‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ is one of the greatest concert films of all time

• October 13, 2023

Taylor Swift has triumphed yet again.

Yet, she’s done so in a way that is different than ever before, delivering fans a career-spanning major theatrical release that ranks as nothing less than one of the greatest concert films ever made.

The Sam Wrench-directed offering — which hit theaters this week and is expected to quickly set box office records as the top-grossing concert movie of all time — succeeds in numerous ways, magnifying the strengths of the blockbuster tour of the same name as it nicely translates the experience from cavernous football stadiums to movie houses.

That’s not easy to do, but it certainly helps when the film crew is drawing from stellar source material — and “The Eras Tour” is indeed nothing short of brilliant. Yet, there’s more to do it than just that, given that the tour is designed in a way that makes sense for filming. The footage was shot during her first of three out of six total evenings at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood back in August.

As the tour’s name implies, the production is organized by different eras (or, more specifically, albums) in Swift’s career, with the singer performing a batch of material from one album before moving onto the next disc. Each of these segments unfold onstage like individual chapters, with the star embracing different thematic stage settings/wardrobes/special effects that correspond to the specific albums. There are nine chapters in all — well, 10, if you count the “surprise songs” segment.

On film, even more so than during the actual live show, these different chapters really break up the action into easily digestible bitesize pieces. You never have time to get tired of what you’re watching, because the next adventure awaits just around the corner.

That’s incredibly important for a film that runs right around 2 hours and 50 minutes.

But it’s an enormous amount for pretty much any concert film not named “Woodstock” and is roughly twice the length of the Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense,” the highly acclaimed rock doc from 1984 that recently found its way back to theaters.

Yet, amazingly, “The Eras Tour” doesn’t feel overly long at all. Indeed, there will certainly be some Swifties who will complain about what was edited out of the show in order get it under the 3-hour mark. And I can’t be the only one who wishes Swift would have included one more Era in the mix and spotlighted her self-titled debut. (The movie does, however, include the first album’s “Our Song” in the “Surprise” song segment.)

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Swift’s greatest strength — of many — is her ability to connect with the crowd. In 30 years of writing about concerts, I’ve never seen anybody do it better. She does it with big pop production numbers, which get everybody dancing and singing along at top volume to the music, and she does it even more convincingly with the most basic of body language, captivating crowds of 50,000-plus with the wink of an eye or a sideways glance.

Wrench focuses the film on capturing that amazing trait, never letting the special effects, dance routines or other big production elements crowd out Swift’s sheer charisma. He’s always directing us back to her megawatt smile, overwhelming sense of joy onstage and connection with fans.

That’s a very wise and, one assumes, deliberate decision, since it must have been very tempting to go the other direction and really let the magnitude of the occasion — multiple sold-out nights at the massive SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles — really dictate the direction. Yet, this film manages to feel very intimate, even in the midst of tens of thousands of people gathered together in the second largest city in the United States to witness one of the biggest pop stars of all time.

Swift’s performances are simply magnetic, as she waltzes back through her 17-year recording career, stopping here and there to perform some of the very greatest songs of the 21st century. It’s simply can’t-miss viewing for all Swifties.

Of course, the hallmark of any great concert film is its ability to appeal to non-fans. And I think the movie definitely checks that box as well.

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is really for anybody who wants to not only experience but also more fully understand and appreciate an incredible artist who is accomplishing things that so few have ever done before.

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert film setlist:

From the “Lover” Era: “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” “Cruel Summer,” “The Man,” You Need to Calm Down” and “Lover.”

From the “Fearless” Era: “Fearless,” ‘You Belong With Me” and “Love Story.”

From the “Evermore” Era: “Willow,” “Marjorie,” “Champagne Problems” and “Tolerate It.”

From the “Reputation” Era: “…Ready for It?,” “Delicate,” “Don’t Blame Me” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”

From the “Speak Now” Era: “Enchanted.”

