18T ANNUAL IRVINE GLOBAL VILLAGE FEST ARTIST STATEMENT AT TE GREAT PAR SPOTLIGT ON IRVINE BUSINESS PARCEL PENDING

OCTOBER 2 201 NO. 2

IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER | 2 Faking It: Part 3

Fake News, Misinformation and Media Bias: How to Keep Your Stories Straight in a Shareable Social World

Moderated by Brian Calle, CEO & Publisher, Irvine Weekly and LA Weekly Hosted By e Elite OC • Educational Content by World Aairs Council OC • Sponsored by New Majority

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FOOD...16 Paper Lantern Dumpling House outstanding offers flavors. NAJJAR RYAN BY The soundtrack of Game of Thrones in concert at FivePoint Amphitheatre. BY SCOTT FEINBLATT MUSIC...12 ARTS...10 artContemporary on display at the Great Park. BY LIZ GOLDNER NEWS...8 Parcel Pending: Innovating in an e-commerce world. BY TARA FINLEY Irvine Global returnsVillage Festival its for 18th year. NAJJAR RYAN BY ENTERTAINMENT...4

4 CONTENTS ENTERTAINMENT IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER | 4

CELEBRATE CULTURE AT THE TH ANNUAL IRVINE GLOBAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL THE EVENT, HOSTED BY THE GREAT PAR THIS YEAR, ILL BE EVEN BIGGER THAN ITS PREDECESSORS.

BY: RYAN NAJJAR

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: CITY OF IRVINE

rom all around the world and Village Festival every year since 2002 of everything from Chinese folk danc- val. They also celebrated their previous from all walks of life, people (although the first was in 2000). As ing and traditional Korean drumming success by heading to the Irvine Civic gather to live, work and raise the years have gone by, each festival to Cajun and Zydeco music, along with Center, drawing approximately 4,000 their families in this beauti- has been bigger than the last, and this martial arts and Thai fruit-carving people to the event as a result. fulF city. New people bring new ideas, year’s celebration on Saturday, October demonstrations. To keep the tradition going and grow- perspectives and stories to share with 12 and Sunday, October 13 will be no In 1998, a small collective of residents ing every year, the original founders each other, and it’s that sort of blend exception. first got the idea to bring the people a got together and formed the Irvine that makes Irvine so beautiful in the first There’ll be a cornucopia of booths, festival to promote the area’s di“erent Multicultural Association, where they place. Sometimes, however, we need to live performances, speakers and other cultures. It was called, fittingly enough, dedicate themselves to the task year- take the time to celebrate the variety activities and events to help showcase the Multicultural Festival, and interest round. Their cooperation has paid o“ in of people that’ve established their lives every vibrant color and pattern on the began to pick up after the following spades. here, and all the cultures they bring to quilt of Irvine. Admission is free too! year’s celebration. People began to Predictably, the proceeding years have the table. Live entertainment this year will flood in after the festival was moved to a brought about recognition for their ef- Irvine’s city government, thankfully, include a wide variety of dance troupes larger venue to encourage attendance. forts. Back in 2009, O.C. Weekly handed shares this sentiment with us. In fact, to and from around the world For the year after that, they decided to them the crown of “Best Festival,” even honor the diversity that spices up life performing across dozens of genres and take a new direction, branding them- though their best was yet to come. in this town, they’ve put on the Global styles. Guests can check out showcases selves as the Irvine Global Village Festi- They’d top themselves again in 2011, IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 5 LICENSED CULTIVATOR: LICENSE #: PML18-0001689 OG Kush. Kush. OG BOSIM 1628 MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC 1628 MANAGEMENT COMPANY BOSIM A California Original Since 1996 Since Original A California AVAILABLE AT AT AVAILABLE @therealogkushstory www.joshd.com CULTIVATE CARE • ENJOY RESPONSIBLY • 21+ ONLY RESPONSIBLY • ENJOY CARE CULTIVATE RYAN NAJJAR RYAN BY: val. They also celebrated their previous previous their celebrated also They val. Civic Irvine the to heading by success 4,000 approximately drawing Center, result. a as event the to people grow- and going tradition the keep To founders original the year, every ing Irvine the formed and together got they where Association, Multicultural year- task the to themselves dedicate in o“ paid has cooperation Their round. spades. have years proceeding the Predictably, ef- their for recognition about brought handed Weekly O.C. 2009, in Back forts. even Festival,” “Best of crown the them come. to yet was best their though 2011, in again themselves top They’d PHOTOS COURTESY OF: CITY OF: OF IRVINE COURTESY PHOTOS of everything from Chinese folk danc- folk Chinese from everything of drumming Korean traditional and ing with along music, Zydeco and Cajun to fruit-carving Thai and arts martial demonstrations. residents of collective small a 1998, In a people the bring to idea the got first di“erent area’s the promote to festival enough, fittingly called, was It cultures. interest and Festival, Multicultural the following the after up pick to began to began People celebration. year’s a to moved was festival the after in flood attendance. encourage to venue larger to decided they that, after year the For them- branding direction, new a take Festi- Village Global Irvine the as selves Village Festival every year since 2002 since year every Festival Village As 2000). in was first the (although festival each by, gone have years the this and last, the than bigger been has October Saturday, on celebration year’s no be will 13 October Sunday, and 12 exception. booths, of cornucopia a be There’ll other and speakers performances, live showcase help to events and activities the on pattern and color vibrant every too! free is Admission Irvine. of quilt will year this entertainment Live troupes dance of variety wide a include world the around from musicians and and genres of dozens across performing showcases out check can Guests styles. rom all around the world and and world the around all rom people life, of walks all from raise and work live, to gather beauti- this in families their THE EVENT, HOSTED BY THE GREAT PAR THIS YEAR, ILL BE EVEN BIGGER BIGGER THIS YEAR, ILL BE EVEN PAR THE GREAT BY HOSTED THE EVENT, THAN ITS PREDECESSORS. F ful city. New people bring new ideas, ideas, new bring people New city. ful with share to stories and perspectives blend of sort that it’s and other, each first the in beautiful so Irvine makes that to need we however, Sometimes, place. variety the celebrate to time the take lives their established that’ve people of to bring they cultures the all and here, table. the thankfully, government, city Irvine’s to fact, In us. with sentiment this shares life up spices that diversity the honor Global the on put they’ve town, this in CELEBRATE CULTURE AT THE TH ANNUAL THE TH ANNUAL AT CULTURE CELEBRATE FESTIVAL VILLAGE GLOBAL IRVINE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER | 6

