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As the Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors, I am often asked about the work of the Board. I wanted to share this short video about the collaboration between CalOptima leadership, staff, and the Board to ensure we support access to high-quality care for all our members. The video is part of a video series highlighting CalOptima Health leaders.
In honor of the passing of Dolly Parton—who was known not only for her singing and songwriting, but also for her deep commitment to early childhood literacy—I want to recognize the impact of an initiative she launched 31 years ago to help children gain access to books and plant the seeds for a lifelong love of reading.
Her initiative has since spread to Orange County. At a recent Tustin City Council meeting, the community celebrated the official launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as it expands statewide in California.
 I am proud that our office was able to help fund and support this important initiative to ensure children have access to books and the opportunities that come with them.
To learn more about the program and the books available for kids, in both English and Spanish visit their website.
Our Team joined the Orange County Fire Authority at its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony was an occasion to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001, 25 years ago.
 The somber ceremony also reminded us to honor the bravery of first responders and the sacrifices they made that day, as well as a moment to remember the resilience of survivors.
I was proud to march in this year’s Santa Ana Fiestas Patrias Parade alongside Santa Ana Commissioner, Isuri Ramos. It was a wonderful day that brought our community together to celebrate our culture and traditions. We were also joined by Ballet Folklorico Donaji, representing Sinaloa and helping keep these traditions alive for future generations.
 It was an incredible experience to see the community come together and feel the strength and joy of this special multigenerational event.
 After suffering from racially motivated federal policies over the last two years and experiencing the dislocation caused to so many of our families, it was more important than ever for us to unite, march together, encourage each other, and celebrate our cultural heritage.
On September 15, I had the pleasure of welcoming the community to a new art exhibit: Con Cada Paso: A Visual Celebration of Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico.
For half a century, Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico has cultivated Hispanic cultural heritage in Santa Ana and the broader County of Orange by preserving folklórico, the Mexican tradition of dance. It is our privilege to showcase their significance to our community by offering this one-of-a-kind exhibit for the public to enjoy for free at the historic Orange County Courthouse.
Representatives from the Dance Group, OC Parks Director Pam Passow joined the community and special guest Consulate of Mexico in Santa Ana Maxaira Baltazar to cut the ribbon and share a few words on the importance of the exhibit.
 Visitors will be able to discover 50 years of folklórico dancing tradition in Orange County. In collaboration with Relámpago del Cielo, Inc., a nonprofit cultural arts organization, the exhibit was developed in-house by OC Parks staff and features interpretive panels, photographs, authentic folklórico costumes, and more.
 Established in 1975 by Rosie Peña, a former dance instructor at Santa Ana College, and a handful of dance students, Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico united members through their passion for music and appreciation of the folklore of Mexico. The exhibit showcases the group’s storied past spanning five decades, including its humble beginnings, key members, notable performances, and its commitment to preserving the traditional Mexican art form of dance that continues to serve the community.
 Admission to the exhibition is free and open to view at the historic Orange County Courthouse historical gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the end of the year. For information about the art exhibit and the courthouse, please visit the IC OC Parks website.
My team and I recently visited the Access California Services (AccessCal) facility and learned more about the important work they do in our community.
My Policy Aide Nick Kim, and Intern Allyson Muir joined me on the tour with the Founder and Director, Nahla Kayali, and her Admin Team: Suzanne Baker, Susan Savoia, Ameera Basmadji, and Wafaa Awad.
 AccessCal is located in Anaheim and is a culturally sensitive community-based organization dedicated to empowering all underserved populations, with a focus on Arab-American and Muslim-American Communities. As we toured the facility, it was clear to see the passion and dedication the staff brings to their work.
 AccessCal works with refugees who come to the United States from around the world, connecting them with a variety of resources to help ease their transition and build a strong foundation in their new communities. Their services range from assistance with immigration paperwork and counseling to tax assistance and more.
 While on the tour, they shared their aspirations and plans for growing the organization and the services they can offer. To learn more about AccessCal’s services, visit their website at accesscal.org or contact their office at request@accesscal.org.
My District Representative, Joesé Hernandez, represented our office at A Day in the Park at El Salvador Park in Santa Ana. It was a great event organized by Artesia Pilar Neighborhood and Victory Outreach Santa Ana.
 Although it was a hot day, hundreds of community members enjoyed musical acts and students benefited from backpack giveaway, school supplies, and more.
On September 1st, our interns, Allyson Muir and Lia Moran, attended the grand opening celebration for The Swenson Family Foundation Campus. This campus will house the Olive Crest’s Children & Family Resource Center, Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation’s RSI Dream communities, and Curtis & Jill Scheetz and Kenny & Vera Thompson apartment homes.
 Olive Crest is a vital resource for District Two residents, as they are dedicated to preventing child abuse by strengthening, equipping, and restoring children and families in crisis. To find out more about Olive Crest and their resources across Orange County, visit their website is here.
In August, our Operations and Maintenance crews completed 392 cleanups across Orange County Flood Control District facilities. 239 - over 60% of the total—were located within District 2.
These cleanup efforts are all the more important given the safety implications of debris in the flood channels and the potential for dangerous El Niño storms and flash flooding.
Within District 2, cleanups were conducted as follows:
- Santa Ana 178
- Orange 25
- Garden Grove 19
- Orange County 11
- Tustin 6
Below are some of the before-and-after images of the ongoing work. Thank you to OC Public Works for their great efforts. Click here to request services.
Before After
 Before After
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