New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: November 2011

Santa Ana may have saved a million dollars by rejecting Occupy’s camping bid

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Occupy Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is admitting he goofed by allowing his city to be occupied. The price tag for the clean up and eviction could top one million dollars, according to the L.A. Times.

“Every cent that’s going to go into the park is coming from taxpayer dollars, and that could mean less programming when we get to springtime at our rec centers,” said Jon Kirk Mukri, general manager for the Department of Recreation and Parks.

While the Santa Ana City Council voted to support the Occupy movement they were smart enough to reject their camping request. Thank goodness for that! Our city is already broke. The last thing we need is to blow a million cleaning up Occupoo! Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana issues windstorm advisory for tonight

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana, Weather 1 Comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Press Advisory: Significant Windstorm Event Preparation

The weather service is predicting a significant windstorm event effective 12/1/11, at 12 AM through Friday. Winds are predicted to potentially be in the 60-80 mph range, however Santa Ana may see lesser wind speeds. Public Work’s main objective during night time hours will be to clear the Right of Ways of major debris, clear city debris from private property and to make the affected areas safe.

Staff has met to prepare for this event as follows: Continue reading→

DPOC hacks fail to impeach their whistle blowing Treasurer

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Democratic Party, Santa Ana 14 Comments

Why is DPOC Chairman Frank Barbaro keeping his treasurer in the dark about party finances?

Orange County Democratic Party Treasurer Reggie Mundekis barely survived an impeachment effort Monday night, coming within one vote of being removed from office by the Central Committee. Mundekis, a controversial party activist, has publicly raised questions about the Democratic Central Committee’s lack of transparency on internal finances. The vote to impeach her was 33-19, just short of the required two-thirds majority, according to the Voice of OC.

Among those trying to censure and impeach Mundekis was Orange Juice blogger, and Occupy lawyer, Greg Diamond. On the one hand the guy is grousing about banks – and an Occupier, but when Mundekis tried to tell local Democrats the truth about the DPOC’s finances, Diamond had a cow. How typical. Continue reading→

New Santa Ana City Council ward map will redraw wards four and six

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Civic Affairs, Elections, Santa Ana 9 Comments

The proposed new Santa Ana City Council Ward Map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jose Gonzalez, City Manager’s Office, 714-647-5200 – Office, 714-822-4415 – Cell

CITY OF SANTA ANA IS SET TO CONSIDER CHANGING WARD BOUNDARIES

SANTA ANA, CA (November 15, 2011) – The City of Santa Ana is proposing to change the City’s Ward boundaries. A public hearing has been set for December 5, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 22 Civic Center Plaza, in which testimony will be received and considered by the City Council. Continue reading→

County of Orange to open Armory Emergency Shelters on Dec. 1

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Fullerton, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The County of Orange has announced the opening of the Armory Emergency Shelter Program, which provides up to 400 beds for homeless families and individuals, on Dec. 1, 2011.

The homeless are also provided with a warm shower, a nutritious meal, a safe and warm place to sleep, warm clothes, a wide variety of services and a friendly and safe atmosphere.

The shelters will be located at the National Guard Armories in Fullerton and Santa Ana. The Santa Ana location will not however open until Dec. 3. But transportation will be provided from Santa Ana to Fullerton, starting on Dec. 1. Continue reading→

Orange County Worlds AIDS Day events to run from Nov. 29 – Dec. 1

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, LGBT, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

County of Orange, Health Care Agency
PRESS RELEASE, For Immediate Release: November 29, 2011
Contact: Deanne Thompson, 714-834-2178, dthompson@ochca.com
“Getting to Zero” – December 1st is World AIDS Day

(Santa Ana) – December 1st is World AIDS Day, an international day of reflection to remember those who have died and those who are living with HIV or AIDS (HIV disease). World AIDS Day 2011 is about “Getting to Zero”: Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 33.4 million people are living today with HIV disease, including over 1.2 million people in the United States. One in five (21%) of those people living with HIV is unaware of their infection (CDC, 2010). Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana asking city workers to pay their fair share of pension obligations

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Jobs, Labor, Paul Walters, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Acting Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters took on a tough job when he replaced retired City Manager Dave Ream. The city was left in the the red by Ream, to the tune of $25 million a year in pension obligations. Now, according to the L.A. Times, Walters is acting to make sure that the city’s union workers are paying their fair share of pension obligations.

“A Times analysis based on 2009 payrolls shows that cities and counties in California would save an estimated $1.3 billion if local government workers statewide paid what the governor’s office determines to be the normal employee share of pension contributions. Brown says workers should be contributing about 8% of their paychecks to their own retirement. Police and firefighters, who have more generous pensions, should pay about 9%, Brown says,” according to the L.A. Times. Continue reading→

Segerstrom High School Marching Band gourmet food truck fundraiser on 11.30

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Education, Entertainment, Food, music, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Do you like to eat? Would you like to eat gourmet food? Come out and support the Segerstrom Band Program by simply coming and eating with your family! Profits will go to the Segerstrom Band Program! Come out and support and spread the word!