which marked the 40th anniversary of benefits for those attending the growing Irvine and the festival’s 10th birthday. festival. Parking will be scarce for those More than 20,000 attendees showed who aren’t able to arrive before it opens, up, and a new tradition took root when or at least when it starts. If you they decided to take a stand to promote want to do your part to make it easier global peace with the United Nations for yourself and your fellow Irvine folk, Art Miles Mural Project, which allows we’d suggest you and your friends or younger attendees to create artwork family try to fill up every seat you’ve included in a massive, beautiful display. got. The festival’s about bringing people The time and e­ort they’ve dedicated closer together, after all. to empowering the di­erent national- The event is going to be held in Orange ities, religions and cultures that make County Great Park this year, although up the city is immense, and while local if you’re going to be taking an Uber or publications have taken note, it was similar rideshare service, you’ll need about time for some attention on a larg- to direct them to the Great Park Tennis er scale. They ended up receiving ex- Complex Parking Lot. actly that when the National League of Irvine is a beautiful place with an Cities honored the city of Irvine with a outstanding tapestry of lives that make Cultural Diversity Award. Among other it what it is. As parts of that tapestry our- things, it recognized the creative e­orts selves, we owe it to those around us to taken to start programs highlighting celebrate each other and take pride in acceptance and celebration of diversity place, and a variety of global cuisines. plates and utensils are either com- our unique spread of individuals. in the community. While the environmentally conscious postable or recyclable. You can do it every day by supporting With all this recognition and an es- might be wondering about the waste In keeping with this trend, they’d like local business and cultural institutions, tablished reputation, they still haven’t potentially created by all this, there’s no you to utilize reusable goods whenever but make sure you’re really ready to slowed down. They’ve stuck to their need to worry. necessary, including water bottles and take pride by checking in with the city original mission of continuous expan- The organizers are dedicated to creat- other beverage containers, bags, if you of Irvine website for exact details on sion, and last year saw their greatest ing a zero-waste environment, where decide to go shopping, and considering the festival and all sorts of other events array of o­erings yet with over 115 even the T-shirts, signs and banners are carpooling in your friend’s new electric happening in town this year. performances, an array of cultural and intended for reuse, or at least designed car (or doing whatever else you can to www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-global- religious exhibits, kid-focused activities, to be biodegradable. They also utilize decrease your carbon footprint). village-festival an expansive international market- composting methods and make sure all Carpooling would also o­er more IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 7 - Jim and Carol Hoffman Carol and - Jim WWW.KERLEGALGROUP.COM savings to a very opportunistic claimant. The stress prior to retaining Keith was nearly unbearable.” nearly was Keith retaining to prior stress The claimant. a very to savings opportunistic “If not for Keith’s compassion and superior defense strategy, we might have lost all of our hard-earned retirement retirement hard-earned our all lost of have might we strategy, defense superior and compassion Keith’s for not “If NEWS So what sets Parcel Pending apart “I first developed the idea for Parcel maintain an environment that gives from its peers? We had a conversation Pending while working at The Irvine our team members the opportunity to with Lori A. Torres, CEO and founder of Company. During my 13-year tenure ... thrive through open communication Parcel Pending, to get the answers. I held various senior positions, includ- practices and programs to help them “What sets us apart is our best-in-class ing Senior Vice President of property achieve positive results. And above all, customer service,” shares Ms. Torres. operations. I was responsible for the we are committed to having fun!” “Parcel Pending stands out amongst operational oversight of the company’s They plan to continue to grow their job its competitors due to our unmatched multifamily portfolio, consisting of 1,200 creation as the company encourages a 24/7 service teams that are dedicated property management associates oper- positive work environment. to creating the best experience for all of ating over 44,000 apartment homes.” In addition to employing many of our

IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM our customers. Our specialized depart- It was during this time that Ms. Torres neighbors, Ms. Torres and Parcel Pend- ments focus their time and eŠorts by became aware of a developing resident ing are deeply involved within the com- going above and beyond, reaching out need. munity. The company supports many of to their contacts and ensuring every- “While at The Irvine Company, I the local nonprofits and organizations thing is running smoothly all day, every regularly walked through many of that fight homelessness. day. We pride ourselves on improving their multifamily communities. Initially, Ms. Torres herself has served in various the security and accessibility of over 1.5 package delivery was not a major issue. community roles over the years, includ- million packages monthly. We recog- It used to be that property managers ing stints as the president of the South nize the importance our lockers play at only took a few minutes out of their day Coast Apartment Association, Orange the communities we serve and that the to manage a small amount of deliveries County in 2009, as a board member of OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER packages people are excited to receive for residents. However, as time went on the California Apartment Association

