New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Orange County

County of Orange seeks input on redistricting proposals

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Elections, Orange, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Westminster 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2011

Contact: CEO Community/Media Relations: 714.834.6203 office

Orange County Seeks Input on Redistricting Proposals

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Redistricting Committee for the County of Orange will conduct a series of meetings in Buena Park, Orange, Westminster and Mission Viejo to receive public input on the Redistricting proposals being considered by the Committee and the factors the Committee should consider in its deliberations.

The 24 Redistricting proposals submitted to the Committee are available for review on the County’s website at http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Redistricting. Public meetings will be held at the following locations:

• June 8 – 6 p.m., Buena Park Community Center (Heritage Hall), 8150 Knott Ave., Buena Park
• June 9 – 6 p.m., Orange City Hall, Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Ave., Orange
• June 16 – 6 p.m., Westminster City Hall, Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
• June 23 – 6 p.m., Mission Viejo City Hall, Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo

The Committee will continue its work with a meeting to be held June 30 at 2 p.m. at the County Hall of Administration, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. If necessary, a Redistricting Committee meeting may also be held July 7 at the Hall of Administration.

The public is encouraged to review the Redistricting proposals on-line and attend one of the meetings to provide their input on the Redistricting process. Comments can be made at the meetings orally or in writing. The Orange County Board of Supervisors is currently scheduled to hold public hearings in July and September to consider the public input and the recommendation of the Redistricting Committee before adopting an ordinance setting new Supervisorial district boundaries.

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Watch Kung Fu Panda for free at the OC Great Park on Saturday, June 4

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, irvine, Movies, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Youth Activities 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 26, 2011
CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Great Park Movie on the Lawn: ‘Kung Fu Panda’

IRVINE– Before you see Kung Fu Panda 2 in theaters, watch the original 2008 Oscar nominee for best animated feature, Kung Fu Panda (PG) under the stars at the Great Park. On Saturday, June 4 at 8 pm, the Great Park Movie on the Lawn series continues with the story of Po the Panda, a bumbling Panda who aspires to be a kung fu master. Kung Fu Panda stars the celebrity voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan.

Admission and parking are free, and visitors should bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit on the lawn. Warm clothing is recommended, and visitors are welcome to bring picnics and movie snacks.
Come back Sunday for the Great Park Farmers Market where shoppers can buy fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables and enjoy treats from a wide variety of gourmet food trucks. For more information, please visit www.ocgp.org.

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About the Great Park

The Orange County Great Park, with its 1,347-acre master plan, is the focal point of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently 27.5 acres and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $70 million development plan to expand the Park to more than 200 acres is currently underway. The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including the initial components of the sports park, a 114-acre agricultural area, and an art and culture exhibition space. For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org

LULAC submits proposed redistricting plan to the O.C. Board of Supervisors

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Elections, Latino Leaders, Latinos, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

League of United Latin American Citizens, Santa Ana LULAC Council #147
Established: National – 1929 | Santa Ana – 1946
Orange County LULAC District #1
PO Box 1810, Santa Ana , CA 92702-1810

PRESS RELEASE: May 23, 2011

Local Civil Rights Groups to Submit Proposed Redistricting Plans to Orange County Redistricting Committee

Contact Persons: Zeke Hernandez, 714-661-4428 / zekeher@yahoo.com
Arturo Montez, 714-914-3154 / arturomontez@gmail.com

Santa Ana LULAC Council #147 (League of United Latin American Citizens) has submitted it’s completed county supervisorial plans with appropriate population data to the Orange County Redistricting Committee by the May 18 deadline. The Santa Ana LULAC county plan (Plan #3) and data are included in this press release (see also attachment).

Santa Ana LULAC President Zeke Hernandez states, “There are well-over twenty plans being submitted by county supervisors, community groups and individuals. Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Campbell announced at the May 17th board meeting that he himself is submitting four plans, including one suggested by former county supervisor Phil Anthony. We understand another county supervisor has submitted 10-12 plans through his/her appropriate office or through third party intermediaries. Other local elected officials may also be submitting their own plans.”

