🌱 Casa Romantica Red-Tagged + First SurfSCAPE Expo + Taste Of Orange

Hello, friends! Today’s National Bugs Bunny Day; did you know Bugs was instrumental in popularizing “nimrod” to mean fool rather than “mighty hunter,” which was the original gist of the joke? Sylvia here with your Sunday edition of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Find news on...

• 🤔 An ad hoc committee in Cypress
• 🧑‍🚒 Lake Forest home assessments
• 🛑 Canceled plans at Casa Romantica

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

🌥️ But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 71 Low: 58.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Mobil at 790 W 19th St. in Costa Mesa, $4.69
• Shell at 23652 Rockfield Blvd. in Lake Forest, $4.69
• Costco at 27972 Cabot Rd. in Laguna Niguel, $4.69

💻 Social Media Poll!
Everyone uses social media – frequently multiple platforms. Or do they? We asked: if you had to eliminate all social media except one platform, which one would you keep? You answered! 50% would keep Facebook, 15.6% Instagram, 12.5% LinkedIn, 9.4% each Truth Social or TikTok, and 3.1% Twitter. Interestingly, nobody picked Reddit. Thank you for participating!

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Casa Romantica update: The San Clemente hillside keeps sliding. Casa Romantica is red-tagged; if you scheduled a wedding or other event at the location, it’s time to find a plan B. “That’s going to take a lot of construction work to get that back,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley declared about the property’s terrace that had already fallen. She speculated that any rebuilding would require city permits and approval of the Coastal Commission. At this time, the hillside has slid about 20 feet. (My News LA)
2. Cypress neighbors are rebelling against Mayor Anne Hertz-Mallari’s plans to limit public debates. The mayor argues that without change, the “city attorney and city manager (have) to provide lengthy explanations on proposed agenda items.” She prefers constituents contact their city council representatives to express concerns; the city council member can then mention it at the meeting. But residents don’t like this idea. They say public discussion is part of the democratic process. Where do things stand now? Officials created “an ad hoc committee to study the issue and bring it back at a later date.” (Voice of OC)
3. The first-ever SurfSCAPE expo came to Huntington Beach on Saturday. The Surf Industry Members Association called it an “immersive customer experience.” Attendees could see demonstrations and surfboard shaping, discuss sustainability, eat plenty of food and enjoy an overall homage to everything surf-related. What set this expo apart from others is that it was for industry insiders, sports enthusiasts and newcomers to surfing alike. (Spectrum News1)
4. Lake Forest neighbors can set up a FREE home assessment to see if their homes and other structures are ready for fire season. “Many residents have built their homes and landscaped without fully understanding the impact that could result from wildfire,” the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) explains. A home assessment allows an expert to share tips and suggestions for protecting yourself and your property during a wildfire. (City of Lake Forest, OCFA)
5. The Taste of Orange is around the corner! On May 7, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., head to 124 South Orange Street in Old Towne Orange. More than 40 restaurants and breweries will serve up their scrumptious food and drink offerings. Enter with a wristband that lets you “get unlimited food tastings.” For the adults in the crowd, alcohol ID wristbands let you — you guessed it — have “unlimited alcohol tastings.” Best of all, proceeds benefit the Assistance League of Orange, meaning that you’ll be eating and drinking for a good cause! (Assistance League)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Attend the 26th Annual APLF Mystery Authors Luncheon and Silent Auction at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim (11 AM)
• Check out the Classic Vibes Car Show at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center in Laguna Niguel (12 PM)
• Taste wine at Grapes For Grads at the Laguna Beach Festival Grounds (1 PM)
• Come to an Afternoon at the Movies featuring "Suspicion" at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library (1 PM)
• Join the Fork Childhood Cancer Walk for Kids by the MaxLove Project at Irvine's Tanaka Farms (3 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We were honored to support the Los Angeles Fire Department as they celebrated the life of Firefighter III Brian G. Corntassel in Los Alamitos. Division 1, Truck 17, and Engine 2 were on hand to assist." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "We might need to check the age on our new Search & Rescue recruit's driver license 😉 It's always fun meeting everyone out on the trails. Say hi when you see us out this summer 👋 and don't forget to pack plenty of water if you are hiking!" (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Donning their bright red shirts and baseball jerseys, students and staff from Jefferson Elementary excitedly welcomed Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo, radio host Roger Lodge and strike force members with cheers and posters. The Santa Ana Unified School District campus is one of five in OC selected to be part of the annual Adopt-A-School program." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "Take a glimpse into our Huntington Beach OC Goodwill Boutique! 👀 Ever since it opened in 2015, this unique store has provided a luxurious shopping experience for every guest walking through its doors. 📍 18631 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach." (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Hi OC! We will have a Legal Center at this year's OC Pride, offering legal information and resources for attendees regarding employee rights and employee protection. Looking forward to it!" (Patch Neighbor Posts)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Orange County?

• Median Listing Home Price $1M
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $598
• Median Sold Home Price $975K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet adorable Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• Cinco for a Cause – Margarita Fundraiser for McKenna Claire Foundation at Dos Amigos Cantina (May 5)
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Featured announcements:

• Audition to Perform As a Soloist for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (Details)
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You're all caught up for today! See you all Tuesday morning for another update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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