Starting Saturday, July 12, the registrar is hosting several workshops to hear from Orange County voters on polling and ballot drop box locations, accessibility of polling stations, language access, voting outreach programs and safety procedures.

The workshops — several of which offer other languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese — run through the rest of the month and into August.

They are an effort to solicit feedback on how the county can update and improve its Election Administration Plan, which governs how the voting process works in Orange County, said Bob Page, the registrar of voters.

Workshops, which can last between one and one and a half hours, will be split into two categories: general public workshops and accessibility language workshops.

General public workshops are opportunities for anyone to provide feedback. Accessibility language workshops — in addition to having translators for various languages — will focus on how polling centers can better accommodate those whose first language is not English.

Rooms will be divided into five sections — voting and ballot drop box locations, accessibility of voting facilities, language assistance and accessibility services, voter education and outreach programs and safety and security of the election process — where attendees can provide verbal or written feedback, said Page.

Attendees can participate in one or all of the categories. There will also be a packet for attendees who would rather write down all of their feedback instead of visiting each station separately.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to be comfortable providing feedback in the method they want in the areas they want,” said Page.

The Voters Choice Act, a state law that lays out how counties administer an all-mail ballot election system with ballot drop-off locations and vote centers, requires the registrar to hold a public feedback forum after initial changes are made to the election plan. But Page said his office is hosting the series of workshops — before the plan is edited — to give local voters more involvement in the process.

“We don’t want to just do the minimum required,” Page said. “We want to make sure that we’re getting feedback from as many different people as we can.”

Other factors the registrar is considering for updates include federal and state law, data from previous elections, best practices determined by the registrar and the county budget, Page said.

“The community input and feedback is a very important part of any update we make, but that has to be balanced with those other four elements in terms of what is actually in the plan,” Page said.

Aside from the 15 scheduled workshops, the registrar has invited more than 250 organizations to schedule small group meetings. Many of these organizations are involved in voter outreach and the voting process by lending their facilities for polling locations and drop-off boxes, Page said.

The registrar plans to complete the initial feedback process in the first week of August, Page said. The registrar’s office will then compile summaries of the feedback to be published online and create the first draft of the new 2026-2030 EAP.

“I’ve got a deadline to meet and I’m trying to do my best to give people as much time as possible and as many different formats to provide input,” Page said.

The secretary of state has requested the final draft of the EAP by Dec. 1, although by law it is due 120 days before the June 2026 primary election, which would be in February 2026, Page said.

After the first draft of the EAP is published, there will be a 14-day public review period during which people can provide additional comments on the plan. The registrar’s office has also scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 25 at the Irvine City Hall for in-person feedback.

The registrar will make necessary changes based on feedback received online and at the hearing, Page said. The office will then post a final draft that receives the same 14-day review before final changes are made and the EAP is sent to the secretary of state.

The election plan spanning 2021-2025 is available in 10 languages on the registrar of voters’ website. More information about the workshops or how to submit a feedback form online can also be found on the registrar’s website.

Workshops are scheduled for:

• Saturday, July 12: San Juan Capistrano Community Center (25925 Camino Del Avion), 10-11:30 a.m.

• Monday, July 14: Buena Park Community Center (6688 Beach Blvd.), 6-7 p.m.; Korean language meeting

• Wednesday, July 16: Los Olivos Community Center in Irvine (101 Alfonso), 6-7 p.m.; Farsi interpretation available

• Thursday, July 17: Delhi Center in Santa Ana (505 E. Central Ave.), 6-7 p.m.; Spanish language meeting

• Saturday, July 19: Fountain Valley Recreation Center (16400 Brookhurst St.), 10-11 a.m.; Vietnamese language meeting

• Monday, July 21: South Coast Chinese Cultural Center in Irvine (9 Truman St.), 6-7 p.m.; Chinese language meeting

• Tuesday, July 22: Southwest Senior Center in Santa Ana (2201 W. McFadden Ave.), 6-7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 23: Zoom meeting with ASL interpretation available, 6-7 p.m.

• Thursday, July 24: West Anaheim Youth Center (320 S. Beach Blvd.), 6-7 p.m., Tagalog interpretation available

• Saturday, July 26: Huntington Beach Central Library (7111 Talbert Ave.), 10-11:30 a.m.

• Monday, July 28: Northwood Community Center in Irvine (4531 Bryan Ave.), 6-7 p.m., Japanese interpretation available

• Tuesday, July 29: Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo (24932 Veterans Way), 6-7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 30: Buena Park Library (7150 La Palma Ave.), 6-7 p.m.; Hindi interpretation available

• Thursday, July 31: East Anaheim Community Center (8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd.), 6-7 p.m.; Gujarati interpretation available

• Saturday, Aug. 2: Brea Community Center (695 Madison Way), 10-11:30 a.m.

