In this edition of our newsletter, enter our Youth Water Poster Contest, find summer jobs, check out fun events like our egg hunt and Bowers Museum’s new exhibition, learn about the City budget, and more Santa Ana news!
Spotlight Photo
A corner of DTSA
Photo Credit: Michelle T.
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
Keeping the kids busy
Spring is almost here, and we have so many activities and opportunities for children of all ages! Continue reading below to learn about the annual egg hunt, the Youth Water Poster Contest, and how your youngster in grades 7 to 12 can join our Youth Commission. Many more events are coming. Keep reading COSAS to stay in the know!
Free Santa Ana Summer at Bowers Museum
This is an exciting opportunity to enjoy a Santa Ana treasure! Bowers Museum is expanding its free Sundays for Santa Ana residents, offering free museum general admission to all residents every day from March 9 to September 8 during its new exhibition, Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form. Tickets to the special exhibition are $10.
Bowers Museum Free Santa Ana Summer
National magazine showcases local housing projects
Business and innovation magazine Fast Company recently highlighted two Santa Ana housing developments, both supported by City funding, among “9 stunning architectural projects that show what’s possible with existing buildings.” The Santa Ana Arts Collective transformed a mid-century commercial building at 1666 N. Main St. into a 58-unit affordable apartment community for working artists and their families. La Placita Cinco (pictured) is a 51-unit affordable housing community with retail space that replaced an old gas station at 2239 W. 5th St.
News
Watch our budget videos in English, Spanish and Vietnamese
Last newsletter we shared our budget video to help you better understand the City budget process, and now it’s available in Spanish and Vietnamese. Please enjoy the video to learn more about how we plan and spend public money at the City of Santa Ana. And don’t forget to take our budget survey and join our community budget meetings to share your ideas about which City programs and services are important to you!
Work for Parks and Rec this summer
The Santa Ana Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency (PRCSA) is hiring part-time staff for our summer recreational programs! PRCSA is hosting hiring fairs on March 6 and April 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Santa Ana City Hall in the courtyard outside of the Council Chamber at 22 Civic Center Plaza. Stop by to apply in person and get hired on the spot!
We will be hiring for various positions for summer camp: counselors, lifeguards, swim instructors, cashiers and pool managers. We’re also hiring program leaders and program coordinators for aquatics, community engagement, health and wellness, and more. All applicants are required to bring acceptable forms of ID for work authorization purposes. Learn more below.
Parks and Rec summer hiring fairs
Youth Commission taking applications
Students in grades 7 to 12 can apply now to serve on the Santa Ana Youth Commission! Youth Commissioners provide valuable insights to the Santa Ana City Council on youth services and programs, review the annual budget for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency and offer recommendations, and take on other responsibilities. The Youth Commission has seven members who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Meetings are monthly, and Youth Commissioners receive a $100 stipend per meeting.
Apply for the Youth Commission
Bring the kids to the Egg-Cellent Adventure!
Help us welcome spring with the annual Egg-Cellent Adventure on March 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave. Brought to you by the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency, this free seasonal event brings families together with a fun-filled day of egg hunts and much more! This year, our Title Level Partner, the Los Angeles Clippers, will have their community team on site with exciting basketball themed activities and prizes! Community partner Santa Ana Lions Club will host a special pancake breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for $5 per person.
Read about the Egg-Cellent Adventure
Share your roots with Raices
Raíces, which means “roots” in Spanish, is a new Health and Wellness program that encourages deeper connections with the community and taps into their collective expertise. This monthly program will provide a unique forum that aims to promote dialogue, understanding, and connection between individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Each featured individual will share their personal stories and experiences with the aim of fostering knowledge, wisdom, and empathy. Conversations will revolve around various topics like gardening, traditional planting, nutritional knowledge, community development, cultural heritage, personal journeys, challenges, triumphs, or any other subject that participants are knowledgeable about.
Each meeting will be held at one of Santa Ana’s senior centers or at the Jerome Park garden. Be a part of Santa Ana’s history and take part in this amazing program. The next meeting is March 18.
Learn about Raíces and register
Win amazing prizes in the Youth Water Poster Contest
The Santa Ana Water Resources Division’s 9th Annual Youth Water Poster Contest is here! Youth ages 5-18 who reside or attend school in Santa Ana can submit their poster entries to compete for prizes ranging from gift certificates to PS5s and Macbook Airs. The deadline is March 28, so act now and enter!
How can your kids get involved? It’s easy!
- Visit the official contest page
- Check out the rules and guidelines, entry form, and theme for this year’s contest.
- Download the 2024 Kids Activity Book for inspiration, ideas and fun!
- Submit your artwork before the deadline.
