🌱 Casa Romantica Update + HoléSmokes + New Short-Term Rental Ban

Hi all! Today’s National School Nurse Day; did you know that President Gerald Ford established the day in 1974? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right with quick updates on...

• ⚠️ A deadly house fire.
• 🚢 Trouble for the Balboa Island Ferry.
• ✂️ HoléSmokes’ June opening.

💗 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: Misty in the morning. High: 70 Low: 55.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.39
• ARCO at 1935 East Katella Ave. in Orange, $4.49
• 76 at 3400 East Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, $4.66

🍷 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?

• 21.7 percent - traveling
• 8.6 percent - flying
• 4.3 percent - fly-fishing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, dog training & showing, surfing, watercolor, pickleball, line dancing, pottery, reading, ballroom dancing, horseback riding, wine collecting, car collecting, playing guitar

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. A man was found dead on Monday afternoon in a burning San Clemente home. Firefighters arrived in the neighborhood around Albergar and Optiman to find a house on fire. It is unclear now if the fire caused the victim’s death. “Arson and homicide investigators were called to the scene.” (Patch)
2. The Laguna Hills City Council voted unanimously to ban short-term rentals. Residents had been complaining about a noisy house party and wanted something done. On the other side are the homeowners who rely on a total of 29 known short-term rentals to augment their income. Laguna Hills isn’t the first OC city to put the kibosh on the wild west that used to be the short-term rental market. Fountain Valley and Anaheim eliminated them altogether; Newport Beach limited them to coastal zones. This ban begins May 26. (Voice of OC)
3. Newport Beach’s Balboa Island Ferry is in jeopardy. The California Air Resources Board informed the operation that it must comply with the state mandate to work toward zero emissions by 2026. Operators say that it would cost the 1919 business around $5 million to retrofit its three boats, which is not something that they can afford. Regarding available grants, the operators explain that “the application process for grants is complex, and at this point, we see no clear path to obtaining adequate funding.” (CBS)
4. Casa Romantica Update: It may cost around $8 million to stabilize the hillside underneath Casa Romantica. Latest reports reveal that the area “is still showing some signs of creep and movement.” At this point, freight trains are running again — albeit at low speeds — but passenger rail travel is still suspended. Officials noted that they can’t protect the structure until the hillside is stabilized. (Los Angeles Times/paywall)
5. Costa Mesa is getting a HoléSmokes Texas-style brisket and BBQ restaurant! It’ll open across the street from Holé Molé at 1500 Adams Ave. in June. The concept comes from a collaboration between San Antonio’s Chef Dan Ramon and Holé Molé’s head of operations, Ian Bascon. “The menu will feature beloved barbecue classics like pulled pork, baby back ribs, smoked chicken and marinated Tri-Tip. All meats will be smoked low and slow using a 50/50 blend of pecan and oak logs imported from Texas and Oklahoma.” Yum! (Restaurant News)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Costa Mesa's Orange County Museum of Art hosts Art + Play for infants (10 AM)
• Attend a curated Networking Event at the Downtown Anaheim Community Center (11:30 AM)
• Weigh in on the Tustin Hills Racquet Club at the Planning Commission Hearing in Santa Ana (1:30 PM)
• Come to the FREE Huntington Beach Fair Housing Workshop at the Central Library (2 PM)
• It's time for Lego Play Time at the Taft Branch Library in Orange (3:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "On Thursday, May 4, our North Gang Enforcement Team (N. GET) seized a kilo of fentanyl and a firearm while conducting a search warrant. One suspect was arrested for fentanyl sales and felony possession of firearm. The GET is specifically structured to suppress and prevent gang activity." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• "HAPPY ENDING! Aiden captured the hearts of this couple. He has been adopted!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Hot4Teacher Racing recently stopped by to present us with a check for Tustin Veteran's Outpost. We truly appreciate the support!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "Join the Orange County Department of Education on Tuesday, May 30, for a virtual webinar dedicated to supporting student mental health. The session titled 'How School Counselors can Mitigate Anxiety in Youth' aims to equip school counselors, school-based mental health providers and other educators with the tools and resources needed to effectively manage mental wellness. Event registration is now available: https://ocde.k12oms.org/1249-233355." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "The YMCA of Orange County is proud to partner with HomeAid for their annual Diaper Drive! This is a community-based donation drive aimed at collecting 1 million diapers and wipes for babies & toddlers that are experiencing homelessness." (YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit Website)
• Tablerock boarding kennels — (Visit website)
• The Au Pair Expert — (Visit website)
• Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• 2nd Thursday - Art After Hours (May 11)
• Irvine Classical Players Mother's Day Concert (May 14)
• Crawfish Festival - May 19-21, 2023 - Taste of New Orleans in SoCal! (May 20)
• Moving Day: A Walk For Parkinson's (May 21)
• Unlimited Together-Benefitting Mental Wellness for Youth (May 25)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next 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