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Blogs Set Pace The average reader has no idea of the commitment to create and maintain political blogs where you also are expected to respond to comments that can often test our patience. We spend hours researching and posting stories that are made available to readers at no cost as our free alternative to the mainstream press. On occasion we even break stories that they do not cover or simply have missed. In fact our quickly posted blog reports may have caused the Register to have their reporters create blogs so that they could get their stories out sooner than having to wait until the newspapers are delivered the next morning. We live in the fast track world and want the news the minute it breaks. Another factor we deal with as blogger's relates to comments on our stories where some blogs do not even require that the authors provide their true identities. A fellow blogger and friend has just shut down his successful blog called Friends of Fullerton's Future. I've enjoyed fellowship with Tony Bushala in social gatherings at his brother’s home in Fullerton where we attempted to solve all the problems of the time as we enjoyed some great sausage sandwiches and heavy discussions. The following photo was taken when we had a truce at the Fullerton Library. Respond if you can identify the players representing: The OC Register, Orange Juice blog, The Liberal OC, Red County, and Friends for Fullerton's Future. This is one of my keeper photos. I’ll add a few others later. |
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Council Meets on March 4 Here’s the link to the Mar. 4 council agenda: http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=1992&doctype=agenda Following are some of the items of interest: Consent Calendar: # 5 -- Extend Charles Abbot contract for two years – 1st amendment Public Hearings # 10 – Housing Element – update for General Plan Old Business # 11 -- Discussion of possible rescission of Commercial Real Estate sign size increase Reports # 12 – Revision of Investment Policy City Manager Report # 18 – Confirm budget for Marguerite slope rehab |
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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 and non-profit groups. “Having it All,” new musical by John Kavanaugh, Tues., Mar. 5, through Sun., March 31, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach , (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com Big Bucks Bingo, Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. early bird and 6:45 p.m. regular games, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge, Marguerite and La Paz, Mission Viejo, (949) 830-3557. First Thursday Art Walk, Laguna Beach, Thurs., March 7, 6:00 p.m., member galleries throughout Laguna Beach, including the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive at North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://firstthursdaysartwalk.com/ Hortense Miller Garden Open House, Sat., Mar. 9, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., free tours of the private garden and residence, art exhibits, music, food and a plant sale. Parking and continuous shuttle service at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 635 High Drive, Laguna Beach. Hortense Miller Garden, (949) 244-2010, http://www.hortensemillergarden.org Concerts at Soka: Apollo’s Fire baroque band on Sun. Mar. 10, 7:00 p.m. Tafelmusik – House of Dreams on Thurs., Mar. 14, 7:30 p.m., Jazz Monsters Tribute to Jimmy Wyble on Fri., Mar. 29, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association events: El Presidente Ball at the El Adobe Restaurant on Sat., Mar. 16, 6:30 p.m.,; 54th Annual Swallows’ Day Parade and Mercado on Sat., Mar. 23, parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and Mercado from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. http://www.swallowsparade.com/taste.html Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, held on one Saturday each month. March date to be announced. Organized by Knights of Columbus; acceptable items include aluminum, paper and plastic. No longer accepting glass or cardboard. Lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 472-1249, http://www.stkilianchurch.org La Vida Drum Circle, Wed., Mar. 27, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (April 25, May 24, etc.). Drummers should bring their drums. Donations of firewood are appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/full-moon-drum-circle |
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Political and Government Events Calendar Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Mar. 5, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://ocgov.com/cals/?ViewBy=7&CalDate=1/15/2013&EventDateID=89649 Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Mar. 11. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tues., Mar. 12, 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/ OC Veterans Advisory Council Meeting, Wed. Mar. 13, 6:00 p.m., Veterans Service Office, Conference Room A/B, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, https://cms.ocgov.com/gov/occr/occs/veterans/advisory/default.asp Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet this month on Wed., Mar. 13, 7:00 p.m., and Wed., Mar. 27, 7:00 p.m., district office, 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/ Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee on Fri., Mar. 15, 7:30 a.m.; Finance Committee on Fri., Mar. 22, 7:30 a.m.; Board of Directors on Wed., Mar. 27, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com Celebrate former First Lady Pat Nixon’s Birthday at the Nixon Library on Sun., Mar. 17, 11:00 a.m. The library will observe the 101st anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Nixon with free admission all day, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated general meeting on Wed., Mar. 20, 9:00 a.m. Featured speaker will be Jesse Petrilla, who recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan as an officer in the California Army National Guard. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Mar. 21, 7:00 p.m. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in December, July and August) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 360-1717. Political Memorabilia Collectors’ Fair, Sat., Apr. 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library, buy, sell, swap or browse. Expert collectors will buy, sell and appraise campaign materials and political memorabilia, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org California Republican Assembly Convention, Fri.-Sun., April 26-28, Doubletree San Francisco Airport, Burlingame. For information call (650) 697-1964.
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The Buzz Unsuccessful council candidate Wendy Bucknum had a “debt retirement” fundraiser last week at her favorite billboard proposer’s center – Kaleidoscope. Since special interest and trough-feeders donated the bulk of her campaign funds in 2012, what debt is she retiring? Observers said the event was a bust – poorly attended and dull. However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t checks in the mail. The same donors (wanting billboards and more apartments in Mission Viejo) who funded Bucknum’s 2012 campaign would still like a return on their investment when she runs again in 2014. *** The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will meet on Mon., Mar. 11. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Brad Dacus, founder and president of the Pacific Justice Institute. His topic will be “The Myriad Domestic and Foreign Forces Threatening Our Security, Our Liberties and Our Values.” The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, (Sycamore B Room). Sign up for chapter announcements at www.act4oc.org *** Play ball. Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team vs. Orange County Veterans & 1st Responders Softball Team. *** When Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht put the item about landscaping on the Feb. 4 council agenda, the city staff circled the wagons. Perhaps it was the first time a council member had asked for accountability regarding slopes. Instead of asking questions of staff, other council members were either silent or they attacked Councilwoman Schlicht. Councilman Frank Ury challenged her statement that slopes along Alicia and Muirlands are in poor condition, but the neglect is obvious to anyone paying attention. When discussing the amount spent on slopes, Councilwoman Schlicht said the operative question is whether or not taxpayers have received value in return for their money. Keith Rattay should explain why large areas of city slopes are neglected while the staff implies the city is rolling in cash. *** City Manager Dennis Wilberg continues to title his weekly newsletter “The Week That Was.” Last week, his report was more like “The Week That Wasn’t.” Why isn’t he writing a list of his accomplishments each week if he’s writing anything at all? As this blog has demonstrated, his newsletters consist of lies, fluff and ridiculous statements. Last week, one of his three topics was about the city’s Marguerite tennis resort remodel. In addition to going significantly over budget, it’s still “in progress.” Members of the tennis club have been complaining about lighting from the time the lights were installed. Addressing the issue months later is no accomplishment. More than half of Wilberg’s newsletter last week was dedicated to whether or not staff members used hot or cold water to wash their clothes. This is not a joke. *** Check out Maxine’s math, posted by Larry Gilbert: Where did CA Rep. Maxine Waters attend grammar school? She joined the "sky is falling" crowd as the month of February came to a close by stating that we could lose 170 million jobs if we don't deal with the Sequester. Hello. According to the following source we currently have 135 million in the U.S. labor force. http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/us/ I might be mistaken, but using an average wage of $25,000 per year would result in the loss of 3.5 million jobs for a total of $87.5 billion out of this trillion-dollar-plus budget. And to think we continue sending some of these electeds back to Congress. |
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