Please be advised that my Arts-Related Small Business & Nonprofit Grant Relief Program is still active and accepting applications on a first come, first served basis!

Notification and disbursement of awards will continue until all funds have been expended. Applications are being screened in the order in which they were received, so please be patient. Congratulations to all of our 5th District arts-related grant award winners!

If you have any questions regarding the program, process or status, please visit the dedicated website. Additionally you may contact the program administrator via email or at (714) 597-6630 ext. 134. For more information, click on the image below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

On August 5, 2021, the State Health Officer issued two new health orders impacting workers in all health care settings:

• The first order requires workers in health care settings to be fully vaccinated or receive their second dose by September 30, 2021.
• The second order directs hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities to verify that visitors are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 in the prior 72 hours before indoor visits.

The OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Officers are encouraging county residents to get fully vaccinated in light of increasing COVID-19 cases resulting from the Delta variant. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 93.4% of new cases reported recently resulted from the Delta variant or several sub-lineages of the strain that the CDC has classified as variants of concern.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are still effective, but a small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated can become infected as “breakthrough cases,” if they become exposed.

COVID-19 cases have continued to rise in Orange County. Between July 28 and August 5, Orange County experienced an increase in the seven-day average case rate, from 10.2 to 15.7 per 100,000 people, with the average number of daily COVID-19 cases rising from 328 to 507. The positivity rate also increased from 5.5 to 7.9 percent, hospitalizations from 236 to 454 per day, and ICU admissions from 56 to 69 per day. Orange County COVID-19 case counts, and testing figures are updated daily, Monday through Friday.

In addition to getting vaccinated, the HCA encourages all residents to continue taking the following precautions to limit the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, and to protect those who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions:

• Regardless of your vaccination status, wear a mask if you’re indoors, around someone at risk, with people whose vaccination status is unknown, or have unvaccinated children or other loved ones at home. Additionally, masks are required indoors for unvaccinated individuals in accordance with mask guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
• Avoid crowded areas and events, especially those that are indoors.
• Maintain physical distancing in poorly ventilated areas.
• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly.
• Get tested if you are exposed to or experience symptoms of COVID-19 (you can order a self-collection at-home kit). 

HCA continues to advise all residents to refer to the CDPH’s recent Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings and State Public Health Officer Order regarding requirements for high-risk health care facilities.

Those who have not yet been vaccinated or need to complete their second vaccine dose can schedule a vaccination appointment by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000.

In addition to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also proud to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. As such, I'm pleased to report that with help from OCTA, South County cities have brought back summer shuttle services as the county reopens after the pandemic.

Funded in part by OC Go, the shuttles cost little or nothing to ride and provide convenient car-free service to popular destinations including festivals, the beach and shopping. OC Go, also known as Measure M, is the County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

Dana Point Trolley

Many summer shuttles connect to one another, as well as OC Bus and Metrolink stops, making it easier to travel to popular destinations without a car. Shuttle services allow residents to avoid driving and parking hassles while enjoying what Orange County has to offer.

The Laguna Beach Trolley also includes the "Summer Breeze!"

Shuttles operating in the 5th District include:

• Dana Point
• Laguna Beach
• San Clemente
• San Juan Capistrano

San Clemente Trolley

Shuttles are operated by local jurisdictions. Some of the safety precautions they have in place include: requiring face coverings, operating at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing, equipping vehicles with hand-sanitizer stations and installing barriers between drivers and passengers. High-touch areas will frequently be wiped down and the shuttles will be fully disinfected at the end of each shift.

San Juan Capistrano Trolley

OCTA continues to work closely with cities in monitoring ridership and evaluating costs as the services return.

August is Water Quality Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of clean water to our health, agricultural and environment.

OCTA celebrates the importance of clean water every day with the Environmental Cleanup Program, which reduces the impacts of transportation-related street runoff and improves water quality for Orange County waterways. 

Funded by OC Go, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, the program awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the county to reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation by removing litter and debris from roads before it reaches the ocean and other waterways.

Since 2011, approximately $54.7 million has been awarded for 211 projects from all 34 cities and the county. Through these projects, it is estimated that the equivalent of nearly 78 football fields one foot deep in trash has been captured. Learn more about OCTA’s environmental sustainability efforts!

John Wayne Airport engaged Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice to provide comprehensive awareness and action training on human trafficking to Airport tenants and employees.

As major transportation hubs, airports are well-positioned to recognize human trafficking throughout their facilities. Learning key indicators of human trafficking, raising awareness of the crime, and knowing how to report suspected trafficking incidents are just some of the ways John Wayne Airport is training staff to play a critical role in ending this crime. For more information, click here.

As previously reported in my newsletter, the Board of Supervisors earlier this year 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.

In addition, our local Jewish community has also seen an uptick in anti-Semitic attacks and harassment since early May. In Orange County, 52% of reported hate crimes and 65% of hate incidents that were motivated by religion targeted Jewish people, according to the OC Human Relations 2019 hate crime report.

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.

Join OC Human Relations for honest, powerful and sometimes difficult conversations on Race Relations, Equity & Justice. Dialogues are open to anyone in OC seeking to understand race relations through active listening and learning.

