Santa Ana Author Captures Plight of Immigrants in His New Children's Book

The boy's name is Efrén, and he's the oldest of three children in his family.

His undocumented parents work hard, and even harder to make ends meet.

Word spreads in Efrén's Highland Street neighborhood about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arresting people off the streets.

And then one day, agents arrest Efrén's undocumented mother as she seeks factory work.

"We have to get her back," he vows, even crossing the border alone to find her.

Cover art for "Efrén Divided," a new novel by Santa Ana teacher and resident Ernesto Cisneros.

This is the story that unfolds in "Efrén Divided," a novel by Santa Ana teacher and resident Ernesto Cisneros published in March for children, but with insights for adults, too.

Leopo: A Time to Reflect, Recognize Local Indigenous History

This year has been filled with protests demanding equity and change in the way minorities and marginalized groups are viewed and treated in the United States.

Here in Orange County, three different local indigenous women who have ancestral ties to the Acjachemen natives, indigenous peoples of California, offer us their perspectives this holiday.

Through their lives, in different ways, these women have committed themselves to bringing justice and truth to the Native American past in Orange County.

Although Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples day share a day in the month of October, the holiday has historically been recognized largely as an adventure, a moment in history where a new world was discovered by European explorers. However, in recent years a larger conversation has taken place around the holiday, one that takes into account the perspectives of the natives living here before the Columbus arrival in 1492.

While many of Orange County's arts and culture organizations and venues remain physically closed; virtual/streaming offerings are thriving, and more venues are beginning their phased re-openings in accordance with State guidelines. Arts Orange County is pleased to combine its recommendations for online enrichment with some good news about places you can now visit personally. ArtsOC continues to urge everyone to save lives by wearing masks and respecting social distancing protocols. 

Fair Food Drive-Thru

Some of the famous belly-busting concoctions that help make the OC Fair unforgettable are available from a special, free-to-enter drive-thru at the OC Fair & Event Center  DETAILS »

FMC and Me

The Fullerton Museum Center is re-opened with limited indoor admissions, and is featuring a special exhibit about art and culture in the city of Fullerton itself, for and by its arts-loving community  DETAILS »

Virtual Artist-in-Residence: Hilary Hahn, violin

The Philharmonic Society presents the first in a trio of streaming concerts featuring its first ever "Virtual Artist-in-Residence" - a multiple-Grammy winning string virtuoso  DETAILS »

Private Family Field Trips & Tours @ the Mission

The Mission San Juan Capistrano is, for the first time ever, scheduling special guided tours just for individual families who want all the fun and learning the Mission offers but without a large class group  DETAILS »

Rockin' Fig Vintage Surf Festival in HB

Huntington Beach's historic Main Street will be taken over by vintage sufboards and fun family activities in this new festival of the beach culture legacy of Surf City. Masks required.  DETAILS »