(Modjeska Canyon, Calif.) –  Following an extensive restoration project, the oldest building on the grounds of OC Parks’ Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens is complete. Originally built in the 1870s, the restored Pleasants Stone House is now fully open to the public for the first time in park history.

Constructed around 1875 by Joseph Pleasants and Mary Refugio Carpenter, the Stone House was first used to keep supplies on their homestead cool during the hot summer months. Pleasants went on to sell the ranch to world-renowned Shakespearean actress Helena Modjeska in 1888. The second floor of the Stone House later became living quarters for staff working at the Arden property, including Modjeska’s gardener Theodore Payne, who is well-known for pioneering the use of California native plants in the early 20th century. 

“The Pleasants Stone House is an important part of Orange County’s history,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Built by some of the earliest homesteaders in Modjeska Canyon, the Stone House can now be enjoyed by future generations while further adding to the historical significance of Arden, a National Historic Landmark.”

The restoration was made possible, in part, by a “Save America’s Treasures” grant through the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service. The project took nine months to complete and focused on the meticulous restoration of the second-floor interior and exterior, ensuring preservation of existing character-defining features. 

In 1990, Arden was declared a National Historic Landmark, one of only two sites in Orange County to receive this designation. The restoration now allows visitors access to the second floor of the Stone House, further adding to this historic site.

The Pleasants Stone House can be seen during guided tours offered Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. with advance registration. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours of the grounds Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For information about Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, please visit the OC Parks website at: ocparks.com/historic/modjeska

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OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. ocparks.com

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(Silverado, Calif.) – Hike atop colorful sandstone and cobble bluffs and enjoy breathtaking views of the Santa Ana Mountains and beyond at Red Rock Wilderness.  

Located within OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, the approximately 1,500-acre area features more than 8 miles of new trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding along with a scenic overlook that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.  

“Red Rock Wilderness is the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “I am thrilled to continue expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in Orange County and introducing even more residents to these beautiful spaces. I look forward to exploring this area and standing atop the red rock formations found here.”

Situated on top of the 20 to 40-million-year-old Sespe formation, Red Rock Wilderness was once home to early rhinos and crocodiles that roamed the area. The red rocks developed their striking color and jagged appearance over time as the sediment oxidized and eroded, along with the gradual uplift of the Santa Ana Mountains. The area offers a protected and preserved natural habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including bobcats, mule deer, grey fox and a variety of bird species. Colorful California poppies, lupine and other wildflowers can be enjoyed here during the spring months while coast live oaks, prickly pear cactus, coastal sage scrub and native grasses are visible year-round.

Red Rock Wilderness features six new multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders to explore ranging from easy to difficult. A new scenic overlook offers sweeping views of the nearby red rocks, Black Star Canyon Wilderness, the surrounding canyons and beyond. Visitors will have the opportunity to provide voluntary feedback about Red Rock Wilderness through on-site participation surveys and offer naming suggestions for several unnamed trails.

In 2023, OC Parks opened Saddleback Wilderness and Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, adding nearly 10 miles of multi-use trails for public use in the Irvine Ranch Open Space. Red Rock Wilderness is the newest area to open to the public and supports OC Parks’ continued mission to preserve and enhance natural and cultural resources for recreation, education and exploration throughout Orange County. The land is part of 25,000 acres donated from the Irvine Company to the County of Orange for preservation and recreation.

Red Rock Wilderness is accessible through scheduled guided and self-guided programs with advance registration. Select programs at Red Rock Wilderness will also provide access to 3 miles of multi-use trails within Loma Ridge Nature Preserve, also part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. OC Parks balances environmental stewardship with public access to ensure the area is preserved and enjoyed. Public usage and feedback, along with further monitoring of native habitat and wildlife populations are taken into consideration as future access opportunities and availability are determined. Free public access opportunities will begin Saturday, May 18.  

May and June 2024 Activities and Programs at Red Rock Wilderness 

Advance registration required for all activities and programs.

Visit OCParks.com/irvine-ranch-open-space for more information and to sign up. Inclement weather may cancel activities and programs.  

May 18 – Wilderness Access Day: Red Rock Wilderness  

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

May 22 – Plants Among Us: Learning About Plants at Red Rock Wilderness  

8 – 10 a.m.

May 23 – The Lure and Lull of Red Rock Wilderness Equestrian Ride   

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

May 24 – Morning Hike at Red Rock Wilderness   

8 – 10:30 a.m.

May 30 – Nature Hike at Red Rock Wilderness   

9 – 11:30 a.m.

June 7 – Red Rock to Limestone Distance Hike   

6:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

June 13 – Thursday Morning Trek in Red Rock Wilderness   

7:30 – 11 a.m.

June 14 – Morning Hike at Red Rock Wilderness   

8 – 10:30 a.m.

