Thank you for taking the time to read my e–newsletter. “Mimi’s Message” is designed to keep you informed on the most current events and issues facing our community and state. As always, please feel free to contact me with feedback or questions.
Senator Walters to speak at showing of documentary detailing Orange County’s prescription drug abuse epidemic
Senator Walters will be speaking in Lake Forest to parents and students about the dangers of prescription drug abuse at a showing of the critically acclaimed documentary, “Behind the Orange Curtain.” The film details the personal stories of some of Orange County’s promising young people, and the death and destruction caused by their prescription drug abuse.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic levels not only in Orange County, but around the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also classifies prescription drug abuse as an epidemic and the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem. Orange County has more drug rehab centers per capita than any other county in the country. More than double the number of people die from accidental drug poisoning in Orange County than from car accidents. In Lake Forest alone eight young people between the ages of 14 and 26 died from accidental drug overdoses involving prescription drugs between 2007 and 2011.
“Behind the Orange Curtain” is a full-length feature documentary that won the Metropolitan Film Festival of New York City in 2012, as well as received recognition from three other film festivals. The two free Lake Forest showings will occur on Thursday, March 21st at 5 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at Foothill Family Church: 19432 Bake Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92610 at the Corner of Bake Parkway and Lake Forest Blvd. Click here for free tickets. To watch a trailer of the film click here. Click here to see a flier for the event. The showing will be followed by a question and answer session fielded by local health and law enforcement experts.
Click here to watch Senator Mimi Walters share about the dangers and impact of prescription drugs on California‘s youth
Saint Patrick’s Day provides us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the unique story of American immigration. Throughout our nation’s history, waves of immigrants from all over the world have come to America to escape political and religious persecution, famine, and wars. These new arrivals risked all and gave up so much to come here, and to enjoy the opportunities that only America offers. My family came to America when my father immigrated at the age of six from Finland, when the Soviet Union invaded the country in order to establish a Red Baltic Fleet naval base. My father’s older brother was literally pulled from school one day by my grandmother and he escaped with them to the United States.
Did you know that Saint Patrick himself was an immigrant? He was born in Roman-occupied Britain, then kidnapped and enslaved by the native people of Ireland, a common practice in those days. He eventually escaped, returning to Britain to become a monk. Later in his life, he returned to Ireland to preach the gospel. Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, not by sword, but by genuine caring, kindness, and true leadership.
Mornings with Mimi: Senator Walters discusses prescription drug abuse among CA youth
In the March 11, 2013 edition of “Mornings With Mimi” Senator Walters discusses the rise in prescription drug abuse among California's youth with Natalie Costa, the producer of the film, "Behind the Orange Curtain," a documentary regarding this growing issue in Orange County.
New Taxes: Click here to watch Senator Walters explain how unfair it is that some Californians are now paying over 60% of their income in taxes.
Punishing businesses for the state‘s overspending: Click here to watch Senator Walters discuss how California businesses must pay a higher federal tax, because the state did not pay back all the money it borrowed from the federal government for unemployment benefits.
Taxpayers forced to spend $5.6 million on a Bay Bridge party: Click here to watch Senator Walters express frustration about how $5.6 million in taxpayer money is being wasted to celebrate the completion of the Bay Bridge, a project that took 10 years to finish and was $5.5 billion over budget. And all the while this is happening, a state prescription drug monitoring system that would help save lives in Orange County has been defunded for lack of money.
Condolences for those hurt by Orange County Shooting: Click here to watch Senator Walters give a condolence message to the family and friends of those lost during the shooting rampage that occurred in Orange County in February.
Read Across America Day: Click here to watch Senator Walters encourage constituents to read to their children as part of Read Across America Day.
Senators question use of taxpayer dollars by parks employee in personal campaign to stop completion of 241 toll road
State Parks employee‘s personal campaign wastes precious funds, endangers jobs, and national security.
State Senators Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) and Mark Wyland (R-Escondido) called on the State Department of Parks and Recreation to release all documents related to the department’s secret efforts to stop future plans to connect the 241 toll road to Interstate 5 and put state bureaucrats and surfers in control of Marine Corps training near Trestles beach in San Diego County.
“In what appears to be a personal and multi-year political campaign by Wayne Donaldson, the recently retired State Historic Preservation Officer and Parks employee, … and his staff have been using state resources to manipulate the application of a federal historic designation under the National Historic Preservation Act to a ‘surf break’ known as “Trestles” located along 2.5 miles of Navy owned beach,” said Senator Wyland.
Nominees needed for Senator Walters’ “Mimi’s Spirit of Service Award”
Senator Walters is encouraging the Orange County community to nominate constituents residing in Senate District 37 for “Mimi’s Spirit of Service Award.” The long-term health and happiness within our communities can’t happen without residents who are dedicated to selfless service. “Mimi’s Spirit of Service Award” will recognize an individual who makes a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens through extraordinary acts of kindness and good citizenship. This award seeks to recognize those who do the right thing, not because it is expected, but because it makes life better for others.
