🌱New 'Elvis' From O.C.+ Rare Five Planet Event + Cleanest Beach Water

Hi all. It's me, Paula Constance, your host of the Orange County Daily — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in our community today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warm. High: 85 Low: 62.

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Don't forget to look up into the sky on June 24 to see a rare five-planet solar alignment. The rare solar phenomenon is happening for the month of June in the early morning hours. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will align in planetary order, according to Sky & Telescope. Diana Hannikainen, observing editor of Sky & Telescope, said the best time see five planets is "in the 30 minutes before sunrise" with binoculars when the sky is clear. In the Northern Hemisphere, look at the "eastern to the southeastern horizon." In addition to the five planets, the waning crescent moon will also be in alignment between Venus and Mars on June 24. This celestial event won't happen again until 2040. (KTLA)
2. Orange County beaches received high marks again this year in the Heal the Bay's Honor Roll. Orange County had 19 beaches that received top honors of the 51 beaches around the state for the best water quality — that's up from 10 the previous year. Orange County beaches that made the list were: Dana Point Harbor Youth Dock, Dana Point Harbor Guest Dock, Poche, Doheny, Doheny State Beach at the end of the park, Doheny State Beach at the last campground, Corona Del Mar, Crystal Cove, Marine Science Institute, Dana Point Capistrano County Beach, Doheny State Beach pedestrian bridge, Dana Strands, Huntington City Beach at 17th Street, Bolsa Chica Reserve at flood gates, Surfside Beach at Sea Way, San Clemente at Avenida Calafia, Salt Creek, Laguna Lido and Treasure Island. Way to go O.C.! (Orange County Patch)
3. A shout out to O.C. native Austin Butler, who is the "new Elvis" in the recent Elvis Presley movie. Director Baz Luhrmann "threw everything at him" in the final screen test. It was a role that Butler spent five months preparing for by rehearsing songs and doing hair and make-up tests. When he tried out for the part, Luhrmann threw a few scenes "out the window" Butler prepared for and fed him lines from behind the camera. When the call came about the outcome of his audition, Butler said in a recent interview, the director "was very dramatic." He said, “Austin, I just wanted to be the first one to call you and say… Are you ready to fly, Mr. Presley?” And from that moment on, Butler made Elvis history. (orangecountytribune.com)
4. Lightning strikes were responsible for closing O.C. beaches Wednesday morning, as strong storms moved through the area. Lifeguards closed beaches from Newport Pier to Corona del Mar after storms brought thunder, lightning and heavy downpours. "In a tweet on Wednesday just before 9 a.m., the City of Newport Beach that beaches were closed due to the storm." The beaches were reopened at 10:45 a.m. (KABC-TV)

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Today in Orange County:

• Camp Fun Stay and Play at Central Library. (11 a.m.)
• Pizza Party! — Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. (12 p.m.)
• Friday Flix: Disney Pixar Soul — City of Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation. (1 p.m.)
• FREE: Classic Car Show and Live Music on Historic Main Street. (4 p.m.)
• Irvine Classical Players — Seraphim Symphony Pro Musica "Stars of Tomorrow Concert." (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• World's Largest Water Recycling Plant In Orange County: Gets major expansion. (KABC-TV)
• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Available for adoption. These puppies got up early so they could enjoy some outside play time before the heat of the day." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Orange County Fire Authority: "Fire Apparatus Engineer Academy 35 started this week. Sixteen of our firefighters will go through an intense 8-week academy designed to teach them hydraulics and how to operate and drive our different fire apparatus." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• O.C. Parks: "When we say bring the whole family to our events, we mean it! Your four-legged companions are welcome at the OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series." (OC Parks via Instagram)

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Events:

• Dana Point Trolley Hop: Red, White & Blue (July 3)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a freelance writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com.