Jason Hallstrom’s memorial service is scheduled for Friday, June 14th @2:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Park chapel.  You can leave an online remembrance here.

On March 15, Jason E. “Hoss” Hallstrom and Travis Mock, 29, were being chased by SAPD SWAT officers on I-5 when they got off at Grand Avenue and headed north, Santa Ana authorities said.  The officers in question ended up shooting Hallstrom to death, and wounding Mock.

The OCDA has not yet released their findings as to why the SAPD officers shot and killed Hallstrom.

CORREA RECEIVES DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ALLIANCE’S FREEDOM FIGHTER AWARD

May 16, 2013
SACRAMENTO, CA – On Monday, the California Disabled Veterans Business Alliance awarded Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) the Freedom Fighter Award.

“I am overwhelmed and deeply honored. This award is not only a distinct privilege, but a reminder that we must continue to push forward and gain new ground for our veterans who have sacrificed so much,” said Correa.

Former chair and current member of the Senate Veterans Committee, Senator Lou Correa, was recognized for his legislative efforts to expand economic opportunities for all veterans, including those with disabilities. The Senator is a longtime and outspoken advocate for veterans and has authored and supported numerous measures to expand services and opportunities for California veterans.

Senator Lou Correa worked closely with the Disabled Veterans Business Alliance and other stakeholders to encourage the High Speed Rail Authority to successfully move a small business plan forward that included a 3 percent “set aside” for participation by veterans who are part of the Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) program in all high-speed rail contracts, including those federally funded.

These efforts were followed by an informational hearing in August 2012, where Senator Correa asked state agencies to address the barriers disabled veterans face when pursuing gainful employment and identify policy changes to expand the DVBE program. As a result, Senator Correa introduced multiple measures, Senate Bill(s) 719 & 722, to expand access for disabled veterans who are seeking employment.

“Unemployment is at crisis levels for veterans in California. Despite their tremendous service to our country, the state has struggled to adequately align services and economic opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded veterans. California must do better and I remain committed to ensure that we do,” added Correa.

This year, Senator Correa commissioned the Senate Office of Research to begin a series of reports on defining the scope of veteran employment challenges and potential solutions, including, “Employment Opportunities for (Semi-Skilled and Unskilled) Veterans.” In addition, Correa requested the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes to investigate and report on the goals, process effectiveness, and identifiable outcomes to date of the Interagency Council on Veterans, as well as the State Auditor to evaluate the effectiveness of the Employment Development Department’s dedicated programs for veterans’ employment.

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The Santa Ana Patchwork indie art & craft festival is set for Sunday, May 26, from 11 am to 5 pm, at the Road Less Traveled Store, located at 125 North Broadway-C, in Downtown Santa Ana.

Patchwork showcases emerging local artists, crafters & designers alongside artisan food, DIY craft workshops and indie music.

Patchwork has attracted thousands of attendees over six years. This year they celebrate their 25th festival! Patchwork fosters a sense of community and seeks to grow the network of makers in all Patchwork locations. Vendors are selected through a jury and feature clothing for men, women & kids, handbags, accessories, jewelry, art, ceramics, garden finds, home goods, plushies, crochet & knit items, pet gear, kits & patterns, bath & body goodies and more!

Patchwork creators Delilah Snell & Nicole Stevenson (Random Nicole) seek to build upon the handmade community by offering makers an affordable venue to show their goods, network and build their businesses. Delilah & Nicole also produce Craftcation: Indie Business & DIY Craft Conference.

The Workshop for Community Arts (WCA) brings you the Santa Ana Lotería, an interactive community art scavenger hunt, happening in Downtown Santa Ana during the annual Patchwork Festival. It’s free and fun to participate!

On Sunday, May 26th, visitors to the Patchwork Festival will be invited to play the Santa Ana Lotería by searching out giant- sized lotería cards that are displayed along Fourth Street and throughout the downtown area. Each time a Lotería-player discovers a card, they’ll step inside the shop and get their game board stamped – four-in-a-row makes a winner!

