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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: new year’s eve

Two men in Santa Ana shot while the rest of us rang in the New Year

Posted on by Posted in Crime, David Benavides, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

It’s a New Year today but last year’s violence in Santa Ana has continued as two men were shot on New Year’s Eve and early on New Year’s Day, according to the O.C. Register.

SAPD police officers responded on Thursday night, at about 9:50 p.m., to a shooting call at the 1000 block of South Sullivan Street, just west of Jerome Park, where they found that a male homeless person had been shot from behind by an unknown attacker.

The homeless victim was shot in the lower calf and ended up at a local hospital with a wound that did not appear to be life-threatening. Continue reading→

The OCTA is offering free bus rides on New Year’s Eve

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OCTA Offering Free Bus Rides on New Year’s Eve

Free bus rides on New Year’s Eve is back! So go ahead and plan a fun night on the town and OC Bus will get you there and back safely. OCTA is providing free rides on any fixed route bus beginning on Thursday December 31st at 6 pm and extending through 2:30 am on Friday January 1st.

Taking the bus is pretty easy. Even after a great party you can probably figure things out. Just in case, you can find everything you need to plan your trip in OCTA’s how to ride section. OCTA encourages you to plan ahead using the Google Trip Planner since not all routes run past midnight. Remember it is free after 6 pm, so bring $2 bus fare if you are getting an early start. Continue reading→

Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve in Santa Ana at the Discovery Cube

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HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN RING IN THE NEW YEAR DRESSED AS THEIR FAVORITE SUPERHEROES AT DISCOVERY CUBE’S NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Families are invited to ring in 2016 while the sun is still up at Discovery Cube’s “Noon Year’s Eve” party with a giant balloon drop, countdown, green screen photo booth, hats, horns and ginger ale toasts. Children are invited to dress up as their favorite superheroes as they enjoy a Superhero Dance Party and countdown to noon. Participants can also take part in learning stations themed around celebrating the coming New Year.

Learning stations include:

• Alka Seltzer Rocket – Witness a chemical reaction and watch gas expand, causing a canister to pop and fly in the air!
• Tambourines – Create a tambourine out of paper plates and beans, while learning about sound.
• Time Zone – Learn about the different time zones around the world. Continue reading→

The OCTA will offer free bus rides on New Year’s Eve

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 29, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Offers Free Bus Rides on New Year’s Eve

Extended service hours provide a safe ride home

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is helping to keep roads safe during New Year’s Eve celebrations by offering free bus rides from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31 to 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1.

This year, OCTA has added extended service hours along several routes in Fullerton. The late-night service provides free, safe and convenient rides to or from the annual First Night in Fullerton event. Extended service hours are available on Routes 24, 26, 43 and 143. Continue reading→

Things to do on New Year’s Eve in and about Santa Ana

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Yost NYE 2014

Are you looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve, in and about Santa Ana?  Look no further – here is our comprehensive look at what will be shaking here in Orange County’s Downtown on New Year’s Eve:

  • COUNTDOWN TO NEW YEAR’S EVE (with balloon drop!) – at the Bowers Kidseum.  New Year’s Eve isn’t just for adults – kids can celebrate too at the Bowers Kidseum! Ring in 2014 at a daytime celebration with family, friends, and fun for everyone. Wear party hats, make noise with craft-festive noisemakers, and join in the fun with our drumming circle! Write down your New Year’s resolution, then get ready for an exciting countdown to a colorful balloon drop at 1:30 PM, complete with sparkling cider and fresh, gooey cookies. Happy New Year to all! For more information, please visit Kidseum or contact kidseum@bowers.org.
  • Discovery Science Center Presents: NoonYears Eve, December 30 & 31, 2013.  Ring in 2014 like a Hollywood superhero! Dress as your favorite superhero and celebrate the New Year with us at noon with Hollywood themed activities for the whole family. LOCATION: Discovery Science Center, at 2500 N. Main St., in Santa Ana. INFORMATION: 714-542-2823.
  • KROQ & Observatory presents New Year’s Eve Capital Cities. Tuesday, Dec 31, 2013, 8:00 pm. Open to all ages. $50 Early Bird General Admission, $85 VIP Section & Buffet, $150 Open Bar & VIP Ticket (for 21+ only).  Buy tickets. Continue reading→

