Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: May 2010

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez finally co-sponsors the Dream Act

Posted on by Posted in Dream Act, Education, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, mexico, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez has finally decided to co-sponsor the Dream Act, according to Gustavo Arellano, at the OC Weekly, and the Don Palabraz blog.

Click here to see her name on the record at the Library of Congress as a co-sponsor.

Here is an excerpt from Arellano’s post:

I’ve received much criticism from local Democrats over the past year for my constant bashing of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for not co-sponsoring the DREAM Act, a bill before the House and Senate that would create a path toward amnesty for undocumented college students. Recently, the Orange County Dream Team ratcheted up their pressure on Loretta as well, calling her out at liberal shindigs this past weekend. Continue reading→

Great Park Announces 2010 Free Concert Line-Up

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

 

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will be playing for free at the Great Park this year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 25, 2010 

CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Great Park Announces 2010 Free Concert Line-Up

Evening Concerts and Dance Parties Begin August 6

IRVINE – Exceptional music and dance concerts, including proven favorites and unexpected discoveries, make up the third season of the “Flights and Sounds of Summer” festival at the Orange County Great Park. More than 25,000 people enjoyed last year’s concert and dance series that included eclectic, engaging performers on a stage under the stars. The “Flights and Sounds of Summer” festival is presented by the Orange County Great Park Corporation in partnership with Irvine Barclay Theatre. Continue reading→

SAUSD to blame teachers for problems at low performing schools

Posted on by Posted in Education, Labor, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 2 Comments

It looks like the administrators at the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) are getting ready to blame their teachers for the woes at the district’s “Persisently Low Achieving Schools.”

Below is an email that the teachers’ union sent to their members, announcing their plans to fight back against the lame administrators at the SAUSD: 

Dear XXXXX,

For several weeks, SAEA has requested a copy of the Persistently Low Achieving Schools (PLAS) plan and a description on how the District plans to involve teachers in the process. Every time we were assured, by the Superintendent and members of her Cabinet that teachers would have input in the content of the application. Furthermore, at the last School board meeting, the Superintendent told the School Board that teachers would have input and this would not be a top-down process.

SAEA and the District have been in negotiations regarding the articles in the collective bargaining agreement that affect the PLAS schools. The Bargaining Team asked on several occasions to see the plan, the District told us there was no plan formulated for the six schools. Finally, on Friday afternoon, the Bargaining Team got a copy of the application and we were outraged at its content. Continue reading→

O.C. Grand Jury questions light rail contract awarded to Cordoba Corp.

Posted on by Posted in Business, Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Cordoba Corp. knows how to game the system when it comes to public contracts…

The Orange County Grand Jury has found that the huge contract that the Santa Ana City Council gave to the Cordoba Corp. was rather fishy, given that his firm was the lowest rated of three bidders, according to the O.C. Register.

“Mayor Miguel Pulido intervened directly after city staff, acting on the advice of the expert panel, recommended that a different company get the contract, according to the grand jury report. He called together a special committee of council members to do its own evaluation – but nobody kept a record of those discussions, the grand jury found.” Continue reading→

ECCOPAC announces their June Primary endorsements

Posted on by Posted in Democratic Party, Elections, LGBT, Politics, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The ECCOPAC has endorsed John Santoianni for the Anaheim City Council

Press Release, For Immediate Release

ECCOPAC Announces JUNE 2010 Election Endorsements

Santa Ana, CA – May 24, 2010 – ECCOPAC is proud to announce the release of its endorsements for the California June Primary Election.

ECCOPAC encourages everyone to vote. This voter guide is designed to help LGBT and progressive voters make more informed decisions.

Don’t forget to VOTE June 8th! If you can’t vote in person, please vote by mail.

ECCOPAC VOTER GUIDE: Continue reading→

Senator Correa hosting an O.C. Gang Assessment forum on Tuesday

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

Photos above courtesy of the Santa Ana Police Department’s Most Wanted website

State Senator Lou Correa is hosting an “Orange County Youth Gang Assessment” forum this Tuesday, May 25. This will be a collaborative event between local non-profits, law enforcement agencies and Senator Correa, to obtain a current picture of youth delinquency in the Orange County community.

The first forum will feature the non-profit community, while the forum on Friday, May 28 will feature local law enforcement agencies. This forum is FREE and open to the public. Guests can attend as much or as little of the event as they’d like. Contact Senator Correa’s District Office for more information at (714) 558-4400.

Non-profit speakers include: Continue reading→

New OC Animal Care Director Selected

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

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 24, 2010

Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com
1770 NORTH BROADWAY • SANTA ANA, CA 92706 • WWW.OCGOV.COM

New OC Animal Care Director Selected

(Santa Ana, CA) – OC Community Resources Director Steve Franks has appointed Ryan Drabek to serve as Director of OC Animal Care.

For the past year, Ryan has served as Interim Director of OC Animal Care. During Ryan’s tenure as Interim Director, OC Animal Care successfully implemented a Dog License Amnesty program, proactively collaborated with various animal organizations and shelters to promote public education and outreach efforts, and continued to champion performance measurements. Continue reading→

Learn how to leverage political resources for nonprofits on May 27

Posted on by Posted in Business, Charities, Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Come to a mixer! Leveraging Political Resources for Nonprofits

You have been invited to Cal State Fullerton’s “Nonprofit Professionals Spring Mixer!”

