Please be advised that County of Orange offices will be closed Friday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday, as well as Monday, February 15 for President's Day. Wishing you and yours a safe. healthy and happy presidential holiday weekend!

For virus-free ways to enjoy the holiday weekend, please visit the Out and About Safely in South County section located near the bottom of my newsletter.

As reported in my newsletter last week, the 5th District Small Business Grant Relief Program successfully launched February 1 at 9 AM.  Due to overwhelming interest from the community, the portal closed by mid-day, as the number of applications received had greatly exceeded available funds. 

This first come, first served program will support small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout South County that have been impacted by COVID-19 by providing $10,000 grant awards to successful applicants.   

Please be advised that notification of awards and electronic funds transfers began earlier this week and will continue until all available funding has been expended. Congratulations to all of our 5th District grant award winners!

If you have any questions regarding the program, process or status, please view the ‘frequently asked questions’ on the dedicated website. Additionally, you may contact the administrator via email or at (714) 597-6630, ext. 134.  

As previously reported in my newsletter, the County of Orange recently opened its second regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) site in South County, located at Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

Operational Hours are Monday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments are required through Othena. They are currently vaccinating all those eligible under Phase 1A, including all tiers and seniors 65+.

Speaking at the opening of the Super POD at Soka.

This afternoon, media reports indicated that thousands of vaccine doses at the Soka POD may have to be destroyed due to a refrigeration problem. Here are the facts: A refrigeration temperature irregularity was detected last night at the Soka University Super POD site. Out of an abundance of caution, the COVID-19 vaccine affected by the temperature variance was not administered and the manufacturer was contacted.

After reviewing the details, the manufacturer advised that the temperature variance did not harm the vaccine’s safety or efficacy and provided confirmation that the vaccine is safe to dispense under the normal protocol.

There were no disruptions to the appointment schedule or the administration of the vaccine at the Soka University Super POD site today.

Some second dose appointments scheduled through Othena for February 13 & 14 were rescheduled to better manage vaccine supply. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If the new assigned date isn’t convenient, adjustments can be made through Othena within 5 days of the rescheduled appointment.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance allows for second dose administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose to maintain vaccine efficacy.

The SOKA Drive-Thru POD launched February 4.

To better assist individuals with mobility issues, we recently expanded services to include the SOKA Drive-Thru POD. The Drive-Thru is intended for individuals with mobility issues, as they must also display a disabled placard or license plate on their vehicle. 

I'm grateful to partner with Soka University to establish our second Super POD site in the Fifth District, as we have a large number of seniors eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1A, and having a location in South County is most helpful in providing greater access to the vaccine. Eligible individuals with an appointment must present identification and proof of eligibility at the Super POD site to receive a vaccine.

At the SOKA Drive-Thru POD.

Othena platform specialists are responding to callers at the HCA Hotline to assist with questions related to the app and vaccine appointments. Call them at 714-834-2000, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM; or for questions specific to Othena and troubleshooting issues, email the creators of the app - Cura Patient. For a map and directions to Soka University, please click here or see the image below.

Thank you for continuing to be patient as we move through the vaccine distribution process. I recognize the process and timeline has caused some confusion, and I hope this information, which will be updated weekly, will provide some clarity.

The Othena system has been refined to prevent offering appointments to people who are currently not eligible in Phase 1A. You must meet current eligibility criteria under Phase 1A as a frontline healthcare worker or first responder in a high-risk position, or be 65 years of age or older to receive the vaccine.

If you received an appointment notification, you must demonstrate eligibility at the POD site before you can receive the vaccine. If you do not meet current eligibility criteria, please do not schedule an appointment

Appointments are currently being scheduled for eligible individuals who registered in Othena on or before January 19. At this time, there are more than 621,000 people registered in the Othena system.

Please note: Eligible individuals who registered for a vaccine may not receive an appointment immediately, as there are more people registered than vaccine doses available. We ask that you please be patient.

The County and our health care providers will continue to work through the phases as quickly as supplies are available. I am committed to working toward greater efficiency and expediency at the local level as the state continues to develop each phase.

