In Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” an all-new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. Emily Blunt stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any ordinary task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London.
“Mary Poppins Returns” is directed by Rob Marshall. The screenplay is by David Magee and the screen story is by Magee & Rob Marshall & John DeLuca based upon the Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are John DeLuca, p.g.a., Rob Marshall, p.g.a. and Marc Platt, p.g.a. with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer. The music score is by Marc Shaiman and the film features all-new original songs with music by Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. The film also stars Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and introducing Joel Dawson as the Banks’ children, with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes, Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.
The heart-stopping and mysterious Agatha Christie classic, Murder on the Orient Express, has made its West Coast stop at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, bringing new chills and thrills to theatergoers just in time for Halloween. The play is part of La Mirada Theatre’s 25th Silver Anniversary season, starring Tony Amendola, Julia Aks, Hope Noel Bradley, Will Block, Anne Gee Byrd, Brad Culver, Christine Dunford, Zarah Mahler, Matthew Floyd Miller, Rachel Seiferth, and Time Winters.
The production marks the tale’s big debut as a full stage production. Adapted by Ken Ludwig and directed by Sheldon Epps, Murder on the Orient Express has a run time of just over 2 hours, allowing the story to flow at a smooth pace that neither feels rushed nor cut short. As expected from the venue, the production does not disappoint, bringing in only the best special effects, elaborate stage work, and top-notch acting. Once again, La Mirada Theatre proves you don’t need to venture into the heart of Hollywood or hit up the streets of Broadway to see high-quality theatre.
Amendola steals the show as the cunning Hercule Poirot, but is met with stiff competition from his entire ensemble, most notably Christine Dunford’s over the top performance as Helen Hubbard. Every player builds off one another and finds a way to keep things fresh, sending the audience into unexpected laughter and frivolity. For a dark and twisted story about murder, deception, and intrigue, things were surprisingly lighthearted while retaining the gravity that death possesses. Nevertheless, it was a fun and engaging take on the classic, holding onto the roots of what makes the fatal train ride such a fun adventure after all these years.
Hop aboard and keep your eyes open! Murder on the Orient Express will perform through Sunday, November 11th. Tickets will range from $20 to $84. You can learn more about available showings, upcoming events, and what’s still to come by visiting La Mirada Theatre’s official site!
The holidays are about to get a whole lot brighter with ABC’s immensely popular decorating competition series, “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” premiering MONDAY, NOV. 26 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST). Produced by Fremantle, the hit holiday series is back for a sixth season with returning celebrity judges: lifestyle expert Carter Oosterhouse and interior designer Taniya Nayak. ABC also announced the pickup of Season 7 to air in 2019. View a sneak peek of Season 6 here.
Season 6 of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” showcases the wildest and most spectacular Christmas displays in America. In each one-hour episode, four families from all around the country decorate their homes to the extreme in the hopes of winning the coveted Light Fight trophy and a $50,000 prize, with a total of $300,000 given away for the season. This season, as the temperature cools down, the competition heats up when families invite us from out of the snow inside their homes to witness their fantastic Christmas décor for the very first time. In addition to all of the stunning inside/outside displays, the first ever “Heavyweights” episode will showcase light shows that have grown too large for any home.
Carter Oosterhouse is one of America’s most recognized lifestyle experts. He recently helped kick off the “Trading Spaces” reboot earlier this year and has already begun filming Season 2. Oosterhouse provides green-building solutions and design alternatives that conserve energy and reduce environmental waste to each renovation project. He has become a go-to expert for many national outlets including “Rachael Ray,” Men’s Health, “The Today Show,” “The CBS Early Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The View,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Extra,” USA Today and The Los Angeles Times.
Taniya Nayak is the creative vision behind some of the most exciting new restaurant interiors and high-end residences across the country. She has appeared on “Good Morning America,” HGTV and Food Network, and is a regular guest on the “Rachael Ray” show. New projects include New England hot spots Lower Mills Tavern, Yellow Door Taqueria and several locations of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, as well as a home for Boston Bruins star Patrice Bergeron and an office for Ayesha Curry.
