Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Orange County has created an Office of Suicide Prevention
September 30, 2020 - Andrew Do, Health and Medical, Lisa Bartlett, OC Health Care, Orange County, Santa Ana - No Comments

To enhance mental health and support suicide prevention efforts, and in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Vice Chairman Andrew Do and Supervisor Lisa Bartlett have partnered to create the first ever Orange County Office of Suicide Prevention. “Orange County has been battling an upward trend in suicides for years,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do,…

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Governor Newsom signs Umberg Price Gouging Bill into law
September 30, 2020 - California, Gavin Newsom, Tom Umberg - No Comments

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County) announced that Senate Bill 1196 (SB 1196), a bill that would protect Californians from price gouging during an emergency, has been signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Price gouging refers to the criminal act of raising the prices of essential goods…

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Santa Ana based student debt relief company must pay $835K to the FTC
September 30, 2020 - Crime, Education, Federal Government, Fraud, Santa Ana - No Comments

The operators of a student loan debt relief scheme will pay at least $835,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that they charged illegal upfront fees and made false promises to consumers struggling with student loan debt. The settlement resolves FTC litigation against Carey G. Howe, Anna C. Howe, Shunmin Hsu, Ruddy Palacios, and Oliver Pomazi,…

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Another 2020 virtual Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral Candidates Forum set for tonight
September 30, 2020 - 2020 Elections, Civic Affairs, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana - No Comments

The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual Santa Ana City Council and Mayoral candidates forum tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please register here. The Chamber states on their website: Through our moderated candidate forums, the public can get nonpartisan candidate information and listen to questions answered by the candidates. All…

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O.C. Auditor-Controller releases the new O.C. Citizens’ Report

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

PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

For further information contact: David Sundstrom, 714.834.2456

January 5, 2011

“Orange County Auditor-Controller David Sundstrom Releases the OC Citizens’ Report”

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Auditor-Controller’s office has just released its Annual OC Citizens’ Report.
This is the eighth year the report has been published. The County has received the prestigious Award for
Outstanding Achievement in Popular Reporting for the past seven years from the Government Finance Officers
Association. This report presents financial highlights for the County of Orange, California for the fiscal year
(FY) ended June 30, 2010 and provides a high-level summary of information contained in the County’s
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

The CAFR, which contains detailed financial information, is intended for in-depth users of financial
reports such as financial analysts and bond rating agencies. According to Mr. Sundstrom, “the OC Citizens’
Report was developed to be easily understood by non-accountants.” He also adds that “this report should help provide the transparency in government that the public deserves.”

Here are highlights of the County’s financial activities during FY 2009-10:

  • Total net assets increased by $139 million, or 3% as compared to last year.
  • A total of $93 million of bond obligations were retired, including $63 million of bankruptcy related debt. However, this was offset by issuing $233 million of revenue bonds related to the expansion of the John Wayne Airport.
  • As of the end of the fiscal year, the County’s governmental funds, which are primarily supported by tax and grant revenue, reported combined ending fund balances of $1.7 billion, an increase of $2 million, or less than 1% in comparison with the prior year.
  • At June 30, 2010, unreserved fund balance in the General Fund was $6.4 million, or less than 1% of total FY 2009-10 expenditures and transfers of $2.6 billion.
  • General Fund revenues and transfers ended the year 5% below budget.
  • General Fund expenditures and transfers ended the year 8% below budget.

The OC Citizens’ Report and CAFR documents are available for viewing on the Auditor-Controller’s
website at Financial Statements – Orange County California. For more information about the OC Citizens’
Report or to obtain a copy, please contact Claire Moynihan at (714) 834-7480 or by email at
claire.moynihan@ac.ocgov.com.

