Community Commentary: It's a Fair Time to Remain Optimistic 07-15-10
Daily Pilot
- Wendy Leece, a Costa Mesa resident, outlines what the fair means to her and her family/friends and what a successful sale of the fairgrounds to Costa Mesa and an investment partner would mean.
Solorio Won't Block Fairgrounds Sale 06-30-10
Daily Pilot - Though Costa Mesa has the controversial stance on illegal immigration, lawmakers want the best deal possible for the residents as it relates to the fairgrounds.
Irvine Company Gives 20,000 Acres of Open Space to Orange County 06-30-10
Los Angeles Times - In a unanimous vote the OC Board of Supervisors accepted The Irvine Company lands and by doing so, added 50% more parkland to the county's regional park system.
For Donald Bren, Giving Back was Always in the Plan 06-29-10
OC Register -
A question and answer with Donald Bren about his vision for open space and the timeline for his conservation plan.
FHBP Press Release on Land Transfer 06-27-10
FHBP tells the story behind the Irvine Ranch Land Transfer and outlines the four assurances it asked for from the County. (PDF - 20 KB)
Fairgrounds Down Payment: $19.2 million 06-24-10
Daily Pilot - The State will accept a $19.2 million downpayment from the City of Costa Mesa and a private party and put it towards the fairground's purchase price of $96 million.
Irvine Co. Gift Would Boost Parkland by Half 06-14-10
OC Register - The County and The Irvine Company have agreed that the 20,000 acres will retain its conservation values and will be restricted for park purposes.
Chipko Awards Given at Treehugger's Ball 06-12-10
FHBP's Melanie Schlotterbeck, FHBP Board member Stephanie Barger and Green Vision Coalition member Sherri Loveland each received a Chipko Award at the June 5th Treehugger's Ball for outstanding environmental leadership.
Vote Set for Massive Parkland Donation 06-09-10
OC Register - The OC Parks Commission is set to vote on the proposed transfer of 20,000 acres of open space to OC Parks. The transfer would add 50% more land to the County park system.
Activist Honored with Oaks 06-06-10
Daily Pilot - The late activist, Jan Vandersloot, was honored at Castaways Park with 15 oaks planted in his memory by a local group, Stop Polluting Our Newport.
Calif. Could Be First to Ban Plastic Bags 06-04-10
MSNBC - Having passed the Assembly, a ban on plastic shopping bags, is now under consideration in the Senate. Earth Resource Foundation, an FHBP partner organization, has been working on the ban for years.
Grand Jury Criticizes Great Park Financing 06-03-10
OC Register - The Grand Jury report outlines financing concerns and potential conflicts of interest in the largest municipal undertaking ($1.6 billion) in County history.
'Babe' has her Babies 06-02-10
Daily Pilot - Babe, the resident bobcat, gave birth to three cubs at Upper Newport Bay. Residents caution drivers to go slowly in the area to avoid hitting Babe and her babies.
Council Shoots Down Coyote Hills Development 05-25-10
OC Register - The Fullerton City Council voted 3-2 to deny the proposed development project on West Coyote Hills. Conservation groups and park advocates were thrilled with the decision.
Poseidon Goes for Another Permit 05-21-10
Daily Pilot - A recent state ruling on power plants changed Poseidon's plans to use AES for its once-through cooling. The ruling doesn't apply to desalination plants. Concerns exist about the costs and impacts.
City Life: Advocates Effective in Methods 05-17-10
Daily Pilot - FHBP's Jean Watt and others are working to stop the expansion at John Wayne Airport. A new terminal and parking structure are being built that will impact residents in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.
FHBP's Melanie Schlotterbeck Honored 05-13-10
With her focus on conservation and work with creating the Renewed Measure M mitigation program, FHBP consultant Melanie Schlotterbeck gets Special Recognition for Outstanding Environmental Achievement by OC League of Conservation Voters.
Bolsa Chica Wetlands Defender Honored After Death 05-11-10
The Daily Pilot - The environmental community lost Jan Vandersloot last November, but the Orange County League of Conservation Voters honored him for a lifetime of achievement.
