Treasury ends enforcement of business ownership database meant to stop shell company formation

• March 3, 2025

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department announced it will not enforce a Biden-era small business rule intended to curb money laundering and shell company formation.

In a Sunday evening announcement, Treasury said in a news release that it will not impose penalties now or in the future if companies fail to register for the agency’s beneficial ownership information database that was created during the Biden administration.

Despite efforts by small businesses to undue the rule in the courts, it remains in effect.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump on his Truth Social media site praised the suspension of enforcement of the rule and said the database is “outrageous and invasive.”

“This Biden rule has been an absolute disaster for Small Businesses Nationwide,” he said. “The economic menace of BOI reporting will soon be no more.”

In September 2022, the Treasury Department started rulemaking to create a database that would contain personal information on the owners of at least 32 million U.S. businesses as part of an effort to combat shell company formations and illicit finance.

The rule required most American businesses with fewer than 20 employees to register their business owners with the government as of Jan. 1, 2024. Small businesses are targeted because shell companies, often used to hide illegally obtained assets, tend to have few employees.

Treasury officials, including former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, said the regulatory burden would be small, costing about $85 per business, but would offer benefits to law enforcement officials seeking to track down money launderers and other criminals. She said in January 2024 that more than 100,000 businesses had filed beneficial ownership information with Treasury.

The rule and its legislative authority — the Corporate Transparency Act, an anti-money laundering statue passed in 2021 — have been mired in litigation. In 2022, a small business lobbying group sued to block the Treasury Department’s requirement that tens of millions of small businesses register with the government. On Feb. 27, Treasury’s Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network said it would not take enforcement actions against companies that do not file beneficial ownership data with the agency.

Business leaders cite privacy and security concerns about the database and say it is duplicitous to other government agencies that maintain corporate databases.

“This is a victory for common sense,” said U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Sunday. “Today’s action is part of President Trump’s bold agenda to unleash American prosperity by reining in burdensome regulations, in particular for small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy.”

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers’ Dave Roberts shifted perceptions with legacy-defining October

• March 3, 2025

GLENDALE, Ariz. — ‘Sliding doors’ is a concept (popularized by the 1998 Gwyneth Paltrow movie of that name) that posits seemingly mundane moments can be pivotal, changing the course of a person’s life.

There was nothing mundane about it – unless you consider that Dave Roberts has now managed 100 postseason games, more than any active manager and more than all but four managers in MLB history (Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Dusty Baker). But Game 4 of last year’s National League Division Series between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres could have been a sliding doors moment for Roberts.

The Dodgers were on the brink of elimination, trailing two games to one in the best-of-five series. A loss that night would have sent the Dodgers home, first-round failures for the third year in a row. The glaring disparity between regular-season success and postseason disappointment would have turned the heat up on everyone in the Dodgers’ organization.

Managers always seem to be seated closest to the flame.

“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about that in the moment or even entering the series,” Roberts said this spring, acknowledging that he does believe in the existence of pivotal ‘sliding doors moments’ in life.

“I do think that if we didn’t win that game it would have become very noisy. A team that was obviously super-talented to lose three years in a row in the first round – albeit it takes all of us to win and lose – but I do think that calls for my job would have been heightened.”

The Dodgers didn’t lose Game 4. Roberts stitched together an eight-pitcher ‘bullpen game’ shutout and everything changed. The Dodgers lived to fight another day – and won the series in Game 5 (five pitchers combining on another shutout).

Roberts’ every pitching decision seemed to be the right one – even when the Dodgers essentially ‘punted’ on a game, marshalling their limited pitching resources for another game. Starting with NLDS Game 4, the Dodgers won 10 of their next 13 postseason games to win their long-awaited, full-season World Series championship. At one point along the way, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman described Roberts’ decision-making as “surgical.”

One door slid closed where Roberts would be sitting on a hot seat. Another opened on him dancing with Ice Cube.

“I did talk to my wife about it and we just kind of had that same type of conversation,” Roberts said of being aware how his job security would have been diminished by another first-round loss. “But I do have solace when I hear Andrew say things like, ‘Dave has always managed well in the postseason. He didn’t do anything different than in years when we didn’t win the World Series.’

