Monique McArthur has lived in Villa Park for 20 years and has written about it for years, here and on Enjoy Orange County. Her kids went to Villa Park Elementary. Her son's at Villa Park High now, and her daughter went to Orange Lutheran. Along the way she was a Little League team mom, ran the VPLL snack bar, worked with the VPHS baseball boosters, helped run the Villa Park Halloween event and was a homeroom mom at Villa Park Elementary. These days she runs through town almost every day, shops the Town Center and Ralphs, and grabs a bite at Bagel Me or The Post, so she usually knows what's opening, closing or changing before most people do.
Her husband's family has been here since 1978. He and his four siblings went to Villa Park High and Orange Lutheran, and his parents still live in town, so a lot of what she knows about Villa Park's history, and how it's changed, comes straight from them.
Have a tip or a correction? Reach her through our Contact Us page, or connect on LinkedIn.
Monique McArthurAfter nearly five decades in Villa Park, Bank of America has closed its longtime branch at 17863 Santiago Boulevard in the Villa Park Town Center. The Villa Park branch was officially closed on August 14, 2026 leaving Bank of America without a branch in the city. The closure had been planned long before, with the … Read more
Villa Park’s Diwali Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Villa Park City Hall. The free community gathering is organized by the Villa Park Community Services Foundation. Villa Park Diwali Celebration Where: Villa Park City Hall at The Town Center Date & Time Sunday, November 15, 2026 | … Read more
Serrano Water District’s July 1, 2026 rate increase averages about 8.2% for households. Here’s what changed, why, and what capital projects the new rates fund.
Drawdown starts Oct. 26, 2026 What IRWD says: Starting Oct. 26, Irvine Ranch Water District will lower Irvine Lake from 735 feet to about 720 feet, IRWD spokesperson John Fabris told SFGATE. That leaves about 300 acre-feet of water, down from roughly 2,800 acre-feet now. The lake will stay near that level through winter, and … Read more
The Orange International Street Fair returned to historic Old Towne Orange over Labor Day weekend, September 4-6, 2026. The 2026 fair has concluded; 2027 dates have not been announced, though the fair is traditionally held over Labor Day weekend. Each year, the streets surrounding the Orange Plaza are transformed into a celebration of international culture, … Read more