🌱 New Visitors' Wing, No Barbed Wire + Solar Panel Fire + New Eatery

Hello and happy Monday! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything happening locally today in Orange County. In today's issue, we have these stories and more...

• Visitors' wing is a big change at Orange County Juvenile Hall.
• Solar panel fire on storage building roof.
• New restaurant by Chef Russ Bendel is his fifth in O.C.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 65 Low: 51.

Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Parents no longer have to face barbed-wire-topped fencing when visiting Orange County Juvenile Hall, thanks to a new multi-million-dollar visitors' wing. It's part of a positive approach to improving the correction facility south of UCI Medical Center in Orange. Families can now bring younger siblings to the new visiting center play area, and youth at the facility, who may be there for crimes including murder, have a new gym, auto shop and classrooms in where they can learn new skills as part of the positive incentive program. (Los Angeles Times)
2. Firefighters potentially saved millions of dollars in stored items by quickly knocking down a solar panel fire on the roof of a multi-storage building. Firefighters responded to a two-alarm roof fire on Moulton Parkway in Laguna Woods Village. An electrical contractor was called in to "de-energize the panels," and firefighters safely doused the flames in 20 minutes. (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
3. Restaurateur Chef Russ Bendel and partners opened his fifth restaurant in Orange County. Bloom Restaurant + Bar opened Dec. 2 in San Juan Capistrano "across from Mission San Juan Capistrano in the Ferris Kelly building (the original City Hall in 1930)." The restaurant is only open for dinner and has an American bistro-style menu, with brunch planned for next year. Bendel's other restaurants include "Vine in San Clemente, Ironwood in Laguna Hills, Newport Beach’s Olea and Sapphire (& The Pantry) in Laguna Beach." (OC Business Journal)

Today in Orange County:

• Holiday Lights Contest - City of Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation (All Day)
• MOVE Laguna: 1st Mondays FREE at Art of Fitness Laguna (All Day)
• Letters to Santa - City of Laguna Niguel Parks and Recreation (8 a.m.)
• Adult Book Group - Chapman Library - Garden Grove Chapman Branch Library (10:30 a.m.)
• Gardening Club at Canyon Hills Branch (11:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• California festivals"🫔 😋 Festivals throughout Southern California will spotlight the traditional holiday food in early December." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit Website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit website)
• Frosty's Winter Wonderland In Corona — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (December 6)
• Ballet Etudes presents The Nutcracker (December 11)
• Christmas City Markets- Festival of Lights (December 15)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Spa Gregorie's Gift Certificate Sale! (Details)
• Spa Gregorie's Gift Certificate Sale (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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