Elton John calls marijuana legalization ‘greatest mistake of all time’

• December 13, 2024

Elton John is no fan of the legalization of marijuana, calling it “one of the greatest mistakes of all time.”

“I maintain that it’s addictive. It leads to other drugs. And when you’re stoned — and I’ve been stoned — you don’t think normally,” the legendary singer told Time in an interview this week as part of their Icon of the Year coverage.

John’s past struggles seemingly led him to that conclusion. The EGOT winner battled years of drug abuse through much of the ’70s and ’80s, and has reportedly been sober since 1990.

At first, he says he used cocaine to help him overcome his shyness, but eventually addiction took over.

“I’d smoke joints, I’d drink a bottle of Johnnie Walker and then I’d stay up for three days and then I’d go to sleep for a day and half … and then do the whole thing all over again,” John said in a 2010 TV interview with Piers Morgan. “When I look back, I shudder at the behavior and what I was doing to myself.”

Bernie Taupin, his longtime writing partner, described seeing John in the throes of his addiction as “absolutely horrible.”

“A lot of the work that we did in the times when he was at his worst wasn’t the best of both of us,” Taupin told Time. “I wasn’t able to creatively invest any time in writing material that related to him until he actually found himself.”

Since getting clean, John has devoted much of his life to helping others do the same. According to Time, the “Rocket Man” crooner is rapper Eminem’s sponsor, and helped set up a stint in rehab for English singer Robbie Williams. He tried, unsuccessfully, to save his friend George Michael before he died in 2016 at the age of 53.

“It’s tough to tell someone that they’re being an a–hole, and it’s tough to hear,” John revealed of his feeble attempt to help the former WHAM frontman get sober. “Eventually I made the choice to admit that I’m being an a–hole.”

Since 2012, numerous U.S. states have legalized marijuana, and the federal government has made little attempt to stop them. Recreational weed is now legal in 24 states, including New York, with medical marijuana permitted in 14 others.

In May, the Justice Department formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug following a recommendation from the Health and Human Services Department.

​ Orange County Register 

‘Enron CEO’ Connor Gaydos hit in the face with pie in New York City

• December 13, 2024

Connor Gaydos, a man connected to an apparent parody project to relaunch the energy company Enron and become its new CEO, was hit in the face with a pie this week as he was entering a building in New York City.

The incident was caught on video and went viral on social media Thursday. The clip shows Gaydos exiting an SUV shortly before an older man slams the pie into his face as two bodyguards intervene.

The bizarre incident mirrored one from more than two decades earlier, when a California woman tossed a pie into the face of Enron’s then-CEO Jeffrey Schilling.

Earlier this month, a group announced the scandal-plagued Texas company was returning exactly 23 years after filing for bankruptcy amid massive fraud.

“With a bold new vision, Enron will leverage cutting-edge technology, human ingenuity, and the spirit of adaptation to address the critical challenges of energy, sustainability, accessibility and affordability,” the company said in a press release that raised questions about its legitimacy.

The announcement was reportedly joined by billboards in the Houston area, a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle and a video promoting the company’s comeback.

An investigation conducted by Houston station KHOU turned up a disclaimer on the company’s website that read, “The information on the website is First Amendment-protected parody, represents performance art and is for entertainment purposes only.”

Many have speculated the company’s reemergence is merely a publicity stunt promoting cryptocurrency.

​ Orange County Register 

OC holiday tip: See’s ‘volume savings’ spot kicks off the season

• December 13, 2024

It starts with the smell that welcomes you.

You’ll get a whiff when you visit a See’s Candies store in a mall, but that is nothing like the divine smell that envelopes you entering this stand-alone store in Anaheim, with its much larger showroom of chocolate confections.

Many a holiday season has kicked off with a journey to the Orangethorpe Avenue store – a search of the company’s site discovered it is considered a “volume savings” location – to stock up on peanut brittle for the grandparents, a box of truffles or two for a hostess gift and a handful of suckers for the cousins. To this day, a Santa tin that started as a stocking stuffer hangs on the Christmas tree.

You walk the long display case, the perfectly dipped buttercreams, the Bordeauxs in their fuzzy jackets of sprinkles … “Would you like a sample?” Just the question you’ve been waiting for, a sweet treat in black wax paper to tide you over.

Then there is the debate: nuts & chews or soft centers for the house. Diplomacy decides on a box of assorted and it is added to the big white bag with black accents as you head out for more shopping and holiday prepping.

And, don’t throw that box away when you are done. They are a great size for storing holiday ornaments. Several have lasted decades being packed and unpacked in our house.

Where to go: 75 E. Orangethorpe Ave., Anaheim

​ Orange County Register 

OC holiday tip: Fullerton’s Sparkle Ball Lane forever No. 1 here

• December 13, 2024

As a little girl full of Christmas spirit – also stuffed with conchas and Nestle’s Abuelita hot chocolate – a slow drive on North Yale Avenue in Fullerton was always on the top spot of my wish list.

Sitting in the backseat of Nana’s car, listening to Christmas music and looking at the holiday lights and decorations on Sparkle Ball Lane was the best part of the holiday season. Even on the drive home, to me it was a winter wonderland that I couldn’t ignore. It became a holiday tradition for my sister and I to fight about which house had the best decorations.

