Click image above to read the Event Program
and view the Virtual OC Senior Summit 2021.

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

• Thursday, May 27 at 1:30 PM

In addition to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also pleased to serve you on the Orange county Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. As such, I'm pleased to report OCTA continues to address south Orange County’s transportation needs with a long-term study and near-term projects as the area continues to grow and travel patterns evolve.

Three projects that form the cornerstone of an agreement among OCTA, Caltrans and TCA to improve mobility in south Orange County include:

• Widening Ortega Highway along a 1.1-mile pinch point
• Extending the I-5 carpool lanes from Avenida Pico to the border with San Diego County
• Extending Los Patrones Parkway as a non-tolled county street three miles to Avenida La Pata

Ortega Highway

Ortega Highway

OCTA approved an agreement with San Juan Capistrano to provide $5.25 million in OC Go funding for the preparation of plans, specifications and estimates to widen the portion of Ortega Highway.

That stretch of Ortega Highway is currently one lane in each direction between Calle Entradero and Reata Road, and a notorious choke point for traffic near the eastern end of San Juan Capistrano. The project calls widening it from one lane to two lanes in each direction.

OCTA is working on a funding agreement for the Ortega Highway project, which could open by 2028, with funding contributions from the County of Orange, San Juan Capistrano, the state and OCTA.

Los Patrones Parkway

Los Patrones Parkway

A conceptual alignment of the non-tolled extension to Los Patrones Parkway has been added to the county’s Master Plan of Arterial Highways and general plans of the city and county.

As part of the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program, OCTA awarded more than $1.8 million to help build the extension.

The preliminary engineering phase is expected to begin as early as this fall.

HOV Lanes from Pico to County Line

HOV Lanes from Pico to County Line

OCTA recently awarded a contract to prepare environmental documents for extending the carpool lanes in each direction between Avenida Pico and the border with San Diego County.

This improvement would build on the six miles of carpool lane opened in 2018 in each direction of I-5 through the cities of San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente.

The environmental phase is expected to be completed by early 2024. OCTA is planning extensive public outreach with residents of San Clemente and other stakeholders.

South County Study

In addition to the three planned projects, OCTA continues work on longer-term solutions through the South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study, now in the second of three phases.

OCTA is compiling and analyzing input and is planning a roundtable discussion with elected area leaders and other stakeholders later this year. Those efforts will help refine locally preferred alternatives for regional transportation.

Learn more about the study here and click on the “stay connected” tab to sign up for updates.

Dana Point Harbor

If you've been wondering what's new at Dana Point Harbor, tune-in Friday, May 28 at 12 PM, as South Orange County Economic Coalition (SOCEC) will be holding its May membership meeting, focusing on two Economic Engines coming to South County – the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor and the revitalization of Laguna Hills Mall. For more information, click here.

Laguna Hills Mall

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.

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!

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

Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of attending the celebration for the Dana Point Yacht Club's (DPYC) 69th Annual Opening Day Ceremony, where I presented a proclamation in honor of the occasion to 2021 DPYC Commodore Scott Schoeffel. During the event, attendees were treated to the National Anthem and other music performed by Ava August, whom at the young age of 15 recently reached the Top 10 of ABC's American Idol. 

L-R: With Dana Point Mayor Jamey Federico, singer/songwriter Ava August, and Commodore Scott Schoeffel at the DPYC 69th Opening Day.

Founded in April 1952 by 25 charter members, well before development of Dana Point Harbor, the purpose of Dana Point Yacht Club was to establish an association of up to 100 members with a common interest in boating and providing facilities to permit open water launching of boats within the protection of Dana Point Cove.

In 1968, DPYC was an official participant in the inaugural Dana Point Harbor “Sail-In” presented by the County of Orange to celebrate completion of the Harbor breakwater. In 1969, the Club acquired a fleet of Sabot sailboats and launched its first Junior Sailing Program “to initiate youth activities in the community,” and in 1972 occupied its first clubhouse in the Harbor, where it has remained a most valued tenant, during which its membership has reached well over 400 members!

Presenting a proclamation to Commodore Scott Schoeffel in honor of the DPYC 69th Opening Day.

My office was also pleased to attend the 42nd Annual Opening Day Ceremony for Dana West Yacht Club (DWYC) last weekend, where my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presented well-deserved commendations to 2021 DWYC Commodore Hydee Riggs and 2020 Commodore Tamara Tatich.

2021 Commodore Hydee Riggs receives a commendation from my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince. during the DWYC Opening Day Ceremony.

DWYC is a Southern California Yachting Association Senior Club that is famous for its hospitality, incredible dining experience, top-shelf bar service, as well as hosting fun and entertaining social events!

2020 DWYC Commodore Tamara Tatich receives a commendation from my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince. 

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

I recently 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, last 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.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 254,946 positive cumulative cases and 5,042 deaths to date, as well as 68 currently hospitalized with 10 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 is 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.   

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’

Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano is proud to present a free performance for one night only, "Bothered," on Thursday, May 27 at 7 PM.

Elizabeth and Mark are saying goodnight at the end of a disasterous first date. Elizabeth expected an elegant evening at a French restaurant. Mark took her to a baseball game. Now, with mustard down the front of her silk dress, Elizabeth reaches her breaking point. She inflicts on poor Mark a lesson on how to take a woman out on a date. Smitten, Mark uses the lesson to get a second date with Elizabeth! Click here or on the image below for more information.

Click the image above for more info.

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

Standing at an incredible 2,073 feet, the Shanghai Tower, featured in MFF’s IMAX film Dream Big: Engineering Our World, is an incredible testament to the ongoing advancements in engineering. Designed as 9 buildings stacked on top of one another, this impressive feat of engineering is like a city within a city and accommodates 16,000 people daily! Watch here.

Click the image above to Dream Big - Shanghai Tower.

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!