This year, you will find a handful of eateries where you can enjoy the fiery spectacles lighting up the coastline. Plus, included are a couple of new additions in Anaheim; rooftop spots ideal for dining while checking out the fireworks from the Disneyland Resort and beyond.

As always, make haste and book a reservation sooner rather than later, as these sought-after spots fill up quickly.

Calaca Mama’s Cantina, Anaheim: Guests can watch Disneyland fireworks from the patio of this family-owned eatery offering organic Mexican-fusion fare. In addition to the fiery acrobatics up high, homemade churros will be served tableside on a tiny rolling cart that comes with a lit sparkler. Calaca Mamas Cantina, 1550 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim

Chart House, Dana Point: The cliffside restaurant high atop Dana Point Harbor holds an annual July 4th fireworks viewing spectacular for $150 per guest. The three-course prix fixe dinner, held outside, includes such surf and turf fare as lobster bisque, roasted prime rib, New York strip, surf and turf, lobster tails, lava cake, key lime pie and more. Seatings start at 5 p.m. The interior of the restaurant will also be available for a la carte dining, with some seats offering views of the Pacific. Fireworks will shoot off from a barge on the water, located off the Doheny State Beach coastline. Chart House, 34443 Street of the Green Lantern, Dana Point

Hacienda On the Lake, Mission Viejo: This lakeside Mexican spot will welcome spectators on a first-come, first-served basis for the fireworks above Lake Mission Viejo. Menu highlights include enchiladas, tacos (beef, shrimp, chicken), calamari, cocktails, beer, wine and more. Hacienda On the Lake, 27792 Vista Del Lago, Mission Viejo

Huntington Beach House, Huntington Beach: Alicia Cox’s Huntington Beach House, in addition to her other beach concessions (PCH Tacos, Sahara’s Sandbar & Pizza, SeaSalt Honky Tonk and more) will be open until 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Menu items here include Hot Mess Fries (loaded with carne asada, chicken or bacon, cheese and onions), taquitos, poke nachos, tacos, burritos, burgers, beer, wine, cocktails and more. Fireworks will launch just off the pier tentatively starting at 9 p.m. Huntington Beach House, 21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach

Offshore 9, Huntington Beach: At this 21-and-over affair, guests can enjoy aerial views of Huntington Beach’s annual fireworks show from the pier, with a live DJ setting the score, from 4 until 10 p.m. General admission costs $59 and gets you access to the rooftop lounge and a “Glow-in-the-cloud” sparkler cocktail. Guests of six or more can purchase a table for $245 per person, which gets you said cocktail, a seafood tower, one bottle of champagne, seafood chowder tots and a fire tabletop. A special holiday menu with all-American themed fare will also be available. Offshore 9 at the Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway., Huntington Beach

Olamendi’s, Capistrano Beach: No need to get gussied up for this beloved Mexican restaurant that hugs Coast Highway. While the restaurant closes at 9 p.m., guests who arrive early for a seat on the patio can stay to watch the fireworks that go off in Dana Point and San Clemente, which both erupt starting at 9 p.m. According to an employee, patrons will be allowed to watch the show as the restaurant closes up. Olamendi’s, 34660 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point

Orange Hill, Orange: Before taking the fireworks, enjoy an a la carte meal with a barbecue brisket special. Guests who want to check out the pyrotechnics in the sky can opt for patio seating for $35 (price does not include food and beverage). Orange Hill, 6410 East Chapman Ave., Orange

Parkestry Rooftop Bar, Anaheim: Located atop the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort, this rooftop lounge offers light bites like queso fundido with chorizo, loaded nachos, a charcuterie board, individual pan pizzas, tacos, kobe beef sliders, croissant bread pudding and more. Libations include local beers (Boat Shoes, Aurora Hoppyalis) and wine. There’s also a kids menu featuring spaghetti and meatballs, chicken tenders, a cheeseburger, cheese quesadilla, ice cream and cookies. Disneyland’s annual “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” fireworks show begins around 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Parkestry Rooftop Bar, 1775 S Clementine St., floor 11, Anaheim

Top of The V, Anaheim: This is the third entrant in this guide for those who really want to check out Disneyland’s Independence Day fireworks fete without having to enter the park. For $160, each guest gets access to a three-hour beer and wine package (cocktails available for purchase) and a buffet featuring Iberico ham sliders, gazpacho oyster shooters, surf and turf paella, lemon and herb grilled chicken, and summer market salad. Top of The V at the Viv Hotel, 1601 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim

View and Edge Bar, Newport Beach: Once again, View and Edge Bar, the VEA Newport Beach hotel’s dedicated restaurant and watering hole, respectively, will offer its regular menu at both venues for Independence Day, but the resort will also host a barbecue on the lawn with sweeping views of the fireworks show. (Barbecue menu items will be sold a la carte.) View and Edge Bar at VEA Newport Beach, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

Deborah Masako Webb was booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated following a collision Tuesday night, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Webb was driving a Ford Explorer that collided with a motorcycle at Trabuco Road and Via Victoria around 8:20 p.m., deputies said.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Anthony Balsamo of Mission Viejo.

