Celebrate Entrepreneurship

Plan to come to Concordia University Irvine this October 5 for an exciting day-long conference supported by the German Consulate-General and the Goethe Institut in Los Angeles. Germany has one the most successful economies in history. German products excel in quality. Germany is a leader in industrial design. German companies are doing well in California. Hence this year's German Day at Concordia University Irvine (CUI) on Wednesday, October 5, will be a celebration of German entrepreneurship. Organized by The League of Faithful Masks (LFM), CUI and the German-American Business Association (GABA) of Southern California, this event will present high-powered presentations and discussions, including:

• Wolfgang Drautz, German Consul-General, Los Angeles
• Stephan Hollmann, CEO of Pacific Aviation and Lease Management
• Michael Traub, CEO of the BSH Home Appliances Corp.
• James Lowe, Attorney
• Professor Nikolaus Hafermaas, Dean at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena

Participate in the GABA-sponsored forum discussion of 20th-century design principles

The day-long event concludes with a rare symphonic enchantment: a concert by the award-winning 82-piece Landesjugendorchester Youth Orchestra of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

For more information, visit Concordia's German Day website or contact the Office of the Provost, Concordia University Irvine at (949) 214-3201 or email karen.strubbe@cui.edu

Further information is also available at www.germanday.org

Tickets for all German Day events are available to Purchase Online.

O’Reilly Defines the Battle

A book written by Bill O’Reilly in 2006, “Culture Warrior,” was the No. 1 non-fiction hardcover book on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Publishers’ Weekly bestsellers list. The following passages – published two years prior to Barack Obama’s taking office as president – are particularly relevant with candidates gearing up for the 2012 election.

With the following list, O’Reilly spelled out The Code of the Traditional Warrior.

• Keep your promises.
• Focus on other people, not yourself.
• See the world the way it is, not the way you want it to be.
• Understand and respect Judeo-Christian philosophy.
• Respect the nobility of America.
• Allow yourself to make fact-based judgments.
• Respect and defend private property.
• Develop mental toughness.
• Defend the weak and vulnerable.
• Engage the secular-progressive opposition in a straightforward and honest manner. [p. 206]

Traditional Warriors adhere to the Ten Commandments of Moses, but “Secular Progressives” have developed a new set of 10 – their own! Here they are:

• Thou Shalt Not Make Any Judgment Regarding Most Private Personal Behavior. Man/Woman Is the Master/Mistress of the Universe and His/Her Gratification Is Paramount.
• Thou Shalt Not Worship or Acknowledge God in the Public Square, for Such an Exposition Could Be Offensive to Humankind.
• Thou Shalt Take from the Rich and Give to the Poor. No Private Property Is Sacrosanct.
• Thou Shalt Circumvent Mother and Father in Personal Issues Such as Abortion and Sex Education in Public Schools.
• Thou Shalt Kill if Necessary to Promote Individual Rights in Cases of Abortion and Euthanasia.
• Thou Shalt Be Allowed to Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor if That Person Stands Against Secular Humanism.
• Thou Shalt Not Wage Preemptive War in Any Circumstance.
• Thou Shalt Not Impede the Free Movement of Any Human Being on Earth. All Countries Should Be Welcoming Places Without Borders.
• Thou Shalt Not Prohibit Narcotics or Impede Personal Gratification in This Area.
• Thou Shalt Not Limit the Power of Government in Order to Provide "Prosperity" to All. [pp.70,71]

Thanks to a Mission Viejo Patriot, G.H., for the reminder about this book. For a review of “Culture Warrior,” go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/culture-warrior-bill-oreilly/1100304693 (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Weekly Roundup
From the Office of Congressman Gary G. Miller

September 23, 2011

This Week in Congress:

Continuing Resolution– This week, the House approved H.R. 2608, a continuing resolution (CR) to provide short-term appropriated funding for discretionary government operations through November 18, 2011, by a vote of 219-203. Under the current CR (H.R. 1473), appropriations are set to expire after September 30, 2011, the end of the fiscal year. H.R. 2608 continues government operations and services and allows time for Congress to complete the FY 2012 Appropriations bills that provide annual funding for the federal government. H.R. 2608 would provide $1.043 trillion in appropriated funding for government operations. This is the same funding level required under budget caps contained in the Budget Control Act and represents a 1.5 percent cut from FY 2011. Compared to FY 2010 spending levels ($1.089 trillion), this CR represents a cut of $46 billion. The bill also includes a total of $3.65 billion in disaster relief funding, offset by reductions to the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The bill also rescinds $100 million from the troubled Department of Energy Loan Guarantee program that provided $535 million in loan guarantees to the now-bankrupt solar energy company, Solyndra.

