Flag Raising Ceremony at Orange County's Veterans Cemetery
In the past 8 years as your County Supervisor, I have worked hard to advocate for a Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. I am pleased to say we have accomplished just that. It was a beautiful week for Orange County and our nation as we raised “Flag One,” a 60’ x 30’ American flag on the future Orange County Veterans Cemetery located at Gypsum Canyon.
With the signing of Assembly Bill 1595 into law, the California Department of Veterans Affairs can begin studying the site, using $20 million that the Board allocated for its development of the cemetery.
Our community is very proud of this accomplishment for our brave men and women who are deserving of having a cemetery for them in their beloved county. Thank you to all those who serve and who made this dream a reality.
With my fellow Board Colleagues at the Flag Raising Ceremony (Left to Right): Supervisor Katrina Foley, Chairman Doug Chaffee, Vice-Chairman Don Wagner, and myself.
Sponsored Laguna Niguel Regional Park Playground Shade Structure
At Laguna Niguel Regional Park, children of all ages enjoy spending time at the park’s main playground. Spanning 9,300 square feet, the main playground offers two large, shaded play structures for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 years old along with additional freestanding play equipment. The ARPA funds from my office for the Laguna Niguel Playground Shade Structure project will add shade canopies over two freestanding playground areas and the sand play area to help protect children from the hot summer sun and provide a more comfortable experience while they play. Smaller shade canopies will also be installed over adjacent seating areas to provide shade for guardians and seniors. Construction is expected to start next year for this new park feature.
Consul General of Republic of Korea in Los Angeles
I had the honor of meeting the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles, Youngwan Kim, this week.
CRITTER CHRONICLES
A big THANK YOU to all those who adopted a new pet from OC Animal Care in November!
Friends, as you know I sponsored all adoption fees for the month of November and I am excited to let you know that 544 pets were adopted from OC Animal Care. This means 544 friends have new forever homes!
Thank you to all who participated and adopted new pets. I also want to thank the staff at OC Animal Care for their hard work in putting this together and assisting OC residents find a new forever friend!
If you did not get an opportunity to adopt a new pet, you still can at OC Animal Care. They are 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.
OC Pet of the Week
Meet Beautiful Benji!
After being notified of certain rules at the apartment complex, Benji's owner had to surrender him to OC Animal Care. Since Benji has been in our care, he has been nothing but a true gentleman, keeping his living area nice and tidy! He loves meeting other four-legged friends, and is one of our best walkers. As a one-year-old pit bull, Benji is incredibly active and would be best suited to live with adults or a home with children older than 10 who can continue to work with him on his basic training.
Are you able to give this handsome fella a second shot at a great life in a new forever home? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! Walk-ins are welcome! *
Animal ID#: A1764550
*Walk-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows.
Disasters Don't Wait
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared this Winter Season!
Orange County is subject to heavy rainfall this time of year which could lead to potential flooding and debris flow near burn scar areas. OC Animal Care is urging residents located in the Bond Fire burn scar areas to implement and activate their personal plan to get their pets out safely and early. Prepare now to ensure you and your pets are safe by following these steps:
• Have a plan – know where your pets can go and how they’ll get there
• Pack their bags – have your pet's supplies packed and ready to go
• Don’t delay – Large animal owners should move their pets prior to the rain so roads are clear
• Access OC Animal Care's free toolkit and resources with information available in 6 languages Click Here
Remember to also sign up here for ALERTOC so you will be notified if an evacuation order is placed.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Operation Santa Claus & Senior Santa and Friends
Friends of the Fifth District, it's that time of year again! The Operation Santa Claus (OSC) and Senior Santa and Friends (SSF) holiday gift drives have served Orange County’s most vulnerable children, seniors and disabled adults for 60 and 30 years, respectively.
This year organizers are hoping to raise $35,000 in total donations by the end of this year. Orange County residents can support Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa and Friends by: Donating new and unwrapped toys at the collection boxes placed in many County buildings, including most County libraries.
Click the image below for more information on how you can donate!
FUN IN THE FIFTH!
Orange County Public Library's Discover & Go
Get two free tickets to a live performance at the Cabrillo Playhouse in San Clemente with OCPL’s Discover & Go program! The Cabrillo has been producing quality live theater since 1953.
A fun way to ring in the Winter Season at the Laguna Niguel Library! There will be dancing, music, crafts, treats and much more at the Winter Festival! Click here for details.
OUT & ABOUT IN THE 5TH DISTRICT
Hoku Nai'a Ribbon Cutting
Pauline Colvin, my Deputy Chief of Staff, presented a certificate to welcoming the newest vessel, Hoku Nai'a, to Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. Hoku Nai'a is a 65-foot dolphin and whale watching catamaran specifically designed for passenger comfort and panoramic views on the double-decker.
Laguna Niguel Chamber Government and Community Relations Meeting
Deputy Chief of Staff Pauline Colvin represented me at the Laguna Niguel Chamber Government and Community Relations meeting on Friday, December 2. She provided an update on my use of discretionary ARPA funds to purchase two Helopods to be stationed in the Fifth District to assist emergency personnel in responding to fires. These portable pods can hold between 4,000 and 7,000 gallons of water. They can be located in close proximity to the fire and provide firefighting helicopters convenient access to water so they can quickly attack the fire and help protect lives and property.
Iconic Ornaments Ribbon Cutting
My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, participated in the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce’s welcoming Ribbon Cutting ceremony in celebration of Iconic Ornaments designers brothers Jackson and Sawyer Collins at Bushard’s Pharmacy in Laguna Beach. Congratulations!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Click the image above for more information.
Click image above to RSVP!
Click link for City of Laguna Niguel Decorating Contest
Click the image above to catch Santa at Dana Point Harbor!
Click image above for more information.
Click image above for more information on Santa Paws at Dana Point & San Clemente.
Stay informed, be prepared, and keep connected while you’re traveling in, or outside, of the country. Make sure to have local currency on hand and a list of numbers to contact.
Want to Change the World Through Stem? Click the flyer below!
All OC residents are invited to bring their bulky and oversized household waste that are too big to fit in residential garbage bins - such as mattresses, furniture and toys - in an effort to prevent illegal dumping in the streets. This Dump Day event is made possible through the state’s $1.1B Clean California initiative and is free of cost for all OC residents! See the date and details below:
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.
