Hello Back Bay buddies, happy Friday!

We hear that it is going to rain next week. This is disappointing because we already used our favorite excuse for getting out of any obligation on a rainy day (“Sorry, can’t make it, I don’t own an umbrella…”). It may still work because we STILL don’t own an umbrella. Closet space is limited and it doesn’t exactly spark joy. Also, If anyone finds anything by Local Natives at the Factory Records $1 parking lot sale, please let us know.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• New Self Checkout Rules coming to CM

• All the RHOC Restaurants, Mapped

• DUI Checkpoint tonight

• $1 Vinyl

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Costa Mesa to Review New Self-Checkout Rules

Fed up with aisles of unmanned kiosks, Costa Mesa is moving toward a local law to rein in self-checkout at big groceries and drugstores. After hearing from workers who say they’re monitoring 5–9 kiosks at once (and from industry reps who pushed back), the Council directed staff to draft an ordinance modeled on Long Beach’s “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores.” Translation: one dedicated employee per three kiosks, 15-item limit at self-checkout, no alcohol or locked-case items, and at least one staffed lane open before kiosks turn on. City spot checks found most local drugstores close to the ratio, but 6 of 14 qualifying groceries would fall short. Fines in Long Beach start at $100 and can climb to $1,000 per violation; Costa Mesa is still sorting out enforcement details. The motion to draft rules came from Manuel Chavez (seconded by Loren Gameros). Jeff Pettis and Mike Buley opposed, arguing the city shouldn’t micromanage private operations, while Arlis Reynolds backed planning for automation’s impact on local jobs. Police say grocery theft reports are down from 2024; drugstore thefts ticked up slightly.

Mildly Interesting: Every OC Restaurant Featured in RHOC Season 19

🔗 DUI Checkpoint Tonight in Costa Mesa 🚨 

Not that any of our readers need be concerned, but the DUI checkpoint will occur tonight between 8pm and 2am “within city limits”.

• Canned Food Drive - Semi Tropic Wines
  Info

• Dog Days at Hana Field
  Sat Nov 8-9
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Let’s Save Lives Gala - Balboa Bay Resort
  Sat Nov 8
  5pm
  Info

• $1 Vinyl Parking Lot Sale - Factory Records
  Sunday Nov 9th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Harbor Holiday Market - Newport Harbor High School Gym
  Sun Nov 9th
  11am-3pm
  
  

• Handmade Holiday - Semi Tropic Wines, Neighbors Ceramics
  Wed Nov 12th
  7-9pm
  Info

• OC Singles Mixer - Westwood Coast
  Thurs Nov 13th
  6-9pm
  Info

• Wine Fair - Milligram Costa Mesa
  Fri Nov 14th
  6pm-8pm
  Info

• Landers 777 Party - Landers Supply House
  Sat Nov 15th
  11-6pm
  Info

• Vintage Crawl - Various Locations
  Hosted by Silver Wings Vintage and Edgewater Rose Regalia
  Sat Nov 15th
  9am-4pm
  Info
  

• Artisan Marketplace - Environmental Nature Center (Newport)
  eco-friendly, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations
  Sun Dec 7
  11am-4pm
  Info

• Awakened Lifestyle Expo - Norma Hertzog Community Center
  Sun Dec 7th
  9:30am-9pm
  Info

• All CHOC Guilds Holiday Tree Luncheon - The Westin South Coast Plaza
  Sun Dec 7th
  10am
  Info

• Newport Beach Boat Parade Guide
  Click Here for the Guide
  Register your boat here

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 66º
Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Christmas Boutique - Roger’s Gardens
  Open Daily
  9am-6pm
  Info

• Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Irvine

  Friday, 07 November
  Info

• Dog Days at Hana Field
  Sat Nov 8-9
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Corona Del Mar Family Storytime

  Saturday, 08 November

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Nature Scavenger Hunt at Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach

  Saturday, 08 November

  9:30 am - 12:30 pm
  Info

• Aquatic Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach

  Sunday, 09 November

  10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  info
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• FREE Seaside Kids Concert with Magic Steps Studio at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach

  Thursday, 13 November

  10:30 am - 11:15 am
  Info

• Dream Glow Fest at Wild Rivers Waterpark ($25-$36)

  Nov 14th - Dec 31st

  4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Snoopy House - Costa Mesa City Hall
  Fri Dec 12-19th
  5:30-8:30pm
  Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor burnt his little fingies putting together a propane space heater.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!