Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

Santa Ana to host two Building Safety Month events

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Building Safety Month

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community: SANTA ANA TO HOST TWO “BUILDING SAFETY MONTH” EVENTS

SANTA ANA, CA (May 1, 2014) – To help raise awareness of building safety, the City of Santa Ana proudly celebrates “Building Safety Month” during May. Building Safety Month is a public safety awareness campaign to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable and energy-efficient homes and buildings.

“Getting a building permit and a field inspection is the only way to ensure that the construction being done at your home or business is safe and complies with all building codes,” said Gerald Caraig, the City’s Building Official. “It also ensures that any improvements you make can legally be counted toward the value of your property if you wish to sell it in the future. It’s a win-win all the way around.” Continue reading→

The SAUSD celebrates outstanding educators of the year

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

sausd logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Josie Amador, 714-558-5555

SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR

SANTA ANA, CA — May 1, 2014 – Six deserving educators will be honored at the annual “Educator of the Year” ceremony for the Santa Ana Unified School District on May 8, 2014. The event, to be held at Santa Ana High School, celebrates all school site teachers and support services educators, as well as the six district-wide educators.

The “Educator of the Year” program is an opportunity to recognize outstanding teachers for their commitment and for the difference they make in the classroom. During the week of May 5 – 9, 2014, educators will be celebrated with a variety of programs and activities as part of the National Teacher/Support Staff Appreciation Week. Continue reading→

All Latino Council, City Manager and Police Chief – but does it matter?

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Latinos, Police Brutality, Santa Ana 5 Comments

Santa Ana City Council

So Santa Ana now has an all-Latino City Council, a Latino City Manager and a Latino Chief of Police.  But why then are the cops still conducting DUI checkpoints that rarely catch drunk drivers and most often result in harassing immigrants?  And why are they still going after cruisers on Easter and Cinco de Mayo? And what is this business with putting immigrants in our city jail?

Not to mention all of these Latino city officials watching as our downtown gets cleansed of Latinos in order to mollify out of town hipsters.

If you think the cruiser busts are good policing check out this post by a resident who actually observed what was going on in the latest Easter cruising crackdown:

#RottenOranges Part 01 – #SantaAnaLockDown Continue reading→

Santa Ana residents get into the Discovery Science Center free on May 6

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Animal Grossology

Check out DSC free day  (for Santa Ana residents) at the Discovery Science Center this Tuesday May 6, 2014, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, at 2500 North Main Street Santa Ana, 2500 North Main Street, in Santa Ana. Main Number: 714-542-CUBE.

Santa Ana residents receive up to 4 free admissions per address with valid ID (proof of residency) on the first Tuesday of every month. Cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Excludes special events and ticketed exhibitions or shows.

Be sure to check out Animal Grossology:

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each other’s rear ends, why cows need four stomachs to digest their food, or why cats spit up hair balls? You can find out the answers to all these nasty questions and more at Animal Grossology! Get up close and personal with some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on Earth through hands-on, interactive displays. Continue reading→

Get a free comic book this Saturday at Biggy’s Comics in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Comic Books, Deals, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Free Comic Book at Biggy's Comics

Free Comic Book Day is coming up this Saturday, May 3, 2014.  Free Comic Book Day takes place the first Saturday in May each year – when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores.

Locally you can visit Biggy’s Comics and Games, located at 5110 Westminster Ave., Suite F, in Santa Ana, for your free comic book, this Saturday.  New comic books are always 10% off at Biggy’s and they are happy to pull your subscriptions and give you 20% off on these titles as well. Continue reading→

Real Men Grill Festival set for May 10 at Jerome Park in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Family, Food, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Real Men Grill Festival

The Real Men Grill Festival™ is set for Saturday, May 10, 2014, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Jerome Park, located at 726 S. Center St., in Santa Ana. The event’s mission is to strengthen our community through positive role models in the home.Real Men Grill Festival™ is a community outreach event of Brown Temple and its ministry partners in Orange County CA.

The activities are as follows:

  • Cook off (Contestants will compete for best bar-b-que)
  • Kids Zone
  • Contemporary Christian and Gospel Music Concert
  • Orange County School of the Arts Jazz Concert
  • Antique and Classic Car Show

Continue reading→

Unlimited beer tastings at the Sabroso Craft Beer & Taco Festival on 5/3

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Charities, Food, music, Orange County, Restaurants Leave a comment

Sabroso Taco Fest

The Sabroso Craft Beer & Taco Festival will take over the picturesque Lake View Park in Silverado with a Cinco de Mayo celebration of tacos and beer tastings on Saturday, May 3 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event comes courtesy of “OC’s Best Craft Beer Festival” producers – The OC Brew Ha Ha team. Sabroso will feature over 60 craft beers on tap from over 30 breweries, and food from TOP local vendors. Entertaining attractions, contests and festive live music will add to the atmosphere of Sabroso.  And all taco profits will be donated to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation!

