The Happening That’s Happening From the IE to the OC in April 2018! 

 If you are like most of us here at Kessler Alair Insurance, you work hard to play hard.  For many of us - filling our weekends with fun family activities is first priority when we clock out on Friday evening.  Spring is officially here and baseball season (a favorite of ours) has officially started.  Our days seem longer, and we love having more daylight to spend outside with our families! Having our offices located in Newport Beach, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland California gives us a wide variety of events to choose from.  Of course, one of the best things about Southern California is the fact that you can go snowboarding in the morning then sit on the beach to watch the sunset...all in the same day.  

Whether you are in the Inland Empire or in Orange County and you are looking for a great thing to do this month here are a few ideas: 

What to do in the Upland and Rancho Cucamonga Area 

 April 11 – Arbor Day 2018 – 9:30 am, located at: Central Park, 11200 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The City of Rancho Cucamonga will celebrate Arbor Day by hosting a tree planning event on Wednesday, April 11th.  The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at Central Park located at 11200 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga.  Veterans and City personnel will participate in the tree planting ceremony.  In the event of rain, Arbor Day will be rescheduled to Wednesday, April 25th.  The public is encouraged to attend this event to learn more about the importance of the Urban Forestry Program.  Please join us as Rancho Cucamonga celebrates 29 years as "Tree City USA"!  For more information on veteran participation, please contact City Arborist, Lucas Mitchell at (909)774-4115 or visit: https://www.cityofrc.us/cals/default.asp?ViewBy=7&CalDate=4/11/2018&EventDateID=523963. 

 April 14 – Disney's Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve – Location: Lewis Family Playhouse, at Victoria Gardens. Back by popular demand, Disney's Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve returns to the Lewis Family Playhouse for a musical locomotive adventure. Come aboard as train conductor Genevieve and beat-boxing, break-dancing engineer DC, steer through colorful lands while singing hip-hop songs about learning manners, the ABC's and 1-2-3's. Shows at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Visit: https://www.lewisfamilyplayhouse.com/events/view.php?eventid=0000001667. 

April 27-29 - Upland Lemon Festival 2018 -  Upland Lemon Festival - When life gives you lemons, pucker up and head out to the Upland Lemon Festival, where everything lemony is celebrated – from food to contests to entertainment. Celebrate the city’s citrus history with lemon pie-eating contests and a crate label exhibit. Cheer on your favorite contestant in Upland's Got Talent and enjoy new attractions and tribute bands. With free admission and conveniently located in downtown Upland, the Lemon Festival is perfect for all ages.  Visit: http://www.fairplex.com/events... 

Ongoing Monthly Events in the Upland and Rancho Cucamonga area: 

April 7, 8, 13, 14,15, 20, 22, 27, 28, & 29 – Singin' in the Rain, The Musical –  Friday performances from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Saturday performances from 7:00 – 10:00 pm and Sunday performances from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Located at Center Stage Theatre, 8463 Sierra Ave, Fontana, CA. The “Greatest Movie Musical of All Time” is faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay in Singin' In The Rain. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an abundance of talent ready to shine! Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make Singin' in the Rain the perfect entertainment for any fan of the golden age of movie musicals. Contact 909.429.7469 or visit: https://www.fontana.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=4265&month=4&year=2018&day=1&calType=0 

April 7, 14, 21 & 28 - Claremont Artisans and Farmers Market – Every Sunday, rain or shine. 8:00 am – 1:00 pm – FREE – located on Indian Hill Ave. and 2^nd Street in Claremont Village. Voted best farmer’s market in the Inland Empire (Los Angeles Times, 2012), the Farmers & Artisans Market was founded in 1996 to connect California farmers and artisans to the local community, and features over 100 grower and artisan members sharing their goods and services throughout the year. Highlights include Certified Organic Produce, Specialty Artisans & Crafts, and Flowers & Plants Sponsored by The Claremont Forum.  http://discoverclaremont.com/event/claremont-farmers-artisans-market-2016-01-18-2017-04-03/2017-06-04/ and also visit: http://www.sustainableclaremont.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2018/2/11/15092/-/claremont-farmers-and-artisans-market?pop=0 

 Each Saturday Morning – Children's Storytime @ Barnes & Noble – Go to Barnes & Noble each Saturday morning for storytime. Check the schedule for a different story each week.  Where: Barnes & Noble in Rancho Cucamonga, Montclair Plaza, 5183 Montclair Plaza Lane. When: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. All children are invited to come. Cost is FREE. Call 909.399.1966 or visit: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2242# and:  http://ranchocucamonga.macaronikid.com/calendar/event/childrens-storytime-barnes-noble/2016-11-05/c7273073/ 

