Hello Back Bay Barnacles, happy Friday!

We feel like this month has been a lot like the weather this week: volatile. We are in that uncharted no-mans-land between summer and sweater weatha’, I think we all feel the need to step back and collect ourselves before the rush of the holiday season begins. Still, make some time to wind down at one of the events this weekend like the Westcliff Plaza Night Market, pilates at SOCO or the Sandsports Expo (very relaxing).

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:

• Costa Mesa Approves Mesa Restoration

• Sandsports Expo at Fairgrounds

• SOCO Pilates

• Live Animals at Mariners

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Costa Mesa Approves Fairview Mesa Restoration

Fairview Park’s mesa is finally getting its glow-up. After some delays (including a cameo from the endangered Crotch’s bumble bee), Costa Mesa approved a seven-year, $1.3M contract with Endemic Environmental to restore 15 acres on the northern mesa and bluffs. Think invasive weeds out, natives in—black sage, California sagebrush, spring fiddlenecks, purple sage—the stuff that draws back the hawks, herons, burrowing owls, and the 200+ species that call this plateau west of Placentia home.

The project checks two big boxes: it uses a $2M slice of a 2022 state parks grant that expires in December 2026, and it helps the city fulfill an old OCTA habitat-restoration commitment (there’s still 9.5 acres owed; this makes up the gap). Trails built off-map over the years will be closed, but the city’s established routes stay open for passive use while crews work. No vote needed under Measure AA—this is restoration, not redevelopment—and it lines up with the park’s master plan. Bottom line from City Hall: it’s an excellent project, the funding clock is ticking, and a promise is a promise.

• Bon Voyage Summer Market - Westcliff Plaza

  Saturday, 20 September

  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  Info

• Sand Sports Expo in Costa Mesa ($0-$20) - OC Fairgrounds

  Saturday, 20 September

  9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  Info

• Last Summer Saturday - AHBA (The Camp)
  DJ 10:30pm-2am, Burgers at Buzz’s, $10 presale
  Sat Sep 20th 10:30pm-2am
  RSVP

• Mat Pilates - Farm Habits SOCO
  Sat Sep 20th
  9am
  Info

• Pacific Wine and Food Classic - Newport Dunes

  Sat Sep 20th 1pm-5pm

  Tickets

• Art in the Park - Newport Beach Civic Center Green
  Live Music, Artwork, Sculpture, food & wine pavilion, kids activity
  Sat Sep 20th 10-5pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Sparks & S’mores - Urban Workshop Costa Mesa
  free s’mores, blacksmithing
  Monday Sep 22nd
  6pm-9pm
  RSVP

• Health Fair Expo - Costa Mesa Senior Center
  “A free, fun and informative day focused on senior wellness.”
  Thurs Sep 25th
  10am-1pm
  Info

• Fall Makeup Masterclass - Milligram CM
  Thursday Sep 25th
  6-8pm
  Info

• Art Walk - The Camp
  Fri Sep 26th
  4-8pm
  Info

• Chili Cook Off - Estancia Park (CM)
  Our editor is thinking ‘bout them beans.
  Sun Sep 28th
  11am-4pm
  Info

• Free Community Yoga - Hoka (South Coast Plaza)
  Sun 9/28
  9am
  

• Newport Beach Volleyball Invitational - NB
  October 7-11
  Info

• Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch - ENC (NB)
  Sun Oct 12
  10am-3pm
  Info

• Newport Beach Film Festival - Fashion Island
  Thurs Oct 16th-Thurs Oct 23rd
  Tickets

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletters:

FRIDAY
67🌡️ 77 I 🌤️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ WSW 10mph

SATURDAY
67🌡️ 77 I 🌤️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ ➡️ W 11mph

SUNDAY
68🌡️ 76 I 🌥️ I 15% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 9mph

🌊 Water temp = 69º
Suit Rec: Shorty

THIS WEEKEND:

• Bon Voyage Summer Market - Westcliff Plaza

  Saturday, 20 September

  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  Info
  

• OCME Free Train Rides in Costa Mesa
  Saturday, 20 September
  10:00 am - 3:30 pm
  Info
  

• Meet Live Animals w/ Environmental Nature Center at Mariners Library Newport Beach
  Saturday, 20 September

  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Play and Learn at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

  Saturday, 20 September

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info

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

  Sunday, 21 September

  10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  Info
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Art Walk - The Camp
  Fri Sep 26th
  4-8pm
  Info

• Coffee + Mom Walk in Newport Beach

  Friday, 26 September

  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Kids Workshop: Haunted Candy Box - Home Depot
  They never check if you registered or not but we recommend it just in case.
  Sat Oct 4th 9am
  Register

• Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch - ENC (NB)
  Sun Oct 12
  10am-3pm
  Info

Live Music:

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD

• Mickey Avalon (yes That Mickey Avalon)- Wayfarer
  Sat October 18th

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is still recovering from the Young the Giant concert last weekend.

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!