🌱 Parrot Returned + Fire In Parkcrest Area + Missoni Reopens In OC

Hi all! Today’s National Crayon Day, celebrating the product created by Binney & Smith in 1903; but did you also know that the largest crayon ever created was blue and measured 17 ft. 1.1 inches long? I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Orange County Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Today you'll learn about these stories and more...

• 🌮 Orange and Stanton clash with street vendors
• 🏀 Fountain Valley High School’s new basketball coach
• 🛒 From Rodeo Drive to South Coast Plaza

💗 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:

Some sun, then clouds; cool. High: 67 Low: 47.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Bolsa Petroleum at 8961 Bolsa Ave. in Westminster, $4.29
• SC Fuels at 13922 Newport Ave. in Tustin, $4.39
• US Gas at 2502 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, $4.39

🌺 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, 53.3%% opted for California Monarch Milkweed, 13.2% each selected Wooly Bluecurls and Common Sage; 6.7% each chose California Poppy, Lacy Phacelia (write-in), and Dahlias & Lavender (write-in).

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Do you remember when we talked about a man stealing an African grey parrot in its cage from a Santa Ana porch? We have a followup: “The suspect, who was also wanted for unrelated charges, had his home searched by police Tuesday.” Officers recovered Luna, the parrot, from the suspect’s 1300 block of Douglas Street home. It’s interesting to note that a woman at the residence said the suspect gave her the bird as a gift. We haven’t received any information on the suspect’s name. (Patch, NBC, MSN)
2. On Thursday morning, the Orange County Fire Authority responded to Irvine’s Parkcrest neighborhood. A house fire "on Shasta near Goldenglow Street and University Drive" broke out a little after 6:15 a.m. Firefighters assisted two residents who stuck their heads out of an upstairs window; they were taken to the hospital because of smoke inhalation. (Patch, Orange County Fire Authority)
3. Orange and Stanton are the latest cities where officials and street vendors clash. However, they walk a fine line to stay in step with California’s statewide street vending protections. Stanton’s mayor, who referred to the current state of street vending as the “Wild West,” is considering a moratorium on street vending. In Orange, the city council discussed the implementation of penalties for street vendors breaking local rules. City Councilwoman Kathy Tavoularis considers street vendors as doing “everything sideways” and cheating brick-and-mortar businesses. In addition to requiring permits and more, Orange also wants to limit street vendors to operate “under the 25 square foot footprint.” (Voice of OC)
4. Fountain Valley High School has a new men’s basketball coach. We learned on Thursday that the school welcomed Josh Beaty, who made a name for himself with winning seasons at Buena Park High School and Crean Lutheran in Irvine. (HBUHSD)
5. Missoni is back, and you can find the brand at its new store in Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza. Back in 2012, Missoni closed its Rodeo Drive location and could only be found at Macy’s and a few other places. Its 2023 resurgence in the OC comes complete with the famous zigzag pattern and products ranging from clothing to home decor. (Fashion Network)

📆 Today in Orange County:

• Laguna Niguel hosts a Preschool Party - Spring into Fun! at the Crown Valley Community Center (10 AM)
• Bubblefest at the DiscoveryCube in Santa Ana begins (11 AM)
• The Ascend Community hosts an interactive Mahjong Game Night at Deloitte Costa Mesa (6 PM)
• Wilfax performs live at the Barnoa Wine Company in San Clemente (6:30 PM)
• Afrojack is in the house at Time Nightclub in Costa Mesa (9:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Six Points For Kids arranged for over 20 deputies to visit with kids, parents, and therapists outside the aMAYZing Kids Clinic in Rancho Santa Margarita. They were able to interact with more than 40 kids on March 16th and teach them more about patrol and specialty units and, of course, take some photos." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "At 3:12 a.m., 911 callers reported fire out the windows and somebody possibly still inside at a two-story apartment complex on East Borchard Avenue in Santa Ana. With flames threatening the units above, firefighters knocked down the fire in just five minutes and quickly searched the unit. Unfortunately, one adult victim was found deceased inside the apartment." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Did somebody say 'Boss Baby'?? Here's one of our OCRM kiddos manning the front desk! 😉" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)
• "Congratulations to our Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Administrators of the Year: Monica Luther and Sue Singh! Monica Luther, Ed. D., is the Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction at Orange High School. Sue Singh, Ed. D., is the Chief Executive Officer for SELPA/Special Education." (Orange Unified School District via Instagram)
• "Continuing its support for youth civic engagement, the Orange County Department of Education is partnering with the American Board of Trial Advocates and Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County to host the OC Civic Learning Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. on April 27." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)

🏡 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:

• FINAL Youth Football and Cheer In-Person Registration - 2023 (April 1)
• Easter Bash Market Free to the Community! (April 1)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Marina Park Community and Sailing Center (April 6)
• OCBCAF CPR Workshops (April 30)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— 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