🌱 Hit-And-Run In Santa Ana + Nudity In A Vehicle + Disney Pride Nite

Hello all! Today’s National Gardening Day; did you know that Cool Springs Press founded the occasion in 2018? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter — here to impart everything you need to know, including news about:

• ⚠️ Shots fired in Newport Beach
• 🏊 No Irvine aquatics center for the Olympics
• 🏳️‍🌈 Pride Nite at Disneyland

💗 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: 68 Low: 50.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• ARCO at 18972 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach, $4.35
• G&M at 5201 W 1st St. in Santa Ana, $4.49
• Doheny Village Car Wash at 34241 Doheny Park Rd. in Capistrano Beach, $4.69

🌎 Earth Day Poll!
Earth Day is on April 22. This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the event. Plenty of organizations will host cleanup events and festivities across the county. What are your plans for the day? So far, 53.3% say it’s a day like any other, 20% adopt a bah, humbug approach, and 6.7% each head for a park cleanup and beautification project; 13.3% will attend an Earth Day celebration.

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. The Santa Ana police department is looking for a hit-and-run driver in a “black older model Cadillac DeVille” with tinted windows and chrome trim. The car struck an 11-year-old child in the early afternoon on March 29 while crossing South Birch Street. The driver didn’t stop but kept going. It looks like the child will be ok. (CBS)
2. A 60-year-old man was charged with indecent exposure on Tuesday. What happened? On Easter Sunday, he sat in his vehicle in the 30000 block of Esperanza Road in Rancho Santa Margarita, wearing nothing but his birthday suit. It didn’t take long for someone to notice and for the police to arrive. He pleaded not guilty, was released from custody, and has a court date on Wednesday. By the way, this isn’t the man’s first rodeo: Reportedly, he was convicted of “lewd conduct in a public place” in 2018 and 2015. (Patch)
3. Easter wasn’t quiet for the Newport Beach police, either. They responded to the 2700 block of Newport Boulevard in the early morning hours. A 31-year-old man seated in his vehicle allegedly “fired three rounds from a semi-automatic handgun toward another man.” He declined to enter a plea on Tuesday, and his arraignment is now scheduled for April 28. He’s behind bars on $1 million bail. (Patch)
4. Remember when we recently discussed Irvine’s Great Park plans for an aquatics center fit for the Olympics in 2028? The City Council now voted 3-2 not to fast-track construction, which means the aquatics center may not be built until possibly 2032. An $80-million price tag made the project unrealistic. Attention now shifts to “heart of the park features like the lakes and meadow.” (Voice of OC)
5. Disneyland in Anaheim will host an After Dark Pride Nite on June 13 and 15. Attendees are encouraged to “proudly display your true colors and be your unique and fabulous self.” Festivities run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening, and tickets are $139 each. See a Pride Cavalcade, participate in a family-friendly Ohana Dance Party, and enjoy the rides with shorter wait times. (Disneyland)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Find a job at the Angel Stadium Hiring Event (11 AM)
• Brewery X hosts a No-Chella Entertainment Event in Anaheim (4 PM)
• Participate in the Orange County Cherry Blossom Festival in Huntington Beach (5 PM)
• Come to the Sea Terrace Community Park in Dana Point for the California Wine Festival (6:30 PM)
• Gloria Gaynor performs at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Neighbors taking care of neighbors… When a vehicle crashed into the yard of a home directly in front of OCFA Fire Station #77 in Santa Ana, firefighters rushed next door to render aid. The next morning, the same firefighters returned to the home to help in a different way. Knowing this resident takes pride in tending to their yard, the firefighters started off their morning by walking across the street with shovels in hand to clean up and re-plant the plants. We take the word 'community' to heart." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Engine 44 firefighters served by the side of our awesome partners at The City Of Seal Beach this morning as part of their beach cleanup. We appreciate the opportunity to make a difference together." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "We’re so excited for our annual Sunset Cinema film series to kick off June 9! Create unforgettable memories at OC Parks this summer. ☀️ Arrive early to enjoy pre-show entertainment, fun games, dance parties and more before watching your favorite films on the big screen." (OC Parks via Instagram)
• "The 47th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival is returning to Main Place Mall in Santa Ana on April 29 with the theme 'The Adventure Starts Here.' The festival is part of Arts Orange County’s annual Imagination Celebration." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "Our friends at Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar invite you to join artistic director-violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock, the Festival Orchestra and many featured soloists for this year’s Baroque Music Festival—dedicated to the interpretation, inspiration and transcendence of the music of J.S. Bach." (Philharmonic Society of Orange County via Facebook)

🏡 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:

• GardenFest 2023 with huge plant sale, flea market, kids activities, garden tool sharpening and more (April 15)
• (July 23rd show date) THE BEATLES vs THE ROLLING STONES! (April 15)
• Earth Day Shop Small Event!! Family & Pet Friendly! Reviving The Kaleidoscope Mall! (April 22)
• OCBCAF CPR Workshops (April 30)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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