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I’m back from my trip to see my cousin Juan Carlos Quinonez Zepeda graduate from Dartmouth College. I'm incredibly proud of his accomplishments, which include writing an honors thesis on the Latinx Migrants Tacit Knowledge in North Mississippi Cattle Ranching and creating FUERZA Farmworkers Funds to support the lives of dairy farm workers in rural Vermont and New Hampshire during the pandemic ... all while being a first-generation college graduate!
This Saturday, there will be a Juneteenth event in Santa Ana. It begins at 11 a.m. at Centennial Regional Park (3000 W. Edinger Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704). It's an excellent way to celebrate Black Excellence in Orange County.
Our office will be in attendance and we hope to see you there. Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns: Manuel.Chavez@ocgov.com
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Constituent Services Manager – Representing Anaheim, Orange, Tustin, and Animal Services.
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After months of planning and preparation, I'm pleased to report that our 2022 Flag Day Celebration and Field of Flags was a huge success! I am extremely grateful to my wonderful coworker, Michele Mullen, for collaborating with me on this event. We displayed 247 flags in honor of flag day and the U.S. Army’s 247th birthday over a 3-day period and had a number of community members inspect and dedicate flags. I'm overjoyed and can't wait to plan this patriotic event for next year!
Next week, I'll attend the Superheroes of Tustin 2022 event where we'll be awarding and recognizing Tustin residents of all ages for their contributions to the community.
Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns: Kalvin.Alvarez@ocgov.com
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Stephanie Wade – Veterans Policy Advisor
The best part of my week included setting up our Flag Day event display honoring the 247 years since the creation of our nation’s flag and her Army. I like a project where I get my hands dirty, but the best part of the entire event was seeing the way it brought the young and old together ... to pass on the ceremonies of patriotism. A particularly nice moment occurred when a volunteer from the Southwest Regional Carpenter’s Union, Roxie, stopped her work and taught a young Scout from Buena Park’s Troop 440 how to handle the heavy tool.
Cindy Tran-Chang – Policy Advisor
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Last Friday, June 10, 2022, I attended the Southwest Community Center (SWCC) 50th Anniversary Celebration where I presented a certificate. The Center provides daily hot meals, food bags, clothing, shelter, virtual empowerment workshops, health, housing and rental assistance, free tax preparation support and referral services to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, with a goal to help families served achieve self-sufficiency.
Founded in 1970 by Annie Mae Tripp (1913-1986), the Center serves the hungry and homeless with more than 120,000 hot meals yearly, and distributes more than 7,300 food bags and free clothing to more than 6,500 families. They also provide books and toys during the holidays to more than 1,200 children. Connie Jones, the granddaughter of founder Annie Mae Tripp, accepted accolades in her grandmother’s honor at the celebration.
As of November 1, 2019, the Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) acquired SWCC and continues working together to address the needs of low-income families and vulnerable individuals within the Santa Ana community.
Congratulations to SWCC on this milestone anniversary and thank you to all of the volunteers who work tirelessly to serve the most vulnerable residents in Santa Ana.
If you have any questions on any of these topics, please email me at Cindy.Tran-Chang@ocgov.com or call (714) 834-3220.
Volunteer Spotlight
This week, we are pleased to showcase two volunteers in our spotlight: Kenneth L. DuFour and Rachel Perry – both of whom volunteered to help with Supervisor Foley’s recent Flag Day celebration.
Kenneth L. DuFour
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Kenneth L. Dufour and the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor worked with our office to create a beautiful Flag Day display featuring 247 American Flags on our Old County Courthouse lawn.
As a Corona del Mar and Orange County resident of more than 50 years, Kenneth appreciates our county’s climates, opportunities, community spirit, and (most of all) the people. He raised his family in Corona del Mar and one of his daughters now lives on the little island, while his other daughter lives in Pasadena. Dufour jokes that he “failed at retirement,” becoming heavily involved in The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor for the last dozen years. This work keeps him busy and satisfied, working in all areas to make the community a better place to live, promote Americanism, encourage more education, and promote inclusivity as their organization works to prevent child abuse.
Kenneth’s volunteerism is motivated by his desire to make Orange County a better place to live through recognizing the county and resident’s needs and doing something about it.
“Volunteerism motivates me to question, improve, and push others to do more outside their normal sphere,” says Kenneth. “Be a friend that helps before being asked. Pay attention.”
When he’s not working hard to help our residents and communities, Kenneth enjoys sailing, fishing, reading, and dating.
Kenneth’s personal mantra: “Be you. Be honest while being you. Most importantly, be what you can be, not what you are!”
Rachel Perry
Rachel Perry considers her lifelong home of Costa Mesa the best city in the world. This enthusiasm for her hometown is a mere glimpse of the positive energy that she places into everything that she does. A passionate community member, mother, minister, and longtime volunteer, Rachel first began volunteering in high school. From that early experience onward, she realized that she could be instrumental in raising money for kids to go to camp, helping the homeless and feeding those in need. It was something she credits her mother for teaching her.
“I learned the gift of volunteering from my mom. She was the best teacher … always going the extra mile and helping every group or every person in need. I get so turned up helping to make someone’s life better.” – Rachel Perry
Rachel began working at the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa as a volunteer and continued that work throughout the last 30-years. Instrumental in assisting our District as we prepared for Supervisor Foley’s Flag Day Celebration, she helped to assemble hundreds of flag badges and place 247 flags on the Old County Courthouse lawn – along with the assistance of the Costa Mesa Goat Hill Lions Club of which she is an active member. She’s also a lead fundraiser for Sonora Elementary School, raising more than 10k per year to fund field trips and after-school events.
