Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: May 2012

The Santa Ana Cinco de Mayo Art Walk and Santora artist protest

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

This Saturday, May 5, be sure to stop by the Downtown Santa Ana Art Walk.  This will be the weirdest Art Walk ever with the Santa Ana Cinco de Mayo festival occurring concurrently, and a protest by the Santora artists who are bent out of shape because the Newsong Church is buying the Santora building.

You’ll find arts, crafts and live entertainment at the Art Walk, centrally located at: Artists Village – Second Street Promenade (2nd & Broadway) & the Santiago Arts Colony (Santa Ana Blvd. & Poinsettia).  There is always something new to see !  Continue reading→

It’s Free Comic Book Day – get yours at stores in Santa Ana and Tustin

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Family, Fullerton, Literature, Santa Ana, Tustin, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Free Comic Book Day, what some call the fanboy answer to Christmas, is happening Saturday. “The Avengers,” featuring some of the most popular characters in comic book lore, is already rampaging through theaters. It’s going to be a good weekend for nerds and the industry that serves them, according to the L.A. Times.  Participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.  Click here to check out the Free Comic Book Day Facebook page.

But the giveaway offer isn’t limited to superhero comics: All genres are fair game, including Disney comics, Japanese Manga, Tokyopop, newspaper strip staples like “Archie,” and work from independent artists.  Participation level varies from store to store, but the comics given away will be special edition works packaged specifically for the holiday. This year’s offerings include special editions of “The Avengers” (of course), “Peanuts”, “Transformers,” and, for the youngest comic book fan in your clan, “Yo Gabba Gabba,” according to CSM.  Click here to see which comic books are being given away today. Continue reading→

OCDA to host info booth at Santa Ana’s Cinco de Mayo festival

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

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 4, 2012
Contacts:
Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

OCDA TO HOST INFORMATION BOOTH AT CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE MEXICAN HERITAGE

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is proud to participate in the 13th Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration this Saturday, May 5, 2012, starting at noon. This family festival will be held in downtown Santa Ana on 4th Street between Main Street and French Street. Continue reading→

Raider great Greg Townsend to sign his book in Santa Fe Springs this on 5/5

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana, Sports 3 Comments

Celebrity Publishing partnered with TKO Youth Boxing Club for the launching of Greg Townsend’s Collector’s Edition titled, All Time, on Saturday April 28th, at 4 pm.  The book launch and signing party was hosted at Original Mike’s in Santa Ana.

Everyone had a great time meeting, greeting and taking pictures with Greg Townsend! He is a very kind man and welcomed all who approached him. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and Greg especially was ecstatic to receive so much support from family, friends and Raider fans.

The event was fun and there were raffle prizes given away every 30 minutes. These prizes included Raider footballs, jerseys, caps, and plaques. All of the prizes were autographed by the man himself. Continue reading→

SAPD to deploy extra police to stop cruisers on Cinco de Mayo

Posted on by Posted in automobiles, Civic Affairs, Crime, Cruisers, Latinos, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory

SAPD will deploy extra police personnel to deal with the influx of cruiser activity experienced on Cinco de Mayo

In an effort to provide a safe environment and minimize the impact on our local neighborhoods, the Santa Ana Police Department will be deploying extra police personnel to deal with the influx of cruiser activity experienced on Cinco de Mayo (Saturday, May 5th). In years past, the City of Santa Ana has contended with large crowds, congested roadways, criminal activity, and quality of life issues that affect our residents, businesses and visitors. Continue reading→

The SAUSD reacts to the arrest of a former teacher on molestation charges

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Newport Beach, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD 2 Comments

The SAUSD’s Superintendent, Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, Ph.D., has issued a formal statement regarding the arrest of a former SAUSD teacher on charges of molesting two students and possessing graphic child pornagraphy, as follows, “We are deeply troubled to learn that a former teacher allegedly engaged in this reprehensible behavior and took advantage of the trust inherent in his profession. We are cooperating fully with the authorities, and encourage anybody with information that might aid their investigation to contact either the District Attorney’s office or the Newport Beach Police Department immediately.”

Anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to contact NBPD Detective David Syvock at (949) 644-3771, SAUSDPD Sergeant Manuel Chavez at (714) 558-5739, or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794.

UPDATE: My daughter Becky told me this evening that she complained about the teacher who was arrested, Alex Bassinne, in 2007, when she was a student at Santa Ana High School.  Apparently Bassinne tried to touch her neck while he admired a necklace she was wearing.  Becky met with the Assistant Principal at Santa Ana High.  Unfortunately the Assistant Principal refused to conduct an investigation.  Becky was transferred to another class but Bassinne was allowed to continue teaching.  The girls he allegedly molested in 2009 and 2010 would have never been molested if the Assistant Principal my daughter complained to had done his job! Continue reading→

The SAUSD reacts to the arrest of a 14 year old for shooting a student

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Gangs, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

SAUSD Superintendent Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, Ph.D. issued a statement today in reaction to the arrest of a 14 year old suspected of shooting a Santa Ana High School Student:

“I commend both the Santa Ana Police Department and Santa Ana Unified School District Police Department on today’s arrest of the suspect in the Santa Ana High School student shooting. 

This is another important example of how both agencies work collaboratively and cohesively to ensure that justice prevails.  Continue reading→

Santa Ana Cinco de Mayo festival parking, music and street information

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Santa Ana 4 Comments

The annual Santa Ana Downtown Cinco de Mayo Festival will be taking place this weekend from Friday May 4th, through Sunday May 6th.  Santa Ana’s Downtown Calle Cua­tro (4th St.) Cinco de Mayo festival draws over 150,000 peo­ple in atten­dance!  Calle Cua­tro is open to the pub­lic; all ages can attend.

