Mayor John Stephens joined District 73 Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris as she honored Katie Webb Brundige and Meghan Clem as Women of the Year for 2025.

The pair are the founders of Rising Above Disabilities (RAD) Camp, a nonprofit organization that hosts overnight summer

camps for children and adults with developmental

disabilities.

RAD Camp is the largest residential camp of its kind in California, welcoming 220 campers and over 800 volunteers each summer at Vanguard University.

Brundige and Clem were nominated for the award by Mayor Stephens who commended their commitment to creating an inclusive and empowering environment.

Council Member Mike Buley attended the Women of Distinction event, hosted by the Office of State Senator Steven Choi, on Friday, March 28, to celebrate the achievements of two remarkable Costa Mesa women.

In the photo, Council Member Buley is pictured with honoree Dr. Elvera Cravagen, a beloved member of the Costa Mesa community who celebrated her 100th birthday last year. Dr. Cravagen practiced as an otorhinolaryngologist for 60 years and is admired for her wisdom, resilience, and contributions to global awareness, having fled Nazi Germany and built a life dedicated to healing and education.

The event also recognized Dr. Eunice Kang, a Political Science professor at Vanguard University, known for mentoring students and advocating for civic engagement and human rights. Although Dr. Kang was unable to attend, her work continues to inspire future leaders.

This past week, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue participated in the first of a series of Community Preparedness Town Hall Meeting presented by the City in joint efforts with CMFR and Costa Mesa Police Department. The meeting was held at the Costa Mesa Senior Center and was presented by various City staff members and representation from the Mesa Water district.  

In attendance was City Council members Andrea Marr, Arlis Reynolds, and Mike Buley and City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison.

Fire Chief Dan Stefano kicked the meeting off with an overview of the evening’s agenda and a broad discussion on California’s recent wildland fires and highlighting the joint efforts to strengthen the City’s Community Preparedness efforts, particularly with the City Manager’s Officer, CMFR and CMPD as a unified command. Chief Stefano then introduced CMPD Chief Ron Lawrence for the joint welcome, who gave a brief discussion on the role the police department plays withing emergency preparedness planning. 

The featured presenter for the meeting was Emergency Services Manager Delcie Hynes who provided an excellent overview of the City’s emergency preparedness plans and spoke to the need for everyone to have a plan in place, should there ever be an emergency or disaster. She advised on the importance of having food, water and supplies stored, having identifying paperwork easily attainable and highlighted the training opportunities available through CERT as one example. She urged residents to get an emergency plan in place and to sign up for emergency alerts through Nixle and Alert OC. 

Battalion Chief Tim Vasin discussed his recent deployment as a Strike Team leader at the recent Eaton Fire and showed attendees real video portraying the cataphoric and real conditions of those fires and explained the frustrations firefighters feel not being able to save all homes in a fire that is fed by hurricane force winds and how the importance and priority in those situations is to save lives. 

Fire Marshal Jon Neal provided attendees with a summary of State Fire maps as an aid and how they are a tool that are used in planning for disasters, and with the new provided updates these maps have inquired, homeowners will be able to better prepare their homes from fires. 

Additional meetings will be announced in the upcoming weeks ahead, with plans for a meeting in April and May. 

Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Saturday, March 29, where he presented a Certificate of Recognition to Adam Schoonbeck for his dedication, leadership, and outstanding accomplishments in Scouting and community service.

Adam, a freshman at Edison High School and member of Troop 711, has earned 34 merit badges, hiked over 100 miles, and completed a major Eagle project benefiting the Golden West Swim Club at Golden West College. For his project, Adam designed and installed two stainless steel results boards—one for boys and one for girls—providing a lasting resource for the swim club’s meets and events.

He has also spent nine years honoring military veterans and volunteering in local food distribution efforts.

Mayor Stephens commended Adam for his commitment to service and congratulated him on achieving the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Only 6% of Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts of America) members earn the Eagle Scout title, according to the Scouts America Great Rivers Council, making Adam’s achievement even more remarkable.

The City of Costa Mesa was represented at the Genesis Bank Catalyst Expo by Jasmine Vega, the Finance Department's Accounting Specialist II, who shared valuable insights on how businesses can register as vendors with the city.

Also in attendance was Dan Inloes, the City's Economic Development Administrator, who performed business recruitment and gave an in-depth look at the support available through Development Services.

Community Relations Manager Broc Coward was also in attendance and helped coordinate and set up the City's booth.

The event took place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 at the Genesis Bank headquarters in Newport Beach.

The Harbor Mesa Lions Club brought fun and fashion together during its “Welcome to the Jungle” Fashion Show and Luncheon fundraiser held Saturday, March 29th, at the Norma Hertzog Community Center.

The lively event featured shopping, prizes, and more shopping, with generous support from local sponsors including Chico’s Newport Beach, Segerstroms, and Starbucks. Guests enjoyed delicious homemade pasta dishes provided by Pasta Connection.

Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens joined in the festivities, showing his support for the club’s ongoing community service efforts.

Chartered in 1992, the Harbor Mesa Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.

The City of Costa Mesa announced that local poet and University of California Irvine instructor Danielle Hanson has been named the first Poet Laureate in the City’s history.

Mayor John Stephens welcomed Hanson to Costa Mesa, and the Council plans to introduce her at the Tuesday, April 1 meeting.

“Not every City has a Poet Laureate, and I’m pleased to hear that we have one now,” Mayor Stephens said. “Poetry is an important literary art form that provides a wonderful complement to the City’s existing performing and visual arts.”

Click here to read more.

The Costa Mesa City Council is currently seeking one resident to serve on the Animal Services Committee:

The Animal Services Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month except for August and December and provides advice and recommendations to the City Council on animal services issues and to promote pet licensing, assist with planning and execution of animal-related events. The City is recruiting for one member (Appointment by Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez), for a term expiration of April 2027. For further information, contact Animal Services Coordinator Jessica Torrejon at (714) 754-5128 or visit www.costamesaca.gov/ASC. 

Click here to read more.

The Costa Mesa Network for Homeless Solutions continues to help those less fortunate as it has now housed 437 people since the establishment of the City's shelter in April 2019 through March of 2025.

Here are some of the highlights:

🏠 Total individuals housed since 437

🏠 Outreach team has housed 241 people

🏠 Bridge Shelter has housed 196 people

📞 Total calls for service: 193 

📞 Year to date callers assisted: 620

To reach our CostaMazing Network For Homeless Solutions staff please visit our website here.

 Join our upcoming FREE Bicycle Skills and Safety Workshops to get everything you need to ride like a pro.

• Free helmet to keep you safe 
• Free bike repair to keep you rolling 
• Bike skills course to boost your confidence
• And Free food!

Don't miss out on these amazing opportunities to ride smarter and safer!

Looking at your cell phone while driving?

Distracted driving can have deadly consequences. Using your phone to text, talk, or check social media has become the most common distraction.

Other risky activity while driving includes adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to remind ourselves, our family and friends, that it is our responsibility to drive alert, without distractions, to keep everyone on the roads safe. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride: 

• Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.
• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not scroll through apps while driving.
• Struggling not to text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

In an effort to reduce distracted driving in Costa Mesa, the Traffic Safety Bureau will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law. Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

This week is Property & Evidence Appreciation Week.

So we paid them a visit to celebrate with a treat. Our Property & Evidence team is essential to the department. They receive, store, and maintain the integrity of evidence items for safekeeping. They handle thousands of items annually, including weapons and narcotics. 

Property & Evidence team, you make our department top notch! We thank you for everything you do!

On Wednesday, Costa Mesa Police CSI Supervisor Lindsey Olson and CSI Intern Grace Rudolph attended Science Night at California Elementary School.

They had a table with tools and displays to explain Crime Scene Investigation and how to lift fingerprints from surfaces.

Throughout the event, Lindsey and Grace were busy helping students play with tiles and then lift their own fingerprints to take home as a keepsake.

What a great way to teach the next generation about some of the work the police department does.

This week, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) welcomed back Officer Troy Hickman. 

Officer Hickman was a police officer with CMPD for seven years and was assigned as a motor officer and Field Training officer. 

In 2023, he left CMPD and joined the Coopertown Police Department in Tennessee where he promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

He has returned to CMPD, and was sworn in by Chief Lawrence last week.

The Spring Citizens Academy is underway and this week, participants learned about Crime Prevention and Crime Analysis. They also met and learned from detectives on how they investigate crimes against persons.

With just a little over 30 participants, this Citizens Academy has been busy. The class has already toured the police department and has learned about the 911 and Dispatch with a visit to the Communications Center.

As the 2025 CMFR Fire Academy nears completion in the coming weeks, this week the Fire Recruits prepped for and completed their final manipulative testing. 

The final testing is referred to as “Combo Testing” or combination testing.

The combo days of testing include a variety of different tasks that the recruits have trained on over the past eight weeks.

Recruits performed at an excellent level, demonstrating their abilities to proficiently execute hose lay and firefighting operations, throwing and placement of ladders, execute basic rescue systems, EMS, forcible entry and perform vertical ventilation among a range of many other fire and rescue operational areas.

This combo testing allows our cadre to evaluate each recruit individually to ensure they are prepared to be assigned to their first crew and on any of our front-line apparatus. 

After next week’s Driver Operator training, the recruits will be placed on a crew and continue with their probationary year.  

Recently, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted its bi-monthly Rise and Shine morning meeting event at the Costa Mesa Senior Center and included Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano as their featured speaker. 

Chief Stefano shared his insights on current issues including the recent wildfires, community preparedness, key innovations, leadership strategies, and the department’s vision for the future as Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue celebrates 100 years of history this year, going back to the earliest days as a volunteer fire department. 

