With the Labor Day weekend upon us, many Orange County residents and visitors alike will be visiting our beaches and parks, as well as spending quality time celebrating with their family and friends. To that end, we ask that you please take all the necessary precautions to enjoy a safe and happy holiday weekend! See below for more information.

In anticipation of community and family gatherings during the upcoming Labor Day holiday, County Health Officers at the OC Health Care Agency are urging residents to continue taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To protect others who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19, particularly those who are immune compromised, at increased risk of severe disease, not fully vaccinated, or not yet eligible for vaccination (that is, children under age 12), the County Health Officers recommend the following safe measures for all Orange County residents:

• Get vaccinated if you are not yet fully vaccinated. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, getting sick, being hospitalized, or dying. Schedule a vaccination at a County mobile vaccination clinic by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000.
• Wear a mask indoors. This is the easiest way to protect everyone around you, especially those who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19. Those who are unvaccinated are required to wear masks indoors in accordance with mask guidance from the California Department of Public Health.
• Avoid crowded areas and events, especially indoors. Gatherings among residents should occur outdoors.
• Maintain physical distancing in poorly ventilated areas.
• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly.
• Avoid traveling if you are unvaccinated.
• Get tested if you are exposed to or experience symptoms of COVID-19. Order a self-collection, at-home kit.

Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been identified globally during the pandemic. The Delta Variant continues to be the most dominant version of the virus, according to county, state and federal data.

The OC Health Care Agency recently published a new fact sheet on the Delta Variant, available in multiple languages, on the COVID-19 Education Toolkit webpage. To download the fact sheet and other vaccine education resources, click here.

National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. Emergency situations can happen at any time, making it crucial that you are prepared for the unexpected long before it happens. NPM is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and this year’s theme “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”

Often, we will be the first ones in our communities to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive, so it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.

• Week 1 / September 1-4: Make A Plan - Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. For ways to help you and your family make a plan for a disaster/ emergency, click here.
• Week 2 / September 5-11: Build A Kit - Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.  Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. For ideas on what to include in your First Aid Kit, click here.
• Week 3 / September 12-18: Prepare for Disasters - Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.  Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert. For ways to help prepare yourself and your families for different disasters and emergencies, click here. For notifications of local disasters and emergencies, click here.
• Week 4 / September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness - Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved. For ways you help teach your children on how to prepare for a disaster, click here.

Don’t forget to test your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year!

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! If you have friends who are artists or that have an arts-related small business or nonprofit, please let them know!

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.

In addition to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I am also privileged to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. 

As such, when Orange County taxpayers renewed the County's half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in 2006, they told OCTA they wanted some of the funds to go toward environmental efforts. Since then, funds from OC Go, also known as Measure M, have improved freeway project coordination and approval, reduced freeway project permitting process time and set aside and preserved 1,300 acres of land and restored more than 350 acres of native habitat in OC.

In the process of bringing these environmental benefits to Orange County, OCTA forged ongoing relationships with the environmental community and government and regulatory agencies. OCTA’s successful, pioneering efforts were profiled in a Federal Highway Administration (FHA) case study as an example of how transportation and environmental goals can be mutually accomplished through a successful partnership.

Major challenges included the protection of threatened / endangered species and sensitive habitats and creating permitting solutions to satisfy multiple agency requirements for multiple projects. Learn more about OCTA’s Environmental Mitigation Program.

The Board of Supervisors recently approved a Cooperative Agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority to receive Measure M-2 funds for the continuation of Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (SNEMT) services for older adults in Orange County.

The SNEMT program provides transportation to older adults who are in need of low-cost transportation to and from medical appointments, dentists, therapies, exercise programs, testing and other health related trips. The program has been very successful providing thousands of trips to seniors each year and I’m very pleased to see it continue. For more information, call the Orange County Office on Aging at (800) 510-2020 or (714) 480-6450.

Last week, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal I brought forward, with the support of Vice-Chair Doug Chaffee, to allocate $2.4 million for the implementation of a technology solutions program.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a tremendous strain on our County’s systems for social support, communications, and healthcare. What’s more, it illustrated that home-based internet and digital skills are, for many older adults, an essential lifeline.

This program is intended to provide older adults, especially those who are high-risk, homebound or in residential care, with the necessary tools and knowledge to participate in telehealth appointments, virtual programs offered by senior centers, and online classes. The goal is to promote continuous learning, increase socialization and reduce loneliness and isolation. 