“It’s interesting where you don’t win a series and you can feel that calls for your job come into play. But you win the World Series and now people are saying you’re going to Cooperstown.”

At least one person didn’t wait for the Dodgers to vanquish the New York Yankees to make that prophecy. During an interview on MLB Network in December, Roberts said Kiké Hernandez told him before Game 1 of the World Series, “After this series, you’re going to the Hall of Fame.”

Sliding doors have delivered Roberts from the days when he was blamed for the Dodgers’ every playoff failure, his pitching decisions dissected and found wanting to a new reality where Roberts is measured against other Hall of Fame managers – and not found wanting.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is headed to the Hall of Fame. Among active managers only he and Roberts have won multiple World Series championships (four for Bochy, two for Roberts). They are tied for the most postseason appearances among active managers with nine. Bochy’s have come in 27 seasons. Roberts has led his team to the postseason in each of his nine seasons as an MLB manager.

Bochy has just one more postseason victory than Roberts (57-56). Twenty-six managers in MLB history have, like Roberts now, won multiple World Series. Fifteen of those are in the Hall of Fame. Three more (Roberts, Bochy and Terry Francona) are still active.

“It’s certainly a compliment. But I have a lot more managing left to do,” Roberts said. “So I don’t really pay too much attention to it.”

It’s more than a compliment – it’s leverage.

Fresh off the 2024 World Series title, Roberts enters 2025 in the final year of his contract. Negotiations for an extension are underway with an agreement almost certain to be reached at some point.

Neither Bochy nor Roberts is currently the highest-paid manager in MLB. That distinction belongs to Craig Counsell, who was lured from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Chicago Cubs before last season with a five-year, $40 million contract.

“It was just a consequence of how it played out (not something he targeted),” Counsell said of becoming the highest-paid manager.

“Look, that’s how salaries work, jobs,” Counsell said, pointing out how the highest salary among players seems to change hands every year or two.

“It’s no different (for managers).”

Counsell led the Brewers to the postseason five times in his nine seasons as their manager. But he won a postseason series just once, reaching the NLCS against the Dodgers in 2018.

Counsell acknowledges that his own salary “should” help the more accomplished Roberts get even more from the Dodgers.

Roberts chooses his words carefully when asked bluntly if he believes he deserves to be the highest-paid manager based on his record in leading the Dodgers.

“That’s a hard question,” he said. “I just think it all comes down to value. And I think whatever anyone does, they want their value. That’s kind of where I’m at. I’m hopeful things get done.

“But it’s not (a goal) to be the highest-paid manager. If that’s the fallout, fine. But that’s not why I do my job. I do my job because I love baseball, I love the Dodgers and I love the players. But I do feel the body of work is pretty dang good.”

In the post-Moneyball age, managers are valued differently than the days when Tommy Lasorda, Sparky Anderson, Joe Torre and the like were the faces and driving forces of their franchises.

“There’s more to the job than I think people realize” in the modern game, Roberts said, and “industry-wide” managers might not be valued appropriately. The flow of information is greater, the attention – and demands – of the media on a manager far greater than in the days when the job was largely defined by when to put on the hit-and-run or when to leave the hotel bar.

Can money equal respect then?

“Not in all ways. But in some ways,” Roberts said. “I feel better about the word value.”

​ Orange County Register 

Mexico makes case to avoid US tariffs as it awaits Trump’s decision

• March 3, 2025

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her administration is waiting to see if U.S. President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican imports.

Her Cabinet secretaries for security and trade among others have been in constant communication with their U.S. counterparts and she said there was still the possibility she and Trump would speak Monday.

Trump had threatened to impose tariffs in February before suspending them at the last minute, when Mexico sent 10,000 National Guard troops to their shared border to crack down on drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

“It’s a decision that depends on the United States government, on the United States president,” Sheinbaum said. “So whatever his decision is, we will make our decisions and there is a plan and there is unity in Mexico.”

Mexico believes it has made a strong case.

The number of migrants arriving at the U.S. border is the lowest it has been in years.

