The main goal of RMHC is to keep families close to each other and to help them get the care they need by providing a place for families with sick children to stay just steps from the hospitals where they are receiving critical medical care.

Officers, shown here, helped pass out gifts and made sure their visit with Santa went smoothly

The G.G.T.P.C. awarded a total of $125,000 to five, local, non-profit organizations with $25,000 sponsorships each. The organizations were: Boys and Girls Clubs of Garden Grove; Garden Grove Community Foundation; Helping Others Prepare for Eternity (H.O.P.E.); Orange County Food Bank; and Orange County United Way.

At the event, Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones said, “The five organizations being honored tonight are known widely in the city and county as non-profits who dedicate their time and effort to improving the lives of our youth, families, and individuals in need.”

The presentation was held at the Anaheim Marriott Suites, in the Grove District-Anaheim Resort. In attendance were local and state representatives, board members from each recognized organization, city officials, and G.G.T.P.C. members.

Jim Durslag, G.G.T.P.C. president, said, “As a valued partner to the City, the Garden Grove Tourism and Promotion Corporation looks for every opportunity to give back to the community. Through sponsorships to local non-profit organizations, G.G.T.P.C. can effectively make an impact in Garden Grove.”

The G.G.T.P.C., a California non-profit mutual benefit corporation, promotes Garden Grove’s tourism district, the Grove District-Anaheim Resort. In addition, G.G.T.P.C. constructs and maintains the business conditions of hotels, visitor accommodation facilities, and other services, activities, and programs that promote and encourages tourism within Garden Grove.

To learn more about the Garden Grove Tourism and Promotion Corporation, contact G.G.T.P.C. president, Jim Durslag, at 714-539-3300.

The Fast Foodie

Some weeks ago in this column, the Foodie praised the independent eateries that, decades ago, made fast food what it is today.

Everywhere you eat had to start somewhere, and Ground Zero must have wowed its customers with amazing atmosphere, a marvelous menu and superior savories, sweets and service.

But while franchising opportunities might have appeared to them sometime in the past, other outlets choose to stay small and local, never opening more than one or a handful of eateries. They’re often run by people with true passion for serving great food at a fair price, and sharing it every day with appreciative patrons.

Harry’s Place at 7181 West Garden Grove Blvd. in Garden Grove is an example. Placed at the corner of Knott/Goldenwest and Garden Grove Boulevard, I don’t know when it first opened but the homey décor gives me a late-70s/early-80s vibe, and the menu reflects that era as well. Burgers, breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, “South of the Border” specialties, it’s all there.

The first thing that hits you when you walk into Harry’s — they have no drive-thru — is the smell of their steaming hot grill, right behind the register. I can’t remember ever experiencing that anywhere before, and it promptly announces to you, “fresh, hot and tasty.”

Happy to say, the food backs up your expectations. If I had to explain Harry’s approach in one word, it would be: straightforward. The breakfast items like eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon are classic American. The burger was an intriguing mix of the flavor of In-N-Out’s burgers, with the charbroiled character of a Carl’s Jr sandwich.

Then there was the steak sandwich. Again, straightforward is the best way I can describe it. It’s an actual charbroiled steak, just above a quarter-inch thick, on a toasted French roll with lettuce, tomato and mayo. That’s it, that’s all, and it was quite satiating. I ended up taking home half of it for late-night leftover snacking.

Another thing that struck me about Harry’s is their menu variety. I’ve only been able to sample three of their options, but they feature a fortune of foodstuffs. We’ll have more on Harry’s Place in future installments of The Fast Foodie.

Back to the behemoths.

The Stanton area was blessed with a location of legendary fried chicken fingers franchise Raising Cane’s about a month ago, at 12775 Beach Blvd.

Like every other Cane’s I’ve visited, the lines are long but service is super-efficient, the menu is simple and short (just variations of their fingers, fries, coleslaw and drinks), and the chicken is probably the most juicy and tender of any franchise in the U.S.

But their secret weapon is the Texas Toast, so crisp, soft and gingerly seasoned with garlic. Yum!

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and please send your feedback to fastfoodieWHJ@gmail.com!

are Joanne “Yorkie” Galvin, Sheryl Williams, Dotty Bennington, Julie Fernald, and Anitia Lomeli. Middle row, from left, are Joseph Barton, Gordon Huff, Ismael Sandoval, William Uniak, Earl Westergaard, Anthony Fonte. In the back is presiding Exalted Ruler Anthony Manzo.

It was also the annual kick-off day of Garden Grove’s Buy in Garden Grove “BiGG” program.

From now until Friday, Dec. 20, for every $50 spent at any Garden Grove business, shoppers have an opportunity to win. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and make purchases in Garden Grove, including restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores.

