My colleagues and I had the honor of hosting members of Veteran community from Operation Green Light during our our recent Board meeting including: Nick Berardino - President of the Veteran's Alliance of Orange County, Bobby McDonald - President and Executive Director of the Black Chamber of Commerce, Michael J. Beaver - Commander of American Legion Placentia Post 277, US Navy Veteran, and Wesley "Chick" Adams - U.S. Army Veteran, Veteran of the Year, and member of the Disabled American Veterans. 

This week, I welcomed OC Animal Care and a few furry friends to our Board of Supervisors Meeting to promote my pet adoption sponsorship.  OC residents who adopt a pet this November will have all adoption fees waived! We look forward to seeing you at OC Animal Care where you can find your “fur-ever” friend!

With my colleagues at the November 8th Board meeting showcasing pets available for adoption.

Join us this Saturday and take advantage of this opportunity to get your free bag of pet food and collapsible water bowl!

Click the image above to enlarge.

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.

I was honored to sponsor the annual Saddleback College Foundation Gala last Saturday to raise funds for scholarships, emergency grants, campus programs, and career support. I also awarded the Saddleback College Foundation $200,000 that will directly impact and improve the lives and education of students in our community. In many cases, students receiving support have no other financial resources to turn to and the Saddleback Emergency Fund program is their only life-line allowing them to stay in school and build a brighter future. Basic student needs being supported include food, housing support, transportation, textbooks, and technology needs. Overall, I am grateful for the positive impact Saddleback College has in higher education for our Orange County Community and it is an honor to award the grant to this amazing institution.

A big THANK YOU to Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) as they recognized my seven years of dedicated service. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve on OC LAFCO and I appreciated every single moment of discussion and collaboration with my colleagues on the Commission. For any residents interested in learning more about OC LAFCO, please visit: www.oclafco.org.

I was thrilled to visit with various childcare relief grant recipients on Saturday, November 5th at Lakeshore Learning Store in Laguna Hills. It was amazing to learn about the wonderful ways funds are being utilized to enrich the lives of children and families. 

L-R: Tiffany Alva, First 5 Orange County and Amy Klein, Charitable Ventures.

I had the pleasure of attending BIA Orange County Chapter Installation event last Friday to congratulate the incoming president, Brooke Doi and new Board of Directors and to present a resolution honoring outgoing BIA OC president, Eric Nelson.

All Pet Adoptions Sponsored During November!

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!

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.

Rosebud is a 10-month-old Mastiff Mix who is full of energy! Since being brought to the shelter as a stray, Rosebud has won over the hearts of everyone she has met! As she's just a puppy, Rosebud is an active girl and would love to be your walking, running, or hiking buddy! Rosebud has met a couple of pups while in our care and has displayed nothing but proper manners. Come meet this adorable girl and let her cheerful and happy personality put a smile on your face!

Interested in adopting Rosebud? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today!

Walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows.

Animal ID#: A1788788

OC Animal Care invites the community to Pooches on the Patio, a new meet-and-greet event for adopters to get to know dogs at the shelter before adopting. Stop by the shelter, located at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin, on Saturday, November 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where a few dogs will be out on the patio ready to meet their forever family!

• OC Animal Care Launches Pooches on the Patio
  
  
• OC to Host Veterans and Military Family Career and Resource Fair

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.  

For additional details and 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.

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.

To view my previous Fifth District newsletters, click here.