Work has begun on a 139,535-square-foot industrial complex in Anaheim.

Hines is building the warehouse on 7 acres at 701 E. Ball Road with Voit Real Estate Services working on the marketing, sale or leasing the facility.

“701 E Ball Road offers an unparalleled location in the heart of Anaheim’s bustling submarket, with close proximity to the Interstate 5 freeway and major ports, making it ideal for national credit tenants, third-party logistics providers, and international importers,” said Tom Lawless, managing director at Hines, in a statement.

The project is due to wrap up by November, Voit reps said.

San Clemente triplex near beach sells for $2.75 million

A three-unit apartment building in San Clemente recently traded hands for $2,745,000.

Morgan Skenderian Investment represented the owner, the Friedman Revocable Trust, in the sale at 514 Avenida Victoria. The buyer was Stewart Alan Davis and Julie Rose Davis.

The three-story, 3,829-square-foot building dating to 1975 is just a block from the beach. It features three apartments with a combined seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms perched over garage spaces on the ground level.

In 2016, the owners renovated units A and B, according to documents provided by PropertyShark.

Lefko tapped partner at Hanley

Jeff Lefko was recently named partner at Hanley Investment Group in Corona del Mar.

“I am excited to welcome Jeff as my partner in Hanley Investment Group,” said Ed Hanley, president of the firm. “Jeff’s expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our clients have been instrumental in our continued success.”

Lefko joined HIG in 2015, averaging more than 100 transactions per year since 2020, and 127 transactions since 2022. All told, Lefko has reaped $3.3 billion in sales for the firm since 2018.

The firm, which turns 20 this year, is also expanding south, opening an office in San Diego where Lefko will be in charge.

On the move

Troy S. Jenkins recently joined Irvine-based Avanath Capital Management, a multifamily property owner and operator, as senior vice president of its Investor Relations division. He will lead capital-raising initiatives for the firm’s affordable housing, development and debt funds. He most recently worked at Avison Young Investment Management.

Ana Cervantes was promoted to director of Resource Services at Ware Malcomb’s Irvine office where she will lead operations for the firm’s domestic production studios. In the industry since 2012, Cervantes has seen multiple promotions in her 10 years at Ware Malcomb. Her work has included corporate office, industrial, healthcare and science and technology.

Justin McMahon has rejoined CBRE as senior vice president in the brokerage’s Orange County office. His specialty is representing owners and tenants of retail properties. He most recently spent five years at JLL, working on marketing and leasing shopping centers while representing retail and restaurant tenants.

Ladera Ranch resident Kent Crandall is the new chief financial officer at Culver City-based Goldrich Kest, a privately owned firm that specializes in real estate investors, developers and property managers. Crandall previous roles include CFO of Lafayette Real Estate in New York, executive vice president of Tricon American Homes in Tustin, and CFO of MBK Real Estate in Irvine.

Milestones

Lawrence R. Armstrong, chairman and former CEO of Ware Malcomb in Irvine, has released his first book, “Layered Leadership.” The book focuses on how leaders can “build more dynamic and successful organizations by blending layers of strategic thinking, creativity, and resilience to address challenges and opportunities.” Armstrong pivoted to chairman from chief executive at the design firm in 2020.

The real estate roundup is compiled from news releases and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos via email to  sgowen@scng.com . Please allow at least a week for publication. All items are subject to editing for clarity and length.

The nonprofit is looking for donations for its residents, who will take part in a gift exchange Dec. 14 at the Village of Hope in Tustin.

“For many residents at the Rescue Mission, this season is more than just a celebration — it’s a time where they can experience the joy and warmth of the holidays without the burden of worry,” said Bryan Crain, OC Rescue Mission president.

The most sought items by adult residents include beanies (warm hats), wallets, watches, journals and pens, hair ties and accessories, reusable water bottles, baseball caps, socks, nail polish, throw blankets, local sports teams fan gear, $10 fast food gift cards, $10 Walmart/Target gift cards.