Due to population changes following the decennial federal census count in 2010, Santa Ana LULAC has been able to draft two supervisorial districts (1 and 4) with over 50% minority population. These two districts have a community of interest – sharing common social and economic interests. The Santa Ana LULAC Plan #3 is affirmed to stand on its merits for the purpose of a community’s fair and effective representation.

Hernandez added, “We have brought to the attention of the Board of Supervisors its concerns that the redistricting committee has not adopted a definitive process on how it will review submitted plans and how it will determine which plans will be recommended for adoption. The committee has acknowledged it may even re-draw a submitted plan by the public to be sent to the Board for approval. Committee members are comprised of staff aides to the supervisors and were appointed by them to act on their behalf. The committee recently revised its writing of the committee meetings, but continues to do its best to provide very little content, thus thwarting public knowledge through written commentary.”

Santa Ana LULAC Public Policy Director Arturo Montez emphasizes, “We have drawn a plan that has ZERO concerns relating to incumbents, political parties and candidates. These plans were drawn, keeping in mind our strong adherence to the U.S. Voting Rights Act and the California Constitution. In addition, we have done our best to take into consideration the public’s concern for transparency and reform in the redistricting process.”

Montez continued, “Santa Ana LULAC feels its Plan #3 surpasses any other 20-23 plans that were submitted by the May 18th deadline. The question that now comes to the forefront: Will the Board of Supervisors recognize the dramatic demographic changes taking place in Orange County ? As proposed, District #1 has an 85% minority population, and District #4 has over 72% minority population. These are most likely the most heavily minority populated county districts in the nation.”

The redistricting committee will hold its first of several public meetings on Thursday, May 26 (2 pm) to review and receive public comments on the submitted plans. This first meeting will be held at Orange County Hall of Administration – Board Hearing Room, 333 West Santa Ana Blvd., 10 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

Established in 1946, Santa Ana LULAC Council #147 is the oldest LULAC council in California and is an affiliate of Orange County LULAC District#1 and LULAC National – founded in 1929 with its national office in Washington , D.C.

The mission and objectives of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is to advance the economic development, educational advancement, public policy outcomes, housing opportunities, health awareness, and general civil rights protection of Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico through community-based programs and services through more than 700 local LULAC councils nationwide.

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O.C. Supervisors approve response to Grand Jury report on O.C. jails

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2010

Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203 office, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

Board of Supervisors Approves Response to Grand Jury Report on Detention Facilities

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors today approved the proposed response to several findings and recommendations included in the 2010-11 Grand Jury report on Detention Facilities.

“We appreciate the Grand Jury’s review of our detention facilities and the positive conclusions they reached,” said Bill Campbell, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “The jails are an essential part of our public safety system and their proper operation is of great importance.”

The Grand Jury’s report found that Orange County detention facilities appeared to be clean, in good condition and in compliance with state policies and procedures. The report stated that the jails are not overcrowded and noted the Sheriff Department’s efforts to keep disruptions to a minimum.

The County’s response highlights several County initiatives to reduce recidivism including collaborative efforts involving the Sheriff’s Department, Probation Department, Social Services Agency, Health Care Agency, Collaborative Courts and the Orange County Reentry Partnership. The goal of these efforts is to provide a seamless transition for inmates leaving the County jails and integrating back into the community. The response also states that the Sheriff Department contract to house Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees is expected to bring in approximately $21.4 million in revenue during the current fiscal year.

Grand Jury reports and responses to those reports are available on the Grand Jury’s website at http://www.ocgrandjury.org/reports.asp.

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Great Park Board announces 2011 Flights & Sounds Summer Festival lineup

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, irvine, music, Orange County, Parks and Recreation Leave a comment

Great Park Board Announces 2011 Flights & Sounds Summer Festival Lineup

Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Lucinda Williams to Headline Concerts

IRVINE – The Orange County Great Park announced today that the world-renowned New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band and fourteen-time Grammy nominated Lucinda Williams will headline the upcoming 2011 Flights & Sounds Summer Festival. The five Friday night dance parties and five Saturday night concerts celebrate the vitality and variety of American music and the growing influence of Latin American, Middle Eastern and East Indian music and dance in the United States.

