Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Lemur thief turned residential burglar sentenced to time behind bars and boat parade names grand marshal

You remember our lemur thief, one Aquinas “Quinn” Kasbar, 19, of Newport Beach. He’s the one who broke in and took the lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo and later dropped it off in a box at the Newport Beach Marriott Bayview.

Well, he’s pleaded guilty to 32 charges relating to a string of residential burglaries committed throughout Corona del Mar and Balboa Island.

For all those charges, he could’ve faced some 45 years in prison. However, the judge in the case, Orange County Superior Court Judge Andre Manssourian, has said that if Kasbar pleads guilty to all charges, he’d limit the sentence at 15 years and four months.

So, Kasbar has taken the guaranteed shorter sentence.

• • •

This December is the 111th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. This week the parade’s grand marshal was named. Welcome…drum roll, please…Christina Anstead of HGTV fame.

“We are thrilled to bring Christina Anstead onboard as our 2019 boat parade grand marshal,” said David Beek, Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade co-chair. “Christina is a new resident of our community and her TV show Christina on the Coast helps to bring the beauty of Newport Beach to light and what a better way to make our parade that much brighter than with the star power that Christina brings.”

Christina added, “The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade has been part of our family holiday tradition for years. Now that my family and I call Newport Beach our home, it’s a full circle moment to serve as grand marshal this year and share this memorable moment with my family and friends!”

• • •

You’ve been driving by it for months, and now piece-by-piece the new Environmental Nature Center Preschool has been built. The good news is that it opened this week.

Young children will experience preschool in a format never before offered, where they’ll experience a nature-based early learning center.

A huge boatload of the thanks goes to David Pyle for a very nice initial donation to the project.

“We will have one rule: We start each day outside, every day,” said ENC Executive Director Bo Glover.

To find out more, go here.

• • •

Jeff Fenholt, 68, was best known for his lead role in the original Jesus Christ Superstar production on Broadway.

Well, he died earlier this week in his Newport Beach home after battling several health problems of late. Fenholt played Jesus when Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production first opened in New York City in October of 1971. Later in life, Fenholt became a Christian evangelist and preacher.

• • •

A bill passed in the House this week called the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act. It bans new drilling off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and in the straits of Florida.

Rep. Harley Rouda (CA-48) added a couple of amendments to the bill. Amendment 1 “makes public the inspection information and payments into the “Ocean Energy Safety Fund,” and Amendment 2 “adds a provision that requires the Department of Commerce to complete an economic impact study of potential damage related to offshore drilling.”

Rouda was elected in 2018 when he beat incumbent Dana Rohrabacher. His 2020 re-election campaign looks like it will take place against challenger Michelle Steel, who currently is the District 2, Orange County Supervisor.

• • •

The Orange County Museum of Art will present six new exhibitions of works by contemporary Pacific Rim artists beginning September 19.

The artists and their works include: Carolina Caycedo: Wanaawna, Rio Hondo and Other Spirits; Daniel Duford: Underworld Stories Told in Tree Time; Ximena Garrido-Lecca: Spectrums of Reference; Mulyana: A Man, A Monster and The Sea; Robert Zhao Renhui: Effect; and Yang Yongliang: Eternal Landscape.

OCMA/Expand is located at 1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. 

The exhibit will be on display through March 15, 2020. For more information, visit www.ocmaexpand.org.

• • •

So, I know what you’re thinking. Every year the Spirit Run comes and goes, and you wonder why you don’t run in it. Well, mark your calendar and begin your training.

Spirit Run 2020, the 37th annual, is scheduled for Sunday, March 1.

More to come.

Police Files

Car chase ends in four captured for Newport Beach residential burglary, each held on $1,000,000 

On Monday, September 9 at approximately 10:37 p.m., a Newport Beach police officer observed a black Toyota Camry driving in the area of San Joaquin Hills Road and Spyglass Hill Road. The vehicle had the front windows tinted, a violation of 26708(a)(2) CVC, and was moving at a high rate of speed. 

Upon activating the emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop, the Camry continued to drive and not yield for the officer. The vehicle continued to be in violation of many vehicle codes and was not yielding as it traveled through Newport Beach and onto the 73 Freeway. 

After a period of time, the California Highway Patrol assisted the NBPD and was able to use spike strips and stop the vehicle at the intersection of the 71 and 91 Freeways. 

The four occupants exited the vehicle without incident. A safe was located in the vehicle upon their arrest.

Further investigation of documents in the safe led officers to the area of Half Moon Bay Drive and Point Loma Drive. Officers arrived on scene of that location and noticed a garage door open and a shattered glass door. 

Officers entered the home and found mud throughout the house, ransacked rooms and the location the safe was taken from. The owner of the residence was not home at the time.

Police arrested Elante Lamar Gilliam, 28, of Altadena, Lindsay Claudine Lacy, 25, of Rancho Cordova, Martrell Eric Robinson, 18, of Pasadena, and Brittany Victoria Chatman, 27, of Pasadena.

The four were booked on a variety of charges ranging from conspiracy to commit a crime, residential burglary with a forced entry, possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property.

Gilliam was also charged with a parole violation, while Chatman added charges of evading a peace officer and driving while her license was suspended.

All four had their bails set at $1,000,000.

NBPD joins in Child Passenger Safety Week

The Newport Beach Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies, public health departments and other community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children in the correct car seat for their age and size.

The effort to promote car seat safety coincides with Child Passenger Safety Week, which is from September 15-21.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46 percent of car seats are not used properly.

“Children mean the world to parents and caregivers, but unfortunately many are putting them in harm’s way without knowing it,” Lieutenant Cartwright said. “Our goal is to educate parents and caregivers on how they can keep children riding in the car as safe as possible.”

Child Passenger Safety Week wraps up with National Seat Check at Safety Belt Safe U.S.A., which will a host a car seat check event on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Safety Belt U.S.A is located at 22481 Aspan Street, Lake Forest.

“Even if you think you have the right car seat and installed it correctly, it doesn’t hurt to get it checked,” Lieutenant Cartwright.

Under California law, children under two weighing less than 40 pounds and less than 40 inches tall are required to be in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of eight or less than 4’ 9” tall must be secured in a car or booster seat. The fine for not securing a child in the correct child safety seat is $490.

