This week, I had the pleasure of appearing on THIS DAY, a community talk-show on Village Television in Laguna Woods, to discuss the 44th Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. Joining me and host Ken Goldenberg was the President of the Dana Point Harbor Association and owner of Coffee Importers, Jim Miller.
To view the video and hear about the happy holiday happenings in the harbor, please click here or on the image below.
Don't miss the final weekend of the Boat Parade of Lights this Friday & Saturday, December 14 & 15! Other free family activities taking place throughout Dana Point Harbor include fun & games, crafts, live entertainment, and selfies with Santa, with a western theme. Festivities begin at 4:30 PM, and Boat Parade at 7:30 PM.
Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages are encouraged to dress in their favorite western gear and watch the beautiful boats sail through the harbor, showing off their country-western decorations, animation, color and lights.
Free trolleys will run on the last two nights of the Boat Parade from 3:30 PM to 10:30 PM, dropping off and picking up merry makers along Dana Point Harbor Drive at Doheny State Beach, the Visitor’s Center, Ocean Institute, Baby Beach, Island Way, Retail Area, and back to Doheny.
For more information on the 44th Annual Boat Parade of Lights and "A Western Wonderland” in Dana Point Harbor, click here or on the image below.
WTS 2018 "Woman of the Year" Award
Last week, I had the honor of being named 2018 “Woman of the Year” by the Women in Transportation Seminar - Orange County Chapter (WTS) at its 30th Annual Awards and Scholarships Gala. In doing so, WTS highlighted my dedication to responsibly funding future Orange County transportation projects while ensuring the safe and efficient completion of current projects.
As OCTA Chairwoman, among my first actions was to unveil the OCTA Board’s strategic initiatives for 2018, which included placing specific focus on delivering capital projects, maximizing funding opportunities, developing sustainable transportation plans, strengthening regional partnerships, modernizing transit services and championing fiscal responsibility.
It has been a privilege to serve OCTA in this capacity, and I am proud of our accomplishments this year. I am also pleased the transportation community is receiving well-deserved recognition for these great projects that benefit the public.
WTS is an international organization, founded in 1977, with over 6500 members, 79 chapters, and a network of 40,000 transportation professionals around the world. The group was founded on expanding women’s careers in transportation through professional development, encouragement and recognition.
As a growing organization of determined and intelligent female transportation minds, they have truly made a remarkable impact on transportation innovation worldwide and locally.
Restoration Project Gives Back to Community
As OCTA Chairwoman, I'm happy to share this story about how the restoration of more than 50 acres of blighted land helped improve and rejuvenate a community in South County.
Choked with man-made trash and invasive weeds, a 53-acre wilderness parcel in San Juan Capistrano was a magnet for vandalism and graffiti. With help from OCTA, nearly 40,000 lbs. of trash, debris, and abandoned material was removed or recycled, and more than 200,000 invasive weeds were uprooted.
In addition, species such as the gap linking gnatcatcher habitat were restored, and biodiversity was replenished in the blighted wilderness area, as 60,000 native plants and trees were planted.
As the project progressed from 2011 to 2018, 90 percent of the $1,500,000 project funds flowed back into the community to local individuals and businesses employed during the project, including nurseries, vendors, contractors, and biologists.
In partnership with the Orange County Conservation Corps, the project also hired disadvantaged San Juan Capistrano Youth, who obtained degrees and gained new skills working on the habitat restoration.
Moreover, the local community saw a decrease in incidents of unlawful activities, such as vandalism and graffiti, as the project provided the public with alternative modes of recreation within the new and improved public open space. Click here for more information.
County Roadwork Scheduled for Ladera Ranch
Please be advised that OC Public Works will be grinding and resurfacing arterial, local, and residential streets within the unincorporated community of Ladera Ranch beginning Monday, December 17, with work anticipated to continue through late February 2019.
Access to residences and businesses may be limited during working hours, depending on the location of the work, and lane closures will be required at times during construction.
Working Hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM on Antonio Parkway; and 7 AM to 4 PM on local and residential streets. The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.
The construction activity will include grinding and paving on the following streets:
Arterial Streets - Antonio Parkway from Rancho Santa Margarita city limits to south of Covenant Hills Drive.
Residential Streets - Flintridge Avenue from Tisbury Way north to the end of the street; and Epona Way Copius Lane Galoran Lane Illuminata Lane Lullaby Circle Melody Lane
An additional notice will be provided 72 hours prior to work via door hangers and "No Parking" signs.
DUI Checkpoint in San Clemente this Weekend
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are always a wonderful occasion to celebrate with family and friends, but they are also a time when people often make poor choices that put themselves and our community at risk on the road.