| are our top priority and passion.” and online shopping became increas- from 2010 to 2012 and as a board mem- As the ordering of goods becomes the ingly popular, I noticed that property ber of the CAA South Coast Apartment 8 norm, we are now seeing more environ- managers were struggling to devote Association, Orange County from 2005 mentally temperamental goods — such enough space, time and money to prop- to 2011. She was also a board chair of as food, wine and medications — being erly manage the influx of deliveries. At Grandma’s House of Hope, a nonprofit delivered. However, with rising sum- the same time, residents were becoming dedicated to ending homelessness, pov- mer and fall temperatures, this creates overwhelmingly frustrated with having erty and hunger, from 2010-2014. a problem for consumers that are not to pick up their packages during oŠice Currently, Ms. Torres sits on the board able to immediately receive their orders. hours, disappearing packages, and of Families Forward, an Irvine-based Parcel Pending has a solution to this tracking packages that never arrived. I nonprofit that aims to provide aŠord- problem. knew there had to be a better way and able housing for homeless and at-risk “In addition to phenomenal customer set out to find a solution.” families. service, we also are committed to oŠer- That solution was Parcel Pending. From her experience, it remains ing the most technologically advanced As founder, Ms. Torres has built the important to Parcel Pending’s founder electronic lockers. That’s why our company from the ground up, from that the company be committed to product line has expanded from indoor the formation of an initial idea to the giving back to its home. As such, Parcel LORI TORRES lockers to outdoor and refrigerated — the management of the successful business Pending has provided school supplies, first in the industry — lockers. We are it is today. scholarships, food and relief eŠorts to always pushing the envelope when “My extensive real estate experience underprivileged children and families SPOTLIGHT ON IRVINE BUSINESS it comes to new features and strive to has allowed me to truly understand in Orange County. provide state-of-the-art lockers that suit the diverse needs of property own- So what does the future hold for this the needs of our diverse audiences. For ers, property managers, couriers and fast-growing company? PARCEL PENDING example, our new BOPIL™ solution is residents. As a result, I have been able to “The company will continue its ex- designed to help retailers drive in-store conceptualize and develop complete- pansion in retail, grocery, corporate customer engagement, improve the ly customizable indoor, outdoor and campuses, commercial oŠice buildings, TAING ADVANTAGE OF THE RISE OF ECOMMERCE, THE customer experience and increase reve- refrigerated digital smart lockers that multifamily apartments and univer- COMPANY ENSURES RESIDENTS CAN BE CONFIDENT THEIR nue opportunities with their BOPIS solu- provide seamless package manage- sities. We anticipate innovative new tion. We remove the chaos of package ment solutions for residents, employees, products and will continue to be the PACAGES ONT FALL VICTIM TO PORCH PIRATES. management by assuming all customer retailers and shoppers nationwide.” first-to-market with these new ‘make service responsibility for package deliv- Headquartered in Irvine, it employs life easier’ solutions. We have great BY: TARA FINLEY ery, notification and retrieval.” many of the city’s residents. What things in store.” Parcel Pending provides a service to makes Parcel Pending a great place to Lastly, we must ask: Why choose Irvine PHOTOS COURTESY OF: PARCEL PENDING both the retailer and the consumer, work? as your headquarters? shaping their business model to best “As an innovative and customer-cen- “Irvine is a great place to run a busi- ith over 280,000 living impressive reputation, we at Irvine their locker systems help to improve serve the Irvine community and be- tric company, we are invested in a cul- ness. The city oŠers a thriving, collabo- in the city, Irvine is Weekly seek to highlight some of its package-receiving eŠiciency. yond. ture of service and collaboration. Parcel rative community with vibrate access home to a thriving best. This month we put the spotlight on As the popularity of online-shopping Ms. Torres knows the needs of our Pending is powered by our people and to top talent. Everyone in Irvine is also community of busi- Parcel Pending. skyrockets, so does the need for better city well, having moved to Orange our leadership team firmly believes very supportive of local businesses. nessesW and consumers. More than Parcel Pending provides our com- management of packages. From “porch County from Long Beach in 2000 for a that the key to our continued success is There is a great deal of support for start- 17,000 companies operate within its munity with an innovative package pirates” to restrictive pick-up times, con- career advancement role at The Irvine celebrating the achievements — both ups and entrepreneurs in Irvine. There is borders, giving Irvine an impressive management solution. Often seen in sumer frustration has led to the creation Company, a real-estate investment big and small — of our entire team. We no better business community!” job-to-population ratio of 94.8 percent. multifamily communities, retailers, cor- of a growing market of solution-based company and master planner based in not only recognize the contributions of Given how vital business is to Irvine’s porate campuses, universities and more, shipping and receiving services. Newport Beach. each employee but also work hard to IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 9 NEVER END. 2019 Cedar2019 KB19-296 L.P. Fair, NIGHTMARES GET TICKETS YOUR AT Sept. 19 – Nov. 2 Nov. – 19 Sept. Nights Select KNOTTSSCARYFARM.COM WHERE Not recommended for children under 13. maintain an environment that gives gives that environment an maintain to opportunity the members team our communication open through thrive them help to programs and practices all, above And results. positive achieve fun!” having to committed are we job their grow to continue to plan They a encourages company the as creation environment. work positive our of many employing to addition In Pend- Parcel and Torres Ms. neighbors, com- the within involved deeply are ing of many supports company The munity. organizations and nonprofits local the homelessness. fight that various in served has herself Torres Ms. includ- years, the over roles community South the of president the as stints ing Orange Association, Apartment Coast of member board a as 2009, in County Association Apartment California the mem- board a as and 2012 to 2010 from Apartment Coast South CAA the of ber 2005 from County Orange Association, of chair board a also was She 2011. to nonprofit a Hope, of House Grandma’s pov- homelessness, ending to dedicated 2010-2014. from hunger, and erty board the on sits Torres Ms. Currently, Irvine-based an Forward, Families of aŠord- provide to aims that nonprofit at-risk and homeless for housing able families. remains it experience, her From founder Pending’s Parcel to important to committed be company the that Parcel such, As home. its to back giving supplies, school provided has Pending to eŠorts relief and food scholarships, families and children underprivileged County. Orange in this for hold future the does what So company? fast-growing ex- its continue will company “The corporate grocery, retail, in pansion buildings, oŠice commercial campuses, univer- and apartments multifamily new innovative anticipate We sities. the be to continue will and products ‘make new these with first-to-market great have We solutions. easier’ life store.” in things Irvine choose Why ask: must we Lastly, headquarters? your as busi- a run to place great a is “Irvine collabo- thriving, a oŠers city The ness. access vibrate with community rative also is Irvine in Everyone talent. top to businesses. local of supportive very start- for support of deal great a is There is There Irvine. in entrepreneurs and ups community!” business better no each employee but also work hard to to hard work also but employee each not only recognize the contributions of contributions the recognize only not big and small — of our entire team. We We team. entire our of — small and big celebrating the achievements — both both — achievements the celebrating that the key to our continued success is success continued our to key the that our leadership team firmly believes believes firmly team leadership our Pending is powered by our people and and people our by powered is Pending ture of service and collaboration. Parcel Parcel collaboration. and service of ture tric company, we are invested in a cul- a in invested are we company, tric “As an innovative and customer-cen- and innovative an “As work? makes Parcel Pending a great place to to place great a Pending Parcel makes many of the city’s residents. What What residents. city’s the of many Headquartered in Irvine, it employs employs it Irvine, in Headquartered retailers and shoppers nationwide.” shoppers and retailers ment solutions for residents, employees, employees, residents, for solutions ment provide seamless package manage- package seamless provide refrigerated digital smart lockers that that lockers smart digital refrigerated ly customizable indoor, outdoor and and outdoor indoor, customizable ly conceptualize and develop complete- develop and conceptualize residents. As a result, I have been able to to able been have I result, a As residents. ers, property managers, couriers and and couriers managers, property ers, the diverse needs of property own- property of needs diverse the has allowed me to truly understand understand truly to me allowed has “My extensive real estate experience experience estate real extensive “My it is today. today. is it management of the successful business business successful the of management the formation of an initial idea to the the to idea initial an of formation the company from the ground up, from from up, ground the from company As founder, Ms. Torres has built the the built has Torres Ms. founder, As That solution was Parcel Pending. Pending. Parcel was solution That set out to find a solution.” a find to out set knew there had to be a better way and and way better a be to had there knew tracking packages that never arrived. I arrived. never that packages tracking hours, disappearing packages, and and packages, disappearing hours, to pick up their packages during oŠice oŠice during packages their up pick to overwhelmingly frustrated with having having with frustrated overwhelmingly the same time, residents were becoming becoming were residents time, same the erly manage the influx of deliveries. At At deliveries. of influx the manage erly enough space, time and money to prop- to money and time space, enough managers were struggling to devote devote to struggling were managers ingly popular, I noticed that property property that noticed I popular, ingly and online shopping became increas- became shopping online and for residents. However, as time went on on went time as However, residents. for to manage a small amount of deliveries deliveries of amount small a manage to only took a few minutes out of their day day their of out minutes few a took only It used to be that property managers managers property that be to used It package delivery was not a major issue. issue. major a not was delivery package their multifamily communities. Initially, Initially, communities. multifamily their regularly walked through many of of many through walked regularly “While at The Irvine Company, I Company, Irvine The at “While need. need. became aware of a developing resident resident developing a of aware became It was during this time that Ms. Torres Torres Ms. that time this during was It ating over 44,000 apartment homes.” apartment 44,000 over ating property management associates oper- associates management property multifamily portfolio, consisting of 1,200 of consisting portfolio, multifamily operational oversight of the company’s company’s the of oversight operational operations. I was responsible for the the for responsible was I operations. ing Senior Vice President of property property of President Vice Senior ing I held various senior positions, includ- positions, senior various held I Company. During my 13-year tenure ...... tenure 13-year my During Company. Pending while working at The Irvine Irvine The at working while Pending “I first developed the idea for Parcel Parcel for idea the developed first “I So what sets Parcel Pending apart Pending Parcel sets what So conversation a had We peers? its from of founder and CEO Torres, A. Lori with answers. the get to Pending, Parcel best-in-class our is apart us sets “What Torres. Ms. shares service,” customer amongst out stands Pending “Parcel unmatched our to due competitors its dedicated are that teams service 24/7 of all for experience best the creating to depart- specialized Our customers. our by eŠorts and time their focus ments out reaching beyond, and above going every- ensuring and contacts their to every day, all smoothly running is thing improving on ourselves pride We day. 1.5 over of accessibility and security the recog- We monthly. packages million at play lockers our importance the nize the that and serve we communities the receive to excited are people packages passion.” and priority top our are the becomes goods of ordering the As environ- more seeing now are we norm, such — goods temperamental mentally being — medications and wine food, as sum- rising with However, delivered. creates this temperatures, fall and mer not are that consumers for problem a orders. their receive immediately to able this to solution a has Pending Parcel problem. customer phenomenal to addition “In oŠer- to committed are also we service, advanced technologically most the ing our why That’s lockers. electronic indoor from expanded has line product the — refrigerated and outdoor to lockers are We lockers. — industry the in first when envelope the pushing always to strive and features new to comes it suit that lockers state-of-the-art provide For audiences. diverse our of needs the is solution BOPIL™ new our example, in-store drive retailers help to designed the improve engagement, customer reve- increase and experience customer solu- BOPIS their with opportunities nue package of chaos the remove We tion. customer all assuming by management deliv- package for responsibility service retrieval.” and notification ery, to service a provides Pending Parcel consumer, the and retailer the both best to model business their shaping be- and community Irvine the serve yond. our of needs the knows Torres Ms. Orange to moved having well, city a for 2000 in Beach Long from County Irvine The at role advancement career investment real-estate a Company, in based planner master and company Beach. Newport LORI TORRES LORI TARA FINLEY TARA BY: their locker systems help to improve improve to help systems locker their eŠiciency. package-receiving online-shopping of popularity the As better for need the does so skyrockets, “porch From packages. of management con- times, pick-up restrictive to pirates” creation the to led has frustration sumer solution-based of market growing a of services. receiving and shipping PARCEL PENDING PARCEL OF: COURTESY PHOTOS impressive reputation, we at Irvine Irvine at we reputation, impressive its of some highlight to seek Weekly on spotlight the put we month This best. Pending. Parcel com- our provides Pending Parcel package innovative an with munity in seen Often solution. management cor- retailers, communities, multifamily more, and universities campuses, porate ith over 280,000 living living 280,000 over ith is Irvine city, the in thriving a to home busi- of community TAING ADVANTAGE OF THE RISE OF ECOMMERCE, THE THE OF THE RISE OF ECOMMERCE, ADVANTAGE TAING THEIR RESIDENTS BE CONFIDENT ENSURES CAN COMPANY TO PORCH PIRATES. VICTIM ONT FALL PACAGES W nesses and consumers. More than than More consumers. and nesses its within operate companies 17,000 impressive an Irvine giving borders, percent. 94.8 of ratio job-to-population Irvine’s to is business vital how Given SPOTLIGHT ON IRVINE BUSINESS BUSINESS ON IRVINE SPOTLIGHT PENDING PARCEL NEWS ARTS hile “Artist Statement,” female materials of cotton, batting and figurative aspects, and are perhaps in- create metaphors for relationships be- short video, she replicates on the canvas the exhibition currently thread, dyed in pale pinks and blues, fluenced by the populist style of French tween humans, animals, objects and the various objects in the field, as well as on display at the Great the completed pieces take on decidedly painter Fernand Léger (1881-1995). substances,” according to the exhibi- the larger landscape, seeking to have Park Gallery through feminine aspects. Sauer’s “Kitchen Wake” depicts two bold tion’s wall didactics. Yet this abstract the objects blend in with the back- NovemberW 10, empowers graduate art Observe these works more closely and androgynous figures, inhabiting the far piece, in bright reds, black and white, ground and perhaps disappear. students to display their evolving ex- the viewer will see fuzzy, pixelated left side of the painting, while preparing with fragments of yarn woven Mei Huang’s artists statement, appro- pertise in painting, photography, video, landscapes, imprinted in checkerboard meals with determination. The bulk throughout, and even holding it up, ap- priately descriptive to the video, reads: installations and other media, its pre- fashion onto the cotton material. The of the painting, illustrating an askew, pears to be influenced by abstract “Through personal experiences of dominant feature is their understanding total look is that of sculptural pieces, illusionistic kitchen with sink and range, expressionism with its gestural brush- diaspora, her work is rooted in the of the range, depth, conceptual aspects combining masculine forms with helps create an artistic environment strokes, spontaneity and biomorphic nuances of fragmented upbringing in

IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM and significance of experimentation in traditional feminine fabrics and sewing that, Sauer explains, travels between shapes. terms of physical location and culture art-making today. techniques. These “docile” sculptures past and future. Rounding out this dramatic, ground- and how these forces a¤ect changing Sydney Walters’ (Claremont Graduate further suggest that the artist is explor- The artist’s “Floodlight” is more obscure breaking exhibition is an eight-minute perceptions of home, nationhood, loss School) “Crumpled Wall” (2018), as an ing established male and female and identifiable primarily by its title. video, “Erasure” (2018) by Stephanie Mei and identity.” example, is a large acrylic painting of roles, which are today increasingly Two human figures, who appear to be Huang (California Institute of the “Artist Statement” is on view through floral patterns, appropriated from questioned and even muddled. staring at each other, seem to have Arts). The video, presumably shot by the November 10, 2019. Great Park Gallery, the background of a 1427 Giovanni di One of the more surprising artworks in had their personal space interfered by a artist and starring only herself, is set in a Palm Court Art Complex, Orange Coun- Paolo devotional painting, “Branchini this exhibition is Justin Rightsell’s random floodlight. Southern California field with moun- ty Great Park, Irvine; Thu. & Fri., noon - 4 Madonna,” in the Norton Simon Muse- (Cal State University, Long Beach) “Unti- The dramatic wall-sized “Hold On” tains in the distance. Set in the field are p.m., Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; free. um. tled (what lies outside, beneath the (2019) of Velcro and yarn by Zi Zhuang a chair, an old TV, a lamp and an easel, cityofirvine.org/orange-county-great- OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER While the floral designs may not be horizon; violence; gesture; thaumoto)” (Claremont Graduate School) depicts the latter displaying a canvas that the park/arts-exhibitions.

