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City of Lake Forest PRESENTATIONS
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EMBER 20:
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Meeting Date: 812024
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To: Lake Forest City Council, City Manager Rose
From: Randy Johnson, Lake Forest Resident
Date: June 18, 2024
Subj: Item #3, Multicultural Event Festival Summary.
The US Census report for 2020 documented Lake Forest's racial demographics, as noted:
• White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 48.9%
• Hispanic or Latino: 23.5%
• Asian alone: 19.5%
• Black or African American alone: 2.2%
• American Indian or Alaska Native alone: 0.8%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone: 0.5%
Entertainment Acts recruited by the City of Lake Forest for the Multicultural event:
• Mariachi Toro (Mexican culture)
• Qing Wei Lion & Dragon (Asian culture)
• Grupo Folklorio Nuevo Amanacer (Mexican culture)
• Rumbala (Cuban culture)
• Bollywood Dance Company (Indian culture)
• Taiko Drummers (Japanese culture)
Not a single entertainment act representing the culture of over 50% of Lake Forest's population, namely White (mostly of Euro descent) and Black Americans.
The City of Lake Forest's city government sponsored and funded this multi-cultural event. The overt failure of city government to recruit entertainers to commemorate the cultures of over 50% of the city's population strikes me as the epitome of exclusion, intolerance and racism.
At past council meetings I have openly shown my support for racial minority groups. I supported the Persian community with the Iran Resolution on Jan 03, 2023 and the Asian community with the Meadows development controversy and the violation of their rights, per Ralph M. Brown, at the Dec 05, 2023 meeting. I detest racial bias against any ethnic group, particularly at the hands of a government entity.
See attached copies of the 2 Orange County Register articles related to the Lake Forest Multicultural event, dated Oct 26, 2023 and June 03, 2024.
Mr. YU: We're still waiting for a full explanation, clarification and apology from you for the misleading quote attributed to you in the Oct 26, 2023 article that insulted and embarrassed our city.
And if you really believe in "diversity and inclusiveness" as you were quoted to say in the June 03, 2024 article, you would openly protest the fact that White and Black residents were not culturally represented (no entertainment acts) at the city's Multicultural event.
If you make comments to our local newspaper with hundreds of thousands of subscribers about matters related to our City, as an elected official you need to support and defend your quotes after the fact. Otherwise, you're a detriment and embarrassment to all of us.
Randy Johnson 27-Year Lake Forest Resident.
Lake Forest will host its first multicultural event next year - Ora... https://www.ocregister.com/2023/10/26/lake-forest-will-host-its-fi...
LOCAL NEWS • News
Lake Forest will host its first
multicultural event next year
By ANNIKA BAHNSEN | [email protected]
PUBLISHED: October 26, 2023 at 8:05 a.m. | UPDATED: October 26, 2023 at 8:07 a.m.
Plans are underway in Lake Forest for an inaugural multicultural event that is slated to take place in the spring.
The City Council allocated $10,000 for the event during its Oct. 17 meeting, with plans for it to blossom into a yearly tradition for Lake Forest, councilmembers said.
While specifics about the type of event have not been finalized, some ideas floated during the City Council meeting included a Lunar New Year celebration, fundraisers or a general multicultural celebration that would include many backgrounds.
"We are a city that is growing, and I do think that we should celebrate the cultural differences we have to bring people together," said Councilmember Scott Voigts.
The council voted-establish event-Mayor Do Crowas absent Following a i presentation from Nicole Houston, the city's management analyst. The city has conducted research since June, she said, to determine a budget, one that could be expanded on if needed.
City officials looked at Buena Park and La Palma as examples, Houston said, examining what events they have held as well as their budgets.
1 of 6 6/18/2024,7:41 AM
Lake Forest will host its first multicultural event next year - Ora... https://www.ocregister.com/2023/10/26/lake-forest-will-host-its-fi...
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La Palma's event, Culture Fest, took place last year and included a festival, car show, parade, food trucks and live entertainment with a budget of just under $30,000. Buena Park hosted a similar event, Festival of Nations, with a similar budget that attracted many people from around Orange County, according to the presentation.
Lake Forest's future event is expected to be held at the Civic Center, said city spokesperson Jonathan Volzke, which will allow the use of the courtyard as well as the Performing Arts Center to host booths and performances.
"Lake Forest is already home to several signature events — from our annual Tree Lighting at the Civic Center to Concerts in the Park to our July 4 Parade — and we're looking at the calendar to identify the right date, which will set our timelines for reaching out to potential participants," said Volzke.
Lake Forest's Community Services Division is taking the lead on the event, and the city is also compiling a work group to ensure it "presents a multi-faceted and entertaining event that will allow Lake Forest residents to appreciate the many cultures that make up our community," Volzke said. *I remember looking back to the Lake Forest City Council in 2014 and not seeing any diversity, but now, our council has diversity, and I think that is a reflection of where our city is currently at," said Councilmember Benjamin Yu. "We have to start somewhere, and this is a great way to start. We begin at a smaller scale, and then we can go from there." Additional updates on the future event will come soon, said Volzke.
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Lake Forest to debut its first multicultural celebration - Orange ….. https://www.ocregister.com/2024/06/03/lake-forest-to-debut-its-fi...
LOCAL NEWS • News
Lake Forest to debut its first
multicultural celebration
This city of Lake Forest is hosting its first Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Civic Center Campus, in Lake Forest. (Register file photo by Chris Carison, Orange County Register/SCNG)
By ANNIKA BAHNSEN | [email protected]
PUBLISHED: June 3, 2024 at 9:16 a.m. | UPDATED: June 4, 2024 at 9:38 a.m. 1 0f6 6/18/2024, 7:47 AM
Lake Forest to debut its first multicultural celebration - Orange ... https://www.ocregister.com/2024/06/03/lake-forest-to-debut-its-fi...