The wish list for kids includes craft kits, paint sets, coloring and sticker books, dolls, LEGO sets, toy trains and cars, sports equipment, non-battery operated or USB connected gifts.

All items can be dropped off daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec.13 at the Village of Hope at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin.

Also, donations can be bought online, with the delivery address pointed to the village. Donations can also be dropped-off at all Patterson OC Auto locations.

For donation-related questions, email donations@rescuemission.org or go to rescuemission.org/items.

Pet store shuts down in south county

Pet Wants in Lake Forest is closing its store.

The pet store made the announcement on Facebook, saying the store was closing after six years at Heritage Hills Plaza on Lake Forest Drive.

“We’ve cherished every moment – ​​getting to know you and your furry family members have been the highlight of our journey,” the store owners said in a Dec. 1 post on Facebook. “Your trust in us to provide high-quality, healthy food and treats for your beloved pets has meant the world.⁣

The store, part of a national franchise group, sold a variety of pet food and accessories.

The owners noted that food delivery would still be available through Pet Wants South County or in-person at local farmers markets.

A different pet store franchise also saw a closure recently, only in north Orange County.

In Brea, the 2-year-old Pets Supplies Plus closed at 407 West Imperial Highway. North OC shoppers can find another Pet Supplies Plus operating in Yorba Linda under different franchise ownership. That store has been open since 2021.

Supercharging station opens near Grapevine

Holiday motorists driving EVs over the Grapevine now have another option to charge up.

The Lebec Travel Center opened recently off the 5 freeway, north of Los Angeles. It features 40 charging stations, with another 72 coming by late 2025. The fueling center will eventually include traditional gas pumps, marrying two options for motorists into a modern-day filling station.

Developed by HRI Development in Pasadena, the travel center at the freeway intersection with Frazier Mountain Park Road will include a 7-Eleven convenience store, lounge and hospitality features for motorists.

“EV drivers deserve a great customer experience with full amenities and a lounge, and we believe traditional refueling and EV recharging should co-exist for a holistic fueling experience,” said Hamo Rostamian, president of HRI Development. “Our vision is to bring all types of mobility into a comfortable, welcoming location that transforms the experience for everyone.”

The fueling station will have options for traditional vehicles as well. In the meantime, a more upscale portable bathroom option is in place.

Address: 51526 Ralphs Ranch Road, Lebec 93243. The company notes the station also shows up in the Tesla app.

On the move

Hima Vatti is the new general counsel at Chapman University, succeeding Janine DuMontelle who is retiring. Vatti was previously general counsel at the University of La Verne. Before La Verne, she spent nearly 15 years at Caltech in Pasadena where she was associate general counsel and assistant vice president for Equity, Equity Investigations and Title IX coordinator.

Ladera Ranch resident Billy Grenham is the first chief marketing officer at San Diego-based Luna Grill Mediterranean Kitchen. He’s rejoining former colleague, Rich Pinnella, who’s now president of Lua Grill. Grenham first worked with Pinnella at Yum! Brands, where he was head of Global Marketing and Communications for Taco Bell. Most recently, Grenham was CMO at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar in Costa Mesa.

Fundraisers

Girls Inc. of Orange County raised $380,000 at its annual College Bound Luncheon held Nov. 15 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum. The money will go toward helping hundreds of girls access mentorship, resources and opportunities to achieve academic and career goals. This year’s luncheon encouraged attendees to harness their philanthropic power to help reach more girls and advance parity – not only in education, but also in women’s rights as a whole. For more information about the College Bound Program, go to girlsinc-oc.org .

Blizzard Entertainment in Irvine has partnered with CureDuchenne to honor Mats Steen, a young man who died of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and whose life was featured in the Netflix documentary “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.” Blizzard released a limited-edition, in-game pet in World of Warcraft, with all game proceeds benefiting CureDuchenne. The money raised will support research for a cure for Duchenne, a rare and fatal disease affecting 300,000 boys worldwide.

