An otherwise dark suburban street in Garden Grove is well-lit on a cold December evening by Christmas lights draped on rooftops and trees, Santa figurines greeting passersby and Rudolph’s nose shining bright.

Except for one house, where the only outdoor decor is a solitary yard sign. But through distorted glass doors, twinkling blue lights beckon.

Bill and Lily Petro have opened up their home to visitors since 2009 to showcase their sprawling holiday village and model railroad display. One year, after neighbors posted on social media, the couple hosted approximately 500 visitors who came by to revel in the decor.

“It all started with him,” said Lily Petro, gesturing toward her husband. “The very first house was the Hershey Chocolate Factory.”

A freight train speeds past a town in Bill and Lily Petro’s Christmas Village in Garden Grove on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. There are five trains running simultaneously over 350 feet of track throughout the display. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Bought in 1979, that house kickstarted a collection of more than 450 pieces, including restaurants, toy stores and their latest addition, an observatory.

The village is broken into different sections: a philosopher’s corner has William Shakespeare, George Washington and Charles Darwin statues; an ode to Paris is complete with a couture house and manicured gardens; the ski slopes have working gondolas; little gnomes surround a brewery in the slice of Germany; and an intricately carved cathedral and, of course, an opera house sits in a Viennese-themed area.

A man cave — with a barber shop, Lowe’s, Home Depot and cobbler — rounds out the display.

“This is like my vision of what Christmas should be like,” said Lily Petro. “It’s not the ‘Christmas Story’ vision at all. It’s more ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’”

And this year’s display has a first.

“We’re trying to mimic Disneyland with the fireworks,” said Bill Petro. Just like in the amusement park, Sleeping Beauty’s castle takes center stage while carousels are within arm’s reach for little visitors.

Lily Petro, a biology teacher, also set up a mini zoo. Originally, her husband placed the panda figurine alongside the polar bear in the ice zone — but that just would not do. She quickly changed that by shifting the white and black bear to a bamboo-enclosed space.

Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, pays homage to Bill Petro’s roots along with a figurine of Union Oyster House.

“We can actually see where George Washington sat, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams,” he said about one of the oldest restaurants in the U.S.

The display is complete with five operating HO railroads (referring to a popular scale of model railroads for hobbyists) on over 350 feet of track on two levels.

Bill Petro, a CFO by profession, has also engineered the tunnels with lighting. And sometimes, the trains are in sync, coming and going through the tunnels simultaneously, Lily Petro said.

Bill Petro begins work on the display in September, wiring the different model houses with thousands of lights to create a seamless working village. It’s not only lights that twinkle — bells peal, carousels turn and ice skaters glide.

And it’s all connected to one switch, Lily Petro noted. None of the wirings are visible either; they are all tucked away into footbridges built by Bill Petro.

The decor and design are Lily Petro’s forte. And last year, even though she was recovering from a battle with tongue cancer, she still set up the display.

After Christmas, each section is painstakingly broken down. The houses are stored on specially designed shelves while other parts are put away in the attic for next year.

Visitors can check out the display between 6-9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the Petros’ home at 12842 Alonzo Cook St. in Garden Grove. There is no entry cost.

Local developers aim to build a $277 million Nickelodeon Hotel & Resort in Garden Grove, with the city agreeing to pay more than a third in subsidies.

Newage Garden Grove II and Kam Sang Co., both based in Arcadia, have filed plans to build the 500-room hotel at Harbor Boulevard and Twintree Lane, the Orange County Register reported.

The Garden Grove City Council this week unanimously approved the sale of 3.7 acres of city land for the hotel project.

Plans call for a 23-story hotel, a 9,500 square-foot ballroom, a 22,300 square feet of restaurants, a 7,000-square-foot arcade, a spa and fitness center and 528 parking spaces.

The resort will include water slides, splash zones, a pool, and a lazy river where guests “have an animatronics experience,” according to developers, in addition to a Nick Studio, Studio Hall and a Kid’s Lounge.

It would be built in the city’s Grove District, which aims to draw tourists visiting nearby Disneyland.

City officials touted project benefits as “significant” – expected to generate millions in local taxes and hundreds of hotel and construction jobs, with a preference for hiring local residents and union construction workers for its construction.

The deal to bring SpongeBob to Orange County includes millions in local tax breaks.

Garden Grove agreed to give Newage Garden Grove II and the Kam Sang Company a break on the land sale and reimbursement of hotel tax revenue, expected to equal $103 million in public assistance over a 30-year period.

Garden Grove agreed to sell its 3.72-acre land parcel to the developers for $920,000, after paying $9.7 million for the land over the past two decades. The estimated value of the land is $10.6 million, according to appraisals obtained by the city.

The agreement also calls for giving the developer up to 60 percent of the city’s hotel tax revenue for three decades, up to $93 million.

The Nickelodeon Hotel project will generate $236 million in taxes and generate more business for Garden Grove’s hotel corridor, pumping more than $1.75 billion into the city’s economy and another $2 billion to the region over a 30-year period, according to a city analysis.

