The inaugural Orange County Sustainability Decathlon kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the OC Fair & Event Center’s OC Promenade building. 

Mayor John Stephens welcomed the crowd along with the event’s main sponsors State Sen. Dave Min as well as Chapman University professor Fred Smoller.

OC Supervisor Katrina Foley and other elected officials were also in attendance along with students and professors from several local colleges, who are taking part in the competition. 

The event spans two weekends, beginning Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 8, and resuming Thursday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 15. Visit www.ocsd23.com for more information.  

For more photos from the event, click here.

Mayor John Stephens and the City Council handed out four proclamations at the Tuesday, Oct. 3, meeting. 

The first was to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Accepting the proclamation was City of Hope Medical Oncologist Dr. Wade Michael Smith. The next proclamation was for Fire Prevention Month. Accepting the proclamation was Fire Chief Dan Stefano and his leadership team. 

The Council also issued a proclamation for Code Enforcement Week. Accepting the proclamation were Economic and Develop Services Director Jennifer Le and Code Enforcement Senior Officer Rene Macias and several members of the Code Enforcement team (see photo below).

Finally, the Council issued a proclamation recognizing Walktober, a celebration and a call to action to promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities.

Longtime resident and walking advocate Flo Martin and other members of the audience who promote walking were invited to accept the proclamation.

Click here to watch the meeting.

The Costa Mesa City Council is currently seeking residents to serve on the following City Committees:

• Animal Services Committee
• Active Transportation Committee
• Fairview Park Steering Committee
• Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
• Historical Preservation Committee
• Housing and Public Service Grants Committee
• Mobile Home Park Advisory Committee

Read our press release for more information.

Application Process – Residents who are interested in getting involved in local government are encouraged to complete a Committee Application Form from the City Clerk’s Office or from the City’s website (www.costamesaca.gov/apply). The completed application may be submitted online; mailed to Costa Mesa City Clerk at Post Office Box 1200, Costa Mesa, California, 92628-1200; emailed to [email protected]; or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 

The deadline is 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Appointments are tentatively scheduled for the Oct. 17, 2023 City Council meeting.

FYI: Applicants who previously applied to one of these committees in February 2023, do not need to reapply. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (714) 754-5225 to confirm a previously submitted application.

Martin Espino is a multi-faceted artist, educator, performer, instrument maker and musician who specializes in introducing Indigenous Mexican Music to the masses through his interactive cultural workshops held throughout the country.

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day and in continuation of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Espino generously agreed to share his art and philosophy and demonstrate some of the unique indigenous instruments he has created over the years in our latest PORTRAITS feature.

Martin will be performing a special “Day of the Dead” program live on stage at the Costa Mesa Parks & Community Services' ARTventure “Community Arts Day” festivities on Saturday, Oct. 28 on the Lions Park Event Lawn at 11 a.m.

Bring the family and celebrate a FREE day of art, culture and music in our “City of the Arts.”

Check out the Martin’s PORTRAITS episode below:

The public is invited to join us for a day filled with fun at the Scarecrow Fest where everyone will be able to enjoy different activities, food trucks and entertainment and participate in a costume parade.

And if you haven't created your scarecrow yet, the registration for the Scarecrow Contest has been extended and the deadline to submit is Monday, Oct. 9.

Don't miss out on the fun, as we will have the most delicious food vendors. Join us from 2 to 6 p.m. and feed your inner foodie. We’ll have kettle corn, corn dogs, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, coffee and so many delicious treats.

Watch the video below:

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This year, like last year, Human Options, the City of Costa Mesa, and the Costa Mesa Police Department will be hosting a walking vigil #ShineTheLight on Monday, Oct. 23, at Lions Park. Join us for a vigil in solidarity with victims and survivors of relationship violence.

Human Options is a non-profit organization that connects anyone who is threatened by abuse to county-wide services to help them.

This organization is a resource for shelter, intervention programs, counseling and referrals that officers hand out when responding to domestic violence calls.

There are other amazing organizations like Human Options that we work with including Share Our Selves, Laura’s House and nearby hospitals.

These organizations are there for the community in their time of need. We stand against domestic violence and we are here to help and connect those in need to valuable resources.

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) was happy to participate in Walk to School on Wednesday, Oct. 4, with the purpose of keeping the students and all other participants safe.

There was a great turnout at the first Walk to School and CMPD is excited for the next one on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The CMPD team appreciates the partnership with the students, parents, PTA, volunteers, school faculty, Active Transportation Committee, and the Costa Mesa Transportation Services team.

