I hope your Christmas and Holiday Season were filled with great joy and wonderful times shared with family and friends. As we look forward to celebrating the coming New Year, I wish you all much success, a healthy and long life, and a fresh and promising new start.
Please look for my newsletter to return in mid-January. Until then, from our 5th District family to yours, wishing you and yours a safe and Happy New Year!
2018: The Year at a Glance
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to you for engaging with my office and giving me the opportunity to serve our wonderful community for another year.
2018 was a very productive year, filled with many meaningful wins for South County. As such, I want to highlight a few of the successful projects the Board of Supervisors was able to achieve in collaboration with other agencies that has made our lives safer, healthier, and more efficient.
To that end, the following projects were major steps forward in our overarching goal to help make Orange County the greatest place in the world to live, work, travel, and play:
I very much appreciate your support and look forward to many other successful ventures in 2019!
Memorable Moments in 2018 included:
Bartlett Bulletin
Enjoy "Happy Harbor Days" in Dana Point Harbor!
While Christmas and the Boat Parade of Lights have passed, the magic of the holidays still shines brightly in Dana Point Harbor! Through January 6, I invite you to gather with friends and family for a stroll through the 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 the New Year 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 before it's gone! 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 the 2018 Boat Parade of Lights and awards breakfast, check out the photo album!
2019 Point In Time Count of the Homeless
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.
Holiday Travel Tips from John Wayne Airport
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 through 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.
Out and About in South County
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 31.
This Week My Office
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport in San Juan Capistrano.
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.