South Coast Metro Fast Facts - January 30, 2012 Metro Events “South Coast Metro is Orange County’s sweet spot.  A recent survey of our employees showed that they love our proximity to South Coast Plaza shopping, performing arts venues and many great restaurants.  Even the parking is terrific.  Compared to South Coast Metro, other commercial districts in Orange County are simply soulless.” - Adrian Foley, President, Brookfield Homes Southland Inc.   Join South Coast Metro Nights at the Theater! Shows include: Traces on Thursday, March 1, $55.89; Million Dollar Quartet on Thursday, May 3, $66.51; Les Miserables on Thursday, June 21, $72.43.  For tickets, contact Diane Pritchett 714.435.2109 South Coast Repertory presents Four Clowns, running February 17-19.  A physical, musical and emotional journey into what it means to be human, the four clowns—Sad, Mischievous, Angry and Nervous—reminisce about their pasts in a show fueled by audience interaction.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit their website or call 714.708.5555 Showcase Gallery & ARTShop at South Coast Plaza Village presents Enigma featuring creative photographer Evelyn Morris now through March 2, 2012. Gallery Hours: Wed 10:30am to 2pm, Thurs-Sat 10:30am to 5:30pm, Sun 11:30am to 3pm.  See website for more details. Join Mesa Water’s 2012 Water Issue Study Group.  With four WISG classes taking place the third Wednesday monthly, February through May from 6:30-8pm, you will learn about water history and the current water situation, as well as plans for the future of water; WISG also features a tour at the Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System.  To RSVP or for more information visit their website, email event@MesaWater.org, or call 949.631.1200 x122   Metro News California United Bank has agreed to acquire Anaheim-based Premier Commercial Bancorp in a deal expected to close in the second quarter.  The combination of two full service branches—one in Irvine and one in Anaheim—is expected to create one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. The South Coast Metro continues going green! Beyond completing the installation of a solar energy system atop the store this past summer, home furnishings retailer IKEA has added four Blink Pedestal electrical vehicle charging stations at its SCM store as part of its partnership with ECOtality Inc., a provider of clean electric transportation and storage technologies.  Six of South Coast Plaza’s renowned restaurants had signature dishes included in Orange Coast Magazine’s “50 Best Dishes in OC”: AnQi by Crustacean , An Family Famous Roasted Crab; Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdales, Blackened Pork Tenderloin; Hamamori Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Uni Shooter; Marche Moderne, Tangine of Seafood; Royal Khyber, Khyber’s Nectar; Scott’s Restaurant & Bar, Cheesecake Stuffed Beignets.    People in the News Leading global information services company, Experian, in partnership with the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, announced Experian’s election to Jump$tart’s national board of directors.  Maxine Sweet, Experian vice president of public education, will act as representative to the board.  The Jump$tart Coalition is committed to improving the quality and extent of personal finance education in the nation’s schools, grades K through 12.   Restaurant and Retail News Bella Cuba opened in October on the corner of Bristol and Sunflower .  If you’re craving Cuban cuisine, try their most popular dish, Pollo al Ajillo: garlic chicken marinated in mojo sauce accompanied by white rice, black beans, and plantains.  For more information, see OC Register’s food review. The Modern Dog is now open at The CAMP, offering pet lifestyle accessories that blend well within your home interior or lifestyle preference while offering an above average degree of fun and function.  Located adjacent to Taco Asylum, for more information, please call 714.546.BARK (2275) Join Morton's for Champagne and Chocolate Tasting on Thursday, February 9 from 6pm - 7:30pm. Enjoy our signature hors d'oeuvres and fine champagne paired with delectable chocolates; $45 per guest, inclusive of tax and gratuity.  For more information visit their event website or contact Tiffany Teixeira at 714.444.4834 South Coast Plaza Gift Certificates have no expiration date and are accepted at South Coast Plaza retailers and restaurants, The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Repertory, South Coast Plaza Village and The Westin South Coast Plaza.  They are used by many Orange County corporations for employee and customer gifts as well as a way to boost employee morale or reward employees who participate in corporate wellness programs.  For more information contact Diane Pritchett: 714.435.2109   Highlights South Coast Metro Alliance is proud to recognize new Alliance members: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman, LLP California United Bank Center Club Howard Building Corporation Mesa Water District Morgan Drexen Premier Business Centers WestMed College   Visit SouthCoastMetro.com & add our Facebook page.