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. REGISTRAR REGISTER

3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

4. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

5. SAFETY SENTRY

6. HEALTH HERALD

7. SENIOR SENTINEL

8. CRITTER CHRONICLES

9. NOTES FROM THE FIELDbr>

10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

11. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

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, October 19. 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.

Deadline for Voter Registration is October 18

As reported in my newsletter last week, October 18 is the deadline to submit a voter registration form to vote in the November 2 General Election. Voter registration forms are available at your local public library or City Hall, and through the Orange County Registrar of Voters office. Vote-by-Mail applications are available until October 26.

For more information, please call the Registrar of Voters at (714) 567-7568 or visit www.ocvote.com.

Construction Bids Open for San Clemente Soundwall Project

I’m pleased to report Caltrans is beginning the bid opening process on transportation projects previously postponed due to delays in the passage of a state budget. These include two soundwall projects in the City of San Clemente.

The Vaquero soundwall bid opening took place last week, with results below the engineers’ estimate. In addition, the Mendocino to Presidio soundwall is scheduled for bid opening October 28. Please be assured I will continue to monitor these projects and provide regular updates in my newsletter as they progress.

The Toll Roads: Win $1000 in Free Tolls

As part of a new promotion, The Toll Roads are offering a chance to win $1000 in FREE tolls EACH month. Just register your account one time online; and then every time you use FasTrak® on the 73, 133, 241 or 261 toll roads, you'll automatically be entered to win! The more you use the toll roads, the better your odds!

It's FREE to enter and there’s no obligation. To register, please click here.

Lake Forest Sports Park and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

On October 23, I will participate in a ceremonial deed exchange with Lake Forest Mayor Peter Herzog. In return for property that will ultimately be developed as the Lake Forest Sports Park, the City will provide the County of Orange with land to expand Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Securing this land as permanent open space will benefit all Orange County residents, while Lake Forest residents will obtain valuable property for a much needed Sports Park.

In conjunction with the ceremonial deed exchange, the City of Lake Forest will also host a grand opening and building dedication to celebrate completion of the Heroes Park Snack Bar and Concession Building. The festivities will be held at Heroes Park, located at Jeronimo Road and Los Alisos Boulevard, beginning at 10:00 AM. For more information, please click here.

South County Parents Take Stand Against Gangs

Parents at several South County schools have teamed up with the Orange County District Attorney and local police to form a new Gang Reduction and Intervention Program (GRIP), a law enforcement partnership that identifies at-risk youth and aims to increase school attendance and decrease gang activity.

The new parent greeter program empowers parents to take responsibility for their schools and communities by proactively taking a stand against gang crime. The program was officially launched last week and all participating schools are expected to be active by next week.

For more information, including a list of participating schools, please click here.

OCFA and Team Laguna Niguel Responds: Ready, Set, Go!

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and Team Laguna Niguel Responds will hold a neighborhood meeting Saturday, October 16 at 9:00 AM to inform residents on how to be prepared and help their community stay safe in the event of a major wildfire.

As part if its ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ program, OCFA will target the community of Niguel Summit (Seriana Street) in Laguna Niguel to raise awareness of the natural and man-made hazards in the area. Evacuation concerns and available resources will also be discussed in the cul-de-sac on Seriana Street.

In addition, OCFA will present information on ember intrusion and how embers can affect homes within a five-mile radius of a major wildfire; and Team Laguna Niguel Responds will have information for residents regarding their Red Flag Fire Watch Volunteer Patrol program.

For more information, please click here.

SONGS to Test Community Alert Siren System

To prepare for the unlikely event of an emergency at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), federal regulations require annual testing of the Community Alert Siren System. As such, this year’s test will take place Wednesday, October 20 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

The Community Alert Siren System is a network of 50 sirens strategically placed throughout the SONGS Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ), which includes the cities of San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano, some unincorporated areas of South County, as well as State Parks and Camp Pendleton.

On October 20, people within the EPZ will hear a long, steady siren sound, occurring several times for approximately three minutes each time. THIS IS ONLY A TEST. You need not take action. Please do not call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency. For more information, please click here.

The Great California ShakeOut: 10/21 at 10:21

At 10:21 AM on October 21, please join me and millions of Californians as we Drop, Cover, and Hold On during The Great California ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill ever, as the County of Orange will once again participate in this important exercise.

The ShakeOut is an excellent opportunity for you and your loved ones to practice how to protect yourselves and be prepared in the event of a large-magnitude earthquake on the Southern San Andreas Fault. For more information, please click here.

Testing the AlertOC Emergency Notification System

A regional test of the AlertOC Emergency Notification System will be performed October 21 at 10:21 AM, in conjunction with the Great California ShakeOut. Collectively, the AlertOC System will place 600,000 calls to residences throughout Orange County, as part of the County’s on-going effort to ensure the System will be effective when OC jurisdictions experience emergencies requiring community action.

Participating Cities in South County include:

• Aliso Viejo
• Laguna Hills
• Laguna Niguel
• Laguna Woods
• Mission Viejo
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• South County Unincorporated Communities (excluding south of Ortega Hwy)

Eye on Influenza

The Orange County Health Care Agency’s (HCA) latest edition of Eye on Influenza is now available. To view HCA’s Influenza Update, please click here.

