Pacific Progressive

Shiva Farivar and Friends - Sunday, Feb 21

Shiva Farivar wants to be the first Iranian-American elected to office in Orange County.  Shiva is running for Irvine City Council.  Join her at the home of Farah and Reza Mahini in Newport Coast on Sunday, February 21 from 3 to 5 PM.  RSVP to [email protected] or 714-878-2904

Health Care Rally Outside Rep. Campbell's Office Shows Support for Much Needed Reforms

Post has been updated on January 28 and Jan 31, 2010 with new information from Lou Penrose.  

 Health care reform rallies sponsored by MoveOn were held at the offices of Rep. Loretta Sanchez in Garden Grove and Rep. John Campbell in Newport Beach. Sanchez has been a supporter of reform to bring affordable health care to the middle class.  Campbell has not supported the reforms proposed by President Obama.  Campbell has supported a "birther bill"  HR 1503 which would require Presidential candidates to prove they were born in the United States.  Campbell was also a cosponsor of a House resolution congratulating "investigation" of ACORN conducted by James O'Keefe III and Hannah Giles.  

 

Dr. Phil Zuckerman Discusses Religion, Society and Contentment - Feb 20

Dr. Phil Zuckerman, author of the 2008 book “Society without God” will host a discussion about what we can learn from countries less religious than our own.  He will focus on issues of religion, justice and contentment. The meeting will be on February 20th at 2:00 pm at the Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.  There is no charge for this event and reservations are not required.

Dr. Zuckerman received his PhD in sociology from the University of Oregon.  He currently is a professor at Pitzer College in Claremont where he teaches sociology and a graduate seminar on the sociology of religion.  

In 2005 Dr. Zuckerman was a guest professor in Denmark where he did research on secularization and its impact on society.  He is a prolific author and in addition to “Society without God” he has written “Strife in the Sanctuary: Religious Schism in a Jewish Community.”  He has also been a contributor on “The Huffington Post” where he has written on “The Religious Support behind Proposition 8.”   

For more information call 714-299-4551 or visit the web site at www.au-oc.org

The Irvine Ranch Water District makes conference rooms available to community groups for their use. Use of the conference room does not constitute endorsement of a particular group or idea by the Irvine Ranch Water District.

Shiva Farivar and Friends at Caspian Restaurant - Feb 2

Join Shiva Farivar and her friends Fardad Fateri, Mariam Khosravani, Jason Jazayeri, Jay Hedjazi and Lili Laghai at Caspian Restaurant on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 6-8 PM.  Caspian Restaurant is located at 14100 Culver Drive, Irvine, CA 92604.  

Shiva is running for Irvine City Council for the seat of termed-out Christina Shea. Shiva currently serves as the Chair of the Irvine Community Services Commission.

Shiva Farivar Event - Jan 28

Shiva Farivar is running for Irvine City Council.  For the past three years, Shiva has served as the Chair of the Irvine Community Services Commission.  Before that, she was Mayor Beth Krom's Executive Assistant.  Join Ellen Breitman, Sheila Inserra, and Tina Sommers-Bernhardt on Thursday, January 28 at 13 Cedarspring, Irvine, CA from 6 -8 PM to help get Shiva her city council seat!

Great Skate Glides Into Great Park - Jan 30 to Feb 28

 It’s beginning to look a lot like winter at the Orange County Great Park . The Great Skate winter series kicks off January 30 with real snow, free ice skating and more. Snow Day at the Great Park begins a month of free ice skating, but also brings more than 100 tons of snow for sledding, snowman making, ice carving demonstrations and art activities for real winter fun.

The Great Skate series starts with Snow Day, but continues through February with a temporary ice rink in historic Hangar 244, showcasing the thrill and beauty of ice skating in a nostalgic setting. Skaters can take the ice for 45 minutes sessions, with no charge for skating or skate rental.

“The Great Skate will offer fun and lasting memories for visitors of all ages,” said Larry Agran, Chair Orange County Great Park Corporation.  “More than 28,000 visitors enjoyed the Great Skate last year.”

The Great Park’s opening Snow Day activities are from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Great Skate continues through February 28th every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (45-minutes skate sessions start on the hour, every hour). On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the Great Skate will offer a variety of children’s craft activities from noon to 3 p.m. 

On Sunday evenings, visitors can take a trip back in time while they take a trip around the rink with ‘70s music during the 7 o’clock hour, ‘80s music during the 8 o’clock hour, and ‘90s music during the 9 o’clock hour.

Admission to Snow Day January 30 is free, and parking is just $8. Ice skating and parking are free January 31st through February 28th.

