Tuesday, November 8, is the General Election. If you haven't done so already, please remember to vote! To that end, please be advised that Orange County elections are being run differently than before now with Vote Centers.

A Vote Center is more than a traditional polling place, as it is a full-service voting experience. Cast your ballot at any location, stop by on the weekend, and even register to vote. Explore all of the benefits of Vote Center voting, all designed to improve the voter experience. For more information, please click here and here.

If you've been considering adding the “purr-fect” pet to your family, now is the time to adopt! I am sponsoring FREE pet adoptions during the entire month of November at OC Animal Care. My sponsorship waives all adoption fees including vaccinations, a microchip, spay/neuter, and more!

But wait, there's more! Each new adopter will also receive a FREE bag of pet food for the newest addition to their family. Hurry on over to meet your new pet and grab supplies while they last!

OC Animal Care is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Adoption hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For concierge service, please call (714) 935-6848. For more information, click here.

I hosted an important and timely forum at San Juan Hills High School last week, where I offered remarks about the dangers of opioid addiction and the fentanyl crisis in our community. I was also joined by Orange County Health Care Agency staff, including Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services.

With Dr. Veronica Kelley at the San Juan Hills High School forum.

Deceptive drugs made of fentanyl are killing young people across America at an alarming rate. Fentanyl is infiltrating our communities through counterfeit pills, cocaine and any other street drug you can name, anonymously sold through social media and delivered within minutes. Learn about it now before it kills you or someone you love.

Click the image above to watch "Dead On Arrival."

During the forum, a very powerful documentary by Dominic Tierno and Christine Wood was presented, titled "Dead On Arrival," which I strongly urge everyone to watch and share with others. To view the video, please click here or on the image above.

Please be advised that Metrolink weekend trains along the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines has resumed service, with modified schedules, to and from the San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and San Clemente Pier stations.

Emergency work to stabilize the hillside south of the San Clemente Pier is beginning soon, and weekend service connecting to the Oceanside Station remains suspended. There is no alternate transportation to or from Oceanside.  

Metrolink service Monday through Friday remains suspended at all stations south of the Laguna Nigel/Mission Viejo Station. This is due to the higher volume of train traffic along this single-track route on weekdays, compared to weekends, making it challenging to provide service without significant delays.  

In addition to the restoration of Metrolink’s weekend service as far south as San Clemente Pier, please note that select Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains will also be extended as far south as San Juan Capistrano (previously they ran only as far as Irvine). With this extension, we are happy to report that the Rail 2 Rail program will be honored on those select Pacific Surfliner trains serving the San Juan Capistrano Station.

Metrolink Monthly Pass holders are still unable to board alternate buses provided by Amtrak Pacific Surfliner between Oceanside and Irvine due to space limitations.  For more information, click here. 

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Orange County Probation Department’s new Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center (MRC). My parents always said, “You’re never too young or too old to learn something new, and education is one thing no one can ever take away from you.” I firmly believe the continued education of our youth is key to their future and life-long success.

At the OC Probation Department’s MRC ceremony.

Additionally, the love, support and understanding of their families and communities is integral to their success. Sometimes they just need a little guidance and assistance in navigating the system and helping their child succeed. I commend the OC Probation Department for their tireless commitment to see this project through, as I'm proud to be a part of it and the ideas put in place by OC CARES, many of which will take place in this building.

By providing youth opportunities to learn and develop new skills, whether through traditional means or via vocational training, the MRC represents the place where success can happen!

It’s my pleasure to sponsor OC Public Libraries' Fall Literacy Festival on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 11 A.M. – 2 P.M. at the Aliso Viejo Library, located at, 1 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. I invite all families to come enjoy a fun-filled day to celebrate literacy and life-long learning that is offered by our public libraries.

The event focus will be on establishing foundational skills necessary for success in school and in life, emphasizing the importance and benefits of reading, and encouraging families to begin home libraries. I strongly believe that reading is a great way for families to connect and spend time together in a relaxing way.

There will be something for everyone including photos with book character, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, crafts, face painting and a main event special appearance three-time Newbery Honor and New York Times Bestselling author, Jennifer Holm. Families who attend will receive Holm’s latest book “Once Upon a Messy Whisker”, while supplies last. So come by and enjoy this wonderful event! For more information, click here.

John Wayne Airport has released its Fall 2022 edition of the JWA Direct Newsletter, featuring timely articles on:

• Helping Hands Airport Journey Video
• Making Miles of Wishes Come True!
• John Wayne Airport Enjoys Tustin Tiller Days
• John Wayne Airport Ranked Among Nation’s Best

For more information, click here.

This week, I was pleased to sponsor and attend Friendship Shelter's first-ever INTERSECTIONS luncheon, held at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. Prior to the luncheon, I presented Executive Director Dawn Price with a $100,000 ceremonial check, as we celebrated Friendship Shelter’s shift to more effective approaches to homelessness. 

