Hello Back Bay Blacktips, happy Monday.

It would seem like we may be having Marky Margs sooner than expected, as Flecha, Mark Wahlberg’s new mexican food chain in The Whaler’s old spot, is already hiring and has a pending liquor license. Time will tell if mid-tier mexican food and white label tequila will impress the (very discerning) locals. It’s us, we’re locals.

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:

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Early Saturday morning near Lifeguard Tower 40 in Newport Beach, local resident Soaren Stevenson was filming his brother boogie boarding when an estimated six-foot juvenile great white shark suddenly launched completely out of the water just yards behind him. The boogie boarder was catching a wave toward shore and remained oblivious to the airborne predator spinning in mid-air behind his back. Dr. Christopher Lowe, director of the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, reviewed the video and confirmed the shark was a juvenile white shark, explaining that dramatic breaches in shallow coastal waters are actually quite common—typically triggered by the shark trying to dislodge irritating skin parasites or simply playing. Maybe we’re gonna need a bigger boat.

🌊 Water temp = 70º
Suit Rec: Spring suit 3/2

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is trying to recruit a sea captain to deal with Newport’s great white problem..

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!