Official newsletter of Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
Keeping the community informed about local events, City news, and resources.
Dear neighbors,
I hope everyone enjoyed the 44th annual Fiestas Patrias event! It was truly wonderful to see so many of you come together for this fantastic family-friendly celebration. The weekend was filled with vibrant music, cultural pride, and moments of joy that made this year’s event unforgettable.
During the festivities, I had the honor of welcoming back Dr. Manuel Gálvez Sánchez, the mayor of Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico, his wife, and members of the Sahuayo City Council. It was a special moment to present him with a Key to the City during the opening ceremony. I am proud of the strong sister-city relationship we share with Sahuayo, a bond that continues to celebrate the rich culture and unity between our communities.
As we move into October, I’m excited to share that our city has some fantastic events planned for this time of year. From Boo at the Zoo to the vibrant annual Mid-Autumn Festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
I am also thrilled to announce that on Saturday, October 12, 2024, my office, in partnership with Girls Inc. and Santa Ana College, will be hosting the 2nd Annual InfluenceHER Conference. This event is designed to empower and inspire young girls in our community. I encourage all SAUSD girls to sign up and join us for an amazing day filled with leadership opportunities, mentorship, and personal growth.
Finally, I am proud to share that the majority of the City Council has adopted a resolution to formally support Proposition 36: the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act Initiative, which will appear on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot.
As always, I am proud to serve as your mayor and I look forward to seeing you at these incredible events!
Sincerely,
Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
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Mayor on the Move
I am always happy to be invited to join in all the wonderful events happening in our city. Here are a few highlights:
It was an honor to speak at the Discovery Cube Gala and welcome everyone to our city. Thank you to our generous donors — your support enables us to continue nurturing positivity and growth in our children. Together, we’re planting seeds for a brighter future!
The Logan Reunion was a wonderful experience! I had the pleasure of connecting with residents and learning more about the rich history of Barrio Logan. A heartfelt thank you to the Logan family and friends for their warm welcome. It was a truly special moment to hang the new American and City flags at Chepa’s Park together!
Coffee with the Mayor at the Senior Center and thank you to the organizations that joined us with resource tables. Also, thank you to the Office of Congressman Lou Correa, Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, and Councilmember Phil Bacerra for joining us.
The International Older Adults Celebration was a truly special event! It was an honor to welcome everyone and connect with so many who knew my father — and even some who remember my grandma, Margarita. It warms my heart to see our community come together like this!
I had the privilege of attending the Project Kinship 2024 OC Public Safety & Re-Entry Conference. The lineup of speakers was outstanding, each bringing valuable insights to the table. The breakout sessions were equally engaging, fostering meaningful discussions on important topics related to public safety and re-entry. It’s inspiring to see so many dedicated individuals working towards creating positive change in our communities. I left feeling motivated and energized about the progress we can make together!
Thank you, Santa Ana Kiwanis Club, for inviting me to your annual Strike Gold for Kids event! I truly enjoyed connecting with fellow attendees who share a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of our children. Your dedication to supporting youth initiatives is commendable, and I’m grateful to have been a part of such a meaningful gathering.
A heartfelt thank you to the OCHCC and OC Forum for inviting me to participate as a panelist. It was a fantastic experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the students — our future leaders! Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives are truly inspiring. Engaging with them reinforced the importance of mentorship and support as they navigate their journeys. Together, we can empower the next generation to reach their full potential!
Fiesta Patrias 2024 was amazing! We had amazing attendance with over 80,000 people throughout the weekend enjoying the performances, carnival and parade.
I had the honor of presenting the Key to the City to Dr. Manuel Gálvez Sánchez, the mayor of our sister city, Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico.
The City of Santa Ana welcomed back Dr. Manuel Gálvez Sánchez, the mayor of Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico, and his wife, and members of the Sahuayo City Council by hosting community, economic, and educational meetings.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS
Nonprofit Spotlight: Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum
The Howe-Waffle House is a significant part of Santa Ana’s rich history, showcasing the legacy of Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle, a trailblazer as Orange County’s first female doctor. This historic home is not only listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a California Historic Point of Interest, but it is also a landmark building on the City of Santa Ana’s Historic Register.
