What a year 2020 has been for all of us - a real roller coaster of ups and downs and sideway turns - to say the very least! And here we are again, preparing for what will undoubtedly be another one-of-a-kind year, but we will get through it, together!

Over the past year, I have had the honor of serving as President of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), as this week I passed the gavel on to new leadership.

Being installed late last year as 2020 CSAC President.

When I assumed the CSAC Presidency, I knew it was going to be a busy year and looked forward to the many opportunities and challenges, but I certainly did not anticipate our devastating wildfires, heading into a recession with rising unemployment and, of course, the onset of a global pandemic that threw a curve ball at all of us.

The challenges counties faced were significant and overwhelming at times, but I drew comfort and strength from knowing that we were all in this together, helping each other in every imaginable way, and we will continue to do so in 2021, because that is what we do. 

Presiding as 2020 President with my fellow CSAC officers.

While certainly challenging, my role as President opened many opportunities for California counties, especially Orange County, to have our voices heard. It was an important year for our county to have a seat at the table and participate in discussions with the Governor, his administration, as well as state and federal representatives, regarding COVID-19, mental health and homelessness, all of which led to county budget shortfalls.

With the Governor and CSAC leadership in Sacramento.

To the CSAC staff, my fellow Officers, Executive Committee and Board members, I am humbled and deeply appreciative of your support, collaboration and dedication to ensure CSAC has an important voice and continues to have a seat at the negotiating table.

To my Orange County family, especially our County CEO, Frank Kim, who will be serving next year as President of the CSAC affiliate California Association of County Executives, thank you all for keeping me on track and the excellent working relationship you developed with the CSAC staff.

At my CSAC installation ceremony with Orange County CEO Frank Kim, OC Department Heads, and my staff.

Collectively, with all of us together as part of the CSAC family, our team effort allowed us to face challenges, take advantage of opportunities, and forge a path for a better future for our counties, as we will continue that great momentum into 2021. To that end, CSAC will remain a strong and respected advocate for all California counties, both in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.  

As immediate Past President, I look forward to continuing our work in 2021 and welcome the opportunity to serve alongside CSAC’s new leadership, including President – Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore; First Vice President – Siskiyou County Supervisor Ed Venezuela; and Second Vice President and Urban Caucus representative – Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you. My time as CSAC President was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for which I will be forever grateful. As such, I promise to be there every step of the way to support and represent Orange County and the other 57 County Supervisors, as well as the CSAC team.

Wishing you much health and happiness throughout the holiday season and in the coming year! To view a video presented to me this week by CSAC in recognition and appreciation of my term as 2020 President, please click here or on the image below. 

Click the image above to view my appreciation video from CSAC.

Upon assessment of the recent and unprecedented rate of increase in COVID-19 cases across state, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is taking immediate actions to help prevent further spread of the virus. 

To that end, the State Public Health Officer has issued a Limited Stay at Home Order, effective in counties under Tier One (Purple) of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, including Orange County, requiring that all gatherings with members of other households and all activities conducted outside the residence, lodging, or temporary accommodation with members of other households cease between 10 PM and 5 AM, except for those activities associated with the operation, maintenance or usage of critical infrastructure, or required by law.

Nothing in this order prevents any number of persons from the same household from leaving their residence, lodging, or temporary accommodation, as long as they do not engage in any interaction with (or otherwise gather with) any number of persons from any other household, except as specifically permitted herein. 

This order shall take effect November 21 at 10 PM and remain in effect until 5 AM, December 21, and may be extended or revised as needed. For more information, click here.

On Monday this week, the state also pulled an emergency brake in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, putting more than 94 percent of California’s population, including Orange County, in the most restrictive tier. The state will reassess data continuously and move more counties back into a more restrictive tier, if necessary. California is also strengthening its face covering guidance to require individuals to wear a mask whenever outside their home, with limited exceptions.

In addition, the state issued a travel advisory late last week, along with Oregon and Washington, urging people entering the state or returning home from travel outside the state to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus. The travel advisory urges against non-essential out-of-state travel, asks people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country, and encourages residents to stay local. For a listing of COVID-19 State Guidance Documents, click here. 

