I’m pleased to report my Board colleagues and I unanimously approved an expanded Veterans Employment Preference Policy, which will make Orange County one of the most veteran-friendly counties in the state and increase our ability to successfully attract eligible candidates who are:

• Veterans
• Veterans of National Guard and Reserves
• Spouses of disabled and deceased Veterans

This updated and enhanced policy provides eligible candidates the opportunity to be invited to a hiring interview for employment and paid internship positions if they have successfully met the recruitment qualifications and achieved a passing score for all examination or assessments. This policy is for new employees only, which will allow greater opportunity for veterans to transition into County employment opportunities.

Orange County Veterans have proudly served a prominent role in the defense of our nation, as the County is home to Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base and Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Additionally, we share our southerly border with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. 

The brave men and women of our Armed Forces offer prospective employers exceptional training and advanced skills. We recognize their service, as well as their spouses’ sacrifices, and desire to attract that kind of esprit de corps in our workforce.

For details on the new Veterans Employment Preference Policy, click here. To explore current career opportunities with the County of Orange, click here.

If you thought masks weren’t cool in Orange County, think again. All of Orange County’s 34 mayors have teamed up to send a message to residents, businesses and visitors: “Mask up to open up OC!”

The message comes in a video featuring Orange County’s mayors socially distant and masked up at iconic locations across Orange County, including Laguna Beach’s Festival of the Arts / Pageant of the Masters. The video drives home the point that across diverse Orange County, we are all in this together and must work together to keep fighting coronavirus in our communities.

As Orange County’s COVID-19 case numbers and testing positivity rates continue a dramatic decline, we’re moving toward gradual reopening of more businesses and activities. But as we do so, wearing masks will be more important than ever to ensure we maintain our progress, keep our cases low and prevent another shutdown. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

Neal Kelley, Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV), has released an important message for all Orange County voters. This message includes information on in-person voting options under COVID-19, election security, and our operational plans with the United States Postal Service. To read the message, click here. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

To understand how COVID-19 and the experience of the last months may have lasting effects on public attitudes, working arrangements, and travel behaviors, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) worked with True North Inc., a market research firm, to conduct a scientific survey during July 2020.

The findings will assist OCTA in its mission to develop an integrated and balanced transportation system that reflects the character of Orange County and supports its diverse travel needs. According to the survey, COVID-19 impacts have been dramatic. For more information, click here.

As part of the SafeDineOC Restaurant Program, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has allocated $10 million in Federal CARES Act funding to support local restaurants that are safely reopening.

Restaurants are eligible for up to $5,000 in reimbursements for CARES Act-qualified purchases, such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE), site reconfiguration, employee training, cleaning supplies, etc.

The application period for the grant program ends October 16 or whenever funding is fully allocated, whichever occurs first.

If there are multiple, separate site restaurants under one owner, each restaurant location may apply for up to $5,000 in grant funds. Restaurants must submit a separate application for each location.

Restaurants must acknowledge in writing that grant funds will be spent only on CARES Act-qualified purchases for final reimbursement grant payment. Receipts for purchases made March 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020 are acceptable and must be maintained by grant recipient for 5 years from December 30, 2020.

Approved restaurants participating in the SafeDineOC program must post their attestation in plain sight for their customers and will also have their name featured on this website.

For more information, please click here. If you need assistance with the online application or have additional questions, please email SafeDineOC@ocbc.org.

With flu season now upon us, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is already anticipating the potentially devastating effects of a double whammy of influenza and COVID-19 cases hitting in the fall and winter months and urges everyone to get a flu shot.

Recognizing all of the things that people are worried about, such as paying bills and dealing with the stress of social isolation due to COVID-19, the County is launching a flu vaccine campaign designed to encourage people to get their flu shot so they have one less thing to think about. The tag line is “Don’t worry about the flu, too!”

According to a Centers for Disease Control study of the 2018-19 flu season, of people 19 years of age and older,
48.7% of White people received flu shots, while only 39.4% of Black people and 37.1% of Hispanics received the vaccine. 44% of Asian people were vaccinated. A study conducted in Orange County of the 2015-16 flu season produced very similar breakdowns in people vaccinated.

