For now, it isn’t commuters, but only the crews testing the Orange County Transportation Authority’s new OC Streetcar system.

And the train cars are only running on the old Pacific Electric right-of-way between Raitt Street and Harbor Boulevard, which is now part of the transit system’s 4.1-mile route. The train cars are not yet intermingling with street traffic, which the system will do once it is up and running its full route from the Santa Ana train station to a new transit hub at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove.

“OCTA is working with the California Public Utilities Commission and meeting all the state and federal requirements for testing, which is checking to ensure that the vehicle equipment is working properly, as well as the overhead wiring,” OCTA spokesperson Eric Carpenter said. “It also gives the operators needed training. The first vehicle must run for 1,200 miles along the route, so it is taking some time, of course.”

It has taken years of construction and delays to get the streetcar system to this point, with officials now saying it should be ready for riders in the summer. The pricetag has grown — with complications in developing the system and hazards found while digging for the tracks — to $649 million, $302 million of which is funded by the federal government and the rest about evenly split between state and local sources.

Testing on city streets is expected to begin early in the new year, Carpenter said.

An education campaign is ramping up for when the streetcars begin rolling on tracks that have been laid along city streets, including Santa Ana Boulevard and stretches of Fourth and Mortimer streets.

The first train, built in Northern California, arrived in May, with more delivered through the summer. They will be powered by electric lines that have been run above.

There are eight that will be traveling the route, which features 10 stops.

Both officers were hospitalized for moderate injuries, said Officer Duane Graham, a California Highway Patrol spokesman.

About 4 p.m., the CHP began receiving calls about a crash in the left lane next to the carpool lane near Euclid Street involving an Acura sedan and a motorcycle, Graham said.

“As of now, it appears they were both in the No. 1 lane with the motorcycle approaching traffic that was slowing or stopped,” Graham said. “At this point, we don’t know why, but the on-duty (motorcycle officer) collided with the rear of the Acura.”

The motorcycle had major damage and the Acura suffered moderate damage to the trunk, rear bumper and rear windshield.

Mikayla Maramba, the Acura’s driver, told OnScene.TV, a freelance news organization that sometimes works with the Southern California News Group, that she was slowing down because of the traffic ahead.

“I saw him going from the carpool lane into my lane and then he just like crashed into me,” Maramba said. “I didn’t see how fast he was going, but he went pretty fast right behind me.

“I just pulled over to the side, and I just made sure he was OK,” she continued.

While the CHP was investigating that crash, it began receiving calls of another crash on the 22 Freeway near Magnolia Avenue involving four vehicles, including a Toyota Camry and a Long Beach motorcycle officer, Graham said.

In that collision, the spokesman said, it appeared the officer was riding between the carpool lane and the left lane when the Camry attempted to make a lane change to the left in front of him.

It was not known whether the Long Beach officer was on duty.

“The major portion of the collision was the Camry impacting the motorcycle officer and motorcycle,” Graham said.

The motorcycle was moderately damaged in that collision, Graham said.

The CHP was investigating both crashes, but investigators did not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in either collision, Graham said.

MESA, which stands for math, engineering, science achievement, is a California-funded program that supports students majoring in those areas who come from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups.

“The goal is to increase the rate of first-generation, low-income students pursuing a STEM degree,” said Jessica Ochoa, who coordinates the program at SCC, which began accepting applications last spring. “It’s to help close those gaps and to prepare them to transfer to a four-year university by providing academic support, extra resources and exposure to industry partnerships and four-year universities.”

Ochoa noted enrollment is at 60 students this semester. “It’s been great. Students who had heard of MESA from friends at different campuses were excited to hear about the program coming to SCC.”

In addition to academic support, the program provides students with free equipment such as lab coats, goggles and some textbooks. There is a dedicated MESA center on campus for workshops, tutoring and group study.

“It’s also a place to de-stress,” said Ochoa, adding that tea breaks and pizza nights are offered at the center during finals. These activities are “a way to start building community among STEM students and peer-to-peer engagement,” she said. “Quite a few students bring their friends to come and study here.”

Eduardo Garcia, 19, a second-year student at SCC who majors in mechanical engineering, said he’s already benefited from several aspects of the MESA program.

