Hello Back Bay Bee Gees, happy Friday!

Look, Halloween is next week: It may be time to get serious about your costume. It’s not often Halloween lands on a Friday. The next time this will happen is October 2031: Let’s make this one a core memory.

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:

• Peninsula Gas Leak shuts down city block

• Boo Haha Oktoberfest

• NB Car Fest

• Boo at the Bay

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Gas Leak From Abandoned Oil Well Spooks Peninsula Residents

Newport Beach declared a local emergency after methane was found seeping from an abandoned oil well under a home on the Balboa Peninsula (3600 block of Marcus Ave). Crews detected gas Wednesday night; the Fire Marshal red-tagged the house and evacuated nearby homes Thursday morning out of fire-risk precaution. The city is venting the well to release trapped gas; if readings stabilize, neighbors may be allowed back. Longer term, the well will need to be permanently capped. The emergency order lets the city lock down the area, speed up response, and tap extra resources while it works with state regulators to pinpoint the source and extent of the seep. Officials stress incidents like this are rare, but safety comes first. Anecdotally, there have been a ongoing posts on NB Next Door and Ring communities of neighbors smelling an odor of gas that has been reported for months. Could this be the cause? Time will tell, we will keep you updated as the story develops.

Strong Swimmer? Step Into the Stand:

• Last Week to Visit the Midnight Market - Roger’s Gardens
  Every Night until Oct 31st
  9am-6pm
  Info

• Harvest Market - Lido Village
  Sat Oct 25th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Boo Haha: Haunted Oktoberfest - OC Fairgrounds
  Demolition Derby, Beer tastings, live music
  Sat Oct 25th
  Info

• Newport Beach Car Fest
  Fri Oct 24th-25th
  Info

• Haunted Forest Silent Disco at ENC Newport Beach ($30)

  Sunday, 26 October

  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  Tickets

• Horror Movie Trivia - Wild Goose Tavern
  Wed Oct 29th
  7-9pm
  Info

• Halloween Party - Semi Tropic Wines
  Fri Oct 31st
  Info
  

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

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

• Community Science Night - OCC
  “Bring your scientists of any age to discover some of the wonders of the natural world.“
  Friday Oct 24th
  5-8pm
  Info

• Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party in Newport Beach

  Saturday, 25 October

  11:00 am - 3:00 pm
  Info

• Monster Mash at The Crossings Church in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 25 October

  5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  Info

• Halloween SpookTacular - Mariners Park
  Bouncers, DJ, trunk or treat, haunted walkthrough
  Sat Oct 25th
  3-6pm
  Info

• Haunted Forest Silent Disco at ENC Newport Beach ($30)

  Sunday, 26 October

  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  Tickets

• Spooky Stroller Sculpt Class at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach ($30)

  Sunday, 26 October

  9:30 am - 10:30 am
  RSVP

• Reading in the Redwoods in Newport Beach ($5-$7 - Registration Required)

  Sunday, 26 October

  10:00 am - 11:30 am
  Tickets
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Kids Club Craft at IKEA Costa Mesa (Register!)

  Wednesday, 29 October

  5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  Info

• Dia de Los Muertos tote Bags - A family craft session at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

  Wednesday, 29 October

  4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  Info

• Halloween Treats & Fun at Press & Moka Coffee Shop + Langson Art Museum in Irvine

  Friday, 31 October

  7:30 am - 4:00 pm
  Info
  

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is feeling “woozy” and is convinced the gas leak constitutes a “workplace hazard”.

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!