For Proposition 13’s sake, let’s keep the elected California Board of Equalization

• March 26, 2023

Here’s a question for homeowners: If there is an issue regarding how Proposition 13 should be interpreted or implemented, would you rather have it resolved by unelected political appointees – who have an inherent conflict in their desire to raise revenue – or a board directly elected by, and accountable to, the voters?

Seems like an easy choice to us.

For the second time in recent years, there is a push by anti-taxpayer politicians to abolish the California Board of Equalization. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 11 would transfer the BOE’s responsibilities to a newly created agency or agencies.

When Proposition 13 was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in 1978, the BOE was instrumental in interpreting its Constitutional and statutory provisions as well as in developing programs and guidance to administer Proposition 13. During this period, the Board continued its role as an unbiased arbiter of property tax issues so important to both business property owners and homeowners. Very few of its adopted policies and regulations have been challenged or overturned, largely because of the Board’s status as a respected independent elected body.

Working with county assessors, the BOE administers property tax statutes and regulations for all taxable real estate, consisting of both state-assessed property, such as railroads and utilities, as well as all locally assessed properties including homes. The Board also oversees how counties conduct assessment appeals and periodically surveys their assessment practices.

The elected BOE also develops the Assessors’ Handbook, an exhaustive explanation of property tax law for county assessors, their staff, and other interested parties. All the resources of the BOE are available online and provide valuable guidance, not just to assessors, but to property owners and taxpayer organizations.

The BOE was especially helpful to Californians who were victimized by Proposition 19, which substantially weakened the ability of homeowners to transfer their home and a limited amount of other property to their children without triggering reassessment. While the BOE had no power to change Prop. 19, board members worked very hard to ameliorate the impact to families who had just suffered the death of a loved one.

Homeowners are justified in their concerns that the abolition of the BOE and the transfer of its responsibilities to other bureaucracies will eliminate accountability and convert what is now a relatively responsive body to some uncaring agency as oppressive as the IRS. For homeowners, this is unacceptable. Homeownership is an important right and property taxes are perhaps the most sensitive (and costly) point of contact between citizens and their government.

Those attacking the BOE claim that it is mismanaged. But this argument is a pretext as those accusations are based on an investigation nearly a decade old against former BOE members. None of the current members have been accused of such malfeasance.

Proponents of ACA 11 contend that the duties of the BOE could be performed by political appointees and bureaucrats rather than elected officials. But government tax agencies have a sorry history of being abusive and, in some cases, even vindictive to taxpayers. (For example, look at what the IRS did in targeting some political organizations for audits. Also, California’s former Franchise Tax Board was found guilty of violating the civil rights of Californians who attempt to establish residency in other states).

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The final failed argument by those seeking to abolish the BOE is that it would save money.

Oh, please . . . since when did the California Legislature show an inkling of concern about waste?

The cost of running BOE, about $35 million, is a pittance compared to the waste demonstrated by the state’s political leadership in recent years – high-speed rail, anyone?

Moreover, since most of the functions of BOE would be transferred to other agencies, the alleged cost “savings” would be a fraction of the $35 million.

Taxpayer advocacy organizations, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, CalTax, and the California Alliance of Taxpayer Advocates are opposed to ACA 11.

We’re united in our belief that the elected Board of Equalization gives taxpayers accountability, responsiveness, and transparency. It is greatly needed and must be preserved.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

​ Orange County Register 

My beef with the Academy on behalf of philosophers like me

• March 26, 2023

Once again I did not receive the Oscar for Best in the Field of Nagging.

Before you get your britches in a bunch because of the negativity the word may connote, the nags of their day – may I remind you – were known as philosophers and were greatly revered.

Yes! Plato was a nag, too. In fact, Plato and the Platitudes were the first rock/advice-giving group in history.

Did he even mention that if you ate moo shu pork, you would bloat the next day? I would have told you.

Nagging is simply giving information. For example, when I suggest you avoid an area because of the potholes, I am giving you the facts as I know them. Since this is America, you have the option of not listening to me and squishing your tires and spending a day at Acme Automotive. It is all about choice.

