Thank you to all who attended Friday's State of the City event hosted by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor John Stephens gave the 300 or so attendees at the Costa Mesa Hilton and update with the theme “Stronger Every Day,” that highlighted the City’s major milestones and accomplishment for 2023. 

Longtime Costa Mesa leader and publisher of Stu News Newport Tom Johnson emceed the event and in addition to Mayor Stephens, speakers included City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison and Chamber CEO David Haithcock. 

Also in attendance were Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Harlan, Council Members Loren Gameros, Andrea Marr, Manuel Chavez and Arlis Reynolds as well as Deputy City Manager Alma Reyes, Police Chief Ron Lawrence, Fire Chief Dan Stefano, Public Works Director Raja Sethuraman, Economic and Development Services Director Jennifer Le, Finance Director Carol Molina, IT Director Steve Ely, Deputy Police Chief Joyce LaPointe and multiple City staffers and business and community leaders representing Rose Equities, Orange Coast College, Vanguard University, IKEA, Travel Costa Mesa and many more.

After giving the State of the City address, Mayor Stephens and Johnson led a panel discussion on the state of local business that featured South Coast Plaza CEO Molly Unger, Anduril Co-Founder and COO Matt Grimm and Northgate Markets Strategist Joshua Gonzalez.  

Click here for more photos.

At the Tuesday Sept. 19 meeting, the City Council will celebrate the Costa Mesa Pony 10U Baseball Team for winning the 2023 Pony World Series.

The Council will also recognize the Heroes with a Heart honoree, Costa Mesa Police Officer Orlando Lopez for the compassion he showed during a police call last year.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Mayor John Stephens had the pleasure of welcoming California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero to the Monthly event of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

This month's event was held at the Westin South Coast Plaza.

Chief Justice Guerrero is the 29th Chief Justice of California. She was sworn into office on Jan. 2, 2023, making history as the first Latina to serve as California’s Chief Justice.

The City will hold a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Lions Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy free performances by INCA, the Peruvian Ensemble and Mariachi Los Santaneros.

In addition to live entertainment, the event will also include library activities, kids activities, food vendors and community booths.

Add it to your calendar here.

On Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue and the Costa Mesa Police Department, in collaboration with the Costa Mesa city team, joined the regional, statewide and national remembrance and reflection with fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical services communities to remember all of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.  

Click here for more photos.

At Fire Station No. 1, Mayor John Stephens and Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Harlan joined with Fire Chief Dan Stefano, Police Chief Ron Lawrence, Deputy City Manager Alma Reyes, Public Works Director Raja Sethuraman, Finance Director Carol Molina and members of the Fire, Police and City staff in a brief ceremony of remembrance and reflection in their honor in front the station’s flag pole coupled with a countywide fire services broadcast.

Similar ceremonies of remembrance took place at all the Fire stations in Costa Mesa. Council Member Andrea Marr joined with Fire and Police and City officials in a ceremony at Fire Station No. 5.

City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison presented Parks & Community Services Executive Assistant Laura Fatua with the City Manager Leadership Award for the month of September.

“I think it is such a great story that Laura was a participant in the City’s recreation after school program when she was in grade school,” Farrell Harrison said.

“That experience led her to join the Recreation Leader in Training Program. In her 13 years since, she has proven to be a huge asset in the Parks & Community Services Department and has demonstrated a love and passion for the department and the City and community. The proof of her dedication can be seen with the series of promotions she’s received over the years. I’m so happy to present her with this award.”

Click here to read Laura's story.

Norma Hertzog, the City of Costa Mesa’s first woman Council Member and Mayor, passed away on Aug. 21 at the age of 94.

Her daughter, Elaine Burkert, wanted the residents of Costa Mesa to know more about her mom’s story.

Click here to read her letter. 

Happy Flashback Friday!

Our summer Concerts In The Park series always brings out the best in family summer fun, but the fall also features many more concerts and events, including the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and many more!

Check out the city's website and search the calendar section for upcoming dates to save and come join the fun! Visit www.costamesaca.gov for upcoming events.

Check out some of the family fun at this summer's Reflexx Band concert in this video here.

The Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter is thrilled to welcome two passionate and dedicated interns, Michale Fotion and Jordan Marcigliano, who are poised to make a significant impact.

With their diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to serving the community, they bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our team.

Fotion, a Masters of Social Work student at Cal State Fullerton in the Flex (3-year) program, brings a wealth of experience in homeless services to the table. Having managed a street outreach program and a shelter in South Orange County, he joins us in his second year of the MSW program, poised for further growth. He is excited to develop his social work skills at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter. As a resident of Costa Mesa, he is particularly proud to contribute to addressing homelessness in his own community.

