Mission Viejo High Graduation 2024: Our best photos of the ceremony

• May 31, 2024

Saddleback Valley Unified School District’s Katella High handed diplomas to the members of its graduating Class of 2024 on Thursday, May 30.

A commencement ceremony at the campus stadium drew families and friends who cheered as the graduates walked across the stage, marking the end of their high school careers and the beginning of their bright futures.

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​ Orange County Register 

OC Fair to host job fair, looking to fill more than 750 positions

• May 31, 2024

The OC Fair & Event Center is looking to hire more than 750 people for this summer’s OC Fair. Most open positions are seasonal and part-time, although some year-round jobs are available.

Festival organizers are hosting a hiring event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 8 outside the center’s administration building at 88 Fair Drive, in Costa Mesa. Applications are required and must be submitted before the event, and on-site interviews will take place. Resumes will be accepted, but are not required.

Jobs, available to people ages 16 and older, are for manning building exhibits, working as a ticket taker, being a customer service representative and more. Parking, security and janitorial departments are also looking for workers. Some start dates are closer to the 2024 OC Fair opening in July.

Some job perks include free admission to the fair and the option to purchase discounted tickets for friends and family.

The 2024 OC Fair runs July 19 through Aug. 18; this year’s theme is “Always A Good Time.” Tickets are on sale now for the fair and accompanying concerts at the Pacific Amphitheater and The Hangar. The fair will again limit daily attendance and require that tickets be purchased online in advance. The Every Day Passport will provide admission any day of the fair with no restrictions.

To view open positions and apply, visit ocfair.com/jobs. For more information, contact the center’s human resources department at 714-708-1563, weekdays, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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​ Orange County Register 

Donald Trump tries to turn his guilty verdict into campaign fuel and attacks criminal justice system

• May 31, 2024

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and JILL COLVIN (Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump launched into attacks on the judge in his criminal trial and continued to undermine New York’s criminal justice system Friday as he tried to repackage his conviction on 34 felony charges as fuel, not an impediment, to his latest White House bid.

Trump spoke to reporters at his namesake tower in Manhattan on Friday, his return to campaigning a day after he was convicted of trying to illegally influence the 2016 election by falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to a porn actor who claimed they had sex. His lawyers and allies described him as defiant and ready to fight a verdict they argue is illegitimate and driven by politics.

“If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” Trump said. “These are very bad people.”

No former president or presumptive party nominee has ever faced a felony conviction or the prospect of prison time, and Trump is expected to keep his legal troubles central to his campaign. He has long argued without evidence that the four indictments against him were orchestrated by Democratic President Joe Biden to try to keep him out of the White House.

“There is nobody who is more defiant,” said Trump spokesman Jason Miller on Fox News hours after the verdict was read. “He’s ready to get out there and start fighting again.”

He chose to start Friday in the atrium of Trump Tower, the brass and rose marble lobby where he descended his golden escalator to announce his 2016 campaign nine years ago next month. Outside, on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, supporters gathered across the street were flying a giant red “TRUMP OR DEATH” sign that was flapping in front of a high-end boutique.

On Friday morning, his campaign announced it had raised $34.8 million as donations poured in after the verdict. That’s more than $1 million for each felony charge and more than his political operation raised in January and February combined.

Trump and his campaign had been preparing for a guilty verdict for days, even as they held out hope for a hung jury. On Tuesday, Trump railed that not even Mother Teresa, the nun and saint, could beat the charges, which he repeatedly labeled as “rigged.”

His top aides on Wednesday released a memo in which they insisted a verdict would have no impact on the election, whether Trump was convicted or acquitted.

The news nonetheless landed with a jolt. Trump, his team and reporters at the courthouse had been under the impression that the jury on Thursday would wrap up deliberations for the day at 4:30 p.m. Trump sat smiling and chatting with his lawyers as the proceedings seemed to be coming to a close.

