On Our Community: Final thoughts As #2015 Comes to a Close...

As we wind down 2015, we wanted to reflect upon the broader community of Southern California.   Our team had a chance to visit Pasadena earlier this week to have an opportunity to serve supporting the 2016 Rose Parade.     It was quite a scene to be able to witness to the Vibrancy of the Community in Action with some of the most beautiful scenes : 

At numerous facilitites throughout Pasadena, volunteers were hard and fast at work working day and night preparing and finalizing the floats that the World will be witness to on January 1, 2016.  Whatwe also were quite amazed at was how Pasadena had been trasnformed into a vibrant "Old Pasadena" that preserved the best of the old while preserving the new.     It was just a beautiful day to be witness to it all.

As we are seeing off 2015, it was of note to reflect upon one of the highlights of our hometown, Laguna Niguel that saw the 2015 Holiday Parade being held:    

It featured the soldiers and sailors our City has adopted along with Community Organizations that form a fabric that represents the City at its' best.      The commitment by the City will endure as it already has announced an opportunity for Community_Based Organizations to submit proposals to be eligible for to receive support from a $ 39,000 Fund established to provide support for them.      We also found of interest that Lake Forest is thinking about El Nino Already which we hope to share insights throughout the year.

It has been a very vibrant year in our Community.   We look forward to continuing our on-going discussions about our Community throughout 2016.

Happy 2016 from South Orange County and the City of Laguna Niguel!!!

We look forward to seeing all in the New Year!!!

On the Eve of #2016: Happy New Year!!

We are going "dark" for this final week of the year as we gear up for the new year.  We wanted to wish all a safe holiday as we wish all...

Onward to 2016 w/all its' possiblities!!

On This Christmas W-End 2015.....

We here @ #outsiders were around town and was witness to the beauty of Dana Point Harbor as this was shared by our Founder on Christmas Eve which we are pleased to feature as part of our salute to our Community on this Christmas W-End 2015:  

A photo posted by Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) on Dec 25, 2015 at 5:24pm PST

On this Christmas Eve 2015....

As we go dark for Christmas Eve, Just making sure to wish all a joyous holiday as we feature an Orange County Original, Disney's Mickey & Mini Mouse & his Friends--a point of pride for us all!!!! 

..as we hope all enjoy this from the Disney All Stars as we wish all a joyous holiday season and fantastic 2016:  

As We Bid Farewell to 2015: Brief Reflections on Our Community

Celebrations are already beginning.    Saddleback Church has Christmas Mass scheduled throughout all its' Orange County Campuses.    St. Timothy's Catholic Parish has Six Services On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and other faith communities will do so as well.

It has also been quite a year of change and transformation in South Orange County.    We have been quite amazed at the resiliency and the community spirit in action in our Home Community, Laguna Niguel.   It was ever so evident during the Holiday Celebration a few weeks ago and as we gear up for what is expected to be a vibrant 2016.    It was also good news for our City as the old Haagen Store on Crown Valley was going to be taken over by Smart & Final.    One of a number of initiatives we look forward to commenting on is the Laguna Niguel Community Pedestrian Education Outreach program along with on-going reporting on the latest from our wonderful schools.  We will also continue to assess the state of Wi-Fi Access as Google Fiber will be coming to Orange County and the latest out of Mission Viejo with selling interent access. 

We look forward to the opportunity to serve as we wish all a wonderful Holiday as we leave you all with this from our +Jonathan Huie archives:

As We Bid Farewell to 2015: Reflections & A Holiday Wish.....

It has been an interesting and challenging morning especially in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's Decision to raise interest rates.    Markets have responded favorably to the end of "cheap money" although profound reservations remain as to whether the Fed's move is a bit rash right now.   A challenging World is also ever so before us with Brazil in Turmoil (As it just got a downgrade), the inferno in Syria and of course the United States Elections.    As we were working away, we also got an update from France that the IMF Chief has been ordered to stand trial over the so-called, "Tapie Affair" in France.    It has also been a year where we've been quite busy supporting a number of interesting Kickstarter Projects and transformations that we look forward to featuring in our Visions Channel in 2016 as our Daily Outsider 2.x will also be a focus.

As we are winding down the year here in #outsiders and gearing up for the new year, we also wanted to join the World in extending Happy Birthday to the Holy Father as he turns 79 Years old today. We also have decided to go "dark" throughout the Properties for the rest of the year as we gear up for 2016. Our team, will be continuing the daily Twitter curation and the Daily Update that is published for our founder featured throughout the #Outsider properties will be available for all daily.

We started on a journey that has been perilous at times.   As we reflected upon our journey, we took comfort in these thoughts thanks again to +Jonathan Huie :

In this world there is always danger
for those who are afraid of it.
- George Bernard Shaw

If we let things terrify us,
life will not be worth living.
- Seneca 

We appreciate all the support and look forward to the opportunity to serve in 2016 as we wish you all....

and our fervent wish for all for all to......

Onward to 2016 with all its' possiblities.....

An #Outsider Newsflash: Guidance From Superindentant Vital From the Capistrano Unified School District

As Southern California was witness to another challenging day, the Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent Sent out this advisory to the Community which we wanted to report on here--vigilance is absolutely paramount and we could not agree more with Superintendent Vital: 

Dear CUSD Community:

This morning, LAUSD closed their schools due to what they believed was a credible threat. Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) has been in communication with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Juvenile Services Bureau, and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) and we have been advised that there has been no credible threat against CUSD at this time. However, as a precaution, we have been in contact with all of our school sites requesting them to inspect the campus and remind staff to be aware of their surroundings and anything unusual.

CUSD has a safety plan that is specific to each site and is reviewed every year and we have worked to build and strengthen this plan since 2012. We have a unique relationship with law enforcement that includes daily interaction and communication.

