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| Volume 2 | Issue 48 |
December 16, 2022 |
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Dear neighbor:
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Team Foley enjoyed participating in local holiday parades both on land and water.
On Saturday night, I enjoyed attending Dana Point Harbor’s 47th Annual Boat Parade of Lights! Participants did a great job with their decorations, and the parade really highlights the holiday spirit throughout our amazing county.
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On Monday, I attended the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board Meeting, where we welcomed two new members to the Board and honored three outgoing Board members. The Board received an update on the Emergency Railroad Track Stabilization in San Clemente – and got answers on the reopening of the tracks to passenger rail, which is scheduled to occur in February 2023. We also discussed and approved the installation of battery-electric bus chargers at the Garden Grove Bus Base – which is critical infrastructure for our ongoing mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions countywide.
Then on Tuesday, my team and I had a great meeting with the new Mayor of Anaheim Ashleigh Aitken! I look forward to working together on key priorities like building housing and ending homelessness.
 The celebration tour continued this week! My team and I attended a series of back-to-back city council and school board installations this week for Orange Unified, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, San Clemente, Irvine, Newport-Mesa Unified, and Aliso Viejo.
 Congratulations to all at the Irvine swearing in ceremony!
Congratulations to all the newly sworn in elected officials, including our very own Laguna Beach Councilmember Alex Rounaghi!
 Here we have Laguna Beach Councilmember Alex Rounaghi!
Wednesday was a big day for Team Foley. The Board of Supervisors hosted our Holiday Open House where many county staff and members of the community had the opportunity to visit our offices!
I enjoyed meeting so many people from across the county, and I look forward to future opportunities to work together. + A special shoutout to Janna for bringing me a lovely, framed photo collage!
 The merriment did not stop there – after the Holiday Open House, I attended the Newport Beach Boat Parade where my team hosted a booth and passed out cotton candy! I’m proud to sponsor great community events like this where families can come enjoy beautiful lights, cheerful music, and the fireworks show.
 On Thursday, I celebrated the opening and dedication of The Bungalows, a HomeAid-built housing project operated by Families Forward. The project will provide permanent affordable housing for families experiencing homeless as well as provide access to food assistance, mental health counseling, career coaching, and many more services.
 Here I am with Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, Councilmember Manuel Chavez, Families Forward & HomeAide board members as well as the build manager.
Wing Lam & I join Charles from Antis Roofing - a truly charitable business that is literally putting roofs over the heads of families experiencing homelessness all over Orange County.
 Today I started off my day joining Dana Point Mayor Mike Frost at Jon's Fish Market at Dana Point Harbor to pardon Gerald the Lobster! Gerald was injured before the catch, so he was nursed back to health. Now, he will go on to live the rest of his days at the Ocean Institute. He could live to more than 50 years! I’m feeling so lucky to live and serve in Orange County where we have fun traditions like this! Watch the pardon HERE on my Facebook and here on CBS/KCAL!
 I attended the Costa Mesa Women’s Club Holiday lunch and announced our support of $25,000 in seed money to help renovate the kitchen so they can support local nonprofits like school groups, The Lions Club, church groups and to use for rentals to help raise money for their education scholarship fund.
 Finally, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s 14th Annual Holiday New Coat Drive for Kids! My team and I brought some of the coats we collected this year to the Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast.
 Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, City Councilmembers Manuel Chavez and Arlis Reynolds, the Costa Mesa Police Department, and the Costa Mesa High School Cheerleaders joined us for an afternoon of Q&A and holiday cheer as we met with some of the young children who will benefit from this year’s donations.
In between all the festive events, my leadership team and I read reports, researched best practices, and held meetings with county staff, business leaders, and community members to prepare for the upcoming board agenda. I’m grateful to enjoy strong policy advisors who care deeply about protecting the taxpayers and ensuring good governance. As a strong advocate for community choice energy, I was so disappointed by the findings of the two audits I requested related to the finances and operations of our OC Power Authority. You can review here and here. Let us know if you have questions.
That’s it for this week! Sunday we will help light the menorah at Chabad Center for Jewish life in Newport Beach to celebrate the start of Hanukkah. We will post about it on our social media @supervisorfoley. Join in on the comments and let us know what Hanukkah means to you.