To find the right seat for your child, visit the NHTSA website here. To find a car seat fitting station near you, contact your local California Highway Patrol area office or go to the California Office of Traffic Safety website for a listing of car seat programs statewide.

Funding for this child passenger safety program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Scroll down to Police Beat for all arrests

Flashback Friday

Answering the call…for service

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Here is our Flashback Friday...harkening back to yesterday...and we hope you can guess who it is.

Clue: This community leader still captivates at the podium.

Good luck guessing this one. The answer appears today at the bottom of Stu News.

Send in a treasured past photo!

You can submit yourself, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend or family member. We’ll even surprise them if you want. 

We’re looking for eye-catching representations of your Flashback Friday.

Please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with Flashback Friday in the subject line. Let’s make Fridays a day to remember.

Take Five: Meet Richard Dunn, author of a newly published book on NHHS football

By AMY SENK

A longtime sports journalist in Orange County, Richard Dunn has covered plenty of high school games. But like any good reporter, he knew something special when he saw it, and he saw it in the 1994 Newport Harbor football team. Now, 25 years later, and 14 years after the idea first came to him, Dunn has a newly published book about the team’s magical season. I caught up with Richard to find out more.

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Courtesy of Richard Dunn

Richard Dunn

Q: Your book, 14 Weeks: The Most Improbable High School Football Season in History was published this week, and the Amazon blurb says the book took 14 years from inception to this point. What inspired you to tell this story?

A: Every now and then, a real-life sports story is worth pursuing beyond the playing field, and “14 Weeks” is one of them. The 1994 Newport Harbor High football team entered the season unproven, untested and undersized, and most coaches and media members predicted doom for the Sailors, suggesting they would finish in last place in the ultra-competitive Sea View League, which featured parochial-school superpower Santa Margarita, defending league champion Irvine and always tough El Toro. But, through a special form of team bonding with an emphasis on “trusting your buddy,” the Sailors blended a secret formula for success in which they completed an improbable season and finished unbeaten, untied and, to them and their fans, it was unbelievable. In a modern-day David-versus-Goliath, the physically diminutive Sailors defeated Santa Margarita in an epic league battle with a shocking, come-from-behind win. Newport Harbor had eight comeback victories during the season, or more than half of their wins. They also rallied for mind-boggling wins over Foothill in the CIF semifinals, an overtime thriller, and Servite in the CIF title game. The mantra “14 Weeks” is based on a team goal of playing 14 weeks in a season – 10 regular-season games and four playoff games, which is what Coach Jeff Brinkley preached every year. In 32 years as coach, Brinkley led the Sailors to eight CIF championship games, including winning three titles. But the 1994 season represented the Sailors’ only perfect season and their first CIF championship in 64 years of varsity football – Harbor is the ninth-oldest high school in Orange County. As much as the inspiration is about rallying for dramatic wins, it is more about buddies and bonding than touchdowns and tackles.

Q: How did you come to be connected to the Newport Harbor football team?

A: I have been covering high school sports in Orange County since the early 1980s, which includes covering Newport Harbor High in all sports. During the football playoffs, especially in the later rounds such as semifinals or championship games, it was not uncommon to double-team the game coverage with two sportswriters, and often times I would be relegated to writing a sidebar or time diary, in which case I would spend the day with the team before kickoff (based on the coach’s approval). I developed a strong relationship with the coaches and players on the ’94 title team. 

Q: What is your favorite anecdote or scene in the book, or your favorite memory from that 1994 season?

A: One of my favorite parts of the book is in the final chapter, the Catholic vs. Catholic Clash in the CIF championship game as Harbor faced Servite, an all-male Roman Catholic college prep school in Anaheim. The Friars did not necessarily have the advantage with Hail Mary, because the mother of Newport Harbor quarterback John Giordani, Peggy, insisted it was the holy water she and others sprinkled at every team dinner that provided the divine intervention during the Sailors’ winning streak. 

Q: Are you still a Sailor football fan – do you attend a lot of games?

A: I will always be a staunch supporter of all sports and athletics in the area, and yes, I still attend Harbor football games, but not as many as I used to when I covered the high schools on a regular beat for a daily newspaper. My favorite teams are the Dodgers and Lakers. 

Q: What are your top five books of all time?

