Did you know that you can view all County owned properties on our portal, OCREProjects.com?

As reported in my newsletter last week, to celebrate the launch of our new GIS system and alert the Orange County real estate development community that my Board colleagues and I support Public Private Partnerships (P3s), we hosted over 200 real estate professionals to the Orange County Real Estate Developer Symposium last week.

Speaking at the OC Real Estate Developer Symposium.

The County owns nearly 3,000 parcels of land, including park land, flood control parcels, and government buildings. Some of these parcels are vacant and/or underutilized; and the County has not yet addressed how and which parcels should be developed. 

While there is a lot that government can do for our residents, we know private sector experts have a better eye for what some of these properties could include. Working with our real estate team, I challenged developers to visit our portal and bring creative development ideas to the County to provide our communities additional amenities.

At the OC Real Estate Developer Symposium.

The symposium speakers included myself, as well as Supervisor Andrew Do, Mat Miller (Chief Real Estate Officer), Shane Silsby (Director of OC Public Works) and Brian Bauer (Land Development Manager).

We also invited some of our current P3 partners to speak, including Bryon Ward of Burnham Ward, Dan Young (former president of Irvine Company Community Development and current Mind OC board member) and Laura Archuleta of Jamboree Housing. They all talked about the great experience they've had working with the County and the benefits to public-private partnerships.

Bryon Ward (Burnham Ward) speaking at the Symposium.

Our County Real Estate Department also launched a new website at the symposium as a tool for developers to use to view these parcels and participate in brainstorming of ideas for the spaces. The site features an interactive map where you can add overlays of information and mapping, like our Supervisorial districts and the federal government opportunity zones.

Through P3 projects, the County has had great success in revitalizing and developing our communities, such as the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Project and the Laguna Niguel Town Center Project (both in my district) in a way that provides a community benefit while creating a long-term revenue stream for the County.

Dana Point Harbor

Orange County is open for business, and we want to be able to utilize our assets to their greatest capacity. I look forward to receiving ideas and feedback from this wonderful event!

Caltrans, in coordination with the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), is initiating the formal environmental review phase for the South County Traffic Relief Effort (SCTRE).

The state transportation agency is seeking public engagement and input on developing mobility solutions in South County by holding a public scoping meeting along with a 30-day public comment period beginning November 8 and concluding December 9 at 5:00 p.m.

A public scoping meeting will be held Open House format with no formal presentation, and attendees may arrive at any time during the event hours. Public comments will be accepted either verbally through a court-reporter or in writing.

The scoping meeting will be held:

• December 4, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Ocean Institute located at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629.

Public comments will be accepted at the meeting, as well as online at www.sctre.org and via email at scoping@sctre.org. 

Comments can also be mailed to the following address: 

Caltrans District 12, 1750 East 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705, Attn:Env/SCTRE Scoping.

Click here to read Caltrans’ official Public Notice.  Questions about the process can also be sent to Jeff Bott at TCA – jbott@thetollroads.com or 949-754-3458.

Seasonal Armory Emergency Shelter in Santa Ana.

As reported in my newsletter last week, the County of Orange, in partnership with Mercy House Inc. and the California National Guard, has opened the seasonal Armory Emergency Shelter (armory) in Santa Ana. This armory provides up to 200 beds for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The County finds it critical that individuals experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and other necessary services. The Armory Emergency Shelter program expands the County’s capacity to serve those individuals.

Inside the Armory Emergency Shelter in Santa Ana.

The armory typically runs operations during the cold weather season and provides shelter along with a nutritious meal, warm shower, safe place to sleep and a wide variety of supportive services. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and shuttles will begin pick-ups at 6 p.m. from multiple locations to transport program participants to the facility at 612 E. Warner Ave. Walk-ups will not be permitted.

As in previous years, many agencies will provide onsite services aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness and moving individuals to self-sufficiency and independent living. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the County of Orange Health Care Agency and Social Services Agency, Mental Health Association of Orange County, and Orange County Rescue Mission. Donations from nonprofit organizations, churches and individuals add to the available resources to make this program a success.

The Armory Emergency Shelter program is operated by Mercy House through a contract and funding allocated by the Orange County Community Resources department.

As the busy holiday travel season quickly approaches, airports across the country are anticipating another year of record passenger volume. The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most heavily traveled periods, and passengers traveling through John Wayne Airport (JWA) between Friday, November 22 and Monday, December 2 will experience higher-than-normal passenger traffic.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to give thanks and celebrate with family and friends, As passengers take to the skies during the Thanksgiving holiday, we wish everyone safe and pleasant travels.