The combination of craft beer and tacos continues to increase in popularity, and Sabroso serves as an ideal platform for the perfect Cinco de Mayo pairing to shine. Local eateries and food trucks will be on hand to offer attendees the best in SoCal’s regional flavors. The 21 and over event will provide ample craft beer tastings to enhance Sabroso’s gastro delights. Breweries including Stone Brewing, Bootleggers, Bottle Logic and Saint Archer will present their finest brews for guests to enjoy. Hangar 24, Ballast Point Brewing, Noble, Oskar Blues and more add to the variety of breweries that will populate the festival. Continue reading→

TSA Pre✔ Application Center opens at John Wayne Airport’s Terminal C

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TSA Pre Check

Press Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
TSA Press Release: April 29, 2014
Media Contact: Nico Melendez, 310-387-8127

TSA Pre✔™ Application Center Opens at John Wayne Airport Terminal C;
More Options to Apply for Expedited Screening 
TSA Expanding to More Than 300 Sites Across the Country

IRVINE, Calif. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) opened an application site for its TSA Pre✔™ Application Program in Terminal C at John Wayne Airport (SNA) this week.

This application process allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to directly enroll in TSA Pre✔™, an expedited screening program that allows travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on, in select screening lanes.

“The application process increases the availability of TSA Pre✔™ benefits to a broader population of travelers nationwide,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “TSA Pre✔™ is enabling us to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to transportation security, as we look for more opportunities to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way.” Continue reading→

Mega march for immigration reform set for 5/1 at the Plaza Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, mexico Leave a comment

immigration march in santa ana

A Mega March for immigration reform, hosted by Los 32 de Mexico, is set for this Thursday, May 1, at 2 pm, at the Plaza Santa Ana, located at French and 4th St. in Downtown Santa Ana.

There are currently two immigrants on the Santa Ana City Council – Mayor Miguel Pulido and Councilman Vincent Sarmiento.  The SAUSD School Board also features two immigrants – Ceci Iglesias and Jose Alfredo Hernandez. Continue reading→

Fundraiser for OC Auditor-Controller candidate Mike Dalati set for 5/1

Posted on by Posted in Democratic Party, Entertainment, Mike Dalati, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Mike Dalati

The Democratic Leaders of Southern California is hosting a fundraiser for Democratic candidate for OC Auditor-Controller Mike Dalati on May 1st, 2014 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Knowlwood Restaurant, located at 2107 East 17th St., in Santa Ana.

Tickets are being sold for $50.  Call 714-561-5520 or click here to message on Facebook. Continue reading→

Martial arts seminar set for this Sunday at the Wiseplace in Santa Ana

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SCMAC

The Southern California Martial Arts Championship Kick-Off will launch with a martial arts seminar this Sunday, May 4, 2014, at the Wiseplace in Santa Ana, at 1411 North Broadway.  There will be referee instructions for the current World Karate Federation tournament rules and regulations.

SEMINARS:

  • Kumite (Sparring) Techniques for competeing at national and international level
  • Kata (Forms) Learning the correct Focus, Stances, and Movement to demonstrate strong kata techniques
  • Kobudo: (weapons) Basic concepts for using traditional Okinawan Weapons.

This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend and participate. Continue reading→

Santa Ana cops to crack down on Cinco de Mayo cruising

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: Police Department – Cinco de Mayo (Monday, May 5th) cruiser enforcement

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 (Monday, 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. Therefore, to mitigate these issues, an increased police presence, lane restrictions and road closures will be in effect in the areas of Bristol Street from 17th Street to Callen’s Common, Main Street from 17th Street to Dyer Road, Edinger Avenue from Main Street to Raitt Street and Harbor Boulevard between Westminster Avenue and Edinger Avenue. Continue reading→

Fundraising reception for OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen set for 5/1

Posted on by Posted in Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder, Sean Mill, Tustin Leave a comment

Hugh Nguyen Fundraiser

A fundraising reception for OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be hosted by Sean Mill and Tina M. Estrada on May 1, 2014, from 6 to 8 pm, at the home of Carlos Velasquez, at 2335 Portrait Way in Tustin.

The event will feature special guests OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and OCDA Tony Rackauckas. Continue reading→

You could win a free bike at Bike to Work event on May 7

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Santa Ana Bike Ride to Work

City of Santa Ana

Community: PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING & EARN A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE BICYCLE AT UPCOMING ‘BIKE TO WORK’ EVENT MAY 7TH

SANTA ANA, CA (April 8, 2014) – The City & OCTA invite everyone to participate in Bike to Work Day on May 7th. The event begins at 7am at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and will include a blessing of the bikes ceremony before biking to City Hall at 8am. This event is being held to encourage residents to be active, bike to work, and promote healthy living. We are very excited to have Jax Bicycle Center participate and partner with the City to give participants an opportunity to win prizes including two bicycles. Continue reading→

High wind warning in effect through Thursday

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Santa Ana wind damage

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: High wind warning in effect through Thursday, contact Public Works to report windstorm related service requests

The City of Santa Ana has experienced high winds with gusts reaching between 40-60 MPH since Tuesday, April 29, 2014, with a high wind warning in effect through Thursday evening. Since Tuesday, City of Santa Ana Public Works Staff have been continuously taking action to address the high volume of public service requests ranging from tree limbs and debris on roadways to providing traffic control.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Public Works Agency Dispatch Hotline at (714) 647-3380 to report windstorm related service requests such as but not limited to tree related debris on roadways and traffic signals not functioning. The Public Works Agency appreciates the public’s patience while they attentively provide service response and will continue to work through the week to address the hundred’s of service requests. Continue reading→