LOCAL NEWS • News
Lake Forest to debut its first
multicultural celebration
This city of Lake Forest is hosting its first Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 8, 2024 by his Calls Orant the Clients in Lake Forest Register file This city of Lake Forest is hosting its first Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Civic Center Campus, in Lake Forest. (Register file photo by Chris Carlson, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Annika
Bahnsen By ANNIKA BAHNSEN | [email protected]
PUBLISHED: June 3, 2024 at 9:16 a.m. | UPDATED: June 4, 2024 at 9:38 a.m.
Lake Forest is set to host its first-ever multicultural event this Saturday, June 8, at the Civic Center.
The free event is meant to represent the diversity in Lake Forest and throughout Orange County with various bands, dance performances and food.
Entertainment will include performances from Mariachi Toro, Folklorico Amanacer, Bollywood Dance Company, Qing Wei Lion and Dragon troupe and the Rumbala Cuban Band. Taiko drummers, too, will perform. Next to the entertainment, banners will explain the symbolism and customs behind the performances.
"Our true goal is not only to entertain those in attendance but to educate them about the traditions of the different cultures that our community richer," said Lake Forest spokesperson Jonathan Volzke.
Related: Lake Forest will host its first multicultural event next year 1 of 6 6/18/2024, 9:24 AM
Lake Forest to debut its first multicultural celebration - Orange ... https://www.ocregister.com/2024/06/03/lake-forest-to-debut-its-fi..
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MR.Yu: IF Yeu truly Believe
"diversity and inclusiveness" you
would openly protest,
and BlAck residents (over 5a%e of
Lake forest) were not cutturally
represented at the Multicuttial
festival,
And then there is the delicious food.
The event will provide hamburgers and hotdogs as well as cuisine from Los Compadres Mexican Food Truck, Fry Stop, Spencer's Indian Mart, Caspian Mediterranean Restaurant and Scooter's Italian Ice.
Councilmember Benjamin Yu, one of the event's proponents, said he is "genuinely excited to see the event come to fruition."
"Lake Forest has significantly increased minority and immigrant populations in recent years," Yu said. "As an Asian immigrant, I am proud of our city's progress in appreciating and showcasing our diversity and inclusiveness. Along with many initiatives, I am honored and humbled to continue the change and transformation to meet the needs of our culturally vibrant communities." At the event, Lake Forest officials will unveil its new service to assist those with limited English proficiency who want to address the City Council.
"Lake Forest currently provides the translation of public information using a variety of methods," Volzke said. "The city is expanding those methods to include an option for in-person translation of public comments during City Council meetings for those speakers that are not proficient in English." According to a 2021 census survey, 14.1% of Lake Forest residents predominantly speak Spanish in the home, and 12.7% predominantly speak one of the languages included in the Asian Pacific Islander category.
"By removing the English proficiency barrier, the expansion of services will advance the city's goals of ensuring our community is engaged and informed," Volzke said.
More details regarding this service will be provided at the event. Volzke said.
Do I get an honorable mention
2 of 6
6/18/2024, 9:53 AM
for the new city translation
service, me. Verake?
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lake Forest city, California https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lakeforestcitycalifornia.
Census
Bureau
QuickFacts
Lake Forest city, California
QuickFacts provides statistice for all states and counties. Also for cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or more.
All Topics Lake Forest city,
California
Housing Units, July 1, 2023, (V2023)
1 PEOPLE
Population
Population estimates, Juty 1, 2023, (V2023) & 85,840
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2023) & 85,868 Population, percent change - April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2023, (V2023) A 0.0% Population, Census, April 1, 2020 85,858
Population, Census, April 1, 2010 77,264
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent 6 6.4%
Persons under 18 years, percent • 20.4%
Persons 65 years and over, percent & 14.1%
Female persons, percent $ 50.5%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent A 56.0%
Black or African American alone, percent (a) A 2.2%
American indian and Alaska Native alone, percent (a) & 0.8% Asian alone, percent (a) A 19.5%
Native Hawallan and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent (a) A 0.5% Two or More Races, percent & 13.3%
Hispanic or Latino, percent (b) & 23.5%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent & 48.9%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2018-2022 2,461
Foreign bom persons, percent, 2018-2022 26.8%
Housing
Housing Units, July 1, 2023, (V2023)
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2018-2022
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2018-2022 Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, 2018-2022 Median selected monthty owner costs -without a mortgage, 2018-2022 Median gross rent, 2018-2022
Building Permits, 2023 x
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2018-2022
Persons per household, 2018-2022
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2018-2022 Language other than English spoken at horne, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2019-2022 Computer and Internet Use
Househalds with a computer, percent, 2018-2022
Households with a broadband internet subscription, percent, 2018-2022 Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 yearst, 2018-2022 93.3% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2018-2022 48.7% Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2018-2022 5.4% Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent & 6.2% Economy
in civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2018-2022 69.1% in civitian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 yearst, 2018-2022 61.8% Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000) (s) 263,678 Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000) (c) 260,722 Total transportation and warehousing receipts/reverse, 2017 ($1,000) (c) 66,286 Total retail sates, 2017 ($1,000) (c) 1218,551
Total retail sales per capita, 2017 (c) $14,472
Transportation
Mean travel time to wark (minutes), workers age 16 yearst, 2018-2022 24.6 1 of3 6/18/2024, 7:52 AM