Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through music by joining Voices in Unity: America 250 Choir, a multi-generational community choir featuring patriotic classics, gospel, folk, and Broadway favorites.

Rehearsals begin June 9 and will be held Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Senior Center. Community members of all ages are encouraged to participate, regardless of singing experience.

The choir’s debut performance will take place at the July 3 Independence Day Celebration at the OC Fairgrounds.

To participate, see the flyer above or visit our website here.

On Wednesday, June 3, the Community Services Department hosted an Open House to get public feedback on host of housing issues.

The public was able to review draft Housing Element sites, proposed objective design standards for multifamily residential and mixed-use development, proposed Zoning Code amendments including updates to the Mixed-Use Overlay District and amendments to several General Plan elements and specific plans to ensure consistency.

Opening remarks were provided by Planning Manager Anna McGill. Planning Commissioners David Martinez and Angely Andrade Vallarta, Community Services Director Carrie Tai, and City Engineer Seung Yang attended the event.

The draft Housing Element amendment is intended to identify additional housing opportunity sites, encourage the development of new homes, and maintain compliance with State housing law.

The proposed amendment would not add any sites to the boundaries of Measure K. The public comment period for the draft Housing Element will be open from June 8 through June 15, 2026. The draft will be available on both the City’s website and the Neighborhoods Where We All Belong (NWWAB) project website beginning June 8.

Community members are encouraged to review the document and submit comments by email to Neighborhoods@costamesaca.gov or through the online comment form on the NWWAB website.

Please clearly indicate if your comments are on the Housing Element. A printed copy will also be available for public review on the second floor of City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, during regular business hours.

The community is also invited to review and provide feedback on the other draft planning documents available at www.costamesaneighborhoods.com. Comments may be submitted through the online comment form or by emailing Neighborhoods@costamesaca.gov.

Printed copies of the draft documents are available on the second floor of City Hall during regular business hours. The City is accepting comments on these drafts May 18 to June 15.

Community input remains an important part of implementing the City’s Housing Element and Measure K. 

The renovation work at TeWinkle Park Lakes continues.

The initial phase of this renovation project involved the transfer of aquatic wildlife from the upper lake to the lower lake and subsequently, the draining of the upper lake. 

Grading of the upper lakebed, followed by installation of a new lake liner and concrete embankments has now been completed. This will eliminate leakage and water loss, as well as help promote more natural water movement. In addition, the damaged and eroded shorelines have been rebuilt with natural edges.

New landscaping along the shoreline will be added to provide a more natural appearance. The upper lake will now be refilled with water and restocked with aquatic wildlife from the lower lake.

In the coming days and weeks, work will begin for the renovation of the lower lake that involve the same treatment as that of the newly refurbished upper lake: drainage, transfer of aquatic wildlife, grading of the lakebed, new lake liner installation, shoreline rehabilitation, refilling of the lake, and restocking of the aquatic wildlife.

The City appreciates the public’s cooperation during the renovation of TeWinkle Park lakes.

The Costa Mesa Network for Homeless Solutions continues to help those less fortunate as it has now housed 503 people from April of 2019 to May of 2026. Here are the highlights for the month:

• Outreach assisted a total of 120 callers
• 81% of calls were from individuals experiencing homelessness 10% of calls were from Community Partners
• 8% of calls were from concerned friends/family seeking support for a loved one
• 1% of calls were from concerned residents/businesses
• Year-to-date total of 687 callers assisted

To reach our Network For Homeless Solutions staff please visit our website here.

This year, 2026, marks the 60th anniversary of the Costa Mesa Historical Society, which is a volunteer organization that promotes and preserves our past.

The society is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help operate their museum and archives, and they are happy to accept donations of personal artifacts that helps document Costa Mesa’s incredible story.

The society will be holding a two-day 60th celebration jubilee event in August, and to learn more about how you can support or contribute to their efforts you can visit their website at costamesahistory.org.  

