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Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your favorite local newsletter bringing you everything worth doing, seeing, and tasting across the OC. From floating scavenger hunts to French cabaret, here’s what’s happening this week:

• Southern-Style Comfort Food

• Free Outdoor Concerts & Movies

• Can't-Miss Upcoming Events

• NASA’s Low-Flying SoCal Experiment

• Firefighter Rescue in Irvine

• Food Recall You Should Know

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: The Hangout (Seal Beach)

Right across from the pier and always buzzing, The Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar delivers Southern-style comfort food, ocean views, and serious flavor. Beloved for its burgers, seafood pots, and sunset patio vibes, it’s the kind of spot where dinner turns into a hangout you’ll remember.

📍 901 Ocean Ave, Seal Beach

🏄 Local News You Should Know

🚀 NASA Planes Flew Low Over OC Last Week

Did you spot unusually low-flying aircraft last week over Orange County? That wasn’t your imagination, it was NASA. From June 29 to July 2, NASA’s P-3 Orion and King Air aircraft flew as low as 1,000 feet across the LA Basin and OC as part of a summer research mission.

The goal: collect atmospheric data and give top STEM students real-world experience operating scientific instruments in active flight. The missions included spiral maneuvers and runway flybys over power plants and urban areas to sample air quality near the surface.

🦺 Construction Worker Rescued in Irvine

Firefighters in Irvine saved a worker who was trapped in a 6-foot trench for nearly 3 hours near Roosevelt and Sand Canyon Rd. Thanks to a quick-thinking team and solid coordination, he was pulled out safely and remains in stable condition.

🥓 Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Recall

Watch your fridge: Several Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon packages have been recalled nationwide due to potential listeria contamination. Use-by dates range from July 18 to Sept. 4. Toss it or return it. Better safe than sorry.

Questions? Call (800) 280-7185

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

🎶 Costa Mesa Concerts in the Park (July 8)

Live music, food trucks, family activities, and more.

🕔 5 PM | 📍 Fairview Park, Costa Mesa

Event Info

🧭 Newport Boat Scavenger Hunt (July 9)

Cruise the harbor on a networking scavenger hunt, then enjoy food and drinks at Hanahaus.

🕔 5 PM | 📍 EB Rentals, Newport Beach

Event Info

🌆 Irvine Summer Night Market (July 10)

Food, shopping, music, and new weekly themes. Dog-friendly and free.

🕔 5–9 PM | 📍 Great Park Live, Irvine

Event Info

🎶 Irvine Concerts in the Park (July 10)

Get your 80s fix with OC’s favorite tribute band, Flashback Heart Attack, in Irvine’s Mason Park.

🕔 5 PM | 📍 Mason Regional Park

Event Info

🦈 Sharks After Dark, Dana Point (July 11)

Live music, shark feedings, cocktails, and marine exhibits at the Ocean Institute.

🕠 5:30–8:30 PM | 📍 Dana Point

🎟️ $12–$16

Event Info

🌮 Huntington Foodie Friday Fest (July 11)

Top-tier food trucks, DJ vibes, and artisan vendors.

🕔 5–9 PM | 📍 15744 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach

Event Info

🛍️ Irvine Modern Makers Mart (July 12–13)

Handmade goods, fairy jars, flower crowns, and live music at golden hour.

🕔 3–8:30 PM | 📍 Woodbury Town Center, Irvine

Event Info

🎬 Irvine Movies in the Park (July 12)

Watch “Mufasa: The Lion King” under the stars in Mason Park. Family-friendly and free.

🕕 6 PM | 📍 Mason Regional Park

Event Info

🤠 Western Music Night, San Juan Capistrano (July 12)

Live country music and line dancing at River Street Marketplace.

🕕 6 PM | 📍 River Street, SJC

Event Info

🎨 Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach (Now through Aug 31)

185+ local artists, live demos, food & drinks, and free art classes.

🕚 Opens Daily at 11 AM | 📍 Sawdust Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach

Event Info

🎉 Bonus Pick with Exclusive Discount: Bastille Day 2025 by Gilles Signature, West Hollywood (July 14)

🇫🇷 Celebrate French style at La Boheme in West Hollywood with cabaret and burlesque performances, French DJs, an AI photo booth, and more!

🕕 6 PM–1 AM | 📍 La Boheme, 8400 Santa Monica Blvd

🎟️ Use code Thrive30 for 30% off!

Event Info & RSVP

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Seal Beach was originally known as Anaheim Landing, a port established in the 1860s by Anaheim's winemakers and farmers to ship their goods. The area was later redeveloped as a seaside resort and officially became "Seal Beach" in 1915, named to evoke the marine life and charm of the coast.

Think you know OC? Reply with your best trivia, and we might feature it next!

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, July 11:

1. Barnoa Wine Company (San Clemente) – Wilfax, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

2. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – The English Beat, 9:00 pm

3. The Drake (Laguna Beach) – Jessica Allen, 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

4. Mozambique - Ivan'z Room (Laguna Beach) – Fleetwood Mac - Tribute by Twisted Gypsy, 9:00 pm

5. Pub Thirty-Two (Mission Viejo) – Steven Shaw, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

6. StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – 80S Resurrection $10 Cover, 9:00 pm

7. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Led Zeppelin Tribute by Zeppelin Revisited, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

8. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Dave Koz Cruise Presents Kyle Schroeder, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

9. The Wayfarer (Costa Mesa) – Sega Genecide, 10:00 pm

10. The Quiet Woman (Corona Del Mar) – Brian Barrett Band, 9:00 pm - 12:00 am

11. The Harp Inn (Costa Mesa) – Flashback Heart Attack, 9:00 pm - 12:30 am

12. Perqs Bar (Huntington Beach) – Fernando Noronha Blues Review, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

Big News for OC Locals: Your New Go-To Guide is Here 📘

We’ve been hard at work and are proud to announce that The Ultimate OC Guide is finally here! This e-book is packed with 150+ pages of curated OC gold—hidden gems, date spots, dog-friendly favorites, annual events, and more.

Normally $40+, we’re giving it away for just $10 for a limited time!

Thrive OC VIPs? It’s yours for FREE. Check your inbox 👀

💛 Want to support but not ready to grab the guide? You can still help keep Thrive OC running strong — Donate here.

Or, take your OC experience to the next level—join Thrive OC VIP for exclusive discounts, VIP event access, and insider perks while supporting local businesses!

Your support means the world—thank you for being part of the Thrive OC community! 🙌

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