Just in time for summer break, The District at Tustin Legacy is adding three “experiential” play spaces for kids and adults.
Dart Haus, a Nerf play arena, recently opened. Participants buy battle passes ranging from 30-60 minutes to all-day passes. The pass comes with Haus socks and rental safety glasses and “blaster” options. The arena includes obstacles and hiding spots, sure to keep your heart racing. Dart Haus is next to Luna Rossa, near the AMC movie theater.
If your kids love those claw machines that drain your wallet faster than we can say “gotcha,” Top Canvas is now open at the inside-out shopping center.
Top Canvas includes a dozen claw machines with popular plushy toys as prizes. The store also sells toys, and collectibles like Pokemon cards and mini-figures from Funko Pop and Pop Mart, Squishmallows and Squishable plushies. Top Canvas is next to Pinot’s Palette near the movie theater.
Coming later this summer is World of Racing, a simulated driving platform with all the feels.
The facility will include car simulators that put you in the race car driver’s seat. All the simulators will be equipped with motion, meaning the driver will be able to feel the car’s movement, “even small bumps on the track,” we’re told. Surround-sound headsets will help make the racing experience complete.
Goodwill store opens in Fountain Valley
Goodwill Orange County has opened its newest store in Fountain Valley.
The store, formerly a Tuesday Morning at 17120 Magnolia St., includes a boutique pop-up inside the larger store. To the rear, there’s a donation drop off for area residents.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Sam Ash Music closing all stores
In case you missed the news last week, Sam Ash Music is closing all stores this summer. The 100-year-old music store with seven locations in Southern California made the announcement May 2 on social media.
The company was founded by two immigrants who settled in New York. Sam Ash retired his music performing career when wife Rose demanded a little more of his time at home. They created a retail store that would inspire legions of wannabe musicians over the years.
The family-run company, which sells myriad guitars, instruments, amplifiers, DJ and stage equipment, offered no reason for the closure.
On the move
Cancer researchers and subspecialized oncologists Monica Mita and Alain Mita have joined the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. The couple comes to Hoag after 13 years at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Monica Mita is co-director of early phase development therapy and co-director of breast medical oncology. Alain Mita is co-director of early phase development therapy and director of lung and head & neck cancers.
Michael Jones is the new general manager and Rudy Lopez the executive chef at Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita in Downtown Disney. Jones’ roles previously at Patina Restaurant Group included general manager at a Los Angeles-based restaurant and catering unit and assistant general manager at Catal and Uva Bar, formerly in Downtown Disney. Lopez previously was executive chef at the Line Hotel in Los Angeles and was executive sous chef at Jose Andres’ Mi Casa and chef de cuisine at Nomad Hotel.
On board
Julie Miller-Phipps, former president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, recently was appointed to the board of directors at Think Together in Santa Ana. The nonprofit provides school improvement, expanded learning and afterschool programs. Since leaving Kaiser, Miller-Phipps has launched her own strategic advising company.
Tony Church, Ruth Cossio-Muñiz, and Susan Willig recently were appointed to the board of directors at Meals on Wheels Orange County. Church is chief operating officer for BNB Builders in Irvine. Cossio-Muñiz is the interim regional director for workforce and employer engagement at the Orange County Regional Consortium. Willig is the founder and chief brand strategist for TrueNorth.
Grants
Girls Inc. of Orange County in Santa Ana is the receipt of a $300,000 multiyear grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. The money will go toward the nonprofit’s “Empowering Girls: A Pipeline to Success” programs aimed at workforce readiness. Girls Inc. says the program provides young women with the tools and resources necessary to thrive in school, college and beyond. Girls Inc. hopes to help 450 program participants with the grant money.
Fundraisers
The Gentlemen’s Haberdashery raised a record-breaking $660,000 on April 25 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. The event featured executives and leaders modeling menswear while raising funds for the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana. The center is owned and operated by the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart.
Art & Creativity for Healing raised $110,000 at its annual Palette of Colors fundraiser held April 27 at Rancho Santa Margarita’s Bell Tower. All proceeds support the organization’s emotional healing programs through art and creative expression. For more information about the nonprofit, call 949-367-1902 or go to art4healing.org/gala.
Speech and Language Development Center raised $68,154 at its Walk Your Way event, held April 7th at Knott’s Berry Farm. The money will go toward the nonprofit’s education and therapy programs year-round.
South County Outreach raised $200,000 at its Empty Bowls event on April 11, held at the AV in Irvine. The money will go toward programs aimed at addressing hunger and homelessness in Orange County.
J&J MedTech in Irvine raised $22,923.39 at the American Heart Association’s 2024 OC Heart and Stroke Walk held Saturday, April 13 at Angel Stadium. The J&J MedTech team’s result was the second-highest among 325 participating teams.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
