Irvine Homecoming 50 Celebration

Vintage Orange            Wednesday, April 27th 2016


This week, Irvine pioneer resident and long-time community organizer Sharon Toji shares her memories of University Park. In the summer of 1966, she and her family were among the first 250 families to move into the first Village in what would later become the city of Irvine.

Sharon is also part of the Irvine 50 Year Homecoming event happening this July; a gathering of residents from all of Irvine's early villages.

For more information on how to get involved, check out the Irvine 50 Homecoming Facebook page

Listen to the podcast here.

Revisiting Bommer Canyon

Vintage Orange       Wednesday, April 20th 2016

It's hard to imagine that this city of nearly 250,000 people was once home to a cattle ranch. In fact, there are very few remnants of the Irvine Ranch cowboys still around. Fortunately, the old cattle camp at Bommer Canyon, adjacent to the Village of Turtle Rock, still retains some of that old cowboy flavor.

Years ago, Bommer Canyon was the final destination for cowboys who drove the cattle from their grazing pastures all over the ranch. Today, some of the original buildings and equipment are still standing at the park, reminding visitors of a bygone era.

Bommer Canyon is part of nearly 50,000 acres of protected open space called the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This wilderness park, conveniently located only minutes away from many of Irvine's neighborhoods, is a natural treasure right in the city's backyard.

This week, Brian Hughes, Interpretive Specialist with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, talks about Bommer Canyon's colorful past and the restored natural beauty of the present.

Listen to the Podcast Here.

Calling All Angels

Vintage Orange Wednesday, April 6 2016

In honor of baseball's Opening Week, this week's show features author Rob Goldman who discusses the history of Orange County's home team, the Angels.

Rob takes us back to the team's inaugural season of 1961, and shares some stories of that first team.

He also speaks of his personal connection with the team as a bat boy and what led him to write his books, 

Once They Were Angels and Nolan Ryan, The Making of A Pitcher

Click here to hear the podcast.