“What I’ve always wanted was to transfer to a four-year,” he said. After joining MESA, he met with a counselor who opened his eyes to internship and research opportunities. “It was actually very good — I’m on pace to transfer, but I realized there were classes that I could take to give me a better chance to get into these universities.”

Garcia’s top choices are UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego, among others he’s applying to.

At MESA program workshops, Garcia learned about networking skills and how to create a resume. He gives back by tutoring other STEM students in the program and has organized his own workshops to help students with subjects such as calculus.

MESA programs are offered at California State Universities and University of California schools as well as community colleges. MESA students at SCC have already gone on field trips designed to familiarize them with future education and career opportunities — and to meet other MESA and STEM students as well as working professionals.

Recent trips have included tours of California Institute of Technology and the JPL NASA facility and a visit to the future-engineers conference at San Jose State University College of Engineering. Students also visited Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, where they met with professors and current students. And a visit to UC San Diego’s undergraduate research program enabled SCC students to connect with other students there and hear about undergraduate research opportunities.

“The target is that students will say, ‘Hey, this is fun for me. This is do-able, I belong here and I can be successful,’ ” said Martin Stringer, dean of SCC’s mathematics and science division, who oversees MESA. “The program is extremely important, especially for a Hispanic-serving institution, to be able to offer these resources and opportunities.”

All students in SCC’s MESA program must be STEM majors, and while some arrive with a clear idea of their area of interest, such as biology or chemistry, some do not — and the program shows them the many educational avenues available. Ochoa invites guest speakers to describe to students various career opportunities in STEM fields.

Faculty members are integral to the program, which is considered academic enrichment. Math professors help out in academic excellence workshops and collaborate with student tutors. Several chemistry professors hold their office hours in the MESA center to support those students. Faculty members who act as chaperones for field trips are able to build rapport with students. And the program has a faculty sponsor who represents MESA at division meetings.

“The collaboration has been great,” Ochoa said.

The MESA program at SCC has the capacity to serve 125 students.

“We’re proud to say that even before we’ve hit our one-year mark, we’re at 60 students,” said Stringer. Ochoa hopes the program continues to grow and that by spreading news about it, via advertising and word of mouth, more eligible students will learn about it and apply.

Swift, who owns a consulting business, is now vying for California’s 70th Assembly District, an Orange County district that includes communities in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos and Westminster. It’s represented now by Assemblymember Tri Ta, R-Westminster, who is running for reelection next year.

“Nothing would make me happier than to be able to serve in my own community,” said Swift, noting she’s lived in the area for more than 20 years.  

Swift is a longtime advocate for foster youth and domestic violence victims, and she said that would be her focus in the legislature as well. She used to work for a nonprofit that advocated for children in foster care, particularly those who were aging out of the system, before pandemic-related budget cuts eliminated her position.

And Swift said she is herself a survivor of domestic violence in her past, crediting the Westminster Police Department with providing help when she needed it.

The Rossmoor resident had earlier launched a bid for a congressional district that included communities in eastern Orange County as well as some in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, represented now by Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills.

But the redistricting ballot measure California voters passed last month redrew the district boundaries a bit, setting up a battle between Kim and fellow Republican incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert, as well as a few other Democratic and independent candidates.

Swift said she supported Proposition 50, but the shifting of California’s 40th Congressional District put her home too far outside of the district for her to feel she could truly represent the community.

“I believe the people in the new 40th (District), they need someone who is there,” Swift said of her decision to focus on a legislative seat closer to home.

Swift’s Los Angeles-based firm offers consulting services and keynote presentations that “inspire resilience, self-determination and confidence, empowering workgroups, sales teams and executive leaders alike to excel in dynamic environments,” according to its website.

She said she views herself more as a public servant than a politician, should she be elected to the Assembly.

“I plan to and will be completely present in listening to the concerns of the community,” said Swift. “I want people to know that my goal has always been throughout my life of service to be that voice to the voiceless and providing access and resources to people who are often unheard and unseen.”

In the Assembly, Ta serves on the lower chamber’s Appropriations Committee and is vice chair of the Local Government Committee as well as the Revenue and Taxation Committee. A former Westminster Council member, Ta was first elected to represent the district that includes Little Saigon in 2022.

