Orange County Almanac

An emphasis on “value-oriented” home improvement and clothing stores has helped make the 6-year-old Tustin Market Place one of the most successful shopping centers in Orange County.

Now the Irvine Co. wants to nearly double the size of the 780,000-square-foot shopping and entertainment complex.

Irvine Co. spokeswoman Dawn McCormick said the developer is proposing a 550,000-square-foot expansion slated for a 57-acre site at the southeast corner of the Santa Ana Freeway and Jamboree Road.

McCormick said the new development will offer more discount stores and eateries. The center now features an Ikea furniture store and movie theaters.

Today

The life and work of Mark Twain will be discussed by Pat McIntosh at 1 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

The talk is sponsored by the Anaheim-based Braille Institute of Orange County, which operates a weekly outreach program for the visually impaired at the senior center.

McIntosh’s speech will be open to the general public, and admission is free.

The senior center is at 24932 Oso Viejo Road. Information: (714) 470-3062 or (714) 821-5000.