In a tradition dating back thousands of years, the First District celebrated the annual Moon Festival on Sunday, September 19 with families from across the First District at Mile Square Park.

The event featured face painting by Marilu Torres' Beauty Glam Academy, balloon animals by Happinessisaballoon, food by Hawaiian Dancing Grill BBQ and Kettle Corn King, live entertainment by various singers and groups, and a parade of colorful lanterns for children in attendance.

The free event was hosted in collaboration with CalOptima and Orange County Parks.

Thank you to all our performers, OCTA staff, and our volunteers from the Dynamite Book Club for helping distribute lanterns and mooncakes for children!

Click here to check out the video from the event!

On Saturday, September 18, the First District celebrated the end of summer at Mile Square Park with the first-ever Sunset Classic Car Show & Concert.

The free family-friendly event featured a variety of food vendors, a display of classic and unique cars, and live performances by:

🎸 SouthBound & Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd & Frynds tribute band

🎸 Son Doux Band, a Latin/Cumbia/Rock Band in English & Spanish

🎸 No Duh, a No Doubt tribute band

🎸 Allura Music

The free event was hosted in collaboration with Orange County Parks.

Thank you to all our performers, car owners, and our volunteers from the Dynamite Book Club for making this an incredible event!

If you missed it, click here to check out the video from the event!

On Tuesday, September 28, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the OC Hunger Alliance for the purchase of emergency food and an additional $2 million for food and water storage equipment in the event of a disaster or emergency, contingent upon submitting a countywide strategic emergency preparedness plan.

Click here to read the full press release.

OC Public Libraries is offering qualified community members the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate through Career Online High School, part of the world’s first accredited, private online school district.

To be considered for the program, applicants must:

▪️ Be at least 19 years old

▪️ Live in Orange County

▪️ Have a library account in good standing

To learn more about this program, and to enroll, please visit  https://ocplca.mycareerhs.com/  or call 714-566-3070.

The OC Veterans Advisory Council is hosting Coffee Talks with Veterans via zoom every 4th Wednesday of each month.

Participants will discuss topics important to Orange County Veterans and their families.

OC First Assembly’s weekly mobile pantry is back every Thursday at 10am!

Spread the word and stop by to grab some free groceries every Thursday, while supplies last! The drive-thru line will be set up in the gym parking lot.

1440 E. Santa Clara Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705

OCTA has introduced a six-month promotional Youth Ride Free Pass, which will allow passengers ages 18 and under to ride any OCTA fixed-route bus in Orange County for free!

🚍 Click here for more information.

The First District Team has partnered again with Northgate Gonzalez Markets, Mercy Pharmacy and several other organizations to host vaccine clinics at three Santa Ana Northgate Markets for everyone ages 12 and up.

The Orange County Social Services Agency now offers walk-in COVID-19 vaccines at various locations!

Eligible CalOptima members can receive a $25 gift card when they receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Check out the flyer below to find your nearest location.

Interested in donating blood?

You can sign up today at https://www.redcrossblood.org/!

Click here to streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes.

For the following site, use the sponsor code: MSASA.

For the following site, use the sponsor code: Nguoi Viet.

The month of September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Month.

Stigma associated with mental health often leads individuals who are in need to be reluctant to seek care. And in the past year, the pandemic has only exacerbated the risk factors associated with suicidal behaviors.

In March of 2019, the OC Board of Supervisors directed the OC Health Care Agency to create a countywide suicide prevention initiative to increase awareness and accessibility to resources. And last year, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and I directed the OC Health Care Agency to establish the Office of Suicide Prevention within the Behavioral Health Department to coordinate prevention activities and implement the initiative’s action plan.

If you or a loved one is experiencing emotional distress, call the 24/7 national lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

The Community Suicide Prevention Initiative, a public-private partnership managed by MindOC, is organizing a two-day virtual conference on October 14 and 15 to raise awareness on different topics related to suicide prevention with specific segments for veterans, older adults, youth, and LGBTQ youth.

Boutique crafters wanted for the annual Winter in The Grove!

 Share your craft with thousands at the annual Winter in the Grove community event. Applications will be accepted through November 15.

Click here for more information on how to apply.

🎄Village Green Park

📍 12732 Main St, Garden Grove

📅 Saturday, December 4

⏰ 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.