The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition
Back for a fourth season on The ABC Television Network, “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition,” based on the hit U.K. series “The Great British Bake Off,” returns THURSDAY, DEC. 6 (9:00 – 11:00 p.m. EST). Showcasing bakers from around the country each week, the series put their best recipes forward as they compete in holiday-themed challenges and eliminations, all hoping to be named America’s Best Amateur Baker.
Joining as the host this season, Spice Girl and television personality Emma Bunton, alongside returning host Anthony “Spice” Adams, will present bakers with weekly challenges as they turn up the heat in the kitchen creating sweet and savory holiday fare.
Joining the judge’s panel this season is three-time James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard. Each week, Yard and baker and best-selling cookbook author Paul Hollywood (“The Great British Bake Off”) will taste decadent and delicious treats while sharing advice and commentary in regards to the bakers’ techniques and skills.
Oh My Disney is raising the nostalgia bar with their brand new 90s Flashback Collection, giving a whole new reason for 90s babies and nostalgia freaks to jump for joy. Prepare to kick it old school with a custom series that will turn the clock back to the era of VHS,The Lion King, and denim.
The collection contains 61 products, ranging from key chains to purses, to office accessories. All of the items are custom made to throwback to the age of the Disney Renaissance and feature the following films: Hercules, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, A Goofy Movie, Aladdin, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
You can experience the “Circle of Life” in a brand new way with this amazing Lion King retro clock or fly to new heights wearing Aladdin‘s amazing Magic Carpet Demin Jacket. There are even Hercules commemorative mugs, perfect for hot chocolate and a Disney movie marathon. No matter your age or fandom, there’s definitely something for everyone.
Hit rewind and view the entire collection by clicking here.
Prepare to set sail, as the creative minds at Funko have revealed the latest Disney Parks exclusive Funko Pop! the figure, Redd the Pirate. For those who aren’t familiar with the story of Redd, her journey began earlier this year, landing in New Orleans Square and taking the park by storm with a brand new scene in the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Redd can also be found wandering around the square, eager to recruit a crew.
Redd making her debut appearance on June 8th, 2018 in New Orleans Square.
Freeform announced today that Bette Midler will join Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker for the network’s “Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash,” an all-star party in honor of the cult classic film’s milestone anniversary. The two-hour special, filmed at the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery to celebrate the movie’s status as a Halloween staple, will premiere on SATURDAY, OCT. 20 at 8:15-10:15 p.m. EDT/PDT, as part of Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming event.
Hosted by Vanessa Hudgens and Jordan Fisher, “Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash” will feature exclusive interviews with the Sanderson sisters themselves, Bette Midler (“Winifred Sanderson”), Kathy Najimy (“Mary Sanderson”), and Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sarah Sanderson”), plus musical performances by Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Jordin Sparks, Jordan Fisher, Emily Estefan, PrettyMuch and Junior New System, as well as a “Hocus Pocus” themed costume contest, judged by Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Margaret Cho and hosted by Ross Mathews. The special will also include exclusive interviews with “Hocus Pocus” cast and crew members Kenny Ortega (Director), Mick Garris (Writer), David Kirschner (Writer), Omri Katz (“Max”), Thora Birch (“Dani”), Vinessa Shaw (“Allison”), Sean Murray (“Thackery”), Amanda Shepherd (“Emily”), Doug Jones (“Billy Butcherson”), Larry Bagby (“Ernie”), Jason Marsden (voice of “Thackery Binx”), Tobias Jelinek (“Jay”), Peggy Holmes (choreographer) and John Debney (Composer). Drag superstar Lady Bunny will be rocking the spooky beats throughout the evening as the resident DJ.
