeding more than
275 Orange County families each day.



TIP OF THE MONTH . . . . Debit Cards

Using your Debit Card—Run it as a Credit Card.  No need to put in your pin and it eliminates most of those annoying questions . . . “do you want cash back?” . . . “is the amount correct?” . . . “what is the birthday of your first born?”
I quit putting my pin in a long time ago, because of those questions and now I find it is much safer too!  If they steal your card number they don’t have your pin—so your bank account is safe from those annoying hackers!!

DEE’S TALK OF THE COAST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEE DAWSON

Wow....can’t believe Springtime is right around the corner!!  Hopefully the rains will soon have the Island bursting with blooms!  Most Balboa Islanders who take pride in showcase-quality gardens know ‘the’ nursery of all nurseries, right around the corner @ Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar, is an experience to simply stroll the grounds this time of the year.  Take in the colorful beauty, then pick up your seed-packets, potted plants, gardening-tools & gloves.  Stop in soon!  

Sunny days ahead on Balboa Island, as in ’Sunny Days’ clothing store at 304 Marine Ave.  I had eye-candy all around me as I browsed this eclectic collection of women’s apparel & hand-crafted accessories.  Pleasant and efficient ‘Jocelyn’, showed me around all the name-labels and artisans. ‘Soul Sisters’ a sibling duo out of San Clemente have the coolest, hand-crafted jewelry for the store, featuring precious gems w/ silver.  Prices begin at $160.00 . Other labels in the shop are the wildly popular ‘Lisette’ - fit-perfection pant collection, ‘Allen-Allen’ relaxed separates for Spring “14 and famous ‘Tom’s Shoes’.  Did you know that there are many other ‘Sunny Days’ stores - all around Southern CA.?  I recently (also) popped into her SD store in the quaint shopping-district of Old Town Orange - same great merchandise, same great service.  Rate this shopping experience, 5 stars!!  

What better time for ‘new-beginnings’ than getting your home ready for Sale?  For all your Island listing needs drop into neighborhood realtor HOM (Sotheby’s International Realty) at 332 Marine Ave.  I spoke w/with energetic Agent Ron Schwalbe, in the inviting sitting-area of HOM.  He wants all Islanders to know that he provides their ‘own’ weekly and monthly listings.  HOM also offers a private client-only shuttle cart for viewing listings on Balboa Island.  Stop in soon and enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne before a crackling fire.  Tell Ron I sent you!  949.723.1363

Get in shape for spring with Natalie at Island Pilates 307 Marine Ave. Everything to work with from Reformer Machines to Mat!  Friendly people—great equipment—lots of classes and private lessons!  Stop in soon and start slimming up for beach weather, ahead!  

I sampled the many offerings featured at the ‘Taste of OC’ held at Newport Lexus - Restaurant Week.  Lot’s of hot spots participated, but (2) that sent my taste buds reeling, were signature dishes from Paul Martins Newport B. - best ever short-ribs over mashed garlic potatoes - yum!  Comfort in overdrive!  Then the ever-popular Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Cafe - Downtown Disney, was a true treat.  The food is a Cajun-lover’s dream - all things Bayou!  I tried the Gumbo Ya-Ya and spectacular Green Goddess Salad.  Unbelievable!  The cornbread is even better, but I hope you like hot and spicy . . .

As reported erroneously in the last Coastal Breeze the ‘new stand’ opening at 211 Marine Ave. is actually a Chicago Hot Dog stand.  There are a couple of great burgers on the menu, but the focus is on the Chicago Hot Dogs. We are all anticipating the Grand Opening!




EASTER IS COMING!!!
SURPRISE YOUR FAVORITE WOMAN WITH A BEAUTIFUL SILK SCARF