Click image above to read the Event Program
and view the Virtual OC Senior Summit video.

Laguna Woods residents can also watch the Virtual OC Senior Summit 2021 on Village Television:

• Tuesday, May 18 at 2:00 PM
• Thursday, May 27 at 1:30 PM

As preciously reported, in addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I also now serve as Co-Chair of a new coalition, Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now. 

As such, I'm pleased to share that the OC Board of Supervisors last week unanimously adopted a resolution I brought forward, authorizing the County of Orange’s participation in the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition.

Spent Fuel Cannister Storage Site at SONGS

Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now is a newly formed coalition, Co-Chaired by my me and San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, and is dedicated to advancing efforts to relocate the spent nuclear fuel from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).

I'm honored to serve as Co-Chair of Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now, and proud to have the support of my colleagues on the OC Board of Supervisors, as we take on the monumental task of demanding action by the federal government to fulfill their obligation and deliver a solution.

With San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond at SONGS.

As Co-Chairs of the new coalition, last week my office was joined by San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond for a private tour of the spent fuel cannister storage site at SONGS. 

It’s imperative that we come together as a coalition to strongly advocate for making offsite spent fuel storage a true and actionable priority. To that end, our coalition members will work to advocate for federal legislation, funding, administration policies and programs that can advance both permanent disposal and offsite storage.

L-R: At SONGS with my Deputy Chief of Staff, James Dinwiddie; Chief of Staff, Doug Woodyard; and San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond and staff member.

Additionally, I recently participated in "Under The Domes," a community meeting with the South Orange County Economic Coalition on decommissioning SONGS.

If you missed the program or want to watch it again, you can now view it anytime! Click here to watch the video and learn more about the current state and future of one of Orange County's most iconic sites!

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

Today, nearly 360,000 motorists travel I-5 daily between the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road (SR-73) and El Toro Road. Transportation planners expect traffic volumes to grow 25 percent by 2045. To address this travel demand, OCTA and Caltrans are working together to implement the San Diego Freeway (I-5) Widening project from SR-73 to El Toro Road.

Located adjacent to the Cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel, this $565 million freeway improvement project includes numerous roadway, structural and operational improvements, including new general purpose lanes, improved intersections and widened ramps.

As construction crews add a new general purpose lane to southbound I-5, they are widening a bridge over the Aliso Creek Bikeway. During construction, the Aliso Creek Bikeway and Aliso Creek Riding & Hiking Trail are temporarily closed east and west of I-5 and are expected to reopen in 2022.

OCTA is working with the Orange County Bicycle Coalition for input on detour routes and improvements throughout construction and has placed signs throughout the entire 13-mile bikeway notifying hikers, riders and bikers of the closure. Scannable QR code on the signs direct travelers to TrailLink.com, and the detour route is also printed on the sign.

Following construction, the bikeway will be repaved in the closed portion west of the freeway. Learn more about the project here.

At the virtual ribbon-cutting for our new Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.

Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in a “virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony” in celebration of the grand opening of our new Visitor Center at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. I'm pleased to see this project come to fruition and that my District is home to the Park’s brand-new, state-of-the-art Visitor Center. To view the virtual celebration video, please click here or on the the image below.

To view the virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony, click the image above.

In addition, this week my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, attended a Coastal Greenbelt Authority (CGA) meeting, where he serves as my Alternate, which was held at the new Visitor Center. While there, he toured the facility with CGA and presented a proclamation on my behalf to OC Parks staff.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a proclamation to (L-R) Resource Specialist Rick Schaffer, OC Parks Deputy Director Pam Passow, and Supervising Park Ranger Brad Barker. 

Comprised of 4,500 acres, with more than 30 miles of trails, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park spans coastal canyons, grasslands, and oak and sycamore woodlands. It is a designated wildlife sanctuary and home to many rare and endangered plants and animals.  

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park was first dedicated in 1990. Over the years, award-winning enhancements were made to the Park’s main entrance, including the creation of a new staging area for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

The new Visitor Center provides guests with an introduction to the Park’s vast, natural and cultural resources, and offers a place for outdoor environmental stewardship and education.