Thursday, May 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Delicious catering will be served by Mother’s Market.  A large variety of sandwiches, fruits, salads, pastas and everyone’s favorite — dessert!

LEVERAGING POLITICAL RESOURCES FOR NONPROFITS: Continue reading→

Com Link meeting on May 27 to focus on graffiti

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Neighborhood Associations, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Communication Linkage Forum is hosting a meeting on Thursday, May 27th at 7 p.m.  with an agenda focusing on Graffiti.   Guest speakers from Orange County Courts, Probation and the DA’s Office.    

Social time starts at 6:30 p.m., meeting starts at 7:00 p.m., at the Santa Ana Police Department, located at 60 Civic Center Plaza.

Click here for additional details.  A monthly Arts and Culture Report prepared by Com-Link is also available by  clicking here.

Boycott Costa Mesa and don’t vote for Bill Hunt!

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, Costa Mesa, Latinos, mexico, Republican Party, Santa Ana Leave a comment

 

As if we didn’t have enough reasons to not vote for Bill Hunt, he appears in the video above, giving his support to the racist “Rule of Law” statute passed by the Costa Mesa City Council this week.

“This week’s resolution follows an April news conference in which Mayor Allan Mansoor called for stricter regulations to catch illegal immigrants living, working and driving in the city,” according to the L.A. Times.

It was a unanimous vote, according to the L.A. Times, but Council Woman Katrina Foley says she did not vote for this. Thanks Katrina!

According to Gustavo Arellano, Mansoor, whose parents were immigrants from Egypt and Sweden, has failed in his longstanding war against all things Mexican:

Click here to read the rest of this post.

Spurgeon Intermediate to hold a Career Day on May 28

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

 

Dear Career Day Speakers:

Spurgeon staff would like you to participate in our Career Day on May 28, 2010 from 8:00 am to 12 pm. It is of great importance that our students come in contact with you and your career. Your presence at Spurgeon will give our students a wealth of information for future opportunities.

Please plan for a 30-35 minute presentation, with a 5 minute period for student questions. You may bring artifacts, pamphlets or informational displays. You may include in your presentation, but are not limited to the following question: Who was an influential in your life? How did you decide on your respective career? What are the requirements for a post secondary education for your career? What skills are necessary for the career? What are your primary job responsibilities? How much do you make? What is a typical day for you? What is the best and the worst thing(s) about your career? In addition, what are the goals for continued growth?

Thank you for your consideration in helping our students see the possibilities of their future careers.

There will be 3 sessions: Continue reading→

New earthquakes strike Mexicali and downtown San Diego

Posted on by Posted in california, Earthquakes, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

“A series of moderate earthquakes south of the California border on Saturday shook buildings in downtown San Diego but there were no reports of damage or injuries,” according to the AP.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude-4.9 earthquake struck at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, centered in Baja California about 16 miles southwest of Calexico. A magnitude-4.8 earthquake struck about three minutes later, followed by a 3.6 quake at 10:59 a.m.

Click here to see the Red Cross San Diego website.  Click here for information on earthquake preparedness.

Second striker arraigned after sexual assaults on two girls under 14

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Women, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Picture Courtesy of KTLA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 10CF1242

May 20, 2010

Contact:  Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, Public Information Officer, Santa Ana Police Department Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Orange County District Attorney Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Orange County District Attorney
Office: 714-245-8029 714-347-8408 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-709-2043 714-292-2718 714-323-4486

 
SECOND STRIKER TO BE ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES SURROUNDING FOUR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TWO GIRLS UNDER 14

* Defendant was linked through DNA to the sexual assault of Jane Doe #1  

SANTA ANA – A second striker will be arraigned today on charges surrounding four residential burglaries and sexual assaults on two girls under the age of 14. Roberto Jacobo Reyes, 47, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of forcible lewd act on a child under 14, one felony count of lewd act upon child under 14, and two felony counts of first degree residential burglary with sentencing enhancements and allegations for committing lewd acts during the commission of residential burglaries and committing lewd acts on multiple victims. The defendant also faces enhancements for a prior strike conviction and prison prior from a 2003 residential burglary (Case #02CF3324). If convicted, he faces a sentence of 115 years and eight months to life in state prison. The People will be requesting that the defendant be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment scheduled for today, Thursday, May 20, 2010, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Villa Fundamental’s Education First Festival is on Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Charities, Civic Affairs, Education, Entertainment, Latinos, music, Santa Ana, Sports, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Villa Fundamental’s Education First Festival

The 2010 Education 1st Festival will be held at Villa Fundamental on Saturday, May 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Over 90 organizations will unite to bring services and entertainment to families in Santa Ana.

Sports celebrity appearances by Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez along with Anaheim Angels player Jay Johnstone and Chivas USA.

Visual arts performances will highlight Latin Grammy performers from the Pacifico Dance Company. The live band stage, hosted by The Beat 92.3, will feature The Latin Blues Project, Mahootie, Wonder Wheel, Los Del Centro, The Alter Billies, and The Faculty. Other special exhibits will include Exotic Bird Shows from Rainforest Disney and Reptiles expo from Prehistoric Pets on stage 3. Continue reading→