• The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project held its debut October 5, and OCBC’s Lucy Dunn saw it firsthand. The bridge will last 100 years, is critical for goods movement, features emergency lanes, accommodates large vessels, and three look out points via the Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle and Pedestrian Path. Watch the video!

• The university is providing consulting services to private businesses to help them develop rules and procedures to keep employees and customers safe from COVID-19 as the economy opens up. “As the only program in public health in Orange County, we have an obligation to assist our community,” professor Karen Edwards said.

• The company said it couldn’t lure viewers back without a pipeline of new movies. The chain is closing 663 theaters in the U.S. and Britain, affecting 40,000 U.S. employees.

• Just received your ballot? View OCBC’s Voting Guide to find out which propositions threaten economic recovery and which support businesses. NO on Prop 15! – no tax increases now.

• Do you travel the I-5 or SR-55 freeways? OCTA is studying the two freeways for the development of Freeway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes--express bus service mostly on freeways, taking advantage of carpool lanes, express lanes, toll lanes or shoulder lanes to serve key destinations. OCTA’s Study will identify improvements to infrastructure, potential stops and transportation solutions for potential BRT routes. Take the Freeway Bus Survey or phone 909-494-2900 until November 16, 2020. Let OCTA know where you will go! Attend a live virtual public meeting on October 14 at 5:30 p.m. Register here and be sure to watch the video.

• Join CWLA’s Annual Conference on October 13-14 for a virtual wine tasting and hear from special guests Katie Echevarria Rosen Kitchens, Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of FabFitFun; former FOX anchor, author, and activist Gretchen Carlson; California's indomitable First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom; political trailblazers Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and many more! OCBC’s Lucy Dunn serves on the board. View the program lineup and register today!

• Hear from Lucy Dunn on CBS News
• OC Register Highlights the Impact in SoCal
• Anaheim Chamber President Talks Safety at Disney
• Anaheim Independent Underscores Governor’s Lack of Transparency
• Plus, OCBC doesn’t like rumors—we work on facts—but to cut off one we’re hearing from Sacramento--it is a non-starter for the hospitality industry in So Cal, including theme parks, for anything other than opening with 25% capacity and within the ORANGE TIER (third level). Tell the Governor to ReOpen Theme Parks now.

• The program no longer requires receipts uploaded and the application takes less than 5 minutes! Help your favorite restaurant get a $5,000 grant!

• Join OCBC on October 13 at 8:00 a.m. for the Workforce Development Conference to hear what Orange County leaders are doing to embrace diversity and create an equitable future! Learn about educational advancements to improve outcomes across OC’s many diverse communities, and how diversity and inclusion initiatives will positively impact the workplace. Learn how to be an agent for positive change! A special thank you to title sponsor, Union Bank! Register here.

• In May 2020, the Newport Beach Council adopted an Emergency Ordinance to authorize the temporary use of property outside of tenant space, like parking lots and sidewalks, for existing businesses to safely open. The project required a collaborative, citywide approach to create the parameters, application guidelines and online presence on the City’s website. The City has issued nearly 100 free permits so far to restaurants, salons, day spas, fitness centers, schools and churches. Most permits are applied for online and issued within 24 to 48 hours. The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce assisted in spreading the word to local businesses. The City remains committed to ensuring Newport Beach businesses thrive throughout the pandemic.

• California Retailers Association President and CEO Rachel Michelin and David Goldberg of the California Teachers Association joined the Public Policy Institute of California to discuss the pros and cons of Proposition 15, an initiative that would change the tax assessment of commercial and industrial properties and result in a “split roll” property tax, and is expected to raise taxes by $11.5 billion a year. Watch here – and then vote NO on Prop 15!

• The Government Affairs Committee welcomed Senator Anthony Portantino, who represents portions of the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, on Friday. The Senator discussed this year’s unprecedented legislative session, including his focus on keeping public education stable during the economic crisis. The Senator noted that many professions the middle class depends on are at risk of being cut and urged the federal government to provide California with more aid. Senator Portantino also emphasized the need to create incentives for the private sector to build new affordable and middle-income housing; one of his bills would have provided an incentive to build housing on commercial space, but like many housing bills this year, it did not advance.