My Oscar losses started many years ago when I listened to those new age suggestions to “let everyone be” and “do their own thang.”

It was not natural behavior for me. My life fell apart that nag-less year. I didn’t tell anyone what to do or give advice, so every unuttered word went straight to my hips.

Being frustrated, I started celebrating Fat Tuesday every day of the week. Then I moved on to Taco Tuesday Wednesday Thursday … well you know the rest.

The kids didn’t clean their room that year so our home was condemned by the board of health.

One son refused to get a haircut. I said nothing. The principal legally changed his name to Mary Elizabeth, so when he was drafted in the Army … oh please, don’t ask.

So the Oscar for Best Nag in 2023 once again … wasn’t me.

I’m usually nonviolent, but do I have to slap someone to get attention?

To nags and every boss, editor, taxman, crossing guard and those on the board of advisers in our community, everywhere all at once … there’s always next year.

In the meantime, sit up straight and eat your veggies. By the way, speaking of which, ya know, it wouldn’t hurt ya to take a nag to lunch sometime.

Humor columnist and Laguna Woods Village resident Jan Marshall is the author of humor books for grownups, including “Dancin Schmancin With the Scars.” She also has written aspirational books for children — “The Toothbrush Who Tried to Run Away“ and “The Littlest Hero.” She’s the founder of the International Humor and Healing Institute in 1986. She’s a clinical hypnotherapist, a TV host and media humorist, and — above all — a proud great-grandmother. Contact her at [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Bulls outplay Lakers, spoil LeBron James’ return from injury

• March 26, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Coming off the bench for just the second time in his career, LeBron James still made his check-in a spectacle.

Roughly 5 1/2 minutes into the game, the 38-year-old stepped the scorer’s table, and the home crowd’s volume began to rise as he shook the chalk dust into his hands. Then as he tossed it into the air, a roar rose with it.

The Lakers have been hot over the last month and a half, and James’ arrival after a 13-game layoff due to injury seemed like it might ramp up that momentum even more. But on Sunday, the franchise star’s return could not cure all that ails the Lakers (37-38), who were outplayed nearly start to finish in a 118-108 defeat to the Chicago Bulls (36-38).

There was plenty of juice to a game between two teams at the fringe of the playoff race, including plenty of pre-game trash talking from former Laker Patrick Beverley. James’ quick escalation off the injury report from his right foot tendon injury only amped up the volume, and he wound up with a team-high 19 points and 8 rebounds on 6 for 11 shooting.

But ultimately, a lack of defensive intensity — the very thing that has driven the team’s turnaround after the trade deadline, was the key factor more than any individual player. The Lakers have boasted the league’s third-best defensive rating since the All-Star break (110.4), which helped them go 8-5 without James. But they couldn’t stay in front of Zach LaVine’s weaving drives or keep a lid on Chicago’s bench shooters, and they were bothered in the paint and on the glass by the Bulls’ physicality.

Even with James making a stunning return to the fold, the Lakers got checked in a loss that dropped them down to ninth place in the West. It ended a three-game win streak and wasn’t especially encouraging given that the Lakers have to turn around and play the Bulls again Wednesday in Chicago.

James’ return doesn’t clear up much of the Lakers’ injury uncertainty, either. While James was able to spin, plant and sprint on his injured foot which he hadn’t played on since a Feb. 26 win in Dallas, it’s uncertain how many of the Lakers’ final seven games he’ll play in as the team tries to manage his health for the playoffs. The team also played without D’Angelo Russell for the second straight game as the point guard dealt with right hip soreness.

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Anthony Davis labored again for offensive touches, scoring 15 points on just eight shot attempts. The Bulls — who have had the NBA’s best defense since All-Star — hammered him with double-teams. But the Lakers’ shooters couldn’t punish them, either: The team was just 13 for 36 from deep. Troy Brown Jr. was the team’s best offensive weapon early, finishing with 18 points, while Malik Beasley (18 points) heated up late when the Lakers tried eating into Chicago’s 21-point lead.