Eligible receipts must be dated from Friday, Nov. 29 through Friday, Dec. 20. Then, take the receipts to the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce office, 12866 Main St., Ste. 102, on Historic Main Street near Acacia Parkway before 5 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Regular chamber hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The office is closed Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch and does close early for chamber events within the community.

For every $50 in total register receipts, participants receive one opportunity-drawing ticket and if purchases are made from a BiGG business or a Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce business member, shoppers receive an additional ticket.

There is no limit on the number of raffle tickets shoppers may receive for their qualifying purchases. All opportunity-drawing tickets are only given out at the chamber’s office, not at any of the local businesses.

By shopping at Garden Grove businesses who are participating in the BiGG program, then saving and turning in receipts from those  local businesses, some lucky winner will win $500 in cash or a one-night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, located in Garden Grove.

To locate participating Garden Grove businesses and Chamber of Commerce member businesses who are  participating in the BiGG program, visit the chamber’s website at staff@gardengrovechamber.com or call 714-638-7950.

Black Friday on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove was a hub of activity not just for shopping but for friends to gather at restaurants and enjoy beverages and food, while enjoying laughter and sharing memories.

Four young ladies said they had coffee together at the Phin Smith Cafe, 12921 Main St., then decided to try sitting for a photo on the turquoise Vespa out front of the cafe. The cafe uses a traditional Phin-dripped method (a real Vietnamese coffee) that they say is the authentic Caphe Sua Da made with imported real Robusta and Arabica beans, along with Charcoal Lattes and their take on a traditional Americano coffee/

It’s interior design is a type of museum of  rustic Saigon, which draws all ages to sit and enjoy one-another’s company while dining at small tables surrounded with plenty of seating.

And, to add to the hustle and bustle of Historic Main Street, was the weekly Friday-night Vintage Car Show, that has been in place for 25-years. All cars had to be moved off Main Street by 3:30 p.m. for the 4 p.m. start time of the Car Show.

Dianne Bain, who is in charge of the Car Show, said she had time to do “Black Friday” shopping before the Car Show began at 4 p.m., especially to get prizes for the Car Show at both Target and Best Buy.

”That’s all the time I had,” she said. “Bring your ride — all makes, models and years of cars and cycles and imports too.”

For Car Show participants, each owner receives a red ticket for a drawing for 10-percent off their food bill at Azteca Mexican Restaurant, Kay’s Kitchen and Louies’ on Main Street.

Participants included representatives from GG, Stanton, Westminster, Anaheim, Buena Park, La Habra and Buena Park.

The goal? Figure out a way to improve Beach Boulevard. The event included games and refreshments.

In the photo, a family tries their hand at the game of Jenga.

One More Productions’ co-founders, Damien Lorton and Nicole Cassesso took to the Gem Theatre stage last weekend, and although the talented duo has been producing live theater in Orange County for 15 years, this was the first time they had performed onstage together.

Nicole quipped that they had only had one rehearsal and that they had just “thrown the show together,” so she suggested that the audience “lower their expectations,” which caused an uproarious response from the enthusiastic crowd.

Damien talked about his first role as the Bee in Winnie the Poo in 1978. His mother had made his costume and he said that he wore a yellow T-shirt and had a rolled-up newspaper taped to his (bee-hind).

Nicole told stories about having a paint brush in one hand (painting a set) and a hair dryer in the other.

The opening number of the evening was a duet rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Damien shared that the two met when Damien was at Newport Harbor High School teaching a master class in theater and Nicole was one of his students. She auditioned and he said that the first word he ever said to Nicole was, “Next!” They later became pals when he ran Costa Mesa Playhouse, and they have now been fast friends for the past 20-plus years.

Nicole sang Fats Waller’s and Andy Razaf’s “Keeping’ Out of Mischief,” from Ain’t Misbehavin’ and she disclosed that this was the first song Damien ever taught her. Nicole talked about the 2011 electrical fire at The Gem that was a part of their journey, when all the pair could think of was how they were going to launch their 2011 musical, Chicago, and with sheer willpower, hard work, and a little help from their friends, they rebuilt the set and two days later, they put the award-winning show on at the amphitheater next door.

After that, it took two years before they were able to get back to the business of bringing professional live theater to their audiences, but they have been winning awards ever since.

Good friend, supporter, and pianist Bobbie Stovall was a special guest for the evening and she entertained the crowd with a beautiful medley of holiday music and a jazzy version of Autumn Leaves.

The songs sung by Damien and Nicole were rousing, touching, and the duet, “The World Goes Round,” was a showstopper. This was an emotional evening for both Damien and Nicole as they expressed their heartfelt gratitude for all the love and support shown by the community, their fans, and supporters.

