🌱 Bead Workshop + Digital Billboards + Taps Fish House Closes

Hello and happy Tuesday! Today’s National 7-Eleven Day; did you know that you can head to any participating branch today for a FREE small Slurpee® drink? I'm back to walk you through things happening in the county these days. Today you'll learn about:

• ⚠️ A Walmart parking lot shootout.
• 🚓 A tractor-trailer cab chase.
• 🤔 Talk of financial mismanagement.

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☀️ But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 89 Low: 62.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Mobil at 790 W 19th St. in Costa Mesa, $4.55
• ARCO at 29080 Portola Parkway in Lake Forest, $4.59
• Costco at 27220 Heather Ridge Road in Laguna Niguel, $4.59

🥤 Summer Drink Poll!
It’s heating up! Besides water, what is your favorite summertime drink?

• 20 percent each reach for an iced tea or beer
• 13.3 percent each choose an Arnold Palmer, Coca-Cola, or a frozen margarita
• 10 percent order a lemonade
• 3.3 percent each enjoy a watermelon punch, Sprite, or mint julep

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. A fatal shooting killed a boy in the La Habra Walmart parking lot on South Beach Boulevard. A man was injured but survived. Authorities say the two “may have been shooting at each other.” (KTLA)
2. If you were on the 57 Freeway in the Brea area on Monday morning, you might have gotten caught up in the tractor-trailer cab chase. The California Highway Patrol went after the vehicle, which was reportedly stolen. Twenty minutes later, the driver thought better of their actions and surrendered near Altura Boulevard and Regio Avenue in Buena Park. (CBS)
3. Why did Taps Fish House and Brewery suddenly close its doors on July 7? Reportedly all locations including Brea, Tustin, and Yorba Linda are affected. Founder Joe Manzella characterized the sudden closure as “the complete and total collapse of a $30 million restaurant group that has been in business for a quarter-century.” While hoping to reopen, Manzella points toward mismanagement that led to the closure. On social media, there's talk about “embezzlement, fraud… three criminal law enforcement probes ongoing” perpetrated “against the Manzella family.” (Orange County Register/paywall, Taps Fish House)
4. Westminster is struggling financially. Now, the city council is looking toward two freeway facing, digital billboards to bring in the missing funds. They’ll go along I-405 in Little Saigon. Already, the city has 29 static billboards. Branded Cities will build and maintain the new billboards that “will bring anywhere between $63 million and $121 million over the course of 30 years.” However, critics consider these billboards “blight” that will affect communities living close to the freeway. (Voice of OC)
5. On Wednesday, bead artist Beverly Gibson will lead a workshop at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. At 1:30 p.m., her creative workshop will be part of the “Ubuhle Women” exhibit. It’s an interactive opportunity to participate in “the essence of the artists' camaraderie, where they gather, bead, and engage in lively conversations, exchanging ideas and stories.” (Patch)

Our local sponsor has some great stuff to offer:

Looking for a unique and stylish gift for the summer? Look no further than Creations by Beth! Beth is a local artist who creates beautiful and one-of-a-kind jewelry. Her pieces are perfect for any occasion, and they're sure to add a touch of personality to any style. Come see Beth at the Small Shop Saturday Event on August 5th from 12-4pm at Hangar24 in Irvine and find the perfect gift for your loved ones!

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Tuesday, July 11

• Little Explorers Storytime at the Garden Grove Chapman Library (10:30 AM)
• Terrific Tuesdays Bubble Bonanza at the Westminster Library (10:30 AM)
• PFEXPO West 2023 at the Anaheim Convention Center (2 PM)
• Virtual Class: "Roll & Pho" with Chef Elizabeth Whitt (4 PM)
• "The Tina Turner Musical" opens at the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa (7:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Guess who got adopted? Ivy, that's who! That's Ivy in the crook of her new daddy's arms! Another great home for another great puppy! Happy new life, Ivy." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Not that we want to interrupt your fantastic summer, but... Aug. 10." (Orange County Public Schools via Instagram)
• "On Friday we wished Choco, a therapy horse we rescued 2 years ago after he fell into a ravine, a happy retirement. He had spent the last 5 years helping both adults and children by providing a unique form of physical and mental therapy." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Ben Smaglick is Orange County Rescue Mission's accounting manager and has been with us for 10 years. To celebrate Ben's 10 years of employment, we honored him with a Staff Sword Presentation! Thank you for your service, Ben!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "Guess who’s back? Ozomatli returns to the Summer Concert Series this Thursday, with opener Kyng Band at Irvine Regional Park in Orange. Get ready to dance the night away with the Grammy award-winning band!" (OC Parks via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit Website)
• The Au Pair Expert — (Visit website)
• Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Markowicz Fine Art - "Art After Hours" in Laguna Niguel (July 13)
• El Martillo Press @ Arvida Book Co. (July 15)
• A Fun Beginning Acting Class! Yes! You Can Act!! (July 30)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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