There was a small flicker of hope with 1:30 remaining, after Beasley hit his fifth 3-pointer and brought the game within eight points. But Beverley got the last laugh, hitting a turnaround hook over James and gesturing “too small” on the court and howling to himself.

As fired up for his first game in a month as the home crowd was, James himself was slow-starting. It took him nearly four minutes to attempt his first shot, a driving baseline layup. James did a chunk of his first-half damage on the free throw line.

But as much as the Lakers could have used a hit of offense, the other side of the ball held up much more poorly. LaVine caught a rhythm on pick-and-roll drives, while Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu hit 3-pointers that had Chicago up by 20 points even by the second quarter.

​ Orange County Register 

San Diego State beats Creighton, makes first NCAA Final Four

• March 26, 2023

By GARY B. GRAVES, AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Darrion Trammell converted a go-ahead free throw after he was fouled on a floater with 1.2 seconds left, and San Diego State muscled its way into its first Final Four, grinding out a 57-56 victory over Creighton on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region final.

Lamont Butler scored 18 points and Trammell had 12 for the fifth-seeded Aztecs (31-6), who slowed down the high-scoring, sixth-seeded Bluejays (24-13) and became the first Mountain West Conference team to reach the national semifinals.

The experienced Aztecs, in their sixth season under coach Brian Dutcher, will play the surprising East Region champion, ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic, on Saturday in Houston for a spot in the national title game.

With the game tied at 56-all on San Diego State’s final possession, Trammell drove toward the free-throw line, elevated for the shot and was fouled by Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard. Trammell missed the first free throw but converted the second.

“I’ve been dreaming this my whole life, grateful to be here and thankful to everyone who believed in me,” Trammell said.

Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman threw the ensuing inbound pass the length of the floor. San Diego State’s Aguek Arop and Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma both jumped for it and the ball deflected out of bounds. Officials reviewed the play and determined that time had expired, and the celebration was on for the Aztecs.

“I wasn’t given an explanation other than there was no time on the clock,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “They made no call on the floor but officiating is part of the game and we’re not gonna go there.”

Scheierman had tied the game at 56-all when he stole an inbounds pass and converted a layup with 34 seconds remaining.

Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 17 points and Scheierman and Kaluma had 12 apiece for the Bluejays, who went 2 of 17 from 3-point range.

The Aztecs, who got this far thanks to defense and physical play, held the Bluejays to 23 second-half points on 28% shooting as they won for the 14th time in 15 games. Creighton shot 40% overall.

San Diego State shot 38% but got clutch baskets from Nathan Mensah, whose jumper gave the Aztecs a 56-54 lead with 1:37 left, and Arop, who made two straight shots for a 54-50 advantage with 3:03 remaining.

Creighton, which beat San Diego State in overtime in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, fell just short of joining Big East rival UConn in the Final Four.

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The teams didn’t appear to share any hard feelings from last year’s meeting. They shared a round-trip flight to Hawaii last fall for the Maui Invitational, and there were no dustups during a tight, physical game in which no team led by more than eight points.

DIVIDED LOYALTIES

Kaluma played against his brother, San Diego State’s Adam Seiko. Their parents sat a few rows up at midcourt, sitting quietly before joining Seiko to celebrate.

BIG PICTURE

Creighton’s offense started well enough as the Bluejays built a 33-28 halftime lead and extended their advantage to seven in the second half. But Creighton didn’t make a single 3-pointer after halftime.

San Diego State proved again that defense matters, especially since the Aztecs also scuffled for points. Their experience as depth showed as Mensah and Arop, who averaged just 6.1 and 4.5 points per game respectively, converted the last three baskets.

​ Orange County Register 

For Ducks’ Mason McTavish, playing in World Championships is tough call

• March 26, 2023

ANAHEIM — Once the Ducks season ends, rookie center Mason McTavish is probably going to have to make a decision.

Will he play for Canada in the upcoming World Championships?

McTavish is the sort of candidate Canada would almost certainly want to recruit for the 16-team tournament, co-hosted by Riga, Latvia, and Tampere, Finland, May 12-28. He has an impressive international resume for a player of his age (20) and experience, happily answering the call whenever asked. At the Olympics in 2022, he was the youngest member of Canada’s men’s hockey team in Beijing and a key figure in the gold-medal winning effort at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton in August.