Holiday travel may look different this year, as airports across the nation are implementing safe travel measures for what is traditionally a busy travel season. Passengers traveling through John Wayne Airport during the Thanksgiving holiday between November 20 through November 30 can expect to experience a number of measures designed to keep Airport guests safe.

As passengers take to the skies this holiday season, we urge everyone to be mindful of safe and healthy travel practices. Passengers are encouraged to review the Airport’s Healthy Travels practices and plan accordingly to avoid delays and enjoy stress-free holiday travel. For more information, click here. To view the JWA Healthy Travels video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image for the JWA Healthy Travels video.

Hoag and JWA officials have announced plans for the Fly Well Clinic, a first-of-its-kind health care facility will offer travelers health services including office visits, telehealth consultations, immunizations, treatment of cold and flu symptoms and prescriptions.

The partnership represents the first airport health clinic in Orange County and comes at a time of heightened health awareness among passengers and Airport employees.

In advance of the Fly Well Clinic’s official opening next spring, Hoag is currently hosting a Pop-Up Health Fair at JWA.  Located across from Gate 10 in Terminal B (post security), Hoag will offer Airport guests complimentary flu vaccinations and screenings, nutrition and exercise tips for travelers, virtual reality health demonstrations and more.

Hoag Pop-Up Health Fair currently at JWA. 

The permanent 850-square-foot Fly Well Clinic, opening in spring 2021, will offer an onsite licensed health care provider, general health and wellness information and other services, including:

• On-site office visits
• Treatment of cold and flu symptoms
• Rapid COVID-19 testing
• Vaccinations – including flu shots
• Virtual Reality demonstration, including relaxation and mindfulness journeys
• Blood pressure and other vital screenings
• On demand telehealth appointments

The Fly Well Clinic also will provide travelers and Airport employees with the ability to access Hoag doctors through on-demand telehealth appointments including video visits.

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the Orange County Board of Supervisors is calling on residents to safely connect with their elderly neighbors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Happy Holidays Neighbor! is a public awareness micro-campaign targeted at raising awareness of the dangers related to senior isolation and suggesting ways everyday citizens can reach out and make a difference.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, there are many public health risks linked to social isolation and loneliness. With one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older considered to be socially isolated, this makes seniors more susceptible to increased risk of serious medical conditions, such as dementia and heart disease.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic threatens to further cut off seniors from regular social engagement as well as limit their ability to access needed food, supplies and medication. During the holiday period, seniors face further challenges related to gift buying, mailing packages and decorating their home exteriors.

The Happy Holidays Neighbor! public awareness micro-campaign suggests ways to connect and support seniors this holiday season in COVID-safe ways that focus on physical distancing but still maintain a social connection. It features a printable postcard that neighbors can fill out and send to local seniors, asking what assistance they need and providing the neighbor’s contact information. Additionally, the micro-campaign provides information about County and local senior resources that are important during the holiday season.

The physical health of our seniors is critical, but we can’t overlook the importance of mental health. The holidays are a time to come together to show how much we care for the health and well-being of our seniors.

For more information on how residents can support neighbors in their community, please visit the Orange County Office on Aging website.

Recognizing the stresses that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having on OC residents, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is launching three new mental health awareness campaigns in the coming weeks, with the first one aimed at reducing the stigma in support of wellness and recovery, as the other two are focused on suicide prevention.

Introduced a year ago, StigmaFreeOC is launching a new advertising and community outreach campaign on Nov. 5. This campaign addresses the stigma surrounding mental illness and alcohol and drug misuse so everyone is supported in getting the help that they need. Engaging 15-second video ads show a person’s face veiled by animated swirls of textured colors, then transitioning to reveal the human face with the poignant message: See the person not the condition.

Reducing the stigma associated with these conditions is even more important, as many adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and wellbeing, such as “... increases in alcohol consumption or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%), due to worry and stress over the coronavirus," according to Kaiser Family Foundation.

Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn will be used as the primary platforms for promoting the Stigma Free OC campaign along with digital and print ads in Orange County. The campaign website, StigmaFreeOC.com, provides behavioral health resources as well as the opportunity to sign a pledge to support a stigma-free community in Orange County. Individuals and organizations that take the StigmaFreeOC pledge are listed on the website.  

