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Orange County
Travel ID Law Changes
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires travelers to have passports or one of the new wallet-size U.S. cards when traveling to and from Mexico and Canada beginning June 1.
As in previous changes to the law, border officials said they would allow a reasonable period for citizens to learn the new rules and those who do not have the proper identification would not be turned away from border stations. However, lack of proper identification will cause significant delays and border crossers will not be allowed to claim ignorance twice.
A U.S. passport costs $100 for an adult and is typically valid for 10 years. Passports for children under 16 cost $85 and are valid for five years. Passports are usually processed in less than six weeks. There are additional fees for expedited service.
Frequent border travelers are urged to get a Passport Card. While not valid for air and sea travel, it speeds border crossings to and from Canada and Mexico for drivers. The cost is $45 for adults and $35 for children, with the same time restrictions as the passport.
For more information, go to www.travel.state.gov, or call 877-487-2778.
Violent Crime Down
Crime is on the decline for six out of eight of Orange County's most populous cities according to a preliminary report released by the FBI. Two of those six cities, Garden Grove and Santa Ana, are found in the First District. In 2008, violent crime fell between 6 percent and 17 percent.
Despite a lagging economy, both property and violent crimes are down across the country, based on information that the FBI received from 12,750 city, county, college, university, state, tribal and federal agencies.
Santa Ana, the County's most densely inhabited city, saw a decrease of 11 percent in the level of violent crime, although the number of homicides and robberies increased. Aggravated assaults fell by 27 percent, with 788 incidents reported. Overall, the county's eight most populated cities saw a 7 percent decrease in violent crime.
Surplus Donation Program Helps Local Non-Profit Organizations
Supervisor Janet Nguyen is encouraging local schools and non-profit organizations to take advantage of the County's surplus donation program. This program operates on a yearly cycle and is administered by the CEO/Procurement Office.
The County donates surplus property - anything from office supplies and furniture to vehicles, computers and heavy equipment - to local schools operating under the Orange County Department of Education. As of March 2009, more than 2,600 surplus computers and hundreds of other related items have been donated to Orange County Schools.
If your school is interested in finding out more about this program, please contact Neil Jessen, Surplus Program Manager at (714) 567-7341.
The County also donates items for a pre-approved list of non-profit organizations serving the residents of Orange County. This program has room for up to 25 non-profits per fiscal year (July1 through June 30) and a new group of 25 is selected each year.
If your local non-profit organization would like to be a part of this program, please visit egov.ocgov.com/Procurement for an application and additional information. Instructions for submitting the application are included in the form.
OC Animal Care
OC Animal Care is to host its annual Pet Fair adoption event on June 27, 2009. The department has high hopes for a repeat of the success of its first "Angels for Animals, Forever Friends" adoption event on Saturday, March 28, 2009, sponsored by the Angels Baseball Foundation.
During the event, adopters were treated to discounted adoption fees, paying only for a microchip and license. Several hundred potential adopters showed up looking for a forever friend, and 127 dogs, cats, and rabbits from the shelter found new homes by the end of the day, making it one of the most successful adoption events in OC Animal Care's history!
For further information about the upcoming event, please contact Ryan Drabek at 714-935-6427.
OC Fair is Just Around the Corner
The Orange County Fair returns this summer from July 10 through August 9, 2009, at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Fair hours are:
Wednesday-Friday (noon to midnight)
Saturday-Sunday (10am to midnight)
Monday-Tuesday (closed)
General admission (ages 13-59) is $10, seniors (60+) are $7, kids (6-12) are $5 and children 5 and under are free.
As a salute to our nation's heroes, all active duty military, law enforcement and firefighters with a valid form of identification can get free admission for them and one guest from 1pm-6pm daily.
Every Thursday, kids 12 and under can receive free admission all day. On Fridays, those 60 years of age or older will pay only $4 for admission and will receive free Ferris wheel and Merry-go-Round rides.
For daily schedules, ticket information, maps and directions, visit www.ocfair.com/2009.
Westminster
Westminster Library Closed for Renovations
To better serve the community of Westminster, the Westminster Library will undergo ADA restroom upgrades. The library will be closed for renovation from May 18,2009 to August 17, 2009. For the convenience of the library users, locations of libraries nearby will be posted and telephone reference service will be diverted to open libraries so library users will still have access to library information.
Library users are welcome to use any of the other 33 libraries in the County to check and return materials. Locations and addresses of these libraries can be found at the library Web site, www.ocpl.org. Branches close to the Westminster branch include Fountain Valley Library, Garden Grove Regional Library, Garden Grove West Library and the Stanton Library.
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City of Garden Grove
June 20, 2009 - Free SAT Practice Test Day Offered by OCAPICA
Prepare to take the full-length SAT under realistic conditions (testing time is 4 hours). Receive a score report five days later showing strengths and weaknesses. Testing will be held at Coastline Community College, 12901 Euclid Street, Room 122.
Participants should bring a calculator and two #2 pencils. Scores will be distributed on Thursday, June 25, from 7-8 p.m. at the Cambodian Family, 1111 East Wakeham Avenue, Suite E, Santa Ana. To register, call Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance at (714) 636-9095.
City of Westminster
June 23, 2009 - Westminster Police Department Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Westminster Police Department is breaking ground at its new headquarters and the public is invited to attend this free event. The ceremony will begin at 5:30pm at Westminster Civic Center, 8200 Westminster Blvd.
City of Santa Ana
June 28, 2009 - Annual Ride the Coast
Ride the Coast consists of non-competitive police escorted open bike ride that will begin at the Santa Ana Auto Mall, wind around Pacific Coast Highway and finish at the Irvine Lake Blues Festival. Participants will be greeted at the finish line by six live blues performances, vendor expo, prizes and an array of good food in the great outdoors.
Locations:
Start: Santa Ana Auto Mall
1500 Auto Mall Drive Santa Ana 92705
End: Blues Festival
Irvine Lake 4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado 92676
To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com. |