The fun begins August 5th with a salute to the City of Irvine’s 40th Anniversary featuring DJ HAPA, who will kick off the summer Friday night dance parties with a Disco-themed set. On August 6th at 8:00 p.m., the All-New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers Band will open the Saturday concert series with their 1960’s update of soul music, rhythm and blues.

“There are many unique aspects to this summer’s festival, and once again admission is free to the public,” said Beth Krom, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “We’re proud to collaborate with Irvine Barclay Theatre to present this exceptional series of summer concerts and dance parties, showcasing a rich tapestry of music — from country and bluegrass to hip-hop, world beat and jazz.”

Full schedule and details will be posted on www.ocgp.org the first week of June. However, visitors can receive updates delivered directly to their inbox by signing up for email updates on the Great Park web site. Here is a preview of the lineup:

Nuriya performs Middle Eastern Latin American music on August 12th, influenced by hearing Arabic music and Hebrew prayer music from her elders as she grew up in Mexico City. Louisiana born singer songwriter Lucinda Williams will light up the stage singing folk, country, rock, pop on August 13th. Williams is an American original, like Hank Williams and Bob Dylan who has created her own unique place in music.

Shotgun Wedding Quintet makes the wedding of rap to a jazzy, horn-infused band seem like a natural combination that will drag you to the dance floor on August 19th. San Francisco’s Jazz Mafia, one of the hottest, most inventive forces in jazz, will mix with hip-hop symphonic music and whatever else works on August 20th for some spectacularly energizing music.

Grammy winner Del McCoury brings his bluegrass band with roots going back to Scottish, Irish and English jigs brought by early settlers to America combined with African-American jazz and blues to the Great Park on August 27th.

Get your “turban groove” on when Black Mahal a rollicking, unpredictable, wildly danceable band, performs its blend of hip-hop, funk and Punjabi music on September 2nd. The world-famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band will bring the festival to a close on September 3rd. Of all the styles of American music, none are more iconic than New Orleans style jazz — born of hard times, the music is a defiant celebration of freedom and individuality.

The Flights & Sounds Summer Festival is held outdoors at the Great Park. Under the stars and in the glow of the Great Park Balloon, people from across Orange County gather to hear a mix of music genres. The festival will take place near brand-new facilities at the Park, including the Palm Court Arts Complex and 19-acre North Lawn, scheduled to open to the public July 9. Last year, more than 26,000 visitors attended the weekend summer dance parties and concerts.

Hangar Café will feature a fresh selection of food that will be available for purchase inside historic Hangar 244 to enjoy at the Café or on the lawn. Both theater-style fixed seating and lawn space is available. Admission to all summer concerts and dance parties are free, and parking is $10. Concerts and dance parties are located at the Orange County Great Park, off the 405 or 5 Freeway at Sand Canyon Ave. and Marine Way in Irvine.

About the Great Park

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Eight charged with illegal solicitation at the O.C. jail

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Cynthia Cheryl Shirey booking photo, courtesy of the O.C. District Attorney’s Office

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2011

Case # 11CF0730

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

BAIL BOND AGENT CHARGED IN 8-CO-DEFENDANT SCHEME TO ILLEGALLY SOLICIT INMATE CLIENTS FROM ORANGE COUNTY JAIL

SANTA ANA – A bail bond agent was charged today in an 8-co-defendant scheme to illegally solicit inmates as bail clients from Orange County Jail. Cynthia Cheryl Shirey, 42, is charged with nine felony counts of violating bail license regulations by permitting an unlicensed person to solicit and negotiate bail bonds on her behalf, seven felony counts of violating bail license regulations by using a fictitious name to conduct bail bonds business, 10 felony counts of violating bail license regulations by failing to keep complete records of all business done under the authority of her license, and five felony counts of violating bail license regulations by transmitting to another person a fictitious communication authorizing the solicitation or negotiation of bail.