 Mother Goose on the Loose. Mondays at 12:00 pm at the Biane Library in Rancho Cucamonga. This is a fun, fast-paced story time geared for children ages 0-3 years and is filled with rhymes, songs, lap-bouncers, movement, and of course classic Mother Goose rhymes. Walk-ins welcome. Limited seating - all walk in story times require buttons for each family member attending story time and will be available at the Children's Information Desk 30 minutes before the program. Questions - 909.477.2720 Ext. 3975. https://www.cityofrc.us/cals/default.asp   

Fontana Community Senior Center – Monday through Friday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm. Located at 16710 Ceres Ave., Fontana, CA. The Fontana Community Senior Center is designed to cater to community members that are 55 years of age and older. Inside this beautiful two-story, 43,000+ square-foot center, there are many rooms that meet and exceed the needs of Fontana's seniors.  
There are rooms for learning where the senior community can participate in classes and activities, and rooms for leisure such as: 
Arts and crafts room, Art gallery, Banquet and conference rooms, Billiards room and card parlor, Computer lab and digital theater, Library and sitting areas. Call 909.854.5151 or visit: https://www.fontana.org/384/Fontana-Community-Senior-Center for more information.  

 What to do in the Newport Beach area: 

April 14 – Fountain Valley – Butterfly Gardens – 2:30 – 3:30 pm, location: Fountain Valley Library, 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley, CA. UCCE Master Gardeners will instruct us on creating an environment which will attract native butterflies to our backyards.  Plant selection will be an important part of the presentation. Contact: 714.962.1324 or visit: http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/?calitem=405580&g=16069 

 April 21 – OC Great Park Garden Workshops: Butterfly Garden in a Pot – 10:00 am – 11:00 am, location: Orange County Great Park Farm and Food Lab, 14280 Cadence, Irvine, CA. Celebrate Earth Day by creating a butterfly garden in a pot, full of nectar plants for butterflies and food plants for caterpillars. Learn about plant selection to create a space that will provide for the entire life cycle of butterflies as well as a place to enjoy their beauty. 

Following the free lecture, join us for a hands-on, take home planting project. Registration and $10 supply fee are required per person. Registration will close on Thursday, April 19 at 3 p.m. 

Workshops are conducted in cooperation with University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County. Call 866.829.3829 or visit: http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/?calitem=405581&g=16069. 

April 3, 10, 17 and 24 – Storytime @ Pottery Barn Kids –  11:00 am – 11:30 am. Located at 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. Kids of all ages are invited to join us for story time every Tuesday. Members receive an official Book Club Passport at their first story time, and a special gift after attending five story times. For more information, call: 714.427.0813 or visit: https://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html?cm_src=productsearch 

April 21 – 22^nd Annual Private Gardens Tour – From 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Located at Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, CA. Mingle with musicians and artists as you stroll through several amazing private gardens in the Newport Beach area. As always, the Tour includes a lite lunch at Sherman Library & Gardens. 

For the third year, proceeds from the Tour will go toward the PCH Frontage and Entrance Redesign Project. Ruben Flores of Visionscape, Inc. has completed the conceptual design, keeping with the style and history of the Library & Gardens. The plans will be unveiled in a few months as the official fund raising campaign is launched. Call 949.673.2261. Also, visit: http://www.slgardens.org/22nd-Annual-Private-Gardens-Tour. Also visit: https://www.visitnewportbeach.com/events/22nd-annual-private-gardens-tour/ 

 Ongoing Events in Newport Beach/Orange County Area  

Monthly Movies in the Park – Beginning April 21 – Movie begins at dusk. Located at Hurless Barton Park, 4601 Casa Loma Ave, Yorba Linda, CA. Come watch on our all new 20ft inflatable movie screen! All movies will begin at dusk. Seating will be available on the grass, so bring a blanket or low lawn chair. If you choose to bring a chair, please sit in the back or on the side, so as not to block the view of others. For the comfort of the audience, dogs are not recommended. For more information, please call (714) 961-7192. "Trolls" will be showing on April 21, 2018. May - "Jumanji". July - "Coco". September - "Despicable Me". Parking and Admission is FREE. Visit: https://www.planadayout.com/Activity/Hurless-Barton-Park/Movies-in-the-Park-5649 

April 14 – Wetland Tour @ Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – From 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Located at 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. This event occurs every second Saturday of every month. Take a free tour of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy on the second Saturday of every month. Docents will discuss the natural history, wetland ecology, and plants and animals of the area. Closed-toed shoes highly recommended. Bring water, sun protection and your camera and/or binoculars. Group size is limited. Call 714-846-1114 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center off Warner Avenue and Pacific Coast Hwy. This event is FREE. Reservation suggested for this activity. Free parking. Contact: 714.846.1114 or visit: https://www.planadayout.com/Activity/Bolsa-Chica-Ecological-Reserve/Wetland-Tour-16165 

