Community Corner
🌱 How Costa Mesa’s first woman police chief rose through the ranks
Spotted on the Costa Mesa calendar: Christmas in the Gazebo
Good morning Costa Mesa! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Costa Mesa’s first woman police chief rose through the ranks
- What will UCI students be doing onstage in Costa Mesa next year?
- How much are Costa Mesa leaders really getting in health benefits?
Also on today's calendar: Christmas in the Gazebo and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Costa Mesafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Costa Mesafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 71 and low of 46 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 71, low: 50.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City manager appoints Joyce LaPointe Stu News Costa Mesa 120925 (stunewsnewport.com) — Costa Mesa has officially named longtime resident and department veteran Joyce LaPointe as its new chief of police, the first woman to hold the role. City leaders praise her decades of service, crime-reduction work, and deep community ties, while LaPointe pledges to focus on culture, innovation, and responsive policing for Costa Mesa residents. 
2. South Coast Repertory, Claire Trevor School of the Arts launch pilot program for emerging artists (uci.edu) — South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa is launching a new “Next Stage” training program that embeds UC Irvine theatre students directly into its 2025–26 season productions. Starting January 2026, hundreds of students will gain paid, hands-on experience on the Segerstrom Stage, deepening ties between Costa Mesa’s flagship theater and the region’s next generation of artists.
3. How Much Do OC Taxpayers Spend on Local Politician's Health Benefits? (voiceofoc.org) — Costa Mesa residents are footing some of the highest health-benefit costs for elected officials in Orange County, with more than $226,000 in council benefits reported last year. The city touts itself as highly transparent, publishing detailed compensation reports, yet state data and city records don’t fully align. The story compares Costa Mesa’s practices and spending with Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda and other OC cities.
4. Newly formed UCI Langson Orange County Museum of Art names first director (latimes.com subscription) — A major regional arts merger now has its first leader, and one of the museum’s two homes will be at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts. UC Irvine has tapped veteran museum director Kathryn Kanjo to guide the newly combined Langson Orange County Museum of Art, uniting collections and programming across Costa Mesa and Irvine for what leaders call a “watershed” moment in local visual arts.
5. Orange County scores and player stats for Wednesday, Dec. 10 (ocregister.com) — Costa Mesa High’s girls water polo team fell 11-6 to rival Estancia in Wednesday’s Orange County action, one of many local scores reported. The roundup highlights results across multiple sports, giving Costa Mesa fans a quick snapshot of how nearby schools fared.
📸 Around Costa Mesa
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Costa Mesa
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Christmas in the Gazebo
17635 Los Alamos St, Fountain Valley
10:00 am
Saturday December 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Fight Club OC
The Hangar , 1011-1165 Arlington Dr , Costa Mesa
7:00 pm - THAT BOARD GAME NIGHT! @ Pitfire Pizza in Costa Mesa
Pitfire Pizza , 353 E 17th St , Costa Mesa
7:00 pm - Even Block Schedule
Corona del Mar High School , 2101 Eastbluff Dr , Newport Beach - Jingle Bell Run
Newport-Mesa Unified Costa Mesa, CA 92626
8:30 am - 4th Grade Holiday Music Program
Newport-Mesa Unified Costa Mesa, CA 92626
8:30 am - 5th Grade Holiday Music Program
Newport-Mesa Unified Costa Mesa, CA 92626
9:00 am - 6th Grade Holiday Music Program
Newport-Mesa Unified Costa Mesa, CA 92626
9:30 am - CSEF Dine Out Fundraiser - Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap
Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap , 1555 Adams Ave #100 , Costa Mesa
11:00 am
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
📣 Costa Mesa Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- City Arts Commission Meeting
City of Newport Beach - Civic Center , Newport Beach City Council Chambers , Newport Beach
5:00 pm - Fountain Valley Support Group
18255 Brookhurst St , Fountain Valley
6:00 pm - City Hall Closure
City Hall - Fountain Valley CA 92708 - NEW CLASS ! CHECK THIS OUT....
Beach Cities Dance Studio , 18838 Brookhurst St , Fountain Valley
9:30 am
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Costa Mesa PatchAM possible:
- Fine Form Accounting Inc — (714) 968-2700
Stop Tax Stress—Let a Tax Expert Handle It.
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Several mornings now, around 8 am, a man on an eBike with two little kids on the back drives down my street.
Every time I see them, they are havin' the time of their lives! One day last week, they were singing at the top of their lungs. The other days I've… (Nextdoor The Eastside) - Hi neighbors
There is a holiday horse show and open house Sunday December 14 1-4 pm Enjoy performances by riders festive and treats It’s at back bay therapeutic… (Nextdoor Civic Center Park)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member in Costa Mesa. Apply here.
- J.Crew posted a job opening for Stock Associate in Costa Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Costa Mesa here.
Ok Costa Mesa! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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