🌱 Win Superbowl Tix + Mansion With Income + Best New Restaurants

Happy Friday! Here's everything you need to know to start today on an informed note. Here's everything worth knowing in Orange County today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy today. High: 73 Low: 59.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. You can win tickets to the Super Bowl and also give blood to help save lives. The American Red Cross announced, "the worst blood shortage in more than a decade," on Tuesday. To help with the crisis, anyone in Orange County who donates blood in January will be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, attend the official NFL Tailgating, and win tickets to the Super Bowl Experience. The prize will also include round-trip airfare to Los Angeles, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 11-14), and a $500 gift card for expenses. Donors will also be entered to win a "Big Game at Home" deluxe home-theater package and a $500 e-gift card for game-day food. Appointments to give blood are available on the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767.) Read the full article here: (Orange County Patch)
2. An opulent Orange County manor steeped in history and old-world charm, that is also a thriving business, could be your next home. The elegant Wilcox Manor in Tustin is for sale. This beautiful manor, with hardwood floors, crown molding, chandeliers, and manicured grounds, also provides the new owners with extra income as an entertainment and wedding venue. Priced at $3.29 million, the real estate listing calls Wilcox Manor "a rare combination of excellent income-generating potential and opulent living." It's easy to understand why Wilcox Manor, located in Old Town Tustin, received so many great reviews on Yelp. You can read more here: (Orange County Patch)
3. What are the 11 most anticipated restaurants opening in Orange County in 2022? From an organic vegetarian drive-thru burger place to fine Baja Mediterranean dining, there will be a lot of great new restaurants options in O.C. Two of the new restaurants, Detention and Trust, will be opening this month in the space that was once The Playground on Fourth Street in Santa Ana. El Torito Grill in Irvine will become Sol after an extensive renovation. There will be many more fun new places to check out. You can read more here: (OCRegister)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Orange County:

• New Year, New You: Life After Divorce — Vesta Irvine, California Hub. (12 p.m.)
• Can you Stand Still for 90-Seconds? Pageant of the Masters Casting Call Jan. 14-16. (7 p.m.)
• HB APA's "Cabaret." (7 p.m.)
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Olga Kern. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Philharmonic Society of Orange County: "This Saturday, Jan. 15, at Irvine Barclay Theatre, hear composer Courtney Bryan's latest piece for Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Branford Marsalis: 'Carmen Jazz Suite on Themes by Bizet.'" (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "Girls basketball notebook: Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita and JSerra appear improved and capable of pushing Mater Dei and Rosary in the Trinity League." (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "The new restaurant and sports bar has opened in the former Oasis Buffet space." (Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "Boys basketball notes: Interesting league matchups dominate the Orange County boys basketball schedule, plus other news and updates." (Facebook)
• Punk Veterans Pennywise: Will perform their first five albums live at this Orange County spot. (OCRegister)

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Events:

• Funeral Planning — What No One is Telling you. Friday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m. PST / 5 p.m. CST / 6 p.m. EST. (Jan. 14)
• Taxes In Retirement Seminar. (Jan. 17)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar. (Jan. 18)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar. (Jan. 18)
• Social Security Seminar. (Jan. 20)
• Winter Slime Time with Girl Scouts! (Jan. 25)
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Loving the Orange County Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at orangecounty@patch.com

Now you're in the know and ready to start Friday off right! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place.