Please be advised that County of Orange offices will be closed Monday, February 21 in observance of President's Day and will reopen Tuesday, February 22. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday weekend!

This week, I had the pleasure of representing Orange County at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference in Washington D.C., where we discussed everything from criminal justice reform, the American Rescue Plan Act, land-use, and health policy.

L-R: With NACo President Larry Johnson and NACo 2nd Vice President Denise Winfrey at the Legislative Conference in Washington D.C.

NACo brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents. This week I had the opportunity to engage in second-to-none policy and educational sessions, interact with federal officials and participate in congressional briefings and meetings.

I have the pleasure of serving on the NACo Board of Directors, as I ensure that Orange County has a seat at the table when it comes to the shaping of Federal Policy and Legislation.

Voting at the NACo Board of Directors meeting in Washington D.C.

The goal of NACo is to achieve County priorities in National Policymaking and addressing critical policy issues that impact the lives of over 330 million Americans, including us in Orange County. It is about elevating the importance of counties in setting America’s public policy, helping attain county policy priorities at the federal level while driving favorable national and state policy initiatives and models, and to ultimately produce definitive, actionable policies for counties.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you, Orange County, and my constituents of the Fabulous Fifth District for allowing me to be your voice at the table for the National Association of Counties!

On the cover of the NACo Committee brochure at the Legislative Conference in Washington D.C.

In addition to 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 that all three segments of the I-5 South County Improvements Project are under construction from SR-73 to El Toro Road, where transportation planners expect volumes to grow 25 percent by 2045.

To address this travel demand, OCTA and Caltrans are working together in the cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel on this $580 million freeway improvement project funded by OC Go, also known as Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

The following are some major milestones and a look at plans for 2022...

Segment 1: SR-73 to Oso Pkwy

The reconstruction of the Avery Parkway Interchange is nearly 60 percent complete. Work on the middle section of the bridge will continue through 2022. To watch a video for a look at last year’s milestones, click here or on the image below.

Segment 2: Oso Pkwy to Alicia Pkwy

Just past 50 percent completion, segment 2 includes the Oso Parkway and La Paz Road interchanges, where last year multiple retaining walls were constructed and new lane paving began for northbound and southbound I-5.

Later this spring, crews anticipate the completion of the La Paz Road bridge. Traffic will then be shifted onto the new section of the bridge and work will begin in the middle. The new northbound off-ramp and loop on-ramp will open this year. To see a video of 2021 highlights, click here or on the image below.

Segment 3: Alicia Pkwy to El Toro Road

Crews are on track to complete the first stage of widening the Los Alisos Boulevard bridge by this fall and the bridge is on track to open to traffic in late 2023.

At the Alicia Parkway interchange, eight new retaining walls are on their way up and later this year construction will begin on new lanes for the on- and off-ramps.

At the El Toro Road bridge, the redesigned northbound loop on-ramp and off-ramp are nearing completion and motorists will begin to use the new lanes this year.

Following the completion of the Alicia Creek bridge, the Alicia Creek Bikeway and Riding and Hiking Trail is due to open this summer for pedestrians and cyclists.

For more information about the project and to sign up for the construction newsletter, click here.

With 2022 in full swing and tax season upon us, I think it’s important to share ways the County of Orange is saving taxpayer dollars. To do that, look no further than south Orange County’s jewel: Dana Point Harbor.

As many of you are aware by now, the County of Orange entered into a 66-year public-private partnership (“P-3”) - a legally binding agreement between public and private-sector organizations with Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP) to revitalize and manage Dana Point Harbor. Under this agreement, the County of Orange retains ownership of the Harbor and leases it to DPHP.

I have long been a strong advocate for P-3 partnerships for many reasons. P-3s save taxpayer dollars because it is the private entity that invests its own dollars to design, develop and maintain the property for the full duration of the lease. Our P3 partnership with DPHP also serves as a great source of ongoing revenue for the County. Per the terms of the Dana Point Tidelands Trust, county revenue generated in the harbor stays in the harbor to help fund critical services and programs.

