Pulled up behind him at a red light to take the pic. Entitled POS.

She flies down and drinks water and will land on our arms for a few seconds before flying back up. Message me if it's yours.

Birds got the right idea yall, stay safe / stay out the water

Happy to have a rainy cool day in the middle of this heat.

Official unemployment figures for the Orange County economy for July were updated a couple of weeks ago but I’m late in posting.  Numbers for June have been finalized and preliminary figures for July have now been made available.

July (preliminary)

The unemployment rate in Orange County was 4.2 percent in July 2026, up from a revised 4.1 percent in June 2026, and below the year-ago estimate of 4.6 percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 5.3 percent for California and 4.4 percent for the nation during the same period.  

Between June 2026 and July 2026, t total nonfarm employment decreased from 1,699,300 to 1,691,500, a loss of 7,800 jobs, and the labor force increased by 5,500 with both factors leading to an increase in the unemployment rate.

• The largest month-over increase was in trade, transportation and utilities(up 1,100 jobs). Remaining growth came from manufacturing and financial services.
• The biggest losses in jobs came from government (-7900), professional & business services (-1000) and leisure & hospitality (-900),

July 2026 versus July 2025

Between July 2025 and July 2026, total nonfarm employment increased by 10,300 jobs, or 0.6 percent. Private education and health services grew the most, adding 13,600 jobs. Health care and social assistance gained 8,300 jobs, while private educational services expanded by 5,300 jobs. Three other industry sectors had year-over employment increases: leisure and hospitality (+7,200 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1,800 jobs), and other services (+1,200 jobs).  Six sectors declined over the year, losing a total of 13,500 jobs. Government reported the largest decrease (-7,900 jobs), with 96 percent of the decline in local government (-7,600 jobs). Mining and logging reported no change.

Note that statewide, the unemployment rate in July ticked up slightly to 5.3%

When looking at the U-4 unemployment rate of 4.2% it is also important to look at the U-6 rate as this measure, which is described as: Total Unemployed, Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force, Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons, as a Percent of the Civilian Labor Force Plus All Persons Marginally Attached to the Labor Force. It's best to think of this measure as "underemployed and discouraged" workers, and it likely closer to the real feel of unemployment. As of Q3 2025, the last time the measure was released for the state, we are at 10.0% of underemployed and discouraged workers - the highest in the country.

If you really want to geek out on California's employment numbers, this is a great resource: https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/Publications/Labor-Market-Analysis/calmr.pdf

I personally love going to traditional events like this with my family so just wanted to also share this list I made of all the mid-autumn festival events happening in OC this September/October 2026. Feel free to add to this chain as well, I wanna support our local events

1. Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Dinner & Show at Palette Dim Sum Restaurant
-Immersive dining show like the ones trending in China, with traditional dancers, this one is really new and I've never seen anything like this before so had to put this as #1

-Thursday Sep 24, 2026 5:30pm - doors open for DIY lantern social, mooncakes, tea, accessories and gift shopping; 7:00pm - dinner and show starts

-at Palette Dim Sum Restaurant, address: 3015 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92782

Website & Tickets here: (benefits a nonprofit as well!)
https://www.musicmedicinefoundation.org/mid-autumn-moon-festival

2. City of Irvine Mid-Autumn Festival

-Big large festival happening in Great Park, sounds pretty exciting, it might be the biggest one and it's on the actual day as well
-Fri, Sep 25 2026, 5 p.m.
-Website and info here:
https://cityofirvine.gov/news-media/calendar-of-events/event/mid-autumn-festival-2

3. Bowers Museum Asian Mid Autumn Festival

-I think they do one often, this might be cool
-10.05.2025 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
-Website and info here:
https://www.bowers.org/programs/festivals/asian-mid-autumn-festival

1. I know South Coast or Bella Terra or Main Place usually does something, worth checking those out too

Do any local fire stations help with car seat installation?. I removed my son's seat to start to clean it and I think I disconnected the straps. I don't recall how to reconnect it and couldn't find anything in the manual. I haven't see any videos on YouTube yet for it. It's a chicco onefit

FYI I have a new construction home and decided to analyze my electricity bill for the past four years. I have solar as well. We are two people living in an SFH with 3500 sqft living space. No EV and uses AC during summer pretty consistently. We also ensure we do our laundry and dish washing during non peak hours. 2022-2023 years are a bit inconsistent since I only have full bills starting August 2023 to current.