Last week, Mexico sent 29 drug cartel figures, including the man involved in the 1985 killing of a DEA agent, to the United States.

Security forces have dismantled more than 100 synthetic drug labs in Sinaloa, and systematically weakened the two main factions of the cartel by the same name.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Mexico had offered to match the tariffs the U.S. will impose on China.

“It’s very important that the people know that we have made a very important effort of coordination, of collaboration, but it depends on the United States,” Sheinbaum said. “We have to respond to this decision.”

​ Orange County Register 

With the Gaza ceasefire in limbo, Israel tries to impose an alternative plan on Hamas

• March 3, 2025

By JOSEPH KRAUSS, Associated Press

Israel this week introduced what it said was a new U.S. ceasefire plan — different from the one it agreed to in January — and is trying to force Hamas to accept it by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to it as the “Witkoff proposal,” saying it came from U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff. But the White House has yet to confirm that, saying only that it supports whatever action Israel takes.

Netanyahu’s remarks came a day after the first phase of the negotiated ceasefire ended, with no clarity on what would come next since the agreement’s second phase has not yet been hammered out.

The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages — the group’s main bargaining chip — in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners — a key component of the first phase.

Hamas has accused Israel of trying to sabotage the existing agreement, which called for the two sides to negotiate the return of the remaining hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire. But no substantive negotiations have been held.

On Sunday, Israel halted all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gaza’s population of some 2 million people and vowed “additional consequences” if Hamas did not embrace the new proposal.

Arab leaders are meanwhile finalizing a separate plan for postwar Gaza to counter Trump’s suggestion that its population be relocated so it can be transformed into a tourist destination.

But all bets are off if the war resumes.

The existing agreement is in limbo

The ceasefire reached in January, after more than a year of negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, laid out a three-phase plan to return all the hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and ending the war triggered by the terrorist attack.

Hamas killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostage. More than 100 were released in an earlier ceasefire. Israeli forces rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies before the current ceasefire took hold.

During the first, six-week phase, Hamas released 25 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces withdrew from most of Gaza and allowed an influx of desperately needed humanitarian aid. Each side accused the other of violations, but the deal held.

Phase 2 was always going to be far more difficult because it would force Israel to choose between securing the return the hostages and annihilating Hamas — two of Netanyahu’s main war goals.

Hamas, which remains in control of Gaza, has said it will only release the remaining hostages if Israel ends the war. But that would leave the group intact and with major influence over the territory, even if it hands over formal power to other Palestinians, as it says it is willing to do.

The new plan favors Israel

Hamas still has 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead. Under the so-called Witkoff plan, it would release half the hostages on the first day — apparently without getting anything new in return.

The sides would then have around six weeks — through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday ending April 20 — to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages.

But with fewer hostages, Hamas’ hand would be weakened, and Israel and the United States are already speaking about new conditions — like the disarmament of Hamas or the exile of its leadership — that were not part of the original agreement.

A political lifeline for Netanyahu

Netanyahu’s narrow coalition is beholden to far-right allies who want to eliminate Hamas, depopulate Gaza through what they refer to as “voluntary emigration” and rebuild Jewish settlements in the territory. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to bring down the government if Netanyahu enters Phase 2 of the existing agreement and does not resume the war.

The new plan would buy Netanyahu six weeks of breathing room and enough time to pass a budget by the end of the month — something he must do to keep his government from automatically falling. If it falls, elections would be held roughly a year and a half ahead of schedule and could see him removed from power.

Opposition parties say they would ensure Netanyahu’s government is not brought down over a deal that returns the rest of the hostages. But that would still weaken him politically.

The American position is unclear

Netanyahu says his government has “fully coordinated” its approach with the Trump administration, which has publicly endorsed Israel’s war goals, including the eradication of Hamas. But Witkoff has not said a word in public about the plan that supposedly bears his name, and U.S. officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Trump himself has sent mixed signals about Gaza.

As a candidate, he pledged to end wars in the Middle East, and he took credit for pushing the ceasefire agreement past the finish line just before his inauguration.