For a retail chain that makes changes in baby steps, a relatively large leap for Costco is coming to Mission Viejo.

The membership-only retailer will build what city officials say is the chain’s largest gas station and its first fuel-only location.

Yes, there are many Costcos selling fuel under the chain’s Kirkland brand. It’s a popular membership amenity because the prices are often among the lowest in the market.

Costco also sells gas at one of its warehouses just 2 miles down Cabot Road from the planned site at the Mission Viejo Freeway Center at 25732 El Paseo. However, Mission Viejo documents show that Costco’s new location will be a 40-pump facility – gasoline only, with no retail space or convenience store. And yes, it’s just for Costco members.

The station will be constructed at a shopping center off the 5 freeway between La Paz Road and Oso Parkway. It’s a retail spot best known for South County’s lone Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. The plan includes demolishing a shuttered Bed, Bath & Beyond store.

City spokesman Robert Schick says the city approved the overall plans in March, with grading and building permits now being reviewed. Construction is expected to begin in the fall, with a planned spring 2026 opening.

No-brainer?

Now, selling fuel near one of the nation’s busiest freeways may seem like a no-brainer. But a gas-only location is an against-the-grain tactic.

We’d love to hear the “why?” from Costco. Sadly, the merchant doesn’t comment on store development plans.

Let’s consider industry data. Four out of five gas stations nationwide have a store, too. And while two-thirds of a typical gas-food-beverage store’s sales come from fuel, 60% of the profit usually comes from drinks, food, etc.

Gas-only stations buck two trends: the future of gas-powered vehicles and the higher profitability of non-gas sales. Airports are the spot where the gas-only station grew, because limited competition allows higher profits on fuel, says Jeff Lenard, spokesman for NACS, a trade group for gas-station operators.

David Hackett, an energy expert from Stillwater Associates in Irvine and a regular Costco fuel buyer, likes the gas-only idea. He says one reason California pump prices are so high is that the state has twice as many drivers for every gas station compared with the rest of the nation.

“I think Costco sees this new venture as an opportunity to serve their gasoline-buying members in a new way,” he says. “It will be successful because they are filling a need for more gas stations.”

Price matters

Costco may not need to attach a beloved food court to this Mission Viejo gas station because bargains on gas are a powerful lure.

“It gets people happier than just about anything in commerce,” says Lenard of NACS.

Ponder industry research showing 72% of gas buyers say price is the top motivation for where they buy, but that rises to 86% for shoppers of “big box” stores such as Costco.

“There’s a strong emotional caché with gas prices,” Lenard says. “Costco may be looking to tap into it” with the gas-only store.

Costco also seems to view southern Orange County as a laboratory, of sorts. There’s a car wash at the San Juan Capistrano location – 9 miles down the freeway from the planned gas-only location – one of only 15 nationwide offering that service.

And it’s not the only expansion in this area. Costco is planning a new store in Lake Forest, 10 miles north of the proposed gas station. That would be Costco’s 14th Orange County warehouse store, plus its business center in Westminster.

Curiously, designs for a gas station at the Lake Forest warehouse were dropped after the Mission Viejo plan was approved.

Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com

The $21.5 million project will replace the school’s old stadium — already demolished — with a modern athletic facility featuring new bleachers, a press box with elevator access, updated concession and ticket booths, team rooms and a weight room.

The stadium will also feature a newly resurfaced and striped track, improved fencing and a state-of-the-art sound system.

The project, celebrated with a ground-breaking event on Wednesday, May 28, covers approximately 6 acres on the northwestern side of the 42-acre campus at 26301 Via Escolar in Mission Viejo. Its start prompted the move of this year’s Capistrano Valley High graduation on June 5 to the Saddleback College stadium.

Bleacher capacity will increase from 1,886 people to 2,750 to accommodate larger crowds for football games, future graduation ceremonies and band competitions. The home-side bleachers, on the south side of the stadium, will grow from 1,312 seats to 2,000 and include a new press box. The visitor bleachers, on the north side, will increase from 574 to 750 seats.

According to Capistrano Unified School District spokesperson Ryan Burris, the stadium’s construction is funded through a combination of state matching funds and remaining city of Mission Viejo redevelopment funds. The district did not seek new bonds for this project.

In October 2022, the school board approved putting about $7.1 million in expected state reimbursement money toward the Capistrano Valley stadium. That money was linked to earlier construction projects at Aliso Niguel High School and Newhart Middle School, which were paid for using leftover funds from an old school financing district and the now-defunct Mission Viejo Redevelopment Agency.

The financing district — known as CFD 87-1 — was created in 1987 to help build schools in parts of Aliso Viejo and Mission Viejo. Although homeowners stopped paying into it in 2016 after the bonds were paid off early, around $11 million was still left over for school facilities.