TRAIN Act– On Friday, the House approved H.R. 2401, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts to the Nation (TRAIN) Act by a vote of 249-169. The bill would establish an interagency committee – including representatives from the Treasury and Commerce Departments, as well as the U.S. Commission on Trade – to evaluate the economic impacts of EPA regulations. H.R. 2401 also delays the implementation of two controversial EPA regulations that stand to cost our economy billions of dollars each year and millions of jobs. The Utility MACT final rule, which is expected to take effect November 16, 2011, will establish “maximum achievable control technology” standards for emissions of mercury, acid gases and non-mercury metals from power plants. The CSAPR (Cross-State Air Pollution Rule), which was announced in July 2011, will establish statewide caps for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants. If allowed to take effect, these rules for affect electricity prices for nearly all American consumers. National Economic Research Associates estimates that preliminary costs for the two rules to be $17.8 billion annually with 1.4 million jobs lost by 2020.

Next Week:

District Work Period: As of this writing, the House of Representatives has adjourned for a scheduled one-week district work period. The House is scheduled to be back in session and voting on Monday, October 3.

Congressman Miller to Host Service Academy Night: On Tuesday, September 27, Congressman Miller will host a Service Academy night at 7:00 p.m. in the East Room at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy will be present to provide information and answer questions about the application and admissions process. To RSVP or request more information about applying to a U.S. Service Academy, please contact the Congressman’s Brea office at (714) 257-1142.

Also of Note:

Rep. Miller Recognized by CEI for Pro-Worker Record — This week, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) recognized Congressman Miller for having a 100% voting record in support of worker freedom in the 112th Congress. Today, too many Americans are forced to hand over their hard-earned dollars for union dues as a condition of their employment. In addition to limiting worker freedom, Big Labor policies are costing jobs and wasting taxpayer dollars at a time when we can least afford it. Sadly, the Obama Administration and the National Labor Relations Board continue to push this job-killing agenda forward by enacting pro-union rules and regulations that will add economic uncertainty among our nation’s job creators, Congressman Miller will continue to reform our nation’s labor laws to protect the rights and freedoms of workers and enable employers to do what they do best: create jobs.

President’s New “Jobs” Plan and Proposed Tax Increases

• In 2009, the Obama Administration promised their $860 billion “stimulus” plan would revitalize our economy and prevent the unemployment rate from rising above 8 percent.
• Two and a half years later, the unemployment rate continues to hover at or above 9 percent, with 14 million Americans out of work, while millions more remain underemployed or have quit looking for work.
• Despite the failure of the 2009 stimulus, the President is now trying to recycle the same stimulus spending that failed the first time and tax hikes that even Democrats rejected when they had total control of Congress.
• The President is calling for nearly $450 billion to extend unemployment benefits and previously enacted payroll tax reductions, infrastructure spending, and creates a $4,000 tax credit for employers to hire those who have been unemployed for six months or longer.
• To pay for the billions of dollars in new stimulus spending, the President has proposed once again to hike taxes on American businesses and families by $1.5 trillion that will hinder economic expansion and job creation.
• Many employers aren’t encouraged by the President’s so-called “jobs” plan and say it won’t get them to hire workers they didn’t plan to hire already.
• The last thing our economy needs right now are more stimulus boondoggles, job-crushing tax increases, or stifling bureaucratic regulation and red tape.
• Jobs don’t come from the government; they come from entrepreneurs who see opportunities, take risks, and innovate.
• Small business owners don’t need Washington to tell them how to succeed and create jobs. They need Washington to get out of the way and give them the freedom to succeed.
• We must do everything possible to remove obstacles to job creation and investment in the American economy – not make it more difficult.
• Instead of raising taxes to pay for more failed government spending, House Republicans are committed to working to cut spending, simplify the tax code, and cut through the bureaucratic red tape that is costing American jobs.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise.

Taste of Laguna Community Expo, Thurs., Sept. 29, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Chamber of Commerce, 357 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-1018, http://www.lagunabeachchamber.org

Concert, Woven Harmony – Robert and Rebecca Bluestone, Thurs., Sept. 29, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Soka Performing Arts Center, Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, info@soka.edu, http://soka.edu/news_events/events/2011/10/st.-petersburg-symphony-.aspx

Style Week at Irvine Spectrum and Fashion Island, check daily schedule, Sept. 30-Oct. 8: http://www.styleweekoc.com/CalendarSwitch.aspx . Exclusive, one-of-a-kind events at both centers throughout the week, including runway shows, designer appearances, interactive retail opportunities and dozens of in-store promotions. http://www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com/CenterEvents/2516.aspx

