Come to the Taste of Huntington Beach to Support the Huntington Beach Children’s Library!

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Erin

Come to the Taste of Huntington Beach to Support the

Huntington Beach Children’s Library!

By Erin

The 2013 Taste of Huntington Beach – 28 April

Proceeds to benefit Huntington Beach Children’s Library

Who doesn’t love great food, great wine, and even better company? This is what you will find at the Taste of Huntington Beach THIS Sunday! The best part is that it’s all for a very wonderful cause, to benefit the Huntington Beach Children’s Library! As a child I was lucky enough to always have a new book to read, whether it was one from the book store or our local library, you can bet I had an ample supply of books to read! I was (and am) still such a bookworm. As if you need proof of that, here’s just a small part of my personal library. Actually this is my “Children’s” section of books for my classroom library when I’ve had my own classroom teaching. Every child deserves to have an awesome selection of books to choose from, so anything that supports this has my seal of approval! You all already know that I love food and wine so this event is right up my alley! 😉

The Taste of Huntington Beach is a one-price, all-inclusive event where there is a unique sampling of food and beverages from 50 of the finest restaurants Huntington Beach has to offer, paired up with more than 40 of California’s premium wineries and craft breweries – all in the name of charity. The Taste is happening this Sunday, April 28 from 12 to 4 PM. If you go as a VIP, there is a special VIP reception from 11am-12pm. Just look for the big white tent at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest — conveniently located across from the parking lot at the Huntington Beach Central Library.

Ticket prices will be $65 general admission with unlimited food, wine, and beer samples, as well as live music. VIP tickets are $85. For more ticket information you can check that out here: Ticket Prices and Information. You can also check out the listing of all restaurants participating in this years Taste of Huntington Beach click here: Participating Restaurants. The list of Wineries & Breweries can be found here: Participating Wineries & Breweries Will some of your favorites be there?

Featured entertainment includes Orange County’s own Tijuana Dogs, a raffle and silent auction with all sorts of cool goodies and services from local Southern California businesses (even some Disneyland Tickets are in the mix!). Join your friends and family at the Taste and you can even meet Surfing Legends Lisa Anderson, Bud Llamas, and Surf Music Legend Dean Torrence!

For more information and to purchase tickets online make sure to visit the Taste of Huntington Beach at Taste of HB or you can buy tickets at the Huntington Beach Central Library, The Longboard Restaurant and Pub, or the Lazy Dog Cafe.

If you decide to go last-minute, then you can also buy tickets the day of the event at the Taste’s main gate starting at 10:30AM

All proceeds from the Taste go to benefit the Friends of the Children’s Library where their mission is to help and support the Children’s Department of the Huntington Beach Public Library. Ever since 2002 the Friend’s of the Children’s Library, in partnership with the Huntington Beach Restaurant Association, has donated Taste proceeds of more than $360,000 to the Huntington Beach Children’s Library!

Will YOU be there this weekend? What are you most looking forward to about the Taste of Huntington Beach? The food? The WINE? The great cause it’s supporting? Hope you will join in on the fun if you will be local this weekend! <3

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I will be given media passes to cover this fabulous event for Horsing Around In LA. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Leaders in Education Awards 2013: Paving the Way for Higher Education

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Erin

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Leaders in Education Awards 2013: Paving the Way for Higher Education

By Erin

As an educator and teacher myself, I truly appreciate all the efforts of organizations that invest in our future and help students achieve their dreams and goals through their generous support of financial aid. Without these outlets for students to turn to, many would not be able to pursue higher education and earn advanced degrees that they are otherwise very capable of achieving if it weren’t for that financial gap, especially with today’s ever increasing price of a college education. I am ecstatic to partner up with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) to raise awareness of their dedication and commitment to helping students and their families navigate collegiate life. From getting that acceptance letter and securing financial aid to finding that first job and gaining employment after graduation. We teach because we have a passion and we love our kids in the community. Any way we can help them succeed has my full and 110% support.

Here is a little bit more about the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation:

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic higher education. They are committed to strengthening America through supporting Latino academic advancement.

Founded in 1975, HSF provides American families with the financial and educational resources they need to achieve a college education to help America be more competitive.

At present HSF has awarded over $360 million in scholarships and supported a broad range of outreach as well as education programs to help students and their families.

Their Mission: To increase the number of Hispanic college graduates by providing scholarships and assistance to students and their families.

Their Vision: Is a college degree in every Latino household.

The HSF Leaders in Education Awards (LEA) was held at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles the other day on Thursday, April 18th, 2013. This year marked their third year of having this annual LEA luncheon to raise awareness for HSF and I was lucky enough to attend and meet all of these very inspirational students, educators, parents, and volunteers/mentors that are leading the way for our future. These outstanding Southern California individuals were celebrated for their exemplary efforts of perseverance through their hard work and leadership to succeed in meeting and exceeding their goals. HSF works hard to recognize the contributions of leaders in the community and their impact in education and the nation.

Now meet just a few of HSF’s fabulous Sponsors that were in attendance: Toyota, Coca-Cola, & Wells Fargo.

Haute Cuisine with Dominique’s Kitchen!

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Erin

Haute Cuisine with Dominique’s Kitchen!

By: Erin

Are you ready to go on an adventure to Paris that will delight your taste buds? Do you have your passport ready to go? Well, if you don’t (at least if you are in the US) you are in luck! Dominique’s Kitchen in Redondo Beach, CA is here!! Opening in October of 2012, this is an absolute jewel of a restaurant tucked in on the famous Pacific Coast Highway just minutes from the ocean & pier. Walking in, you truly feel transformed as if you are leaving the L.A. area and entering another country. Dominique’s is an intimate bistro, the tables are close & cozy to one another & the warm family atmosphere makes you feel right at home. Be ready to make some new friends when you visit Dominique’s! I have been to Paris, France before, so walking into this blissful place brought back many happy memories. I felt like I really was back in Paris.

The restaurant space is small enough to enjoy an intimate dinner, yet large enough to not feel claustrophobic. There is patio seating for the warmer summer days and nights outside as well as an indoor type patio that is covered with heaters should it get too cold.

When the opportunity arose to review Dominique’s I jumped at the chance to try out this new Euro-French restaurant. A French restaurant, here, nearby? I didn’t have to fly to Paris for some good French food? Yes, Please! I have been craving a trip back to France, so this was a wonderful substitute. Now, anytime I’m missing Paris, I just need to hop in the car and my new-found Paris vacation is just a hop, skip, and jump away at Dominique’s in Redondo Beach! I brought my fellow blogging buddy and dear friend Kirsten over at SoCal Kids Outdoor Adventures with me as I knew she could use a vacation just as much as I did and she loves to be adventurous and try out new things! 😉