Back in 2017, district officials met with the cities of Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo and agreed to use that leftover money for science and tech buildings at Aliso Niguel and Newhart. They also agreed that any state reimbursements from those projects would later help pay for upgrades at Capistrano Valley High, including the new stadium.

Some of the money for the stadium is also coming from old redevelopment funds that were handed over to the city after the state shut down redevelopment agencies in 2012.

Burris said work to install underground utilities is already underway. Construction began in February and the stadium is slated for completion by May 2026.

The 4-2-1 vote on Wednesday, May 21, comes amid a broader debate that has increasingly played out in school board chambers across the region and country. Capistrano Unified, the largest district in Orange County, is believed to be the first OC district to adopt such a resolution.

It calls on governing bodies, including the California Interscholastic Federation, or CIF, to ensure fairness in girls’ sports. Specifically, it:

• Asserts that “biological differences between male and female athletes can create inherent advantages in competitive sports.”

• Asserts that CIF is responsible for making sure its policies “align with the principles of fairness, safety and equal opportunity as outlined in Title IX.”

• Directs district staff to send copies to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state legislature, the California Department of Education and CIF to “demonstrate CUSD’s commitment to protecting female student athletes.”

Supporters of the resolution, including several student athletes in the district, argued the resolution was about preserving opportunities, safety and fairness for girls in sports.

“As a high school athlete, I would never have been able to compete against my male friends in any sport I participated in. We’re simply made different. We should not expect our girls to compete against biological boys,” said Trustee Lisa Davis, who backed the resolution. “This isn’t fairness. This is favoritism toward ideology over biology.”

Trustee Lisa Zollinger said every child, regardless of their gender identity, deserves to feel safe and valued at school, yet at the same time, she recognizes the importance of fairness and protecting Title IX, a federal civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.

“I wish as a district we could come up with some type of a solution for these kids that want to play sports. I would love to have a league for trans kids, or have something that we could do,” Zollinger said. “I want to support and love all these kids, but we have to get back to fairness and safety.”

Opponents said the resolution was unnecessary, divisive and harmful, especially in a district where, according to trustees and confirmed by a district spokesperson, no transgender students are currently participating in athletics and no formal complaints have been filed.

“This harms connectedness for some kids,” Trustee Gila Jones said, urging her colleagues to delay the vote and instead workshop the topic in a more collaborative setting. “Contentiousness on the board doesn’t move the needle for kids.”

The resolution, officially titled “Supporting Title IX and Fairness in Girls’ Interscholastic Sports,” reflects a national flashpoint fueled by President Donald Trump, who repeatedly made the issue a talking point in his bid to return to the White House, framing transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports as a matter of fairness and safety.

In February, he signed an executive order against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

Newsom, to an extent, has also raised concerns about transgender athletes competing against biological women, which has drawn criticism from the LGBTQ community and within his own party. In the first episode of his new podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” he said the issue is one of “fairness.”

When asked by right-wing activist Charlie Kirk whether he would speak out against transgender athlete AB Hernandez, a Jurupa Valley High School senior who had just won a girls’ triple jump event at the Ontario Relays invitational in February, Newsom said he believes “it’s deeply unfair.”

“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness,” he told Kirk.

Earlier this month, Hernandez won the girls’ triple jump at a track meet held at Yorba Linda High School, and also placed third in the long jump and eighth in the high jump. Protesters showed up at the meet over her participation, including Chino Valley Unified board president Sonja Shaw, who’s also running for the California schools chief post.

Ahead of the meet, JSerra Catholic High School, Orange Lutheran and Crean Lutheran sent a letter to CIF challenging state policy that allows students to compete in sports based on their gender identity.

“If leaders as different as Trump and Newsom can agree that fairness is at stake, we should be able to as well,” Capo Unified Trustee Davis said.

Superintendent Chris Brown said the resolution “does not change our policies in any shape or form.” District spokesperson Ryan Burris added that the resolution “does not relieve us of our responsibility to follow applicable state and federal laws.”

But the symbolism was enough to ignite fierce debate.

“The consequences, of course, will be division in the community as you’re seeing in the public right now and in the media,” Brown said when asked about the consequences of passing the resolution.

Davis argued that the resolution is “not about exclusion,” but about fairness, and that it’s “not anti-anyone.”

But several speakers, including longtime residents of the district and a local law professor, disagreed.

Susan Keller, a professor at Western State College of Law in Irvine, argued that while the resolution isn’t enforceable, it sends a message that transgender, nonbinary and intersex students don’t exist or that their identities aren’t valid.

Sherine Smith, a former Capistrano teacher and former Laguna Beach Unified School District superintendent, said the meeting’s tone left her heartbroken.

“What we saw tonight was really divisive. You have the opportunity to build bridges. You have the opportunity to build trust, to expand feelings of inclusion, to help people feel that they belong in this district,” she said.

Capistrano is not alone in wading into this debate.

