This weekend is the Scotsfest 2010 Festival at the Orange County Fairgrounds!

We are very excited to go. My girlfriend is even making some homemade kilts for the guys in our group! After some research, the both of us were able to find some decent information on kilt making as well as learning a bit of Scottish history. The Scotsfest seems to be quite large this year and promises to have plenty of activities, events, and goods available.

I am particularly looking forward to the Highland Dancers and the bag piping contests. I don’t know much about Scottish traditional dishes except haggis.

I doubt they will be offering haggis though because it is not a great cross cultural dish (I won’t go into the specifics of the recipe). Let’s just say that it would be a favorite for any zombies that may show up to the event. If you plan to go, be sure to take advantage of the ticket price savings available online if you pre-order!

Each year the Scotsfest annual event grows larger.

The events, musicians, and vendors seem to become more fun, sound better, and offer more! The online pre ordering is a must. The savings can be used to enjoy the many different foods and goods that the various vendors sell. The specialized vendors are selling bladed weapons (real and fake) and the leatherworkers offerings are unmatched in detail and craftsmanship. These vendors come from abroad to offer their beloved wares to highland enthusiasts and true Scotsman in Orange County.

Reference
The United Scottish Society’s Highland Games and Gathering. (2010). Scotsfest 2010. Retrieved from http://www.scotsfest.com/

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Mayor Allan Mansoor recently announced that he plans to crackdown on illegal immigrants but didn’t go into details. However, he did discuss loopholes being used by illegal immigrants. In light of his candidacy for State Assembly and the controversial Arizona Immigration Law sb1070, it sounds more like an empty political promise. If the mayor wants to follow through on his announcement, he can find groups of illegal immigrants loitering at the 7/11 on the corner of 19^th St. and Victoria St., at the U-Haul Rentals at Newport Blvd. and Mesa Dr., and at the Miss Donuts on the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Wilson St.

Reference: Costa Mesa mayor says he plans…

Orange County, California will lose an enormous amount of revenue if the Orange County Fairgrounds property is sold. The Orange County Fair alone earns in excess of $6 million each year with an increase each subsequent year. The Orange County Fairgrounds is much more than just a large piece of land. It is a proven safe family environment, year round earner for the county, and a powerful tourism generator. Many Orange County residents take pride that their fair is one of the biggest and safest county fairs in the nation.

The Orange County Fairgrounds Adds Value to the County and Populace

The Orange County Fairgrounds is a 150 acre parcel of land that hosts many public events throughout the year. The most popular, largest, and biggest revenue earning event is the annual Orange County Fair. According to All Business (1997), “The 1997 Orange County Fair drew a record 785,994 guests (AB, Aug. 4). Admission revenue totaled $2.7 million, also a record. Estimated interim revenue for the 1997 calendar year is $6.4 million. The 1996 interim revenue total was $6.1 million” (Orange County Fair Will Keep Ticket Prices Same, para. 2). Not only does the Orange County Fair boost tourism, but it also gives aid to local hotels and motels that experience their biggest influx of visitors during this period. Some of the less successful businesses depend on the annual glut of business during the fair event. The Orange County Fair has a long track record of being a family-safe event as well. Compared to the Los Angeles County Fair, another annual fair known for over-crowding, traffic, and gang activity the Orange County Fair is a positive public relations event for Orange County.

During the off-season the Orange County Fairgrounds are host for many other events that also stimulate the local economy. Each weekend, rain or shine, the Fairgrounds host one of the largest swap meets in California. Many local businesses are represented at the swap meet. In addition to the swap meet, the larger venues play host to trade shows such as arts and crafts, gun, and dog shows. The Orange County Fairgrounds also has a large amphitheater that hosts live concerts for many talented artists both currently popular and also historically popular acts. These concerts are another boost to tourism as many people come in from out of town to attend. In addition to the earning potential, the Orange County Fairgrounds also has educational value. The Fairgrounds has several barns and corrals that contain animals such as cows, horses, and pigs as well as large plots of land dedicated to gardening. Children often visit these areas and educational tours are available free. Signage and informational material are posted for educational purposes for all visitors to take advantage of.

State Government Use of Long-Term vs. Short-Term Critical Thinking

The state of California is experiencing a financial crisis and has a multi-billion dollar budget deficit. Recently, the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the aid of financial analysts and advisors have created and published a list of state owned properties that he intends to put up for sale. The Orange County Fairgrounds is on this list and even though there is a general uproar over the decision, Serna (2010), “The governor has expressed pretty clearly that no matter what he’s selling the property” (City, state talk sale, para. 4). The sale of the property could earn millions of dollars for California yet it is a short-term solution to a long-term problem and will have far-reaching effects for the Orange County. The funds earned from the sale may go to different parts of California, not just to Orange County. This sale will also eliminate a large revenue source for Orange County as well as affect the local economy and tourism industry.

The Orange County Fairgrounds is a tremendous source of financial revenue, local tourism, and positive public relations for Orange County. Sale of the property will cost the county more than just a lost revenue stream but also a source of pride and identity for its residents. The state government in proposing the sale of the 150 acre parcel of land has not applied critical thinking skills to the larger picture. The long-term local effects of the sale greatly out-weigh the short-term statewide benefits. The financial analysts and politicians in Sacramento are looking at their bottom line and don’t realize that they will be negatively effecting a historically high earning county.

I learned a valuable lesson today while I was washing my cat in the tub. I try to do this once a week but today she got sick on herself so she got an early bath. Well normally she just randomly complains but today I think she got too much water in her face, instinct kicked in and she bit me!

Now you may not know this but cats have a lot of bacteria in their mouths. This combined with a puncture wound from a cat bite is a formula for a nasty infection. Every home should have a good first-aid kit with sterile pads, disinfectant, and band-aids among other supplies. So if you are like me and you like a fresh, clean kitty, be prepared and get to a doctor fast if you are bitten!