But McTavish himself will acknowledge that he just might need a break.

“It’s tough — you always want to represent your country, but I feel like I’ve played a lot of hockey over the last couple of years,” he told the Orange County Register. “Just a break. Not even physically but just mentally.

“It’s definitely hard to say no to your country. It’ll be a tough decision. I’m not really sure yet.”

McTavish has been in the Calder Trophy dialogue for most of the season as one of the better rookies in the NHL. Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken has pretty much led the rookie scoring race from start to finish. After 70 games, Beniers has 20 goals and 50 points, but McTavish is within eight points, recording 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) in 71 games.

“I’ve been fortunate to play this much and to have the opportunities that I’ve had,” McTavish said.

In a season that hasn’t gone the Ducks’ way, McTavish’s development has been one of the highlights of a season that is going to end in disappointment. But through all the ups and downs, McTavish has taken steps forward in his development.

He started the season on the wing and was centering the fourth line by the 10th game of the season, and quickly became a fixture among the six forwards and the first power-play unit. With Trevor Zegras, the Ducks have two of the better young centermen in the game, and in many ways you could compare where they are this season to where the New Jersey Devils have been in the past.

The Devils have made the playoffs this season as their young core emerges and Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier have taken important steps forward.

When the same thing occurs with Zegras and McTavish, that will bring the Ducks that much closer to turning the corner.

“McTavish and Zegras — their matchups every night, they’re out of this world,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said Saturday. “They are firmly doing their best to keep swimming and not drowning.

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“Our last game (against Winnipeg), they either got (Mark) Scheifele or they got (Pierre-Luc) Dubois or (Adam) Lowry. That’s a handful for them. But it’s excellent for them. They’re understanding it.”

McTavish has only missed one game all season — Jan. 19 at Columbus — making sure a minor back issue didn’t turn into a bigger problem. The physical challenges aren’t the only thing a young player needs to sort out.

“I’d say the mental part is harder,” he said. “All of the travel. It seems like every time I travel I get sick. The dry air, in rooms, the airplane. But not bad sick.

“There’s always so many ups and downs in a year, not getting too down or not getting too up.”

COLORADO AT DUCKS

When: Monday, 7 p.m.

Where: Honda Center

TV: Bally Sports West

​ Orange County Register 

Summer Camp Guide 2023: Arts camps

• March 26, 2023

ACTING ACADEMY FOR KIDS SUMMER PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS

● Ages: 4-13

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 11

● 24196 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo; 14281 Chambers Road, Tustin; 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente

● 949-427-0072

● www.actingacademyforkids.com

Campers are guided through the production of a popular musical from start to finish. Students take daily classes in music, acting, directing and dance. The weekly program culminates in a Friday showcase. Both virtual and in-person camp options are available.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

Summer is the ultimate balancing act for families
How to book a ‘just right’ camp
Academic and STEM camps
City-run camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

APA KIDS AND APA JR. SUMMER PROGRAMS

● Ages: Grades 1-9

● July 10-21; July 24-Aug 4

● Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach

● 714-536-2514, ext. 51454

● www.hbapa.org

Students will participate in art, music, dance and acting. Separate camps are offered by grade level. Each camp ends with a showcase performance and a mini art show.

ARTS & LEARNING CONSERVATORY SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: Kindergarten-12th grade

● Dates: June 26-Aug. 11

●151 Kalmus Drive, G3, Costa Mesa

● 714-728-7100

●  www.artsandlearning.org

Performing arts camps offer instruction in theater, voice, stage tech, instrumental music and dance. Older teens will rehearse “West Side Story” while younger students can play roles in “Annie.” There also are camps devoted to band, strings, musical theater revues and camps devoted to “Encanto” and “Hamilton.” Each week of camp culminates in a performance

ART STUDIO ART CAMP

● Ages: 7-17

● Dates: TBA

● 6450 Westminster Blvd., Westminster

● Studio: 714-899-6001; Mobile: 714-458-2800

● theartstudio.us

All Art Studio camp classes are taught by professional, working artists who also have a mission to teach their art forms. Camps are tailored to the individual from beginning to advanced. Mediums offered this year are oil painting, drawing, sculpting and custom skateboard designing.