If convicted on all counts, Shirey faces a maximum sentence of 23 years in state prison. She is expected to post $20,000 bail this afternoon. Shirey was arraigned today and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Aug. 5, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

“These consumer laws that regulate bail referrals protect the consumer and the public from unscrupulous secret dealings. These laws protect bail clients who are in some of the most vulnerable times of their lives, as well as legitimate, licensed bail agents who are following the law,” stated District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “I wanted to commend Sheriff Hutchens for working with our Special Prosecutions Unit to keep integrity in her jails and enforcing the law.”

“These arrests are the result of an 18-month long investigation by Sheriff’s investigators working closely with our Department’s jail staff,” said Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. “The illegal soliciting of inmates by unscrupulous bail bond agents will not be tolerated in our facilities.”

“Bail agents who misuse and abuse their license to provide bond services will face the possibility of losing their license,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “Let this case stand as a warning to those who would contemplate allowing any unlicensed person to unlawfully negotiate bail bonds on their behalf.”

Seven Co-defendants

Ernesto Perez, 36, Burbank, is charged with 49 felony counts of negotiating bail without a license and 56 felony counts of identity theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 72 years and four months in state prison. Perez is out of custody on $150,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Aug. 5, 2011, in Department C-57.

Richard Anthony Arant, 28, Silverado Canyon, is charged with five felony counts of soliciting bail without a license and two felony counts of violation of bail license regulations. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison. A $20,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest. At the time of the crime, Arant was in custody for misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and driving on a suspended license (Case #11CM01467).

Jonathan Thomas Campos, 28, Long Beach, pleaded guilty April 29, 2011, to two felony counts of violation of bail license regulations and two felony counts of soliciting bail without a license. He is expected to be sentenced to four years in state prison as a combined sentence with two other criminal cases (Case # 09HF1568 and Case #10WF1614), for which he was incarcerated at the time of the bail bonds scheme. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 24, 2011, in Department C-5. At the time of the crime, Campos was in custody for multiple felonies including residential burglary, driving a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance (Case #10WF1614).

Jason Anthony Gatewood, 22, Fullerton, is charged with two felony counts of violation of bail license regulations and four felony counts of soliciting bail without a license. He faces a maximum of seven years and four months in state prison if convicted. A $20,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest. At the time of the crime, Gatewood was in custody for felony false imprisonment by violence (Case #10CF1804).

Vaughn Michael Hutchins, 26, San Clemente, is charged with four felony counts of soliciting bail without a license and two felony counts of violation of bail license regulations. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of seven years and four months in state prison. The People will be requesting $20,000 bail in this case and an arraignment date is to be determined. At the time of the crime, Hutchins was in custody for two felony counts of commercial burglary and misdemeanor providing false information to a police officer (Case #11CF0286).

Frank Matthew Tokeshi, 50, West Covina, is charged with four felony counts of soliciting bail without a license and three felony counts of violation of bail license regulations. He was charged with a sentencing enhancement for a prior strike conviction for robbery in 2004. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison. The People will be requesting $20,000 bail in this case and an arraignment date is to be determined. At the time of the crime, Tokeshi was in custody for felony possession for sale of a controlled substance and misdemeanor driving under the influence of drugs (Case #10WF2031).

Mark Ward, 47, Las Vegas, is charged with one felony count of violation of bail license regulations and two felony counts of soliciting bail without a license. He faces a maximum of four years and four months in state prison if convicted. The People will be requesting $20,000 bail in this case and an arraignment date is to be determined. At the time of the crime, Ward was in custody for felony attempted murder, domestic violence with corporal injury, and residential burglary (Case #10HF1909).

Defendants Perez, Campos, Gatewood, and Ward were previously charged in this case on March 17, 2011. The new charges and co-defendants are a result of additional investigation.

Law Addressing Bail Bond Practices

California law prohibits licensed bail bond agents from soliciting bail business from any inmate or incarcerated person.

