Welcome to The Orange County Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Orange County Flag Football Group pickup event

• History on the Knott’s Berry Farm opening

• A deep-dive into the life of Joan Didion

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears.”

— Arthur Koestler

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 is famous for its historic mission, founded in 1776, often called the "Jewel of the Missions"?

A) San Juan Capistrano

B) Santa Ana

C) San Clemente

D) Mission Viejo

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia: Orange County's largest shopping center, known for its luxury boutiques and dining options, is C) South Coast Plaza.

News

💼 Business

Disney is planning a significant expansion of its California theme park, aiming to introduce more immersive attractions. (link)

A company is investing heavily in the Bay Area, purchasing land with the ambition of constructing a new city. (link)

Orange County has overtaken San Diego as the most challenging location in California to find an apartment. (link)

🏒 Sports

The Islanders clinch a playoff position and extend their winning streak to six games with a 6-1 victory over the Ducks. (link)

Ducks' GM Pat Verbeek sheds light on the team's strategic moves at the 2024 trade deadline. (link)

🏦 Finance

New Hope Network collaborates with The Angel Group to support start-up brands at the Natural Products Expo West. (link)

Students from Clayton High School's DECA program participated in the NC DECA Career Development Conference. (link)

The Bay Area experiences strong job growth at the start of 2024, particularly in the South Bay region. (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

🏀 Skyhawks Hoopster Tots - Westminster, CA 2024
Bolsa Chica Park, Westminster, CA
Thursday, Mar. 22nd | (More Info)

🏈 Orange County Flag Football Group (Weekly Pickup)
Russell C Paris Park, Westminster, CA
Friday, Mar. 23rd | (More Info)

🏆 WCE x SA Orange Bowl
AIM Sports Group, Westminster, CA
Friday, Mar. 23rd | (More Info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Disney Princess – The Concert
City National Grove, Anaheim
Friday, March 22nd | (More Info)

🎤 Break The Floor 24 Seven Dance Convention
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim
Friday, March 22nd | (More Info)

Family

🤠 Swallows Day Fiesta Grande
Swallow's Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 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 “High-tech urban farm towers and green rooftops in Orange County” 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

Knott’s Berry Farm opening (1940)

Knott's Berry Farm, now a bustling amusement park destination located in Buena Park, California, has humbler beginnings than one might expect. Its story began in the early 1920s, initially as a small, family-owned berry farm established by Walter and Cordelia Knott. By 1932, Walter Knott cultivated a new type of berry, the boysenberry, which became a signature product of the farm. This innovation laid the foundational stone for the farm's fame and its eventual transformation into an entertainment venue. In 1934, to bolster the farm's income, Cordelia Knott opened a small tea room, which soon evolved into a larger restaurant serving fried chicken dinners, drawing even more visitors.

The year 1940 marked a significant milestone in the farm's history, as it witnessed the deliberate introduction of themed attractions. Building on the increasing number of visitors coming to buy boysenberries and dine at their restaurant, the Knotts began developing a ghost town in 1940, essentially laying down the groundwork for what would become one of the first theme parks in the United States. This ghost town was initially created to entertain diners as they waited for their tables, but it quickly grew into an attraction of its own, featuring a replica of a western town with period-appropriate buildings and artifacts, some of which Walter Knott had salvaged from real deserted towns across the West.

Over the following decades, Knott's Berry Farm continued to evolve, adding more themed areas and attractions, including Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village, and the Boardwalk, each offering a unique experience and reinforcing the park's status as a premier family destination. What started as a simple roadside berry stand and chicken dinner restaurant had transformed into a comprehensive theme park, blending entertainment with a nod to California's heritage. Knott's Berry Farm's evolution from a humble berry farm into a beloved amusement park exemplifies the innovative spirit of its founders and marks a significant chapter in the history of Orange County, California, setting a precedent for the development of themed entertainment venues across the United States.