CHAPMAN SUMMER CHORAL MUSIC CAMP

The Chapman Summer Choral Music Camp is open to high school students.(Photo by Doug Gifford)

● Ages: High school students

● June 19-23

● One University Drive, Orange

● 714-997-6871

● chapman.edu

Experience college-level singing in daily vocal classes and small ensemble practice directed by Keith Hancock, the Grammy Music Educator of the Year for 2017. The week culminates with a concert in the Musco Center of the Arts. Final date to register is May 1.

THE COLLECTIVE SOUND ACADEMY

● Ages: 12-18

● Dates: TBA

● Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive., Costa Mesa

● thecollectivesound.com/california-summer-music-camp

Campers will write and perform original music. They will record in a professional studio, film a music video and perform in front of an audience during the three-week session.

CREATIVE KIDS PLAYHOUSE THEATER IMMERSION CAMP

● Ages: 3-18

● Dates: June 26-July 22

●  Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano; Laguna Hills High School, 25401 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills

● 949-297-6257

● creativekidsplayhouse.com

With guidance from theater professionals, kids will put together a one-act musical in one week with training in drama, dance, vocal music, set design and more. Virtual options are available.

CULINARY KIDS SUMMER CAMP

Kids in the Culinary Kids Summer Camp at Aliso Viejo Middle School in Aliso Viejo on Friday, July 22, 2022 work as a team to make bacon cheeseburger biscuit pies. Pictured, from left, are Charlotte Thornton, 11, Cassidy Rudin, 9, Delaney Alderman, 9, Annabelle Thornton, 10 and Savannah Mason, 8. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: 6-14

● Dates: Weeklong camps June 12-Aug. 4 in Aliso Viejo (except week of July 3); June 12-July 28 in San Clemente (except weeks of July 3, July 17)

● Aliso Viejo Middle School, 111 Park Ave., Aliso Viejo; San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente

● 949-292-4720

● culinarykids.biz

Young chefs gain hands-on cooking experience with camps titled Perfect Pizza Pairings, Terrific Taco Time and Beach Bash: Meals and Treats to Beat the Heat. Note: Book early. Some camps are already full.

FIVE DAYS OF BROADWAY AT THE SEGERSTROM CENTER

● Ages: 11-18

● Dates: Middle School June 19-23 (ages 11-13); High School June 26-30 (ages 14-18)

● 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

● 714-556-2122, ext. 4104, or [email protected]

● scfta.org

Students will be coached in musical theater performance by professional artists and educators. Campers will build a foundation in music, acting and dance and be introduced to backstage and technical elements of theater.

MUDDY’S STUDIO CLAY CAMP

● Ages: 8-15

● Dates: TBA

● 2610 South Halladay St., Santa Ana

● 714-641-4077

● muddysstudio.com

This camp introduces kids to the art of clay and teaches the fundamentals of ceramics. Work on a potter’s wheel, hand build and glaze pieces created from scratch. Book quickly because spots are limited and filling up fast.

PALETTE STATION SUMMER ART CAMP

Chase Hung works on a watercolor of a pirate ship during art camp at Palette Station in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, July 15, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: 5-12

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 11

● 1526 Brookhollow Drive, Ste. 84, Santa Ana

● 714-714-0126

● palettestation.com

Teachers will work with campers to create projects using acrylic paint, watercolor, colored pencils, oil pastels and modeling clay.

THE PERFORMER’S ACADEMY

● Ages: 7-15

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 18 (no camp week of July 3)

● 23721 Birtcher Drive, Lake Forest

● 949-609-1600

● performersacademy.net

Campers will rehearse throughout the week and perform a show Friday evening. A video of the show will be shared with the camper’s family. No singing or dancing experience is necessary.

