Best Amusement Park/Family Fun Center Boomers! Irvine Boomers maintains its top spot in the ranking, which is no surprise considering the variety of activities offered at the park. From miniature golf, Go Karts, rides, Lazer Tag and climbing walls to batting cages and arcade games, just about anyone can find...
Best Faith-Based School Covenant Christian School — Orange Covenant Christian School, which has been serving Orange County since 1985, makes the readers’ choice ranking again. The school offers education for children in kindergarten through middle school as well as academic coaching and enrichment programs, all done in a nurturing, secure...
Best After-School Program Lyceum Village The nonprofit helps parents of children in kindergarten through eighth grade, and the parents continue appreciating their efforts. Lyceum Village staff picks up kids from school and helps them with homework. The kids can also participate in a variety of extracurricular classes, such as music,...
Best Cosmetic Surgeon Terry Dubrow, MD You might recognize Dr. Terry Dubrow from his multiple TV shows, including “Real Housewives of Orange County,” “Botched” and “Botched by Nature,” or his books — but long before Hollywood fame, he was already known for his cosmetic and reconstructive surgery skills. As passionate...
Best Girls Softball League Mission Viejo Girls Softball The USA-affiliated Junior Olympic fast-pitch softball league wins the top spot again. The nonprofit’s program centers around good sportsmanship, loyalty, honesty and courage — qualities young girls ages 5 to 15 from cities around South Orange County get to learn as they...
(Photo Courtesy of The Mommy Center) Best Mommy & Me The Mommy Center The Mommy Center is a no-judgment zone for all things motherhood. It’s where moms can go to socialize, find support and make new friends for themselves and their little ones. The Mommy Center also offers a variety...
(Photo Courtesy of Ruby's Diner) Best “Kids Eat Free” Restaurant Ruby’s Diner Ruby’s Diner wins for the 18th time. The retro restaurant started out as a small shack on Balboa Pier in Newport Beach and is now serving up burgers, fries and shakes throughout America. The menu includes kids’ classics...
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Seth Britton Red Hill Lutheran School “I believe leadership and learning are integral to a life well-lived. To be recognized in this way affirms this truth, and serves as a reminder that true leadership is guiding others toward a greater understanding of what is right and true, all for the...
Francheska Anderson Loma Ridge Elementary School “I feel lucky to work with an incredible team who supports me in so many ways. … Working with students and a supportive staff makes work something I always look forward to.” Library/media technician Francheska Anderson has positively affected the growth of hundreds of...
Augustine Cheung Heritage Oak Private School “This nomination is an honor. It means that hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. I am thankful to my directors and peers for believing in me.” Lynda Donovan Our Lady Queen of Angels School “I am humbled to be...
Jeff Baldo Servite High School “It is a blessing to be part of a community that allows its teachers to make their classrooms their own unique learning environment for students. … This nomination is truly a celebration of all of the amazing people in my life.” After a stint in...
(Photo Courtesy of Churrino Gourmet Churros Gelato) Churrino Gourmet Churros Churrino Gourmet Churros & Gelato has opened its second SoCal location in the Collage Culinary Experience. Founders Nicolas Silva and Kelvin Tan first brought the authentic flavors of their home countries Brazil and Burma to America in 2019 with their...
Meet the judges for the Top Teacher & Employee Awards of 2022... From Parenting OC Publisher Randall Tierney Editor Jessica Peralta Marketing & Events Coordinator Madison Amirehteshami Top Teacher Philip Chow, Beckman High School Top 10 Teacher Sara Hosseini, Aliso Viejo Middle School Jesus Silva, Teacher, Nicolas Junior High School, Fullerton...
Readers tell us their family’s favorite places to visit for summer. With COVID restrictions lifting and locations reopening, we asked our readers to share their favorite family-friendly places to visit for summer. Those who responded were entered in a drawing for a chance to win a four-pack of Knott’s Berry...
(BAM Grand Opening/Photo Courtesy of Accent Portraits by Diane) A new dance studio has opened in South Orange County. Owner and mother of two Amanda Cobb teaches ballet, hip-hop, jazz dancing, modern, gymnastics and more at Ballet Academy and Movement (BAM). Cobb’s love of teaching, coupled with the lack of...
Top Teacher of Orange County 2021 Phillip Chow Beckman High School in Irvine At the beginning of the year, during Phillip Chow’s five-minute meeting with each student, he lets them ask him three questions of their choice. The top question is usually: “Why are you so happy?” “My answer is...