###

ORANGE COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER
HALL OF RECORDS
12 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, ROOM 200
POST OFFICE BOX 567
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702-0567
(714) 834-2450 FAX: (714) 834-2569
www.ac.ocgov.com

SHAUN M. SKELLY
CHIEF DEPUTY
AUDITOR-CONTROLLER
JAN E. GRIMES
DIRECTOR
CENTRAL ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS
WILLIAM A. CASTRO
DIRECTOR
SATELLITE ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS
PHILLIP T. DAIGNEAU
DIRECTOR
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

What does Downtown Santa Ana mean to you?

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

Eileen Hsu, Graphic Design MFA student at CalArts, is embarking on a personally exciting graduate thesis: an identity design system for Downtown Santa Ana. Her two years living in Santa Ana, along with regular visits to her boyfriend of seven years and a longtime resident of the city, has helped her to see past its negative press and for the culturally rich and authentic place that it is.

This Thursday is the big moment!  With the support of Downtown Inc., Santa Ana Homeland Security, Calacas, Saint Teresa’s Gifts, CSUF Grand Central, Teresa’s Jewelery, RAGS, the History Room at Santa Ana Main Library, and Councilwoman Michele Martinez, something great is about to happen.

Hsu is setting up a booth to find out how Downtown Santa Ana users view their community. As a token of gratitude, she’ll thank you with chocolate!

Visit the booth from 11am to 4pm on these dates:

  • Jan. 6, Thurs: Fiesta Marketplace (near 4th Street and French)
  • Jan. 7, Fri: Plaza of the Flags (Civic Center Plaza, between Library and County Courthouse)
  • Jan. 8, Sat: Artist Village (Second Street Promenade)

Check out Hsu’s blog at this link.

Los Amigos press conference turns out to be a giant waste of time

Posted on by Posted in 2010 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Elections, Politics, Santa Ana 16 Comments

I attended the Los Amigos press conference today, which was held in their usual meeting place – a German restaurant in Anaheim.  As I expected, it was a giant waste of time.  I wrote about their complaints yesterday.  You can read that post by clicking here.

And I was not surprised to see that failed mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua was pulling all the strings.  He and his assistant kept pulling the Chairman of Los Amigos, Amin David, aside, ostensibly to whisper directions to him.

The press conference was conducted by my friend Francisco Barragan, who did a good job with very weak material. Essentially he is asking the Orange County Grand Jury to investigate the Santa Ana City Council, but none of his charges are at all salient.  They are all groundless.

I had the opportunity to ask questions and I took advantage of that.  Amezcua, of course, got up and left the room as soon as I started asking questions.

I asked if Barragan was aware that Assemblyman Jose Solorio was on the Santa Ana City Council in 2002, when the severance package with now retired City Attorney Joe Fletcher was negotiated.  He was not.  I asked if he intended to investigate wht Solorio did on that Council.  His reply was that Los Amigos was asking for everyone to be investigated – but he only called out Mayor Miguel Pulido and Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez by name.

Barragan also complained that SAPD Police Chief Paul Walters called voters, via a robo-call, during work hours.  I then asked if Barragan was aware that robo calls are made by computers and that Chief Walters was not personally on the phone with the voters.  He appeared to be flustered by that question.

He then played the audio of the robo call, wherein Walters asked why Amezcua was insisting that he was endorsed by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, when she in fact endorsed Mayor Pulido.  That is a legitimate good point.  Sanchez did NOT endorse Amezcua.  Barragan insisted that she “supported” Amezcua, but if you look up the word “endorse” in a dictionary, you will find it is synonymous with the word “support.”  This complaint was just more splitting hairs by Los Amigos!

It should be noted that former LAPD Chief William Bratton publicly endorsed L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the last time he ran.  So did L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca.  Public safety officials often lend their support to politicians.  Walters did nothing wrong and he did not deserve to be slandered by Los Amigos.

At one point, Voice of OC reporter Adam Elmahrek mentioned that Supervisor John Moorlach said that back-pay for public employees was illegal.  Of course Barragan agreed.

I then asked Barragan if that means Los Amigos is against the back-pay pensions that the O.C. public employees received a few years ago – that of course is what Moorlach’s comment, which Elmahrek took out of context, was about.