Trump had spent the hours before the verdict was announced sequestered in the private courtroom where he had spent breaks throughout the trial, huddled with his attorneys and campaign aides, eating from a revolving lunch menu of McDonald’s, pizza, and subs.

As the jury was deciding his fate, he filled his time making calls, firing off social media missives and chatting with friends, including developer Steve Witkoff, who joined him in court, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who is considered a top vice presidential contender.

In a sign that they expected deliberations to continue, Trump’s holding room was outfitted with a television Thursday, according to two people familiar with the setup who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the case.

Instead, Merchan announced that a verdict had been reached. Thirty minutes later, Trump listened as the jury delivered a guilty verdict on every count. Trump sat stone-faced while the verdict was read.

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His campaign fired off a flurry of fundraising appeals, and GOP allies rallied to his side. One text message called him a “political prisoner,” even though he hasn’t yet found out if he will be sentenced to prison. The campaign also began selling black “Make America Great Again” caps to reflect a “dark day in history.”

Aides reported an immediate rush of contributions so intense that WinRed, the platform the campaign uses for fundraising, crashed. The $34.8 million raised Thursday did not include what Trump collected at his in-person fundraiser or any donations that continued to come in online Friday.

“President Trump and our campaign are immensely grateful from this outpouring of support from patriots across our country,” Trump’s senior campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said in a statement. “President Trump is fighting to save our nation and November 5th is the day Americans will deliver the real verdict.”

Trump has long complained that the trial limited his campaign appearances for several weeks. “I want to campaign,” he had told reporters Thursday morning before a verdict was reached.

It is unclear, however, how much Trump’s schedule will ramp up in the days ahead. He held only a handful of public campaign events as the trial unfolded, despite the fact that he had Wednesdays, as well as evenings and weekends, to do what he wished.

He’s set in the upcoming two months to have his first debate with Biden, announce a running mate and formally accept his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention.

But before he goes to Milwaukee for the RNC, Trump will have to return to court on July 11 for sentencing. He could face penalties ranging from a fine or probation up to four years in prison.

​ Orange County Register 

Petitions in Huntington Beach want to ask voters to overturn changes at city libraries

• May 31, 2024

Dual petitions in Huntington Beach seek to overturn some of the controversial new policies and proposals made by the City Council for the city’s public libraries in the last year.

The first, which is gathering signatures now, wants to remove a review board the council is creating that will have the power to reject new children’s books from being added to the library’s collection and move books already in circulation to a restricted section.

The second petition supports creating a law to prevent the city’s libraries from being owned by a private company or having its operations privatized without a majority approval from the City Council and voters.

The proponents hope to turn to voters with their concerns over recent changes to the library system and have them weigh in during a future election.

“We think the voters should have an opportunity to speak out,” said Cathey Ryder, a proponent behind the petition to overturn the review board ordinance.

The city passed the ordinance in March to create the review board and also requested staff to take bids to allow an outside company to run Huntington Beach’s library branches as a potential cost-saving measure.

Signatures are already being gathered to qualify the initiative overturning the review board. Its organizers will have until Oct. 28 to get signatures from 10% of registered voters. The second ballot initiative that would make it harder to privatize the library is expected to start gathering signatures in June.

Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark has been the driving force on the council for the review board. Privatizing the library’s operations came from the Interim City Manager Eric Parra, who then got approval from the council’s four conservative members. Currently, the city is moving to take proposals for an outside operator and officials haven’t said they would support the change in the end.

The review board has also yet to form. Van Der Mark said the city is a few months away from forming the board.

In May, the council rejected a proposal from its three left-leaning members to ask voters if they wish to outsource library operations, which prompted the continued pursuit of the ballot initiative.