While the details are still being worked out, when fully implemented, the program will make iPad devices, training, and technical support available on a no-cost, loan basis to older adults in need. Stay tuned for more information!

I'm excited to announce the relaunch of the Nutrition Gap Program. Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge for many residents, as people struggle to get back on their feet and keep food on the table. The goal is to satisfy the continued demand for nutritious food and bridge the gap between hunger and the next meal.

The $2 million dollar program is being funded by the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is available to residents living in my district. Priority will be given to those experiencing food insecurity due to age/disability, economic status, lack of familial or community support, lack of access to available resources, and those who have military service.

Enrollment is now open and, to make it as easy as possible for people to enroll in the program, we have three options by which they can enroll.

• Online by visiting: https://fdngp.211oc.org/
• Call 2-1-1
• Text their Zip Code to 898211

Program Details:

• Coordinated through the Office on Aging in partnership with 2-1-1 Orange County.
• Provides twice-weekly deliveries, via DoorDash, of restaurant-quality meals directly to participant’s homes.
• Each Tuesday, participants receive three fresh lunches and three fresh dinners.
• Each Thursday, they receive three fresh lunches, three fresh dinners, one frozen lunch, and one frozen dinner.

Restaurants participating in the program include:

• Ruby’s Diner
• Bella Collina
• Villa Roma
• Bamboo Bistro

I'm pleased to report our Board presented a resolution last week to members of the Muslim American community, commending Muslim Americans for their contributions in Orange County.

Orange County is also the home to several prominent Muslim figures who continue to make significant contributions to the community as business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, and in many other outstanding capacities.

The Orange County Muslim community is recognized as having made innumerable contributions to our cultural, political, charitable and economic fabric and well-being.

Presenting Board Resolutions to various prominent members of our Muslim American community.

As previously reported in my newsletter, the Board of Supervisors in March 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.

Help co-create an Orange County where all people can live and thrive. OC Human Relations invites you to gather family, friends, neighbors or colleagues for an online dialogue event on Tuesday, September 21 from 6 to 7:30 PM.

The online event is an opportunity to come together to open hearts and minds one conversation at a time. The dialogues are intended to help change the narratives around diversity, equity, and inclusion one person and conversation at a time. For more information, click here.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a special dinner hosted by the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce to present a proclamation in honor of Michelle Endo, Outgoing Chair of their Board of Directors. The event was held at the City's impressive new Crown Valley Community Center.

Laguna Niguel's Crown Valley Community Center.

During her exemplary term as Chair of the Board, Michelle helped guide one of South County’s leading business organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020. Her dynamic leadership style consisted of a robust blend of energy, affability, intelligence, and civic leadership, as she consistently "sets-the-bar" for results-driven entrepreneurship.

Being a vibrant, bright and transformative groundbreaker, Michelle made an indelible mark on the Laguna Niguel business community, playing an indispensable role in the leadership transition, as she sustained the success of the Laguna Niguel Chamber with her steady hand, excellent business savvy, unquestioned integrity, and tireless volunteerism, as well as being most deservedly recognized as an Orange County “40-Under-40” honoree in 2019.

At the Laguna Niguel Chamber dinner in honor of Michelle Endo.

A Southern California native, Michelle Endo began working after school in her family’s business at an early age while still a student at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, and 25 years later, she is the owner and manager of all three Good Choice Sushi locations in Orange County.

Under her leadership, Good Choice Sushi has grown to become one of the region’s most preferred restaurants for delicious cuisine, a fun atmosphere and reasonable pricing. Recently, she also expanded her successful business style as a partner in one of Laguna Niguel’s newest food ventures - Mucho Mucho Market. Congratulations to Michelle Endo!

Michelle Endo - 2020 Chair of the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

I was saddened to adjourn our previous Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Stefano Albano, who passed away August 7 after being struck by a drunk driver on his way home from work at Oliver’s Osteria in Laguna Beach, where he was the longtime General Manager.

Stefano was always a shining light, as he welcomed everyone with open arms and treated all like family. He was beloved by many and brought positive energy into every situation. He will be dearly missed. Stefano left the world leaving behind his two children, Valentina & Luca.

I adjourned our meeting in memory of Stefano Albano and asked that we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones for their loss. May he Rest in Peace.

Stefano Albano - Rest in Peace.