But he has also expressed revulsion at Hamas’ treatment of the captives and suggested that “all hell” should break loose if they are not immediately returned, while leaving that decision to Israel.

An Arab counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan

Trump has also floated the idea of relocating Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians to other countries so the U.S. can rebuild it as a tourist destination. Netanyahu welcomed that proposal, which was universally rejected by Palestinians, Arab countries and human rights experts, who warn it could violate international law.

It’s hard to see how Trump’s Gaza plan would be carried out without Israel resuming the war and launching an even bloodier offensive than the last one, which left much of Gaza in ruins and killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. They say more than half of those killed were women and children but do not specify how many of the dead were combatants.

Egypt has developed a counterproposal expected to be endorsed at an Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday. Under its plan, Palestinians would remain in Gaza and relocate to “safe zones” while cities are rebuilt. Hamas would hand over power to a transitional authority of political independents while the international community works to empower the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

But Israel, which has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in postwar Gaza, is unlikely to accept such a plan. And while Trump has called on Arab countries to come up with their own proposal, it’s unclear whether he would go for it either.

Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

​ Orange County Register 

San Clemente to build OC’s first pump track, slated for summer opening

• March 3, 2025

Orange County’s first asphalt pump track is expected to open by summer in San Clemente – and a wave of similar projects around the county could follow.

Workers are set to start construction today, March 3, on the 18,000-square-foot track at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park, replacing a plot of dirt formerly used as a dog park next to the popular skate park and pickleball courts.

The city in December awarded American Ramp Company with a $615,000 contract to build the new amenity, a windy track with bumps and curves that will span more than 500 feet. There will also be a smaller beginner or warm-up track.

The pump track was approved in the city’s most recent update to the Steed Park Master Plan. Like the nearby skatepark, it will be maintained and operated by the city.

Maddie Ferson, action sports development specialist for American Ramp Company, said the Moussuri-based company has built more than 100 pump tracks across the country. The hope is that San Clemente’s will serve as a model for other local communities that might want to add a similar amenity.03

“It’s going to be an iconic project,” Ferson said. “It’s definitely a historic project for us and Orange County. Sometimes, you just need one city to step up and be the leader.

“We are already talking to other cities interested in attending the grand opening and using San Clemente as a template — how it changes the community and the offerings it brings,” Ferson added. “We’re excited and optimistic that this will be the first domino to fall into Orange County.”

Already, American Ramp Company has completed a few asphalt pump tracks in Southern California, including in Temecula, Corona, Menifee, Canyon Lake and Inglewood. Another in Moreno Valley is breaking ground next month and San Diego has plans for one in Chula Vista.

The company also does temporary pop-up tracks for communities that want to test one out and gauge the interest of the communitiy. Last year, Mission Viejo had a demo track installed for a few weeks, and it is coming back to the same spot May 5-18.

From there, the demo track will go to Garden Grove from May 19 to 25, then to Irvine from June 2 to 15, and to Huntington Beach from June 16 to June 29. The last stop will be in Buena Park from June 30 to July 14.

Those smaller, temporary tracks are about 25 feet in width and 70 feet in length in an enclosed loop.

Both the temporary and permanent asphalt tracks can be used by skateboarders, bikers, scooters and rollerbladers, Ferson said. The “pump” comes from the series of tight hills the track forms for riders to go over.

“It’s something inclusive from the apparatus standpoint, but also any skill level or ability — kids learning on strider bikes, teens, grandparents are out there using the tracks,” she said. “I think it’s really unique in that these facilities are so inclusive across the board. They are also just a lot of fun. The more you use it, the better you get, so your skill develops quickly.”

The most important perk: It gets people outside, she said.

“I think any outdoor recreation benefits the community,” Ferson said. “Our goal is to get kids and individuals outdoors and engaged with their neighbors and fellow riders. I think that’s the hope, it gives people the chance to practice their skills, meet new people and get outdoors — and maybe it leads to a life-long passion for the outdoors and opens the door for kids who may not have the opportunity to get outside to be active.”

