Brea’s Annual Senior Health Fair and Flu Clinic
Over 500 individuals attended the Brea Senior Center’s Annual Senior Health Fair & Flu Clinic on Friday, September 22. The event featured various vendors providing helpful information and resources on caregiver assistance, physical therapy, medical options, healthcare plans, aging-in-place resources, and more.
About 130 attendees were vaccinated against various viruses, thanks to the pharmacists at Albertsons. Those attending also had the opportunity to receive ten free health screenings ranging from glucose testing, lung function, blood pressure, massage, and more. Thanks to Spoonful Cafes for their generous donation of omega-3 supplements; every attendee at the health fair received a year’s supply of omega-3supplements to take home. Chef Francesco prepared a healthy breakfast and lunch for all the attendees. Many vendors donated raffle prizes including gift baskets, gift certificates to local restaurants, shops, and services. No one walked away from the event empty handed.
The Brea Senior Center is grateful for the support of the community and is proud to offer events like the Senior Health Fair & Flu Clinic to help seniors live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Child Parents Relationship Training
The Brea Resource Center hosted its very first 5-week Child Parent Relationship Training class. The class is designed to help strengthen the relationship between a parent or caregiver and a child by using 30-minutes of playtime once a week. Dr. Julie H. Lee, LMFT, taught parents empathetic responses, how to boost their child’s self-esteem, and how to set limits during playtime. There will be more opportunities to attend classes like this one.
The Revolutionists Wins Two Orange Curtain Awards
Two actors from The Revolutionists, which performed at the Curtis Theatre this summer, were recognized for their outstanding performances. Danielle Heaton and Sidney Aaron Aptaker won Best Actress and Best Young Actress in this year’s Orange Curtain Awards. Writers of The Orange Curtain Review vote and award excellence in theatre throughout the greater Orange County area from both professional and amateur productions.
The Revolutionists was a collaboration between the Curtis Theatre and Begins and Ends With ‘A’ Productions which was also nominated in the Best Director and Best Writing categories. This play, written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Amanda Hallman, tells the story of the four revolutionary women during the Reign of Terror in 18th century France.
The Curtis Theatre will continue this partnership in June of 2024 with a production of Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight – a story depicting the life, work, and legacy of real philosopher, scientist, and mathematician Émilie du Châtelet.
Threads that Bind Gallery Opening
The Brea Gallery’s newest exhibit, Threads That Bind, officially opened on Saturday, October 14. The community was invited to the free opening reception that featured a jazz quartet and singer Elena Gilliam, who played old standards and classic music as the backdrop for experiencing the exhibition. Beer tasting was provided by a local Anaheim craft brewery, Radiant, and delicious appetizers were provided by Panini Kabob Grill in Brea.
Threads That Bind explores the ways contemporary women artists have used textiles to give voice to the issues that bind us through common obstacles. This exhibit is a very exciting, “woven” collaboration between the Brea Gallery and MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim. Born out of a shared effort to offer more diverse and comprehensive programming to the communities of Brea and Anaheim, as well as broader Orange County, it attempts to thread our cities together.
Don’t miss the opportunity to view this exhibit which runs through December 8, 2023. The Gallery’s normal business hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5:00 pm.
Partnering with Brea Olinda Adult Transition Program
The City of Brea recently began a collaboration with the Brea Olinda Adult Transition (BOAT) program. The BOAT program is comprised of students who have graduated from high school with their Certificates of Achievement, ages 18-22, and now focus on functional academics, independent living skills, and workability. Our very own Karlee Martinez, worked with Jeff Weber, Education Specialist for the BOAT Program, to coordinate a regular schedule for students to collect recyclables from the receptacles throughout the Civic & Cultural Center. The students have been interacting with staff which helps with their independent living skills.
The funds they raise from collecting recyclables, will be put toward groceries to practice cooking and budgeting skills. Both students and staff look forward to these weekly interactions.
Improvements to Wildcatters Park Parking Lot
The Wildcatters Park west side parking lot received two fresh slurry seal coats in late June 2023. The improvements consisted of crack filling, along with striping the lot and adding a seal coat. The project was completed with finishing touches of restriping and adding new stops and bars.
Save the Date for the Holiday Tree Lighting
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic & Cultural Center. Santa and his reindeer will be making appearances, along with performances from the student choirs from Brea Olinda High School and Brea’s Christ Lutheran Choir. In addition, the seventh annual Brea Christmas tree ornament will be sold at the event in the added shopping courtyard. Refreshments will be provided by the City of Brea and a craft from North Hills Church.
There will be an opportunity to send Santa Letters to the North Pole with the help of our Brea staff. Be sure to drop off a letter to Santa at the Tree Lighting event or at the Brea Community Center before December 18 with a self-stamped return envelope.
Olinda Alpha Landfill Tour
Earlier this month, staff from the County of Orange provided Public Works and Community Development Department staff a tour of the Olinda Alpha Landfill. The landfill is the third largest gas-fueled plant in the United States. City staff were able to observe the operations and services that the landfill offers. These services include the disposal of solid waste, mattress recovery, scrap metal recovery, green waste recycling, creation of renewable energy, habitat restoration, and more.
CPR-AED Training
City of Brea staff recently had the opportunity to attend a CPR/AED class taught by Debbie Medina with CPR It Works. Staff learned how to perform a quality CPR, as well as the difference between a heart attack and a sudden cardiac arrest. Staff also familiarized themselves with Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and learned when it would be the right time to use one. There were plenty of hands-on practice along with the classroom portion. Many who attended felt comfortable and more confident performing CPR after attending the class.
