“Orange County Superior Court officials decided to put a Christmas tree back in the courthouse lobby today after receiving dozens of complaints from court staff,” according to the O.C. Register.
The tree – which was part of a solicitation of toy donations for needy children and has been a tradition in the courthouse for more than 20 years – was taken down earlier this week after a member of the public complained about it.
Is there a national war on Christmas? Continue reading
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Karen Roper (714) 480-2805, cell (714) 423-8315
COUNTY COLD WEATHER HOMELESS SHELTERS OPEN
November 25, 2009
(Santa Ana, CA) – The County of Orange announces the December 1, 2009 opening of the Cold Weather Armory Emergency Shelter Program, the seasonal program that provides up to 400 beds for the homeless. The program provides shelter along with a nutritious meal, warm shower, safe place to sleep, warm clothes, a wide variety of supportive services, and a friendly and safe atmosphere. The shelters will be located at the National Guard Armories in Fullerton and Santa Ana (address information attached).
Continue reading
Bah humbug! The Christmas tree in the Orange County Courthouse is no more, according to the La Figa blog. Here are a few excerpts from their post:
For twenty years during the holidays, there’s been a decorated tree in the lobby of the Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, California. In recent years, reports this Orange County Register, the tree has held wish cards from the courthouse’s ‘Operation Santa Claus’ effort.
Members of the public would come and grab tags – which sought donations for specific children. Last year, the courthouse got 374 presents for the toy drive.
This year someone complained. And the tree came down. If I was wanted to buy into the “vast right wing conspiracy” I’d say it was some neo-con who made the call in order to propigate the “War on Christmas” BS.
Has Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfred Amezcua landed Antonio Villaraigosa’s campaign consultant?
A source has reported to us tonight that Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua has hired Parke Skelton to be his campaign consultant. Reportedly Mr. Skelton came highly recommended by several legislators who are friends of Amezcua.
Skelton knows a few things about mayoral campaigns. His past clients include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
We are told that Skelton conducted polling before hiring on to run Amezcua’s campaign. Reportedly the numbers favored his new client.
According to L.A. Observed, Skelton is the consultant most likely to lose sleep over going negative. He is known for left-wing politics and for picking candidate he wants to win. He is skilled at direct mail campaigning. Continue reading
Longtime community and civic leader Alfredo Amezcua has decided to run for Mayor of Santa Ana. Below is an invitation to his upcoming campaign fundraiser.
Dear Colleagues and Friends…
By now you know that after overwhelming encouragement from many of you, I have decided to run for Mayor of the City of Santa Ana. On Friday, November 20, 2009, I will host my first, intimate fundraiser at the Libreria Martinez for my close colleagues and friends. I am sending you this invitation because it is of utmost importance that we make a strong, early showing of support…
You are cordially invited to spend an evening with Alfredo Amezcua to discuss the future of Santa Ana, on Friday, November. 20, 2009. Continue reading
UPDATE: For 2010 Veterans Day events click here.
Veterans Day Memorial & Flag Retirement Ceremony
Boys Scouts of America, Troop 28 of Santa Ana, would like to welcome you to our Annual Veteran’s Day Memorial this November 11, 2009. Our Boy Scouts will also lead a Flag Retirement Ceremony. Bring your tattered American flag for a proper retirement if you wish.
When: Wednesday, November 11, at 6:30 PM
Where: Santiago Park in Santa Ana – meet at the fire ring near the Lawn Bowling Courts.
Bring: A bench pad or small blanket if you wish to seat on the concrete amphitheater or you may also bring folding lawn chairs and seat at the back.
Directions: From 17th St. > go north on Main St.> pass Discovery Science Center and turn right on E. Memory Ln.> turn another right on the 2nd traffic signals into the park’s creek parking lot.
Questions: email John Vasquez, johnvasquez@juno.com
Also:
November 2, 2009
Contact: Jeff Rogers 323-627-0256
Layoffs in Santa Ana’s City Workforce Threaten Public Safety While Hurting Spanish-Speakers and Economic Recovery
City Workers rally at City Hall with supporters to highlight effects of service cuts
SANTA ANA-Emergency calls placed to the Santa Ana Fire Department rather than 911 will be answered by an electronic menu rather than a live Receptionist after upcoming layoffs. While layoffs in Santa Ana’s Planning and Building department will make it harder for Spanish-speaking builders, developers and homeowners to get plan approval and building permits-just as new building helps to fuel economic recovery in this majority Spanish-speaking city. Continue reading
State Senator Lou Correa is joining with Westminster Mayor Margie Rice and Westminster Police Chief Andy Hall to present a Domestic Violence Town Hall Meeting on Monday, October 26, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.