In Santa Ana Unified, the school board voted this week to censure Trustee Brenda Lebsack, accusing her of making anti-trans public comments.

During an April 22 meeting — while the board was honoring Arab American Heritage Month — Lebsack thanked a local Muslim resident for organizing an interfaith clergy gathering, saying the group discussed issues that “impact their families, cultural and religious values,” including opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

Lebsack began her comments by noting, “Since 93% of Arabs are Muslim,” which the rest of the trustees said effectively conflated an entire faith with opposition to transgender inclusion in athletics.

Board President Hector Bustos said the censure was about making clear that Lebsack’s views “are not a reflection of our school district.”

But Lebsack said she’s being accused of transphobia for advocating her personal belief that female athletes have a right to fair and safe competition.

“I was very shocked that this would have such a strong outcry, and I believe a lot of people believe that way, that they want to protect girls’ spaces,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, a resolution supporting “policies that restrict participation in women’s sports to athletes who are biological females” failed in a recent 3-2 vote. Supporters there said it was about common sense and standing up for girls, while opponents warned it would violate California law.

CIF spokesperson Rebecca Brutlag said the agency “does not collect data” on transgender athletes, but pointed to California law, which allows students to participate in school activities in accordance with their gender identity.

“The CIF provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect and compete in education-based experiences in compliance with California law,” Brutlag said, “consistent with the student’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records.”

Similar measures aimed at keeping transgender athletes out of women’s sports have been passed by several other school boards in California, including those in Chino Valley, Temecula Valley and Redlands.

Here is a list of several of the ceremonies and events planned to honor the service members who have died; events are on Monday, May 26, unless otherwise indicated.

Anaheim: There will be a flag presentation, a wreath-laying ceremony and speakers at 11 a.m. at the Anaheim Cemetery, 1400 E. Sycamore St. The ceremony will be held in front of the community mausoleum. Arrive early or bring a lawn chair. Information: occemeterydistrict.com

Brea: More than 1,100 American flags are displayed each year in an Avenue of the Flags at  Memory Garden Memorial Park & Mortuary, 455 W. Central Ave. The grave of each veteran in the park will also be decorated with a white cross and a miniature flag starting on Saturday. The Avenue of the Flags, open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., was started in 1958 with six flags. Information: memorygarden.com

Read also: Memorial Day 2025: 10 things to do this holiday weekend

Buena Park: This annual event honors men and women who sacrificed for our country, as well as the families who have lost loved ones. There will be a service beginning at 10 a.m. at the Ehlers Event Center, 8150 Knott Ave. There will be a wreath laying, speakers and patriotic performances. Information: buenapark.com

Corona del Mar: There will be a remembrance service beginning at 11 a.m. at the Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary, with guest speaker Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The cemetery is at 3500 Pacific View Drive.

Costa Mesa: This ceremony, now in its 71st year, will honor the fallen at 11 a.m. at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1625 Gisler Ave., and is set to include a missing man flyover, as well as a WWII transport flyover, speakers, musical presentations and a wreath laying ceremony.

Cypress: The 10 a.m. remembrance at Forest Lawn-Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Ave., will feature a ceremony paying tribute with a wreath laying ceremony, patriotic music, speakers and more. The event will be family friendly with arts and crafts. Information: ForestLawn.com

Dana Point: VFW Post 9934 and the city will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. in Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano. There will be an Empty Boots ceremony and the placing of flowers on the memorial. Information: danapoint.org

Fountain Valley: The city, Fountain Valley Community Foundation and the West Orange County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Auxiliary No. 9557 will host a flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park, 17635 Los Alamos St. Information: FountainValley.gov

Fullerton: The community’s Memorial Day observance starts at 10 a.m. at Loma Vista Memorial Park, 701 E. Bastanchury Road. In a tradition started in 1939, volunteers will place a cross and a flag at the graves of thousands of veterans leading up to the ceremony, which will feature speaker Col. Robert W. Davis of the United States Space Force, as well as patriotic music, a gun salute, a roll call of those who have died in the last year, recognition of veterans and more. Information: avmafullerton.org

Huntington Beach: The community’s 120th Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. and will feature the Huntington Beach High School Band, an address from H. Delano Roosevelt, grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and various tributes to those who died in service. It will be held at Pier Plaza. Information: huntingtonbeachca.gov

Irvine: The city’s annual ceremony is 10 a.m. at Col. Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza. Write a card to be sent to the city’s adopted 211/Marine Battalion. Information: cityofirvine.org/specialevents

Also, on Sunday, May 25, there will be a candle-lighting ceremony held at 4 p.m. at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial at Northwood Community Park. Lawn chairs or blankets for sitting are encouraged. The park is at 4531 Bryan Ave.

Laguna Beach: A community ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive, to pay tribute to all military personnel who have died in wars and conflicts. There will be patriotic music, speakers and a wreath presentation. Also, a pancake breakfast by the local firefighters starts at 7 a.m. The Laguna Community Concert Band will perform at 11 a.m. at Main Beach.

