With 2019 quickly coming to a close and 2020 nearly upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very happy and prosperous New Year!

I hope we can all look back at the previous year with a sense of fulfillment, along with great aspirations for the coming year. As Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, I am pleased with what we were able to accomplish at the County of Orange on behalf of our constituents, and I look forward to many more successes!

To view upcoming New Year's Celebrations and other events taking place in South County, please visit the Out & About section of my newsletter below.

From our 5th District family to yours, wishing you a safe and Happy New Year! See you in 2020!

Give yourself the gift of stress-free shopping, visiting, & celebrating. On New Year’s Eve, count on OC Flex to be your designated driver with service till 2 AM.

Relax and enjoy the holiday with safe on-demand rides in one of OCTA's comfortable eight-person OC Flex vans. OC Flex is available in two geographic zones, including parts of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo.

OC Flex is also the perfect choice for family get-togethers during winter break and for students home for the holidays. Passengers 13 and above can ride without adult accompaniment.

Thanks to some special savings, it’s a great time to ride OC Flex for less:

• First ride free - Download the OC Flex mobile app, enter coupon code FREERIDE, and receive a $4.50 credit in your account.
• Ride together and save - 50% off group rides with OC Flex mobile app. Groups must ride with the person who booked the trip. 2/$4.50, 3/$6.75, 4/$9
• Free rides with referrals - Refer a friend through the OC Flex mobile app. You both get a free ride!

Just a reminder – your fare includes unlimited rides all day within each OC Flex zone. Download the app today and enjoy the comfort and convenience of OC Flex. Find out more here.

To help Orange County residents celebrate safely, OCTA is once again offering free rides on fixed-route buses on New Year’s Eve between Tuesday, December 31 at 6 PM and Wednesday, January 1 at 2:30 AM.

More than 157,000 people have taken advantage of this special free bus service since it began 17 years ago. OC Bus is one the safest and most convenient ways to get around on New Year’s Eve or any other day of the year. 

OCTA’s handy trip planner makes it easy for new and experienced riders to determine times and routes. Find the trip planner here along with a map of popular Orange County holiday destinations.

On Christmas and New Year’s Day, OC Bus will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule. Learn more here.

The holidays have come and gone, and many feel like they are in a “holi-daze” after all the commotion. This often leaves people with the looming question of “what now?”

To help alleviate some of the post-holiday stress, our friends at OC Waste & Recycling have some suggestions on how to recycle right and dispose of common holiday items no longer needed.

Ready to get that tree out of your house before it becomes a fire hazard? Contact your local hauler for information on tree pick-up.

Need to get rid of old electronics to make way for the new ones? You can take items to one of Orange County's four FREE Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers.

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get in shape, but the leftovers are causing too much temptation? Click here for healthy tips from the Food Network on how to use your holiday leftovers.

No need to stay up late New Year's Eve in Mission Viejo! Ring in the New Year with crafts, music and fun for the whole family December 31 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Saddleback Room at City Hall, For more information, click here.