Get Back Into the Swing of Learning

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The kids are all back in school and enlightening and enriching themselves with new knowledge. Some adults, after leaving school, stop the learning process. Just because we’re out of school doesn’t mean we should ever stop learning! There are always new things to learn and old skills to be improved upon. There are plenty of opportunities in the Corona area to learn new things. We’ve rounded up just a few to give you an idea of all of the potential just waiting for you to grab it!

If you’re trying to find a way to get into shape but just going to a regular old gym is unmotivating (we’re with you on that!) you might need a new method of fitness. That’s where Z Fit N Dance comes in. All week they have a number of different Zumba fitness classes to get you up and moving. Zumba is a mix of dance and aerobic movements that will get your heart pumping while still ensuring you’re having a great time while you’re doing it. Z Fit N Dance has classes all week at numerous times so check the schedule on Facebook to see what times are best for you.

If you’re the artsy type then this next location on our list are where you’ll want to be. The Ceramic Cupboard will take you from start to finish of a piece of ceramic. Or if you’re only interested in the painting, you can do just that. You can use the pottery wheel or just your hands to form your perfect project. Then, once you’ve fired the piece and it’s solid and dry, you can add your own personal touch to it with paint. The instructors at the Ceramic Cupboard will teach you all the different methods for doing each of these techniques and many different ways of completing the projects. They have lots of extras to help give your piece that little something extra like clockwork, music boxes and trivets. The Ceramic Cupboard lets you get creative with your project in any way you choose. They’re just here to guide you! Check here for a list of their classes and the availability of each class.

The best part about these locations is that they’re each located under 20 minutes away from our home at Montecito at Dos Lagos. When you’ve taken a few classes and completed a few ceramics projects, you can bring them back home and show them off in your apartment or even teach some others. An education is the gift that just keeps on giving! That’s why you should never stop in your quest to learn.

Happy Hour in Corona (And With a Corona)

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After a long, grueling day at work, sometimes it’s great to just get together with friends or coworkers and kick back. Forgetting those workplace troubles for a few hours is a great feeling and it’s not hard when there’s such a thing as happy hour! A lot of restaurants have happy hour deals available during the week with cheaper prices on drinks and meals to reel you in. Around Corona, there are plenty of places to hang out, relax and enjoy a drink or two with some work friends.

RA Sushi has some of the best sushi around. With inventive cocktails and lively music, this is the place to be after work for drinks. RA Sushi has happy hour every single day of the week so you’ll never have to worry about missing out on it. Monday through Saturday, Happy Hour is from 3-7 and from 10-closing time. On Sunday Happy Hour is from 8PM to closing time. While the drink specials vary from week to week, the sushi at RA Sushi is between $3.49 and $8.99! You can’t beat that! Order some delicious signature sushi rolls or maybe some more traditional ones and chow down! RA Sushi is within walking distance of Montecito at Dos Lagos; only 7 minutes away!

The Citrus City Grille boasts the happiest hours around. With happy hours every single day of the week you don’t ever have to miss out. From Sunday through Thursday Happy Hour is from 3PM to closing time and on Friday and Saturday Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 and 9 to 11. Citrus City Grille has both amazing drink deals as well as amazing food deals. With $6 well drinks, $5 draft beers and $7 martinis you can’t go wrong. To eat you can get some delicious appetizers like calamari and crispy flatbreads for $7. Their assortment of foods and the amazing prices will have you back multiple times a week! Citrus City Grille is located right in the Shops at Dos Lagos so you don’t have to go far for this happy hour!

Black Horse Tavern and Grill is a family owned business specializing in Hanger steaks and gourmet sandwiches and burgers. Black Horse also has happy hour specials every day of the week, Monday through Friday 3-7, 11-4 Saturday and all day Sunday! With their special Beer Flight you can get 4 Premium draft beers for $7.50 and $3.50 well drinks. Black Horse Tavern & Grill also offers a variety of small plates to follow those delicious drinks all for under $7. We recommend the Beer Battered Onion Petals! Don’t miss out on these fantastic happy hour deals on some spectacular food and drinks. The best part is that if you forget about it all week, you can still go Sunday, at any time! The Black Horse Tavern and Grill is only 10 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

The Shops at Dos Lagos

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One of the greatest perks of living at Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments is the proximity to so many things. Stores, restaurants and so many services are within arms reach of each other that it’s impossible not to find everything you need. The best of these shopping areas is one that shares a name with us: The Shops at Dos Lagos! The Shops have so many stores and restaurants that you won’t even have to leave.

For fashionistas, the Shops is overflowing with stylish fashion boutiques and shops for you to shop your heart out. At Anthropologie you can find a little bit of everything, from women’s clothing and accessories to interesting home decor. Itty Bitty’s Closet specializes in clothing, toys and gifts for boys and girls sizes 0-12. You can keep yourself and your little one comfy and cute in boutique styles without the boutique prices. For young teens there is an Icing for all of your jewelry needs as well as a Charlotte Russe with all the best fashion and shoes. The endless selection of stores will have your mind reeling!

