The holidays are in full swing and Christmas is almost upon us! The love, hope and happiness of the season makes this a cherished time of year, as we gather with one another in fellowship and appreciation of the many blessings we share. It is my hope and prayer that you are able to celebrate the holidays with family, friends and loved ones in the true spirit of Christmas.

From our Fifth District family to yours, wishing you a safe and joyous holiday!

Dana Point Harbor recently celebrated the holidays with two spectacular weekends of the 44th Annual Boat Parade of Lights and fun displays of this year’s theme, “A Western Wonderland!” 

To that end, the annual boat parade awards breakfast was held last Sunday to recognize this year's many wonderful entries, including the winner of my "Spirit of OC" award (seen above).

While the Boat Parade of Lights has passed, the magic of the season still shines brightly in Dana Point Harbor! Now through January 6, I invite you to gather with friends and family for a stroll through Dana Point Harbor and experience the stunning light displays during “Happy Harbor Days!”

The enchanting displays are free to enjoy and feature intricate light creations, including Candy Cane Lane, the “Merry Kiss Me” arch, lighted trees, and much more!

During this festive holiday season and beyond, Dana Point Harbor offers a cornucopia of shopping and dining options, in addition to amazing harbor views and awe-inspiring sunsets!

Celebrate “Happy Harbor Days” at Dana Point Harbor and enjoy the magical holiday adventure! For more information, please visit DanaPointHarbor.com or read the full press release.

To see more images of the wonderland that still awaits you in Dana Point Harbor, as well as photos of this year's boat parade and awards breakfast, check out the photo album!

As Chairwoman of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, 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.

The local community also 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.

One of the fundamental aspects of ending homelessness in Orange County is determining how many people in our community need assistance. Without that data, it's very difficult to determine the resources required, potential costs involved, and to what degree we're succeeding.

Next month, Orange County will embark upon one of the most important tasks of this ongoing campaign. The biennial Point in Time count, taking place January 23-24, will determine how many people are experiencing homelessness on a given night as compared to previous counts.

This effort is critical in two respects. First of all, it happens only once every two years. As such, participation by volunteers to gain accurate data is essential. Secondly, due to new methodology, results this year will produce the most accurate count we've ever had. This will greatly help us with enacting solutions in ways not possible previously.

To that end, I urge you to consider volunteering for the Point in Time count to support our deployment centers or serve as hands-on field surveyors. If you are unable to volunteer but would like to help, you can also donate funds to support the $5 one-day bus passes that will be distributed as a "Thank You" to the homeless individuals participating in the survey.

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:

• Donating online to Operation Santa Claus and/or Senior Santa & Friends.
• Donating new and unwrapped toys in collection boxes at every Orange County Branch Library. 
• 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.

Click here to read the press release about Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends.

In the wake of record-breaking travel days during earlier holiday periods this year, the Transportation Security Administration expects record numbers of air travelers during the holiday season from December 19 to January 5.

As such, demand for parking at JWA is expected to be high. The Airport recommends passengers consider using all available parking options, including Terminal-adjacent Parking Structures A1, A2, B2 and C, as well as curbside Valet Parking and the Main Street Parking Lot with free shuttle to the Riley Terminal.

Travelers are highly advised to plan ahead and check real-time flight status, parking availability, and other useful travel tips on the JWA website.

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.

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!

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.

• Participated in the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting and presented resolutions to outgoing Supervisors Shawn Nelson and Todd Spitzer.
• Participated as 1st Vice President in the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive Committee meeting in San Francisco. 
• Presented a certificate of recognition to my outgoing office intern, Kenzie De Keyser.
• Hosted our annual Holiday Open House in my office at the Hall of Administration.

Presenting Board Resolutions to outgoing Supervisors Shawn Nelson and Todd Spitzer.

With my staff, presenting a certificate of recognition to our outgoing office intern, Kenzie De Keyser (center).

• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Oliver's Osteria in Laguna Beach.Participated as a judge during the 44th Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights and presented my "Spirit of OC" Supervisor's Award to Furlough Daze at the annual awards breakfast held at Harpoon Henry's.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the 110th birthday celebration for Irv Piken in Laguna Woods.
• Presented a proclamation in honor of the retirement celebration for Sandra Dow at the Orange County Association of Realtors office in Laguna Hills.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Oliver's Osteria in Laguna Beach.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, with Dana Point Harbor Association Executive Director Kim Tilly, presenting my "Spirit of OC" Supervisor's Award at the Boat Parade of Lights awards breakfast.

Presenting a certificate of recognition at the ribbon cutting for Oliver's Osteria in Laguna Beach.

Irv Piken of Laguna Woods celebrates his 110th birthday!