🌱 Ms. Willison Turns 103 + Fire Station Kerfuffle + Killdeer At HS

Good morning, neighbors! Today’s National Spinach Day; did you know the plant might have originated in ancient Persia (now Iran)? It's Sunday in Orange County, and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening, including news on...

• 💰 Increasing trash rates
• 🌳 Spectroscopy in landscaping
• ⬅️ A shorebird’s choice of nesting area

💗 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:

Mostly sunny. High: 66 Low: 44.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• ARCO at 18972 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach, $4.29
• Berri Brothers at 25122 Marguerite Pkwy. in Mission Viejo, $4.55
• United Oil at 795 S El Camino Real in San Clemente, $4.59

🌺 Spring Poll!
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to think about adding plants to the garden. Which flowers and shrubs are you considering this year? So far, 57.1% opted for California Monarch Milkweed, and 14.3% each selected Wooly Bluecurls, Common Sage, and Lacy Phacelia (a write-in!).

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Neighbors aren’t happy that the Santa Ana City Council decided to turn the abandoned Cypress Fire Station in the Eastside/Pacific Park area into an “expansion of the local police athletic league.” Last year, neighbors asked for more police presence in the area, and in August, council members looked into bringing in the PAL (police activities league) program. Yet on Tuesday, other neighbors came to the city council meeting and wanted to know “why the place was going to law enforcement over things like books and digital learning.” (Voice of OC)
2. Laguna Beach neighbors weren’t keen on paying the increases in trash rates. So, the city council decided on Thursday to help pay the trash bill for one year. By taking money from the Solid Waste Landfill Importation Fund, the city manager can “offset rate increases for residential rate payers by 50% for one year.” Even so, don't forget to come to the May 16 city council meeting, when members will discuss the proposed rate hike in a public hearing. (City of Laguna Beach)
3. Can you combine spectroscopy with landscaping? We learned earlier this week that a Garden Grove tree service found a way to harness the technology when diagnosing diseases. The experts feed the data from light reflecting off a leaf sample into a program that relies on algorithms to analyze the information. The result is the ability to “detect diseases earlier and more accurately,” and maybe save some trees from being cut down. (Digital Journal)
4. A killdeer took up residence at Marina High School (15871 Springdale Street) in Huntington Beach. Known among scientists as Charadrius vociferus, the shorebird landed on the school’s football field and laid eggs. The school community enjoys the bird’s presence and protects the nest. Hurdles placed around the nest prevent anyone from coming too close. Reportedly, the eggs may hatch after Easter, and relocating the mama bird and her eggs is against federal law. “School officials said they will suspend all activities on the track until the bird and her babies walk or fly away.” (CBS)
5. Lake Forest neighbor Helen Willison is turning 103 on March 30! She received hundreds of birthday cards from around the area. Mayor Doug Cirbo took the time to interview her. Ms. Willison credits “practicing your patience” and “faith in God” for making it to 103. (City of Lake Forest)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Volunteer at the Chapparosa Park Cleanup in Laguna Niguel (10 AM)
• Come to the Placentia Wedding & Event Expo at the Placentia Round Table Women's Club (1 PM)
• Enjoy a screening of "Annie Hall" at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library (1 PM)
• See "Sense And Sensibility" at The Costa Mesa Playhouse (2 PM)
• Attend a FREE Harpsichord Recital by Robert Zappulla at The Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda (2 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Did you know that our OCSD - Transit Bureau deputies conduct bus patrols on a daily basis throughout Orange County? These high visibility patrols help prevent crime, and also provide a platform for OCTA operators and customers to meet our deputies and ask questions or speak to them about any concerns or issues they might have." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• "GSROC wants to send a big THANK YOU to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier for supporting our recent fundraiser Donation Match." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "❤️ Meet the Cast ❤️ come and see how much Miss Hannigan hates these “crummy orphans”" (OCCT: Orange County Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• "The OCFA and the Red Cross are teaming up again to install smoke alarms and provide information on the importance of working smoke alarms in the City of Lake Forest." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Northbound (NB) I-405 will close between the NB I-405 off-ramp to Brookhurst Street and the NB I-405 on-ramp from Warner Avenue, so crews can remove a super beam from the Brookhurst Street bridge falsework. The NB closures are anticipated at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 27." (OC Breeze)

🏡 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 $955.4K

Check out more Orange County real estate information!

🐶 Meet Orange County area Pets Available To Be Adopted!

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Featured events:

• OC Wine & Spirit Fest (March 26)
• Hop to It! Pet Photos with Bunny Returns to Brea Mall for Easter (March 26)
• ASK THE EXPERTS. Social Media to Substances. Anxiety to Ideation. (March 27)
• Easter Bash Market Free to the Community! (April 1)
• 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