Marcigliano is on her way to obtaining a Masters in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Minor in history from the University of Arizona, her expertise may have initially centered on children, but her heart and drive are firmly rooted in community service.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, her commitment to making a difference in the very community she grew up in is both inspiring and heartwarming.

We eagerly anticipate the contributions both of these interns will make to our efforts in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in Costa Mesa. Their diverse experiences, combined with their unwavering dedication to the cause, embody the spirit of social work and community service that drives us forward.

For more information click here.

Costa Mesa's efforts to address homelessness continue to be a success as 308 people have been housed since the inception of the Bridge Shelter in April of 2019.

The City of Costa Mesa’s Network for Homeless Solutions is a collaborative effort among City staff, volunteers, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations working together to address homelessness in our Community.

Through the efforts of the City’s Network for Homeless Solutions, individuals experiencing homelessness in Costa Mesa are connected to resources such as case management, employment assistance, housing navigation, and health care services.

If you know of someone in need, please call our hotline at 714-754-5346. For more information on what Costa Mesa is doing to address homelessness, please visit our website below:

Click here to apply for a job with the City of Costa Mesa.

On Friday night, Sept. 8, at CMPD's DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Baker Street at Bear Street, a total of 271 vehicles were contacted and yielded 25 field evaluations for impairment, 1 DUI arrests, 15 citations issued for driver’s license related violations, and eight vehicles were impounded.

CMPD appreciates everyone’s patience, a total of 593 vehicles passed through this checkpoint.

Checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by distributing educational information and by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

CMPD is committed to reducing injuries and fatalities on the road due to impairment. Help us keep the streets safe for everyone, don't drive under the influence and obey all traffic laws.

On Sept. 11, the Costa Mesa Police Department joined Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue and City of Costa Mesa staff at the fire stations in the City to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

We paid our respects and honored those lost 22 years ago by presenting arms and holding a moment of silence.

On Sept. 12, five years ago, the Costa Mesa Police Department lost one of their own.

The team fondly remembers Officer Oscar Adrian Reyes and holds his family in their thoughts and prayers.

His legacy lives on in the department and the community that he served for 13 years.

On Sept. 13, the Costa Mesa Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau participated in the Orange County Traffic Officers’ Associations 51st annual Police Motorcycle Training and Skills Competition in Huntington Beach.

This motor rodeo draws hundreds of officers from all over the western states, about 300 this year, and included six cone patterns and a Top Gun competition.

The 2018 motor rodeo marks a sad time in the department’s history, the loss of Officer Reyes.

In 2019, the department returned to the motor rodeo event to compete and be part of a heartwarming tribute to Christian Reyes, the young nephew of Costa Mesa Motor Officer Oscar Reyes, who died on Sept. 12, 2018, the day of the 2018 motor rodeo.

Christian was given a customized vehicle crafted in the likeness of his Uncle Oscar’s BMW R1200RT-P police motorcycle.

This year was special since it was the first time since 2019 that the Costa Mesa Police team has participated.

Deputy Chief Joyce LaPointe, Lt. Stephanie Selinske, Lt. Michelle Bradbury, Officer Nicole Brown, Officer Crystal Cordero, Officer Eloisa Peralta, and Officer Madison Evans attended Cal Chiefs’ Women Leaders in Law Enforcement , to learn from shared experiences in an empowering environment.

“I was honored to gather alongside aspiring and accomplished law enforcement leaders from all corners of the state, the event exemplified the diversity and dedication within the field,” said Deputy Chief LaPointe. “Throughout the conference, we engaged in dynamic discussions, shared invaluable insights, and fostered a powerful sense of camaraderie. The experience reaffirmed the importance of women's contributions in law enforcement and left us inspired to continue breaking barriers and shaping a more inclusive and effective future for our communities.”

On Monday, Sept. 11, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue and Costa Mesa Police Department partnered together and were joined by Costa Mesa City Council members, City Leadership and City Staff, and community members, who all gathered at each of the six Costa Mesa Fire Stations to honor, pay tribute and reflect on the events and lives lost, during the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Monday marked the 22nd year of remembrance.  

CMFR participated with fire departments and law enforcement agencies with a countywide radio broadcast, facilitated by the OCFA and in partnership with the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association (OCFCA).