Now is the time to start vaccinating against influenza! To that end, HCA is collaborating with several organizations to provide flu vaccinations Friday, October 29 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at:

• St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Laguna Woods
• Norman P. Murray Senior Center in Mission Viejo

Take Medications Safely and Wisely

For many older adults, taking medications is part of their everyday routine. On average, older adults take four prescription and two over-the-counter medications each day. It is also not uncommon for some people to take as many as 10 or more different medications daily.

People over the age of 65 make up only 13% of the population; however, they account for 34% of prescription and 30% of over-the-counter medication use. As such, older adults are at an increased risk of harmful medication side effects, but there are several things a person can do be a successful medication manager. For more information, please click here and here.

The Orange County Office on Aging can also provide two tools to make medication management easier: a Senior Health Guide and a collapsible cup. Please feel free to call the Office on Aging at (800) 510-2020 or (714) 567-7500 and ask the Information Specialist to send you either of these items.

Office on Aging Information and Assistance Specialists also have information on all manner of programs and services for older adults in Orange County, including in-home assistance, transportation, caregiver support, counseling and meal programs. For more information, please click here.

OC Animal Care: Choose a Chihuahua!

On Saturday, October 23, OC Animal Care invites you to Choose a Chihuahua! Come fall in love with OC Animal Care’s tiniest residents and see why so many people adore this miniature breed! This fun-filled event will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Don’t miss the parade of adoptable Chihuahuas and the Bake Sale! FREE Spay/Neuter and FREE Flea Treatment will be offered for all adopted Chihuahuas – a $60 value! For directions to OC Animal Care, please click here. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: Sounds of the Lake at Dusk

Bring your cameras and sketchbooks for a stroll with an OC Parks Ranger to Barbara’s Lake, Orange County's only natural lake. Enjoy this busy time of day in the wilderness, with the awakening of the nighttime animals!

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-405). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3. Program: $2 per person.

For more information, please click here.

Capistrano Valley High School: Power a Bright Future

Capistrano Valley High School could win a $50,000 grant or one of three $20,000 grants in the Clorox “Power a Bright Future” contest, thanks to a parent whose nomination landed the school in the finals.

During the voting phase, which began this month, the finalists’ submissions are posted in an online gallery, where people can register and vote for the school program they believe will make the biggest difference. The Capo Valley High School entry page "Computers for Capo!" can be found by clicking here.

Each participant can vote once per day during the voting phase. To that end, I urge you to support Capistrano Valley High School in this worthy cause by casting your vote daily. For more information, please click here and here.

El Toro Water District: 50th Anniversary and Open House

The public is cordially invited to attend El Toro Water District’s 50th Anniversary and Open House at 24251 Los Alisos Blvd. in Lake Forest. This day of fun and learning for the entire family will take place Saturday, October 16 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Visit booths with information on water supply challenges & opportunities; see large equipment displays; enjoy special appearances by Ricki-the-Raindrop and get a hot dog lunch. The Discovery Science Center will present science shows for kids; Wild Wonders will have animals on display; and Captain Carl will showcase his tide pool to kids of all ages. AlertOC, Saddleback Memorial, Orange County Fire Authority, OC Sheriffs Dept., American Red Cross, the City of Lake Forest and South Orange County Wastewater Authority will also have displays.

For more information, please contact Sherri Seitz at (949) 837-7050 ext. 239 or sseitz@etwd.com, or click here.

Haunt at Heritage Hill: Friday Night Fright!

Prepare to be scared Friday, October 22 at the annual haunt event at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. 12 years and older recommended.

Tour the Haunted School House and Fright Maze! Watch the movie "Twilight" at the event! There will be prizes and surprises galore, as some ghoulish friends are DYING to see you!

For more information, please click here and here.

Heritage Hill Historical Park: Autumn Harvest Festival

Come back to Heritage Hill Historical Park on Saturday, October 23 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and join us for another night of fall fun at the Autumn Harvest Festival.

Visit Nectar's Pumpkin Patch and attend an awesome glow party! Kids can come in costume and trick-or-treat throughout the event! There will be fun games and prizes, too!

For more information, please click here and here.

Doheny State Beach: Haunted Campground

Don't miss Doheny State Beach’s most festive event of the year, as a section of the campground will be transformed into a spooky area, featuring an array of educational booths, arts and crafts, a Fun Zone, and other fun activities.

This event takes place Saturday, October 23 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Admission is FREE; however, a donation of one non-perishable food item per person is greatly appreciated. Dress those little ones and join us!

For more information, please click here.

Dia de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life and Family

The San Juan Capistrano Library cordially invites you to its annual "Celebration of Life and Family" on Sunday, October 24 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM. Performers include Mariachi San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano Ballet Folklorico, and Aztec dance group Huehueteotl.

Activities include children's crafts, face painting and artwork throughout the library. Don't miss film maker and artist George Newman's incredible Casa de las Calaveras - House of Skeletons! This fun cultural event is FREE to the public!

For more information, please click here and here.

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

• Attended the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s (ASBPA) three-day National Coastal Conference, “Celebrating the Diversity of the Coast,” held in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information, please click here.