From the “Red” Era: “22,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”

From the “Folklore” Era: “The 1,” “Betty,” “the Last Great American Dynasty,” “August,” “Illicit Affairs” and “My Tears Ricochet.”

From the “1989” Era: “Style,” “Blank Space,” Shake It Off,” “Wildest Dreams” and “Bad Blood.”

Surprise songs from the tour: “Our Song” and “You’re on Your Own Kid.

From the “Midnights” Era: “Lavender Haze,” “Anti-Hero,” “Midnight Rain,” “Vigilante (Stuff),” “Bejeweled,” “Mastermind” and “Karma.”

​ Orange County Register 

Galaxy inducting legendary coach Sigi Schmid into Ring of Honor

• October 13, 2023

Greg Vanney remembers his first time meeting Sigi Schmid.

“I was a little nervous around him,” Vanney said. “He had the aura and the name of a guy who had already been around the national team level, who had been coaching at UCLA for years, won championships and put out guys who were playing at the national team and pro level.

“I was a little in awe of the stature of Sigi and all that he had accomplished. He could be very serious, no nonsense when he’s around the game, until you get to really know him and get into storytelling, then you get to know the heart of Sigi.”

Vanney would eventually play under Schmid at UCLA (1993-95) and with the Galaxy (1999-2001).

“He was a workhorse, who was passionate and loved the game,” Vanney said. “I know he left a huge imprint on all of us and those who came through his tutelage.”

On Saturday, Schmid, who died in 2018, will officially be inducted into the Galaxy’s Ring of Honor at halftime of Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake (7:30 p.m., Apple TV+). The ceremony will arguably be the highlight for a game in which the Galaxy will be playing for pride, having been eliminated from MLS playoff contention Saturday.

Schmid coached the Galaxy in two stints (1999-2004 and 2017-2018). He was the 1999 MLS Coach of the Year and led the Galaxy to the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup, 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2002 MLS Cup and Supporters Shield.

Current Galaxy goalkeeping coach Kevin Hartman played under Schmid at UCLA and with the Galaxy, starting in 1994 until 20004.

“I think players always like having systems and standards and being able to operate in something that allows them to grow as a player and person,” Hartman said. “I felt like players in the environment were always challenged, because everybody was super competitive.”

Before taking over UCLA or the Galaxy, Schmid started his coaching career at Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance. To best describe his impact on the sport, Schmid is a member of the Bishop Montgomery, AYSO, UCLA and National Soccer halls of fame.

“I know he was a big part of getting this place built,” Hartman said. “He was somebody that always stayed true to his roots and somebody that wanted to be a part of this community and really somebody that shared the ideals of what we felt like Southern California soccer was all about.”

After leaving the Galaxy in 2004, Schmid coached the Columbus Crew (2006-2008) and the Seattle Sounders (2009-2016) before returning to the Galaxy in 2017.

“It is nice to be back and nice to be able to coach where I don’t have to buy a house or rent something,” Schmid said on his first day back in 2017.

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“It is sort of full circle. I remember my first interview with Phil Anschutz, watching a Kings game, talking about the possibility of leaving UCLA to come here. I’ve always been grateful and thankful to Phil and Tim Leiweke, who were the ones who brought me here. To be able to come back and work for the organization is really exciting.

“I wanted to coach again. I haven’t had many losing seasons and I didn’t want to end on one. It means a lot to come back and to come back and coach in Los Angeles.”

Real Salt Lake (13-12-7, 46 pts) at Galaxy (8-13-11, 35 pts)

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dignity Health Sports Park

How to watch: Apple TV (free)

​ Orange County Register 

Finance nerds share tips for managing holiday budgets and stress

• October 13, 2023

By Elizabeth Ayoola | NerdWallet

Holidays are meant to be full of love, but sometimes they’re full of stress and anxiety. One of the culprits can be the unspoken financial commitment of family dinners, travel and chaotic gift-buying. Sometimes the stress is beyond your control, but there are some things you can champion like planning and budgeting.