Top Teacher of Orange County 2021 Phillip Chow Beckman High School in Irvine At the beginning of the year, during Phillip Chow’s five-minute meeting with each student, he lets them ask him three questions of their choice. The top question is usually: “Why are you so happy?” “My answer is...
Top Employee of Orange County 2021 Shawnna Sharrar San Joaquin Elementary School in Laguna Hills Multitasker really doesn’t fully capture Shawnna Sharrar’s unique skillset. “If the saying about wearing many hats was applied to Mrs. Sharrar, she could open her own boutique,” states the essay nominating Sharrar for Parenting OC’s...
Top Leader of Orange County 2021 Paul Marquardt Red Hill Lutheran School in Tustin There’s a very long list of leadership skills that Red Hill Lutheran School Principal Paul Marquardt embodies. “Personable, humble, spontaneous, daring, funny, sociable, approachable and fearless leader … unifying, available, visible, involved, devoted, smart, supportive, encouraging,...
Top Leader of Orange County Schools 2021 Paul Marquardt Red Hill Lutheran School in Tustin There’s a very long list of leadership skills that Red Hill Lutheran School Principal Paul Marquardt embodies. “Personable, humble, spontaneous, daring, funny, sociable, approachable and fearless leader … unifying, available, visible, involved, devoted, smart, supportive,...
Top Teachers Nominees 2021 Judging Criteria for Teachers Creativity in teaching methodTeaches other teachersPassion/personally involvedCommunity service/nonprofit workMultiple school dutiesHeads up and starts up other school programsYears of serviceWrites grants or raises funds for schoolStudent and/or parent favorite Top 25 Teachers Miriam BernardHeritage OakSara BridgmanRed Hill Lutheran SchoolKenton BuckTarbut V'TorahPhillip ChowBeckman...
For Kids Mickey Mouse Activity Bench Mickey Mouse is 92 years old this holiday season and what better way to celebrate than gifting your little one a piece from Delta Children’s licensed Mickey Mouse line. Bring home the fun-loving charm of Mickey Mouse and his friends Minnie, Donald Duck and...
Find out how these OC mompreneurs have adjusted and adapted throughout 2020. Jasmine Roth Age: 36 Family: Husband, Brett; daughter, Hazel, 5.5 months City: Huntington Beach Star of: HGTV’s “Help! I Wrecked My House”; previously on “Hidden Potential” How did your passion for home construction and design begin? “By accident!...
Standing Desk ConverterNowadays with work and home life blurring together, there couldn’t be a better addition to your office than a compact sit-stand desk converter. Make your work days more productive by periodically standing to help boost your energy and focus. No need to buy a whole new furniture set...
Fork & Knife Chef Jonathan Blackford has opened Fork & Knife in Costa Mesa, a high-end market with grab-and-go prepared foods like freshly-made pastas, jams, sauces, dressings and more. Along with retail-focused items, Fork & Knife offers fully prepared meals for families to pick up. Serving as an extension of...
Get the family into the Halloween spirit this year with these fun products. Feeling Witchy Gift Box Feeling that Halloween itch? This gift box from Peace Organics includes a black charcoal cold-process soap bar, a candle of choice and a box of matches. The candle is available in several fall...
Parents have a lot to handle these days. Here are some methods for staying sane when things get real. Becoming a parent and having the opportunity to raise a little one of your own is one of the best gifts that life has to offer. Still, as beautiful as the...
The COVID-19 pandemic has created some big changes for the American education system. Here are how some OC private schools have adapted. The coronavirus pandemic has transformed California's classrooms in an unprecedented way. Kids are home. Parents are moving into a much more active role in education. Living rooms...
West Coast Style IPA Beer Brewing Kit Dads with a taste for beer will be delighted by this kit that can turn any kitchen into a craft brewery ready to serve only the best IPA. This homemade beer contains 100 percent malt extract, specialty grains, high-quality yeast and aromatic Summit...
While sheltering-in-place, parents can plan ahead for the best ways to re-socialize their kids. Family life has changed dramatically in the wake of the worldwide spread of COVID-19. Without the outlet of school, work, parks and other community activities, local families are experiencing more time together than ever before. Melyssa...
Why it matters. April 1 marks Census Day. People in California and across the country can now fill out the Census in order to provide an accurate count of all people in the United States. The California Census happens once every 10 years and is the only official population count...
Myths for Little Yogis Megan Henderson wrote the book “Myths for Little Yogis — Shiva's Dance” to share what the wonders of yoga practice can do for everyone. Henderson’s passion for yoga accessibility stems from her work promoting the healing power of yoga to children with special needs. Yoga helped...