Welcome to this issue of Janet’s Journal, a First District Report designed to keep you updated on issues and events concerning our communities in Orange County especially in the First District.

I am proud and honored to represent over 600,000 people within the First District covering the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City.

I hope you will find this journal informative. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,
Supervisor Janet Nguyen

Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. Board of Supervisors

2. OCTA

3. Health Bulletin

4. Youth Connection

5. Janet Around the First District

5. Local Issues

6. Requests for Proposals

7. Community Events

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I especially want to thank the Illumination Foundation and the many organizations who were involved in putting this extraordinary event together (see the list below), as well as the hundreds of volunteers who sacrificed their Saturday to help those in need in our community.

I would also like to especially convey my gratitude for the support of our County Departments who stepped in to lend a hand, including the CEO Tom Mauk and his office, Health Care Agency, OC Parks and OC Waste & Recycling.

This event was a great example of the success that can come from public/private partnerships. The collaboration of so many groups was amazing and I look forward to working with you all again to continue to make an impact in the lives of those we serve.

Central County Health Expo a Success

Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, welcomed community members to the Central Orange County Health Expo on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Coastline Community College in Garden Grove.

Approximately 2,000 people attended the event to take advantage of the free medical care, vision exams and the limited number of eye glasses that were available, as well as blood pressure screenings, cholesterol testing, diabetes and stroke screenings offered.

Participating agencies and organizations included the Illumination Foundation, Coastline Community College, Southern California Edison, the Gas Company, the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association, Vons Pavillion, OC Health Care Agency, CalOptima, the Orange County Medical Association, Kaiser Permanente, Abrazar, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, OC Office on Aging, CHOC, Lestonnac Free Clinic the American Diabetes Association, UCI Medical Center, St. Jude Medical Center, OC Social Services Agency, OC Medical Association and Starbright.

New name for HCA program

The HCA program formerly known as Preventive Health Care for Adults (PHCA) has been renamed Adult Public Health Nursing Services (APHNS). The new name was selected to be more representative of the adult population using this program.

The goal of APHNS is for public health nurses to provide free health assessments, screenings, health education, counseling, case management and referrals. These free services can lead to the early detection of risk factors that contribute to chronic disease and help link participants with service providers and community resources.

Providing this type of support helps participants change their habits and behaviors so they may live healthier, more fulfilling lives and avoid the costs associated with chronic diseases. For more information about the Adult Public Health Nursing Services program or to schedule an appointment, please call (714) 972-3745.

City Recruiting for 2010-2011 Youth Committee

The City of Westminster’s Youth Committee is recruiting for the 2010-2011 term. The Youth Committee consists of nine regular members and four alternate members. Together they advise, recommend, assist and encourage activities and programs to be undertaken for and with the youth of the City of Westminster.

Members are selected through an interview process by two Council Members and approved by the City Council and the Community Services Manager.

Committee Members must be between the ages of 12 and 18, and must attend a school in a school district that serves the community of Westminster. Applications for membership are available here.

For additional information, please contact the Community Services and Recreation Department at (714) 895-2860.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, welcomes members of the LEARN Project in Santa Ana. The LEARN Project brings together various non-profit groups to learn "best practices" from each other.


Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, is joined by staff and volunteers of Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center at the Central County Health Expo in Garden Grove on May 8, 2010.


It took a small army of volunteers to check people in at the Central County Health Expo in Garden Grove on May 8, 2010.


At the Central County Health Expo, although the line wrapped around the parking lot, people gathered early (as early as 6:30 a.m.), waiting patiently to take advantage of the various services being offered at the Expo.

* The following articles are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily intended to imply endorsement or support.

Orange County

Census 2010


Funding for 405, 22 Freeway Projects
The OCTA has received state funding for the 405 and 22 freeway segments of the West County Connectors Project. Previously, Caltrans placed the project on hold due to state funding problems, however the delay was recently averted and scheduled to recommence this summer. OCTA has completed the final design and Caltrans will oversee construction of the project, which is intended to improve freeway connections. Specifically, the project will construct direct carpool connectors, add a second carpool lane, and reconstruct the Valley View Street and Seal Beach Boulevard on and off ramps.

Summer Swim Lessons & Pool Safety
The American Red Cross Orange County Chapter urges everyone to pay close attention to the safety of our children. Summer is a season where many accidents occur to young children, and therefore knowing swimming pool safety is essential to mitigate this problem. Free safety brochures are available at your local fire station. CPR and First Aid Classes are available at the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter. For more information call Steve Pham (714)481-5391, or email Steve at spham@oc-redcross.org.

The following is a list of phone and email contacts for summer swim classes by city and organization:

California Distinguished School Awards
Every year, California recognizes the top 10 percent of schools as Distinguished Schools. The awards are rotated between elementary, middle and high school, with this year recognizing elementary schools. Statewide, 484 schools were recognized, with 48 coming from Orange County.

