Heaven

The Orange County Performing Arts Center is pulling out all the stops for a roller-skating-inspired musical. Onstage through Dec. 27, “Xanadu” was described as “heaven on wheels” by the New York Times when it rolled through Broadway. The stay at the Orange County Performing Arts Center is the musical’s only Southern California appearance. Set in 1980, “Xanadu” is based on a cult classic film that was panned by critics but beloved by audiences, which featured Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.

Throughout the past week, the Corona del Mar High girls’ cross country team noticed a different Coach Bill Sumner. The training for the CIF State Championships didn’t intensify as much, but Sumner’s words sure stung. He kept reminding the Sea Kings about the second-place finish at the section meet Nov. 21, which ended their streak of titles at five. He kept reminding them the importance of using every ounce of effort at just the right time to win the bigger prize.

“A little Swedish girl was walking with her father one night under the starry sky, intently meditating on the glories of heaven. At last, looking up to the sky, she said, “Father, I have been thinking that if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what will the right side be?” — Unknown This quote captured my attention because heaven itself has been the focus of much of my attention in the past two years since our daughter Amy suddenly relocated there.

This weekend, Greg Laurie will do something he does extraordinarily well. And — just to give you a little heads up — the results will be nothing short of spectacular. The Newport Beach resident is quick to disclose, however, that he’s never alone in pulling off his huge project. It takes a team effort with considerable assistance from God. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, “Pastor Greg” and his ministry team — as well as a host of other partners — will bring to fruition one of the most ambitious, arduous and logistically challenging annual events.

To duvet or not to duvet? That’s one of many questions to be addressed this weekend as the Westin South Coast Plaza and Nordstrom South Coast Plaza team up in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the famed Westin Heavenly Bed. Come and learn from the Westin’s professional bed-making team that will demonstrate how heavenly beds are made so you can turn yours into a dream bed at home! Courtesy of the hotel’s professional housekeeping staff, the bed-making demonstrations are planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Soni Melgar   I am a lover of all things animal... except I hated Chihuahuas growing up! My aunt had a spoiled "herd" that nipped and barked at everyone. Not only did I fail to see why anyone would have such "beasts",  I swore I would never own one.     Fast forward 20 something years to a busy intersection in East Los Angeles.  There I was minding my own business, on a lunch break, sitting in my car at a red light, in the midst of driving around looking for some good fast food, when this little scraggly, white, skin and bones thing with a broken antennae for a tail wanders into the street and gets itself run over.

The Lord is risen, alleluia! This is the holiest of days in Christendom, because on this day, Jesus conquered death and rose to life. The day of resurrection is celebrated each Sunday, but Easter Sunday has a special significance, and today we rejoice. “By his resurrection he consecrated Sunday, or the Lord’s day,” says St. Augustine. We remember also that there would be no Easter Sunday without a Good Friday. Jesus first had to suffer and die. On Holy Saturday, Jesus descended into hell, unlocking the gates of death as it were.

Rev. Sarah Halverson of Fairview Community Church remembers the first time she heard the sermon about condemnation. She was at a youth group in the Newport-Mesa area that Halverson prefers to remain nameless, and she was stunned by its message. “I was a Christian, but I didn’t feel comfortable there,” she said. Halverson went to her regular church pastor the following day. He sat her down on the steps of the stair, joined her there and discussed the Bible’s message.