A new favorite of the masses recently has been Trader Joe’s and we’re lucky to have one situated right in the Shops at Dos Lagos! Their unique selection of foods and beverages allows the shopper to indulge is some delicious things without breaking the bank. The information provided also allows the buyer to make informed decisions on their purchases. You can find something in Trader Joe’s for all your needs from vegetarian to Kosher to organic and all the choices have minimally processed ingredients.

With all of the shopping you’re going to tackle, of course, you’re going to get hungry! Good for you, because the Shops are equipped with the best of the best when it comes to dining. For those looking for something exotic there’s RA Sushi, Thai Lotus and Miguel’s California Mexican Cocina. If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, you can find TGIFridays and Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill. After your delicious dinner, you just HAVE to have dessert! There’s nothing more refreshing than Pinkberry! And if you want to take some dessert home with you, you can’t miss out on the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

With all of these exciting options and selections, you have everything all in one place! There are so many stores, restaurants and services available to everyone regardless of tastes or interests. The Shops at Dos Lagos is even within walking distance of Montecito at Dos Lagos which makes it so much sweeter! For more information on the Shops and to see a full registry of the businesses head here.

Celebrate Cheese Pizza Day the Right Way

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There are all different kinds of pizzas: pepperoni, Hawaiian, white, veggie, the options are endless. But there’s only one original ‘za: the cheese pizza. If you’re a fan of the classic cheese pizza then this holiday is for you. This Saturday is Cheese Pizza Day. The only way to celebrate is with a big cheesey pie all to yourself (or you can share if you’re feelings generous).

Voted one of the Top 5 pizza makers in Southern California, Porky’s Pizza is definitely deserving of a mention on our list. Each of their pizzas are made with their original sauce! Porky’s offers delivery so if you’re having a party or just looking for a quick delicious meal, you can call them up and have it delivered! Their different varieties of pizzas are all so amazing it will be difficult not to take home every kind! From their Mediterranean to their Sweet n’ Spicy you’ll want to come back every day for more! Porky’s even offers party trays for when you have large parties of hungry people. Porky’s is only a 10 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos so you’ll have your pizza delivered in a flash.

Oggi’s has everything you need in one place. Not only do they serve delectable pizzas but they are also a brew house and sports bar. On top of that, you can have the entire menu delivered to your home if you don’t feel like leaving the house! Oggi’s has been crafting their award winning beers for 15 years now so you know they’re delicious. And what better to wash down some yummy pizza with than an ice cold beer? In addition to pizzas, they have delicious soups and salads, sandwiches and wraps, calzones, pasta and amazing desserts for the final course. Oggi’s Pizza is only an 8 minute drive away from Dos Lagos Apartments so you don’t have to go far to enjoy your pizza and beer.

The New York Pizza Department will arrest your tastebuds with delicious flavor! (Excuse our puns) All of NYPD’s pizzas are made with the freshest ingredients that are delivered to their locations daily. They want you to taste the difference even after the first bite and you most definitely will. While they don’t have a large variety of different pizzas, the ones that they do serve are on the menu for a reason! They are amazing! If pizzas aren’t your speed, they also serve calzones and strombolis, salads, pastas and heroes and their appetizers are to die for. You won’t be disappointed at NYPD. Be sure to check their website for coupons and specials! New York Pizza Department is only a 5 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

This Weekend In Our Area

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Summer is winding down and that means we need to soak up as much of it as we can whether that be spending time outside or just taking part in activities that might go away as the weather cools off. We know just what you need for the last weeks of summer. This weekend has some exciting goings on! For more events in the area check out the calendar.

The Long Beach BBQ Festival (An hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos)

From August 28-30 at the Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach you can get the best barbecue on the West Coast. There will be a multitude of concerts and musical acts for you to enjoy while you munch on your delicious dishes. On Friday from 5-11 you can get dance lessons from AJ Gibbs. His take on Zydeco (a form of folk dance) will have you grooving all night long. On Saturday from noon until 11 PM you can see the Texas House Party, Stone Soul and Men In Crisis. Western swing meets cowboy boogie, classic soul and motown and classic rock & blues will have you rocking well into the night. To see more of the musical lineup for the festival check here. This whole event is family friendly: Children 12 and under are admitted to the festival for free! Don’t forget to grab your free e-photo in our dress up booth!


American Idol Live! (20 minutes from Dos Lagos)

One of the most successful music competition shows in television history is coming to the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on August 28. Attendees will get an up close and personal show with the top 5 competitors from Season 14. Each top 5 contestant will showcase their individual skills and talents all set to a live band! You won’t want to miss out on this experience.


