Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: September 2012

Athens street sweeping services scheduled to begin in Santa Ana on 10/1

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Outsourcing, Santa Ana, Street Sweeping 4 Comments

Community: ATHENS STREET SWEEPING SERVICES SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN SANTA ANA ON OCTOBER 1, 2012

SANTA ANA, CA (September 17, 2012) – On July 17, 2012, the Santa Ana City Council approved a contract with Athens Services to provide citywide street sweeping services to Santa Ana. Athens has been in the sweeping business for over 25 years and has a reputation of providing quality sweeping and customer service.

Starting on October 1, 2012, City residents and businesses can expect enhanced sweeping quality and improved sweeping consistency, both the result of new street sweepers that Athens Services will deploy. Residential routes will continue to be swept on their regular days and within the posted street sweeping times; however, the actual time your street is swept may vary from the City’s previous street sweeping operation. Continue reading→

Free flu shots on Oct. 19, at various Orange County cities

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Disease, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Westminster Leave a comment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the County of Orange are sponsoring free flu shots in Orange County, in the cities of Anaheim, Laguna Niguel, Placentia, Stanton and Westminster on October 19th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.

For more information, click here.

The locations are listed below: Continue reading→

Benavides finally holding a fundraiser for his mayoral campaign

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, David Benavides, Elections, Entertainment, Michele Martinez, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 12 Comments

Santa Ana Council Member David Benavides is finally holding a fundraiser for his fading Mayoral campaign, on Thursday, September 20, 2012, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, at Chapter One Restaurant, located at 227 N. Broadway, in Downtown Santa Ana.

The event’s host committee includes Council Members Sal Tinajero, Michele Martinez and Vince Sarmiento.  No other politicians or community leaders were referenced on the email blast sent out by the Benavides campaign. Continue reading→

Politicians, ninjas and a bear show up at the 2012 Fiestas Patrias parade

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Charles Hart, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Eric Alderete, Jose Solorio, Karina Onofre, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, mexico, Miguel Pulido, Patriotism, Politics, Republican Party, Rob Richardson, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 9 Comments

The Santa Ana 2012 Fiestas Patrias parade ran for about an hour and a half today, starting at 4 pm.  I got there a few minutes late and missed Mayor Miguel Pulido, who was apparently riding in a Wells Fargo stagecoach, but I caught everyone else.

Above you wil find a slideshow of the politicians and the floats, and everything else.  The parade featured men on horseback, someone in a bear costume, native dancers, and even a couple of ninjas. 

Here are some of the high, or low lights to look for: Continue reading→

Sarmiento and Benavides squirm as Pulido shines at a memorable El Grito

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Elections, Latinos, mexico, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, music, Politics, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 28 Comments

Until last night I had never attended the “El Grito” event at Santa Ana’s annual Fiestas Patrias.  Who knew I was missing out on an unbelievable spectacle?

Thousands of Mexican Americans filled Santa Ana’s Fourth Street, facing a huge stage at the end of the street, near the Northgate Market.  A moderator introduced our city’s leaders at 8 pm, as Mayor Miguel Pulido and his family took the stage, along with Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez and traitorous Council Members Vince Sarmiento and David Benavides.  The latter is running against Pulido in November and Sarmiento is supporting him. Continue reading→

Sarmiento appears to regret backing Benavides, as he runs for re-election

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Elections, Estela Amezcua, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 8 Comments

I am hearing that Santa Ana Council Member Vince Sarmiento appears to be having buyer’s regret when it comes to upstart Santa Ana mayoral candidate David Benavides.  Apparently Sarmiento has told others that while he has endorsed Benavides he is not actively campaigning for him.  But the damage is done – endorsing the clueless, bumbling Benavides is simply inexcusable.

Sarmiento is running for re-election this year, in Santa Ana’s Ward 1, against Estela Amezcua, a Santa Ana educator.  She is not related to Al Amezcua, the failed Santa Ana mayoral candidat who, like Sarmiento, is also backing Benavides. Continue reading→

High Orange County temperatures bring risk of heat-related illnesses

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

COUNTY OF ORANGE – HEALTH CARE AGENCY PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: September 15, 2012
Contact : Deanne Thompson, (714) 834 – 2178

High Temperatures Bring Risk of Heat-Related Illnesses

(Santa Ana) – Temperatures in many inland Orange County communities are expected to reach high temperatures above 105°F today, increasing the risk of heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke for those who are more sensitive to the heat. Continue reading→

Santa Ana City Council candidate Brett Franklin polling ahead in Ward 3

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Brett Franklin, Carlos Bustamante, Charles Hart, Elections, Eric Alderete, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The inside baseball set has assumed that Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Eric Alderete is going to win in Ward 3, in November’s election.  However an unpublished poll shows former Santa Ana City Councilman Brett Franklin in the lead.  How could this be?

