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Good morning, Orange County. This is Thrive OC, where keeping track of local happenings is easier than finding parking at Laguna Beach in July. Here’s what’s on deck today:

• A Scenic Dining Gem in Orange

• Thrive OC's First-Ever Live Event

• Irvine Lands a Major International Market

• First Look at the OC Streetcar

• Important Shellfish Safety Alert

• Upcoming Events: Greek Celebrations, Scottish Festivities, and More

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Orange Hill Restaurant

Perched atop the hills of Orange, Orange Hill Restaurant blends breathtaking views with culinary excellence. Recently featured as one of OpenTable's Most Romantic Restaurants in OC, it offers upscale New American cuisine, delightful cocktails, and an ambiance highlighted by koi ponds and waterfalls.

Must-order tip: Sip cocktails by the fireplace at sunset… the best seats fill quickly!

📍 6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869

🏄 Local News You Should Know

🌟 Canada's Largest Asian Grocery Chain Coming to Irvine

T&T Supermarket, Canada's biggest Asian grocery store, will open its first-ever Southern California location right here in Irvine at the Canopy at Great Park, in winter 2026. The 34,000-square-foot flagship store will feature an in-store bakery and kitchen, perfect for a quick bite after games at the Great Park Sports Complex.

T&T CEO Tina Lee says the store aims to become a community hub for families exploring traditional ingredients and new culinary trends.

🚋 OC Streetcar Gets Rolling

The long-awaited OC Streetcar is now 92% complete. The first railcar has officially arrived and testing will start soon. The 4.1-mile line connecting Santa Ana to Garden Grove is expected to open in spring 2026. Get ready for quicker connections to Metrolink, Amtrak, and local hotspots.

🚨 Health Alert: Shellfish Safety Advisory

Planning to enjoy freshly harvested mussels or oysters? Hold that thought. The California Department of Public Health issued a warning advising against consuming any sport-harvested bivalve shellfish (mussels, oysters, clams, scallops) from Orange County's coastal waters due to elevated toxins. Commercial shellfish are still safe. For updates, call the Shellfish Hotline: 1-800-553-4133.

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

🍸 Thrive After Dark (Date & Location TBA)

We’re thrilled to announce Thrive OC’s first-ever live event: Thrive After Dark. Enjoy an intimate evening of live music, short talks from creative local minds, and genuine connections—no awkward networking, just real conversations and a little unpredictability. Spots will be limited, VIP members get discounted tickets.

Reply “Yes” to this email if you’re interested!

🥕 Dana Point Organic Market Block Party (May 15, 4–8 PM)

A street fair with soul—bioregional eats, handmade goods, local music, and good vibes, brought to life by The Ecology Center and the City of Dana Point.

📍 Amber Lantern, 34201 Amber Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
🎟️ Free entry · Food · Music · Family-friendly

🇬🇷 OC Greek Festival (May 16–18)

Savor authentic Greek cuisine—from juicy souvlaki to irresistible baklava—in Anaheim’s annual celebration of Greek culture. Opa!

📍 405 North Dale Ave, Anaheim

🍓 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (Memorial Day Weekend, May 23–26)

Free entry, carnival rides, live music, and all the strawberry-inspired treats you could want—Garden Grove’s sweetest weekend is back.

📍 Village Green Park, 12732 Main St, Garden Grove, CA 92840

🍷 Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival (May 23–25)

Balboa Bay Resort kicks off summer with a luxe wine weekend:

• May 23: Winemaker Dinner w/ Jean-Charles Boisset

• May 24: Grand Tasting – wine, spirits, bites & live music

• May 25: Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch

🎟 View Schedule and Tickets | 21+ only

📍 Balboa Bay Resort: 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Fest & Highland Games (May 24–25)

Experience Scottish and Irish culture with traditional games, whisky tastings, and Celtic rock bands at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Did you know Orange County was once part of Los Angeles County? In 1889, residents voted to split off and form their own county, named after the vast citrus groves that defined the landscape.

Think you know OC? Reply with your best trivia, and we might feature it next!

🎉 VIP Shoutouts!

A big welcome to our newest Thrive OC VIPs—Victoria! Thanks for being part of the community—we’ve got some exclusive perks coming your way! 🚀✨

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, May 16:

1. Alza Italian Kitchen (Rancho Santa Margarita) – George Fryer Band, 6:00 PM

2. Barnoa Wine Company (San Clemente) – Felisha, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

3. Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill (Lake Forest) – Y2k2k, 8:30 PM

4. Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar (Laguna Niguel) – Caroline "Kaeyra" Baran, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

5. San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Tight Rope, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

6. StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – Flashback Heart Attack, 9:00 PM

7. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Tijuana Dogs, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

8. Biergarten (Huntington Beach) – The B-52's, Blondie & Devo Tributes, 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM

9. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – The Iron Maidens & More, 5:00 PM

10. Keno's Restaurant (Anaheim Hills) – Matt Koerner, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

11. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Pretzel Logic – A Steely Dan Revue, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

12. The Wayfarer (Costa Mesa) – Sega Genecide, 10:00 PM

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

Big News for OC Locals: Your New Go-To Guide is Here 📘

We’ve been hard at work and are proud to announce that The Ultimate OC Guide is finally here! This e-book is packed with 150+ pages of curated OC gold—hidden gems, date spots, dog-friendly favorites, annual events, and more.

Normally $40+, we’re giving it away for just $10 for a limited time!

Thrive OC VIPs? It’s yours for FREE. Check your inbox 👀

💛 Want to support but not ready to grab the guide? You can still help keep Thrive OC running strong — Donate here.

Or, take your OC experience to the next level—join Thrive OC VIP for exclusive discounts, VIP event access, and insider perks while supporting local businesses!

Your support means the world—thank you for being part of the Thrive OC community! 🙌

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