Join their many events and learn more here
Small Business Spotlight: Trung Nguyen E-Coffee
Trung Nguyen E-Coffee in Santa Ana is a franchise coffee chain of Trung Nguyen Legend corporation. They specialize in coffee beverages made from coffee beans grown in Vietnam, enhanced with their signature house creams. If you love strong coffee with unique tastes, you must try their drinks.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The City of Santa Ana Human Resources Department Talent Acquisition Division works with City agencies and departments to identify staffing needs and hire the best talent to serve the city. The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success, and have a passion for public service.
STUDENT Opportunities:
The Santa Ana Police Explorers are looking for students ages 14-21 to join their program. The Explorers provides an opportunity for young men and women to experience and perform a variety of community services such as traffic control at parades, festivals and special events. I invite you to learn more here: https://www.santa-ana.org/explorer-program/
CITY NEWS AND RECOGNITIONS
The Crossroads at Washington affordable housing opens
Last week, the City of Santa Ana joined the County of Orange, Related California and A Community of Friends to celebrate the opening of the Crossroads at Washington, an 86-unit, affordable development for extremely low-income families and people experiencing homelessness.
The new affordable community in the Logan neighborhood is built on land jointly owned by the City of Santa Ana and County of Orange, under a ground lease with developer Related. Crossroads provides social services for residents on site. The Santa Ana City Council also had approved $4.6 million in loan agreements and 15 Section 8 vouchers for the project.
Congratulations to all of the families who can now call the Crossroads at Washington home!
Inner-Coastal Clean-up removes 350 pounds of trash and debris
The City’s Public Works Agency coordinated an Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day at Jerome Park on Saturday, Sept. 21, where approximately 80 volunteers removed an estimated 350 pounds of trash and debris from the Santa Ana Gardens flood control channel and adjacent alley. Thank you to all of our local volunteers for helping keep trash from flowing out to the ocean when it rains.
Please dispose of trash properly to help keep our City and waterways clean and beautiful! Learn about stormwater management and tips to protect the environment at the links below.
Santa Ana stormwater management: https://www.santa-ana.org/stormwater-management/
Orange County stormwater management: https://h2oc.org/
This month in Santa Ana History
I love taking a moment to share pieces of Santa Ana’s history and this month I’d like to highlight:
The Founding of Santa Ana
On Oct. 27, 1869, William Spurgeon paid nearly $600 for approximately 74 acres of land. Today, the boundaries of Spurgeon’s original purchase are bounded by First Street to the south, Seventh Street to the north, Broadway to the west and Spurgeon Street to the east. It was the very beginning of a thriving city and the seat of a future county that was still yet to exist.
In 1869, Spurgeon’s property amounted to little more than a mustard field surrounded by farms and agriculture. However, Spurgeon was a bit of a unique person, a merchant and entrepreneur who was among a few locals in the area interested in thinking outside the box, and beyond a life of farming and raising animals.
Spurgeon cared for the land and improved the property by adding new types of foliage and vegetation to what was once a basic mustard field. Spurgeon then did something that would change history. He obtained a land planner to begin developing what would eventually become a new city.
Over the following 150-plus years, Spurgeon’s concept for a new city, and the idea that a 74-acre property could be the beginning of something truly great, still resonates with Santa Ana residents to this day.
City Resources
Need help with:
- Small business grant
- My First Home Program
- Affordable housing
- Sign up for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status
- Santa Ana Work Center
Starting a small business?
Need help with Utility bills?
- Southern CA Edison: 800-447-6620
- Southern CA Gas: 800-207-8567
- Trash pickup: 877-328-2074
- Energy Bill & Water Bill Assistance:
City Hall main line
Code Enforcement
Emergency Water Services
Graffiti Hotline
mySantaAna app
Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees)
Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (SAPAAL) |
Homeless Services
The city will offer down payment assistance loans to first-time home buyers to aid in the purchase of a home within Santa Ana. Employment Opportunities
Find more phone numbers for all City services Starting a small business |
Have you downloaded the mySantaAna app?
Report issues like:
- illegal dumping
- graffiti removal
- homeless encampments
- trash and recycling missed pickups
- park issues
- potholes
- and more!
Community Resources
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Homelessness support for families and children. Provides assistance with housing placement. |
Provides and ships nutritious, farm fresh produce to communities who need it most. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. |
OCTA
Youth Bus Program
Though many use the free pass to travel to school, it can also be used to access jobs, libraries and summer activities. Learn more here.
