An update from us.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — After several quiet weeks, The Santanero is returning with a new look, a renewed sense of purpose, and plans for what comes next.

Today, I’m proud to introduce The Santanero’s new logo: the Santa Ana parrot, alongside our new slogan: The Community Paper.

The parrots flying above Santa Ana have become one of the city’s most recognizable, if unofficial, symbols. You hear them before you see them—loud, colorful, social, and unmistakably present in our neighborhoods.

But their story here is also complicated.

Parrots are not native to California. The flocks that have established themselves across Southern California trace their history to birds originally brought to the United States through the pet trade, including birds imported from their native ranges in Mexico and elsewhere. Over decades, escaped and released birds established populations throughout the region.

Santa Ana has become one of the places they call home.

That makes the parrot especially meaningful to The Santanero. It is colorful, vocal, communal, resilient, and difficult to ignore. It represents a city shaped by many different histories and by people who have built community here.

Our new slogan, “The Community Paper,” reflects the same idea.

The Santanero exists to tell the stories of Santa Ana: its neighborhoods, people, businesses, culture, history, challenges, celebrations, and everyday life. As the publication grows, I want it to remain grounded in a simple purpose: to be a paper that belongs to and serves the community.

Where have I been?

I also want to acknowledge my absence over the past several weeks.

I made the decision to step away in July temporarily without notice so I could focus on three important areas of my life: my health, my academics, and my financial stability. It’s a common story among most 20-somethings, but perhaps a story all too familiar to everyday people.

Running The Santanero independently takes time, energy, and resources. I realized that if I wanted to continue building this project sustainably, I needed to give myself the time to take care of those parts of my life first.

The time away gave me an opportunity to reflect on what this publication has become, what it could become, and how I want to build it moving forward.

So, what’s next?

There is a lot in the works.

In the coming weeks, you’ll begin seeing the new identity of The Santanero take shape. I’m also working toward launching The Santanero webstore, where readers will be able to purchase merchandise and directly support the continued growth of this independent community publication.

Please note that The Santanero has not actively sought donations through crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe since April 2026. Anyone who spots a fundraiser using The Santanero name or logo can contact us to verify whether it is legitimate or report it to the appropriate platform.

The Santanero will continue to be paywall-free, with free newsletter subscriptions. Advertising on our website will not obscure articles or pages, but advertisements may appear in newsletters, digital posts, e-editions, and print editions.

Every subscription, share, conversation, purchase, and word of encouragement helps make this work possible!

Subscribe to The Santanero newsletter to be among the first to hear about the webstore, upcoming stories, new projects, and everything happening in this next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, contributed to, or supported The Santanero. See you in September.