Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: April 2010

Dr. Ana Nogales to host reception for Council Member Michele Martinez on April 28

Posted on by Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, Latinos, Politics, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

Santa Ana Council Member Michele Martinez has announced a fundraising reception.  Here are the details:

Dr. Ana Nogales and the Friends of Michele Martinez cordially invite you to a reception supporting the re-election of Councilwoman Michele Martinez, on Wednesday, April 28th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Dr. Ana Nogales Corporate Office, located at 1650 E. Fourth Street, in Santa Ana.

Suggested Contributions: $100-$249- $500 – $1000 – Other, Students Free!  RSVP: reelectmmartinez@gmail.com or (714) 380-4339.

Click here to see the event flier.  Click here to download a contribution form. Continue reading→

Is Supervisor Janet Nguyen backing Democrat Joe Dovinh for the 68th A.D.?

Posted on by Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, Garden Grove, Janet Nguyen, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Stanton, Vietnamese Leave a comment

I had heard that Supervisor Janet Nguyen was supporting Democrat Joe Dovinh for the 68th Assembly District, but now we have proof.  I passed by the Lee’s Sandwiches in Stanton, which is owned by her husband, Garden Grove Planning Commissioner Tom Bonikowski, and her Chief of Staff, Andrew Do (who is also a Garden Grove Councilman) today, and lo and behold there was a Dovinh for Assembly sign on their lawn!  (See the picture above).

Dovinh is living with Garden Grove Councilwoman Dina Nguyen, according to the Bolsavik blog.  Dina is allied with Assemblyman Van Tran, who is supposed to be at odds with Janet Nguyen.

Janet is NOT supporting her fellow Republican, Orange County Board of Education Trustee Long Pham, who is running for the 68th Assembly District as well, in the Republican primary.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

California Crime Victims Organization Honors Senator Correa At Victim Rights Rally

Posted on by Posted in california, Crime, Lou Correa, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

PHOTO: Left to right – Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, Senator Tom Harman and Assemblyman Ted Lieu applaud as Senator Correa receives the Crime Victims Legislator of the year award from Nina Salarno, CVUC Co-leader

SACRAMENTO, CA – California’s largest organization, committed to protecting and advocating for the right’ of victims of crime, has recognized Orange County’s own State Senator Lou Correa as their Legislator of the Year.

The organization; Crime Victims United of California (CVUC), presented Senator Correa with their formal recognition in a ceremony during their annual March on the Capitol which was held on the west steps of the state’s Capitol.

Senator Lou Correa has developed a strong record in support of the victims of crime and supports measures to keep communities safe for our families. Continue reading→

Tan Nguyen is asking Santa Ana voters to Dump Sanchez

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, Elections, immigration, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 2 Comments

Are you wondering who is putting up all those “Dump Sanchez” signs all over Santa Ana?

Wonder no longer.  The signs belong to disgraced anti-Latino Republican congressional candidate Tan Nguyen.

I verified this by conducting a query via Godaddy.com.  They list Tan Nguyen as the owner of www.dumpsanchez.com.

He is also touted on the website itself (see the graphic excerpt below). Continue reading→

O.C. Great Park unveils a new and unique course on Orange County birds

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, irvine, Nature, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 19, 2010 

CONTACT: JENN STARNES 949-724-6574

Orange County Great Park Unveils a New and Unique Birding Course
Educational series informs residents on local animal life

IRVINE – For Orange County residents who have always wanted to know more about the winged creatures in their backyard, the Orange County Great Park will be offering a rare opportunity this spring. The Great Park is presenting a new workshop series featuring two different birding courses – one aimed toward those looking for an introduction to birds as well as an advanced course for individuals who have had more experience.

For course one, “Birds of Orange County” will take place April 20 through May 25, 2010, at 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., at the OC Great Park Corporation Office. The more advanced “More Birds of Orange County” will run from June 8 through July 13, and will take place at the same time and location. These evening classes will also include an exciting daytime component in the form of field trips. Taught by Victor Leipzig, Ph. D., the workshops will be easily accessible to a wide audience for ages 18 and older, as admission and parking is free. Registration is required for each course, and can be obtained by e-mailing contact@ocgp.org. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana settles lawsuit over demolition of homes in the Lacy neighborhood

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Housing, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Line drawing of the Courtyard Housing the City of Santa Ana had proposed for the Lacy Neighborhood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Friends of the Historic Lacy Neighborhood
Jeff Dickman: 714.240.0883
Attorney Susan Brandt-Hawley, 707.938.3900

Settlement Announced in Lawsuit Filed Against the City of Santa Ana to Stop Illegal Demolition of Vintage Homes

Santa Ana (April 19, 2010) The Friends of the Historic Lacy Neighborhood (Friends) has settled an action in the Orange County Superior Court against the City of Santa Ana to enforce the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA). The Petition for Writ of Mandamus, filed November 19, 2009, asked the Court to void the City’s unlawful approval of the demolition of vintage homes in the Lacy Neighborhood because the City had not complied with state environmental laws designed to protect historic and cultural resources. The case was settled upon the City’s agreement to: Continue reading→

Video of the Santa Ana Tax Day Tea Party

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Federal Government, Republican Party, Santa Ana Leave a comment

In case you are wondering what went on at the Tax Day Tea Party in Santa Ana, I have posted video above that was shot by past Mayoral candidate George Collins.

Rancho Santiago Community College District Phil Yarborough opened the event.  He was followed by a guy who sounded like he was a birther. 

