🌱 Shake Shack’s Opening + Pickaxe Attack Update + Casa Romantica Open

Hello, friends! Today’s National Don’t Fry Day; did you know that the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention created it to draw attention to the risk of ultraviolet damage to skin? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter — back with what's happening in the community. Including news on...

• 🌳 Irvine’s parks.
• 🏨 The Knott’s Hotel.
• 🍔 A new Shake Shack.

💗 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: Low clouds breaking. High: 69 Low: 57.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Berri Brothers at 16621 Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach, $4.29
• World at 8972 Adams Ave. in Huntington Beach, $4.39
• Costco at 33961 Doheny Park Road in San Juan Capistrano, $4.65

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have?

• 25 percent: The ability to time travel or fly
• 16.7 percent: The ability to become invisible
• 8.3 percent: Superhuman strength, the ability to read minds, teleport, or select lotteries and give money away

📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Irvine is fourth in the public parks' scorecard tallied by the Trust for Public Lands. It shows the city’s commitment to “acreage, investment, amenities, access, and equity” in park creation and maintenance. Last year, Irvine came in eighth. On the flip side, Anaheim is in 68th place after being in 64th place last year. While Irvine is basking in the glory of the limelight, Anaheim’s city hall spokesperson said the report “falls short in capturing the daily experience of parks in Anaheim and the role they play for our residents.” (Voice of OC)
2. Pickaxe attack update: Earlier, we talked about the Lake Forest attacker who crashed his car into a home and went after former roommates with a pickaxe. We now learned that he is 32 years of age, had a court appearance on Wednesday, and “was charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon as well as three counts of brandishing a weapon and single counts of resisting arrest and hit-and-run with property damage.” While the suspect is cooling his heels with a bail set at $1 million, it turns out that he’s no stranger to the court system. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to a couple of felonies, including robbery and burglary. (ABC)
3. Casa Romantica is partially reopening. Members had an opportunity to attend a Welcome Home party on Wednesday. A soft public opening took place Thursday, and a regular public opening is on the calendar for today, Friday, at 10 a.m. Come out for a concert with Perfect Blend Duo while sipping on High Tide Coffee. The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce will celebrate with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. (Casa Romantica)
4. Speaking of Friday grand openings, Shake Shack will throw open its doors in Irvine! Come to 512 Spectrum Center Drive at 10:30 a.m. for the festivities. For the company, this is the 40th location in the state and the 300th nationwide. What makes the venue so famous? “Gourmet burgers, crinkle fries, milkshakes, and more!” (Patch)
5. Another opening is coming later this year to Buena Park. The Knott's Berry Farm Hotel will reopen as the Knott's Hotel after investing millions of dollars in renovations. The new look embraces a refined country guest house feel, with 322 rooms featuring the popular farmhouse style interior decor. Family-sized rooms with kitchenettes cater to travelers with younger kids. Outside, there’ll be rustic designs with adobe brickwork. "The renovation is a transformative endeavor for our property and reflects our commitment to offering the current spaces, amenities and services that locals, visitors and guests are looking for," the general manager explained. (Patch)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

• IKEA Costa Mesa 20th Anniversary Community Breakfast (8:30 AM)
• OC Clerk-Recorder Passport Services Grand Opening at the Laguna Hills Civic Center (10 AM)
• Little Seedlings Story Time at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar (10 AM)
• Garden Grove Strawberry Festival at the Village Green (1 PM)
• Newport Beach Wine Festival at the Balboa Bay Resort (6 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Introducing Ava — a sweet 3-month-old girl who loves to cuddle. She and her siblings were left in a box outside an animal shelter after hours. Thanks to a loving foster family, Ava is safe with GSROC. She is ready to find a family that will give her a beautiful life." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "🎓 Congratulations Grads!! Girl Scouts from Troop 2374 are El Modena High School 2023's graduating class and have received academic scholarships or academic/athletic scholarships to attend their institution of choice. Way to go, girls!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• "🌌 Hoo's ready to travel to a galaxy far, far away? 🤖 Join forces with us Saturday, June 10 at Star Wars Day at the OC Zoo! ✨ Enjoy a day of intergalactic family fun including crafts, games and photo opportunities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m." (OC Parks via Instagram)
• "Is your yard wildfire ready? Remove leaves, branches, and weeds to help protect your home and your family during a wildfire. Prepare your home now and visit ocfa.org/RSG" (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Orange County Rescue Mission was named a 'Top Workplace' for the seventh year in a row by The Orange County Register! What's even better? We're hiring! Check out our current openings at rescuemission.org/employment and join the OCRM Family!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• SC Tennis Academy 2023 Summer Tennis Camps @Los Cab (June 1)
• Dutcher Crossing Winemaker Tasting (June 1)
• OCBCAF Family Day Event (June 11)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

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