One of my favorite things about living in Southern California is the temperate climate. Sure temperate could be cold, but we have a lovely average of 75° F.

A bit of trivia: All of the beautiful Southern California weather is thanks to its Mediterranean climate. While the largest area of similar climate surrounds the Mediterranean sea, Southern California is the only Mediterranean climate within the U.S.

There is precious little of the perfection that is the Mediterranean climate and this is one of many things that make SoCal so special. But we shouldn't get too excited about signs of Spring in January. We are in the thick of what is considered the rainy season, which runs from November through April.

That's ok though, because today there are clear blue skies and 70° F highs.

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The O.C. isn't exactly known for it's grandiose celebrations of the Chinese New Year. However, if you're looking to experience this cultural event Dragon Institute in Dana Point is hosting a martial arts demonstration and Chinese medicine exhibit. Disneyland is also hosting an event, featuring live music by Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean performers, and special character appearances.

If you're up for the ride, the Orange County Transit and Metro Link are offering free rides from the Irvine Metro Link station to the Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year celebration in China Town.

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As I made my way home last night with my son, we had several near misses with cars going in and out of drive ways. I don't own a car and quite frankly, I'm OK with that. I live in a bike friendly city, and have no problem catching the bus when necessary.

What I do have a problem with is the car culture and how it so pervades the O.C. psyche that people don't even bother to watch out for people on the sidewalk. They pull out of the driveway, look one way, block the walk and don't even look for pedestrians. Which is why I teach the kid to be careful...especially at driveways. We wait to make sure one driver sees us, and another making a left almost hits us. We continue on only to deal with the same issue two driveways down. It's really ridiculous.

Some of you might think the obvious solution is for me to get a car. But that's hardly the right attitude to take. Why should I incur an expense I don't need, just to avoid being hit -- or almost hit -- when I'm walking home from the store? This carelessness on the part of drivers is dangerous, not just for me, but for kids, teenagers and anyone else walking down the street.

People without cars DO exist. And guess where they walk? On the sidewalk, because sidewalks are for people walking. All you have to do is remember to look both ways before pulling out of the driveway and check for pedestrians before making that left. Two simple things that make walking down the street safe for all involved.

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Please don't be alarmed, tsunami season is long over; this is just O.C. trivia.

Despite the relatively low threat to coastal SoCal, the city of Huntington Beach is so committed to preparedness, that there is a tsunami warning system. This system is tested on the first Friday of each month.

Most locals have heard this sound so many times they tune it out. But every once in a while, I hear someone say something about an alarm...Is it an air raid siren?

If I'm ever in earshot, I simply share the information about the tsunami warning system testing schedule, and they have a bit of trivia they can pass along.

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