We loved meeting so many new constituencies and learning about the local holiday traditions this month in the new district. I was approached by so many residents about different projects they want us to work on in South County from new pickle ball courts to small business supports to Veterans initiatives to harbor improvements, and more.
The 5th District truly is more Fabulous than ever before. I’m looking forward to serving.
Be Well,
 Katrina Foley
Supervisor
County of Orange
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In This Edition
Read more about local events, community and health news, District and County initiatives, and other important updates!
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Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meeting On December 20, 2022
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Manuel Chavez
Constituent Services Manager
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Another busy week serving the residents of Orange County. Thursday, I joined Supervisor Foley at the Bungalows housing project in Costa Mesa. This project was led by Families Forward & Homeaid OC to create 8 housing units for at-risk or homeless families. It’s located in my neighborhood and across from the elementary school I attended. We are happy to welcome the new families to Westside Costa Mesa. I know you’re going to love it here. Most of all we are so happy these families will have a new home for the holidays! Thank you for everyone involved in this housing site.
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 My week was also spent collecting and distributing coats. We provided families from Santa Ana and Estancia High Schools with new coats, as well as distributed at the Boys & Girls Club Central Orange Coast. The children were super excited. We are so happy to help keep Orange County families warm, and thank you to everyone who donated a coat!
Cindy Tran-Chang
Policy Advisor
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‘Twas a week filled with festive activities in our office! On Wednesday, we had back-to-back events including the annual Board of Supervisors’ Open House. It was so wonderful meeting County staff, constituents, collaborators and community members. We are very excited to work with them in the New Year! Supervisor Katrina Foley continues to support local businesses by treating our guests with gourmet donuts from Oliboli in Tustin and peppermint hot cocoa from Alta Baja Market here in Santa Ana. We were also lucky to have a wonderful harpist from Pacific Symphony perform at the Open House! |
 Afterwards, Kimberlee, Annie and I dashed to Newport Beach’s 114th annual Boat Parade where we served red and green cotton candy and gave away insulated grocery bags and collapsible pet bowls while watching the CDM Drumline, boat parade and fireworks. It was a well-attended event with several different local Newport Beach vendors. I can’t wait to attend again next year!
Annie Mitchell
Policy Analyst
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Happy Holidays to all our newsletter readers! I hope your winter season is filled with joy and warm hot chocolate! That is what we served this past Wednesday at our annual open house. On Wednesday after our open house I was able to get down to the opening of the 114th annual Balboa Boat Parade. Michele Gile, a longtime PTA mom friend to Supervisor Foley, was selected to be the Grand Marshal of opening night. We got to watch as she was presented with a proclamation, for all the hard work she has done, by newly elected Mayor to the City of Newport Beach, Noah Blom. As the boats putted by with all their beautiful and festive lights, we gave out Christmas colored cotton candy to all the little kids. The excitement on their faces beamed nearly as bright as the Christmas lights on the Harbor!
Upcoming this week, on Sunday Supervisor Foley will get to light up the evening with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Newport Beach! The Menorah lighting ceremony will be held at Fashion Island starting with a musical performance at 3:30 followed be the lighting of the first candle at 4:00pm! Sunday marks the first night of Hanukkah for 2022, Supervisor Foley will be joined by Rabbi Reuven Mintz to celebrate the wintertime “festival of lights”. One thing I previously hadn’t known about the Jewish Holiday is that “Chanukah” is Hebrew for “dedication” and the holiday was named after the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
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Stephanie Wade
Veterans Policy Advisor
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Like the Supervisor, I love this time of year. Yes, Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, New Year's but also service academy nominations. To be accepted as a cadet or midy at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy (Annapolis), the Coast Guard Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy or the Air Force Academy, applicants must first be appointed by their local Senator, Member of Congress or the Vice President of the United States. The nominations are due by January 31, and most congressional offices finalize their slate of nominees in November-December.
This year, I’m honored to serve on the Nomination Board for Congresswoman Katie Porter. I mention this because I fear that many young people don’t know about the tremendous opportunity presented by military service in general and our nation’s service academies. So—whether it’s your child, a neighbor, someone you teach—if you know a patriotic young American (applicants must be 17 years old but younger than 23 years old on July 1st of the year they are applying for admission), someone who excels in academics and athletics or physical fitness, is in good health, who wants to serve their country and is of excellent moral character, please tell them to look into the service academies or have them reach out to me to do some information interviewing. The education is free (the government actually pays a modest salary) but the opportunity to grow and lead is priceless.