Last week, the OC Parks Sunset Cinema, "Hook," was featured at Laguna Niguel Regional Park, where my office introduced the movie classic, starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. 

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, with Tinkerbell and Captain Hook at the Sunset Cinema.

As an added bonus prior to the show, the audience was treated to a special Peter Pan dance performance featuring the ballerinas from Ballet Academy and Movement (BAM!), choreographed by BAM founder Amanda Cobb.

Ananda Cobb and her ballerinas from Ballet Academy and Movement (BAM!) with Hook & Tink.

A wonderful time was had by all! Be sure not to miss our final two OC Parks Sunset Cinemas, which will be held at beautiful Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point! For more information, click here.

My office was pleased to present a certificate of recognition to Jersey Mike's in Ladera Ranch, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. At Jersey Mike’s, they offer a sub above – one that’s measured in more than inches or seconds ‘til served.  Please join me in welcoming Jersey Mike’s to the Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation to Mackenzie Williams, owner of Jersey Mike's in Ladera Ranch.
(Photo courtesy of Brandon Hauseman)

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 286,950 positive cumulative cases and 5,250 deaths to date, as well as 500 currently hospitalized with 138 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.

My Board colleagues and I recently approved the launch of the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Vaccine Equity Engagement Program in an effort to accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, with a continued focus on the most vulnerable high-risk populations in Orange County. 

The program provides an opportunity for community members to nominate collaboratives, volunteers and other organizations (especially smaller groups in hard-to-reach communities) for an opportunity to earn a coordination fee of $20 for every individual who receives either their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (with a preferred minimum of 50 individuals registered per event). The program’s $4.5 million in funding is made available from the State of California’s Government Operations Agency.

Through the Vaccine Equity Engagement Program, HCA will oversee the criteria for organizations to host clinics, provide them with public health messaging resources to help them promote their events and communicate the importance of the vaccine to their community members, and collaborate with them on innovative ideas to increase engagement with residents such as donation and gift matching opportunities. 

Interested organizations will be able to sign up to participate in this program and host vaccine clinics in partnership with HCA through the Mobile Vaccine Service feature on the Othena platform. Additionally, the Othena platform now offers a new feature for any eligible individual who has scheduled a vaccination appointment to request free roundtrip rides to their appointment. They can now log in to Othena.com or the smartphone app to request a ride to their appointment (residents are encouraged to request rides 3 to 5 days in advance and rides are subject to availability). 

To sign up for the Vaccine Engagement Program and host a community clinic, interested organizations can click here.

Individuals looking to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or complete their second dose can do so by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000. For additional information on free or discounted rides to vaccination appointments, please visit the Lyft or Uber websites. For more information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County, click here. 

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.   

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’

The Annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest is celebrating its 10th year of attracting top professionals and emerging amateur photographers who capture the magic of our oceans.

This year’s contest is dedicated to Laguna’s many businesses supporting restoration of local sea life and is accepting entries through September 22. Contest prizes will include cash awards for top winners! For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

The San Clemente Downtown Business Association is hosting their 25th Annual Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 AM to 3 PM in downtown San Clemente on Del Mar street. The show boasts hundreds of quality show cars from classic to exotic and is free to the public. The venue will also host food trucks, vendors, music & entertainment. 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.

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.

I'm excited to announce the relaunch of the Nutrition Gap Program. Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge for many residents, as people struggle to get back on their feet and keep food on the table. The goal is to satisfy the continued demand for nutritious food and bridge the gap between hunger and the next meal.

The $2 million dollar program is being funded by the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is available to residents living in my district. Priority will be given to those experiencing food insecurity due to age/disability, economic status, lack of familial or community support, lack of access to available resources, and those who have military service.

Enrollment is now open and, to make it as easy as possible for people to enroll in the program, we have three options by which they can enroll.

• Online by visiting: https://fdngp.211oc.org/
• Call 2-1-1
• Text their Zip Code to 898211

Program Details:

• Coordinated through the Office on Aging in partnership with 2-1-1 Orange County.
• Provides twice-weekly deliveries, via DoorDash, of restaurant-quality meals directly to participant’s homes.
• Each Tuesday, participants receive three fresh lunches and three fresh dinners.
• Each Thursday, they receive three fresh lunches, three fresh dinners, one frozen lunch, and one frozen dinner.

Restaurants participating in the program include:

• Ruby’s Diner
• Bella Collina
• Villa Roma
• Bamboo Bistro

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!