Dear Ward 1 Residents,
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for re-electing me to a second term as your Ward 1 Councilmember. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in me and the work we’ve been doing here in Ward 1. I could not have done this alone, and am so grateful for all the volunteers who spent countless hours sharing our vision for a brighter Santa Ana. I promise to always work with you on the issues that affect Ward 1 residents most and to always put Santa Ana families first.
If you didn’t get a chance to see our swearing in, you can catch my thank you speech here:
My final hope for this year is that you all get to spend time with your family and friends and have a restful holiday season. It’s a time to hold our dear ones close and reflect on the year behind us, while looking toward the future. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Yours Truly,
Thai Viet Phan
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 1
In This Issue…
- Tet Lunar New Year Celebration
- Shop Local, Shop Santa Ana
- Eviction Prevention Program
Know Your Ward & City
Tết Lunar New Year
I’m so proud and excited to be part of the second Santa Ana Tết Festival, hosted by our Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency and the Santa Ana Public Library. This family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Centennial Park and is open to all residents and non-residents. We can’t wait to welcome you and your family to enjoy a day of cultural celebration featuring spectacular lion and dragon dances and fireworks!
Holiday Closure
Happy holidays from the City of Santa Ana! Santa Ana City Hall will be closed beginning Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Regular hours will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Police, fire and other emergency services will operate normally. Report downed trees and branches, street and traffic light problems, and other issues here or on the mySantaAna app.
Click here for more information.
Shop Local, Shop Santa Ana this holiday season
This holiday season, let’s come together to make a difference by supporting the incredible small businesses that make Santa Ana special. The City’s Economic Development Division has once again launched the Shop Local, Shop Santa Ana program to promote this message.
Whether you’re finding the perfect gift, enjoying a delicious meal, or treating yourself to some well-deserved self-care, every local purchase helps strengthen our community and keeps it thriving. Let’s celebrate Santa Ana’s unique charm and show our support by choosing to. Together, we can make an impact!
Have questions? Contact the Economic Development Division econdev@santa-ana.org.
Learn more about Shop Local, Shop Santa Ana
Eviction Prevention Program: Supporting Santa Ana Residents in Need
The City of Santa Ana is committed to addressing the ongoing financial challenges faced by its residents due to rising housing costs, rent burdens, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help low-income households facing eviction, the City has launched the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP).
Visit the Eviction Prevention Program website using the link below to apply and find more information. Applications will be processed by Families Forward, a trusted local nonprofit, to ensure timely and accurate assistance.
Act now to prevent eviction and secure your housing future!
Know Our Events & Meetings
Bowers’ Lunar New Year Festival – January 5
Celebrate with Bowers Museum during free family festivals held every first Sunday of the month in the Museum’s beautiful Key Courtyard. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at every festival.
- Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Bowers Lunar New Year Festival
Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival – January 25
Get excited as we will have our second annual Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival, hosted in collaboration by the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency and the Santa Ana Public Library. Come together and celebrate the year of the snake with us during this free family-friendly event. Click here for more information.
- Jan. 25, 2025
- 1-6 p.m.
- Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.
UVSA Tết Festival – January 31 – February 2
Happy New Year – “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!”
Tết /Lunar New Year is January 29 this year, 2025 (it changes every calendar year because it’s based on the phases of the moon). We are almost in the Year of the Snake.
I’m looking forward to welcoming you to my booth at the UVSA Tet Festival and wishing you a very Happy New Year – Chúc Mừng Năm Mới.
- Garden Grove Park, 9301 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove
- Friday, Jan. 31; 4–10 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 1; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 12; 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Westminster Tết Parade – February 1
It’s the most important holiday of the year: Tết Nguyên Đán. I’m so excited to join the 2025 Tết Parade, celebrating the Year of the Snake. Can’t wait to wish you all a Happy New Year – “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới.”
- Saturday, February 1
- Opening Ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m.; parade begins at 9:30 a.m.
- The parade is in Westminster, beginning at the intersection of Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street, and heading eastbound on Bolsa Avenue.
Local Events
Resident Days at the Zoo • Third Sunday of each Month
Discovery Cube Waste Free Days • Santa Ana residents get free admission to the Discovery Cube on the first Tuesday of the month
Know Thai’s Projects
World’s Biggest Mazapan
Thank you to Los 32 Por Mexico for inviting me to attend the biggest Mazapan attempt in Santa Ana. Our Ward 1 Team had a great time providing resources and goodies to the community. It was so fascinating to see the process of creating the biggest Mazapan with the main ingredients being powdered sugar and peanuts. A delicious sweet treat!
Trunk or Treat at Russell Elementary School
It was our first time attending Russell Elementary Language Academy’s Trunk or Treat, and it was a blast! We had a great time giving out candy and other goodies and seeing the amazing Halloween costumes among the Russell community. Can’t wait til next year!
