🌱 Citrus Greening Disease + Teacher Grants + Bridge Demolition

Hello all! Today’s the International Day of Light; did you know it commemorates the first successful laser use in 1960? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Today's issue includes news on:

• ⚠️ Citrus greening disease in Garden Grove.
• 🚘 Hyundai dealerships in Costa Mesa.
• 🏙️ New retailers for SoCo in Costa Mesa.

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🌥️ But first, today's weather: Patchy low clouds and fog. High: 76 Low: 58.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• ARCO at 2749 North El Camino Real in San Clemente, $4.53
• Shell at 2249 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, $4.55
• Ralphs at 22391 El Toro Road, $4.69

🍷 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.

• 20.7 percent - traveling
• 9.3 percent - flying
• 6.9 percent - ballroom dancing
• 3.4 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, roller skating

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Orange County is ground zero for citrus greening disease. Experts consider the county’s location near harbors, its climate, and its proliferation of backyard citrus trees as having to do with this trend. Tree death occurs typically within a few years. The most recent discovery of citrus greening disease was in Garden Grove earlier this month. (City of Garden Grove, Fresh Plaza)
2. The bridge on Los Alisos Boulevard in Lake Forest is coming down this weekend and this means street and freeway closures as the crews are working on the project. It starts off with a complete freeway closure Saturday night of the 5 Freeway “between Alicia Parkway and El Toro Road.” Caltrans will post detours, but drivers in the know avoid the area altogether. (Patch)
3. SoCo in Costa Mesa has an appreciation for curated retailers. It has made it a trendy location that continues to grow. The Hadley & Ren Floral Co. has already opened up at SoCo. Coco Republic is coming. Also keep your eyes open for “mattress brand Purple; Reform, a kitchen design store; and Visual Comfort, a supplier of home lighting.” (Orange County Register/paywall)
4. Hyundai dealerships are expanding their footprint in Costa Mesa. Several banded together for an initial five-year-term to lease 3.1 acres to have “a 12,588-square-foot truck and automotive maintenance facility and office building.” The businesses intend to use the property for fleet storage, repair, and reconditioning of vehicles. (Re Business Online)
5. The California Credit Union has been giving small grants to teachers to help them finance the types of programs their students want to see. Examples include “writing books about kindness, creating an art journaling project, opening a student Wellness Center, and starting a pickleball program.” Some of the most recent $500 grants went to Sequoia Academy in Westminster and Valencia Park Elementary School in Fullerton. (Investor Observer)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• The OC Men's Cycling Meetup goes from Irvine Civic Center to Newport (6 AM)
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice hosts a FREE Citizenship Clinic in Anaheim (10 AM)
• FREE Storytime With A Cop in Orange (10 AM)
• The Irvine United Congregational Church holds an Alzheimer's OC Interfaith Service (10:30 AM)
• Pro Business Connections (Orange County Chapter) meets at Rodrigo's Mexican Grill in Tustin (11:30 AM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "It’s almost that time of year again, so put on those dancing shoes and join us for another summer of fun at our annual Summer Concert Series! 💃 We’ll be jamming the night away every Thursday beginning June 22 - Aug. 24. Bring your friends!" (OC Parks via Instagram)
• "On National Peace Officers Memorial Day, we remember and honor our brave brothers from the Orange County Sheriff's Department who lost their lives in the line of duty. We will never forget you 💙." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "We are so grateful for our wonderful employees! We’re honoring two more of our outstanding employees! 👏 Congratulations to Sandra Yi, second grade teacher at Prospect Elementary School, and Minh Le, maintenance specialist/painter, in the Maintenance & Operations Department, our May 2023 Employees of the Month!" (Orange Unified School District via Instagram)
• "A teacher and senior from Corona del Mar High School were selected to be part of the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars and Distinguished Teachers. This year, the U.S. Department of Education narrowed down a list of 5,000 high school seniors and selected 161 honorees, which included student Sophia Ann Rabin. The department named 159 distinguished educators, including teacher Michael Dobyns." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "OCFA Fire Cadets spent the weekend at our Regional Fire Operations and Training Center earning certificates in wildland firefighter training and wildland fire behavior as just one part of their extensive training. To learn more about this amazing program, visit OCFA.org/FireCadet." (Orange County Fire Authority 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)
• Michael Hinderberger, Realtor — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Imagining Mental Wellness - A Giving Day to Invest in Mental Health in OC (May 17)
• A Night To Shine Fundraising - Help Us Help Those In Need (May 18)
• 2023 San Clemente Garden Tour (May 20)
• Spring Garden Art Faire at Sherman Gardens (May 20)
• Crawfish Festival - May 19-21, 2023 - Taste of New Orleans in SoCal! (May 20)
• Armed Forces Day Celebration with Haley Reinhart, Ashley Gutermuth and Dogs on Deployment (May 20)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 22)
• 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

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow 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