Don't Bankrupt Us! Pleads SIlverado-Modjeska Park District 05-07-10
Orange County Register - The Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District may go bankrupt over the judgement for it to pay $358,000 in legal fees. The District is involved in a suit over a Supplemental Environmental
Impact Report with the developer of Holtz Ranch.
You'd Never Know He's a Sun King 05-07-10
New York Times - Philanthropist
David Gelbaum quietly donated $500,000 to The Wildlands Conservancy and to The Sierra Club. He continues to invest in new technologies and works to protect important landscapes.
Fair Center Plans Unfold 05-06-10
Daily Pilot - The City of Costa Mesa would hold title to the fairgrounds property, but obligations to pay the mortgage would be paid by the fairground operator. The proposal will go to the state May 21.
OC Oil? Are We Ready for a Big Spill? 05-05-10
OCLNN - OC has already had an oil spill and due to the close proximity with the shore, crews would need to act fast. The Coast Guard would be the lead response agency for an oil lead off Orange County's coast.
Air Pollution: O.C. Gets 'Fs'; L.A. Worst 04-28-10
Orange County Register - Because of fuel combustion, OC received failing grades for its air quality researchers say. The fine particles and ozone were the main reasons for the bad grade.
To Save Wetlands, Trestles Path May Be Cut Through Sensitive Habitat 04-26-10
Orange County Local News Network - Ultra sensitive habitat at Trestles is being trampled by those making a bee line to the waves. Groups are working on a solution curb the behavior and avoid the wetlands.
Earth Day and the Climate Bill 04-23-10
The Washington Post - This Earth Day, federal Senators work on a Climate Change Bill that has become more about energy independence than carbon emissions.
Brad Gates, Space Cowboy 04-22-10
Some San Juan Capistrano residents feel the City's recent acquisition of a riding center from the Rancho Mission Viejo Company was a waste of money.
$96M Offered for Fairgrounds 04-22-10
Daily Pilot - Cash-strapped Costa Mesa offered the state $96 million, the minimum amount the state wants for the OC Fairgrounds. No word yet on how the City will raise the funds.
"Hands Off," Fair Board is Told 04-22-10
Daily Pilot - Fair Board Chairwoman was asked by a state official to remove an agenda item discussing a profit-sharing model from its agenda. This was likely due the state's negotiations with the City of Costa Mesa for the purchase of the fair grounds.
Fate of Fairgrounds Clouded as Deadline Nears 04-21-10
Daily Pilot - The City of Costa Mesa has just two weeks to finish the deal with the OC Fairgrounds before it gets sold to developers.
The City to Share Fair Goals 04-14-10
Daily Pilot - The City of Costa Mesa met in closed session about its negotiations for the OC Fairgrounds. An open session would be help to allow the public to hear the councils goals and objectives with the sale.
Venezia: OC Fair Advocates Must Face Some 'What Ifs' 04-14-10
OC Register- For the last year, bad decisions and questionable decisions have snowballed the OC Fairgrounds sale into a colossal mess. Costa Mesa is trying to un-ring the sale bell.
O.C.'s Parks: Crazy Names, Riot of Color 04-07-10
OC Register - Regional Park staff are offering tours of the blooming wildflowers. You're guaranteed to hear some crazy plant names and will see some beautiful colors.
The Deal that Keeps Getting Worse 04-07-10
Voice for OC - The cash-strapped City of Costa Mesa is grappling with potentially spending $100 million to buy the OC Fairgrounds before it gets sold to private developers.
County Out of Fair Sale 04-07-10
Daily Pilot -
The County has dropped out of negotiations for the OC Fairgrounds and the City of Costa Mesa is on its own to work with the state to purchase it.
Santa Anas A Particular Threat in Some Southern California Areasl 04-02-10
Los Angeles Times - The infamous Santa Ana winds don't hit all areas of Southern California the same -- some places like Malibu and Santa Monica are in wind corridors.
Not in My Backyard 03-31-10
KOCE
Video - Chevron plans to build homes in Fullerton on the ecologically important Coyote Hills, is it an assualt on nature or enlightened planning?
OC Infrastructure Report Card is Out March 2010
FHBP and others participated in evaluating the status of OC's Parks and Environment. Though the County received a better grade than previous years, significant challenges lie ahead.
