Summer has arrived: South swells, warm weather linger

• July 7, 2023

It’s finally starting to feel like summer.

The south swells are pumping and the all-day overcast skies at the coast have finally disappeared, but be warned if you’re headed to the beach – the ocean is still pretty chilly, with temps lingering in the mid-60s.

National Weather Service meteorologist Casey Oswant said the latest south swell brought waves Friday, July 7, in the 3- to 6-foot range across Orange County’s coast.

The surf was even bigger at the Wedge in Newport Beach, where beefy barrels brought out crowds in the water.

But the swell also brings a higher risk of strong rip currents, Oswant warned. Beachgoers should always talk to a lifeguard before getting in the water, she said.

“We are expecting that elevated surf continuing into (Saturday) before it starts to diminish over the weekend,” she said.

Weather-wise, this weekend is expected be in the low 70s along the coast and closer to 80 inland.

“Warm and pleasant, nothing too out of the ordinary,” Oswant said, noting there could be morning and evening clouds, but daytime hours should be clear.

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Next week, however, will be a different story. Temps will hit a scorching 110 to 115 degrees in the high desert and Coachella Valley region. The Inland Empire will see highs in the low 100s.

“The coast will warm up during that time, but not quite as significantly,” Oswant said. “Luckily, we will keep that marine influence.”

Temps along the coast later next week will be in the upper 70s, though may reach into the low 90s further inland, she said.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 Top Workplaces nomination period extended

• July 7, 2023

The nomination period for the Register’s 16th annual Top Workplace program has been extended to Aug. 11.

Any organization with 35 or more employees in Orange County is eligible to participate and includes public, private, nonprofits and government agencies.

Participation is free.

Workplaces are evaluated by their employees using a 24-question survey.

Qualifying companies then will be surveyed by Energage, the research partner for the project, from June through August.

The list of winners will be announced in late 2023

To nominate online, go to ocregister.com/nominate or call 714-442-2768.

SEE MORE: See all 169 Orange County company winners in 2022

​ Orange County Register 

McDonald’s puts jalapeños on Quarter Pounders

• July 7, 2023

Just in time for an expected heat wave, McDonald’s will be turning up the heat on one of its signature menu items, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

On Monday, July 10, the fast food giant will officially begin serving a Cheesy Jalapeño Bacon QPC for a limited time.

The sandwiches will feature one or two beef patties, bacon, jalapeño slices and both two slices of American cheese and cheddar cheese sauce.

The sandwich is a follow-up to another limited time offer that became a viral sensation. The Grimace Shake was introduced June 12 to celebrate the birthday of a character featured in 1970s McDonald’s commercials. The purple beverage became a fad in TikTok videos. Most restaurants have likely sold out their supplies by now.

Also this summer, McDonald’s is serving frozen beverages such as the Frozen Coca-Cola Classic and Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry for a limited time.

Information: mcdonalds.com

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​ Orange County Register 

Punk in the Park with Pennywise, Descendents announces single-day lineups

• July 7, 2023

Promoters of the third annual Punk in the Park Festival have announced single-day lineups for the festival’s return to Oak Canyon Park in Silverado on Nov. 4-5.

The festival has also added several new acts since its original announcement back in May including GBH, Death By Stereo, Drain, The Casualties, Teenage Bottlerocket, Strike Anywhere and there are still a few more “announcing soon” spots blacked out on the official lineup poster.

Saturday, Nov. 4 will be headlined by Pennywise with support from Circle Jerks, GBH, The Suicide Machines, Drain, Scowl, The Dickies, Rotting Out, Strike Anywhere, A Wilhelm Scream, Death By Stereo, Narcoleptic Youth, Deviates, NIIS, Poli Van Dam, Good Guys in Black, The Gringoz, Greg Antista & The Lonely Streets and more.

Sunday, Nov. 5 will be led by Descendents with Goldfinger, The Lawrence Arms, The Casualties, The Dwarves, The Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket, Naked Aggression, We Are the Union, Elvis Cortez, The Side Eyes, Speed of Light, Dissension, Rundown Kreeps, Fishing for Chips and more.

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Weekend passes are $120-$160 and includes unlimited craft beer tastings for those 21 and older. Weekend VIP passes are $300-$370 and includes the craft beer tastings, a dedicated entry lane, VIP laminate, private restrooms, a VIP viewing area and exclusive food and beverage options.