Registered Democrats make up 35.73% of voters in the 70th Assembly District, according to the latest tally from the secretary of state’s office, while Republicans account for 33.78% and 24.58% are no party preference.

Ta beat Democrat Jimmy Pham in his reelection bid last year by nearly 10 percentage points.

From spots serving steaming congee and classic chicken pot pie to tender meatballs and fragrant bowls of pho, here are nine restaurants in Orange County that will get you in the cozy mood, be it 65 or 75 degrees outside.

Butcher’s House

3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa; butchershouse.com

Highlights at this French brasserie include onion soup topped with an emmental granite, a Toulouse sausage dish with mashed potatoes and au jus, a beef cheek paired with mustard seed mashed potatoes.

But if there was a heavyweight champ of French comfort fare, it would be the cassoulet, and this Costa Mesa spot treats it with the care and reverence it deserves. It’s not just a stew; it’s a slow-simmered mélange of house-made sausage, duck confit and pork loin, all of it resting in a bed of Tarbais beans. True to the tradition of southern France, the hearty dish is twice baked in order to create that essential, shattering golden crust to unleash the savory warmth hiding within.

El Maguey

31481 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano; elmagueysjc.com

This Mexican restaurant has been serving comforting fare since 1986. Guests can look forward to burritos galore, an adobada plate with chorizo and potatoes, enchiladas de mole and fajitas served with chicken, steak and shrimp.

But the soups are where this spot shines brightest during the chillier months. My favorite is the albondigas, a meatball soup that, due to demand, sells out quickly. When it’s snapped up, I opt for the equally tasty caldo de res. It comes to the table steaming and stacked with fatty, tender chunks of beef swimming in a savory broth, alongside carrots, chayote and half a corn cob. Use the accompanying tortillas (corn or flour) to sop up every drop or build your own juicy taco right there at the table.

Le Hut Dinette

730 Poinsettia St., Santa Ana; lehutdinette.com

Few eateries are as synonymous with coziness as the American diner. This one, conceived by the folks behind Heritage Barbecue, features fare by chef Ryan Garlitos who uses his Filipino-American heritage to influence his work with phenomenal results. Coconut creamed corn with chile oil and aged gouda, eggplant lasagna with smoked brisket bolognese and beef rib for two are a few rib-sticking highlights.

Of most importance, Garlitos’ patty melt, one of America’s greatest achievements, is the real star. It’s made with juicy ground brisket, caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles and a special sauce, all sandwiched between toasted milk bread baked next door from its neighbor, 61 Hundred Bread. Don’t miss out on the Japanese milk bread pudding for dessert.

ALSO SEE: Here are 10 places to warm up with comfort food in LA County

Oliver’s Osteria

853 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach; olivers-osteria.com

For those who want to go above and beyond the classic red-sauce joint, chef Erik De Marchi’s Oliver’s Osteria (and Oliver’s Trattoria, his 2023 Irvine spinoff) hits the mark. The parmigiana, a dish of baked eggplant layered with mozzarella, fontina and tomato sauce, is top-notch. And his pappardelle al mascarpone featuring a creamy mascarpone sauce with porcini and shiitake mushrooms, is an ideal cure for the winter blues.

However, the bechamel-based lasagna takes the humble dish to stratospheric levels. In lieu of the tomato-based meat sauce dolloped with ricotta lasagna found at many an Italian-American restaurant, the one here layers creamy bechamel with bolognese for a traditional Emilia-Romagna interpretation of the dish. The crisped spinach gives the lasagna the faint hint of lightness, but make no mistake: this is one deeply comforting meal.

Ospi

234 E 17th St., Costa Mesa; ospi.com/costamesa

With eight different types of pizza on the menu, ranging from the sweet-and-spicy soppressata with honey and chili to the deeply savory mushroom pie with smoked scamorza, taleggio, maitake mushroom and caramelized onion, Ospi, a relative newcomer to Orange County from a “Top Chef” alum, offers homey Southern Italian fare.

But for something truly memorable, I recommend the chicken parm. It’s essentially a butter chicken prepared in the “parm” style. It features a pounded chicken breast that gets fried golden-brown in a butter frier, then brushed with browned butter, followed by layers of mozzarella, a dusting of parmesan and a spicy vodka sauce. Also worth noting are the Neapolitan meatballs, spherical wonders of beef and pork highlighted with ricotta and pine nuts.

