🌱 Miguel’s Jr. Expands + Pro Pickleball + Trabuco Canyon Chili Event

Hi all! Today’s Wear BLUE Day; did you know that it’s part of a campaign to raise awareness concerning men’s health? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter — back with things happening. In today's issue, we'll cover these stories and more...

• 📣 Santa Ana recall efforts.
• 🧱 A temporary wall below Casa Romantica.
• 🌶️ Meet Miss Chili Pepper.

💗 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: Low clouds, then sunshine. High: 76 Low: 62.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Mobil at 2500 E. Lincoln Ave. in Anaheim, $4.29
• Costco at 17900 Newhope St. in Fountain Valley, $4.35
• United Oil at 795 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente, $4.65

🏖️ Vacation Poll!
Are you traveling this summer? What is your favorite type of vacation? So far:

• 21.1 percent want to go on a road trip
• 15.8 percent each choose a camping trip or cruise
• 10.5 percent each remain here for a staycation or head out for an island vacation
• 5.3 percent each opt for a local outing, a national park trip, a Jeep trip, or a solo trip to Europe

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Santa Ana is getting a Miguel’s Jr.! The company plans to open this branch at 1766 E. McFadden Ave. in the summer. It’s a drive-thru that used to house a Burger King in the past. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, consider that its hot sauces made in-house are famous. (The Orange County Register/paywall)
2. Did you know that San Clemente is the “new center of the professional pickleball world?” While parks departments across the OC have been looking to bring more pickleball fields to neighbors, professionals are coming to the Life Time Rancho. Major League Pickleball’s 2023 Season One Finals are wrapping up by Monday. In November, it’ll host The Finals, and in December, it’ll bring the pros back for Season Two Super Finals. (Dana Point Times)
3. Santa Ana city councilmember Jessie Lopez may be looking at a recall vote by residents. Lopez was among those who “stood in opposition to the police union.” The other councilmember to face a possible recall — if enough signatures are brought to the city clerk on Aug. 7 — is Thai Viet Phan. Reportedly, the police union president spearheaded the recall efforts. (Voice of OC)
4. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is looking to protect rail service near San Clemente’s Casa Romantica from further landslides with a wall. After declaring a rail emergency, OCTA can now go ahead with “designing and constructing a temporary barrier wall at the bottom of the slope.” We know that Metrolink should hire a contractor within the next few weeks, but there’s no word on the timeline for the construction. (Patch)
5. On Saturday, chili aficionados head to Trabuco Canyon for the Cook’s Corner Chili Cook-Off. Tasting goes from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Roadkill Kings provide musical entertainment. “Try your luck in the Shoot-N-Holler contest — sure is a noisy one — and Miss Chili Pepper! Food and drinks will be available all day - pets not allowed.” (Chili Cook Off)

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Orange County Parents: Enroll Today for 2023-2024 at OC Catholic Schools! With 35 schools to choose from, OC Catholic Schools offers a community of faith, individualized attention, and programs for all learners, from athletics to arts and STEAM. Experience academic excellence, faith formation, and small class sizes — with financial assistance available. Need a summer program for your child? They’ve got those too! Visit OC Catholic Schools here for more info, or email them directly here.

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Friday, June 16

• Little Seedlings Story Time at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar (10 AM)
• iHeart Summer at SOCO in Costa Mesa (2 PM)
• Fountain Valley Summerfest at the Sports Park (5 PM)
• Irvine Greek Festival at the St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church (5 PM)
• "The Revolutionists" opens at The Curtis Theater in Brea (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Here is an amazing way to keep your dog safe. Invest in a collar with an Air Tag so that if your dog goes missing, you can track him/her very easily. You can purchase Air Tags with or without the collar, but we like the ones that come with the collar." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Dr. Sonia R. Llamas, an accomplished educational leader known for spearheading effective student interventions and fostering positive school environments, has been selected as OCDE’s new associate superintendent of Educational Services." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "It has come to our attention that there have been anti-LGBTQIA+ and antisemitic pamphlets distributed around several neighborhoods in Huntington Beach. We are alarmed by the increasing amount of hate and discrimination that our local community has experienced in the last month." (LGBTQ Center, Orange County, via Facebook)
• "Happy one-year anniversary to the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art! We visited a year ago and absolutely loved it! We hear they’re having a FREE family-friendly festival outside the museum on Mission Inn Ave. this Sunday, June 18 to celebrate their anniversary. It’s from 12-7 p.m." (OC Guide 🍊 Orange County events via Instagram)
• "Thrilled to be bringing back 'Pumpkin Palooza Dance Party' to the Discovery Cube, Southern California this fall. We love partnering with them! And this part of the project is always so fun, as we take a moment to 'pump it up' even more for this year's crowd!" (Musical Theatre Orange County via Facebook)

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• Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP — (Visit website)
• Michael Hinderberger, Realtor — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• Peaceful protest at OC Animal Care (June 17)
• 5th Annual Summer Suds Brewfest (June 17)
• ☀️ Father’s Day Summer-time Shop N’ Shine! Let’s Shop & Have a Blast!!! (June 17)
• Father's Day Lunch Harbor Cruise with Tacos & Beer (June 18)
• Wine Tasting Dinner (June 28)
• 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