And again Barragan was quite flustered by my question.  I felt bad for him.  He is a good man and deserves better than to be publicly used by the likes of Amezcua.

Finally, Barragan refused to take any more of my questions, so I left.  I was courteous and professional but nevertheless one of those in attendance asked if I was there as a reporter or as an activist.  I said both.  I was there as a reporter and as a twenty year resident of Santa Ana.

The people of Santa Ana voted in November to keep Mayor Pulido in office.  It is sad to see the Los Amigos bunch wasting our time with a public display of sour grapes.  Even O.C. Register reporter Doug Irving noticed that.  He asked Barragan if Los Amigos would still be holding this press conference if Amezcua won.  Barragan said yes, but we all knew right away that this was all about Amezcua spending a quarter million and still getting rejected by the voters.

Learn how to save money on business taxes, at SAMA meeting on Jan. 11

Posted on by Posted in Business, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

Santa Ana Merchants Association

“Working Together for a Better Santa Ana”

Monthly Meeting Speaker

Mr. Carlos Salazar, C.P.A.

Topics: “The Secrets for Saving Money on Business Taxes” and “How to Protect Your Business”

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 6:30 p.m.

O.C. Musicians’ Association Hall 2050 S. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92707

Enjoy dinner courtesy of the Santa Ana Merchants’ Association

Bring a business owner to their 1st SAMA Meeting and Win a Free Car Wash!

Questions? Call President Jorge Doffo (714) 715-6609 or Secretary Mary Guzman (714) 380-2210

www.santaanamerchantsassociation.com

info@santaanamerchantsassociation.com

Free Latin film festival at OCCCA, in Downtown Santa Ana, this week

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Latinos, Mexico, Movies, Santa Ana 1 Comment

This week enjoy a free film festival, “Cine Alternativo,” from Mexico, Central America, South America, North America, the Iberian Peninsula, Chicanadas and other Latino themes, at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA), located at 117 N. Sycamore, in Downtown Santa Ana.

This festival offers a different perspective and a new look at the popular culture in the USA. We are glad to present these independent films, which provide dramatic contrast to the commercial film industry.

The experimental cinema of the new independent Mexican film industry from the classic to surrealistic to the avant-garde contrast with the “golden Age” of classic films from the early 1930’s.

These films were created by visual artists, photographers, activist or amateurs, and frequently ignored by the industry, because of the lack of advertising, promotion or big budgets The avant-garde rebellion provides origins of the underground cinema.

Admission is Free

Wednesday, January 5th. 2011 at 7: 30 P.M.

“La Otra Conquista” (the Other Conquest, 2007)
Director Salvador Carrasco

Mexico 1521 – The Spanish army of Hernan Cortes has swept through the new world forcing their religious beliefs on the brave Aztec people. They would conquer their land but not their soul.

Thursday, January 6th. 2011 at 7: 30 P.M.
“La Montana Sagrada” (The Sacred Mountain, 1972)
Director Alejandro Jodorowsky

Jodoroswsky is one of the most controversial directors in the world. In this film the alchemist (Jodorowsky) assembles one group of people with all kinds of diversity, this group will represent the solar system. The intention is to take on the recruits on a journey of mystical rituals, strange and deprived of the mundane. They will reach the Lotus Island, and then will climb to the holly mountain to throw out the immortal Gods who secretly govern the universe.

Friday, January 7th, 2011 at 7:30 P.M.

“El Callejon de los Milagros” (The Alley of The Miracles)
Director Jorge Fons (Mexico)

Based in the novel by Naguib Mahfuz, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988. Hamida, a young woman, is very ambitious and looking for a rich businessman to rescue her from the misery of life where she lives. The modest barber Abbas he will take a risk for her, but as much as he courts her; he does not conquer her gree. Kirsha, the owner of the café in the barrio has inclinations for the young guys and takes it to the point that he does not care anymore for the scandal lust provokes his family. The widow Afifi, who is alone and looking for a young lover that can warm her bed for the night. The plot takes place in the center of Cairo on the Alley of Midaq but the adaptation is in the center of Mexico City.