| immediately apparent as religious (2018), three part chromogenic “the imagery of magnetic fields to artist is painting on. Throughout the iconography, the patterned images, set print. This long narrow photograph, tak- 10 against a deep yellow background ing up much of a side gallery wall, is (representing gold leaf), possess ele- a stunning example of cameraless pho- gance, grace and beauty. Then, rather tography. That is, a photo created than hang the completed canvas only with photographic paper, natural against a wall, the artist draped it loose- and artificial light, images and ly from two pins, a¤ording the painting chemicals, and without a camera. a crumpled look, and imparting three This striking abstract image, with its dimensionality or a slightly sculptural vague landscape features, in black, look to it. On a conceptual level, this deep blues and white, further manifests work explores how devotion relates to the role of chance, or the artist’s pen- women, Walters explains. chant to let natural elements (the light) “China Factory” (2019) by Chloe Jo- and human-made components eongmyo Kim (Otis College of Art and (the photographic paper and the chem- Design) is comprised of several large icals) control the finished piece. sculptural pieces created on Plexiglas Rightsell explains that his disregard for sheets and adorned with brightly col- traditional photographic practices is ored paint and digital images. The artist replaced by a curiosity driven by his describes this series as a response to her metaphysical and existential sensory experiences of industrial obsessions. and humanistic patterns that she per- Relevant to today’s consumer-driven ceived while visiting manufacturing world are two enormous, floor-to- plants in China. Yet each individual ceiling plastic “Thank You Bags” (2018) — work appears more like an abstract the type of shopping bags that are