As such, the Orange County Sheriff’s DUI Enforcement Team will hold a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint from 7 PM Friday, December 14 to 3 AM Saturday, December 15 in San Clemente. Click here for more information.
County Connections
National Day of Remembrance for our Homeless
Operation Santa Claus / Senior Santa & Friends
Operation Santa Claus and the Senior Santa & Friends annual gift drives are currently collecting donations for children and seniors across Orange County. These programs are coordinated by the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) with support from community volunteers.
Operation Santa Claus, which began as a small effort to meet the needs of a handful of children in 1962, has become a major event for the community. This program provides gifts and toys to children who are in foster care in Orange County, as well as to children of disadvantaged families who are receiving services from the County of Orange.
SSA also runs Senior Santa & Friends. This program is geared toward providing gifts and special request items to low income elderly or severely disabled adults, who are clients of SSA and/or the OC Health Care Agency.
Each year, SSA identifies clients who would benefit from having items such as household appliances, special medical equipment, nutritional supplements or clothing. Items received through Senior Santa & Friends help make life easier, more comfortable and/or more independent.
Residents can participate in these worthy programs by:
Displaying Angel tags on trees, bulletin boards, walls, etc. Angel Tags provide gift suggestions for a senior or child in need of a gift from Santa. Requests for tags may be emailed to senior.santa@ssa.ocgov.com or operationsantaclaus@ssa.ocgov.com.
There's no place like (a safe) home for the holidays! The following are some useful tips to help your pets stay safe and healthy this holiday season:
Holiday lights also mean extra cords and plugs. Take an extra minute or two during decorating to tape down or cover cords. This will help prevent shocks, burns or more serious injuries to your pets.
Secure Christmas trees to keep them from crashing to the ground when a good game of doggie wrestling gets going. Keep tinsel decorations high on the tree.
During holiday parties, provide pets with a quiet place to retreat.
Chocolate contains the heart stimulant theobromine, which in small quantities can be toxic to dogs and cats.
Mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettia plants can be poisonous to pets.
Holidays and long weekends are a time when many pets are lost. Be cautious about guests, open doors and gates, as well as the person who cares for your pet while you are away.
Be sure your pet has a secure collar with tags and a registered microchip, all with more than one phone number.
Out and About in South County
Laguna Beach: Winter Fantasy's Final Weekend
Don't miss the final weekend of the Winter Fantasy, Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, from 10 AM to 7 PM at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach! The event features 175 artists and makers, three stages of live music and entertainment, thousands of lights and decorations, glassblowing and art demos, hands-on pottery wheel and art classes, falling snow and holiday photo-ops with Santa, outdoor eateries and cafes, festive saloon offerings, and much more! For more info, click here.
Lake Forest: Elf Yourself 5K Charity Event
RSM: Carols 'Round The Lake
Mission Viejo: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Bring the family to Mission Viejo City Hall at 200 Civic Center on Sunday, December 16 at 2 PM to see the FREE Film of Character: "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer." This beloved holiday-classic will be shown on a theater-size screen, with theater-style seating and surround-sound. Click here for more information.
RSM: Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration
Rancho Santa Margarita's annual New Year’s Eve event provides a safe and fun opportunity for the community to celebrate in an alcohol-free setting. This festive family event at Civic Plaza, 22232 El Paseo, from 5 PM to 9 PM, celebrates the arts and showcases local talent through music, dance, fine arts, and much more!
San Juan Capistrano: Capistrano Lights 2018
Mission San Juan Capistrano is pleased to present Capistrano Lights 2018 - a new Christmas tree lighting and music program being held nightly at 5 PM through January 6, 2019. Guests must be on the grounds before closing at 5 PM to enjoy the lighting experience. Please be advised there will be no tree lighting and music program December 24, 25 & 31.
This Week I
Participated in the 2018 Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade.
Chaired the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors meeting and presented resolutions to outgoing Directors Shawn Nelson and Todd Spitzer.
Appeared on THIS DAY on Village Television in Laguna Woods to discuss the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights with host Ken Goldenberg and Jim Miller, President of the Dana Point Harbor Association.
Participated in the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive Committee retreat in northern California.
My Staff
Attended Christmas at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the grand opening of AMENAH in Laguna Beach.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for India Grill in Laguna Niguel.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Longmi Lashes in Laguna Niguel.
Elected Officials in the Community
For questions or comments regarding my E-Newsletter, please contact my office staff at (714) 834-3550 or email my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, at Sergio.Prince@ocgov.com.