Please plan to virtually attend an upcoming OC Human Relations public meeting to address racism in Orange County. For more information or to register now, please click here.

As previously reported in my newsletter, the Board of Supervisors recently approved two resolutions, one from myself, titled “County of Orange Stands in Solidarity to Denounce All Hate Crimes,” and the other from Chair Andrew Do, Supervisor, First District, titled “OC Board of Supervisors Commitment to Action Against Racism.”

The action was prompted due to the alarming upsurge in COVID-related hate crimes in Orange County against the Asian American community, which has increased over 10-fold in the past year, as presented to our Board by Orange County Human Relations.

As elected leaders, our words clearly matter, since we've learned all to well that many individuals continue to take their cues from us. As such, we must make it abundantly clear that perpetrators of hate have no place in Orange County and will not be tolerated, as our actions ultimately speak louder than our words. The time is now for people of goodwill to lead by example and serve as role models of respect and kindness toward other communities that may be different than our own. We can and must do better!

To that end, I look forward to expeditiously and diligently working with my Board colleagues, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Office of the Orange County District Attorney, County of Orange staff, Orange County Human Relations, community leaders of color, as well as all people of goodwill regardless of color, in addressing race-based hate together.

I also urge all Orange County residents who witness any incidents of hate or social injustice to report it to OC Human Relations at (714) 480-6580, and to local law enforcement so justice can be served. For more information on how to be part of the solution in Orange County, please visit OCHumanRelations.org.

Moreover, I cordially invite you and others to join OC Human Relations at a very important upcoming community stakeholder meeting, Addressing Race-Based Hate Together. For more information or to register now, please click the image below.

For more info or to register now, click the image above.

In times like these, it's important now more than ever to resolve conflicts, face down hate or level the playing field. To that end, I invite you to please join OC Human Relations as they embark on 30 years by kicking off a year-long celebration with events and dialogues on race relations!

On Tuesday, April 27, 5 PM - 7 PM, please join OC Together Dialogue on Race Relations for honest, powerful and sometimes difficult conversations on Race Relations, Equity & Justice. Dialogues are open to anyone in Orange County seeking to understand race relations through active listening and learning. Explore, listen and learn from each other through respectful dialogue. For more information, click here.

In case you missed it last week, please allow me reiterate. I do not and will not support a government mandate for residents of Orange County to show proof of vaccination to receive any type of county government services. That is not the role of the government. The option to receive a vaccine has been, and should always be, an individual choice for everyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine.  

While, the idea of mandating a vaccine “passport” has been discussed across the globe as a tool for returning to normalcy, I do not support any such mandate. We live in a country that is based upon protecting individual freedom and trusting our fellow countrymen to make the right choices for themselves. and we must not compromise those values under any circumstances.   

The Othena Digital Vaccination Record is a voluntary record available to vaccine recipients for their own records and nothing more. Simply put, this is a safe digital version of the CDC Vaccination Record Card an individual receives at the time of vaccination. If you have any further questions, please visit here.   

In addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I also have the pleasure of serving you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors.

April is a wonderful time to celebrate the environment. Spring is here and Earth Day, an annual event that demonstrates support for environmental protection, was celebrated around the world April 22! For information on OCTA's Environmental Stewardship, Conservation, and Restoration, please click here.

At OCTA, every day is Earth Day. OCTA protects Orange County’s air, land, water and community to create happier, healthier lives today while putting the wheels in motion to shape a resilient future for generations to come.

A new website shares OCTA’s culture of sustainability and commitment to a green future, including piloting a zero-emission bus program, preserving 1300 acres of wilderness and encouraging walking and biking along a nearly 1,000-mile network of Orange County pathways.

During April, site visitors will have the opportunity to win a $100 gift card while learning more about OCTA’s commitment to a healthy environment for all those who call Orange County home. Participants will be automatically entered to win after taking a short quiz.

OCTA is once again seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the OC Go Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC). The TOC is an independent 11-member committee that monitors OCTA’s use of revenue collected through OC Go, also known as Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. The TOC has spent more than a decade ensuring that all OC Go funds are spent on voter-approved transportation projects.

Orange County residents in in my supervisorial district - the 5th District - are eligible to apply. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and willing to serve for a three-year term. In their applications, potential committee members should also demonstrate a history of participating in community activities and knowledge of transportation. Elected or appointed city, district, county, state or federal officials are not eligible to serve.

