Friday, November 28, 2014

View of the Week: On the advent of #GivingTuesday & Making a Difference


On the advent of a new month in #Outsiders", we begin with the latest from the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America.     The latest edition of the "parents Scout scoop" from the Orange County Council showcases how Scouts continue to make a difference throughout Orange County as exemplified by Scouting For Food 2014 and other on-going active Community Outreach Efforts.

As #BlackFriday has come and gone, #CyberMonday is before us, it is ever so critical to remember #GivingTuesday.   It is gratifying to see how organizations throughout the World have come together in this spirit.    We here @ #outsiders are pleased to be ardent supporters of Scouting and have been ardent supporters of  #GivingTuesday.   As we see it, every day should be a #GivingTuesday simply because making a difference is ever more important for the betterment of all as we joined the Trailmasters of Troop 772 as they served Marines at Camp Pendleton during the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway earlier this week.

We here @ #Outsiders salute all who strive to make a difference.




Scouts Success
Boy Scouts Plant Sensory Garden at OC Braille Institute

A sensory garden is being planted at the Braille Institute of America's Orange County Center as part of a project developed by two brothers who want to earn their Eagle Scout Rank. Jesse and Matthew Sun, both 15 years old, are planting fragrant herbs such as rosemary with the help of their Boy Scout troop that will be used in the kitchen at the center.

"We have cooking classes for people to relearn how to cook in the kitchen again. They can relearn those skills to be safe," said Gloria Coulston, executive director of the OC center.

Jesse and Matthew Sun raised about $1,400 to pay for the plants and materials to create a space for about 500 people with no or low vision who visit the center each week.

"I can't imagine being without my sight, without the colors of this world, without any of this," Matthew Sun said.

The brothers also learned what it is like to be visually impaired while volunteering at the center, which runs on donations.

"I learned to be more appreciative of what I have and what I can do with all these skills that I have and what I'm born with," Matthew Sun said.


-Story as reported by ABC 7
Scouting in Action
A Scout is Clean

Beginning with "HalloClean" on November 1st, Cub Scout Pack 333 in Newport Beach launched a month of activities to demonstrate good citizenship and active participation in their community. In lieu of its normal monthly Pack meeting, the Scouts and their families participated in four weekend activities. 

First, the Cub Scouts met for "HalloClean," which entailed walking the community greenbelt, end to end, and picking up the remnants from Halloween. Second, they joined the greater Scouting community on Saturday, November 8th by collecting and donating food as part of the annual Scouting for Food 'Good Turn' campaign.

The third activity, held on November 15th, included Pack 333 joining the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 to deliver donated items and pack shipments to our troops serving overseas. Lastly, with a focus on family community, Cub Scouts were asked to take a moment on Thanksgiving to share what they are thankful for or to partake in an activity of thanks. 


Read more about the HalloClean event in this Daily Pilot article


On September 5, 2014, the hardworking Scouts from Troop 724, of San Juan Capistrano, gathered at the beach in Monarch Bay in Dana Point to participate in "operation beach clean-up." A number of different patrol groups from Troop 724 came together to serve one of their local beaches in need of a clean-up.

The Troop scoured the beach, collecting trash from Monarch Bay to neighboring beach, Salt Creek, with huge smiles on their faces. The Scouts worked together to make sure that by the end of the day the beach was pristine and all the trash was discarded. The management staff at Monarch Bay praised the boys' hard work and efforts. The Scouts ended the evening with a cook-off competition and a renewed appreciation for the beach environment. They had so much fun that the Troop looks forward to making this an annual event. 
Scouting Spotlight
Scouting for Food - You Fed Thousands in Orange County 

A huge thank you to all the Scouts, Scouters, families and volunteers who helped collect food for the hungry of Orange County on Saturday, November 8th by participating in Scouting for Food. Thousands of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and their volunteer leaders in Orange County participated in this Good Turn initiative. 

Over 65,000 pounds of food has been received by Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, with more food coming in daily. That's approximately 53,660 meals and counting! 


& Shared this while "On the Grid":


  


Sunday, November 23, 2014

On Being Thankful....

It is the eve of Thanksgiving Week in the United States.    It is a time for us all to step back and remember ever more all that we're thankful for.   This was ever so evident as this week-end was the advent of the Thanksgiving Project @ St. Timothy's Catholic Parish. 150 Families will be able to have a thanksgiving meal thanks to the wonderful generosity of the Parish Community.

As we go "dark" for this Thanksgiving Week on all #Outsider Channels, we wanted to simply say thanks to all who have supported this "labor of love".  We also remain ever so hopeful about our World as we look forward to reflect upon a World that although challenging, it is one to embrace and believe in.

