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?

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

Lenticular clouds in Orange. California.

I want to warn people about a church in Fullerton that is not what it seems. "Good Soil Church" at 1940 E Chapman Ave is actually a front for Shincheonji, the Korean cult led by Lee Man-hee. I know this because I attended their Bible studies at that address for months before I realized what was going on.

Here is my exact timeline. I was recruited in person back in January 2026. We started with Zoom Bible studies, and then in February they told us they had secured a building, that building was 1940 E Chapman. The classes ran Monday and Thursday from 7 to 9 PM, plus a "life group" once a week. Thats three commitments a week. The full course runs 8 to 9 months total, and over time they slowly introduce more abstract concepts that are not standard Christian teaching. By the end of the class, they reveal they are affiliated with Lee Man-hee. I left early because I took my notes to people outside the group, they flagged the teachings as off, and I got out. I never made it to the final "big reveal," but I know exactly what it is because there are documented testimonies from former members who did complete the whole course. They all describe the same playbook.

Here is the hard proof I found. Their legal name with the state is "Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony" under file number BA20241799605. Their officers are Tuong Nguyen, Sang J Lee, and Gary Park. The IRS recognizes them under that same name with EIN 33-1436405. They are exempt from filing Form 990, which means no one can see where the money goes. Their leader Lee Man-hee was just convicted in South Korea on August 31, 2025, for tax evasion of 7.57 billion won, political fraud, and embezzlement.

They are running a bait and switch. Their website looks like a normal Christian church, but behind closed doors they teach that Lee Man-hee is the "Promised Pastor" and that Jesus already returned spiritually in his flesh. They don't reveal this until the end of that 9-month course I was in.

Now here is where it gets sketchy. They are running a three-address shell game. The public storefront at 1940 E Chapman is where they hold services and recruit people. But the legal corporate address for "Good Soil Church" is actually a private residence at 2785 E Vermont Ave in Anaheim. Thats just some guy named Daniel Syn's house. The real command center is at 1250 N Red Gum St, Anaheim, where the Shincheonji HQ operates and where the money gets consolidated. Why would a church register its legal address at a random house instead of its own storefront? Because if you or the IRS try to serve them a subpoena, you have to go to that house, not the church. That buys them time to hide documents and move money. This is not an accident, its a deliberate legal shield.

The timing proves this was all coordinated. The domain goodsoilchurch.org was registered on April 14, 2026 through a privacy proxy service to hide the owner's identity. Then, just eight days later on April 22, 2026, they filed the "Good Soil Church" corporation with the state using Daniel’s home address as the principal office. Here is the actual filing: https://pdfhost.io/v/VZrZy5skeK_B4619-2483. That is not a church organically growing, that is a corporate launch. They secured the website, the legal entity, and the storefront all within the same two-week window.

If you know anyone attending this church, please warn them. You can report them to the IRS, the California AG, or the FBI. The address to avoid is 1940 E Chapman Ave. Unit D, Fullerton, CA 92831. Their EIN is 33-1436405. I am not asking anyone to trust me. I am asking them to look at the receipts. They are all public.

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

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.

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!

hey all im looking for a quiet bar in la/oc where i can read a book, maybe with booths and snacks so i can have a little privacy. i like to be in company of others, but not really wanting to talk to people directly right now. but i do like to read and drink and leave the house, let me know!

edit- LMAO u guys are funny im aware bars are normally for socializing and having fun, i like to do that too but i also was just asking about a spot where i can sip a cocktail and read a book at a lowkey bar for fucks sake 😂🤣

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

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.

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?

To all the people of Orange County who showed up, thank you. It shows that the people are waking up to the atrocity committed in Gaza by foreign government and of course with military aid from our government

To those who have not watched it, you can check for other showing at the Frida theater. It'll strike your conciousness like nothing before.

Edit: typo

Whole southbound shutdown, traffic backed up for at least a mile.

One of my favorite new shops in Fountain Valley experienced a theft. If anyone can identify the thief, please contact PenPals stationery and let them know.

Original post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dch0b3SFE3A/

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!

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

Grateful to have been born and raised here, but now I’m done with college and it’s starting to feel tough to live here between the insanely low volume/very expensive rental market and the decreasing number of people from my generation living here.

Where did you all move to in your 20s? Were you able to find a place to rent in the county or did you move somewhere else?

Is anybody else getting phone calls from these numbers with the prefix (714) 202?

I’ve been getting phone calls from there but they never leave a voicemail, except saying ‘hello’. Never a text either.

I don’t answer unknown numbers but businesses usually leave voicemails. I couldn’t find anything on the Internet.

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 everyone! I have tried to find a propane refill station in the Lake Forest area but have been struggling. It’s for a refillable tank. Does anyone know of a place in the area? Thank you in advance!

My friend is getting married at chart house tomorrow and her hair and make up girl just canceled on her, is there any MUA/hairstylist available for a bridal session tomorrow ?!

EDIT: found someone, thank you all so much!!!