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to   sgowen@scng.com  . Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

The 18th season of “RHOC,” considered by die-hard fans to be its best yet, showcased more than 20 restaurants across Orange County. From upscale establishments like Edge Bar at the VEA Newport Beach and Benny & Mary’s in Irvine to more casual joints like Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon and Whoop Axe Throwing in Lake Forest, the show provided a glimpse into the dining habits and culinary adventures of a handful of rarified O.C. denizens.

While “RHOC” is undoubtedly an idealized portrayal of our region, it still offers viewers a true taste of Orange County’s dining scene. For restaurants fortunate enough to be featured, the show can provide yet another platform for reaching a wider audience.

“I noticed a big jump in web traffic, and people searching us on Yelp or Open Table after our episode aired,” said Damian Orozco, owner of the Tea House on Los Rios, which set the scene for the series standout star Shannon Beador’s 60th birthday party.

Orozco notes that this was the third time his San Juan Capistrano tea house, a family-owned business for 28 years, appeared on the series, making previous cameos in 2019 and 2022.

Alicia Cox, owner of Sahara SandBar in Huntington Beach, where the housewives played a round of flag football on the beach, echoes Orozco’s sentiments. Cox also noticed a surge in business after appearing on the show.

ALSO SEE: Map: Every OC restaurant featured in ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ season 18

”I definitely see an uptick in business and on social media,” she said. “I get around a hundred phone calls and people tagging me when our episode airs.”

Having appeared on the show herself a few seasons ago, she says that people still recognize her. “The time I was briefly on ‘Housewives’, I got stopped at the grocery store. I mean, I was also on ‘The Profit’ and no one recognized me, but when you appear on ‘Housewives,’ people always do,” Cox noted.

Another venue making an encore this season was Lola’s Cafe. Noted for its avocado toast and breakfast burritos, Ava and Matthew Surrena’s Ladera Ranch spot set the stage for a coffee date-slash-brouhaha between Gina Kirschenheiter and Jenn Pedranti this season.

Although Lola’s appearance this season didn’t result in a wave of new patrons, “both my wife and I noticed more people mentioning that they saw us on the show,” Matthew said .

Despite naysayers often (and incorrectly) arguing that the series is entirely scripted, most of the restaurants featured on the show are spots that the housewives frequent on the regular.

“The first thing we do at the beginning of each season is ask them where they normally go, because we like to keep it as close to their real lives as possible,” said Luke Neslage, the series’ executive producer and showrunner. “It’s nice to have that built-in personal connection.”

Many of the housewives, according to Orozco, frequent his tea room even when cameras aren’t rolling. “Emily Simpson is actually a great guest of ours, and she’s super friendly,” he said. “She’ll often bring in her family. She has had a couple birthdays here.”

ALSO SEE: You’ve seen the Quiet Woman on RHOC: What the Corona del Mar restaurant is really like

Such reality peeked through this season with one spot in particular: Breaking free from the seaside eateries with oceanic views and dirty martinis, “Housewives” went inland again to Cook’s Corner. The bar, one of Orange County’s oldest restaurants, was the scene of a mass shooting in 2023 wherein a retired police sergeant opened fire, killing three people and injuring four. The circa-1926 restaurant made an appearance on the show since castmate Tamra Judge and her husband, Eddie, frequent the Trabuco Canyon venue.

Rhonda Palmeri, general manager of Cook’s Corner, said that while she didn’t see a major boom in business following their appearance this season (Cook’s Corner first appeared on the series in 2007), she did hear from friends back home. “We did get some hits on social media and word of mouth,” she said. “Even people from Illinois, where I’m originally from, commented on it.”

Palmeri went to give props to the production crew, noting, ““This is not their first rodeo.”

“Tamra and Eddie do go there, they do ride motorbikes and that is the area they ride there, so they felt a connection and a part of that community, including knowing very well all about the shooting,” said Neslage. “It was important for [Tamra] to go there.”

