Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: June 2011

Save the Sexlinger Orchard demonstration set for Saturday, June 25

Posted on by Posted in Development, Entertainment, Nature, Neighborhood Associations, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 5 Comments

The activists at “Save the Sexlinger Orchard” are holding another demonstration,  on Saturday, June 25, 2011, from 11AM- 3PM.

They ask that our readers stop by for 30 minutes or an hour and help them share the message — “NO” to another housing development and “YES” to an Urban Agriculture Center – the first of this kind and scale in the city of Santa Ana. They say that your support is critical to the cause.

For more information about the orchard and how you can help, please visit : www.saveourorchard.org, and like them on Facebook : www.facebook.com/saveourorchard.

Correa bill prohibits lavish gifts from lobbying groups

Posted on by Posted in california, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Lou Correa, Senator,­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 34th Senate District

NEWS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2011

Contact: Darren Chesin , (916) 651-4106

Correa Bill Prohibits Lavish Gifts from Lobbying Groups

FROM ARCHIVE: California State Senator Lou Correa delivering remarks during Senate Floor session.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Lou Correa, Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments, announced today he is authoring legislation to prohibit state officeholders and their families from accepting lavish gifts like vacations, pro sports tickets, and golf outings from lobbyists and their clients.

The measure, Senate Bill 50 (SB 50), would specifically prohibit elected state officers and members of their immediate families from accepting all of the following gifts from lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers:

· Theme park and amusement park tickets.
· Professional sporting event tickets.
· Collegiate or other amateur sporting event tickets with a face value exceeding $25 per ticket.
· Theater, concert, and other entertainment tickets with a face value exceeding $25 per ticket.
· Racetrack tickets.
· Spa treatments and other beauty or cosmetic services.
· Golf, skiing, hunting trips, fishing trips, and other recreational outings or vacations.
· Gift cards.

Correa’s bill, jointly authored by Republican Senator Sam Blakeslee, will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting on July 5, 2011. SB 50 builds upon prior concepts explored by Senator Blakeslee in previous legislation.

Senator Lou Correa represents the 34th District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. ###

Lina Hamilton, Legislative Aide
Office of the Honorable Lou Correa
34th Senate District
(916) 651-4034

Santa Ana “Neighborhood Hero” Gordon compares Latinos to ignorant kids

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Latinos, Neighborhood Associations, Republican Party, Santa Ana 44 Comments

When Santa Ana “Neighborhood Hero” Thomas Gordon tried to run for the Santa Ana City Council, he claimed he would “wipe the floor” with incumbent Sal Tinajero, who is also a very successful public school teacher.  But when the filing deadline came, Gordon failed to collect enough verified signatures – and even his own signature was thrown out by the City Clerk.  We later caught Gordon texting answers to another Council candidate, Helen Martinez.  She lost badly and hasn’t been seen since.

What is Gordon up to now, you ask?  Well check out this comment – which he posted on a Voice of OC blog post about the proposed move of the Chivas USA soccer team to Santa Ana:

Regarding neighborhood impact and the loss of the golf course, Tinajero said he understands that some residents would be opposed to the move, but when compared to the number of residents in favor, opponents will seem a small minority.

The opposition “would be outnumbered, in my opinion, nine to one,” Tinajero said.

————————————————————————————————————

Kids want candy or soda or junk food 9 times more than adults do, but as adults we are able to see the cost associated with these things, not just monetarily but the long term impacts such as tooth decay or diabetes.

Los Angeles Unified School Board just voted to ban chocolate and strawberry flavored milk in schools. I’ll bet the kids are against that 99 to 1 as well, but as adults the Board made a decision based on health and long term results.

Guess we elected children to the Santa Ana City Council……..

Not only did Gordon insult all the Latino residents of Santa Ana who would support a pro soccer team – he also insulted our Santa Ana City Council as well – comparing both the residents and the Council to ignorant schoolkids who don’t know what is good for them.

The irony is that Gordon has no college degree – but the Council Members include two attorneys, an engineer, an overpaid Orange County middle manager, a Realtor/Mortfafe banker, a non profit executive, a schoolteacher/award-winning debate team coach.  They all have college degrees, unlike Gordon.

Maybe Gordon dislikes them because they are all Democrats – except for the overpaid County middle manager.  Gordon is an elected member of the OC GOP Central Committee.