The District also works with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in planning and security assessments of our schools and with the OCIAC. OCIAC is an integrated, multi-disciplined, information and intelligence sharing network to collect, analyze, and disseminate information on all criminal risks and safety threats to law enforcement, fire, health, private sector and public sector stakeholders in a timely manner in order to protect the residents, visitors, and critical infrastructure while ensuring the civil rights and civil liberties of all persons are recognized.

In addition, armed Sheriff’s Deputies are assigned to our campuses and we utilize the Sheriff’s Department’s School Mobile Assessment and Resource Team (SMART). SMART is used in school situations or incidents related to violence, threats, possession and/or use of weapons, unstable behaviors and suicidal actions or tendencies.

In the area of training, we conduct ongoing drills and simulated emergency exercises for our staff and this training is reviewed and modified as needed. We also train our staff to speak up and report suspicious activity they see at our school sites or offices.

Finally, we have the benefit of many parents, students, teachers, administrators and staff on our campuses and we ask that you report any unusual and suspicious activity. Please talk to your child/children to remind them that they, too, should report anything suspicious. We want everyone on our campuses to be empowered to speak up about anything that looks out of place. Please reach out to your school principals or site administration for guidance and questions. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
 

Kirsten Vital
Superintendent

Around Town In South County: @ The Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade 2015.....

Our hometown, Laguna Niguel, held its' Annual Holiday Parade today.    Here are some scenes from this beautiful day of service that featured the best in Community Spirit during this joyous Holiday Season:

@The Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade 2015   WATCH YOUR VIDEO

The Friday Musical Interlude: @Raef Sings The Path.......

The Holidays are upon us--later on tonight at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa over 650 Kids will be treated to a holiday treat thanks to the leadership yet again of the Segestrom Family.    Tomorrow Laguna Niguel will embrace the Holidays with the Annual Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade.   It is truly a joyous time.

Although this is a joyous time, there are also perilous times in our World.   Our team has been at the forefront of it as we have worked on throughout the year.   On the "Musical Interlude" Friday here in #Outsiders, we wanted to feature this from our Artist of the Week, +Raef Official  as we join him in underscoring that , "...We shall Overcome"!!!

As A New Week Dawns....

Our team wanted to begin on a positive note here throughout the #Outsider Network.     What +Jonathan Huie sent out was every so timely in light of the profound challenges before us--enough said as we wish all a fabulous week:

Everyone should carefully observe
which way his heart draws him,
and then choose that way with all his strength.
- Hasidic Proverb

To know what you prefer
instead of humbly saying Amen
to what the world tells you you ought to prefer,
is to have kept your soul alive.
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Prevail over adversity.
Persevere in the midst of turmoil.
Passionately act upon your convictions.
Purposely walk into the day.
- Mary Anne Radmacher 

Around Town in South County: Holiday Spirit is in the Air at Laguna Niguel

The Holidays have arrived in South County.  This was epitomized by the celebrations held at Laguna Niguel City Hall Last Night.   

Santa and Mrs. Claus came down escorted by Laguna Niguel Police Officers as they helped Councilmembers Geneway and Minagar light up the Christmas Tree.    Kids were busy building slates and taking pictures with Santa.   The City's Holiday Parade is also before us coming up on December 12.     If interested in volunteering, please contact Reggee Burdian at (949) 510-9562 or online at www.lagunaniguelparade.com

An #Outsider Newsflash Courtesy of the Orange County Islamic Foundation: Vigil in Chino For #SanBernardino

This was just announced by the Orange County Islamic Foundation today:

Assalam Alaykum Dear Community Members, The Chino Valley Islamic Center in San Bernardino has planned a vigil prayer event this evening. It makes most sense for the Muslim Community leadership to come together in one location to offer condolences and prayers for all those affected by this tragic event. The address location and time is as follows: Friday December 4th, 2015 at 6:00pm. Chino Valley Islamic Center5565 Daniels St Chino CA 91710 Tel: (909) 786-1487 www.cvislamiccenter.org The media will be there to cover the event and other mosque leaders, Imam's, public officials, law enforcement and interfaith groups will be invited as well. CVIC masjid will lead the program and take charge of all speeches giving designated Muslim leaders and public officials in attendance an opportunity to say a few words.  Hope you can make it. Please share with family and friends.

The Friday Musical Interlude: John Legend's "Each Day Gets Better"

It is time for the Friday Musical Interlude here in #Outsiders.     It has been a tough and challenging few days here in our Community of Southern California as we hope the selections from John Legend, our artist of the week, is enjoyed by all.     The message that "Each Day Gets  Better" should resonate for all despite the horror in San Bernardino which our team released Notations on it as updates were forthcoming:

Onward!!!

Around Town in South County: On a Gem In our Midst (Please Read On)

One of the hidden gems in our midst is the Aliso Niguel High School orchestra program. Under the leadership of Albert Jeung, it has grown to some 200 students who rank in the top 5 programs in the State of California.

On Tuesday December 1, the Orchestra Program presented "A Fall Concert".  The entire orchestra ensemble was on hand to perform selections from Alan Lee Silva, Haydn and Tchaikoskvy among other beautifully arranged performances.     Their next major performance will be at Soka University on January 15, 2016.   For ticket information, please visit tickets.com, search Soka and scroll down to find the ANHS Orchestra.    It will be quite a show!!!

Around Town in South County: Raising Canes Arrives!!!!!

Raising Canes officially opens its' door later on Today in Aliso Viejo.  It held a "preview/training" for invited Community Members last night.    Our founder shared his insights along with a clip he captured from this momentous night as he simply noted in an email to the team The Food is Great!!!

We here @ #outsiders welcome Raising Canes to South County and wish them all the best.