New Santa Ana

Democratic Party’s Pre-endorsement Caucus set for March 20, in Orange

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Democratic Party, Elections, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC), which is based in Santa Ana, is conducting a Pre-Endorsement Caucus at the IBEW Hall, in Orange, on March 20. Below are the details:

The 2010 California Democratic Party State Convention will be held in Los Angeles on April 16-17-18. Information about the convention is available at cadem.org. The state party will open a special convention website in mid-February.

Prior to the convention, each of the state party’s 21 regions will hold a pre-endorsement conference to allow local Democrats to recommend candidates for endorsement. These recommendations will then be forwarded to the convention where the actual endorsement takes place. Continue reading→

DPOC hires Long Beach Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske as their new Director

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Democratic Party, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

gerrie schipske

This just in from the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC). They have finally hired a new Executive Director, Long Beach Council Member Gerrie Schipske. What this means for Henry Vandermeir, who filled in capably during the search for a new E.D., is anyone’s guess.

DPOC names Gerrie Schipske as new Executive Director

I am pleased to announce that Gerrie Schipske is the new Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Orange County.

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-47th CD) says, “I join with Orange County Democrats in extending a warm welcome to the Honorable Gerrie Schipske and congratulate the Democratic Party of Orange County on its selection of Ms. Schipske to serve as the DPOC Executive Director. I look forward to working with her and the DPOC in helping to elect Democrats as we move forward to the November 2010 elections.” Continue reading→

O.C. Deputy Sheriffs sue County of Orange to stop early release of inmates

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, 1314 West Fifth St., Suite A, Santa Ana, CA 92703

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (714) 285-2800

ORANGE COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFFS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST COUNTY OF ORANGE TO STOP EARLY INMATE RELEASES

County Has Already Released Over 300 Jail Inmates Early During First Few Weeks Of New Policy

SANTA ANA – The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) filed a lawsuit today against the County of Orange to stop the County from releasing hundreds of jail inmates early, before their scheduled release dates. Citing recent changes in state law as the reason for their new early release policy, the County has released over 300 inmates early from Orange County jails since January 25. Continue reading→

Can a non-Latino become the next Mayor of Santa Ana?

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Elections, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Jim Walker

Could Jim Walker become Santa Ana’s next Mayor?

When Santa Ana community activist Jim Walker ran against Santa Ana Councilman Vince Sarmiento, in 2008, he did so with very little money. But Walker ended up with over 37% of the vote, according to Smart Voter.

In 2006, Thomas Gordon ran against Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, with zero money, and he got over 24% of the vote, according to Smart Voter.

Now Pulido is being challenged by Al Amezcua, a local lawyer who has had some electoral success, as a past member of the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Trustees. Both of these men are well known and can raise money. But will they split the Latino vote and allow a non-Latino to become the next Mayor of Santa Ana?

In 2008, the Latino vote split scenario almost happened when Pulido was challenged by Councilwoman Michele Martinez. Pulido won with only 55% of the vote. Martinez got over 29% of the vote. Community activist George Collins got almost 8,000 votes and ended up with just under 14% of the vote. Continue reading→

A walking tour of Santiago Park turns up lot of graffiti

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana 15 Comments

I visited Santa Ana’s Santiago Park again this weekend, on Sunday, Feb. 14. I wanted to see if indeed the brush had been cleared. It was also my intention to follow up on what Santa Ana Police Department Chief Paul Walters told me last week, about his department’s increased effort to arrest perpetrators of lewd conduct.

On the positive side, the wildflowers are blooming. And yes, much of the shrubbery and trash has been cleared. And while I was there I observed a Santa Ana park ranger, checking the area.

On the negative side, I was aghast at the explosion in graffiti at the park. You will see all of that in the slide show above. I also found numerous condom wrappers. How long they have been there is a mystery, but they were on the south side of the river, not far from the eastern playground at the park. Continue reading→

Politicians show up at the Little Saigon Tet Festival

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Democratic Party, Janet Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, Orange County, Santa Ana, Veterans, Vietnamese 5 Comments

I visited the Tet Festival Parade today, over in Westminster, and took a lot of pictures, which you can enjoy in the slideshow above.

A number of protesters did show up to back up the gay Vietnamese activists in the parade, but they didn’t cause any trouble. Everyone just looked happy to be there. Click here to read about the anti-gay backlash by some Viet community members.

