And just like that, Ski Week was over. We know, we promised to not mention Ski Week again until next Ski Week. We also said we wouldn’t overspend at the Vintage Market last Saturday but here we are.

In today’s Buzz:

• Spaghetti Bender Closing after 55 Years

• When is Flu Season

• The Weekend Agenda

Let’s dive in!

Jon Dougher, Back Bay Buzz

NOTABLE HEADLINES

Spaghetti Bender is Closing

Lorenzo’s Spaghetti Bender will serve its last meal in March 2025, closing after 55 years of cherished service. The restaurant’s story began in early 1969 when Joyce Hoskinson, recently divorced and seeking a way to support her young son Michael and parents, spotted a for-sale sign on an old Mexican restaurant in West Newport. She quickly made a deal, enlisting her father (Papa Lorenzo), a Merchant Marine, to run the kitchen of the newly named Spaghetti Bender, a nod to their Italian heritage.

Opening in June 1969, business was slow until a glowing restaurant review sparked its rise to local fame. By 1976, Joyce expanded and remodeled the restaurant to accommodate growing crowds, shaping the beloved eatery that stands today. Over 20,000 continuous days of service, Spaghetti Bender became known for its welcoming atmosphere and quality food, thanks to its dedicated staff, including longtime chef Alphonso, manager Janie Barger, and Britta Pulliam, who started as a salad girl before opening her own acclaimed restaurant, Britta’s Cafe, and returned to help run Spaghetti Bender. As the Spaghetti Bender bids farewell, the family expresses deep gratitude to its loyal patrons and staff who made its success possible. It is not currently known what will replace the Bender at the location on PCH, we’re hoping chinese 🥢. In related news, Santa Monica Seafood (Costa Mesa) also closed its doors as of Wednesday 2/19, citing rising lease prices.

A Flu Good Men (And women. And children.)

If it seems like everyone is sick, its because statistically they probably are. According to the CDC, February is Peak Flu Season in the US, and its not even close. While that may seem like a flu-ke, the CDC says it has been the case on average for the last 40 years. An influenza bonenza. a wheezy fugeezy. ok I’m done. Seriously though, the flu is no joke. According to CDC stats, the 2024-25 flu season is already responsible for:

• 29 million illnesses

• 370,000 hospitalizations

• 16,000 deaths

Time to stock up on vitamin C and hand sanitizer. Below is a map of states hit the hardest by the flu by number of cases.

We are officially normalizing staying inside (and/or going to Hawaii) until April. If not, maybe keep a few of these in your Birkin.

— WEEKEND AGENDA — 

What to Watch

We cannot believe that White Lotus didn’t keep the theme song from last season for season 3. We were ready to do the dance and everything. Oh well, at least we weren’t the only ones.

• The Monkey (Theaters)

• Zero Day (Netflix)

• 1923 (Yellowstone origin story), season two premiere. (Paramount+)

• Old Guy (Theaters)

• We Beat the Dream Team. The greatest bball story you’ve never heard. (HBO, Max)

• The Americas (NBC)

What to Do

• 🎭️ Endorfun Comedy Show - Gremlin Garage (CM) - Saturday 2/22 7pm - Tickets

• 🧵 The Great (in store Embroidery Event) - The Great (Lido Village) - Saturday, 2/22 12p-4p - Info

• 🍸️ National Margarita Day - Playa Mesa - Saturday 2/22 - Info

• 🧑‍🌾 Farmers Market at the Pier - Newport Beach Pier - 9a-1p

• 🍔 Eat a Burger - Mayor’s Table Locals get 50% off their bill during dinner hour on Sundays - More Info

— Plan Ahead —

• 🩳 Fourth Friday’s Vintage Market - The Lido Deck - Fri Feb 28th

• 🏍️ Beachside Moto Club - Gremlin Garage (CM) - Saturday 3/1 9:30a - More Info

• 🍣 Restaurant Week - Various Restaurants (click here for full list) - March 2-8

• Golden State Comedy Show - Gremlin Garage (CM) - Saturday March 8th 7:30p - Tickets

• 🗝️ All-Island Garage Sale - Balboa Island - Saturday April 12th 7:30a-1p - 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

WEATHER

Friday

53🌡️ 70 I ☀️ I 10% Rain I 10mph 🌬️ 

Saturday

52🌡️ 67I ⛅️ I 3% Rain I 10mph 🌬️ 

Sunday

53🌡️ 67 I ☀️ I 3% Rain I 8mph 🌬️ 

Water temp = 57º

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Little Seedlings Storytime at Sherman Library and Gardens - Fri 2/21 10am - Corona Del Mar - More Info

Reading in the Redwoods - ENC - Sun 2/23 9:45am - Register

ICYMI: 

Little Lido Music Class with Magic Steps Music was a smashing success. little ones from 1mo to 6yo danced and sang along to acoustic kids tunes on the lido deck for a little Friday Jr. Fun. Pro tip: Get there early, the parking garage and Lido Deck were absolutely packed. Music class will be back on March 13 and Magic Steps will be back to the Lido Deck on Mar 20th.

PLAN AHEAD:

• Little Lido Music Class with Zach Churchill - 3/13 10:30a

• Little Lido Music Class w/ Magic Steps - 3/30 10:30a

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

• Album Attack plays Radiohead’s OK Computer - The Wayfarer - 7pm

  • Sega Genecide - 10pm

• Flashback Heart Attack - The Harp Inn - 9pm

Saturday

• Erick Roebuck - Salty Bear Brewing - 2pm-5pm

• Robert Incelli Latin Jazz Solo - Cafe Sevilla - 8pm-10pm

  • Alternating DJ starting 10:30pm

Sunday

• Joe Lemire - The Lido Deck - 12pm-3pm

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor oversanitized his hands after grocery shopping and now can’t feel his fingertips.