Being back home was no different. While helping prepare what seemed like a billion tamales to my tiny child hands, the lights, the decorations, the 20 different inflatable Santas were all stuck in my head.

Now as a young adult, I’m still filled with holiday cheer and memories of my late Nana when I stop by the neighborhood. A visit to Sparkle Ball Lane always makes me feel like an 8-year-old in the backseat of my Nana’s car – forever making it my No. 1 on my Christmas list.

Where to go: From East Chapman Avenue, go north on North Yale Avenue in Fullerton.

​ Orange County Register 

OC holiday tip: Harbor boat parades are festive traditions

• December 13, 2024

Soak in the holiday spirit on the sea.

Each harbor in Orange County has its own spin on holiday boat parades, a festive tradition in Newport, Dana Point and Huntington harbors.

In Huntington, boat tours meander through the waterfront houses that get decked out on Dec. 14 and 15.

In Newport Beach, you’ll find the largest boat parade around, each night from Dec. 18 through Dec. 22, everything from mega yachts to kayaks making their way during a harbor show. My favorite viewing place is Marina Park, where there’s festivities for the kids and a great beach area to set out a towel to marvel as the boats cruise by.

Dana Point’s parade happens on Dec. 13 through Dec. 15, with decked-out boats starting at 6 p.m. making their rounds through the waterways.  Make sure to take a stroll around the harbor and snap a photo under the “Merry Kiss Me” display and check out the big, blue whale made out of lights for a selfie shot.

Newport Dunes is also a great place on the water to visit, with lit-up decorations set out on the water. This year, they even have fire dancers putting on a show. Get there early to nab a spot at a fire ring to roast some s’mores!

Where to go: There are several good locations to watch each boat parade. To find suggestions and information, check out hhboatparade.org/ for Huntington, christmasboatparade.com/ for Newport and danapointharbor.com/event/boat-parade-of-lights/ for Dana Point.

​ Orange County Register 

OC holiday tip: Irvine’s Jini Mini a treat for kids of all ages

• December 13, 2024

As a self-proclaimed “kidult” (yes, I’m almost 28, but plush toys have my heart), Jini Mini is my unexpected holiday haven.

Every corner of this Irvine store feels like it was made just for me – and probably for anyone who’s ever had a borderline unhealthy obsession with plush toys.

The boutique may be small, but it packs a punch with its impressive collection of Jellycat, Miffy and Snoopy plush toys. As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by a Christmas tree decked out in Jellycat ornaments, with shelves brimming with quirky treasures like peanut-shaped reindeer (which are almost always out of stock), toilet rolls (a fan favorite) and a colorful assortment of plush avocados, eggplants, croissants and even boiled eggs. During the holiday season, you also can’t miss the Miffys and Snoopys dressed in festive Santa outfits.

Jini Mini truly gets me in the giving spirit — or maybe just the buying spirit — every time I pop in.

The boutique is located in the Orchard Hills Shopping Center and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Where to go: 3911 Portola Pkwy., Irvine.

​ Orange County Register 

OC holiday tip: Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy is magical

• December 13, 2024

There’s a nip of cold in the canyon air.

Elfin kids play in Town Square’s gingerbread house while their parents line up to see Santa at the Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy in Laguna Beach. There’s a marionette show, bubble snow, musicians on three stages, free art classes, twinkling lights and, of course, more than 180 local artists selling original jewelry, paintings, games, ornaments, glass creations.

If you can’t find the right gift for the hard-to-please person on your list here, well, you’ll surely find one for yourself.

The Sawdust started in the ‘60s as a “small town/gypsy camp of artists” and has become an institution in its own right.

Added bonus: The tinkling waterfall beneath the towering eucalyptus trees gives one a sense of one’s place in the universe. Visit 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. It’s magical after dark.

Where to go: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, or sawdustartfestival.org/winter/ for information and tickets.

​ Orange County Register 

OC holiday tip: Crystal Cove cottages, tree are beachfront delights

• December 13, 2024

Crystal Cove State Park, especially the historic 1930-1940-era cottages and the beach Christmas tree, is among my favorite places to relax and enjoy the happiness and cozy feeling of the Christmas season.

Even if the weather is a bit nippy, there’s never a bad day at the beach.

Unlike the over-indulged ornamented trees of the local malls, the Christmas tree is a bit more spare. The decorations appear handmade and simple and are reused each year. The Christmas tree has been decorated there for almost 30 years.

But, for me, the more special time is after that. When the tree and other decorations, like a herd of reindeer carved from wood logs, are already set up.

Being there early in the morning at dawn break, with just the sounds and smell of the breaking surf and the gulls squawking and flying overhead, is truly magical.

Mid-day and dinner times are fun, too, and you can always grab a snack, meal, and beverage at the Beachcomber Cafe. In the evening, there’s never a bad day to watch the often incredible-colored orangy-red sunsets, sometimes made even more dramatic by a veil of marine layer.

New this year, the Visitor Center has become a holiday house. So, while learning about the cottages, you can also grab a nostalgic gift or two.

Where to go: Park at the Los Trancos lot at Los Trancos and Pacific Coast Highway and either walk or take the shuttle down to Crystal Cove.

​ Orange County Register