🌱 Alleged Upskirt Videos + Victor Fowler Impresses + Salt Creek Beach

Morning, everybody! Today’s International Museum Day; did you know that Israel has the highest number of museums per capita? I'm back with the most important things happening in Orange County. Today we'll cover these stories and more:

• ⬅️ We need more Eagle Scouts.
• ⚠️ Smash-and-grab robbers didn’t do well.
• 🤔 No hospitality minimum wage hike yet.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

Today's newsletter is sponsored in part by Creations by Beth. Elevate your jewelry game today with the unique and stunning Creations by Beth! Follow Creations by Beth on Facebook to stay up-to-date on her latest one-of-a-kind designs.

🌤️ Now, today's weather: Low clouds, then some sun. High: 73 Low: 60.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Berri Brothers at 1234 N. Main St. in Orange, $4.37
• Speed Gas at 14391 Newport Ave. in Tustin, $4.59
• 76 at 3401 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach, $4.69

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up? We have some preliminary results.

• 20 percent - traveling
• 9.9 percent - flying
• 6.7 percent - ballroom dancing
• 3.3 percent - fly-fishing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, dog training & showing, surfing, watercolor, pickleball, line dancing, pottery, reading, horseback riding, wine collecting, car collecting, playing guitar, kickboxing, golf, roller skating

One of you asked a great question: “Does anyone have photography as a hobby now?” With our new phones, there’s no longer the need for a dark room and all the accouterments that used to come with the hobby.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. A 60-year-old man allegedly filmed “upskirt videos” at Trader Joe's near UC Irvine. He pleaded guilty to similar allegations in 2018. Investigators say he went into Trader Joe’s on April 16 “with the intent to commit child annoyance.” He is “being held on $100,000 bail.” (Fox)
2. Tustin’s most recent smash-and-grab robbers didn’t do well. Early in the afternoon on Tuesday, a group targeted a jewelry store in the 2800 block of Park Avenue. They relied on a white SUV as a getaway vehicle but waited to use it until officers arrived, which led to a police chase into Westminster. The driver then crashed into a hydrant and tried to run away. Police caught up with three suspects; a 20-year-old Los Angeles resident and two juveniles. (KTLA)
3. The Anaheim City Council continues to mull over a proposal to raise hospitality workers’ minimum wage to $25. What makes this noteworthy is that “the union and resort interests have separately contributed to nearly every city council member’s campaign.” What did elected officials do? They voted as one to “conduct a fiscal analysis report on the ordinance,” effectively kicking the can down the road, which might mean that the question ends up on the ballot. (Voice of OC)
4. A huge shoutout to Victor Fowler, a student at Tesoro High School in Las Flores and a budding Eagle Scout! For his Eagle Scout project, he intends to build a new chicken coop for the flock living in the school’s sustainability garden. Fowler picked the project after seeing that the chickens’ current coop had become overrun by vermin. "These chickens are an important part of the learning experience at Tesoro, and Tesoro cannot afford to build them a new coop," he explained. (Patch)
5. Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point is making the news for being a hidden gem. In fact, it’s the “seventh-best hidden beach in the country.” If you haven’t been, you’re going to love it! Another hidden gem is Haskell’s Beach in Santa Barbara; it comes in at No. 35. (Patch)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Toddler Playtime at the East Anaheim Branch Library (11 AM)
• Downtown Anaheim Certified Farmers Market at 435 W. Center St. Promenade (11 AM)
• Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails in Irvine hosts Bears Making Connections (11:30 AM)
• Barn Life Recovery in Costa Mesa hosts Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (7 PM)
• Death Grips plays The Observatory in Santa Ana (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Be smart about where you hide valuables in your car." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Recognizing efforts to implement best practices in youth leadership while leading alcohol and drug prevention initiatives, the Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership honored three schools and an advisor at the annual OCFNLP Chapter Recognition Event." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "This International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we celebrate the resilience and strength of the LGBTQIA+ community. We honor the countless activists and advocates who have fought for our rights and paved the way for progress. Let's remain together in our demand for equality and justice for all." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• "Honoring the contributions and cultures of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders during May’s AAPI Heritage Month. The AAPI community in the United States is made up of more than 22 million people, with about one-third calling California home, 16 percent of the state’s population." (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)
• "From day camp to weekend camp, summer sleep-away away camp and family camp, Girl Scouts of Orange County has you covered! Click the link https://bit.ly/3TfDAuh to explore all the outdoor adventures we have to offer." (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• A Fun & Professional Children's Acting Class (May 18)
• A Night To Shine Fundraising - Help Us Help Those In Need (May 18)
• Free Home Buyer Event (May 20)
• 2023 San Clemente Garden Tour (May 20)
• Spring Garden Art Faire at Sherman Gardens (May 20)
• Crawfish Festival - May 19-21, 2023 - Taste of New Orleans in SoCal! (May 20)
• Armed Forces Day Celebration with Haley Reinhart, Ashley Gutermuth and Dogs on Deployment (May 20)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 22)
• Bello Welcomes Winemaker Chase Carhartt (May 24)
• Sounds of Summer Concert Cruise Featuring Surf's Up (May 27)
• Golden State Ballet: From New York, With Love (June 6)
• Golden State Ballet: From New York, With Love (June 9)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Patch newsletter? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com