🌱 New TikTok Challenge + Operation Consequences + Best OC Greek Food

Hello all! Today’s National Pita Day; but did you know that even though pita’s thought to be 2.4 million years old, its first official mention only dates back to 1936? I'm back with your new edition of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Here's the community news you need to know right now...

• 👟 Saddleback Wilderness System opens
• 🍔 Fourth Eureka! in the OC opens, too
• 🇬🇷 Where to find pastichio

💗 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:

Morning rain, then a shower. High: 61 Low: 49.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Costco at 5401 Katella Ave. in Cypress, $4.37
• ARCO at 501 W Whittier Blvd. in La Habra, $4.39
• Berri Brothers at 16621 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Sunset Beach, $4.39

🌺 Spring Poll!
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to think about adding plants to the garden. Which flowers and shrubs are you considering this year? So far, 50% opted for California Monarch Milkweed, and 10% each selected Wooly Bluecurls, Common Sage, California Poppy, Lacy Phacelia (write-in), and Dahlias & Lavender (write-in).

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. On Sunday, a TikTok challenge went wrong in Tustin’s District Shopping Center Target store. Four teen boys of middle school age crept up on a woman in the baby supplies section, put a bucket over her head, and began filming. A medical condition caused the victim to faint; she says that “the incident had a physical and psychological impact.” According to the Tustin Police Department, the action is considered assault and battery and will be treated as such. (Patch, KTLA)
2. Operation Consequences is a sheriff-led effort to conduct “targeted crime suppression operations and parole and probation checks.” Although much of the operation focuses on the High Desert, some law enforcement personnel made it to the OC and visited the 200 Block of Costa Court in Fullerton. Others went to Barstow, Perris and the Victor Valley. Last week’s activities took 24 suspected felons, 44 firearms and more than 10 pounds of illegal drugs off the streets. (Victorville Daily Press)
3. The new Saddleback Wilderness System at Irvine Ranch Open Space will open to the public on Saturday! Ride your horse, hike, bike on 3.3 miles of new trails or enjoy a picnic. What used to be Saddleback Park, the off-road motorsport park, now is “a protected and preserved native habitat.” One of its residents is the California gnatcatcher, an endangered tiny, gray bird. “The area is only accessible through scheduled self-guided and docent-led public programs with advance reservation.” (OC Parks)
4. According to the insiders, My Greek Kitchen at 204 East 17th Street in Costa Mesa serves up Orange County’s best Greek food. This little eatery stands out by being dedicated to serving up lesser-known Greek dishes. Examples include “lemony avgolemono soup or the pastichio.” This restaurant focuses primarily on takeout but has some tables and chairs. (Eater L.A.)
5. In other news, Eureka! opened its fourth Orange County restaurant at The Commons at Aliso Viejo (26501 Aliso Creek Road) a couple of weeks ago. Cauliflower bites, truffle cheese fries, plenty of burgers and sandwiches, and bourbon barrel cake are just some of the goodies you find on the menu. (The Registry, Eureka!)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

• Have Coffee with a Cop at Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders in Yorba Linda (8 AM)
• Take the Gardening Class "Cymbidium Orchids 101" at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar (10 AM)
• Pick up a Take & Make Spring Break Kids Crafts from the Cypress Library (10 AM)
• Duke's Café hosts a Classic Car Show in Placentia (4 PM)
• Enjoy the City of Irvine's first Urban Forest Event at Irvine City Hall (6:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "On Saturday, the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California recognized the air operations units and firefighter pilots of the OCFA at the 73rd Golden Mike Awards. Chief Fennessy, Crew Chief Hawkins, and Fire Pilots Hamann and Murphy were on hand to accept this honor, which we shared with many of our partner agencies." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "MARCH MATCHING MADNESS These are just a few of the 90 dogs relying on GSROC for their care. March Matching Madness is one of the ways we raise funds to pay for their needs. An anonymous donor has challenged us to raise $20,000 in March. If we do so, that same person will MATCH that amount! Can you imagine how many more dogs we could save if we can meet this challenge?" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Large animal rescue training doesn’t get more realistic than this. Approximately 120 technical rescue firefighters from the OCFA, Anaheim Fire, Orange City Fire, and Huntington Beach Fire are attending hands-on training at the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano this week." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "As many cities across Orange County prepare to raise the Pride Flag this June, in celebration of Pride month, the Huntington Beach City Council approved an ordinance banning non-government flags on city property in a 4-3 vote." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• The Youth Center in Los Alamitos is hiring camp counselors. "Counselors interact with the campers throughout the entire day, helping them make friends, try new things, and generally caring for their well-being. The role of a counselor is to participate, build relationships, and have fun while ensuring the physical and emotional safety of every child. Summer camp runs from June 12 to August 11. Pay starts at $15.50 per hour." (OC Breeze)

🏡 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 $955.4K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• FINAL Youth Football and Cheer In-Person Registration - 2023 (April 1)
• Easter Bash Market Free to the Community! (April 1)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you around!

— 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