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Undoubtedly, our neighborhoods and county are better due to Rachel’s proactive care and belief that we can all do our part to help our community, as even the smallest acts of kindness will help others. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and her boyfriend, recycling ((Watch Here),and family time with her son and brothers– one of whom is also active in the CM Goat Hills Lions Club and helps her support Project Cuddle, Pop Warner, and the Boys & Girls Club organizations. Her brother, Art Perry, serves as a Costa Mesa Sanitary Board of Directors and Estancia High School Boys Golf Coach. (His service to our schools dates back decades to when he was the football coach for Supervisor Foley’s husband in the 1980s!).
Her wish? That we join together on the same page to make good decisions, end gun violence, move away from the use of plastic, expand and protect our county’s bike trails, and do everything that we can to protect our water, greenbelts, and environment … as well as teach young children more about how to protect our earth.
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Health News
Vaccine Clinics
The CDC recently strengthened its recommendations and eligibility criteria for COVID-19 boosters and now recommends that children ages 5 through 11 years old receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
To find a vaccine clinic in your community or learn more about COVID-19 testing, call (714) 834-2000.
COVID-19 Data
As of June 17, 2022, 2,322,469 Orange County residents are fully vaccinated and 1,307,071 received their 4th shot or booster dose. The 7-day average positivity rate (6/17//22) in our County is 14%. This equals out to 31.3 daily positive COVID cases per 100k residents or 297.2 positive PCR tests.
COVID-19 Testing Kit Drop off Locations
Please call (714) 834-2000 for more information.
The California Department of Public Health
CHOC is conducting a survey to find out more about the health of children in our communities. They're interested in hearing from parents, caregivers, and young adults age 18–24, as well as from individuals who provide any of the following services to children birth to 24 years of age or children and their families:
- Physical healthcare services
- Behavioral healthcare services or supports
- Care management
- Social services or community support services
Orange County Seniors
The Orange County Adult Protective Services hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. If you would like to discuss or report elder or disabled adult abuse, contact (800) 451-5155.
Learn more about the OC Aging Plan: https://www.ocagingplan.org
Pet of the Week
 Madison at OC Animal Care
Ready to add a happy, cheerful 2-year-old Pit Bull mix into your life? OC Animal Care staff all fell in love with Madison after she arrived as a stray. They've since learned that Madison LOVES treats and already knows how to sit and shake hands! While she may take a moment to warm up to you, this sweet girl attaches to her humans and is definitely a Velcro dog, always wanting to be by your side! While Madison hasn’t lived with any other dogs, she has met a couple of pups while in their care and has displayed nothing but proper manners.
Interested in adding Madison to your pack? Call (714) 935-6848 to set up an adoption appointment today! Madison is looking for an adult-only home or a home with children ages 15 years or older.
Animal ID#: A1749750
Santa Ana
Get in touch with your inner spaceman and suit up for a fantastical journey through the multi-media cosmos delivered by a full battery of high-tech lasers, theatrical lighting and high-definition video choreographed to the concert-quality sound of your favorite, out-of-this-world bands like David Bowie, Queen, Duran Duran, The Police, The B-52’s, Portishead, Moby, The Church, Soundgarden, Patti Smith, Daft Punk and more!
Two Stepping Under the Stars
Press Release: Trio of Tastes Now Open at John Wayne Airport
American Red Cross
Father's Day (June 19, 2022)
Celebrate dad's passion for adventure with a gift of membership and he'll enjoy 8 permanent exhibitions + upcoming featured exhibitions from around the globe.
Tanaka Farm – Hana Field
Hana Field Now Open Every Weekend in June
Sunflowers make everyone happy. Hana Field in South Coast Metro has over 12 varieties of sunflowers in bloom right now - in different colors and sizes too! Hana Field opens at 10:00 am, and the last entry is at 4:00 pm. Fields close promptly at 5:00pm.
GENERAL ADMISSION: $10 - does not include flower picking (Children 2 & Under and Military are FREE)
KEEPSAKE U-PICK FLOWER CUP: $15 - includes up tp 15 blooms
Flowers cutters are available for purchase for $8 or you can bring your own.
Southern California Edison
Attend this virtual update on June 19, 2022, at 11 a.m. Register: Here
Save the Date: OC Pride Festival
On June 25, 2022, the Orange County LGBT Pride Love Out Loud Festival returns to Downtown Santa Ana after a 2-year hiatus.
Find out more: Here
Recycling Center
The Orange Coast College (OCC) Recycling Center, located on Adams Avenue between Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Road, buys back "California Redemption Value" or "CRV" containers. For current CRV pricing, operating hours, and safety information, please visit the OCC Recycling Center's website. Call (714) 432-5131 for directions or more information.
Youth Career Fair
Equity in OC
The Equity in OC initiative is releasing the POWER BUILDING FUND!
The purpose of this fund is to provide smaller, grassroots organizations addressing the Social Determinants of Health for those most impacted by health inequities (e.g. BIPOC, women, LGBTQ, and minority-led organizations) whose annual operating budgets are under $500,000 with the opportunity to build their infrastructure and/or capacity, supporting them in becoming more sustainable partners in the Equity in OC (EiOC) Initiative.
Learn more about the Equity in OC initiative’s funding opportunities at UnitedWayOC.org/EquityOC #EquityinOC
Sunset Cinema Series & Concerts in the Park
Businesses in Orange County
We are restocking our District office's essential supplies and want to support local Orange County businesses. Please contact us with business and vendor recommendations for printer, clothing, and office supplies.
 If you have questions or comments that you'd like to share, in relation to the committees below, please email me at Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com
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