A: My top five favorite books are Good to Great, The Boys of Summer, 42: The Jackie Robinson Story, Grit and Moneyball.

~~~~~~~~

Amy Senk is a long-time resident of Corona del Mar and a regular contributor to Stu News Newport.

Cars and Coffee at OASIS a huge success

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Photos courtesy of Friends of OASIS

1936 Rolls Royce Touring Car

The OASIS Cars and Coffee event was a huge success on Saturday, Sept. 7. OASIS hosted 50 top quality cars and motorcycles to both OASIS members and visitors alike.

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1994 Dodge Viper

“We had more than $3 million worth of vehicles on display for all to see,” said Mike Zimmerman, Friends of OASIS President. There was music, a pancake breakfast that served more than 150 people, and an awards and trophy presentation to the winners of their categories, which also included appearances of our own District 6 Councilmember Joy Brenner and Mayor Pro Tem Will O’Neil.

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1970 300SL Mercedes

This event is becoming one of the premier car and motorcycle events for our city, and Friends of OASIS promises to do it again next year!

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1948 MG

On the Harbor: Biking around to check things out this summer

By LEN BOSE

I felt it was time to take a bike ride around the harbor to get a better feel on what’s going on and hopefully bump into a few people to discuss some of my observations over the summer...then get a better understanding of their concerns.

I first communicated with a friend, who prefers not to be identified, regarding the change in public access around the Sheriff’s harbor patrol office. The issue at hand – this is my interpretation – is that Lt. Corn reduced the time of the dinghy dock from 72 hours to 20 minutes, removed public parking and beach drop-off zones and closed off the service dock. After a bunch of hubbub this summer between the public, the California Coastal Commission, Orange County and the OC Sheriff’s Department, all the parties seem to still have their “panties bunched up.”

It was my understanding the Coastal Commission has received a Coastal Development Permit request from Orange County to retroactively justify many of the changes in access. The matter was in front of the Coastal Commission this week, which just happened to take place in Newport Beach. From a distance and without taking the time to pick up the phone and ask Lt. Corn for comment, who I have found very easy to talk to, it appears the OC Sheriff is taking their ball and going home still upset that the mooring contract was taken from them. I’ve also heard some other concerning stories this summer regarding the actions of some new deputies around the harbor. Yet still, on a positive note, I have witnessed Sheriff’s deputies stepping up and going the extra mile this summer. Remember the deputy that had to go aboard a moving stolen yacht and arrest the nut that was trying to steal it? I have also watched the Sheriff’s deputies deal with a boater, with a poorly maintained large vessel, which stalled in the middle of the Five Points Area and returned the vessel to safety. So, the question is do we all have our eye on the ball to make our harbor better? Is there a failure to communicate here?

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Courtesy of Maritime Boats

A Harbormaster Maritime 210 boat

Making our harbor better leads to my wish list. I wish we could have a second anchorage in our harbor and maybe even a day anchorage out in Big Corona.

While watching this year’s Jr. Sabot Nationals, which was held mid-week, taking place in the Five Points Area of the harbor next to the designated anchorage area this summer, I felt the anchorage should have been cleared. Could this happen in the future, probably not? Yet, if we had another location within the harbor, we could surely suggest that the visiting boaters use the other anchorage. Over the years, I have suggested a summer mooring field be placed for day use in Big Corona, and the idea did gain some traction, yet it was never acted on. Which I only can blame myself for in that I didn’t sell it better to the powers that be. What I did notice this summer, was a Newport Beach Lifeguard boat posted in Big Corona for most of the day. I dare ask the question without knowing the answer, but I sure would like to know the opinion of the lifeguards who worked this area if this idea is feasible.

Next on my wish list is a second launch ramp in town. This task is huge and very difficult, but the need for a second launch continues to grow. I never understood how quickly the parking fills up in the Dunes facility. I rode my bike through the launch ramp facility on the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend. The first complaint by the boaters was that there was no parking for their trailers still attached to their vehicles. Most had to find two parking places which makes the launch ramp that much more difficult to use and to my understanding, they were lucky to find that. I was informed that the line for the vessel wash down was extremely long, which is why most of them returned on Tuesday to pick up their boats. A city-owned launch ramp would be a dream come true and make our harbor that much more user friendly.

There were some other observations I noticed while on my ride around the harbor. When did the city reduce and move the guest mooring field? I was told six months ago, the new guest field now is to the south of the G & H mooring field and there are only four? That’s too bad, as I thought the idea next to Marina Park was ideal. My sources also informed me, I am about a month late on this one, that the Harbor Department purchased two Maritime Patriot 210 boats which will be delivered the first of the new year. At first glance, these vessels appear to be a good choice, and with the proper maintenance they should last 10 years.

Let’s hope the City gives the maintenance contract to Basin Marine, so that the hulls will last even longer.

Sea ya!

~~~~~~~~

Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport.

HGTV star Christina Anstead named Boat Parade Grand Marshal

The iconic Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is setting sail on its 111th year with Christina Anstead, star of HGTV’s Christina on the Coast and Flip or Flop, presiding as grand marshal on opening night. For five consecutive nights beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 18-22, 2019, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade will illuminate Newport Harbor with nearly 100 yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes along a 14-mile waterfront course during the historical annual spectacular.

“The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade has been part of our family holiday tradition for years,” said Christina Anstead. “Now my family and I call Newport Beach our home, it’s a full circle moment to serve as grand marshal of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade this year and share this memorable moment with my family and friends!”

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Submitted photo

Christina Anstead has been named Newport Beach Boat Parade Grand Marshall

On opening night, Anstead will preside on the boat parade’s grand marshal boat, visible to parade-goers on the 14-mile route via the vessel’s deck-to-sail LED screen. She joins a celebrated group of Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade grand marshal alumni including actress Leslie Mann, rockstar Mark McGrath and baseball superstar Albert Pujols.

“We are thrilled to bring Christina Anstead onboard as our 2019 boat parade grand marshal,” said David Beek, Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade co-chair. “Christina is a new resident of our community and her TV show Christina on the Coast helps to bring the beauty of Newport Beach to light and what a better way to make our parade that much brighter than with the star power that Christina brings.”

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Submitted photo

This year marks the 111th Newport Beach Boat Parade

Hosted by The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a highly-anticipated Southern California event that has gained attention on the world’s stage. One of the longest-running holiday traditions in the country, the parade has been hailed by the New York Times as “One of the Nation’s Top Ten Holiday Happenings” and earned Newport Beach the rank of “No. 2 City in the Nation for Holiday Lights” by Yahoo! Travel.

For five consecutive nights beginning on December 18, the parade begins at approximately 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. at the tip of Lido Isle. The parade opens with an exhilarating fireworks display from the Newport Pier at 6:15 p.m. on December 18. Closing out in the same spectacular fashion, there will be a special fireworks show from the Balboa Pier on the final night of the parade at 9 p.m. on December 22.

Locals and visitors can enjoy the spectacle from a variety of public viewing locations including Marina Park and numerous waterfront restaurants.

For more information about the 111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, visit www.christmasboatparade.com. Boaters interested in participating in the parade can find out more information at www.christmasbboatparade.com/enter/.

Tim Mead to be honored as 2019 OCYSF Sportsman of the Year

Tim Mead, the former longtime Angels baseball executive and current president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame has been selected as the 2019 Orange County Youth Sports Foundation’s (OCYSF) Sportsman of the Year. Mead will be honored with a banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

Mead spent 40 years with the Angels organization mostly as the vice president in charge of communications and overseeing their media relations department. Then, this past April, Cooperstown came calling and offered Mead the keys to oversee baseball’s Hall of Fame. He is just the seventh president in the history of the Hall.

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Courtesy of National Baseball HOF

Tim Mead, 2019 OCYSF Sportsman of the Year honoree

“We are honored to recognize Tim,” said OCYSF president John Ursini. “He has been a friend and supporter of all of us at OCYSF for years and we couldn’t be more happy about his new positions.”

