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Welcome to The Orange County Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• California auto insurance premiums soar 54%.

• Fulmer struggles, Angels stifled by Blue Jays.

• A deep-dive into the life of Willa Cather.

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."

– Oscar Wilde

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which Orange County city hosts the "Sawdust Art Festival," a community event that showcases local artists and their handmade creations?

A) Laguna Beach

B) Costa Mesa

C) San Clemente

D) Huntington Beach

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The original purpose of the Great Park site was B) A marine airbase.

News

💼Business

California auto insurance premiums soaring 54% this year. (link)

Ben Affleck buys new LA home as J.Lo continues rolling with entourage in NY. (link)

🏒Sports

Carson Fulmer has rough night and Angels’ hitters are stifled in loss to Blue Jays. (link)

Silicon Valley home prices top $2 million as California has 8 of 11 costliest US metros. (link)

🏦Finance

Pitney Bowes laying off 236 people as it closes e-commerce hub in Bloomington. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏓 Kids Ages 8+ BJJ Self Defense Workshop
EDJ School of Jiu-Jitsu Riverside 9563 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA
Monday, Aug 19th | 5 - 5:45pm | (More Info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 KatieM
Troubadour 9081 N Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA
Monday, Aug 19th 7:00 PM | (More Info)

🎤 The Arcadian Wild
Lodge Room Highland Park 104 N Ave 56 Los Angeles, CA
Monday, Aug 19th | 7:00 PM | (More Info)

🎶 Brenda Carsey
Ivanhoe Restaurant & Bar 2500 Riverside Dr Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, Aug 21st | 8:00 PM | (More Info)

Family

🎭 Kids Club - Back to School Fun
7777 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA
Monday, August 19th | 10:30 PM | (More Info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Futuristic Orange County, CA with advanced weather control systems” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Orange County Historical Events

The 1932 Olympic Games Marathon event in Orange County - Highlighting its role in a historic international event.

The 1932 Olympic Games, hosted by the city of Los Angeles, brought a momentous occasion to the nearby Orange County through the marathon event, etching an indelible mark on the county’s sporting history. With the marathon scheduled on August 7, 1932, this event turned the spotlight on Orange County, transforming it into a stage for an enduring athletic endeavor. As part of the Games, the marathon offered a unique opportunity for local residents to witness a significant international competition, highlighting the county's contributions to a global athletic spectacle.

Spanning a grueling distance of 26 miles and 385 yards, the marathon course wove its way through parts of Orange County, showcasing the region's scenic beauty and infrastructure to an international audience. Athletes from various countries competed, bringing together competitors in a test of endurance, speed, and spirit. Juan Carlos Zabala of Argentina emerged victorious, completing the race in 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 36 seconds, thus securing his place in Olympic history. The event not only underscored the physical and mental prowess of the athletes but also celebrated international friendship and understanding through sports.

The 1932 Olympic Marathon in Orange County stands as a testament to the area's history of hosting major sporting events and its role in facilitating a historic international competition. It demonstrated Orange County's capability in accommodating the demands of an Olympic event, boosting local pride and leaving a lasting legacy in the community. For Orange County, the marathon was more than a race; it was an opportunity to participate in a globally unifying event, making it a cherished chapter in the annals of local and Olympic history.

Famous People In Orange County History

Willa Cather - Celebrated author who spent time in Orange County, influencing her writing.

Willa Cather: 1873-1947

Willa Cather, an iconic American novelist recognized for her profound depiction of pioneer life in the United States, spent significant time in Orange County, California, which notably influenced her writing style and thematic explorations. Her works encapsulate the complexity of American identity and the spirit of the early 20th century.

Early Life and Formation (1873-1895)

Born in Virginia, Willa Cather moved with her family to Nebraska at a young age, an experience that profoundly impacted her future writings. Immersed in the vibrant culture of the American frontier, she developed a keen sensitivity to the landscapes and people that would later populate her novels.

Emerging Writer (1896-1912)

After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Cather embarked on a career in journalism while publishing short stories. Her early work gave glimpses of her literary prowess, but it was her first novel, "Alexander's Bridge" (1912), that marked her transition to a serious novelist, exploring themes of aspiration and the human condition.

Pioneering Success (1913-1922)

Cather achieved considerable acclaim with "O Pioneers!" (1913) and "My Ántonia" (1918), which celebrated the spirit and struggles of pioneer life in the American Great Plains. These works cemented her status as a leading voice in American literature, admired for their vivid landscapes and intricate character development.

Explorations Abroad and At Home (1923-1931)

In the following years, Cather's literary interests expanded globally as seen in "Death Comes for the Archbishop" (1927), which explored themes of faith and endurance in the New Mexico territory. Despite these broader settings, her work remained rooted in detailed observations of people and place.

Connection to Orange County, CA (1931-1939)

During the 1930s, Cather spent considerable time in Orange County, California. The region's diverse landscape and burgeoning cultural scene intrigued her. While less documented than her time in Nebraska, this period influenced Cather, providing new environments and communities that subtly infused her later works.

Late-Career Reflections and Themes (1939-1947)

In her later years, Cather continued to write, producing "Sapphira and the Slave Girl" (1940), wherein she revisited her Virginia roots, examining themes of division and reconciliation. Though facing declining health, her passion for storytelling remained undiminished.

Literary Style and Innovations

Cather's narrative style is distinguished by its eloquence and simplicity. She employed a keen observational skill to render the landscapes of the American West and its inhabitants with deep empathy and psychological insight, breaking new ground in American literature by focusing on the inner lives of her characters, especially women and immigrants.

Awards and Recognition (Throughout Career)

Cather's literary contributions were widely recognized. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for "One of Ours," a novel about a Nebraska farm boy who goes to fight in World War I. Her work received critical acclaim for its portrayal of American life and its innovative narrative techniques.

Legacy and Influence (1947 and Beyond)

Willa Cather's influence extends beyond her death in 1947. Her novels remain vital readings in American literature, celebrated for their rich portrayal of the American landscape and spirit. She is revered not only for her literary achievements but also for her contributions to the development of a distinctly American literary voice.

Reflecting on Willa Cather (After 1947)

After her passing, Willa Cather's legacy continues to be celebrated. Her works are studied for their thematic depth and pioneering use of setting as character. She is remembered as a literary pioneer who carved out a unique niche in American literature, with an unwavering dedication to exploring the nuances of human experience and the beauty of the natural world.

Key Achievements of Willa Cather:

• Renowned for vividly capturing the American frontier experience in her novels.

• Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for her novel "One of Ours".

• Created a significant impact on American literary style with her distinct narrative techniques.

• Spent productive years in Orange County, CA, where her experiences influenced her writing.

• Her works continue to be celebrated for their exploration of themes such as identity, place, and the complexities of human nature.

Willa Cather's literary legacy is a testament to her deep understanding of the American spirit and landscape. Through her pioneering novels, she offered a unique perspective on the complexities of life in the early 20th century, earning a place among America's most celebrated authors. Her time in Orange County, though less prominent in her biographical narrative, provided her with new landscapes and inspirations, enriching her diverse literary oeuvre.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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