Hello Back Bay Bees, happy Friday!

We’re not sure why, but when TJs staff informed us that they would be transferring to the new store and that they were opening on Thursday, we took it with a grain of salt. We’d heard that one before. But it looks like we got a new Trader Joes and pet shop on Harbor as an early Christmas gift. Kind of like the 300+lb swordfish recently caught off NB, you never know when you are going to get lucky. Speaking of luck, we need to find a spot for New Years that is not already booked. We know, we know. We should have made reservations like, last year.

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 TJs on Harbor

• Monster Swordfish

• Makers Markets

• Live reindeer at Westcliff

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Trader Joe’s Actually Opened its New Harbor Blvd Store

Color us impressed, they actually did it. Costa Mesa’s second Trader Joe’s is officially open at Harbor & Victoria, with lines stretching around the oddly shaped parking lot. The 9,541-sq-ft island-themed market held a 9 a.m. ribbon cutting and brought in a mix of new hires and transfers to staff registers and stock fan favorites. The spot replaces the former 99 Cents Only (closed in 2024). Fun local note: TJ’s first hung a shingle here back in ’96 on W. 17th. As part of its Neighborhood Shares program, this store plans to donate all fit-to-eat unsold perishables to local nonprofits seven days a week. Maybe with two locations we will now have a fighting chance to cop a mini-tote before Christmas.

Local win: 311-lb swordfish landed off Newport

Costa Mesa’s Dejan Yovanovic (27), an action-sports videographer and Newport Harbor High alum, hauled in a 311-pound swordfish just 7 miles off Newport Beach. Using IGFA-legal stand-up gear (100-lb line) and a deep-drop squid setup, he battled the fish for about 45 minutes aboard the 40-ft Sleeper with captain Dave Ogle and deckhand Lamar Lee. The beast measured 125" overall (88" to the fork); a crowd gathered for the official weigh-in before the trio iced, processed, and shared the catch—enough to feed over 70 people.

• Fire & Light Festival at Newport Dunes

  Friday, 12 December

  4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Snowfall, Music, and Lights at Fashion Island Newport Beach

  Friday, 12 December

  5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  Info

• Snoopy House Holiday Display in Costa Mesa

  Friday, 12 December

  5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  Info

• Flashback Heart Attack - The Harp Inn
  80’s Tribute
  Sat Dec 13th @ 9pm
  Info

• Female Maker Market - Lido Village
  Saturday Dec 13th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Makers Hive Market - The Camp
  Saturday Dec 13th
  11-4pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Makers Hive Market - The Camp
  Saturday Dec 13th
  11-4pm
  Info
  

• Holiday Night Market - The Camp
  Thursday Dec 18th
  4-9pm
  Info

• Ugly Sweater Holiday Party - Milligram Costa Mesa
  Friday Dec 19th
  5pm-late
  Info

• Vintage Holiday Market - Lido Village
  Sat Dec 20th 12-5pm
  Info
  

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

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

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Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Julbord Cookie Decorating at IKEA

  Friday, 12 December

  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Fire & Light Festival at Newport Dunes

  Friday, 12 December

  4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Snoopy House Holiday Display in Costa Mesa

  Friday, 12 December

  5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  Info

• Coastal Discovery Tour in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 13 December

  9:00 am - 11:30 am
  RSVP

• Live Reindeer at Westcliff Plaza Newport Beach

  Saturday, 13 December

  10:00 am - 3:00 pm
  Info

• Santa Visits Lido - Lido Village
  Saturday Dec 13th
  12-4pm
  Info

• Charlie Brown Christmas Outdoor Movie at Mariners Church in Irvine

  Saturday, 13 December

  5:30 pm - 8:45 pm
  Info

• Breakfast with Santa - Zentrl Kitchen (Fashion Island)
  Sunday. December 14th
  9-11am
  Info

• A Celtic Christmas by TinBox Theatricals at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

  Sunday, 14 December

  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
  Info

• Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Fashion Island Newport Beach

  Sunday, 14 December

  3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Holiday Hootenanny - Salty Bear Brewing
  With Little Folk Club Sing-a-long
  Sat Dec 13th
  4-6pm
  Info

  
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

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

  Nov 14th - Dec 31st

  4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Holiday Hootenanny - Bump Out Park
  With Little Folk Club Sing-a-long
  Sat Dec 19th
  10am
  Info

• Park Habitat Restoration Days in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 20 December 9:00 am

  Saturday, 27 December 10:00 am
  Sign Up

• New Year's Eve Around the World at Pretend City ($22)

  Wednesday, 31 December

  10:00 am - 3:00 pm
  Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is trying to quit his nicotine pouch addiction and failing miserably.

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!