“Up until now, the hundreds of Huntington Beach residents, like myself, who actively support our public library felt we didn’t have a voice regarding the changes the council majority wants to make with book restrictions and privatization,” said Carol Daus, a member of the nonprofit Friends of the Huntington Beach Library. “We spoke up at council meetings, sent emails to councilmembers, and held protests, but it didn’t make a difference. The petitions allow us to fight their measures using a democratic process.”

Daus argued the library community didn’t ask for the city to pursue these changes.

For more than a month, residents opposed to the library changes have held weekly silent protests walking down Main Street in Downtown Huntington Beach. Up to several hundred people hold up signs and hand out leaflets.

“People are feeling empowered to get involved,” Ryder said. “Civic engagement is beyond just voting, it’s holding elected officials accountable. This is what we are trying to do.”

Van Der Mark said she respects the right of residents to circulate the petitions, but emphasized that the city hasn’t issued the request for proposals on outsourcing the library’s management.

“It doesn’t make sense to me, but if this is what they feel they should do then it’s their right to circulate the petition,” Van Der Mark said.

Poll says strong support for libraries

An April poll made public in May said its results indicate 67% of likely voters in Huntington Beach oppose privatizing the library’s management. After giving poll respondents arguments for and against privatization, that number jumped to 74%.

The poll said residents responding had a strong favorable view of the city’s library and a net unfavorable view of the City Council.

Labor unions that would be affected by privatization paid for the poll, including the Orange County Employees Association. The poll surveyed 400 residents and its margin of error was 4.9%.

Tim Steed, assistant general manager of the OCEA, which represents the library’s managers, said during a call discussing the poll that the union hasn’t had much discussion with the city yet on privatization.

“Usually privatization leads to the elimination of those positions as they exist currently,” Steed said.

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​ Orange County Register 

5 strategies to support a loved one’s health and fitness efforts

• May 31, 2024

Summer is a popular time of year to commit to a healthier lifestyle, including improved nutrition and regular exercise. Not only is there a wide variety of fresh produce in season, but longer and warmer days boost motivation to get outdoors and be active. Maybe you know someone who is embarking on a new health or fitness journey.

Unfortunately, there are many barriers to starting and maintaining healthier habits. Having the support of close relationships can make a big difference in one’s success. Even if you already consider yourself a supportive person, there may be more you can do to effectively support your loved decision to make a lifestyle change.

When a friend, partner, colleague or family member confides that they are ready to take positive steps to be healthier, it’s natural to be eager to help. You may even want to offer well-intentioned advice about what to eat, where to work out and the latest fitness gadget to purchase. Research shows that those with strong support systems are more likely to be successful with sticking to their healthy lifestyle.

However, it’s important to remember that each person’s wellness journey is different and health and nutrition needs vary individually. While your friend or loved one may benefit from your encouragement, they most likely are not looking for someone to critique their food choices or expect them to make 180-degree changes overnight.

Here are some of the best strategies to be a positive and effective support person on your loved one’s path to better health. Plus, by helping them, you may even improve your own health.

Ask What You Can Do to Help

While you may be inclined to share all of your healthiest recipes, they may be more interested in you joining them at the gym or coming along to a medical appointment. Have a conversation about how they see you supporting them on this journey.

Don’t Project Your Own Goals

Ask your friend on their health journey how they want to define their health and fitness goals. While some folks may be focused on weight loss, others may prioritize building muscle and boosting energy. Keep in mind that their success may be measured differently than your own.

Provide Positive Feedback that is Not Centered on Weight or Appearance

Well-intentioned compliments that bring attention to body size or weight may be misconstrued, unhelpful and in some cases may even cause harm. Instead praise behaviors such as dedication, hard work, consistency and new skills.

Preach Progress, Not Perfection

One way to be supportive is to be a cheerleader through the ups and downs. Help them celebrate the wins, even the small ones. Setbacks are to be expected, but lasting change happens for those who keep on going. You can gently remind them of their goals and how far they’ve already come.