OCTA offers free bus rides on New Year’s Eve

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

drunk white guy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 23, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Offers Free Bus Rides on New Year’s Eve

Those celebrating the New Year can count on OCTA as designated driver

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is helping to make roads safer during New Year’s Eve celebrations by offering free bus rides from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) to 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).

The public can take advantage of the hassle-free rides on all fixed-route lines during those hours. Passengers planning a bus ride are encouraged to use the online trip planner in advance at octa.net or call (714) 636-7433. Continue reading→

Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve at the Discovery Science Center today!

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Discovery Science Center NYE

The Discovery Science Center has a fun New Year’s Eve event set for today, December 31, 2012, for your kids!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1! The countdown has begun to Noon Year’s Eve on December 31. Why stay up till midnight? Noon Year’s Eve is jam-packed with fun activities to kick off 2013!

  • Join us for a balloon drop complete with a countdown and toast at 12pm & 2pm
  • Create chemical reactions as canisters pop and fly in the air Continue reading→

Great Night! Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Great Park

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Great Park New Year's Eve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 27, 2012
CONTACT: MARCUS GINNATY, 949-724-6574
Great Night! Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Great Park
Monday, December 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Great Night! kicks off at 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31 and culminates with a countdown and celebration of New Year’s Eve 2013 on East Coast time at 9 p.m. As the clock strikes 9 p.m., the Great Park rings in the New Year with an explosion of streamers, party hats and noise makers. Continue reading→

OCTA providing free New Year’s Eve bus rides

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

free octa new year's eve bus rides

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 26, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Laura Scheper, (714) 560-5697

OCTA Rings In The New Year With Free Bus Rides

OCTA plays designated driver for 11th year

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is helping make end of the year celebrations safe and hassle-free by providing free bus rides between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 and 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Continue reading→

New Year’s Eve 2013 parties and events in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Costa Mesa, music, Restaurants, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Original Mike's New Years Eve

UPDATE: Click here for info about the 2014 New Year’s Eve events in and around Santa Ana.

Original Mike’s is hosting a New Year’s Eve Bash that will feature “Balance” in the Main Room, along with DJ Rico. DJ C-Los will be in Studio 51. They will have a Guest DJ. Champagne Toasts at Midnight.

Here are a lot more great New Year’s Eve parties and events going on in and around Santa Ana this year (if I did not list your event please send me the info): Continue reading→

Happy New Year Santa Ana – no SAPD DUI checkpoints this weekend

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Paul Walters, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana 23 Comments

The Santa Ana Police Department’s (SAPD) Public Information Officer, Anthony Bertagna, and Santa Ana Chief of Police Paul Walters both confirmed today, via email, that the SAPD is not going to be conducting any DUI checkpoints this weekend.

Now that doesn’t mean that our residents and out of town visitors should get drunk and drive on New Year’s Eve, but it does mean that our residents who don’t have documents can feel free to drive without having to worry about their cars being impounded.

If you do get wasted this New Year’s Eve there is good news.  The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is providing free bus rides between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 and 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Continue reading→

Unique, family-friendly fun at the Great Park on New Year’s Eve

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Family, irvine, Orange County, Parks and Recreation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 27, 2011

CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Unique, Family-Friendly Fun at the Great Park on New Year’s Eve

Southland Mega Groove, Aerial Artists and Magicians Will Be Featured at Great Park’s Family New Year’s Eve Celebration

IRVINE – Celebrate New Year’s Eve with exciting entertainment performed by local musicians, dancers, aerial artists and magicians at the Great Park’s inaugural Great Night! Family New Year’s Eve on Saturday, December 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The evening will feature something for everyone with a variety of performances on the main stage and throughout the Park. Continue reading→

Are two downtown Santa Ana businesses going to violate city code tonight?

