🌱 Illegal Gambling Fliers + Disney Ride Closures + No Basketball Fans

Hello all! Today’s National Limerick Day; did you know that this day celebrates the birth of the English poet Edward Lear, who is thought to have popularized the witty nonsense poems? I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Orange County Patch newsletter, including news on:

• 😠 A threat of school violence (again).
• 🤔 Laguna Niguel keeps losing city councilmembers.
• 😮 Advertising an illegal gambling operation with fliers.

💗 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: 74 Low: 56.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• ARCO at 1202 East Yorba Linda Blvd. in Placentia, $4.39
• Costco at 115 Technology Drive in Irvine, $4.69
• 76 at 32611 Niguel Road in Dana Point, $4.79

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up? We have some preliminary results.

• 23.1 percent - traveling
• 10.5 percent - flying
• 3.8 percent - fly-fishing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, dog training & showing, surfing, watercolor, pickleball, line dancing, pottery, reading, ballroom dancing, horseback riding, wine collecting, car collecting, playing guitar, kickboxing

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Orange County was the target of another social media message threatening school violence. This one reportedly mentioned Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Once again, the threat lacked specificity and was impossible to corroborate. Even so, law enforcement took it seriously. You may remember that we just last week had a similar threat. It turns out that “an 18-year-old Florida student was arrested as a result of the threats.” (Patch)
2. Neighbors in Westminster’s 15800 block of Quartz Street learned about an illegal gambling operation going on practically next door. The police department showed up on Wednesday morning, bright and early, to serve warrants and search the property. Officers detained 12 and arrested four. In addition to finding “two gambling rooms containing multiple electronic table games” the police located drugs, paraphernalia, and “bladed hand weapons.” How did the operators advertise their illegal gambling den? They hung fliers in various neighborhoods. (Newsbreak)
3. Disneyland in Anaheim continues to make changes to its attractions. The latest (temporary) ride closures come on June 5 and involve Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Peter Pan’s Flight. While the first two are scheduled to reopen on June 16, we don’t yet have an opening day for Peter Pan’s Flight. Insiders say that you won’t see “notable show changes to the attractions.” If you’ve been keeping track, you know that the Matterhorn is currently being refurbished, while Splash Mountain closes on May 31 for a complete revamp into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. (Daily Breeze)
4. Another Laguna Niguel city councilmember is calling it quits. On Wednesday, Sandy Rains resigned, saying she’s the “right person at the wrong time.” The city council is already grappling with the unexpected resignation of Councilmember Rischi Paul Sharma just a month ago. Rains cited her family’s safety and protection, along with the creation of a hostile environment “that is not safe to disagree in.” You may remember that she stepped down as mayor in February when she asked to debate the city manager’s firing. (Voice of OC)
5. We hate to say it, but the OC isn’t considered a hotbed for basketball fans. Insiders have crunched numbers and ranked cities from best to worst cities for fans of the popular game. Not surprisingly, Los Angeles (No. 1) is leading the pack. However, Orange County doesn’t make it on the board until Fullerton (No. 183) and Irvine (No. 185) were mentioned. At the bottom of the list is New Britain, Connecticut (No. 296). Ouch! (WalletHub)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Don't Get Scammed Workshop for older adults at the Anaheim Senior Citizens Club (9 AM)
• Library Family Story Time at the Crown Valley Community Center in Laguna Niguel (10:30 AM)
• Meet Your Orange County State Legislators at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club (11:30 AM)
• The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa hosts the Gem Faire (12 PM)
• Phil Vandermost plays at Beach Fire in San Clemente (4 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Bohdi Bear, age 3 months, needs a foster home! Everyone begs GSROC to step in to help at risk dogs and puppies, but we can't continue to do this without an influx of new foster families! Bohdi Bear has an eye issue — possibly from a bite — that our vet wants us to continue to observe. So far, surgery is not recommended, and he doesn't seem to be bothered in the least bit." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "😊 We can’t hide our smiles because the Ralph B. Clark Regional Park Interpretive Center is reopening soon! 🐅 The center features local cultural and natural history, along with exhibits like this Smilodon, better known by its misleading moniker, the saber-toothed tiger." (OC Parks via Instagram)
• "We mark the 119th birthday of Frieda Belinfante, founding conductor of the Orange County Philharmonic Orchestra. She was a pioneer who faced persecution and prejudice for her half-Jewish heritage, sexual orientation, and occupation as a female conductor. Yet, she never allowed this to hold her back from achieving what she wanted to do (her motto was: 'If I think I can do it, I can do it.')." (Philharmonic Society of Orange County via Facebook)
• "FREE event for all ages, registration required. May 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at GSOC Headquarters, 9500 Toledo Way, Irvine, California. You’re going places, Girl Scout. Destination Dash is a FREE open house style event for girls & parents to find out about Girl Scout Trips and Travel Opportunities, such as Destinations, Travel Patrols, Troop Travel and more!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Thanks to YOU, we placed 723 people into great jobs in the community, with an average hourly wage well above minimum wage in 2022. 💙🎉" (Goodwill of Orange County via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Irvine Classical Players Mother's Day Concert (May 14)
• A Night To Shine Fundraising - Help Us Help Those In Need (May 18)
• Crawfish Festival - May 19-21, 2023 - Taste of New Orleans in SoCal! (May 20)
• Moving Day: A Walk For Parkinson's (May 21)
• Bello Welcomes Winemaker Chase Carhartt (May 24)
• Unlimited Together-Benefitting Mental Wellness for Youth (May 25)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another 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