Mead joins an impressive list of past honorees that include Rod Carew, broadcaster Jim Nantz, Pete Carroll, Bill Walsh, Jerry West, John McKay, Mike Scioscia, Tommy Lasorda and a host of others.

During his time with the Angels, Mead worked under three different owners and nine managers. One of his career highlights included the 2002 World Series title.

Founded in 1971, the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation has been dedicated to supporting and enabling a thriving youth community through sport. The annual Sportsman of the Year Banquet is a gala event celebrating the accomplishments of a prominent sports figure and the vehicle that generates funds used to enhance OC youth sports programs, provide opportunities for underprivileged or disabled OC students to attend major sporting events, and award college scholarships to graduating OC scholar-athletes. 

Sponsorship opportunities, corporate tables as well as individual tickets are available for the banquet honoring Tim Mead. Individual tickets are $275 and corporate tables of 10 start at $2,500. The event will include a silent and live auction featuring many one-of-a-kind sports items and opportunities. Visit www.ocysf.org to reserve your place.

OCYSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comprised of OC business and education professionals devoted to improving young lives through athletics and education.

RFP promises to provide long-term protection for small general aviation at JWA

John Wayne Airport will for the first time provide long-term protection for small general aviation, and transparency for the public, with the Fixed Based Operator Request for Proposals approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 10. 

“This Request for Proposals will keep the Board’s promise to the community by designating 34.6 acres of the total 60.2 acre general aviation area solely for planes under a 49-foot wingspan or not exceeding 12,500 pounds,” said Michelle Steel, vice chair of the Board of Supervisors, who represents the Second District which includes John Wayne Airport. “20.5 of those acres are located at the Northeast Fixed Based Operation, in an area that today has no size restrictions and is home to a full service FBO and many large jets,” Steel said.

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This RFP will not open the door to larger planes. It will, for the first time, limit the size of planes in the majority of the general aviation area.

The decision to use a 49-foot wingspan or 12,500 pounds is based on FAA regulations which define these sizes of planes as “Aircraft Design Group 1” and “small aircraft,” respectively.

“We’ve crafted this RFP to require all bidders to answer detailed questions about their plans,” Steel added. These include an operational plan for how the bidders will work with existing tenants, and a plan for managing the existing general aviation waiting list, as well as detailed layouts and plans of all structures and aircraft parking. Bidders will also be required to detail, among other things, their proposed hours of operation, any scheduled charter service, and their proposed rents for 40-foot, 50-foot, and 60-foot tie-downs, sunshades, 40-foot, 50-foot and 60-foot individual hangars, and rent per aircraft type for shared common-use hangars.

To ensure transparency, the County will make a respondent’s questionnaire, conceptual renderings, and layouts available to the public after the evaluation panel’s scores have been completed and published, and before voting to award a lease to any bidder.

“These portions of the RFP will require bidders to present, in detail, the structures and rents they propose. The evaluation panel, the public, and the Board of Supervisors will be able to review all of the proposals and select those that best accomplish the goal of preserving the existing mix of planes on the airport,” Steel said.

More Than Pink Walk™: Susan G. Komen Orange County Race takes place September 22

There’s still time to register for this year’s More than Pink Walk taking place Sunday, Sept. 22 in Fashion Island in front of the Pacific Life building at 700 Newport Center Drive.

The event benefits Susan G. Komen Orange County, one of 26 locations across the country that will be reintroducing its Race for the Cure as the More Than Pink Walk this year.

Submitted photo

The day includes a fresh new look and experience focused on energizing the community around the lifesaving work Komen’s supporters make possible through fundraising efforts. The More Than Pink Walk, which will not have a separate timed run element this year, will increase people’s connection to Komen’s work beyond breast cancer awareness including, research, community outreach and more. 

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. For more information, contact Stacy Davis at 714.957.9157, ext. 34 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For details, visit the website here.

With two Rouda amendments, house passes coastal and marine economies protection act

Rep. Harley Rouda (CA-48) voted to pass H.R. 1941, a bill that bans new drilling off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and Straits of Florida. The bill passed with two amendments authored by Congressman Rouda.

According to Rouda, “California is home to more than 800 miles of coastline, and its coastal economies annually generate hundreds of billions of dollars in wages nationally and nearly $2 trillion in GDP. A disaster could put at risk nearly 746,000 West Coast jobs and $53 billion in GDP that relies on healthy ocean ecosystems and a clean marine environment.

“Offshore drilling disasters impact more than just coastal communities – it impacts future generations of Americans. Citizens deserve to know which companies are drilling off our shores, the locations of their facilities, and the safety and state of their operations.”

–Amendment 1: Makes public the inspection information and payments into the “Ocean Energy Safety Fund,” required by H.R. 1941.

–Amendment 2: Adds a provision to the bill that would require the Department of Commerce to complete an economic impact study of potential damage related to offshore drilling.

September sunset show

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Photo by Stan Sievers (Instagram @stansievers) 

Safe to say we have been having some pretty spectacular skies this month

Evening on the Bay celebrates 50 years, while benefiting NB Historical Society

A festive sunset dinner reception, “Evening on the Bay,” took place Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center to celebrate the history and 50th Anniversary of the Upper Newport Bay Conservancy.

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Photos by Newport Beach Historical Society

Evelyn Hart taking in the views of Upper Newport Bay

Hosted by the Newport Beach Historical Society, in partnership with the Conservancy and OC Parks, the event drew a high-powered list of attendees which included county and city officials, community leaders, supporters of the Bay and preservationists of the history of Newport Beach.

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(L-R) Jan and Don Webb, Peggy Fort, Newport Beach Councilwoman Joy Brenner, Randall English and Bernie Svastad, NB Historical Society 

Guests enjoyed a culinary journey through nature overlooking picturesque Upper Newport Bay, featuring local cuisine stations provided by Barolo Cafe, The Bungalow Restaurant, Crab Cooker, Harborside Restaurant, Il Farro Restaurant, Newport Rib Company, Newport Landing and Nothing Bundt Cakes, while catching a spectacular sunset.

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The Crab Cooker team with Peggy Fort (second from the right)

Following dinner, a special program was presented by Cassandra Radcliff-Mendoza, author of her new book, Saving Upper Newport Bay.