While the titular housewives’ preferences are major considerations, space and flexibility are also key to casting a camera-ready restaurant.

“Not every place fits what we need,” said Nesalge. “So, for example, if Heather Dubrow always goes to one place, but it’s very small and kind of nondescript inside, it won’t be ideal for us. … it needs to be large enough that we’re not fully taking over the restaurant owner’s whole place.”

And the eateries should reflect Orange County — at least in tonier South County, where the bulk of the show takes place. While our region is admittedly rife with cookie-cutter chain restaurants, it does benefit from a stellar dining scene. A combination of good buzz, aspirational vibes and good luck can help land an eatery in front of “Housewives” cameras.

“We’re also always on the lookout for things that look cool or that are different that we haven’t shot at before,” he explained. “I could be driving just down the road to get a Big Gulp and I’ll see a restaurant on a cool cliff, and I’m, like, ‘Oh my gosh, have we reached out to that place before?’ Then I or my team will reach out.”

Neslage goes on to say that flexibility is also a good component for appearing on the series. Sometimes the housewives have a falling out and need to debrief with the others on the fly. A venue that can grant sudden accommodations are ideal for production to have in its pocket.

“One of the producers just texted me asking if they could film again,” said Matthew Surrena. “They gave me a short premise of what it was going to be about and how many people they expected.”

Most often, filming takes place on weekdays during off-hours so as not to disturb a restaurant’s peak flow.

“If we have two to four ladies going to lunch or dinner, we usually ask the restaurant for an hour to set up, and then we usually ask for a two-hour block to film the scene, and then around 20 minutes to clear out afterwards,” said Neslage.

Patrons who appear in the background of scenes, sometimes reacting to a dust-up, are asked to sign releases.

“There’s a general release saying that they consent to be nondescript in the background, not featured,” explained Neslage. For the most part, you’d never be able to make out who they are … and for people who are very close to the camera, or if we feature anyone, then we have them sign an individual release.”

Although scenes seem chaotic when they air, with housewives sometimes storming off in dramatic and irresistible fashion, each restaurateur noted how professional and gracious the women and the production crew act.

“They’re always a well-oiled machine when they come in,” said Orozco. “The ladies are nice and cordial, and the production is very nice as well. They’re always respectful of our time constraints.”

Also of note, contrary to online chatter, restaurants do not pay to be on “Housewives” franchises.

Appearing on the longstanding series, chided by some as drivel yet beloved by many as peak TV, ultimately is a boon for any restaurant. Take, for example, the Quiet Women in Corona del Mar cemented into TV history and the hears of many after Beador threw a dinner plate at former castmate Kelli Dodd, tossing in a side order of f-bombs. While no other restaurant has been lucky enough to achieve such solemnity and reverence among “Housewives” viewers, eateries and cocktail lounges benefit from appearing on the series.

“Every time I get a call from producers, I get so excited,” said Cox. “It’s the most incredible commercial you could ever have — and I’m grateful they continue to call me.”

This year, in lieu of the norm, consider the following flavors for dessert, from Florida-born key lime pie to Palestine favorite knafeh. All orders should be placed in advance. Call ahead for availability.

Earl Grey cream pie: This pie from Layer Cake Bakery hones in on its titular tea, Earl Grey, a smooth blend of citrus, spice, malt, and smoky notes. This eight-inch pie is made from scratch and serves between 8 to 10 people. Costs $45.

Find it: Layer Cake Bakery, 4250 Barranca Parkway, Irvine; 949-786-0223

Key lime pie: Should you want to be the breakout star of your Thanksgiving potluck, bring a key lime pie from Gourmet Pie. Trust me: Its citrusy kick will help cleanse palates after the Thanksgiving bacchanalia. What’s more, Key lime pie, unfairly relegated to summer months, has the distinction of being one of, if not the, greatest American pies. (Sorry, apple.) Costs $14.95.