Wishing all the happiest of Thanksgivings....





Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Around Town in South County: Change is in the Air :-)


Holidays are upon us.   All around South County, decorations are going up as the Community gets into the festive mood.   This is as there are profound changes coming up in South Orange County Cities.    

 Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and Dana Point have new members of the City Council that would see some definite direction on the future of communities.   One example is Aliso Viejo not going forward with the Community Center.   What will be the focus is a "refurbishment" of the remnants of the old Moulton Ranch which will bode well for the surrounding communities.  Beyond the immediate focus of South Orange County, change is also in the air as three out of the five seats on the Orange County Board of Supervisors is changing.  The conservative direction will not change--but the personalities and their priorities will. 

Faith communities throughout South County will also be involved in supporting the less fortunate during this holiday season.   . Laguna Niguel's  St Timothy  Catholic Parish Community will be having its' annual Thanksgiving Giveaway this coming Saturday.      HomeAid OC will be having its' HomeAid Action Month whereby it will be hosting volunteers to build out CareKits for the less Fortunate.  We here @ "Outsiders" are pleased to be supporting this initiative as we wish all


    

 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

View of the Week: Honoring a Hero

This was featured on the front page of the Orange County Register.   We here @ Outsiders pray that his soul RIP and may the almighty grant his loved ones the solace to overcome this loss.  Our World is a better place for such selfless souls:


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Around South County On Veterans Day 2014: Remembering, Reflecting & Honoring All Who Have Served

Throughout the #Outsiders" network, we reflected upon this day of remembrance and honor for all who have served and the fallen who have paid the ultimate price: blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">

The Daily Outsider ™: On This Veterans Day in the United States & #ArmisticeDay around the World: http://t.co/5DKbULlQcA

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 11, 2014

The City of Laguna Niguel was amongst communities throughout the United States and the World honoring all who had served. This remembrance was spreaheaded by American Legion Post 281 in conjuction with the Laguna Niguel Women's Club and the Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee. Members of Troop 772 along with various Girl Scouts Troop throughout South Orange County joined this day of service to remember and honor all who had served:

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Witness to Democracy in Action In Orange County: Reflections :-)

Tuesday November 4 was election day in the United States.    It was also ever so in Orange County as well as noted by this "tweet" released earlier on Election Day: 
Embedded image permalink

Being witness to in action as the people of ca vote.

A "clip" of that day is available by clicking on the "image" from the tweet for  that day to be witness to Democracy in Action.   It was ever so gratifying to see the enthusiasm by all the volunteer election workers and the patience shown by the Voters as they patiently awaited the opportunity to express their views over the next two years.   A number of key City Council Races throughout Orange County saw a number of new faces and change will be forthcoming on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

As we here @ #outsiders were witness to this, we were reminded of all those who are in prison and continue to be faced with prosecution such as these two Egyptian Activists:



It was quite gratifying to see that the percentage of voters who voted increased as noted by the Orange County Registrar of Voters:

Registration and Turnout
Completed Precincts: 1863 of 1863
Reg/TurnoutPercentage
Total Registered Voters1,424,216
Precinct Registration1,424,216
Precinct Ballots Cast212,14214.9%
Early Ballots Cast00.0%
Absentee Ballots Cast363,40625.5%
Total Ballots Cast575,54840.4%
It was quite interesting that although the State of California went "Blue", Orange County stayed firmly as a "Red Bastion" as epitomized by the results reported by the Orange County Registrar of Voters for the races for Governor and Lt. Governor:

Governor
Completed Precincts: 1863 of 1863
Vote CountPercentage
NEEL KASHKARI314,19256.1%
* EDMUND G. "JERRY" BROWN245,54043.9%
* Indicates Incumbent Candidate, if any
Top 
Lieutenant Governor
Completed Precincts: 1863 of 1863
Vote CountPercentage
RON NEHRING325,92159.2%
* GAVIN NEWSOM225,03140.8%
* Indicates Incumbent Candidate, if any

It will be ever so interesting to continue to be witness to this vibrant community.





Sunday, November 2, 2014

A "View of the Week" On the Eve of the Elections

On the eve of the elections, once again +Jonathan Huie daily outreach to those of us who have the good fortune to review it says it ever more--it is truly up to us to change our World and not sit on the sidelines.....



Please VOTE tomorrowTuesday, November 4, 2014.

Your Vote is Your Voice. Do it for our grandchildren.
 
If you don't like the way the world is,
you change it.
You have an obligation to change it.
You just do it one step at a time.
- Marian Wright Edelman

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
- John Wooden