It was a beautiful day for a parade. The parade route was lined with local residents and their kids.

There were a lot of politicians and candidates there, including: Continue reading→

Correa presses for continued homeowner tax protections

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, california, Housing, Lou Correa, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

Senator Correa Holds Hearing to Press for More California Jobs

Senator Lou Correa 34th Senate District

For Immediate Release
February 12, 2010

Contact: John Scribner (916) 651-4034

Correa Presses for Continued Homeowner Tax Protections

SACRAMENTO, CA – State Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) is jointly authoring legislation that would extend relief to California homeowners who continue to be plagued by injustices of a tax on a phantom gain, a taxable event generated by a foreclosure.

In 2008, Senators Correa and Michael Machado authored Senate Bill 1055 (SB 1055) which established California’s conformity to the federal cancellation of debt (COD) income exclusion. This provided state income tax relief to distressed California homeowners who had to terminate mortgage loans for a principal residence due to a short sale or a loan restructure. The tax relief provision of this law expired in January 2009. Continue reading→

SAPD working hard to stop lewd conduct at Santa Ana’s Santiago Park

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 5 Comments

Another man lurking at Santiago Park

Nine of these guys were arrested by the SAPD this week at Santiago Park

I met today with Santa Ana Chief of Police Paul Walters and two of his police officers, from the SAPD. One of them, Hank Couisine, is a Special Investigator. The other works in Vice Squad.

We met to discuss the ongoing problems at Santa Ana’s Santiago Park with regard to men who go there to lurk and to engage in lewd acts.

My recent post about this situation triggered a lot of action at Santa Ana’s City Hall. Walters asked the Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Department to clean up the brush at the park, to give these creeps less places to hide. They did so once and are planning another clean-up soon.

Walters also sent in the troops. In fact they arrested nine men just yesterday, just after dusk! They employed decoys very effectively. We wrote about that tactic previously as well. Click here to read that post.

Walters noted that his department uses software to collect crime data and then they focus their crimefighting areas on hot spots in the city. Santiago Park is the only park with substantial lewd conduct problems. Continue reading→

Delhi Center to host childcare entrepreneurial training

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Latinos, Santa Ana, Women, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Delhi Center

The Delhi Center, in Santa Ana

The Delhi Center will host their first Childcare Entrepreneurial training in March.

They have scheduled two orientations, on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 6 o’clock and on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 6 o’clock.

If you know someone who might be interested in becoming a licensed childcare provider or can benefit from the training please let them know about this program. Click here to see the information in English and click here to see it in Spanish.

The program will be taught in Spanish.

Here is additional information about the program: Continue reading→

Xerox appoints Dave Pritts Region Vice President for greater Orange County region

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business Leave a comment

Dave Pritts

Photo: Dave Pritts, Region Vice President, Xerox, Greater Orange County Region

News from Xerox

For Immediate Release

Xerox Appoints Dave Pritts Region Vice President for Greater Orange County Region

SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 22, 2010 – Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) has appointed Dave Pritts region vice president, Greater Orange County region. This region includes Orange County, Inland Empire and southern/eastern areas of Los Angeles County.

Pritts and his team are responsible for delivering business results through the sales and marketing of Xerox’s complete portfolio of offerings – including office systems, production printing systems and global services – throughout the region. Continue reading→

Valentine’s Day dining and events in Santa Ana

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, music, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Vintage Valentine's Day at the Santa Ana Historical Society

Click here to read about the 2011 Valentine’s Day Restaurant Specials, in Santa Ana.

You can spend a vintage Valentine’s Day with the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society

Are you trying to figure out what to do this Valentine’s Day? There is a lot going on in Santa Ana. Here are just a few of your choices:

Santa Ana Historical Society. Bring your sweetheart to a special celebration of Valentine’s Day at the Dr Willella Howe-Waffle house on Saturday, February 6 from noon to 4:00. Included with your tour of this 1889 Victorian gem is a display of exquisite vintage valentines, delicious tea and valentine sweets, and a reproduction of a vintage valentine card to take home. Learn about the history of Valentine’s Day, and as a special treat, enjoy a performance by “Marryin’ Judge” Cox (actor John Erratt), who enlightens us about law and love in Santa Ana of the early 1900s. Adults $5, Seniors and Members $4, Students K-12 $3.