Each of the lotería cards was painted by a local artist, and every image illustrates the richness and diversity of Santa Ana. As Lotería-players walk around playing the game and trying to fill their game boards, they’ll have the chance to explore Santa Ana, enjoy local art, and learn something about our community.

DATE OF EVENT:

Sunday, May 26; Lotería cards will be on display all day during the festival from 11 am-5 pm, and the Santa Ana Lotería game will run from 12 noon -2 pm.

LOCATION OF EVENT:

Get your game board at the WCA booth at the Patchwork Festival entrance (at 2nd and Broadway in Downtown Santa Ana).

The Orange County Educational Arts Academy will be offering its first ever Summer Arts Camp from June 17-July 5.  Fees are $375 for the full day, 9 AM-4 PM, 3-week program for students entering 1st through 8th grades in Fall 2013 or $225 for any students opting only for the morning session, 9 AM-12 PM.  Extended day option is $50 per week from 7:00 AM-9 AM and 4 PM-6 PM.

• Students aged 6-7 will have an imagination explorer themed class full of crafts, games, treasure hunts, water fun, sports, field trips and more!
• Students in grades 3-8 may choose from guitar/violin classes, musical theatre, stop motion animation, robotics, 2-D art, or ceramics.
• The camp is open to students who do not attend OCEAA.

The program is in need of participants to ensure that the program will continue!

Click here to see the full program information including registration and policies.

For any additional information please contact Dani Rush at (714) 558-2787 ex. 121 or drush@oceaa.org.

The OCEAA is located at 825 North Broadway Street, in Santa Ana.

The Trustees of the Rancho Santiago Community College District have completed voting to rip us off.  How so you ask?  They have voted to enter into a union-only Project Labor Agreement (although they chose to call it something else, that is what it is) with regard to the Bond Measure passed last November, ostensibly for construction projects at Santa Ana College. (It should be noted that Trustees Phil Yarbrough and Arianna Barrios as well as the Student Trustee Ryan Ahari voted against the PLA!).

What this means is that the RSCCD is going to hire only contractors who hire from union halls.  While it is true that Santa Ana College has a number of union-only apprenticeship programs their dirty little secret is that it is very difficult to get into those programs and most of the union workers that will end up working at Santa Ana College will not in fact be apprentices.  And the RSCCD will not allow non-union apprentices to work on these projects.  What all this adds up to is that they are going to waste our tax money to the tune of at least 15%.

The last time they did this the results were so awful that RSCCD Trustee John Hanna told me he would never again vote for a PLA, except that he did just that, as did his fellow Trustee Jose Solorio.  Contrast these awful votes with the recent failure to launch a PLA at the Coast Community College District – where Democratic Trustees joined Republican Trustees in rejecting the union bosses’ overtures.

Here is a blow-by-blow account by an insider as to how the RSCCD Trustees voted:

It was moved by Mr. Labrado and seconded by Mr. Solorio to authorize the chancellor to negotiate a Project Labor Agreement with the Los Angeles/Orange County Building Trades Council.

It was moved by Mr. Hanna and seconded by Ms. Alvarez to amend the agreement on page 6.5 (5), 1st paragraph, after Los Angeles-Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council (hereinafter “Council”) to include Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (hereinafter “Carpenters”) and include Carpenters to the language throughout the agreement. Discussion ensued. The motion carried with a nay vote from Mr. Yarbrough.

It was moved by Mr. Hanna and seconded by Mr. Solorio to amend the agreement on Page 6.5 (5) to remove “Project Labor Agreement” and include COMMUNITY AND STUDENT WORKFORCE PROJECT AGREEMENT after RSCCD in the title of the agreement. Discussion ensued. The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Mr. Hanna and seconded by Mr. Solorio to amend the agreement on Page 6.5 (8), Section 3.3 and Page 6.5 (14), Section 5.5 to instruct staff to include efforts to: 1) utilize apprentices that went through RSCCD apprenticeship programs, and 2) track and enforce goals for student, community, and veteran participation. Discussion ensued. The motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Barrios called for the vote. The motion carried to authorize the chancellor to negotiate a Project Labor Agreement as amended with the Los Angeles/Orange County Building Trades Council with a nay vote from Ms. Barrios and Mr. Yarbrough. Student trustee Ahari’s advisory vote was nay.

