🌱 Fire At Book Signing + Dutch Bros. Coffee + Disney Star Wars Month

Hello all! Today's National Teacher Appreciation Day; did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt initially got Congress to declare a day in 1953, but the National PTA turned it into a full week of appreciation in 1985? It's Sylvia, your host of the Orange County Patch newsletter. Today we'll cover...

• 💡 An accidental nanotech discovery.
• 💰 Sunland Nutrition buys headquarters building.
• 😋 May the Darth by Chocolate Parfait be with you.

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☁️ But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy, mist; cool. High: 63 Low: 50.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across Orange County

• ARCO at 2646 W 1st St. in Santa Ana, $4.35
• ARCO at 1801 S State College Blvd. in Anaheim, $4.39
• Costco at 2655 El Camino Real in Tustin, $4.45

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🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up?

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📰 Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. The Barnes & Noble in Orange caught on fire Saturday in the middle of a book-signing by Maggie St. Thomas. She was reading from her book, "Still Life," which chronicles the Los Angeles underground goth scene. The author wrote that 45 minutes into the event, she noticed "a weird plastic smell, and (she) could see thick smoke outside filling up the plaza parking lot." Besides that, "the top and bottom floor was filling with layers of smoke." The Orange County Fire Authority evacuated everyone, and nobody was hurt. At this time, the store is closed "until further notice." (Maggie St. Thomas Photos, Barnes & Noble)
2. Once again, the University of California, Irvine is making news! This time, for its discovery of "nano-scale devices that can transform into many different shapes and sizes even though they exist in solid states" earlier this year. While your typical nanoscale electronic part is static and unable to change, a new material selection makes it possible for scientists to "modify the size and shape of a device after it's been made." Like some other great discoveries, this one was accidentally noticed when researchers "bumped into the device" during measurements. If you feel like enjoying some light reading, check out their publication in Science Advances. (India Education Diary, Science Advances)
3. Dutch Bros. Coffee is opening two drive-through locations in Fountain Valley! The Village Center Shopping Center will get one; the other one will be at the Floor & Decor parking lot. The city approved the company's applications in the last couple of months. If you're looking for the standard drip-style cup of Joe, this isn't the place. If you want drinks like the "Double Torture," which comes with an "extra double shot vanilla mocha," you'll love it! So far, we have no word about opening dates. (The Orange County Register/paywall)
4. Aliso Viejo will be home to Sunland Nutrition's new headquarters. The company bought an industrial building at 81-91 Columbia last month. For $14 million, the business receives "28-foot warehouse clear heights, two ground-level loading doors, two dock-high loading doors, large, fenced yard, building-top signage, and 4.25/1,000 parking ratio." (Rebusiness Online)
5. May the force be with you! It's Star Wars month in Anaheim's Disneyland. Downtown Disney and the parks participate in the festivities. Enjoy Hyperspace Mountain, photo opportunities, Darth by Chocolate Parfait, Grogu Sippers, and plenty of themed merchandise. (Patch)

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📆 Today in Orange County:

• Bring the little ones to Toddlers & Tunes at the Irvine Spectrum Center (10 AM)
• Attend the "It's Your Money" Workshop Series for adults at the El Modena Branch Library in Orange (10 AM)
• Hear Joe Goodkin perform at UC Irvine (3 PM)
• Enjoy World Art Exploration for kids and adolescents in Huntington Beach (3 PM)
• Shop at the Placentia Certified Farmers Market at the Town Center (4 PM)

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In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Orange County to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

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🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We had sooooo much fun at the Costa Mesa Spring Bark Bash 🐾🐾🌷 Our dogs loved ALL the attention they received from new human and canine friends ♥️ We enjoyed talking to so many people!" (Orange County Pit Bull Rescue via Facebook)
• "The clock is ticking! We are almost through the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation — a friendly competition organized by WylandORG to see which cities can be the most water wise. Join the challenge--> http://mywaterpledge.com." (City of Irvine via Twitter)
• "Over the past few days, we have heard concerns from residents regarding a recent algae bloom in the Huntington Harbour area. Our HBFD Marine Safety Division has been in contact with OC Health, CSULB Environmental Science Department, & California Dept of Fish & Wildlife to assist in assessing the situation. Following their assessment & testing of the algae, they have confirmed that there are no safety hazards or degradation of water quality associated with the algae." (City of Huntington Beach via Twitter)
• "Come and be part of the best country music festival in the O.C. BREA BONANZA DAYS!" (Brea Downtown via Instagram)
• "On Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., we'll be hosting the City of Laguna Niguel Emergency Preparedness Expo at City Hall! The event is FREE to attend and is intended for the whole family to enjoy! Learn about emergency preparedness from various public agencies and community partners, such as the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA. We'll also provide interactive experiences and informational resources." (City of Laguna Niguel via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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