Thank you to everyone who has participated in the ongoing #MaskUpOC Contest! We continue to receive so many creative submissions.

Every Friday, new winners will be selected based on creativity and community impact. Winning designs will be shared by the County and potentially featured in the larger County of Orange’s COVID-19 Public Health Campaign.

Last Friday’s winners were @leroybrownwashere and @Healing4BabyLiam.

Check out @leroybrownwashere’s hilarious video here.

And the impactful photo was submitted by @Healing4BabyLiam. Check out his photo below.

For more creative submissions, check out my social media!

Wearing a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19 is a way to show your neighbors that you care about their health and safety.

As part of my #MaskUpOC campaign, I want to take the opportunity to reemphasize the importance of face coverings by showing some footage that I shared with the public back in early April on how to create homemade face coverings!

In June I launched the District 1 Grant. In total, we received more than 2,900 applications from small businesses in the First District, making it the county’s most successful small business stimulus program.

Due to overwhelming demand, awardees were selected based on a randomized computer drawing, broken down by eligible city. This week, award grantees will be notified of their status via email.

Read more about it here. 

Last week, the Board approved my contract proposal with Advance OC to develop the Equity Mapping Initiative, which will allow Orange County to apply data-driven solutions to COVID-19 hot spots, especially in our most underserved communities.

Read more about the initiative here. 

Farmers markets provide an incredible alternative for getting fresh produce that helps you stay safe and keeps local farmers working. Since this is National Farmers Market Week, I want to highlight Downtown Santa Ana’s Farmers Market, hosted by Native Harvest Events every Tuesday from 3-7pm.

When you’re deciding where to shop, remember to shop local and support small businesses like these.

If your home needs some curb appeal, check out Roxy @curb_painting_2020 for a variety of creative artwork!

Roxy is a 2020 Santa Ana High School graduate and talented artist who will be attending California State University Fullerton this fall.

Remember to support Small Businesses.

Local restaurants are still serving up delicious food for take-out in our communities during COVID-19. This week, District 1 staff visited Khoi Hung Restaurant for #takeout and got some incredible soup and chicken.

Let’s continue to support Small Business and remember!

Pop-Up Pantry Captain Christopher Cardona is continuing to help those in need during these challenging times.

Thank you for the pop-up pantry you hosted at the Driftwood Mobile Home Park in Westminster back in April, and thank you for your continued service to the community!

Read more about his story here.

This Friday, August 7, Saddleback Church and I will be partnering for a food distribution event at Hope Community Church in Westminster.

Approximately 200 boxes of nutritious food will be available from 8 am to 10 am while supplies last.

Last Thursday, Santa Ana celebrated a new centenarian.

Carmen Macias, an Orange County resident since 1952, marked her 100th birthday with a drive-by parade of family, neighbors, and Santa Ana Police Department officers honking horns and shouting birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday, Carmen!