Welcome to this edition of the Fifth District Report, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated about the events taking place in Orange County and in the Fifth District. It is my hope that you find this distribution informative and I would encourage you to contact me regarding any thoughts, comments, or concerns you may have.

PatBates@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

2. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

3. AIRPORT ARRIVALS

4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

5. CRITTER CHRONICLES

6. SAFETY SENTRY

7. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

9. LIBRARY LESSONS & SESSIONS

10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

11. SOUTH COUNTY SUMMER CONCERTS

12. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Kristen Thornton:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Ray Grangoff:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Sabrina Ross:
Policy Advisor

Brian Probolsky:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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No Board Meeting This Week

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

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, August 17. 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.

OCTA & TCA Discuss Updates on Toll Roads, Expressways

Officials from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) met last week to share information about freeway and toll road construction projects and discussed plans to continue enhancing Orange County’s expressway network.

Items discussed included the progress of current and proposed projects, including the widening project on the eastbound Riverside Freeway (SR-91) and the Eastern Toll Road (SR-241)/SR-91 connector, as well as emerging technologies for toll collection and transit considerations along the toll roads. Also discussed was the proposed Irvine-Corona Expressway project, currently on hold due to the high price tag and technical problems associated with the proposed project.

OC to NYC Non-Stop from JWA

Delta Airlines will begin daily non-stop service between John Wayne Airport (JWA) and JFK in New York, effective September 7, 2010. The new service will replace Delta’s daily non-stop service between John Wayne Airport and Detroit. This is the first non-stop service between Orange County and New York City.

Jazz Age Paintings on Display at JWA

A collection of paintings depicting the Jazz Age in a mid-century Geometric Abstract style are on display through September 20 in John Wayne Airport's Terminal A Vi Smith Concourse Gallery, across from Gates 11–14. For more information, please click here.

Orange County Lures Long Distance Romance

Couples hailing from such far-flung places as Australia, Taiwan, China and Germany chose to be married in June this year at special wedding facilities offered by the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. Over 2,000 marriage licenses were purchased in the month of June and about a third of couples obtaining marriage licenses each year choose to have their ceremonies performed at Clerk-Recorder Department locations.

Traveling couples, many taking advantage of Orange County’s world-class tourism appeal, visited Clerk-Recorder wedding venues in Santa Ana, Fullerton and Laguna Hills to tie the knot. The Clerk-Recorder Department offers three alluring choices for civil wedding ceremonies, including the stately Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana, the picturesque Laguna Hills Civic Center, and the historic Parker Building in downtown Fullerton. For more information, please click here.

Pet & Vet Clinic in Aliso Viejo

The Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center and Mission Viejo Animal Services Center will host a low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic on Saturday, August 7. The clinic will take place from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the Family Resource Center, located at 24671 Via Iglesia in Aliso Viejo.

Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. The vaccine clinic will accept cash only. Don’t miss this opportunity to keep your pet healthy and safe! For more information, please click here.

3RD Annual ‘Angels for Animals’ Event

Join OC Animal Care and The Angels Baseball Foundation for the 3rd annual Angels for Animals event at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Come see adorable animals available for adoption and meet the Angels’ wives on Saturday, August 14 from 4:00 PM through the 2nd inning.

Proceeds from this special event will benefit the Angels Baseball Foundation and local animal shelters. For more information, please click here.

AlertOC Credited with Help in Locating Missing Child

The effectiveness of Orange County’s AlertOC mass notification system was again demonstrated last week, when Huntington Beach law enforcement notified residents of a missing child description. As a result, the child was located by a local resident who had received the message from AlertOC. The AlertOC system was also credited in October 2009 with the safe return of two minors in Laguna Beach. For more information, please click here.

AlertOC is used by the County and 32 Orange County cities to notify residents and businesses with important information during a disaster or major emergency. Community emergencies, such as missing children, may also warrant urgent messages from AlertOC. As such, community members and businesses are encouraged to register and find more information at www.AlertOC.com.

