Catching Up With Cottie - 07/01

Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.

Congratulations to Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence on your well-deserved retirement after an incredible 35-year career in law enforcement!

Your leadership, integrity, and compassion have left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside you. Under your guidance, the department grew stronger—thanks to your dedication to mentoring future leaders, strengthening community trust, and embracing innovative technologies to enhance public safety.

Your efforts not only helped reduce crime but also improved the quality of life for all who call Costa Mesa home. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter—you will be deeply missed!

During the ceremony, Joyce LaPointe was officially sworn in as Interim Police Chief. A 29-year veteran of the Costa Mesa Police Department and our 2024 Woman of the Year, Chief LaPointe has made a lasting impact on the community—rising through the ranks as the department’s first female captain and later, its first female deputy chief. She is a trailblazer, a dedicated public servant, and a role model both within the department and throughout the community. Congratulations, Chief LaPointe, and thank you for your outstanding leadership and continued service.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I am committed to addressing the issues that are important to you. As always, if there is anything that my team or I can do to assist you with a local or state issue, if you have questions or concerns about what I am working on, or anything in between, please contact my office. My team and I are here to help!

Yours faithfully,

Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman

Join us this summer for the 2nd Annual IgniteHer Summit — an inspiring day of workshops, speakers, and empowering conversations designed to help you lead with confidence and spark change in your community. You'll connect with visionary leaders, hear from an incredible keynote speaker, and leave with the tools and support to turn your ideas into action. Don’t miss this chance to ignite your future!

Thank you to Moms Demand Action and Giffords for supporting AB 451! I’m proud to share it passed the Senate Public Safety Committee this morning. The bill ensures firearms are surrendered when restraining orders are issued—an important step to protect survivors and prevent gun violence.

Team Cottie had the pleasure of attending the Costa Mesa State of the City hosted by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and City of Costa Mesa. It was great to hear from Mayor John Stephens and civic leaders about the wonderful work of our local nonprofit organizations to serve the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Did you know that one in ten people in Irvine is a senior? My team partnered with Irvine Councilmember Melinda Lui for a Older Adults Resource Fair to reach out to our community and present available resources and ensure they are taken care of.

Congratulations to Edwin Lopez on a remarkable term as President of the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana! Throughout his tenure, Edwin has led with heart, vision, and a deep commitment to service above self. Under his leadership, the club continued its tradition of impactful community service, strengthened partnerships, and expanded its outreach to support those most in need.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION

Congratulations to Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry on a decade of caring for little smiles in our community. Thank you for your commitment to Irvine’s families — here’s to many more years of happy, healthy smiles!

Few things feel better than achieving a big milestone—and The Creative Play helps turn those special moments into lasting memories. Thank you for all you do to uplift and inspire our community!

Team Cottie was proud to join the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce in welcoming CornerHealth Urgent Care to the community! CornerHealth offers accessible, same-day care for non-life-threatening conditions—providing quality, compassionate service when it’s needed most. Congratulations and best wishes on this exciting new chapter!

RESOURCES

Are you a restaurant owner? Join the Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center for a free webinar on Wednesday, July 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to optimize your business operations and boost profitability.

Apply Here

July is Parks and Recreation Month! Here in District 73, we’re fortunate to have countless opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Tustin. Whether you're taking a stroll, playing sports, or simply soaking in nature, there’s a park for everyone.

Check out the local park lists below to plan your next visit:

Starting this summer, you can buy more food for your child with California SUN Bucks, also called Summer-EBT. SUN Bucks works just like CalFresh, but for the summer. Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. You don't need to do anything to sign up. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July and August 2025 ($120 total).

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 3 - Costa Mesa Independence Day Celebration

The City of Costa Mesa is hosting a free Independence Day Community Celebration on July 3 at the OC Fairgrounds.

Bring your own picnic, lawn chairs and blanket and create a memorable day as we celebrate our nation’s independence! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

July 4 - Tustin Fourth of July Celebration

Let freedom ring and sparks fly! Join the City of Tustin for a star-spangled night of fun, music, and fireworks at Tustin’s biggest 4th of July celebration!

July 4 - Irvine Fourth of July Celebration

The City of Irvine invites the community to the inaugural Fourth of July Celebration at the Great Park — a free, family-friendly event Friday, July 4, from 4 to 10 p.m.

July 9 - Protect Yourself From ID Theft Webinar

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) are hosting a free webinar to help you learn how to protect yourself from identity theft. Topics will include cybercrime, bank fraud, online scams, and phishing attacks.

July 18 - IgniteHER Girls Summit

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Girls Inc. of Orange County invite 7th-11th Grade girls to participate in a FREE IgniteHER Girls Summit on Friday, July 18, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Irvine Valley College.

Imagine being surrounded by amazing visionaries, thought leaders, and trailblazers, all there to inspire you. With engaging workshops and discussions focused on fueling your success, you'll leave with all the tools, knowledge, and support to spark change in your community and beyond!

Students will also have the opportunity to hear from a keynote speaker and panelists sharing their experiences in fueling their futures.

AD73 Movies on the Lawn

Movies on the Lawn:

Hicks Canyon Community Park | Food trucks at 6 p.m. | Movies begin after sunset

Watch family-favorite films under the stars on a giant outdoor screen. Guests are invited to bring low-back chairs, blankets, and picnic meals, or enjoy gourmet options from food trucks on-site. Movies begin after sunset and are weather permitting.

Friday, July 18— Mufasa: The Lion King (PG)
Friday, July 25— Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (PG)
Friday, August 8— Inside Out 2 (PG)

Summer Concerts:

Mike Ward Community Park — Woodbridge | Concerts begin at 5:30 p.m.

Enjoy live performances that bring a range of musical styles to the park, from soulful blues to classic rock and '90s throwbacks. Guests can bring their own snacks or purchase food from gourmet trucks available at each event.