Additionally, these partnerships, according to a recent report by Deloitte titled “Closing America’s Infrastructure Gap: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships,” have solid track records of on-time delivery and provide incentives for public sector assets to be properly maintained.

As we move closer to being able to announce a groundbreaking date for the $400 million re-development, we have already seen the benefits of entering into this P-3. The improvements that have been made within the Harbor, at no cost to the taxpayers, include rebuilt pergola’s and picnic areas - including new barbeques, refreshed buildings, parking areas, and signage, Wi-Fi in The Marina, and many more improvements that enhance the Harbor experience for County residents. The planning and design process have been first-class and incorporated a tremendous amount of input from the community.

Dana Point Harbor is a prime example of how the County and, more importantly, Orange County taxpayers can reap the many benefits of a public-private partnership.

As previously reported, my fellow Orange County Supervisors and I last week unanimously approved a loan commitment to Jamboree Housing Corporation towards the development of Paseo Adelanto Mixed-Use Permanent Supportive Housing.

As proposed, this development, located in the City of San Juan Capistrano, will include 49 affordable rental units and provide supportive housing for up to 40 extremely low and very low income households experiencing homelessness, or who were formerly homeless, including veterans.

Paseo Adelanto Mixed-Use Permanent Supportive Housing in San Juan Capistrano

Additionally, nine affordable housing units will provide housing stability and security for households with low to moderate income. The mixed-use development also allows for the construction of a new city hall and is part of a concerted effort to address homelessness and further develop a much-needed System of Care in Orange County.

In addition to the Paseo Adelanto project, the Board also unanimously approved a Lanterman-Petris-Short designation for Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health, a 119-bed acute inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facility located in Aliso Viejo.

Aliso Ridge will provide a full range of mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. This includes evidence-based behavioral health and addiction treatment services. The facility will be open 24/7 and offers free evaluations for patients.

Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health in Aliso Viejo

The Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health facility officially opened in late January 2022. Built from the ground up, this 80,000 square foot modern facility has open and serene spaces with ample daylight, creating a safe and therapeutic environment. Amenities include group treatment rooms, therapy spaces, a full dining area, along with recreational activity spaces.

At full capacity, the facility will have 250-plus employees and providers. This is a big win for South County as it will allow for our residents to have closer accessibility to a wide range of behavioral health services. For more information about services offered at Aliso Ridge, click here. 

The County of Orange is among several Continuums of Care (CoC) in Southern California that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reschedule the 2022 Point In Time Count to the last 10 days of February due to the impacts of COVID-19.

The County of Orange and the Orange County Continuum of Care will conduct the sheltered count the night of Monday, February 21, 2022, and the unsheltered count starting the morning of Tuesday, February 22 through Thursday, February 24. For more information about the 2022 Point In Time Count, including details on how to volunteer, please click here.

On Wednesday, February 23, from 5 PM to 8 PM, OC Human Relations will host a virtual film screening of "Healing from Hate" - a documentary examining the root causes of hate group activity through the bold work of those battling intolerance on the front lines.

The film follows former hate-group members in their work to de-radicalize white nationalists and heal communities torn apart by racism. To register or for more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to register or for more info.

Concerned about inflation, the volatile stock market or the unemployment report? If so, I invite you to join the South Orange County Economic Coalition (SOCEC) on Friday, February 25 for an IN PERSON luncheon at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center for their annual signature event.  

UCI Economic's Professor Christopher Schwarz will give a presentation answering these questions and many more, as he analyzes key economic challenges, trends and opportunities impacting our region. We'll look back at pivotal events from the previous year as well as share predictions for the future. 

Space is limited! To register or for more information, click here or on the image below. 

Click the image above to register or for more info.

Thanks to support from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation and research from Orange County Business Council (OCBC) Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC is proud to release this report on the state of Healthcare Information Technology and Cybersecurity in Orange County and where the two industries are headed. To read the report, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to read the OCBC Report.