Find it: Gourmet Pie, 5350 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos; 562-546-0055

Knafeh: The knafeh at Knafeh Cafe in Anaheim’s Little Arabia are made of buttery semolina dough, Nabulsi cheese, pistachios and simple syrup, which, after baking, get topped with shreds of kataifi, a crispy phyllo dough. One pie serves more than a dozen revelers. Bonus: It’s open Thanksgiving Day should you need a last-minute pie.

Find it: Knafeh Cafe, 866 S Brookhurst St., Anaheim; 714-442-0044

Pumpkin cheesecake: Should you want to stick with tradition with your pie offering, zhuzh it up by bringing a pumpkin cheesecake from the Creama Cafe. (After all, cheesecake is classified as a pie, not a cake.) The one at the popular Seal Beach bakery features a cheesecake swirled with pumpkin and spices on a graham cracker crust. Costs $36.95.

Find it: The Creama Cafe, 322 Main St., Seal Beach; 562-493-2501

Snickers bar pie: Found at Corky’s Homestyle Bakery in Ladera Ranch, this Snickers-inspired pie comes with everything found inside the candy aisle staple: chocolate, caramel and crushed peanuts, as well as a chocolate cookie crust and whipped cream. Cost $22.69.

Find it: Corky’s Kitchen & Bakery, 27522 Antonio Parkway, Ladera Ranch; 949-364-4439

Who are the people who do important things outside of the spotlight? Let us know about the kids who help their community, the first responders, the educators and the volunteers who might not get attention most of the year but deserve some now.

And, of course, we’ll include some of the people everyone knows. World Series MVP Freddie Freeman went to El Modena High in Orange, after all, and there’s a pretty good chance he’ll make the cut.

Please nominate someone who has done something exceptional in 2024 using the form in this link. We’re looking for people who live or work in Orange County and truly made a difference this year.

The deadline for your nominations is Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

Thank you.

By the way, here’s a look at our selections from the past several years:

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016

Sanchez, a Republican from Rancho Santa Margarita, was first elected to the legislature in 2022. In Sacramento, she’s a member of various committees, including Appropriations, where she serves as the vice chair.

A Democrat from Ladera Ranch, Kephart is a native of Southern California, according to his campaign bio. He’s an alumnus of UC Irvine and has worked in various fields, from a busboy at Disneyland to an engineer at Rockwell International.

Kephart, in a video on his campaign website, said he’s concerned about the “working homeless” in the community — people who have multiple jobs but can’t afford housing so may be living in their car or staying on someone’s couch, for example.

“It’s crucial to understand that homelessness is a spectrum,” he said. “At one end, we have those facing severe challenges; and at the other, those who are just one paycheck away from stability.”

“The longer people remain homeless, the more likely they are to slide from one end of the spectrum to the other, facing increasing difficulties and barriers to getting back on their feet,” he added.

He would advocate for a “housing first” approach if elected, meaning, he supports efforts to get people housed initially and then pivot to addressing job training, mental health or drug treatment needs. This plan, he said, would give people in the community more stability.

Sanchez, in a questionnaire posed by The Orange County Register, said she wants to see more efforts by the state to address substance abuse, which in turn could alleviate the homelessness crisis.

“The state needs to get tougher on drug dealers and get hard substances off of our streets,” Sanchez said, touting her efforts to pass a bill this year in the legislature that would have ended certain protections for undocumented immigrants who deal fentanyl. The bill was unsuccessful.

Sanchez also pointed to how much California has spent to address homelessness, including allocating money to local governments and nonprofits.

“Not only was the problem not addressed, it got worse. Our homeless population increased by tens of thousands of people,” she said. “Sacramento must track each dollar spent and demand accountability and transparency from the entities it provides large grants to.”

In the 71st Assembly District, which encompasses Orange and Riverside counties, Republicans hold a large voter registration advantage. According to the latest data from the secretary of state, 40.87% of registered voters are Republicans, 30.63% are Democrats and 20.42% are no party preference.