Within Garden Grove Unified, Ethan B. Allen Elementary, Morton E. Hill Elementary, and Mitchell Elementary schools were given the top honors. Frank N. Eastwood Elementary from Westminster Elementary School District received the award as well. Santa Ana Unified saw six of their schools recognized. These were Carl Harvey Elementary, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary, El Sol Santa Ana Science and Arts Academy, Jim Thorpe Fundamental, Madison Elementary, and Martin R. Heninger Elementary. Congratulations to all of the winners!

"Cash For Appliances" Rebate
Do you want to save money and help the environment at the same time? Rebates are being offered by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and the California’s “Cash for Appliances” program when you purchase new appliances. By changing out your old inefficient appliances with new, more efficient appliances – you can save significantly on your utility bills.

Here are the requirements for participating in California’s “Cash for Appliances” rebates:

• Only California’s residents are eligible for the rebates.
• Appliance must be purchased at a participating California retailer.
• The old appliance must be recycled.
• Limit of one rebate per appliance type.
• Rebates are available for qualified purchases made from April 22-May 23, 2010, or until rebate funds are no longer available.

For more information, visit www.cash4appliances.org.

Orange County Workforce Investment Board Offers Free Green Training to Local Firms
The Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB) is offering Green Training to local firms in Orange County through June 2010. Workshops are offered in the areas of marketing a green company, green operations, starting a green project, owner education and more.
Design firms, contractors and construction managers, building owners, law firms, accounting firms, consultants, building maintenance companies, product manufacturers, brokers and lenders, and service companies are all encouraged to attend. Businesses are welcome to send multiple team members to the workshops. The program is free, but space is limited. For more information, contact Connie McKenney at (714) 567-7599. Registration can be made by calling (714) 978-4372, or emailing craig@e2gogreen.com.

Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet
On Wednesday, May 26th, a job and resource fair tailored to our military veterans will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa. Businesses are invited to participate as exhibitors and/or sponsors. This is an excellent opportunity for businesses and our U.S. servicemen and women returning from active duty to connect by allowing job seekers the ability to show their skills and potential.

The partners in this fair are the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, Employment Development Department, California Community Colleges, California Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Industrial Relations-Division of Apprenticeship Standards, Orange County Veterans Employment Committee, Orange County Workforce Investment Board, and Orange County-One-Stop Centers. Some resources available include resume critiquing, information on job opportunities, obtaining benefits, training, and career information.

Fair information:
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Costa Mesa Hilton Hotel
3050 Bristol Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626
For additional information, call (714) 687-4816.

Garden Grove

52nd Annual Strawberry Festival
Beginning Friday, May 28th, the 52nd Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival will be held at Village Green Park on the corner of Main and Euclid from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free and festivities include four days of music, games, carnival rides, a parade, food, craft vendors and more.

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is one of the largest and oldest community festivals in the western U.S. The festival is a charitable event and has donated more than $5 million over the years to local organizations. For more information about the festival, visit http://strawberryfestival.org, or call (714) 638-0981.

Affordable Housing Project
In an effort to revitalize the Buena Clinton neighborhood, 104 units of affordable housing will become available to low-income families within the year. The City's Redevelopment Agency has allocated nearly $4 million to this $25 million project supervised by the Jamboree Housing Corporation. Thirteen eight-plex buildings will be refurbished with new paint, carpeting, plumbing, air-conditioning, etc. The Morningside and Keal Avenue apartments were built in the 1960's and need this kind of repair. The price of units will vary depending on family size and income level.

Garden Grove High Pitcher Throws Perfect Game
Garden Grove High's Jordan Geiger pitched a perfect game April 30th against La Quinta High School. The Argonauts beat La Quinta 2-0, with help from an impressive over-the-shoulder catch by Josh Sepulveda in the seventh inning. Congratulations Jordan on your prefect game!

Westminster

Three New Stores at Westminster Mall
The Westminster Mall has received two new stores with one more on the way. Tokyo Lifestyle, which sells Japanese themed items and Body Basics, which sells activewear, sleepwear and lingerie, opened last month. The other new attraction, Warehouse Furniture Outlet, is scheduled to open June 1st.

County of Orange
There are currently many new bids to contract with the County of Orange. For more information, please click here.

• Session A: June 28 - July 8
• Session B: July 12 - July 22
• Session C: July 26 - August 5
• Session D: August 9 - August 19

Registration for Session A and B have already begun, however please visit www.activenet.active.com/westminster, or go to the Community Services Building at 8200 Westminster Blvd, for up to date information. Sessions C and D will be open for registration beginning July 16 at the sites listed above.

Recreation swim is available at La Quinta High School for free Monday through Thursdays between June 28 and August 19, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information please call (714) 895-2860. After June 28th, call the pool deck at (714) 715-0111. For descriptions of lessons visit www.westminster-ca.gov/depts/cs/aquatics.

Location: La Quinta High School Pool, 10372 McFadden Ave., Westminster, CA 92683.

To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com.