Be Open to Change

If someone in your household is changing their eating habits, it may require you to also adapt your own food choices. We tend to eat like the people with whom we eat. Therefore, your support may require flexibility toward new recipes and ingredients, updated eating schedules and even an overhaul of the pantry. You may need to rethink the way you socialize, swapping out lunch dates for an afternoon walk or opting for fruit instead of ice cream for evening snacks.

LeeAnn Weintraub, MPH, RD is a registered dietitian, providing nutrition counseling and consulting to individuals, families and organizations. She can be reached by email at [email protected].

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​ Orange County Register 

How does a conservation authority with stop-sign cameras have access to DMV records?

• May 31, 2024

Q. Hi Honk: I read an article about people getting citations for rolling through stop signs at several parks overseen by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, a local agency dedicated to protecting public open space. The stop signs are monitored by video cameras and a photo of the offending license plate is included with the citation. Because it isn’t a law enforcement agency, how can it obtain the name and the mailing address associated with the license plate?

– Sylvia Watkins, Hawthorne

A.  Some agencies without cops have agreements with the Department of Motor Vehicles and can access its records.

Think tollways.

But the authority is a different scenario.

“We are a law-enforcement agency, our rangers are sworn California peace officers,” said Dash Stolarz, a spokesperson for the authority. “Every citation is reviewed by them.”

An officer, in other words, views the recording before declaring that a violation occurred and a citation is issued.

The agency has seven intersections with the cameras, a setup put in place in 2007. The citations do not go onto Department of Motor Vehicles records but, if not paid, do go to a collection agency.

The conservation authority manages more than 75,000 acres it or the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy owns. Among its duties is helping revitalize the L.A. River and managing two areas it runs through, in the Elysian Valley and in the Sepulveda Basin. In some areas, people kayak, canoe, fish and gaze at birds.

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Q. I am a fan of the 405 Express Lanes, but I am confused a bit with how the tolls are displayed on their electronic signs. I usually enter the northbound 405 Express Lanes where they start, near South Coast Plaza. There are usually three tolls indicated on the signs, the last being for exiting at the 605 Freeway where the Express Lanes end. However, typically shown is a toll for the “To I-405.” Since I am on the 405 Freeway, albeit in the Express Lanes, I am not clear how there is a toll for exiting onto the 405 Freeway. What am I missing?

– Mike Wick, Lake Forest

A. Whatever you were missing, so was Honk.

During a recent jaunt in the Honkmobile, the wise, old sage was scratching his noggin as well after seeing the signs.

Megan Abba, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Transportation Authority, which runs those express lanes, said the agency appreciates drivers bringing up any concerns of the 6-month-old system.

A couple of weeks ago, a Honk reader raise the issue about another confusing entry on the electronic signs that show the costs for the various legs.

In regard to Mike’s (and Honk’s) confusion, driving north the signs mention where drivers can slide from the express lanes onto the freeway, “including where the express lanes end at either the 605 Freeway or the 405 Freeway at the Los Angeles County line,” Abba explained in an email.

“The sign in question shows the toll rate for drivers going to the farthest northern point of the express lanes on the 405, where they end at the L.A. County line,” she said. “This is where the two express lanes go back to traditional carpool lanes and one peels off to the 605 with the other continuing on the northbound 405.”

So the sign lists the cost to go to each of those endpoints, as in “To I-605” and “To I-405.”

“This is another area we will review and see if there are any adjustments needed to make the electronic signs clearer for drivers,” Abba said.