Passengers are encouraged to plan accordingly to avoid delays and enjoy stress-free holiday travel. To review important tips to go from curbside, through security checkpoints, and arrive at your gate efficiently, please click here. For more travel tips and additional information about John Wayne Airport, visit www.ocair.com.

This year, Metrolink has two magical train journeys to delight you and your family.

On Sunday, December 1, Santa will arrive at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink station via the Holiday Express Train. Climb aboard and get whisked away for a joy-filled journey to Oceanside and back. Tickets are $20 and advance registration is required. Learn more here.

Before you hop on the 11:50 a.m. train, please join us for a free kickoff event at 10:30 a.m. at the station. We’ll have music, refreshments and giveaways to start your special day off right. 

Another don’t-miss family favorite is the special Metrolink train to the Festival of Lights. For 27 years, the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside has delighted visitors with this spectacular event, recognized as one of America’s Best Public Light Displays.

Entry to the festival is free of charge and taking the train is comfortable, convenient and stress-free. A round-trip Festival of Lights train ticket is only $7 and three kids under 18 can ride free with one adult. From November 29 to December 21, Metrolink will offer Friday and Saturday train service to the Riverside - Downtown station from stations along the 91/Perris Valley and Inland Empire-Orange County lines.

Riverside is easy to reach from Orange County on the Perris Valley/91 Metrolink line. Climb aboard and enjoy a relaxing time with your family and leave the hassles of driving and parking behind. From the Riverside Metrolink Station, catch a free shuttle to the Mission Inn. Click here for schedules and more information.

On Thanksgiving and Christmas, Metrolink will offer a $10 Holiday discounted ticket good for unlimited rides throughout the system that day, making it even more affordable for Southern California residents to take Metrolink to beaches and visit family and friends.

Metrolink will operate on a Sunday schedule on these days. The Sunday schedule includes service on the Antelope Valley, San Bernardino, Orange County, 91/Perris Valley and Inland Empire-Orange County lines. Metrolink trains will not operate on the Ventura County Line, the Riverside Line nor to the four stations on the Perris Valley Line extension.

The $10 Holiday ticket can be bought on the Metrolink Mobile App or at Ticket Vending Machines at Metrolink Stations found under "special ticket options."

Please visit the following pages to view the latest information about service on these federally recognized holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

On Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, OC Bus will operate on a Sunday schedule. View the holiday schedules here and download them from the Bus Book.

New to OC Bus? Get two free passes, learn how to ride, and download the OC Bus mobile app here.

Relax and let someone else do the driving as you enjoy the season!

Inspired by its rich heritage, natural scenery, and stunning architecture, the late landscape artist Sigrid “Jan” Mecklenburg was drawn to paint the “Jewel of the California Missions,” also known as the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Her artwork is currently on display in the John Wayne Airport Community Focus Space through December 17.

Rich in California’s multi-cultural history, Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes visitors both locally and from afar to what’s often referred to as the birthplace of Orange County. Travelers, students, and history enthusiasts alike who travel through John Wayne Airport are sure to enjoy Jan Mecklenburg’s vibrant work.

Feeling encouraged to paint by her surroundings in Trabuco Canyon, nature served as an inspiration for many of Mecklenburg’s paintings. With a short drive from home, she spent many days at Mission San Juan Capistrano, where she painted multiple scenes depicting how the mission looked in the past and present, always including flowers and beautiful skies.

Mecklenburg died from breast cancer in October 2017. Her exhibit may be viewed (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4. For more information, click here.

This week, I adjourned the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Carolyn Wood of Laguna Beach, who passed away November 1 at the age of 90.

Upon doing so, my Board colleagues and I collectively signed signed and framed a document known as an Adjournment in Memoriam, which is to be presented to her next of kin. To view the Adjournment in Memoriam, please click on the image below.

Click the image above to enlarge,

The announcement of Carolyn's passing was made at the November dinner meeting of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy (LCC), a nonprofit organization she co-founded in 1986 and served as its President until 2016. She was then named President Emerita upon retiring from the LCC Board.

In November 1989. the Conservancy was the lead sponsor of "The Walk to Save Laguna Canyon," in which an estimated 8,000+ people marched up Laguna Canyon Road to preserve and protect the habitat from previously proposed massive development. 