The night of Oct. 20 will be full of bewitching fun as the network will also be airing a “Pop’n Knowledge” edition of “Hocus Pocus,” before and after the Bash at 6:05 p.m. EDT/PDT and 10:15 p.m. EDT/PDT. The special edition will celebrate everything about the iconic film and the fandom with a mix of trivia, funny observations and commentary around key moments and quotes. This “Pop’n Knowledge” version of “Hocus Pocus” is an experience no fan should miss!
“Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash” is executive produced by Kenny Ortega and Michael Levitt.
Twenty-five years after its theatrical release, “Hocus Pocus” is more popular than ever – exclusively airing on Freeform during the Network’s “31 Nights of Halloween” stunt, the film reached 8.2 million Total Viewers in its first week. If NATO’s average ticket price of $8.97 were applied to the film’s performance, “Hocus Pocus” would have had a weekend box-office equivalent of approximately $73.6 million in its first five days if it were released today.
During the first week of “31 Nights of Halloween,” Freeform ranked as the No. 1 cable network in the daypart among Women 18-34 (164,000) and Females 12-34 (202,000).
Freeform has expanded their annual Halloween programming event to “31 Nights of Halloween,” bringing more thrills and chills to the entire month. From Oct. 1, the network will be invaded by everyone’s favorite witches, a murderous barber, out of control dinosaurs and everything else that goes bump in the night. “Hocus Pocus” will air throughout the most haunting stunt on television, as well as conclude the event with a day-long marathon featuring the Sanderson Sisters on Oct. 31.
Build, play and display the classic fairy tales Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk with LEGO® Ideas 21315 Pop-up Book! Coming Nov 1! Click here for more info and to order once available. The set is available for $69.99, not bad for an 859 pc set.
This first-ever buildable pop-up book made from LEGO bricks opens to reveal the famous scene of grandmother’s forest cottage featuring opening door, bed and kitchen area. Recreate the scene when Little Red Riding Hood meets the wolf or swap out grandmother’s cottage for the scene of the giant’s castle in the clouds.
This collectible toy features enough bricks to build both scenes or you can even build a scene of your own and makes a perfect creative gift. This LEGO set includes a booklet with a short history of pop-up books, a condensed history of each fairy tale in the set, as well as information about its fan designers and LEGO designers.
Includes 4 new-for-November-2018 LEGO® minifigures: Little Red Riding Hood, Grandmother, the Wolf, and the Giant. Also includes 1 new-for-November-2018 microfigure: Jack.
First pop-up book in LEGO history features 2 different LEGO fairy tale stories: Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk.
Build and display or recreate your own stories from 2 classic fairy tales with this imagination toy.
This LEGO® Ideas set features enough bricks to build both fairy tales in the set or you can even build your own scene.
Includes a booklet featuring building instructions, a brief history of pop-up books, a short history of the 2 fairy tales in the set, plus information about this amazing classic fairy tale’s fan designers and LEGO® designers.
Pop-up book measures over 7” (20cm) long and 5” (13cm) wide when closed, and over 11” (28cm) wide when open.
Apple has announced a collaboration between Beats by Dre and Disney to launch a new pair of headphones featuring classic Mickey Mouse artwork. The limited edition Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary, bringing the original look of the character alongside the model’s various features.
Celebrate “The True Original” with Mickey’s 90th Anniversary Edition Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones. Keep the magic going with award-winning sound and up to 40 hours of battery life. The cool-gray headphone features Mickey Mouse in the iconic pose seen on classic t-shirts that we all know and love. It also comes with a custom felt case inspired by the materials from Mickey Mouse ear hats, along with a collectible pin and decal sticker to honor the collaboration.
Priced at $329.95, the headphones are a gray color with a classic Mickey design. Beats Solo3 Wireless Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary Edition is available now for pre-order at Amazon. They will arrive at Apple, shopDisney and Best Buy starting November 11th.
Incorporating the efficient W1 chip brings seamless setup and switching for your Apple devices,* up to 40 hours of battery life, and Fast Fuel technology for 3 hours of play with a 5-minute charge.
