Newsletter: TimesOC: OC Women’s March returning for second annual rally

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, Jan. 17. Here’s what’s been happening around O.C.

Top story

OC Women’s March will return for second annual rally

One year after a women’s rally was held following President Trump’s inauguration, activists are preparing to gather for a “Sister March” during the second annual OC Women’s March. The demonstration, to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at cross streets Flower Street and Civic Center Drive in downtown Santa Ana, will reaffirm a response for women’s rights and justice at a time when many fear that their voices are being silenced, organizers said. TimesOC

Around the county

Hundreds gather at Irvine synagogue to mourn slain college student Blaze Bernstein

At the University Synagogue in Irvine, Rabbi Arnold Rachlis led more than 500 people in a tribute to Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old pre-med student found slain in Lake Forest. Los Angeles Times

Irvine voters to decide location of Orange County veterans cemetery

Irvine voters will decide the location of Orange County’s first veterans cemetery after a contentious meeting that pitted members of the public and City Council against each other over whether to overturn a land swap ordinance between the city and a developer. Voice of OC

Politics

State Sen. Josh Newman, targeted by the GOP for his gas-tax vote, faces recall election June 5

Gov. Jerry Brown set June 5 as the date for a recall election on state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), who Republicans say should be unseated over his vote for an increase in the state’s gas tax and vehicle fees last year. Los Angeles Times

Another Democrat is running to replace retiring GOP Rep. Ed Royce

Jay Chen, a Mount San Antonio Community College trustee, is the only Democrat to enter the race to replace Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) who has experience in political campaigning for himself. Los Angeles Times

Business & real estate

OC Register and other Digital First Media newspapers face ‘significant’ layoffs

Southern California News Group, which includes newspapers such as the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Daily News, will be hit with “significant” layoffs in the coming months, the group’s management announced. Los Angeles Times

Hello Kitty Cafe and Afters Ice Cream will be among 30 new additions at Spectrum Center

Irvine Spectrum Center will introduce 30 new stores and restaurants over the next year as part of a $200 million reinvestment plan. TimesOC

Food

Five Crowns ambassador celebrates 50 years at the Corona del Mar restaurant

Tommy Martin, whose presence at the Five Crowns restaurant has been as consistent and comforting as the Yorkshire pudding and creamed spinach, is celebrating 50 years on the job. TimesOC

Performing arts

Off Center Festival brings unique performances to Segerstrom Center

A variety of unconventional art performances will be showcased at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts as part of the weeks-long seventh annual Off Center Festival. TimesOC

Opinion

Commentary: How can we enjoy O.C.’s opulence when so many are without homes?

“As the politicians in Orange County oversee billion dollar budgets, they see, of course, no way out for the homeless people that are the scourge of the county, making us all look bad as we go about subsisting in our over-the-top opulence,” writes homeless advocate Mike Robbins. “How can we do without three TVs in our home and a booze cabinet full of killer, good 30-year-old Scotch?” Daily Pilot

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