Chris D’Elia Comedy Show (40 minutes from Dos Lagos)

Comedian Chris D’Elia will be performing his comedy show at the Brea Improv Comedy Show on Saturday the 29th. If you miss is first show at 7, you can catch him again at 9:30. D’Elia has been performing stand up comedy since he was 16 years old and has a unique style of comedy. “It's hard for me to write a joke where I don't end up on the ground for some reason,” D’Elia joked. Expect to see a different brand of comedy than you’re probably used to.

Mini Vacations That Won't Break the Bank

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Summer is coming to a close soon. For some of us that means the end of a long season of vacations and weekend trips and fun! But for the rest of us who didn’t have the chance to go anywhere it means opportunities lost. So for those who didn’t get out of Corona this summer you can still take a last minute day trip somewhere nearby without breaking the bank.

Crystal Cove State Park is a gorgeous expanse of land located off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The collection of beaches, trails and canyons is yours to explore and even camp out at. The waters offshore are considered an underwater park and are open for scuba diving. The beach is great for surfing, swimming and boogie boarding. For camping, they offer primitive campsites as well as sites for RV’s and trailers. To reserve your campsite head here. All of the trails are open not only for hiking and biking but for horseback riding as well. Crystal Cove State Park is located about an hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments.

Laguna Beach known for its pristine and sprawling beaches and amazing shopping and dining. The hidden coves and tidepools of the beach are beautiful to explore. Some of the beaches have volleyball and basketball courts open to anyone who wants them and you can usually find a game in progress to join in on. If you’ve brought your furry companion along with you for the trip, they are only allowed on city beaches before 9 AM and after 6 PM during summer months. But if your pup wants to romp around freely, there is a dog park available for them to play in sans leash. You can relax by signing up for a beach yoga class or talk to an expert who is available for beach tours and educating you on the tidepool ecosystem. You might catch a movie out on the beach or if you’re lucky attend a concert! There is so much to do at Laguna Beach that you won’t want to spend only one day here! Laguna Beach is located an hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

Aquarium of the Pacific, located an hour and a half away from Dos Lagos Apartments in Long Beach, is so big that you’ll need a full day to get through the whole building! The two floors of the aquarium are filled with everything from jellyfish and but penguins and sea otters too. Admission packages are available with scouting trips to search for blue whales, a harbor tour of the on of the most active ports in the world and Los Angeles zoo admission! The aquarium is home to a theater showing 3D movies about some of the creatures who call the aquarium and the Pacific home. To learn more about the exciting exhibits and events at the Aquarium of the Pacific, check here.

While summer might be winding down, that doesn’t mean you don’t have time for a trip. You don’t have to spend a week away to have a relaxing time and you definitely don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars to have fun. These day trips are far enough away to feel like you’re taking a trip but close enough that it’s still inexpensive.

International Homeless Animals Day: Spreading Awareness

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This Saturday, August 15, is International Homeless Animals Day a day to educate and inform people about the overpopulation of animals and the spay and neuter solution. Animals are abandoned by their owners every single day or are left to shelters and rely on their kindness and goodwill. Today, International Homeless Animals Day has been celebrated with events across the entire United States, in 50 countries and on 6 continents.

At the Corona Animal Shelter you can help a homeless animal find their forever home. The adoption fee is only $15 if the dog or cat is already spayed or neutered. The cost of spaying or neutering an animal is anywhere from $40 to $90 depending on the size of the animal. The Corona Animal Shelter is dedicated to the care of animals and people in the community. To check out a list of the animals available for adoption right now head to the Adopt-a-Pet page. You’re only a quick 15 minute drive away from finding your new best friend at the Corona Animal Shelter.

Very soon however, the Corona Animal Shelter will be moving to Magnolia Avenue to a brand new animal shelter! The new shelter will be healthier and safer for the animals housed there. The new shelter will feature sanitary fiberglass panels to protect the dogs from infections. There will be isolation kennels far removed from the rest of the population of dogs in the event of an illness to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the dogs. The cats will be kept in comfortable condos and will have their own ventilation system to prevent respiratory illnesses like the one that swept through the shelter 4 years ago. This new shelter will be a great new temporary home to these animals while they wait to find their new families!

At Animal Friends of the Valleys, you can find a new furry friend in every pen. Right now, with every accepted application, cats are only $5 to adopt! Your new fluffy companion is there waiting for you! Every Saturday you can go to the Temecula Petco and see an adoption show to find a new friend to adopt. The shelter offers spaying/neutering and all the major shots and vaccinations needed to keep your new family member healthy and happy in their new lives with you.

International Homeless Animal Day is meant to raise awareness and spread knowledge about the overpopulation of animals. IHAD also teaches that the easiest solution to overpopulation is spaying and neutering your pets! So if you bring home a new pet with you from one of these shelters make sure to get it fixed to prevent adding to the overpopulation problems we’re already facing. We hope you find your new family member at one of the shelters!



Additional Sources
Press Enterprise.com
International Society for Animals Rights