Greer's OC | The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends.

Sweet Arrival: Levain Bakery Opens First Orange County Location at Fashion Island

By Greer Wylder

August 29, 2026

Levain Bakery opens its first Orange County location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Friday, Sept. 4, at 8 a.m. The New York bakery, known for its six-ounce cookies, will bring its full lineup of cookies, breads, pastries and coffee to the fourth Southern California shop in its growing footprint. For longtime Levain fans and anyone with a soft spot for a good cookie, this is a big one. The wait for a taste of the cult favorite right here in OC is almost over.The first 100 people in line Friday will get a custom Levain Bakery Newport Beach…

Blind Boys of Alabama Bring Seven Decades of Gospel to Musco Center

By Greer Wylder

August 29, 2026

Musco Center welcomes the Blind Boys of Alabama, living legends whose reputation is well earned. Rolling Stone has called them "gospel titans," and after more than 70 years together, that title still fits.The group performs Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.Few acts in American music can claim the honors the Blind Boys have collected: Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and six GRAMMY Awards, most recently in 2024. What sets them apart, though, is how they've used that stature. Rather than stay within…

Chef Turned Author Launches New Thriller Series

By Greer Wylder

August 26, 2026

Thomas Curran is a friend of mine, and he's the kind of person who is always creative and always looking for a new challenge. He spent three decades as a chef before he decided to walk across the country. Ocean to ocean. 3,235 miles, 231 days, 12 states, all to raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. That story is part of why I featured him in my book, "Born in OC: The Artists, Entrepreneurs, and Visionaries of Orange County, California."His new book, "Dime Store Hitman," comes out Aug. 31. It's the first in a planned trilogy, and the…

OCAPICA’s Tastemakers of Orange County Celebrates 10 Years of Community-Driven Cuisine

By Greer Wylder

August 26, 2026

Tastemakers of Orange County returns for its 10th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Julianne & George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.The annual event, produced by and benefiting the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), brings together more than two dozen distinguished Orange County chefs to showcase Asian and Pacific Islander-inspired cuisine. Proceeds support OCAPICA's programs in mental health and health services, youth development, housing assistance, policy education and protecting immigrant communities.“Ten years ago, OCAPICA faced an uncertain future due to the financial crisis and…

Cozy Earth’s Biggest Sale Comes to Corona del Mar

By Greer Wylder

August 23, 2026

Cozy Earth's biggest sale of the year is here, and this time it's happening in person, not just online.This Labor Day, shop the retailer's storewide sale at one of its three California stores, including the Corona del Mar location right here in Orange County. From Aug. 26 to Sept. 3, save 25% storewide. From Sept. 4 to 8, that jumps to 30% off storewide, and on Labor Day itself, Sept. 7, shoppers get 30% off storewide and 35% off bundles of three or more, on best-selling sheets, loungewear, socks and more.Find Cozy Earth at 256 26th St. #101 in Santa Monica's…