Hello Back Bay Bugbears, happy Friday!

We aren’t sure who started the fire at the Pick Up Stix in Westcliff Plaza, but we are guessing it was Ryan. If you don’t get that joke, it’s time to give mother back the Ipad. Yesterday definitely felt like Fall with the light afternoon showers, crisp breeze and lively sunset clouds. Time to visit a pumpkin patch and tuck into some chinese food. Also happy first full week of Sober October for all who celebrate. You got this. Our editor doesn’t.

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:

• Pick Up Stix is cooking

• Scarecrow Fest in CM

• Let’s Go Costa Mesa is getting bigger

• Almond Sidewalk Sale

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Pick Up Stix Begins Renovations

It is no secret that there is a shortage of good chinese food in Eastside/Newport Heights, and the Pick Up Stix in Westcliff Village was a dependable go-to. Since the fire at the location that occurred in February, the store has been closed, with no response when we reached out for comment on when it would be re-opening. But now there has finally been an update: the fix is officially underway. County filings show a health-department “food remodel” and construction activity at the site. Still no reopening date— the Irvine Company will keep it marked temporarily closed, and the brand isn’t commenting yet—but at least the hammers are swinging. For now, consider this your “progress report”; we’ll share a timeline as soon as one surfaces. We don’t know how much more Hong Kong Express we can take.

Let’s Go Costa Mesa Rideshare Service is Expanding Routes

Costa Mesa’s free EV shuttle Let’s Go Costa Mesa just got bigger. Weekday hours now run 8am–8pm (weekends stay 10am–8pm), and the service area expands to Hoag Hospital and east past Newport Blvd/55—so no more crossing the freeway to catch a ride. The program has exploded from 24 riders (Oct ’24) to about 2,800 in August, with roughly 45% of trips serving ages 16–22 (think rides to Newport Harbor and Estancia). It’s fully grant-funded through 2026 via California’s Clean Mobility Options; the city owns the EVs and is hunting long-term funding to keep the wheels turning.

• Pumpkin Patch @ Lido Village
  Oct 1-31
  12pm-5pm
  Info

• Almond Surfboards Sidewalk Sale
  Coffee by Meszla
  Sat Oct 11th
  8am-12pm
  Info

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

• Outdoor Concert on the Beach in Newport Beach

  Sunday, 12 October

  4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
  Info

• Fall Wreath Making Workshop ($150/person) - Lido Village
  Hosted by French Buckets
  Sun Oct 12th
  10am-12pm
  Tickets

• Candlemaking & Wine Night - SOLD OUT - Semi Tropic Wines
  Wed Oct 15th
  6-9pm
  Info

• Homeless Solutions Townhall Meeting - Norma Hertzog Community Center
  Wed Oct 15th
  5:30pm-8pm
  Info

• Spooky Thursday - CDM Third Thursdays
  Thurs Oct 16th
  5pm-8pm
  Info

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

• Artwork Submittal Deadline - Seed Peoples Market
  Get your art featured at Seed Peoples Market in CM
  Due by Oct 17th
  Info

• Boo Haha: Haunted Oktoberfest - OC Fairgrounds
  Demolition Derby, Beer tastings, live music
  Sat Oct 25th
  Info

• Newport Beach Car Fest
  Fri Oct 24th-25th
  Info

• Artisan Marketplace - Environmental Nature Center (Newport)
  eco-friendly, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations
  Sun Dec 7
  11am-4pm
  Info

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

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🌊 Water temp = 67º
Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Pumpkin Patch @ Lido Village
  Oct 1-31
  12pm-5pm
  Info

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

  Friday, 10 October

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Irvine Global Village Festival - Irvine Great Park

  Saturday, 11 October

  10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  Info

• Scarecrow Festival in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 11 October

  2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  Info

• Aquarium Open Hours at Orange Coast College

  Saturday, 11 October

  12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  Info

• Pumpkin Decorating Family Night at Mariners Church Irvine

  Saturday, 11 October

  5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  info

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

• Outdoor Concert on the Beach in Newport Beach

  Sunday, 12 October

  4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
  Info
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Dog Costume Contest - 3rd Thursdays CDM
  Hosted by Good Boys Social Club
  Thurs Oct 14th
  6pm
  Info

• Little Lido Kids Club Music Class - Lido Village
  Thurs Oct 16th
  10am-10:30am
  RSVP

  • Little Lido Storytime - Lido Village Books
    Thurs Oct 16th
    10am
    RSVP
    

• Yoga + Sound Bath at Even House in Tustin (Use FALLFLOW5 for $5 off!)
  Includes Kid Zone for littles to hang out while parents flow

  Saturday, 18 October

  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  RSVP

• Halloween SpookTacular - Mariners Park
  Bouncers, DJ, trunk or treat, haunted walkthrough
  Sat Oct 25th
  3-6pm
  Info
  

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD

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

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor has had too much Hong Kong Express.

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!