🌱 Sphynx Rescued From Fire + Fair Foods + Mary Jane In Laguna Woods

Hello, friends! Today’s International Kissing Day; did you know that kissing mainly involves the orbicularis oris muscle? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Today's briefing includes news on...

• ⚠️ Smash-and-grab robbers stealing jewelry.
• 🏗️ Changes coming to Bella Terra.
• 🍦 A closer look at fair food.

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🌥️ But first, today's weather: Fog, then sun. High: 77 Low: 59.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Sam’s Club at 17099 Brookhurst St. in Fountain Valley, $4.24
• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.29
• Berri Brothers at 1234 N Main St. in Orange, $4.37

🥤 Summer Drink Poll!
It’s heating up! Besides water, what is your favorite summertime drink?

• 19 percent each choose an Arnold Palmer, iced tea, or a frozen margarita
• 14.3 percent each reach for Coca-Cola or lemonade
• 4.8 percent each enjoy a beer, watermelon punch, or mint julep

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. Three smash-and-grab robbers targeted Princess Bride Diamonds at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra. The thieves came armed with hammers just after 2 p.m. on Monday and smashed their way through the display cases. Reportedly, the suspects fled in a black car. Until further notice, the store will conduct business by appointment. Interestingly, this store was targeted a year ago, but employees fought off the would-be thieves at that time. (Patch, ABC)
2. Speaking of Bella Terra, there are changes on the horizon for the shopping center. Back in the day, names such as JC Penney, Broadway, and Montgomery Ward were the anchors. Now, there’s a plan to “demolish the 149,000-square foot two-story Burlington building and an adjacent 33,000-square foot retail building” to put up a low-rise that combines residential and retail spaces. Incoming retailers for the center include Fogo De Chao, The Golf Bar, and an indoor rock-climbing gym. (Orange County Tribune)
3. Firefighters rescued a Sphynx cat from a house fire in Newport Beach. Reportedly, an “above-garage fire” erupted in the 400 block of Heliotrope Avenue. Firefighters located the lucky feline “hiding under a bed in a back room” during a routine search of the venue. (Patch)
4. The Orange County Fair runs from July 14 to Aug. 13 in Costa Mesa. Once again, vendors are looking to outdo each other in new and improved fair foods. Examples include Flamin’ Hot Cheetos-coated chicken at Biggy’s, a chili chamoy snow cone topper at Snax Shack, and a Mediterranean salad bowl from Chicken Charlie. (Redlands Daily Facts)
5. Laguna Woods is considering bringing cannabis shops to the city. Known as the OC’s “city of seniors,” Mary Jane obviously isn’t just for the young. The city council will host a public hearing on July 19 to gauge public interest and input on pot shops. (Voice of OC)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

Thursday, July 6

• Children’s Summer Reading with an OC Librarian at the Moulton Museum in Laguna Hills (10:30 AM)
• Toddler Storytime at the Crean Mariners Branch Library in Newport Beach (10:30 AM)
• Laguna Beer Comedy Night in Santa Margarita (7:30 PM)
• Aries Spears performs at the Irvine Improv (8 PM)
• Emo Night Brooklyn plays an 18+ show at The Observatory in Santa Ana (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Available for adoption — presenting Oso! We were asked if Oso likes kitties. We think this photo says it all! Oso is available with his dog partner, NeeCee, through gsroc.org. Come out and meet them this weekend at our adoption even in Long Beach." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "Adopt sweet senior OSWALD in Seal Beach, California! This special needs kitty is 17 years old. PLS RT to help Oswald leave the shelter and find his new home." (Share 2 Save Pets)
• "Investigator Elcock received the Medal for Merit at this year’s Medal of Valor after finding robbery suspects." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "On average, two children die each day from drowning. Prevent Drowning OC and always stay within arm's reach of children and toddlers. Find more information and safety tips at ocfa.org/preventdrowning" (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "Attention OC Vendors and Suppliers! The County of Orange has partnered with OpenGov, a fully automated, web-based solicitation system. To register and maximize your opportunity to do business with us, visit https://cpo.ocgov.com/doing-business-oc/vendor-registration." (County of Orange)

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Featured events:

• Free Senior Community Education, Health and Wellness Fair (July 9)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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