 April 22 – Reading in the Redwoods @ Environmental Nature Center – 9:30 – 11:00 am. Join us for a “Tree Hug Hike” out to the Redwood Forest with Valerie Bain. Valerie will read a story under the canopy of our tallest trees while your family relaxes together on a blanket or towel. Afterward children and their adults will do a craft and or activity. Parents remain with children at all times. All ages welcome. Bring your own blanket or towel. Check calendar for themes. Located at 1601 E 16^th Street, Newport Beach. Activity occurs once a month until June 10, 2018. For more info: Call 949.645.8489 or visit: https://www.planadayout.com/Activity/Environmental-Nature-Center/Reading-in-the-Redwoods-946 

 From now until April 30 – Gray Whale Migration – at Newport Landing Whale Watching, 309 Palm St. #A in Newport Beach. The Gray Whale makes the most spectacular and longest mass migration of any marine mammal. Tens of thousands of gray whales migrate annually along the Newport Beach coastline from the summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea to the winter grounds of the Baja California lagoons and travel along the Newport Beach coast during the months of December, January, February, March, & April. During the gray whale migration it is not uncommon to view 5 or more gray whales a cruise making for excellent viewing opportunities. Other varieties of whales including finback whales, humpback whales, and minke whales can also be viewed along with several species of dolphin. 

Just outside of Newport Bay is the beginning of one of the largest marine protected areas in southern California created to protect this rich ecosystem for future generations. The marine sanctuary covers over 15 miles and provides a haven for all marine creatures including whales and dolphin. The marine reserve stretches along much of the Newport & Laguna Beach coastline and along with being a mecca for whale watching also offers some of the most beautiful coastline in Southern California. For more information, please visit: https://www.visitnewportbeach.com/blog/gray-whale-migration-full-swing-off-newport-beach/ 

 Orange County Museum of Art – The Orange County Museum of Art enriches lives through modern and contemporary art. This museum is the premier visual arts organization in Orange County, serving a population of nearly three million residents in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. More than 40,000 visitors come annually. Some 15,000 children and adults participate in award winning educational programs. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Closed on Some holidays. Located at: 850 San Clemente Drive in Newport Beach. Free on Fridays. Call 949.759.1122. https://www.planadayout.com/Activity/Orange-County-Museum-of-Art-314 and http://www.ocma.net/  

 April 3 and weekly, Street Fair and Farmer's Market @ Downtown Huntington Beach –  5:00 – 9:00 pm. Located at 200 Main Street in Huntington Beach. Surf City Nights is a weekly street fair & certified farmer's market. Located on Main Street 1st-3rd blocks between PCH & Orange Street. Farmer's Market: fresh cut flowers, original crafts, local honey, fresh baked goods, dried fruits & nuts. Merchant Venders: Original artwork, glass & ceramics, clothing & couture, gifts & collectibles. Food Vendors: hot or cold sandwiches, food plates, soups & seasonal snacks, ethnic & American cuisine, dessert & delights, beverages. Live entertainment: musical groups & soloists, bubble man, pirates, magicians, kids' activities, balloon artist, face painting, inflatables. Admission and parking free. Visit: http://www.surfcitynights.com/ 

Every Sunday in April – Newport Beach Farmer's Market – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, at 1 Newport Pier in Newport Beach. Our Newport Beach Farmers' Market is an ultimate Southern California experience, located right next to the beach on the Newport Beach Pier. Just steps away from the famous Dory fish market and beachfront shops and restaurants, this market is a staple for locals and a reason to make Newport Beach a Sunday destination! Every Sunday come rain or shine! http://www.farmermark.com/newportbeach 

Newport at Night – Don't miss out on Newport at Night. At Cruise Newport Beach, we offer unforgettable oceanic adventures. With daily whale watching tours, sunset cruises, and evening entertainment on the water, you'll be able to grab a drink or two and set sail. Starting at sunset, the twinkling lights of Newport Harbor flicker on, and the night begins. From concerts on the beach, to private karaoke parties on a ship, Cruise Newport Beach offers different activities and events for those who love happy hours on the beach. We also offer boat & yacht rentals to Southern California residents...so give us a call for your next event, wedding, office get-together or holiday party! Call 949-673-1489 or book online to reserve your cruise today! http://www.cruisenewportbeach.com/ 

If you know of some family fun that should be added to this list for the IE to the OC then please let us know with a note! Send us a picture of you at these events to share with us to share on FB.  Have a great time making memories with your Family!