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St. Angela Merici

  • Bob Bickel, 50 year resident of Brea, passes away

    229 days ago by

    50 year Brea resident Bob Bickel died of cancer October 14. Services were held October 20 at St. Angela Merci Church in Brea.

    Brea
           50 year Brea resident Bob Bickel  died of cancer October 14 just 10 months after his wife Shirley died of  the disease. Bob and Shirley had been married for 62 years. You never saw one without the other. They both loved music and enjoyed all the jazz sessions in the Brea Downtown.  Bob played the drums in high school.
         Bob  was active at St. Angela Church, and Father Tim Olsen came back to participate in the packed service. The long time local resident served as little league coach for many years, and was on the  board of the senior center for 20 years in a leadership position. He enjoyed running the popcorn machine at the center.  He also helped with BREAL.
          Bob loved Brea and Breans adored him. The Brea Museum folks loved his knowlege he shared about the history of Brea. He enjoyed talking about Brea and joking about Sam’s Place. One of Bob’s cousins told Marty Simonoff that Bob once worked at the Brea Post Office and they nicknamed him “Pug.” Marty called him “Pug,” whenever he saw Bob after that.  Bob wanted to know how Marty knew about his nickname.  Marty jokingly told him he saw it on the US Postal Serice web site. Well that started Bob on weeks of searching the internet for the US Postal Service link that displayed his name. Marty thought about telling him but it was  too much fun letting him search. Finally Bob figured out his cousin told him and they always had a good laugh when they saw each other when the subject came up.
        Bob and Shirley were named “Volunteers of the Year at the museum in 2008.  Bob retired from Union Oil in 1986 after 31 years. He kept busy by serving on the  Parks and Recreation Commission for 10 years and participated at the senior center.  Family was very important. Neighbor and good friend Darlene Riley said, “You could always count on Bob.” He made a difference.
    Susan Gaede

  • St. Angela Merici Parish School Community Rummage Sale

    266 days ago by

    Every weekend there are people who set out to rummage through an assortment of yard sales to find inexpensive, secondhand objects that others do not need anymore. Many times there are great finds and it’s a way to recycle goods where it’s a win/win situation for everyone, especially if it is helping a non-profit organization - attend St. Angela Merici Parish School Community Rummage Sale this Saturday, September 29, from 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. See flyer for further details.

  • It’s Brea SummerFest time – three-day weekend of fun, food & entertainment

    382 days ago by

    See Brea SummerFest

    We hope you enjoyed our 2012 BBON Brea SummerFest Contest as much as we did! Thanks again for everyone who participated. We had six winners: Melinda Glass Ganahl, Kelli Cornwell Llewellyn, Naila Centeno Currie, Richie Miguel, Valerie Wood Reeves, and Joe Mendez!! The anticipation of waiting for such a great event wasn’t easy but thankfully, we have arrived and Brea SummerFest weekend event starts today! Celebrating 25 years of food, fun, & family entertainment! Take the family, friends, neighbors and have a great time! See you ‘Down on the Corner!’

  • 24 years of producing McEntee magic at Brea SummerFest

    390 days ago by

     

    John McEntee and Monica McEntee donated the entertainment for SummerFest the past 24 years. John recently produced the Liza Minnelli show in Las Vegas. (courtesy photo John McEntee).

    SummerFest is celebrating their  25 year anniversary of food,fun, & family entertainment June 1, 2, and 3 at St. Angela  Merici Catholic School at 575 S. Walnut Street.  The event draws over 25,000 people and is the largest community event in North Orange County.

    Founder and president of TEl Entertainment John D. McEntee  has been donating the celebrity entertainment every year.  McEntee  began his career at Brea Olinda High School where he contacted agents and started booking bands charging students $3 a head. Then the entrepreneur decided why couldn’t he be the agent and his career took off.  He became so good at his profession of talent buying he opened offices in Anaheim, Sacramento and Las Vegas. Need Snoop Dog at a party just call John.  He often  provides  personalities for sports,  film, and television nationwide. He negotiated a contract for  America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator and  for 5 years with a 5 year option to headline at Mirage Resort and Casino.  Recently John produced the Donna Ross show and Liza Minnelli show in Las Vegas. He said he loves his job and would do it for free.
    McEntee has a very special connection to SummerFest …he grew up attending St. Angela Merici Church and made his Holy Communion there. Nearly 50 years to the day, (last week) his grandson, Isaiah, received his Holy Communion at the same church.
    Every year during the show he dazzles the audience by dressing up in a fun costume.  One year he came out dressed as a chicken, we hope he will continue to surprise us.
    Some  of the talent donated by John and Monica McEntee in past 24 years in SummerFest included artists Peter Frampton, Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo, Rick Springfield, Sugar Ray, Eddie Money, Terry Fator, The Commodores, The Pointer Sisters, Jan & Dean, Les Brown & His Band of Renown. Jim Belushi & the Sacred Hearts, and many more.
    SummerFest free concerts for this anniversary year are amazing.  They include Starship starring Mickey Thomas to perform along with Rick Derringer, Skip Martin (Dazz Band/Kool and the Gang, MC Hammer, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and Starship to name a few. Go to www.summerfestbrea.org to see the complete list and times.  Guests will want to come early to get a good seat because no seats are reserved.  Do come for a treat and bring the family.  See you there.
    Susan Gaede