Saturday, January 8th, 2011 at 7:30 P.M.
“Canoa” (1975)
Director Felipe Cazals (Mexico)

In 1968 a group of young workers from the University of Mexico goes on a hike near the Malinche hill in San Miguel Canoa state of Puebla. A big storm causes them to look for lodgings in the village of Canoa: a priest intervenes and says to the people that they are manifestation of the student movent. However, Lucas a farm worker offers his house for them to stay overnight; but the priest tries to stir to the population against the students calling them communists, thief’s, rapist of women’s and enemies of their religion. Luca’s house is destroyed and the villagers lynch the students.
Sunday, January 9th 2011 at 7: 30 P.M.

“Dark Habits” (1983)
Director Pedro Almodovar (Spain)

Yolanda (Cristina S. Pascal) is a nightclub singer and junky. When her boyfriend accidentally dies from a drug overdose, she decides it is best to hide out from the cops who are looking for her. She winds up at a convent that specializes in saving woman from the street. However, this is not the average groups of nuns… the off-beats sister include a heroin using superior nun who is in love with Yolanda, a soft core romance novelist and another who is raising tigers in the convent yard. When the nuns face the possibility of their convent closing. They throw a final extravagant party starring Yolanda to try to persuade their wealthy patrons not to abandon them.

Los Amigos of Anaheim to attack the Santa Ana City Council on Wed., Jan. 5

Posted on by Posted in Alfredo Amezcua, Anaheim, Elections, Entertainment, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 15 Comments

Los Amigos?

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido easily defeated Alfredo Amezcua, back in November.  But, for whatever reason, Amezcua’s supporters are still grousing about this – even though everyone else has moved on.  This Wednesday, Jan. 5, a group of them are holding a press conference – in Anaheim, at a German restaurant, to complain some more.

Los Amigos of Orange County (which is based in Anaheim) used to be about civil rights and fighting racism.  Now they are attacking their fellow Latinos.  And what exactly is their beef, you ask?  Well, here is what they intend to talk about at the press conference:

  • They are upset because former City Attorney Joe Fletcher, who resigned recently, is leaving with a huge severance package.  Well, Los Amigos is a bit late to this one.  The contract with Fletcher was negotiated with the Santa Ana City Council – way back in 2002.  Who was on the Council back then?  Lisa Bist, Brett Franklin, Alberta Christy, Mike Garcia, Jose Solorio and Claudia Alvarez.  Only Alvarez remains today.  Maybe Los Amigos can go to Solorio’s Assembly office, which is in Anaheim, and complain about the severance deal he likely voted for?
  • They are falsely accusing SAPD Chief Paul Walters of breaking the law.  What did Walters do?  He recorded a robo-call in support of Pulido, during last year’s campaign.  That is not illegal.  Apparently Los Amigos have an issue with free speech.  What, by the way, did Los Amigos do last year to help Latinos get elected to the Anaheim City Council?  Nothing.  They did absolutely nothing and no Latino candidates won in Anaheim.
  • The Los Amigos complainers are also upset that Mayor Pulido was going to get a finder’s fee for negotiating the sale of a number of state buildings.  Guess what?  That was not illegal.  Ill-advised?  Perhaps – but not illegal.  And a Judge overturned the deal, killing the sale.  Just this week, Gov. Schwarzenegger re-appointed termed-out Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle to the State’s high speed rail commission.  A court earlier established that Pringle had a major conflict of interest in serving on that commission.  Did Los Amigos complain about that?  No.  They let that one slide.  There was no press conference…
  • And lastly, the Los Amigos posse wants to hang the entire Santa Ana City Council because a few of the Council Members accidentally accepted donations from a developer that had business with the city.  Guess what?  Fletcher approved this!  Why do you think he was suddenly retired?  He blew it, not the Council!