The double-irony is that Gordon works for the L.A. Unified School District, where he is an astoundingly overpaid asbestos inspector.  He clearly looks down on the schoolkids whose parents pay his ridiculous union salary.

And this guy is getting a “Neighborhood Hero” award at the Com-Link meeting this week.  He ought to be getting a Turkey award!

Rep. Sanchez’ statement on Pres. Obama’s impending Afghanistan announcement

Posted on by Posted in Federal Government, Loretta Sanchez, Military, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

REP. SANCHEZ STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S IMPENDING AFGHANISTAN ANNOUNCEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement regarding President Obama’s impending announcement that he will begin a significant draw down of American troops from Afghanistan in 2012. Congresswoman Sanchez has long advocated for a full withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

“I am pleased to hear that the President plans to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan,” said Sanchez. “Action to withdrawal our troops is long overdue and the costs of prolonging a full scale war in Afghanistan far outweigh the benefits. Terrorists bent on harming the U.S. are not indigenous only to Afghanistan, and as terrorism arises in places like Yemen and Pakistan, the United States should move forward with a more global anti-terror strategy. Instead of engaging in a nation-building campaign in Afghanistan, we should focus our resources on rebuilding our own nation, whose economy has been ravaged by the worst recession since the Great Depression.

“I look forward to hearing the President’s full address to the nation tomorrow night, and I look forward to working with him to ensure our troops have the resources they need to responsibly and successfully wind down operations in Afghanistan.”

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 47th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and parts of Fullerton in Orange County. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.

# # #

United States House of Representatives
1114 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2965 • Fax: 202-225-5859

Fundraiser for Joplin Tornado Victims on Wednesday, at Chapter One

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Chapter One Charities – which focuses on American based causes is hosting their first fundraiser, this Wednesday, from 3:00pm – Thursday at 2:00am.  All proceeds will go to the Joplin tornado victims, as well victims of the other spring storms.

They will have their usual After Office specials from 3-7 PM, as well as a wine pre-fixe pairing menu. Please stop in enjoy a few drinks or dinner for a great cause!

They will offer a Wine Pairing Pre-Fixe menu as well as their full menu. Reservations available through their website, at  www.chapteronetml.com or by calling into the restaurant.

Location: Chapter One: the modern local, is located at 227 N. Broadway, in Santa Ana.

Orange County Dream Team hosts their 3rd Annual Karaoke Night, on June 23

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Latinos, music, Restaurants, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Support the Orange County Dream Team, at their 3rd Annual Karaoke Night, this Thursday, June 23, from 8:00pm – 11:30pm, at Super Antojitos Restaurant, located at 1702 N. Bristol Street, #D, in Santa Ana.

Join the Orange County DREAM Team on Thursday with your best voice.  Calling out all those that think they could sing!!!

$5 donation.  The funds will be spent on scholarships.

Com-Link meeting on June 23 to recognize neighborhood heroes

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana 16 Comments

Neighborhood Hero Thomas Gordon

Santa Ana’s Communication Linkage Forum, or Com-Link, is hosting their next meeting on June 23, at 6:30 pm, at the Santa Ana Police Department’s Community Room, located at 60 Civic Center Plaza.  Parking will be validated.

The meeting will feature a Celebration of the 2011 Neighborhood Heroes and the Most Beautiful Yard Winners.  Here is the agenda:

6:30 pm to 7 pm: Socialize and network

7 pm: Voting for the 2011-12 Com-Link Board Members

7:10 pm: Neighborhood Heroes Recognition – Click here to see the winners, which include Thomas Gordon, who famously failed to collect enough signatures to run for the Santa Ana City Council last year.

7:45 pm: Most Beautiful Yard Recognition

8:15 pm: Neighborhood Roll Call

Cake and refreshments will be provided.

Com-Link meetings are paid for by Santa Ana’s taxpayers.

Safety engineers association now meeting at the Red Cross, in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Public Safety, Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The American Society of Safety Engineers Orange County (OC ASSE) Chapter has partnered with the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter, according to the OC Safety News blog. The American Red Cross will be hosting the OC ASSE Chapter meetings at their facility in Santa Ana.

Myles wrote in an email that “This will be a perfect opportunity for both organizations to enhance their professional development programs while opening new doors for Safety Professionals to obtain skills and experiences that will expand our personal and professional horizons.”

The Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (OCASSE) will host a specialist on “Swimming Pool and Spa Safety” as their speaker at their June 21 lunch meeting.

Mr. Steve Donohoe, a Certified Pool Operator Instructor with the National Swimming Pool Foundation, will be speaking on the issues of water quality, pool/spa safety and the recent revisions of the Americas with Disabilities (ADA) act that apply to aquatic facilities.

Click here for more information about the OC ASSE June 21 meeting.

Solorio to host legislative summit with Torlakson on June 24, at the Bowers

Posted on by Posted in california, Education, Entertainment, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Assemblyman Jose Solorio is hosting a free Legislative Summit with special guest speaker State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, on Friday, June 24, at the Bowers Museum, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

This Summit for Solorio to share with you the important issues he is working on in Sacramento and Orange County. The details of the event are below:

WHAT: Legislative Summit
WHEN: Friday, June 24 from 4:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Bowers Museum – 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana

Several informational booths will be on site, and there will be information on education (including graduation rates in Orange County), jobs, public safety, water, and animal rights issues.

Other guest speakers include Director of Research and Policy for UCLA IDEA Sophie Fanelli, and Executive Director of the Campaign for College Opportunity Michele Siqueiros. Judie Mancuso of Social Compassion in Legislation will discuss important animal rights issues.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Nadia Villafana in the District Office at nadia.villafana@asm.ca.gov or (714) 939-8469. The event is sponsored by the Bowers Museum and the Orange County Leadership Fund.

For more information about Solorio’s legislative work, please visit www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio.

Free international arts festival at the Bowers Museum on June 23

Posted on by Posted in Arab Americans, Arts and Culture, Asians, Entertainment, Health and Medical, Latinos, Santa Ana Leave a comment

International Arts Festival at the Bowers Museum, June 23- 6:00 pm FREE!  The event is completely FREE for the community!

The Bowers will have an International ART EXHIBIT and music and dance performances by a variety of artists from various ethnic communities. A total of 150 art pieces will be exhibited at the Bowers Museum.

MECCA presents “Drawing Out Sigma,” on June 23, at 6 pm.

Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) is a non-profit umbrella organization of local ethnic community-based service providers targeting the Arab, Iranian, Korean, Latino, and Vietnamese communities. MECCA’s focus is to reduce ethnic disproportionality and disparity in human development and health.

There is still room for 8 LATINO VISUAL ARTISTS to exhibit their art that evening. If you know of anyone that might be interested in exhibiting their ART, please tell them to contact us immediately at (714) 296 – 2191.

Santa Ana Chamber mixer at McCormick & Schmick’s on June 23

Posted on by Posted in Bars, Business, Entertainment, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Chambers of Commerce June Business After Hours Mixer

Meet the members of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce this Thursday, June 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant at 2791 N. Main for their monthly mixer!

  • Free Food & Soft Drinks
  • No-Host Cash Bar
  • Raffle Prizes
  • Members $10, Guests $15

Don’t miss this networking event to kick off summer!

Santa Ana Pacific Electric Corridor meeting on June 28, in Garden Grove

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Entertainment, Garden Grove, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana, Transportation 4 Comments

You are invited to attend an Open House to receive the most up-to-date information on the Pacific Electric Corridor/West Santa Ana branch study. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) encourages you to become involved with the project planning by coming to learn about progress on the project alternatives.

Ask questions, view displays, enjoy light refreshments.  Everyone is welcome! Content presented at each meeting will be identical.

The study area includes the cities of Los Angeles, Vernon, Huntington Park, Maywood, Bell, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Downey, Paramount, Bellflower, Cerritos, Artesia, Lakewood, La Palma, Cypress, Buena Park, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana, and the counties of Los Angeles and Orange.

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
South Gate Civic Center Main Hall
8680 California Avenue, South Gate, CA 90280

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2011, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
The Courtyard Center
12732 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840

CONTACT US:

For more information about the study, please visit www.pacificelectriccorridor.com or contact Philip Law, Project Manager, at 213-236-1841 or law@scag.ca.gov.

Our visit to a Chivas USA game reveals families and fun – no trash

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Family, Santa Ana, Sports 11 Comments

Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sean Mill scored us a pair of VIP tickets at yesterday’s Chivas USA soccer match against the Dallas team.  So we drove up the 405 Freeway and arrived early at the Home Depot Center in Carson to take it all in.

