🌱 City Leaders: Urgent Green Energy Audit + Vegan Mexican + Harley's

Hi O.C.! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening in Orange County today.

First, today's weather:

Morning clouds, then sunny and warm. High: 83 Low: 63.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Orange County's new Green Power Agency is facing increasing scrutiny and calls to audit its operations. City leaders in Irvine and Huntington Beach are "calling for an audit" of the green power agency they created charging that they have "not been transparent" with the public and city leaders. Calls for the audit happened after a majority of the board of directors tried to have a meeting to consider firing the controversial CEO, Brian Probolsky, who "then filed a whistleblower complaint against them." Council members including Irvine Councilman Larry Agran, and Huntington Beach Councilman Erik Peterson, have publicly questioned the agency’s work for months. You can read more about this story here: (Voice of O.C.)
2. If you're vegan and you love Mexican food, there are five Vegan Mexican Restaurants worth checking out in Orange County! Gracias Madre in Newport Beach has a plant-based menu and features signature cocktails. In Fullerton, Chicana Vegana offers vegan tacos, as well as nacho cheese and sour cream made from cashews! Màs Veggies Vegan Taqueria in Irvine is a vegan taqueria offering vegan Mexican favorites with plant-based chicken and fish. In Santa Ana, La Vegana Mexicana has "completely house-made" tostadas and tamales. They also do not use "soy, mock meats, or processed ingredients." Vegan by El Zamorano started as a pop-up restaurant in Costa Mesa. They offer a full vegan menu with weekly specials, like 2 for $6 tacos! (Orange Coast Magazine)
3. Harley's in Laguna Beach will close on July 1, announced Chef Greg Daniels. Daniels had left Haven Gastropub in Orange to open Harley in 2018 "in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach." In an Instagram post, Daniels wrote that opening the restaurant was "personal" and "heartfelt," and said the Laguna Beach eatery was named after his grandfather. He said he wanted to "emulate the hospitality" he felt as a young boy in his grandparents’ home. O.C. Register restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson wrote that Harley was "one of the 10 best new restaurants to open in Orange County in 2018." With the restaurant's lease ending, Daniels said, "It wasn’t long enough, and we are heartbroken that we can’t stay." (O.C. Register)

Today in Orange County:

• Crazy Hair Day — Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. (All Day)
• Lunch Mob at American Grub — Tustin Chamber of Commerce. (All Day)
• Baby & Me Storytime In-Person — Huntington Beach Public Library. (10 a.m.)
• Oak View Branch Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime & Playtime at Oak View Branch Library. (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Available for adoption! Meet DUX. Happy and sweet, he is busy learning his puppy social skills." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Orange County Pit Bull Rescue: "Repost: Jeffrey, The Positively Peaceful Pit Bull." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)
• Goodwill of Orange County: "Did you know? Donating one working computer to #OCGoodwill equals more than six hours of job training for those facing barriers to employment in our communities." (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)
• YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY: "There are only 2 weeks left until Camp E.L.K begins its first session!" (YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY via Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "As the worst of the wildfire year arrives, Southern California counties urge residents to sign up for the messages, only some of which come automatically." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door! I'll see you tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a freelance writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com.