The law prohibits any person from negotiating the execution or delivery of bail unless they are a bail bonds licensee. Even for a licensed bail bondsman, California law prohibits bail bond licensees from unlawfully soliciting bail business from any inmate or incarcerated person.

California law prohibits any person without a bail bonds license from soliciting or arranging for the bail of another for compensation or receiving commission for a bail transaction.

Conduct by Defendant Perez and Six Inmate Co-defendants

Between Aug. 5, 2010, and March 15, 2011, defendants Arant, Campos, Gatewood, Hutchins, Tokeshi, and Ward were in custody in the Orange County Jail. During this time, Perez is accused of plotting with these six co-defendants for them to solicit other in-custody inmates to contact Perez to provide their bail. Perez was employed by Plotkin Bail Bonds but is not a licensed bail bondsman.

On 49 occasions, Perez is accused of acting as a bail bondsman without a license by negotiating with inmates to post their bail. Arant, Campos, Gatewood, Hutchins, Tokeshi, and Ward are accused of receiving payment from Perez in the form of money posted to their jail accounts in exchange for the illegal solicitations on behalf of Perez.

On 56 occasions during this time period, Perez is also accused of illegally using a legitimate bail bond license number belonging to a licensed bail bondsman from Bakersfield without the victim’s knowledge or consent. Perez is accused of using this stolen license number to log into an Orange County Sheriff’s Department database accessible only to licensed bail bondsmen to look up inmate bail information.

Conduct by Defendant Shirey

Shirey is a licensed bail bond agent who worked with Perez at Plotkin Bail Bonds. She is accused of permitting her unlicensed co-defendants to illegally solicit and negotiate bail bonds on her behalf with inmate in the jail.

She is accused of conducting business under the names Bail Right Bail Bonds and Bail Star Bail Bonds without receiving authorization to use those business names by the California Department of Insurance.

When visiting inmates in jail, bail bond agents are required to complete a Bail Bonds Visitation request form. This form is intended to prevent unscrupulous bail bond agents from gaining access to the jail to engage in illegal client recruitment. Shirey is accused of filling out false information on this form, claiming that her company had been initially contacted directly by the inmate or inmate’s family, in order to gain access to the jail to speak with inmates who had been illegally solicited as clients by her co-defendants.

Bail bond agents are required by law to keep complete and accurate records of all business done under the authority of their license to be available for inspection. On March 15, 2011, Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) detectives reviewed Shirey’s records. She is accused of failing to complete several of her records and failing to document how the agent or company was initially contacted by several inmates for the purpose of arranging bail.

This case was investigated by OCSD. Deputy District Attorney Brock Zimmon of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Rep. Sanchez announces $8,941,135 Homeland Security funding for Orange County

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Democratic Party, Federal Government, Loretta Sanchez, Orange County, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ ANNOUNCES $8,941,135 IN HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING FOR ORANGE COUNTY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Washington, DC- Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today announced that Orange County will receive $8,941,135 in funding for FY 2011 through the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program. UASI grants are provided to help local law enforcement in communities at risk of a terrorist attack.

The $8,941,135 in funding for FY 2011 is a nearly $4 million reduction from funding allocated to Orange County last year through the UASI program. In FY 2010, Orange County received $12,773,050 in UASI funding. Unfortunately, funding to UASI was slashed by twenty percent in the continuing resolution agreement forced by House Republicans, an agreement which Rep. Sanchez voted against.

“I am disappointed that UASI cannot fully renew last year’s security funding for Orange County,” said Sanchez. “These are tough economic times but homeland security must remain a priority. I am thankful for the critical funding Orange County did receive. Orange County is home to many national attractions which require high security at all times and this money will help train and equip first responders and emergency management officials to respond to any threats or disasters that Orange County may face. Initiatives like UASI help ensure that Orange County receives enough security funding to keep our people safe.”

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 47th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and parts of Fullerton in Orange County. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.

