The library was built with sustainability in mind with marble floors, skylights, and meets the LEED Gold standard.  The landscape design features natives and drought tolerant plantings, as well as nearly 300 trees which increases the tree canopy three times.

The $36.5 million project includes the 23,000-square-foot library, a 1-acre park, community center and playground. The playground and community center come online in spring 2020. 

Mayor Foley said, “We are committed to investing in our physical infrastructure, but the Lions Park Project is an investment in our social infrastructure as well.  This new public space will be a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to interact.”

Read more about upcoming events and docent-led tours http://www.ocpl.org/libloc/cmdd/calendar

Click here to read more about the opening: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-cm-dungan-library-opening-20190524-story.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ocregister.com/2019/05/24/new-36-5-million-library-now-open-at-lions-park/amp/

The L.A. Style Women In Power Brunch & Panel Discussion was a dynamic interactive experience & thought-provoking panel discussion, featuring women trailblazers who have broken the glass ceiling.

The purpose of this month’s issue and event is to raise awareness and community support for the Downtown Women’s Center. Founded in 1978, DWC was the first permanent supportive housing provider for women in the U.S. The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless women.

Mayor Katrina Foley was on-hand to welcome the crowd and invited them to come up front and dance with her. Kids of all ages responded to her invitation and danced for joy.

Costa Mesa, with its nationally recognized Share Our Selves organization, has been providing food, emergency financial assistance, case management and legal aid to those in need since 1970; it is certainly a leader in this area. In her letter, Susan Meyer outlines the additional short-and long-term plans that Costa Mesa, under Mayor Katrina Foley’s leadership, is planning to provide.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Orange County as a whole would follow Costa Mesa’s lead and become known as a progressive leader in the fight to end homelessness?

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

*This mailbag piece appeared in the LA Times as a follow-up to a July 1 piece.

“Emissions associated with climate change resulting from the way we do business have an effect on the planet, and us. Massive, unpredictable storms like Superstorm Sandy, coral reef damage, crop damage, species endangerment, loss of land, loss of habitat, are all associated with the emissions we create. Consider fueling generators with biodiesel. You might also be able to tap into a renewable energy source in your area -solar? Wind? Consider energy monitoring stations as well to actively manage your energy draw. If you’re lighting your event, compact fluorescents and LED lights are best for efficiency and are readily available almost everywhere. Once you’ve done all you can to reduce your energy use, and transportation footprint, a certified carbon offset is a great way to showcase your commitment.” (From the City of Costa Mesa Sustainability page.)

Mayor Katrina Foley said, “The energy and sustainability manager will have wide-ranging job duties, including developing and administering the city’s environmental conservation and sustainability programs, planning and directing recycling and waste management, identifying opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting with developers and city staff to bring a “green” perspective to project design.”

Thousands of families attended the festivities at the OC fairgrounds Wednesday, July 3, for live music, eating contests, children’s activities, the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Congressman Harley Rouda and fireworks.

Organizers of the event requested that residents email city council members if they like to see this celebration return again next year. Send your email to: constituentservices@costamesaca.gov

Photographer Matt Fitt was selected to document fun community event.

“I am grateful to the Costa Mesa City Council for this opportunity and excited to get to work. Costa Mesa is a great community and I look forward to working together with Council, staff, residents and businesses to continue moving Costa Mesa into the future while focusing on fiscal responsibility, public safety and improving neighborhoods and quality of life.” Read the full story here.

Photos by Matt Fitt

The Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club will host state Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley as guest speakers at its May 22 meeting at 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Coast.

Mary Navarro, outreach chairwoman for the Orange County Commission on Early Childhood Education, and Melahat Rafiei, a political consultant and activist, also will address the meeting.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and light refreshments. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

RSVPs are required and can be made at NBWDC.org or by calling (949) 423-6468.

All photography on this page by Matt Fitt.