“So proud to see our Costa Mesa Police staff connecting with our Newport Mesa Unified School District students and the Costa Mesa community!” said Chief Ron Lawrence. “It’s great community policing.”

CMPD offers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

·     Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.

·     Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.

·     Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.

·     Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.

·     Always wear a helmet when riding. Ride in the same direction as traffic.

·     Be aware of your surroundings. When walking, keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.

The Costa Mesa Police Department is proud of their recruit and soon to be Officer Juli Hernandez, who ran in the Academy’s Fallen Officer Memorial Run in honor of Sgt. Ira Essoe on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

Some of our officers took part in the run to support her and Class 256, who graduated the next day.

In 2010, Sgt. Essoe succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on-duty in 1980 while he tried to make contact with three parolees who were attempting to steal a car.

Essoe’s injuries from the shooting prompted then-Sheriff Gates to establish what became “Project 999,” which helps wounded officers and the widows and orphans of peace officers killed in the line of duty.

On Thursday, Costa Mesa Police personnel including the Honor Guard attended the funeral services of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels along with hundreds of other personnel from surrounding law enforcement agencies.

At the service, Sheriff Luna shared that Deputy Clinkunbroomer, an 8-year veteran of LASD, was a third-generation deputy, an amazing young man, trustworthy and hardworking. His fiancé shared that just days prior they had gotten engaged. 

Deputy Clinkunbroomer was tragically killed on Sept. 16, when he was ambushed while he sat in his patrol vehicle by a man, later identified and arrested.

This is a tragic loss and the Costa Mesa Police team was honored to stand with LASD, law enforcement partners, and Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s family and friends as we mourned this loss.

October is officially recognized as Crime Prevention Month. Each week of Crime Prevention Month, we will spotlight practical crime prevention tips that are good reminders for everyone.

Crime prevention is being proactive. It is the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk and the implementation of crime prevention strategies to remove or reduce it.

The crime triangle concept states in order for crime to occur, three elements must be present. These are:

Desire (the criminal)

Ability (the means)

Opportunity (the victim or target)

As with any triangle, if a single leg is missing, a triangle cannot be formed. This holds true in regard to crime as well. If any one of these is missing, no crime will occur. 

Let's take a quick look at each of these elements:

• The desire of a criminal to commit a crime. An individual cannot eliminate a criminal’s desire to commit a crime. If someone really wants to commit a crime he or she will.
• The criminal's ability to commit a crime. Generally speaking, an individual cannot eliminate the ability of a criminal to commit a crime. He or she will find a way. 
• The criminal's opportunity to commit crimes. This is where an individual can be the most effective at preventing crime. By removing the criminal’s opportunity to commit crimes, the crime prevention triangle will be broken. How can this be done? By applying effective crime prevention strategies. Remember, crime prevention is being proactive.

The importance of crime prevention comes from the involvement of the community working together with law enforcement to keep the community safer.

Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility and is not as effective without your participation.

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue (CMFR) recently concluded the Captains Preparatory Academy, which was held Oct. 2-5, 2023. This is a voluntary training opportunity that is created to help prepare the future leaders of CMFR to move into the most important supervisory role within the fire service. 

The training was facilitated and led by Training Captain Chuck Torres over four days and covered an extensive and broad array of content.

During this academy, the six incumbents area of focus included leadership, management, effective communications, behavioral and mental health, fire investigation, community risk reduction, risk management, human resources, personnel management, labor/ management relationships, stakeholder awareness and included professional development profiles exercises. 

The academy began with words of encouragement from Fire Chief Dan Stefano who reinforced the importance and value of the role and responsibilities of a Fire Captain being the “Tip of the Spear” and the extremely strong representation a Fire Captain has as a representative and ambassador for the department, city and the community. 

The candidates were engaged with every presenter and presentation throughout the week and provided the candidates opportunity to discuss the vision and strategic goals for CMFR & the city moving forward with an emphasis on the importance of integrating the mission, vision and values of the city and CMFR, while continuing to serve the community with excellence.  

The candidates also had the opportunity to participate in a City Manager/Fire Chief Roundtable with City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison and Fire Chief Dan Stefano to learn more about the role of city governance, stakeholder and community engagement, as well as the importance and high value of working as part of a collaborative and integrated City Team. 

City Manager Farrell Harrison also shared her perspectives on the larger picture of local government, leadership, and the community, among other areas in the interactive discussion.