The Home Depot Center is something else.  The parking is shared with Cal State Dominguez Hills.  There is plenty of parking and security.  The lot was quite clean and everyone was well behaved and having a good time.

You might recall that the NIMBY Usual Suspects here in Santa Ana are screaming about trash and diapers, with respect to the prospect that the Chivas USA might move here to Santa Ana.  But Mill and I didn’t see ANY trash, or diapers.  What we saw was a lot of families having an awesome time.

There were a lot of Latino families at the game but we also saw a lot of Caucasians too.  That made sense as the Chivas USA squad is majority non-Latino and the Chivas Girls are pretty diverse too.

There was a Chivas themed family area that was really busy with vendors including State Farm Insurance, Sprint, Juanitas and other big companies.  They were giving away all sorts of stuff including hats, t-shirts, water bottles, etc.  There was also a number of stages with live music and dancing.

The Chivas Girls signed free posters and the Chivas mascot ran around taking pictures with the kids and their parents.  The whole event was one big community celebration.

The VIP section we sat in featured hosts and servers that brought food right to you.  We also won two seats each for a future game, from State Farm Insurance.

The Chivas USA team also celebrated AIDS Awareness Day, as you can see in the picture above.  They are also hosting a Diversity Day at an upcoming game – they appear to be huge supporters of the gay and lesbian community.  Again, the Usual Suspects haven’t even noticed that.

As you will see in the picture slideshow embedded above, the Chivas USA games are fun for all and there are no security issues whatsoever.  The NIMBY Usual Suspects are wrong again, as usual.

The fact however is that the Chivas USA may never come to Santa Ana.  They play in a beautiful facility in Carson.  The only reason I could see them leaving was if we could guarantee to sell out the games.  I think we could do better than Carson, where the Chivas USA play second fiddle to the Galaxy, but it is still a long shot.  That has not of course stopped the Usual Suspects from their usual screaming and racist attacks.  Par for the course…

Prop. 84 meeting about local parks on June 20 and 21, in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Education, Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

June 20th – Proposition 84 Statewide Development & Community Revitalization Program Community meeting

On Monday, June 20th, at 6pm, there will be a meeting at Edward B. Cole Academy, 333 E. Walnut, to discuss a $5 million grant opportunity for the Roosevelt/Walker school site.

The Edward B. Cole Academy is a charter school in the SAUSD.

The City of Santa Ana Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency and the SAUSD are partnering to seek park improvements. Community input is needed to seek ideas for the grant project.

For more information about this meeting, please contact Pearl Raya at (714) 571-4230 or at praya@santa-ana.org.

June 21st, Proposition 84 Statewide Development & Community Revitalization Program Final Community Meeting

A final community meeting will take place at Roosevelt Elementary School, 501 S. Halladay, at 5pm, with Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency staff. All the community ideas from previous meetings will be shared
and residents will have an opportunity to select the project for the community. Please join us and give your input.

For more information about this meeting, please contact Pearl Raya at (714) 571-4230 or at praya@santa-ana.org.

East Village Workshops: Freedom of Voice, with art, music, food & open mic

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, music, Poetry, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The East Village work shops are coming to Santa Ana, at 1st and Bush Street, on July 2, the first Saturday’s art walk for July, from 6:00pm – July 3 at 12:00am.  OPEN MIC Starts at 6pm, get there early for sign ups! Open mic will go from 6pm to 8 pm and live music will start at 8:30 pm.

After open mic Tae Kim and Theo Hirsch will grace you will their new music project: Oddeo and Vizual. There will be food trucks, 20 local artists, booze and chicks… Bands will Start at 8:30. Come and support the new local scene here in Santa Ana!! First Saturday Art walk is going to kick ass!

25 Artists include:

Ivan Abreu
Christian Anderson
Eddie de la Barca
Manuel Cortez
Carolyn Duncan
Christopher Ellsworth
Flame
Patrick Gibson
Joe Hawa
Theo Hirsch
Jack Jean
Tom Kelly
Claudia Lavini
Jack Marko
Steve Miles
Sharon Miller
Johnny Mysse
Bonnie Nettles
Dave Parsons
Jason Paul
PEZ
Ben Popceanca
Sam Pruitt
Travis Allen Raymond
Alicia Rojas
Rusty
Jason Rutherford
Sal
Chilo Te