Hello Back Bayliens, happy Tuesday.

We hope you had a nice long weekend. We gave our writer the day off yesterday, so today’s post is 1 day later than usual. What a wild 3 days, with power outages, Hazmat crews blocking off streets in CDM, sand holes collapsing, and also—humidity.

To the 100ish new readers since our last send—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:

• NB Lifeguards save kids from collapsed sand hole

• Hazmat Scare in CDM

• Go Greek Grand Opening Thurs

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

NB Lifeguards Save the Day

A viral video with more than 20 million views shows Newport Beach Lifeguards rescuing two boys trapped waist-deep in wet sand near the Pier. According to Capt. Mark Herman, a wave caused their sand tunnel to collapse, leaving the kids stuck as bystanders tried unsuccessfully to dig them out. Lifeguards arrived within moments and pulled them to safety. Officials are reminding beachgoers that wet sand can be as dangerous as surf, especially with a beach hazard warning in effect this holiday weekend for strong rip currents and waves up to six feet. Stay safe out there.

Hazmat Scare in Corona Del Mar

A hazardous materials incident shut down parts of Corona del Mar Monday afternoon after Newport Beach firefighters discovered a “mixed chemicals situation” inside a garage on Carnation Avenue. What started as a medical emergency quickly drew a large multi-agency response, with hazmat teams from Huntington Beach and Anaheim assisting local crews. The substance is believed to be a chlorine gas leak.

Police closed surrounding streets and urged nearby residents to shelter indoors while firefighters evacuated one person and a dog from the home. Both were reported stable, along with a second patient taken to the hospital. Crews worked into the evening to neutralize the chemical threat, with officials warning neighbors to expect an extended emergency presence.

THIS WEEK:

• Bring your ghoul-friend to The Midnight Market - Rogers Gardens CDM
  All Week
  9am-6pm (is not midnight we know)
  Info

• Register for the Scarecrow Contest - Costa Mesa
  “Let’s see your scariest crows”
  Info

• Go Greek Frozen Yogurt Grand Opening - Newport Beach
  191 Riverside Ave, Unit C
  Thurs Sep 4th

  Info

• Block Party Movie Night - Sunset Ridge Park (NB)
  Showing of “A Minecraft Movie”. There will be free popcorn, candy, crafts, and activities
  Fri Sep 5th 7pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Coming Soon: The best pumpkin patches in OC for 2025

• School Spirit Weekend - Buffalo Exchange (The Lab)
  Sat Sep 6th- Sun Sep 7th
  Info

• Canines & Coffee - Almond Surf
  Dog-centric meetup hosted by Good Boys Social Club
  Sat Sep 6th
  9-12pm
  Info

• REDO Vintage Market - OC Fairgrounds
  Sep 12-13th
  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

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

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

• Chili Cook Off - Estancia Park (CM)
  Sun Sep 28th
  11am-4pm
  Info

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

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletters:

TUESDAY
71🌡️ 85 I 🌤️ I 24% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ WSW 12mph

WEDNESDAY
69🌡️ 81 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️SSW 9mph

THURSDAY
67🌡️ 78 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ➡️ SSW 11mph

FRIDAY
68🌡️ 77 I 🌤️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ➡️ SSW 9mph

🌊 Water temp = 72º
Suit Rec: Shorty

THIS WEEK:

• Midnight Market Halloween Boutique at Rogers Gardens
  All Week

  9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  Info

• Pages & Paws at Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
  Tuesday, 02 September

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Read to a Dog at Newport Beach Central Library
  Tuesday, 02 September

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Free Swim Lesson at Aqua-Tots Swim School with Mom Walk FV in Costa Mesa
  Thursday, 04 September

  11:45 am - 2:00 pm
  RSVP

• Little Lido Storytime at Lido Village Books
  Thursday, 04 September

  10:00 am - 10:30 am
  Info

• Wild Tales Storytime, Hike, and Craft in Newport Beach (RSVP!)
  Friday, 05 September

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Block Party Movie Night - Sunset Ridge Park (NB)
  Showing of “A Minecraft Movie”. There will be free popcorn, candy, crafts, and activities
  Fri Sep 5th 7pm
  Info

 Farmers Markets🥬🥕:

Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)

Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)

Newport Beach - Newport Pier (Sunday 9-1)

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Little Lido Kids Club: Music Class with Magic Steps - Lido Village
  Thurs Sep 18th
  10:30am
  RSVP
  
  

• $5 Movies at AMC - AMC Tustin, Irvine
  “Get a steal of a deal on tickets to some of your favorite past animated films every week with Summer Movie Camp, now through 8/13”
  Info

  
  

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

Bands in Town(s):

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD

• ZZ TOP - FOGHAT - Pacific Ampitheatre - Sat Aug 30th - Tickets

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

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor mixed some chemicals and is now feeling rather woozy.

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!