In a new partnership with Girls Inc. of Orange County, Chapman University’s Fowler School of Engineering is helping girls prepare for careers in engineering and other STEM fields. Girls Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold.

The collaboration brought girls who are just starting high school to the Chapman campus to participate in the school’s annual Summer Engineering Academy. During the sessions at Chapman, the girls were able to work on projects that included machine learning, coding, Arduino programming, and design and fabrication. For many of these girls, this was their first exposure to these cutting-edge technologies, setting the stage for their future in STEM.

Anna Gianina Reynolds, senior STEM coordinator at Girls Inc., highlighted the significance of this collaboration.

“We strive to partner with institutions like Chapman University to introduce our girls to STEM fields and provide them with practical, hands-on experience,” she said. “Seeing them work on real-world projects and witnessing their growth in confidence and STEM identity throughout the week was truly inspiring.”

The opportunity to learn from Chapman’s engineering students – many of whom are women – added another layer of inspiration.

“Women are still underrepresented in STEM fields, so having female role models in this space was invaluable for our girls. It allowed them to envision a future where they too can succeed in these fields,” Reynolds said.

The Summer Engineering Academy is open to all high school students in the community. For more information, visit chapman.edu/sea.

– Submitted by Carly Murphy, Chapman University

Laguna Beach nonprofit Heartfelt screens 60,000th person

Heartfelt, a Laguna Beach-based nonprofit organization, achieved a remarkable milestone by screening its 60,000th heart at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School (SMES) in San Juan Capistrano. This extraordinary achievement illustrates Heartfelt’s unwavering commitment to early detection and prevention. It marks more than 25 years of dedication to community health and early detection.

Heartfelt has partnered with SMES for well over a decade, providing critical cardiac screenings that have saved numerous lives.

“We are thrilled to reach this achievement while at St. Margaret’s,” said Holly Morrell, founder of Heartfelt. “Our joint efforts have made a real difference in the community, and this accomplishment is a testament to that impact.”

Earlier this year, Heartfelt received additional recognition when the City of Laguna Beach honored the organization with a proclamation, designating it as an Extraordinary Business for its significant contributions to public health and safety.

Heartfelt’s screenings have led to numerous life-saving discoveries, including recent cases involving a 4-year-old boy, an 11-year-old girl and a 55-year-old woman, all of whom had critical heart conditions detected early through the nonprofit’s efforts. These examples underscore the essential role Heartfelt plays in providing accessible, affordable cardiac screenings to the Orange County community.

– Submitted by Heartfelt

Maple Elementary TK classroom receives Reggio-inspired makeover

Some of Fullerton School District’s youngest learners have started the new school year at one of its oldest campuses. For many, it’s their first classroom experience in a modern learning environment with historical roots.

Maple Elementary School’s new Reggio-inspired transitional kindergarten (TK) classroom was developed and provided in partnership with School Specialty, a provider of educational products for school campuses.

“Reggio-inspired,” short for the “Reggio Emilia approach,” refers to an educational philosophy that emphasizes a child-centered, exploration-based learning environment. The Reggio Emilia approach is named after a town in Northern Italy where the community decided to use post-World War II stimulus funds to invest in education.

Centered on the Reggio Emilia idea that children are naturally curious and capable learners, the classroom at Maple Elementary is designed to nurture these qualities by encouraging active participation, imaginative play and social interaction. According to educational experts, such environments are particularly beneficial for young children, helping them develop essential skills in critical thinking, creativity and social-emotional learning.

“In the Reggio philosophy, the learning environment is the third teacher,” said Maple Elementary TK teacher Katie Bezayiff.

Bezayiff is one of the California League of Educators’ 2024 Educators of the Year. Correspondingly, she was chosen to have her classroom participate in the School Specialty remodel due to her exemplary work in early childhood education.

