Talan Garcia, author at el Don News

A collage of construction photos with excavators in dirt lots

High-end apartments, restaurants, a swanky hotel: exploring Santa Ana’s controversial $4 billion development

Photos by Dylan Burch, Giovanni Castro and Christopher Michael Driving down Bristol Street from Santa Ana College, you first notice the 7-Elevens, crowded bus stops and run-down strip malls that sit on

May 20, 2026

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5 Fabulously themed bars in OC

On my quest for the best-themed bars in town, I graded each one on vibe and drinks—the two essentials for a great night out. Vibe’s all about the decor and atmosphere, while

December 3, 2024

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Moving OC Pride out of DTSA is a terrible mistake

Orange County’s adored LGBTQ Pride Festival and Parade is packing up and leaving homey Downtown Santa Ana for the buttoned-up OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. As a Santanero and someone who’s been

September 23, 2024

Emigdio Vasquez painting now lives in Cesar Chavez building

Emigdio “Higgy” Vasquez, the son and apprentice of the late Emigdio Vasquez Sr., donated his father’s portrait of Cesar Chavez to Santa Ana College on August 13. In honor of Chicano Heritage

August 22, 2024

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SlushCult is a community built on nostalgia

On any given weekend, you might spot a skateboarder outside of SlushCult on Fourth Street, performing intricate tricks with ease. He flips his board, lands perfectly on a ramp, and executes a

May 29, 2024

This must be the place: 10 years of indie films and community

On Fourth Street, an audience dressed in oversized suits packed into a small moviehouse to watch a re-released showing of Stop Making Sense, the classic 1984 Talking Heads concert film. Before the

May 28, 2024

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Recent action films are the face of a failing industry

I’ve always been the film critic in my household, holding veto power over what plays during family movie nights. I like all types of movies, but whenever my dad chooses another new

May 6, 2024

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Ceviche with super clean presentation on a round plate.

Ranking 5 ceviche spots near SAC

It’s easy to tell when one has entered Santa Ana. Our streets are decorated with fruit stands every few blocks, vendors selling flowers at intersections, and taco trucks on every corner. However,

April 17, 2024

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Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies coming in 2025

SAC will become the first community college in California to offer a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies when the program launches fall of 2025. “Law is all about power. I feel that

February 27, 2024

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