  • BBON Q&A with John McEntee – the man behind the curtain at Brea SummerFest

    391 days ago by

     

    John McEntee

    John’s  celebrity clients he has booked during his 35-year career reads like a list of who’s who of superstars with well known celebrity Terry Fator of America’s Got Talent fame. Currently, he is working with Jeff Tracta, celebrated impressionist/comedian/singer, who recently performed at The Palms in Las Vegas. Jeff is incredibly talented and John is making him shine.  Together they are a great team.  We caught up with John today for our BBON Q&A, and here’s what he had to say:

    BBON: At what age did you catch the entertainment bug?

    John: In 1974, I was 19 years old water skiing at the Colorado River with friends.  While there, we entered the BlueWater Marina located on the river, and I asked Cybil, the Restaurant Manager, how come there wasn’t a band there? I went on to tell her that if I brought a band to play, could I collect the door admission and you keep the alcohol revenue. Without hesitation, Cybil agreed! A 4-piece band played for 9 days, the money was split four ways, making a profit of $2,200 back in the day.

    BBON: Many fans of Brea SummerFest think you are an alumnus from St. Angela Merici Parish School. However, you did not attend the school, but went to church regularly. What inspired you to give back to St. Angela Merici?

    John: I was inspired by the church. I grew up very poor. There were 10 of us in a two bedroom home with one bathroom.  My mom and dad could not afford to send us to a private school.  I made my Holy Communion at St. Angela Merici at age 7. By age 21, I was an alcoholic. I went to the church for inspiration, making a vow to quit. I haven’t had a drink in 36 years!

    BBON: St. Angela’s Brea SummerFest has entered its 25th Anniversary year with your company, TEI Entertainment, providing phenomenal entertainment year after year, tell us one of your proudest moments in running the show?

    John: It was the time when the police shut down three city blocks, due to the massive crowds that gathered at Brea SummerFest to see Peter Frampton’s performance.

    BBON: As with every event, there are always changes in the agenda causing tension. What stands out most in your mind as a time at Brea SummerFest when everything seemed to be going wrong, but miraculously ended great?

    John: The Commodores were scheduled to perform.  Five minutes prior to show time the generator broke.  Luckily, we had a back-up and fired it up within 10 minutes!

    BBON: What is the secret to longevity in running a successful business?

    John: Four things come to mind: Enthusiasm, give 100 percent, love what you are doing, and never give up! The youth of today are spending way too much time on the computer.  In my day you hustled. There was a Tastee Freez in Brea years ago.  I was around seven when I approached the Tastee Freez manager to ask if I could pick up trash for a meal.  He said yes.  At nine years old I was employed there wiping tables.  And at 15, I became the night manager.

    BBON: You and your wife Monica have three children and three grandchildren; did any of the McEntee’s follow in your footsteps in the entertainment industry?

    John: My daughter Nina is a Music/Spanish Teacher at St. Angela Merici.  She is an example of someone who loves what she is doing.  Also, my daughter Melissa is currently assisting a director of an upcoming movie. My son, Johnny, is a college football quarterback and senior at the University of Colorado. You can see him on YouTube, "Johnny Mac Trick Shot Quarterback posted by Hardcore Huskie." And my wife Monica has been making costumes for homeless and underprivileged children for 25 years.

    The McEntee family

     

  • It’s Contest Time at BBON BreaSummerFest

    393 days ago by

    YO, have you bought your MC Hammer pants yet? Well, don’t sweat it; you still have 10 days to go! But tomorrow be ready for Day 1 of our BBON Brea SummerFest Contest with (6) contest days to win GREAT prizes!

