Monday, September 22, 2014

Around Town In South County (9/22/2014): Notations 4 the Week & A "Virtual Treat" For All :-)

Election Fever is ever so around South County.    It was so gratifying to see Democracy in Action as the signs from Candidates vying for office has sprung up all around Town.      Laguna Niguel is one such city;  Where six candidates are competing for the two open seats on the City Council.    As the 40+ Days of  the campaign "home stretch" is at hand, we here @ "Outsiders" will share some insights & thoughts.

Despite all the challenges we see all around us, stories of hope are ever so beautiful.  The Orange County Register featured a great story on the byline of Nathan Percy as the Jessie Rees Foundation was featured.   It is such stories of hope and engagement that are ever so a ray of light in many a dark clouds we have to contend with all around the World.   We hope to have some further insights on such wonderful organizations here in South County over the course of the ensuing weeks & months.  
On 9/23/2014, AlertOC will also have an exercise as well which we will be reporting on.     As the new week dawns, a "Virtual Treat " to share w/all courtesy of Ted.Com:

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

The perfect lunchtime talks

One hour, 6 delightful talks -- as reinvigorating for the mind as a cup of coffee. Watch »
Total run time 1:03:52

MORE FROM TED.COM

Thursday, September 18, 2014

A "Thought 4 the Week" :-)

On the eve of elections in South County & beyond, a sentiment to share for all who have taken the brave decision to run for office...

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been The foresight to know where you are going And the insight to know when you have gone too far.    Irish Blessing

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Around South County (9/16/2014): A Brief "newsflash" on the Latest From The City of Laguna Niguel

The Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee had its' Monthly Meeting at Laguna NigueL City Hall under the chairmanship of the Mayor Pro Tem, Jerry McCloskey along with Councilmember Laurie Davies.    Committee Members deliberated the latest initiatives at hand as they deliberated initiatives in support of the 4th Marines along with USS Stockdale and USS McCloskey.

The Car wash (that was noted here) was a great success.  $ 9,947  Dollars was raised to support the families of the Marines.   There were some potential upcoming expenses that may offset this a bit.  It was a Community coming together.    There were also a number of initiatives (including a family day and other initiatives) which the Committee deliberated at length.

One very exciting initiative is a call-to-action to the Community to submit ideas under the City's BIONIC initiative (which stands for Bright Ideas and Opportunities that Nurture and Improve our Community).  The deadline is October 1.


Sunday, September 14, 2014

On A Beautiful Week-End In South Orange County: Reflections.....


It was yet again a beautiful W-End around South Orange County.    The Stand down @ Dana Point was ever so beautiful as the waves broke in and the birds were flying around without a care in the World.    The fact that we had a beach to enjoy was also just as beautiful as ever.

The homes overlooking the beach are an Architectural marvel onto themselves.    Many may well be jeaulous about how close they are as they are able to embrace the beauty and majesty that is the Pacific Ocean.    What was ever so joyful was to see Families and Children able to enjoy a beautiful Sunny Day out there in the Strand.    It was also a disturbing week in South County as the fire at Silverado Canyon was fought by the valiant Firefighters Of the Orange County Fire Authority.   


But the beauty of South Orange County is not just limited to the beauty of the homes and the ocean scenery.  It is the people that ultimately make it work.   It was ever so epitomized as the community came together at Aliso Niguel High School to celebrate the Staff who do so much for the Students and as Parent volunteers were hustling to get the Football Game Going--all who helped staff the ticket counters, the barbeque and the spiritwear stands .

It was the Community at its' very best.   

Friday, September 12, 2014

Ever So ThankFul: A Brief "Thought 4 the Day".....

Beginning a W-End here in "Outsiders" with this Thought 4 the Week courtesy of the ever insightful Jonathan Lockwood Huie who reminded us of this simple admonition from Oprah:



It is ever so especially as how we are so blessed in South Orange County--it was ever so evident as the Aliso VIejo Middle School Community showed as the wonderful teachers shared insights about their lives and the love that they showed for their students.

Onward!!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

On The Heatwave in South County: Brief Thoughts

Weather in South Orange County has been amongst the hottest ever.     It is part of the broader continued question on Climate Change.     This was a bit of good news for a change:


   
Mike Pouraryan,
 
 Mike Pouraryan
   
Mike PouraryanMike Pouraryan
@mikepouraryan
Ending the "rounds"..with some bit of Good news from #UN on #Ozone layer showing 'signs of recovery' bbc.com/news/science-e…
09:30 PM - 10 Sep 14
 

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Around Town In South County: Visiting the Dana Point Tall Ships Festival...

It was a busy week around South Orange County as Children began school, the Youth Sports Season began in earnest and all families have begun settling into their fall routine.

One of the traditions in South County is the Annual Dana Point Tall Ships Festival that is done in collaboration with the Ocean Institute.  One of the highlights in years past was how the Tall Ships sailed down South County and thereafter participated in a mock battle.   Due to the high tides this year, it was cancelled.   The waves were so vibrant that the Ocean Wall by the Institute was closed out because the waves were hitting the wall and coming over!!!

Despite the high tides, it was still gratifying to see the South County Community come out to an afternoon of fun and excitement:


Friday, September 5, 2014

A South County Newsflash: Supporting Our Marines....


The Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee is going to be sponsoring a car wash to support our Marines.   It will be at Plaza De La Paz Center.   It will be a great Community Event.  It all begins @ 10:00 AM.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The New School Year is Before Us: Celebrating, Remembering and Embracing A Sense of Purpose

Today is the advent of the new School Year @ Capistrano Unified.    Capo Unified has a new Superintendent and there are also a number of candidates who have stepped up to run for the open seats that would serve to potentially usher in a new era for a District that spans some 11 Cities and has over 53,000 Students in its' midst.

Today, though, is also a day to celebrate all who serve our students.    This story I commented on while on "The Grid" visiting Facebook underscored how one selfless soul can truly make such a transformation in the life of a child--it is this smile that underscores a sense of hope that anything is truly within the realm of the possible:

Today was Vince's first day of Kindergarten. He isn't able to attend public school at this point because of health concerns. Mrs. Nguyen would have been his teacher this year and has volunteered to come home school Vince every day when she gets out of work!! A huge heartfelt thanks goes out to her and everyone who has been so helpful at Sonora Elementary. Vince has been looking forward to starting kindergarten for quite some time and was SO excited for his first day of homeschool today!! He even got all dressed up ! 
Photo: Today was Vince's first day of Kindergarten. He isn't able to attend public school at this point because of health concerns. Mrs. Nguyen would have been his teacher this year and has volunteered to come home school Vince every day when she gets out of work!! A huge heartfelt thanks goes out to her and everyone who has been so helpful at Sonora Elementary. Vince has been looking forward to starting kindergarten for quite some time and was SO excited for his first day of homeschool today!! He even got all dressed up ! ❤️

Happy School Year!!!