Explore, listen and learn from each other through respectful dialogue. Break-out rooms are used to create facilitated, small-group discussions between diverse individuals. The title of the Tuesday, August 24 Dialogue is “Race & Geography – Realities of Living in OC.”

This is one of a series of dialogues OC Human Relations will be offering over the next months and part of their 30th Anniversary celebration. For more information or to register, click here or on the image below..

Click the image above for more info.

As previously reported, my 5th District Arts-Related Small Business & Nonprofit Grant Relief Program is still active and accepting applications on a first come, first served basis! 

Presenting a $5,000 ceremonial check to Dana Point Symphony - received by Scott Schoeffel, President/Founder and former Dana Point Mayor.

This week, I had the great pleasure of visiting a few of our grant award winners to present a ceremonial check in honor of the occasion, including Dana Point Symphony, KX FM Radio and the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach!

L-R: Presenting a $12,000 ceremonial check to KX FM Radio - received by Morning Host Ed Steinfeld, General Manager Alyssa Hayek, Music Director Erica Delamare, and Development Director Jayne Herring.  

Congratulations to all our grant award winners! If you haven't yet applied, or if have any questions regarding the program, process, or your application status, please visit the dedicated website. Additionally you may contact the program administrator via email or at (714) 597-6630 ext. 134. 

Presenting a $16,000 ceremonial check to Sawdust Art Festival - received by Trevor LePenske, Secretary, Board of Directors.

My office was pleased to present a certificate of recognition to Elevate Fitness in Dana Point, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Elevate Fitness isn't just your average fitness gym; they are a community that builds each other up and motivates one another to achieve their fitness goals. Please join me in welcoming Elevate Fitness to the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce!

L-R: My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation to owners Arthur Morin & Mazl Ohayon and their team at Elevate Fitness in Dana Point.
(Photo courtesy of Dana Point Times)

My office was also pleased to present a certificate of recognition to Alza Italian Kitchen in Rancho Santa Margarita, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Family owned and operated, Alza Italian Kitchen is a modern day classic Italian restaurant that bridges the gap between old and new. Please join me in welcoming Alza Italian Kitchen to the RSM Chamber of Commerce!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation to General Manager Christy Ratliff (center) and Bill McIlvene, owner of Alza Italian Kitchen in RSM.
(Photo courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)

Lastly, office presented a certificate of recognition to Serra Sol Memory Care in San Juan Capistrano, where multiple Chambers of Commerce participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Serra Sol is a welcoming community where individuals with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia can feel fulfilled, cared for and engaged each and every day. Please join me in welcoming Serra Sol Memory Care to the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation to the principal partners and Susie Peterson, Executive Director of Serra Sol Memory Care in San Juan.
(Photo courtesy of Accent Portraits by Diana)

As reported in my newsletter last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its Guidance for Face Coverings in response to new CDC guidance, recommending mask use for public indoor settings to slow the spread of COVID-19 and the delta variant.

As of July 28, masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:

• On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
• Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare
• Emergency shelters and cooling centers
• Healthcare settings
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
• Congregate settings such as homeless shelters
• Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities 

Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals and recommended for fully vaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public). It is important to wear a mask if you are around someone that is high risk, with unvaccinated children or with people whose vaccination status is unknown especially indoors. 

In settings where masks are required only for unvaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to:

• Provide information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
• Implement vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask.
• Require all patrons to wear masks.

For complete information and FAQs on the State’s current mask guidance, click here.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) also issued another new State Public Health Officer Order on July 26. Due to the current COVID-19 vaccination rate of Californians, along with the increase of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the Order directs employers to verify
the vaccination status of all workers in certain limited settings. Employees that are subject to the new Order conduct work in the following areas:

A. Acute Health Care and Long-Term Care Settings:

• General Acute Care Hospitals
• Skilled Nursing Facilities (including Subacute Facilities)
• Intermediate Care Facilities

B. High-Risk Congregate Settings:

• Adult and Senior Care Facilities
• Homeless Shelters
• State and Local Correctional Facilities and Detention Centers

C. Other Health Care Settings:

• Acute Psychiatric Hospitals
• Adult Day Health Care Centers
• Adult Day Programs Licensed by the California Department of Social Services
• Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and PACE Centers
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers
• Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals
• Clinics & Doctor Offices (including behavioral health, surgical)
• Congregate Living Health Facilities
• Dental Offices
• Dialysis Centers
• Hospice Facilities
• Pediatric Day Health and Respite Care Facilities
• Residential Substance Use Treatment and Mental Health Treatment Facilities

The requirement in the new State Public Health Officer Order to verify vaccination status goes beyond the County’s current self-attestation process and requires all workers in the above-listed facilities to either provide evidence of being fully vaccinated from COVID-19, or to undergo regular COVID-19 testing until the Order is lifted.

There are also new face-covering requirements for unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated employees that work in “High-Risk Congregate Settings and Other Health Care Settings” identified above. The full new State Public Health Officer Order can be found here and goes into effect Monday, August 9.