The flu vaccine will be available as a shot or mist form at the Family Health Clinics by appointment only, 8 AM - 11:30 AM and 1 PM - 4 PM, Monday - Friday. Clinics are closed 11:30 AM - 1 PM. People who live in the County should call 1-800-914-4887 for an appointment. There will also be flu pop-up clinics throughout the community that will be listed here.

The similarities in symptoms between the flu and COVID-19 are startling. Our website features a lot of important resources about the similarities and differences between the two illnesses, as well as treatment and prevention. In order to mitigate the spread of the flu, I urge people to read these materials and get the shot as soon as possible!

John Wayne Airport (JWA) ranked #2 among large airports in North America by J.D. Power's 2020 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, continuing its record of top rankings since it was elevated to the large airport category in 2017. The Airport was ranked #1 among large airports in 2017 and 2018.

John Wayne Airport was compared among large airports with 10 to 32.9 million passengers per year.

The J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study measures overall satisfaction by examining six factors (in order of importance):

• Terminal Facilities
• Airport Arrival/Departure
• Baggage Claim
• Security Check
• Check-In/Baggage Check
• Food, Beverage, and Retail

In the 2020 survey, JWA received the highest security check score of all large airports. For more information, click here.

Earlier this summer, my office completed awarding $14.5 Million in CARES Act funding to numerous small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the fabulous Fifth District through my Small Business Grant Relief Program!

In Laguna Woods presenting a $10,000 ceremonial check to South County Adult Day Services, represented by Mallory Vega (VP of Direct Care Services) and Deloris Matthews (Program Director).

The 5th District Small Business Grant Relief Program launched June 22, providing much needed economic support of up to $10,000 in CARES Act funding grants for small businesses and nonprofits experiencing financial difficulty as a result of COVID-19. Grants were awarded to businesses in nearly every business sector.

Presenting a $10,000 ceremonial check to Aliso Viejo Dental and Ruxanda Preda, DDS.

To that end, I've been pleased to visit with grant award winners in every city in my district at their respective place of business to present them with a ceremonial check in celebration of the occasion. 

In RSM presenting a $10K check to A Small World Doggie Day Care and owner Aaron Berry.

To view our current photo album with grant award winners receiving the ceremonial check, click here. To view a list of all of the 5th District grant award winners, click here.

In Laguna Woods presenting a $10K check to Flowerful and owner Boris Jang.

As reported in my newsletter last week, John Wayne Airport’s K-9 Ambassadors and their handlers in the AirPAWS Therapy Dog Program are excited to be back in the Terminal, welcoming guests and making travel a lot less “ruff” and a lot more “PAWs-itive.”

Through a partnership with OC Animal Allies, certified AirPAWS K-9s and their handlers will roam the Thomas F. Riley Terminal and interact with guests as they wait for their departing flight. Research shows that contact with therapy dogs can provide physical and mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety, diminished pain, and lowered blood pressure in addition to providing comfort and aiding in relaxation.

AirPAWS handlers will wear a face covering and practice Healthy Travels measures implemented throughout the Terminal following County and State guidelines to protect the health and safety of all passengers and guests. To learn more about the ways that we have upgraded our clean and safe to cleaner and safer, please view our Healthy Travels video or www.ocair.com/covid19.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 52,904 positive cumulative cases and 1,204 deaths, as well as 157 currently hospitalized with 50 in ICU.

Please be advised that city data is reflective of where cases live, not necessarily where transmission occurred. Additionally, city numbers should not be interpreted to reflect where transmission is geographically focused or not, as COVID-19 is present in all communities in Orange County.

Case counts are also not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick. Asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.

Because transmission occurs throughout the County, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by the Governor and the Orange County Health Officer regardless of the case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospitals and healthcare system, as well as protect those most vulnerable in our county.

The Orange County COVID-19 Data Dashboard uses a GIS mapping software platform to display data charts, graphs and maps. Specific data is available for viewing in both a Desktop Version as well as a Mobile Version.

Please visit the COVID-19 Data Dashboard and select the Desktop Version or the Mobile Version to view additional information on Orange County COVID-19 cases; then click the tabs at the bottom of the webpage to view specific data charts, graphs and maps.

Join experts from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Administration for Community Living at Health and Human Services (HHS) for a FREE webinar Tuesday, October 6 from 11 AM to 12 PM (PST).

The FTC will begin the program with an overview of coronavirus-related scams targeting older adults. The CFPB will share resources to help older adults avoid financial distress due to the pandemic.