Waste Free OC, Save Room for Tomorrow

OC Waste & Recycling received an award for its Public Outreach and Education campaign “Waste Free OC, Save Room for Tomorrow” from the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA). The award ceremonies were part of the 25th Annual NAHMMA National Conference held July 26–30 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The NAHMMA award recognizes the positive impact the public outreach program has had on the community. NAHMMA views OC Waste & Recycling’s Waste Free OC campaign as a model for other waste and recycling programs that, if adopted nationwide, would change behaviors, resulting in reduced waste to save room for tomorrow. For more information, please click here.

Annual OC Parks Passes Now Half Price!

OC Parks annual day-use passes for County Regional and Wilderness Parks and Beaches are now available for purchase at half the regular price. The passes remain valid through December 31, 2010.

The discounted annual Regional Park passes are now $27.50, down from the original price of $55, are valid at all County Beaches, including Aliso and Salt Creek. They include vehicle entry and parking at such County Wilderness Parks as Whiting Ranch, Laguna Coast, and Aliso and Wood Canyons.

The combination pass, which covers entry and parking for all County Regional, Wilderness and Coastal facilities, is available now for just $40, down from $80.

Seniors over age 60 and disabled persons may purchase discounted annual Regional Park passes for $17.50, a beach decal for $27.50, or a combination pass for $25. Disabled persons displaying a DMV placard may park for free at County Beaches.

For more information, please click here.

O’Neill Regional Park: Astronomy Night

Join the Orange County Astronomers on Thursday, August 12 at 8:30 PM for a night of star gazing and excitement at O’Neill Regional Park, located at 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon 92678. Come look through telescopes to see the wonders of the night sky with astronomers who will be present to answer questions. Bad weather may cancel the event. Parking is $3. For more information about O’Neill Regional Park, please click here or contact the Park office at (949) 923-2260.

Enjoy Summer Events and Programs at OC Parks

To see a list of events and programs being offered in the month of August at OC Parks throughout the 5th District and Orange County, please click here.

Read for Fun with Booker T. Dog

Hey, kids! Enjoy the ‘dog days’ of summer at an OC Public Library (OCPL) branch near you! OCPL’s Booker T. Dog says August is a great time to go to the library, check out a great book, and read for fun! To see a video featuring Booker T. Dog, please click here.

OC Public Libraries Summer Programs

Visiting your local library is also an excellent way to stay cool this summer. OC Public Libraries (OCPL) provides a wonderful array of FREE fun-filled educational events and programs for the whole family, from toddlers to teens to parents and seniors. To see a listing of OCPL events taking place in August at a branch library near you, please click here. For more information about OC Public Libraries, please click here.

Young Gymnast Takes 1st Place in State Games

7 year-old Danielle Gagne of Laguna Beach took first place in the all-around competition in her respective age group at the 22nd Annual California State Games in San Diego last month. A 2nd grade student at Top of The World Elementary School, Danielle competed in the 6 to 7 year-old Level 4 division.

In individual events, she placed first in the Floor Exercise, second in both the Vault and Balance Beam, and third on the Uneven Bars. Danielle has been training at the National Gymnastics Training Center in Aliso Viejo since the age of 4, and participated in her first competition last fall.

The California State Games is a statewide amateur sports festival supported by the United States Olympic Committee and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, with over 10,000 Athletes competing on feature sports of the Olympic and Pan American Games.

South County Youngsters Recognized as 9-1-1 Heroes

South County’s Taylor Carter and Clancy Karotkin were honored as 9-1-1 Heroes by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board of Directors last month.

Taylor, a 12 year-old girl from Dana Point, quickly dialed 9-1-1 for assistance when her sister was experiencing symptoms of a seizure; and despite the difficult situation, she remained poised and provided important information to the dispatcher. Clancy, a 12-year-old boy from Rancho Santa Margarita, effectively used the 9-1-1 emergency system when his sister needed immediate medical attention, accurately providing information to the dispatcher and calmly following directions.

Both Taylor and Clancy were commended by OCFA for their heroic and quick actions when calling 9-1-1 on behalf of their siblings. To view the OCFA resolution recognizing Taylor Carter, please click here. To view the OCFA resolution recognizing Clancy Karotkin, please click here.