The real laugher about this press conference is that these guys are making a huge stink two years before the next Santa Ana mayoral election.  Will anyone remember any of this two years from now?  Of course not!  What a giant waste of everyone’s time.

Here is an issue I would like to see Los Amigos look into.  Why did Amezcua register to vote at his law office, instead of at his house in the Morrison Park Neighborhood, when he ran for the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education?  And why, halfway through his term, did he resign that seat?  Did he get caught?  Why was he not prosecuted for this fraud?

Amezcua worked to recall former SAUSD Trustee Nativo Lopez, who last year was charged with registering to vote at his office in Los Angeles, when he lived here in Orange County.  Wow, that is exactly what it appears that Amezcua did!  Why did Amezcua get away with it while Lopez is still trying to stay out of jail?

According to Anaheim community activist Duane Roberts, this is not the first time the Los Amigos have looked the other way for a carpetbagger.  He told me he personally outed one of them a few years ago, when that guy ran for a school board in Anaheim even though he lived in a mansion in coastal Orange County.  Los Amigos didn’t object to that guy’s carpetbagging either – in fact they tried to cover up for him!

I know the Los Amigos members.  Many of them are good guys.  I am sad that this is the best way they can spend their time – attacking fellow Latinos in Santa Ana.  It is ironic that many of the Los Amigos don’t even live in Santa Ana!  Their Chairman, Amin David, lives in Anaheim.  And they guy they list as being the head of the so-called “Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government,” Dr. Arturo Lomeli, lives in the wealthy Orange Park Acres!

Here is their press release:

PRESS CONFERENCE

WHEN: Wednesday, January 5, 2010
9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Jagerhaus Restaurant, 2525 E. Ball Road,
Anaheim, CA 92806 (Located near the 57 Freeway at Ball Road)

WHY: Orange County Latino organizations ask the Orange County Grand Jury to investigate abuses by top Santa Ana officials, including Mayor Miguel Pulido

WHO: Amin David, Los Amigos of Orange County,

714-758-8090; Dr. Alfonso Alvarez, Rudy Escalante Chapter of American GI Form of the US, 714-605-2544; Zeke Hernandez, LULAC Santa Ana, 714-661-4428; Nelli Kaniski, MANA de Orange County; Francisco Barragan, United Mexican-American Veterans Association and Dr. Arturo Lomeli, Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government.

Correa invites high school seniors to apply for the Young Senators program

Posted on by Posted in Education, Latino Leaders, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana, Young Senators, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Senator Correa is encouraging Orange County high school students to apply for his Young Senators Program, a hands-on youth leadership program. Selected students will participate in community service activities, have access to networking opportunities with community leaders, and take part in workshops on legislation, college planning, career training, and much more!

The deadline is January 21, 2011. For more information about the Young Senators Programs or to request an application, please call Senator Correa’s District Office at (714)558-4400 or email Jeanne.Tran@sen.ca.gov.  Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

New BullsEye Bar to open at Santa Ana’s Black Angus on Friday

Posted on by Posted in Business, Entertainment, Restaurants, Santa Ana, Sports Leave a comment

The new BullsEye Bar is set to open at Santa Ana’s Black Angus Steakhouse, which is located at 1350 N. Tustin Ave., this Friday, Jan. 7.

BullsEye Bar features $3 Happy Hour Well Drinks, Wine and Beer, from 4 to 7 pm, Monday through Friday.  They offer monthly food and drink specials, which you can see by clicking here.  They have free WiFi in the bar and you can watch your favorite sporting events on Hi-Def flat screen T.V.’s.

You can visit the BullsEye Bar on Facebook by clicking here.  Check out the Santa Ana BullsEye Bar online at this link.

Contact James Berry to schedule VIP space for your booster club, alumni group and fan club, by clicking here.

