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

What an incredible weekend hosting my first annual Turkey Giveaway! With Thanksgiving around the corner, it was amazing to come together and support our community in such a meaningful way. We had an incredible turnout, distributing 250 turkeys and 300 food bags-a true testament to the power of community!

A huge shout out to our incredible partners, Sabil USA and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, for their dedication and hard work in making this event a huge success. And a big thank you goes to AAA, SoCal Gas and Healthnet as well as our other generous sponsors for stepping up and giving back.

Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with those who matter most. May your holiday be meaningful, heartwarming, and full of gratitude!

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

My office is now accepting applications for our inaugural Young Legislators Program which offers up to 15 students qualified high school juniors or seniors in the 73rd Assembly District a front row seat to the public policy arena. During the six month program, students will learn to become better advocates on issues they care about, gain valuable leadership skills and consider future careers in the public and private sector, all free of cost. To learn more about the program and to apply, click here.

This week, I traveled to Palm Desert for a hearing of the Select Committee on Permitting Reform, where we had the opportunity to visit NextEra Energy's Desert Peak Energy Center-the world's largest battery storage facility. During the trip, we also engaged with representatives from the battery storage and solar industries, discussing their challenges related to permitting and opportunities to accelerate clean energy deployment across California.

I joined Intuit for a panel discussion on AI's impact in the financial and tech sectors! Great discussions on balancing innovation with regulation and how policymakers and the business community are collaborating to shape the future of AI.

It was a privilege to celebrate an incredible milestone with Orange County United Way-100 years of transforming lives and building stronger communities. Thank you for a century of unwavering commitment and incredible work throughout Orange County.

Last week, I was thrilled to join the City of Irvine to celebrate the grand opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park! This marks Irvine's first fully inclusive playground, creating a space where children of all abilities can come together to play, learn, and explore. I'm especially proud to have secured $2.8 million in state funding to help bring this incredible project to life. Have you had the chance to visit the newly renovated Sweet Shade Park yet? It's a must-see, check out the highlights video to learn more!

I had the pleasure of attending the Tustin Community Foundation Mayor's Thanksgiving Breakfast. Huge congratulations to the 24 local nonprofits awarded grants to uplift those in need and empower our community.

Team Cottie joined Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County for their impactful "No Lunch" Lunch, where we discussed the pressing issue of food insecurity in Orange County and the incredible efforts SHFBOC is making to address it. I'm proud to partner with SHFBOC and support their mission to provide dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food, creating a foundation for community health.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION

Congratulations to MoonGoat Coffee on celebrating 5 amazing years at their Costa Mesa location! This milestone is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the community they've cultivated. We're thrilled to celebrate this achievement with you!

RESOURCES

Medi-Cal offers FREE preventive dental care to keep members' smiles healthy year-round! Members under 21 are covered for two dental visits per year, with additional visits available as needed. Adults 21 and older also have an annual check-up included. Here are some simple steps members can follow to maintain a healthy smile:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily
• Schedule regular check-ups to catch potential issues early.

This holiday season, countless Californians will find themselves in need of support from their communities and local nonprofits. Each of us can help our communities and there's no better way to bring positive change than to give back. Here are some ways you can make a difference:

• Volunteer at a food bank: Food insecurity is challenging during the holiday season and your help can really make a difference!
• Check on your neighbors: Take a moment to check on your neighbors. Reach out to older adults or to those with health risks - call or text them. You never know who needs help!
• Take the Climate Action Counts pledge: Join one million Californians committed to protecting our state and planet! Pledge to make a difference by planting native, drought-resistant plants, preparing your home for wildfire safety, composting to reduce waste, and more.

Craving sweet treats this holiday season? Check out some of my favorite picks-all from incredible local small businesses right here in the 73rd Assembly District! It's the perfect way to indulge in festive flavors while supporting our community's small business owners. Let's celebrate the season and shop local!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov. 26 - Guide for Charities Webinar

In advance of Giving Tuesday and as part of Charity Fraud Awareness Week, please join the California Attorney General's Office for a CARE Community Briefing on the newly updated Guide for Charities, which provides best practices for the nonprofit sector in California, including charities, fundraising professionals, and charitable fundraising platforms.

Dec. 4 - Scams and Frauds Webinar for Young Adults

Join the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation for a webinar to learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones, and young adults from fraud, scams. Topics will include: identity theft, data breaches, investment apps, employment scams, and more! Everyone who registers for this webinar will receive a link to the recording and the presentation slides.

Dec. 6 - Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll

Join the City of Tustin for a festive evening at the Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll on Friday, December 6 from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm in Old Town Tustin at El Camino Real and 3rd Street with the Dreamers Market beginning at 5:00 pm.

Dec. 7 - Illuminate Irvine

Illuminate Irvine offers an enchanting evening at the Palm Court Arts Complex with live, holiday music and activities designed for guests of all ages that are sure to inspire festive cheer. The highlight of the evening will be the dazzling lighting ceremony of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex, adorned with thousands of radiant, glistening lights. Guests are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift suitable for infants or children up to age 12 in support of the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee Holiday Toy Drive.

Dec. 12 - Protect Yourself from Fraud Webinar

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation are hosting a webinar to learn how to protect yourself from fraud. Topics include identify theft, email/texting scams, mail fraud, credit monitoring, and more.

Dec. 13 - Snoopy House - Costa Mesa

Event Activities

• Photo With Santa | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
• Inflatable Slide 
• Letters to Santa
• Live Entertainment
• Snoopy House Light Display
• Food Vendors