Keeping in mind the Park’s beautiful and natural setting, the new Visitor Center was designed and constructed with a “light on the land” approach featuring a unique foundation. Funded partially through a $1 million dollar grant from the California Coastal Conservancy, we chose a factory, custom-built, modular building construction.

Most of the construction took place offsite to minimize construction impacts on the site for an extended period. It took 90 days to complete the structure and transporting it from the factory to the site was no easy task! Five separate sections were brought in by truck and carefully placed onto the footings using a large crane.

One of the biggest challenges of the project was to figure out the best way to install restroom facilities at the new building. Prior to construction of the new facility, the Park had no sewer or water service, and staff and visitors had to use portable restrooms. Now, this area of the Park has a beautiful interactive Visitor Center and modernized public restrooms.

The 2,600 square-foot Center features a public space, with reception and display areas for visitors to learn more about the park and its surroundings. A wrap-around deck, with observation extension, encourages visitors to relax and take in the beautiful scenery. The center includes interactive exhibits, many of which are designed to be child-friendly.

Some of the exhibits include:

• A small cave loosely modeled after Dripping Cave.
• A full-scale diorama with taxidermy creatures, shrubs, trees, and grasses.
• A hand-painted mural depicting the park.
• Archeo and paleo displays.
• A detailed topographical map with buttons that light up points of interest and suggested hikes.
• A “Stewardship Wall” and much more.

Detailed topographical map with buttons that light up points of interest and suggested hikes.

To that end, I'm pleased to announce the new Visitor Center Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is officially open, and I invite you to come and see all the wonderful exhibits! Due to COVID restrictions, the Visitor Center is currently operating at reduced capacity. For more information, click here. To watch our virtual ribbon-cutting celebration video, click here.

As previously reported in my newsletter, OC Parks is currently engaged in a temporary trail use designations pilot project that they hope will improve user experience and alleviate trail user conflict and congestion. This project involves changes to existing trail use designations on select trails at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and Santiago Oaks Regional Park. 

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

This project has been shared at OC Parks advisory body public meetings and supported by the OC Parks Commission, Trails Subcommittee, and Coastal Greenbelt Authority. View the presentation here. View the sample pilot project signage here. 

Pilot Project Trail Maps:

• Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
• Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
• Santiago Oaks Regional Park

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

The pilot project start date is June 1, 2021 and will be periodically evaluated to assess trail and user data resulting from trail use changes. 

Researchers will be onsite at the pilot project trails in May and around the end of July/early August to collect user feedback for use in a scientific survey, which takes about 5 minutes. If you are approached, please participate in the survey as your feedback will be used in data analysis for this project. If you'd like to provide general public comment on this pilot project, please click here.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park

I'm pleased to report the new Aliso Viejo Ranch is officially open to the public! As such, I recently had the pleasure of attending the grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration to present a commendation to Aliso Viejo Mayor Tiffany Ackley in honor of the occasion.

Presenting a commendation to Mayor Tiffany Ackley at the Aliso Viejo Ranch celebration.

The City Council’s vision launched this one-of-a-kind project on the last remaining parcel of the original 22,000-acre Moulton Ranch. The multi-faceted project includes the restoration and re-use of the historic barn and bunkhouse, both over 100 years old, as well as construction of two other buildings, which are replicas of buildings formerly on the site.

L-R: Aliso Viejo City Councilman Richard Hurt, Mayor Pro Tem Ross Chun, City Manager David Doyle, Mayor Tiffany Ackley, and Councilmen Mike Munzing & Dave Harrington cut the ribbon at Aliso Viejo Ranch.

The City has partnered with Moulton Family Foundation to display historical artifacts specific to the family and the Aliso Viejo Ranch site. By displaying these artifacts and telling the Moulton family story, they hope to educate the community about the role and importance of agriculture in the history of Orange County. Their goal is to create a unique visitor experience for everyone that visits the Ranch and educate future generations about Orange County’s agricultural past. For more information or to watch fascinating videos about the Aliso Viejo Ranch Project, click here.