Monday – Friday: Open 4pm
Saturday – Sunday: Open 10am

Downtown, Inc. to hold a town hall meeting at the Artists Village on Jan. 6

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Taxes 7 Comments

There has been a lot of dissent in the Santa Ana Artists Village of late, which has been fanned by the local media.  The good news is that the folks who run Downtown, Inc., the non-profit that operates the Santa Ana PBID are holding a town hall meeting this week, on January 6, at 6:30 pm, at the CSUF Grand Central Art Center, which is located at 125 Broadway, in Downtown Santa Ana.

According to Vicky Baxter, the Executive Director, in an email sent today, the meeting is a follow-up to the previous meeting on Oct. 12, which focused on safety and security in the downtown area.

Amongst the issues that I am sure will be discussed are:

  • The now defunct trial valet parking program at the Santora that angered the artists
  • The formation of the Artists Village Alliance of Santa Ana (A.V.A.S.A.). This group has formed out of their mutual concern for the future of the Artist Village
  • The PBID, an annual assessment paid by downtown area businesses.  Thirty five of these businesses recently signed a petition to dump the PBID
  • The maintenance of the historic structures in the Artists Village – specifically the Santora Building
  • The use of signs, primarily the sign touting the Original Mike’s restaurant, that Mike Harrah, the owner of that restaurant and the Santora, placed on the Santora
  • Public safety

And I am sure many other issues will come up as well.

Kudos to Baxter, at Downtown, Inc., for taking the initiative to launch this meeting.  At this point, all of the stakeholders in the Artists Village will be better served by meeting and airing their views than by launching more pointless attacks in the local press.

Lou Correa and the O.C. Hispanic Chamber are hosting a Dia de los Reyes event on Jan. 6

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Latinos, Lou Correa, Mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

State Senator Lou Correa and the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are hosting a festive Dia de los Reyes event on Jan. 6, from 4 to 6 pm, at his office, located at 2323 N. Broadway, in Santa Ana.

This is a traditional event in Mexico, and in other Latin American countries, as well as in Europe.  It is a celebration of the Three Wise Men’s visit to baby Jesus.

Correa will take this opportunity to provide a community and legislative update.  And he will provide Rosca de Reyes cake and traditional Mexican hot chocolate.  According to tradition, whoever finds the plastic figurine of baby Jesus in the Rosca de Reyes cake is obligated to throw a party on Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day), which occurs annually on Feb. 2.

This event is sponsored by ING.  You may RSVP by calling 714-558-4400, or sending an email to arthur.sandoval@sen.ca.gov.

Updated: SAPD reconnects elderly woman with her family

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

UPDATE: The SAPD has issued a notification advising that they have reunited an elderly woman who was found wandering on Saturday, with her family.  Kudos to our police department for their hard work on a holiday weekend!

Alert: Santa Ana Police request assistance in identifying a found elderly female Hispanic approx 70 yr old. Only known as Lupe, possible Dementia

SANTA ANA – Santa Ana Police Department requesting assistance in identifying a found elderly female Hispanic approx 70 yr old wearing a grey shirt over an orange and black long sleeve shirt, pink polka dot pants. Continue reading→

Enjoy the “Dia de los Reyes” on Jan. 6, at the Fiesta Marketplace

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Latinos, Mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The first event celebrated in Santa Ana’s historic Fiesta Marketplace this year is the Dia de los Reyes on January 6. The highlight of the event is when the “Reyes Magos” arrive in Fiesta Marketplace.

The Reyes Magos give presents to children, and bread and hot chocolate are given to the public for free in the morning.

In the afternoon typical meals from Mexico such as pozole, mole and tamales are given free of charge to the people enjoying the event.

The Fiesta Marketplace is located at the intersection of E. Fourth St. and N. Bush St., in Downtown Santa Ana.