THAN YOU BAGS, , REED VAN BRUNSCHOT painting, albeit with bold hard-edge filled with canned and bottled goods aspects. from the 99 Cents Only Store. These And as Kim’s individual sculptures are handmade sculptural works illuminate created on transparent Plexiglas, and what USC graduate student Reed van ARTIST STATEMENT AT THE GREAT PARK lit to display their painted and digital Brunschot’s wall didactics describes as, patterns, they assume the appearance “the overuse of plastic and its environ- GALLER ELUCIDATES THE RANGE OF of contemporary stained glass. The art- mental impact, as well as the dualities ist explains that the penetrating light we face in capitalism.” The labels go flowing through her pieces helps create on to explain, “The desirable lure to CONTEMPORAR ART TODA phenomenological e¤ects within constantly buy more, the ever posi- them. tive ‘Thank you’ and ‘Thank You for Ivy Guild’s (UC Irvine) two-piece “Docile Shopping With us!’ becomes subliminal, FROM ABSTRACT ART, HOMAGES AND RENAISSANCEERA Bodies” (2018), of two muscular encouraging a consumption-based PAINTINGS TO SCULPTURES, VIDEO AND PERFORMATIVE ART. male torsos, challenges what the artist cycle.” refers to as “the cold, inhuman hardness Michele K. Sauer’s (California Institute BY: LI GOLDNER traditionally associated with sculp- of the Arts) large, darkly colored acrylic tures of the muscular male form.” By paintings “Kitchen Wake” and “Flood- creating her torsos from the traditional light” (both 2019) possess modern art CHINA FACTORY, , CHLOE JEONGMYO IM PHOTOS COURTESY OF: ARTIST STATEMENT EXHIBITION IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 11 short video, she replicates on the canvas canvas the on replicates she video, short as well as field, the in objects various the have to seeking landscape, larger the back- the with in blend objects the disappear. perhaps and ground appro- statement, artists Huang’s Mei reads: video, the to descriptive priately of experiences personal “Through the in rooted is work her diaspora, in upbringing fragmented of nuances culture and location physical of terms changing a¤ect forces these how and loss nationhood, home, of perceptions identity.” and through view on is Statement” “Artist Gallery, Park Great 2019. 10, November Coun- Orange Complex, Art Court Palm 4 - noon Fri., & Thu. Irvine; Park, Great ty free. p.m.; a.m.-4 10 Sun., & Sat. p.m., cityofirvine.org/orange-county-great- park/arts-exhibitions. CHINA FACTORY, , CHLOE JEONGMYO IM JEONGMYO CHLOE , CHINA FACTORY, create metaphors for relationships be- relationships for metaphors create and objects animals, humans, tween exhibi- the to according substances,” abstract this Yet didactics. wall tion’s white, and black reds, bright in piece, woven yarn of fragments with ap- up, it holding even and throughout, abstract by influenced be to pears brush- gestural its with expressionism biomorphic and spontaneity strokes, shapes. ground- dramatic, this out Rounding eight-minute an is exhibition breaking Mei Stephanie by (2018) “Erasure” video, the of Institute (California Huang the by shot presumably video, The Arts). a in set is herself, only starring and artist moun- with field California Southern are field the in Set distance. the in tains easel, an and lamp a TV, old an chair, a the that canvas a displaying latter the the Throughout on. painting is artist figurative aspects, and are perhaps in- perhaps are and aspects, figurative French of style populist the by fluenced (1881-1995). Léger Fernand painter bold two depicts Wake” “Kitchen Sauer’s far the inhabiting figures, androgynous preparing while painting, the of side left bulk The determination. with meals askew, an illustrating painting, the of range, and sink with kitchen illusionistic environment artistic an create helps between travels explains, Sauer that, future. and past obscure more is “Floodlight” artist’s The title. its by primarily identifiable and be to appear who figures, human Two have to seem other, each at staring a by interfered space personal their had floodlight. random On” “Hold wall-sized dramatic The Zhuang Zi by yarn and Velcro of (2019) depicts School) Graduate (Claremont to fields magnetic of imagery “the light” (both 2019) possess modern art modern possess 2019) (both light” paintings “Kitchen Wake” and “Flood- and Wake” “Kitchen paintings of the Arts) large, darkly colored acrylic acrylic colored darkly large, Arts) the of Michele K. Sauer’s (California Institute Institute (California Sauer’s K. Michele cycle.” encouraging a consumption-based consumption-based a encouraging Shopping With us!’ becomes subliminal, subliminal, becomes us!’ With Shopping tive ‘Thank you’ and ‘Thank You for for You ‘Thank and you’ ‘Thank tive constantly buy more, the ever posi- ever the more, buy constantly on to explain, “The desirable lure to to lure desirable “The explain, to on we face in capitalism.” The labels go go labels The capitalism.” in face we mental impact, as well as the dualities dualities the as well as impact, mental “the overuse of plastic and its environ- its and plastic of overuse “the Brunschot’s wall didactics describes as, as, describes didactics wall Brunschot’s what USC graduate student Reed van Reed student graduate USC what handmade sculptural works illuminate illuminate works sculptural handmade from the 99 Cents Only Store. These Store. Only Cents 99 the from filled with canned and bottled goods goods bottled and canned with filled the type of shopping bags that are that bags shopping of type the ceiling plastic “Thank You Bags” (2018) — (2018) Bags” You “Thank plastic ceiling world are two enormous, floor-to- enormous, two are world Relevant to today’s consumer-driven consumer-driven today’s to Relevant obsessions. metaphysical and existential and metaphysical replaced by a curiosity driven by his his by driven curiosity a by replaced traditional photographic practices is practices photographic traditional Rightsell explains that his disregard for for disregard his that explains Rightsell icals) control the finished piece. finished the control icals) (the photographic paper and the chem- the and paper photographic (the and human-made components human-made and chant to let natural elements (the light) light) (the elements natural let to chant the role of chance, or the artist’s pen- artist’s the or chance, of role the deep blues and white, further manifests manifests further white, and blues deep vague landscape features, in black, in features, landscape vague This striking abstract image, with its its with image, abstract striking This chemicals, and without a camera. a without and chemicals, and artificial light, images and images light, artificial and only with photographic paper, natural natural paper, photographic with only tography. That is, a photo created photo a is, That tography. a stunning example of cameraless pho- cameraless of example stunning a ing up much of a side gallery wall, is wall, gallery side a of much up ing print. This long narrow photograph, tak- photograph, narrow long This print. (2018), three part chromogenic part three (2018), horizon; violence; gesture; thaumoto)” thaumoto)” gesture; violence; horizon; tled (what lies outside, beneath the beneath outside, lies (what tled (Cal State University, Long Beach) “Unti- Beach) Long University, State (Cal this exhibition is Justin Rightsell’s Justin is exhibition this One of the more surprising artworks in artworks surprising more the of One questioned and even muddled. even and questioned roles, which are today increasingly increasingly today are which roles, ing established male and female and male established ing further suggest that the artist is explor- is artist the that suggest further techniques. These “docile” sculptures “docile” These techniques. traditional feminine fabrics and sewing sewing and fabrics feminine traditional combining masculine forms with forms masculine combining total look is that of sculptural pieces, pieces, sculptural of that is look total fashion onto the cotton material. The material. cotton the onto fashion landscapes, imprinted in checkerboard checkerboard in imprinted landscapes, the viewer will see fuzzy, pixelated fuzzy, see will viewer the Observe these works more closely and and closely more works these Observe feminine aspects. feminine the completed pieces take on decidedly decidedly on take pieces completed the thread, dyed in pale pinks and blues, blues, and pinks pale in dyed thread, female materials of cotton, batting and and batting cotton, of materials female hile “Artist Statement,” Statement,” “Artist hile currently exhibition the Great the at display on through Gallery Park W November 10, empowers graduate art art graduate empowers 10, November ex- evolving their display to students video, photography, painting, in pertise pre- its media, other and installations understanding their is feature dominant aspects conceptual depth, range, the of in experimentation of significance and today. art-making Graduate (Claremont Walters’ Sydney an as (2018), Wall” “Crumpled School) of painting acrylic large a is example, from appropriated patterns, floral di Giovanni 1427 a of background the “Branchini painting, devotional Paolo Muse- Simon Norton the in Madonna,” um. be not may designs floral the While religious as apparent immediately set images, patterned the iconography, background yellow deep a against ele- possess leaf), gold (representing rather Then, beauty. and grace gance, canvas completed the hang than loose- it draped artist the wall, a against painting the a¤ording pins, two from ly three imparting and look, crumpled a sculptural slightly a or dimensionality this level, conceptual a On it. to look to relates devotion how explores work explains. Walters women, Jo- Chloe by (2019) Factory” “China and Art of College (Otis Kim eongmyo large several of comprised is Design) Plexiglas on created pieces sculptural col- brightly with adorned and sheets artist The images. digital and paint ored her to response a as series this describes industrial of experiences sensory per- she that patterns humanistic and manufacturing visiting while ceived individual each Yet China. in plants abstract an like more appears work hard-edge bold with albeit painting, aspects. are sculptures individual Kim’s as And and Plexiglas, transparent on created digital and painted their display to lit appearance the assume they patterns, art- The glass. stained contemporary of light penetrating the that explains ist create helps pieces her through flowing within e¤ects phenomenological them. “Docile two-piece Irvine) (UC Guild’s Ivy muscular two of (2018), Bodies” artist the what challenges torsos, male hardness inhuman cold, “the as to refers sculp- with associated traditionally By form.” male muscular the of tures traditional the from torsos her creating LI GOLDNER BY: THAN YOU BAGS, , REED VAN BRUNSCHOT REED VAN , BAGS, THAN YOU ARTIST STATEMENT EXHIBITION STATEMENT ARTIST OF: COURTESY PHOTOS FROM ABSTRACT ART, HOMAGES AND RENAISSANCEERA AND RENAISSANCEERA HOMAGES ART, FROM ABSTRACT ART. AND PERFORMATIVE VIDEO TO SCULPTURES, PAINTINGS ARTIST STATEMENT AT THE GREAT PARK PARK THE GREAT AT STATEMENT ARTIST OF THE RANGE ELUCIDATES GALLER TODA ART CONTEMPORAR ARTS MUSIC IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER | 12

GAME OF THRONES CONCERT PREVIE FOR THE CONCERTS FIRST OUTDOOR TOUR, THE SOUNDTRAC OF ESTEROS ILL FILL FIVEPOINT AMPHITHEATRE.