Chief Stefano also highlighted the impactful work that is carried out every day by the amazing professional men and women of CMFR, the larger integrated City team efforts and the valued support of the City Council, unwavering in their steadfast commitment to public safety, as well as the genuine appreciation for the strong standing partnerships the department and city has built and nurtured with our community partners and business community.

The last portion of the event included an introduction of City of Costa Mesa Emergency Manager, Delcie Hynes, who shared helpful resources available from the City to help businesses prepare for disasters and emergencies, as a teaser for the upcoming Community Meetings on Community Preparedness that will be taking place during April and May.

The Chamber hosts these regular meetings to share valuable community information and insights from featured speakers, community leaders, legislative partners, and city representatives. 

Our thanks to the entire Chamber of Commerce team and members, with a special thanks to Chamber President and CEO Davd Haithcock and Chamber Vice President of Member Services Juliann Harkness for their leadership and partnership, as well as to the City of Costa Mesa Senior Center Staff for a great event.  

Also in attendance were Assistant Fire Chiefs Jason Pyle and Fire Marshal Jon Neal, as well as Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence, Jay Barkman, and Broc Coward.

Construction for the Parks Sidewalk Rehabilitation and Repair Project is continuing. This project addresses necessary sidewalk repairs primarily throughout the City’s parks but also includes various locations citywide.  

Concrete repairs have begun at TeWinkle Park, adjacent to the amphitheater, and the Costa Mesa Tennis Center and is scheduled to be complete by the middle of April. Construction will be from Monday through Friday, starting at 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. 

The Public Works Department appreciates the cooperation from the Parks and Community Services Department, as well as the City’s residents, businesses, and constituents in making our parks more accessible and helping promote parks and recreation as a vital community service.

Construction continues in the Mesa Verde neighborhood and vicinity for the Citywide Parkway, Street Rehabilitation, and Slurry Seal Project. This project consists of repairing and replacing damaged curbs and gutters, sidewalks, cross-gutters, driveway approaches, and curb ramps.

Construction has started in the neighboring streets of Royal Palm Drive and Mendoza Drive.

Traffic control and workplace safety protocols are implemented to ensure public safety, and construction is scheduled to continue from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM on weekdays.

The City appreciates the cooperation of its residents in observing all traffic control, parking restrictions and posted signage throughout the course of construction. The Public Works Department will continue to complete projects that benefit the quality of life for the residents, businesses, and constituents of the City of Costa Mesa.

Business owners in Costa Mesa - join us for the SBDC Small Business Clinic on April 8 at Coast Community College District!

Sign up by Sunday, April 6, to get a FREE 30-minute one-on-one session with an SBDC consultant to address your immediate needs in marketing and operations, or a financial assessment. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.

Ahoy Mateys! Hop aboard and join us as we count down the days to Costa Mesa's annual SPRINGFEST!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m when Costa Mesa's FREE and festive springtime celebration returns to the Lions Park event lawn for a fun day of frolicking and adventure.

There will be a treasure egg hunt, train rides, arm painting, photo opportunities and live entertainment! Prepare to set sail for this CostaMazing community event by visiting: 

www.costamesaca.gov/springfest.

Check out a special “Costa Mesa Minute” promoting this year’s Springfest celebration HERE.

On Sunday, March 30, the teen program held its annual Color Rush capture the flag tournament at the DRC’s backyard.

Shirts were ruined, but memories were made as teens made new friends and formed teams to compete for the title of 2025 Color Rush Champions.

In addition to friendly competition, teens were treated to a free lunch and a chance to contribute to a spray painted mural.

Apply to Costa Mesa’s annual juried art exhibition. The application is now open for Youth Artists, ages 10- 17 years of age!

The City of Costa Mesa invites youth artists across Orange County to apply to ARTventure, our Juried Art Exhibition and event. Each youth artist is allowed two submissions. Youth artist applications will be automatically entered to win a cash prize in the Youth Art Award category.

The Juried Art Exhibition will be on display at the Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa, from September 13 through 27, 2025 with an opening reception and community arts day on September 13, 2025. All artwork must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.

The Awards Ceremony will take place on September 20, 2025 at the Orange County Museum of Art.

Deadline to Apply is May 5, 2025. To learn more about ARTventure click here.

Asher is a 2-year-old, male, Pitbull Terrier. Asher is available for adoption at the Priceless Pets adoption center in Chino Hills.

Asher is known to be good with other dogs and enjoys socializing with others! Asher is sure to make a great companion, and he cannot wait to meet his forever family!

Asher is up to date on his vaccines and is sterilized. If you would like the opportunity to meet Asher, please contact Priceless Pets today! Asher is located at The Orphanage - Chino Hills Adoption Center | 2587 C Chino Hills Pkwy, Chino Hills, CA 91709 | Tues.-Fri. 12pm-7pm & Sat.-Sun. 12pm-5pm

For other adoptable pets, visit, pricelesspetrescue.org.