The focus of the ceremony this year was to share time together to reflect, remember, and honor all of those lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  

This remembrance service each year provides an opportunity to pay tribute and honor all of the 2,977 people who were killed that day while giving a strongest salute to the members of the following uniformed services:

•  343 fallen members of FDNY

•  23 fallen members of NYPD

•  37 fallen members of Port Authority Police

"As we all take the time to reflect, honor and pay tribute, together and in our own different ways, we are encouraging our fire family and respective teams to create some extra space throughout the day, and the days that follow, to share some extra time with those closest to us and those within our sphere of influence, if by a conversation or simply by our presence. September 11th has extraordinary meaning to each of us, but it is equally important for us to acknowledge its impacts on all of those closest to us and around us," shared Fire Chief Dan Stefano, "Our heartfelt prayers remain with all who were lost on 9/11 and with all of the families, friends and colleagues who have been impacted. And we will not ever waver on our lifelong pledge to Never Forget and Always Remember 9/11."

Congratulations to Firefighter/Paramedics Portia Neale and Robert Rondinella and Firefighters Jeff Guzman, Josh Kalmonson, Kainoa Korionoff, and Kenji Taniguchi, who all officially successfully concluded their probationary year with CMFR! 

Click here to see more photos.

Across a few days and a few different shifts, small internal ceremonies were held at each new Firefighter/Paramedics assigned station with their assigned crew.

Each new firefighter gave back their probationary badge, and in return they received the highly anticipated “firefighter” badge and helmet shields, which were presented to them by Fire Chief Dan Stefano and the command staff. 

A big congratulations to the newest CMFR firefighters and to those that have helped them through their probationary year, and reach this level of success. 

CMFR will host a formal community badge pinning and recognition ceremony on Oct. 26, 2023, which will highlight the newest firefighters and a number of other recognitions.

September is National Preparedness Month and Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue wants to remind the community of the importance of being well-prepared. 

The 2023 theme is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3.” This year’s campaign focuses on preparing older adults for disasters. Older generations can face more significant risks regarding extreme weather event and emergencies, especially if they live alone or have a disability. 

CMFR reminds everyone that we can always do more to be better prepared at home, work and at school. Please visit the City of Costa Mesa’s website here for emergency preparedness checklists, resource guides and planning tools .

People can also sign up for ALERTOC messages from Costa Mesa and Orange County emergency management. Please visit the following links for more information, both in English and Spanish: 

Ready.gov/older-adults

Ready.gov/es/adultos-mayores

Ready.gov/disability

Ready.gov/es/discapacidad

In honor of Fire Prevention Month, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue invites you to our Annual CMFR Community Open House and Fire & Safety Expo event – October 7.

This is a FREE community event, and all are welcomed. Come out and meet CMFR’s fire-fighters, learn about the fire service, participate in simulated firefighting drills, fun activities, see live Fire, Rescue and EMS demonstrations and learn how we run emergency calls. 

There will also be other special surprises throughout the day, including our first ever interactive earthquake education and demonstration, in partnership with Cal OES.

The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at Fire Station no. 4, located at 2300 Placentia Ave. Free parking is availble at Estancia High School. 

We hope you come out. We look forward to seeing you there.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has opened registration for the next weekend course taking place Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1. 

Class will meet Friday evening, 5:30- 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. 

CERT weekend course will cover earthquake awareness and preparedness, disaster fire suppression techniques, disaster medical operations, team organization and management, light search and rescue, community preparedness and disaster simulation. 

Those interested in registering are encouraged to contact Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue CERT coordinator at (714) 327-7406 or via email at Brenda.emrick@costamesaca.gov.

Another great opportunity is Citizens Fire Academy. Registration is now open. CFA begins Sept. 20. Registration available online at the city website or by calling 714-327-7400

Recently, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Captain Chuck Torres, who oversees CMFR’s Training, Safety and Professional Standards, met with CMFR Community Risk Reduction staff for an official training for the launch of the department’s new Training Learning Management System.  

The new platform will enhance CMFR’s training record-keeping and allow staff to streamline training courses into one delivery system. This program can assist with delivering daily operational information so the members of the department have a one-stop shop to get information daily.  

The training completed the final department-wide training, in advance of the new program going live in a few weeks. 

The Public Works team continues to receive requests to install bike parking at locations throughout the City following the launch of a webpage earlier this year to provide community members and business owners with an easy way to request a bike rack in the public right-of-way.

Recent installations include a rack installed near the intersection of Wilson Street and Harbor Boulevard and at 212 East 17th Street.

As the City continues to implement the 2018 Active Transportation Plan, abundant, visible, convenient and secure bike parking is an important component of an effective bicycle network that provides increased mobility options to Costa Mesa residents and visitors.

To suggest a bike rack, please visit: Request a Bike Rack | City of Costa Mesa (costamesaca.gov).  

As always, the City recommends securing your bicycle to the rack with a u-lock in order to reduce the chance of theft.  

