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Lisa Bartlett - Supervisor, Fifth District
July 22, 2022 Volume 9 Issue 29
BARTLETT BULLETIN
Vikki Vargas Celebrates 40 Years w/NBC4 News

At this week's meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I had the great pleasure of presenting a Board Resolution to my dear and longtime friend, Vikki Vargas, who is celebrating forty years with the NBC4 News team.

Presenting a Board Resolution in honor of Vikki Vargas,

Based in Orange County and a resident of the 5th District, Vikki Vargas is the Bureau Chief, responsible for gathering and covering the region’s major stories for NBC4 News. Vikki has long been highly regarded by her peers for her outstanding versatility and journalistic integrity, as she has expertly covered countless important national and international news stories while at NBC4, in addition to numerous prominent local news stories in Orange County.

With Vicki Vargas at our Board meeting.

During her distinguished career, Vikki Vargas has deservedly received numerous honors and awards for her professional achievements and community involvement, including the Sky Dunlap Award, Orange County Press Club’s highest honor for career achievement and community service; a Golden Mike, a State Bar Association Award for Outstanding Reporting; the Orange County Press Club Award for Best News Reporting; and was part of the excellent team that won a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for Best Newscast in 2008.

Vikki Vargas addressing the Board during the presentation.

Additionally, Vikki Vargas received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition; Avance Award from the Hispanic Americans for Fairness in Media: was named Latina of the Year by the National Latino Peace Officers Association in 2006; and recognized by her alma mater, California State University, Fullerton, with the Vision & Visionaries Award, the highest tribute given by the school to alumni.

Vikki Vargas with her husband, Mike Nason.

Passionate about giving back, she established the NBC4-Vikki Vargas Scholarship in partnership with the station, which is granted annually to a Cal State Fullerton journalism student; and she was honored by Orangewood Children’s Foundation with the General William Lyon Crystal Vision Philanthropy Award for her admirable work with foster youth in the region.

Please join me in congratulating Vikki Vargas for her 40 years with the NBC4 News team! To see the NBC4 News clip of the Board Resolution presentation, click here.

 
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Hate Happens Here: OC’s Call to Action

Last week, 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

The 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.

PDF
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OC Summit on Antisemitism and Hate - 8/30
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Join Camp Do Good: Give Blood. August 30
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$10 Million for Children's Mental Health Services
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OCVSO: New Online-Based Appointment System
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Emerald Fire Caused by Power Lines
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Sign Up for Alert OC Today!

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.

PDF
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South County Multimodal Transportation Study

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.  

 
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Studying Improvements to I-5 in San Clemente

I'm pleased to report planning is underway to provide traffic relief to Orange County’s southernmost communities along Interstate 5, part of an ongoing plan to ease freeway congestion for residents, workers and visitors through South County.

The Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, is studying potential improvements to approximately 3.4 miles of I-5 between the border with San Diego County and the Avenida Pico Interchange in San Clemente.

The project is currently in the environmental phase and OCTA is seeking input from residents and other community stakeholders to determine what improvements, if any, should be made. The two alternatives being studied are:

  • A no-build alternative
  • Extending one high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction of I-5 through the project area. This alternative would also implement ramp improvement where feasible and auxiliary lanes throughout the corridor and would include Transportation System Management/Transportation Demand Management features to maximize traffic flow.

Two public scoping meetings, one in person and the other virtual, are planned for later this month to discuss the project alternatives and to solicit public input.

The scheduled meetings are planned for:

  • In-Person Meeting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 28
    Triton Center, San Clemente High School, 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, CA 92673
  • Virtual Meeting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on August 2

For more information, click here.

 
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Connect to Fun with Car-Free, Carefree Shuttles
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!

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

 
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I-5 South County Project Construction Update
For more information, click the image above.
 
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Water Wheel to Clean-Up Newport Beach Waters

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.

 
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HCA: Ocean Recreational Water Update
PDF
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OCPL Digital Newsletter: Author Connection
PDF
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OC Microbusiness Grant Awards Re-Launch
PDF
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5th DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
San Juan Chamber Installation & Awards Dinner

Last 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
  • Ambassador of the Year - Susie Wernet
  • Man of the Year - Dan Almquist
  • Woman of the Year - Cindy Russell
  • CEO Award - Rancho Capistrano Winery
Clockwise: With Sergio Prince (my Community Relations Advisor), Candice Burroughs, Senator Pat Bates, Pauline Colvin (my Communications Director), Nancy St. Pierre, Julia Jenner, Rosa & Ricardo Beas at the Chamber Dinner.
(Photo courtesy of Accent Portraits by Diana)
 
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Sterling Insurance & Financial Group in Newport

My office was pleased to present a commendation in honor of Sterling Insurance & Financial Group in Newport Beach, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Sterling is to be highly commended for assisting their clients to pursue wealth, wisdom and well-being, as well as providing them sustainable, long-term solutions since 2006. Please join me in welcoming Sterling Insurance & Financial Group to the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a commendation at the ribbon cutting for Sterling Insurance & Financial Group in Newport Beach.
 
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RUM SOCIAL Kitchen & Cocktails in Laguna

My office was pleased to present a commendation in honor of Rum Social Kitchen & Cocktails in Laguna Beach, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Visitors will enjoy Rum Social's upscale Hemingway speakeasy to gather with friends and escape from the real world, indulge in exotic foods, and drink all the rum they please! Please join me in welcoming Rum Social Kitchen & Cocktails to the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a commendation at the ribbon cutting for Rum Social Kitchen & Cocktails in Laguna Beach.
 