Then some guy dressed up as a patriot got up and complained about how the British taxed the heck out of the colonial Americans. Continue reading→

O.C. High School of the Arts presents a Ballet Folklorico Concert on May 1

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Education, Entertainment, Latinos, mexico, music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Orange County High School of the Arts presents a Ballet Folklorico Conservatory Concert, called Recuerdos de Mexico, on May 1, at 7:30 p.m., at Segerstrom High School, located at 2301 W. MacArthur Boulevard, in Santa Ana.

Tickets are available at this link.  The cost is $16 for an adult ticket and $12 for a children’s ticket. Continue reading→

Free concert by the Spurgeon Intermediate Cougar Orchestra on April 24

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

The Cougar Orchestra played this past Christmas on 4th & Spurgeon in Downtown

Spurgeon Intermediate presents The Cougar’s Orchestra & Choir, Performing at the Artist Village Promenade Between 2nd & Broadway,  in Santa Ana, on April 24, from 11 am to 12:30 pm.  FREE CONCERT!

For further Info call: Santa Ana Downtown at 714-547-6100 EXT. 203.

Click here to see the event flier. Continue reading→

Van Tran Says Jail Tan Nguyen

Posted on by Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, Loretta Sanchez, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Vietnamese Leave a comment

They say a photo is worth a thousand words but if you ask me this one is priceless:

Assemblyman Van Tran at Tea Party rally on April 15. 
Tran and Tan Nguyen are running in the Republican Party Primary, for the right to face off against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, in the 47th Congressional District.

Click here to read the rest of this post.

Public Works Director Raul Godinez wants to raise your water rates again

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

Raul Godinez is getting ready to raise your water rates again!

Have you enjoyed watching your water bills in Santa Ana get higher and higher?  Well prepare yourself.  Public Works Director Raul Godinez wants to raise your water rates again.

I spent some time the other day with a City Hall insider and got an earful about what is really going on at the Santa Ana Public Works Department, since Godinez came to town.

Like most city agencies, the Public Works Department has had to let go a lot of people.   Senior operators and techs are retiring and not being replaced. 

Godinez is trying to use computers to regulate water pressure at night, instead of hiring nighttime operators.  The result?  All those damaged water mains.  What is damaging them isn’t corrosion, but rather water pressure spikes.  The computers cannot adjust the pressure the way humans do.  So sometimes the water pressure zooms up and some of the pipes cannot take it. Continue reading→

Smooth Driving for Santa Ana’s Road Repair Program

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

Smooth Driving for Santa Ana’s Road Repair Program

Santa Ana, CA – While most budget-strapped cities are cutting back on badly needed road repairs, the City of Santa Ana is putting the pedal to the metal.

The City, which is halfway through a multi-year, $72-million residential road rehabilitation program, is under budget and ahead of schedule on a model project that is much kinder to the environment than traditional road repair programs.

“We are pleased to report that our citywide street repair program will be completed in three years instead of five, will cost 30 percent less than first envisioned, use state-of-the-art green technologies, and will be less disruptive to our residents,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.

The Mayor and City officials will recognize and demonstrate this innovative road repair program at a press conference to be held April 19, 2010, 12:30 p.m. Continue reading→

Last day to mail Census Form back

Posted on by Posted in Federal Government, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Today Friday 4-16-2010 is the last day to turn in your Census form without being tagged for a personal visit. (Post mark)

If you think the government is wasting too many dollars on the census, this is your chance to help save some cash.

It costs about half a buck to mail back your census form, compared to an average cost of about sixty dollars for the home visit.

Now specifically to those who are protesting the Census or the over all government in general by boycotting the census.

THANK YOU.                                                 

 

In the Orange County area the government has hired about 6 to 10 thousand part time employees to handle getting the required information from the residents. This money is spent here locally on local residents and helping the local economy.

Thank you for creating some local jobs for us part timers to earn some extra cash.

Census employee’s have a Canvas Bag and Employee Badge.

The Grain Project is hosting Urban Gardens II at Jerome Park

Posted on by Posted in Education, Green, Health and Medical, Nature, Santa Ana, Working Families Leave a comment

The Grain Project is hosting Urban Gardens II “Building Community” with Eugene Cooke Saturday April 24th 3pm-5pm.  $16, $12 if you bring a friend.

Is a Food Revolution in Season? Where does your food come from?

Join us at the Jerome CommUnity Learning Center as Eugene Cooke discusses concepts of guerilla food growing and community building in order to see your urban city in a different light. Get inspired about using plants to reclaim space for the public good. We’ll provide you with ideas & materials to begin a food abundance network – a way to build community with friends & neighbors and share the work and rewards of growing food. Continue reading→

Join Senator Correa’s Young Senators at the Fitness & Healthy Living Town Hall Meeting this Saturday

Posted on by Posted in buena park, Health and Medical, Lou Correa, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

State Senator Lou Correa, who represents Santa Ana, Anaheim and parts of several other central and north Orange County cities, is hosting a Fitness and Healthy Living Young Senators Town Hall meeting on Saturday, April 17, at the Nutrilite Center for Optimal Health, located at 5600 Beach Bl., in Buena Park. 

Registration begins at 9 am.  The program is at 9:30 am, and a healthy lunch will be served at 12 noon. 

  • Learn and discuss the importance of health, fitness, excercise, nutrition and wellness!
  • Interactive program includes a video presentation, speakers, tours, questionnaires and exercises
  • Learn how to join Senator Correa and your local schools in this year’s Governor’s Challenge and the 2010 Orange County Fitness Challenge! Continue reading→