Support Santa Ana eateries during OC Restaurant Week
Orange County Restaurant Week returns Sunday, March 3, through Saturday, March 9, highlighting 16 Santa Ana restaurants this year! Diners from all over are invited to explore Santa Ana, with its noteworthy historic sites, public art and museums, while celebrating our local dining establishments’ unique menus and creative cocktails. During OC Restaurant Week, diners have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of prix fixe menus, ranging from $15 to $25 for lunch and $25 to $45 for dinner.
Local restaurants participating in OC Restaurant Week
Street closures and permitted events for February 29- March 6
Find the locations of upcoming permitted events and road closures in Santa Ana at the link below. Please drive slowly and safely in construction zones and around crowded events.
Street closures and permitted events
Tales of the City
Celebrating Black History Month
Before Black History Month is over, we wanted to share about the Black community’s important role in Santa Ana. Our city is home to many “firsts” for Orange County’s Black community.
Orange County’s Black community was traditionally centered at Willits and Raitt streets in Santa Ana in an area known as “Little Texas.” In 2023, the City placed ceremonial street sign toppers at the intersection to recognize Black History Square and Helen M. Shipp Way, honoring a prominent Black leader. The late Ms. Shipp founded the Orange County Black History Parade in 1980, though it later moved to Anaheim.
The Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana is the oldest Black congregation in Orange County. The City of Santa Ana hired Orange County’s first Black city manager, Robert C. Bobb, as well as the first Black police officer, Harlen Lambert.
Another Black community member who left a legacy in Santa Ana was Lillie King, whose name graces the City park at 500 W. Alton Ave. Ms. King served as the coordinator of Corbin Community Center in Santa Ana from 1977 to 1982 and was recognized for founding the Santa Ana Human Relations Commission. She died on Nov. 23, 1982, at the age of 50, and Lillie King Park was dedicated in her honor on Feb. 16, 1985.
Many years later, in 2023, another new park was named for an important Black figure from Santa Ana. Ed Caruthers Park at 423 S. Raitt St. honors a former Santa Ana College athlete who earned a silver medal in the men’s high jump at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
City Council Meetings
In their regular meeting on Feb. 20, 2024, the Santa Ana City Council:
- Continued until March 19 a public hearing and consideration of a resolution adjusting the sanitation services users charge for roadway cleaning and environmental sanitation services. Council directed staff to come back with additional options for implementing sanitation fee changes and possible changes to the Municipal Code to increase penalties for illegal dumping.
- Approved an appropriation adjustment to recognize $1,975,000 in Clean California Local Grant Program funding from the California Department of Transportation for the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center Painting and Wrought Iron Fencing project, and the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center Outdoor Water Fountain Renovation project.
- Approved an agreement with Working Wardrobes of up to $742,000 to provide workforce development services to unemployed people with barriers to employment, including workforce readiness workshops, job development, career planning, and job training.
- Nominated and appointed Councilmember Phil Bacerra as an alternate representative to the Southern California Association of Governments general assembly business meeting.
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications. City Council meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the closed session beginning at 5 p.m. or earlier. The open meeting session begins at 5:30 p.m. Meetings have both in-person and virtual participation and attendance and are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and our TV channel, CTV3 (channel 3 on Spectrum.) If you’d like to provide public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, you can email, attend in person, or join the Zoom webinar online or by phone.
Events
Boca de Oro – March 2
The annual Boca de Oro literary and arts festival is taking place this Saturday in downtown Santa Ana! Organized by the Santa Ana Unified School District, the event includes literary speakers, dance, music, theater and more. This year’s Boca de Oro was funded in part by a grant from the City of Santa Ana Arts & Culture Office’s Special Event Sponsorship Program.
- Saturday, March 2
- 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 220 W. 2nd St.
Celtic Festival at Bowers Museum – March 3
Join Bowers Museum for a heartwarming celebration of Celtic culture. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at the festival. Santa Ana residents get free museum admission on Sundays.
- Sunday, March 3
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Women’s History Month Loteria game – March 6
In celebration of Women’s History Month, enjoy Santa Ana Public Library’s collection of special programs, books, movies, e-resources, and special events. Join us for HERtoria – a vibrant Loteria game night celebrating Women’s History Month. Registration is required.
- Wednesday, March 6
- 6-7 p.m.
- Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
Parks and Rec Hiring Fair – March 6 & April 10
Are you looking for a summer job? Come to a job fair hosted by our Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency (PRCSA) to find many great job opportunities, from camp counselors and lifeguards to community engagement and health & wellness. Stop by to apply in person and get hired on the spot!
- March 6 & April 10
- 1-7 p.m.