One of the many highlights of the academy included a visit to the Emergency Communications Center for the City of Costa Mesa. The six incumbents observed the dispatchers and how they managed call-taking, transfer of calls to the appropriate dispatchers and monitored the frequencies used by CMPD and CMFR personnel. 

CMFR continues to place a heavy emphasis on investing in our most important resource, our people. Professional and personal growth and development remain a highest priority for the department and for the City. Best of luck to all the candidates moving forward, and thanks to those who continue to facilitate the career development of others.

A special thank you to all of the individuals who took time out of their schedules to present during the academy and to all of the Captain candidates who participated in this voluntary training and professional development opportunity.

It is with great sadness that the Coleman family has shared that Chief Ronny J. Coleman, State Fire Marshal, (Ret.), passed away peacefully on September 20, 2023, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.

“Chief Coleman was an exceptional man who is considered one of the greatest leaders the California Fire Service has ever had, playing an extraordinary role in advancing the fire service as a profession; coaching, teaching and mentoring so many across the nation throughout his life,” said Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano. “Chief Coleman’s roots are set firmly in Costa Mesa, where he served as the Fire Operations Chief before his eventual hiring as the Fire Chief in San Clemente and then in Fullerton before he would become California’s State Fire Marshal. Chief Coleman’s impact on the fire family will forever be treasured and honored. He selflessly dedicated over fifty years to the fire service, transforming and inspiring so many. His legacy and his memory will always remain with us; it was an absolute honor to have known him.”  

• Costa Mesa Fire Department, Operations Chief
• Fullerton Fire Department, Fire Chief
• San Clemente Fire Department, Fire Chief
• California State Fire Marshal, 1992 - 2000
• Past President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs

The Celebration of Life for Chief Ronny J. Coleman will begin with a Fire Department and Law Enforcement procession from Lesneski Mortuary to the Calvary South Church OC, both located in the City of San Clemente. 

The Services at Calvary South Church OC will begin promptly at 4:00 PM and will be livestreamed. 

WHEN: Friday, October 6, 2023, at 4 p.m. 

LOCATION: Calvary South OC (Orange County) 

1311 Calle Batido, San Clemente, CA 92673

Chief Coleman is survived by his wife, Marie, his son Chris Coleman (North Carolina), his daughter Lisa Coleman (Colorado), and their families. A local (Northern California) tribute to Chief Coleman will be hosted in Elk Grove in the coming weeks. Funeral services will follow in San Clemente, with a date to be announced. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the National Heritage Fire Museum or the California Fire Museum & Safety Learning Center.  

The Colemans are requesting privacy at this time. Please contact their family liaison, Chris Fowler, at [email protected] with any urgent inquiries. 

Condolence cards may be sent to: 

Mrs. Marie Coleman

c/o Chris Fowler 

P.O. Box 661114

Sacramento, CA 95866

In honor of Fire Prevention Month, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue invites you to our Annual CMFR Community Open House and Fire & Safety Expo event on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Fire Station no. 4, located at 2300 Placentia Ave.

Free parking is available at Estancia High School. 

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

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

We hope you all come out. We can’t wait to see you there!

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue recently held the first Citizens Fire Academy (CFA) ride-along since the return of the program. CFA kicked off Sept. 29 and will continue through Nov. 1. 

Participant David Byun had the opportunity to ride out with Engine 81 on Oct. 3, 2023.

Additionally, attendees have already met our 9-1-1 Telecomm Team member Nicole Hendrick, CMFR’s Fire Captain Brent Turner and crew, and most recently, CMFR Fire Captain Heunemann and crew, who introduced Truck Company Operations. 

Coming up Community Risk Reduction Division will share its behind-the-scenes look at fire and life safety inspections.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Known as Pinktober, which is observed in October each year, the month promotes screening and prevention of breast cancer with the goal of increasing awareness and raising funds to support research.

CMFR will show their support for all those effected by Breast Cancer and stands alongside them all.

During Pinktober, CMFR personnel will wear their pink shirts under their uniforms and the department will showcase the pink ribbon and badge throughout the department.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Los Angeles section consisting of the Southern California region, awarded the City of Costa Mesa with the 2023 Outstanding Roadway Project award for the Randolph Avenue Parking and Multi-Modal Circulation Improvements Project.  

Public Works completed multi-modal transportation improvements on Randolph Avenue and on St. Clair Street to increase available on-street parking, slow traffic speeds on Randolph Avenue, and provide improved pedestrian safety and mobility.