Aliso Viejo Ranch

Aliso Viejo Ranch will be a recreational hub hosting a variety of educational, athletic, cultural and enrichment programs for the community. Reservations are being accepted for this beautiful facility’s indoor and outdoor accommodations for private events. To learn how you can reserve space at the Ranch, please visit avcity.org/avranch or email avranch@avcity.org.

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

As such, I'm not so pleased to report that May marks the start of summer ozone season in Greater Los Angeles. During this time of year, hot, stagnant days can increase the formation of ground-level ozone — commonly referred to as smog — creating potentially unhealthy air quality throughout the region.

Weather extremes and wildfires can exacerbate poor air quality. Though ozone levels have improved substantially over time, the 2020 ozone season resulted in the worst air quality in over a decade due to unusual and record-breaking heat waves, stagnant weather and unprecedented influence from wildfires burning throughout the Western United States.

South Coast AQMD reminds residents to stay informed of air quality levels in their area and adjust their outdoor activities accordingly.

There are several ways to access air quality information:

• Download South Coast AQMD’s award-winning mobile app to view local air quality in real time, receive notifications when air quality is poor in your neighborhood and view hourly air quality forecasts. The mobile app is available in English and Spanish on Apple and Android devices.
• Click here to view real-time air quality and here for hourly air quality forecasts.
• Check here for current air quality advisories during extreme air quality events such as wildfires or dust storms. Also, sign up to receive advisories via email.

Ozone pollution can cause or worsen respiratory problems, including asthma attacks, lung inflammation and bronchitis. Young children, older adults and people with chronic respiratory conditions may be more sensitive to the health effects of ozone.

Smog season officially ends September 30, although high ozone levels may continue well into the fall, and other air pollutants can lead to unhealthy air quality during the rest of the year.

In previous years, I've been pleased to be the Community Partner sponsor for the annual International Festival held at beautiful Soka University in Aliso Viejo, which is the University's signature event of the year and coincides with its anniversary.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year's 20th anniversary celebration was held virtually. As such, I was pleased to present a proclamation to Soka University President Edward Feasel in honor of the joyous occasion, which is featured in their 20-year anniversary virtual celebration video. To view the video, please click here or on the image below.

To view the Soka University 20th anniversary virtual celebration, click the image above.

Soka University of America (SUA) is a world renowned private, nonprofit, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school, located on 103 pristine acres in Aliso Viejo. Established in 2001 by Daisaku Ikeda, Founder of Soka Gakkai International, SUA maintains a curriculum that emphasizes pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity.

Well-deserved accolades SUA has received include:

• Ranked #1 in Study Abroad
• #1 in Most International Students (per capita)
• #1 for Ethnic Diversity among National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Top 5 National Liberal Arts Colleges in California by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2021”
• Maximum 10-year accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission

We are truly blessed to have such a magnificent institution of higher learning located right here in the 5th District. To that end, I cordially invite you to join me in virtually celebrating Soka University's 20-year anniversary!

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 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.

What a journey of resolving conflicts and bringing communities together! OC Human Relations is proud of the strides they’ve made in creating an equitable and just Orange County, and they are grateful for your support of this critical work.

To that end, please join OC Human Relations Friday, May 21, 12 PM - 1 PM, for an exciting Virtual Anniversary Event to celebrate this 30th year together! OC Human Relations will look back at their accomplishments and, more importantly, share their vision for fostering open dialogue, acceptance and love in our community, now and always. For more information and to register, click here.

OC Human Relations is conducting a study to obtain and examine community members' understanding and/or perception of local law enforcement in an effort to develop and engage in community dialogues. This research is being conducted by Orange County Human Relations Council (OCHR) in collaboration with University of California, Irvine, School of Social Ecology, Advanced Field Study Program.