Appointments are necessary and required. Anyone showing up without an appointment will not be seen, even if you fall within the eligible group. Appointments can be made through registering at www.Othena.com.

Once an individual is registered, they will be placed in a digital waiting room. Eligible individuals will be notified to schedule an appointment by email or notification through the Othena app. We advise all who are registered and eligible to regularly monitor their email and the Othena app for an update. Appointments are prioritized based on age, time of registration and other factors

Click the image above to enlarge.

While the County of Orange is actively administering approximately 20% of the vaccines available for Orange County residents and workers through Othena, traditional healthcare providers, including hospitals and community health centers, have received the other 80% of vaccine doses. 

If you are having issues with the Othena website or need additional assistance, please call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at 714-834-2000 or email support@compositeapps.net. Trained operators are available Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hotline also offers automated responses to frequently asked questions 24 hours a day.

Please note: The hotline cannot schedule appointments or register users in the Othena system, but it can help you through the process.

The County and our partners are continuing to work around the clock on these endeavors. We will be announcing more Super PODS, mini PODs and mobile sites in the coming days, as more vaccines become available.

For more information, please visit our OC COVID-19 Vaccine Website or contact the COVID Hotline at 714-834-2000.

Please be advised that our County Super PODS and mobile clinics are not the only options to receive a vaccination. Other healthcare providers approved to dispense the vaccine, including hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics, play an essential role in vaccinating Orange County’s population.

To continue reducing ICU levels, the County maintains vaccine eligibility to Orange County residents age 65 and over and individuals eligible under Phase 1a. The County will reevaluate expanding eligibility to others as ICU levels stabilize and more vaccines become available.

To that end, the University of California, Irvine (UCI Health) recently announced they are scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the Bren Event Center. Appointments are required.

Those receiving an appointment must also bring a copy of their confirmation notice from UCI and a photo ID. This program is currently only for individuals 65 years of age and older. For more information, click here.

As previously reported in my newsletter, our Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently launched its COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter. In this week's edition, HCA shares:

• The County's Soka University Super Point-of-Dispensing (POD) site is now offering in-car vaccinations for eligible individuals with disabilities who have appointments and are displaying vehicle placards or license plates.
• The Othena website is now available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Orange County (OC) residents and workers who are interested in receiving a vaccine at a County Super POD are encouraged to register on Othena to be notified of available appointments.
• CalOptima seniors age 65 or older may receive the COVID-19 vaccine within the next few weeks through the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Pilot Program, a joint effort between CalOptima and the OC Health Care Agency.
• President Biden has announced increased vaccine supply, initial launch of the federal retail pharmacy program, and expansion of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement to states.
• Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine has been submitted for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA); if approved, the vaccine could help speed vaccination efforts in OC

For more information, click here. To subscribe to HCA's COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter, click here.

I'm pleased to report that the Laguna Woods COVID-19 Testing Kiosk is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Testing is prioritized for people with symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, workers and residents of congregate settings, and other essential workers. Appointments are needed and can be made by clicking here or on the image below.

Click the image above to make an appointment.

As previously reported in my newsletter, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched phase 2 of its at-home, saliva-based COVID-19 testing program with Ambry Genetics for all Orange County residents. We also have the nasal swab option available to accommodate individual preferences.

To that end, all those who live in Orange County may click here and register to receive a test kit shipped directly to their home at no cost. Ambry Genetics is able to process 4,000 tests each day with a 48 hour turnaround time for notification of results. 

Ambry’s CARE for COVID Program was developed with the latest guidance from federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is an end-to-end screening, testing, and result-management solution, which includes:

• Ambry’s AVA™ virtual assistant supporting an online health questionnaire
• Online determination of essential worker status or medical necessity criteria (symptoms/exposure, etc.) that enables insurance billing or uninsured third-party billing for the test, ensuring there is no cost for the resident
• A HIPAA compliant software that enables users to register their test kit
• Medical provider ordered-testing and supervision (including return and review of results)
  Viral testing by Ambry’s RT-PCR test using saliva collection for a simpler and more convenient experience than nasopharyngeal swabs commonly used by other labs
• Most results reported directly through the CARE platform within 24 hours of receipt of the sample by the lab.

