🌱 Repaired Amtrak To Run Weekends + Best Places For Valentine's Day

Hello again, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Orange County Daily. Find out the most important things going on in O.C. today. In this edition, we'll cover these stories and more...

• Weekend rail service returns between San Diego and Orange County.
• National firm opens new Orange County law office.
• Where to celebrate Valentine's Day.
• A woman died after falling down a park drain.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer with plenty of sun. High: 66 Low: 40.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Weekend Amtrak service between San Diego and Orange County will be back as soon as Feb. 4, an Orange County transportation official said Monday. Amtrak passenger service between San Diego and Orange County was halted Sept. 30 after storms destabilized a cliff under the tracks in San Clemente. "A contractor hired by the Orange County Transportation Authority installed 220 ground anchors" drilled "deep into the bedrock" to stabilize the cliff. (The San Diego Union Tribune/paywall)
2. National law firm Reed Smith will be opening a new office in Orange County. The Pittsburgh-based global firm said the OC outpost will be its fifth California office. "At least seven lawyers that already work for the firm, including several who were hired in the past year" will launch the new location. Reed Smith has 1,500 attorney nationwide, with 200 in California. Find out more here: (Reuters)
3. Have you made plans for Valentine's Day this year? Orange Coast magazine dreamed up a go-to list of "Where to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Orange County 2023." Cafe Sevilla in Costa Mesa tops topped the list, and is offering "a special four-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner" on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 13 and 14. Find more Valentine's Day ideas here: (Orange Coast Magazine)
4. A woman died after falling down a storm drain in an Orange County park Sunday. Firefighter-paramedics were called to Haster Basin Park at 9:47 a.m. for a "person in a storm drain" who needed medical help. An unconscious woman was found next to the drain, and efforts to revive her after cardiac arrest were not successful. (Orange County Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• Developing Good Bedtime Routines in SPANISH - Anaheim (All Day)
• Breakfast Panel: How do we get the right people in the right seats? - Laguna Beach (7:30 AM)
• Baby Storytime: Irvine Heritage Park Library (10:00 AM)
• Play & Learn: Irvine Heritage Park Library (10:20 AM)
• Builders' Club - Library of the Canyons (10:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Three hundred pairs of pajamas: "George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel recently hosted a PJ drive for OCRM. They collected 300 pairs of pajamas! Would you help us thank them below? 👏" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• Car crashes through lobby of medical clinic: "Eight people have been hospitalized after a vehicle collided with the lobby of Clinica Mi Pueblo, a medical clinic in Anaheim." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• A new path : "👋Please say hello to Ashlyn Ronkes our new Special Events Manager! Through her love for music and violin playing, Ashlyn has been involved in the performing arts for twenty-three years and has been paving her path in arts administration..." (Philharmonic Society of Orange County via Facebook)
• Now hiring: "Hey Garden Grove! Ready to join the Goodwill of Orange County team? Come attend our hiring event this week! 🗓️ Friday, Jan. 27 ⏰ 9 a.m.- 12 p.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 📍 Garden Grove Store 11052 Magnolia St. Garen Grove, CA 92841." (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! See you tomorrow morning.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and media producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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