TThings are starting to heat up in Costa Mesa - people are firing up the grills, whipping out the flip flops and slapping on the sunscreen all just to dive into the first daze of the summer. But down in SOBECA we're keeping our cool. From the opening of our latest addition to THE LAB, Treasury Dept, to our returning friends at THE CAMP, Patagonia, all of SOBECA is blossoming with new and interesting finds from all over. Not to mention the much anticipated opening of SEED People's Market is approaching fast.

And as the long hot summer days turn into long hot summer nights, so start the screenings under the stars. At THE LAB we'll take you abroad every Thursday night. Starting in Africa (The Gods Must Be Crazy + Out Of Africa). Making our way up to France to visit the beach town of Nice (Bonjour Tristesse) then inland to divulge in the City Of Lights (Angel-A). Followed by a skip across time zones to Japan for a flash from the past (Rashomon) and a glimpse at the future (Kamikaze Girls). Back to Europe to share in simple joys (Cinema Paradiso) and for a taste of the sweet life (La Dolce Vita) in Italy. And lastly across the Atlantic into Latin America to see the native wonders of Mexico (Sin Dejar Huella) and the local color of South America.

But if you haven't renewed your passport, don't worry just yet - over at THE CAMP every Tuesday night we're hitting the road and getting lost more often then we'd like to admit. First we'll hunt down Walley World (National Lampoon's Vacation) and go native (Into The Wild). Followed by a family packed mishap (Little Miss Sunshine) and then we'll get picked up by a pair of friendly female felonies (Thelma & Louise). Then we're on a mission from God, to rock that is (Blues Brothers) and to redemption (O' Brother Where Art Thou). And lastly we'll join in on a hunt for hidden treasure (It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World) and try and find some peace in wine country (Sideways). We'll bring the popcorn, just don't forget to pack your camping equipment (chairs and blankets).

But come Saturday, July 25th we're going to crank up the heat with our first ever Beach Party. Featuring live music, food samples and games. THE LAB & THE CAMP will be bustling with sales from all our favorite shops, dj's spinning the best in beach jams, and restaurants like Habana partaking in the madness. And that very same evening a live show at The Camp will feature local bands, such as Tijuana Panthers, and classic films, Blue Hawaii, for the Beach Party After-Party. But whether you come to unwind, relax for get a break from the crowds at the beach, THE LAB and THE CAMP will have more than it's share of summer splendor to indulge in.

Please contact patricia@thelab.com with your questions and comments.

Got a small business idea? Tired of working in your garage?
Want a small retail shop in an
un-mall location?
We got a space for you!!
Innovative office/workspaces now available in the Sobeca area (Baker St. near Bear).

Let us know so we can
design accordingly.
Contact: ryan@thelab.com

If you’re any shade of an environmentalist, you know the name Yvon Chouinard.  This man started hand crafting climbing equipment back in 1965, and has grown his much respected company to worldwide recognition under the name “PATAGONIA”.  Since 1996, Patagonia has used only organic cotton in their clothing line. Although making this decision was unpopular and expensive at the time, Yvon  remained steadfast in putting environmental concerns in priority position.  Today Patagonia headquarters in Ventura house a day care facility for employees, flex working hours, surf breaks, vegan cafeteria and expect responsible environmental activism from all employees under its roof.

We have just received jewelry from Zendik Arts - made from recycled glossy magazine pages that look and feel like beads. They are stunningly beautiful and eco-friendly.

And a new shipment from Harveys Original Seatbelt bags - small wallets and handbags in the beautifiul core colors - champaign, red, and black.

http://www.shophumanitaire.com

Also, we just signed up for a Twitter account, so our customers can more easily
keep up with what we're doing. http://twitter.com/shophumanitaire

Happy Hour Mondays at Old Vine Café:
Monday Evenings from 4:30 to 8:00 Starting  July 20th

$15 per person includes a tapas buffet

Drink options include:

$5 sangria
$6 wines by the glass
15% off all wines by the bottle

One drink minimum per person
Reservations highly recommended

The Mid-Week Early Diner Tasting Menu
$40 per person

Early diner tasting menus are only available for 5:00 & 5:30 reservations on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings.  No substitutions. Regular dinner menu will also be available at these times.

Create your own 3 course tasting menu from the following options:

1st Course
Your choice of one of the following options:
Baby Spinach Salad: Fresh Spinach, Dried Fruit, Pine Nuts, Goat Cheese & Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette. Paired with a 2007 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny.
Crispy Blue Salad: Certified Organic Greens, Crispy Proscuitto, Fried Onions & Maytag Blue Cheese Dressing. Paired with a 2007 Reuscher-Haart Piesporter Riesling.
Eggplant Buratta: Mozarella Buratta, Panko Crusted Eggplant, Grape Tomatoes & Basil Pesto. Paired with a N.V. Caposaldo Brut Prosecco, Italy.

2nd Course
Your choice of one of the following options:
Polenta Pomodoro: House Made, Pan Fried Polenta with Pomodoro Cream Sauce garnished with Aged Pecorino Romano Cheese. Paired with a 2004 Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Fettuccini Pomodoro: Handmade Fettuccini Pomodoro garnished with Aged Pecorino Romano Cheese. Paired with a 2005 Icardi Barbera D’Asti, Piedmonte.

Lamb Meatloaf: Certified All Natural Lamb Meatloaf, on a bed of Caramelized Onions, garnished with Wilted Arugula & a Rich Syrah Demi. Paired with a 2007 Tortoise Creek Shiraz, Languedoc France.

3rd Course
Your choice of one of the following options:
Grandma’s Cheesecake: Cream Cheesecake garnished with a Wild Berry Puree. Paired with a NV Ferreira Ruby Port.

Pecan Pie Tartlets: Mini Pecan Pie Tartlets garnished with Vanilla Fleur De Sel Butterscotch Sauce & Whipped Cream. Paired with a NV Baroncini Il Santo, Italy.

Tres Leches Chocolate Cake: With Merlot–Port-Wine Dark Chocolate Sauce, garnished  with Fresh Whipped Cream. Paired with a NV Ferreira Ruby Port.

Native Foods:

Native Foods at the Camp will celebrate 4th of July with a BANG! Not only are we open all day, but starting this Thursday come on in and pick up Tanya's Greek Mixed Grill Kebabs in our grab & go section...all made fresh that day for you to pop on the Grill! Or take them to a friend's party; they'll be a huge hit. Conveniently packaged with 6 or 12 kebabs ready to grill. Great marinade on the side. Available only Thursday-Saturday at Native Foods. Good time to pick up a cool new Lavender Lemonade or a Native Palmer!

Don't forget to call Native Foods asap at 714.751.2151 to register for the
Chill -n- Grill Cooking Class Series: #2 Mediterranean Flair
Saturday, July 11, 2009 9:30 am Chef Tanya at Native Foods will have you thrilled at the grill with her Mediterranean flair! Our 2 hour class (well, known to last 3 hours!) will take you through summer fare: a chilled soup, appetizer, entree and dessert. Your friends and family will be taken with your new talents in this hands-on, outdoor class! Sign up early please. We do sell out quickly! For more info, log onto www.nativefoods.com

Chef Tanya will also be featured at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza on Saturday, July 18 at 1pm. She’ll be doing a Cooking Demo & Cookbook Signing in the Culinary Cellar…come say hi!

http://www.nativefoods.com