New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: August 2011

African-Americans targets of one third of Orange County’s hate crimes

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in African Americans, Civil Rights, Crime, Entertainment, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

A Fullerton Republican emailed this picture to her friends but was exposed by the OC Weekly

Reports Shows Hate Crime Targeting African-Americans are One Third of all reported in 2010

OC Human Relations Commission Releases the 2010 Hate Crime Report

Thursday, August 18, 10:00 am

OC Human Relations, Conf. Rm A/B, 1300 S. Grand Building B, Santa Ana, CA 92705

In September of 2010 an African-American woman and a white man were walking together in their apartment complex when they heard a white male on an upstairs balcony yell, “Interracial relationships are wrong!” and call the woman a “nigger.” The perpetrator then walked downstairs and confronted the couple, punched the man in the face knocking him down and then kicked his back causing concussions. The perpetrator then fled the scene. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana City Council could stop the SAPD’s DUI checkpoints, but won’t

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, Crime, Politics, Santa Ana 17 Comments

Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez says that “the City Council has no authority to tell the Police Department what the policy should be,” according to the O.C. Register. That simply is not true.

Oakland is now abstaining from impounding unlicensed drivers’ cars – and from the hundreds of thousands of dollars the controversial seizures generate a year, according to California Watch. We wrote about that previously, at this link. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana proposes a new Housing Opportunity Ordinance

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana 5 Comments

The City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element communicates goals, policies and programs to address the Santa Ana’s local and regional housing needs. The proposed Housing Opportunity Ordinance is one tool to ensure future residential development projects contribute to the attainment of the affordable housing goals set forth in the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan.

Below is listing of past meetings, as well as upcoming opportunities to participate in shaping the proposed Housing Opportunity Ordinance. For more information, contact Project Planner Sergio Klotz. Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana publishes a new online Business Resource Guide

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana has posted a new “Guide to Doing Business in Santa Ana” on their website, in both English and Spanish. Here is their announcement regarding the new guide:

The City of Santa Ana is pleased to present a new and exciting guide for businesses designed to assist with their growth and prosperity in the City. Continue reading→

Santa Ana “Get Spotted at the Zoo” fundraiser set for August 27

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Zoo’s signature gala eventZoofari is back, on Saturday, August 27 from 5:30 pm to 12:00 am.

This year’s theme is “Get Spotted at the Zoo” as we raise funds for a new exhibit featuring the spotted Amazon jungle cats, the Ocelots.

Begin your evening’s adventure by entering to a whole themed world inside the Zoo. Continue reading→

1st Annual Stand Down for homeless and at-risk Veterans on Sep. 17-18

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Entertainment, homeless, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

Santa Ana- Veterans First is proud to announce the 1st Annual Stand Down for homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The Stand Down will take place on September 17-18, 2011 on the grounds of Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, CA.

The Orange County Stand Down will provide a one-stop shop for homeless and at-risk Veterans to get matched with essential services such as medical, dental, and vision exams, employment and housing assistance, as well as Veterans benefit identification and assistance. The Stand Down will also provide these Veterans a place for them to enjoy a hot meal, showers and grooming, and a chance to spend time with fellow Veterans and feel a sense of comraderie that many havent felt since their time in service to our country. Continue reading→

Great Park to host NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition on 8/19

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Family, irvine, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Sports, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 12, 2011
CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Great Park to Host NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition

Young football fans compete for place in national contest

IRVINE –The Orange County Great Park is calling local boys and girls ages 6-15 to showcase their football talents at the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) competition on Friday, August 19. The competition is free, but participants must register by Wednesday, August 17. The competition will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the new Great Park North Lawn. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Political Chismes: Will Brandman be the next O.C. Clerk-Recorder?

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Jordan Brandman went to work for Tom Daly, the O.C. Clerk-Recorder, in January of this year, as his “Director of External Affairs.” Yes, that sort of government job usually comes with a six figure salary. Brandman was hired despite an Orange County hiring freeze, according to the Friends for Fullerton’s Future blog.