Check out a preview of the Historical Society’s mission and upcoming 60th Anniversary Celebration as highlighted by volunteer and historical society Board President Mikelle Fish here.

Assistant Fire Marshal Nikki Johnson, Fire Protection Specialists Luke Senger and Ryan Meadors, and Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Fire Prevention Interns recently attended the Orange County Fire Prevention Officers (OCFPO) Aerial & Theatrical Fireworks Seminar in Anaheim.

The training focused on the planning, permitting, inspection, and safe operation of aerial and theatrical fireworks displays, including emerging drone pyrotechnic operations.

Participants received hands-on instruction regarding site safety, display setup, operational considerations, and fire prevention best practices to help ensure public events are conducted safely and in compliance with applicable fire codes.

Training opportunities such as these provide valuable experience for both Fire Prevention staff and interns, helping to develop the next generation of fire prevention professionals while strengthening our department's ability to support safe special events throughout the community.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue remains committed to ongoing professional development, mentorship, and regional collaboration to enhance public safety and maintain the highest level of service for our community.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue responded to an apartment building for a report of an unknown substance leaking from a maintenance room in the parking garage beneath residences. 

The responding unit observed an estimated 100-plus gallons of fluid leaking from an elevator control room.

Responding CMFR units immediately stabilized the scene preventing the possibility of any fluid traveling to the storm drain system. A Hazardous Materials unit response was requested to identify and assist in final containment and removal of the product.

The HBFD HazMat team and members from OC Health HazMat responded, confirmed the material was hydraulic fluid, and made entry to further contain the spill to a smaller area. Final cleanup was coordinated between OC Health HazMat and the property owner.

Mesa Water District will be repaving the intersection of Baker Street and Randolph Avenue to finalize pipeline repairs completed at the intersection earlier this year. 

Construction Dates:

• June 15 – June 22

• June 29

Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day for the duration of the work. During this period, Baker Street will be reduced to one lane in the eastbound direction.

Additionally, vehicles will not be able to enter or exit Randolph Avenue at Baker Street. Instead, all traffic will need to access Randolph Avenue and St. Clair Street via Bristol Street.

If possible, drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes during construction.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as this important infrastructure work is completed.

For any questions, please contact Mesa Water at (949) 574-1000.

On Friday, May 29, the Costa Mesa Police Department stood with law enforcement at the 2026 Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.

The event honored the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, including our CMPD officers and the officers and deputies who gave their lives serving their communities.

Join the Costa Mesa Police Department next Friday, June 12, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a free cup of coffee and a friendly chat with officers at Sidecar Doughnuts on 17th St.

It’s been a while since the last Coffee with a Cop. Hope to see you there!

Si puede pasar por Sidecar Doughnuts en la calle 17 el próximo viernes, 12 de junio, entre las 8:00 hasta las 9:30 de la mañana, venga a compartir un café gratis con nosotros. Esperamos verlos!

On Thursday, June 4, the Costa Mesa Police Department School Resource Officers attended the graduations at Back Bay High School, Costa Mesa High School, and Estancia High School.

CMPD would like to congratulate the graduating Class of 2026. May all your hard work lead to success and a bright future.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.

Meet Peaches! Peaches is a 5 year old, Domestic Long Hair, Female Cat. 

Peaches is knows as being sweet and having a gentle personality. Peaches is described by her caretakers as being a calm and chill kitty who loves relaxing by your side and brings a peaceful presence wherever she is.

Peaches is friendly, affectionate, and enjoys the company of people as well as other cats. She is truly a social butterfly! Peaches would make a wonderful companion for someone looking for a loving, easygoing feline friend to share quiet moments and cozy days with.

Peaches is spayed and up to date on her vaccines. She is ready to find her forever home.

To meet peaches, you can visit her at The Orphanage - Costa Mesa Adoption Center 1536 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 | Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-5pm For other adoptable pets, visit, www.pricelesspetrescue.org.