Bezayiff’s new TK room is filled with flexible furniture, natural materials and spaces designed for hands-on learning, hallmarks of the Reggio Emilia method.

Ladera Ranch dads and daughters embark on a pool crawl

Ladera Ranch dads, daughters and their families met at Town Green to hold the fifth annual RainbowSky Expedition Pool Crawl. The four-location pool crawl included games and activities, such as a watermelon race and a belly flop competition.

“It’s a fun way to kick off the start of the year, which will have 10 events for the father/daughter organization,” said dad Shon Engle. “RainbowSky will host 10 events throughout the year, including camping.”

Participants rode bikes and scooters to multiple pools, staying approximately 15 minutes at each location. The bike crawl concluded at the Covenant Hills Village Clubhouse, where food and more games awaited the 100-person group after its annual start-of-the-year meeting.

The event was a huge success. Dads, daughters, families and friends shared a wonderful afternoon and got the new season/year off to a great start.

– Submitted by David Robertson

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.

When pediatrician Eric Ball opened a refrigerator full of childhood vaccines, all the expected shots were there — DTaP, polio, pneumococcal vaccine — except one.

“This is where we usually store our Covid vaccines, but we don’t have any right now because they all expired at the end of last year, and we had to dispose of them,” said Ball, who is part of a pediatric practice in Ladera Ranch.

“We thought demand would be way higher than it was.”

Pediatricians across the country are pre-ordering the updated and reformulated Covid-19 vaccine for the fall and winter respiratory virus season, but some doctors said they’re struggling to predict whether parents will be interested. Providers like Ball don’t want to waste money ordering doses that won’t be used, but they need enough on hand to vaccinate vulnerable children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone 6 months or older get the updated Covid vaccination, but in the 2023-24 vaccination season only about 15% of eligible children in the U.S. got a shot.

Ball said it was difficult to let vaccines go to waste last year. It was the first time the federal government was no longer picking up the tab for the shots, and providers had to pay upfront for the vaccines. Parents would often skip the covid shot, which can have a very short shelf life compared with other vaccines.

“Watching it sitting on our shelves expiring every 30 days, that’s like throwing away $150 repeatedly every day, multiple times a month,” Ball said.

This year, Ball slashed his fall vaccine order to the bare minimum to avoid another costly mistake.

“We took the number of flu vaccines that we order, and then we ordered 5% of that in Covid vaccines,” Ball said. “It’s a guess.”

That small vaccine order cost more than $63,000, he said.

Pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and techs are allowed to give Covid vaccines only to children age 3 and up, meaning babies and toddlers would need to visit a doctor’s office for inoculation.

It’s difficult to predict how parents will feel about the shots this fall, said Chicago pediatrician Scott Goldstein. Unlike other vaccinations, Covid shots aren’t required for kids to attend school, and parental interest seems to wane with each new formulation, he said. For a physician-owned practice such as Goldstein’s, the upfront cost of the vaccine can be a gamble.

“The cost of vaccines, that’s far and away our biggest expense. But it’s also the most important thing we do, you could argue, is vaccinating kids,” Goldstein said.

Insurance doesn’t necessarily cover vaccine storage accidents, which can put the practice at risk of financial ruin.

“We’ve had things happen like a refrigerator gets unplugged. And then we’re all of a sudden out $80,000 overnight,” Goldstein said.

South Carolina pediatrician Deborah Greenhouse said she would order more Covid vaccines for older children if the pharmaceutical companies that she buys from had a more forgiving return policy.

“Pfizer is creating that situation. If you’re only going to let us return 30%, we’re not going to buy much,” she said. “We can’t.”

Greenhouse owns her practice, so the remaining 70% of leftover shots would come out of her pocket.

Vaccine maker Pfizer will take back all unused Covid shots for young children, but only 30% of doses for people 12 and older.

Pfizer said in an Aug. 20 emailed statement, “The return policy was instituted as we recognize both the importance and the complexity of pediatric vaccination and wanted to ensure that pediatric offices did not have hurdles to providing vaccine to their young patients.”