All proceeds from the anniversary event will go to support the Historical Society’s ongoing historical preservation programs.

Countdown to Newport Beach Wine & Food

The countdown to Newport Beach Wine & Food is on! This celebrated epicurean event is only two months away, taking place October 3-6, and tickets are going quickly for some of the weekend’s most coveted events.

Limited tickets are still available for Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Tasting event, featuring endless bites from more than 40 of OC’s top restaurants, 250+ varieties of world class wines, and interactive chef demos from Richard Blais, Antonia Lofaso, Hubert Keller, Brooke Williamson and more.

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Courtesy of Newport Beach Wine & Food

Toasting to Newport Beach Wine & Food coming October 3-6

The Fire It Up beachside barbecue event is returning again to Balboa Bay Resort on Friday, Oct. 4, with flame-grilled dishes created by Bravo’s Top Chef alumni and local OC-based chefs.

Other highly anticipated events like the JUSTIN Isosceles vertical library tasting, Cristal & Caviar pairing with Chef Alan Greeley and Cult Wines of Napa seminar are nearing capacity as well.

Tickets for the variety of events can be purchased by clicking here.

A number of events are already sold out, including the lunch and demonstration with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, luxury estate tour and progressive lunch with Chef Richard Blais, the Pelican Hill Golf Tournament & Brunch, Opus One vertical library wine tasting and more. 

For more information, visit www.newportbeachwineandfood.com.

NMUSD offers help with awareness during September’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) would like to continue creating awareness and strengthening efforts in shedding light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic.

Here are some staggering nationwide statistics: There is an average of 123 suicides each day in the United States; Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America – second leading for ages 25-34, and third-leading for ages 15-24; 1 in 5 (more than 45 million) adults in the United States experience a mental health condition in a given year; Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. With effective care, suicidal thoughts are treatable and suicide is preventable. Common barriers to treatment include the cost of mental health care and insurance, prejudice and discrimination, and structural barriers. People experiencing mental health conditions often face stigma, this can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult.

Courtesy of NMUSD

Learning how to cope and how to avoid and address this issue is important for all of us. Warning signs can be subtle, but they are there. By recognizing these signs, knowing how to start a conversation and where to turn for help, people can have the power to make a difference – the power to save a life.

Here’s what you need to know: Understand the signs – for some, it’s too difficult to talk about the pain, thoughts of suicide and the need for help. Pain isn’t always obvious, but most suicidal people show some signs that they are thinking about suicide. The signs may appear in conversations, through their actions, or in social media posts. If you observe one or more of these warning signs, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change, step in or speak up; Find the words – when it comes to suicide prevention, finding the right phrase to start the conversation is crucial; and, Reach out – you are not alone in helping someone in crisis. There are many resources available to assess, treat and intervene. Crisis lines, counselors, intervention programs are available to you, as well as to the person experiencing the emotional crisis.

If you know someone in crisis, don’t wait to make the call. The 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1.800.273.8255 and is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can also call or chat through the Lifeline website if you are concerned about someone else. 

Also, for the 24/7 Crisis Text Line, text “EMM” to 741741 to text confidentially with a trained crisis counselor for free.

Here are three additional California Statewide Resources: Suicide is Preventable website, Each Mind Matters website and Make the Connection website. 

“While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic,” said Director of Student Services Phil D’Agostino. “We can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide to better support our community,” he said. 

NMUSD makes intentional efforts to help identify and support student and staff’s emotional well-being. Some of the resources and initiatives that the District offers include: district-wide curriculum rooted in social-emotional learning that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments; student trainings (seventh and ninth grade students) on signs of suicide, how to access help and breaking the code of silence; educators district-wide are trained in identifying signs of suicide, what steps they can take, how to start the conversation with a student/parent and connecting them to the right resources; crisis response teams of highly qualified responders will be deployed in time of a critical incident; while all staff at NMUSD knows the importance of suicide prevention and knows where to go for support, our district also has specialized staff (such as psychologists, counselors and social workers) to support all our schools; suicide prevention signage is posted in all middle and high school restrooms that include information on how students can access help if they feel anxious, depressed or thinking about harming themselves; and, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is printed on all 7 through 12 grade student identification cards.

In collaboration with the Hoag Mental Health Center, everyone is invited to the Together We Prevent Suicide Series, a free half-day conference that will be tailored for youth (ages 12-17) and parents. The conference will provide attendees with strategies to talk about suicide, mental health, mitigate risk and to learn about self-care activities that benefit the entire family.

Visit NMUSD’s Mental Health and Outreach Services website to learn more about these services.

Sage Hill celebrates 20-year milestone and myriad accomplishments

During the 2019-2020 academic year, Sage Hill School celebrates 20 years of pioneering an innovative and individualized approach to education for students throughout Orange County. Recently named the No. 1 Best Private High School in Orange County by Niche.com, a ranking and review website for K-12 schools, colleges, cities, neighborhoods and companies across the U.S., Sage Hill School and its students have earned numerous academic awards and arts and athletic achievements over the past two decades, and made a lasting impact on the community through the school’s Service Learning program.

“We are thrilled to join with our students, their families, our alumni and the community to mark 20 years of innovative education that goes beyond the classroom and our campus,” said Patricia Merz, head of school at Sage Hill. “Sage Hill is built on a foundation of core values – including courage, balance, community, service, discovery, knowledge, excellence, integrity, compassion, and creativity – and we will be continuing to celebrate and instill those values this year.”

In the mid-1990s, a small group of visionary leaders and dedicated parents came together to create a non-profit, non-denominational, independent high school in Orange County that would inspire innovative thinking, nurture creative thought and embrace diversity. Just before construction began on the 28+ acre parcel in Newport Coast, the founders joined with Elders of the Acjachemen Nation of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians – the original inhabitants of the land that became Orange County – to perform a special blessing ceremony. “That day is one of the most memorable I’ve ever had,” shared a parent of a Sage alumnus. “We stood as a group of future parents and students to witness a blessing of the land on which Sage Hill would be built.”

Photo courtesy of Sage Hill School

An aerial view of Sage Hill School

At the school’s dedication in 2000, Dr. James Caillouette, one of Sage Hill’s founders, said, “We believed that education, in the broadest sense, was the only true force for sustainable, positive change in our society.”