Calle Cua­tro fea­tures food, games, rides, live enter­tain­ment, a beer gar­den and more. Music per­form­ers  include Latin GRAMMY and Bill­board per­form­ing artists rang­ing from regional, pop and rock alter­na­tive music. Click on link to Buy Fair Rides Tick­ets Now!

Here are the artists performing at this festival, this weekend: Continue reading→

LA Galaxy soccer team and the Santa Ana YMCA create Juniors Program

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NEWS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Galaxy Communications
Justin Pearson (310) 630-2216 – jpearson@lagalaxy.com
Jaime Cárdenas (310) 630-2215 – jcardenas@lagalaxy.co

LA GALAXY AND YMCA FORM PARTNERSHIP AND CREATE GALAXY JUNIORS PROGRAM

CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, May 3, 2012) – The LA Galaxy and the Santa Ana Family YMCA announced today the formation of a partnership that will provide community outreach through soccer to youth in the Santa Ana community and the creation of the Galaxy Juniors program. Continue reading→

Sullivan’s Santa Ana solar incentive program ending on 5/4

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News Release, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2012

For More Information: Anne Bessinger, Community Developer, 1-800-SULLIVAN ex.214

FINAL DAYS OF SANTA ANA SOLAR INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Citywide Solar Program Promoting a Strong Solar Community Ends Soon

SANTA ANA, CA (May 1, 2012) – Santa Ana’s Solar Program is an innovative program that allows Santa Ana residents to go solar for no upfront cost and receive substantial cash-back incentives for their involvement. With less than one week left in the program, residents are able to receive up to ten percent in cash-back incentives. Continue reading→

Solorio to host a Cinco de Mayo fundraiser for the Solorio Scholars on 5/4

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Jose Solorio, Latinos, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Please Join State Assemblyman Jose Solorio For an Early Cinco de Mayo “Fresh Taco” Lunch in Support of our Solorio Scholars Program, on Friday, May 4, from 12 pm – 1:30 pm, @ Santa Ana Police Officers Association Hall, located at 1607 N. Sycamore St., in Santa Ana.

Continue reading→

Groundbreaking for new disabled adults housing set for May 3, in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, Development, Disabled, Entertainment, Housing, Santa Ana 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2012

CONTACT: Lani Shotlow-Rincon, 213-480-0809 x226

A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS BREAKS GROUND FOR VISTA DEL RIO, A NEW DEVELOPMENT SERVICING DISABLED ADULTS IN SANTA ANA, CA

Los Angeles, CA. – A Community of Friends (ACOF), Foundation for Affordable Housing (FFAH), and AMCAL Enterprises will celebrate the ground breaking of Vista Del Rio, a new development in Santa Ana, CA. Vista Del Rio is a 41-unit, new construction project that will provide developmentally and physically disabled adults with high quality affordable housing with modern amenities and on-site services.

The ground breaking will take place on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at 1:00pm. The event will be held at the Vista Del Rio development site located at: 1600 West Memory Lane, Santa Ana, CA.   Continue reading→

Santa Ana college students start a website for buying & selling textbooks

Posted on by Posted in Education, irvine, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

I got an email this week from a fellow named Peter Yang.  He is a “broke college student” over at Santa Ana College.  He and a friend got tired of getting ripped off by college bookstores and they have started a website where students can buy and sell their used college textbooks.  Here’s how Yang describes the rip-off process of buying and selling your books at most colleges:

The business of buying and selling college textbooks has always been a pain for college students. With student loans being taken out, to tuition prices getting raised each year, the burden of not having enough money for books is a headache for many people. Students who buy their college textbooks from their school’s bookstore are well aware of the ridiculous prices that they need to pay for certain books. Then by the end of the semester, these students who purchased expensive textbooks from the bookstores sell it back to their bookstore for a third of the price that they paid for these books. After selling it back to the bookstores, the bookstores mark the price back up by double. Continue reading→

Santora artists demand that the Newsong church sign an arts agreement

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Churches and Religion, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Open Letter by United Artists of Santa Ana

Dear Patrons and Supporters of the Arts,

As professional artists and arts organizations based in the City of Santa Ana, the United Artists of Santa Ana (UASA) is requesting your support in taking action to save the Santora Arts Building as a facility for professional artists and the Santa Ana Artists Village as a place for free expression and artistic production. The Santora Arts Building is currently involved in a sale that could drastically impact the future of the downtown Santa Ana Artists Village and set back two decades of public investment in Santa Ana’s creative industry. We are reaching out to you, because the purchase of the building is imminent and your support is critical to Save the Santora. Continue reading→

The SAUSD responds to off campus after school shooting of S.A. High student

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD 4 Comments

On Friday, April 27, 2012, at approximately 3:20 p.m. a Santa Ana High School student was the victim of a shooting that took place off campus after school last Friday, at 914 W. Walnut Street, which is very close to the campus as you can see in the picture above.

The “shooting took place about 3 p.m. when a 10th-grader and a friend were walking home from Santa Ana High School westbound on Walnut Street near Flower Street, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said,” according to the O.C. Register.

After the suspect fired a single shot, the victim ran, collapsing in an alley behind Walnut Street, the school’s principal, Julie Infante, said, according to NBC News.  The shooter — described as a Latino male aged 16 to 17 and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt — fired a single shot before running off, police said, according to Fox News. Continue reading→