Presenting a $100,000 ceremonial check to Friendship Shelter Executive Director Dawn Price.

These new ways of working have helped lead the way to a 23% reduction in homelessness in South Orange County and a 60% reduction in street homelessness in Laguna Beach.  

L-R: Cindy Shopoff, Rob Valentine, Dawn Price, and Bill Shopoff at the INTERSECTIONS luncheon.

The keynote speaker, Rob Vallentine, shared his personal story of mental health recovery, reminding us all of the importance of seeing and welcoming our colleagues, family members, friends and homeless neighbors with mental health challenges as full participants in our communities. This was an inspiring day for Friendship Shelter and all in attendance. For more information about Friendship Shelter, click here.

Last week, I was pleased to sponsor and attend the 2022 Newport Chamber Honors Dinner, held at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, where I was invited to provide remarks in honor of the occasion.

Providing remarks at the at the Newport Chamber Honors Dinner, with Chamber CEO Steve Rosansky.

L-R: With my policy advisors Vasila Ahmad, Christian Abueg and Jesse Guillen, and Chamber CEO Steve Rosansky.

The purpose of this wonderful event was to celebrate the 2022 Newport Beach Citizen of the Year, David Beek, and the Business Person of the Year, Mario Marovic.

Presenting a commendation to the 2022 Citizen of the Year, David Beek.

Presenting a commendation to the Business Person of the Year, Mario Marovic.

It was a pleasure to present both gentlemen with well-deserved commendations, as they are to be highly commended for their outstanding commitment to the City of Newport Beach, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the community at large. To view additional photos of the event, click here.

This week, my office attended the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Governmental and Community Relations meeting, which was held at the Sea Country Community Center.

The keynote speakers were South Coast Water District General Manager Rick Shintaku and SCWD Board President Rick Erkeneff, who presented on the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project. For more information about the Project, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Following the informative presentation, my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presented an Adjournment in Memoriam to Rick Erkeneff and Rick Shintaku in tribute to former SCWD Director Wayne Rayfield, who recently past away.

Wayne was a dear friend, as I was saddened to adjourn our previous Board of Supervisors meeting in his memory. Wayne's Adjournment in Memoriam, signed collectively by the Board of Supervisors, will be presented to his loving wife, Cubby. May he Rest in Peace.

L-R: SCWD Board President Rick Erkeneff, my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, and SCWD General Manager Rick Shintaku, with the Adjournment in Memoriam in tribute to former SCWD Director Wayne Rayfield.

My office was pleased to present a commendation in honor of California Pizza Kitchen in Laguna Niguel, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Guests will surely appreciate California Pizza Kitchen’s outstanding open-air dining, large patio area, new bar menu, and easy take-out experience in Laguna Niguel! Please join me in welcoming California Pizza Kitchen to Laguna Niguel!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a commendation to General Manager Kyle Dahlberg at the ribbon cutting for CPK in Laguna Niguel.

My office was pleased to present a commendation in honor of Gallery at the Villa in Laguna Beach, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Beautifully designed and curated by Suzanne Barber, Gallery at the Villa is a deeply inspirational and welcoming reflection of her creative journey, showcasing layered abstracts and custom commissions pieces in a new and magnificent lifestyle gallery! Please join me in welcoming Gallery at the Villa to Laguna Beach!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, at the ribbon cutting for Gallery at the Villa in Laguna Beach.

My office was also pleased to present a commendation to YogaSix in Dana Point, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Whether you’re connecting to the rhythm of your breath or advancing to your top fitness level, there is always something new to discover about yourself at YogaSix! Please join me in welcoming YogaSix to the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, at the ribbon cutting for YogaSix in Dana Point.

Lastly, office was pleased to present a commendation to eyeXam in Newport Beach, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. eyeXam optometry Newport Beach is to be highly  commended for using next-generation technology and approach to improve patients’ quality of vision and quality of life! Please join me in welcoming eyeXam to the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, presenting a commendation at the ribbon cutting for eyeXam optometry Newport Beach.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 674,462 positive cumulative cases and 7,541 deaths to date, as well as 113 currently hospitalized with 16 in ICU.

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.

If you've been considering adding the “purr-fect” pet to your family, now is the time to adopt! I am sponsoring FREE pet adoptions during the entire month of November at OC Animal Care. My sponsorship waives all adoption fees including vaccinations, a microchip, spay/neuter, and more!

But wait, there's more! Each new adopter will also receive a FREE bag of pet food for the newest addition to their family. Hurry on over to meet your new pet and grab supplies while they last!

OC Animal Care is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Adoption hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For concierge service, please call (714) 935-6848. 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!