Honk predicts how that one endpoint is labeled will change, Mike, perhaps helped by your nudge.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk

​ Orange County Register 

Gardening: Building a compost pile, planting roses and fertilizing ferns

• May 31, 2024

Five things to do in the garden this week:

1. Build a compost pile as you would craft a lasagna. Construct the pile by alternating 2-inch layers of brown (dead leaves, wood chips, straw) and green (leafy trimmings, grass clippings, fruit and vegetable peels) material, moistening each layer before adding the next. When the pile is 3 feet tall, cover it with a thin layer of soil. Soil contains the aerobic bacteria that will accelerate the decomposition process. Soil will also help the pile hold moisture, keep down odors and slow decomposition of the vegetation, making the pile easier to manage. Keep the pile moist and turned over every now and then to supply the water and oxygen for the proliferation of the aerobic bacteria that transform the pile into that soft, crumbly, sweet-smelling substance known as compost. Before starting, loosen the earth where the pile will stand to a 1-foot depth. The base of the pile should be a square 3-5 feet per side. 

2. Cut a sweet potato in half and place the two pieces in a pot of moist soil, cut side down, leaving the pointed ends uncovered. Keep soil moist and you will soon see slips (shoots) reach six inches in length, a good size for planting. When detached from the tuber, some slips may have roots and some not. Those with roots attached may be planted in the garden while those without roots can be rooted in a glass with two inches of water at the bottom prior to planting. Plant slips 12-18 inches apart in full sun and you will have large tubers in the ground sometime in the fall. There are two types of sweet potatoes: firm when cooked (white to yellow flesh) and soft when cooked (orange flesh), the latter often mistakenly referred to as yams. You may want to purchase organic sweet potatoes for this process since others may be sprayed with a chemical that inhibits sprouting.

3. If you are thinking about planting roses, consider two cultivars hybridized by the late Jack Christensen, who authored the 5 things to do in the garden this week feature for 25 years. Among the more than 80 hybrids to his credit is ‘Voodoo,’ whose six-inch blooms sport 35 petals. Flowers emerge orange and pink, transitioning to scarlet and foliage is a rich, glossy green. Voodoo has an outstanding fragrance, is disease-resistant, and is long-lasting in vase arrangements. ‘Gold Medal,’ a grandiflora rose of Christensen’s creation, has golden yellow petals with tawny edges. As if their color wasn’t enough, flower are notably fragrant, too. Find nurseries in your area that stock these roses at starrosesandplants.com. When you get there, click “Where to Buy” at the top of the home page.

4. You can ensure a robust yield of blooms on your azaleas and camellias next year by cutting branches back now. This will ensure more side branches and a greater abundance of flower buds next winter and spring . Also make sure to remove all withered flowers, whether they are still on the plant or have fallen to the ground, as these can harbor fungus diseases. As for fertilization, camellias should receive their first dose now, another dose in six weeks, and another dose six weeks after that for maximum bloom next year. Azaleas should be fertilized now and in later September. Any fertilizer recommended for acid-loving plants will do. Never cultivate around camellias or azaleas due to their shallow roots. Instead, keep a layer of mulch around them at all times.

5. Fertilize ferns once a month with mild products such as fish emulsion or cottonseed meal. You can also use a more concentrated liquid fertilizer as long as the percentages of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are equal. Make sure the soil is well soaked before fertilizer application since ferns are more susceptible to fertilizer burn than most plants and a wet soil weakens the strength of the applied minerals.

Your questions, comments, gardening problems and tips are always welcome. Email [email protected]. 

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​ Orange County Register 

Douglas Schoen: Control of the U.S. Senate hinges on these key races

• May 31, 2024

While much of our news and attention is focused on November’s presidential election matchup between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the fight to control the United States Senate is just as important, and figures to be just as close.

Today, the race to control the Senate is virtually tied between Democrats and Republicans, 45% to 45%, according to Real Clear Politics’ polling average. However, Republicans hold what I believe to be a substantial electoral advantage. 

Given the fact that the Democrats are defending 10 seats and Republicans are defending just three, the Democratic party is – and will be – forced to allocate money to many more races than Republicans. As of April, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the main fundraising entity for Senate Republicans, had raised over $102 million, surpassing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s $94 million.

Put another way, all Republicans have to do is flip one of the Democrat’s 10 seats in order to take control of Congress’ upper chamber. And with fundraising advantages and wealthier GOP candidates financing their own campaigns, Democrats are at a distinct disadvantage.