Single-day passes are $64-$94 and include craft beer tastings for those 21 and older; Single-day all-ages general admission passes without the craft beer tasting are $57-$77. Single-day VIP passes are $159-$209. All passes are now on sale at punkinthepark.com.

The event has expanded to included three stages this year and, for the first time, will include a Vans Vert Ramp with demos by pro skaters. This is also a craft beer event that will include unlimited tastings for those 21 and older from noon to 3 p.m. with dozens of local and regional breweries offering samples of more than 100 craft beverages.

​ Orange County Register 

SJC celebrates holiday with summer carvinal

• July 7, 2023

San Juan Capistrano’s celebration of American Independence went on for days.

The city’s summer carnival at the San Juan Sports Park featured four days of food, fun, entertainment and community celebration of the Fourth of July.

​ Orange County Register 

Disneyland Duck Races turn It’s a Small World into the world’s biggest bathtub — See photos

• July 7, 2023

Hundreds of yellow rubber ducks decorated to look like Spider-Man, Maleficent, Madame Leota, Kermit the Frog and even Donald Trump waded around the It’s a Small World waterway in the annual Disneyland Duck Races.

The 2023 Disneyland Duck Races around the Small World canal were held on Friday, July 7 before the Anaheim theme park opened to the public.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland resets Oogie Boogie Bash ticket launch after epic tech failure

The loop around Small World took the fastest ducks about 15 minutes — pushed along by the same water flow that propels the attraction’s boats.

Disneyland Duck Races at It’s a Small World. (Provided to SCNG)

The annual race that started just after 6 a.m. with a group launch of hundreds of rubber duckies turned the classic Disneyland boat ride attraction into the world’s largest bathtub.

Disneyland visitors at the park on Friday may spot a few stragglers in the Small World canal that didn’t reach the finish line.

Good luck little ducks! #disneycastlife pic.twitter.com/3wKsJ3lVw1

— ktina (@chandutailz) July 7, 2023

The rubber ducks were hand-painted and bedazzled for the competition in Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and theme park attraction designs by Disneyland cast members — Disney parlance for employees.

Disneyland Duck Race at It’s a Small World. (Provided to SCNG)

Design categories ranged from “Most Like Donald Duck” to “Least Sea-Worthy.”

The “Most Disney Themed” category featured some of the most elaborate creations — including Hunchquack of Notre Dame, Toy Story Claw Machine and an animated Beauty and the Beast ballroom dance scene.

It was a great morning for a duck race! #disneycastlife pic.twitter.com/SstNOFHzBN

— ktina (@chandutailz) July 7, 2023

“Most Creative” was also a showcase category with ducks sitting inside Mad Tea Party teacups, Haunted Mansion doom buggies and Splash Mountain logs.

Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Panther and Ahsoka Tano ducks were among the highlights in the “Superhero” category.

A Maleficent dragon floating in a pond of fiery gold glitter and a duck weighed down by a massive anchor lived up to the title of “Least Sea-Worthy.”

The “Most Like Donald Duck” category featured the irascible fowl blowing his top, a trio of ducks dressed up to look like the Three Caballeros and even a Donald Trump duck with a distinctive orange pompadour.

Disneyland Duck Races in 2022 at It’s a Small World. (Disney)

SEE ALSO: Disneyland crews install ‘Big Hero 6’ towers on San Fransokyo bridge — See photos

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There was no shortage of creativity or inspiration. Ducks were incorporated into everything from Madame Leota’s crystal ball and the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique salon and the Cozy Cone Motel food court.

Awards were handed out for first, second and last place in the race as well as in each of the appearance-based categories. Cast members were encouraged to post photos and videos of the competition and designs to social media using #DisneyCastLife.

An entry in the Disneyland Duck Race at It’s a Small World. (Provided to SCNG)

The Disneyland Duck Races began in 2008 as a friendly competition among Small World employees before expanding to all cast members in 2011. Proceeds from entry fees will be donated to the My Day Counts nonprofit organization that offers life and work training to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

​ Orange County Register 

Wimbledon: Andy Murray falls to Stefanos Tsitsipas after 5 sets and 2 days

• July 7, 2023

WIMBLEDON, England — Andy Murray didn’t know.