Applications are due by May 2 and are available here. Interviews will be held via Zoom and conducted May 5 – 13, with final selection taking place at the OCTA Board of Directors meeting June 28.

The Grand Jurors Association of Orange County (GJAOC) is conducting the TOC recruitment and will recommend qualified candidates for membership. For additional information, please call (714) 974-9699 or visit here.

As previously reported in my newsletter, guests without a boarding pass can now access the secure areas of the John Wayne Airport Terminal with an OC AirPASS (post-security access pass) to shop, dine, watch planes, and greet friends and relatives when they arrive at the gate or accompany them before their flight.

Guests traveling through JWA can expect to experience several measures designed to keep guests safe and are encouraged to review the Airport’s Healthy Travels practices  before arriving at the Terminal. Face masks are required in all U.S. airports under federal law. For more information, click here.

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

If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.

Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:

• FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
• The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit. 
• Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A recorded webinar on financial protection of older adults during the COVID pandemic was recently held and is available for on-demand viewing. The webinar included a panel discussion of experts from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Health and Human Services (HHS).

If you are behind on your mortgage, beware of mortgage relief scams. There is free foreclosure help. If anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate. The CFPB has information on how you can avoid foreclosure and tips for working with your mortgage servicer. For more information on COVID housing protections and important deadlines, click here.

Challenges COVID-19 has brought include a higher risk of identity theft. In 2020, the FTC received about 1.4 million reports of identity theft, double the number from 2019. Repeatedly, identity thieves targeted government funds earmarked to help people hard hit financially by the pandemic. 

During the pandemic, we’re doing more online – working, connecting with family and friends, shopping, and banking. If something goes wrong with your device, you want to fix it right away. Scammers are preying on this, offering phony tech support services. Here’s what you should know about tech support scams.

Be on the lookout for fake calls, texts, and emails, as scammers are pretending to be Social Security Agency employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. Do not be fooled!

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. Additionally, through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, both income-eligible renters who experienced pandemic related financial hardships, or landlords who experienced income loss due to unpaid rent, are eligible for financial assistance.

I'm pleased to share that the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), OC United Way and OC Community Foundation have partnered to launch Humanity Starts Here, a new movement for good!

As we look to the health, economic, racial, social, and climate challenges confronting our community, we know Orange County can overcome them together with humanity! For more information, click here.

The City of San Juan Capistrano officially incorporated April 19, 1961, and this week proudly celebrated its sixtieth year of incorporation. To that end, my office was pleased to attend the City Council meeting to present a proclamation to Mayor John Taylor in honor of this historic occasion. 

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a proclamation to Mayor John Taylor.       
 (Photo courtesy of Collin Breaux / The Capistrano Dispatch)

San Juan Capistrano is exceedingly rich in history and internationally renowned as home of Mission San Juan Capistrano, established in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra and named in honor of Saint John of Capistrano, becoming the seventh in the chain of twenty-one Franciscan missions throughout the State of California. Today it is universally recognized as the “Jewel of the California Missions.” 

Mission San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano also boasts the oldest residential street in California, known as Los Rios Street, where in 1794, forty adobe structures were constructed to house the Juaneño Indians that labored at the Mission, which include three original adobes that still remain today - the Silvas, Montañez, and Rios Adobes.

Now  known as the Los Rios Historic District, its located across the railroad tracks from The Capistrano Depot, offering a plethora of charming restaurants, shops, and a number of other coveted visitor attractions.

Los Rios Historic District

San Juan Capistrano is also ever popular for the annual Swallows Day Parade and Mercado, which can trace its origins from the Swallows celebration that began when the Mission padres observed the Swallows returning each year around St. Joseph's Day.

The celebration grew from a school carnival in the 1930s to what would become a month-long celebration, now known as Fiesta de las Golondrinas, lovingly organized by the Fiesta Association and culminating into a cherished and festive occasion for Orange County that also draws interest worldwide. The Swallows Day Parade is among the nation’s largest non-motorized parades.

In the past decade, the City has accomplished many outstanding projects, such as completion of the Verdugo Street Beautification Project, the Northwest Open Space Community Park, Del Obispo Street Widening and Improvements, water and sewer utility reorganization.

