No Board Meeting Held This Week

There was no regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, October 7. For Agenda & Meeting Information, please click here.

Live Internet broadcasts of Board of Supervisors meetings are available and archived as video-on-demand. To view live and/or past Board meetings, please click here.

San Clemente Soundwall Projects Move Forward

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors approved cooperative agreements with Caltrans, defining roles and responsibilities for preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for soundwall retrofit projects at El Camino Real and Avenida Vaquero on Interstate 5. I’m pleased to report design activities for both projects are well underway and scheduled to be completed by winter of this year.

Oso Parkway Interchange Improvement Project

The OCTA Board of Directors approved agreements and amendments for design support to agreements with Caltrans for construction of the Oso Parkway interchange improvement project at Interstate 5. The amendments to existing agreements provide additional funds required for design services during construction and will be transferred from the right-of-way phase remaining within Caltrans’ budget.

Fire Burns One Acre on Laguna Niguel Hillside

On September 30, six fire engines, two helicopters, and a hand crew under the command of Battalion Chief Jon Jones responded to a hillside vegetation fire near Alicia Parkway and Aliso Creek Road in Laguna Niguel. The Orange County Fire Authority was assisted by units from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Orange County Parks Department. No structures were damaged or injuries reported. The fire remains under investigation.

Green areas, known as fuel modification zones are maintained between homes and dry vegetation. These zones can help slow a wildfire’s progress. Now is a good time to ensure that all dry vegetation and tree limbs are removed from your yard. For more information, please click here.

2008-09 Influenza Vaccination Program

The Health Care Agency Immunization Program is offering free flu shots at numerous locations throughout the county beginning the week of October 27 through the winter months for the following groups:

• Children aged 6 months until their 18th birthday
• People 50 years of age and older
• Children or adolescents receiving long-term aspirin therapy
• Women who are pregnant or will be pregnant during flu season
• People with chronic disease like heart disease, asthma, or other lung disease
• People with health conditions that suppress their immune or respiratory system
• People with seizures disorders, spinal cord injuries, or other neuromuscular disorder
• Health care workers
• Anyone living with or caring for children under 5 years or adults over 50 years
• Anyone living with or caring for people with medical conditions that place them at risk for complications of flu

Laguna Hills Holds Adoption Ceremony for Marines

Last August, Laguna Hills became parent city to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (3/5), 1st Marine Division. To that end, the City of Laguna Hills formally introduced its adopted Marine battalion last week to residents through an adoption ceremony at Laguna Hills High School. The formal ceremony had to wait until September as 3/5, known as The Darkhorse Battalion, deployed to Iraq shortly after the adoption.

The ceremony included a full USMC marching band, presentation of colors and troops, and speeches by Mayor L. Allan Songstad and Major Brian Heatherman. Marines were also on hand to display and discuss USMC vehicles, equipment and weapons. Similar adoption programs exist in Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach and San Juan Capistrano. To view photos of the Marine adoption ceremony, please click here.

October is Adopt-A-Dog Month

Big dogs, small dogs, adult dogs, puppy dogs – you can find them all at your local shelter or breed rescue group; and each one is guaranteed to enhance your life and make you smile. Celebrate Adopt-A-Dog Month by visiting your local shelter and see all the wonderful dogs they have ready to be adopted. For more information, please click here.

"Pet Days" at the OC Marketplace

The Animal Assistance League of Orange County presents "Pet Days" at the OC Marketplace in conjunction with National Pet Wellness Month.

Where: Orange County Market Place (the weekend swap meet at the fairgrounds)

When: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Guided Hikes in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Explore the trails and learn about the flora, fauna, geology and history of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists and OC Parks staff! For more information, please click here.

Saturday, October 4
OC Wildcats, Mountain Lions and Bobcats
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Meet Orange County mountain lion tracker Donna Krucki and big cat researchers. Learn about recent local bobcat studies, find out about radio tracking equipment and make a track ID book. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required due to limited parking: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

Astonomy Program at Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park

On Saturday, October 4 from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, the OC Astronomers will be out with their telescopes for the last astronomy program of the season. All the summer constellations as well as Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune should be visible that evening. For more information, please click here.

October Events and Programs at OC Parks

To see a list of events and programs being offered in the month of October at OC Parks throughout Orange County, please click here.

Ladera Ranch Oktoberfest Featuring Dogue Vogue

Come out to Ladera Ranch for the second annual Oktoberfest featuring the exciting Dogue Vogue Fashion Show and children's costume show from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2008. For more information, please click here.

21st Annual San Clemente Seafest

Come to beautiful San Clemente and enjoy a day at the beach and the cool waters of the exquisite Pacific Ocean at the 21st annual San Clemente Seafest on Sunday, October 5. For more information, please click here.

• Attended a reception in honor of renowned Laguna Beach civic activist Harry Lawrence, celebrating October 1 as Harry Lawrence Day in Laguna Beach.