🌱 Sea Life Oil Risk Lawsuit + Moon Jellies + Surf Sandwich Shop

Hi, Orange County! Let's start Saturday with everything you need to know going on in Orange County today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy today. High: 72. Low: 48.

Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. An attempt to stop new offshore drilling in California is underway. The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit claiming that federal agencies are failing to protect endangered sea life. Workers searched for oil contamination in the sand on beaches Tuesday, Oct, 5 after a leak in an oil pipeline caused a worrisome spill of about 126,000 gallons of oil into the ocean in Orange County. The new lawsuit points to October’s Huntington Beach oil spill as evidence that federal regulators are failing to protect humpback whales, sea turtles, and other endangered animals from oil drilling off the California coast. The lawsuit also seeks to throw out a Trump-era analysis, done before the incident, that found that "no large oils spills were likely." New leases are not being issued in the region, but companies with existing leases are continuing to drill new wells. You can read the full story here: (VoiceofOC)
2. Hundreds of translucent ‘moon jellies’ are taking over Huntington Harbour, but don't worry, they are not dangerous. This particular type of jellyfish doesn't sting people. The swarm of clear moon jellies has been spotted over the past few days in the boat harbor drawing the gaze of curious onlookers. “I am thrilled by it,” said Jessica Roame, a naturalist for the Newport Landing Whale Watching who went out to see the marine visitors Wednesday. The moon jellies are common, but are not typically seen in large quantities in the harbor, she said. Moon jellyfish move with the flow of the ocean, so there's no way to know how long they will stay or when they will head out to deeper water. You can read more about this story here: (OC Register)
3. The surf-themed Sessions sandwich shop is coming to the Macy’s South Coast Plaza. It will take the place of the Wolfgang Puck Bistro at Macy’s South Coast Plaza. They are also opening another location, not in partnership with Macy’s. The Wolfgang Puck restaurant in Costa Mesa closed on Tuesday, Jan. 18. after 20 years. A spokesperson for Macy's thanked the Wolfgang Puck team for their partnership. In a phone interview, Matt Meddock, an owner of Sessions said the South Coast Plaza location will be the biggest store Sessions has ever built. They plan to keep the wood-fired pizza oven from the Puck restaurant so they can offer more flatbreads. He added the decor and vibe will be a laid-back locally inspired "surf, chill, hang with friends," restaurant with "elevated sandwiches, an elevated beer, and wine list.” You can read more about this story here: (OC Register)

Today in Orange County:

• Tidepool Walk - Crystal Cove Conservancy. (12 p.m.)
• Lunar New Year Celebration at SteelCraft Garden Grove. (12 p.m.)
• MainPlace Mall To Host Lunar New Year Celebration. (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• More Than 6,000 People Have Now Died: From COVID In Orange County. (City News Service)
• Orange County Register: "The project by the Irvine Community Land Trust, a nonprofit created by city leaders in 2005 to help address the affordable housing need in Irvine, is its first home ownership project." (Facebook)
• Orange County Pit Bull Rescue: "Celebrate Valentines Day early with your 4 legged friends you love the most! Join Ugly Dog Adventures for a free community pack walk!" (Facebook)
• Girl Scouts of Orange County: "Sadie unveils the prizes you can earn if you sell 230+ cookie packages this season!" (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "Tale of the Lion King" will open in early summer at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre, according to the Disney Auditions website." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Camino De Santiago Nature School — (Visit website)
• JDC Design & Consulting — (Visit Website)
• ABC Heating & Air Conditioning — (Visit website)
• SMILES AND TEARS FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY — (Visit website)
• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Vydeo Media — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 7)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 8)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• New to Spa Gregorie's? Here's $20 to enjoy!! (Details)
• Welcome: NEW PUPPIES and NEW CLIENTS in 2022! (Details)
• Add your announcement

If you love the Orange County Daily, here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe for free
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at orangecounty@patch.com

Now you're in the know and ready to head out! I'll see you soon with your next 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. One of my favorite jobs? Working with Imagineering for The Walt Disney Company.