June 15 – Wilderness Access Day: Red Rock Wilderness 

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

June 16 – Moderate-Paced Mountain Bike Ride in Red Rock Wilderness and Loma Ridge  

8 – 11 a.m.

June 28 – Morning Mountain Bike Ride at Red Rock Wilderness   

8 – 10:30 a.m.

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. ocparks.com

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Santa Ana, CA – Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen proudly introduces a cutting-edge service set to elevate the wedding experience for couples at the historic Old Orange County Courthouse located at 211 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701. Starting on Friday,  May 17, 2024, couples exchanging vows at this iconic venue will have the opportunity to privately live stream their civil ceremony, extending an invitation to loved ones worldwide through Zoom. This innovative offering builds upon the department's commitment to modernization and accessibility, now seamlessly integrated across all Orange County Clerk-Recorder marriage units.  

"Our live stream service represents a milestone in enhancing couples’ wedding day," said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. "By overcoming physical barriers, we help couples to unite with their cherished guests, regardless of distance, fostering a truly inclusive celebration of love in real time."  

Upon completion of the marriage license process, couples will be invited to opt-in for the live stream service. A secure, password-protected link will then be provided to the couple for sharing with desired invitees via email or text message. Utilizing the Zoom application on their electronic devices, guests will watch the ceremony in real-time, allowing for a shared moment of joy and connection. Notably, this service incurs no additional cost to the couple, although guests are advised to consult their internet or cellular providers regarding potential data charges.  

The advantages of live streaming on Zoom are plentiful, offering a solution for guests unable to attend due to health considerations or travel limitations. Moreover, couples can celebrate their special day by engaging a global audience, fostering an unforgettable experience regardless of geographical boundaries. With Zoom's user-friendly interface requiring only an internet connection and the link, participation is effortless and accessible to all.  

For any questions, please call the department’s information line at (714) 834-2500 during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.   

For media inquiries, please contact Billy Le at 714-834-2248.   

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The FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, June 11, 2024, regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

For more information, please visit cfo.ocgov.com.

The public is invited for a presentation and discussion.

Parking

Visit ocpublicworks.com/parking for parking rates and information.

The first 30 minutes at the P4 parking lot are free.

ADA and Interpretation

If you have special needs, such as ADA accommodation or need the services of a language interpreter, we can assist you. Please email CEOCOM@ocgov.com at least 72-hours prior to the meeting.  Requests made less than 72-hours prior to the meeting will still receive every effort to fulfill the request.

Background

Participants are encouraged to watch The Basics of Budgeting & Strategic Financial Planning at the County of Orange in preparation for the workshop: ocgov.com/sfp

We welcome the community's feedback and questions. Send us a message anytime. We want to hear from you! Your input is important to us!

Share Your Comments

Save the Date: Public Budget Hearing | June 11, 2024
This is the Public Budget Hearing where the budget will be presented to the Board of Supervisors and where you can comment on any aspect of the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget directly to the Board of Supervisors.  This begins on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

Visit the OC CEO Budget & Finance website.

OC Procurement invites your business to partner with County of Orange to serve the local community:

• Over 4,800 County contracts worth almost $13.3 Billion
• Over 22 County Departments, 34 Cities/Special Districts and Neighboring Agencies
• Learn how to successfully secure a contract with the County and better understand procurement and contracting processes
• Learn how to leverage the County's Preference Policies

Learn more about this event at: cpo.ocgov.com

Register to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-supplier-outreach-event-registration-758041531627

Questions? Please email vendorinfo@ocgov.com.

Santa Ana, Calif. (May 8, 2024) – Today the County of Orange (County) released the results of the Orange County 2024 Point In Time (PIT) Count. 

A total of 7,322 persons experiencing homelessness were counted during the 2024 PIT Count.  Of the 7,322 individuals counted, 3,149 persons were sheltered while 4,173 persons were unsheltered. In comparing 2024 to 2022, there was a 37 percent increase in unsheltered population versus an increase in 18 percent in the sheltered population. However, when comparing 2019 to 2024, the increase was smaller at only five percent in the unsheltered population and nine percent in the sheltered population. In total Orange County experienced a 28 percent increase from 2022 to 2024 and a seven percent increase from 2019 to 2024.

The 2024 PIT Count replicated the methodology utilized during the 2022 and 2019 PIT Count, providing the most accurate data comparison on the scope of homelessness in Orange County over the last five years. The 2024 PIT Count collected participant-level information including sheltered and unsheltered, household compositions, subpopulations and disabling conditions information, such as substance abuse disorder, serious mental illness and physical disability, amongst other demographic factors. The information collected through this process is self-reported and allows for a better understanding of the needs and challenges of people experiencing homelessness.

