🌱Lunar New Year Adventure + Mountain Lions + Salad Recall

Welcome back, Orange County! Let's catch up and start today off on an informed note. Here's what's happening in Orange County today.

First, today's weather:

A sunny and partly cloudy day. High: 78. Low: 56.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Disney California at Adventure Park. New surprises are planned for the 2022 February celebration of the year of the Tiger (or, Tigger... er) at Disneyland, California Adventure Park. Everyone is invited to attend the Lunar New Year Celebrations and tributes to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures with a touch of Disney magic. Taste Asian-inspired food and drinks, experience themed decor and exciting entertainment with celebratory merchandise. The "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession" will have a new float that Mulan and Mushu will arrive on, with lanterns that glow for after-sunset performances. Southern California residents can visit the Disneyland Resort at a special price for the Lunar New Year celebration events, and for a limited time this spring. You can find out more here: (Orange County Patch)
2. Mountain lions in Southern California are urgently in need of saving. Scientists who tracked two mountain lion populations found alarming signs of inbreeding that can lead to the end of mountain lion populations in Southern California. Busy freeways cut off mountain lions from roaming natural lands where there are genetically broader pools of potential mates. This is creating a serious breeding problem "for an animal that’s already endangered locally,” said the study’s lead author, Audra Huffmeyer, a UCLA postdoctoral researcher who studies fertility in large cat species and is a National Geographic Explorer. The need is "urgent" for wildlife crossings, structures that act as natural bridge overpasses allowing mountain lions and other animals to roam further, and find a broader pool of potential mates. Mountain lions are a bellwether species and leading indicator for other species in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains, the study's authors said. The California Department of Transportation has scheduled groundbreaking in early 2022 for one wildlife crossing, a bridge over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, thanks to public and private funding. Huffmeyer called the problem, "quite severe." You can read more here (with a subscription): (Daily News)
3. Dole has issued a multi-state recall of bagged salad products in California and 30 other states after potentially deadly listeria bacteria was found on the equipment used to harvest iceberg lettuce. The recall includes HEB, President's Choice, Kroger, Aldi's Little Salad Bar, and Walmart's Marketside brands. Dole announced the recall in December after two people died and 16 people became ill from eating contaminated Dole salads, KTLA reported. Anyone with these products in their refrigerator is urged not to consume them and to immediately "discard them," the company said in a statement posted by the Food and Drug Administration. You can read more about this recall here: (Orange County Patch)

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Today in Orange County:

• HB APA's "Cabaret." (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Available for adoption: Hey! My name is Shiloh and I am a 7-month-old tripod puppy." (Facebook)
• In-N-Out Burger Car Show: Jan. 15 at the OC Fair & Event Center. (OCRegister)
• Orange County Cherry Blossom Festival Canceled: Due to coronavirus spike. (Los Angeles Times)
• Silver Alert In Orange County: CHP searches for missing man. (Orange County Patch)

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Events:

• New Year, New You: Life After Divorce — Vesta Irvine, California Hub. (Jan. 14)
• FREE WEBINAR | “Michelangelo and the Terrible Pope” Presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero. (Jan. 14)
• Taxes In Retirement Seminar. (Jan. 17)
• Social Security Seminar. (Jan. 20)
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Gigs & services:

• Les Misérables Auditions THIS WEEK! (Ages 13-18) (Details)
• Arts & Learning Spring Classes Enrolling NOW! (Details)
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Other classifieds:

• Profitable Family-Owned Italian Restaurant for Sell!! (Details)
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at orangecounty@patch.com

Now you're in the know and ready to head out the door this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.