Sweeping brush strokes infuse landscapes with flowing colors and imbue movement to flora and fauna in the newest Community Focus Space exhibit at John Wayne Airport. Utilizing the same essential techniques as calligraphy, artist Minna Chow creates brush paintings in the traditional Chinese style, one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world.

Longevity (2019) by Minna Chow.

The John Wayne Airport Arts Program will exhibit her traditional Chinese brush paintings, showcasing landscapes and birds, in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal through March 17. Selections are viewable (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4. For more information, click here.

Last week, I was pleased provide welcoming remarks at the 2022 Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, Installation & Awards Dinner, held at the Dana Point Yacht Club in Dana Point Harbor. 

Provide welcoming remarks at the Dana Point Chamber Installation & Awards Dinner.

During the festive evening, I also presented a proclamation to outgoing 2021 Chairman of the Dana Point Chamber Board of Directors, Ryan Krause. 

Presenting a proclamation to outgoing 2021 Board Chairman, Ryan Krause.

In addition, I had the pleasure of presenting commendations to the various 2020 and 2021 Chamber Award Winners, including:

• 2020 Citizen of the Year - Jody Marcon
• 2020 Business of the Year - Wind & Sea
• 2021 Ambassador of the Year - Kathleen Fox
• 2021 Citizen of the Year - Jack Loconsolo
• 2021 Business of the Year - Dana Point Hardware

Presenting a commendation in honor of 2020 Citizen of the Year, Jody Marcon.

Presenting a commendation in honor of 2020 Business of the Year,  Wind & Sea.

Presenting a commendation in honor of 2021 Ambassador of the Year, Kathleen Fox.

Presenting a commendation in honor of 2021 Citizen of the Year, Jack Loconsolo.

Presenting a commendation in honor of 2021 Business of the Year, Dana Point Hardware.

Congratulations to all the award winners and the newly installed Board of Directors, and especially Dana Point Chamber Executive Director Vickie McMurchie and Marketing/Events Manager Katie McGann for organizing a most wonderful evening!

My office was pleased to present a certificate of recognition to Re/Max Fine Homes in Corona del Mar, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony last week. Canaday Group creates a relationship of trust with their clients, as the most recognized and successful real estate team in Orange County! Please join me in welcoming Re/Max Fine Homes and Canaday Group to the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, presents a commendation to Lee Ann Canaday of Re/Max Fine Homes in Corona del Mar.

This week, my office was pleased to present a certificates of recognition in Laguna Niguel to Exchange Club of South Orange County, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, The Lukes Network, LLC, and Trio Nutrition, LLC, respectively, as the Chamber of Commerce conducted a multi-member ribbon cutting ceremony at City Hall. Please join me in welcoming these businesses to the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, at the multi-member ribbon cutting in Laguna Niguel.

My office was also pleased to present a certificate of recognition to The Kitchen Lady in San Clemente, where the Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. The Kitchen Lady offers custom kitchen design and installation from start to finish and provides only top-quality products to their valued customers!  Please join me in welcoming The Kitchen Lady to the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce!

My Field Representative, Dawn Kamber, presents a commendation at the ribbon cutting for The Kitchen Lady in San Clemente.

Last weekend, my office was very pleased to present WWII US Army Veteran Laurie Neilson of Laguna Niguel a special commendation in honor of his centennial birthday. Achieving a century of a life well-lived is a remarkable milestone indeed, one worthy of a love-filled celebration on a very special day dedicated just to him! Please join me wishing Laurie Neilson a happy 100-year birthday and a big thank you for his service to our nation!

WWII US Army Veteran Laurie Neilson of Laguna Niguel receives a centennial birthday commendation from my office.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 535,175 positive cumulative cases and 6,450 deaths to date, as well as 363 currently hospitalized with 77 in ICU.

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 updated 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.

My Board colleagues and I approved the launch of the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Vaccine Equity Engagement Program in an effort to accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, with a continued focus on the most vulnerable high-risk populations in Orange County.

