🌱 FedEx Clerk + Serrano Fire + Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals

Hey, everybody! Today’s National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day; did you know that the art form traces its roots to African American song culture of the 1800s? I'm back with your fresh copy of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Here's what's happening in the area today, including...

• 🏈 Quarterback moves to Dana Point.
• 🏡 Rental market comparison.
• 🥇 The 26th annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals.

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☀️ Now, today's weather: Very warm. High: 88 Low: 64.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Moulton Parkway Auto Spa at 24202 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Woods, $4.49
• Costco at 27220 Heather Ridge Road in Laguna Niguel, $4.59
• ARCO at 2749 N. El Camino Real in San Clemente, $4.65

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Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. A woman swindled an Irvine FedEx store worker into letting her pick up packages that weren’t hers. She used a false ID but real pick-up slips. Inside the packages was “jewelry worth thousands of dollars.” In what might be a sign of the times, she took a selfie while in line — and on camera in the store. She drove off in “a white Mercedes-Benz SUV.” (WFXR)
2. On Tuesday afternoon, a brush fire ignited “in the Santiago Oaks Regional Park, just south of Anaheim.” Fire officials dubbed it the “Serrano Fire” because it first flared up near Serrano Avenue and Kendra Loop. Using airborne assistance and ground firefighting halted flames at 4.5 acres. (Patch, Watch Duty)
3. If you’re taking out the trash and see Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen doing the same, you likely live in Dana Point’s Monarch Bay. He bought a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house for $7.2 million. It’s identified as a beach house with “floor-to-ceiling glass walls.” (Daily Breeze)
4. If you compared 182 rental markets, where would be the worst place to be a renter? The best place is in Overland Park, Kansas, while the worst market is in Detroit, Michigan. After tallying affordability, sublet laws, square footage, and more, Irvine comes in at No. 9 and is concurrently the best place to rent in California. The worst place to rent here is San Bernardino at No. 166. (WalletHub)
5. Are you ready for a cuteness overload? Head to the 26th annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Cypress's Los Alamitos Race Course this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Besides competing for speed, the event raises funds for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Per the organizer, “the Wiener Nationals features all the excitement of a Quarter Horse race, with around 100 dachshunds showing their stuff.” (Los Alamitos Race Course)

Today in Orange County:

Thursday, July 13

• People & Culture Morning Roundtable at Envoy in Irvine (9 AM)
• Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach hosts a Skate Ramp Ribbon Cutting (9:30 AM)
• Play-Doh Playtime at the Foothill Ranch Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• It's Slime Time at the Irvine University Park Library (11:30 AM)
• Big Kahuna Karaoke at Paddy's Station in San Juan Capistrano (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• "This boy is not safe. He is among the many German shepherds in California shelters, all competing for great homes. GSROC is full, and we cannot assist, so we are sharing in hopes that someone can rush to the shelter to save him. Ramona Shelter." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "📢 Attention all OCPS parents! Is your child: Entering kindergarten? New to OCPS? Changing OCPS schools? A transfer? Be sure to register your child for the upcoming school year by Aug. 1 and avoid the last-minute rush!" (Orange County Public Schools via Instagram)
• "From press conference to dropping on the Serrano fire, all within 24 hours. Yesterday in partnership with LA County Fire, Ventura County Fire, Coulson Aviation, and SoCal Edison we unveiled the year-round QRF (Quick Reaction Force) fleet for 2023." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "If you plan to be out of town, USPS makes it easy to put your mail on Vacation Hold, even if it’s just a couple of days." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Radiant Health Centers mourns the loss of Rev. Dr. Steve Pieters, who died this Sunday from cancer. Rev. Pieters was a longtime HIV/AIDS activist and survivor, told by one health provider in 1984 that he would not live out the year." (Radiant Health Centers via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Markowicz Fine Art - "Art After Hours" in Laguna Niguel (July 13)
• El Martillo Press @ Arvida Book Co. (July 15)
• A Fun Beginning Acting Class! Yes! You Can Act!! (July 30)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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