For more details and times, please go to www.ocgp.org

Let's Can Campbell! - Jan 23-24

It's time to can John Campbell - he does nothing for his district.  He won't meet with constituents. When his constituents do get thru to his office staff, they are berated by office staff for bothering to call the Congressman.  So far, the only two groups Campbell has worked to benefit are car dealers (he rents land to dealerships) and the birthers (Orly Taitz's son was an intern in his office and she is a donor.)

Beth Krom wants to take that seat from him so she can go to Washington and work for the CA 48 district.  

Let's Can Campbell! takes place Saturday and Sunday, January 23-24, 2010 in cities in the district.  Beth will be meeting with constituents to hear their concerns and canned food will be collected to help out fellow  Orange County residents.  The schedule is here.

Saturday January 23, 2010

Dana Point 11AM - Noon at Heritage Park, 34400 Golden Lantern

San Juan Capistrano Noon - 1 PM at Descanso Park, 32506 Paseo Adelanto

Laguna Niguel 1 - 2 PM at Hidden Hills Park, 27802 Springwood

Aliso Viejo 2 - 3 PM at Home of Heather Pritchard, 10 Santa Clara St

Laguna Hills 3 - 4 PM at Home of Taylor and Stephen Davis, 26602 Dapple Grey Dr.

Laguna Woods 4 - 5 PM at Clubhouse 6, 5365 Algarrobo

Sunday January 24, 2010

Laguna Beach 11 AM - Noon at Home of Audrey Prosser and Debra Quam, 230 Beverly St

Newport Beach Noon - 1 PM at Home of Susan Kopicki, 511 El Modena 

Lake Forest 1 - 2 PM at Serran Creek Community Park, 25101 Serrano Rd

Tustin 2 - 3 PM at Camino Real Park, 13602 Parkcenter Lane

Irvine 3 - 4 PM at OC Plaza, 2575 McCabe Way

Santa Ana 4 - 5 PM at Orange County Catholic Worker - Isaiah House, 316 South Cyress Ave

Find out more about the event in your city at [email protected]    949-870-9154

Facebook http://snurl.com/bethkrom or Friend in Beth Krom

Twitter @krom4congress

Health Care Rallies - Cost of Delay and Don't Bargain Away Reform - Dec 8

Conservatives are pushing to bargain away the public option, which is the health care reform we all need.  MoveOn is organizing emergency vigils on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, to tell Congress to stop using the public option as a poker chip and to just get health care done.

Join MoveOn at the southwest corner of Imperial Hwy and Yorba Linda Blvd in Yorba Linda starting at 6 PM.

Other vigils include Irvine (at Culver Drive and Walnut Ave) starting at 5:30 PM and Huntington Beach (at Beach Blvd and the bike trail) starting at 4 PM.  For more information go to http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?submit=1&search_distance=30&search_zip=92867&action_id=198

Bring Home Furry Love for the Holidays - Dec 6

The Irvine Animal Care Center (IACC) is sponsoring "Home for the Holidays," a pet adoption event to raise awareness about Irvine's growing homeless pet population on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The free event features more than 500 animals available for adoption, pet-related vendors, food, a silent auction, raffle, bake sale and "Ask a Vet" and "Ask a Trainer" booths, plus Santa Claus will be on hand to take photographs with children and family pets.

Recognized nationwide as one of the most progressive municipal shelters in the country, the Center is home to approximately 250 animals awaiting their holiday gift - a loving family and a new home. Every cat and dog offered for adoption during the "Home for the Holidays" event is vaccinated, spayed or neutered, micro chipped and has had a medical evaluation. 

The IACC is open weekdays from noon-7 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and closed Tuesdays and holidays. The five-acre facility, located at 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine, is home to four kennels, a farmyard enclosure, a veterinary clinic, and 10 outdoor play yards. The shelter's 39 staff members and more than 300 volunteers give every animal the care, socialization and affection it needs to become a great pet.  

For more information, contact Crystal Nettles at 949-724-7741 or visit the IACC website at http://www.irvineshelter.org/.

Cost of Delay Health Care Vigil - Dec 8

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, the Irvine and More MoveOn Council will hold a "Cost of Delay" vigil to shine a spotlight on our fellow citizens of Orange County who can't afford to pay the costs of their medical bills and are being forced into bankruptcy.  We'll show the Senate that we can't afford to wait for change and that we need a healthcare bill with a strong public option in 2009, this year.

Join MoveOn at the corner of Culver Drive and Walnut Avenue in Irvine starting at 5:30 PM.  RSVP at http://pol.moveon.org/event/costofdelay/99733

34th Annual Staser Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament at Great Park

Young chess players are invited to challenge their creative minds at the 34th Annual Staser Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament. Presented by the Orange County Great Park and American Chess Equipment, the event will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Great Park .  The Annual Staser Chess Championship was created by Miley Staser, a senior citizen, to give students throughout the southland an opportunity to meet over a chessboard, enhance their learning and life skills through chess and make new friends.  