Businesses at the Fiesta Marketplace include, according to their website:

  • Brian’s Fashion
  • Fiestamall
  • Genesis Bridal
  • Guadalajara Jewelry
  • Imperial Market
  • Infinity Plus
  • Kids Avenue
  • KV Sports
  • La Fiesta Shoes
  • La Paloma Fashion
  • La Reyna de Michoacan
  • Mariscos Tampico
  • Mi Fiesta Party Rental
  • Moya Bakery
  • Patty’s Bridal
  • La Pizza Loca
  • R and R Sportswear
  • Roberto’s Shoe Repair
  • St. Teresas

Día De Los Reyes (Three Kings Day) may seem to fall outside of the December Holiday celebration; however, it’s part of the religious symbolism of Christmas, and it is celebrated In Mexico, as well as in other Latin American countries. Nowadays, in many places in the United States, such as New York City, Día de Reyes is becoming a popular celebration, and children especially, look forward to it every year.

Día de los Reyes is celebrated on January 6th., 12 days after Christmas. It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season, or the end of the 12 Days of Christmas. Dia de Reyes commemorates the arrival in Bethlehem of the three Wise Men: Melchior, Gaspar,and Balthazar who followed the Star of Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the baby Jesus.

Children anxiously await waking up on January 6th. to find toys, and gifts left by the Reyes Magos (The Three Wise Men). In some regions, it is customary to leave out shoes in which treasures may be deposited by the visiting Wise Men.

The Dia de los Reyes is celebrated with a merienda (a light supper) consisting of hot chocolate, and the “Rosca de Reyes” which is a huge oval sweet bread with dry fruit decorations, and sprinkled with sugar on top. Inside the bread, there is a ceramic doll which represents Baby Jesus.

The person who gets the piece of bread with the baby, must be the Godparent of Baby Jesus in the celebration of the Candelaria (Day Of Purification) on February 2nd., This is the day when the Nativity Scenes are put away, and the 2 months long celebration comes to an end.

Celebrate Rosca de Reyes at Santa Ana’s Restaurant Mexicanísimo

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Churches and Religion, Entertainment, Latinos, Mexico, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Los 32 por Mexico Orange County presents the annual Rosca de Reyes event, on January 6, at Restaurant Mexicanísimo, which is owned by Mike Gonzalez and located at 2323 W. First Street Santa Ana, CA 92703 at 6 pm.  Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

This organization represents the many Mexican immigrants who live here in Orange County.  There are 31 states in Mexico, plus Mexico City, which is called the Federal District.

Rosca de reyes or roscón de reyes (kings’ ring) is a Spanish and Spanish American king’s cake pastry traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany.

Although the name indicates that it should be round, the “rosca de reyes” generally has an oval shape due to the need to make cakes larger than 30cm across for larger parties. Recipes vary from country to country. For decoration, fig fruit, quinces, cherries or dried and candied fruits are used.

It is traditionally eaten on January 6, during the celebration of the “Día de Reyes” (literally “Kings’ Day”), which commemorates the arrival of the three Magi or Wise Men. In most of Spain, Spanish America, and sometimes, Hispanic communities in the United States, this is the day when children traditionally get presents, which are attributed to the Three Wise Men (and not Santa Claus or Father Christmas). In Mexico before children go to bed, they leave their shoes outside filled with hay or dried grass for the animals the Wise Men ride, along with a note.

The tradition of placing a trinket (figurine of the Christ Child) in the cake is very old. The baby Jesus, when hidden in the bread, represents the flight of Jesus, fleeing from King Herod’s evil plan to kill all babies that could be the prophesied messiah. Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and must take the figurine to the nearest church on February 2, Candlemas Day (Día de la Candelaria). In the Mexican culture, this person also has to throw a party and provide tamales and atole to the guests.

The Rosca de Reyes event at Restaurant Mexicanísimo is a family event and all family members are invited.  Mr. Gonzalez is looking forward to your presence and to discussing the significance of this date and at the same time helping to preserve this celebration in our Latino families.

Mike Gonzalez, President of Los 32 por Mexico Orange County, (714) 390-9606

Poll: Who was Santa Ana’s Woman of the Year in 2010?

Posted on by Posted in 2010 Elections, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Janet Nguyen, Loretta Sanchez, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana, Women 7 Comments

UPDATE: Voting will close on Friday, Jan. 7, at 10 am

This poll is now closed.  Find out who won at this link.

