Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: April 2010

Protest against corrupt AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Bill Hunt, tonight in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Civil Rights, immigration, Latinos, Orange County, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 2 Comments

Bill Hunt, a private investigator running for Orange County Sheriff, is holding a fundraiser tonight, at 7 pm, at Original Mike’s, in Santa Ana, located at 100 South Main St.  His guest of honor is corrupt, and racist, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Members of the Orange County Dream Team are going to protest the event, which is supposedly for lawmen only. 

Ironically the Santa Ana Police Department is also conducting a DUI checkpoint tonight, at 300 South Main St.  I wonder if they scheduled the checkpoint on purpose knowing Arpaio was going to be up the street?  What a convenient way to arrest any immigrants that show up to protest Arpaio! Continue reading→

O.C. Cop Bowl on Saturday, April 24, to benefit the Orangewood Children’s Home

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Don’t miss the 32nd Annual Orange County Cop bowl, featuring the Orange County Lawmen VS. Bakersfield Falcons, at Eddie West Field, in Santa Ana, at 602 N. Flower St.  The game is set for Saturday, April 24, at 3 pm.  A game entrance fee is suggested as all cash will be donated to the Orangewood Children’s Home.

You can also purchase a copy of the DVD and part of the proceeds will go to the Orangwood Children’s Home. Continue reading→

El Sol Science and Arts Academy named a California Distinguished School

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, california, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 2 Comments

The El Sol Science and Arts Academy has been named a “California Distinguished School,” according to their Executive Director, Monique Daviss.

The 2010 California School Recognition Program (CSRP) directly focuses on California’s students and their entitlement to an equitable and rigorous education. Under the 2010 CSRP, the California Distinguished Schools Award identifies and honors those schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

In order to be invited to apply for Distinguished School honors, schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana conducting a water rate increase public hearing on June 7

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, public works, Santa Ana, Water, Working Families Leave a comment

As we predicted in a recent post, Santa Ana water rates are going up again.

The City of Santa Ana mailed letters to local residents this week regarding the increase.  Click here to read the letter.

They are holding a public hearing on June 7, at 6 pm, at the Santa Ana City Council Chambers, to allow us to comment.

They claim the increase is to repair, maintain and replace water and sewer infrastructure.  My sources say this is a lie.  They are shifting money from the water budget to the general fund.  And the mains they are damaging are being damaged due to water pressure changes brought on by the fact that the City is relying on computers to maintain water pressure, instead of trained operators. Continue reading→

Share your backyard fruit with low-income residents of Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Nature, Santa Ana, Working Families Leave a comment

Got fruit?    Want to help feed hungry families?

Announcing….CommUnity Harvest !

Do you have extra fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs growing in your front or backyard?  Are they going to waste, falling from the tree, uneaten?  Do you have the space and ability to produce surplus fruits and veggies in your garden or greenhouse?  Would you prefer that the food be utilized by families who need it?  We would!…and we can help!

The Grain Project is launching a new project to serve our low-income residents in Santa Ana, CommUnity Harvest. Residents whom have surplus food and whom are interested in donating it can sign up with us. Then, you can either drop off your harvests at our drop-off sites or we can arrange to pick up the bounty at your location. We will then see that these healthy harvests make it into the hands of hungry residents, complete with suggestions on how to prepare the items in a healthy fashion. We will also issue you a tax-deductible receipt for the value of your donation. Continue reading→

Celebrate Earth day in Santa Ana, at the Road Less Traveled

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Education, Entertainment, Nature, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana’s The Road Less Traveled is celebrating Earth Day with a number of events and specials-check them out!

A Garden Party & Learning!

Many Americans are feeling the effects of one of the most extreme winters in recent memory in their pocketbooks as produce prices continue to rise at the grocery store. More and more of us are becoming conscious about where our food comes from. You will be sure to leave each of our gatherings feeling inspired to make changes big and small in your kitchen, your garden and in your community.

A GARDEN PARTY- THIS FRIDAY 7:30-9:30! Join us and Aadara yoga studio in hosting activist and community garden expert Eugene Cooke with a series of film shorts, discussions and holistic snacks. REGISTER HERE

*Come to The Garden Party and receive 20% off all workshops in May!* Continue reading→

Great Park may acquire Fashion Island Carousel

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, irvine, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 22, 2010

CONTACT: JENN STARNES 949-724-6574

Great Park Seeks to Bring Carousel Back to OC

Former Fashion Island attraction may return to action at the growing park.

IRVINE – The Orange County Great Park Board today approved a recommendation to purchase a carousel that was removed last year from Fashion Island. The Board approved a budget reallocation to purchase the 38-foot diameter hand-painted carousel built by the Barrango Manufacturing Company in San Francisco. The carousel is projected to open late this summer, and will be located in the same area of the Park as the Great Park’s Kids Rock playground, currently under construction.
“The carousel will be a fun activity for Great Park visitors of all ages,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “As the Great Park grows, permanent amenities such as the carousel and the Great Park Balloon will complement our year-round schedule of events and activities.” Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a DUI checkpoint on Friday, at 300 S. Main St.

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SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

If you are planning on drinking too many tomorrow night, at Original Mike’s, in Santa Ana, be careful.  The SAPD is going to be conducting a DUI checkpoint on Friday night, April 23, at 300 South Main St., just south of First St.