Pfizer’s return policy is similar to policies from other drugmakers for pediatric flu vaccines, also recommended during the fall. Physicians who are worried about unwanted Covid vaccines expiring on the shelves said flu shots cost them about $20 per dose, while Covid shots cost around $150 per dose.

“We run on a very thin margin. If we get stuck holding a ton of vaccine that we cannot return, we can’t absorb that kind of cost,” Greenhouse said.

Vaccine maker Moderna will accept Covid vaccine returns, but the amount depends on the individual contract with a provider. Novavax will accept the return of only unopened vaccines, and doesn’t specify the amount they’ll accept.

Greenhouse wants to vaccinate as many children as possible but said she can’t afford to stock shots with a short shelf life. Once she runs out of the doses she’s ordered, Greenhouse said, she plans to tell families to go to a pharmacy to get older children vaccinated. If pediatricians around the country are making the same calculations, doses for very small children could be harder to find at doctors’ offices.

“Frankly, it’s not an ideal situation, but it’s what we have to do to stay in business,” she said.

Ball, the California pediatrician, worries that parents’ limited interest has caused pediatricians to minimize their vaccine orders, in turn making the newest Covid shots difficult to find once they become available.

“I think there’s just a misperception that it’s less of a big deal to get Covid, but I’m still sending babies to the hospital with Covid,” Ball said. “We’re still seeing kids with long Covid. This is with us forever.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

The suspect was arrested Friday, Aug. 23 while attempting to rob a U.S. Bank on the 5000 block of East Santa Ana Canyon Road in Anaheim, authorities said.

He is accused of two bank robberies in Mission Viejo and Ladera Ranch and four additional attempted robberies, all in July and August, the  Sheriff’s Department said.

The agency said that:

• On July 8, the suspect allegedly robbed a Mission Viejo bank on the 26000 block of Marguerite Parkway and attempted to rob another bank in Ladera Ranch in the 27000 block of Crown Valley Parkway.
• There was an attempted bank robbery at a bank in Ladera Ranch on Aug. 6.
• On Aug. 7, the suspect is accused of robbing a bank in Ladera Ranch, followed by an attempted robbery at a bank in Mission Viejo.
• Then on Aug. 23, the suspect was arrested while he attempted to rob the U.S. Bank in Anaheim.

The suspect presented a note in each bank robbery, Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said. Details on whether any weapons were used or the reported amount stolen were  not released.

Investigators believe the suspect may have been involved in additional bank robberies outside of Orange County. Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or submit an anonymous tip to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).

The 14,985 square foot store has been taking shape in a shuttered Staples office supply store at 27542 Antonio Parkway. It’s the 193rd in California.

The Monrovia-based grocery chain quietly added eight new Southern California stores to its website in May. At that time, the company’s public relations manager, Nakia Rohde, said there was no timeline for the store openings.

The Ladera store is one of eight new Trader Joe’s coming to the region in the weeks and months ahead.

The Inland Empire is getting a new store in Murrieta at a former OfficeMax store. Los Angeles County is getting four stores in four cities. A store coming to South Pasadena, near the chain’s founding city, is heading into a shuttered Vons. San Diego County is getting two stores.

Trader Joe’s recommended shoppers watch the “coming soon” icons posted at each store location on its website.

New store addresses include:

—Ladera Ranch: 27542 Antonio Parkway

—Murrieta: 40388 Murrieta Hot Springs Road

—South Pasadena: 1129 Fair Oaks Ave.

—Sherman Oaks (Sunkist): 14130 Riverside Drive

—Northridge: 9224 Reseda Blvd.

—Santa Clarita (Canyon Country): 19037 Golden Valley Road

San Diego County:

— Poway: 13644 Poway Road

— Santee: 9680 Mission Gorge Road

Store hours in Ladera Ranch are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The store captain (manager) is Mike Yuds.