The band onstage was lively and rocked the house. The unprecedented cabaret event was a love letter from Damien and Nicole, and although they said that it was a one-time event, the hope is that they revise it and bring it back sometime soon.

KIA of Garden Grove has moved from Garden Grove Boulevard to 13731 Harbor Blvd. in Garden Grove.

Although KIA has been open at its new location for a few months, the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce felt it would be a nice honor to orchestrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony for them, which took place Oct. 24, where city officials and KIA representatives were in attendance.

“It has been an exciting experience for me to witness the progress of our Garden Grove KIA dealership since 2010, and really, the KIA brand in general,” said Mayor Steve Jones. “It was a good decision for KIA to set up shop within the Korean Business District nearly 10-years ago and the move to Harbor Boulevard is great as well.”

Jones said that the KIA Dealership is yet another example of the strong partnerships that Garden Grove builds with its businesses, and the success that’s achieved from mutual collaboration.

“This is also an example of the potential that lies on Harbor Boulevard, south of the 22 Freeway, as this location offers a number of advantages, which includes close freeway-access, walkability, and public transportation on one of our city’s most traveled thoroughfares,” said Jones. “My hope is that in the near future, that our Grove District Anaheim Resort, just north up the road, will continue growing in this direction, south of the 22 Freeway.”

Jones also mentioned that, recently, Garden Grove broke ground for a Home2 Suites by Hilton, up the street on Harbor Boulevard, “Which represents the city’s first hotel to be built south of the Garden Grove Freeway.

“Both the brand-new hotel, and the beautiful new KIA dealership are terrific additions to our city’s District 6, represented by Councilwoman Kim Nguyen, so kudos to my colleagues on the wonderful new projects,” Jones added. “Also, it’s my understanding that in the last few months, the new KIA location has shown positive results, which is great for KIA, and of course, for Garden Grove — and of course it’s my hope the successful trend will continue in our city,  now, and far into the future. Congratulations to Garden Grove KIA President Jared Hardin and the entire KIA family, as well as to Assistant City Manager/Community and Economic Development Director Lisa Kim and her staff, and everyone who has made today possible. Thank you.”

Lisa Kim served as emcee for the ribbon cutting.

“We wanted to celebrate KIA’s successful move to its new location,” said Kim. “Garden Grove has had the privilege of working with the Hardin ownership for the KIA brand since its arrival in 2010. The original KIA dealership, which was on Garden Grove Boulevard, took over the location from their counterpart, Garden Grove Hyundai, when Hyundai moved to Trask Avenue and for nearly a decade, KIA has proven to be a great producer and valued partner for Garden Grove.”

Kim thanked the Garden Grove City Council and City Manager Scott Stiles for their support and also thanked members of the Economic Development team for their work in making the move possible, specifically.

Additional guest speakers included Garden Grove KIA President Jared Hardin and KIA Motors of America Vice President of Sales Bill Peffer.

Jennifer Stewart made a living as a sculptor before her return, five-years-ago, to the restaurant business as new owner of Azteca, a beloved fixture on Historic Main Street.

Azteca, located in downtown Garden Grove, features wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling Elvis memorabilia for Elvis fans to enjoy during lunch, dinner and weekend Karaoke nights.

But while all the décor inside the restaurant itself is dedicated to the memory of “The King,” the bar area inside Azteca has always featured a wide variety of other classic-music references and memorabilia. It’s there you’ll find where Stewart’s love of art and her obsession for classic-rock-music intersect within the ongoing installation of her “Iconic Album Covers” series.

The original wall-relief sculptures are back-lit with color-morphing LEDs and celebrate a variety of music icons. The collection of sculptures includes The Beatles’ “Abbey Road”;  Madonna’s “True Blue”; and the latest, a tribute to the heavy metal band “Metallica.”

So, what’s next?

As a way of giving back to the city, Stewart is creating a bronze police K-9 monument. The bronze statue will feature stalwart four-legged officers and their handler officers who serve so diligently. The monument will feature a life-sized, detailed study of human and canine officers spotlighting the necessary trust and special bond of the K-9 team.

Behind the lifelike figures, on the large anchoring wall, will be a rendering of the city’s clock tower and a close-up rendering of the various police badges throughout the years.

The flat, vertical wall on the back of the sculpture will memorialize K-9 officer teams from the past, present and future with small placards. More names will be added over the coming years as the K-9 officers serve and are retired.

In 2020, Garden Grove will celebrate the 50-year anniversary of adding K-9 police officers to the police force. After decades of service, Garden Grove’s policing is being contracted out to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Stewart’s sculpture will be displayed at the department, at a place to be determined.

Stewart said her sculpture is a way to honor and thank Garden Grove police officers for their tireless and continued service to the community, a community that so many long-time residents have called home since the city was formed.

The hard-fought contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

Graves scored the sole goal for her team.