Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Supervisor Andrew Do seeks volunteers for the First 5 O.C. Children and Families Commission
February 22, 2020 - Andrew Do, Orange County, Santa Ana - No Comments

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is seeking volunteers to help promote early childhood education and health programs by serving on the First 5 Orange County Children and Families Commission. “By providing early access to proper health and education, we can have a profound and meaningful impact on a child’s life,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, who…

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Sen. Moorlach responds to Gov. Newsom’s plan to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a homeless shelter
February 22, 2020 - california, Costa Mesa, Gavin Newsom, homeless, John Moorlach - No Comments

COSTA MESA – Earlier today Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he intends to use Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa as a site to house the homeless. This announcement comes on the heels of his State of the State address on Wednesday in which he discussed the need to solve California’s growing homelessness crisis. In…

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Governor Newsom makes State-owned properties available for emergency homeless housing
February 22, 2020 - california, Gavin Newsom, homeless, Housing, Santa Ana - 1 Comment

SACRAMENTO – A day after meeting with officials from cities across California on the front lines of the homelessness crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom today highlighted the 286 state-owned properties available to local governments to use for homelessness solutions. The Governor called on local leaders to review the sites available in their regions and invited officials to work with…

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Frida Cinema to present ‘Home for Mom’ on Sunday, Feb. 23, through a City Arts Grant
February 21, 2020 - Arts and Culture, Movies, Musicals, Santa Ana - No Comments

The first in a series of events at The Frida Cinema funded through the City of Santa Ana’s Investing in the Artist grant program will take place on Sunday, Feb. 23. The Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble will present a free screening and performance of “Home for Mom,” a digital musical series about three…

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Free Ham Radio training offered to CERT members in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

UPDATE: Good news from the Ham Radio class instructor Gordon West. He is taking $30.00 off the cost of materials for our class which basically reduces the cost of materials by half. He has already offered to teach the class for free as well. He is hoping this will help several of you in these trying times. If you are interested in the class it starts Saturday, May 22nd and ends the next day, Sunday the 23rd. To reserve a spot and to receive the course materials please contact Gordon West at (714) 549-5000 or just click reply to this email. Thanks.

The City of Santa Ana is offerering FREE ham radio training to all those who have taken their CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) class, which is offered by the Santa Ana Fire Department and the Santa Ana Police Department.

Here is the training information sent by the City’s Emergency Manager: Continue reading→

City of Santa Ana waives late fees for unlicensed dogs

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Pets, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

 Sparky already has his dog license!

“Santa Ana Animal Services will waive late fees for dog licenses during a temporary amnesty program through May 15.  The city charges $24 annually to license a spayed or neutered dog, $100 for an unfixed dog; late fees are $41,” according to the O.C. Register.

I emailed Santa Ana Police Chief on March 1, to inform him about the Orange County dog license amnesty, which we reported about this week. 

I have also asked the Chief to consider permanent lower dog license fees.  We wrote about that subject here in February, at this link.  What I would like to see in particular is discounts for households with more than one dog; lower late fees; and lower fees for unfixed dogs.  Currently we charge more for dog licenses than the City of Irvine does! Continue reading→

Lupe Moreno curses in Spanish at Minuteman protest in Santa Ana today

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Latinos, mexico, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 13 Comments

The Minutemen showed up to protest today at the Mexican Consultate’s office in Santa Ana, at 7 a.m.  They were led by Lupe Moreno, a Republican activist who lives in Santa Ana.

In the video above, Moreno resorted to calling the mother of Naui Huitzilopochtli, the videographer, a “puta,” or whore.  He then rightfully wonders what sort of Christian Moreno is.

Moreno is known for her right-wing politics and supposed evangelical Christian values.  Continue reading→

Enjoy giant bubbles at the Discovery Science Center’s annual Bubblefest

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Float your way to Discovery Science Center for Orange County’s most astounding spring break bubble spectacular! It’s good, clean fun for the entire family as Bubble Scientist Fan Yang brings his Gazillion Bubble Show to Southern California, from March 27 – April 11, 2010.

Orange County’s Most Astounding Spring Break Event!