David Browning, president of the Orange County Mountain Bike Association, said the city’s support was paramount to the public-private project. It also drew strong support from the mountain biking community.

The location is especially ideal, he said, due to its proximity to popular mountain biking trails in nature just steps away from the track. Riders can warm up on the track before hitting the natural-surface trails.

“It’s just a cool venue,” he said.

Shimano — which makes components for bikes such as shifters and breaks — donated $200,000 to kickstart the project. The Friends of San Clemente donated another $100,000.

The city matched the remainder of the funds, while the mountain bike association donated about $15,000 worth of design and planning work.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal project,” Browning said. “The support for biking is huge. Mountain biking is big in our city and in our county, and getting new places to ride is pretty tricky. Land in Orange County is pretty valuable. So a lot of times, we struggle to find a new place.”

There will be an area for people to watch above the small oval loop that’s meant for warming up or for small kids learning how to ride. Then, there’s the wider back section that will be the full 531-foot track.

“We really optimized the space,” Browning said.

While San Clemente is known for its surf and skate culture, many people aren’t aware of the rich mountain biking scene, he noted.

“Orange County in general is very popular with mountain biking and San Clemente has some of the best trails out there,” he said. “It’s a city that is committed to outdoor recreation.”

One of the best riders in the world, Freeride Mountain Bike World Champ Cameron Zink, calls San Clemente home and spoke at a city meeting in support of the project a few months ago.

“(Zink) will ride the track. My granddaughter will learn to ride it. I’m a spritely 60-year-old, I’ll be riding that track,” Browning said. “It’s the kind of thing anyone can enjoy. You can find yourself working up a sweat pretty quickly. And you can use the skills, learn how to manage the bike, you can turn around and ride into San Onofre State Park on the natural trails.”

Pump tracks are also popular for “flow skateboarders,” a cruisy-longboard style that is conducive to the bumps and curves of the track.

While other cities, including Laguna Beach, Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana and Mission Viejo have shown interest and have found site locations for potential projects, the next pump track to come online is likely an OC Parks project in Fullerton at Craig Park Regional Park, Browning said. That project already has funding, has earned approvals and is in the request for proposal phase.

​ Orange County Register 

A circus of horror and risqué humor comes to Southern California this month

• March 3, 2025

The circus is back in town, but this circus can be a little scary, even a little racy, yet people can still expect some high-flying acrobatics and other spectacular acts if they dare to go to Paranormal Cirque II.

The traveling horror-themed show comes to Hemet from Friday, March 7 through Monday, March 10, then it’s off to Torrance (March 14-17) and Woodland Hills (March 21-24) with a cast of acrobats, zombies, monsters and other talented creatures performing all sorts of acts.

“We have performers on trampolines doing all kinds of amazing flips, all kinds of cool acrobatics, dancers, zombies running through the audience,” said Steve Copeland, one of the performers who make up Paranormal Cirque.

The show is a mix of a traditional circus, theatre, cabaret with comedy and a European-style flare all mixed under a horror theme.

“There’s a huge audience for this type of show because there are people who want to celebrate Halloween all year long and you can do that at our show,” he said.

For this circus however no one under the age of 13 is permitted and minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult since there is bad language and some sexual humor, Copeland said.  And the experience begins even before the show starts with a scare-zone created in a tent for those who dare to arrive early.

“In addition to getting two hours of Vegas style entertainment you also get a scary haunt attraction,” Copeland said.

That means people will need to be on the lookout for creatures in the pre-show tent roaming around terrorizing guests. Once inside, the circus begins with a seance as a fortune teller, played by Copeland, gets possessed by a demon.

“And then all hell breaks loose,” he said.

Paranormal Cirque II

Where: The circus comes to Hemet Walmart at 739 West Florida Ave., March 7-10; Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance at 3525 W. Carson St., March 14-17; and Pierce College at 6201 Winnetka Ave., in Woodland Hills, March 21-24.

Information: paranormalcirque.com

​ Orange County Register 

Status Update: Philz opening in Aliso Viejo; specialty vet hospital expands in Tustin

• March 3, 2025

Philz Coffee opens Wednesday, March 5 at The Commons, a shopping center getting a bold new look in Aliso Viejo.