Noche de Altares
So many beautiful altares and performances on Plaza Calle Cuatro. For the past several years, El Centro Cultural de Mexico has organized this event based on Day of the Dead. Many of the altares and performances are in memory of past loved ones, and we’re glad to support such an important cultural event.
Sakya Community Services Center – 6th annual celebration
Thank you for inviting me to the Sakya Community Service Center 6th anniversary. Amazing job with the beautiful painting exhibition and cultural performances. This center assists various seniors through beneficial activities to keep them active and healthy through free arts, crafts, and fitness classes.
Grand Opening of Estrella Springs
The grand opening of Estrella Springs was such an inspirational event. It really showed what we can do when we work together to help our Santa Ana residents. This was a partnership with the City of Santa Ana, CalOptima, and Jamboree Housing to create permanent supportive housing for former homeless veterans and individuals living with a mental health diagnosis. I know that this is just one of many great future projects to come!
Santa Anita Neighborhood Association Thanksgiving Event
My office and Councilmember Hernandez’s office were pleased to collaborate with the Santa Anita Neighborhood Association to organize the Santa Anita Thanksgiving Food Giveaway and Celebration. The Ward 1 Team had a great time providing City resources and snacks to the community. Thank you to all partners who came out to support and provide their services and resources! A big THANK YOU to Community Action Partnership for the 300 food boxes donated toward the event. We hope you can join us next year!
Plaza Navideña
The holiday season has officially started on Plaza Calle Cuatro with Plaza Navideña. I always enjoy celebrating the annual tree lighting in Downtown Santa Ana as it brings me joy to see Santa Ana residents come together and celebrate this annual celebration. Merry Christmas everyone!
Congressman Correa Check Presentation to Santa Ana City Council
Thank you Congressman Correa for presenting a ceremonial check commemorating a $963,000 federal allocation for the City of Santa Ana’s Alternative Response Program. These allocation funds will reduce the number of unsheltered homeless individuals in Santa Ana through the Santa Ana Multi-disciplinary Response Teams (SMART). SMART has and will continue to address homelessness, mental health crises, and substance use disorder issues within the city without the use of police officers. We have to use every tool in our toolbox to address the homeless, and I’m so glad Congressman Correa is working with us in every way possible to tackle this crisis.
Grand Opening – Children & Family Recuperative Care Home
Illumination Foundation has opened the first Children & Family Recuperative Care home in the nation in Santa Ana. The facility is in full operation with six rooms for families. This center extends service to unhoused children and their families. Additionally, providing medical oversight (recuperative care/transitional housing) for families who have a sick child. This program helps families who need temporary housing as well as families with sick children.
Orange County Justice Fund’s 7th Annual Fundraiser: Cheers to Seven Years!
Thank you to OC Justice Fund for inviting me to your 7th Anniversary Celebration! OCJF advocates for changes to the immigration system and raises funds to help immigrants post bail when they’re detained. It is a vital resource for our immigrant community here in Santa Ana, and I’m proud to support their work. Also, amazing job to Mariachi Puño de Oro for their beautiful performance!
Know Your Resources:
Who do I call at City Hall?
- Important phone numbers:
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- 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: https://www.santa-ana.org/who-do-i-call/
Utility services
- City utility services: https://www.santa-ana.org/finance/municipal-utility-services
- Southern California Edison: Call 1-800-447-6620 https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance
- Southern California Gas: Call 1-800-207-8567 https://www.socalgas.com/save-money-and-energy/assistance-programs
- Trash pick-up: Call (657) 467-6220 https://www.santa-ana.org/about-republic-services/
Starting a small business?
- How to start a business in Santa Ana: https://www.santa-ana.org/10-steps-to-starting-your-own-business/
- Home Occupation Permit: https://www.santa-ana.org/certificate-of-occupancy-home-occupation-permit/
Download mySantaAna App to Report Issues
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the Santa Ana city government in the palm of your hand! Residents with an iPhone or Android smartphone can now download the mySantaAna application for free allowing them to quickly and easily report issues with photos to the City for clean-up. You can report potholes, downed tree branches, graffiti, trash and much more!
USEFUL RESOURCES
Parking Tickets: https://www.santa-ana.org/pd/parking-enforcement-and-ticket-information
Public Works: https://www.santa-ana.org/pw
Neighborhood Initiatives: https://www.santa-ana.org/neighborhood-initiatives
Utility Services: https://www.santa-ana.org/finance/municipal-utility-services
Schedule a bulky item pickup: Call Republic Services (657) 467-6220
Police Non-Emergency Line: (714) 245-8665
Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
Who Do I Call? https://www.santa-ana.org/who-do-i-call