Around Town in South County (weekend edition): Community Vibrancy @ Work....

The Vibrancy of Community spirit was evident yet again in South County this weekend as the new season of the Aliso Niguel High School Football Team got under way.    It was great to see a team deemed one of the top ones in the League start on a strong footing as it dominated the opponents ever more.    It was also quite a wonderful scene earlier as St. Timothy's Catholic Parish had its' annual "Hot August Night" to honor all who give of themselves to support the work of the Parish.  

The Friday Musical Interlude: Keiko Matsui's Tears of the Ocean

It is Friday here in #outsiders and time again for the Friday "Musical Interlude"  For this week, our team chose Keiko Matsui as we hope all enjoy this selection: 

As we were in awe at the performance of this beauty of a piece, we could not help but wonder if the World will hear the tears as we are faced with the calamity of climate change.   As we went to press, the entire State of Florida was in a state of emergency, Puerto Rico was being battered by Rains and people had perished in the Island of Dominica. 

Around Town in South County: 9/11 Rememberance in Laguna Niguel

View of the Week: On Salinas (Can it happen anywhere else in California)?

We settled on this "View of the Week" because our team felt it was a tough read especially as we have been assessing the report of inequality in Orange County: 

If You Care About California, Then You Should Care About Salinas
The agricultural superstar’s high crime and poor health are indicators of what the Golden State could become.
Read More.

We will have more on this over the ensuing weeks and months.

Around Town in South County: On Congresswoman Mimi Walters' Community Forum

A forum on Cybersecurity was held at the Laguna Hills Community Center on Monday August 24.  It was sponsored by the Office of Congresswoman Mimi Walters. 

The forum featured the Leadership team of the US Secret Service who are at the forefront of fighting Cybercrimes in Southern California.    Our team found it quite remarkable how frank and engaging the speakers were in underscoring the reality of Cybercrime today.   One of the speakers noted that all of the agents who were there were also exposed due to the breach at the US Office of Personnel Management that has exposed 22 Million people.    The need to be vigliant is ever more evident today.

Before the deliberations began, Congresswoman Walters provided an update for the audience on the latest from Washington.    Her remarks noted progress by the House on Legislation.  She noted that that the House had passed 190 pieces of legislation and shared insights on what the California Delegation had been working on to help address the prolonged drought which has besieged California for the past four years.     She also shared insights on her views on the Iran Deal and noted that she would be voting against the deal in part due to the debriefs she received while on her week-long trip to Israel and meetings she had with Israeli Officials.

Thought 4 the Week

	Real Marsha Wright (@marshawright)
8/21/15, 20:21 Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. - Rumi #quote

View of the Week: On Being Grateful

"It's not happiness that makes us grateful; it's gratefulness that makes us happy."

Posted by TED on Sunday, August 23, 2015

Around Town in South County: The Final Week-End Before School (A Brief Newsflash)

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It has been a very joyous day around South County.     Laguna Niguel had its' 7th Annual Relay for Life to honor all the survivors and their families and reaffirm the commitment to fight cancer.   It was quite heaterning to be witness as the Community came together in teams to be able to raise money.  As we went to press,  over 27,000 Dollars was raised for this noble cause.

It was also an interesting day across town at Aliso Niguel High School as The Water Polo Alumni Day was held and all witnessed some fantastic Water Polo in Action on a beautiful sunny day:

School Starts August 25!!!