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United States House of Representatives
1114 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2965 • Fax: 202-225-5859

Rep. Sanchez congratulates O.C.S.D., finalist for 2011 Freedom Award

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Federal Government, Loretta Sanchez, Military, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

REP. SANCHEZ CONGRATULATES OC SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT OF SANTA ANA, NAMED FINALIST FOR 2011 FREEDOM AWARD

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today congratulated the Orange County (OC) Sheriff’s Department of Santa Ana, which has been named a finalist for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The OC Sheriff’s Department was selected from more than 4,000 employers nominated across the country to be one of 30 finalists.

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given to employers for their strong support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. A national selection board comprised of Department of Defense officials will choose 15 finalists to receive the Freedom Award and will announce recipients in early summer.

“The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has gone above and beyond in their support of military employees,” said Sanchez. “I am proud of this recognition and also proud of the Sheriff’s Department employees who serve in the Reserve and National Guard. When Orange County businesses hire and support members of the National Guard and Reserve, they help to keep our country strong, proud, and free.”

Support from employers is increasingly important for National Guard and Reserve troops who make up almost half of our nation’s military. Orange County has a proven record of achievement– the Santa Ana Police Department earned the Freedom Award for troop support in 2009.

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United States House of Representatives
1114 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2965 • Fax: 202-225-585

Great Park’s Food for Thought Film Series Features “Food, Inc.”

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Health and Medical, Historical, irvine, Japanese, Orange County, Parks and Recreation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 17, 2011
CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Great Park Food for Thought Film Series Features ‘Food, Inc.’

Film will be introduced by A.G. Kawamura, former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and operator of the Great Park Farm

IRVINE – The Great Park’s “Food for Thought” film series continues this Thursday, May 19, with a free screening of “Food, Inc.” and a discussion with local farmer A.G. Kawamura, former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Food, Inc.” is an Academy Award nominated film that explores the economic, regulatory and health issues of food production in America, and will be shown outdoors at dusk near the Park’s Farm & Food Lab. The documentary takes a look inside corporate food production, and contains content that may be inappropriate for younger viewers.

A.G. Kawamura is a third-generation local farmer, founding partner of OC Produce LLC, and will discuss local farming and his experiences overseeing the state agriculture department. He has returned to Orange County to manage OC Produce, his family farming business that operates the 114-acre Great Park Farm. Kawamura will speak at 7:15 p.m., with the movie following at 7:45 p.m.

Admission and parking is free, and guests can tour the Farm & Food Lab education garden and enjoy a picnic on the lawn before the outdoor movie. The popular Kogi Food Truck will return for this month’s movie, featuring unique Korean tacos. The picnic lawn opens at 6:30 p.m.

Guests are welcome to bring their own picnics, and are encouraged to bring blankets or beach chairs to sit on the lawn. Warm clothing is recommended. The “Food for Thought” program is part of the Great Park’s Health and Wellness Initiative that includes education programs in the Farm & Food Lab, Farmers Market and Gardening Workshops.
Come back Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for the Great Park Farmers Market, where shoppers can buy fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables and enjoy a wide variety of gourmet food trucks.

For directions and more information go to: www.ocgp.org.

About the Great Park

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Workers’ comp update meeting in Santa Ana on May 18

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Education, Entertainment, Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The next Orange County chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) meeting is coming up on May 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00, at the Green Parrot Villa, located at 2035 N. Main Street, in Santa Ana.

Topic: Workers Compensation Update

Speaker: Diana Rich, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority

Location: The Green Parrot Villa @ 714) 542-7775. (Google Map)

Lunch will be provided. Parking is free. Cost = $20.

Click here to register online.

Diana J. Rich, ARM, RMPE, is the Workers’ Compensation Program Manager for the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority.

Click here to read more about his event.

OC Great Park donates a million pounds of produce to local food banks

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Food, Health and Medical, irvine, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Great Park Donates a Million Pounds of Produce to Local Food Banks

Park encourages the public to participate in National Association of Letter Carriers ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 12, 2011
CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

IRVINE – Orange County Great Park leaders and local area farmers gathered at the Great Park Farm and Food Lab today to announce reaching the milestone of donating more than one million pounds of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to the Second Harvest Food Bank and Orange County Food Bank.