The Nickelodeon resort in Garden Grove may be unique in the U.S. The cable television channel known for its shows for children and teens is affiliated with two hotels and resorts in the world: one in the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana and the other in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, according to the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts website.

Nickelodeon also has theme parks across the world, including a Nickelodeon Universe inside the Mall of America in Minnesota.

In March, an affiliate of New York-based Blackstone Group sued KS Development, a subsidiary of Kam Sang Co., over the termination of a $265-million deal to buy nine hotels across California.

— Dana Bartholomew

Life has moved pretty fast for pop-punk band New Found Glory.

After releasing its debut record, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” in 1999, the Coral Springs, Florida-based group was fast-tracked to being one of the second wave of pop-punk’s most widely known acts, while other rising bands in the genre like Something Corporate, The Starting Line, Sugarcult and The Story So Far rapidly followed suit.

In the early to mid-’00s, NFG could be seen jamming out on MTV’s “Total Request Live” or causing havoc as staples on the annual summer-long Vans Warped Tour, headlining its own massive tour dates and the band put out almost a dozen more records over the span of two decades.

It was a wild ride that’s still very much in motion. However nowadays, the quartet prefers to move at a more glacier pace. Everything changed for the group in December 2021 when guitarist and songwriter Chad Gilbert was found unresponsive in his bed at home. He was rushed to a local hospital and doctors found an 8-inch cancerous tumor. He was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, a rare type of cancer, and after a stint in the hospital and surgery, Gilbert said in January 2022 that he was officially cancer free.

During Gilbert’s recovery, NFG was forced, for the first time ever, to take things slow. That moment allowed the guys to take a deeper, more retrospective look back at their lives and career. NFG’s latest album, “Make the Most of It,” mirrors a bit of that. Released on Jan. 20, the acoustic offering features seven brand new songs and seven unplugged versions of classic NFG tracks including “All Down Hill From Here,” “My Friends Over You” and “Hit or Miss.” Though the new content primarily reflects on Gilbert’s near-death experience, the decision to go acoustic was ultimately encouraged by its fanbase.

“We’ve always had acoustic things here and there but never a full-on record with the intent of writing songs that way,” frontman Jordan Pundik shared during a recent phone chat, ahead of the band playing back-to-back nights at Garden Amp in Garden Grove Feb. 3-4. “We would put YouTube videos up of older songs done acoustically and fans would always comment ‘Release an acoustic record already.’ And right around Chad’s diagnosis, we were obviously on a break, and I think it just came together naturally to finally put it together.”

“Chad wanted to turn this really hard situation into one that was heartfelt and relatable for fans,” he continued. “Basically, just taking something bad and turning it into something good.”

The record was released via Revelation Records, a label the band tried to send its first album to back in 1999, but the company ultimately passed. This time around, it was a flawless fit as Pundik notes that working with Revelation all these years later felt intuitively right and, in many ways, full circle.

“I don’t think it would have worked before, but now it just fits,” he said. “We’ve been fans of the label for so many years since we were teens, and the fact that we finally get to work with them is so cool to me. So many bands influenced us when we first started like Texas Is The Reason, Iceburn and other cool bands. It’s amazing to be a part of that and associated with that world.”

To support the album, NFG is hitting the road, but trading its typical fiery moshpit energy for a more intimate acoustic experience. On top of the content off of the latest album, Pundik shares that the set will also include tracks fans have been eager to hear acoustic versions of through the years.

“We wanted to make sure the stops were at all seated theaters, where we could produce a great light show with some other elements,” he said. “For this one, we just wanted to pour our hearts out there.”

Pundik said an intimate, yet outdoor venue, like Garden Amp is ideal for this jaunt. A stop in Orange County has always been included on NFG’s tour schedule since the band garnered tons of diehard fans in the area in the early days of its career.

“We’re so used to playing in Orange County, it’s always crazy shows with fans and even ourselves stage diving, so this time it’ll definitely have a warmer feel,” he said.

Later this year, NFG will hit Las Vegas for the second edition of the When We Were Young Festival. After all three dates sold out in record time in 2022, the emo and pop punk fest, reminiscent of those early-to-mid-’00s Warped Tour lineups, will return on Oct. 21 with an all new roster of artists. Pundik describes the bill like getting a gang of friends you haven’t seen in years back together. That includes Green Day, Thrice, Blink-182 and Good Charlotte, all bands Pundik considers good friends.

Though life has thrown NFG a couple of tough punches, Pundik said they’re ready for whatever the future holds and they’re going to continue to enthusiastically move forward.

“After everything, we’re still going full steam ahead this year,” he said. “At this point, anything can happen, but that’s what makes it so exciting.”

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 3-4

Where: Garden Amp, 12762 Main Street, Garden Grove

Tickets: First night is officially sold out, but night two tickets are available starting at $39 at gardenamp.com.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers and Dairy Council of California continued their rich histories of supporting local communities on November 15th by presenting Garden Grove Unified School District with a $10,000 Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grant.