You can read more about this here.

But wait – there is more bad news.  In addition, they’ve voted to increase the amount they are paying to Seville Construction Services after admitting at a Board meeting that construction costs at RSCCD  ran 50% or more over due to poor management, with regard to the last bond measure and PLA.  Because Seville allegedly gives a lot of money to the Trustees’ political campaigns it passed unanimously.

A mole at the RSCCD tells me that they are wasting millions already. They are spending $7 Million plus renting bungalows to be used as swing space for a renovation project whose total cost is estimated to be 8 Million. And they still have 15 million unspent from Measure E!

The project list , as I understand it, doesn’t add up to $198 million. I’ve been told they are looking for ways to blow the money- the PLA being one way to do so.

The RSCCD Chancellor is currently negotiating with the Building $ Trades Council and several unions regarding the PLA. Funny how Hannah mentioned Veterans and students, but they are not part of the discussions.

I will close with a letter from anti-PLA activist Eric Christen, to the lame RSCCD Trustees – note that he really sums this mess up neatly:

RSCCD Board of Trustees.

I had not had a chance to communicate with you since your vote to begin “negotiations” with big labor special interests regarding a Project Labor Agreement last month. I have been primarily trying to keep the $1.5 billion Coast Community College bond PLA-free which we were finally able to do just a few days ago when the PLA there was defeated 3-2. The CCCD Board of Trustees obviously do not share your canine affection for union bosses and acts like an Orange County entity verses a Los Angeles one.

After I spoke at your meeting where the PLA issue was heard I had to leave and so was unable to hear the rationale for why workers and contractors should be discriminated against and taxpayers money be reduced by 15% in value. I was also unable to hear what I’m sure was the expectation that a PLA would be something RSCCD would actually have any say in creating verses a standard template union bosses hand over for you to sign off on. To prove my point I’ll list for you the 4 provisions that are the guts of the PLA (without them the PLA would not exist) which will be part of your PLA:

1. All workers regardless of their union status will be forced to pay union dues and fees.

2. All workers regardless of their union status will be forced to pay into union health, welfare, and pension plans regardless of whether or not they already have such plans or will ever be able to recover this money.

3. All workers regardless of their union status will be forced to be hired through a union hiring hall to a maximum of 5 total workers at which point the non-union company must hire only union workers.

4. Apprentices in non-union apprentice programs will be explicitly excluded from being able to work on any RSCCD project.

Such is the price one pays for fidelity to a tired and failing ideology that is reliant on coercion and financed by big labor, verses doing what’s best for all workers and taxpayers.

Best of luck.

Eric Christen
Executive Director
Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction
858-431-6337
ericdchristen@gmail.com
www.opencompca.com
“The greatest minority in the world is the individual. If you don’t respect the rights of the individual you don’t respect minority rights.” – Ayn Rand

SAVE THE DATE

Oracle Odyssey Magazine Exhibit Opens June 1 at OCCCA in Santa Ana

What: Visionary Artists Come to Santa Ana for ‘“EARTH ART PARTY” at OCCCA
Where: Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA), at 117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, CA 92701
When: June 1 – June 28, 2013.  Exhibit Opening: Sat., June 1 from 2-5 and 7-10pm
Who: The Oracle Odyssey’s “EARTH ART PARTY” at OCCCA will create a month-long series of consciousness-raising participatory events and an exhibit showcasing the work of artists from the groundbreaking 1960’s Oracle Magazine as well as diverse artists from the current Oracle Odyssey Magazine revival. The new 2012 Oracle Odyssey has evolved from the psychedelic/New Age origins to a progressive future based on sustainability, cooperation and universal love for all species, genders and races.