A grand opening fete at 26509 Aliso Creek Road begins at 6 a.m. for all you coffee-loving early birds.

Hours at Philz are 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

There are seven Philz locations in Orange County, with the Aliso Viejo cafe bringing the total to 8, according to the San Francisco-based company.

ValueRock, the owner of The Commons, is spending $115 million to convert the center from a traditional strip mall into something new and exciting. Gone is the shuttered Lowe’s, which has been chopped into smaller spaces for new tenants including Tesla, 99 Ranch Market, Daiso and Philz.

Work continues at The Commons, with the smaller retailers opening first. ValueRock reps have declined to offer a more specific timeline for merchant rollouts. Construction, which began in 2023, was being finalized in late 2024.

VSSOC opens 10,000-square-foot facility

If Fido has ever required urgent, specialized surgery, then you’re probably familiar with Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County.

The Tustin hospital known for performing thousands of life-saving surgeries on cats and dogs recently unveiled an expanded facility just a few doors down from its flagship location.

“As pet owners, we recognize the critical importance of providing a contemporary surgical environment, supported by a team of skilled and compassionate professionals dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care for ill or injured animals,” said Diane Craig, a VSSOC founder and veterinary surgeon.

The 10,000-square-foot hospital is home to five board-certified veterinary surgeons. It’s open all week and features five exam rooms, 10 pre- and postoperative treatment bays, five surgical suites, 20 large canine recovery suites and kennel runs, plus a cat ward just for the felines.

A host of technology helps doctors find out what’s ailing Fido and Fifi, from digital radiograph tables and a 128-slice CT scanner, all hosted in radiology suites.

VSSOC monitors its patients 24/7, one of the few specialized hospitals with acute care.

Address: 2937 Edinger Ave.

Longtime seafood market, cafe close in Costa Mesa

Santa Monica Seafood closed its Costa Mesa market and cafe, saying goodbye in a social media post on Feb. 19.

For decades, the popular market and cafe was a go-to for all types of fresh seafood, from fish fillet to oysters to lobsters. Its cafe served some classic favorites including clam chowder, lobster rolls, crab cakes and fish and chips. A favorite on-the-go market snack featured brown-sugar-candied smoked salmon.

“For almost 30 years, we’ve served Costa Mesa. As we close our doors at this location, our hearts are filled with gratitude for your support throughout the years,” the company wrote. “This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon. We’d love to welcome you at our Santa Monica location.”

The closure at 154 E. 17th St. stunned longtime fans.

“Horrible news,” wrote Jennifer West. “This was by far more convenient than Santa Monica. This was the only place I respected to get seafood.”

The company, which has a Santa Monica store and headquarters 52 miles from Costa Mesa, could not be reached for comment on the closure.

Commenters on social media offered a tip to gift-card recipients: Use the company’s overnight shipping service rather than driving to Santa Monica. Users will need to create an account to set up seafood shipments.

That Santa Monica store, for those interested in making the trek, is at 1000 Wilshire Blvd., about 10 blocks from the beach and the 10 freeway.

In 2010 the company expanded the location in Costa Mesa, enlarging its cafe, oyster bar and deli section. The café sold items ranging from cioppino to sautéed scallops to oysters on the shell.

Jewelry stores open at Fashion Island

A trio of jewelry stores is opening at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Here’s a look at who’s coming or opening soon:

Caitlyn Minimalist, which opened its first physical store at Irvine Spectrum Center, is now open at Irvine Co.’s coastal retail center. Prices ranging from $19 to $50 for jewelry, $15 to $25 for scarves, and $75 to $300 for vintage watches sold only in-store. For more on the brand, go to caitlynminimalist.com

The jewelry store Monica Vinader is opening its first California boutique at the outdoor mall in April. Jewelry is crafted from recycled gold and sterling silver.

Then in June, Hyde Park Jewelers | 1916 Co opens, selling fine jewelry and timepieces, including wedding rings and watches from IWC and Omega.

