Earlier today, I had the pleasure of providing the welcoming remarks at the Hate Happens Here: OC’s Call to Action Town Hall, presented by the OC Human Relations Council and hosted by Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

Providing welcoming remarks at the Hate Happens Here: OC’s Call to Action Town Hall.

The meeting comes on the heels of the tragic shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, which claimed the life of Dr. John Cheng and seriously injured five others. What was initially thought to be a horrific act of violence was later identified for what it truly was - a crime motivated by hate. This recent cowardly act not only highlights the prevalence of hate crimes in Orange County, but also emphasizes the urgent need for us to come together as a community to address these issues and take action.

Hate Happens Here: OC’s Call to Action Town Hall

Today’s meeting was well attended with representation from a diverse cross-section of the community. The Town Hall provided an opportunity to share ideas and recommendations for developing a people and community-centered strategy to eliminate bias-motivated hate in Orange County.

OC Human Relations Council CEO Alison Edwards speaking at the Town Hall.

Hate and discrimination of any kind, against anyone, have no place here in Orange County, and I want to thank the OC Human Relations Council for their work to prevent any further hate related incidents and hate crimes in Orange County. To read the booklet provided to attendees at the Town Hall, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

OC Realtors and affiliates are invited to attend a virtual training July 19 hosted by OC United Way that will debunk myths regarding homelessness in Orange County, how housing choice (Section 8) vouchers affect rent, and how you have the power to make a difference in our community. For more information, click here or on the flyer below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

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

As such, I'm pleased to report the South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study looks at a range of transportation needs and solutions over the next 25 years, including improvements to streets, bus and other transit options, highways and bikeways.  

Since the study’s launch in 2020, OCTA has remained engaged with the public, key stakeholders and partner agencies to develop long-term strategies for continuing to improve transportation for South Orange County. Potential solutions that are being analyzed include:  

• Improvements to streets, including traffic signal synchronization and upgraded technologies to accommodate for connected and autonomous vehicles 
• Improving bottlenecks on I-5 
• Offering additional high-frequency transit options 
• Continuing to fund programs for cities and communities to operate shuttle services 
• Enhancing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure 

OCTA will continue working with stakeholders and partner agencies over the next few months to develop a locally preferred strategy. The study is scheduled to be completed in August.  For more information, click here.  

I'm pleased to report Newport Beach is drifting closer to operating a solar-powered, trash-snaring vessel known as a water wheel to clean up its bay, following recent approval from the California Coastal Commission.

The water wheel is expected to look like a snail with a paddle wheel or a conch shell crossed with a steamboat, mirroring its cousins in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where the first of two was installed in 2014.

As proposed, two booms would span the width of San Diego Creek and funnel trash toward the stationary barge, which would be mounted with a 17-foot-tall water wheel. Any debris would land on a conveyer belt, then travel into two dumpsters mounted on a fixed rail system. The dumpsters would be conveyed to land, where a garbage truck would access them and dispose of the trash.

San Diego Creek in Newport Beach

Discussions to place the device in San Diego Creek date back to 2017, when estimates for the project ranged from $750,000 to $1 million. City spokesman John Pope said Monday the current cost estimate for the barge is not yet confirmed, as the drawings have not been finalized.

The City has about $2.2 million available in grants between the Ocean Protection Council and the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Measure M, according to city staff.

San Diego Creek, according to a staff report for the Coastal Commission, “introduces hundreds of tons of trash from surrounding urban development into downstream waterways each year.”

Through the use of the water wheel, the city would also be able to quantify the kinds of trash flowing into the bay, which could help provide data for possible future ordinances.

Coastal Commission staff noted in their report that while the barge will be an “effective” method of trash capture, it would not resolve the issue at its source. The city could further reduce the amount of trash entering community waterways by restricting single-use plastics and Styrofoam products in Newport Beach, the staff report said.

Commissioners agreed, saying city officials should consider the implementation of a single-use plastics ban, but they did not require it as one of their conditions for approval.

The City still must acquire permits and approvals from other agencies such as the state Water Resources Control Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Orange County Flood Control District and the Irvine Co., which owns the property, but groundbreaking could start as early as 2023.

Construction is expected to take at least a year, taking into consideration nesting season of bird species in the surrounding area. For more information, visit the Daily Pilot.

Laguna Beach Trolley

With help from OCTA, Orange County cities in the 5th District are offering summer shuttle services. Many began Memorial Day weekend. 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 to 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. And with the high cost of gas, low-cost transportation options should be more welcome than ever. All the shuttles are free on weekends.

Driving to Laguna Beach from inland OC?
Hop on the SUMMER BREEZE in Irvine!

Check out these fun, convenient summer fun travel options in the 5th District!

• Dana Point Trolley
• Laguna Beach Summer Breeze Service
• Newport Beach Balboa Peninsula Seasonal Trolley
• San Clemente Summer Trolley
• San Juan Capistrano Weekend Summer Trolley
• Laguna Niguel Summer Trolley

Shuttles are operated by local jurisdictions. OCTA continues to work closely with cities in monitoring ridership and evaluating costs. For more information, click here.

This month, consider moving away from your air-conditioned comfort zone and into refreshing off-the-grid areas purchased and preserved by OCTA as open space.

On Saturday, July 16, OCTA will conduct an equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve, a 396-acre parcel located northwest of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita in Trabuco Canyon. It’s bordered by the Cleveland National Forest to the north and Trabuco Creek to the south, while Hickey Creek drains the western side.

The Preserve features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 1,120 to 1,650 feet above mean sea level. The equestrian rides are docent-led group rides. Riders must bring their own horse and stallions are not permitted. Learn more and register here.