Pho 79

9941 Hazard Ave., Garden Grove; pho79.com

Noted as the first Orange County restaurant to win a James Beard Foundation award, this Little Saigon eatery is known for its pho. The lauded spot offers a variety of steaming bowls of its titular fare, including beef meatballs, chicken, shrimp and meat-free iterations.

Yet its oxtail pho, in particular, remains a standout. As food critic Brad A. Johnson wrote in 2017, “The oxtail is a massive bone with lots and lots of tender slow-cooked meat, more than enough to share.” What’s more, the lauded eatery’s famously complex broth adds even more rich, beefy flavor. Word to the wise: Get in line early, if possible. Pho 79’s oxtail has been known to sell out daily.

ALSO SEE: Where to find warming comfort foods in the Inland Empire

Pop Pie Co.

270 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa; poppieco.com

For bone-warming food on the go, this spot is a must-visit. Specializing in sweet pies and savory pocket pies, it’s the perfect answer when a leisurely, sit-down meal isn’t what you’re looking for. The menu is overall fantastic, but the savory highlights really shine. Try the steak and ale, red chili pork pie, a sausage roll (a criminally underrated snack) and the excellent chicken pot pie.

What makes its chicken iteration so good is its golden, two-pronged crust. As Johnson noted in 2019, this pie is “masterful ” because it technically has two crusts: “a sturdy short crust on the bottom to contain the fillings and a flaky butter crust on top.” Sweet pies, prepared like traditional round pies, include a salted caramel apple crumble and a chocolate chess pecan pie, to name two.

The Vox Kitchen

3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa; 16161 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley; eatvox.com

Part of the Kei Concepts roster of restaurants, the Vox Kitchen offers such warming fare as a mushroom and beef stir fry, house garlic noodles with garlic butter and scallions, rib-bone soup with potatoes, mushrooms and glass noodles. If you really want maximum comfort, its congee sets the bar for cozy, hearty fare. The savory rice porridge, ideal for sick days at home or particularly chilly nights, can come with either bone-in beef rib or crab. Additional accouterments include pork floss, fried garlic, onions, shimeji mushrooms, scallions and an egg yolk.

Yuk Dae Jang

3851 Alton Parkway, Irvine; instagram.com/yukdaejangusa

Pork-rib kimchi hot pot. Bulgogi. Purple rice. Dumplings. This Irvine spot offers Korean comfort food galore. Three notable dishes include seolleongtang, a rich beef noodle soup wherein Yuk Dae Jang simmers its bones until every bit of collagen and flavor surrenders to the broth. The result is both unctuous and milky, yet surprisingly light thanks to a sharp tangle of scallions cutting through the beefiness. The spicy beef noodle soup, or yukgaejang, is also a winner.

If you’re dining with a crowd, I would be remiss not to demand that you also order the budae jjigae (Army base stew), a bubbling, spicy hot pot packed with kimchi, spam, sausages, mushrooms, instant ramen noodles and cheese.

The Golden Hawks are 9-1 after beating La Habra 53-52 in the championship game of the Gary Raya Classic on Saturday at El Dorado High.

Noah Nam’s reverse layup with three seconds remaining provided the winning points.

El Dorado senior forward Noah Barker was named tournament MVP.

La Habra senior guard Acen Jimenez scored a game-high 29 points in the final and became the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,776 points. Jimenez signed with Dartmouth.

The tournament is named for the late Gary Raya, who was the El Dorado girls basketball coach.

NOTES

Orange Lutheran senior Josh King scored 28 points and sophomore Noah Zeola scored 24 in the Lancers’ 73-68 overtime victory over Austin Prep Academy of Texas. …

Pacifica Christian won the Meet in the Middle Classic tournament in Bakersfield. The Tritons’ Joaquin Rigdon was the tournament MVP. He had a game-high 29 points in a 67-63 win over Destiny Christian Academy of Sacramento in the championship game. …

Santa Margarita was 2-1 in a series of showcase games in Maryland against Maryland teams. The Eagles beat Bullis 67-58, lost to Bishop McNamara and beat DeMatha 71-54. Santa Margarita’s Kaiden Bailey and Brayden Kyman were all-showcase selections. …

Beckman advanced to the championship game of the Euclid Extravaganza tournament. The Patriots lost to Warren 52-49 in the tournament championship game. …

Corona del Mar beat Tesoro 61-36 in the championship game of the Diablo Inferno tournament. …

The North Orange County Championships tournament this week has 12 teams including Canyon, Cypress, Orange Lutheran and host school Sonora. …

The San Juan Invitational at San Juan Hills and Capistrano Valley Christian includes Corona Centennial and Mater Dei. …

The Western Showcase at Western High has Servite, Trabuco Hills, Yorba Linda and Dana Hills in its 10-team group.