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Adam Tallabas
District Representative
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This week, I had the honor of presenting certificates of recognition to the newly elected members of the Laguna Hills & Aliso Viejo City Councils! I also accompanied Supervisor Foley in recognizing the new members of the Irvine City Council on Tuesday! It was so amazing to meet these new communities, businesses & city officials that we will be working with and serving beginning in January! |
Health News
Michele Mullen
Community Outreach Director
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As of December 15, 2022, 2,316,418 of Orange County residents are fully vaccinated, 220,203 are partially vaccinated, and 1,418,921 received their shot or booster dose. That is great news as we reopen and get back to living our best lives.
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OC Health Care Agency
COVID-19 Response Transition
Recently, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) announced that they are preparing to transition it’s operational, clinical and technological COVID-19 response from an emergency posture to routine business operations. This occurs as COVID-19 Public Health Emergency proclamations are anticipated to end in the first quarter of 2023.
To align with the ending of the emergency declaration, the HCA will alter its COVID-19 responses as follows:
- The HCA will transfer most COVID-19 response services to the open marketplace where individuals will self-manage COVID-19 with the help of their primary care providers and other community-based resources.
- HCA-sponsored vaccination clinics will be discontinued at the end of the year. Individuals attending remaining events will be instructed to visit alternative locations for future needs through their primary care provider, Community Clinics, Pharmacy Chains and the HCA Family Health Clinic (FHC) at 17th Street.
- HCA’s 17th Street Family Health Clinic will conduct COVID-19 related services (testing, vaccinations and treatment) and will be identified as a vaccine and testing provider onmyturn.ca.gov, www.vaccine.gov and www.ochealthinfo.com. Residents will be able to call for an appointment at (800) 914-4887.
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HCA’s use of Othena as a clinical operational management system for testing, vaccination, and test to treat services will be transitioned to mainstream platforms by the end of 2022.
National Health Survey is Coming to Orange County
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive survey of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population, is coming to Orange County, CA, beginning on January 6, 2023. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a national survey that monitors the health and nutritional status of adults and children across the United States conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/participant.htm
Why Orange County? All counties and cities in the United States have a chance to be selected for the NHANES and, this year, Orange County is one of 15 counties selected to be part of this initiative. Each year, only 5,000 residents nationwide are chosen to participate in NHANES, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NHANES provides important national data on critical public health issues.
“NHANES serves as the nation’s ‘health check-up’ by going into communities throughout the country to collect health information,” said Brian C. Moyer, PhD, Director of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). “The survey provides a wealth of important data about many of the major health and nutritional issues affecting the country.”
OC Animal Care
OC Animal Care is waiving adoption fees for dogs 25 pounds and over throughout the month of December!
With the goal of helping furry friends find a home for the holidays, those adopting dogs 25 pounds and over will have their adoption fee waived, which includes microchipping, vaccinations, spaying or neutering and an anti-parasite treatment. Waived adoption fees do not include licensing fees or puppies six months of age or younger.
Adopting a dog over 25 pounds may not be possible for every person. Now through December 24, Supervisor Bartlett will sponsor adoption fees for cats, birds, bunnies, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
For more information on ways the community can support the animals at the shelter, visit ocpetinfo.com/get-involved. Those interested in providing assistance to the shelter’s efforts in caring for pets in need can easily do so by viewing OC Animal Care’s Amazon Wishlist.
Pet of the Week
Meet Sapphire, the Pet of the Week! Sapphire is a two-year-old, Belgian Malinois Mix. She was very nervous upon arrival, but our staff and volunteers were patient, giving her the space and time she needed to adjust. Since her arrival, we have witnessed her tremendous growth as she has become more and more comfortable with the people that she meets. Don’t be fooled by Sapphire's initially shy demeanor though! This sweet girl absolutely loves playing fetch and spending time with her best human friends! She will make the most loyal and loving companion to whoever is lucky enough to adopt her. While in our care, Sapphire did well when meeting other dogs. Due to her shy personality, Sapphire is looking for a home with older kids
If you think Sapphire would be a perfect addition to your family, call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! While appointments are available for convenience, walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.