We asked a few of our Nerds to write down their best strategies for managing holiday stress and spending. Here are their responses.

Set a gift budget

If money wasn’t a thing, we could buy our loved ones anything they want or need. But money is a factor, so it’s ideal to work within a budget, which means having a limit for how much you spend on gifts. You can also take it a step further by agreeing on a spending cap with your loved ones, something senior copy editor Jim McNett does.

“The small circle of people I exchange gifts with have a quiet understanding to keep gifts under about $100,” he said.

Give secondhand gifts

It can feel taboo to give loved ones used gifts, but giving secondhand gifts is a cost-effective option. Copy chief Erica Harrington sometimes buys gifts for her loved ones secondhand.

“I shop on Etsy and eBay. For instance, my mom liked one of my purses I bought several years ago, so I searched for the brand on eBay and found her something similar from the same brand,” Harrington said.

To give it a new feel, get nice packaging for the gift. If you’re not sold on the idea of secondhand gifts, start with small, slightly used items like books. It’s also possible to find new items for less in charity shops and on online platforms like eBay, although you may have to bid for them.

Aside from buying gifts secondhand, you could also get holiday decorations from charity thrift shops.

Take a break from spending in the new year

It’s possible to spend more during the holidays than you do the rest of the year. Gifts aside, you could end up going out to dinner with friends more often or doing holiday activities with family. Spending more during the holidays isn’t a terrible thing if you financially plan for it. Spending big chunks of money can feel stressful, however, especially if you don’t have a surplus of funds. To help you recover from large holiday expenses, consider minimizing spending a few months after the holidays.

“If I know I’m going to be traveling or spending a lot over the holidays, I also plan to have a lot of downtime in January and February and even March, when I know I won’t be planning any big purchases,” said editor Chris Davis. He explained that taking time to financially recover post-holidays requires discipline, but it can help you get back on track for the rest of the year.

Try wish list apps

Not being sure what to buy a loved one can be stressful and lead to last-minute shopping. Last-minute purchases can sometimes be more expensive, especially if retailers mark prices up. To save yourself time and eliminate worry around whether your loved one will like the gift, consider using a platform like Giftster to share gift ideas. You can create a wish list, add items to it and share it with loved ones. There’s even an option to create a group wish list, which can be helpful for families or friend groups. Other apps you can use for wish lists include Giftbuster and WishSlate.

If you aren’t into apps, there are other ways to go about sharing wish lists with your loved ones like creating a spreadsheet to exchange gift ideas. iPhone users can also use the Notes app to collaborate on gift ideas.

Don’t feel pressure to buy gifts

While it is nice to give people gifts, it’s not a necessity, especially if it’s overwhelming or you can’t afford it. Editor Pamela de la Fuente experiences anxiety around the holidays, but “takes it in stride.” The mom of two has a busy life, so she doesn’t get around to doing meticulous financial planning for the holidays.

“I just try to limit the amount of toys I buy, I don’t exchange gifts with my husband or in-laws anymore, and I ask my sister what she wants and try to keep that gift-buying budget in check,” said de la Fuente. “I also try to do some experiences. Maybe instead of a gift, here’s money to go on a trip together or something like that.”

Use apps to budget

Holidays are a great time to blow the dust off your budgeting apps if they’ve been inactive. Creative producer Amanda Deisler uses an app to help her stay organized and plan spending.

“I actually use YNAB and set aside a specific amount for all holiday spending,” Deisler said. She also tracks her holiday expenses in the app.

Consider using apps to create a holiday budget, then throw funds in there weekly or monthly, using the apps to keep track of your savings. For instance, if you’ll be spending Hanukkah out of town with loved ones, you may want to create a budget for food and travel.

Repurpose or DIY decor

Buying new holiday decor every year can be expensive, especially if you go all out on ornaments and lights. Think about reusing or repurposing existing decorations. You may also add a festive touch by creating something new using items you have at home. For instance, you can make ornaments out of copper, foil and paper mache.