The program provides an opportunity for community members to nominate collaboratives, volunteers and other organizations (especially smaller groups in hard-to-reach communities) for an opportunity to earn a coordination fee of $20 for every individual who receives either their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (with a preferred minimum of 50 individuals registered per event). The program’s $4.5 million in funding is made available from the State of California’s Government Operations Agency.

Through the Vaccine Equity Engagement Program, HCA will oversee the criteria for organizations to host clinics, provide them with public health messaging resources to help them promote their events and communicate the importance of the vaccine to their community members, and collaborate with them on innovative ideas to increase engagement with residents such as donation and gift matching opportunities.

Interested organizations will be able to sign up to participate in this program and host vaccine clinics in partnership with HCA through the Mobile Vaccine Service feature on the Othena platform. Additionally, the Othena platform now offers a new feature for any eligible individual who has scheduled a vaccination appointment to request free roundtrip rides to their appointment. They can now log in to Othena.com or the smartphone app to request a ride to their appointment (residents are encouraged to request rides 3 to 5 days in advance and rides are subject to availability).

To sign up for the Vaccine Engagement Program and host a community clinic, interested organizations can click here.

Individuals looking to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or complete their second dose can do so by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000. For additional information on free or discounted rides to vaccination appointments, please visit the Lyft or Uber websites. For more information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County, click here.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) launched a feature on the Othena platform, which streamlines the process for any interested individuals, groups, employers and businesses to request an onsite, mobile COVID-19 vaccination service.

To begin the application process, individuals can visit the Mobile Vaccine Service section of the Othena website or smartphone app and provide the following intake details:

• Name of the organization or group 
• Primary point of contact 
• Estimated number of patients at event (at least 50 preferred)
• Ability to register patients ahead of time
• Ability to supply a climate-controlled location 
• Preferred day(s) of the week

Once the application has been submitted, HCA will assign a dedicated Community Liaison to work directly with the primary point of contact to engage in a collaborative planning process. 

Additionally, the Mobile Vaccine Service feature enables community members who are homebound and meet specific criteria (or their caretakers) to schedule at-home vaccinations. To learn more, please visit Othena.com, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000, or see the flyer below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Orange County parents and legal guardians of minors ages 12 to 15 can now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or walk-in to County of Orange Point-of-Dispensing (POD) sites offering Pfizer. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12 to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended that the vaccine is safe and highly effective in protecting this age group against COVID-19. 

Individuals who would like to receive the Pfizer vaccine for themselves or their children ages 12 and older can do so through:

• A Primary Care provider or Pediatrician with whom your children or family is already familiar
• Pharmacies
• Visiting myturn.ca.gov
• Visiting othena.com - If further assistance is needed with selecting a site, scheduling, or arranging for transportation to and from the site, community members can call HCA’s OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000
• Walking-in to a County POD site that is administering the Pfizer vaccine

For more information, click here.

As previously reported, everyone ages 16 and over in Orange County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Parental consent is required for youth under 18; however, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. If you have not already done so, be sure to get register with Othena ahead of time to ensure your place in the virtual waiting queue.  

People within the eligible groups are strongly encouraged to register now with Othena to receive a vaccination from the County. Once registered, they will be placed in the virtual waiting room with other individuals who are already eligible within the State’s guidelines. Appointments are dependent on vaccine supply. As the County receives more vaccines, more appointments will open in Othena. 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine resources in Orange County, including this weekend's POD schedule, click here. 

Please be aware that there are more channels of distribution other than the County where people can get a vaccine. For more information on where you can find appointments through other medical providers and local pharmacies, visit vaccinefinder.org.   

Testing continues to be a main priority of our COVID-19 efforts. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if your employer is requiring testing as a part of their business reopening plan, the County offers FREE testing to all of our residents. 

There are many options for testing, including our County Super Sites, testing kiosks located at various locations throughout the County (including Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo in the 5th District), and even at home tests that can be delivered to you and mailed to the lab for processing.

While many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money. Now is a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys used by scammers for COVID-19.

If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.

Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:

• FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
• The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit. 
• Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A recorded webinar on financial protection of older adults during the COVID pandemic was recently held and is available for on-demand viewing. The webinar included a panel discussion of experts from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Health and Human Services (HHS).

If you are behind on your mortgage, beware of mortgage relief scams. There is free foreclosure help. If anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate. The CFPB has information on how you can avoid foreclosure and tips for working with your mortgage servicer. For more information on COVID housing protections and important deadlines, click here.

Challenges COVID-19 has brought include a higher risk of identity theft. In 2020, the FTC received about 1.4 million reports of identity theft, double the number from 2019. Repeatedly, identity thieves targeted government funds earmarked to help people hard hit financially by the pandemic. 

During the pandemic, we’re doing more online – working, connecting with family and friends, shopping, and banking. If something goes wrong with your device, you want to fix it right away. Scammers are preying on this, offering phony tech support services. Here’s what you should know about tech support scams.

Be on the lookout for fake calls, texts, and emails, as scammers are pretending to be Social Security Agency employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. Do not be fooled!

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters. Additionally, through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, both income-eligible renters who experienced pandemic related financial hardships, or landlords who experienced income loss due to unpaid rent, are eligible for financial assistance.

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 continue to dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's What You Feel is Real webpage.

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website.

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon will take place Friday, February 25 at 11:30 AM and be held at the beautiful Bella Collina San Clemente. This year's theme is SHINE, as they reflect on their wonderful members! For more information, click here or on the image below.

Concerned about inflation, the volatile stock market or the unemployment report? If so, I invite you to join the South Orange County Economic Coalition (SOCEC) on Friday, February 25 for an IN PERSON luncheon at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center for their annual signature event.  

UCI Economic's Professor Christopher Schwarz will give a presentation answering these questions and many more, as he analyzes key economic challenges, trends and opportunities impacting our region. We'll look back at pivotal events from the previous year as well as share predictions for the future. 

Space is limited! To register or for more information, click here or on the image below. 

Click the image above to register or for more info.

Celebrate San Clemente Day at the Annual Youth Fishing Derby on Feb. 26 from 9 AM to 12 PM. The community is invited to celebrate the history of the San Clemente Municipal Pier and its fishing legacy. Registration is now open for ages 6-13 years. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. For more info, click here.

Upper Newport Bay

Upper Newport Bay’s long-running and popular storytime is back! Wild Tales will be offered every Friday and include an outdoor storytime in our newly renovated amphitheater, as well as an age-appropriate hike and a craft project in our classroom. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project. For more information, click here.

South OC Cars and Coffee is the world’s largest weekly car show, held every Saturday from 9 AM to 11 AM at Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, attracting a mix of 1500-3500 plus hyper-cars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. No registration is required. Spectators are welcome and meet every Saturday, rain or shine! For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

As previously reported, I'm pleased to have relaunched the Nutrition Gap Program. Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge for many residents, as people struggle to get back on their feet and keep food on the table. The goal is to satisfy the continued demand for nutritious food and bridge the gap between hunger and the next meal.

The $2 million dollar program is being funded by the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is available to residents living in my district. Priority will be given to those experiencing food insecurity due to age/disability, economic status, lack of familial or community support, lack of access to available resources, and those who have military service.

Enrollment is now open and, to make it as easy as possible for people to enroll in the program, we have three options by which they can enroll.

• Online by visiting: https://fdngp.211oc.org/
• Call 2-1-1
• Text their Zip Code to 898211

Program Details:

• Coordinated through the Office on Aging in partnership with 2-1-1 Orange County.
• Provides twice-weekly deliveries, via DoorDash, of restaurant-quality meals directly to participant’s homes.
• Each Monday, participants receive three fresh lunches and three fresh dinners.
• Each Thursday, they receive three fresh lunches, three fresh dinners, one frozen lunch, and one frozen dinner.

Restaurants participating in the program include:

• Ruby’s Diner
• Bella Collina
• Villa Roma
• Bamboo Bistro

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!