Orange County boys basketball Top 25: Santa Margarita, JSerra in top two spots

Liam, Noah and Sophia Reyes enjoy a bouncy snow globe Saturday. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Emma Gallian and Brooklyn Hudson, both 5, share some sledding thrills. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Felix Gonzalez, 8, writes a letter to Santa Saturday. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Aimee Gurnea, Peyton Gurnea and Melissa Clenney hold hands as they for a snow ride. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Theodore Peach, 7, comes flying down the slopes as one of the merrymakers who celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Friends Sophia Nguyen and Mea Nguyen, both 8, share a sled Saturday. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Mikayla Ngo helps her daughter, Mia Ngo, 2, send off her letter to Santa. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Alana Suarez, 5, poses in one of the events photo scenes. Merrymakers celebrated the holiday spirit at Garden Grove’s annual “Winter in the Grove” event Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Festivities included sled runs carved into 50 tons of snow, carnival games, dancer troupes and choirs–culminating with the lighting of a 24-foot tree and visit from Santa. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

Hanshaiym Radj, 5, of Irvine stands with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration and tree lighting ceremony at the Great Park in Irvine on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

SoCal Holiday Brass performs holiday classics in the Great Park Palm Court during the City of Irvine’s annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Members the Vermillion Vocalists, from UC Irvine, sing acapella holiday songs on stage in front of the newly lit Great Park Christmas Tree during the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Ember Lake, 3, of Irvine, a member of Mrs. Cabrera’s Neighborhood Preschool, sings and dances on stage with some of her classmates during the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event at the Great Park on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Santa greets a group of kids as he arrives on stage to help light the Great Park Christmas Tree during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Members of Mrs. Cabrera’s Neighborhood Preschool sing and dance on stage during the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event at the Great Park on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, at the podium, is joined by the city’s five council members and County Supervisor Katrina Foley, right, as they get ready to officially light the Great Park Christmas Tree during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Members of the SOKA Arts Performers dance on stage in front of the newly lit Great Park Christmas Tree during the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Rachel Owens of Irvine looks on while her granddaughter, Autumn Owens, 5, makes a holiday picture frame craft during the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event at the Great Park on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Viorhythm performs holiday classics on violins with lit-up bows on stage at the Great Park in Irvine during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Irvine District 4 City Council Member Mike Carroll counts down into a microphone as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and others, get ready to flip a giant switch and officially light the Great Park Christmas Tree during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Park-goers visit game booths and craft stations in the Great Park Palm Court after colorful lights adorning the palm trees were lit during a lighting ceremony at the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

A juggler on stilts performs at the Great Park in Irvine during the city’s annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Jenny Chan of Tustin takes a photo of her son, Caleb Chan, 8, with Rudolph and a pair of elves during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event at the Great Park on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Winny Budiman of Irvine takes a photo of her daughter, Cora Abi, 2, in front of a Happy Holidays doghouse display during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine holiday celebration at the Great Park on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on stage to help light the Great Park Christmas Tree during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

SoCal Holiday Brass performs holiday classics in the Great Park Palm Court during the City of Irvine’s annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Members of the SOKA Arts Performers dance on stage in front of the newly lit Great Park Christmas Tree during the annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Santa greets a group of kids as he arrives on stage to help light the Great Park Christmas Tree during the 3rd annual Illuminate Irvine holiday event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Jose and Maryanne Hernandez, right, joins other seniors as the dance during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Seniors during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The band Those Guys performs during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Trini Cisneros dances during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mary Morales dances during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Carol Innes, standing, dances with Li Rish as Janet Wylie takes a video of them during Twist and Shout at The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dennis Rodriguez, from the band Those Guys, plays saxopone for Rosemary McGee and Jougliet Lucienne as he roams the audience during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lynne Shapiro dances during The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Carol Innes, standing, dances with Li Rish as Janet Wylie takes a video of them during Twist and Shout at The Annual Brea Senior Center Christmas Celebration in Brea, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The party, hosted by The Brea Senior Center, served 450 people with a traditional holiday meal, live entertainment, and gift-card raffle prizes. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Holiday cheer is spreading through Orange County.