“I save money on the Christmas tree by having some fun using substitutes sometimes,” McNett said. He once decorated a ladder with lights and that served as his Christmas tree.

Track spending

When you’re spending with multiple credit and debit cards during the holidays, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’re charging. Consider taking a page out of writer Tommy Tindall’s book.

“I use just one credit card for all purchases and pay closer attention to my bank app during the spending season,” Tindall said.

Using a credit or debit card that gives you cash-back rewards or points may also be a clever way to get money back during the holidays.

Plan travel and gifts early

You don’t have to wait until the holidays to start shopping. Consider buying gifts throughout the year like content management specialist Sabrina Parys does.

“If I know I’m going to be spending money on presents, I try to remember this throughout the year and purchase things for later to relieve the pressure of purchasing something that’s probably marked up around the holidays,” she said. Major sales on days like the Fourth of July and Black Friday are great times to buy gifts at a discount.

The same applies to travel — think about deciding who is spending the holidays where early in the year so you can buy tickets while they’re cheap. It’s also OK to skip traveling during pricey periods such as Thanksgiving or New Year’s if you can’t afford it.

Bottom line — focusing on the things you can control like your budget and spending can hopefully make the season less stressful.

The article Finance Nerds Share Tips for Managing Holiday Budgets and Stress originally appeared on NerdWallet.

​ Orange County Register 

Israel calls on 1.1 million Gazans to evacuate south in order UN warns is ‘impossible’

• October 13, 2023

Gaza and Jerusalem (CNN) — Israel’s military has warned 1.1 million people living in northern Gaza to evacuate their homes, amid signs Israel is set to ramp up its retaliatory offensive against Hamas following the group’s October 7 terror attacks.

“Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

“In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians.”

Images on social media Friday showed that the IDF had dropped leaflets from planes into Gaza calling for the evacuation south. Live footage from news agencies earlier showed leaflets falling from the sky.

“For your safety, you should not return home until further notice from the IDF,” the leaflet said. “All public shelters known in Gaza have to be vacated,” it added.

The United Nations on Thursday said it was informed by their liaison officers in the Israeli military that “the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours.”

Israel has admitted that the mass migration order will take time, with IDF spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner telling CNN Friday that any deadline “may slip.”

The UN has decried such an order, saying it’;s impossible for civilians to evacuate “without devastating humanitarian consequences.”

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, said in a statement that the UN “strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”

The order applies to all UN staff and those sheltered in UN facilities – including schools, health centers and clinics, according to the statement.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) described Israel’s call to move Gaza civilians as “horrendous”; on Friday, adding that the enclave is fast becoming a “hell hole and is on the brink of collapse.”

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Refugee Council has warned that the relocation of Gaza civilians amounts “to the war crime of forcible transfer.” Secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland said the order “must be reversed.”

But the IDF has accused Hamas of “hiding behind the people of Gaza” and of instructing civilians to “ignore”; Israel’s warnings to evacuate to the south.” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said during a briefing that it was “just another example” of how Hamas “does not care about the safety of people in Gaza.”

Gaza is one of the world’s most densely populated pieces of land with more than 2 million people crammed into 140 square miles, its borders blockaded for years by Israel and Egypt. Gaza City is part of the coastal strip and is particularly crowded.

It is unclear if or when Israel plans to launch a potential ground incursion into Gaza but for days Israel has been massing hundreds of thousands of troops, reservists and military equipment at the border while it ramps up its siege and aerial bombardment of the enclave.

Calls are growing for the opening of a humanitarian corridor in Gaza so civilians can access basic supplies such as water, food, fuel and medicine amid warnings from UN experts that residents are at risk of starvation.

Atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel last weekend sparked international revulsion and escalated the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

European Union leaders visited Israel to “express solidarity” with the Israeli people in the wake of Hamas’ attack. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament president Roberta Metsola both announced their arrivals on social media Friday.

