🌱 Casa Romantica Update + Micah’s Way Sues + Epson HQ Ribbon Cutting

Good morning, neighbors! Today’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day; did you know that this program started in 1991? It's Saturday in Orange County, and I'm back to get you caught up. In this issue, you'll learn about:

• ⚠️ Shelter in Place order at an elementary school.
• ✈️ Fly nonstop to Tucson in December.
• 🧑‍⚖️ A religious organization has the DOJ on its side.

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☀️ But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 77 Low: 58.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• FUEL UP! at 1124 East Chapman Ave. in Fullerton, $4.15
• ARCO at 2646 West 1st St. in Santa Ana, $4.31
• US Gas at 2502 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, $4.39

🍷 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.

• 21.4 percent - traveling
• 14.1 percent - flying
• 7.1 percent - ballroom dancing
• 3.6 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

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. On Thursday, Las Palmas Elementary School in San Clemente issued a “shelter in place” order. The Sheriff’s Department explained that an unspecified threat was made — not through social media — and a lockdown was called for. We’ve had no social media or official updates from the school about the threat. (Patch)
2. Casa Romantica update: San Clemente’s cultural center is still threatened by the hillside slide of April 27. The city brought in Alliance Diversified Enterprises on Friday for emergency work. In the span of two weeks, the contractor is expected to relieve soil pressure and temporarily stabilize the hillside and Casa Romantica. Currently, the city is working with the California Coastal Commission and the Orange County Transportation Authority to develop a permanent solution. (Patch)
3. Micah’s Way, a religious organization working with the homeless around Fourth Street, is suing Santa Ana. The group ignored officials’ objections and served homeless people meals. Micah’s Way alleges that Santa Ana violated the “Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.” City hall officials say they want to “limit the number of homeless aid groups in their town.” Now, the Department of Justice is getting involved — and coming down on the religious organization’s side. (Voice of OC)
4. Epson celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Los Alamitos headquarters on Tuesday. The company embraces an attractive “six-day per month in-office schedule,” with the rest of the time allowing for remote work. The company views the new headquarters as a commitment to growth, while Mayor Tanya Doby welcomes the company as it “will support a wide range of local businesses, as well as bring new jobs.” (Ink Wold Magazine)
5. Beginning Dec. 14, you can take a nonstop flight from John Wayne Airport to Tucson. Alaska Airlines will run the line daily. “The flights will be on Embraer 175 aircraft with two-by-two seating.” Departure from Orange County will be at 11:40 a.m., with arrival in Tucson at 2:20 p.m. (KGUN)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Vintage Volkswagen Van Show on the Huntington Beach Pier (8 AM)
• Low-Cost Drive-Through Pet Vaccine Clinic at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter Vaccine (8:30 AM)
• Mother’s Day Fine Art Show & Sale at the Dana Point Harbor (9:30 AM)
• Huntington Beach Historical Downtown Walking Tour meets at the Visitor Information Kiosk (10 AM)
• VOICES: Veterans Storytelling Project takes place in Costa Mesa's Heroes Hall (5 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Asking for OC neighbors to help: GSROC is looking for inexpensive warehouse space in North OC. First floor required, approximately 1,500-1,800 square feet. We do not need anything fancy — this is a place where we will store our dog food, crates, other large supplies. A small admin office in the front would be ideal, but not essential. We would prefer a space in Yorba Linda, Brea or Placentia to be close to our dogs in boarding. Does anyone know someone with space to rent at a reasonable price for our non-profit organization? Please help if you can!" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Dozens of students and adults took center stage in front of their biggest supporters at the 47th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival at MainPlace Mall on April 29. 🎨🌟 Continuing its longtime partnership with OCDE, Orange County Arts and Disability — formerly known as VSA Orange County — hosted the daylong event spotlighting the work of local artists with disabilities, showcasing writing, dance, music, theater and visual art." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "Our heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the 2023 CASA Celebration Gala on Saturday evening. We'd like to thank our phenomenal event chairs, Nancy Eaton & Karen Jordan, as well as their outstanding committee for all of their hard work." (CASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special Advocates via Facebook)
• "Meet Patrick — He has been working at Goodwill of Orange County for three years. He began as a store associate, and with the help of his Job Coach, Steven, has been able to build the skills and confidence to also become a cashier — something that Patrick has always strived for." (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Join us for an inclusive mental health event aimed at reducing mental health stigma of the LGBTQIA+ community. At this event, you'll get a better understanding of mental health issues within our community. Discussions, workshops, and resources will be led and provided by mental health professionals who specialize working with queer folx." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Irvine Classical Players Mother's Day Concert (May 14)
• A Night To Shine Fundraising - Help Us Help Those In Need (May 18)
• Crawfish Festival - May 19-21, 2023 - Taste of New Orleans in SoCal! (May 20)
• Moving Day: A Walk For Parkinson's (May 21)
• Bello Welcomes Winemaker Chase Carhartt (May 24)
• Unlimited Together-Benefitting Mental Wellness for Youth (May 25)
• Golden State Ballet: From New York, With Love (June 6)
• Golden State Ballet: From New York, With Love (June 9)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all Tuesday morning for another 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