The project reduced the number of travel lanes, added angled on-street parking in the center, and constructed a raised mid-block crosswalk, four sets of speed cushions, and a modern roundabout with lighting, crosswalks, and landscaping. After the project was completed, the City was able to reduce the speed limit on the street from 35 mph to 20 mph.

The award was presented to the City of Costa Mesa at the ASCE LA Section Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Marina Park Community Center in Newport Beach. 

Public Works is proud to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the City of Costa Mesa and will continue to strive in developing award-winning projects that benefit the community in improving the quality of life in Costa Mesa.

The Walk to School Day event on Oct. 4 was a huge success with students, parents, and teachers joining City staff, Costa Mesa Police Department personnel, elected officials, and members of the City’s Active Transportation Committee for a morning walk to school from pre-determined locations throughout the City.

Approximately 1,350 students and adults participated in the event from College Park, Kaiser, Pomona, Rea, Sonora, Victoria, Whittier, and Woodland Elementary Schools. 

The annual event is part of the Public Works Department’s ongoing efforts to promote safe and active transportation opportunities for students and their families. The events help raise awareness on the positive impact of walking and rolling to school for children. 

Students from the remaining five Costa Mesa elementary schools at Adams, California, Killybrooke, Paularino, and Wilson will be lacing up and double knotting as they prepare to walk to school on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to promote healthy living and pedestrian safety. 

In continued efforts to ensure the City’s public transit system is clean and accessible, Public Works has coordinated with the City’s bus shelter maintenance contractor to repaint all of the bus shelters in the City.

Seven more shelters have been repainted in the past month:

• WB Sunflower Avenue, East of Fairview Road

• SB Fairview Road, West of Sunflower Avenue

• SB Fairview Road, North of South Coast Drive

• NB Fairview Road, North of South Coast Drive

• SB Fairview Road, South of Sunflower Avenue

• WB Adams Avenue, West of Fairview Road

• WB Adams Avenue, East of Pinecreek Drive

This work will be continued at no additional cost to the City and included in the franchise agreement with the bus shelter contractor.

On Oct. 7, 2021, Governor Newsom signed the California Association of Code Enforcement Officer’s (CACEO), SB 296 (Code Enforcement Officer Safety Bill) into law.

This bill requires, for the first time ever, all cities and counties to adopt safety standards specific to code enforcement officers and the hazards and threats they face in their respective jurisdictions.

CACEO recognizes Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week as the second week of October.

Mayor Stephens and council members honored the City’s Code Enforcement Officers during the October 3rd, 2023, council meeting with a proclamation for their hard work throughout the year. 

Staff has been working diligently in focusing on providing better customer service by strengthening public safety and improving the quality of life for the City’s residents and businesses. The Mayor proclaimed Oct. 8 through Oct. 14, 2023, as Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week.

Please join us in recognizing and saying thank you to a fellow code enforcement officer!

The deadline to register for the Scarecow Contest has been extended to Monday Oct. 9.

To register your scarecrow, please complete your registration form and submit it to our Parks and Community Services Department.

Submission Options:

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Attn. Scarecrow Contest, PO Box 1200, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

In-Person: at City Hall on the 3rd floor. Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, Costa Mesa’s USSD, Martial Arts studio will be joining us at Scarecrow Fest and kick start our event with a demo from their students.

There will be two demonstrations at 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Join us at the Scarecrow Fest from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Park Event Lawn for a day full of fun and surprises.

For more details visit www.costamesaca.gov/scarecrow or call us at (714) 754-5300. 

Join us for ARTventure’s Community Arts Day on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Norma Hertzog Community Center and Lion’s Park Event Lawn.

Families and friends can enjoy live performances, make art and view the new Juried Art Exhibition.

You may also cast a vote for your favorite artwork from the Juried Art Exhibition that will be on display inside the NHCC. Both online voting and in-person voting will be available. Check the website for more details.

View the artwork here that will be on display beginning October 27, 2023 until November 5, 2023.

Cast your vote here.         

This past Saturday, 11 community gardeners joined staff at the Hamilton Community Garden to clear out weeds and highlight a beautiful fig tree.

Fifteen additional community gardeners showed up later that day at the Del Mar Community Garden to restore mulch, give the garden tools a much-needed scrub, and clear out other communal areas for all to enjoy.

Our Community Gardens are a treasured part of the community, connecting people through nature and hard work.  

For more information on the Community Gardens Program, please visit costamesaca.gov.