Significant private investment in the community has also been demonstrated with the opening of Inn at the Mission, the Capistrano Plaza renovation, construction of The Groves senior affordable housing project, with many other initiatives still to come. 

Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection.

I highly commend the City of San Juan Capistrano for priding itself with preserving its past to enhance the future by striving to build its economy while keeping with its historic roots and concern for open space. Congratulations on celebrating your sixtieth year of incorporation as a City!

This week, my office was also pleased to attend a special celebration at RSM Christian School and present a commendation in honor of Lynda Armstrong.

As the face and voice of RSM Christian School (formerly Mission Hills Christian School), for three decades Lynda greeted every student, parent, teacher or visitor with her trademark smile and great big “Hi!” From receptionist to nurse to substitute teacher, Lynda was one of the most integral individuals in the school’s history!

Lynda Armstrong of RSM Christian School receives a certificate from my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince.

Click the image above to Vaccine News.

As previously reported in my newsletter, the County of Orange Health Care Agency (HCA) also has a COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter, which includes their Vaccine News Roundup, Dashboard, Facts & Tips, COVID-19 Resources and more! To subscribe to HCA's COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter, click here. For more information, click here. 

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 253,340 positive cumulative cases and 4,918 deaths to date, as well as 100 currently hospitalized with 15 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.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Because transmission occurs throughout the County, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by our 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 State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy has been updated with new social distancing guidance for vaccinated sections of venues and updated the concessions guidance for outdoor seated live events like concerts and festivals. 

The State added an addendum to its Activity & Business Tiers Chart to provide businesses with opportunities to adopt higher capacities by increasing capacity limits in facilities or sections of facilities where all guests have been tested or are fully vaccinated. Updates include lowering the distance requirement between any fully vaccinated sections of a venue and other sections from 12 to 6 feet.

In addition, physical distancing is not required in sections where all guests are fully vaccinated. These updates allow large event operators to admit higher capacities within their facilities. Furthermore, fully vaccinated persons from out of state may visit or attend activities or events that are restricted to in-state visitors. CDPH has also updated guidance for private gatherings and indoor live events.

Testing continues to be a main priority of our COVID-19 efforts. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if your employer is requiring testing as a part of their business reopening plan, the County offers FREE testing to all of our residents. 

There are many options for testing, including our County Super Sites, testing kiosks located at various locations throughout the County (including Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo in 5th District), and even at home tests that can be delivered to you and mailed to the lab for processing.

As previously reported, everyone ages 16 and over in Orange County are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Parental consent is required for youth under 18; however, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. If you have not already done so, be sure to get register with Othena ahead of time to ensure your place in the virtual waiting que.  

People within the eligible groups are strongly encouraged to register now with Othena to receive a vaccination from the County. Once registered, they will be placed in the virtual waiting room with other individuals who are already eligible within the State’s guidelines. Appointments are dependent on vaccine supply. As the County receives more vaccines, more appointments will open in Othena. 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine resources in Orange County, including this weekend's POD schedule, click here. 

Please be aware that there are more channels of distribution other than the County where people can get a vaccine. For more information on where you can find appointments through other medical providers and local pharmacies, visit vaccinefinder.org.   

As previously reported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. This recommendation comes after six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe blood clot type in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This pause will be in place until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completes a review of the reported cases. 

In alignment with the CDC’s recommendation and with safety as our top priority, the County of Orange has removed the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from all its vaccination Point of Distribution (POD) sites until further notice from the CDC. The County’s vaccination PODs will continue to dispense the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to individuals with appointments.  Individuals who have a scheduled appointment to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will receive Pfizer or Moderna instead, depending on the location. 

The Orange County Health Care Agency dispensed approximately 27,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine between the week of March 8 and April 12. 

As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. There are reports that six women between the ages of 18 and 48 developed unusual types of blood clots 6 to 13 days after receiving the vaccine.  

People who received the vaccine in the last three weeks should look for any symptoms of these unusual clots, including severe headaches, abdominal or leg pain, and shortness of breath, and contact their medical provider if symptoms develop. People who don't have a medical provider can call 2-1-1 to connect with a healthcare provider. Click here to read more. 

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’

Soka University in Aliso Viejo is happy to share its Signature Encore Series to help you experience some wonderful past performances held in their spectacular Performing Arts Center! For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

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.