Up to 40 hours of battery life for multi-day use
With Fast Fuel, 5 minutes of charging gives you 3 hours of playback when the battery is low
The award-winning sound and design you’ve come to love from Beats
Sleek, streamlined design that’s durable and foldable to go everywhere you do
What’s in the Box: Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones, carrying case, 3.5mm RemoteTalk cable, universal USB charging cable (USB-A to USB Micro-B), quick start guide, warranty card
* Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Please understand that we have experienced these companies, and recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Hallmark Channel has announced the slate of all-new Hallmark Channel original holiday movies coming to this year’s Countdown to Christmas event! Starting October 26 and culminating January 1, 2019, and running throughout the holiday season, this year’s “Countdown to Christmas” highlights 22 all-new original movies, in addition to fan favorites from years past.
A sneak peek of the upcoming holiday programming will air on October 26 on Hallmark Channel and will be hosted by Kellie Pickler.
Cost Plus World Market and Hallmark Channel, two iconic brands that love the holidays, are partnering this Christmas on a sweepstakes that will grant one lucky winner a walk-on role in an upcoming Hallmark Channel original movie, as well as a $2,000 World Market gift card. The “Hallmark Channel Movie Sweepstakes,” launches today in conjunction with the beginning of the holiday shopping season and the imminent kick-off of Hallmark Channel’s popular “Countdown to Christmas” programming event. Customers can enter for a chance to win at www.worldmarketsweepstakes.com through November 16, 2018.
One of the 2018 world premieres, “Mingle All the Way”, which premieres December 1 and stars Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty, Lindsay Wagner, will feature a few of World Market’s products, including holiday seasonal décor throughout the movie’s set.
World Market will be the exclusive retailer of The Republic of Tea’s “Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas” tea, which is a caffeine-free blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. A perfect warming blend for the cooler months ahead. This limited-edition tea contains 36 tea bags and will retail for $11.99; it is available in stores and online.
* Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Please understand that we have experienced these companies, and recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Downtown Disney at Disneyland has been busy refurbishing some of its restaurants and shops and Naples is one of the recent dining establishments to receive a makeover. Its location is in a prime spot where it is right next door to the Mickey and Friends tram loading and unloading, but with it being an original Downtown Disney restaurant it needed a few changes to fit the ever-changing resort.
Room With a View
A few of us got to taste some of the menus for the newly renovated upstairs dining room and patio. I’ll get to the menu shortly, but first some thoughts on the new seating area.
Formerly, the upstairs was an open-air roof patio. In California, it is not uncommon to have something like this. Weather is quite pleasant most of the year. But, there are the times that it gets quite chilly, or there can be some strong gusts especially through a second story patio. Naples now has an enclosed upstairs dining room, but also a patio to keep some ambiance to a great restaurant.
It is bright inside the room, with a very stark white color to the walls. But, it allows for some nice warm sunlight reflection during the day. Overhead are nests of lights that look like wire clouds. They sparkled amidst the already bright room providing a starry sky look. From where we sat I kept gazing at the elevator, which provided a view of the gears. It seemed steampunk to me, yet modern with a black and white paint job.
Outside on the patio was one of the best views of Downtown Disney. You can enjoy the hustle and bustle of those below while elegantly sipping wine. On the back wall of the patio was a Roman-like water feature. It completed the Italian theme of both the menu and restaurant and was surprisingly not out of place for a modern looking venue. It brought sophistication to the simple decor of the rest of the patio. As for possible bad weather, the windows are typically halfway up but can be cranked to nearly make a wall. Yet, it allows guests to still take in the view.
Tickling Taste Buds
For now, the menu for the lounge area downstairs is pizza and salads. To select from the pasta and other entrees, one must go upstairs. Because of this, our party tried selections from the pasta and entree portion of the menu.