City, State Talk Sale 03-31-10
Daily Pilot - The City of Costa Mesa has entered into "exclusive negotiations" for the purchase of the OC Fairgrounds from the State of California.
Return of the 241 Toll-Road Extension: South County Officials Pen Scary Letter to Feinstein 03-24-10
OC Weekly - Six South County City Council members send a letter to Senator Feinstein regarding the "terrifying gridlock" on the 5. The letter states the tollroad must be built to fix the traffic problems. Environmentalists don't agree.
Trees Donated to Great Park 03-24-10
OC Register - Irvine Ranch heiress Joan Irvine Smith has donated more than 100 oak trees to the Orange County Great Park.
Ranch Road on Deck 03-20-10
Daily Pilot - The City of Newport Beach will consider adding a road to Sunset Ridge Park, that conservation groups fear will help facilitate the development of Banning Ranch.
Nature Scene Investigators (NSI):
On a Not-So-Secret Mission Get Families Outdoors 03-18-10
Fun Orange County Parks - The Nature Scene Investigators
was created by five Sage Hill students and offers families a chance to get outdoors and explore.
Rejected: Bids for OC Fairgrounds 03-18-10
NBC 4 LA - The state has rejected the seven bids for the O.C. Fairgrounds, which leaves the sale back at the drawing boards.
State Rejects Bid For Orange County Fairgrounds 03-17-10
LA Independent - The State rejected the $56.5 million bid for the OC Fairgrounds and will seek other ways to sell the property.
Cal Poly's Alternative Design for W. Coyote Hills Mid-March
Fullerton Observer - Students at Cal Poly studied Chevron's proposal for West Coyote Hills and came up with an alternative plan that leaves most of the land as open space.
Patagonia Contributes Toward Saving Hills Mid March
Fullerton Observer - Patagonia provided Friends of Coyote Hills with a grant to continue working on the effort to preserve West Coyote Hills as open space. (p. 5)
James Cameron: I'm the Greenest Director of All Time 03-01-10
Grist: James Cameron's highest grossing film ($3 billion), Avatar, is the most environmental film of all time, according to Grist.
OC Community Indicators Report Released March 2010
County of Orange - The Orange County Community Indicators Project annually measures the overall quality of life of the Orange County community by tracking key indicators of economic, social and environmental well being. View the Report.
Hunting for Nature 02-22-10
Daily Pilot - State Farm Insurance awarded five Sage Hill School students $52,000 to create a park program called Nature Scene Investigators, which creates a scavenger hunt for kids at several Orange County Parks.
Venezia: O.C. Fairgrounds Drama is Far From Over 02-17-10
OC Register - The battle over the fairgrounds has changed significantly since the summer's "sell or not sell" issue. It has grown substantially with misinformation, flip flop politicians and more.
Sounding Off: Fair Board Could Still Save the Day 02-17-10
Daily Pilot - Though the OC Fair Board voted to support the sale of the Fairgrounds, several board members had a change of heart.
Fair Use Goes to June 8 Ballot 02-17-10
Daily Pilot - The City of Costa Mesa has added a ballot measure to the June elections proposing to landlock the OC Fairgrounds into fair and exposition center uses.
Illegal Bike Park Discovered in WIlderness 02-16-10
OC Register - OC Park officials were surprised to find an elaborate system of illegal bike ramps, bridges and trails in Limestone & Whiting Ranch. Volunteers are working to remove the trails and restore the habitat.
Protesters March Over Coyote Hills Proposal 02-16-10
OC Register - Seventy-five individuals marched to City Hall in protest over a development proposed for West Coyote Hills. The land, they say, should instead be set aside for open space.
Group Protests Coyote Hills Development 02-16-10
Daily Titan - Protestors marched to City Hall to show support for preserving Coyote Hills as open space, instead of the alternative -- allowing Pacific Coast Homes to develop 760 houses.
The Political Landscape: Beck Intrigued by DeVore 02-10-10
Daily Pilot -
Members of the public ask where the Fair Board stands on the proposed OC Fairground sale, but they have no way of knowing because the meetings are cancelled due to lack of quorum.