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CRESTAVILLA in Laguna Niguel

My office was pleased to present a certificate of recognition to Crestavilla in Laguna Niguel, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week in honor of their 5-year anniversary celebration. Crestavilla is to be commended for providing the ultimate five-star senior lifestyle experience for assisted living residences and outstanding memory care support. Please join me in congratulating Crestavilla in Laguna Niguel.

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, at the ribbon cutting for Crestavilla in Laguna Niguel.
 
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THE ROOFTOP KITCHEN + BAR in San Juan

My office was also pleased to present a certificate of recognition to The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar in San Juan Capistrano, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Guests will enjoy their modern twist on classic American comfort food and drinks, great vibes, and an amazing view from RTK+B in downtown San Juan Capistrano! Please join me in welcoming The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar to the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, at the ribbon cutting for The Rooftop Kitchen + Bar in San Juan Capistrano.
 
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COUNTY OF ORANGE COVID-19 UPDATE

 
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COVID-19 Orange County Case Counts by Cities

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 628,627 positive cumulative cases and 7,189 deaths to date, as well as 315 currently hospitalized with 50 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.

 
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OC Moves to HIGH COVID-19 Transmission Rate
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Preparing for COVID-19 Vax for Young Children
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HCA: Why Is It so Important to Get Vaccinated?

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.

 
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HCA Update on Boosters and Additional Doses

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.

PDF
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CRITTER CHRONICLES
OC Animal Care is NOW OPEN for Appointments!
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OC Animal Care Pet of the Week: Meet Dorothy!
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Aliso Viejo: Furry Friends Pet Fair - August 6
Click the image above for more information.
 
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Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry at OC Animal Care
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The Importance of Licensing your Pet
For more info, scan the QR code 
or click the image above.
 
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Lost and Found Community Pet Information
PDF
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Let's Paws: Coyote Awareness

 
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OUT & ABOUT SAFELY IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT
Aliso Viejo: Summer Movies in the Park - 7/22

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:

 
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SUMMER JAMS at Ocean Institute - July 22
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Ladera Ranch: Concerts in the Park - July 22

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:

 
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Laguna Niguel: Summer Concerts - July 22
PDF
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Ladera Ranch Farmers Market is Every Sunday!
Click the image above for more info.
 
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Also Viejo: Summer Concerts in the Park - 7/24

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:

 
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Dana Point: FREE Concerts in the Park - 7/24
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Laguna Beach: Music in the Park - July 24

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:

  • 7/24 - 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)
 
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Costa Mesa: 2022 Concerts in the Park - 7/26
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Doheny State Beach: Movie in the Park - 7/28
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Aliso Viejo: Shakespeare Under the Stars - 8/4
Click the image above for more information.
 
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San Clemente: Summer Beach Concert - Aug. 4

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:

 
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Festival of Butterflies in San Juan - August 6
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Laguna Hills Chamber Car Show - August 7
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OC Parks Sunset Cinema Series - August 12
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San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival - August 14
Click the image above for more information.
 
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San Juan Capistrano: Summer Nites - August 17
Click the image above for more info.
 
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OC Parks Summer Concert Series - August 18
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Newport Beach: Summer Concerts - August 21

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.

  • August 21 - Young Guns (Country Cover Band)
  • September 18 - Britain’s Finest (Beatles Tribute)
  • October 2 - Stone Soul (At Marina Park)
 
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Dana Point: Classic Car Show - August 28
PDF
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Laguna Beach: Festival of Arts 90th Anniversary
Click the image above for more information.
 
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55th Annual Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna
Click the image above for more information.
 
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Laguna Art-A-Fair Fine Art Festival 2022
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.

 
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Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival - 10/13
For more information, click the image above.
 
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OC Public Libraries: Services, Events & Activities
PDF
Click the image above for this week's Author Connection!
 
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FOOD RESOURCES IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT

 

Click the image above for information on their
Meals on Wheels and Congregate Lunches for Seniors.

 

Click the image above for information on their
Drive-Thru Food Distribution, weekdays in San Clemente.

 

 

Click the image above for information on their
 Drive Through Food Bank, Monday - Friday in Irvine.

 

Click the image above for information on their
 Food Pantry, Monday - Friday in Laguna Beach.

 

 

Click the image above for info on their Food Pantry
held on the first & third Wednesday of every month.

 

 

Click the image above for information on their
PEACE Community Resource Center Food Pantries.

 

 

Click the image above for information on their
Food Pantry Services weekdays in Irvine.
 
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
Check Out The Fifth District Dispatch Archives!

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!

 
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For questions or comments regarding my E-Newsletter, please contact my office staff at (714) 834-3550 or email my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, at Sergio.Prince@ocgov.com .
 
In This Issue
orange arrow BARTLETT BULLETIN
orange arrow 5th DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
orange arrow COUNTY OF ORANGE COVID-19 UPDATE
orange arrow CRITTER CHRONICLES
orange arrow OUT & ABOUT SAFELY IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT
orange arrow FOOD RESOURCES IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT
orange arrow NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
DISTRICT STAFF
 
Yasie Goebel
Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince
Community Relations Advisor

Pauline Colvin
Communications Director

Christian Abueg
Senior Policy Advisor

Jesse Guillen
Policy Advisor

Rosemary Contreras
Office Manager

Vasila Ahmad
Policy Aide

Dawn Kamber
Field Representative

 
Stay Updated!
house icon http://ocgov.com/gov/bos/5/
envelope icon Lisa.Bartlett@ocgov.com
phone icon 714.834.3550
arrow icon View Online Version
 
Copyright 2022 County of Orange, California
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