Before we took in these dishes we had the appetizer, or Piccoli Piatti, of Panzerotti. It is a fried pizza dough filled with mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and comes with marinara to dip it in. The other appetizers sounded great, but I think we chose the best. Even though it was fried it was not greasy. Having a number of cheeses inside didn’t have any overpower each other. It was a delicious dish to whet the appetite.
Panzerotti
In our party of 3, we picked different plates to try out. Among them, we tried the Barramundi Alla Livornese which is a Seabass with spinach, tomato, capers, olives, garlic, onions, and chili flakes, the Pollo Parmigiana which is a breaded chicken parmigiana, and the Garganelli which is quill shaped pasta with cream, chicken, broccoli, chili flakes, and Parmesan. The Garganelli was my choice and I can mostly speak to it. It had one of the best cream sauces I’ve ever had on pasta! I liked the spiciness of the chili flakes with it to give a contrasting taste. It was not too spicy but had just enough kick to it. The chicken was tender and cut to easily eaten bite-size pieces. The broccoli was cooked to perfection as well, and that can usually destroy a dish if cooked wrong.
Even though I didn’t try the other dishes, the presentation was photogenic enough to impress me. Hearing from the others they were delighted with their choices. The bass was recommended to us and it sounds like it did not disappoint.
Barramundi Alla LivorneseGarganelli
We did have dessert and picked specific dishes because of their originality to the restaurant. The Patina Group is the head company of the restaurant, and some others in Downtown Disney and Disney Springs. They do dictate certain items even having some ingredients sent from a central location. I don’t want that to deter anyone from trying the food or thinking that it’s just microwaved. These are all still cooked and put together in the restaurant. One of the items, the Cannoloni, has dough sent from The Patina Group but is cooked at the restaurant. Inside the Cannoloni is an original to the restaurant cream filling that includes chocolate chips. It was not our favorite dessert but was still delicious with a not too sweet flavor to it.
The other two desserts were hard to put away from our full stomachs. We had the Tiramisu and the Panna Cotta, which are two signatures to the restaurant. The Tiramisu is an espresso flavored lady finger dessert sliced a bit into a cake. The Panna Cotta is a light custard dessert. The Tiramisu is delicious and has a nice balance of the sweet and bitter coffee flavor. The cake is light for it absorbing some of the liquid and flavor. The Panna Cotta was a nice light end to a meal. It had a great orange flavor that would be appreciated by those that don’t like citrus items for dessert. And that comes from a chocolate lover that almost picked a chocolate gelato instead!
CannoloniTiramisuPanna Cotta
Our Italian Experience
Something a bit unique to our time at Naples was being able to converse with Gabriele, the general manager. He is from Italy and provided a great background to why the menu has certain items on it. We were entertained by his stories of the big meals his family would prepare for weekends, which is a common occurrence in Italy. It sounded like how we Americans will prepare grand holiday meals and spend the day eating through it all. This happens on one day each weekend for Italians! We also learned about what weekday meals are like for Italians. It’s more about eating small portions every couple of hours (also at times with wine in the evening). We enjoyed the great cultural lessons he explained and was such a joyful and excited host. He even gave a great tip that I’ll have to try the next time I go: one of the desserts is an Affogato which is espresso and a scoop of vanilla gelato. But, you can ask for chocolate espresso and it makes for a rich mocha dessert!
Gabriele and the staff made this seemingly one-of-a-kind experience. I say seemingly because this food and service is available anytime you go! The ambiance is terrific! The menu is definitely something to try! It is practically a new restaurant for Downtown Disney yet has been there all along! I’m looking forward to the next time I eat there!
Oceanside is more than a classic California beach town with a groovy surf vibe and a walkable downtown. The city is also full of history and fascinating architecture, while also boasting eclectic restaurants, boutique hotels, exciting waterfront adventures and more.
I took a recent trip to the city and had the opportunity to see it from different angles and speeds. My adventure included a walking tour, a moonlit kayak paddle, a cruise in a Batman-type car, and fat tire electric scooter.