Daly is now thought to be running for the 69th Assembly District. Does that mean Brandman, who is on the Anaheim Union High School District’s Board of Education, will be running to replace Daly, should Daly end up getting sent to Sacramento by the voters?

Never mind the fact that Brandman is not a Clerk-Recorder and he really has no experience at this sort of work, there are plenty of other reasons to oppose him. Continue reading→

Gourmet food trucks and craft beers at the Heritage Museum of O.C. on 8/14

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Food, Historical, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Enjoy a refreshing sampling of fine craft beers and gourmet food trucks on Sunday, August 14, 2011, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Heritage Museum of Orange County.

Bayhawk Ales, Orange County’s largest & oldest microbrewery, will offer a variety of their delicious beers for tasting in the shade pavilion at Heritage Museum of Orange County. Continue reading→

Free Kidney Screening in Santa Ana on Saturday, August 13

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Entertainment, Health and Medical, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

Do you or a family member have diabetes or high blood pressure? or Does an immediate family member have kidney disease? If you answered yes, you are at risk for kidney disease.

Get a free kidney screening this Saturday August 13th, 2011, from 10:00AM-2:00 PM, at the Southwest Senior Center, located at 2201 West McFadden Ave., in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Save the Sexlinger Orchard demonstration set for Saturday, August 13

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Development, Entertainment, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Politics, Real Estate, Santa Ana 2 Comments

There will be another “Save Our Orchard” demonstration this Saturday, August 13th, 2011 from 10am – 2pm.

Also, the activists who are fighting to stop development at the site of the Sexlinger Orchard will be formally introducing the Save Our Orchard Coalition to the City Council this coming Monday, August 15th at 5:30pm at the City Council Meeting. Continue reading→

Man indicted for beating and murdering a toddler and similar case in 2009

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

TONY RACKAUCKAS, ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: August 11, 2011
Susan Kang Schroeder, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Chief of Staff Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN INDICTED FOR BEATING-MURDER OF 18-MONTH-OLD TODDLER AND SIMILAR 2009 CHILD ABUSE OF 3-MONTH-OLD RELATIVE

SANTA ANA – A man was indicted today by the Orange County Grand Jury for the beating-murder of his girlfriend’s sister’s 18-month-old daughter and abusing another child in a similar way in 2009. Juan Carlos Aguilar, 25, Santa Ana, was indicted on one felony count of murder, one felony count of assault on child with force likely to produce great bodily injury resulting in death, and two felony counts of child abuse. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Continue reading→

Free movie night and campfire at Santiago Park’s Nature Reserve on 8/12

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Family, Fires, Movies, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Park Naturalist Program Presents: Friday Night Fires At Santiago Park Nature Reserve

Presenting: Movie Night, Movie: TBD

Gather around the campfire for a FREE Summer night family event. Optional Supplies: hot dogs, marshmallows, skewers, blankets, warm clothing, and hot beverages. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Political Chismes: Tom Daly to run for the 69th A.D.

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Solorio, Michele Martinez, Politics, Santa Ana 13 Comments

The chisme has it that Orange County Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly is going to run for the 69th Assembly District, a seat currently held by Assemblyman Jose Solorio, who if memory serves correct employs Daly’s wife.

Daly is the former Mayor of Anaheim. I am told that “business interests” want him to run as they don’t like OC Labor Political Director Julio Perez, who like Daly hails from Anaheim.

Where does that leave Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez? She announced she was running this week. Continue reading→

Will the soccer haters apologize now that the Chivas are not coming to town?

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Latino Leaders, Latinos, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana, Soccer, Sports 12 Comments

Pictured: The Board of the Santa Ana Soccer and Business Association, with Miguel Pulido and Vince Sarmiento

The Voice of OC is reporting that we were right – the Chivas USA soccer team is NOT moving to Santa Ana after all. Will Santa Ana’s soccer-hating Usual Suspects now apologize for creating mass hysteria about the proposed move – which was really never more than a pipe dream?

The Voice of OC’s Adam Elmahrek interviewed Edgar Vasquez of the Santa Ana Soccer and Business Association. We first reported about Vasquez and his new organization way back in January of this year, when they met with Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. Continue reading→