In addition, the first suicide prevention campaign, Help is Here, focusing on adult males, will roll out in early November and run through the end of the year targeting the holiday season, which has historically shown greater incidents of suicide. The campaign includes outdoor billboards, television and radio spots, transit shelter ads, digital and social media placements. Multiple ad executions were created to reflect real men representing this high-risk group. 

Suicide is also a major concern when it comes to young people. According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. The Be A Friend For Life campaign directs youth to reach out to friends who exhibit warning signs of suicide and seek professional support.

The campaign targets youth ages 15 to 22-years old, with a specific focus on the LGBTQ+, foster youth and high-achiever demographics who are at higher-risk for suicide. The campaign will appear in transit shelters, and digital and social media.

COVID-19 has brought to the forefront many of the behavioral health issues people were already facing before the pandemic. We hope that by raising awareness and providing critical resources, we can help turn someone’s life around, and give them an opportunity for a brighter future.

For more on these campaigns, please visit:

• StigmaFreeOC.com
• HelpIsHereOC.com
• BeAFriendForLife.com

For more information about mental health and suicide prevention resources, visit OC Health Care Agency’s Behavioral Health Services. 

Orange County last week began a risk-limiting audit of the 2020 Presidential General Election Results. The ballot comparison audit is not required under California law, and is being conducted in addition to the one percent manual tally of precincts.

The risk-limiting audit is a procedure that provides strong statistical evidence that the election outcome is correct, or has a high probability of correcting an outcome that wouldn't match a full hand count of the ballots. The audit itself requires human beings to examine and verify more ballots in close contests and fewer ballots in contests with wider margins.

To view the most current election results in Orange County, click here. For more information, click here. 

A 55-hour closure of the northbound I-5 off- and on-ramps at Avery Pkwy. is scheduled from 10 PM Friday, Nov. 20 through 5 AM Monday, Nov. 23, as part of the reconstruction of the Avery Parkway Interchange. The southbound ramps will be fully open and operational. 

When the I-5 Freeway Widening Project is completed, the Avery Parkway will nearly double in size, increasing capacity and improving operations, making it easier to access business, educational and residential destinations in the area.

Click image for more info.

DETOUR: Motorists traveling northbound I-5 can exit at either Junipero Serra Rd. or Crown Valley Pkwy. Motorists can continue to access northbound I-5 via the Crown Valley Pkwy. on-ramp. Signage will be in place to assist motorists.  

During this closure, motorists will be able to travel on Avery Parkway between Camino Capistrano and Marguerite Parkway, as one westbound and one eastbound lane will remain open at all times on Avery Pkwy. Access to businesses in the area will be maintained. For more information, click here.

In addition to serving on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also pleased to serve on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors.

During a recent virtual meeting, OCTA shared information about a Multimodal Transportation Study with 21 elected officials and city staff to seek feedback on future transportation solutions. Participants represented South Orange County to focus on a strategic transportation study that will consider the future transportation needs of residents, commuters, and visitors.

Through collaboration with local stakeholders, the study will identify a broad range of improvement recommendations for all types of transportation, including streets, transit, freeways and bikeways. The area covered by the study encompasses about 40 percent of Orange County, generally south of SR-55 to the San Diego County line, and from the coast to the foothills.

After hearing about the outreach efforts, the elected officials weighed in on many topics, including ways to alleviate congestion, active transportation, and the impacts of COVID-19. Two other roundtables are expected to be conducted before the study concludes in late 2021. For more information about the South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study, click here.

With our year-round good weather and range of roadways, Orange County is a great place to ride a bike. To help keep riders safe and informed, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA recently) updated its comprehensive OC Bikeways Map.

Prepared in collaboration with many of the cities depicted, the map clearly indicates the four classes of bikeways and their elevations. The information makes it easier for cyclists to decide what challenges they want to tackle during their outings.

In addition, the map includes useful safety tips and advice for taking bikes on Metrolink trains and OC buses. To view the map, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to enlarge
and scroll down for more information.