Timeless Melodies, at the Bowers Museum. Special Valentine’s Day music and lecture program presented by Larry Maurer, educator and music historian. Fee: Members $7 / General $10. Feb. 18, at 1:30 pm. Click here for more info.

O.C. Clerk Recorder’s Office. Want to get married? Couples planning Valentine’s Day vows won’t have to trek to Las Vegas this year to tie the knot. To accommodate couples, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly will open his Fullerton office for wedding ceremonies on Valentine’s Day even though it falls on a Sunday when the office normally is closed.

Santa Ana Zoo. Give your sweetheart the Santa Ana Zoo Valentine’s Day Family Membership Gift Bag this year! Contains a full 1 yr. Family membership, SAZOO monkey plush and lots more! On Sale now through Valentine’s Day. Click here for more info.

And here are the best dining and entertainment choices for Valentine’s Day, in and around Santa Ana: Continue reading→

Memphis at the Santora announces their Valentine’s Weekend menu

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Memphis at the Santora has announced their Valentine’s Weekend menu.

Enjoy Diego’s Chef’s Menu with Wine Pairings, or enjoy your favorites from Memphis’ regular Menu. For $59 you will get your choice of:

Champagne and Blue Corn Oyster Beignet, with a chipotle-tomato mignonette, or Barbecued Shrimp, with scallion johnny cakes, maple syrup, and apple wood smoked bacon; paired with NV Gruet Sparkling Rose, from New Mexico
Braised Pork Shank, with sweet potato mash, sauteed chard, and a guiness stout reduction, or Grilled Vintage Natural Coulotte Steak, with balsamic cippolini onions, chanterelle-pinot noir reduction; paired with 2006 David Bynum Pinot Noir, from the Russian River
and, Belgian Chocolate and Raspberry Pot Pie, with vanilla bean ice cream, or Sweet Corn Souffle, with popcorn and agave nectar, paired with 2006 Marcato recioto di soave, from Italy Continue reading→

IRS tax break for working families in Santa Ana!

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC, Federal Government, IRS, Santa Ana, Taxes, Working Families Leave a comment

eitc

Do you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? The City of Santa Ana encourages you to find out! The EITC can provide a refund of up to $5,657 and is one of the largest federal credits available to low and moderate income workers. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a temporary increase in the EITC for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children this year. In addition, it also increases the beginning point for the credit for all married couples filing a joint return, regardless of the number of children.

The City of Santa Ana has partnered with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, the Orange County United Way, and community based organizations to provide free tax assistance and financial education to eligible households. Even if your family is not eligible for the EITC, you may still obtain free income tax assistance if your income did not exceed $50,000 in 2009.

It is easier than ever to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. You earned it, you keep it! Please call (888) 434-8248 (English) or (866) 921-3890 (Spanish) to schedule an appointment for free tax preparation assistance at the EITC Super Saturday event or for any of the following Community Tax Days scheduled in Santa Ana. In addition, the I-CAN!™ E-File computer module at www.icanefile.org will help you do your taxes for free in English or Spanish or Vietnamese and is available to residents from any computer with internet access. Continue reading→

Free tax preparation and e-filing, in Santa Ana

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Federal Government, Orange County, Santa Ana, Taxes, Working Families 1 Comment

File your taxes for free

FREE tax preparation and FREE e-filing at Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Orange County, located at 1920 Old Tustin Ave., Santa Ana. Please call 714.547.2227 X118. Tell them Stella sent you!

This offer is limited to households with a total income in 2009 of less than $48,279.00.

TAX DAYS: 8am to 8pm

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Continue reading→

Santa Ana Girls Softball League Pancake Breakfast on Feb. 13

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities 2 Comments

Santa Ana Girls Softball

The Santa Ana Girls Softball League will be hosting their 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 13th! The breakfast will be held at beautiful Carl Thornton Park 1801 W. Segerstrom Santa Ana from 8am to 10am. This park has a great playground and a beautiful lake!

After your $5 breakfast, which includes Pancakes, sausage and a drink stay and watch a good game of softball. Our league is a non profit recreational league that serves Santa Ana girls ages 4-18.

For more information, please click here….Gooooo Santa Ana!! Continue reading→

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