Hamas militants breached the heavily-fortified border in a coordinated assault, indiscriminately killing men, women and children, and taking as many as 150 hostages back to Gaza. More than 1,300 people were killed in Israel and thousands more injured.

Israel’s response has been swift and relentless.

For six days, Israeli warplanes have pounded Gaza with airstrikes that have reduced streets and homes to rubble and killed over 1,500 people, including 500 children, and injured 6,000 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Israeli forces dropped about 6,000 bombs on Gaza between October 7 and 12, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) said in a statement Thursday.

This is equivalent to the total number of airstrikes on Gaza during the entire 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict which lasted from July 7 to August 26 of that year, according to data from the IDF.

The Vatican’s top diplomat, secretary of state Pietro Parolin, called on Israel to show “proportionality.” Parolin told Vatican News that the Hamas attack on Israel was “inhuman” but the “;egitimate defense should not harm civilians,” according to a transcript of the interview provided by the Vatican press office.

Hamas said on Friday that 13 Israeli prisoners held in Gaza had been killed by “random” Israeli bombings on parts of Gaza over the past 24 hours. The IDF said it could not confirm or deny the claim.

Hamas said six of the 13 were killed in the north and seven were killed elsewhere in the Gaza strip. Hamas did not provide further details on who the hostages were.

Time running out for Gazans

The Israeli siege has stopped essential supplies of electricity, food, water and fuel from entering Gaza and medical and relief workers have warned that time is running out to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe for the 2 million trapped civilians.

More than 432,000 Palestinians have been displaced by the conflict and airstrikes have hit at least 88 education facilities, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency.

Health systems in Gaza are at breaking point, and generators used for critical functions will cease working in a few days when the fuel runs out, with devastating consequences for patients“ who need lifesaving surgery, patients in intensive care units, and newborns depending on care in incubators,” the World Health Organization said.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) international president Christos Christou said millions of civilians in Gaza are facing “collective punishment” and that safe spaces must be established.

Relief groups are unable to bring aid into the sealed-off enclave and are calling for an urgent emergency corridor to be established for the transfer of humanitarian supplies.

The UN has warned that targeting innocent civilians and withholding of essential supplies is prohibited under international law.

The Biden administration said Thursday it’s“;working very diligently” with Israel and Egypt on safe passage out of Gaza for civilians ahead of a possible ground incursion, according to White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

Israel has stood firm in its response.

IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus told CNN:“ We are at war with Hamas and we will not allow anything into the Gaza strip that supports the fighting ability of Hamas. If it comes to the price of inconvenience for the population, so be it.”

On Thursday, Israel’s energy minister Israel Katz said supplies to Gaza will remain cut off until all hostages captured by Hamas are freed.

“No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened, and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home. Humanitarian for humanitarian. And no one will preach us morals,” Katz said on social media.

Hamas militants are holding as many as 150 people hostage in locations across Gaza and earlier this week warned it would start killing hostages if Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza.

Israel on a war footing

Evidence of that war footing could be seen just outside the blockaded enclave, where a massive mobilization of Israeli troops, armored vehicles, trucks of ammunition, and other military equipment are being prepared for the next phase of Israel’s response to Hamas’s terrorist attacks.

Past Israeli ground offensives in 2008 and 2014 have resulted in high casualties of Israeli soldiers and one major difference this time is that Hamas fighters have captured such a large number of hostages.

Saturday’s bloody attack also displayed a level of military capability and barbarity by Hamas beyond what they have previously displayed.

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CNN analysis of videos released by Hamas and its affiliates reveals that militants trained for the onslaught for months and across at least six sites in Gaza.

Footage from 2022 shows Hamas fighters flooding a training area, shooting rockets and capturing pretend prisoners as they surround mock Israeli buildings. Another video taken more than a year ago, shows Hamas fighters practicing take-offs, landings and assaults with paragliders – the same unusual assault mode that Hamas deployed with lethal effect in the same October 7 attack.