L-R: At a Laguna Canyon Conservancy meeting earlier this year with Councilwoman Toni Iseman, LCC leaders Gene Felder and Harry Huggins, and President Emerita Carolyn Wood.

In honor of her outstanding commitment to her community and the environment, the City Council of Laguna Beach renamed the Laguna Canyon View Knoll as the "Carolyn Wood View Knoll." Situated above the Top of the World Reservoir, the 471-acre knoll has a dramatic 360-degree view of South County.

Carolyn also served the City of Laguna Beach as a member and Chair of the Open Space Committee, as well as the Parking, Traffic, and Circulation Committee.

In addition, Carolyn served on the Boards of the Laguna Canyon Foundation, Top of the World Neighborhood Association, and Orange County Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks.

Furthermore, Carolyn represented the Fifth Supervisorial District on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Citizens Advisory Committee under former Orange County Supervisor Tom Wilson. Needless to say, she will be greatly missed! To view an excellent PowerPoint presentation on the wonderful life and times of the late Carolyn Wood, please click here.

Carolyn Wood: A Legacy of Accomplishment

The Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Festival grounds in Laguna Beach takes place Saturdays & Sundays through December 22. This annual holiday event features 180 artists and craft makers, 3 stages of live music, holiday-themed festival classes and ceramics, art demonstrations, daily visits with Santa, Christmas carolers, a petting zoo, marionette shows, falling snow, thousands of lights and decorations for your perfect festive photo ops, outdoor cafes and saloon, and much more! Click here for more information.

Located in the beautiful Dana Point Harbor, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is celebrating 42 years!  Our flat, scenic race features a 10k, 5k and Kids Gobble Wobble.  Join us on Thanksgiving Day and give yourself an excuse for an extra piece of pie! Click here for more information.

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association has released the November 2019 edition of its e-newsletter, The Doheny UPDATE, featuring information on upcoming events and activities at Doheny State Beach.

Join the celebration December 1 as Santa arrives in Mission Viejo! The celebration begins at 3 PM. and this spectacular event is open to “children” of all ages. There will be game and activity booths where children can do “make and take” items and also build an ornament to help decorate Santa’s workshop trees. Click here for more information.

The Drive-Thru Nativity in Mission Viejo has been a FREE community Christmas tradition since 1994.

Don't miss this life-size retelling of the Christmas Story on December 6 & 7 from the comfort of your own car, complete with live actors and animals, including narration through your car radio! You can also enjoy the Drive-Thru Nativity on foot, just park nearby and walk-thru! Bring the whole family to this FREE annual event at Mount of Olives Church, a community Christmas tradition since 1994! For more information, please click here.

Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa will be arriving December 7 at the Laguna Hills Community Center for a morning full of holiday fun! Join us for a special celebration complete with a scrumptious breakfast, photos with Santa, and holiday crafts! Children and adults must register/pay to attend this event. Click here for more information.

"Puttin' On The Glitz" in San Clemente takes place December 7 on the 100 & 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar from 5 PM to 9 PM. Enjoy an evening of shopping, dining and local entertainment, including a visit with Santa Claus, Christmas carolers, a beer & wine garden, train rides for the kids, and many more holiday treats. Click here for more info.

• Chaired the regular meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, presented a resolution in recognition of November as National Adoption Awareness Month, and adjourned the meeting in memory of Carolyn Wood of Laguna Beach.
• Participated in a CSAC meeting with Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of the State of California, to discuss Trial Court Security. 
• Attended the OCBC Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Reception.
• Participated in the OCTA Legislation & Communications meeting.
• Participated in the OCFA Board of Directors meeting.

Presenting a resolution in recognition of Adoption Awareness Month.

L-R: With OC CEO Frank Kim, Supervisor Don Wagner, and CSS Director Steve Eldrid at the OCBC Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Reception.

• Attended the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Outlets at San Clemente, featuring the World's Tallest Tree by the Sea.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Capistrano Boxing Gym in San Juan Capistrano.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Flip Flop Shops in San Clemente.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for RSM Arts in Rancho Santa Margarita.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince (center), at the ribbon cutting for Flip Flop Shops in San Clemente.

At the ribbon cutting for Capistrano Boxing Gym in San Juan Capistrano.

At the ribbon cutting for RSM Arts in Rancho Santa Margarita.
(Photo courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)

At the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Outlets at San Clemente - The World's Tallest Tree by the Sea!