My getaway began at the newest, yet oldest hotel in town, The Fin (www.thefinhotel.com). Located on Coast Hwy, near the iconic Oceanside Pier, the property originally opened in 1927 as the Keisker and was one of the first hotels in Oceanside. In May 2018 it reopened as The Fin, a boutique hotel blending Oceanside history with modern surf culture. The 27-room property retains much of the building’s original character including multi-colored, mosaic tile flooring in the lobby, a grand wooden-railed staircase, elegant Tiffany window, and a distinctive, 1920s architectural profile.
My standard King Room at The Fin was modern and efficient, with a 49-inch HDTV, free Wi-Fi, Keurig coffee maker, microwave, minifridge, separate toilet and shower, occupancy sensor lighting, alarm clock with Bluetooth speaker and a partial ocean view.
The Fin Hotel brings modern, boutique luxury with 1920s charm
Once unpacked, I joined friends for lunch at Saint Tropez Bistro (www.sttbistro.com). Set in a 130-year-old, yellow Victorian house that has become an Oceanside landmark, the eatery serves up Euro-California cuisine in a charming, intimate setting, with creaky hardwood floors and tales of ghosts.
Our lunch included delicious veggie ratatouille with zucchini, eggplant, red bell pepper, and red onion in tomato sauce; baked quiche with spinach; and smoked salmon with goat cheese, pesto, and red onion. While eating, we met Rocio the manager, who told about all about the interesting history of the house/restaurant.
Rocio and her staff at Saint Tropez Bistro welcome guests with hospitality and great food
After lunch, we explored the town on foot. Part modern, part retro, Oceanside boasts an exciting and walkable downtown lined with historic structures housing eclectic shops, restaurants, museums, breweries, barbershops, and one of California’s most beautiful civic centers. The latter, designed by Architect Charles Moore, is a group of white buildings with arches and courtyards, surrounded by fountains.
A highlight of the town is the “Top Gun” house, the cottage made famous in Tom Cruise’s 1986 fighter pilot movie. The Queen Anne Victorian residence was built in 1887 and is one of the oldest houses still standing in Oceanside. It located across from the 1,942 ft-long Oceanside Pier, one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast.
The “Top Gun” movie house is a highlight of a Oceanside walking tour
My next stop was the California Surf Museum (www.surfmuseum.org). Celebrating the history and lifestyle of surfing, the museum showcases exhibits such as “Courageous Inspiration,” which profiles surfer Bethany Hamilton; and “China Beach,” which highlights surfing during the Vietnam War. The place also displays numerous popular surfers and the boards that made them famous, including Bethany Hamilton’s shark-bitten board.
Back at The Fin Hotel, I relaxed before walking across the street for dinner with friends at Masters Kitchen & Cocktail Restaurant (www.mastersoceanside.com). Located in a reinvented, industrial-inspired space once used as an auto drag racing shop, the restaurant serves craft cocktails and exciting, unique food. Here we met Chef Darrell Campbell and sampled some of his creative and tasty dishes.
Our culinary journey featured specialty cocktails, incredible vegan cheeses, homemade pickled vegetables, Scottish Salmon, Italian speck prosciutto, Calabrese spicy salami, black truffle salami, and beef bresaola. For dessert, we devoured flourless chocolate cake, with blood orange creme fraiche and Cyclops Farms sstrawberries
Chef Darrell Campbell serves creative, exciting cuisine in an industrial-inspired building
After dinner, we drove to Oceanside Harbor (www.oceansideharborvillage.com) and embarked on a guided full moon Kayak tour. The nocturnal paddling sessions take place on full moon weekends during warmer months and allow visitors to revel in the beauty and romance of Oceanside’s quaint harbor under a moonlit sky. Tours include kayak, paddle, life jacket, headlamp and a knowledgeable guide who will prepare newbies and experienced kayakers.
Our paddle was a wonderful, serene trip across calm, moonlit water, that took us past a herd of barking seals and sloops filled with million-dollar yachts, old junkets and the twinkling lights of the Harbor Village.