  • Brea Volleyball Academy offers North Orange County Juniors Top-Notch Clinic

    400 days ago by

    Coach Beth

    As a high school volleyball player and 1997 BOHS graduate, Beth Cinderey-Deloyen caught the volleyball bug and has entered her eighth year as a Varsity Volleyball Coach, coaching five years at El Modina High and three years in her current position as Head Volleyball Coach at Brea Olinda. Four of her students this year will receive college scholarships with one attaining a full-ride volleyball scholarship.
    Due to her enthusiasm and love of the sport, “The number one sport for female athletes,” Beth exclaimed, she founded Brea Volleyball Academy in December 2011. Brea Volleyball Academy is a junior girls’ volleyball club offering girls in North Orange County regional and travel volleyball experiences to strengthen the skills needed for competitive opportunities as well as build confidence, socialization, leadership and friendship for everyone. Whether the player’s goal is to become a college athlete or to just to play for fun, Brea Volleyball Academy is a great place to achieve personal growth.
    While playing in high school, Beth traveled quite a bit, especially to South Orange County because there were no volleyball clinics in the area. Since opening, enrollment at Brea Volleyball Academy has increased from 12 to 70, with many members coming from St. Angela Merici Girls Volleyball Team.
    With an impressive team of top-notch coaches, she and Co-Director Gary Quire have definitely filled a much needed niche. Currently, they rent the Brea Community Center and American Sports Center in Anaheim to provide an adequate practice atmosphere, but Beth noted she is interested in locating a facility in Brea. Ideally, Beth would like to work and live in Brea; she and her young family are planning to move from South Orange County to Brea! Welcome Brea Volleyball Academy!

  • BBON SummerFest Contest Starts Next Week

    400 days ago by

    On their 25th Silver Annual Celebration, we are thrilled to be working with Brea SummerFest once again in conducting a BBON Brea SummerFest Contest! We have two weeks of contest fun with (6) chances to win great prizes before SummerFest 2012 scheduled on June 1, 2, 3!


      Starting Tuesday contest dates are as followed:
      • Tuesday, May 22, Wednesday, May 23, and Thursday, May 24
      • Tuesday, May 29, Wednesday, May 30, and Thursday, May 31
       
      Two weeks of contest fun - (6) chances to win! Stay tuned for an exciting contest!  

  • Brea SummerFest and Brea Old and New to partner again with contest

    449 days ago by

     

    Brea SumerFest Celebrating 25 Years

    We are thrilled to announce that BBON will be partnering once again with the Brea SummerFest to conduct a spectacular BBON Brea SummerFest Contest! This year is their 25th Annual Brea SummerFest.  For years they have been rocking “Good Old Brea” with an amazing community event like no other! Over 25,000 people come from all over for the fantastic rides, great variety of tasty food, and unparalleled live entertainment including legendary singers and bands such as Pat Benetar, Eddie Money, Peter Frampton, and The Temptations! And this year’s line-up is looking supreme with Credence Clearwater Revisited, Starship, Dazz Band/Kool and the Gang, Bobby Kimball, the original singer of the band Toto, along with more headliners to come!

  • Brea Pays Respects to Shirley Bickel

    520 days ago by

    Shirley Bickel, 2011

    When I left my apartment on Saturday morning to attend the Mass at St. Angela's for Shirley Bickel, I knew I would see many well-known Breans in attendance. And why not? Shirley is well-known in the city, herself. As a volunteer at the Senior Center, serving on various Boards and Committees, investing her time and energy in so many projects, Shirley has been such a familiar face in the city for so long, I knew OF Shirley Bickel, before I ever even met her. And when I met her, just like everyone else, I loved her bright smile.

    When I arrived at the Church, even half-an-hour before the service, the parking lot was already full. I parked on the street, and with others, walked up the sidewalk to where people were gathered. As I watched, more people were walking from their cars to queue up, like me, to sign the guest book. I was pleased to see we had all followed Shirley's wishes and dressed in bright colors. Then, as we were ushered in and seated,  waiting for the service to begin, I started to notice the well-known Breans who had come to pay their respects. Mayor Don Schweitzer, Councilmembers Marty Simonoff and Roy Moore, city leaders past and present, Pastors Dave Rader and Doug Green; all of whom not only counted on Shirley's no-nonsense opinion, they counted her as a friend.

    Then, I noticed something else. There were many well-known Breans at the service, but the number of UNKNOWN Breans...Breans just like me...was staggering!

    Looking around me, I saw people young and old, smiling, teary. All of us unknowns, there to honor a woman who had touched our lives. Someone we count as a friend.  What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady. I think Shirley would have smiled.

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Brea Olinda H.S.

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