As Orange County continues to experience increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) leadership are encouraging residents to stay vigilant with COVID-19 prevention measures, testing and vaccinations in order to keep our residents safe and businesses open.

Current data in Orange County shows that unvaccinated individuals are over six times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated.

Prevention continues to be a critical piece of the HCA’s message for County residents. HCA also reminds those who experience COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, regardless of their vaccination status. Self-collection, at-home COVID-19 test kits can be ordered at no cost by clicking here. 

Individuals seeking information about the COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to follow credible sources to learn more about their benefits, safety and effectiveness. The World Health Organization, for example, recently updated a list of questions and answers (Q&A) to address COVID-19 vaccine safety. Other sources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDPH, Food and Drug Administration, and American Academy of Pediatrics.

Orange County COVID-19 case counts, and testing figures are updated daily, Monday through Friday. Individuals interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine can schedule an appointment by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000.

Last week, my Board colleagues and I had the great pleasure of recognizing the Orange County Incident Management Team and County staff with a Board Resolution for their incredible hard work and dedicated service to our residents during the unprecedented global pandemic. To view the presentation, click here.

Presenting a Board Resolution the Orange County Incident Management Team and County staff.

During our Board of Supervisors meeting, we also played a 'Thank You' video for our County staff and partners for their indispensable role in Operation Independence. Each Board member provided comments for the video, as we had footage from all of our POD sites and mobile POD sites woven in, along with our press conferences.

To view our Thank You video, click the image above.

Needless to say, we are far from out the woods with COVID-19, but we feel it is important that our staff knows the vital role they played, and continue playing, in vaccinating our County residents. I also want to thank our County residents for doing your part in getting vaccinated, not only to protect yourselves, but your family, friends and loved ones as well, from the ongoing threat of COVID-19!

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 269,016 positive cumulative cases and 5,148 deaths to date, as well as 454 currently hospitalized with 71 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.

The County of Orange Health Care Agency is conducting a survey on the impact of COVID-19, which will be of great assistance in determining the highest needs in our community.

We want your opinion and are asking you to take ten minutes to fill out a survey concerning how you’re doing one year after the COVID-19 pandemic. Please share your struggles and challenges so the County can know how to help. 

Just click here to access the survey, and hit submit when you complete it. You do not need to give your name or any other identifying information if you don't want to. All responses are confidential.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently launched a new feature on the Othena platform, which streamlines the process for any interested individuals, groups, employers and businesses to request an onsite, mobile COVID-19 vaccination service.

To begin the application process, individuals can visit the Mobile Vaccine Service section of the Othena website or smartphone app and provide the following intake details:

• Name of the organization or group 
• Primary point of contact 
• Estimated number of patients at event (at least 50 preferred)
• Ability to register patients ahead of time
• Ability to supply a climate-controlled location 
• Preferred day(s) of the week

Once the application has been submitted, HCA will assign a dedicated Community Liaison to work directly with the primary point of contact to engage in a collaborative planning process. 

Additionally, the Mobile Vaccine Service feature enables community members who are homebound and meet specific criteria (or their caretakers) to schedule at-home vaccinations. To learn more, please visit Othena.com, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000, or see the flyer below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

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. 

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 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.

If you or someone you know or work with is having difficulty paying their rent, financial assistance may be available. The Emergency Rental Assistance program helps renters and landlords by providing money for housing costs through organizations in your community.

Not sure where to start? The answers to common questions about Emergency Rental Assistance can help you learn:

• How to apply for emergency rental assistance?
• What emergency rental assistance covers?
• If you are eligible for emergency rental assistance?
• How to show that you are eligible?

If you’re having a hard time paying your rent during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. Click here to find out what steps to take to get the help you need.

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’

Kenny Metcalf performs as Elton John in this electrifying performance in Ladera Ranch that covers the best rockin' tunes you'll remember and get you singing the classics by the Rocketman. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and picnic and enjoy an evening of music in the park Friday, August 13 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Blvd, Ladera Ranch. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

The City of Laguna Beach’s popular concert series comes to the Festival of Arts for 2021 with L.A. Sound Machine on Sunday, August 8 at 1 PM. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

Now a long-standing summer tradition in Mission Viejo, Symphony in the Cities brings people together for great music and entertainment in local parks each year. Pack a picnic, grab a lawn chair or blanket and gather the family for an evening of free music and outdoor summer fun Saturday, Aug. 14, with Prelude in the Park, featuring family-friendly activities from the Symphony on the Go! mobile stage starting at 4 PM.

The Pacific Symphony concert starts at 7 PM with a potpourri of popular classics, pop tunes and patriotic tunes, and the audience is invited to participate in a sing-along of patriotic favorites at Oso Viejo Community Park on the Village Green 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

Bring your chairs and blankets to San Clemente Thursday, August 12 at 6 PM for LIVE music with Wigs & Ties, delicious food, and time with friends out in the fresh air at Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa. This event is FREE. Registration is NOT required. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

South OC Cars and Coffee is the world’s largest weekly car show, held every Saturday from 9 AM to 11 AM at Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, attracting a mix of 1500-3500 plus hyper-cars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. No registration is required. Spectators are welcome and meet every Saturday, rain or shine! For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!