Anaheim eNewsletter December 2016

Improving the 241/91

If you've driven the 241 Toll Road into east Anaheim, you know how tricky it can be as traffic backs up with people merging onto the eastbound Riverside (91) Freeway.

There's a plan in the works that is designed to bring some relief to commuters and boost traffic safety in the area.

The Transportation Corridor Agencies and Caltrans are proposing to add direct connector lanes from the toll road to the 91 Express Lanes.

The project calls for adding a connecting lane from the northbound 241 to the eastbound 91 Express Lanes, and a connecting lane from the westbound 91 Express Lanes to the southbound 241.

The project would help commuters by providing another option during heavy traffic times.

The proposal is in the review phase and your thoughts are welcome.

You can see a video overview, including what the connector lanes might look like, here.

Up until Jan. 9, you can share any comments or questions you have by emailing D12.SR241-91ELC@dot.ca.gov or calling (657) 328-6533.

The proposal is set to undergo review in 2017 with potential construction in 2018.


Holiday Lights Contest	Tree Lighting Ceremonies	Holiday Night Market
The holiday season wouldn't be the same without festive decorations. See any homes or businesses that go above and beyond when decorating for the holidays? Nominate them for the annual Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Contest. All types of holiday decorations are welcome and encouraged for nominations. Mrs. Claus will be choosing winners in the following eight categories: Most Traditional Best Animation and Music Most Unique Best Display of LED Lights Best Commercial Most Inspirational Most Community Spirit Best Vintage Holiday Nominations are due by Dec. 9 at noon. Self-nominations are allowed. Winners will be announced at the Anaheim City Council meeting on Dec. 20. For more details and to submit nominations, click here.	Kick off the start of Christmas with Anaheim's tree lighting ceremonies. This weekend, three ceremonies are taking place in Anaheim. Tonight, the West Anaheim Holiday Tree Lighting will be hosted at Twila Reid Park. Activities begin at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 3, Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim will host the 22nd Annual Nutcracker Tree Lighting and Holiday Shopping Village. Activities begin at 10 a.m. with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. On Sunday, the Anaheim Hills Community Council will be hosting its annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Influence Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Family-fun activities include musical performances, children's crafts, a snow play area, kids' train rides and photos with Santa. For more, click here.	Meet local crafters at the Anaheim Packing House Holiday Night Market. On Dec. 10 visit Farmer's Park next to the Packing House and shop at more than 20 exclusively curated crafters and artisans with handmade goods and sustainable apparel. The night market will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with live holiday music featuring the German American Brass Band of Southern California from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a movie on the park with a screening of the Christmas classic "Elf," starring Will Ferrell, beginning at 8 p.m. As always, you can explore more than 25 cool eateries inside the historic Packing House. The Packing House and Farmer's Park are 440 S. Anaheim Blvd. Parking is available onsite and nearby Center Street Promenade. For more information, check out the Anaheim Packing District's Night Market Facebook page here.


All Aboard Muzeo Express!	Addressing Homelessness	Capturing Kindness
The Muzeo's newest exhibition arrived just in time for the holidays! "Muzeo Express: Holiday Model Trains" features themed displays, such as Thomas the Train, California landmarks and a vintage department store window sponsored by Macy's. Model train builders have contributed their personal trains to the Muzeo's five-exhibit, Christmas-themed display. Macy's, famous for its holiday window displays, has sponsored a recreation of a department store window with red and green trains buzzing through. Southern California landmarks are commemorated by cutouts of the Orange County and Los Angeles skylines, Disneyland and Mission San Juan Capistrano. Muzeo is also hosting pajama parties that include a screening of The Polar Express movie and access to the model train exhibit. To learn more and buy tickets, click here.	Some 70 formerly homeless families and people coping with mental challenges now have a place to call home. In November, the Rockwood Apartments opened near Lincoln Elementary School. The community, part of Anaheim's ongoing effort to address homelessness, is as nice as you'll find with a garden, barbecue, basketball court and life-size chess board. Residents have access to homework assistance, tutoring, health and wellness programs, financial education, career development and other community services. Developed in partnership with Jamboree Housing Corp. and Innovative Housing Opportunities Inc., Rockwood is part of Anaheim's ongoing commitment to address homelessness. Since 2014, we have helped get more than 620 people off the streets by reuniting them with family, getting them the help they need or by finding them homes. For more, click here.	Every day in Anaheim, acts of kindness help shape our city. We're looking for your help capturing them. The city of Anaheim is holding a "Capturing Kindness" photo contest to decorate Mayor Tom Tait's office at City Hall. Winning entries will be framed and hung in the mayor's conference room and recognized at a future City Council meeting. The contest is open to everyone, from amateurs on smart phones to professional photographers. The guidelines are simple: capture a candid moment of unstaged kindness in Anaheim. It doesn't have to be big, say, two school kids sharing a cookie or two senior citizens sharing a laugh on a bench. Submitting your photos is easy. Just go to Anaheim.net/PhotoContest, fill out a brief photo release and upload your photo. Deadline to submit photos is Friday, Dec. 9. We can't wait to see your entries!

With the holidays here, fraudulent activity is on the rise.

Calls are currently being made claiming to offer a holiday special to Anaheim Public Utilities customers when they pay $500 upfront. In return, the caller is promising two years of service without receiving a bill. This is a scam!

Individuals claiming to be city employees are also going to resident's front doors threatening to shut off service if immediate payment is not made using a prepaid card.

Anaheim Public Utilities staff will never demand payment with prepaid cards, nor do we make unsolicited calls or visits asking for payment. You can help stop scams like this by immediately calling (714) 765-3300 or the Anaheim Police Department at (714) 765-1900 to report suspicious activity.

For more information and tips, visit Anaheim.net/UtilitiesAlert.

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