The “EARTH ART PARTY” begins on June 1, 2013 from 2-5 pm with a discussion of how Oracle Odyssey activists and artists are involved in the Current Global Consciousness Movement happening through the magazine effort. Discussions about developing “Hippinings, Happenings & Hopennings”, which are Multi-Media Events, Concert Series and Conscious Art Venues and OO Magazine Promotional Events.
The opening night continues from 7-10pm with an interactive evening featuring Body Art Painters, Black Light Art, Flow Artist, Drum Circles, Goddesses, Mermaids, WindDancers and live art experiences. The “EARTH ART PARTY” includes spontaneous enactment performances and “Hippenings” to create a fully interactive, participatory art event!
The Oracle Odyssey Magazine “EARTH ART PARTY” continues on Saturday, June 8, with an Open Mic Night & Poetry Hippining with host Terrell Washington Anansi featuring “The Intergalactic Imagination Transporter” SteamPunk ArtCar by Greg Nett. Special guest Art Kunkin, Editor of the infamous LA Free Press, will participate in a presentation and Q&A at 8pm.

On Sat., June 22, the “EARTH ART PARTY” will present an ISLE OF LOVE HIPPINING, an island-themed event from 2-5pm. Darlene H. Grimes will present information about a sustainable vacation destination being developed in Belize featuring a live mermaid sanctuary. The evening continues from 7-10pm with live roaming mermaid muses, a flow artist performance and photo opportunities with mermaids by the Earth throne.

Participating artists include: Jesse Miller, Marijke Koger-Dunham, Ricardo Duffy, Janelle Higgins, Elizabeth Zaikowski, Robert Shields, Gregg Stone, Roy Gonzalez, Autumn Skye Morrison, Michelle Hutchenson-Holt, Mark Henson, Heidi Schoop, Carolyn Ferris, Rodney Nelson, Ryan Gourley, Bill Ogden, Aeyrie Silvereagle, Marcel Mead, Kim Hix, Paul Heussenstamm, Star Shields, Terrell Washington Anansi, Leti Stiles, John Lucero, John Chaney, Rourke Gourley, The Black Light King, Richard Bohn, Victor Payan, Pocha Peña, Andrew Glassell, Roger R Eyes and more to be announced. For information click here or here or contact Oracle Concierge Star Shields at 949-939-4363 or starmanair@gmail.com.

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Remember the awesome Taco Tuesdays that we used to enjoy at El Torito at the MainPlace Mall?  Well, they closed up shop and Tuesdays have been a bore ever since – until now!

But good news is here – the Green Parrot Villa is open once more for business and they are launching a new Taco Tuesday Happy Hour, from 4-8 om, featuring delicious handmade Carne Asada and Pollo tacos for only $1 each,  with all the trimmings including Fresh Cilantro, Chopped Onions, and a stunning array of home-style salsas!

The Green Parrot Villa is also offering great Happy Hour drink specials including tall domestic beers on draft for only $4 and incredible mixed drinks as per the menu pictured above.

The Green Parrot Villa is located across from the Bowers Museum at 2035 N. Main St., in Santa Ana.  Click here to check out their Facebook page.  Click here to see their website.  Call them at (714) 569-1970.

If you would like to attend, you may RSVP by clicking here.  You may also RSVP on Meetup here.

Video: Michele Bachmann and Jenny Beth Martin on Capitol Hill about IRS Intimidation

A Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Clinic will be held at Santa Ana College on Saturday, June 8, 2013, from 12 noon to 5 pm.  This event is open to all students and the public.  The Clinic will be held at the Johnson Center, Building U, at 1530 W. 17th St., in Santa Ana.

Get free assistance with the application process and get your questions answered by immigration lawyers.  You will be provided with individual document and legal review.  Free parking, in student lots.  Do not park in staff or visitor areas.

Many DREAM-Act eligible youth will be able to benefit from Deferred Action (DACA), an opportunity for a temporary administrative relief recognized by the federal government. If you know of any AB540 and/or
DREAM ACT student who is eligible for DACA, please provide them this information. Requirements and location information is provided below.

