Wellness at the Brea Gallery
Earlier this month, Brea Fitness partnered with the Brea Art Gallery to host a special Sound Bath session. There were 35 people in attendance who were able to experience the calming benefits of sound healing in a new serene space. The Brea Art Gallery’s acoustics enhanced the immersive experience which blended the peaceful ambiance of the art space with the wellness practice. Regular Sound Bath sessions are held on the first Thursday of the month, offering the perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Administrative Services Update
There have been a few staffing changes within the Administrative Services Department. Felicia Siazon, Account Technician II/Accounts Payable, has transitioned to assist in payroll processing. She will be fantastic in this role. To fill the vacancy of the Accounts Payable position, the department promoted Victoria Torres this past August. Torres was hired in June 2024 as a part-time Accounting Technician and worked closely with Felicia to learn about the Accounts Payable role. Lastly, in late August, Administrative Services hired Rayhan Rahman as their new Senior Accountant. This position has been vacant for over a year and has gone through several recruitments. We are excited to have them all on board in their new roles within the Administrative Services Department.
Inner Coastal Cleanup
Public Works held its annual Inner Coastal & Watershed Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 21. With the help of 116 volunteers, they were able to collect and remove about 950 pounds of debris from the Brea Creek Channel, west of the Downtown area. These cleanup events help with preventing trash going into the oceans and saving the marine life. This annual event is a great way to support a healthier watershed. We appreciate everyone who came out to volunteer.
New Employee in Community Development
Jordan Garcia recently joined the Community Development Department as a Combination Inspector I. With extensive experience in the construction industry, Jordan brings a strong background in public and private sector projects to the department. He previously worked with a private general contractor on various Public Works projects for the City of Los Angeles on a variety of specialty initiatives such as an ice-skating rink, wastewater treatment plants, and homeless shelter remodels. Jordan has also contributed to high-profile projects for luxury stores like Gucci, Macy's, and Coach in major cities such as New York and Las Vegas. He holds a multiple certification from the International Code Council, and his diverse expertise equips him with a comprehensive skill set well-suited to ensuring the highest standards in construction and development. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys camping, road trips, and hiking. Welcome to Brea, Jordan!
Business Spotlight
Reunion Kitchen + Drink has officially opened its doors in the City of Brea! This new addition to the Brea Downtown offers a fresh take on classic comfort food in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Known for its innovative menu and signature cocktails, Reunion Kitchen + Drink provides a dining experience that blends modern flavors with the warmth of home. With a commitment to exceptional service, this restaurant is perfect for gathering with friends and family.
Artful Sounds Concert
On August 24, The Brea Art Gallery, Curtis Theatre, and Orchestra Collective of Orange County joined together to host the very first Artful Sounds Concert inside the Brea Art Gallery. Joining the sensory joys of food, music, and visual art, the premiere of Artful Sounds had an intimate attendance of 30 guests. Hosted during the 32nd Annual CPSA Juried Exhibition, there was an hour-long chamber music performance by “QuintEssential,” and guests were invited to view the exhibition before the musical performance. Featuring over 95 domestic and international artists, the annual exhibition proudly displayed the talent and range of colored pencil as a fine art medium.
The second iteration of Artful Sounds is scheduled for Saturday, November 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. During this time, the Brea Gallery will be hosting its winter show, 99 Voices in Pastel in partnership with the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Orchestra Collective of Orange County will be back with their cello quartet. Tickets can be purchased through the Curtis Theatre Box Office.
Nutcracker Craft Boutique
The City of Brea’s Special Events division will be hosting the 30th Annual Nutcracker Craft Boutique on Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16, at the Brea Community Center. Every year, the Special Events team puts on this event to bring holiday cheer to the community while giving local craft vendors the opportunity to expose their business to the City of Brea. This year, there will be about 250 vendors ready to sell their one-of-a kind holiday gift items. Shop early for the holiday season by visiting the Nutcracker Craft Boutique.
3CMA Conference
The City of Brea’s Communications and Marketing Division attended the 3CMA Conference in Arlington, Texas earlier this month. This conference gathers municipal marketing professionals nationwide in order to share ideas and network among other colleagues. Three of our staff members, Dan Fenstermaker, Aimée Matsumoto and Liz Pharis, attended the conference and hosted their own breakout session titled Podcasting & Broadcasting, Inside & Out. They shared the process of creating and developing our Brea Talks podcast which serves to educate and inform the community about our city. With the same tools used to record and edit the podcast, they also explained how they developed an internal communication “radio station” called KBREA. The “radio station” is a tool which helps communicate with everyone in the organization about upcoming events, news, and acknowledgments from fellow colleagues.
About 150 people were in attendance for the breakout session and various agencies from across the nation have since reached out to our Communications and Marketing team to share their excitement on how they are implementing what they learned, asking for additional information, and thanking them for the educational talk. We are so excited to know that our Communications and Marketing Division is on the forefront of communication trends. I look forward to what they think of next.