• Don’t miss your chance to join OCBC virtually on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. to hear a panel of industry experts discuss "Workforce Skills and Strategies for a Resilient OC” and Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC's Chief Economic Advisor, present hiring forecasts in emerging technology industries in OC! Thanks to title sponsor, Union Bank, and all our incredible sponsors, registration is complimentary. Register today!

• Ron Hasse, President and Publisher at Southern California News Group (SCNG), said, "As Southern California's leading local news source -- and publisher of the #1 Spanish language newspaper serving greater Los Angeles -- we are vested in supporting families that are new to the California school system. LEA provides an important roadmap for parents and children, so they can focus on classroom learning and worry less about how to navigate the education system." OC Register and Excelsior recently contributed $3,000 to support LEA, and OCBC commends their generosity! This support allows OC families to participate in the program free of charge. Contact Jesse Ben-Ron to learn more about LEA. 

• OC Sustainability Decathlon (OCSD23) is a new competition and exhibition for university-led teams across CA challenging them to meet the demand for both housing and climate change. Teams have less than two years to design and build market-ready homes, several of which will be assembled and displayed in a sustainable village in OC for judges and the public to tour and evaluate the builds. Learn more.

• Check out this op-ed by Rop Lapsely and Tracy Hernandez on how to shift to job growth. "As we look to move from economic recovery to growth, we must start building economic and public policies that allow us to live and work safely alongside a virus undoubtedly to become endemic and part of our lives, likely for years to come… Building an endemic economy means creating consistent policies for the long haul – like modernizing telecommuting regulations – not enacting arbitrary, short-term mandates."

• Join OCDE on Oct. 14 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a colloquium hosted by Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. This virtual forum will convene a diverse panel of voices to share their stories as we celebrate the cultures, contributions and histories of Hispanic and Latino-identified communities. More information to come!

• OCBC is calling on Gov. Newsom to sign supported legislation before the Oct. 10 deadline to sign or veto bills. These bills include AB 537 and SB 556, which help expand broadband access and close the digital divide, and AB 110, a bill enacting much-needed reforms to the Employment Development Department. The Governor has already signed AB 1506, which extends newspaper distributors’ exemption from AB 5 until 2025, and several bills encouraging new workforce housing production. Contact the Governor to lend your support for pro-business bills!

• Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Hitched at Honda Center through Marriage Services is nominated for the Business Retention and Expansion Award! During the pandemic, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen opened safe in-person marriage services using portable ticket booths at Honda Center. Hitched at Honda Center issued 16,838 marriage licenses and performed 8,252 marriage ceremonies between March and Dec. 2020. The Clerk-Recorder’s office assisted 25% more appointments than any previous year.

• City of Irvine’s Vaccination Clinics are nominated for the Public-Private Partnership Award! Irvine has provided more than 13,400 vaccinations by collaborating with local health care providers and other local partners to host 24 clinics and a drive-thru Great Park clinic. Irvine’s vaccination rate is currently over 80% and one of the lowest positivity testing rates in the county. Clinics continue at various sites with a focus on young adults and youth. 

• Join Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris on Oct. 6 for a discussion with local small business owners and statewide advocates on cutting red tape and rationalizing regulations for small business success. The resource fair will start before the event and give guests an opportunity to learn about available funding, management, business planning, and marketing resources. Learn more.

• CA Women Lead's Annual Conference is back live in-person and virtual on Oct. 12 and 13. The event is hybrid so you can attend in-person at The Sawyer in downtown Sacramento or from the comfort of your home. View the agenda filled with top-notch leaders and register with code CAWomenLead2021 for 15% off any ticket. Get tickets today!

• Join Human Options on Oct. 14 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. for an in-person event: Igniting Social Change: No Visible Bruises, featuring Rachel Louise Snyder, journalist, author and domestic violence advocate. Your participation contributes to a critical conversation and helps raise funds to provide life-changing Human Options programs such as the 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, walk-in centers, and community education programs. Learn more.