The award winner will be highlighted in the monthly edition of Mimi’s Message and will receive a lunch with Senator Walters. Nominations should include the following information:
Name of the “Mimi’s Spirit of Service Award” nominee:
What this person has done to receive the Sowing Seeds of Greatness Award:
Why you admire this person?
Remember all nominees must live or work within Senate District 37, which includes, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Orange, Tustin and Villa Park, as well as the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Woods where Senator Walters serves as custodial representative. Please submit your nomination and any inquiries regarding Mimi’s Spirit of Service Award to Senator Walters’s District Representative Cecilia Iglesias at Cecilia.Iglesias@sen.ca.gov.
Senator Walters celebrates Tustin Art Contest and Lunar New Year Celebration
Senator Walters celebrates the Lunar New Year by placing a red envelop in the dragons mouth. Also pictured are Tustin Mayor Al Murry (left) and Joy of Kung Fu Committee Member Lonnly Ching.
Ringing in the Lunar New Year, Senator Walters joined the Joy of Kung Fu organization at the County of Orange’s Tustin Library on February 17th. Senator Walters presented four certificates of recognition to winners of the Tustin Library Art Contest. After the presentations, Senator Walters attended a concert from Opus119; a community organization established in Irvine to encourage a lifelong passion in music. The daylong celebration also included performances, calligraphy demonstrations, food trucks, and various arts and crafts booths.
Senator Walters honors deposition reporters at their annual convention
Senator Walters poses for a picture with Susan Campana, the outgoing president of the Deposition Reporters Association of California at the organization’s annual convention Saturday, February 23rd in Newport Beach. After concluding her remarks, Senator Walters honored the organization’s work by presenting it with a California State Senate Resolution. Founded in 1995, the Deposition Reporters Association of California is the largest representative organization of freelance deposition reporters.
March 16th - Leprechaun Leap 5K Race: Organized by the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, the Leprechaun Leap 5K course at the District at Tustin Legacy is fast and fun, and welcomes walkers, strollers, and dogs! Register as an individual or as a team of five or more. Awards will be given for the fastest times and best costume. Post race festivities include an expo throughout the Promenade at the District at Tustin Legacy, including great entertainment and an awards ceremony. Fees for each participant are $35, registration begins at 6:00 a.m. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. For more information, please call (714) 544-5341 or go www.tustinchamber.org.
March 16th and 17th - Civil War Re-Enactment: The Civil War is brought to life by professional Civil War re-enactors who come from all over Southern California to participate in this annual event held at St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim. Meet President Abraham Lincoln, tour Union and Confederate encampments, watch battles with over 200 re-enactors, visit the Sutler’s Marketplace and much more. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for children, seniors and students with a valid ID. For more information, please call (714) 772-1363 or go to www.stcatherinesacademy.org.
March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Green Festival: Everything from earthworm and food composting, zero waste zones and recycled art, to champion Irish dancers will be sharing the spotlight. Irish dance schools will take center stage with shows all day, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Nearly 100 dancers, many of them world champions, will perform. The Earth Resources Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches people how to integrate environmental responsibility into their lives, will be covering subjects such as food composting, native plants, electric cars, and recycling through the use of interactive displays, games, booths, and mini stage presentations. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa. Admission is $2 children 12 years and younger are free. For more information, please call (949) 723-6660.
March 23rd - Multicultural Fair at Sage Hill: This colorful, fun-filled event welcomes students, families and the greater Orange County community to a global feast for the senses. Taste home-cooked delicacies from virtually every nation represented at Sage Hill School. Enjoy non-stop musical and dance performances, bid on tantalizing baskets of themed goodies, browse the ethnic bazaar, and keep the kids happy with arts and crafts, face painting, and a treasure hunt. 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Sage Hill School in Newport Coast. Admission is $7 at the door; children age 7 and under are free. Food tickets are sold on site for $1 each. For more information, please go to www.sagehillschool.org/multiculturalfair.
March 23rd - Bunny Blast: Enjoy a fun-filled event for the whole family with a day of activities including game booths, crafts, face painting, a giant Ferris wheel, petting zoo, pony rides, balloon artist, and egg scrambles. There will be entertainment for everyone with a strolling magician, DJ and live music. Bring your camera to take pictures with Hoppy the Spring Bunny, Alice and her Wonderland friends will be there too! 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at El Toro Park in Lake Forest. Admission is free. There will be a nominal fee for food, games, and activities. For more information, please call (949) 461-3450 or go to www.lakeforestca.gov.
March 29th - Late Night Flashlight Egg Hunt: Bring your flashlight and prize bag for an eventful evening of egg hunting. The Laguna Hills Sports Complex will become a hidden adventure filled with hundreds of eggs. Each participant will be entered into an exciting raffle to conclude the evening. There will be two separate hunts, one for children 7 to 10 years of age, and one for children 11 to 14 years of age. 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the soccer field. Admission is $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents. Registration is required. To register or for more information, please call (949) 707-2680, or go to www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us.
Senator Walters celebrates the Lunar New Year by placing a red envelop in the dragons mouth. Also pictured are Tustin Mayor Al Murry (left) and Joy of Kung Fu Committee Member Lonnly Ching.