To be sure, Republicans still must defend the three seats in which they have an incumbent running for reelection — Texas, Florida, and Missouri — but as it currently stands, Republicans lead Democrats by an average of 11 points across those three races. In other words, these seats are pretty safe barring any major changes to the race.

Indeed, given the American electorate’s growing partisan divide and due to the Senate’s unique election process, control of the upper chamber is likely to come down to just a handful of races in a few key states.

As it currently stands, the six most competitive races exist in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. At present, each of these races are considered tied or within single digits according to their RCP averages.

One factor that has contributed to Democratic success in recent cycles (2020 and 2022) is anti-Trump sentiment among the electorate. However, this seems to be dissipating as voters rank Trump as a stronger leader than Biden (58% to 36%) according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll. This is likely due to Biden’s historically weak candidacy, plagued by the high cost of living, persistent inflation, a disastrous foreign policy, and the influx of migrants at the Southern border. 

To be clear, any one of these issues has the power to — and likely will — remove Democrats from power in 2024. And unfortunately, Democrats up and down the ballot lack a coherent message on how they will solve these problems.

However, there is one caveat. Put simply, Republicans have a candidate problem, especially in the Senate. Since 2016, the GOP continues to nominate far-right, MAGA-extremists. Time and again, Republicans fail to choose moderate, center-right candidates who, hypothetically, have the best chance of winning voters in toss-up states. 

In Arizona, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, Trump-backed candidates for Senate continue to underperform against vulnerable Democrats. 

In Ohio specifically, Democrats are taking advantage of these Republican candidates’ shortcomings by advertising for their most preferred opponent, Bernie Moreno. In a brilliant move of political persuasion, the Democrat Sherrod Brown and his allies helped shape their general election matchup by spending $2.7 million on ads for Moreno in the Republican primary, framing him as “exactly the type of MAGA-fighter we need in the United States Senate.”

And thus far, Senator Brown leads Trump-endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno by 5 points, 42% to 37%, according to RCP. Ohio is considered to be one of the most competitive and expensive races of 2024.

The story is the same for Republicans in Arizona and Pennsylvania, where MAGA-aligned candidates like Kari Lake (-7 points) and Dave McCormick (-4 points) trail their opponents, per their RCP polling averages, despite Trump leading Biden in these states by 4-points and 2-points, respectively.

If anything, the fact that these MAGA-aligned candidates are hanging around, at least in the polls, highlights the messaging and enthusiasm gap that has plagued Democrats for years now. If these gaps persist, 2024 could turnout to be an inflection point for Senate Democrats for years to come.

Looking at other competitive races, Maryland is where Democrats appear to be most vulnerable in my opinion. Given Biden’s 21-point lead against Trump in the statewide polls, it’s jarring to see Republican candidate and former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan leading the Democrat Angela Alsobrooks by 7 points, 47% to 40%.

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Alsobrooks’ odds are sure to improve once the Democratic field consolidates. After a divisive primary contest concluded earlier this month, Alsobrooks is still working to win over supporters of her primary opponent, David Trone. The distinct partisan advantage Maryland Democrats enjoy on the presidential level will likely play out in similar fashion in the general election for Senate. 

To be sure, each of these races will remain competitive, and likely get even closer as we approach November. However, Democrats are almost certain to lose their majority in the Senate when West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin — a long-time moderate and Democratic holdout in recent years — steps aside for current Republican Governor Jim Justice to take his seat.

While Senate races are unique to each state, the top of the ticket races are often a strong barometer for how voters will cast the rest of their ballot, especially in a presidential election year. And, given Biden’s dismal approval rating, struggling poll numbers in swing states, and lack of a coherent campaign message, Democrats are at considerable risk of losing the Senate.

Douglas Schoen is a longtime Democratic political consultant.

​ Orange County Register