Volunteers Not Rained Out 02-06-10
Daily Pilot - Fifty volunteers worked in soggy weather collected trash as part of a campaign called ZeroTrash hosted by non-profit Earth Resource Foundation.
Fairgrounds Use to be Clarified 02-02-10
Daily Pilot -
The City Council of Costa Mesa voted to amend the City's General Plan to further delineate the land use for the OC Fairgrounds. Costa Mesa voters will vote on the amendment in June.
Concerns Addressed in West Coyote Hills Report 01-29-10
O.C. Register - Comments have been made public on the West Coyote Hills Environmental Impact Report. The City says air quality and greenhouse gases can't be mitigated in the project's report.
Reps. Plan to Revise Fair Bill 01-29-10
Daily Pilot -
Assemblymembers Jose Solorio and Van Tran pulled AB 1590 off the Assembly floor because its language no longer calls for the sale of the OC Fairgrounds.
Community Commentary: Selling Fairgrounds in this Market isn't Smart 01-25-10
Daily Pilot -
Jim Silva writes that he was one of three votes against the sale of the OC Fairgrounds in July because he believes it isn't smart to sell government-owned property in a downed economy.
Fair Leader Gets a Raise 01-21-10
Daily Pilot -
Even with public outcry and an investigation by the OC District Attorney, the OC Fairgrounds Board of Directors voted to increase the salary of its chief executive by $7,000 a year.
Generation M2 01-20-10
A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that kids between 8 and 18 spend more than 53 hours a week (7 hrs 38 minutes a day) using entertainment media.
Mr. Governor, Stop This Sale 01-17-10
Daily Pilot -
Craig Realty won as highest bid, at $65 million, for the OC Fairgrounds, but the Governor may still scrap the sale because the state was expecting around $100 million for the sale.
Editorial: OC Fairground Sale Moves Ahead 01-15-10
OC Register - Seven bidders made offers for the 150 acre OC Fairgrounds site and though Craig Realty won the bid, the deal is far from over.
Nature Deficit Disorder January 2010
Environmental education programs offer children a chance to learn outdoors instead of always doing structured activities.
High Bid on OC Fairgrounds Lower Than Expected 01-14-10
ABC Local - The top bid ($56.5 million) was lower than the state expected for the sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds. Historically, the state thought they could bring in $180 million for the site.
Outlet Developer Craig Realty Wins O.C. Fairgrounds Bid 01-13-10
Daily Pilot - Coming in at $56.6 million, the state accepted Craig Realty's offer to buy the OC Fairgrounds. Concerns exist over whether the property will remain as-is or be converted to something else.
Connecting 1,000 Acres 01-12-10
Daily Pilot - FHBP and local cities form a subcommittee to connect 1,000 acres at the mouth of the Santa Ana River.
City, County Put in Joint Bid 01-10-10
Daily Pilot - In an move to save the 150 acre OC Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa and County submitted a joint bid for the property. If someone else's bid wins, any attempt to change the zoning must be approved by Costa Mesa City Council.
Sneak Preview: Orange County's Newest Park 01-09-10
OC Register - This short video shows parts of the proposed Black Star Canyon Regional Park, with interviews from Irvine Ranch Conservancy's Executive Director Mike O'Connell and OC Parks District Supervisor John Gannaway.
Proposed New Park Offers Dizzying Views, Winding Trails 01-07-10
OC Register – The brand new 2,000 acre Black Star Canyon Regional Park may come into County ownership as early as March 2010. The new Park would be open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
New Bridge Coming in Soon 01-06-10
A pedestrian bridge will soon connect the Bolsa Chica Mesa to the parking lot on Warner. Bolsa Chica Land Trust's Flossie Horgan commented it has been a long time coming, but it is a tribute to the community responding.
OC Fairgrounds Sale Still On 01-05-10
Daily Pilot – Three Costa Mesa City Councilmembers and the City Manager traveled to Sacramento to discuss rescinding the decision to allow the sale of the OC Fairgrounds.
Nature Deficit Disorder January 2010
Orange County Parenting – Environmental education programs offer children a chance to learn outdoors instead of always doing structured activities.
Archives: 2009