As he was asked to dissect his loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round of Wimbledon – a rollicking five-setter that lasted more than 4½ hours spread over two days before a packed Centre Court filled with thousands of his closest and loudest friends – Murray started answers to question after question at his news conference Friday with some variation of that theme.

It was, likely, a verbal crutch, something used to gather his thoughts before offering a more complete response. It also embodied the uncertainty that seems to surround a former No. 1 player who owns three Grand Slam titles, two at the All England Club, but also is now 36 and with an artificial hip after two operations.

Was it harder to accept this 7-6 (3), 6-7 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 defeat, given both how close it was and all he’s been through? “I don’t know, to be honest,” Murray’s reply began.

Did the match change because it was suspended Thursday at 10:40 p.m., right after he’d taken a two-sets-to-one lead, because rules prevent play after 11 p.m.? “I don’t know, to be honest.”

How frustrating was it that the contest was put on hold for nearly 18 hours? “Well, you never know what would have happened.”

Does the player ahead in that circumstance want to keep playing, while the player trailing prefers to stop? “I don’t know.”

Will he return to Wimbledon next year? “I don’t know.”

“I’m obviously very disappointed just now. You never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play here,” Murray said. “The defeats, maybe feel a bit tougher. But, to be honest, every year that Wimbledon’s not gone how I would like, it’s been hard.”

This was his second consecutive exit in the second round at the site of three of his greatest triumphs: the 2012 Olympic gold medal and the 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon championships. His trophy a decade ago was the first for a British man at the All England Club in singles in 77 years.

Murray has not been past the third round at any major since getting to the 2017 quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

“I mean, ultimately this was an opportunity for me. I had a good chance of having a proper run for the first time in a long time at a Slam. I didn’t take it,” he said, and bit on the collar of his white T-shirt.

On the point before action was halted Thursday, Murray slipped and fell at the baseline. He called it “jarring” and said he felt some “initial pain and discomfort,” but would not characterize it as an injury and said he was OK when action resumed Friday.

“It’s never easy against Andy. I know everyone loves him here,” said the No. 5-seeded Tsitsipas, a two-time runner-up at majors, including at the Australian Open in January.

All in all, Friday was rough for the local fans: The other two British men left in the bracket, No. 12 Cam Norrie and wild-card entry Liam Broady, were sent home, too. Norrie was defeated by Chris Eubanks of the United States 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3), and Broady lost to No. 26 Denis Shapovalov of Canada 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5.

In other men’s results, No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 3 Daniil Medvedev reached the third round, while No. 7 Andrey Rublev and No. 8 Jannik Sinner both got to the fourth. Novak Djokovic, seeking a fifth title in a row at Wimbledon and eighth overall, was scheduled to face Stan Wawrinka in the third round later.

The No. 1 woman, Iga Swiatek, made her way into the fourth round – she’s never been further at the All England Club – as did No. 4 Jessica Pegula; 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur moved into the third round.

Because it was so late by the time Murray and Tsitsipas took the court Thursday, the retractable roof was closed. It was open Friday afternoon: After so much rain earlier in the week, the pale blue sky was unencumbered by clouds, and some folks sitting on the side of the stadium blanketed by sun flapped fans with the temperature at 85 degrees.

Tsitsipas drew hearty boos when he disputed a ruling in Friday’s second game, but he never seemed rattled during points. He took the last four points of the fourth-set tiebreaker Friday – just as he did in the first-set tiebreaker Thursday – then broke early in the fifth to lead 2-1 and was on his way.

“He’s someone who will make it a marathon, regardless of whether you want it or not,” said Tsitsipas, whose girlfriend and mixed doubles partner, Paula Badosa, watched from his guest box after she stopped playing during her match earlier Friday because of a bad back. “I had to work extra hard today to get that victory. My legs are sore right now. He made me run left and right, up and down.”

Each player only broke the other once. Murray’s ability to return is one of his many elite skills, and he was upset at himself for not managing to do more damage to the serves coming off the racket of Tsitsipas.

One pivotal moment came with Tsitsipas serving at 4-all, 15-30 in the fourth set. Murray hit a short, sharply angled backhand return that was called out by a line judge and chair umpire Aurélie Tourte; a TV graphic replay showed the ball actually clipped the chalk and should have counted.

“It was right underneath the umpire’s nose,” Murray said.

