Cook’s Corner, patrons, employees, first responders, and others gather in a field at sunset for a moment of silence next to the Library of the Canyons for vigil in honor victims in the Cook’s Corner shooting in Silverado on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Debbie Pearl with her adopted dogs in Huntington Beach on Sunday, June 18, 2023. The six disabled pets suffered unimaginable abuse, like chopped-off limbs and spinal cord injuries. They use wheelchairs and prosthetics to give them a second chance at a happy and active life. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jimmy O’Dwyer left, of Orange, looks on as his friends Rick Anderson, center, and Jim Lace, right, both of Fullerton embrace in front of Cook’s Corner bar and restaurant in Trabuco Canyon, just after it opened for business on Friday, September 1, 2023. Cook’s Corner had been closed following a shooting on August 23, 2023, which killed three people and injured six others. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sydney, a pug with deformed paws as a result of over breeding, wears prosthetic braces so that she can still be mobile. Debbie Pearl has taken in, so far, six dogs with disabilities caused by abuse. Sydney frolics in a Huntington Beach park on Sunday, June 18, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Teresa Taylor gives some of her 20 dogs and one pig treats as her husband Russell Taylor watches. Their nonprofit Modjeska Ranch Animal Rescue has morphed into more of a hospice and sanctuary for sick and unwanted animals. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
OC Parks Director Pam Passow is all smiles as she works to pound a golden spike in to the tracks during the unveiling of new 1/3 scale electric train at the Irvine Park Railroad inside the Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA, on Thursday, September 7, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Customers arrive at Cook’s Corner bar and restaurant in Trabuco Canyon as it opens for business on Friday, Sepember 1, 2023, following a shooting on August 23, 2023, killing three people and injuring six others. A memorial to the three persons killed stands out front with photographs, notes and flowers.
in Trabuco Canyon, CA on Friday, September 1, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cook’s Corner Patrons and workers join a candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the Cook’s Corner Shooting at the Library of the Canyons in Silverado on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Pictured, from left, Ann Marie Jensen, Kevin Kallay, Kimo Delgado, bar back at Cook’s Corner, Christina Spengler and her boyfriend Kelly Stellhorn the bartender at Cooks Corner. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
OCFA firefighters with Engine 71 unfurl a flag atop their ladder truck during Fairhaven Memorial Park’s 9/11 Walk to Remember in Santa Ana on Sunday, September 10, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Soldiers fire the cannon during the first battle at the 30th annual Civil War Days Living History Event in Huntington Beach Central Park on Saturday, September 2, 2023, in Huntington Beach. The event is hosted by the Huntington Beach Historical Society. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new 1/3 scale electric train rolls in to service at the Irvine Park Railroad inside the Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA, on Thursday, September 7, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Adam England, a gunner on the ship Bill of Rights, plugs his ear as the cannon fires during the cannon battles at the Ocean Institute’s 39th Annual Maritime Festival in Dana Point on Friday, September 8, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida surfer Caroline Marks. who lives in San Clemente, competes in and wins the women’s Rip Curl WSL champion at Lower Trestles in San Clemente on Saturday, September 9, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Micki Simon, a teacher in Santa Ana and a parent of transgender child protests against the transgender notification policy outside the Orange Unified School District meeting where the board will decide if OUSD will implement a transgender notification policy
in Orange on Thursday, September 7, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ben Richards, center, founder of SoCal Parents Advocates uses a megaphone to lead protesters in favor of the transgender notification policy outside the Orange Unified School District where the board is meeting to decide if the OUSD will implement a transgender notification policy in Orange on Thursday, September 7, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Filipe Toledo of Brazil is the Rip Curl WSL champion for the second year in a row after beating Ethan Ewing of Australia at Lower Trestles in San Clemente on Saturday, September 9, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A blue dasher dragonfly rests at the edge of the pond at the Fullerton Arboretum in Fullerton, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer stretches before hitting the waves at Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, CA, on Thursday, September 21, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The wispy branches and leaves of the Mexican Palo Verde tree at the Fullerton Arboretum in Fullerton, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Realtor Joyce Leonard buys a sign from Jaden Velarde, 12, as he helps his dad work the Rapid-o Signs booth during the California Association of Realtors REimagine! Conference & Expo in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rabbi Heidi Cohen talks to staff at Providence St. Joseph Hospital before installing a mezuzah at the doorway of a staff break room in the Emergency Care Center in Orange, CA on Thursday, September 14, 2023. A mezuzah, traditionally placed on the doorpost of a jewish home, was placed as a reminder that the work at the hospital is holy and sacred. Inside the mezuzah are handwritten scrolls that talk about bringing your whole self to learning, growing and being, according to Rabbi Heidi Cohen. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Snowy Egret picks up lunch from the lake at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, CA on Monday, September 18, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children with the Karicka and Podkovicka dance group from Slovakia and the Czech Republic, watch performances before it’s their turn during the Dozynki Harvest Festival in Yorba Linda on Saturday, September 16, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Calilove Mendoza, 8, her brother, Isaac Mendoza, 12, and their cousin, Benji Cobain, 2, of Santa Ana wait for the 43rd annual Fiestas Patrias parade to begin, celebrating Mexican independence in Santa Ana on Sunday, September 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nicole Coye, RN, assists Carrie Firestein and Joel Spillman on a Healthcare in Action medical van in Garden Grove, CA on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Spillman has been homeless more than 3 years and Firestein more than 8 years. The program is a partnership between CalOptima Health, the city of Garden Grove and Healthcare in Action. