TAKE NOTE
By Caitlin Antonios, Ashley Ryan and Paige Wood | Contributor
FALL 2024 ISSUE
FROM STAGE TO PAGE
Photo courtesy of Murphy Karges
Murphy Karges, Sugar Ray’s founding bassist and co-songwriter, has released his debut book, “Basics for Bassists: or How to Not Suck at Playing Bass.” Having spent 35 years on global stages and nearly five years creating content on YouTube, Murphy has a deep understanding of how to effectively learn and teach music. The book was born from his realization that learning music, songs and bass are not as hard as some may think. As a self-taught musician, he knows the trials and tribulations of learning an instrument or trying to understand music — but also believes the process is meant to be enjoyed, not feared. Great for all ages, “Basics for Bassists” is a music toolbox, a thrilling storybook and an indispensable guide to mastering the instrument.
MURPHYKARGES.COM | IG: @MURPHYKARGES - PW
DINE FOR DOGS
Senior and special needs dogs are some of the happiest and most loving you’ll meet, but they’re often the first ones to be abandoned or overlooked. On Sept. 22, Chef Masters is hosting a culinary event on the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach benefitting Unconditional Rescue and the canine companions under its care. Enjoy delicious bites and sips from the community’s top chefs, wineries and restaurants while supporting a special cause. Proceeds from the evening will help build a new state-of-the-art rescue facility in Laguna Beach where potential adopters will have a chance to meet and form connections with deserving dogs who need a home. Tickets are on sale now for $500.
CHEFMASTERS.ORG | IG: @CHEFMASTERSEVENT - PW
Photo courtesy of Chef Masters
CURIOUS MINDS AND CAPTIVATING CONVERSATIONS
Photo courtesy of The Curious Community Podcast
Carrie Freitas, the founder of Kitchen Table Marketing + PR and editor of Tableau magazine, launched a new podcast this summer called The Curious Community. She leverages her experience as journalist and seasoned PR pro to engage in lively, fun conversations with interesting people, connecting with them on a deeper level as she dives into their stories. Each episode promises to deliver fresh perspectives celebrate the achievements of everyday innovators like Raili Clasen, an interior designer featured in the inaugural episode. Listeners got an inside look at Raili’s successful career, including how she developed her signature surf style, where she finds inspiration and the craziest designs she’s ever tackled. The episode set a vibrant and engaging tone for the series that will be filled with intriguing insights and inspiration.
CURIOUSCOMMUNITYPODCAST.COM | IG: @CURIOUSCOMMUNITYPODCAST - PW
CANINE CUISINE
A new food pantry designed for pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness opened at the Multi-Service Center in July, making it easier than ever to make sure nutritious meals are available for those in need — no questions asked. While the center and the pantry are operated by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, this endeavor came about with the support of the nonprofit Project Street Vet and Kismet, a pet brand started by dog lovers John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. Thanks to Kismet, the pantry is stocked with more than 2,500 pounds of dog food and treats, which builds upon the city’s efforts to collect donations pet food and other essentials for those experiencing homelessness since early 2023.
LONGBEACH.GOV - AR
Photo courtesy of Kismet Pets
DINNER WITH A VIEW
Photo courtesy of Jolie
Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to beach days. One of Orange County’s newest restaurants, Jolie in Huntington Beach, allows diners to enjoy modern American cuisine with a view of the coastline from almost every table. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with a special brunch menu on the weekends, the restaurant also boasts a large cocktail menu featuring unique spirits like Japanese whiskey, house-infused watermelon mezcal and Awayuki Gin, a flavored Japanese spirit infused with strawberries from the country’s Nara Prefecture. The menu includes seasonal dishes like a shrimp, lobster and melon salad, but meat-eaters will likely be drawn to the perfectly pink prime rib dip, the tomahawk rib eye, or the maple-glazed double pork chop. Seafood lovers can indulge in a pistachio panko-crusted halibut or cioppino with clams, mussels, shrimp and mahi-mahi in a luscious tomato broth. Whether it’s a special date night or a quick lunch, the ocean views paired with a delicious meal keep the summer vibes going year-round.