In addition to serving on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also pleased to serve on the Governing Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD).

During late fall and early winter, South Coast AQMD asks residents to participate in our Check Before You Burn program by not burning wood in fireplaces when unhealthful air quality is forecasted. Under the program, which is intended to help improve wintertime air quality, South Coast AQMD may issue mandatory No-Burn alerts through the end of February.

No-Burn alerts are issued for 24-hour periods for residential wood-burning fireplaces, backyard fire pits, and wood stoves, when emissions and stagnant weather conditions raise fine particulate pollution to unhealthy levels. Alerts are typically issued for the entire South Coast Air Basin, which encompasses all of Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

There are three ways you can Check Before You Burn:

• E-Mail Notification Program - Sign up to receive Air Alerts on air quality and to be notified when a mandatory No-Burn alert has been issued for your neighborhood.
• Check Before You Burn Map - Visit the Check Before You Burn map on our website for daily forecast information.
• Toll-Free Phone Number - Call 866-966-3293 for daily Check Before You Burn information.

Click the image above for more info.

This week, my office had the pleasure of presenting a certificate of recognition at the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony for Perspire Sauna Studio. 

Dana Point Councilman Jamey Federico (left) and my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince (right) at the ribbon cutting for Perspire Sauna Studio.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 68,336 positive cumulative cases and 1,540 deaths, as well as 333 currently hospitalized with 102 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 County of Orange is conducting a survey of attitudes toward vaccination for COVID-19, which will be of great assistance in planning for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

It will take less than five minutes to complete a simple questionnaire regarding your attitude about being vaccinated against COVID-19. You need not to give your name nor any other identifying information. All responses are anonymous and confidential. For more information, click here.

If you thought wearing masks wasn’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.

Many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet. Unfortunately, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money. Now would be a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys used by scammers for COVID-19.

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters.    

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 episode seven of MFF's Trails & Trailblazers series, Ariel Tweto and astronaut John Herrington head to Florida for a visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, where years earlier John lifted off on his visit to space. Then it's off to North Carolina for a stop on the Appalachian Trail with record-breaking thru-hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, who set a world record for the fastest time to complete the 2,185-mile trail - 46 days, 11 hours & 20 minutes! Watch here!

Click above to watch Trails & Trailblazers: Florida & Appalachian Trail

For over 130 years, National Geographic has hosted some of the leading scientists, conservationists, photographers, and storytellers to share their stories live at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Now you can watch their inspiring and thought-provoking stories from anywhere! 

Watch on-demand stories from top National Geographic Explorers about their fascinating adventures and discoveries and spark your inner Explorer without leaving home. For more more information, click here of on the image below.

Click the image above to Be Inspired!

Council on Aging - Southern California recently presented An Evening of Comedy, featuring hilarious comedic performances by Frances Dilorinzo (a 5th District constituent), Fritz Coleman and Craig Shoemaker! If you were not able to watch the event live or want to relive the fun of the evening, the video of the event is available now on their YouTube channel!

Although Pacific Symphony has suspended live concerts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a public health precaution, Pacific 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 continuously being added!

Pacific Symphony performing with Pacific Chorale.

In their first self-produced virtual choir, Pacific Chorale sings a stirring performance of Bobby McFerrin's heart-felt setting of The 23rd Psalm, dedicated to his mother, Sara. Sara McFerrin was an accomplished singer, veteran music educator here in Orange County, and a longtime Board member of Pacific Chorale. She passed away last December.

Sara and Bobby McFerrin

Pacific Chorale dedicates this virtual performance of "The 23rd Psalm (Dedicated to My Mother)" to all who have suffered illness and loss due to COVID-19. To view the video, click on the image below.

Click on the image above to the video.

Cirque du Soleil is proud to present CirqueConnect, offering an escape from everyday life through the delight and whimsy of their shows. Now more than ever, they want to do their little part to spread joy, even from afar, directly to your safe spaces. Let them welcome you into their world, where awe-inspiring show footage and fan favorite videos will transport you. Click the image below and enjoy the show!

Click the image above to enjoy Cirque du Soleil!

The Ocean Institute, located in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, in September 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.