This grant was awarded in the form of an oversized check to Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education Trustee Teri Rocco and Director of Food Services Agnes Lally after Dairy Council of California’s Mobile Dairy Classroom assembly at Ethel M. Evans Elementary School, with over 500 students in attendance.

“We are honored to be selected for the Hometown Grant to further the outstanding work of our Food Services Department in ensuring all students have access to healthy food,” said Board of Education Vice President Lan Nguyen. “Thank you to the LA Chargers and the Dairy Council of California for supporting our initiatives to make healthy eating fun and exciting for students. Nutritious food is paramount to the growth and development of our students both physically and academically.”

While students and staff at Ethel M. Evans Elementary School were excited for the Mobile Dairy Classroom assembly featuring Jersey cow Cinnamon, as well as the Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grant check presentation, the energy amplified with an appearance from Chargers long snapper #47 Josh Harris, who spoke to the students about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Heather Birdsall, vice president of Chargers community relations, spoke further of the Chargers’ commitment to support the health of students, “The Los Angeles Chargers are excited to provide the Garden Grove Unified School District with the 2022 Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grant. We are proud to partner with Dairy Council of California to provide the students with the resources they need to learn about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.”

“Collaboration is at the heart of what we do in support of elevating the health of children and families in California through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. It is rewarding to see an esteemed organization like the Los Angeles Chargers be so supportive of Southern California communities through partnership,” said Tammy Anderson-Wise, CEO, Dairy Council of California. “The $10,000 grant can really make a difference to the health of children in Garden Grove Unified School District.”

About Dairy Council of California

For over a century, Dairy Council of California has empowered stakeholders, including educators, health professionals and community leaders, to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Funded by California’s dairy farm families and local milk processors and under the guidance of California Department of Food and Agriculture, Dairy Council of California’s free science-based nutrition education resources, Mobile Dairy Classroom assemblies, training programs and online resources educate millions of students and families in California and throughout the United States. Learn more at HealthyEating.org.

About the Los Angeles Chargers

Now in their 64th season, the Chargers continue to stretch the imagination and put on the most exciting show in football. A charter member of the American Football League, the franchise was established in Los Angeles in 1960. From 1961 to 2016, the team played in San Diego and advanced to five of the first six AFL Championship games ever played. The Chargers claimed the 1963 AFL title and later joined the National Football League when the two leagues merged in 1970. Since the merger, the Chargers have gone on to appear in Super Bowl XXIX and have captured an additional 10 division titles. The Chargers returned to Los Angeles in 2017, began playing games in their new multibillion-dollar SoFi Stadium home in 2020 and continue to redefine what an NFL franchise looks like in the 21st century. For more information, call 1-877-CHARGERS or visit chargers.com.

About Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grants

In fall 2022, Fuel Up to Play 60 and the NFL are coming together for the ninth year behind the Hometown Grants program. The NFL, through Fuel Up to Play 60, will provide $10,000 per NFL club market ($320,000 total) in grant money to help school districts/individual schools facilitate sustainable physical activity and healthy eating changes. These grants are a great opportunity for NFL clubs and local dairy councils to collaborate and build stronger relationships while helping kids “Fuel Good” for their bodies, community and the planet.

–Dairy Council of California

TheThe team behind Lost Boy Co., Tropezon, and Fox’s Lounge are extending their footprint on Miami’s culinary scene with the opening of their two latest outposts: Mayfair Grill and Sipsip Rooftop, both housed inside the newly opened Mayfair House Hotel & Garden (formerly the Mayfair Hotel & Spa).

“Mayfair House Hotel & Garden is a special part of the neighborhood’s history, and we are thrilled to be able to help write the next chapter of its story,” said Chris Hudnall, who’s the co-founder of Lost Boy & Co. hospitality group alongside Randy Alonso.

The hotel’s namesake Mayfair Grill restaurant and atrium bar can be found on the first floor, serving up wood-fired cuisine with flavors inspired by the American Southwest by chef Sean Bernal. The menu is expansive with dishes like fire-roasted squash, aguachile, wood-oven cheese, braised lamb Shank, and Navajo breads. The restaurant’s adjacent Fountain Bar is located in one of the original elevator shafts of the historic hotel, with a focus on wines and spirits from Guadalajara and Oaxaca, such as mezcal, tequila, sotol, and raicilla.

The poolside Sipsip rooftop bar and restaurant.

The second new dining outlet is Sipsip, named for the Bahamian word for “gossip” or “sharing news.” The Calypso pool rum bar pays homage to the Caribbean, featuring beach favorites such as daiquiris, punches, and pina coladas. Sipsip’s food menu is a re-imagination of the fried fish joints popular throughout South Florida, serving items such as conch ceviche, fried oyster sliders, smoked fish dip, and lobster rolls. The poolside ambiance is self-described as, “a feeling straight out of an iconic Slim Aarons photograph.”

Mayfair Grill and Sipsip are now open daily inside the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden at 3000 Florida Avenue in Coconut Grove. For more information call 305-441-0000.