Hands-on bubble activities demonstrate a bubble’s science and math principles (such as surface tension, elasticity, air pressure, molecular properties, and geometric properties), while Fan Yang’s Gazillion Bubble Show puts those theories to the ultimate test. Continue reading→

Minutemen protesting at the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana on Wednesday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Civil Rights, immigration, Latinos, mexico, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The Minutemen are in an uproar because the City of Santa Ana decided to hold this year’s Fiestas Patrias event on September 11.  They are protesting tomorrow, March 31, at the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana , from 7am to 9am.  The Consulate is located at 828 North Broadway, in downtown Santa Ana.

Counter-protesters will be there as well.

Normally the Fiestas Patrias event is held around the middle of September, but in order to hold the event on a weekend, the City of Santa Ana opted to start the event on Sep. 11, which of course coincides with the terrorist attack our nation suffered when members of Al-Qaeda destroyed the Trade Towers in New York.  Over 300 Mexican nationals died in that event.  The Minutemen either don’t know that or they don’t care. Continue reading→

Pictures from the 2010 Cesar Chavez Day celebration in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Culture, Democratic Party, Jose Solorio, Labor, Latinos Leave a comment

Local attorney and mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua is pictured on the left, holding the United Farm Workers flag.  The man in the middle, on the microphone, is Councilman Vincent Sarmiento.  Solorio is pictured on the right.  Next to him is Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.  Picture courtesy of Assemblyman Jose Solorio’s office. 

Assemblyman Jose Solorio’s office sent us a few pictures taken at last Saturday’s Cesar Chavez celebration, at Jerome Park, in Santa Ana.  Reportedly over three hundred Santa Ana residents showed up to the festivities.

Below are additional pictures.  You can also see the pictures I took, as the event was being set up, at this link. Continue reading→

New Chief Probation Officer appointed by O.C. Board of Supervisors

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

New Chief Probation Officer Steven J. Sentman, Supervisor Bill Campbell, and Chief Deputy Probation Officer Tom Wright

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2010
Contact: Howard Sutter 714.834.6203 office

New Chief Probation Officer Appointed by Board of Supervisors

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors today appointed Steven J. Sentman to serve as the County’s Chief Probation Officer, effective April 23, 2010.

Sentman currently serves as the Chief Deputy Probation Officer for the Field Operations Bureau. In his new position he will replace Colleene Preciado, who is retiring in April after 35 years with the County of Orange. The Chief Probation Officer is appointed by the Board of Supervisors with the concurrence of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Continue reading→

OC Animal Care offers pet owners amnesty for delinquent or unlicensed dogs

Posted on by Posted in Orange County, Pets, Public Safety Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2010

Contact: Ryan Drabek (714) 935-7107 or Katie Ingram (714) 935-6194

OC Animal Care Offers Pet Owners Amnesty for Delinquent or Unlicensed Dogs

(Orange, – CA) On March 2nd, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a Dog License Amnesty program. From April 1st – May 15th, dog owners will be able to renew their expired licenses, or obtain new licenses, with no worry of late fees or extra charges. This program will be offered to dog owners living in the 17 cities and unincorporated areas served by OC Animal Care. Not only will this program help relieve some of the burden on pocketbooks; it will also help more animals find their way back home if they are lost. By placing a license tag on their dog, owners will help OC Animal Care get in touch with them if their pet is brought into the shelter.

“OC Animal Care wants to be sensitive to dog owners experiencing financial hardship,” said Ryan Drabek, Interim Director for OC Animal Care. He added, “It is our goal, through this program, to ensure more pets are returned to their owners when the unfortunate happens. Approximately 97% of the animals impounded by OC Animal Care that are wearing a tag are returned to their owners. We believe that licensing is a great benefit for our pet owners in Orange County.” Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Police Department already has a dog park!

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Pets, Santa Ana 4 Comments

I didn’t like the idea of converting the Santa Ana Police Department’s (SAPD) police dog training center into a dog park for Santa Ana residents until I spoke today to a former City of Santa Ana employee, who shared with me the history of this beautiful, fenced in field.

According to my friend, the area used to be a public park, until the SAPD convinced the City Council to let them have it.  They promised at the time to share the field with the public.  However, you can see in the pictures above that the field is gated and locked.