Cities have been gathering their residents for festive celebrations; Santa Claus has been cruising the county, joining in to take photos and notes for his naughty and nice lists.

Over the weekend, snow fell in Garden Grove as families shared in the fun during Winter in the Grove. Irvine leaders threw the switch on the city’s tree and all the decorations at the Great Park, which will glow nightly through the end of the season.

And, members of the Brea Senior Center danced and sang during a raucous holiday party.

There are still lots of community events planned, check out our list here.

1. Santa Margarita 10-3

2. Mater Dei 8-3

3. Mission Viejo 9-2

4. Servite 6-5

5. Orange Lutheran 3-9

6. Los Alamitos 12-2

7. San Clemente 9-5

8. JSerra 3-7

9. Tustin 9-2

10. Yorba Linda 8-3

11. Corona del Mar 9-2

12. San Juan Hills 2-10

13. Edison 7-6

14. Crean Lutheran 10-1

15. Huntington Beach 8-3

16. La Habra 11-3

17. Capistrano Valley 8-3

18. Laguna Beach 9-2

19. Villa Park 7-6

20. Dana Hills 10-2

21. Aliso Niguel 8-4

22. Troy 10-2

23. El Modena 5-6

24. Western 6-6

25. Orange 6-5

–

26. Tesoro 3-7

27. El Toro 6-5

28. Trabuco Hills 4-6

29. Newport Harbor 3-7

30. Beckman 11-3

31. Fullerton 9-3

32. Brea Olinda 10-4

33. Irvine 9-4

34. Foothill 3-7

35. Pacifica 8-4

36. Marina 6-5

37. El Dorado 4-6

38. Cypress 3-7

39. Portola 6-5

40. Segerstrom 8-3

A thriving company in merchandising, marketing and branding campaigns for major corporations, Doing Good Works also cycles profits into nonprofit endeavors, including its own 501(c) 3, Foster Greatness, launched in 2019 to assist youth and those exiting the foster care system.

As one of the top do-gooders for a company devoted to good deeds, Altman said he is blessed to be able to branch beyond career and corporate goals to something more substantive. He is accomplishing what he first set out to achieve.

“I wanted to do more than branding,” Altman said. “I wanted to transform lives.”

Altman was introduced to social enterprise businesses, whose bottom lines are less about profits and stock prices than supporting societal goals, when he met Doing Good Works founders Scott Henderson and Jordan Bartlett.

At the time, Altman was creating a name for himself as a marketing and promotional projects executive. And yet, he felt something was missing.

“I asked myself if there was anything else,” he recalled. “It wasn’t fulfilling.”

Although Altman was active in charity and nonprofit work through his church, he wanted to do more.

A chance conversation with a friend in 2015 changed everything.

The friend urged Altman to look into social entrepreneurship, a form of all-boats-rise capitalism with a conscience.

Not only that, the friend also arranged a meeting with Henderson and Bartlett, who were in the nascent stages of putting together Doing Good Works.

Although scammers and frauds have infiltrated the world of social enterprise, legit companies can be uplifting for all involved.

Doing Good Works is a state-certified Public Benefit Corporation, meaning it undergoes rigorous assessments of its actions and their impacts on the communities they serve.

While contemplating the creation of Doing Good Works, Henderson and Bartlett studied the plight of foster care youth and young adults leaving the system. That provided the raison d’etre for Doing Good Works.

“The whole goal is to make money for our mission,” Altman said.

According to local and national data sheets, foster kids have staggeringly high instances of  attempted suicide, incarceration, addiction, homelessness rates and low education. They are twice as likely as U.S. war veterans to experience PTSD and most were removed from homes where they suffered abuse and had parents with alcohol or drug dependence.