OC Connect Community Meetings
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is studying the development of a biking and walking trail connection along the former Pacific Electric Right-of-Way (PE ROW) corridor in Santa Ana and Garden Grove. The OC Connect project creates a biking and walking trail connection between Garden Grove and Santa Ana as well as to the Santa Ana River Trail and the countywide 66-mile OC Loop bikeway. The 4-mile trail will improve transportation connections, promote eco-friendly commuting, and increase active travel.
Virtual Community Meeting #2 on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 6-7 p.m.: Zoom Meeting ID: 848 2178 2405 or Call in: (213) 338-8477. Register Here.
Upcoming Community Events
Conquer the Canvas: Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October 5
Join us at the Newhope Branch Library for a fun and inspiring canvas painting program, designed to help you explore and develop your artistic talents. Perfect for all skill levels! Space is limited while supplies last.
- Saturday, Oct. 5
- 2 -3 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Mid-Autumn Festival – October 5
Join us for our third annual Santa Ana Mid-Autumn Festival with music, dancers, cultural exhibits, food and more. This free event is open to everyone.
- Saturday, Oct. 5
- 4-8 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Mid-Autumn Festival: https://www.santa-ana.org/mid-autumn-festival/
Orange Workforce Alliance Regional Career Expo – October 9
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? We’re excited to invite you to the Orange Workforce Alliance Regional Career Expo. The City of Santa Ana is proud to be a partner for this great event. This is your chance to connect with top employers, industry experts, and explore a variety of job opportunities — all in one place! Admission and parking are free. Register at the link below. If you have any questions, please contact info@orangeworkforcealliance.com.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim
Register for the Career Expo: owacareerexpo.vfairs.com
OCFA Fire Station 75 Open House – October 12
Join Orange County Fire Authority for the OCFA Open House at Fire Station 75. Experience a fun-filled day as you explore your local fire station, meet your dedicated local firefighters, and discover the vital work of your fire department. We can’t wait to see you there!
- Saturday, Oct. 12
- 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Fire Station 75, 120 W. Walnut St.
SAPD Trunk or Treat – October 17
The Santa Ana Police Department is hosting a city-wide free event for the community to enjoy Trunk or Treating with police officers, professional staff, and various organizations in a safe environment. The event will have police vehicles on display, characters in costume, Halloween themed music, a photo booth and free candy.
- Thursday, Oct. 17
- 6-8 p.m.
- Santa Ana Police Department headquarters, 60 Civic Center Plaza
Coffee with the Mayor-October 19
Please join me for coffee and to discuss any city issues that are important to you. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
- Saturday, Oct. 19
- 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- OCFA Fire Station 75, 120 W. Walnut St.
Heninger Haunt – October 31
Join the Heninger Park Neighborhood Association for a walking tour of Heninger Park with a trunk or treat, the winners of a yard decorating contest, a movie screening, and a haunted house scattered throughout the neighborhood. Additional details can be found on their Facebook page here.
- Thursday, Oct. 31
- 5-10 p.m.
- Heninger Park, on 1st Street, McFadden Avenue, S. Main Street and Flower Street.
City Hall
Upcoming Holiday and Closed Friday schedule: (City Hall non-essential offices are closed on alternating Fridays throughout the year)
- Friday, October 11 – City Hall closed
- Friday, October 25 – City Hall closed
The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Santa Ana Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. Official City meetings are open to the public and I encourage you to participate. Council agendas and minutes may be accessed here.
Victoria’s Corner
This section was created after meeting with Eva Barrios, a Santa Ana resident whose daughter Victoria Barrios was killed in 2019. With Eva’s support, the goal of Victoria’s Corner is to bring additional attention to active homicide cases.
Five years ago – Victoria Barrios was only 18 years old when she was senselessly killed on August 30, 2019, in Santa Ana, CA.
Victoria Barrios was the unintended victim of a drive-by shooting in Santa Ana on Pine Street and Hickory Street. Those responsible for her death remain at-large. Please help bring her killers to justice and get them off of our streets and help make our city safer.
Visit www.justiceforvictoriabarrios.com for more information
Invite me
If you’d like to invite me to attend an event in your neighborhood or in connection with your organization, please feel free to make that request via email: vamezcua@santa-ana.org
For more City news, please follow City of Santa on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and share my newsletter with friends and family.