Last month, I met U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm for a roundtable and tour of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers new apprentice training center in Orange County to discuss creating a new clean energy economy that benefits our working families and the environment.  

On Monday, I attended the Orange County Transportation Authority Board meeting where I advocated for sustainable long-term planning for the 55 freeway and State Route 133 Laguna Canyon road improvements.  

On Tuesday, I went to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s State of the Schools Breakfast. Every year, parents, teachers, district staff, business owners, elected officials, and local community leaders gather to expand the District’s outreach efforts, build partnerships, and collaborate on opportunities that enhance our students’ education. 

Following the event, I hosted a group of local medical professionals, county health representatives, insurance providers, hospital systems, and community clinics for the first of its kind public health roundtable. We discussed county public health initiatives that address outstanding healthcare needs, ways to better collaborate, and access issues.  

Our discussion made it abundantly clear that we have a lot of work to do to make access to healthcare more equitable and easy. As Supervisor, I am committed to working together with healthcare leaders and professionals, nonprofits, hospital systems, insurance providers, agencies, and the juvenile justice system among others to develop public health initiatives based on the needs of our community. Make no mistake that the conversations had are the first of many towards creating partnerships and initiatives that are necessary to improving public health across Orange County. 

On Thursday, I met with my team and County staff to prepare for the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting next week. We’re voting on transportation, airport activities, housing and security projects.  Tune in this coming Tuesday!  

That night, I had the honor of receiving the 2022 OASIS Community Award. After 10 years of wonderful work, the OASIS Center has come so far and helped so many children access the arts. The work OASIS does is truly integral to our county. With the goal of “empowering this generation one artist at a time,” it is incredible to see how many lives OASIS made better through their youth mentoring programs and community outreach. 

Overall, I share the OASIS vision of connecting arts and culture to developing children in underserved communities. In receiving the award, I shared my own story of how access to the arts, mainly ballet classes, provided a sanctuary for me away from often dysfunction at home. As shared by one of the Oasis teachers, dance requires discipline and repetition for perfecting moves. The skills learned in the dance studio create a foundation for strong work ethics, persistence, and focus.  I hope to continue working with the OASIS Center and other arts programs to bring more arts, dance, and cultural enrichment to our underserved communities. 

Finally, I want to highlight that October is both Filipino & Italian American History Month! The Filipino and Italian American community contribute greatly to history. Our own Communications Director Stefanie Lao moved to America from the Philippines as a student. I love to celebrate the heritage of our neighbors from various cultures in Orange County and across the country!  

This was a productive week of working with leaders across all levels of government and across different kinds of industries. I hope you had a good week too!  

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley talks about the nearly $1 million settlement approved for the Huntington Beach Oil Spill.  

Monkeypox:

As of October 13, 2022 there are 265 total cases of Monkeypox in Orange County. Testing is available across the County. According to the Health Care Agency, the virus is plateauing, and vaccination demand is lowered. People are behaving less risky, and thus there is a change in guidelines for who gets the vaccine.  To register for the vaccine, eligible individuals can visit Othena.com.   

To learn more about monkeypox and vaccinations, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/monkeypox.  

Deaths due to drugs and alcohol in Orange County are on the rise. Opioid substances are largely responsible for the increase in drug and alcohol mortality, specifically fentanyl.  

The impact of all drug and alcohol deaths among Orange County residents, with a focused look at trends over time and by selected demographic characteristics. This also includes figures exploring the impact of opioid-related deaths among Orange County residents.  

If you need help connecting with resources for dealing with a substance use problem, OC Navigator is a central site for finding services. Click on the link to get started. 

OC Navigator | Health and Wellness Resources and Guides | Orange County, California 

Find help in Orange County by connecting with health, wellness, and other resources. Brought to you by the OC Health Care Agency. 

https://www.ocnavigator.org 

Unless otherwise noted, drug and alcohol deaths are identified from the final cause of death variable in the California Comprehensive Death File. Drug and Alcohol deaths are identified using the selection criteria outlined under the Alcohol/Drug Consequences Query.