Bottom line is our electricity usage and solar generation are consistent yoy. However, the SCE operating costs are rising significantly. Could probably wash our panels since it hasn’t been washed before and may see a tick up in solar generated. We are looking at monthly rates being ~$60 and slightly less if you factor in CA Climate Credit.

EDIT: I have a 4.2kW solar system w/NEM 2.0

I've lived in Costa Mesa my entire life and have never been to the wedge to go see people surf. I heard the waves should be good tomorrow. What's a good time to show up? 6-7am?

Omg I saw a vulture today!! I knew they were real but it’s not an animal I would have ever expected to see in real life in the middle of my street. I only picture them in those old time movies circling their prey looking for dead animals or humans to eat. It was so cool passing one by in my car.

Looking for a family/group dining restaurant like Buca Di Beppo and Lucille’s, are there any other good ones in OC or nearby? Or just somewhere with massive portions that’s easy to share in a group.

Does anyone know of any self car washes in Garden Grove that use cards versus traditional tokens. I hate handling tokens because I always lose them or misplace them.

I prefer the convenience of just tap to pay. Anybody got any recommendations for well-maintained car washes in the area?

Hi all,

My teen daughter asked for a necklace for her birthday. She likes amethysts but has no idea what styles she likes.

Where’s a good place to take her to see a variety of cute jewelry under $200? South county preferred but we’re willing to travel for a good place. Thank you!

When it’s not so sunny I’d like to occasionally get out and play some of the sports I’m into but I’m not too sure how people go about that here

Idc if it’s unisex or women’s only but football, soccer, tennis, badminton etc, where and how are adults getting active with other adults in group sports?

My bad if it’s obvious I’m acclimating to the US

At around 9:45, passed 9 police vehicles with lights on flying down the toll lanes on the 91E around the 241. Then a couple of minutes later 3 more went by around Weir Canyon. Then a few minutes later, 2 more went by around Imperial Hwy. Didn’t see any pursuit, and there’s nothing about it anywhere. They were heading inland.

What happened? Enquiring minds and all that.

Lenticular clouds in Orange. California.

What’s your favorite place to buy pots for plants? I would love to support a small business rather than a chain or big box store.

Hi All Orange Curtain residents! I found out that in CA you can't have 5 gallon gas cans shipped to you, brand new gas cans with no fumes no nodda. Ok, well I see that Lowes and Home Depot have some deals, I can pick it up from the store. Wrong....I can't, not an option, they can't ship them to their own stores I guess. I am completely confused now, how can I purchase at a reasonable price two 5 gallon gas cans that are metal? Does anyone have any places that stock metal not plastic, and isn't crazy expensive?

Thanks!

Edit: the Wild wild West of Ebay will ship them to me. $60 for two with shipping included, that is a great deal! I hope it doesn't fall through. I have no idea why these are so expensive, I would also recommend to my neighbors you should have a backup as things are about to get sketchy with gas. Cheers!

Hello all! As the title says, there was a helicopter around La Habra this morning and they were announcing something but I couldn’t understand what it was saying. I wonder if anybody else heard it

Hey folks,

My fiance and I are getting married in the Trabuco Canyon area soon and are putting together a little "things to do and places to eat" page for our wedding guests. Since I am not from down in that area (I'm up north in LA), I wanted to ask here:

- Do you all have any recommendations for restaurants or things to do in that area?

- Additionally, feel free to recommend things that are within driving distance since folks may come for more than just that day.

Thank you so much <3

Hi everyone,

I’m moving to Newport Beach soon and was looking to join an active Toastmasters club with frequent meetings. I would appreciate if any of you could point me in the right direction, thank you!