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Barnes & Noble Returned to Costa Mesa

By Greer Wylder

October 24, 2026

In case you missed it, Barnes & Noble opened a new flagship store at South Coast Plaza in August, bringing the bookseller back to Costa Mesa.The 27,000-square-foot space sits on the upper level of the mall and revives bookselling in a location that once housed Borders and, more recently, Sports Chalet. Inside, shoppers will find an extensive selection of books, exclusive gifts, a curated collection of toys and games, vinyl records, a newsstand and more.The store also features a Barnes & Noble Café with an outdoor patio and sweeping views, a nice spot to settle in with a new read.For…

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: How to Think About the Choice

By Greer Wylder

October 21, 2026

One of the biggest decisions people face with Medicare is choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. There is no one size fits all answer, and the right choice depends on individual health needs, budget and lifestyle.Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B. Many people who choose Original Medicare also add a Medicare Supplement to help cover out-of-pocket costs, along with a separate Part D prescription drug plan. This option can offer more flexibility when it comes to seeing doctors nationwide who accept Medicare, which can be appealing for people who travel frequently or split time between different locations.Medicare…

Newport Beach Film Festival Opens With ‘Frampton’

By Greer Wylder

October 06, 2026

The 27th Newport Beach Film Festival opens Thursday, Oct. 15, with "Frampton," an intimate documentary portrait of rock icon Peter Frampton. The screening begins at 7 p.m. at Big Newport, Screen 1. Frampton and director Rob Arthur will take part in a live Q&A afterward.The film follows Frampton from the stadium-sized success of "Frampton Comes Alive!" in the 1970s through the long road of rebuilding his career and the personal cost of fame. It also looks at his diagnosis with Inclusion Body Myositis, a degenerative muscle condition that threatens his ability to play guitar. Rare archival footage, candid interviews and…

Microbiome Scientist, AI Author Headline Library Lectures

By Greer Wylder

October 04, 2026

The Library Foundation of Newport Beach starts its 2026-2027 Spotlight on Science series, which is free to attend, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. in the new Witte Hall.The first speaker is Rob Knight, a professor of pediatrics, bioengineering, computer science and engineering, and data science at UC San Diego. His lecture is titled "The Invisible Universe Within: How Microbes Shape Health, Disease, and the Environment."Knight is the founding director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at UC San Diego and a leading voice in microbiome science worldwide. He has written more than 1,000 scientific papers and the books…

Surfing Heritage & Culture Center Opens New Laguna Beach Home

By Greer Wylder

September 28, 2026

Visit Laguna Beach is celebrating the opening of the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center (SHACC), one of the world's most respected surfing museums, in its new home in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach. Located just 200 yards from the shoreline at Main Beach, the center honors Laguna Beach's place as one of California's earliest surf towns while preserving the stories, craftsmanship and culture that shaped the sport around the world.SHACC was founded by legendary surfer, explorer and Laguna Beach native Dick Metz, and its move from San Clemente to downtown Laguna Beach marks a new chapter for the institution.…