The donations were made through the Park without Borders program, a partnership between the Great Park and local area farmers to donate surplus crops to area food banks. OC Produce LLC, operator of the 114-acre Great Park Farm, is the largest contributor to this program, which began in May 2008.

“Farmers in and near the Great Park have banded together to provide fresh produce to the County’s hungry,” said A.G. Kawamura, founding partner of OC Produce LLC and former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Providing fresh produce to supplement the non-perishable goods from the community is critical to maintaining the good health of the community.”

The event also promoted the upcoming National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive, the nation’s largest single day food drive. The drive encourages the community to leave a bag of non-perishable foods next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 14th for their letter carrier to pick up.

“While our Park without Borders program has reached a milestone, it is important to remember that a million pounds of food is a drop in the bucket,” said Beth Krom, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “We especially thank all our local farmers who contributed to the effort and now challenge everyone in the community to join the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by leaving non-perishable food items near their mailbox before the mail delivery on Saturday.”

Joining in the announcement were Allan Price, President, Orange County Farm Bureau; Mark Lowry, Director, OC Food Bank; Paula Miller, National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 2168; and Jerry Creekpaum, General Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank.

“On behalf of Orange County’s food banks, I say ‘thanks a million’ to the Great Park,” said Creekpaum. “One million pounds of food equals 769,231 meals for needy families, but that is just one month of supply for our food bank.”

Second Harvest Food Bank goes through more than 72 million pounds of food per year, and estimates that more than 615,000 individuals are at risk of hunger each month in Orange County. The majority of people at risk of going hungry each month are children and single parents, seniors and other men and women confronted by financial difficulty or who are physically unable to earn a living.

Summer is an especially critical time to support food banks. Thousands of children who receive meals at school thought the school year must rely on food banks during the summer months. That is why the continued support from local farmers and the public is so very important.

“I like to call the Great Park ‘the park with a heart’,” said Lowry. “The National Letter Carriers Association is making it easy for the entire community to have a heart this Saturday and donate a bag of food to help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’.”

About the Great Park

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Imagination Celebration at the CSUF Grand Central Art Center on May 14

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Dance, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Don’t miss the Imagination Celebration at the CSUF Grand Central Art Center, in downtown Santa Ana, this Saturday, May 14, from 11:00am – 2:00pm.

Location: Grand Central Art Center, located at 125 N Broadway, in Santa Ana.

Come participate in free art projects for kids of all ages! Collage shadow boxes, clay sculpture, face painting, flamenco dancing, and more!

Orange County redistricting plans due May 18

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Elections, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2011

Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203 office, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

Orange County Redistricting Plans Due May 18

(Santa Ana, CA) — Just one week remains to submit plans for the redistricting of supervisorial districts in the County of Orange.

The final date to submit a complete Redistricting plan is Wednesday, May 18 at 5 p.m. Questions about submitting a plan should be directed to staff at the Center for Demographic Research (CDR) at California State University, Fullerton by calling (657) 278-4670. Information about submitting Redistricting plans is also available on the County’s website at http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Redistricting. Computer workstations with the software needed to create a Redistricting plan are available at 35 locations throughout Orange County. A map of these sites is included on the Redistricting webpage.

A series of Redistricting Committee meetings in May and June will provide opportunities to review and comment on the plans that are submitted. Locations and times for these meetings will be determined by the Redistricting Committee during their May 12 meeting, which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at the Hall of Administration in Santa Ana.

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O.C. Great Park to honor El Toro Veterans at Festival of Time

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Historical, irvine, Military, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 10, 2011
CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Great Park Festival of Time To Honor El Toro Veterans

Event ties past to present and takes visitors back to the forties with live music and vintage aircraft.

IRVINE– Take a walk through Orange County’s past and into the present at the 2011 Festival of Time celebration, on Saturday, May 14, from 7 to 9 pm.