On Saturday, July 23, OCTA will offer a docent-led hike through the Pacific Horizon Preserve, a 151-acre parcel located in the Southeast portion of the City of Laguna Beach. It is adjacent to Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, as well as Moulton Meadows Park.

The Preserve serves as the final open space connection between the south end of the Laguna Greenbelt, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the sea. Learn more and register here.

AlertOC is a County System managed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department capable of notifying thousands of subscribers by phone, email, text message during an emergency incident.

Each AlertOC account can have multiple addresses registered to it, so you can be notified of potential disasters impacting your home, work, child’s school, or other important locations. 

Notifications via AlertOC are sent based on the subscriber's address and proximity to an emergency or disaster. If you did not receive any notifications or would like to check or update your contact information, visit AlertOC.com or click on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

This week, I was pleased to serve as the Title Sponsor for the San Juan Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards Dinner, held in the grand ballroom at the beautiful Inn at the Mission in San Juan. During the program, I also had the honor of installing the new Chamber Board of Directors. 

Installing the SJC Chamber Board of Directors. 

Additionally, it was my pleasure to have current State Senator and former 5th District Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates seated with me as my special guest, as she also joined me in presenting commendations to the various Chamber award winners during the evening's festivities.

With Senator Pat Bates, presenting commendations to Jim Taylor, President of the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, winner of Nonprofit of the Year.

I want to congratulate the incoming Board of Directors and all of the Chamber award winners, including:

• Business of the Year Winner - Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano
• Nonprofit of the Year Winner - San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association
• Ambassadors of the Year - Susie Wernet
• Man of the Year - Dan Almquist
• Woman of the Year - Cindy Russell
• CEO Award - Rancho Capistrano Winery

Check back next week for more photos of the event!

My office was pleased to present a commendation in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Beaushe Salon in Dana Point, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Customers will undoubtedly appreciate the warm and welcoming experience offered at Beaushe Salon, which will positively change the way they look and feel! Please join me in welcoming Beaushe Salon to the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a commendation at the ribbon cutting for Beaushe Salon in Dana Point.

My office was also pleased to introduce the headliner, DSB (Journey Tribute), at the OC Parks Summer Concert held at Mason Regional Park in Irvine this week. For more OC Parks Concert Series information, click here.

Introducing DSB at Mason Regional Park in Irvine.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 620,698 positive cumulative cases and 7,170 deaths to date, as well as 277 currently hospitalized with 35 in ICU.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: HCA has transitioned to publicly reporting COVID-19 data to two days a week following the change in reporting by CDPH. Specifically data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU numbers and bed availability, and deaths will be reported on our dashboards Tuesdays and Fridays. Other data (e.g. testing positivity, variants, vaccinations) will continue to be updated on a weekly basis.

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), has a video message to help explain why it's important to get vaccinated. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

For informational town hall events and more educational videos related to COVID-19 vaccination, visit the OC COVID-19 homepage.

The CDC has updated its guidance on COVID-19 booster shots and additional doses for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, including recommendations for people who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, as well as updated time intervals between doses.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has an infographic to help you understand all of the information about boosters and additional doses. Click here or on the image below to download the information.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Bring a blanket and lawn chairs, pick up dinner and treats from local restaurants, and enjoy an evening of music in the park this summer in Ladera Ranch. See below for a list of upcoming concerts and more information:

• July 15 - Slapbak
• July 22 - The Mighty Untouchables
• July 29 - Katelyn Marie Band
• Aug. 5 - Flashback Heart Attack
• Aug. 12 - 90s Rock Show
• Aug. 28 - Symphony on the Go

Bring family, friends and neighbors out to Buffalo Hills Park in Newport Beach on July 15 to enjoy some fresh air, free popcorn, free candy, free activities, and a live screening of The Croods: A New Age. The event begins at 7 PM. For more information, click here.

Music in the Park is a free public concert series held Sunday evenings July 10 - August 21 at Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach. Concerts start at 5:00 p.m. See a list of upcoming concerts below. For more information, click here.

Performers:

• 7/17- The Great North Special
• 7/24 - Stone Soul (Motown)
• 7/31 - Upstream (Reggae/Soca)
• 8/7 - ABBA LA 
• 8/14 - Los Pinguos (Argentinian Latin)
• 8/21 - LA Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan)

The City of Newport Beach presents its annual Summer Concerts Series on the Green, featuring an array of performers for your entertainment. Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are held on the Newport Beach Civic Center Green (100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach). Admission and parking are free, on a first come, first served basis. See the list below for upcoming concerts. For more information, click here.

• July 17 - Billy Nation (Billy Joel Tribute)
• August 21 - Young Guns (Country Cover Band)
• September 18 - Britain’s Finest (Beatles Tribute)
• October 2 - Stone Soul (At Marina Park)

Bring your towels and low back chairs to the San Clemente Summer Concert Series for live music with the beach as your backdrop! These events are free and open to everyone. For upcoming concerts and more information, see below:

• July 21 - Wigs & Ties
• August 4 - Common Sense

Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) is again hosting their Summer Movie Nights at Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater! Movies begin at sundown. Pre-Movie activities begin at 6:00 PM. See below for upcoming movies, dates and more information:

• LUCA - Friday, July 22
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids - August 12

Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) is again hosting their Summer Concert Series a at Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater in Aliso Viejo! Concerts are from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. See below for upcoming concerts, dates, and more information:

• Flashback Heart Attack - Sunday, July 24
• Common Sense - Sunday, August 14

Click the image above for more information.

Nestled in beautiful Laguna Canyon, the Laguna Art-A-Fair is one of the premier fine arts summer destinations in Southern California and has been for more than 55 years.  Our artists invite you to Celebrate Art with a full spectrum of original creations, affordable reproductions, art demonstrations, workshops, live music and excellent cuisine. For more information, click here.

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!