There will be a basketball game on Wednesday, November 30th so spread the word, many parents as well as players will be very hungry after and what better than supporting the Band Program (which plays at all the Football and Basketball Games) while eating GOUMET FOOD conveniently located on the school parking lot, from 4:30pm until 9:30pm. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Lyon Air Museum celebrates its 2nd Anniversary on 12.10

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Airplanes, automobiles, Entertainment, Historical, Military Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif., Nov. 8, 2011—Lyon Air Museum, a premier Southern California showcase for vintage military aircraft and automobiles, will celebrate its second anniversary on Sat., Dec. 10, 2011.

Santa Claus will be onsite, as visitors are invited to tour the authentic interior of the Douglas C-47 military transport aircraft “Willa Dean” and watch as it takes flight for a crowd-pleasing flyover.

Additionally, Museum management is requesting that all visitors bring an unwrapped toy of at least $10.00 in value for “Toys for Tots” Holidays gift-giving program. Continue reading→

Are 72nd A.D. GOP candidates giving mobile home owners the shaft?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Elections, Huntington Beach, Janet Nguyen, Matt Harper, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana 12 Comments

GOP 72nd A.D. candidates Joe Carchio and Matt Harper, Picture Courtesy of the Surf City Voice

Huntington Beach Mayor Joe Carchio and Council Member Matt Harper, who are both Republican candidates for the 72nd Assembly District, which includes part of West Santa Ana, are trying to eliminate a city commission – the Mobile Home Advisory Board (MHAB), according to the Surf City Voice.

If Carchio and Harper cannot get rid of the MHAB Commission, then they will try to eliminate “the at-large members whose current purpose is to provide a buffer between park owners and park residents and an independent look at the issues.”

Harper must have learned this from his former boss, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, who has been trying to eliminate community positions from the O.C. Caloptima board. Continue reading→

What we learned from Occupy Santa Ana’s failed Wal Mart flash mob

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Occupy Orange County, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 5 Comments

“A two-minute flash mob by Occupy Santa Ana protesters did not seem to have the intended effect, leaving some Wal-Mart employees scratching their heads,” according to the L.A. Times.

“Afterward, as the protesters drove away, a handful Walmart employees gathered outside the store’s entrance. One woman called the protest “stupid.” Another said it was “disrespectful,” according to the O.C. Register.

The OC Weekly article about the lame flash mob got a lot of comments – and most of them were anti-Occupy. And according to reporters and to commenters on Facebook, at most ONE shopper cheered the flash mob – and only ONE worker had anything kind to say about them. FAIL! Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Planning Commission isn’t just studying downtown bars

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Dance, Planning, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Do we really need more of this in Santa Ana?

“Facing pressure from bar owners who are finding more success in a revitalized downtown district, Santa Ana officials are considering revising decades-old regulations on alcohol sales in the city,” according to the Voice of OC.

But the Voice of OC didn’t report the entire story. I got a hold of the packet that was prepared for the Planning Commissioners, regarding liquor licenses in Santa Ana. You can click here to read it too.

Here is the preamble to that report: Continue reading→

Pictures from today’s Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival in Santa Ana

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Family, Fashion, Food, Santa Ana Leave a comment

My wife and I visited the Patchworks Festival today. It is set up through 5 pm today over on Main St., just north of the Bowers Museum.

The event features a vast array of food, craft, and arts vendors – and products available run from gourmet jams and jellies to clothing, jewelry, handmade soap, vegan chocolate, chocolate chip cookies with bacon, and handmade butter crunch.

Vendors included established businesses like the Gypsy Den, Mother’s Market, Calacas and the Memphis at the Santora, and independent businesses run out of garages and trailers. Continue reading→

The Patchwork indie arts & crafts festival returns to Santa Ana today

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Crafts, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Patchwork indie arts & crafts festival is coming to Santa Ana on November 27, from 11am – 5pm, at 2202 North Main Street. This festival is a bi-annual event showcasing local emerging artists, crafts & designers. The Grand Central Art Center participates with a booth and invites you to attend the event to eat & drink from local cafe & restaurant booths as you listen to tunes and peruse goods from the best southern California creators.

Look & shop… clothing for men, women & kids, handbags, accessories, art, ceramics, home goods, garden finds, plushies, jewelry, paper goods, edible treats, pet gear, crochet & knit goods, kits & patterns, bath & body goodies & more. Continue reading→

Crime Survivors’ Gift Drive and Elf’s Holly Day at Boomers Irvine on 12/18

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Crime, Entertainment, Family, irvine Leave a comment

The Crime Survivors Gift Drive is held at Boomers in Irvine, Boomers Fountain Valley and SpeedZone Century City from November 28th through December 18th, 2011. Sponsorship Opportunities Below / Adult and Child Gifts are Needed!

ORANGE COUNTY: Bring a new unwrapped gift valued at $10 or more to BOOMERS IRVINE or BOOMERS, FOUNTAIN VALLEY and receive a 4 HOUR UNLIMITED PLAY PASS for just $10. (includes unlimited miniature golf, rock wall, bumper boats, go-karts and much more) www.boomersparks.com Continue reading→