Laguna Hills: The city will host its annual Memorial Day Half Marathon. The event includes the half marathon, a 5K run/walk, a 10K run and a kids run. The city will donate $10,000 in race proceeds to Team Darkhorse, the city’s 3/5 Marine Support Committee. Information: lagunahillshalfmarathon.com

Lake Forest: The El Toro Memorial Park tribute will include a keynote speech from U.S. Army veteran Frans VandenBroek, who served as a helicopter crew chief during the Vietnam War, along with a color guard flag ceremony, a wreath presentation, musical performances and a gun salute, beginning at 11 a.m. The park is at 25751 Trabuco Road. Information: occemeterydistrict.com

Laguna Niguel: At noon, the city and the American Legion Post 281 will hold a ceremony that includes a color guard, dignitaries, guest speaker Dan Heller, author of “Across the Wing,” and the placing of a wreath. The ceremony will be held at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Road.

La Palma: The city’s Community Activities & Beautification Commission will host the annual ceremony starting at 9 a.m. at the Civic Center, 7822 Walker St.  The John F. Kennedy High School and Walker Junior High School bands will perform. Information: lapalmaca.gov/memorialday

Mission Viejo: The community observance will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Kershaw Garden at Mission Viejo Civic Center, 200 Civic Center. The ceremony will include guest speakers Col. Charles “Clay” Readinger, commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and Kathryn Morrison, retired U.S. Army, and musical performances.  Tribute banners honoring those who lost their lives in service will be displayed and remain up through May 30. Information: cityofmissionviejo.org

Newport Beach: The 16th annual Field of Honor is on display at Castaways Park, 700 Dover Drive. To honor those who have served, there are 1,776 large American flags flying in the park. The display is up through Memorial Day, when there will be a noon celebration of Memorial Day, including keynote speaker retired Capt. Nick Saifan, who is president of IEGS Corp, a disabled veterans business enterprise. Information: nhexchange.net

San Clemente: At 11 a.m., an observance will be held at the San Clemente Community Center lawn, 100 N. Calle Seville. The city has been gathering the names of those who died in the last year to honor and there will be a presentation of wreaths. The public is invited. Information: san-clemente.org

Also, a ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Marine Monument at Park Semper Fi, 106 W. Alameda Lane, overlooking the pier, will feature Lt. Col. Kevin Nicholson, commander of the 3rd Battalion/5th Marines, various honors and musical presentations. Information: marinemonument.com

San Juan Capistrano: The city and American Legion Post 721 will host an 11 a.m. ceremony at Veterans Park, 31872 Camino Capistrano. Councilmember Howard Hart will give the keynote address.

Also, the Mission San Juan Capistrano and the nonprofit Homefront America are presenting the Field of Honor, with nearly 500 of the 7-foot-tall, community-sponsored flags on display to honor active military, veterans and first responders. The flags will be up through Memorial Day. The mission will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and on Memorial Day.

Santa Ana: The annual service at Fairhaven Memorial Park will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will feature patriotic performances, special remarks, a missing man flyover, rifle salute and more. There will also be an exhibit, “America’s Wars,” on display. The cemetery is at 1702 E. Fairhaven Ave. Information: 714-633-1442 or fairhavenmemorial.com

Also, the observance at 10 a.m. at the Santa Ana Cemetery, 1919 E. Santa Clara Ave., will include speakers, a parade of flags, wreath presentations, cannon salutes by Cooper’s Battery and more. The ceremony will be at the Soldiers’ Monument to the Unknown Dead of the Civil War, a community tradition since 1881. Information: occemeterydistrict.com

Seal Beach: The Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. at its United States National Submarine Memorial West. The memorial is at 800 Seal Beach Blvd., and open to the public. There will be guest speakers and the traditional “tolling the boats” ceremony for the 52 submarines lost during WWII.

Also, the Seal Beach Lions Club will host a community ceremony at 1 p.m. at Eisenhower Park, north of the pier.

Tustin: The city will host a 9 a.m. remembrance event at the Veterans Monument at Veterans Sports Park, 1645 Valencia Ave. Information: tustinca.org

Westminster: Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd., will hold a Memorial Day service starting at 11 a.m. near its mausoleum. There will also be family friendly activities.