He’ll probably think about that one some more. He’s also likely to think about what else went wrong against Tsitsipas.

Murray spoke before the tournament about having an idea how much longer he will stay on tour.

“I don’t plan to stop right now. But this one will take a little while to get over,” he said Friday. “Hopefully find the motivation again to keep training, keep pushing, try and keep getting better.”

In other words, he doesn’t know precisely what the future holds.

​ Orange County Register 

Opposition to fast-food bill gains momentum

• July 7, 2023

When Marisol Sanchez bought her first McDonald’s franchise in 2006, she wanted a business she could own, operate and eventually pass along to her children.

Seventeen years later, the 43-year-old Apple Valley resident is the owner of 17 McDonald’s locations in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

She’s also among the more than 162 businesses, franchise owners, trade associations and chambers of commerce that oppose a bill they say would turn locally owned and operated restaurants into corporate-run establishments, stripping franchisees of their authority to operate as small business owners.

Assembly Bill 1228, authored by Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, is designed to “make it easier for franchisees to pay, support and protect their employees.” Also known as the Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act, it would require fast-food corporations to share in the legal responsibility and liability for a franchise owner’s violations.

That means a worker or former employee would be able to sue both the franchisee and franchisor for a host of workplace violations, ranging from wage theft and sexual harassment to workplace injuries and non-compliance with CalOSHA regulations.

The bill would also give franchise owners the ability to file an action against their franchisor for monetary relief if the company’s terms infringe on their ability to comply with California labor laws.

“Many franchisees find themselves in a chokehold by franchisor terms, forcing them to choose between profitability and complying with employee protection regulations,” Holden said in a statement.

The bill says the current franchise model under which fast-food restaurants operate “contributes to the high rate of employment violations.”

The legislation passed the Assembly floor in June and is scheduled to be heard in the California Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, July 11.

Opponents say AB 1228 would prompt fast-food corporations to “tighten the reins” on franchise owners, impacting their ability to make their own business decisions.

“The corporate brands will get more involved,” said Kathy Fairbanks, a spokeswoman for the No on AB 1228 coalition.

Fairbanks said franchise owners who bought equipment, hired employees, instituted training and set wages, benefits and hours would effectively be reduced to middle management.

Opponents say the bill would also invite frivolous lawsuits, as franchise owners could be sued under California’s Private Attorneys General Act for claims that have already been settled by the franchisor.

The text of AB 1228 was originally part of AB 257 (FAST Recovery Act), which was co-authored by Holden. That legislation was signed into law Sept. 5, 2022, by Gov. Gavin Newsom but was subsequently postponed until the November 2024 election when voters will decide its outcome.

The bill would create a state-run council to negotiate wages, hours and working conditions for fast-food workers in California, and establish a minimum wage with capped annual increases thereafter at restaurants with more than 100 locations nationwide.

The No on AB 1228 movement continues to gain momentum.

More than 150 franchise owners gathered in Sacramento in May to speak out against AB 1228 during a Legislative Action Day — far more than the 80 franchisees who showed up in Sacramento last year to protest AB 257, Fairbanks said.

“We also have nearly 1,000 individual franchisees who have signed up to oppose AB 1228, versus about 200 who opposed AB 257,” she said.

Workers in the fast-food industry have loudly called for increased workplace protections.

Last month, cooks and cashiers at a McDonald’s in East Los Angeles held a lunchtime protest, claiming management has pressured them to work while sick or recovering from serious injuries.

And in July 2022, fast-food workers caravaned across Orange County to demand passage of AB 257, which they say would protect them from sexual harassment, wage theft, safety violations and workplace violence.

California is home to more than 15,000 franchised quick-service restaurants and the No on AB 1228 coalition said AB 1228 would lead to higher costs, resulting in the shutdown of locally owned restaurants.

An Oxford Economics survey of more than 4,000 independent franchise owners found that roughly 26% of franchises are owned by people of color, and nearly a third of respondents said they would not be able to own a business without the opportunity of franchising.

Sanchez, whose Mcdonald’s workers earn a starting wage of $17 an hour, said AB 1228 could eventually end the franchise model in California

“More attorneys would get into the business of suing us,” she said. “This bill doesn’t provide any new protections, and it doesn’t talk about labor laws. It just opens the doors to new shakedown lawsuits.”

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​ Orange County Register