JOLIEHB.COM | IG: @JOLIEHUNTINGTONBEACH -CA
THE MAGIC OF IMAGINATION
Modern-day museums are all about incorporating technology, screens and innovative new ways to educate. But at the Museum of Make Believe in Laguna Beach, founders and artists Amy and Geoff Mitchell strive for a throwback vibe, relying solely on storytelling and imagination. The experience starts from the moment you arrive, when a sign on the door encourages guests to knock three times before entering.
For an introduction to what the space is about, visit the inaugural exhibit, “Ghost Stories & Fairy Tales.” It’s set in a 1,000-square-foot enchanted forest that offers miniature dioramas, paintings, sculptures and audio components, all dreamt up by the couple. “The interaction … come[s] from the guests themselves: reading the stories, marveling at the old wizened trees, peering through the glass into a room of miniatures, stepping back in time in our circus tent — all designed so that people can interact with art in a unique way,” Amy says.
Though the project may sound like it’s aimed at children, those of all ages can enjoy this inspiring venue, where it’s easy to relive childhood and embrace the freedom of youth. General admission offers a self-guided experience or you can upgrade to packages that include a treasure hunt, complete with a prize, or an illustrated storybook that retells all of the original narratives found within the museum’s exhibit. Amy and Geoff plan to keep incorporating new pieces as they are created, including a life-size dragon that will soon make its debut. But the ultimate goal is to fundraise enough money to open a bigger space and continue sharing the magic of imagination with dreamers big and small.
MUSEUMOFMAKEBELIEVE.ORG | IG: @MUSEUMOFMAKEBELIEVE - AR
Photo courtesy of Jovanny Nolasco
MEET NEW ANIMAL FRIENDS
Tucked inside the 495-acre Irvine Regional Park is the small, but mighty OC Zoo. The zoo, where admission is just $2 per person (children 2 and under get in free), is focused on animals and plants native to the southwestern United States including jaguars and mountain lions. The zoo also has a barnyard with domestic goats and sheep that visitors can get up close and personal with. Take an audio tour using your own cell phone to learn more about the many animals housed there or stop by the story time area to hear from staff. After hanging out with new animal friends, explore the rest of the park and enjoy its numerous bike trails, botanical preserve, picnic areas, horseback riding, paddleboat rentals and more.
OCPARKS.COM | IG: @OCPARKS - CA
Photo courtesy of OC Zoo
REST AND RECOVER
Photo courtesy of Shape Shop
Orange County is littered with fitness companies offering everything from barre, HIIT, yoga and Pilates to CrossFit workouts and beach boot camps. However, the hard work put into these sessions is all for nothing if you don’t take the time to rest and recover. Just as nutrition is an essential part of health, recovery plays a crucial role in the outcome of your fitness journey. In order to enjoy long-term success, elevate your performance and prevent injuries from occurring, you can take care of your muscles at the new Shape-Shop studio in Costa Mesa. Shape-Shop, which launched in July, offers seven different types of recovery-centric treatments, including red light, compression and cupping therapies, a cold plunge, percussive massage, localized cryotherapy, and a mechanized massage via a body roller machine. The brand plans to expand to Newport Beach and Aliso Viejo in the coming months.
BECOME A HISTORY BUFF
Photo courtesy of The Hilbert Museum
Curious about what Orange County was like in the early 20th century? Or want to learn more about how Navajo women wove blankets in the 1800s? The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University showcases more than 5,000 works from various mediums of everyday life. Running through Oct. 26 is the museum’s latest show: California Art Club’s 113th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition. Taking over the museum’s south wing, the collection showcases the pioneers who inspired California Impressionism with nearly 180 works by 163 artists.
HILBERTMUSEUM.ORG | IG: @HILBERTMUSEUM - CA