Costa Mesa

EDIT June 24, 2010: I got this email from Tamara Warren, project manager for corridor studies at OCTA, to clarify some of my errors in my original post. I've asked her for permission to post:

I would like to correct two points in the note.  The note mentions that the SR-22 connectors are part of the City of Santa Ana’s Go Local project.  This is not true.  Although the ramps are of interest to the City of Santa Ana and they would like to pursue further study, they are not part of their Go Local project.  The concept of ramps from the SR-22 connecting motorists to downtown Santa Ana utilizing the PEROW is part of the City of Santa Ana’s long term vision for the area. 

The note also mentions that Santa Ana’s Go Local project would prevent SCAG’s Pacific Electric corridor project.  OCTA owns the PEROW and along with all of the cities on the PEROW we are working in partnership with SCAG on their corridor study.  SCAG is coordinating with the City of Santa Ana with the intent to ensure whatever proposals come out of the SCAG study, they will complement each other and work in tandem and not prevent either effort.  I would appreciate it if you would correct the wording below to ensure the information being shared is accurate.  

Again, I really appreciate your interest in our CCCMIS study and for helping us get the word out on our study effort. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

OCTA staff are finalizing a set of options to present to the OCTA board and local governments on how to relieve congestion in central Orange County, based on a projected 15%-20% increase in population and congestion.

OCTA's staff are proposing the following ideas and this week have been soliciting feedback in workshops in the community. I went to their Fountain Valley meeting and a handful of people showed up, but from what I heard from other community members, improving transit service was a concern. Below is a comprehensive map of their proposals. Note that right now the team's survey will very likely gauge public support for these proposals; my guess is that OCTA's Board will cherry-pick from this list based on what people in Orange County vote on.

In other words, take OCTA's survey now!!

read more→

Aislinn and I got hungry for studying for the USMLE Step 1 boards exam, and we thought, "Why not get some good food for once?" We had been living off of frozen TV dinners for several months. It's time we dined!

So we found a place near OCTA lines 55 and 57 in Costa Mesa in the CAMP complex. Native Foods, the fruit of Chef Tanya Petrovna, sits beneath an unusually large plexiglass dome, encircling centrally-placed glass cases containing tantalizing  vegan chocolate fudge desserts and baked goodness.

The dishes cost in the $8-$12 range, and for $1.50 extra, you get some delicious seasoned fries to boot. Aislinn got a veggie wrap with a side of sweet potato fries and downed a cold one. I got a Scorpion Burger, with blackened tempeh, chipotle sauce, lettuce, carrots, and onions. It was flavorful, delicious, not too salty, and had just the right crispness and freshness. The restaurant, overall, strongly reminded me of the Veggie Grill at the University Town Center in Irvine (near OCTA lines 59, 79, 175, and 178).

Unfortunately, I felt like the air inside the dome was a little stuffy, and, of course, I wouldn't come every day because of the price tag alone. Still, I'd gladly come back to try some of their other dishes. Vegetarian and vegan food, gourmet done right. read more→