HHS will conclude the webinar with a discussion of the role of the aging network, including Adult Protective Services, legal services attorneys and Long-term Care Ombudsman program experts. The panelists will share government resources for aging service providers and older consumers.

The webinar presenters include:

• Hilary Dalin – HHS, Administration for Community Living
• Lisa Weintraub Schifferle – CFPB, Office for Older Americans
• Colleen Tressler – FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education

Register here!  

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 continue to dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's What You Feel is Real webpage, 

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website. 

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

MacGillivray Freeman Films, based in Laguna Beach, has the inspiration you need for your next adventure! 

In the final episode of their short-form series America’s Treasures - Musical Cities, the MFF crew visits New Orleans, birthplace of jazz and Louis Armstrong, and the place where African, Caribbean, French, Spanish, Native American and other cultures mingle to create a unique culture all its own. Watch here!

Click the image above to watch Americas Treasures: Musical Cities - New Orleans.

Laguna Beach Community Clinic is bringing their 4th Annual SALSA SUNDAY Cuban Salsa Concert to you via live stream October 4 from 3 PM to 4 PM. Safely socialize with family and friends while enjoying this fun community event, featuring the sizzling sound of LA’s Changüí Majadero and mesmerizing moves of professional salsa dancer Kati Hernandez! For more information, click here.

The Ocean Institute, located in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, recently concluded its first Virtual Maritime Festival, a multi-layered interactive and educational event. 

Replacing the annual Tall Ships Festival, Ocean Institute sees their new virtual event as an annual festival moving forward. The inaugural Ocean Institute Maritime Festival was complimentary to all participants, with the goal to further education in all things maritime.

Click here to view all of the live interviews and content from the amazing weekend! To view the Festival's YouTube Playlist, click here.

Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach recently launched its first digital exhibit, foaVIRTUAL, featuring a wide variety of media, including paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass and more. Enjoy reading the artists' bios and learn more about their careers in art!

Festival of Arts has also launched foaTV, an online library of videos created for the fans of the Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters to help the community stay connected while also encouraging the appreciation, study and performance of the arts.

Lastly, you can experience great art from celebrated museums around the globe virtually through the magic of tableaux vivants (or living pictures), as Festival of Arts previously launched #TourDePageant, showcasing past Pageant of the Masters re-creations, with real people posing as works of art. This art-stopping online initiative offers a unique look into some of the most famous museums in the world, all from the comfort of your home.

With society masking-up and practicing social distancing, the arts are needed now more than ever. To that end, Festival of Arts hopes their online initiatives, including foaVIRTUAL, foaTV and #TourDePageant will enrich, entertain and inspire you during this challenging time.

Even though Pacific Symphony has suspended live concerts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a public health precaution, the Symphony will stay in touch online, serving up culture and entertainment. Their Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all of the Symphony’s offerings online! Check back regularly as new musical experiences are always being added!

Pacific Symphony performing with Pacific Chorale.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) hopes you are well and safe at home. While LAM is temporarily closed, they are working remotely to offer art and inspiration online. We believe art has the power to connect us, and we hope that you will enjoy these new ways to stay connected with Laguna Art Museum.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente is the historic home of Ole Hansen, the founder of the city of San Clemente, Casa Romantica invites you to Live Virtually @ the Casa and enjoy world-class arts and culture in your home with highlighted Casa virtual artists and activities. For more information, click here.

Sunset Serenades from your Sofa is a virtual video series. The Laguna Beach Arts Commission postponed the May and June concert series due to COVID-19, but the musicians still wanted to give the community a personal message.

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) provides links to various websites to enjoy At Home Learning opportunities supporting the goals and mission of DSBIA and the California State Parks. These sites offer enrichment of subjects and provide information in a topic of personal interest for both children and adults. For more information, click here.

Mission San Juan Capistrano invites all to visit their Digital Resource Center (DRC) for continued ways to experience, learn, and interact with the Mission through many digital events and video tours. For more information, click here.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) has a Virtual Programs webpage, as OCPL staff worked hard to create some amazing digital content. To that end, OCPL has dozens of virtual programs published on social media (with dozens more in their backlog ready to be published!) and our communities are responding positively to the way we are providing service.

This site is updated regularly. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.