If an online order is placed for a kit by 1 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, the kit will arrive the next day. For orders placed after 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, or any time on Saturday or Sunday, the kit will arrive the following Tuesday. The Ambry Genetics lab receives kits every Monday through Saturday, runs testing, and reports out test results 7 days a week.

In our fight against COVID-19, we continue to leverage all available resources to provide convenient and reliable testing our residents. We anticipate the convenience of online test ordering and reporting, telehealth support, and at-home sample collection will provide greater support to OC residents as case counts continue to surge across the County. For more information, please click here.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is seeking candidates to serve on the First 5 Orange County Children and Families Commission.

Two Commission positions are in the education category and one is in the health category. Commissioners that fill these positions must have relevant experience or expertise in the category. New applicants and current members are invited to apply for the three seats for the 2021-2023 term.

The Commission meets six times on the first Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Commissioners may also serve on ad-hoc committees to review programs and services, participate in site visits, and represent the Commission at community events.

First 5 Orange County oversees the allocation of Proposition 10 funds, which help pay for education, health care, and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age 5 and their families.

Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Feb. 26, 2021. Email Tiffany Alva with any questions.

In addition to serving on 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, we are requesting your assistance in helping us communicate with stakeholders in your community for a Public Member seat on the OCTA Board. 

The 18-member Board is comprised of all five Orange County Supervisors, ten elected city council members, two members of the public and a non-voting member representing Caltrans. Public Members are selected by the OCTA Board.

Candidates for this seat must be residents of Orange County. Other considerations for a candidate may include, but are not limited to, a familiarity with transportation issues, finance, and OCTA priorities, as well as having an interest in serving the public. 

Any person who is currently serving as an elected official within Orange County (any local jurisdiction or special district) or who has held any such position in the past four years, is not eligible to apply.

The Board of Directors Public Member application process is available to view here. Submittals for the Public Member position should include the application, letter of interest, and resume, and are being accepted through Friday, February 26, 2021 at 5 p.m. 

John Wayne Airport is pleased to announce the debut of a new OC Parks display, showcasing 60,000 acres of parkland and historical space now featured in the Orange County: Destination Art & Culture exhibit through December 2021.

The OC Parks exhibit highlights various activities available at its locations like family recreation, docent-led tours, and educational opportunities, as well as past and present artwork of its historical sites, including Heritage Hill Historical Park. This park features 4.1 acres of four fully restored and furnished historic buildings spanning the early history of the Saddleback Valley and El Toro area in South County.

Stroll through the pedestrian walkway, connecting Terminals B and C (pre-security) to view the art, history, and culture of Orange County's award-winning parks and programs! For more information, click here.

We all love our local restaurants in South County and want to see them succeed during these unprecedented and challenging of times. Whether you order takeout, delivery, or purchase a gift certificate, thank you so much for supporting our local restaurants and businesses! 

With outdoor dining permissible once again, I want to assist our 5th District residents in identifying and locating their local restaurants to support. Additionally, many of our Chambers of Commerce in South County are also promoting their restaurant and business members within their respective communities.

Please see the following alphabetical listing of our local Chamber of Commerce websites featuring their respective restaurant members:

• Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce
• Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
• Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce
• Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce
• Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce
• Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce
• Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce
• San Clemente Chamber of Commerce
• San Clemente Downtown Business Association
• San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce

Needless to say, 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for all of us, but this is especially true of small businesses and restaurants that have been forced to continuously modify their operations in order to adhere to changes in guidance and stay-at-home orders issued by the State.

The saying, “Shop and Dine Local,” has never been more appropriate, and I urge our Fifth District residents to please do so now and throughout the year!

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 240,999 positive cumulative cases and 3,493 deaths to date, as well as 965 currently hospitalized with 298 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.

Case counts are also not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick. Asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.

Because transmission occurs throughout the County, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by our County Health Officer, regardless of the case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospitals and healthcare system, as well as protect those most vulnerable in our county.

The State of California’s Emergency Services Authority (EMSA), in partnership with the Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OC EMS) team, has established an Oxygen Depot at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the City of Irvine.

Oxygen Depot at the former MCAS El Toro.

