🌱 'Most Generous' OC Billionaire + USPS Is Hiring Hundreds In OC

Hey, Orange County! I'm in your inbox to tell you everything that's going on in OC today, including these stories, and more:

• Fullerton will open a temporary cold weather homeless shelter.
• The USPS of Orange County has hundreds of job openings.
• Tethered boat training saves lives in OC water rescues.
• Firefighter's tethered boat training saves lives.
• Immersive Pacific Ocean experience at The Laguna Art Museum Annual Art & Nature Festival 2023.

But first, today's weather:

Strong winds subsiding; sunny. High: 71 Low: 43.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Orange County, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Orange County Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Help is on the way for the homeless in Fullerton, with the opening of a 90-bed cold weather homeless shelter to "provide people with a hot shower, a warm meal, a bagged breakfast and an opportunity to connect with a case manager." County supervisors approved the temporary shelter at Independence Park from Feb. 1 through the end of March. (Voice of OC)
2. Everyone loves to get mail! Now you can be part of the team that makes it happen. The USPS is hiring thousands of people in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Of the 77 offices hiring, 10 are in Orange County. The "Orange County offices hope to add over 450 new workers." "Starting pay ranges from $19.33 to $19.94 an hour, officials said." (KTLA Los Angeles)
3. The "richest person in Orange County" gives away millions a year. Philanthropist Donald Bren was named by Forbes as one of the 25 most generous people in the United States. "He has now given away an astounding $2.1 billion to various organizations over his lifetime." Bren started building homes in Orange County in 1958, and today he is "the sole shareholder of Irvine Co., one of the most successful real estate firms in U.S. history." Bren generously donated billions of dollars to education, the Orange County Museum of Art and many other worthy causes. (NewsBreak Original)
4. The Orange County Fire Authority performed several life-saving water rescues from swiftly moving water and roads and freeways flooded from an endless series of winter storms. The UCFA's tethered boat operations training is what makes water rescues successful, said the Orange County Fire Authority in a recent post. See a video of Tuesday's tethered boat training here: (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)
5. Immerse yourself in the depths of the Pacific Ocean "usually untouched by humans" at The Sea Around Us, a 360-degree immersive exhibit at The Laguna Art Museum Annual Art & Nature Festival 2023, now through Feb. 5. In The Sea Around Us by Rebeca Méndez, visitors are "surrounded by vivid depictions of sea life" when "oozing barrels of DDT descend around you, creating a sense of ominous calamity and immersing you into the thick of the conflict of environmental wrongdoing." Find out more here: (Patch)

Today in Orange County:

• NFL Game Days at The Crack Shack - Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce (All Day)
• Senior Thursday - Placentia Chamber of Commerce (7:00 AM)
• GG Chamber Monthly Business Breakfast - Garden Grove (7:20 AM)
• FV Connect Breakfast - Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce (8:00 AM)
• Ambassadors Committee - Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce (8:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• If you leave money at your business, install a heavy, bolted safe: "If you have to leave money at your business overnight, we advise installing a heavy or bolted safe. This month we are focusing on commercial burglary prevention. Check back next Tuesday for a new tip!" (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
• Disneyland's new Runaway Railway: "SNEAK PREVIEW: Disneyland's Runaway Railway gets better with each ride. Here’s a spoiler-filled look at the new attraction." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• Discounted hockey tickets: "Hey Girl Scouts do you like hockey?! Get your tickets at a discounted price:" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• Last storm grounded elevators at Laguna Woods Tower: "The 14-floor building's two elevators haven't worked for a week; staff have been visiting residents daily delivering food and supplies. Everyone who can is climbing the stairs." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit Website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit website)
• Tablerock boarding kennels — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Social Security Seminar at Newport Coast Community Center (January 31)
• 2023 Youth Football and Cheerleading Registration (February 4)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Free self-guided, goal-setting worksheet for 2023 (Details)
• Add your announcement

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

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and media producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching 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