COVID-19 

It is increasingly important to remain safe and healthy and it is a top priority of mine to keep community members updated with the most recent guidelines. To find more information on the latest guidelines issued by the HCA, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.  

As you celebrate summer activities and plan vacations, protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 by following safe travel guidelines issued by the CDPH.

See the latest guidance: Here

Many concerned citizens reached out to my office about the state of OC Animal Care’s adoption system. In response, I sent an anonymous staffer unannounced to walk in to the shelter and report back what an everyday resident may experience as a walk in adopter. I’m pleased to report they were accommodated within minutes and were able to view multiple animals (& our office almost got a new fuzzy team member)! 

There are some fundamental truths we must start with: 

• Too many pets are living in our shelters who need a loving home.  

• Our shelters are understaffed and we must vigorously recruit and retain new staff members. 

• The OCAC shelter is open for walk ins. Appointments are recommended for a quicker adoption process, but not necessary. Every customer receives a fully personalized adoption experience.  

To solve our most pressing concerns, my office sponsored adoptions through the month of September. I’m pleased to share we found homes for 182 dogs, 296 cats, 20 rabbits, 8 guinea pigs, and one tortoise! 

To read my official response to frequently asked questions, please click here.

Summer is a spunky 2-year-old German Shepherd who arrived at OC Animal Care as a stray. Though she was a little nervous upon arrival, Summer has blossomed while in our care and has lived up to her name with her bright, summery personality! Summer absolutely loves toys and tennis balls and would be content playing fetch with her new family all day long! This sweet girl is eager to please and is very smart - she will make a fabulous training buddy when learning some fun, new behaviors! Summer knows how to sit nicely, and she enjoys any outdoor adventure she can have with her best human friends. Summer loves having all of the attention to herself and is looking for a home where she will be the only pet.

Interested in adopting Summer? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! Walk-ins are welcome! *

Animal ID#: A1768741

*Walk-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows. 

Student Debt Relief

The application for student debt relief will be available by early October. Applicants can expect to see relief within 4-6 weeks of applying. 

Apply before 11/15 to receive relief before payment pause expires on 12/31. Applications submitted after will still be processed. Click here for more info! 

On October 20, 2022, at 10:20 a.m., millions of people worldwide will practice how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during the California Great ShakeOut. You can take part in the Shakeout at home, work, school or through a video conference with your work or school colleagues. It’s important to practice how to be safe when the earth shakes.  Please click here to learn more about the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF IN VARIOUS SETTINGS 

Indoors: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, tall furniture, televisions, and cabinets with heavy objects or glass. Do not try to move more than 5-7 feet before getting on the ground. Do not go outside during shaking! (Exterior building materials and glass can fall and may hit you as you exit.) If seated and unable to drop to the floor: bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and Hold On to your neck with both hands. 

In bed: Do not get out of bed. Lie face down to protect vital organs, and cover your head and neck with a pillow, keeping your arms as close to your head as possible, while you Hold On to your head and neck with both hands until the shaking stops. You are less likely to be injured by fallen and broken objects by staying where you are. 

In a multiple-floor building: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Avoid windows and other hazards. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate. 

In a classroom: Laboratories or other settings may require special considerations to ensure safety. Students should also be taught what to do at home or in other locations. Students should drop to the ground and go under a desk then cover your head with your arms (as best as possible) and hold on to your neck with both hands until the shaking stops. After shaking subsides, come out from under the desk slowly, watching for anything that could fall during aftershocks. 

In a stadium or theater: Drop to the ground in front of your seat or lean over as much as possible, then cover your head with your arms (as best as possible) and Hold On to your neck with both hands until the shaking stops. Then walk out slowly, watching for anything that could fall during aftershocks. 

In a store: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Getting next to a shopping cart, beneath clothing racks, or onto the bottom shelf of a large multi-shelf unit to provide extra protection from falling objects. 