Famous People In Orange County History

Joan Didion (1934-2021)

Joan Didion, an incisive American writer and essayist, was known for her discerning voice that profoundly captured the nuances of American culture, politics, and personal tragedy. Her connection to California, from Sacramento to Orange County, significantly influenced her works, making her a quintessential voice in American literature.

Early Life and Beginnings (1934-1956)

Joan Didion was born in Sacramento, California, into a family with deep roots in the state's history. Growing up, she was acutely aware of her surroundings, developing an early interest in writing. Didion attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she won an essay contest sponsored by Vogue magazine, leading to a job offer from the magazine in New York City. This marked the beginning of her illustrious career in writing.

New York and Nonfiction Success (1956-1963)

Didion's experience in New York during the late 1950s and early 1960s shaped her acute observations of American life. Her first book, "Run, River" (1963), reflected her Sacramento upbringing, although it was her essays that began drawing significant attention for their stylized approach to nonfiction.

Emergence as a Cultural Critic (1963-1975)

During this period, Didion's work evolved, making her a notable figure in the New Journalism movement, known for its personalized style of reporting. Her essays collected in "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (1968) and "The White Album" (1979) offered a stark yet insightful commentary on the disintegration of American morals and culture during the 1960s and 1970s.

Personal Life and Literary Partnership (1964-1980)

Joan Didion married writer John Gregory Dunne in 1964, and their partnership became a significant aspect of her career. They collaborated on several works and adopted a daughter, Quintana Roo Dunne. Their life together in Los Angeles, and later in New York, would later be scrutinized and explored in Didion's writing.

Connection to Orange County, CA (1980s)

Although Didion is closely associated with Sacramento and Los Angeles, she also spent considerable time in Orange County during the 1980s. This period influenced her views on the transformation of the California landscape and ethos, which she eloquently captured in her essays, underlining her deep connection to and understanding of California's varied cultures and geographies.

Literary Achievements and Later Works (1990s-2000s)

Didion's later works include novels and essays that continue to explore themes of politics, culture, and personal grief. "The Year of Magical Thinking" (2005), a memoir detailing the year following her husband's death, garnered widespread acclaim and earned the National Book Award for Nonfiction, showcasing her profound ability to articulate complex personal and cultural landscapes.

Facing Personal Tragedy (2003-2005)

Didion faced profound grief with the death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, in 2003, followed by the death of her daughter, Quintana Roo Dunne, in 2005. Her writing during this period, particularly in "The Year of Magical Thinking," provided a raw and intimate look into the process of mourning and loss, cementing her as a masterful chronicler of the human condition.

A Voice of Clarity (2000s-2015)

Despite personal loss, Didion continued to write with clarity and precision, contributing essays and memoirs that reflected on her life, the changing American landscape, and the nature of grief and memory. Her work remained influential, earning her the National Humanities Medal in 2012, presented by President Barack Obama.

Final Years and Legacy (2015-2021)

In her final years, Didion's legacy as a keen observer and articulate critic of American life was well established. She passed away in 2021, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence writers and readers alike, offering insights into the complexities of the American experience.

Remembering Joan Didion (2021 and Beyond)

Didion's passing marked the end of an era, but her influence endures through her essays, novels, and memoirs. She is remembered for her precise language, acute observations, and the ability to weave personal experience into broader cultural commentary, making her one of the most respected and influential American writers of her time.

Key Achievements of Joan Didion:

• Became a pivotal figure in the New Journalism movement with her unique narrative style.

• Authored celebrated works such as "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" and "The Year of Magical Thinking".

• Won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2005 for "The Year of Magical Thinking".

• Awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2012 for her contributions to American literature and culture.

• Left an indelible mark on American literature through her insightful exploration of culture, politics, and personal tragedy.

Joan Didion's contribution to American literature is profound and enduring. Through her precise and reflective prose, she offered deep insights into political upheavals, cultural shifts, and the nuances of personal grief. Her legacy as a writer and critic of the American condition remains a beacon for readers and writers, offering a lens through which to examine the complexities of life and society.

Connect With Me

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

-Matthew Larsen

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