Local Student Appointed to State Board of Education

Connor Cushman, a 17 year-old resident of Coto de Caza, was recently appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to serve on the State Board of Education. Connor, a senior at Tesoro High School, served as a referee for the Cal South Soccer League from 2006 to 2009. He is also co-founder of the Rock for the Cure Club, which organizes high school concerts to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Additionally, Connor is a member of Lions Heart, a charity organization that serves the local community.

Lake Forest Trampolinist is Athlete to Watch in 2012

22 year-old trampolinist Logan Dooley of Lake Forest was named last week as one of the "Fresh Faces of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London" by USA Today.

In June, Logan and his partner, Steve Gluckstein, won their second synchronized trampoline World Cup gold medal in Davos, Switzerland. The two also made history in August 2009, when they won the United States’ first World Cup gold medal in synchronized trampoline in Belgium; and Logan also won the first men's individual title for the U.S at that competition.

In September, Logan will compete in two more World Cup competitions in preparation for the upcoming World Championships in Metz, France. Logan continues to train with his long-time coach, Robert Null, at World Elite Gymnastics in Rancho Santa Margarita.

San Clemente Fiesta Street Festival

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting the San Clemente Fiesta Street Festival on Sunday, August 8 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Held on Avenida Del Mar in beautiful downtown San Clemente, this unique annual event features entertainment activities for the whole family, including food and game booths, three stages with continuous live music throughout the day, contests for all ages, a Salsa Challenge, arts & crafts show, kiddie rides, a classic car & motorcycle show, exhibits, clowns, jugglers, face painters, and much more! For more information, please click here.

Dana Point: Classic Rock & Tribute to Santana

The City of Dana Point invites you to enjoy an afternoon of Classic Rock with “The Wilsons” on Sunday, August 1, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Heritage Park. But wait, there’s more! You can also stick around to enjoy a tribute to the music of Santana, featuring the band “Savor” from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Beach: Tribute to INXS

The City of Laguna Beach invites you to enjoy an evening with “INXS-ive” performing the hits of one of the most beloved bands of the 80s at Bluebird Park on Sunday, August 8, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Aliso Viejo: Tribute to Jimmy Buffet

The Aliso Viejo Community Association invites you to enjoy a tribute to Jimmy Buffet, featuring “Mark Wood and the Parrothead Band” at the Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater on Sunday, August 8, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. For more information, please click here.

Rancho Santa Margarita: Tribute to U2

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita invites you to enjoy an evening with U2 tribute band “Hollywood U2” at Central Park in the Civic Plaza on Sunday, August 8, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

San Clemente Pier: Tribute to Rod Stewart

The City of San Clemente invites you to celebrate ten years of live music on the beach, with the sunset as your backdrop and free seating in the sand, featuring a tribute to Rod Stewart by Greg Wolfe on Thursday, August 12 at 6:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Niguel: Disco & Funk

The City of Laguna Niguel invites you to enjoy an evening with “The Funk-O-Matics” at the Crown Valley Community Park Amphitheater on Friday, August 13, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. For more information, please click here.

Ladera Ranch: MoTown & Soul

Friday, August 13, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, “RAMFUNKSHUS” will perform on the Town Green in Ladera Ranch, playing high energy dance music of the 60s through present day, including Motown, Soul, and R&B hits. For more information, please click here.

Lake Forest: Target Symphony in the Cities

Sunday, August 15, the City of Lake Forest will once again be graced with a live performance by the Orange County Pacific Symphony Orchestra. Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, the Pacific Symphony will perform a musical repertoire, ranging from Classical music to patriotic medleys to Broadway show tunes.

A “Musical Playground” will also be held for children, including a conducting clinic. Children who participate will have the opportunity to assist Maestro St.Clair in conducting during a portion of the concert. The Musical Playground begins at 5:30 PM and the Pacific Symphony performs at 7:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:

• Met with Orange County Fire Authority Chief Keith Richter to discuss OCFA Fire Saftey policies and programs.
• Met with OC Community Resources staff to discuss homelessness in Orange County.
• Met with representatives of the City of Laguna Beach to discuss Laguna Beach homeless programs, beach water quality and traffic issues.