🌱 How could 11,760 new homes reshape Costa Mesa neighborhoods?
Costa Mesa, California Patch AM: a 5 min readGreetings Costa Mesa! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How could 11,760 new homes reshape Costa Mesa neighborhoods?
- What do Costa Mesa’s new $6.8M pay hikes mean for you?
- How a Costa Mesa veteran finally received medals 60 years later
Also on today's calendar: 30th Original Lobster Festival - Sept. 11-13, 2026 - Free Parking! and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 68 degrees.
- Sunday: Humid with showers around, temps: high: 80, low: 71.
- Monday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 84 and low of 70 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Costa Mesa leaders update required housing plan but question effectiveness of state methods (ocregister.com) — Costa Mesa’s City Council has approved an updated housing plan outlining where 11,760 new homes, including thousands at Fairview Developmental Center, could be built in coming years. While the move aims to satisfy state housing mandates and end a lawsuit, councilmembers questioned whether Sacramento’s rules will actually produce affordable homes. Residents should watch upcoming rezoning decisions that could reshape traffic, density, and neighborhood character. 
2. Costa Mesa approves $6.8M in pay raises, benefit hikes for city hall workers, police (latimes.com subscription) — Costa Mesa has approved more than $6.8 million in raises and benefit increases for city hall staff and police employees over this year and next, boosting the city’s payroll and benefits packages. City leaders say the deals will help retain talent while relying on strong sales tax revenues and frozen vacancies to balance the budget. Residents may see long-term impacts on city finances and services.
3. Recognition earned by Costa Mesa veteran is finally received 60 years later (ocregister.com) — A longtime Costa Mesa resident and Vietnam and Korea veteran has finally received seven military medals, thanks to his wife’s persistence and help from elected officials. The awards were presented at Rep. Dave Min’s Costa Mesa office, honoring decades of service and community involvement. His story highlights both the emotional toll of war and the pride he still takes in his hometown connections.
4. Mother's Market workers file wage theft claims for missed rest breaks (latimes.com subscription) — Workers at Mother’s Market’s Costa Mesa flagship store are at the center of a growing labor dispute, after 15 pro-union employees were suspended and later fired. Dozens of workers from Costa Mesa and other locations have now filed wage theft complaints over missed rest breaks, while their union seeks investigations and possible reinstatement. The outcome could affect staffing, service, and worker protections at local stores.
5. Daisy Chain Fields festival highlights not only female artists, but the O.C. community (latimes.com subscription) — Orange County’s new Daisy Chain Fields festival in Irvine drew 45,000 people, raised $20 million for women-focused nonprofits, and may return next year. A Costa Mesa mother who attended with her daughter praised the multigenerational lineup, which mixed legacy feminist bands with today’s stars and heavily featured local vendors and artists from around the county.
📸 Around Costa Mesa
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Costa Mesa
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
30th Original Lobster Festival - Sept. 11-13, 2026 - Free Parking! →
Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley
12:00 pm -
Come Join Us for Prom Night Redo! →
Stages Bar, 604 E Dyer Rd, Santa Ana
5:00 pm
Saturday September 12
Saturday September 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Labor Day Observed (No School)
Vista Verde Irvine, CA 92603 -
CYPRESS â Coffee with the Principal (Virtual)
Anaheim Union High School District https://bit.ly/CHSchat
6:30 pm -
Varsity Volleyball Game-Home
Estancia High EHS Main Gym
7:00 pm -
Whine & Wine Wednesdays
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce 1525 Mesa Verde Dr E #117 Costa Mesa CA 92626
3:00 pm -
Back To School Night
Victoria Elementary 1025 Victoria St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, USA
6:00 pm -
Trivia Night at The Crack Shack
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce The Crack Shack - Costa Mesa 196 E 17th St Costa Mesa, CA 92627
6:30 pm -
Trivia at Deli Nerds
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce 1525 Mesa Verde Dr E # 117 Costa Mesa CA 92626
7:00 pm -
Varsity Volleyball Game-Away
Estancia High Costa Mesa, CA 92627
7:00 pm -
2,200 Steps - Walk to Remember 9/11 →
Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave, Santa Ana
9:00 am -
Mesa City Church Fall Launch →
55 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 12
Sunday September 13
📣 Costa Mesa Shout Outs!
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Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Costa Mesa PatchAM possible:
- Coach Al Franco Boxing — (714) 822-4852
- Law Office of Jasminder Gill — (949) 416-9080
- Fine Form Accounting Inc — (714) 968-2700
- Oxylon Wellness — 9495678538
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi Neighbors:
I’m looking for someone reasonable to haul away an old portable A/C 2 chairs, metal bed frame, a nightstand & a few other odds & ends. The A/C still… (Nextdoor The Eastside)
- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. posted a job opening for Machinist 1st Shift in Costa Mesa. Apply here.
- Michaels posted a job opening for Framing Manager/selling in Costa Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Costa Mesa here.
Ok Costa Mesa! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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