I encourage you to read today’s Voice of OC article on last night’s forum organized by the East Street Community Renewal Initiative (ESCRI), a project of former (and potentially future) Councilwoman Lorri Galloway. It contains many jewels. Let’s start with this one: “The consensus from the forum attendees was clear – the police department is still racist, and city government still can’t ...

The West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council (WAND), a long-time community action group,  is holding its 17th Annual Anaheim Western Barbecue this Saturday, May 11. WHERE: Twila Reid Park 3100 W. Orange Avenue (between Beach Blvd. and Western Ave.) TIME:      10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The WAND BBQ offers a panoply of activities and diversions for friends and family alike. Attendees can look forward ...

So earlier this week, I receive and accept an invitation to join the Anaheim Canyon Community Coalition’s Facebook group. It’s a closed FB group of about 180 people. Members post information and news about Anaheim. Posted by the page administrator was this message: “Hi all, Thanks for the feedback. This ACCC page welcomes all posts from ALL sides. Some posts are emotional, ...

The OC Register published a profile today on Jay Burress, the new president/CEO of the Anaheim/OC Visitor & Convention Bureau. Burress has been on the job for a month, now: The top of his list is getting the word out about all of Orange County’s attractions that people may not be aware of, he said. International travelers, who make up 10 ...

UPDATED – 7:55 pm, March 5 – Mayor Tait pulled the item, but it died for lack of a second. Tomorrow night, the Anaheim City Council will discuss whether to appropriate an additional $30,000 to continue paying the salary of Mayor Tom Tait’s part-time council assistant, Mishal Montogomery, through this June, the end of the fiscal year. Although it is ...

It doesn’t get the headlines  but one of the most anticipated additions to the Anaheim scene is the opening of the Anaheim Packing District in downtown Anaheim this spring, as the OC Register writes about today. It’s a public-private partnership between The Lab Holding LLC and the City of Anaheim that promises a true revitalization of downtown. The old downtown Anaheim ...

I’d like to provide a counter-point to Matt Cunningham’s criticism of the new garage sale ordinance. Local governments have a great deal of leeway in dealing with public nuisances and upholding community standards. Enacting a limitation on outdoor neighborhood activities like garage sales, the Anaheim City Council acted within its legitimate powers. The purpose of the ordinance isn’t to limit the freedom ...