After hearing Doing Good Works’ cause and plan to support it by entering the $28 billion promotional merchandise industry, Altman recalled, “I said, ‘You sold me!’ ”

The foster care goal had special resonance for Altman.

As a youth, he volunteered to wrap and pass out Christmas gifts to foster kids through his church.  Altman recalled being puzzled and saddened by the subdued reaction from the fosters when receiving the gifts.

Altman says he later came to understand, “They didn’t want a present, they wanted the presence of a loving family.”

Since its launch, Doing Good Works estimates it has donated nearly $4 million to underserved communities, including more than $1 million in 2024 in employment, education and wraparound support to youth affected by foster care. The company has also provided about $75,000 in unrestricted grants to support unique student needs.The goal of Foster Greatness, the company’s nonprofit, is to become the largest resource and community hub anywhere for those in foster care.

A glaring obstacle for those leaving foster care is the difficulty they face trying to obtain benefits, resources and just basic information.

The nonprofit created what it calls a lived experience-led platform where foster youth can connect with others with similar backgrounds and share.

Interest in the platform has exploded to 2,000 members and drawn interest from the United Kingdom, where Foster Greatness was asked to help create a similar program.

In addition to just providing community, akin to the families many never had, Foster Greatness stages regular seminars and webinars on subjects ranging from tax credits to parenting support.

“We are in their back pocket,” Altman said of the tools that can be found in members’ phones. “Whenever they need help, they can reach into their back pocket.”

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Altman was asked by several health care organizations to which he had provided promotional merchandise if he could procure personal protective equipment.

Altman worked his global supply chains and logistics connections to help deliver 20 million medical face masks, gowns and other materials to support pandemic relief efforts.And again, during the Palisades and Eaton fires, he pulled together a task force that donated about $13,500 worth of critical supplies, from first aid kits to clothing to blankets for local nonprofits and aid groups.

Altman credits Santiago Canyon College with helping set his path and giving him the foundation that led to a degree in business from California Baptist University and into his career.

In high school, Altman had no idea of his future path, he said. One day, he decided to go on a school campus tour of Santiago Canyon, a college he said he knew nothing about.

His first recollection? Parking. Unlike most colleges, Santiago had ample available parking for students.

“That was a big check box,” he said with a laugh.

Learning about other equally important benefits such as class availability and size, he was sold.

Later, Altman said he was impressed by the faculty and how all were committed to students on a personal and authentic level, all of which helped set the basis and standard for his future.

In the past 10 years, Altman and Doing Good Works have run a raft of awards. These include being a Greater Irvine Chamber’s “40 Under 40” honoree in 2024 and ASI/Counselor’s 2020 Bess Cohn Humanitarian of the Year. He is also a founding board member of the Santiago Canyon College Alumni Association & B Local Orange County.

However, all that pales compared with what he describes as his “mission” of helping foster kids live better lives.

“My vision is to see stats dramatically improve (for foster youth),” he said, which he said is his “next forever.”

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa is selling an off-campus housing complex on the city’s eastside. The property is used as student housing under a conditional use permit. A new owner would have to apply for any new use of the property, according to the brokerages marketing the property. (Photo courtesy of JLL)

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa is selling an off-campus housing complex on the city’s eastside. The for-profit university hired JLL and Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate Group to help sell the nearly 2-acre property called Vanguard Centre. (Photo courtesy of JLL)

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa is selling an off-campus housing complex on the city’s eastside. The for-profit university hired JLL and Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate Group to help sell the nearly 2-acre property called Vanguard Centre. (Photo courtesy of JLL)

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa is selling an off-campus housing complex on the city’s eastside. The for-profit university hired JLL and Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate Group to help sell the nearly 2-acre property called Vanguard Centre. (Photo courtesy of JLL)

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa is in a unique position: it has real estate it doesn’t need.

The nonprofit university hired JLL and Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate Group to help sell its off-campus Vanguard Centre, a nearly 2-acre property in the city’s eastside.

Instead of using Vanguard Centre as student housing, the university is opting to consolidate students to on-campus dorms.

The university “is focused on satisfying the needs of our growing student body through premier academic programs, campus facilities, and student life,” said Vanguard University President Michael J. Beals.

The property features several buildings and a combined 40 housing units at 115 Santa Isabel Ave.