The County in partnership with the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC) conducted the unsheltered count, with a record turnout of 1,251 volunteers over three days, from Tuesday, January 23, 2024, through Thursday, January 25, 2024, to ensure the 800 square mile Orange County jurisdiction was canvassed effectively. Data for the unsheltered count was collected utilizing Survey 123, a phone application, that captures GIS locations and provides vital information that guides the way the County responds to homelessness in Orange County. 

The sheltered count was conducted the night of Monday, January 22, 2024. Over 100 Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs collected participant-level information for those staying the night in each program. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that all CoC jurisdictions across the nation complete a biennial unsheltered count and an annual sheltered count of all persons experiencing homelessness in the community on a single point in time during the last ten days of January. 

To see the summary of the report, click here.

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• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Traditional Chinese
• Korean

Orange County, CA – Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Plascencia to assist his department in outreach efforts. Plascencia will work closely with Orange County’s Spanish-speaking residents, ensuring effective communication and access to vital services.  

Martin Plascencia brings over 35 years of journalistic experience to his new position. His illustrious career includes two decades as a news reporter for Telemundo Channel 52-Los Angeles, where he also served as the overseer of the Orange County News Bureau for 15 years. Plascencia’s reporting has covered landmark events, but his true passion lies in sharing the daily stories of Latinos living in California.  

“Martin Plascencia has more than 35 years’ working experience as a journalist and his experience working with the Latino communities is important for my office to continue to let our community know what services we provide,” said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. “I’m honored to have him as a member of our Clerk-Recorder family.” 

Plascencia’s educational journey began at Preparatoria No. 2 of the Universidad de Guadalajara. He continued his studies in the United States, graduating from East Los Angeles College with a degree in Social Science and Journalism. His academic pursuits also led him to Cal State University Los Angeles, where he delved into Sociology. Plascencia’s dedication extends beyond reporting; he has been a respected Professor in the Extension Program of Spanish Language Journalism at UCLA.  

“My name and face may be familiar to some members of the Spanish-speaking community who have seen me on television news for three decades. Now I have been offered the opportunity to continue serving the Hispanic community by promoting the many programs and services offered by the Office of Hugh Nguyen Orange County Clerk-Recorder to all of Orange County's 3.2 million residents, including 34 percent of them Latinos," said Martin Plascencia, Community Outreach Manager for the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.  

For any questions, please call the department’s information line at (714) 834-2500 during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays. For media inquiries, please contact Billy Le at 714-834-2248.   

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ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 30, 2024) – OC Public Libraries is thrilled to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout May. This month-long celebration honors the rich cultural heritage, contributions, and stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We invite the community to join us for a series of engaging events, including author talks, dual language storytimes, and crafts.

Events during Asian American and Pacific Islander Month 2024: 

Author Events

Storytimes and Crafts

Japanese Storytime and Craft

Saturday, May 4th at 10:00am

La Palma Library

7842 Walker Street

La Palma, CA 90623

Japanese Storytime

Tuesday, May 7th and 21st at 10:30am

Laguna Hills Technology Library

25555 Alicia Parkway

Laguna Hills CA, 92653

DIY Dumpling Craft

Wednesday, May 8th at 5:00pm

Garden Grove Chapman Library

9182 Chapman Avenue 

Garden Grove, CA 92841

Japanese Storytime and Craft

Wednesday, May 8th and 22nd at 11:00am

Irvine University Park Library

4512 Sandburg Way

Irvine, CA 92612

Chinese Bilingual Storytime

Monday May 20th at 4:30pm

Irvine University Park Library

4512 Sandburg Way

Irvine, CA 92612

Filipino Cultural History and Craft

Wednesday May 29th at 4:30pm

Irvine University Park Library

4512 Sandburg Way

Irvine, CA 92612

For more information about our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month events visit https://ocpl.org/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in March 2024 as compared to March 2023. In March 2024, the Airport served 964,073 passengers, a decrease of 3.1% when compared with the March 2023 passenger traffic count of 994,554.

Commercial aircraft operations in March 2024 of 8,112 increased 2.2% and commuter aircraft operations of 412 decreased 13.8% when comparing with March 2023 levels. 

Total aircraft operations increased in March 2024 as compared with the same month in 2023. In March 2024, there were 24,690 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) an 16.9% increase compared to 21,118 total aircraft operations in March 2023.

General aviation activity of 16,122 accounted for 65.3% of the total aircraft operations during March 2024, and increased 27.3% compared with March 2023.

The top three airlines in March 2024 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (293,048), American Airlines (173,649) and United Airlines (145,222).

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John Wayne Airport (SNA) is owned by the County of Orange and is operated as a self-supporting enterprise that receives no general fund tax revenue. The Airport serves more than 11.3 million passengers annually and reaches more than 40 nonstop destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. More information can be found at www.ocair.com. Like us on facebook.com/johnwayneairport, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @johnwayneair and Instagram @johnwayneair.

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