🎸 Your Midweek Reset = Southern Rock + Social Dining + More!

Still riding that New Year sparkle? Channel it into a waterfront bite at Luke's Lobster. There’s a relatively new coastal favorite on Marine Ave, serving up buttery lobster rolls, sweet crab, and cozy New England clam chowder, perfect for cooler island afternoons.

The vibe is classic shack, quick and cheerful, with an open-daily buzz, occasional specials, and pop-in surprises worth watching for. Grab it to-go, stroll the island, and toast to fresh beginnings by the bay!

Marine Layer at Fashion Island is a great reset for a new year wardrobe. Think impossibly soft tees, easy layers, and those wear everywhere basics that somehow get better with time. The team here genuinely cares, you'll love the warm, knowledgeable service and zero pressure feels.

The Gist: As the new year rolls in, Orange County’s surf lifers are still greeting it from the lineup. Corky Carroll spotlights local legends who never left the water, from Newport Beach’s own T.K. Brimer keeping the Frog House proudly surfy, to Mickey Munoz, 88 and still riding strong. Steve and Barrie Boehne continue shaping boards and community at Infinity Surfboards, while Huntington’s George Lambert balances real estate with daily pier time. It’s a reminder that for some, staying healthy means staying in the ocean.

Why It Matters: These familiar faces keep our coastal culture grounded, active, and proudly local.

The Gist: Corona del Mar boys basketball kept its new year momentum rolling Monday night, pulling away from Edison for a 70–46 Sunset League win. Even without standout guard Maxwell Scott, the Sea Kings came out healthy, focused, and locked in, opening with a 21–0 first quarter. Oliver Nakra set the tone with 25 points and six three-pointers, while teammates shared the load with crisp passes and steady defense.

Why It Matters: At 19–1 and unbeaten in league play, CdM continues to look like the Sunset League standard.

Meet Ming, a petite 10-year-old Domestic Shorthair.

Weighing just 5.7 pounds, this gentle senior is calm, affectionate, and wonderfully friendly with people. Ming is docile, easygoing, and does very well with other cats, making her an ideal companion for a peaceful home. She is currently at the Costa Mesa Adoption Center, and her adoption fee is $50.