Animal ID#: A1782347
(Image: Sapphire is looking for a home!) Please visit our Pet Adoptions page to see more adoptable pets.
Winter Fest OC
Winter Fest OC transforms the OC Fair & Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making. Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with past Winter Fest OC favorites as well as all-new activities! Activities include; North Pole Pop-Up, ice skating under the stars,150 foot long ice tubing slide, snowboard simulator, carnival thrills, food and drinks, holiday market, photo ops., and so much more!
Snoopy House
The City of Costa Mesa is hosting their annual Snoopy House fun that starts TODAY through Friday, Dec. 23. from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
You won't want to miss this local family favorite! Snoopy House is free to the public and in addition to the entertainment will include train rides, carolers, and pictures with Santa Claus from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hannukah Events in OC
Tuesday December 20, 2022 - join CBI Coastal at Duck Donuts in Irvine for a meet and greet with the owner, to design your donut and to light candles with us. We have two shifts available for donut making, one at 4:30 PM and one at 5:00 PM {for those who can't make it early, you can join us for candle-lighting and then make our donut). The cost is $5 per person. Please bring your menorah and 4 candles if you want light with us at around 5:30 PM. Address: 2222 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA. Dress: Chanukah casual
Thursday December 22, 2022 at 5:30 PM - join the community for an indoor "Light the Menorah with the Mayor" event in Irvine City Hall {1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606} at 5:30 PM. We have arranged a pre-event small group family-oriented meet and greet for Coastal regulars with Mayor Farrah Kahn in her office from 4:30-5:30 PM for CBI Coastal families {capped at 8 families). Both the menorah lighting (which is open to the larger community and includes Rabbi Adam Greenwald, Cantor Amy Katz and Rev. Dr. Pastor Sarah Halverson-Cano) and the private meet and greet require registration due to space constraints. Please register for the candle lighting at this LINK .
Sunday December 25, 2022 1:00 – 2:30 PM – Chanukah Concert with Moshav Band and Gelt Drop sponsored by Chabad Center for Jewish Life - 2240 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 - LINK
Edison Scholars: The Makers of Tomorrow
Great news: Southern California Edison (SCE) extended their scholarship application deadline to January 9, 2023!
Their program awards $50,000 scholarships to 30 high school seniors who want to make a difference in the world by studying science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) in college. New majors have been added including cybersecurity and data analytics.
What a great opportunity for students in Orange County to pursue their education! Learn more.
Substance Abuse Resource
 Detox.com’s mission is to provide the best free resources for people to find self-help with substance abuse through detox and other mental health strategies. Check out their website for more information!
OC Alert
Sign up for AlertOC to get notified in case of emergency in Orange County. The mass notification system is designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed in the event of a time-sensitive emergency. YOU MUST OPT IN TO RECEIVE ALERTS. Register today at AlertOC.org.
Appointments for Veterans Services
OC Waste and Recycling:
Before purchasing a new item or tossing out an old item, consider reducing, reusing and recycling. Check out OCRecycleGuide.com for info on what and where to recycle. Used batteries from toys and holiday décor can be taken to any Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center for free disposal during operating hours. For more information on Collection Centers visit OCLandfills/hazardous-waste.
The holidays often produce increased amounts of food waste. Consider donating edible food to a local food pantry and place unwanted food scraps in the organics cart. For more info: OCLandfills.com/organics.
OC Workforce Solutions
Ready Set OC offers no-cost employment training for Orange County youth ages 14-24, including those with disabilities or IEP plans, former or current foster children, pregnant or parenting, offender/ex-offender, and those experiencing homelessness, including couch-surfing or at risk of homelessness.
To find out more information, call the OC Business and Economic Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500 or text (657) 210-1295. Email info@readysetoc.com
Equity in OC
Are you in charge of a grassroots organization? the Equity in OC initiative is releasing a POWER BUILDING FUND toprovide smaller, grassroots organizations with the opportunity to build their infrastructure and/or capacity
Learn More: Here
Committee Appointments
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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Thank you for being an active member of our County.
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@SupervisorFoley
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