When Sage Hill School first opened its doors on September 7, 2000, there were approximately 90 freshman students, 30 sophomore students, and 12 full-time faculty. The campus included a Town Square, built as a community gathering space, along with the Caillouette Community Center, Johnson Family Library, D. Diane Anderson Family Humanities Building, and a gymnasium. Within the first three years, school enrollment expanded to include grades 11 and 12, the student body grew to nearly 400, and the teaching faculty tripled in size.

Sage Hill School saw tremendous growth in its first decade. Enrollment increased by close to 300 percent, achievements were reached in arts, athletics and service, traditions such as pep rallies and the use of the school gong were established, and Sage Hill received its first accreditation from the California Association of Independent Schools.

During its second decade, Sage Hill saw the addition of facilities for science, tennis and swimming, dedicated Academic Teams, and the Hamoui Family Sage Center. A parent of a Sage Hill alumna shared, “Despite the growth in facilities and student body, Sage Hill has remained faithful to its mission of an intimate and holistic education that challenges students in ways that create growth, maturity and capability in both personal and academic realms.”

Students have numerous opportunities to take part in the five different student leadership groups, eight Academic Teams, and more than 50 student-led clubs offered at Sage Hill. From Sage Hill Spikeball to Boys Against Rape Culture (BARC), the Sage Hill Ocean Club, Service Through Reading Club and E-Sports Club, students are given the ability to serve as leaders in the school community – and beyond – in countless ways.

In 2011, Sage Hill expanded its programming with the introduction of Spring at Sage – a year-end seminar and travel program that offers students an unparalleled opportunity for leadership, creativity, and risk-taking beyond the traditional classroom.

Sage Hill has emerged as the leading independent high school in Orange County, not only for its educational, arts and athletic programs, but also for its focus on community service and for offering opportunities for a wide range of students through financial aid. 

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Ueberroth Family Reading Area in the Johnson Family Library

The school offers a Service Learning Program that provides students with opportunities to serve as leaders using their academic, social, and personal skills to engage and connect with others. Taking place during one school day each month from October to April, students can collaborate with peers and younger students from other schools through Service Learning. It allows them to develop cross-cultural competencies, further build upon their character, and enhance their communication, creativity and critical thinking skills.

In addition to serving the community through programs like Service Learning, Sage Hill also provides educational opportunities to students and families through financial aid. Since opening in 2000, the school has generously awarded close to $30 million in financial aid to deserving students who otherwise would not have had access to a Sage Hill education. These financial aid grants are based on need and cover both tuition and incidentals, which may be used for books, purchasing a laptop, travel costs for school trips, tickets to Prom, and more, to ensure that students who receive financial aid are able to fully participate in all aspects of the Sage Hill experience.

Sage Hill’s Lightning athletics program consists of 21 different sports with approximately 41 teams for students at all levels of experience to participate in. Both teams and individual athletes have achieved success at the league, division, and state levels, earning the school 73 League Championships, 21 League MVPs, and 21 CIF-SS Champions.

A large number of Sage Hill alumni have earned national – even international – recognition for a wide variety of endeavors. One notable alumna is Olivia June ‘04, founder & CEO of Hey! VINA, the world’s biggest friendship app for women.  The platform aims to connect, celebrate, and empower women, and has members in 158 countries around the globe. Courtney Conlogue ‘10, pro-surfing champion and 2020 U.S. Olympic hopeful, maintains strong connections to the school. Last year, she led a donation drive among the Sage Hill community to benefit victims of the Malibu wildfires.

To date, a total of six graduates have been named to Forbes Magazine’s prestigious “30 Under 30” list, an annual list that recognizes the brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders, and stars across the United States and Canada

“It’s incredible to see that what started as a vision of a small group of parents and community members has now become a reality,” Head of School Patricia Merz said. “Not only has Sage Hill come to life and served this community for 20 years, but it has surpassed any expectation of what this school was created to do. We are proud to have graduated nearly 2,000 students and look forward to continuing our gold standard of education in the years ahead, positively impacting our students, families, the community, and the world at large.”

Orange County releases 2018 Hate Crimes Report on September 26

On Thursday, Sept. 26 from 9-11 a.m., the public is invited to participate in the release of the County of Orange 2018 Hate Crimes Report. To increase awareness, strengthen hate crime prevention programming, and promote a bias-free community, the County produces and publishes an annual hate crimes report.

The 2018 report reflects an increase in hate crimes from 2017 in Orange County, with the most frequent victims being people of the Jewish faith, and Latino and Middle Eastern communities. The report also cites the recent Blaze Bernstein case, a 19-year-old who fell victim to an alleged hate crime in Orange County last year. Among the featured speakers are Jeanne and Gideon Bernstein, parents of Blaze, along with Ebrahim Baytieth, Orange County District Attorney Office.

“The time is now. Together, we can oust fear and bigotry tied to this hate, and, instead, promote acceptance and embrace what makes each one of us different,” said Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District Supervisor. “The County will continue to invest in the necessary resources to prevent these hate crimes and incidents from occurring.”

The County of Orange would like to thank the Orange County Human Relations Council, which is contracted by the County to work closely with law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, diverse faith leaders, and community members to respond and track hate crimes and incidents on behalf of the County. The County would also like to thank the Orange County Human Relations Commission who are volunteer members of the public appointed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to seek out the causes of tension and conflict; discrimination and intolerance based on race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or marital status; and attempt to eliminate those causes.

To learn more about services provided by the County through the Human Relations Council and the Commission, visit www.occommunityservices.org.

The Hate Crimes Report will also be available online upon release at www.occommunityservices.org/oc_human_relations_commission.

The meeting will be held at Los Olivos Community Center, 101 Alfonso, Irvine.

Welcome to the ENC Nature Preschool...now open

The ENC Nature Preschool welcomed students yesterday, Sept. 12, for the first time, with 72 children, ages 2 1/2 to 5, who walked through the gates, where they started their day exploring the grounds of the Nature Play Area. Trails ramble through three outdoor classrooms: the Sequoia, Yosemite and Joshua Tree Play Areas. Youngsters rode bright yellow tricycles and scooters along the bicycle path imprinted with animal tracks reflecting the names of their classrooms: bears, tortoise and coyote.