The findings from this research project will be compiled into a report and published to better serve the Orange County community in facilitating dialogues and bringing our communities together. Please click here to take this short survey anonymously and safely, and please share it with your Orange County friends and family!

This week, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my nomination of Dot Leach to serve as the 5th District representative on the OC Human Relations Commission. 

Dot Leach is the Founder of Women Drivers Interfaith Group, an assemblage of women from throughout south Orange County, dedicated to “driving” the issues of peace, justice, and inclusivity. These women are committed to serving others, celebrating differences (as well as our similarities) and working to change hearts filled with hatred, bigotry, and prejudice towards others. 

Out of this experience, Dot is recognized as a consummate networker, who brings people together to address the needs and issues of individuals and entities throughout Orange County and California.

Dot has also served as the President of the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita. During her tenure, she co-created the award-winning Bigotry, Bullying & Bravery Teen Forum (BB&B). This forum focused on ending the bigotry and bullying that so many young people face at school, in sports programs, and in their own neighborhoods. In its first year, BB&B won national recognition from PACERS, the renowned anti-bullying organization.

In Dot's own words:

"Relationships in today’s society have grown tenuous and fragile because words and actions are often used to provoke tensions rather than to find a way to exchange ideas, learn from one another, honor differences (as well as similarities), and share the pleasure of being in community with one another.  As a result, acts of bigotry, discrimination, racism, and baseless hatred are occurring more frequently and more openly.

It is this circumstance that prompts me to use whatever means I have - through organizations, experiences, and educational pursuits - to find solutions and work for the betterment of all communities."

And we could not agree more, Dot! Please join me in welcoming my appointee to the OC Human Relations Commission, Dot Leach!

Dot Leach being virtually sworn-in to serve as my 5th District representative on the OC Human Relations Commission, while holding their family's next generation, granddaughter Sheri.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 254,637 positive cumulative cases and 5,028 deaths to date, as well as 75 currently hospitalized with 20 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.

Orange County parents and legal guardians of minors ages 12 to 15 can now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or walk-in to County of Orange Point-of-Dispensing (POD) sites offering Pfizer. 

On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12 to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended this week that the vaccine is safe and highly effective in protecting this age group against COVID-19. 

Individuals who would like to receive the Pfizer vaccine for themselves or their children ages 12 and older can do so through:

• A Primary Care provider or Pediatrician with whom your children or family is already familiar
• Pharmacies
• Visiting myturn.ca.gov
• Visiting othena.com - If further assistance is needed with selecting a site, scheduling, or arranging for transportation to and from the site, community members can call HCA’s OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000
• Walking-in to a County POD site that is administering the Pfizer vaccine

For more information, click here.

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.   

I'm pleased to report the County of Orange has made Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccination appointments available through the Othena platform, as well as the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000, and resumed administering the J&J vaccine May 2. 

On April 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced they would accept the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to lift the pause on the J&J COVID-19 vaccination for all adults.

According to the CDC, reports of adverse events following the use of J&J vaccine suggest an increased risk of a rare adverse reaction called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. Nearly all reports of this serious condition, which involves blood clots with low platelets, have occurred in women 18 to 49 years of age.

Register in the Othena platform and make a vaccination appointment or call (714) 834-2000 for assistance. For updated CDC and California Department of Public Health resources, please visit here and here. To read the full County of Orange press release, click here.

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. 

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 the 5th District), and even at home tests that can be delivered to you and mailed to the lab for processing.

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.

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 (MFF), based in Laguna Beach, has the inspiration you need for your next adventure.

The Falkirk Wheel is Scotland’s engineering marvel. One of the many surprises in MFF’s IMAX film Dream Big: Engineering Our World (streaming here) is the discovery of the Falkirk Wheel, a strange-looking rotating boat lift located in Scotland. Thanks to the ingenious engineers who helped design the lift, which uses less energy than a washing machine, and what was once a full day’s journey through several miles of water locks, is now a simple One-Stop ride. Watch here!

Click the image above to Dream Big - The Falkirk Wheel.

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!

PacificSymphony+

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!