Around Town in South County: Gearing up For "Godzilla El Nino"

Godzilla El Nino is now before us.     One of our Community Contacts forwarded this which we wanted to report on.     The need to be prepared is ever so critical:

 Our extreme drought may be followed by a historic rainy season this year.  1997  was our last big El Nino year.  Looking at that year, major rainfall started in October; if that happens again, we should be alerting our associations and helping them get prepared for heavy rains.  Roofing, downspouts, surface/deck drains, storm water drains, Slope Erosion, tree maintenance, sand and sand bags, etc.
Here are some links describing and forecasting the upcoming El Nino.  I also spoke with Alex Tardy of the National Weather Service about reading the indicator models that are being published.  The models I reviewed from NASA, NOAA, JPL, and NWS are showing the potential of 40% - 80% increased El Nino intensity as compared to 1997/1998.  NASA is using the term:  GODZILLA EL NINO 

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-el-nino-20150813-htmlstory.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/biggest-el-nino-of-our-generation-may-be-tempered-by-the-blob-1.3194415

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/LA-County-Gears-Up-For-Emergency-El-Nino-Plan-322222592.html

https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/august-2015-el-ni%C3%B1o-update-supercalifragilisticexpealidocious

The Friday Musical Interlude: Bob Baldwin's Sea Breeze

It is Friday here in #Outsiders and once again time for the Friday Musical Interlude.   In honor of the Communities of South Orange County, we chose "Sea Breeze" from our artist of the week, Bob Baldwin:

On the Prowl In South County: A Recent Blast From the Recent Past

Our team reflected upon a recent blast from the past:

The big moment!

Posted by City of Laguna Niguel on Tuesday, August 4, 2015

It is fun to be witness to history as Laguna Niguel continues to be a trailblazer.

Around Town In South County: Witness to Community Generosity

The South County spirit of giving was ever so evident on Monday August 17 as St. Timothy's Catholic Parish in Laguna Niguel  had its' annual School backpack giveaway.   Some 147 Backpacks were given away to all registered families with children from K-8.    This is as the Church Pantry had one of its busiest days of the years as it served 68 clients.

FeedLA 2015 : On A Day of Service w/ EOTO.Org & The Salvation Army

FeedLA 2015 was held on Saturday August 15  at the Salvation Army in Los Angeles.   Our team had an opportunity to join this noble case.

This initaitive was spreahaded by a local Orange County Foundation, EOTO.  The acronym stands form Each One Teach One.  It was quite a scene as an Army of Volunteers converged on the Salvation Army to support this.     The Director began the debrief by noting the long history of the Salvation Army.   It is celeberating 150 years of Service and this year saw it continue its service in 127 Countries.   It was also gratifying to note how out of every dollar contributed, 79 cents goes out in donations.   It was also staggering how the Director the level of profound povetry that exists.   The area in which the shelter operates has a median income of Twenty one Thousand Dollars a year.

Some 2,000 families had registered to receive care packages along with backpacks for their children.   Volunteers help man the various stations set up to distribute.    Families were then treated to a sack lunch that was prepared by a very busy kitchen contingent.

Please enjoy highlights of this day of service and contact EOTO on the web at http://www.eoto.org  and the Salvation Army at for further information on the web at by clicking on this link here.
 rtunate. We encourage you to sign up as ut over 1000 backpacks filled with school supplies to child

YOUR VIDEO IS READY

A Day of Service @ The Salvation Army WATCH YOUR VIDEO

Notations From the Grid (weekend edition): On Orange County Leading The Way

The California drought has been a profound challenge for all communities throughout the State.   Although there are reports of a big "El Nino" coming, it was not borne out by the heatwave we were subjected to this weekend here in Orange County.   What is gratifying is how communities have stepped up to deal with the drought. 

In our "Virtual Run" around the grid this weekend, our founder shared this with us that underscored how Orange County is leading the way:

OC leading the way on water recycling! I was on the OCWD board when we planned the ground water replenishment system.
Posted by Jose Solorio on Sunday, August 16, 2015

We have to continue our vigilance for the sake of    all.   