The-CNN-Wire & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

​ Orange County Register 

Jeff Bezos spends $79 million on Florida neighbor’s mansion

• October 13, 2023

Jeff Bezos is adding a mansion in South Florida’s “Billionaire Bunker” to his real estate empire, months after buying the house next door.

The Amazon.com Inc. founder, the world’s third-richest person, agreed to pay $79 million for a seven-bedroom mansion in Indian Creek, a man-made barrier island in the Miami area, according to people with knowledge of the matter. That’s a 7.1% discount from its May listing price of $85 million.

A representative for Bezos had no immediate comment. The sale was handled by Dina Goldentayer and Danilo Tavares with Douglas Elliman, who both declined to comment.

Bezos bought the neighboring home in June for $68 million. With the latest purchase, he’ll gain a roughly 1.8-acre (0.7-hectare) property that was built in 2000. The house last sold for $28 million in 2014.

Bezos, 59, could still make other purchases in the area, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Indian Creek, located in Biscayne Bay and about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from South Beach, is known as “Billionaire Bunker” for being home to investor Carl Icahn, football star Tom Brady and singer Julio Iglesias, as well as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

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Besides the Indian Creek homes, Bezos has homes in Washington, a 9-acre Beverly Hills mansion he bought for $165 million in 2020 and an estate in Maui. His ultra-luxury spending has picked up since he stepped down as Amazon’s chief executive officer in 2021 and after he separated from MacKenzie Scott. He owns one of the world’s most expensive superyachts, the Koru, which launched this year and cost an estimated $500 million to build.

His latest Indian Creek purchase spans roughly 19,000 square feet (1,770 square meters), according to the listing. It includes a pool, a theater, a library and a wine cellar, according to the listing, and is designed in a style “exuding timeless European glamour.”

Bezos has a nearly $156 billion fortune, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him one of the richest homeowners in the state. Indian Creek has about 40 residences, a country club and its own police department.

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​ Orange County Register 

Real estate news: Anaheim building leased to California sells for $31 million

• October 13, 2023

A 95,371-square-foot office building in the Anaheim office complex called Link OC has been sold for $31.2 million, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

The four-story building “1065 Link” is leased to multiple divisions operated by the state of California, including the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and the Department of Industrial Relations.

Easterly Government Properties, based in Washington, D.C., was the buyer.

The Class A office building was completed in 1991 and was updated in 2020. It has a newly renovated lobby and exterior common areas.

Cushman & Wakefield represented the seller, a partnership that includes a real estate investment, development and management firm and a global investment manager.

MCA Realty in Orange sold Spectrum Business Park, a 68,911-square-foot six-building industrial complex in Federal Way, Washington, for $13.75 million. (Photo courtesy of MCA Realty)

MCA sells Washington industrial complex for nearly $14 million

Orange-based MCA Realty sold Spectrum Business Park, a 68,911-square-foot six-building industrial complex in Federal Way, Washington, for $13.75 million.

An unidentified investor bought the complex as part of a 1031 exchange.

MCA bought the business park in September 2021 and invested about $500,000 in capital improvements that improved much of the exteriors of the buildings, select interiors and campus landscaping.

Spectrum Business Park, completed in 1978, is between Seattle and Tacoma and was fully leased at the time of the sale.

MCA said the business park was its fifth property sold in its Industrial Growth Fund.

Watermark prepares for Laguna Niguel debut

Christopher Tharp has been named the new executive director of Watermark Laguna Niguel, a senior living community set to open in November.

Previously, he led senior living communities as an executive director in Carlsbad and Charleston, S.C.

Also joining Tharp at Watermark Laguna Niguel are Hector Gonzalez as Community Life director, and Ashely Davidson, a licensed vocational nurse, who is the community’s wellness director.

Watermark Laguna Niguel will feature luxury amenities, wellness programs and a high-end dining venue called Seasons.

It also will offer assisted living and memory care units with 24/7 concierge services. For further information, go to tinyurl.com/mrx6sw55.