A moonlight kayak paddle is a great way to see Oceanside Harbor
The next morning I drove to Oceanside Municipal Airport, where I Kurt, founder and owner of Waverider Helicopter Tours. A Coast Guard veteran and a dual-rated commercial pilot in helicopters and airplanes, Kurt loves to show people Oceanside by land and air. His company specializes in helicopter tours of the beautiful beaches and captivating backcountry of San Diego County, coastal Orange County, and Temecula Wine Country. Tours range from 10 minutes to over an hour. The Robinson R44 helicopter seats four and each passenger gets a Bose noise-canceling headset to listen to the pilot and talk while flying.
The company is now taking reservations for its Holiday Light Tours, which offer a bird’s eye view of San Diego’s coastal light displays along the coast from Oceanside to Del Mar. The 30-minute light tours run December 8 through January 1. For more info call (760) 691-9144 or visit: www.waveriderhelicoptertours.com
A Batman-like mobile is also a great way to tour Oceanside
Waverider also rents futuristic three-wheeled cars called Polaris Slingshots. During my ride in the space age convertible, I and Kurt cruised down Coast Hwy by the beach and pier, listening to the Beach Boys and turning heads. If you like flashy cars, with high-powered engines and jet-like feel, this is a great way to see Oceanside.
The last adventure on my tour of Oceanside was a ride to Mission San Luis Rey in an electric, Fat Tire scooter provided by Ride O’side (www.rideoside.com). The 2018 scooter models, like the one I rented, have a 20Ah battery and a top speed of 20 miles per hour. It includes Bluetooth for listening to cell phone music, boasts 18”x 9.5” fat tires for added stability, and a front hydraulic shock that yields an unbelievably smooth ride.
My 13.9-mile ride to Mission San Luis Rey began near Oceanside Pier, where I picked up the San Luis Rey Bike Trail, a Class 1 bicycle trail completely isolated from motorized traffic. Along the way, I past memorable natural scenery and a variety of bird species while following the San Luis Rey River. At the Mission, I opened my sack lunch and read about its history.
A fat tire electric scooter ride is a fun way to cruise along the beach
The largest of the 21 California Missions, Mission San Luis Rey was built in 1789. Its grounds feature hand-carved wooden doors, bright and colorful hand-painted walls and murals, and a mixture of the Classical and Baroque reredos.
Taniya Nayak is the creative vision behind some of the most exciting new restaurant interiors and high-end residences across the country. She has appeared on “Good Morning America,” HGTV and Food Network, and is a regular guest on the “Rachael Ray” show. New projects include New England hot spots Lower Mills Tavern, Yellow Door Taqueria and several locations of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, as well as a home for Boston Bruins star Patrice Bergeron and an office for Ayesha Curry.
Back for a fourth season on The ABC Television Network, “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition,” based on the hit U.K. series “The Great British Bake Off,” returns THURSDAY, DEC. 6 (9:00 – 11:00 p.m. EST). Showcasing bakers from around the country each week, the series put their best recipes forward as they compete in holiday-themed challenges and eliminations, all hoping to be named America’s Best Amateur Baker.
This first-ever buildable 
This collectible toy features enough bricks to build both scenes or you can even build a scene of your own and makes a perfect creative gift. 
* Disclosure: Please note that some of the 
A sneak peek of the upcoming holiday programming will air on October 26 on Hallmark Channel and will be hosted by Kellie Pickler.
Outside on the patio was one of the best views of Downtown Disney. You can enjoy the hustle and bustle of those below while elegantly sipping wine. On the back wall of the patio was a Roman-like water feature. It completed the Italian theme of both the menu and restaurant and was surprisingly not out of place for a modern looking venue. It brought sophistication to the simple decor of the rest of the patio. As for possible bad weather, the windows are typically halfway up but can be cranked to nearly make a wall. Yet, it allows guests to still take in the view.