15th Annual Vintage Food and Wine Festival at the Mission, Sat., Oct. 1, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., the historic Mission in San Juan Capistrano, food, wine tasting, casino, entertainment, (949) 493-4700, http://thevintagesjc.com/3315.html

First Saturday Art Walk, Santa Ana Artist Village, Sat., Oct. 1, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., venues open: Grand Central Arts Center, OC Center of Contemporary Art, Santora Arts Building (28 galleries, restaurants and shops), ample (free) parking is located across the street at the Santa Ana Train Depot on the southeast corner of Santa Ana Boulevard and Santiago Street. Visit the Website for additional information, including a map: http://www.aplaceforart.org/artwalk

50th Annual Sandcastle Contest at Corona del Mar State Beach, Sun., Oct. 2, 11:00 a.m., hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1470 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, (949) 729-4400, http://www.newportbeach.com/calendar/view_event.asp?CalendarID=634

Concert, St. Petersburg Symphony, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Soka Performing Arts Center, Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, info@soka.edu, http://soka.edu/news_events/events/2011/10/st.-petersburg-symphony-.aspx

“A Wunderbar Day,” German celebration with programs and entertainment, Wed., Oct. 5, Concordia University, CU Center, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 214-3201, http://germanday.org

Accordion Festival, Sun., Oct. 9, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Orange County Marketplace, Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, (949) 723-6660, http://www.ocmarketplace.com

St. John’s Holiday Boutique, Fri., Oct. 14, 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sat., Oct. 15, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., St., John’s Episcopal Church, 30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949)888-4595, ext. 374.

“Lake Eeeerie,” Lake Mission Viejo, Fri.-Sat., Oct. 21-22, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Halloween activities, limited to Lake Mission Viejo members and their guests. (949) 770-1313, http://www.lakemissionviejo.org

Farmers Market, San Juan Capistrano, Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Historic Town Center Park, (949) 493-4700.

Farmers Market, Laguna Hills, Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 573-0374.

Saddleback Lanes bowling alley, events throughout the week. Saddleback Lanes has been in business since 1974; great gathering place with special discounts for groups, 25402 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-5300, http://www.saddlebacklanes.net

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Political and Government Events Calendar

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Sept. 26. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5 p.m.., followed by adjournment to closed session, open session reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., adjournment by 9:00 p.m. Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room, Room 145, Health Sciences/District Offices Building, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4999, https://www.socccd.edu

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting Mon., Sept. 26, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

Saddleback Valley Unified School District board meeting is scheduled for Tues., Sept. 27, 6:15 p.m., “if necessary,” and Oct. 11, 6:15 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo,(949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

Santa Margarita Water District board meeting, Wed., Sept. 28, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html

Musical performance by soprano Christine Sorenson and pianist Rush Robinson, Sun., Oct. 2, 2:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Free concerts are held Sundays, except when otherwise noted, and are open to the public. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m., 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts/

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. (No meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27.) http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Investment on Wed., Oct. 12, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Mon., Oct. 17, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Oct. 19, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m., and Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Fri., Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Capo Valley Republican Women Federated breakfast meeting, Wed., Oct. 19, 9:00 p.m. – 11 a.m., program to be announced, Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 240-6799 or esue39@cox.net

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., program to be announced. Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, (949) -360-1717

Taste of Capo, Capistrano Valley High School, Oct. 21, 6:00 p.m., $15 presale and $20 at the door. More than 20 booths, good-sized samples of food from each restaurant, 26301 Via Escolar, Mission Viejo, (949) 364-6100.

Republican Club of Laguna Woods luncheon, Fri., Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., featured speaker will be Assemblyman Don Wagner, Clubhouse 5 on Punta Alta in Laguna Woods. For reservations call Barbara Pearson, (949) 770-8377.

El Toro Water District Community Advisory Group Meeting, Thurs., Nov. 3, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch served at 11:30; meeting starts at noon, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com

The Buzz column

An alert M.V. resident noticed something strange on the front page of the Sept. 23 Saddleback Valley News. Did anyone else look at the Marines’ picture, taken at the Saddleback Lanes Bowling Alley? Dave Leckness jumped into the Marines’ foursome and apparently took the bowling ball out of the hands of a young Marine at the far right. Leckness is holding a stars-and-stripes bowling ball emblazoned with the U.S.M.C. Globe and Anchor while the empty-handed Marine stands next to him.