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Civic Affairs, Crime, Dance, Restaurants, Santa Ana 24 Comments

A Cover Charge at Proof?  No bueno!

UPDATE: Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters sent me an email today confirming that the City is looking into the issues raised in this post!

Chapter One: the Modern Local, a restaurant in Downtown Santa Ana, is promising a fun night tonight, which includes dancing – as per their Facebook event page.  However, I am told that their Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.)  does NOT allow dancing.  As far as I know, they did not petition the Santa Ana Planning Agency for an exception.

You may recall that one of the owners of Chapter One went off on Mexican owned businesses in Downtown Santa Ana, a few months ago, when he questioned the number of Quinceanera stores in the Downtown area.  Well, I guarantee you that none of those shops will be flouting the law tonight! Continue reading→

New Year’s Eve restaurant specials, concerts and parties in Santa Ana

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Are you ready for New Year’s Eve?  There are a lot of New Year’s Eve events happening right here in Santa Ana!

  • Antonello Ristorante – Where Orange County’s power elite and private groups dine on Northern Italian cuisine and drink from an extensive wine list.  SPECIAL NEW YEARS EVE DINNER MENU. $69.95 per person (excludes tax & gratuity). Enjoy a 25% discount from our entire wine list when ordering this prix fixe menu.
  • Bistro 400 – ‎8th Annual NEW YEARs EVE PARTY!!!! 6p to Close.  Wow!! 2012!!! Party with us and D.J.Serge! Serving Dinner from 6p to 10pm then the COUNTDOWN PARTY BEGINS!!! With Fan fair and all! Drink specials all night with a free champagne toast at Midnight! Come and dance the night away and help us bring in the NEW YEAR! Not to mention (he is going to kill me) It’s the one and only PIERRE’S Birthday! And if you know Pierre, your sure to have a great night!
  • Black Angus – Open at 10am ‘Featuring our full Dinner and BullsEye Bar Menus.  1350 No. Tustin, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s best New Year’s Eve events and specials

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Looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve, here in Santa Ana?  This year will be a lot of fun, as many of our leading restaurants and bars are going to be offering great specials and music.  Here is a wrap-up of these events:

  • Celebrate New Year’s Eve under the starts, in the Silverado Canyon, at the Shadybrook Open Mic Concert.  Click here for more info.
  • How about a gourmet dinner and a free champagne toast, at McCormicks & Schmick’s, at Santa Ana’s CityPlace?  There are three great dinners to choose from, as well as their regular daily menu.  The New Year’s Eve special is only $29.99.  Click here for more info.
  • If you enjoy live music, you will want to stop by Original Mike’s.  They will be featuring live bands playing top 40’s, classic rock and banda!  Plus they offer a great menu.  Click here for more info.
  • If you are looking for a sexy evening, try the Masquerade Ball at the Geisha House, at the CityPlace.  They are offering a number of different packages featuring great food and drinks.  Click here for more info.
  • The Memphis, at the Santora, is offering festivities and great food all day long on New Year’s Eve, with a brunch, a Happy Hour and Dinner.  Click here for more info.
  • Don’t forget to stop by the Proof Bar.  The festivities, music and drinks will start at 8 pm.  Click here for more info.
  • Bistro 400 is presenting their 7th Annual New Year’s Eve, featuring fantastic food and music.  Click here for more info.
  • And don’t forget the kids!  The Discovery Science Center will once again present their Noon Year’s Eve celebration. Click here for more info.
  • If you don’t want to cook, but do want to party either at home or at work, call our friends at Santa Ana’s El Pollo Norteno.  They are offering a number of great catering and delivery specials.  Click here for more info.