• Join the Water Energy Education Alliance on October 20, 2020 to hear from Juanita Chan, MAEd, STEM and College and Careers Pathway Coordinator with Rialto Unified School District and the coalition of water, education, and energy experts to discuss the development of Career Technical Educations programs. Register here.

• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides two forms of paid leave for employees. The Emergency Paid Sick Leave provides two weeks of paid time off for reasons such as mandated self-quarantine. While the Expanded Family Medical Leave offers 12 weeks of time off with the first two weeks unpaid in order to care for children involved in distancing learning.

• Join the Orange County Virtual Job Fair on Thursday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to meet the county’s best and the brightest jobseekers! Share your company’s involvement with the business community with the use of a social media toolkit. 

• Each Wednesday from October 7 – November 4 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., join Vital Link for its Alteryx Data Analysis Professional Development Workshop series. These complimentary workshops will feature hands-on demos and training to equip participants to pass the Alteryx’s certification test. Sign up here.

• Small Business Development Center
• SBDC Resources for Small Businesses
• Go-BIZ FAQ for Small Businesses
• UCI Free Small Business Toolkit

• The COVID-19 dashboard shows the campus total population and number of reported positive COVID-19 cases among staff and students. 

• The National Academy of Medicine ranks how COVID-19 vaccines should be administered based on the most vulnerable populations:
• Phase 1a: Front-line health workers, ambulance drivers, and first responders.
• Phase 1b: Those 65 years or older and those with chronic health conditions.
• Phase 2: Critical workers in high-risk situations such as teachers and child care workers, those with moderate health conditions, and all people under 65 who are in prisons, jails or detention centers.
• Phase 3: Young adults who work in industries such as hotels, banks, higher education, and factories.
• Phase 4: All other U.S. citizens.

• In efforts to save landfill space, OC Waste & Recycling and Mattress Recycling Council partnered together to launch the Bye Bye Mattress program. The program provides free mattress pick up and curates mattresses on site to recycle. 

• Mark your calendars for the free health fair on Sunday, October 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Drive-thru for complimentary flu shots, cholesterol, glucose and hemoglobin testing, receive a colon cancer screening consultation and an at-home test kit, and a consultation with a doctor.

• Hear from Orange County’s leading health care experts and first responders on emergency preparedness planning. Watch the video!

• Human Options calls on the community to attend the first ever virtual fall event featuring Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, CA Surgeon General for a discussion on Igniting Social Change: The Impact of Childhood Trauma on October 15, 2020. Register here.  Join the fight and become an advocate and participate in the 31 Days of Action Calendar and utilize the toolkit that contains social media challenges. #PledgePurple

• Pacific Chorale kicks off the month of October with the virtual choir performance of The 23rd Psalm, complimentary Zoom vocal warm-ups with Aram Barsamian, Ask the Maestro with Rob Istad, and an auction item roundup for Pacific Chorale’s 2020 Tis the Season Virtual Concert and Gala on December 3, 2020. For more information on the holiday concert and gala, sign up here.  

• The Brilliant Future’s mission is to raise $2 billion to build a prosperous future for all. The campaign pillars are to advance the American Dream, transform healthcare and wellness, expand world-changing research, and explore the human experience. At its one year mark, the campaign has received $918 million and engaged over 65,000 donors. 

• Anaheim Convention Center Test Site: Appointments Required.
• Testing Basics: COVID-19 Test Options.
• Free testing in OC: How to access.
• DO IT! Where to get tested in OC: Find a testing site near you. 
• OC Testing Sites: Appointment & walk-in resources.
• Public & private sector testing: Contact your provider today.
• COVID-19 Hotline: For general questions & information call: (714)-834-2000.
• OC Health Care Agency: Data Dashboard featuring confirmed COVID-19 cases.