Sunday, February 28, 2016

As Feburary 2016 Draws to A Close: On @LagunaNiguelCity & Other Thoughts............

It has been a challenging month at our Home Base here in Southern California as Hollywood is abuzz with Oscar Fever.      However, our Community continues onward with its vibrancy not withstanding the glamour and the hype that will be the scene later on tonight and as all are making their way on the red carpet.    Our team will not be watching the awards--One troubling statistic we saw was that the so-called "Swag" given to attendees is about 230,000.     Our view is that there are a lot more to celebrate than the Oscars.

This past Friday saw the advent of the Multinational Day at Aliso Niguel High School.  Clubs gathered up to showcase the World and the top five received a $ 25 Gift certificate to their club accounts.   It was quite a wonderful event which is a tribute to the vibrancy of the Aliso Niguel High School PTSA Volunteers and the wonderful Faculty and staff at Aliso Niguel High School who make it all possible.  Our team also was at the Incredible Edible Farm up in the Great Park in Irvine.     The assignment was to harvest lettuce--some 1100 pounds of it was done during the shift that yielded some 933 meals.    We look forward to sharing such stories and showcase the immense work being done on a constant and consistent basis.  

Over the course of the month, our team has also been quite amazed and proud to have been witness to a very vibrant community spirit effort this month.    For instance, earlier this month, our hometown of Laguna Niguel honored two Eagle Scouts for their achievement after members of the Trailmasters of Troop 772 led the Council and all attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance:




The City of Laguna Niguel has also continued its' signature initiative to conduct a series of Jr. Civics Workshops for all the Middle-Schoolers in the Community.   A number of workshops will continue through May 2016.    Pre-registrations are available by visiting the Laguna Niguel Youth Committee website at LNTeens.Org or by checking things out using the hashtag #LNJrCivis on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

There are also some concerns.   One of the concerns has been a  rise in crime that made the headlines in February.    Although South County has been relatively immune, it is part of a larger trend which is of profound concern.  The most troubling spike has been in Santa Ana.     According to the Sunday February 28, 2015 edition of the Orange County Register, there are some 90 known gangs and apparently 4500 gang members and wannabes.     It is starting to present a challenge due to a spike in weapons incidents.     This is as Orange County is proposing a massive overhaul of the Civic Center Complex over the course of the next 5 years.

Despite the challenges, our community remains ever so vibrant and engaging.    We look forward to our role in insuring that we stay engaged and involved and to showcase our Community to the World.

Onward to March 2016 with all its' possibilities.....

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