BY: SCOTT FEINBLATT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: JAMES DICS

he soundtrack music of any and complex character development is Live Concert Experience on global tours has been updated, and what fans can wildly successful fi lm, TV Ramin Djawadi. since 2017. Following the conclusion of expect to see at the show. show or series goes hand in Other signifi cant entries on Djawadi’s the series, the maestro has been on the There are a number of ways in which hand with the love its fans resume include the fi lms Iron Man, road with the updated version of the composers will receive their input feelT toward the program itself. The Clash of the Titans, Pacifi c Rim, War- concert experience and will wrap up from a show’s producers and directors. score to Game of Thrones, the popular craft and A Wrinkle in Time, as well the tour with three stops in SoCal — in- Djawadi explained some examples HBO fantasy series based on George as the HBO series Westworld, the FX cluding in Irvine and Hollywood, on Oc- of the direction his collaborators will R.R. Martin’s fantasy book series A Song series The Strain and the Amazon Prime tober 4 and 5, respectively. In advance take when discussing a project with of Ice and Fire, is no exception. The Video Jack Ryan series. Additionally, of the show’s stop at Irvine’s FivePoint him. “I always ask right away, ‘What composer responsible for creating the Djawadi has won multiple Emmy Amphitheatre, Irvine Weekly had an do you hear?’ Many times they already soundtracks that have accompanied awards for his Game of Thrones scores opportunity to ask Djawadi about his have some kind of vision of what they the fantasy battles, political intrigue and has taken the Game of Thrones music-writing process, how the concert want to do with the overall project, and IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 13 MUSIC For the touring show, Djawadi had an opportunity to create new variations and arrangements of the music, so not everything fans hear will be exactly as they recalled it on the show. “I had a lot of fun with that actually because I realized I’m not bound to the picture anymore,” he said. “In fact, it’s the other way around; I can create pieces and the [accompanying] footage around it

IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM because, obviously, we have only two [to] two and a half hours to tell a story.” As far as updating the show after the series had concluded, this was not new territory for Djawadi, as the tour has been updated in this way before. “I reworked it, yet again, for the third time to include season 8, and it gets quite tricky because you’re obviously trying to tell a lot of information in very little OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER time,” he explained. “My approach was

| really from [wondering:] ‘What are the big beats in each season?’ and ‘What 14 are the big character arcs that I need to touch upon?’ And I tried my best to really capture it all … there are pieces that we know from the show, like for example, ‘Mhysa,’ which is the fi nale in season three, that is fairly similar to how we hear it in the show, but then there are other pieces that are particularly arranged just for the live show.” Djawadi pointed out that audience reception to the show’s incorporation of both original arrangements of some pieces with vari- particularly said for me to stay away ations of other pieces has been good. from flutes because they didn’t want The music has not been the only thing anything to medieval sounding. And to change in the years that the concert so there was just a good guideline right experience has been touring. Djawadi away, and I’m going, OK, I won’t touch recalls, “The fi rst tour was in the round, any flutes.” When asked about this irony, [so the stage] was in the middle and he explained the rationale was to resist it had a huge stage and it had a lot of the instrumentation of another popular stu“ going on. [For] the second tour, we fantasy series, “That’s why we laugh updated it with season 7, and we took it about it … they particularly wanted away from being in the center because something that was not in the direction we felt sound-wise and stage-wise, we of some other fantasy shows, especially wanted to try something di“ erent,” he Lord of the Rings, which was obviously explained. “Now [for] this new tour, we such a popular score. Howard Shore’s want to try something new yet again, amazing score had such a distinct tone, which is [why] these concerts are all and [for] some of that he used medieval outdoors; that’s something we have flutes.” He continued, “So they particu- never done before. We thought that larly said, ‘We don’t want to go in that could be fun to take it to these open air direction. We have to fi nd our own venues. Before, when we were in the way.’” arenas, we would actually come with Djawadi fi nally arrived at a solution our own stage and set it up. When you that then became a distinctive trait of are at open air arenas, [the stages are] his Game of Thrones scores. “We ended already there. So you [just have to] bring up with a lot of solo cello, and we felt your stage design.” music is part of that,” he said. “[Some- this to be very percussion driven,’ or ‘I it was a fi tting sound and instrument Game Of Thrones Live Concert Experi- times they say,] ‘I want this to be very like trumpets.’” and mood for Game of Thrones. That’s ence will be at FivePoint Amphitheatre emotional driven.’ Sometimes it’s even For his Game of Thrones work, Djawadi why the cello, in particular, is the most in Irvine on October 4, at 8 p.m. Ticket just fi nding out what instruments. … You was asked to go against expectations. dominant instrument in the show,” he prices range from $32-$521 (plus fees) know, some people say, ‘I really want “[There’s a] running joke where they concluded. and are available through Live Nation. IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 15 FOOD IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER | 16

FLAVOR AND BALANCE ARE KING AT PAPER LANTERN DUMPLING HOUSE FROM FRESH CHRYSANTHEMUM TEA TO THEIR SOUP DUMPLINGS, THE DUMPLING HOUSE OFFERS AN OCEAN OF EXCELLENT FLAVORS.

BY: RYAN NAJJAR

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: RYAN NAJJAR

ret and I always end up back ourselves seated for lunch at Paper their impression. The first, surprisingly along with it. It was light on the tongue, at Diamond Jamboree. Who Lantern Dumpling House not too long enough, wasn’t a food item at all. but it made a statement nonetheless. can blame us, though? It’s a after the thought to go was conceived. Rather, it was a cup of fresh, warm After a bit, we elected to put the rest of stone’s throw away from Bret’s The more we looked around, the more chrysanthemum tea Bret ordered to the tea to the side, agreeing it might pair oice,B right o the freeway for me, and warm and comfortable we felt, even start things o. The sight of what looked well with our food. First to the table was we seem to stumble upon something with the sleek, modern decoration. like small bulbs floating in the cup was an enticing bowl of egg soup, which new to end our diets every time (we’re Sitting near a window, we watched confusing at first, but a closer inspection greeted us with a pleasant and not actually on diets because, you know, people idly pass by and go about their cleared things up. You see, over a couple balanced visual before we even got to they don’t actually work, but you get day, acting like they weren’t only feet dozen of the little chrysanthemum know how it tasted. Once Bret took the what I’m trying to say). away from the sweet embrace of flowers were floating in the tea and first spoonful, though, they noted that We lead busy lives, but it’s funny how dumplings. blooming as time went on, which made the theme of balance remained strong. quick a plan can come together when These were to be the main event, of us that much more optimistic. It tasted Savory notes came in waves, as did dumplings are involved. We had to course, but there were a few opening even more refreshing than it looked, umami, and while the right amounts of reschedule once or twice, but we found acts that were determined to make and each sip brought a wave of calm salt and seasoning were probably the IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 |