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cooper Dick (1) and Audrey Burns (22) of Newport Harbor collide as they attempt to intercept a pass to Gianna Canale (25) of Marina during a girls flag football game at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Newport Harbor’s team is ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman, left, speaks with Irving Djeng, of New Jersey, back center, as his wife, Angela Djeng embraces her daughter, incoming freshman Sophia Djeng, right, as they near her dorm room while moving into campus housing at UC Irvine on Friday, September 22, 2023 in Irvine. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Doves take flight above breast cancer survivors during opening ceremonies for the 2023 Orange County MORE THAN PINK Walk in Newport Beach on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dan Hedigan, CEO of Five Point, Annette Walker, President of City of Hope Orange County and Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, from left, take a selfie in the balloon at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The three were part of an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Great Park Neighborhoods. The first Great Park Neighborhood opened in September, 2013 with Pavilion Park. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing clicks his heals together while on his way to a ride in the balloon at the Great Park in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Wild Wing was part of a celebration for the 10th anniversary of the Great Park Neighborhoods. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Five-year-old Jocelyn Tyner of Irvine, celebrates with supporters as she finishes the 2023 Orange County MORE THAN PINK Walk in Newport Beach on Sunday, September 24, 2023S. She was with her mother, Latoya and a group with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hafsa Kaka, Senior Advisor on Homelessness for Gov. Gavin Newsom and Queen Boston, left, have a laugh while talking at the Homeless Navigation Center in Santa Ana, CA on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Boston has been staying at the shelter for eight months. Watching are Pooja Bhalla, CEO of Illumination Foundation and Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, right. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trevor Green (27) of Kennedy waves an American flag as the moon rises above the field before an Empire League football game against Tustin at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, September 28, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Realtor and lender Mark Pascual tries to drum up business during the California Association of Realtors REimagine! Conference & Expo in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Valerie Dickson, a former Orange County resident who experienced hate and has since left the area, stands in front of self-portrait artwork done by high school students from Anaheim Union High School District, in the offices of Groundswell in Santa Ana on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters wait to enter the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman holds a pro-Trump poster as she passes a rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As a woman paints the Back Bay, volunteers pick up trash near the Newport Aquatic Center in Newport Beach as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practice before the start of the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People for and against Donald Trump clash in the plaza at a Democratic Party of Orange County event in front of the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds prepare to leave Los Alamitos Army Airfield in Los Alamitos, CA, for practice over Huntington Beach for the Pacific Airshow on Thursday, September 28, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
John F. Kennedy High School band director Joshua Parsons, leads the band standing on a ladder as the moon rises above the field before an Empire League football game between Kennedy and Tustin at Western High School in Anaheim on Thursday, September 28, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sammy Mason, flying the Edge 540, left, Mike Goulian, flying an Extra 330, center, and Jarrod Lindeman, in the Jet Waco biplane, fly over Huntington Beach, CA, in preparation for the Pacific Airshow on Thursday, September 28, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practice before the start of the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Canadian Snowbirds perform during the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
We asked our photographers to pick their favorite images from September 2023, and here are some they selected.
An electric train, fast airplanes andpresidential candidates visiting topped the month’s highlights around the county.
The month started with Cook’s Corner patrons and employees gathering with community members and first responders in a field at sunset next to the Library of the Canyons for a vigil in honor victims in the mass shooting two weeks prior at the popular biker bar.
Historic reenactments had costumed participants firing their weapons as they relived history. In Huntington Beach, soldiers fire their cannons during the battle reenactments at the 30th annual Civil War Days Living History Event in Huntington Central Park. Down in Dana Point, a gunner on the ship Bill of Rights fired his cannons during the mock sea battles at the Ocean Institute’s 39th Annual Maritime Festival.
Over in Orange, a new 1/3 scale electric train rolled in to service at Irvine Regional Park. A charger installed on the tracks in the station area automatically charges the train’s battery when it is stopped for loading and unloading passengers. Since there is no actual steam powering the train, the chugging sound now emanates from an on-board audio system.
San Clemente transplants Caroline Marks and Filipe Toledo won the Rip Curl World Surf League Finals at Lower Trestles. Later, the World Surf League announced the world champions will be decided again in 2024 at the famed surf spot just south of San Clemente. The last three finals have been held there, bringing the world’s best surfers and a big buzz to the region.
The last weekend of September was busy as former President Donald Trump, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy visited Anaheim during the state’s GOP convention. On this way to the event, Trump’s plane made a detour and flew through the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach.
The Pacific Airshow capped of the month with air demonstrations for thousands of people on the sand in Huntington Beach over three days.
