November 1621: The Plymouth Feast

Thanksgiving - a day to give thanks with family, friends and loved ones - commemorates the history of the Pilgrims’ Mayflower voyage to America.

Upon arriving, the Pilgrims struggled to survive, until the Wampanoag tribe offered them vital help in establishing their new lives. To celebrate the kindness offered to them, both the Wampanoags and the Pilgrims shared an autumn feast, considered by many to to be the first Thanksgiving celebration.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day holiday to be celebrated every November. Because of the kindness of the Wampanoag tribe centuries ago, family and friends have come together in fellowship for many generations to enjoy a wonderful meal and give thanks.

On behalf of my office, we wish you and yours a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

At last week's Board of Supervisors meeting, I voted to oppose an item that advances a project known as the Yale Transitional Center (YTC), a proposed 400-bed homeless shelter in Santa Ana, which will replace the existing Courtyard facility located in an open bus terminal in Santa Ana.

Site of the Yale Transitional Center, which will replace The Courtyard shelter.

While the item specifically pertained to the lease and construction of the project, I voted to oppose it as a result of a discussion about the operational plan, which includes improvements to managing the shelter. but unfortunately it also creates barriers to serving some of Orange County’s most vulnerable homeless individuals.

Inside The Courtyard shelter in Santa Ana.

The Courtyard currently allows walk-ins and walk-ups and serves all homeless people until capacity is reached. However, with the replacement of The Courtyard and creation of the YTC, there are several changes to the shelter’s operational plan.

Positive proposed changes I do support include creation of a reservation and referral system to replace The Courtyard’s current drop-in policy, as it will improve overall management and operations of the shelter while minimizing impacts to surrounding communities. However, the operational plan could also include a provision that the new shelter would exclusively serve cities in the Central region of Orange County only.

While I understand the need to prioritize access to beds for the local homeless community, I cannot support a project that only serves certain OC cities, particularly when it is fully funded by County dollars and payed for by all the taxpayers in Orange County, including those I represent in South County.

I do not believe homeless individuals currently in South County should be denied access to resources solely due to the City from which they came. As such, when the operational plan returns to our Board for a vote, I will continue to fight for access for South County cities. The YTC is expected to be completed in 2021. 

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.

The Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton is operating on a 24-hour basis with coordination and support from the California Military Department through Friday morning to provide shelter and protection to residents experiencing homelessness during the current and predicted rain.

Due to the anticipated severe weather event in Orange County and the region, the County of Orange, in conjunction with Mercy House Living Centers, is providing shelter services all day at the Santa Ana and Fullerton armories. The armories are scheduled to resume regular operations the evening of Friday with operating hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
 
The Santa Ana and Fullerton armories provide a total of up to 400 beds per night. Individuals experiencing homelessness will receive a nutritious meal, a warm shower and a safe place to sleep.

In addition to the seasonal armories, the County operates The Courtyard Transitional Center in Santa Ana and Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim. For more info about County shelters, click here. 

With the busy holiday travel season now upon us, 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) through 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. To that end, 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.

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!

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 December 4, along with a 30-day public comment period 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.

The Environmental Health Division of the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) advises swimmers that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, close to storm drains, and the outlets of creeks and rivers during and after rainstorms. 

The elevated bacterial levels in the coastal ocean waters may continue for a period of at least 3 days, depending upon the intensity of the rain and volume of the runoff. Swimmers should avoid Orange County coastal waters during this time, and beach users should avoid contact with any runoff on the beach.

Storm drains, creeks, and rivers carry floodwaters and urban runoff to the ocean. Urban runoff may include fertilizers, road oils, animal wastes, and litter. During and after rain events, discharges may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources, such as animal wastes and decomposing vegetation. 

Sewage is not normally present in the storm runoff since the sewer system is separate from the storm drain system. In the event of a sewage spill, the Environmental Health Division will quarantine the affected ocean or bay water area.

For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay, or harbor postings and closures, call (714) 433-6400 or visit ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, call (714) 433-6419.

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

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.

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.

• Officially flipped the switch to turn-on the holiday lights in Dana Point Harbor in anticipation of the upcoming Boat Parade of Lights. The Harbor Lighting Ceremony was held adjacent to Candy Cane Lane, in front of Coffee Importers. Be sure to stop by Coffee Importers this season and try their world famous Nog-a-chino, a hot & delicious holiday-classic beverage, and tell them Supervisor Lisa Bartlett sent you!

Flipping the switch to turn-on the holiday lights in Dana Point Harbor.

With Jim Miller of Coffee Importers (home of the world famous Nog-a-chino) and Susan Lieb of Dana Point Harbor Partners at the Lighting Ceremony.

With Keith & Barbara Johannes of Dana Point Historical Society, enjoying Nog-a-chinos from Coffee Importers at the Harbor Lighting Ceremony.

With my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince.