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- 🚴♂️ 70-year-old local doctor brings home world gold!
🚴♂️ 70-year-old local doctor brings home world gold!
Hop a free bus on NYE, toast with coq au vin on Balboa Island, and catch a jazz set before midnight strikes.
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Hard to believe we’re one sleep away from 2026. However you’re closing out the year (big party, quiet dinner, or something in between), we’ve pulled together a few local favorites to help you end it well.
There’s a tucked-away French spot on Balboa Island that’s perfect for a toast, a charming Westcliff shop still stocked with last-minute gift magic, and free OC buses running all New Year’s Eve so you can celebrate safely.
Here’s to good choices, great company, and a fresh start just around the corner. Thanks for being part of our little corner of the internet this year, we’re grateful you’re here.
In today’s Scoop:
🥇 Pedaling to the Podium
🚌 Midnight Rides, On Us
✨ Small Spots, Big Charm
🥂 Sip, Celebrate, Stay Local
🥂 A Toast-Worthy Island Tradition
Basilic is small in size but rich in character: an intimate, family-run French restaurant that’s been part of Balboa Island since 1997. Candlelight, crisp linens, and attentive service set the scene for refined plates like their much-loved coq au vin and a thoughtfully curated wine list.
It’s the kind of place that makes the first days of the year feel special, ideal for a quiet celebration right after the calendar turns.
✨ Still Time to Impress
If your gift list isn’t quite wrapped up, Open House Gifts, a thoughtfully curated shop, makes it easy to finish strong. The tree is still glowing with ornaments, shelves are filled with cozy slippers, silk eye masks, mahjong finds, party cups, and a solid under-$15 section for quick wins.
Plus, they are always happy to help you pull something together, whether you pop in or reach out by phone or DM.
🚴♂️ Newport Beach Doctor Rides to World Gold
The Gist: Newport Beach resident David Stanton, a 70-year-old gastroenterologist, claimed a world cycling title this fall in Roubaix, France. Stanton won gold in the 70 to 74 age group at the UCI Masters Track World Championships, finishing the two-kilometer race in a personal best time. The win marked his first individual world championship after more than a decade of competitive cycling.
Why It Matters: It is a proud local reminder that dedication and grit can lead to world-class achievements at any age. Stanton plans to keep training and racing, right here at the Back Bay.
🚌 Free Bus Rides on New Year’s Eve
The Gist: Ring in the New Year without worrying about parking or a ride home. OCTA is offering free OC Bus rides from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. No pass needed. Just hop on and head to popular spots like Downtown Fullerton, Anaheim GardenWalk, or the Packing House. Riders before 6 p.m. still pay the regular $2 fare.
Why It Matters: It’s a simple way to celebrate safely while keeping local roads a little calmer. Check routes and schedules at OCBus.com before heading out.
🐱 Josie’s your cuddly friend meant for a slower, quieter life.
This petite adult Siamese cat weighing between 7 and 11 pounds, while moving through spaces with quiet elegance and a calming, sweet presence wherever she goes.
Reserved at first, Josie opens up slowly with treats, and gentle reassurance. Once she trusts you, she shows her affection through lap snuggles, soft purrs, and staying close by. She flourishes in a calm, adult-only home where she can be the center of attention. Josie’s available for keeps in Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach.
To learn more about this sweet baby…
🎷 A New York New Year’s Eve | Campus JAX | Newport Beach | 12/31 | More
Classic jazz energy with polished arrangements and late-night celebration vibe.
🥂 Newport Open Bar NYE 2026 | Baja Sharkeez | Newport Beach | 12/31 | More
A high-energy countdown packed with dancing, festivities, and midnight celebration.
🎆 New Year’s Eve Yacht Party | Endless Dreams Yacht | Newport Beach | 12/31 | More
A premium open bar, DJ & dancing, appetizers, and countdown aboard a luxury yacht!
🎨 Winston Tragico Benefit Exhibit | Balboa Fun Zone | Newport Beach | 01/03 | More
An inspiring art showcase bringing the community together to support kids with cancer.
🍸 OC Happy Hour | Campus JAX | Newport Beach | 01/08 | More
A relaxed after-work gathering for drinks, great deal savings, and connections.
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