Be sure to warn any immigrants you know to stay clear of this area tomorrow night!

Here is the SAPD’s announcement regarding this DUI checkpoint:

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver License checkpoint on Friday April 23rd, 2010. It will begin at 7:30 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 300 S Main St.

In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. By routinely conducting these publicized and highly visible DUI enforcement activities, the Santa Ana Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving. Continue reading→

Correa’s Bill on Teen Dating Violence Education and Prevention Passes Senate Committee

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, california, Crime, Democratic Party, Lou Correa, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Women 2 Comments

Photo: State Senator Lou Correa addressing Sexual Assault Awareness Month supporters outside the California State Capitol

NEWS RELEASE

State, Senator,­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­ 34th Senate District

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2010
Contact: Lina Hamilton (916) 651-4034

Correa’s Bill on Teen Dating Violence Education and Prevention Passes Senate Committee

SACRAMENTO, CA- Proposed legislation by Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) to teach teen students about teen dating violence awareness and prevention was approved today by the Senate Committee on Education. SB 1300 will require the State Board of Education to incorporate, at its next revision, teen dating violence and sexual violence instruction into health curriculum framework for pupils in 7 to 12 grades. This bill will also authorize a school district to provide teen dating violence prevention education consisting of age-appropriate instruction. Continue reading→

Correa partners Orange County with Dutch companies to create jobs

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Business, Jobs, Lou Correa, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

PHOTO: State Senator Lou Correa, left, delivering remarks at the “Orange Meets Orange” job creation/business development meeting.

NEWS RELEASE

State Senator, ­­­34th Senate District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2010
CONTACT: RAY MILLER (916) 651-1512

CORREA PARTNERS ORANGE COUNTY WITH DUTCH COMPANIES TO CREATE MORE JOBS

SANTA ANA, CA — Partnering Orange County businesses and officials with growing Dutch companies was the theme of Senator Lou Correa’s (Orange County) inaugural job creation/business development meeting last Friday in Santa Ana.

Co-sponsored with the Netherlands Consulate General, Correa’s “Orange Meets Orange” initiative is a series of new business “matchmaking” events that will explore new business opportunities for Orange County by bringing together Dutch-owned firms in numerous fields with prospective Orange County business partners and municipal officials. Continue reading→

Solorio bill to fund after school ESL programs clears Assembly Education Committee

Posted on by Posted in california, Education, Jose Solorio, Latinos, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2010
For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – Office: (916) 319-2069 Cell: (916) 804-5355

Solorio Legislation to Provide Opportunities for Students to Learn English in After School Programs Clears Assembly Education Committee

Assembly Bill 1831 Would Update Prop 49 to Include English Language Acquisition Strategies

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 1831, legislation authored by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), to enhance opportunities for children to learn English in after school programs, received the endorsement of the Assembly Committee on Education yesterday on a 6-2 vote. The bill will now proceed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Continue reading→

Nadia Lopez elected new Associated Student Government President at Santa Ana College

Posted on by Posted in Education, Elections, Latinos, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

“After two days of voting, and five hours of tallying votes after polls closed, Nadia Lopez was elected new Associated Student Government president,” at Santa Ana College, according to their student newspaper, El Don.

Lopez received 339 votes Friday, beating opponent Juan Reyes, who had 266 votes.
 There were a total of 614 ballots.

For the third year in a row, participation was up. This year’s turnout was up 44 percent from last year’s. Past elections had afternoon and evening voting times. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Valley High School to hold a community meeting today, at 6 pm

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities 4 Comments

Valley High School Alumni and concerned residents are being urged to attend the Valley High School Community meeting today, at 6pm in the school auditorium, regarding the restructuring of the school.

The feedback that is gathered this week will then be forwarded to the Santa Ana Unified School District office. The plan to keep Valley open will be due on June 1st.

“In March, the state Department of Education named Century High, Santa Ana High, Saddleback High, Valley High, Willard Intermediate and Sierra Intermediate among the state’s 188 “persistently low-achieving” schools,” according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

World Magazine Editor Marvin Olasky to speak at Santa Ana’s Trinity Law School

Posted on by Posted in Business, Education, Lawyers, Santa Ana Leave a comment

An Afternoon with Marvin Olasky

An opportunity to interact with the Editor in Chief of World Magazine. Marvin Olasky is spending a day at Trinity Law School and reserved 3pm-5pm on Friday, April 23rd to address the Trinity Law School community and answer their questions on a wide variety of topics.

Dr. Olasky is most known as the Editor in Chief of WORLD magazine and currently serves as Provost of The King’s College in New York City. He also chaired an advisory committee on religion and public policy for George W. Bush when he was Governor of Texas. He is the author of more than 20 books. His books include The Religions Next Door, Compassionate Conservatism, The American Leadership Tradition, Tragedy of American Compassion, and The Prodigal Press: The Anti-Christian Bias of American News Media. He has published more than 800 articles on journalism, history, the fight against poverty, religion, sports and other matters. His most recent book coming out in March, Unmerited Mercy.

Time: 3pm-5pm
Location: 2200 N. Grand Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705 Continue reading→