On July 1, I had the honor of attending a press conference alongside several of our Orange County Veterans, my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, and elected officials to announce our collective support for the Gypsum Canyon Site as the new location for a cemetery for Orange County’s Veterans.

Back in 2018, Supervisor Todd Spitzer and I proposed developing this site to be used as Orange County Veterans’ Cemetery. That proposal won unanimous Board support. With Irvine no longer feasible as a site for a Veterans cemetery, I am proud to support the Gypsum Canyon Site as the new location for a cemetery for Orange County’s Veterans. I hope everyone in Orange County gets behind this site so that we can move from plans to action as soon as possible.

Last week, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Casa Paloma, an affordable and supportive housing project across from Potters Lane in Midway City.

Over the past six years, I’ve collaborated with local and state leaders to make affordable housing a priority in Orange County. Casa Paloma is Southern California’s first development to receive $6 million from the Housing for a Healthy California program.

With the opening of Casa Paloma, we are 71 units closer to our goal of developing 2,700 units of affordable housing by 2025!

Thank you to all the project supporters for your tireless dedication to this noble cause!

Last week, the First District Team presented a certificate of recognition for Casa Querencia’s grand opening in Santa Ana!

This 57-unit permanent supportive housing community accommodates the special needs of individuals and seniors who experience chronic homelessness.

Casa Querencia is true public/private partnership with funding from all municipalities. Special thanks to all the supporters and partners of this project for your dedication to improving the system of care in Orange County.

The First District Team had the honor of attending the grand opening of AltaMed’s new PACE Center in Santa Ana last week!

AltaMed PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) provides personalized care to seniors with medical conditions who enjoy their independence of living at home. Through the pandemic, AltaMed swiftly adapted and deployed telehealth and telemedicine visits, making it easier for seniors who were too afraid to leave their homes for their weekly doctor visits. Congratulations, AltaMed, on your new PACE location and for helping our seniors have the best quality of life!

For more information on the services AltaMed offers for seniors 55 and older, please visit https://www.altamed.org/PACE.

Earlier this month, Orange County celebrated another milestone with the topping off ceremony for the Orange County Administration North Building as its final beam was put into place!

The County Administration North building will house the Orange County CEO, Records and Finance Departments, Supervisors’ offices, and the new board meeting chambers. With the demolition of the former Hall of Finance in October 2019, the building has been in construction since then. I am glad to have been a part of this memorable milestone for Orange County!

Thank you to everyone who has been part of making this project possible!

Last month, our office helped sponsor the Heritage Museum Orange County’s event, ‘From Dinosaurs to People’ in Santa Ana. Attendees had the opportunity to get their faces painted, watch live demos, participate in the opportunity drawings, and more!

Make sure to follow the Heritage Museum of OC on Facebook for future events!

The OC Health Care Agency has FREE COVID-19 vaccines for YOU! Check out the graphic below for the vaccination clinics that are happening this week in First District!

On July 30, the First District Team and several community organizations are hosting a FREE vaccination clinic and food distribution at the Bristol Swap Mall in Santa Ana! Please visit the flyer below for more information.

📍 Bristol Swap Mall (1204 Bristol St., Santa Ana 92704)

⏰ Friday, July 30, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Topics:

1. No Social Security number is required to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.
2. Free COVID-19 testing available.

3. Free COVID-19 vaccinations at participating McDonald's restaurants.

Topics:

1. Orange County Reaches Milestone in COVID-19 Vaccinations.
2. OC Health Care Agency Urges Precautions Ahead of July 4th Weekend.

3. No proof of where you live or work is required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in OC.

Topics:

1. If you received your first Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, it is recommended that you return for a second dose to be fully protected.
2. Even if you have been vaccinated, it is recommended that you wear a facemask in certain places and settings.
3. Individuals, organizations and employers can request COVID-19 vaccines for their groups.

It’s time to Schmooze it up! Join the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce for their business networking party, Schmooza Palooza, on July 21. For more information and to register, please visit www.SantaAnaChamber.com.

📍 South Coast Village (1621 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana)

⏰ Wednesday, July 21, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

This month, Westminster is celebrating the Rose Center Theater’s 15th anniversary with The Music Man! You can purchase your tickets and find more information at https://www.rosecentertheater.com/events.

📍 14140 All American Way, Westminster

⏰ Saturday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m.

⏰ Sunday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Looking for a fun place to take your kids this summer? Visit the Santa Ana Zoo Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and learn about numerous animal species that call the zoo their home!

For more information on the Santa Ana Zoo, please visit https://santaanazoo.org/

In honor of National Kebab Day last Friday, the Frist District Team visited Kebab Place in Downtown Santa Ana for some lunch! This small business serves Mediterranean cuisine including falafel, platters, kebabs, salads, and more. Check them out!

📍 306 W. 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701