🌱 Text Saves SoCal From Blackout + Generous $4M Donation + Micro Food

Hello and happy Friday. I'm back in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening locally. I'll get right to it.

• $4 million donated to help build Newport Beach Library building.
• Text message saved thousands from plunging into power blackout
• Micro food coming soon.

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First, today's weather:

Another hot day. High: 99 Low: 72.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Orange County today:

1. A shout out to philanthropist Bill Witte and his wife Keiko Sakamoto. They offered a $4 million donation to help build a new 10,000-square-foot lecture hall next to the Newport Beach Library. If you recognize their names, they are also generous supporters of The Witte Distinguished Speaker Series at the Library which has brought "over 100 notable authors, thinkers, and provocateurs" to the community over the past 26 seasons. Newport Beach has approved the naming donation and announced that the Newport Beach Library Lecture Hall is now Witte Hall. (Orange County Register via Facebook)
2. Way to pull together SoCal! A text message alert may have prevented hundreds of thousands of Californians from being plunged into darkness in the middle of a heat wave Tuesday night. "Just before 5:30 p.m. California’s grid operator ordered its highest level of emergency, warning that blackouts were imminent." Then at 5:48 p.m., the state’s Office of Emergency Services sent out a text about the situation, asking residents in high-use areas to conserve power. Amazingly, the grid emergency was over within five minutes of sending the text. Power demand plunged by 1.2 gigawatts between 5:50 and 5:55 p.m., and continued to drop for several hours, the California Independent System Operator reported. A gigawatt is enough to power about 750,000 homes. (Orange County Register via Facebook)
3. Micro food is coming to SoCal. Local Kitchens, a San Francisco-based business, is making plans to open two new O.C. locations; one in Lake Forest, and one in Huntington Beach. Local Kitchens currently operates eight Micro food locations in NorCal. Each location offers "a diverse mix of top local restaurants under one roof." You can mix-and-match your favorite local restaurant foods in one easy order. Look for the new Micro food experience this fall. (Orange County Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• Think Goodness Fundraiser to Support Placentia Businesses. (All Day)
• Casa Romantica Presents Beach Cleanup and Coffee Concerts with High Tide Coffee. (8 a.m.)
• Watercolor Class: Dahlia (morning) — Sherman Library & Gardens. (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Maestro is a very gentle boy, approximately 4 years young. He was traumatized by his shelter experience, so he is a little shy until he knows you won't hurt him." (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA: "Recently: Our OCSD Bomb Squad held a dive training. Divers on the Bomb Squad are the only public safety response asset within the Orange County." (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• Orange County Pit Bull Rescue: "Kylo is still in the hospital. It’s taken a literal village to help him bandage and heal." (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)
• Orange County Parks: "🎤 Great music and memories are made under the summer sky at the OC Parks Summer Concert Series! 🎼 Here are some photos of The New Respects closing out the 2022 series at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach." (Orange County Parks via Facebook)

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Events:

• Lake Forest Martial Arts School Grand Opening. (September 10)
• Peaceful Protest to End Shelter Restrictions. (September 10)
• Original Lobster Festival — Sept. 9-11. (September 10)
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You're caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching the fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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