Happy Friday Back Baylians! It’s gonna be MAY in less than a week. Start packing your beach totes because at this rate it will start to get nice and sunny in about *checks notes* 5 months. May Gray, June Gloom, No-Sky July and Fog-ust come for us all. Also, LOTs of family friendly activities this weekend as Earth Day turns into Earth Week.

In today’s Buzz:

• Everyone’s Included at NB’s newest playground

• RIP Eddie V

• Laguna Bans Pickleball

• Its a great day to be a kid (or the earth)

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

NB Opens its First All-Accessible Playground

When our editor was a child, the local playground’s only attraction was a single steel slide with sharp edges and woefully inadequate railing. Times have changed: Newport Beach celebrated the opening of its first fully accessible playground at San Miguel Park on April 23, featuring a 12-foot super tower, wheelchair-friendly play structures, and over 20 ADA-compliant amenities. The $900,000 project was inspired by 17-year-old Corona Del Mar student Alexis Portillo, whose request for an accessible swing for her disabled sister, Alanis, sparked similar installations across the city. Mayor Joe Stapleton praised Portillo's advocacy, calling the playground a testament to how a single voice can create meaningful change. Portillo emphasized the importance of speaking up for those who cannot, describing the park as a powerful reminder of compassion and community strength.

Eddie V’s Steakhouse Closes it’s Doors after 20 Years

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood in Newport Beach, a beloved fine dining destination for two decades, will close its doors on June 15, 2025. Located at 1370 Bison Avenue in The Bluffs Shopping Center, this upscale steak and seafood restaurant has been a local favorite since its opening in 2005. Known for its elegant ambiance, live jazz in the V Lounge, and signature dishes like Chilean sea bass and USDA Prime steaks, Eddie V’s has been a go-to spot for special occasions and memorable nights out. The restaurant chain was founded in Austin, Texas, in 2000 by Guy Villavaso and Larry Foles (soo…no “Eddie”?), and was acquired by Darden Restaurants in 2011. While the Newport Beach location is closing, Eddie V’s continues to operate in various states across the country. The company has stated that employees affected by the closure will be offered positions at other locations. As the community prepares to bid farewell to this iconic establishment, patrons are encouraged to visit before the final service to enjoy one last evening of exceptional dining and live music

Laguna Bans Pickleball (Kind of)

Laguna Beach pickleball players at Lang Park are now required to use quieter paddles—each costing over $100—to address neighbors' long-standing noise complaints. The new rule, recently approved by the Laguna Beach City Council effective April 10, follows years of complaints from nearby senior residents disturbed by constant noise. Previous measures included sound barriers, limited playing hours, and even offers of double-pane windows. While some neighbors remain skeptical that quieter paddles solve the issue, most players have embraced the switch, saying it preserves their enjoyment of the courts. The city sold 220 paddles at cost, and enforcement will be handled by park rangers. We are so glad we don’t live in Laguna.

📺️ WHAT TO WATCH 📺️ 

Seeing Jon Hamm steal his neighbor’s Richard Mille Tourbillon in “Your Friends and Neighbors” (AppleTV+) reminded us that we need to renew our alarm permit for our Ring account. One can never be too careful these days. Not that our Seiko collection would necessarily tempt a down-on-his-luck portfolio manager. Also that reminds us: if you own a Richard Mille, kindly unsubscribe. Here’s what else we are watching this weekend:

• The Accountant 2 - You can watch the first one on Prime -(Theaters)

• Until Dawn - Scary woods situation - (Theaters)

• Havoc - Tom Hardy with yet another indecipherable accent - (Netflix)

• California King - (Theaters)

• Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie - A docu about the hippie stoner duo - (Theaters)

• Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life - (Max)

• The Race for the Crown - Mint Julep, anyone? (Netflix)

• The NFL Draft - (ABC,ESPN)

—WHAT TO DO—

• Laugh A little: Comedy Night - Wayfarer - Sunday 4/27 7pm - Tickets

• Ask for a 2nd date at - you guessed it- IKEA Costa Mesa - Earth Fest at Ikea Costa Mesa - Sunday 4/27 - 10-3pm - Info

• Fourth Fridays Vintage Market - Lido Village - Fri 4/25th 12-5pm - Info

• Sugar Paper Chainstitch Event - Lido Village - Sat 4/26 11-3pm - Info

• South Coast Plaza Garden Show - South Coast Plaza - Fri 4/25-4/28 - Info

• Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race - 4/25-4/27 - Info

• Spring Herb Garden Workshop with French Buckets - Lido Village - Sun 4/27 11-12:30pm - Info

• Air | Water Porsche Experience - OC Fairgrounds - Sat 4/26

• 🌎️ Earth Day Festival - Costa Mesa City Hall - Sat 4/26 10am-2pm - Info

UPCOMING:

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

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

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

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

Friday

55🌡️ 62 I ⛅️ I 13% Rain I 🌬️ S 11mph

Saturday

54🌡️ 62 I ⛅️ I 24% Rain I 🌬️ SW 11mph

Sunday

55🌡️ 62 I ⛅️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ SSW 11mph

🌊 Water temp = 60º

This Weekend:

• CDM Songs & Stories - NB Public Library - Friday 4/25 10:30-11a - Info

• Healthy Kids Day + Summer Kickoff! - NEWPORT-MESA FAMILY YMCA - Sat 4/26 10-12pm

• EVENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

  • Ice Cream Truck

  • Bounce house

  • Family Boot Camp Demo

  • Health & Wellness Vendors

  • Healthy food and treats

• Bugs Life Outdoor Market at Kid-Friendly Coffee Shop - Press & Moka Coffee - Irvine 10-2pm - Info

• Frog Themed Earth Day at ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Sat 4/26 10-3pm - Info

• Earth Day At the Bay - Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center - Sat 4/26 10-4pm - Info - Free to attend, RSVP Here

• Aquatic Community Day at Back Bay Science Center - Sunday 4/27 10-2pm - Info, RSVP for a Nature Walk here

• Reading in the Redwoods - ENC (Newport Beach) - Sunday 4/27 - 10-11:30am - Info

• Earth Day Celebration - OCC Planeterium - Sat 4/26 10-2pm - Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• The Gruffalo's Child (Play) - Seagerstrom - 4/26-27th - Tickets

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

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

Friday

• Manuel The Band, Between Howls, Eva Loona Smith with Fine Folk - Wayfarer - 6pm - Tickets

• Colombian Latin Soul - Cafe Sevilla - 8-10pm - Free for Customers

• Ben Folds (That Ben Folds?) - Seagerstrom - 4/25-4/26 8pm - Tickets

Saturday

• Shaded (Live) with Ethan Sparks B2B Mr. Macke and Ariztotle - Wayfarer - 9pm Tickets

• Mojo’s Big 50th - Tiki Bar - 7pm - Tickets

• Jay Magdeleno (Classic Rock, Country, Folk, Blues) - The Winery - 7:30-10:30pm - Free for Customers

Sunday

• Joe Di Fiore Big Band with special guest Eva Mikhailovna - Campus JAX - 6:30 - Tickets

• Robert Incelli Latin Jazz - Cafe Sevilla - 7pm - Free for Customers

Plan Ahead:

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

• 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 cut his hands on a steel slide trying to relive his childhood.

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!