17 FOOD root of the savory taste, the source of teamed up with the umami brought by the latter was a mystery until we found the shrimp ... it was almost too much to pieces of shrimp in our later bites. The handle. Almost. chives played their part beautifully as The dumplings even lasted the well, and the chef was careful to ensure 90-minute journey with me to the re- they didn’t bring an overwhelming cording studio later that day, where my flavor. friends dug in and had nearly the same Since it’s in the name, though, it only reaction. We didn’t have a microwave, made sense that the real star of the or any other way to heat them, by the show was the lacy and perfectly way. Even lukewarm, their power is

IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM cooked egg, oering a satisfying texture nothing to be ignored. Obviously we and a great deal of heartiness to the recommend eating them fresh, but if life dish. comes at you fast, just know these Not to say it felt unhealthy by any descendants of the Flavor Gods will means; in fact, I almost felt like I lost help you slow things back down, as will weight while eating it. It’s a filling dish any of the culinary blessings we were on its own, yes, but it wouldn’t hurt to given at that table. pair it with another appetizer, or even If there’s anything I should note at a main dish, if you have the stomach this point, it’s that this might not be the space. best spot for your vegetarian friends, OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 2019 2, OCTOBER How do we know it pairs well, you ask? since there’s only one noodle dish, one

| Well, we paired it. Coming in to help us dumpling option, and three appetizers put our theory to the test, I had a good for them to choose from. It’s also unclear 18 feeling the scallion pancakes would whether any of these options are vegan, be making a case for themselves, and but it never hurts to be safe and ask. by God did they do exactly that. The You can learn more about them, check first thing I noticed was a smattering of out their menu, and get directions on darker, crispy spots atop the light, flaky their website: outside, which clued me into the texture www.paperlanterndumpling.com variety I’d enjoy upon munching. I could see the scallions peeking at me from behind the pancake; with no mercy, I tore into their warm home and took a generous bite. A light crunch was the first sensation I noted, followed by a fresh, savory, soft pancake that evoked images of clouds in my mind. Alter- nating between bites of pancake and spoonfuls of soup, I felt like I found the perfect harmony. This was exactly when I remembered the tea, still warm and ready to be enjoyed. As I guessed, even though a cold tea might have paired better with warm food, the refreshing sensation of the tea was an ideal palate cleanser. Last — but perhaps most, rather than the least — an order of steamed shrimp and pork dumplings landed on the table to catch my heart in less than an instant. The song “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” started playing in my head. I noticed the shrimp, looking straight out of an advertisement, nestled on top of what I presumed was some equally beautiful pork, and the song in my head grew steadily louder. I reached for my chopsticks, took the one closest to me, and let it fall into my mouth whole. The song in my head erupted into glorious crescendo as I bit down. Nothing else mattered. The soup rushed in like a tidal wave, bringing some of the best pork I’ve ever had along with it. All that, IRVINEWEEKLY﹒COM| OCTOBER 2, 2019 | 19 Street, Suite 840, Santa Ana, CA | 866.648.0004 th CannabisComplianceFirm.com 1851 East 4

The Cannabis Compliance composed is Firm of the best cannabis-focused cannabis in experience of years combine We California. Southern in attorneys thriving. and stay compliant to you help c insight industry-specifi law and assisting attorneys expert cannabis are Kim Jina and Glew Christopher manufacturing, cannabis regulation, cannabis licensed legal in clients numerous distribution. cannabis and operations retail cannabis cultivation, cannabis and Association Cannabis Ana for the Santa lead counsel is Glew Christopher the that dent confi Feel Association. Bar Cannabis the California of founder the every way. of step you advise and educate will Firm Compliance Cannabis too. should you space, cannabis the ever-changing with and the laws know We today! for a consult Ana Santa locatedce in offi our visit or Call FIRM COMPLIANCE CANNABIS teamed up with the umami brought by by brought umami the with up teamed to much too almost was it ... shrimp the Almost. handle. the lasted even dumplings The re- the to me with journey 90-minute my where day, that later studio cording same the nearly had and in dug friends microwave, a have didn’t We reaction. the by them, heat to way other any or is power their lukewarm, Even way. we Obviously ignored. be to nothing life if but fresh, them eating recommend these know just fast, you at comes will Gods Flavor the of descendants will as down, back things slow you help were we blessings culinary the of any table. that at given at note should I anything there’s If the be not might this that it’s point, this friends, vegetarian your for spot best one dish, noodle one only there’s since appetizers three and option, dumpling unclear also It’s from. choose to them for vegan, are options these of any whether ask. and safe be to hurts never it but check them, about more learn can You on directions get and menu, their out website: their www.paperlanterndumpling.com root of the savory taste, the source of source the taste, savory the of root found we until mystery a was latter the The bites. later our in shrimp of pieces as beautifully part their played chives ensure to careful was chef the and well, overwhelming an bring didn’t they flavor. only it though, name, the in it’s Since the of star real the that sense made perfectly and lacy the was show texture satisfying a oering egg, cooked the to heartiness of deal great a and dish. any by unhealthy felt it say to Not lost I like felt almost I fact, in means; dish filling a It’s it. eating while weight to hurt wouldn’t it but yes, own, its on even or appetizer, another with it pair stomach the have you if dish, main a space. ask? you well, pairs it know we do How us help to in Coming it. paired we Well, good a had I test, the to theory our put would pancakes scallion the feeling and themselves, for case a making be The that. exactly do they did God by of smattering a was noticed I thing first flaky light, the atop spots crispy darker, texture the into me clued which outside, I munching. upon enjoy I’d variety me at peeking scallions the see could no with pancake; the behind from and home warm their into tore I mercy, was crunch light A bite. generous a took a by followed noted, I sensation first the evoked that pancake soft savory, fresh, Alter- mind. my in clouds of images and pancake of bites between nating the found I like felt I soup, of spoonfuls exactly was This harmony. perfect warm still tea, the remembered I when guessed, I As enjoyed. be to ready and have might tea cold a though even the food, warm with better paired an was tea the of sensation refreshing cleanser. palate ideal than rather most, perhaps but — Last shrimp steamed of order an — least the the on landed dumplings pork and an than less in heart my catch to table Way the Believe “Can’t song The instant. head. my in playing started Flow” We straight looking shrimp, the noticed I top on nestled advertisement, an of out equally some was presumed I what of head my in song the and pork, beautiful my for reached I louder. steadily grew me, to closest one the took chopsticks, The whole. mouth my into fall it let and glorious into erupted head my in song else Nothing down. bit I as crescendo a like in rushed soup The mattered. best the of some bringing wave, tidal that, All it. with along had ever I’ve pork FOOD Open Now through January 12, 2020 714.993.5075 H nixonlibrary.org