Orange County Placemaking Roadshow

The Placemaking Roadshow provides creative and cultural opportunities for the diverse cities of Orange County. This traveling program is designed to inspire our neighbors with visual, performing, and literary arts at the intersection of technology, science, history, and health.

A special event featuring conversations and performances with Sam Mihara, Jonelle Strickland, Chef Craig Brady, Chef Daniella Malfitano, and Dylan Kanner.

Sam Mihara is a second-generation Japanese American (Nisei) born and raised in San Francisco. When World War II broke out, the United States government forced Sam, age 9, and his family to move to the Heart Mountain, Wyoming camp. After the war ended, the family returned home to San Francisco. Sam attended UC Berkeley undergraduate and UCLA graduate schools, where he earned engineering degrees. He became a rocket scientist and joined the Boeing Company where he became an executive on space programs. Following retirement, Sam changed careers and is now a regular visiting lecturer at the University of California and is a national speaker on the topic of mass imprisonment in the U.S.

Jonelle Strickland teaches research writing and first-year composition in the School of Criminal Justice at California State University Long Beach and in the English department at Santiago Canyon College, respectively. She is proud to be a Dreamer Ally and an advocate for all of her students.

Chef Craig Brady is Executive Chef at Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar in Old Towne Orange. He received his formal training in New York City’s French Culinary Institute. His first paid position out of culinary school was at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach and its flagship restaurant, The Loft. He went on to the Patina Group’s highly acclaimed French bistro, Leatherby’s, and noted Scott’s Seafood at South Coast Plaza. Chef Brady’s reputation led him to Boston to Verace Pizza Napoletana, or VPN, certified enoteca called Posto. This restaurant was praised as among the Best of Boston, and It was here as Chef de Cuisine that Chef Brady developed a love affair with Italian cuisine and philosophy that is still visible in his food to this day.

Chef Daniella Malfitano is an integrative nutrition health coach, author of nine cookbooks, host of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, and creator of the new YouTube channel My Choice Kitchen. With over fifteen years experience in restaurants and culinary media, Chef Daniella is passionate about spreading joy by teaching kids and adults how to make healthy choices in the kitchen.

Dylan Kanner is a singer-songwriter and composer. He has written music for films and classical ensembles but he mostly enjoys to craft songs and focus on writing lyrics. His music draws influences from folk, jazz, and contemporary classical music.