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Photos courtesy of ENC

A pre-schooler riding a yellow tricycle along the bicycle path

Throughout the day, the children played and learned in the art zone, the music zone and the organic garden. They climbed on rocks, stumps and logs, sifted sand in the sand play area, and felt mud squish through their toes in the mud pit. After lunch, they took their food scraps to the compost area and then got down to business being creative on the dramatic play stage.

ENC Nature Preschool would not have been possible without the assistance of donations from donors like Frank and Joan Randall, who recently gifted $1,000,000 to the school. The Randalls’ gift, as well as the generosity of many, many community members, will help the new school to provide quality early childhood education through hands-on experience with nature.

The ENC Nature Preschool classrooms are warm, welcoming and conducive to learning. The ENC is aiming to achieve Platinum LEED Certification for the new facility. The US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. It is also the ENC’s goal to achieve certification through the Living Building Challenge. The preschool was already awarded a citation from the American Institute of Architects Orange County Chapter (AIAOCC) in 2015.

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Having some fun during mud play

The building features a photovoltaic array to generate the energy necessary to be net-positive; water efficiency features; daylighting; recycled, regional and rapidly renewable materials; and natural ventilation. Other sustainable features include light pollution reduction, energy use reduction, recycling programs, green housekeeping practices and an electric vehicle charging station.

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A curious youngster explores the creek bed

“Nature preschools provide a safe, stimulating environment where children can reach their full potential,” said ENC Nature Preschool Director Sue Bierlich. “Research has shown that outdoor play increases fitness levels and learning outside increases students’ ability to think both critically and creatively.”

“The ENC Nature Preschool will be a model nature-based school, and we are enthusiastic about sharing our model with administrators from a multitude of educational institutions – from preschools to universities,” said ENC Executive Director Bo Glover. “We know that a nature-based education can be instrumental in helping students reach their potential physically, emotionally, socially and academically. Most importantly we are passionate about empowering people to make change: to strengthen their communities, and literally save the world.”

For more information or to donate to the ENC’s Nature Preschool, visit encnaturepreschool.orgor contact ENC Executive Director Bo Glover at 949.645.8489, ext. 101 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“Newport Beach: Glimpses of the Past” continues at Central Library

The Newport Beach City Arts Commission, in partnership with Sherman Library, is presenting Newport Beach: Glimpses of the Past, a special exhibition of historic photographs and other items from the archives of Sherman Library, on display at the Newport Beach Central Library gallery. The display, continuing through November 1, includes photos from 1888-1966, incorporating photos of McFadden’s Landing, the McFadden Hotel, the historic Balboa Pavilion in 1900, China House, Port Theater and other Newport Beach landmarks. Life in Newport Beach is captured in photographs of surfing championships, sailing regattas and bathing beauties.

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Courtesy of NBPL

For more than 50 years Sherman Library has worked to preserve the history of Newport Beach and surrounding communities. The historic photographs in Newport Beach: Glimpses of the Past were selected by Paul Wormser, director of the Sherman Library & Gardens, from a collection of thousands of photographs, documents, and maps relating to Newport Beach at the Sherman Library.

Sherman Library, located in Corona del Mar, is a historical research library specializing in the history of the Pacific Southwest – including southern California, Arizona, northern Mexico and adjoining areas. The Library’s collections document the development of the region through books, archival collections, photographs, maps, aerial photographs and newspapers. The Library is open to the public.

The exhibition will be on display during library operating hours. Central Library is located at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

For more information about cultural arts programs in the City of Newport Beach, go to the City’s Cultural Arts webpage at www.newportbeachca.gov/CulturalArts.

Save the Date: Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy presents Happy Hour with Steven Rowley

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy invites supporters to enjoy Happy Hour with Steven Rowley, bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Central Library’s Friends Meeting Room.

Rowley’s debut novel, Lily and the Octopus, made a quick rise on the American Booksellers Association’s IndieBound Bestseller List when published in June 2016. The charming story about the relationship between a man and his dying dachshund, was recently picked up by Amazon Studios and is being adapted as a feature film.

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Photo by Matthew Allard

Bestselling author Steven Rowley

Rowley will focus his Happy Hour talk on his new book, The Editor, which tells the story of a struggling writer whose novel is acquired by editor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Even though it seems like a dream come true for a young writer, Rowley’s fictional hero soon finds himself struggling to meet his editor’s expectations and faces the wrath of his mother, who does not appreciate the fact that James’s novel exposes family secrets. Publisher’s Weekly highlighted The Editor as a star read and in its recent review observes, “Rowley deliberately mines the sentiment of the mother/son bond, but skillfully saves it from sentimentality; this is a winning dissection of family, forgiveness, and fame.”

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Courtesy of NBPL

Rowley will focus his Happy Hour talk on his new novel, “The Editor”

Tickets for the Happy Hour with Steven Rowley are available for online purchase at $35 per person and include a pre-lecture reception in the Bamboo Courtyard with wine, beer, soft drinks and light appetizers. Space is limited and tickets will sell out quickly. Proceeds from the event fund literacy services for adult learners at the Newport Beach Public Library.

For tickets, visit www.newportliteracy.org. For additional information, contact Cherall Weiss, literary coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Central Library is located at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

Sunny sunrises return

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Photo by Jason Berry (Instagram @its_jason_berry)

Mornings have been extra beautiful and clear this week in Newport Beach

SPIN to hold New York New York Celebration

SPIN (Serving People In Need) is holding its New York New York Celebration on Friday, Sept. 17 from 6-11 p.m. at the Balboa Bay Resort.

Enjoy an evening of dinner, along with silent and live auctions. Stellar entertainment will be provided by comedian Bobby Collins (the “comic’s comic”) and Matt Mauser (of the Tijuana Dogs), and the Pete Jacobs Band, who will capture the sounds of Sinatra at the height of his career when singing with the Count Basie Orchestra in Las Vegas. Mauser delivers the vocals with Jacobs, conducting.

