🌱 Stowaway Tiki Reopens + See's Candy + Destination Independence Walk

Hello, hello! Today’s National Donut Day; did you know that it memorializes the Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” who boosted morale of WWI soldiers by serving – among other foods – doughnuts near the front lines? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter — back with what's happening in the community. Today's issue includes news about...

• ⚠️ An alleged animal abuse case.
• ✈️ The best travel destinations in the U.S.
• 👟 A family-friendly event for a cause.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather: Low clouds, then some sun. High: 70 Low: 57.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• Thrifty at 2811 W. Lincoln Ave. in Anaheim, $4.35
• Gulf at 3300 E. Imperial Highway in Brea, $4.39
• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.59

🦸 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?

• 30 percent: The ability to fly
• 20 percent: The ability to time travel or the ability to read minds
• 10 percent: The ability to become invisible
• 5 percent: Superhuman strength, teleport, healing, or win select lotteries and give money away

📰 Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. A 21-year-old Irvine woman is facing “felony animal abuse charges” for allegedly taping her dogs’ snouts shut. Reportedly, the Eastshore resident tried to keep the animals from barking. Officers took possession of the “three adult females, two adult males, a female puppy, and a male puppy,” which got a vet check and seem to be doing well. (City of Irvine)
2. Stowaway Tiki reopened at 14401 Newport Ave. in Tustin! If you’ve followed the saga, it began when the bar had to close its Union Market location on Nov. 5. The owners hoped to find a new home in Irvine and be open for business in January; however, it didn’t happen. Now, they’re in the space that used to be Marty’s Bar & Grill and have outfitted it with bamboo, pool tables, and a skull cave. An official grand opening is planned for June 6. (Daily Pilot/paywall)
3. See's Candy is coming to Rancho Santa Margarita. The company tested the waters with a holiday pop-up store, which did well. Now, the chocolatier is pursuing permits to open a permanent location at the Town Center, across the street from City Hall. It would be located “next to Handel's Ice Cream,” where the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory used to be. We don’t have an opening date yet. (Patch)
4. Which are the summer’s best travel destinations in the United States? After comparing safety and hiking trails, water parks, and beer gardens per capita, the numbers are in. The Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Alpharetta, Georgia metro area is in first place. In last place is the Oxnard/Thousand Oaks/Ventura, California metro area. How does the OC rank? We actually ranked at No. 19 as the Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim metro area. It puts us ahead of any other California metro area destination. (WalletHub)
5. Beyond Blindness in Santa Ana invites you to its 9th Annual Destination Independence Walk + Family Fair. The event is scheduled for June 3. Things start bright and early at 7:30 a.m. but wrap up by 1 p.m. Besides a 5K walk, there’ll be “festive carnival games and a petting zoo.” (Patch)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

• Coding Lab For Kids at Apple Fashion Island in Newport Beach (1:30 PM)
• 626 Night Market at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa (4 PM)
• Mindfulness Kids Yoga at Orange County Aikido in Orange (4 PM)
• Jamaica's Dylan's Steel Band plays at the Heisler Park Amphitheater in Laguna Beach (6:30 PM)
• TroyBoi performs at the Time Nightclub in Costa Mesa (9:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Come out and meet this shepherd impersonator at our adoption event this Saturday! Ava is a 3-month-old "shepskie," mostly husky with shepherd sprinkled in for good measure. Ava is fun and busy. She loves to play with the other dogs — large and small — in her foster home. She came to the rescue after being left in a box outside a public animal shelter. Ava will thrive in a home with another dog to play with. She is eager to meet you." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• "As bike safety month comes to an end, we want to remind you that it is super important to know your bike type when operating an e-bike. Different bikes have different restrictions. Check out this graphic for more info 🚵." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, via Facebook)
• "Educators from across the region gathered in Costa Mesa last month to share strategies for improving language acquisition and literacy skills for English learners at the Orange County Department of Education Project GLAD® Spring Institute." (Orange County Department of Ed via Instagram)
• "The Service Principles of care and respect are deeply woven into the work and culture of the OCFA. Care and respect for each other; care and respect for the people we have the honor of serving; care and respect for the inclusion that makes all of us stronger and better equipped to fulfill our primary mission – protect property and save lives. This Pride Month, the OCFA is honored to celebrate and recognize the immeasurable ways in which our LGBTQ+ firefighters, professional staff, and community members personify those service principles and breathe life into that mission." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
• "After coming to the Rescue Mission, Clay was able to complete his GED. He's maintaining his sobriety and has given his life to Jesus Christ. He also found joy in cooking and the culinary arts, which led to full-time employment after completing our Road to Success workshop!" (Orange County Rescue Mission via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• LAWineFest: SoCal's Signature Wine Event Heads to Long Beach (June 3)
• Golden State Ballet: From New York, With Love (June 6)
• The 3 Keys to Ignite Your Inner Artist (June 8)
• The Three Keys to Ignite Your Inner Artist (June 8)
• Markowicz Fine Art - Laguna Niguel - Art After Hours (June 8)
• Parkinson's Seminar (June 10)
• OCBCAF Family Day Event (June 11)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you around.

— 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