I have never seen the police using the field.  My friend says they hardly ever use it.  And he says that the Chief of Police, Paul Walters, often brings his own dogs to the field on Saturday mornings.  The field is, essentially, a private dog park for Chief Walters. Continue reading→

Is the City of Santa Ana doing enough to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe?

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The SaCReD Community Day of Action, which was held this Saturday at Garfield Elementary School, was marred when a 16-year old on a bicyle was struck by a car, according to the OC Weekly. 

I took this photo last May, in downtown Santa Ana

The accident happened in Ward 2, which is represented by Councilwoman Michele Martinez, not far from the proposed Transit District.

Pedestrian accidents are common in Santa Ana.  I saw one last year when I was walking in the downtown area.  A woman who looked like a transient was struck by a pickup truck.  It was as awful as it sounds.

The City of Santa Ana actually has a City Commission devoted to traffic issues, called the Environmental & Transportation Advisory Committee, or ETAC.  Here are the current members of that Commission, according to the Santa Ana City Clerk’s web page: Continue reading→

Beloved family dog lost in Park Santiago Neighborhood

Posted on by Posted in Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

One of my neighbors in the Santa Ana’s Park Santiago Neighborhood sent me a note yesterday to let me know that his dog has been lost.  Below is his note.  Please keep an eye out for her!

On Sunday nite between 5-7pm, we lost our dog.  We were away and she was not home when we returned.  She is a black, tan and grey terrior mix and weights ~30lbs.  Her face is mostly grey.  She has been with us for 8 years.  Her name is Marlow.  If anyone has any information, please call 714.953.6836, please leave a message if we are not home.

 Thanks,

 Graham

Mexican President Benito Juarez’s birthday anniversary celebrated in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Culture, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, mexico, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Apparently there was a celebration recently in Santa Ana in honor of Benito Juarez, the famed Mexican President who was indigenous.  He was born on March 21, 1806.

In the picture above, which is courtesy of Miniondas, you can see some of the folks who were at the event, including Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua, who is pictured on the left.  He is standing next to Mike Gonzalez, who ran for the SAUSD School Board last year.  They are standing near Alejandra Garcia Williams, the new Consul of Mexico, in Santa Ana.

In case you are wondering what they are doing with their hands, that is how Mexicans salute their flag.  Continue reading→

Tax Day Tea Party Rally to be held in Santa Ana on April 15

Posted on by Posted in Federal Government, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana 5 Comments

The Orange County Tea Party Patriots 2010 will be holding a Tax Day Tea Party Rally on April 15, in Santa Ana, at the Plaza Of The Flag, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West.

Here is a message from the rally organizers:

Come let your voice be heard. Our exciting guests will be encouraging and empowering you in restoring America to its roots in Liberty, Constitution and our inherent Rights. Bring your signs, your friends, your family and your love of country. Our event will be respectful and plans to leave the Plaza cleaner than we found it, so please be prepared to take home anything you bring. See you in the Plaza!  Continue reading→

Centro Cultural de Mexico Open Mic, Hip Hop and Spoken Word

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Charities, Culture, Entertainment, mexico, music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Support Autonomous Youth! UMER- Un Mundo En Resistencia, an all grassroots OC youth group will be selling “taquitos dorados” food plates to fundraise for a santa ana youth conference in early summer…..please bring a couple bucks to support santa ana youth!

Start Time: Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 8:00pm
End Time: Monday, March 29, 2010 at 11:30am
Location: El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Santa Ana , Ca

MC’s and performers: Continue reading→

Behind the scenes pictures at Santa Ana’s Cesar Chavez day celebration

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Civil Rights, Culture, Democratic Party, Jose Solorio, Labor, Latinos, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento, Working Families, Youth Activities 6 Comments

Dozens of Americorps volunteers descended on Santa Ana’s Jerome Park yesterday morning, to set up the festivities for the Cesar Chavez Day celebration organized by Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Santa Ana Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento , SOLEVAR Executive Director Seferino Garcia , and several community leaders.

It was terribly windy, but the vendors who were setting up the canopies over the exibit tables compensated by adding more support to the temporary structures. 

Santa Ana residents were already showing up in droves to check out the books on display and the wonderful community garden run by the folks at the Grain Project. Continue reading→