The meeting will take place at the Westminster Rose Center, located at 14140 All American Way, in Westminster.
The program will include testimonials, panel discussion, and information on community resources, to prevent and address domestic violence & and opportunity to give input on domestic violence legislation. Continue reading
The new Santa Ana Public Works Director, Raul Godinez II, served in a similar capacity in the City of Oakland for five years.
Godinez replaced Jim Ross, who was the Public Works Director in Santa Ana for many years.
Click here to read a news article about Godinez, who apparently was good at his job and was appreciated by the people he served in Oakland.
While the City of Santa Ana has not trumpeted Godinez’ hire, I did find a blog post that corroborated this story. Continue reading
State Senator Lou Correa and friends walk in the Fiestas Parade
“The City Council voted last week to organize and produce official Fiestas Patrias gatherings in town next year, including a signature two-day festival that draws more than 200,000 visitors to the downtown area every September,” according to the O.C. Register.
The Fiestas Patrias will be quite special next year – “Fall 2010 marks two important milestones for our neighbor to the south: 200 years of independence from Spain and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.”
While the City of Santa Ana won’t be spending money on the event, they will be working hard to ensure that the event goes off smoothly without any problems. Continue reading
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez
I finally got an update about last night’s Santa Ana City Council meeting, specifically about the 85a item that Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez put on the agenda regarding the proposed Metropolitan Water District pension spike. It turns out she led the charge AGAINST the pension spike!
Apparently Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez felt the same way that I do – that now is the wrong time to give more pension benefits to MWD employees. This could result in higher water rates and our residents already pay the highest water rates in Orange County.
Kudos to Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez for her leadership! All of the City Council Members voted with her. Now that vote will be forwarded to Dan Griset, the former Santa Ana Councilman who represents the residents of our city on the MWD Board of Directors.
Click here to send a “thank you” email to Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez. She really stuck her neck out on this issue. Continue reading
“Police in Orange County’s largest city, Santa Ana, want to use cell phones to alert people in the community who register as having interests in specific areas as part of its new Citizens Alert Network. It’s a two-way texting plan to alert people about crime trends, descriptions of suspects, missing persons advisories, crime prevention tips, as well as information about current fraud schemes and scams,” according to NBC News, Los Angeles.
Here is what the Santa Ana Police Department has to say about their new Citizens Alert Network: Continue reading
Santa Ana’s high water prices may rise even more if the MWD pension spike is approved
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez added an 85a item, at the last minute, to the agenda for tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting. The item is titled “Proposed Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Employee Compensation and Benefits Issue.”
What this means is anyone’s guess. My theory is that she is going to ask the City Council to vote to support the irresponsible proposed pension spike for the MWD workers, but who knows? Perhaps she may be taking the counter view. One can only hope. Continue reading
The Pico-Lowell Neighborhood association, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana, Community Services Programs, Inc., CHOC, Pio Pico and Lowell Elementary Schools, Parent Teacher Association (PTA), SAPD, OC Human Relations, Senator Lou Correa, Think Together, Latino Health Access, 7-11 stores, Starbright, and US Youth Soccer invite you to a community forum scheduled on Oct. 3, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Santa Ana Boys and Girls Club and community resource fair from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Highland St. between Flower and Shelton in Santa Ana.
The event theme, “Connecting our Voices and Strengths for a Safe Community – Conectando nuestras voces y fortalezas para una comunidad segura” focuses on building cohesion among residents, community health and safety partners and neighbor-serving organizations. Click here for more information. Continue reading
From left to right: Arturo Sandoval, Office of Senator Lou Correa;
Jess Araujo, Law offices of Dimarco, Araujo, & Montevideo,
Mark Lawrence, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, City of Santa Ana; Beatriz Fernandez, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau
Sneha Thakor Desai, Assistant Regional Census Manager for Partnership, U.S. Census Bureau; Nhi Ho, Partnership Team Leader, U.S. Census Bureau. Photo by Cynthia Pena.
The U.S. Census Bureau held the first City of Santa Ana Complete Count Committee (CCC) Kickoff event of the year today at 1pm at the Santa Ana City Council Chambers.
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido has appointed leaders of non-profit organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, and schools to form the committee. Continue reading