On Saturday, Sept. 9, the City hosted another “Dump Day” event for collection of bulky items at the Costa Mesa Senior Center located at 695 West 19th Street. At this event, sponsored by Caltrans, residents from the City and throughout Orange County were invited to drop off and dispose of bulky household items at no cost.

This was the seventh successful Dump Day hosted by the City along with its valued partners. All these events were received well by the community, which prompted the hosting of this latest Dump Day event.

This collaborative inter-agency effort among the City of Costa Mesa, Caltrans, Office of State Senator David Min, and the Office of Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, highlights the mutual cooperation in maintaining our clean community and emphasizes the need to dispose of bulky trash items properly and safely. Caltrans’ Clean California Program funded this Dump Day event.

The Public Works Department is proud to help lead this effort and appreciates the community stakeholders who participated in this event in making this a great success! Details for the next Dump Day will be published as soon as they become available.

Click here for more photos.

The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) will be accepting applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waiting list beginning Sept. 18 through Sept. 29.    

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and enables OCHA to subsidize monthly rent payments for qualified applicants.

Click here for more information.

The City of Costa Mesa Housing and Public Service Grants Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. in Conference Room 1A at City Hall to receive public comment and consider approving the fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report.

The report provides an overview of the number individuals and households assisted with Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnerships funds that the City receives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

It also evaluates the City’s actions to affirmatively further fair housing, address homelessness and provide affordable housing in the City.

The Fair Housing Foundation will be holding a Fair Housing Workshop via ZOOM from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, for the city of Costa Mesa.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Attendees will learn about how they are protected under fair housing laws, what their rights and responsibilities as tenants and landlords are, and how to deal with tenant and landlord disputes.

Fair Housing Foundation will explain state and federal fair housing laws, discuss state and federally protected classes, notices, security deposit, rent increases, how COVID-19 has impacted housing including moratoriums and the COVID 19 Tenant Relief Act, and much more.

The Foundation provides mediation and counseling services through its housing assistance hotline 1-800-446-FAIR (3247) and walk-in clinics.

The Foundation also investigate issues of discrimination related to housing.

Mobile Recreation is back and ready to bring recreation to our CostaMazing parks and neighborhoods for children ages 5 to 12 years old.

Be on the lookout Monday through Thursday as we roll to a park near you from 2-5 p.m.

• Monday: Paularino Park
• Tuesday: Shalimar Park
• Wednesday: Ketchum-Libolt Park
• Thursday: Wilson Park

For program information, please go to www.costamesaca.gov/mobilerecreation or call (714) 754-5109.

Need child care during NMUSD’s upcoming fall conference days on September 27 and October 25.

If so, the 1-Day Camp has you covered with all day care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for youth in Kindergarten through 6th grade at the Balearic Community Center.  

Be sure to check with your school to see which conference date you have and register today at www.cmclassesonline.com. For program information, please call (714) 754-5161.

The Parks & Community Services Department closed out the last of the Movies in the Park series on Saturday, September 9 with a showing of Sonic 2 in TeWinkle Park.

More than 250 were in attendance to enjoy the movie under the stars that included a raffle, free popcorn and water, and a shaved ice food truck.

Be sure to keep an eye on next year’s summer Spotlight for another great line up of Movies in the Park. Stay classy, Costa Mesa! 

Symphony on the Go! is a mobile community concert experience. Pacific Symphony brings a traveling stage to communities around Orange County.

All concerts are presented weather permitting. You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to our free outdoor concerts. Each concert is 50 minutes long.

The last Symphony on the Go! concert of the season will be on September 30 at 4 p.m. at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa.

Make sure to come check it out. The next performance won’t be until Spring of 2024. 

Register now to participate in the FREE Costa Mesa Art Crawl that highlights the Theater Arts.

The event takes place on Oct. 21 and begins at City Hall at 3:30 p.m.

Participants will board a shuttle to go to Costa Mesa Playhouse, The LAB and a final stop at South Coast Repertory to see a full production. Spots are still available!     

We invite everyone to join us for a day filled of fun at the Scarecrow Festival where everyone will be able to enjoy different activities, food trucks, entertainment, and participate in a costume parade.

See the amazing costumes that joined us last year at the 2022 Scarecrow Festival!

For more information visit www.costamesaca.gov/scarecrow.

Save the date for the Costa Mesa Senior Center’s eightth annual Knowledge and Health Fair Expo that will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m to 1p.m. 

Visit with more than 40 vendors to learn about community resources available for older adults.

A special thank you to our 2023 event partners Lifespring Home Nutrition, Bankers Life, and Greater Newport Physicians.