Japanese novelties land at Market Place

MINISO, a Chinese retailer that sells Japanese novelty items, opened in mid-February at The Market Place on the Tustin side.

A grand opening celebration for the shop takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14. The store is near the TJ Maxx and Old Navy on El Camino Real at Jamboree Road.

The MINISO in Tustin will be the company’s second-largest in the U.S., according to Irvine Co., the retail center owner.

The retailer sells a wide variety of toys, collectibles and other oddities. Think dolls and stationary, pens, stuffed animals and wallets/purses. Miniso has some 7,100 stores worldwide.

On the move

Annette Morgan recently was named chief operating officer of City of Hope Orange County. The Orange County native has been City of Hope Orange County’s chief administrative officer since she joined the hospital in 2018. She will oversee clinical operations as well as patient access, support services, business development, project management and performance improvement.

Patricia Falzon was named executive director of the OCC Foundation on Feb. 19 by the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees. She replaces executive director Doug Bennett, who retired in December 2024. Falzon returned to Orange County after serving as executive director of Principal Giving for Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, since 2020,

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

​ Orange County Register 

Trump sends crypto prices soaring after surprise announcement of strategic government reserve

• March 3, 2025

By ALAN SUDERMAN

Cryptocurrency prices jumped after President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement he wants the U.S. government to purchase and hold a variety of digital assets in a strategic reserve fund, an announcement that highlights Trump’s growing attempts to use volatile cryptocurrency prices as a barometer of his public support.

Trump said on social media Sunday that his administration is working toward creating a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” that will include lesser-known cryptocurrencies XRP, solana, and cardano. He later followed up with another post saying his planned reserve would also include bitcoin and ether, the two most popular cryptocurrencies.

The announcement helped crypto prices rebound, at least temporarily, after recent sell-offs. Bitcoin was trading around $90,000 Monday morning after dipping below $80,000 last week. XRP, solana and cardano saw massive spikes in their prices after Trump’s announcement Sunday followed by a more gradual decline through Monday morning.

On the campaign trail, Trump pledged support for a “strategic national bitcoin” stockpile, which would include bitcoin the U.S. government has previously seized in law enforcement actions. Sunday’s announcement was the first time he advocated for the government to hold other types of cryptocurrencies.

The White House did not immediately provide additional details, including how much of each type of cryptocurrency Trump wanted the U.S. to hold, and how the government would acquire them, and whether he favored including other types of cryptocurrencies as well.

Eric Trump, the president’s son, said the price increases validated the recent advice he’s made on social media to stock up on crypto assets. “Hopefully, I made someone’s life just a little bit better,” he posted on social media.

The president has cast himself as hero to the crypto industry, which he said in his announcement had been the target of “years of corrupt attacks by the Biden administration.” The crypto industry felt unfairly targeted by the Biden administration and spent heavily to help Trump win election. The first several weeks of his administration have seen several moves to boost crypto, including ending or pausing high-profile enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Crypto prices soared after Trump’s victory last year, and when the price of bitcoin first crossed $100,000 in early December, Trump took credit and posted “YOU’RE WELCOME!!!” on social media.

But prices have fallen since Trump’s inauguration and Trump has faced criticism, including from allies within the crypto industry, for helping launch a personal meme coin just before he took office that has since collapsed in value. The crash of meme coins linked to First Lady Melania Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei, along with a massive hack of a major cryptocurrency exchange that the FBI has said was done by North Korea, have also dimmed enthusiasm for crypto.

“Why is crypto in the toilet if Trump is crypto king?” Dave Portnoy, an influencer and crypto enthusiast, said on social media last week.

The inclusion of cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin is likely to face sustained pushback among some corners of the heavily divided cryptocurrency industry. Bitcoin is the oldest and by far most popular cryptocurrency, and accounts for more than half of the world’s global crypto market cap.

Advocates for the government holding a crypto reserve said would help diversify government holdings and hedge against financial risks. Critics say the volatility of cryptocurrencies makes them a poor choice as a reserve asset.

In addition to his announcement Sunday, Trump has also recently announced he will speak at and host industry leaders on Friday at a White House “Crypto Summit.”

​ Orange County Register