Visit Laguna Live! for great live music in virtual concerts! Their musical offerings include Live Music Insights, Live at the Q, Live at the Museum, and Beth's Tuesday's. For more information or to register for their FREE performances, visit Laguna Live!

Click the image above to enjoy Laguna Live!

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.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) hopes you are well and safe, they are working 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.

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.

Irvine Barclay Theatre (IBT) invites us to enjoy some of their top music events that glued us to our seats or made us want to get up and dance!

As they continue looking back over their past 30 years, some of IBT's favorite musical moments, artists and concerts include Elvis Costello, Arlo Guthrie, David Hidalgo & Louie Perez of Los Lobos, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Tower of Power. To relive these musical moments, click here or on the image below.

Click image above to enjoy IBT's musical moments.

Unforgettable, With Love

IBT has uncovered another concert gem from the youtube archives for you to enjoy! Natalie Cole was an unforgettable talent. A winner of 9 Grammys, among other awards, her legacy lives on in recordings that sold more than 30 million copies and won worldwide acclaim.

Emmy-winning Unforgettable, With Love: Natalie Cole Sings the Songs of Nat King Cole, is a concert of pop and jazz standards from her Grammy-winning tribute album to her legendary father, Nat King Cole. This is a timeless concert featuring great vocals and the lush sound of a full orchestra... truly Unforgettable!

Click the image to enjoy "Unforgettable, With Love: Natalie Cole Sings the Songs of Nat King Cole."

All-Star Swing Festival

But wait, here's more from IBT! Recorded at Lincoln Center in 1972 for broadcast on NBC, the All-Star Swing Festival, hosted by Doc Severinsen, features Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Krupa on drums, Lionel Hampton on vibes, Earl Hines on piano, among so many others! In addition, this full-length gala concert marks the first and only performance of the original Benny Goodman Quartet on television.

It would be nearly impossible today to arrange for so much A-list talent in a single concert. So kick back, crank up the sound, and let the legends take you on a trip of a lifetime. You won't be sorry... you'll be swingin'!

Click the image above for the All Star Swing Festival.

The Leading Ladies of Broadway

IBT also wants to share a Broadway time capsule that was recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1998, featuring all the women performing on Broadway that season. Hosted by Julie Andrews, the video contains an amazing array of talent, from stalwarts like Dorothy Loudon, Nell Carter, and Elaine Stritch, to young talents hitting their stride like Audra McDonald, Linda Eder, Marin Mazzie, and Rebecca Luker.

It also includes a number by a then 13-year-old Anna Kendrick, who was making her first appearance on Broadway and was nominated for her first Tony that year. And those names are just the beginning, as there are also performances by Liza Minnelli, Faith Prince, Jennifer Holliday, Andrea McArdle, Bebe Neuwirth, and many more!

Click the image above to see The Leading Ladies of Broadway.

From Pacific Chorale's "UnSung Heroes" concert that featured the works of lesser-known female composers, here is the stirring “To See the Sky” by Jocelyn Hagen, a setting of a text by Sara Teasdale, recorded live in concert March 2019. To watch the performance, click here or on the image below.

Pacific Chorale's “To See the Sky” by Jocelyn Hagen

The 23rd Psalm (Dedicated to My Mother) 

In their first self-produced virtual choir, Pacific Chorale sings a stirring performance of Bobby McFerrin's heartfelt 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. Sara McFerrin passed away December 2019.

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 the image above to view the video.

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! Keep checking back for new musical experiences!

Current additional performances include the Virtual Lantern Festival.

PacificSymphony+ is a new way to experience your Pacific Symphony online and on-demand, so you can enjoy the magic of music whenever and wherever you can. In addition, newly recorded footage from the Concert Hall will be premiered every Thursday! For more information, click here or on the image below. 

Click the image above for PacificSymphony+

For over 130 years, National Geographic has hosted some of the leading scientists, conservationists, photographers, and storytellers to share their stories live at their headquarters in Washington, D.C. Now you can watch their inspiring and thought-provoking stories from anywhere in 2021! 

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 info, click here or on the image below to Be Inspired in 2021!

Click the image above to Be Inspired in 2021!

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!

For those of you who may have missed any of my previous Fifth District Dispatch newsletters, featuring up-to-date COVID-19 facts and other information pertinent to South County, click here. 

Thank you so much for your outstanding and continuing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, as we're all in this together!