Since the university has a conditional use permit for Vanguard Centre, any new owner would have to submit plans to change the property’s use, according to the brokerages.

The brokerages suggested in marketing material that California’s Density Bonus Agreement law could be a potential draw for a new owner willing to build affordable housing on the property. The law requires developers designate a certain number of housing units as affordable. Using that premise, a new owner setting aside 20% of the units as low-income would be able to add 14 units to a new total of 54 apartments.

The university plans to vacate the property by June 2026.

San Clemente units with ocean views fetch $2.7 million

A six-unit apartment complex in San Clemente sold Nov. 19 for $2.7 million or $445,833 per unit.

The seller was a family trust, according to Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate Group. The buyer was an LLC.

Located at 230 Avenida Montalvo, also known in the community as the “Loop” neighborhood, the blufftop property built in 1964 comes with ocean views from every unit. The brokerage notes the property was family owned for 40 years.

Key to the new ownership, the property is situated in a designated Short-Term Rental Zone and is a short walk to San Clemente State Beach, Califia Park and Bluff Trail. The new owner will have to apply for a short-term rental status, the brokerage indicated.

Morgan Skenderian Investment anticipates the new owners could see a projected 45% increase in rent.

The units are all two-bedroom, two bathroom layouts with washer-dryer hookups, balconies and carports.

Improvements to the property include new roofs, an electrical upgrade, replacement of all exposed plumbing, new windows, sliders, wood siding and insulation.

3 Surf City townhouse units snag $2 million

A three-unit townhome complex in Huntington Beach — just a few blocks from Bolsa Chica Wetlands — traded hands Nov. 18, selling for $2.02 million or $673,333 per unit.

The buyer was William Castelblanco and Garrett Pore, while the seller was Mark Yang, according to Morgan Skenderian Investment Real Estate, which represented Yang.

The property, at 17108 Sims Lane in the Harbour neighborhood, was built in 1981 with townhouse-style units that include two bedrooms plus a loft, two and a half bathrooms, and direct-access to two-car garages.

The units have been under the same ownership for at least 30 years.

Morgan Skenderian reps said the property closed with two vacant units, which average 1,466 square feet. Other features include washer-dryer hookups, fireplaces and patios.

Trade show display maker Soardist leases in Garden Grove

Chicago-based Soardist USA Inc. signed a seven-year lease valued at $3.3 million for a 30,000-square-foot warehouse at 7089-7091 Belgrave Ave. in Garden Grove, according to Voit Real Estate Services.

Voit represented the landlord, BPP Pacific Industrial CA REIT Owner 2 LLC, in Irvine. Soardist was Lee & Associates Dallas/Fort Worth office.

Soardist moves in Dec. 1.

Using large-format printing machines, Soardist makes a variety of items used in trade show displays such as custom canopy tents, flags, apparel and table covers.

USC claims LA real estate challenge

USC won the silver shovel award at the annual NAIOP SoCal USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge, which featured a 2.85-acre site in the city of Pico Rivera.

The site, owned by Optimus Property Group, sits along Washington Boulevard, an arterial road surrounded by industrial operations, according to NAIOP.

The parcel was chosen because it’s part of transit redevelopment plans that stretch through Pico Rivera and the region. Students from both universities proposed plans to match city initiatives “to maximize transit-oriented development,” especially where improvements are in the works.

USC’s winning proposal, called Rosemead Crossing, included “a transformative mixed-use vision featuring townhomes, multifamily (with affordable units), and grocery-anchored retail,” according to NAIOP.

UCLA’s plan, dubbed Proxima, included a mixed-use community with 230 affordable apartments, retail, parks and public spaces.

This year, the honorary captains were Brett Dedeaux, chief executive of Dedeaux Properties, and Mary Ricks, former president of Kennedy Wilson.

In its 28th year, the contest pitted five-member graduate student teams from the Ziman Center of Real Estate at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business against a five-member team from the Lusk Center at USC’s Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy. The contest is now tied, with each side winning 14 times.

Editor’s note: The Vanguard University item was updated to correct its status as a not-for-profit 501(c)3. 

The real estate roundup is compiled from news releases and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos via email to  sgowen@scng.com . Please allow at least a week for publication. All items are subject to editing for clarity and length.