Trumark expands with acquisition in Central California

Trumark Homes in Newport Beach has expanded into Central California with the acquisition of Wathen Castanos Homes.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our acquisition of Wathen Castanos Homes is a unique opportunity to fulfill several of our strategic goals,” said Gregg Nelson, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Trumark Cos.

Wathen Castanos Homes was founded in 1983 and is building new homes in San Luis Obispo, Monterey Bay, Clovis, Fresno and Madera.

Industry people on the move

Jason Purvis, a senior managing director and the Southern California market leader at Granite Properties, is adding responsibilities as the firm’s head of Capital Raising. He is based in Newport Beach.

Jo Merriman has been promoted to executive vice president of operations and investment services at Irvine-based Shopoff Realty Investments. She joined Shopoff in 2021 and previously was senior vice president of operations and investment services.

Dhruv “DJ” Jain is the new director of investments and business development at Irvine-based KSL Resorts. He will be responsible for managing deal flow and underwriting to help “grow and diversify KSL Resorts’ portfolio,” the company said.

Patrick Sinderhoff is the new senior land acquisition manager at Irvine-based Highpointe Communities. His focus is sourcing land opportunities, financial modeling and contract negotiations for new residential investments throughout Southern California and Central Texas. Previously, Sinderhoff worked with KB Home and K. Hovnanian. Highpointe has master-planned communities in Loma Linda, Palm Desert and San Juan Capistrano.

Mike Wentworth was promoted to senior vice president of property management at Westar Associates in Newport Beach. He is responsible for all aspects of managing the company’s retail portfolio in Southern California and the Central Coast. Previously, Wentworth was responsible for various retail operations in Westar’s Property Management department.

Coming up

Century 21 Discovery in Fullerton is hosting its 28th annual charity dinner and auction Nov. 14 at the Coyote Hills Golf Course.

The event will benefit the Discovery Charity Foundation, a nonprofit organization that donates to charities in north Orange County. The foundation has so far raised $450,000 over the past 27 years for local charities.

The recipients this year are Boys and Girls Clubs of Fullerton, Hope Center, Meals on Wheels of Fullerton, National Giving Alliance Fullerton (NGA), Providence St. Jude Memorial Foundation, Radiant Futures (formerly WTLC) and Tara’s Chance.

Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, call 714-626-2888 or go to www.c21discoverycharityevent.com.

Real estate transactions, leases and new projects, industry hires, new ventures and upcoming events are compiled from press releases by contributing writer Karen Levin. Submit items and high-resolution photos via email to Business Editor Samantha Gowen at [email protected]. Please allow at least a week for publication. All items are subject to editing for clarity and length.

​ Orange County Register 

Irvine police will launch a new ‘first responder’ drone program this month

• October 13, 2023

Remotely operated drones will soon fly in the Irvine airspace, with the goal of responding to an emergency situation before the police.

Set to launch later this month, the “drone as first responder” pilot program will station two drones at a single flight location, ready to gather intelligence before and as officers arrive at a scene.

Irvine is partnering with major drone service provider Flying Lion to gauge the efficiency and impact of remotely operated drones in the city, said Sgt. Chris Bees.

“The pilot program is from an investment standpoint to measure the effectiveness,” said Councilmember Tammy Kim, who asked the Irvine Police Department to give a presentation about the program in September. “There isn’t a timeline. If the program is a success, we’ll invest in more drones.”

The pilot program will be funded through the Orange County Fire Authority’s unmanned aircraft system budget, established as part of the 2019 $50 million deal between the public safety agency and Irvine. About $100,000 will be allocated for the pilot program, said Kim.

Under Irvine’s current drone deployment model, team members made up of detectives and patrol officers carry a drone with them, Bees said. This approach requires police to first reach an incident location to deploy the drone, Bees said, incurring significant response and set-up time.

The new model stations the drones on the roof of a tall building with the pilot-in-command based in dispatch or a designated operating zone.