It is a FREE service to include assistance with the student’s DACA application and legal review. SPACE IS LIMITED!  Seat reservation is available at the offices of: Outreach, Transfer Center and EOPS.  To RSVP contact Victor Castro at castro_victor@sac.edu or mark Franco at franco_mark@sac.edu, or Gloria Ramos at ramos_gloria@sac.edu.

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, Press Release

CONTACT: Judy Cooper – 949/640-8828 ph – 949/644-8889 fax – jcpr@pacbell.net

CHRISTINE DEVINE NAMED THEME GRAND MARSHAL plus MISS CALIFORNIA LEAH CECIL AND ACTOR JAMES HONG NAMED CO-CELEBRITY GRAND MARSHALS OF THE 55TH ANNUAL GARDEN GROVE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PARADE

– Fourteen Celebrities to be Honored –

GARDENGROVE, CA (May 16, 2013) – Winner of sixteen Emmy Awards, KTTV Fox 11 News Anchor Christine Devine has been named Theme Grand Marshal of the 55th annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival parade in honor of the 2013 theme “Celebrating 55 Years of Helping Local Kids.” The festival will be held Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th, 2013. The parade will be Saturday, May 25th at 10 a.m. at Ninth and Chapman in Garden Grove.

Ms.Devine hosts “Wednesday’s Child,” the adoption segment which has aired on Fox for 18 years, with more than 450 children from foster care finding forever families. She received the Governor’s Award and has been honored by the U.S. Congress and the Child Welfare League of America and has authored Finding a Forever Family, A News Anchor’s Notebook. She is also co‐founder of multi‐award‐winning “The Good News Foundation” which has built computer labs, a park and library among its projects.

This year the festival has chosen two Celebrity Grand Marshals:Actor James Hong and the current reigning Miss California, Leah Cecil. James Hong will be starring in this summer’s Universal Pictures R.I.P.D. with Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon and Mary‐Louise Parker opening July 19th nationwide. He also will reprise his role in the third installment of Dream Work’s Animation Kung Fu Panda 3 currently set for winter of 2015. Including his award winning voice‐over work, he can be seen on the Disney XD Channel show Pair of Kings in his recurring role of the island’s elder. Other Disney shows include A.N.T. Farm and I’m in the Band. Working with many famous stars over the years,James Hong has over 450 on‐screen credits to his name and the list continues to grow. He will sign autographs(Tent 145) on Saturday afternoon of the festival to help raise funds for Young Variety, a part of Variety ‐ The Children’s Charity of Southern California.

Miss California, Leah Cecil is the Garden Grove Festival’s home town pride and joy. This former Miss Garden Grove 2011 went on to win Miss California 2012! At the competition she was a triple preliminary winner in Talent, Swimsuit, and Evening Wear categories. Miss Cecil earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from California State University, Fullerton, and plans to obtain a Master’s Degree. She has been principle harpist of six symphony orchestras and is the recipient of the 2011 Bernie Rose Outstanding Musician Scholarship. She is the on‐call harpist at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a frequently requested vocalist for the
National Anthem, and was the featured harpist on the 30th Anniversary album of Mariachi Sol De México. Miss Cecil performed as violinist in Wes Craven’s movie Music of the Heart starring Meryl Streep. She is also the recipient of the 2008 Soroptimist Award for Community Service.

Eleven additional TV,film and radio celebrities will also be honored guests in the parade: Ed Arnold (Anchor PBS SOCAL’s The Real Orange); Karan Brar (Disney’s Jessie); on‐air talents Christine Martindale (KKGO‐FM “Go Country 105) and Rachin (Exitos 93.9); Mckenna Grace (Joe & Joe & Jane; Crash and Bernstein); Alicia Sixtos (East Los High); Sabrina Carpenter(Girl Meets World) and sisters Savannah Paige Rae (Parenthood) and Emily Evan Rae (Parenthood); Sierra McCormick (A.N.T. Farm);Daphne Blunt (Fanlala’s Daphne’s Look of the Week). The parade also features Knott’s Berry Farms’ Snoopy, Ronald McDonald, and two characters from Despicable Me2, plus the world famous Sk8 Kings skateboarding troupe.