‘PLUG INTO POP MUSIC’ SUMMER CAMP

● Ages: 9-16

● Dates: July 17-28

● Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach

● 714-536-2514, ext. 51454

● www.hbapa.org

This camp, operated by the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, will introduce students to pop and rock instruments (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards), and teach them how to write songs and build their brands. Participants will present a concert on the final day of camp.

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Alani Gonzalez, 13, of Los Alamitos plays “Hey Bulldog,” by The Beatles, along with other campers during the School of Rock Tustin’s Classic Rock camp in 2015. Students spend a week preparing for a performance at the end of the week. (Photo by Nick Agro, Orange County Register/SCNG

● Ages: 7-18

● Weekly camps June 5-July 16

● Locations in Huntington Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Santa Ana and Tustin

● 714-847-7788 (Huntington Beach); 949-888-7625 (Rancho Santa Margarita); 949-774-7625; 714-975-9116

● www.schoolofrock.com

Kids learn the basics of playing live music and receive studio/band rehearsal time. Camp includes instruction and clinics with music professionals and a rock show performance.

SEWING CAMP

● Ages: 7-15

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 28

● The District at Tustin Legacy, 2477 Park Ave., Tustin

● 714-259-0946

● createdesignsew.com

The camp offers half-day and full-day sessions and both a regular sewing camp (ages 8-15) and junior sewing camp (ages 7-8). Participants will learn the basics of machine sewing such as ironing, cutting patterns and threading and filling bobbins. Students choose the projects to create. The camp also offers 2-hour Fashionable Fundays workshops on Wednesdays. Off-site options are available.

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY SUMMER WORKSHOPS

●  Ages: Third to 12th grade

●  Dates: Sessions July 10-21 and July 24-Aug. 4

●  655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

●  714-708-5555

●  scr.org

Students can choose acting, improv or musical theater as their focus for the two-week program. Students will gain exposure to various aspects of theater, such as design, improvisation, combat, singing and play writing.

STEVE & KATE’S CAMP

●  Ages: 4-12

●  Dates: June 19-Aug. 18

● Renascence School International Orange County, 1701 Baker St., Costa Mesa

●  949-669-5134

●  steveandkatescamp.com/costa-mesa

Campers get to choose their own activities from options that include dancing games, karaoke, building and playing games on iPads, a sewing salon, a bakery, a “makery” for creating crafts, water play and sports.

​ Orange County Register 

Summer Camp Guide 2023: City-run camps

• March 26, 2023

ANAHEIM SUMMER CAMPS

Sarah Johnson, 12, competes in archery during Wilderness Survival Camp at Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim, CA on Friday, July 29, 2022. Campers learned shelter building, food and water gathering, first aid and archery. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: 5-12

● Dates: TBA

● Various locations in Anaheim

● 714-765-5155

● anaheim.net

The city offers camps to keep kids busy through the summer including CampVenture, a day camp of mixed activities and the O.A.K.S. nature camp inspired by Native American lifestyles. Wilderness Survival Camp at Oak Canyon Nature Center teaches first aid, food and water gathering, and shelter building using resources in nature.

BREA SUMMER DAY CAMP

● Ages: Kindergarten to eighth grade

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 11

● 695 Madison Way, Brea

● 714-990-7179

● ci.brea.ca.us

Games, crafts, computers, sports and educational presentations with weekly excursions and local outings for Knott’s Berry Farm, LA Zoo, other fun locations, swimming, movies and park visits. Registration will open April 20 for residents and April 21 for nonresidents.

More from our Summer Camp Guide

Summer is the ultimate balancing act for families
How to book a ‘just right’ camp
Academic and STEM camps
Arts camps
Faith-based camps
Foreign-language camps
Sleep-away camps
Sports camps
Swim, surf and sailing camps

BUENA PARK YOUTH SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS

● Ages: 7-14

● Dates: June 5-Aug. 12

● Boisseranc Park, 7520, Dale St.; Peak Park Sports Camp, 7225 El Dorado Drive

● 714-562-3858

● www.buenapark.com

Kids will enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including basketball, dodgeball, kickball and ultimate Frisbee as well as field trips to the Peak Park Pool and Big Air Trampoline Park.