 The tournament is open to students of all skill levels in grades K-12, and registration is free.  Interested students are encouraged to register in advance by e-mailing [email protected] and include your complete name, grade, and school by Friday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m.  

“The Great Park will emerge as an outstanding chess venue for Orange County and southern California ,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation.  “Chess is a multigenerational, intellectual and fun board game for all to enjoy.”

$2 Rides to Medical Appointments for South County Seniors

South County Senior Services' senior non-emergency medical transportation program has available funding to transport seniors to and from their non-emergency medical appointments. 

Eligible trips include non-emergency medical appointments such as physical therapy, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation, dentistry, x-rays, prescription pickup and regular physicians' checkups. The program is available to qualified participants for a fee of $2 per one-way trip.

To use the service, participants must be at least 60 years of age, ineligible for Orange County Transportation Authority's ACCESS Services and reside within the South Orange County designated service area. This includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Capistrano Beach.

Individuals who are currently utilizing OCTA ACCESS, and are in a frail medical condition, which creates a hardship, may be granted a waiver and be allowed to use the SNEMT Program.

Participants can take trips to medical facilities within the designated service area. The program will also serve Kaiser Anaheim (Lakeview), UCI Medical Center in Orange, St. Joseph's Hospital of Orange and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. Rides are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Program participants are required to register before using the service and are urged to contact the program coordinator as soon as possible to obtain the necessary enrollment forms.

"The senior non-emergency medical transportation program is essential to provide seniors the ability to retain their independence while aging in their homes," said Chief Operating Officer Dan Palumbo.

Contact South County Senior Services at 949-855-8033.

Home for the Holidays - Adopt a Pet - Dec 6

The Irvine Animal Care Center (IACC) is sponsoring "Home for the Holidays," a pet adoption event to raise awareness about Irvine's growing homeless pet population on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The free event features more than 500 animals available for adoption, pet-related vendors, food, a silent auction, raffle, bake sale and "Ask a Vet" and "Ask a Trainer" booths, plus Santa Claus will be on hand to take photographs with children and family pets.

Recognized nationwide as one of the most progressive municipal shelters in the country, the Center is home to approximately 250 animals awaiting their holiday gift - a loving family and a new home. Every cat and dog offered for adoption during the "Home for the Holidays" event is vaccinated, spayed or neutered, micro chipped and has had a medical evaluation. 

The IACC is open weekdays from noon-7 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and closed Tuesdays and holidays. The five-acre facility, located at 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine, is home to four kennels, a farmyard enclosure, a veterinary clinic, and 10 outdoor play yards. The shelter's 39 staff members and more than 300 volunteers give every animal the care, socialization and affection it needs to become a great pet.  

For more information, contact Crystal Nettles at 949-724-7741 or visit the IACC website at http://www.irvineshelter.org/.

Holiday Crafts from the Garden - Nov 21 Workshop

Gifts from your garden are fun to make and always get noticed.   The Farm and Food Lab at the Orange County Great Park will teach you how to grow your garden in a series of free workshops this fall.  The free workshops are led by certified University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County.  

Holiday Crafts from the Garden - November 21 from 10 AM to Noon

Make wonderful hand made gifts for those hard to buy for people on your gift list using gifts from your own garden.  The University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County will show how to make gifts including a wreath.

Great Park Honors Marines on Veteran's Day

Veteran’s Day came two days early at the Orange County Great Park when nearly 100 veterans returned with their families to the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), El Toro to be honored at the 2009 El Toro Homecoming.  The El Toro Homecoming paid tribute to those who shared and documented their lives and memories through the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Oral History Project, a collaboration between the Orange County Great Park Corporation and  California State University Fullerton’s Center for Oral and Public History. 

The day’s festivities began when Orange County Great Park Corporation Chair Larry Agran invited each narrator to stand and share their name, rank, when they were at El Toro, and where they are currently living. Three of the narrators in attendance were:

•  Ernest Buford, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Buford was stationed at MCAS El Toro from 1949-50, 1951-52, and 1957-60.  He served in both World War II and Korea as a pilot, taking part in combat missions. He currently resides in Laguna Woods , California .
• Corporal Pauline Buzan arrived at MCAS El Toro in 1943 and was one of the first female Marines to arrive at the air base.  She worked in the officer’s mess hall, where she served Marines, celebrities, and dignitaries.  At the age of 79 Mrs. Buzan joined the Peace Corps and currently lives in Laguna Woods, California.
• Sergeant James Ley was assigned to MCAS El Toro where he spent the next year working as an airplane mechanic on the F4U Corsair.  Following his discharge in 1953, Mr. Ley returned home to Wisconsin to raise his growing family and now resides an hour from his birthplace in Lancaster, Wisconsin.