College and Career Fair
The Brea Fire and Police Departments, alongside city staff from other departments, were honored to attend the College and Career Fair at Brea Olinda High School. Staff was able to provide insight into different career paths and spend time interacting with the students. Staff does a wonderful job building relationships with the community we serve.
Welcome to the Team
Elias Herrera recently joined the Community Development Department as the Planning Administrative Intern. Elias is excited to begin his planning and government journey, and is overjoyed that Brea will be the foundation of his career path. Elias is in his fourth year at the University of California Irvine, majoring in Urban Studies and minoring in Digital Art.
Outside of school and his Brea internship, he is a member of the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon team, where they construct and market an ADU. He is also a Gallery Guide at Langson IMCA, UC Irvine's art museum. Some of his hobbies include riding his bicycle around town and spending time at the beach.
Ellen Moeller recently joined the Community Development Department as an Administrative Clerk II. Previously, Ellen was an Order Processing and Records Specialist in litigation support services, during which time she completed her Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies at Fullerton College. Prior to that, she obtained her cosmetology license and worked as a stylist for eight years, where she also gained experience as a salon manager.
Ellen is very excited for the opportunity to grow and looks forward to building upon her knowledge of the legal system and government. Ellen enjoys spending time with her three children, learning and cooking new recipes, and listening to music – she’s a huge Beatles fan!
Zumba Pink Party Celebrates Community and Breast Cancer Awareness
On Friday, October 13, Brea Fitness, in partnership with their Zumba instructors, hosted a Zumba Pink Party to support breast cancer survivor and beloved Zumba instructor, Ana's Walk Among the Stars Fundraiser. The event brought together over 50 fitness members and Zumba enthusiasts alike for a night of dancing and raising funds for the Providence St. Jude Medical Center's Crosson Cancer Institute. The Zumba Pink Party was a high-energy and fun event for everyone involved. Participants dressed in pink and danced to their favorite Zumba tunes while supporting a worthy cause. All donations from the Zumba Pink Party went to Ana's Walk Among the Stars Fundraiser, which advances patient care at the Providence St. Jude Medical Center's Crosson Cancer Institute. Brea Fitness and their Zumba instructors would like to thank everyone who participated in the Zumba Pink Party. Thier support made a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients and their families.
Halloween Costume Exchange
The Brea Resource Center hosted its annual Halloween Costume Exchange during the week of October 9. Staff partnered with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints during their Community Service Day to collect gently used costumes. The Center also received a large donation of costumes from a local Brea school. This was the Center’s largest year of having a total of 142 costumes taken by families in our community.
Welcoming New Business to Brea
The City of Brea would like to welcome two new businesses to the community.
Kohler is a global leader in the design, innovation, and manufacturing of kitchen and bath products, luxury cabinetry, tile, and lighting. Its newest Signature Store in Brea displays a variety of decorative plumbing fixtures, lighting, mirrors, and vanities. The company offers customizable designs with photorealistic renderings to bring their customer’s vision to life. State-of-the-art features include digital shower systems, walk-in bathtubs, and various fixtures made from luxurious textures and durable materials. With over 150 years in business, Kohler is a trusted leader in its industry!
For over 30 years, Ulta Beauty has brought together all things “beauty” under one roof. Ulta is a leading beauty retailer, offering cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products, and salon services. Their comprehensive retail model offers both prestige and mass beauty products, sure to cater to anyone’s budget. Ulta provides value to customers through their Beauty Rewards loyalty program, coupons, in-store events, and gifts with certain purchases. Shoppers can browse new products or even schedule an appointment for a range of beauty services at their in-house salon. Ulta’s newest location in Brea is anticipated to open prior to the end of this year in the Brea Union Shopping Center.
City Awarded $6.03 Million Grant from CalOptima Health
The City of Brea was successful in securing a CalOptima Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) grant in the amount of $6,028,492 ($6.03 million) to facilitate the physical construction of a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project.
On June 22, 2023 CalOptima Health issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $52.3 million. City staff became aware of this NOFO and participated in community forums hosted by CalOptima describing the application process, funding priority areas, and applicant eligibility. Spearheaded by the Housing and Economic Development Divisions, staff moved swiftly to prepare the grant application. The City’s application focused on a potential project yielding up to 40 PSH units on a city-owned property at 323 N. Brea Blvd.
Brea, along with 14 other agencies/organizations, received grants of varying amounts totaling $52.3 million. Out of the 15 grant recipients, only three cities were awarded: Anaheim (Housing Authority - $3.9 million and Community Development - $1.5 million), Brea ($6.03 million), and Yorba Linda ($3.1 million). The $6.03 million is intended to be utilized with other existing housing funds to leverage the physical construction of PSH units in Brea. City staff plans to seek additional future funding opportunities to further the development of affordable and PSH units in Brea.
Community Development's HOPEFUL Award
Community Development is proud to share that Alexis Alvarado is the department’s third quarter recipient of the HOPEFUL award! This award was created by Director Jason Killebrew to recognize and celebrate outstanding employees who exhibit the qualities of the HOPEFUL acronym. Staff provides a brief summary on the nomination form and a manager outside of Community Development assists the director in the selection process. We are very proud of Alexis for her excellence. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Berry Street CIP
The Berry Street Reservoir/Dam Capital Improvement Project is well underway. The improvements consist of removing the vegetation on the side slopes and pouring concrete in its place. The upper ring road around the reservoir is another component of this project. The road has deteriorated over the years and is being removed and replaced with new asphalt pavement. These improvements will help with the reduction in cost by eliminating irrigation of the side slopes and reducing the amount of maintenance. This will also help with the State of California Reservoir/Dam Inspection that is completed annually.