CYPRESS SUMMER DAY CAMP

● Ages: 1st to 7th grade

● Dates: TBA

● Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Ave., Cypress

● 714-229-6780

● cypressrec.org

Themed weeks with games, arts and crafts and cooking lessons. Campers take excursions to places such as Discovery Cube Orange County, Knott’s Berry Farm, Big Air USA and Raging Waters.

FULLERTON CAMP HILLCREST SUMMER DAY CAMP

● Ages: 5-12

● Dates: June 12-Aug 4

● Hillcrest Park Recreation Center 1155 N. Lemon St., Fullerton

● 714-773-5789

● cityoffullerton.com

Camp Hillcrest provides a well- rounded and safe atmosphere for campers and provides instruction in arts and crafts, games and sports. Excurisons include Discovery Cube, LA Zoo, Knott’s Soak City, Medieval Times, among others.

GARDEN GROVE SUMMER DAY CAMP

● Ages: 5-12

● Dates: June 24-Aug. 30

● Atlantis Play Center, 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove

● 714-741-5200; 714-741-5211

● ggcity.org

Campers will receive a camp T-shirt, snacks and refreshments and participate in games, activities and excursions to the beach, Knott’s Berry Farm or an Angels game.

HUNTINGTON BEACH SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: 6-13

● Dates vary depending on camp selected

● Murdy Community Center, 7000 Norma Drive, Huntington Beach

● 714-536-5486

● hbsands.org

Camp HB offers fun-filled weeks of camp, with themes such as sports, arts and crafts, water week and summer fun, plus on- and off-site excursions.

IRVINE SUMMER CAMPS

Samantha Xia, 6, left, practices with others during Hip Hop Camp at Portola Springs Community Park in Irvine, CA on Thursday, August 5, 2021. The city of Irvine and OC Dance Productions have been offering camps to help kids work out their summer break wiggles while learning some off-the-hook dance moves. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: 4.5-18

● June 5-Aug. 18

● Various locations throughout Irvine

● 949-724-6610

● cityofirvine.org

More than 100 summer camps are available, including half-day, full-day or part-time options. Sports, nature, art, theater, tennis, excursions, engineering and more are available.

LAGUNA NIGUEL SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: First to eighth grade

● Dates: Starts June 19-Aug. 4

● Parks and Rec office 949-425-5100; Recreation Hotline 949-362-4351

● cityoflagunaniguel.org

Campers will experience outdoor play, board and card games, team-building activities, toy building, weekly visitors, science and nature exploration in the Botanical Preserve, arts and crafts, swimming, and diving.

CLUB LA PALMA DAY CAMP

● Ages: 5-12

● Dates: TBA

● George B. Miller Elementary School, 7751 Furman Road, with the final week of camp the La Palma Community Center, 7821 Walker Street

● 714-690-3300

● cityoflapalma.org/daycamp

Club La Palma is filled with action-packed activities and excursions to such destinations as Big Air Trampoline Park, Discovery Cube, Knott’s Berry Farm, and more.

MISSION VIEJO SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: 5-17

● Various dates and locations throughout the summer

● cityofmissionviejo.org

The city offers a variety of specialty summer camps, including robotics, Minecraft, music video singing, American doll fashion as well as sports and academic camps. There is a also a general day camp called Mission: Camp Adventure.

ORANGE YOUTH DAY CAMPS

● Entering first grade to age 15

● Various dates and locations throughout the summer

● Various city parks

● 714-744-7293

● cityoforange.org

Campers will enjoy sing-alongs, sports, games, crafts and weekly excursions outside the city.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: 3.5-17

● Dates: TBA

● Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita

● 949-216-9700

● cityofrsm.org

A variety of classes such as art, chess, cooking, dance, cheerleading, movie-making and sewing.

SADDLEBACK VALLEY UNIFIED SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: Kindergarten to eighth grade

● Dates: TBA

● 949-586-1234

● saddlebackchildcare.org

Camps are geared for elementary and teenage students and include field trips, games, crafts, sports and special events.

