🌱 Fullerton Chess Players + Concours d’Elegance + Investment Fraud

Morning, neighbors! Today’s National Black Bear Day; did you know that Alaska has the largest black bear population, while Delaware is believed to have none at all? It's Sylvia, your host of the Patch newsletter. In today's issue, you'll find news on:

• 🔐 The WeWork coworking company.
• ♚ The Fullerton City Scholastic Chess Championship.
• 🚼 The best and worst places to raise a family.

💗 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: Areas of low clouds, then sun. High: 71 Low: 58.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Costco at 17900 Newhope St. in Fountain Valley, $4.29
• World at 8972 Adams Ave. in Huntington Beach, $4.39
• United Oil at 795 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente, $4.69

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have?

• 28.6 percent: The ability to fly
• 23.8 percent: The ability to time travel
• 19 percent: The ability to read minds
• 9.5 percent: The ability to become invisible
• 4.8 percent: Superhuman strength, teleport, healing, or win select lotteries and give money away

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. If you’ve been dealing with a Laguna Niguel businessman calling himself “one of the richest men in Africa,” you may have been defrauded. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating whether he “solicited investments under false pretenses” and then allegedly used the funds received to live like one of the richest men in America with “luxury vehicles, clothing, expensive dinners, paying rent and hosting lavish events for foreign government officials.” (KTLA)
2. New York’s WeWork — the coworking company — closed one of its Lakeshore Towers locations at 18191 Von Karman Ave. in Irvine. The loss of 75,000 square feet of office space comes on the heels of the company’s decision to pass on taking over a building at the Spectrum Terrace. Property managers had expected the company to stay until 2034, the date on its lease. (Orange County Business Journal/paywall)
3. The 16th annual Fullerton City Scholastic Chess Championship is over, and the results are in. Ladera Vista Junior High hosted the tournament that saw 63 participants running in age from kindergarten to high school. A shoutout to Laguna Road, which had “three city champs,” and Arborland Montessori, which had five second and third place trophies. Congratulations! (Fullerton Observer)
4. Where’s the best place to raise a family in 2023? Once again, insiders crunched numbers, compared the housing costs, checked on local school systems, and evaluated recreational opportunities. The best place is Fremont, California. The worst place is Cleveland, Ohio. The OC comes in at No. 3 with Irvine. Santa Ana is among the cities with the fewest playgrounds per capita (and is the lowest-ranked OC city at No. 144), while Garden Grove has the fewest attractions, but still ranks at No. 72. (WalletHub)
5. If you love Corvettes, Jaguars, (and BMW motorcycles), you want to be in Huntington Beach this Sunday! The Concours d’Elegance opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m., when awards are handed out. Come to Huntington Beach Central Park at Goldenwest Street and Talbert Avenue.Besides the cars, there’ll be model trains, food vendors, and entertainment. (HB Concours)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

• Beyond Blindness’s 19th Annual Destination Independence Walk + Family Fair in Santa Ana (7:30 AM)
• 'Concours d’Elegance' Hot Rods & Customs in Huntington Beach (8 AM)
• Kids' Community Swap Meet at the Yorba Linda Community Center (8 AM)
• OC Fair’s Job Fair in Costa Mesa (9 AM)
• Campus Campout at Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana (2 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The other weekend, 30 volunteers from Six Points for Kids welcomed and cheered on athletes at the Special Olympics SoCal Regional Spring Games! 🏆 Thanks for having us, it’s always one of our favorite events of the year." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Can you believe graduation is next week??🎓🙌 Seniors, send us a picture of your decorated graduation cap to showcase on our social media and website! The deadline to submit your photo is Thursday, June 8. Email your grad cap photos to Classof2023@orangeusd.org." (Orange Unified School District via Instagram)
• "Chris A. Chudacoff, NMLS 1881370, gathered his professional networking friends to put on a cornhole tournament that raised more than $17,000 for Orange County Rescue Mission! Hangar 24 Craft Brewery was a great venue, and we want to thank the event sponsors, Cohn and Swartzon, P.C., True Point Lending, and Bookkeeping Enterprises. Thanks to everyone who came out to show their support!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "✨ Financial Empowerment Summer Series (hybrid) —Monday, June 19, at 7 p.m. (Third Mondays of the month)✨ You are welcome to join us for our Financial Empowerment Summer series, hosted by the LGBTQ Center OC's Young Adult Program, in collaboration with Disneyland!" (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• "Goodwill of Orange County is your ultimate destination for thrifting the perfect summer outfits! ☀️🌴" (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)

🤝 The OC Weekend Charity Corner!
Are you looking for a way to volunteer, donate, or become involved in your community? We’ll get you started! (A shoutout to Orange County Patch reader Teresa for suggesting this!)

• Mary’s Kitchen in Anaheim is looking for nursing students to assist with the medical care of guests.
• Foster Love in Brea has an opportunity to sponsor gift bundles for foster kids.
• The Little Red Dog in Anaheim needs volunteers to foster pets.

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:

• Golden State Ballet: From New York, With Love (June 6)
• The 3 Keys to Ignite Your Inner Artist (June 8)
• The Three Keys to Ignite Your Inner Artist (June 8)
• Markowicz Fine Art - Laguna Niguel - Art After Hours (June 8)
• OCBCAF Family Day Event (June 11)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! See you Tuesday morning for your next 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