Yorba Linda: At the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial, the annual Memorial Day observance will be held at 2 p.m.  The afternoon will feature speakers, including a keynote address by retired United States Navy Captain Tom Weaver, color guard and musical performances. A traditional Gold Star roll call will be conducted. The memorial is in Veterans Park, 4756 Valley View Ave.  Information: yorbalindaveteransmemorial.com

Also, the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum will commemorate Memorial Day with a formal presentation of colors and remarks starting at 10:30 a.m. The Huntington Beach Concert Band will perform at 11 a.m. in the library’s replica of the White House East Room. The library is at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd. Information: nixonfoundation.org

Violinists During Jennise Hwang, left, and Agnes Gottschewski perform during a sensory-friendly concert assembly by members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kindergartner Maverick Castellanos, 5, center, reacts with classmates to the theme from “Surprise” symphony by Franz Joseph Hayden by members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra during a sensory-friendly concert assembly at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is part of the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra perform during a sensory-friendly concert assembly at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cellist Emma Lee, center, performs during a sensory-friendly concert assembly by members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Luka Rotim, 6, second from left, claps with classmates during a sensory-friendly concert assembly by members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, from left, Jennise Hwang, Agnes Gottschewski, Cheryl Gates, and Emma Lee, perform during a sensory-friendly concert assembly at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Viola player Cheryl Gates, right, is joined by other members of the the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, from left, Jennise Hwang, Agnes Gottschewski, and Emma Lee, as she speaks to children during a sensory-friendly concert assembly by members of at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Second grader Ava Radabaugh, 8, and her mother Renee Ramirez-Radabaugh listen to the music during sensory-friendly concert assembly by members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is made possible by a grant from the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kindergartners Leilani Nino Zaragoza, 6, left, and Maverick Castellanos, 5, react to music by members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra during a sensory-friendly concert assembly at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The concert is part of the Pacific Symphony’s Heartstrings program and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Center for Musical Arts and Education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Not everyone can enjoy a Pacific Symphony performance at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, maybe because of economic or transportation constraints, sensory issues or any number of other barriers.

But for nearly 20 years, a passionate group of musicians has met listeners where they are at, offering concerts through the symphony’s Heartstrings initiative.

In partnership with a range of local schools, social services agencies and nonprofits, quartets of performers play special concerts throughout the year, providing access to music to a broader segment of community, said Mary Hawkes, the symphony’s senior director of community engagement, and customizing performances to meet the needs of their audiences, whether they are younger or older or have special needs.

The program also provides transportation and tickets to thousands of people a year so they can attend a concert at the Segerstrom Hall, she said.

“It is to bring music to those who might not otherwise go,” she said of the program she’s been part of since joining the symphony organization a dozen years ago.

On Wednesday, orchestra members Cheryl Gates, Agnes Gottschewski, Jennise Hwang and Emma Lee performed two sensory-friendly concerts for the students and staff of Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo.

The sensory-friendly performances the symphony’s quartets offer are designed with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, in mind, Hawkes said. “The hope is we can connect music with children and families on the autism spectrum in a meaningful way.”

The music is paired with visuals on the screen and often the audiences are offered interesting snippets to listen for ahead of the playing of a piece so they can sing along or otherwise interact.

“There are different ways for the child to follow along and engage,” Hawkes said.

Renee Ramirez-Radabaugh had reached out to Hawkes about bringing a concert to the Mission Viejo campus after her family attended a sensory-friendly concert with the Pacific Symphony last year at the town’s community center.

“All eyeballs were glued to the stage,” Ramirez-Radabaugh said of Wednesday’s concerts, which were divided between younger grades in the first assembly and older grades, including some music students, in the second assembly. “They were just so connected and keyed into the performance.”

The school is full-inclusion, she said, with students with special needs mixed into classes, including her kindergartener Jackson, who is on the autism spectrum.

She’s been able to go to children’s programs at the concert hall with her older daughter, Ava, she said, but “for a child like Jackson, it is not as easy.”

After seeing how enthralled her son was at the concert last year, she wanted to share the opportunity with all of the students at the school, she said, which also includes students from socio-economic backgrounds that might not be able to afford to go to symphony concerts.

“He was just smiling the entire time,” she said of Jackson enjoying Wednesday’s performance. “It was such an amazing experience (for all).”

The new Breakaway and Build OC Funds were created after a project commissioned by the Samueli Foundation showed how much support is needed to help nonprofits in Orange County.

The report, called the Orange County Nonprofit Needs Assessment, provided “an unvarnished, sobering window into the financial fragility of Orange County’s nonprofit sector,” said Lindsey Spindle, president of the Samueli Family Philanthropies.

The report found that many nonprofits are facing “onerous application processes to access funds and heavy restrictions over the use of them.”

This leaves nonprofit leaders with impossible choices, Spindle said. “We felt compelled to do something in response to what we learned from the OCNNA, and are thrilled to open these new, easy-to-access funding opportunities.”

Here’s a look at each of the grant programs:

The $5 million Breakaway Fund is aimed at supporting new ideas, upgrading infrastructure and technology and helping nonprofits retain staff. Both emerging and established nonprofits can apply with grant awards ranging from $50,000-$100,000.

The $5 million Build OC Fund will support capital projects, with grants up to $1 million.

The Samueli Foundation is also providing another $5 million over five years to support a separate grant program called Leading for Impact (LFI) and Leadership Accelerator. Run by the Bridgespan Group, this scholarship program will help with coaching and leadership development for 100 nonprofit executive teams.

