Shoppers can buy just about everything at Target now.

An extended grocery section with fresh produce and meat was added to the Target at 2191 N. Tustin St.  in October.

Approximately 108 such sections have been added to Target stores across the U.S., with 15 in California.

The company plans to grow the number of what it calls “P-Fresh” sections this year to about 350 new and remodeled stores in the U.S., said Jana O’Leary, a Target spokeswoman.

“We are focused on offering guests items that are on their shopping list every week,” she said. “We’ve received incredible feedback so far.”

Adding a P-Fresh section has required some Target locations to decrease apparel and accessory areas.

Kay Johnstone, a Target customer, shops at the P-Fresh store because of its proximity to her home and its convenience. She often receives coupons in the mail that she is able to use at the store.

“I think it (P-Fresh) is a great idea. The prices and good, and the selection is good,” she said.

However, Curtis Najayama, manager of Produce World, 1885 N. Tustin St., disagrees.

While businesses like Target and Albertsons buy food through a distributor for hundreds of their stores, Produce World only purchases food for one store, Najayama said.

“Target is more about quantity than quality,” he said. “Being that big means they can dictate how much they want to buy and sell the food for.”

– Caroline Stegner

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After three years of planning, four months of construction and weeks of delay because of rain, a Carl’s Jr. is set to open early next month.

The eatery is at 145 N. Tustin St.

The initial design proposal for the building was submitted to the city in June 2008. But the current design was not submitted until June 2009.

Seven to eight proposals were submitted to the Planning Department before the final building plan was approved in October 2009, said Red Gilliland, superintendent of R.C. Pacific Construction, Inc.

“We’ve met every demand asked by the city,” said Gilliland. “This is the nicest Carl’s I’ve built in four years.”

Designers were told to reconfigure the drive-through arrangement, shift the parking lot and allocate more space to landscaping, said Paul Sitkoff, the city spokesman.

“The give-and-take that goes into making sure a construction project meets codes and community standards can sometimes take a while,” Sitkoff wrote in an e-mail.

Lamppost Pizza, 1829 E. Chapman Ave., is directly behind the new Carl’s Jr.

Mike Flynn, manager of Lamppost Pizza, is not concerned about a decrease in business.

“I hope that that Carl’s Jr. is the busiest in the entire country,” he said. “Everyone coming through that driveway is just bringing us new customers.”

– Caroline Stegner

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More women are jumping into the ring.

Female membership at LA Boxing has increased by about 30 percent since the club was taken over last November, said the new owners, Steve Williams and Dave Malone.

The reason is apparently the lure of the exercise benefits of the various classes –- a combination of self-defense and cardio –- and word-of-mouth, Williams said.

“Many women who join say they’re just bored with their workout,” said Williams, 42, of Anaheim. “When we took over, we envisioned it to be a bloody, gruesome men-only boxing club.…

“Now, we have more moms and kids, female college students and women police officers.”

Orange resident Brooke Wilson, 31, chose to work out at LA Boxing; because of her progression, she is also featured on some of the club’s promotional cards.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s intense,” she said. “I just wanted to take it [workout] to the next level.”

At 870 N. Tustin Ave. in Orange, the club has six instructors with backgrounds in kick boxing and martial arts, such as Jiu Jitsu, and classes are offered Monday through Saturday. Membership at the club ranges from $54 to $84, depending on the level.

“We ask prospective members to come in, because once they see the intensity of the workouts, usually eight out of 10 will sign up after their first visit or try,” said the 40-year-old Malone, a San Clemente resident. “Many know us because of our huge ‘The Hulk’ statue, but when they come in they see what we’re all about.”

– Ivan Contreras

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Teachers from Handy Elementary School tried out a different profession.

For McTeacher’s Night, a fundraiser held twice a year since 2006, they served and prepared food at McDonald’s, 606 N. Tustin St., on Thursday evening.

Twenty percent of the proceeds and all of the tips will go to the school’s yearbook fund. The money raised allows students to purchase the full color yearbook for $15, rather than the $22 it costs to print each book.

In spring 2009, “McTeacher’s Night” raised $800.

“We hope to do as well this year,” said Teri Harman, office manager at Handy Elementary.

“However, our families have been affected by the downfall of the economy probably a little more than average.”

Misty Canto-Beaver, teacher at Handy Elementary, works the fundraiser every year.

“It brings the community together and makes kids love school even more when they see their teachers out.”

Like Canto-Beaver, Eva Hergstebeck, mother of two former Handy Elementary students, has never missed a McTeacher’s Night.

“The children get to see their friends and teachers, and they always like McDonald’s.”

– Caroline Stegner

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The Orange Chamber of Commerce is hosting an E-waste collection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, and Sunday, Jan. 31, in The Home Depot parking lot, at 20 1855 N. Tustin Ave.

Items such as TVs, computer monitors, laptops, PDAs and cell phones will be accepted.

Information: 714-538-3581 or email e-waste@orangechamber.com.

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