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| Volume 1 | Issue 33 |
December 3, 2021 |
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Helping Our Community Overcome Challenges & Prepare for the Future!
 Former Costa Mesa Parks Commissioner, Liz McNabb, and Supervisor Foley at the Annual Fabulous Friday shopping day at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa
Dear Neighbors,
The importance of caring for our neighbors is what makes our communities great.
I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. I know my family was so grateful to gather, share a meal, and catch up. Thanksgiving weekend also starts the holiday shopping season. I visiting South Coast Plaza on Fabulous Friday and traveled around the District showcasing our small family owned businesses on Small Business Saturday. Every day is a shop local day for us. View photos: Here
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This weekend also kicked off the start of Hannukah for those observing. We participated in the first night lighting of the Menorah at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Newport Beach overlooking our beautiful Back Bay. May this Festival of Lights bring new possibilities, hope, and the potential for change as we head into the New Year. Happy Hannukah.
As you all know, I believe that owning a home brings stability to families. I loved networking with all the realtors at the annual holiday breakfast and board installation for the Newport Beach Realtors Association. Record home sales and home prices are benefitting local revenues across Orange County, but especially in Newport Beach. As we discuss affordable housing, we must advocate for ownership housing, not just rental housing. I look forward to continuing to partner with our housing community to address our diverse housing needs in a thoughtful well-planned approach.
 Menorah Lighting at Chabad Center for Jewish Life
This week, I was sad to learn about a nonprofit organization, Orange County Model Engineers in Costa Mesa, being vandalized. The model train rides they offer are such a great community asset and bring such joy to so many young children. Their efforts are also supported by mostly senior citizen volunteers.
Upon learning of this vandalism, my office processed a contribution of $15,000 to assist with the repairs and I personally donated $500. I hope that we can get the trains back on track, quickly! Watch this video of our check presentation: Here
Read coverage from KCAL 9: Here
 Orange County Model Engineers in Costa Mesa, Check Presentation
Every city in Orange County shares a love of our coastal beaches. This week, many fisherman and businesses rejoiced, as our beaches were found safe to reopened for fishing. 🍊
I spoke with CBS news about how important the fishing industry is to the small businesses and individuals whose livelihoods depend on the ability to fish off the coast. I was even able to pardon Dani the Lobster, at the Dana Point Harbor!
After extensive testing, the beaches were found to be safe to fish and enjoy the catch of the day. Read the Press Release: Here!
 Dana Point Harbor, Pardoning Dani the Lobster
Over the last few months, we have welcomed 2 new staff members to our team. Jenni Walker is our new Communications Director and Stephanie Wade is one of our new Policy Advisors. Stephanie was able to join Golden West College as they broke ground to build a 73,000-square-foot Language Arts Complex funded by Measure M and present a Certificate from our office!
 Breaking Ground at Golden West College, Funded by Measure M
The cities in our District have many diverse holiday events over the next month. Please join us on Sunday at the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk and stop by our booth to meet our team in their festive attire.
 Join us this Sunday, December 5th at the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
Newsworthy events and highlights from this week:
Read my statement about the reopening of fishing after the oil spill: Here
Community rallies around train club after vandalism: Here
OC Official urge caution as Omicron variant appears: Here
Testing Saves Lives: Here
RCSD releases new street sweeping schedule: Here
Our Happy Holidays Neighbor! District toolkit: Here
Getting tested if you feel sick: Here
Whether you're a longtime follower of my work in public service or new to getting involved, my priority as your Supervisor is to serve you.
I am focused on helping small businesses, Veterans, and workers ... along with improving public services and neighborhoods, building more parks and securing open spaces, and developing a climate action plan to keep our natural resources in Orange County safe and thriving for years to come!
Please have a wonderful week and let us know what you're up to on Facebook! As always, if your family is in need of resources, be sure to contact us so we can get you connected with an organization that can help.
Be well,
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Collection boxes for Supervisor Foley’s 13th Annual Coat Drive for Kids will be located at the following locations through December 10, 2021, so please don't delay!
Thanksgiving may be over, but we want our residents supported all year long. If you or someone you know needs food support around the holidays, please contact us at Katrina.Foley@OCGov.com
Watch Our Special COVID-19 Press Briefing About Free Saliva Testing and the Omicron Variant: Here
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Today I met with Dr. Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Director for OC Health, along with members of the press, and hosted a LIVE COVID-19 Press Briefing about our community-wide distribution of FREE COVID-19 saliva test kits.
Dr. Chnisio-Kwong and I demonstrated how to use the test kit, and she also shared what to avoid doing before you test and the latest updates on the Omicron variant in relation to Orange County.
Watch this important LiveStream, in full: Here
"Protecting ourselves, our families, the elderly, and the immunocompromised is essential as we navigate the holiday season. I received my booster shot and encourage you to do the same." - Supervisor Foley
From the OC Register - Orange County Official push for caution, testing amid Omicron variant and holiday gatherings: Here |
 COVID-19 Saliva Test Kits
Our office wants EVERY Orange County family to have access to FREE COVID-19 test kits to help stop the spread of new and existing variants.
Whether you're getting your first or second COVID-19 vaccine, or a booster shot, stop by one of our vaccine clinics and pick up a test to use or save for when you need it.
It is now easier than ever to pick up a no-cost COVID-19 test kit when you travel!
John Wayne Airport will be offering FREE saliva test kits to all arriving travelers.