Nonprofits can apply using the online application forms at samueli.org. There are separate forms for each funding opportunity:

— Nonprofits submit up to two applications for the Breakaway Fund ($50,000-$100,000 each). The deadline to apply is Friday, June 13.

—It’s one application for the Build OC Fund (up to $1 million). The deadline is Friday, June 27.

The LFI and Leadership Accelerator program interest form is also at at samueli.org.

Recipients will be announced by October with payment coming before Dec. 31.

Mission Viejo getting new grocery store

Wholesome Choice Market is coming to the long-shuttered Orchard Supply Hardware in Mission Viejo.

The company paid $11.63 million for the shopping center at 24011-24031 Marguerite Parkway.

Hanley Investment Group represented the seller, identified as an investment company based in Denver. The buyer, described by Hanley as “an Orange County-based regional grocery store operator,” was represented by Walseth Investment Co. in Newport Beach.

The LLC behind the grocer was identified through public documents.

“As the user of the space, our buyer was in a unique position to acquire the property and allow the seller the ability to monetize the vacant Lowe’s space. A ’win-win‘ for both parties …” said Michael Walseth, president at Walseth Investment.

Wholesome Choice, with a location on Culver Drive in Irvine, specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. A store slogan boasts “it’s all about choice” above its produce section.

The store specializes in prepared food, hot and cold, which gets high marks from shoppers.

The shopping center that Wholesome Choice will anchor dates to 1973. It got a remodel in 2016. The 37,118-square-foot vacant OSH gobbles up most (72%) of the space, which is also home to A Cut Above, Little Caesars and Leslie’s Pool Supplies.

Hanley noted that Little Caesars and Leslie’s Pool Supplies have been tenants at the center for 31 and 34 years, respectively.

Gelato shop opens near UC Irvine

Gelatissimo is open at University Center in Irvine.

The store, which replaced the sushi handroll concept Temakira, sells freshly made gelato (the Italian version of ice cream) with seasonal ingredients and toppings.

It’s the second ice cream shop for Rey and Sarah Maninang, who also have a Gelatissimo on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. They will host a grand opening ribbon cutting celebration at 4 p.m. on Friday (May 2) at the Irvine store.

Also see: Irvine’s Monaco Italian Kitchen reveals menu, grand opening date

The Australian company, which franchises its concept worldwide, sells quirky flavors in addition to more traditional combinations. Those flavors include Chunky New York Cheesecake, Decadent Cookie Dough, Sticky Date Pudding, Balboa Choc Banana, Chilli Chocolate, Coconut sorbet and more.

Address: 4237 Campus Drive, Suite B164; phone: 949-617-5300

On Balboa: 304 Marine Ave.

AutoCrib founder Pixley retiring

Stephen Pixley, founder of AutoCrib in Tustin, is retiring from the business he founded in 1994.

Pixley, an industry veteran who also launched Machine Tool Supply with partner Bob Moore in Costa Mesa, saw a problem in industrial shops that he could solve: supply chain control.

Using knowledge from his years running Machine Tool Supply, he created AutoCrib, a system that stores and tracks inventory for myriad businesses stretching from small machine shops to the military.

AutoCrib, with its corporate offices at at 2882 Dow Ave., was such a success, Snap-on bought the company in 2020 for $36 million.

On the move

Steven Grossman is the new executive medical director at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. Specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, he previously was at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Keck School of Medicine, where was deputy director for Cancer Services and physician-in-chief. Hoag is spending $1 billion to expand its Irvine hospital and grows its cancer research, treatment and prevention programs.

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 next step in the effort to develop a new shopping and entertainment area at the Village Center off of Marguerite Parkway and La Paz Road would be awarding a construction contract for the first phase of the project. But the city is halting awarding that contract, Elaine Lister, the city manager, told the City Council at a recent meeting.

“This will allow some time for further due diligence and to consider all our options, including the bids,” Lister said, “and also possibly a public-private partnership.”

Mission Viejo received two bids for the first construction phase, according to the city. A public-private partnership is still in the early stages of exploration.

The pause follows the closure of several large stores — Michael’s, Party City and Big Lots, Lister noted in the City Council meeting — and a delay with Santa Margarita Water District’s redesigning of its site plan. The city is incurring no additional costs because of the delay, Lister said.

But there is no timeline for when the awarding of a bid will be taken off pause, according to the city.

“The city remains fully committed to our downtown vision as well as our fiscal prudence,” said Lister. “This temporary pause gives us some time to evaluate the situation, let the vacancies play out and help us ensure we end up with the best possible project for the community.”

The Los Osos project will take over the 22,736-square-foot shopping center and connect to the greater project on Oso Creek.

The first phase creates the North Pasea pedestrian and bikeway recreational corridor, connecting the Civic Center and Library through the parking lot to the front of the shopping center. Last year, city officials estimated the first phase would cost Mission Viejo $6.2 million.