- The courtyard outside of the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza
Parks and Rec summer hiring fairs
Down payment assistance workshop – March 7
The Housing Division is hosting a series of workshops to help the public learn about our My First Home Program, which provides down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers! The My First Home Program offers down payment assistance loans to aid in the purchase of a home within Santa Ana. A first-time home buyer may be eligible to borrow up to $120,000 with 0% interest rate.
- Thursday, March 7
- 5:30-8 p.m.
- Santiago Park, 2535 N. Main St.
You can register at the following link: Catalog – City of Santa Ana, CA (rec1.com) under the City Agency Activities tab. An account is required to register. For more information, visit www.santa-ana.org/my-first-home/
Illuminate Santa Ana Walking Tour and Workshop – March 8 & 9
Help us create our Street Lighting Master Plan by joining a fun walking tour and attending a community workshop to share your ideas. Share insights on your street lighting experiences, and help guide the future of Santa Ana’s illuminated streetscape. To register: Call or text “LIGHT” to (714) 696-1126.
Walking Tour
- Friday, March 8
- 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave.
Community Workshop
- Saturday, March 9
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Roosevelt-Walker Community Center, 816 E. Chestnut Ave.
MAR10 Day celebration – March 9 & 11
Happy MAR10 Day! Join us for a celebration of our favorite mustached video game hero. Enjoy games, make crafts, and take photos with Mario! Open to all ages. Crafts and snacks are available while supplies last.
Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
- Saturday, March 9
- 2-4 p.m.
Teens & tweens, come play Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart as we celebrate MAR10 Day at TeenTime!
TeenTime by SAPL @ El Salvador Community Center, 1824 W. Civic Center Drive
- Monday, March 11
- 4-5:30 p.m.
TeenTime by SAPL @ Garfield Community Center, 501 N. Lacy St.
- Monday, March 11
- 4-5:30 p.m.
Asian Comics Exhibition opening – March 9
Bowers Museum new exhibition runs March 9 to Sept. 8. Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form is a vivid journey through the art of comics and visual storytelling across Asia. From its historical roots to the most recent digital innovations, the exhibition looks to popular Japanese manga and beyond, highlighting key creators, characters, and publications.
- Saturday, March 9
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St,
Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form
Santa Ana WORK Center Orientation – March 11
The Santa Ana WORK Center’s orientation will provide information about programs, educational opportunities, tools and resources to help your job search. You will also learn about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and services available at the Work Center through community resources and partners.
- Monday, March 11
- 10-11 a.m.
- Santa Ana WORK Center, 801 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 200
Community Budget Meetings – March 12, 14 & 21
The City of Santa Ana needs the community’s input on the 2024-25 budget! Join our community budget meetings and take our budget survey to share your ideas about which local programs and services are most important to you and how your tax dollars should be spent.
- Tuesday, March 12
- 6-7 p.m.
- Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave.
- Thursday, March 14
- 6-7 p.m.
- McFadden Institute of Technology, 2701 S. Raitt St.
- Thursday, March 21
- 6-7 p.m.
- El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
Participate in the budget process
Craft a Suffragette Rosette – March 14 & 16
Come and craft a rosette badge inspired by the Women’s Suffrage Movement in celebration of Women’s History Month at Santa Ana Public Library.
- Thursday, March 14
- 6-7:30 p.m.
- Main Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza
- Saturday, March 16
- 2–3:30 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
OCFA Open House – March 16
Orange County Fire Authority’s 2024 Open House is on Saturday, March 16! This event will be held at OCFA headquarters in Irvine and is a great opportunity for you to meet your local firefighters, learn fire safety, and even put out pretend fires.
- Saturday, March 16
- 10 a.m.
- 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine
Egg-cellent Adventure – March 30
Join our annual free, family-friendly Egg-Cellent Adventure, which will feature egg hunts, photo opps, live entertainment, a petting zoo, inflatables, and much more. The Title Level Partner, the Los Angeles Clippers, will have their community team on site with exciting basketball themed activities and prizes! Community partner Santa Ana Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for $5 per person.
- Saturday, March 30
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Resources
Report issues with the mySantaAna app
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the City of Santa Ana government in the palm of your hand! Download the app to quickly and easily report issues such as potholes, graffiti, downed trees and much more.
Assistance programs
- Free tax preparation
- Small business grant
- My First Home Program
- Affordable housing
- Sign up for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status
- Local Food Pantries
- Santa Ana Work Center
Who do I call at City Hall?
Important phone numbers:
- City Hall main line: (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement: (714) 667-2780
- Graffiti Hotline: (877) 786-7824
- Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
- Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees): (714) 647-3380
Find more phone numbers for all City services
Utility services
- City utility services
- Southern California Edison: Call (800) 447-6620
- Southern California Gas: Call (800) 207-8567
- Trash pick up: Call (877) 328-2074