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Hello Back Bay Buzz Balls, happy Friday!
It is a shame that PF Chang’s Fashion Island abruptly closed its doors on August 24th, it remained the most scenic place to eat mediocre chinese food in all of Newport Beach. What’s even more shameful is letting the staff know the day of their last shift. Standard Irvine Company behavior.
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:
Snakes on the Beach
Gem Faire at the Fairgrounds
Live saxophone at the Camp
Run a 5k, drink wine, repeat
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
Rattlesnake Spotted Catching Rays at Crystal Cove
credit: @nickyparis
Next time you drop your towel on the sand, look twice. Beachgoers at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach got an unexpected wildlife sighting when a sizable rattlesnake was spotted slithering right out of the surf line and across the beach.
Comedian and TV host Nicky Paris captured the encounter on video after feeling a surprising brush against his big toe as he stepped out of the ocean. The snake wound its way between his sandals, crossed the open sand, and retreated up into the coastal hills—leaving Paris unharmed, albeit thoroughly startled.
Quick Takeaways for Beachgoers:
Keep an eye on the sand: While rare in the surf, rattlesnakes naturally inhabit Southern California’s coastal bluffs and brush, occasionally wandering onto open beaches during warm weather.
Give them wide berth: If you spot one, step back slowly. Snakes generally avoid conflict and will head back toward cover if given space.
Check your gear: Shake out towels, bags, and shoes before packing up, especially if you're set up near dunes or trail access points.
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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”
Fourth Fridays Vintage Market - Lido Marina Village
Friday, August 28th
12:00pm-5:00pm
Balboa Island Summer Concert Series: Kenny Hale Band - Balboa Island Park Click to open side panel for more information
Friday, August 28th
6:00pm-8:00pm
Live at Lunch: Kole on Saxophone - The CAMP
Friday, August 28th
12:00pm-2:00pm
💎 Gem Faire - OC Fairgrounds
Saturday-Sunday August 28th-29th
InfoEnd of Summer Market - Neat Coffee
Burgers, Vintage, Vinyl, Florals
Saturday August 29th
11-3pm
Info🏃 🍷 5k and Wine - Semi Tropic Wines x Newport Run Club
Saturday August 29th
6pm
Info
The professional secret to dough is out
Ever tried to make dough in your regular mixer?
The results aren’t pretty: Clumpy texture. Stodgy bread. Overheated motors.
So, how do the pros get it right?
Introducing Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer.
Its secret is the same dough-making technology that professional bakers have used for decades.
Until now, most spiral mixers have been industrial-sized machines with industrial-sized price tags.
They also only made dough. And that gets a no from us.
To put the same professional tech into the hands of home bakers, we rebuilt the spiral mixer — creating a mighty little machine that can whip, beat and knead to professional high standards.
UPCOMING:
Explore the World of Japanese Green Tea - Sherman Library & Gardens
Tuesday, September 1st
10:00am-11:30am
Morgan Jay: The Goofy Guy Tour - The Lido Theater
Friday, September 4th
7:00pm-8:30pm
Movies on the Beach: Labor Day Weekend - Newport Dunes
Friday, September 4th
7:30pm-9:30pm
Lido Legacy Live Benefit: The Righteous Brothers - The Lido Theater
Friday, September 11th
6:00pm-9:30pm
Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Metallica - The Lido Theater
Sunday, September 13th
5:30pm-6:30pm
Concerts on the Green: Flashback Heart Attack - Newport Beach - Civic Center
Sunday, September 13th
6:00pm-7:30pm
Newport District 1 Town Hall Meeting - Marina Park
Monday September 14th
6pm
InfoShinrin-yoku Sunset Outdoor Sound Bath - Sherman Library & Gardens
Thursday, September 10th
7:00pm-8:00pm
Friends of OASIS Cars and Coffee - OASIS Senior Citizen Center
Saturday, September 12th
8:00am-10:30am
Maker Faire OC - OC Fair & Event Center
Saturday, September 12th
10:00am-5:00pm
Sand Sports Super Show - OC Fair & Event Center
Friday, September 18th
4:00pm-10:00pm
Annual Estuary Coastal Cleanup Day - Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
Saturday, September 19th
9:00am-12:00pm
Studio Ghibli: Princess Mononoke Special Screening - The Lido Theater
Sunday, September 27th
4:00pm-6:15pm
64th Annual Sandcastle Contest - Corona Del Mar State Beach Park
Sunday, September 27th
8:00am-12:00pm
🍷 Environmental Nature Center Wine Walk - Environmental Nature Center
Sunday, September 27th
4:00pm-7:00pm
could we get just a small crumb of cool air plz…
🌊 Water temp = 75º
Suit Rec: Spring suit 3/2
THIS WEEKEND:
🌻 Wild Tales in Newport Beach (Register!)
Friday, 28 August
10:00 am - 11:00 am
info🐐 Storytime with Farm Animals at Hana Field Costa Mesa ($0-10)
Friday, 28 August
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Info🌞 Summer Fun Fest at The Marketplace
Saturday, 29 August
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Info🐠 Touch Tank Open Hours at OCC Aquarium ($5)
Saturday, 29 August
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
info🪛 Kids Makers Market in Newport Beach
Sunday, 30 August
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
info
Upcoming:
🦈 Sharks After Dark - The Ocean Institute Dana Point
Second Fridays June-August
5:30-8:30pm
$0 for 0-18 month, $14 kids, $18 adults
InfoCritter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
3rd Wednesday of each month
10-11am
InfoStem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
Second Saturday of Every Month
10am -12pm
RSVPBarnes and Noble Storytime at Fashion Island Newport Beach
Wednesday, 02 September
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
InfoStorybook Readers - Playhub Mission Viejo
Thursday September 3rd
10-12pm
Info
Plan Ahead
Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza
Saturday, 05 September
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
infoFamily Hike at Red Rock Wildnerness (Registration Required)
Saturday, 05 September
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
InfoSurf Club (Family Beach Day) Playdate for Littles in Newport Beach
Sunday, 06 September
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
InfoNewport Beach Movie in the Park: Hoppers - Bayview Park
Friday, September 18th
6:00pm-8:00pm
64th Annual Sandcastle Contest - Corona Del Mar State Beach Park
Sunday, September 27th
8:00am-12:00pm
Farmers Markets 🥬🥕:
Newport Pier Farmer’s Market
Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)
Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)
Newport Beach - Newport Pier (Sundays 9-1)
Newport Harbor - Dover Dr & 16th St (Saturdays 9am-1pm)
Mesa Verde - 1525 Mesa Verde Dr E, Costa Mesa (Sundays 10-2pm)
OC Fairgrounds Farmers Market - OC Fairgrounds, (Thursdays 9am-1pm)
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is reading all the hate mail from our last pizza poll…
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!
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