🌱 New Oil Spill Questions + Grow Papaya Trees + Disney Spectacular

Good morning, Orange County! Let's catch up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Hot today. Record-tying temperatures. High: 91 Low: 60.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

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Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. After the OC oil spill off of Huntington Beach in October leaked thousands of gallons of oil into the waters off of Huntington Beach from a pipeline break, and birds and fish covered with crude oil began appearing on beaches, UC Irvine Ph.D. students Joana Tavares and Melissa Brock, with the help of other UCI scientists want to find out how the spill impacted the tiniest organisms that cross the sea floor, and if it did, "what can those microbes tell us about the reaction of the broader ecosystem off California’s coast?" The researchers presented the vision for their Southern California Oil Spill Project as part of an Earth Day event that was at the pier on Friday, April 22. (OC Register)
2. "Growing a papaya tree is a simple matter," said gardener Joshua Siskin in a recent OC Register article with tips about growing papayas, persimmons and fig trees in your garden. Siskin explained that if you plant papaya seeds now from store-bought fruit, you will probably see a crop within a year. Papaya trees that are native to the tropics of Mexico and Central America "can be grown successfully from Granada Hills to San Bernardino and everywhere south of the line he said, but the trees will die in a frost. He added, you can select from five papaya varieties, "including several dwarf types" of trees at the Papaya Tree Nursery In Granada Hills. (OC Register)
3. Disneyland's nighttime spectacular Electrical Parade and fireworks have returned to Disneyland Resort this spring. The Main Street Electrical Parade delighted surprised audiences Wednesday with thousands of colorful lights and a colorful cast of dancers from Disney Live. Since Disneyland Resort reopened in April 2021, "guests have been able to rediscover the wonders and magic of returning entertainment," a spokesperson said in a recent release. (Orange County Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• Toddler Stories & Playtime at East Anaheim. (11:30 a.m.)
• Creativity Corner - Huntington Beach Public Library. (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION This beautiful girl is Kali." (Facebook)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department, C.A: "Today we remember a fallen hero – OC Sheriff Deputy Robert Schultz. On April 21, 1958, Deputy Robert Schultz was shot and killed after he and his partner stopped a school bus being driven by a man suffering from mental illness." (Facebook)
• Orange County Fire Authority: "Are you interested in a challenging career with the OCFA? We’re currently accepting applications for the position of Hand Crew Superintendent." (Facebook)
• OCPS: "Join us at the Spring 2022 OCPS Live Virtual Teacher Fair! More than 125 schools will be represented, and interviews will be held live by appointment. Applicants MUST complete an initial application." (Instagram)
• Orange County Register: "A nonprofit group affiliated with the California Association of Realtors sued six cities in Los Angeles and Orange counties this week for failing to meet an Oct. 15 deadline to have an approved plan to meet their housing needs." (Facebook)

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• National Hug A Plumber Day. (April 25)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 29)
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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.