Click here for more information.

The festival takes place every year over Memorial Day weekend. Friday hours are 1 p.m.to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.to 10 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m.to 9 p.m. All four festival days will offer 35 exciting carnival rides, contests, over 200 food and shopping booths, games, autograph signings and live entertainment in the Show mobile and the 550‐seat Amphitheater. Admission is free. Wrist Band ride discounts entitle the wearer to all rides, all day for one low price: $25 per person on Friday, $30 on Saturday through Monday.

Contests include the Berry, Berry Beautiful Baby Contest, Redhead Roundup, Strawberry Idol Karaoke, and Tiny Tots King and Queen. And a new contest: The Kids Helping Kids Contest where contestants can be submitted online at the festival website. For the other contests contestants sign up an hour before each begins. The festival website www.strawberryfestival.org has information on each event.

The media and businesses have stepped forward to sponsor the event. Sponsorship support this year is from
Garden Grove Tourism Promotion Corporation, Time Warner Cable, Clear Channel Outdoors, McDonalds, Care Ambulance Service,Jay’s Catering, Las Vegas Lodging Commission, Sam’s Club, Crowne Plaza Resort Anaheim, Costco,Garden Grove Hospital, Brandywine Homes and Casa Garcia. Media sponsors include Parenting OC,Garden Grove Journal,OCNews, Korea Times, El Panamericano, FarandulaUSA, Miniondas, Nguoi Viet Daily News, and radio stations KOST, KWVE, KEARTH, 94.7 The Wave, KSWB, KSSE, KLYY, Exitos 93.9, KDAY, KWIZ and JACK FM.

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association is a non‐profit organization which has raised more than $6
million for local charities since its inception in 1958. For additional information, please call (714) 638‐0981 or visit the website at www.strawberryfestival.org.

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From the New Anaheim blog

Orange County’s Democratic State Assembly Representatives, Tom Daly and Sharon Quirk-Silva, did not vote for the “Trust Act,” which made its way once more through the California Assembly this week by a final vote of 44-22, according to Gabriel San Roman over at the OC Weekly.

San Roman reported that “The legislation was vetoed late last year when it reached the desk of Democratic Governor Jerry Brown. Supporters say the bill authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano will limit deportations fueled by the fingerprint-sharing federal Secure Communities program while restoring confidence between law enforcement and largely immigrant, Latino communities. It heads to the Senate next.”

It should not come as a surprise that our Republican Assembly Representatives voted against the Trust Act, but Daly and Quirk-Silva have no excuse!

Daly represents the most Latino Assembly District in Orange County, the 69th Assembly District, which includes most of Anaheim and Santa Ana.

Quirk-Silva, who only beat Republican Chris Norby because of minority voter support, in the newly drawn 65th District, abstained. Why did she do that? Here is how she explained it:

“While I agree with some of the components of what Assembly Bill 4 is attempting to put into law, I ultimately abstained because I had concerns about gaps in the legislation that would allow some very serious criminals to remain in the country, possibly free, and take away some power from our police to detain them. Governor Brown had similar concerns when he vetoed similar legislation last year. Perhaps these concerns will be dealt with as it moves through the legislative process and I can reconsider.” “Immigration is ultimately a federal issue and I hope the U.S. Congress will finally pass comprehensive immigration reform to deal with such issues.”

As San Roman points out, Quirk-Silva sounds eerily like her mentor, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, who offered similar excuses while not co-sponsoring the DREAM Act for many years. Sanchez was a Republican for most of her life before switching to the Democrats after she badly lost an attempt to get onto the Anaheim City Council. She then dropped her married name and started using her maiden name again – Sanchez.

Click here to read the rest of this post.