SAN CLEMENTE SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: 3-15

● Various dates and locations throughout San Clemente

● 949-361-8264; or 949-361-8200

● www.san-clemente.org/recreation-community

The city offers more than 200 camps with such titles as children’s theater, active adventure and beach volleyball.

SANTA ANA SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Sebastian Zotea, 8, enjoys a refreshing jump in the Salgado Recreation Center pool during the City of Santa Ana Day Camp on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

● Ages: 5-12

● Various recreation centers in Santa Ana

● 714-647-5307

● www.santa-ana.org

Kids can enjoy organized games and fitness activities, arts and crafts, library visits, and computer workshops.

TUSTIN SUMMER CAMPS

● Ages: 3-17

● Various dates and locations throughout Tustin

● Tustin Family and Youth Center, 14722 Newport Ave.

● 714-573-3370

● tustinca.org

This program offers camps in dance and fine arts, sports, science, modeling, theater and more.

YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP

● Starts in June

● 50+ locations around Orange County

● ymcaoc.org/summer-day-camp

Day camps feature sports and out- door activities, field trips, and specialty clubs like cooking, art, photography and sports. Excursions include the zoo, Discovery Cube L.A., Knott’s Berry Farm and Boomers. The program offers water games, outdoor sports, and arts and crafts.

​ Orange County Register 

How to choose foods that are actually healthy and good for you

• March 26, 2023

When it comes to food and nutrition, figuring out which foods are healthy can be confusing. The government’s definition of healthy food is outdated and health experts don’t seem to agree on what makes a food healthy.

How do we cut through the jargon and hype to choose foods that are actually healthy?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s existing definition of “healthy” is from 1994. It provides limits for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. To qualify, foods must also provide a certain amount of vitamin A, calcium, iron or fiber, meeting at least 10 percent of the Daily Value for these nutrients. But these parameters are 30 years old and both the science and consumers have evolved and changed considerably since then.

It’s important to realize the distinction between a healthy food and a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes a variety of nutritious foods that provide all the nutrients needed to maintain health and energy levels while preventing or managing certain diseases. Foods that are not deemed healthy can still fit into a healthy diet. Of course, there are different opinions on what makes a food or beverage “healthy.”

Last year, the FDA proposed an updated definition of “healthy” claims on food packages with a focus on reducing chronic disease. Changes to the definition of “healthy” would be based on the latest nutrition science, federal dietary guidelines and the current Nutrition Facts label.

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Under the proposed definition of “healthy,” a food product would have to contain a specified amount of food from at least one of the food groups such as fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein. It would also include specific limits for added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. All raw whole fruit and vegetables would qualify for the “healthy” claim. Foods and beverages that don’t qualify for the “healthy” claim under the current definition, but would qualify under the proposed updated definition include water, avocados, nuts, seeds, fatty fish like salmon and some oils. Foods that currently qualify as “healthy” under the current definition, but would no longer be considered healthy under the proposed definition include white bread, highly sugar-sweetened yogurts and highly sugar-sweetened cereal.

While experts work to align the “healthy” claim for food and beverage products with current scientific evidence, there are steps we can make to ensure we are eating a diet based on nutritious, health-promoting products.

Check the Nutrition Facts label for sodium content. Products with more than 400 mg of sodium per serving are considered high in sodium and products with 140 mg of sodium or less are low in sodium.
Read for Nutrition Facts food label for sugar content. Ideally, for those two years and older added sugars should be limited to less than 10 percent of total daily calories. This is about 24 grams of sugar or less for women and 36 grams of sugar or less for men daily.
When purchasing grain products like bread, cereal, crackers, tortillas and pasta, choose products made with whole grains that contain at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.
When possible, opt for fresh, frozen and canned meat, poultry and seafood products with minimal added ingredients. Additional ingredients often contribute to excess sugar, salt and fat.
Use the ingredient list on the food package to know what is in the product. Pay attention to the first three ingredients as they make up the largest part of the product.
Look for whole food ingredients from the food groups such as vegetables, fruit, dairy, grain and protein.

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].

​ Orange County Register