This article was published in the May 18, 2000 issue of The Orange County Register. For more information, visit http://www.ocregister.com. WEB LINKS FOCUS OF CITY SESSION by Ivonne Camacho, The Orange County Register Community leaders, service clubs and city agencies came together to participate in a series of roundtable discussions, resource information booths and guided tours of the Artists Village downtown. The fourth annual "Celebrate Santa Ana" on Thursday is part of the city's plan to promote and strengthen neighboring development and links between agencies and organizations in Santa Ana. The Internet was the subject of much discussion during this year's event. Neighborhood Link, an Internet-based community network, offered free training to all of those interested in setting up their own community Web page. Neighborhood Link provides access to neighborhood events, associations and interactive discussion areas. It also allows city officials to transmit information to all of the Web sites on the link. "Neighborhood Link was started two years ago in Denver as a result of a neighborhood dispute," said Lucia Rambusch, National Director of Neighborhood Link.com. "The neighbors had a disagreement over a liquor license and a Web site was created to talk about their disputes. That Web site evolved into Neighborhood Link.com." Besides providing an open forum for information and discussions, Neighborhood Link also has hotlinks and templated Web sites for city officials to use. Local libraries, police and schools also can participate in the neighborhood Web pages by posting information, crime alerts and safety tips. Not all Santa Ana residents are wired onto the Internet, however. Some may lack interest and others simply do not have access to a computer. "The Digital Divide" also was a topic, allowing participants to consider their views on the importance of the Internet in their lives and their community. From health care to entertainment, representatives of different agencies and organizations sat by tables covered with flyers and brochures during the resource fair. Among those present was The Orange County High School of the Arts. The school concentrates on youngsters who have an interest in the arts, including dance, instrumental music and theater. The students are preparing for different presentations, including jazz, chamber orchestra and opera performances at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The school is open to auditions from kids in junior high and up, but spokeswoman Patricia McMaster said that since the announcement the school is moving to Santa Ana demand has increased for adult classes. The school will be moving this summer from its current home in Los Alamitos to Main Street, just blocks from the Bowers Museum. The Huntington Beach Community Clinic, which targets low-income families, provided information about its services, including prenatal care, birth control, teen education and counseling. The clinic also provides free, informative and educational presentations on safety in the workplace and assessing employee health care. Others present at the information fair were the Delhi Center, Planned Parenthood, Taller San Jose and the Volunteer Center of Orange County. The program concluded with the 2000 Community Building Awards presented my Mayor Miguel Pulido. Some of the honorees included Rifka Hirsch of The Cambodian Family of the Minnie Street Community, Alejandro Vasquez of the Latino Health Access, and Norma Ornelas of the TKO Youth Boxing Club. The Ralphs-Food for Less Foundation and Bank of America gave Pulido checks for $5,000 each for the Grants for Blocks Program. Verizon Wireless donated cellular phones to the city. CHART/LIST: COMMUNITY BUILDING AWARDS Community Building Awards were given to 10 people at Celebrate Santa Ana 2000 for their service to the community. They are: Rifka Hirsch, The Cambodian Family. Active in the Minnie Street area, Hirsch has helped hundreds of people find jobs and learn English and she helped bring a police substation and learning center to the area. Alejandro Vasquez, Latino Health Access. Vasquez is active in helping prevent alcoholism and domestic violence through awareness campaigns, workshops and community events. He has helped to mediate many family violence problems. David Benavides, Hispanic Ministry Center and Kidworks. Benavides has been active on the Weed and Seed Committee, and with college students has held day camps for children and counseling for teens in the Townsend Street area. Norma Ornelas, TKO Youth Boxing Club. TKO has about 150 members, with an average of 75 working out each evening. The club has produced 10 champions and is staffed by volunteers. Otto Bade, South Santa Ana Merchants Association. Bade and the association have organized a Business Community Watch and raised money to decorate Main Street during the Christmas holiday season. Larry Webb and Dan Nahabedian, John Laing Homes. John Laing Homes has assumed more than $1 million of the costs associated with the $3 million Emmanuel House, a shelter for homeless persons suffering from HIV and AIDS that's being developed in the French Park area. Carla Romo, Beyond Limits. Beyond Limits, a gang diversion program, encourages leadership, teamwork and a positive attitude among teens. The organization, run by volunteers, also encourages teens to participate in hiking trips. Debbie Sawyer, Santa Ana High School Youth in Emergency Services Team. The team, formed in 1991, has been a vital part of American Red Cross youth response to emergencies, as well as such activities as blood drives, holiday projects and fire safety. Cory Briggs, Gospel Music Workshop of America/Orange County Chapter. Briggs has been instrumental in sponsoring fund-raisers for the YWCA and the Southwest Community Center. He has also sponsored lunches for the homeless. Raquel Bruno and Larry Johnson examine piece of papier mache art in an exhibit during the fourth annual Celebrate Santa Ana program in the Artists Village downtown. // CHART/LIST: COMMUNITY BUILDING AWARDS - SEE END OF TEXT All content © 2000 THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER and may not be republished without permission. All archives are stored on a SAVE (tm) newspaper library system from MediaStream Inc., a Knight Ridder, Inc. company. Back to News Articles Index Neighborhood Link Terms of Use © 1997 - 1999 Neighborhood Link, Inc.