The Oxygen Depot, which is being staffed by a California Medical Assistance Team (CalMAT), is comprised of a large, deployable system that draws in normal air and separates out the nitrogen, producing an output of concentrated oxygen used to fill tanks to support the needs of local hospital and medical facilities within OC and across the broader Southern California region. 

“These tanks can be used to increase a facility’s oxygen supply during a serious surge in the number of patients requiring hospitalization or emergency room care, which we’ve experienced here in OC over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Carl Schultz, Medical Director of OC EMS. “We’re glad this additional resource exists to help provide quality care for patients.”

Hospitals and other medical facilities can call the OC EMS Duty Officer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (714) 415-8980 to request tanks as needed, with coordinated pick-up and delivery arranged by State disaster medical support units.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently conducted a survey of attitudes toward the vaccination for COVID-19 and wishes to thank the more than 25,000 people who completed the questionnaire.

How willing are different geographical, demographic and occupational groups in Orange County to be vaccinated, and what issues contribute to their willingness?

To examine vaccine hesitancy within Orange County by city, gender, age, race/ethnicity, education level and occupation, please read the report on the HCA Survey on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy.

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

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.

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 continue to dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's What You Feel is Real webpage. 

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website. 

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

Soka University in Aliso Viejo is excited 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.

In addition, please join Soka Performing Arts Center for a live video event at Soka University’s new Nieves Observatory Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 PM. Soka University astronomy professor Dr. Bryan Penprase will share live images from the telescope and answer questions about the recent landing on Mars of the new JPL spacecraft lander, known as Perseverance.

Perseverance is scheduled to land on Mars during the day February 18, and Dr. Penprase will discuss and answer questions about the main science goals of the mission, its technology and some of the other exciting new missions making their way to Mars and other parts of the solar system. The event is FREE but registration is required. 

Click the image above to register.

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. Upcoming events include:

• Feb. 11 - Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony
• Feb. 12 - Virtual Lunar New Year
• Feb. 27 - Virtual Lantern Festival

Their Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all of the Symphony’s offerings online! Keep checking back as new musical experiences are always being added!

Pacific Symphony performing with Pacific Chorale.

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

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.

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 the journey of 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.

Another FREE offering from IBT, demonstrating their great versatility, The King's Singers prove in this recital from London's Cadogan Hall in 2005 that, although they have many imitators, they remain the masters. In this concert, they share some of their favorite works, a mixture of songs old and new, including madrigals by Byrd and Monteverdi, a Rossini overture, and tunes from the Beatles, Freddie Mercury, Duke Ellington, and more! Billy Joel's "Goodnight My Angel" is very moving and one of the highlights!

Click the image above to enjoy The King's Singers.

Irvine Barclay Theatre is also excited to bring to your attention a FREE streaming of Romeo and Juliet. This contemporary version of Shakespeare's most famous and best-loved tragedies is staged at the intimate and atmospheric setting of London’s Globe Theatre. Romeo and Juliet is available to stream for FREE until February 28. Click here or the image below to watch the show!

Click the image above to watch Romeo and Juliet performed at London’s Globe Theatre.

Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano invites you to enjoy a "A Virtual Who Dunnit?" Thursday, February 25 at 7 PM. 

"Augustus Sterling is hosting a Zoom meeting with his family and closest staff to celebrate his birthday. The bitter billionaire is threatening to change his will, when he is suddenly electrocuted through his cellphone. Through a series of Zoom conferences, Rockford Sloan, homicide detective, questions each suspect and discovers that absolutely everyone has a motive."

This is a free performance with the link coming soon. For more information, click on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

Ocean Institute, located in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, is thrilled to announce they will host a FREE Virtual Marine and Environmental Sciences College Fair March 27.

During the Fair, there will be live presentations, small session chats, student and alumni panels, exhibits, and much more! The interactive day will inform and encourage students about post-high school, college, and career opportunities.

SPACE IS LIMITED. To complete the form, receive updates and be among the first to register, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to register.

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 (coming soon). This month enjoy Christina Linhardt and Joshua Chandra! 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. For more information, click here.

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.

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.

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.

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! Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy and happy holiday weekend!