🌱 Free Cake Today + Extreme Heat + 10,000 Signatures + Mexico Warning

Hi all. It's me, Paula Constance, your host of the Orange County Daily — back in your inbox with everything happening in Orange County today.

• O.C. can see temperatures in the hundreds this weekend.
• Animal advocates have 10,000 signatures to reopen O.C. animal shelter to the public.
• Drug violence surge prompts Mexico travel advisory in these places.
• Sweet! Free cake today.

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First, today's weather:

A sunny and very warm day. High: 88 Low: 73.

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Here are the top 4 stories today in Orange County:

1. Extreme heat is moving in this weekend, find ways to keep cool, Orange County. The National Weather Service posted an excessive heat warning across Orange County from 10 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. next Monday, so O.C. residents may want to have Labor Day weekend plans inside this year. Temperatures in inland Orange County are expected to be even hotter, reaching over 100 degrees. Plan ahead and be sure that pets have plenty of rest water and are also kept cool. (Orange County Patch)
2. Speaking of pets, animal activists are pushing for County supervisors to reopen the Orange County Animal Shelter to the public, ending its appointment-only policy. Almost 10,000 people signed a petition asking shelter management to "end the appointment-only adoption system and reinstate the shelter’s trap, neuter and release program." Animal advocates have said many adoptable animals are euthanized because people from the public have no opportunity to drop by to see shelter animals that are available for adoption. The group is also calling for "more transparency." (Voice of OC)
3. Most places in Mexico are safe to travel to, U.S. travel officials said in a recent advisory, but due to a surge in drug cartel related violence there are several places that are now on the "do not travel" list. The U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory in some areas this week. The Level 4 advisory is for the northern border state of Tamaulipas and the Pacific coast states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacán and Guerrero. Level 3 advisories were issued for Baja California, where visitors are advised to “reconsider travel” because of crime. The U.S. Travel Advisory said that most places in Mexico are safe, but warns not to travel in certain areas . You can see a full list here: (O.C. Register)
4. This is a sweet deal! And it's happening today. On Thursday, Sept. 1, Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries across the Orange County are celebrating its 25th anniversary by giving away free mini-Confetti bundt cakes to the first 250 guests. The bakery founders' Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz started Nothing Bundt Cakes in their home kitchens in Las Vegas in 1997. You find see a list of participating bakeries here: (Orange County Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee. (8 a.m.)
• Vendor Information Day — Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce. (9 a.m.)
• Stay Crafty — Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library. (10 a.m.)
• Special Exhibit — Cold War: Soviet, Spies and Secrets. (10 a.m.)
• Book Group — Irvine University Park Library. (10:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Shaggy is just under 3 months old. He and his littermate were living in a car with their homeless owner. As the puppies grew, the situation became more desperate." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• O.C. Parks: "'Ello, poppet!' Sail over to Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point this Friday, Sept. 2 for a showing of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl!' ☠️" (OC Parks via Instagram)
• Orange County Register: "The nationwide chain will give free mini cakes to the first 250 customers at each location, or more than 100,000 cakes in total." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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Events:

• Vibrational Sound Healing Workshops. (September 3)
• Lake Forest Martial Arts School Grand Opening. (September 10)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching the fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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