The Friday Musical Interlude: Vincent Ingala (& A Bonus)

It is time for the Friday Musical Interlude here in #Outsiders.   Our artist for the week is Vincent Ingala.  But since Southern California is our home, we ran across a "bonus" which we also hope all enjoy:

Around Town in South County: A "newsflash" From Congresswoman Mimi Walters

Congresswoman Walters will be hosting a Cybersecurity & Identity Protection Town Hall at Laguna Hills Community Center on Monday, August 24^th at 5:30pm.

https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-host-cybersecurity-identity-protection-town-hall

A "Visual Grid" Of a Typical Day w/the Youth in South County

@ Tiburon Cub Scout Day Camp 2015....

On the Prowl In South County: Tidbits For the Week-End

Oso Lake 

Summer is fast coming to an end.      One of the highlights coming up this week is the Tiburon District Cub Scout Day Camp at Oso Lake in Rancho Santa Margarita.   Some 100 Cub Scouts will be in camp for one week learning new skills as they advance through their ranks.   This is the final Camp that the Orange County Council will have as other District throughout the Council have also had their events already.    Elders from the local Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints were at Oso Lake assisting with the initial Staging of the Camp on Saturday August 8. 

The kids are also going back to school.    Schools throughout the Capistrano Unified School District are gearing up for the walk-through registrations as the first day of School is on August 25.   August 17 will also see the St. Timothy's Catholic Church sponsor its' annual Backpack event to support families with Children in K-8 as they gear up for school--Community spirit in action yet again.

The Friday Musical Interlude: Nelson Rangell's "Free as a Bird"

It is time for the Friday Musical Interlude here in #Outsiders. Our Artist of the Week is Nelson Rangell as we hope all enjoy this beautiful one: Free as a Bird:

Around Town in South County (Special Edition): National Night Out 2015 in Laguna Niguel

Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel was the scene for the City of Laguna Niguel's 5th Annual "National Night Out", sponsored by Laguna Niguel Police Services.    The City's Police Auxiliary Citizens Team, CERT Team and Sheriff were there to provide insights and ideas on how to stay safe.     It was also a night of music as local musicians provided some entertainment and a number of local restaurants (including Tastes of Greece & IHOP) joined the celebrations.

It was also of note that Relay of Life of Laguna Niguel was at the event.    Fratello's on Niguel Road  is holding a fundraiser every Wednesday as the Community gears up for the Relay for Life whereby 25% of the bill will be donated to relay.    For further information, visit www.relayforlife.org/lagunaniguel.ca.    The 2015 relay for life will be held on August 22 at Niguel Hills Middle School form 10:00 AM thru 1:00 PM.
 

Around Town in South County: Laguna Niguel Achieves Another Milestone

Laguna Niguel's Crown Valley Park Officially opened to the Public Today.  In a ceremony presided over by the Mayor, the City Council, City Officials and the Public, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony ensued and the water park and the playground were awash with Children.  This is the first of three tiers that would transform this landmark in the City of Laguna Niguel.
 

Around Town in South County: Brief Newsflashes for the Week

It has been a very interesting weekend in South Orange County.  The Koch Brothers' hosted a summit in Dana Point at the St. Regis where some of the leading Presidential Candidates were invited to make their pitch as the battle continues.    We have been working on a "Notations" edition which we hope to publish as the first formal debate draws near.

Beyond the "Koch Summit 2015",  there are other profound developments to report.   The +Orange County Register reported in its' Sunday Edition on Orange County seeing a 5 Percent increase in homeless based on reporting done by the Commisointo End Homelessness.     We will work to have further commentary on it over the ensuing weeks and months as we assess the report and potential game plan.   A Judge also jsut tossed out a suit regarding cooper pipe leaks which has been a problem in South County for a number of years--we will be on the prowl for it as well.

Around Town in South County : National Night Out 2015 is Here

Communities throughout South Orange County will observe National Night Out on August 4 starting at 6:00 PM.       Laguna Niguel will have its' National Night Out at Crown Valley Park.     

Notations From the Grid (Week-End Edition): A "Tip of the Week"

A "tip of the week" 2 share: 9 Books To Change the Way You Work https://t.co/s5wqdQyZqc

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) August 1, 2015