[poll id=”2″]

As we start the New Year it is worth pondering who was the Woman of the Year in Santa Ana.  I tried to come up with a list of leading women in our city, but I am sure I left a few out.  Please let me know!

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez got the most press this year in her successful battle against Van Tran.

And what about Ceci Iglesias, the independent Congressional candidate who collected over 11,000 signatures in order to get on the ballot?  She certainly worked hard, even though she did not prevail.

Councilwoman Michele Martinez won without a challenge, but she had a rough year as her mom passed away.  She remained very active though in the community and started a new job at a health related non-profit.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen took over as the Chair of the OC Supervisors and she had a baby, so it was a momentous year for her as well.

I also included a slew of education and community leaders and a few business owners.  Jackie Cordova, the co-owner of Calacas, deserves a lot of credit, in particular, for her work on this year’s Noche de Altares (Day of the Dead) event.  It was a huge hit due in great part to her contributions.

Remember that you may vote for up to three nominees!

Poll: Who was Santa Ana’s Man of the Year in 2010?

Posted on by Posted in 2010 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, David Benavides, Elections, Jose Solorio, Latino Leaders, Lou Correa, Miguel Pulido, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 34 Comments

UPDATE: Voting will close on Friday, Jan. 7, at 10 am

This poll is now closed.  Find out who won at this link.


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Who was Santa Ana’s Man of the Year in 2010?

That is a simple enough question, but coming up with an answer isn’t easy.  As such, you may vote for up to three nominees in the poll above.

Let me know if  I need to add anyone to the poll.

My personal choice is Mayor Miguel Pulido.  He was attacked on all sides and his main opponent, Alfredo Amezcua, spent over a quarter million, from what I am told.  Most of that money was spent on negative mailers.  Yet Pulido won, and he won handily.  Now the ball is in his court and he has two years to show the voters what he can do, as he has been doing for so many years.

Amezcua certainly belongs on the list.  He resuscitated his political career and put himself on the map, even though he lost.

Charles Hart also ran for Mayor, and while many of his early supporters jumped on Amezcua’s ship late in the game, Hart acquitted himself well, particularly in the debates.

But not all of the nominees are politicians.  Francisco Barragan spent the summer doing what he has been doing for several years, volunteering for a number of charitable and community organizations.  He also wrote quite a few posts for us.

And Jeff Dickman stayed active even when he was dismissed from the City of Santa Ana’s Historical Resources Commission.  He led a lawsuit against the city, stopping the Transit District development, which included affordable housing.

What about Sammy Montoya?  His restaurant, La Chiquita, celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.  Amazing!  And he also continued to book events at the Green Parrot, while growing his catering business and starting a new high-tech venture.  He is quite a whirlwind!  He was even honored by Mayor Pulido and the Santa Ana City Council this year.

I also included Councilman David Benavides in the poll.  He won reelection easily, as he faced no opponent in November, but he got in hot water with the rest of the City Council over his support for Minuteman Lupe Moreno, who ran a 4th of July event that backfired when one of her fellow Minutemen called a Santa Ana resident a “wetback,” and the incident got caught on video by activist Naui Huitzilopochtli, who is also in our poll.  But Benavides persevered and today he has four more years to spend on our City Council.

Councilman Sal Tinajero also deserved to be on the list.  He did a great job with his public school debate team this year, helping a lot of disadvantaged kids to succeed.  Many of his students have gone on to do great in college because of his efforts.  And he, like Benavides, was reelected easily – but Tinajero beat two candidates who ran against him.

I also added Hugh Nguyen to the poll.  He ran, in June, for O.C. Clerk-Recorder and  he helped his uncle to open the new Lee’s Sandwiches in Santa Ana last year.  They just celebrated their first anniversary a few weeks ago.

Again, let me know if I overlooked anyone.  And thanks for voting!  We will be following up this article with another one asking who was Santa Ana’s Woman of the Year in 2010.