Read more, Here
Ready to collect a COVID-19 test kit for personal use or for a nonprofit organization? Contact our office at (714) 834-3220
20,000 people were vaccinated in Orange County yesterday.
To date, 71% of Orange County residents are now partially vaccinated and 65% are fully vaccinated.
Learn More: Here
Check Out This Week's COVID-19 Vaccination Stats for Your City
**This graph now shows the expanded eligible population (ages 5 and up).
Talk to your children's pediatrician about the importance of becoming vaccinated! According to the FDA, clinical trials show the vaccine to be safe with no serious side effects detected and 90.7% effective in preventing COVID in this age group. Read More: Here
 Dana Point Harbor, Pardoning Dani the Lobster
Fishing is once again allowed along the Orange County coast! There are so many individuals and businesses that rely on fishing for their livelihood. If you are one of the businesses that were impacted by the oil spill, you can still apply for a Business Recovery Claim by calling (866) 985-8366.
On November 30, both the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Director and County Health Officer, Dr. Clayton Chau, lifted the health advisory against consuming seafood from the Orange County coastline. Fisheries were shut in October, following the #OCOilSpill.
“This oil spill immediately put a halt to the operations of many small businesses in our community whose livelihoods depend on the ability to fish off our Southern California coast. The business owners I have had the privilege to hear from in the last few months are resilient, and my hope is that overcoming this final hurdle will finally help them get back on their feet.” - Supervisor Foley
Read the Press Release: Here
Read about the contained oil leak: Here
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 At our last OCTA Board Meeting, we received updates on several major transportation projects, including the recently passed federal infrastructure bill that benefits Orange County, the 405 & I-5 Freeway widening projects, our Active Transportation initiatives, and resident survey results. It is no surprise that reducing homelessness remains a top priority across Orange County. Please Click Here to Read Important Information & Survey Results!
We continue to progress and improve the quality of life for Orange County residents. The OCTA communications team developed a great video that you can watch here to learn about the progress of transportation improvements in Orange County over the last 30 years. Watch Here.
Read our Orange County Airport Commissioner, Sue Dvorak's report about the December 1, 2021 Airport Commission meeting: Here
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Alex Rounaghi
Policy Analyst
Please email me at with input regarding sober living homes or to learn more about our office’s efforts!
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Also This week...
Chief Snowden, our office's Public Safety Advisor, and I met with the Newport Beach Residential Care Facilities Ad Hoc Committee, which includes Councilmembers Brenner, Dixon, and Duffy, as well as representatives from Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris' and Senator Min’s offices. Our meeting was incredibly productive.
We discussed the following:
- Proposed changes to the Newport Beach sober living home ordinance
- Updates on neighborhood concerns about specific facilities
- Shared ideas for legislative proposals—at both the county and state level—to address unscrupulous sober living home operators.
We look forward to continued collaboration and progress on this critical issue.
On December 13, Supervisor Foley will testify at the California State Assembly Accountability hearing, chaired by Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris, on this issue.
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Constituent Services Manager
Cypress, Huntington Beach (Oak View Neighborhood), Stanton, Rossmoor
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Ribbon Cutting & Supporting Our Neighbors
Hello District Two,
On behalf of the Supervisor, I joined the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting celebration for Bella Terra Primary Care. The practice opened during the COVID-19 pandemic and is continuing to provide excellent and dedicated services to the community.
On Thursday, I joined Supervisor Foley and Mayor John Stephens to tour the damage done to the Orange County Model Engineers and the Supervisor presented a $15,000 check from our office, to help with their recovery from the damages.
Finally, I also want to highlight that I will be representing our office at the this weekend’s Vaccine Clinic at the Orange Coast College. Stop by and say hello!
 Mayor John Stephens and Supervisor Katrina Foley
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Constituent Services Manager
Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, and Animal Services
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It is truly beginning to look a lot like the holidays!
I kicked off the week by kicking off the OC Fair's Night of Lights event in Costa Mesa, where Supervisor Katrina Foley and Assemblymember, Cottie Petrie-Norris, had the opportunity to light the magnificent Christmas Tree. The incredible nighttime spectacle is currently running through January 2nd, so I recommend visiting their website, today to reserve your tickets before they sell out!
In addition, I represented our office at 2 events in Newport Beach. The first event was hosted by the Newport Beach Association of Realtors, where I assisted the Supervisor with her presentation honoring the departing Board of Directors President, Brian Gibney, and the other outgoing Board Members. The second event in Newport was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Dr. Lifestyle, a new business located at the Union Bank Courtyard off Westcliff Drive. Attending grand openings for new businesses is one of my favorite types of events because it demonstrates that the economic recovery plan that our office has worked tirelessly to implement is effective and working!
I'm excited to see more businesses open as we continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Happy Holidays! 🙂
 Kalvin Alvarez at the Grand Opening for Dr. Lifestyle in Newport Beach, California
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 Say hello to Sander! This 2-year-old loveable Pit Bull is one big bundle of sweetness! Sander was brought to OC Animal Care as a stray all the way back in June and he would be a perfect candidate for a loving pet owner. He enjoys exploring and running around, but you can bet he will always run back to you for belly rubs and cuddles! We think Sander will do best in an adult-only home where he can be the only pet.
Think Sander might be a great fit for your family? Call (714) 935-6848 to set up an adoption appointment today!
Animal ID: A1726933
Join our office as an intern! Recent graduates and college students should apply. Graphic design skills are a plus and the position can be performed in our office or remotely.
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