Well, consider that there is no incumbent, as the current Council Member, the disgraced Carlos Bustamante, is not running for re-election.  Franklin was the previous Council Member and as such he is the defacto incumbent.  He has name I.D. and Alderete is seriously lacking in that area.  And Franklin was born and raised here in Santa Ana, while Alderete was born and raised in East Los Angles, and he has been living here perhaps six years at most. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Fiestas Patrias live music schedule

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Latinos, music, Santa Ana 2 Comments

In case you are wondering, here is the list of musical entertainers set to perform at the Fiestas Patrias in Downtown Santa Ana this weekend, on Sep. 15 and 16.  Go on the MX Live Facebook page to find out about any changes in the musical lineup: http://www.facebook.com/mxliveentertainment.

9/15

11:50 –Estu­di­antina del Sol

12:50 — Pilares de Mexico

1:50 — Los Kinkys Continue reading→

Mayor Pulido made them do it!

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, David Benavides, Elections, Miguel Angel Briseno, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 16 Comments

One of the first things that Santa Ana mayoral candidate David Benavides said at this week’s candidate forum was “I have a question for you.  Are you okay with the status quo?,” according to the O.C. Register.

That is laughable!  Benavides was groomed for office by the man he is now trying to take down, Mayor Miguel Pulido.  And he has spent the last six years voting lockstep with him on just about everything.

Consider what Benavides did the last time term limits came up.  We didn’t get mayoral term limits in that instance, instead we got Measure D – which extended the Council terms by four more years!  It was a complete bait and switch.

Now have a look at this Benavides quote, from the same debate: Continue reading→

Santa Ana painters dump their union!

Posted on by Posted in Business, Labor, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Workers for a Santa Ana painting company whose president’s San Clemente home was picketed last year, leading to a San Clemente ordinance limiting such demonstrations, have succeeded in dumping their union!

“The past year has seen a series of petitions and legal maneuvering. The home of GPS Painting & Wallcovering President Eliot Schneider was picketed repeatedly; in September, the San Clemente City Council adopted a disputed ordinance requiring that pickets targeting a residence stay at least 200 feet away.” according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

OC Film Fiesta Continues with Green Docs, Lucha LIbre and Tin Tan Tribute

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

For Immediate Release: September 12, 2012
Contact: Sandra “Pocha” Peña
Email: info@ocfilmfiesta.org
Phone: 619-701-0073
Festival website: www.ocfilmfiesta.org

OC Film Fiesta Continues with Green Docs, Lucha LIbre and Tin Tan Tribute

Final Weekend of Free Festival Coincides with Fiestas Patrias Celebration in Santa Ana

The 3rd Annual OC Film Fiesta comes to a fun-filled close this weekend with a celebration of legendary Mexican film comedian Tin Tan and boogie woogie dance party, the OC Premiere of Carlos Avila’s lucha libre documentary and the classic Mexican wrestler film El Santo en el museo de cera (El Santo in the Wax Museum). Continue reading→

Ballot proposition forum set for 9/15 at the Santa Ana Senior Center

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

The Downtown Neighborhood Association and other groups will hold a forum on ballot propositions facing California voters in the November election,” according to the O.C. Register.

It takes place on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Ana Senior Center, 424 W. Third St. Translation will be provided. A pot luck will follow. Continue reading→

The OCTA to host a 2013 bus fare increase community meeting on 9/20

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

The OCTA Wants to Hear from You

Community: OCTA Proposes 2013 Bus Fare Adjustment Community Meetings & Public Hearing

SANTA ANA, CA (September 14, 2012) – The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is proposing a bus fare adjustment in 2013 to help offset rising operational costs and dwindling revenue due to high unemployment and slow job recovery. Without an increase in revenue, OCTA may not meet the Transportation Development Act (TDA) mandate that passengers pay at least 20 percent of bus operating costs in order for the operating agency to qualify for sales tax funding. Continue reading→

Council Member Sarmiento endorsed by the Democratic Party of Orange County

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 6 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2012

CONTACT: Karia Salazar, PHONE: (714) 623-7185, EMAIL: salazar_karia@yahoo.com

The Democratic Party of Orange County Endorses Councilman Vincent Sarmiento to Represent Santa Ana City Council – Ward 1

Santa Ana, California – Vincent Sarmiento has received the endorsement from the Democratic Party of Orange County for Santa Ana City Council’s Ward -1 seat. Continue reading→