🌱 Green Ribbon School + Money For Young Thespians + Orange May Parade

Hello again, neighbors! Today’s National Talk Like Shakespeare Day; did you know the Chicago Shakespeare Theater started the tradition in 2009, which was then made official by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in 2011? I'm back with your fresh edition of the Orange County Patch newsletter! Today we'll cover these stories and more...

• 🏖️ Vessel intercepted off OC coast
• 🎭 Send a group of kids to the International Thespian Festival
• 🏬 Maztech Industries moves to the OC

💗 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:

Pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 76 Low: 56.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• US Gas at 401 N Tustin Ave. in Santa Ana, $4.45
• G&M at 3067 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa, $4.59
• Costco at 115 Technology Dr. in Irvine, $4.69

💻 Social Media Poll!
Everyone uses social media – frequently multiple platforms. Or do they? If you had to eliminate all social media except one platform, which one would you keep? So far, 36.8% would keep Facebook, 15.8% each LinkedIn or Truth Social, 5.3% TikTok, and 26.3% Instagram.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. On Thursday, the Coast Guard intercepted a vessel off the coast near San Clemente. The 36-foot vessel appeared to be overloaded when it caught the attention of officials, who encountered “15 undocumented non-citizens attempting to enter the United States off the coast of Orange County.” Of the 15 Mexican nationals, two are young children. The Coast Guard noted that illicit transit in overloaded vessels is dangerous. (Coast Guard)
2. Lake Forest’s Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School is the U.S. Department of Education's latest Green Ribbon School! “We're proud of your commitment to sustainability and promoting environmental awareness among students,” the Orange County Department of Education said. This school is one of 26 to receive the honor, which acknowledges the educators and students who developed and participated in “innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, (and) improve health and wellness.” (OC Dept of Ed, SVUSD)
3. Los Alamitos High School has a group of talented drama students bound for the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana on June 19. However, the kids could use a little help with funds. While the school was able to send kids last year, this year the number of qualified participants increased. “All of a sudden, I went from having 6 students go to having 25 students go,” the school’s theater director explained. Currently, the kids have a fundraising goal of $50,000, and one of their parents set up a GoFundMe under the title "Road to Nationals," which — so far — raised $5,121. (ABC)
4. Irvine is getting a new tenant. Maztech Industries will move into the 17,500-square-foot space at 1641 Reynolds Avenue. The company bills itself as “a leading manufacturer of military and commercial electro-optical systems.” (Connect CRE)
5. The Orange May Parade will again take place in Historic Old Towne Orange. Chapman Avenue is the place to be on May 6 at 10 a.m. The parade was originally known as the May Festival Parade and coincided with the start of the Valencia orange packing season. It ended in 1991, but the Orange Chamber of Commerce revived it in 2019. Participants typically include “local schools, churches, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.” (Orange Chamber of Commerce)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Come to the Flamenco Feria Festival at St. Isidore Historical Plaza in Los Alamitos (8 AM)
• Visit the Farmers Market at The District in Tustin (9 AM)
• Browse at the St. Thomas More Spring Boutique in Irvine (9 AM)
• Listen to the Swing Band at the Irvine Great Park (1 PM)
• Enjoy Handel's Messiah at Concordia University in Irvine (2:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "With spring in full swing, the pups are back at Yorba Dog Park enjoying the sunshine. There's a lot of space for them to run and play with new friends and even a drinking tap just for furry friends to stay hydrated." (City of Orange)
• "The United States Postal Service is looking to fill hundreds of job opportunities across the region, and residents can apply for a new career at one of the several hiring fairs popping up in Orange County." (Patch)
• "It’s time to start watching for fireballs in the skies over Southern California as the Lyrid meteor shower peak approaches this weekend. The best times to view this shooting star show, known for producing fireballs that blaze across the sky and leave dust trails that last for several seconds, are from evening to dawn Friday through Monday morning." (Patch)
• "Spring has sprung at OC Animal Care! Throughout the month of April 2023, adoption fees are waived for dogs 25+ pounds and over. Since the start of the adoption promotion, OC Animal Care has seen a consistent increase in adoptions for dogs 25+ pounds." (City of Fullerton)
• "Do you have experience being a nurse or a paramedic? Then you can be a perfect candidate for the City of Brea Emergency Medical Services Manager position. Apply today by clicking on the link. http://bit.ly/3KVqRK5." (City of Brea)

🏡 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 $975K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet adorable Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• Farmers Market at The District in Tustin on April 23rd! (April 23)
• Art along the coast (April 29)
• Anaheim Searchers 62nd Annual Gem and Mineral Show (April 29)
• Family Fest (April 29)
• Global Woman Club Networking Meeting (April 29)
• Cinco for a Cause – Margarita Fundraiser for McKenna Claire Foundation at Dos Amigos Cantina (May 5)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Audition to Perform As a Soloist for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (Details)
• Add your announcement

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox Tuesday with your next update.

— 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