***

Repairing roads and slopes in Mission Viejo isn’t just boring to city staffers, it’s expensive. If city employees spent tax dollars on infrastructure and city services (e.g., perhaps books for the library), there would be no money left for fun stuff for employees, such as parties, movies and character posters. City Hall’s new mantra: Make junking up the city your mission. City Hall has put so much junk on the medians along Crown Valley, there’s no room for even one more brick outhouse. The city is currently junking up the Oso medians, spending as much money as possible on gigantic brown jars and banners. Nature trails are so junked up they’re laughable.

***

In last week’s Gallup poll, the top Republican presidential candidates didn’t change. Rick Perry led, followed by Mitt Romney. Rasmussen’s generic presidential poll (ending Sept. 18, the most recent as of this writing) shows the generic Republican candidate beating Obama by 5 points (47 percent to 42 percent). In that poll, Romney continues to be the Republican hopeful who runs most competitively with the president. Of Mission Viejo Republicans who got together last week, most said they are still deciding which candidate to support.

***

The city of Montebello is in deep trouble because of wasteful spending. The LA Times reports “The city is seeking a short-term loan to avoid running out of cash in its general fund and state audits have found that officials mishandled millions. And the FBI is investigating the city's use of federal housing funds.” ( http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-montebello-20110924,0,324170.story ). The Times reported on Sept. 23 that Montebello city administrators threw away money on such things as “embroidered polo shirts.” Hold the phone – has anyone seen a Mission Viejo city employee who was NOT wearing a taxpayer-provided polo shirt with an embroidered iron tree on the front? The back should be embroidered with “MV taxpayers got soaked for this shirt.”

***

Capo Valley RWF members who attended the Sept. 21 meeting in San Juan Capistrano said Ed Sachs was there introducing himself as a Mission Viejo council candidate. A CVRWF member said Sachs paid for the meal but stayed only a few minutes, leaving after he introduced himself. Sachs ran for a seat on the OC Republican Central Committee in June 2010. Among 13 candidates (six incumbents and seven challengers), Sachs placed No. 12.

***

Brian Calle’s Sept. 25 OC Register column mentions the California straw poll on Sept. 17 in which Ron Paul got nearly 45 percent – an interesting story that didn’t get much coverage during the California GOP Convention in Los Angeles last weekend. Reports indicate a Ron Paul supporter paid $26,000 in registration fees for rent-a-voters. Calle first described what happened in the Sept. 18 California Political Review ( http://www.capoliticalreview.com/blog/ron-paul-wins-california-gop-straw-poll/ )

***

Just in time for Halloween, City Hall is on the verge of completing another weird icon. The problem is, decorations suitable for Halloween are left up year-round in Mission Viejo. The newest is on Marguerite, just north of Oso. Its twin oddity is near Marguerite and Estanciero, a pillar with the city staff’s iron tree emblem, backlit with a ghoulish orange glow.

***

The council majority often asks city staff what other cities are doing. Generally, the question comes up when a majority member (Kelley, Ury or Leckness) is trying to show that council members in other cities are just as irresponsible about wasting money. Instead of having year-round Halloween decorations, here are examples of “normal” cities that celebrate Halloween only in October. Just in case anyone thinks Halloween hasn’t become a big deal, here’s the list

• Anaheim Spooktackular, Fall Festival and Halloween Parade
• Costa Mesa Pumpkins and Pancakes
• Costa Mesa, Halloween Goes Hollywood
• Cypress, Halloween Carnival
• Dana Point, Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground
• Dana Point, Halloween Kids Boo Cruise
• Fullerton, Haunted Fullerton Walking Tours
• Fullerton, Haunted Garden at the Arboretum
• Fullerton, Night of the Living Dead
• Huntington Beach, Main Street Halloween Celebration
• Irvine, Boot Hill
• Great Park Pumpkin Harvest
• La Habra, Mini Monsters Bash
• Laguna Niguel, Haunted Trails
• Los Alamitos, Halloween Carnival
• Orange, Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
• Orange, Treats in the Streets
• Orange, Orange County Zoo, Bats, Cats and Spiders
• Orange, Haunted House in Old Towne Orange
• Orange, Halloween Zootacular, Orange County Zoo
• San Juan Cap, Haunted House of Illusions
• San Juan Cap, Spook-tacular, San Juan Capistrano Com. Center
• San Juan Capistrano, Ghost Tours, O’Neill Museum
• Santa Ana, Victorians After Dark, Heritage Museum of Or. Co.
• Santa Ana, Boo at the Zoo
• Seal Beach, Trick or Treating on Main Street
• Silverado Canyon/Trabuco Canyon, Haunted Tour up Black Star Canyon
• Trabuco Canyon, Pirates of Frontier
• Villa Park, Halloween Fest
• Westminster, Simon Kidgits Club Spooktacular Halloween
• Tustin, Halloween Howl, Columbus Park