To Bay or not to Bay, that is the question. It’s looking like partly cloudy, 65° all-you-need-is-a-light-jacket type of days are here to stay for a little while, so might as well make the most of it and use this time to book a brunch and make a bouquet for Mom.

In today’s Buzz:

• Greenmart Cannabis store is out

• Affordable housing for veterans is in

• Plan ahead for Mother’s Day

• Did you know OC Fair’s Centennial Farm has a live Pig Cam?

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Costa Mesa Rejects New Cannabis Store

Costa Mesa’s City Council voted 5-2 on April 15 to uphold an appeal that blocks the opening of a proposed cannabis store, “Green Mart,” at 1912 Harbor Blvd. The store had received initial approval from the Planning Commission in February with a narrow 3-2 vote, but mounting concerns from residents and nearby business owners led to its reversal. Locals argued the area is already saturated with cannabis shops—four within a half-mile and nine within a one-mile radius—and that another dispensary would negatively affect the surrounding family-friendly businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops, and a boba store. Councilmembers cited the store’s incompatibility with the neighborhood and potential harm to local commerce as reasons for denying the permit. While Mayor John Stephens and Councilmember Loren Gameros voted in favor of allowing the store, the majority sided with community members who advocated for more balanced development and fewer cannabis retailers in residential corridors.

Costa Mesa Considers Plan for Affordable Housing on Harbor

A long-anticipated proposal to convert the vacant Mesa Motel in Costa Mesa into 46 units of affordable housing is set to go before the Planning Commission on Monday. The shuttered motor inn at 2205 Harbor Blvd., closed since 2022, could soon be transformed into mostly single-occupancy units with kitchenettes, along with one on-site manager’s unit. The project is led by Ahura Investments, LLC, affiliated with Dr. Nikan Khatibi of Ahura Healthcare Corp., which would also manage the property. Originally considered under California’s Project Homekey, the site was passed over in favor of other local conversions, including the Travelodge and Motel 6, both now being redeveloped for permanent supportive housing. The Mesa Motel plan targets very-low-income residents—earning roughly $50,000 annually—and prioritizes Costa Mesa locals, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. With its proximity to transit lines, the site qualifies for a state density bonus and reduced parking requirements. If approved, the project would repurpose two existing two-story buildings into much-needed affordable housing.

This Week:

• Throwback Taco Tuesday - Avilas El Ranchito - 5-10pm - Info

• Mother’s Day Gift Boxes - Sees Candy Fashion Island - 4/21-5/11 All Day - Info

• Trivia Night - Crackshack - Thu 5/1 6:30pm - Info

• Tustin Farmers Market - Wed 4/30 9am-1pm - Info

UPCOMING:

• Cinco De Mayo Event - Playa Mesa - Monday 5/5 - Info

• Mother’s Day Weekend Floral Pop-ups - The Lab - Fri 5/9 to Sun 5/11 11am-3pm - Info

• Mother’s Day at Spa Pendry - Pendry Hotel - 5/9-5/11 10am-6pm - Info

• Mother’s Day Bottomless Champagne Brunch - Bayside Restaurant - Sun 5/11 10:30am-3:30pm - Info

• Support Your Local Surf Shop: Surf Shop Day - Sat 5/17 - Info

• 🛥️ Newport Beach International Boat Show - Want to hobnob with some bajillionaires? Check out the Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS, s’cyute) and be sure to invite us out for a sunset cruise once you lock down a sugar zaddy - May 2nd-4th - Tickets

• 🏃 OC Marathon - OC Fairgrounds - Sat-Sun 5/3-5/4 - Info

• Mother's Day Marketplace - Lido Village - Sat 5/10 10-4pm - Info

• Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival - Balboa Bay Resort - Fri 5/23 - Sun 5/25 - 1-5pm - Info

• Beach Cleanup - Tower 71, Newport Beach - 8-12pm - Info

• Newport Beach TV Fest - Jun 5-8 - Info

• 🍕 Half-Off Pizzas - Stag Bar - Every Tuesday - Dine-in Only - Info

Monday

56🌡️ 64 I ⛅️ I 8% Rain I 🌬️ SSW 10mph

Tuesday

57🌡️ 67 I ☀️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ SSW 9mph

Wednesday

57🌡️ 65 I ⛅️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ SSW 10mph

Thursday

57🌡️ 65 I ⛅️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ SW 10mph

🌊 Water temp = 60º

This Week:

• Newport Beach Central Books & Babies - Newport Beach Central Library - Mon 4/28 10:30-11am - Info

  • Butterfly Release & Bug Yoga - Newport Beach Central Library - Tue 4/29 10:30am-11:30am - Info

• Comedy Juggling - Irvine University Park Library - Tue 4/29 3:30pm - 4:30pm - Info

• Story Time - Barnes & Noble Irvine Spectrum - Wed 4/30 11:00-11:30am - Info

• High School Internship at the Sherman Library & Gardens Application Due Date - CDM - Wed 4/30 - Info

• Check Out OC Fair’s Centennial Farm live Pig Cam here

PLAN AHEAD:

• Discovery Day at The Farm - OC Fairgrounds - Wed 5/7 9am-12pm - Info

• Touch A Truck - Irvine Great Park - Sat May 17th 2pm - Tickets

• Free Train Rides - Goathill Junction, Fairview Park (Costa Mesa) - Every 3rd Weekend 10am-3:30pm - Info

Monday

•  Dinerboy with MONK, GAMBLE, Bulbous - Wayfarer - 7:30 - Tickets

Tuesday

• Tuesday Night Dance: Latin Rhythms - Seagerstrom - 6:30pm

Wednesday

• Unwind Wednesday ft. Chelsea Sanchez - The CAMP Courtyard - 11am-1pm - Info

• The Halluci Nation - Wayfarer - 7pm - Tickets

• Kanakafyah - Tiki Bar - 7pm - Tickets

Thursday

• Tony Guerrero ft. Ron Stout - Campus JAX - 7pm - Tickets

• Finding Emo OC - Wayfarer - 8pm - Tickets

Plan Ahead:

• Emo Nite - Time Nightclub (Costa Mesa) Thurs 4/24 10pm - Tickets

• Songs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa) - Sunday 5/4 2:30-6pm - Info

• It Was Never a Phase (Emo Tribute Fest) - Newport Beach Peninsula - Sat 5/10 - Info

• BECK - Pacific Ampitheatre - Wed 7/30 - 7:30pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is still recovering from an ill-advised Easter egg toss incident.

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!