El Toro veterans, their families and the public are invited to reminisce and honor the contributions of those who helped create the legacy of the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, which is making the transition to the Orange County Great Park.

The free event will include a walk on a historical timeline accompanied by live music from the 1940s, vintage WWII-era aircraft, and an enchanted evening featuring an outdoor screening of the 1958 musical South Pacific starring Rossano Brazzi and Mitzi Gaynor.

“Festival of Time allows people to experience history in a unique and interactive way,” said Beth Krom, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. “This event also gives the people of Orange County a chance to meet veterans who served at El Toro and honor their service to our nation.”

The daylong festival will also feature the “We Remember El Toro” display of historic El Toro photographs and the “The Legacy Project Exhibition,” which blends historic photos with current images. The Great Park Museum Without Walls will showcase World War II vehicles and military aircraft. Visitors can enjoy food and refreshments from a variety of gourmet food trucks.

Marine Corps Lt. Col. Bill Kogerman (Ret.), a member of the Orange County Great Park Board of Directors, a decorated combat aviator based at El Toro, called this event “a fitting tribute to the brave men and women who served at El Toro.”

“It warms my heart to see our former hangars hosting public events, our former squadron buildings transformed into art galleries and families walking along the runways that once launched our aircraft. The spirit of El Toro is alive and well in the Orange Country Great Park,” said Lt. Col. Kogerman.

Visitors to the Park can see the base taking shape during the construction of the $65.5 million Western Sector Park Development Plan, which encompasses more than 200 acres of the Orange County Great Park. The plan is designed to build Park space that is diverse in use and appropriate to the funds available, resulting in more than 100 acres of active Park space. The Western Sector development — which will include soccer fields, recreation space, park-wide improvements, walking and bike trails, community gardens and a farm — is expected to be complete in 2012, with Park features being opened as they are completed.

The project builds on the current Park space, which will continue to be open and active with events and programming throughout construction. For more information on the Festival of Time and other Great Park events, please visit www.ocgp.org.

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Will the O.C. Board of Supervisors recognize Harvey Milk Day?

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Art Pedroza Posted in Janet Nguyen, LGBT, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Press Release, For Immediate Release: May 9, 2011

Contact: Linda May, Harvey Milk Celebration Committee, Phone 714-649-3453, Cell 714-381-7924

Orange County Board of Supervisors are being asked for a Harvey Milk Day Proclamation

Approximately a dozen residents from across Orange County will take their appeal for a Harvey Milk Day proclamation to the full Board of Supervisors meeting on May 10

Orange County, CA. May 9, 2011: Tuesday morning, May 10th, Orange County residents from coastal cities to mountain communities will be asking the Board of Supervisors to issue a proclamation honoring Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22. No Supervisor has agreed to put this on the agenda; consequently, speakers will be forced to speak at the open comment time at the end of the regular meeting. Interested persons began contacting their Supervisors during the latter half of April with no luck finding a sponsor.

The Chair of the Board, Bill Campbell, was specifically approached with a sample proclamation and information on the historic importance of Harvey Milk.

“I don’t think he is prejudiced against gay people,” said Minerva Figueroa, one of the organizers. “I think he is just afraid of what other people will think.”

Speakers are determined to have Orange County join other communities around the country and across political spectrums that commemorate Milk’s birthday with a proclamation that, among other things, recognizes Milk’s bravery and honesty as he championed the rights of the elderly, small businesses, ethnic communities, and a growing gay community.

Milk was the first openly gay person elected to office in a major American city. Milk was assassinated November 1978 in the San Francisco City Hall office. His life has increasingly become an example of the importance of hope and visibility for lesbian, gay, transgender, and ally struggle for equality and human rights.

With or without a proclamation, the Harvey Milk Day celebration will go on, Friday evening, May 20th, at French Plaza in downtown Santa Ana. Twenty four organizations and businesses are sponsoring the event that includes a pre-show at 5 PM, main show at 7 PM, and dancing and a birthday cake at 8:30 PM.