“The drones stand ready for immediate employment,” Bees said. “Their elevated position not only provides a broader view and increased range but also instantaneous aerial support.”

“DFR drones will not be actively patrolling the skies but will be on standby to provide essential support during emergencies,” he added.

Essential support includes de-escalation of a situation, Bees said. For example, he said, there was a situation in Chula Vista — where the DFR program was pioneered — when officers believed a man was holding a gun, but the drone was able to provide footage that showed the object was a lighter.

Officers are able to watch the drone footage live and make decisions on whether to intervene, said Bees.

“The situation ends without any harm to the public or officers,” he said.

The Irvine Police Department intends to set up a drone activity dashboard that “openly shares drone activity with the public,” Bees said.

The dashboard will display information like the nature and volume of calls addressed by DFR drones, individual flight locations, flight timing and arrest data.

“Our goal is to maintain transparency,” Bees said. “That ensures that communities are well-informed about how and why drones are being utilized within this pilot program.”

If the footage from the drone is not of evidentiary value, it won’t be saved or posted, Bees said, adding that the police department has no intention of arming any of the drones.

Irvine’s unmanned aircraft system program, commonly referred to as UAS, launched in 2019, said Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent, about a year after Laguna Beach launched its drone program, the first of its kind among police agencies in Orange County.

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Irvine’s program is focused on major traffic collisions, crime scenes, searches for major suspects who have fled from crime scenes, locating missing persons, mapping wildlife paths of travel and gaining visual access of rooftops, Kent said.

The program has grown over the years, Kent said, with approximately 350 flights conducted in 2019 to 1,700 flights in 2022. That growth led the department to explore expanding the program and using UAS technology as a “true first responder.”

If the pilot program is deemed successful, the department will transition it to full-time, said department spokesperson Sgt. Karie Davies.

“If we are able to decrease our response times by having this tool available and provide live updates to responding officers, that data would be a measurable to show the program is working,” Davies said. “Other measurables will come to light as the program progresses.”

​ Orange County Register 

No. 18 UCLA at No. 15 Oregon State: Who has the edge?

• October 13, 2023

No. 18  UCLA (4-1 overall, 1-1 Pac-12) at No. 15 Oregon State (5-1, 2-1)

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon

TV/radio: FOX (Ch. 11) / 570 AM

Line: Oregon State by 3½

Notable injuries: OREGON STATE: OUT: WR Tastean Reddicks (undisclosed), LB Makiya Tongue (leg); UCLA: QUESTIONABLE: WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala (undisclosed); DOUBTFUL: LB Ale Kaho (undisclosed)

What’s at stake?: The winning team will remain a contender for the conference championship game and the chance to move up in the AP Top 25 rankings. UCLA will have a favorable schedule to finish out the season after this week.

Who’s better?: Much like last week against Washington State, that may depend on the side of the ball being talked about. UCLA has proven to be a legitimate defense and is coming off one of its better performances this season. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, the former St. John Bosco High star in his first season in Corvallis after transferring from Clemson, is coming off his best game as a Beaver, throwing for five touchdowns against Cal.

Matchup to watch: Damien Martinez vs. UCLA’s defensive front. The Bruins enter the game with the No. 2 rush defense in the country, allowing just 64.6 rushing yards per game. The sophomore running back has averaged 98.7 rushing yards per game. UCLA cannot afford to miss tackles and allow Martinez to reach the second level of the defense and extend drives.

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UCLA wins if: The Bruins will have success if Dante Moore can play a clean game. The true freshman quarterback has thrown a pick-six in each of the last two conference games. The Bruins want to limit the opportunities for Uiagalelei and Martinez. UCLA’s defense must also continue to force turnovers.

Prediction: UCLA 24, Oregon State 14. The Bruins will lean on their defense again this week. Moore may likely make a mistake, but the UCLA defense has continued to put the ball back in the hands of the offense with interceptions and fumble recoveries. The Bruins have recorded at least three sacks and had at least one fumble recovery or interception in every game this season.

​ Orange County Register