Outdoors: Move to open space if you can safely do so; avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles, and other hazards. Then Drop, Cover, and Hold On. This protects you from any objects that may be thrown through the air, even if nothing is directly above you. 

Driving: Pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, trees, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops, then proceed carefully by avoiding fallen debris, cracked, or shifted pavement, and emergency vehicles. If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire. 

A Message from the Orange County Registrar of Voters:

The November 8th General Election is quickly approaching, and we look forward to providing excellent service to voters at Vote Center locations throughout Orange County. To make this possible, we are currently hiring more than 600 Customer Service Representatives to staff Vote Centers.  

Please consider helping your neighbors exercise their right to vote by applying to be a customer service representative at a Vote Center in your community.  Apply today at the link below, or contact us for additional information at 714 567-7321 or by email at recruitment@ocvote.gov 

Positions start at over $20/hour! Apply now: https://ocvote.gov/about/careers/join  

The Huntington Beach Pacific Airshow is back, and they are offering a unique on the water vantage point for viewing this spectacular event from one of our vessels, and we'll have a limited number of seats available. The Great Pacific Airshow will take place on Friday, Sept. 30th- Sunday, Oct. 2nd, 2022 from 10am-5:30pm over the ocean of Huntington Beach, California.  

Our boats have tons of amenities including two levels, outdoor seating, indoor salon seating, full bars, sundecks, and more! Plus, this is a great way to avoid the large crowds and parking in Huntington Beach area during this busy annual event since our boats depart from the Newport Beach Harbor. For airshow performers, the Thunderbirds are expected to steal the show this year! Huntington Beach's 6th Annual Airshow lineup for 2022 is still being finalized. Don't delay, they sell out fast for this annual event, so be sure to book today before trips are SOLD OUT! 

MARIANGELES SOTO-DIAZ 

GENTLE PROWESS DELIBERATIONS 

through January 12, 2023 

Part of Mariangeles Soto-Diaz’s ongoing artist residency, Gentle Prowess Deliberations is the third project in a series in which the artist incorporate judo principles and elements into art objects, installations, performances and social practice with her judo community. This project focuses on ju, or gentle, one of the core concepts of judo.  The work also grapples with the ongoing reality of violence, including the violence that has led to over six million people leaving the artists native country of Venezuela in recent years. How does one practice ju in a world shaped by oppressive violence? 

While growing up in Venezuela, Soto-Diaz’s judo teachers were intent on transmitting judo’s international sensibility as intertwined with its pacifist ethos, a key principle articulated by judo founder Jigoro Kano. Through these early experiences, Mariangeles was able to begin the philosophical and rhetorical quest into what this might mean as one confronts a powerful opponent, institution, or system. 

For this project the artist approaches ju in several ways. She asked judo colleagues and teachers from two different dojos, Bunasawakai and Sawtelle, to characterize ju in their own words, and then incorporated their answers into aspects of the performance and installation. She weaves into the performance movements from a choreographed judo form that centers around ju, called ju-no-kata, performed here by US National champions Lee Pasteris and Frederick Dagdagan. Soto-Diaz incorporates judo movements performed by two of her sensei, grand master Sensei Nori Bunasawa and Sensei Goya. In addition to these four highly ranked master judokas, the artist is collaborating in the performance with dancer, choreographer and UCI professor Charlotte Griffin and art performer Christina Segovia. The evening will include field recordings from judo competitions at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo as well as the US, with live and processed sound in collaboration with musician Michael Dessen. 

Learn more. 

Bowers Museum will once again welcome international couture powerhouse Guo Pei as she transforms the galleries into a world of fantasy this fall.  

The exhibition Guo Pei: Art of Couture premiers with a fresh take on the artist’s finest and most personal pieces, including gowns hand selected by Guo Pei herself. Hot on the heels of her success at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, Bowers’ entirely new exhibition opens to the public on November 12, 2022. 

Guo Pei: Art of Couture will feature over 40 works of couture art curated for exhibit by the world-renowned designer. Among the bespoke selection is Guo Pei’s Chinese Bride collection, which makes its North American debut at the Bowers.