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Photo by Ann Chatilon

SPIN board member Richard Crawford and his wife Kim, longtime advocates of Serving People In Need, will be attending the SPIN gala 

Black tie is optional and space is limited. Tickets are $300 per person. For the opportunity drawing, you will have the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at South Coast Plaza and valet parking for one year. Opportunity drawing tickets are $10 each, 7 for $50, or 15 for $100.

For reserve your seats, to purchase an opportunity drawing ticket, or to be a sponsor, click here. For more information, contact Kim Frazier at 714.751.1101, ext. 19 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Balboa Bay Resort is located at 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

SPIN’s mission is to restore Orange County’s families and individuals in crisis to housing and permanent self-sufficiency through its long-term, proven case management and support services.

Prestigious awards competition names Landsea Homes as finalist

Landsea Homes, a Newport Beach-based homebuilder, was named finalist in 12 categories at the 2019 SoCal Awards annual competition, which honors excellence in the home building and developer industry. 

Landsea Homes’ Lido Villas in Newport Beach finalized in five categories from a field of more than 400 entries from throughout Southern California.

“We are extremely proud and humbled to receive these outstanding accolades representing our leading architectural design and customer service at this year’s SoCal Awards,” said John Ho, chief executive officer, Landsea Homes. “These awards are a testament to our hard-working team members’ commitment to providing excellent service. All our models have been exceptionally well-received by new homebuyers and these honors are great recognition of our main mission: Creating vibrant communities where residents can truly live in their element.” 

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Submitted photo

An exterior view of Lido Villas in Newport Beach

The SoCal Awards recognize superior achievements in all aspects of new home development and are sponsored by Sales and Marketing Councils of the Building Industry Association of California. SoCal Award winners will be announced September 28 at The Grove of Anaheim, at a gala celebration hosted for hundreds of homebuilding professionals. The presentation will be hosted by Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes of KTLA Morning News.

Landsea Homes SoCal Awards Finalists include:

–Best Innovative Use of Technology: Lido Villas

–Best Interior Merchandising of an Attached Home Plan Priced $750k & Over: Lido Villas

–Best Architectural Design of an Attached Home Plan: Lido Villas

–Best Architectural Design of a Multi-Family Community: Lido Villas

–Home of the Year: Lido Villas

–Best Online Marketing Campaign: Life Made Simple

–Rookie Salesperson of the Year: Debra Compton

–Sales Professional of the Year Selling Product Priced Over $1.25 Million: Nick Brown

–Customer Service Professional of the Year: Michael Banuelos

–Customer Service Professional of the Year: Don Todaro

–Rising Star of the Year: Kelly Abeling

–Community Superintendent of the Year: Chad Long

Lido Villas in Newport Beach is one of the last remaining properties in Orange County that offers panoramic Newport Bay views and prime access to outdoor recreation, gourmet dining and entertainment. The enclave of 23 townhomes are priced from the high $1 millions, and include open floorplans ranging from approximately 1,818 to 2,240 square feet with two to three bedrooms, an expansive rooftop deck, walk-in closets, two-car garages and energy-efficient features.

The luxury coastal community only has two remaining properties available. All three floorplans sold in just four months, making it a standout in Orange County’s competitive new home market. Lido Villas has earned honors for excellence in design, planning and marketing including recognition from the Gold Nugget Awards and SoCal Awards.

For more information about Lido Villas, call 949.371.8543 or visit https://landseahomes.com/southern-california/lido-villas.

Passport to Luxury Chef’s Challenge at Roger’s Gardens on September 25

The Inaugural Passport to Luxury Chef’s Challenge will be held at Roger’s Gardens on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m.

Hosted by Modern Luxury Orange County, this event invites culinary masters, luxury brands and event enhancements to showcase signature dishes, products, services and trends.

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Submitted photo

Guests will gather to experience a guided journey with each stop offering a taste of a different part of the world through bites, signature cocktail or products.

Guests will vote for their favorite dish of the evening, and the winner will be announced at the end of the night.

Newport Beach restaurants participating include A Restaurant Newport Beach, Andrea Ristorante at Pelican Hill Resort, Aqua Lounge, Cannery Food of the Pacific, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Louie’s by the Bay and Oak Grill.

The event benefits Childhelp OC. Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $45 at the door.

All guests must be 21+. Carpooling/Uber or Lyft is highly encouraged as parking will be extremely limited.

Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $5 at the door. To purchase tickets, click here.

Lisa Fischer and SFJAZZ Collective to grace Segerstrom Concert Hall

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents a double evening of jazz featuring two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and celebrated ensemble SFJAZZ Collective on Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

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Courtesy of scfta.org

Award-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and her trio, Grand Baton

“A powerhouse with monumental range” (Daily Star), Fischer and her trio, Grand Baton, open the evening putting a fresh spin on rock anthems and blues standards, fusing them to African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean rhythms. Then, the SFJAZZ Collective, comprised of eight of the finest performers in jazz today, celebrates the 50th anniversaries of two influential albums: In A Silent Way by Miles Davis and Stand! by Sly and the Family Stone. Each member of the collective will rearrange songs from both seminal albums in addition to preparing an original composition as part of the group’s mission to perform fresh arrangements of works by modern masters and newly commissioned pieces by each SFJAZZ Collective member.

Vocalist and Across the Universe film standout Martin Luther McCoy and master guitarist Adam Rogers join the all-star ensemble for their 2019-2020 season as the first vocalist and guitarist to be part of the SFJAZZ Collective. 

Single tickets start at $39 and are available for purchase online at www.scfta.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings of 10 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. 

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Lei Po’o workshop on the Lido Deck tomorrow

Come learn the art of Lei making at this fun summer class on the Lido Deck, Saturday, Sept. 14 from 4-6 p.m.

You’ll receive group and one-on-one instruction as you create your own traditional Hawaiian Haku Lei using an abundant selection of fresh tropical flowers.

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Courtesy of hakusandlove.com

Come make a Lei and meet new friends. Absolutely no refunds can be made once you purchase your ticket. For tickets and more information, visit www.hakusandlove.com.

Gather on the Lido Deck overlooking Newport Harbor between Nobu Newport Beach and Zinque in Lido Marina Village at 3434 Via Lido, Newport Beach.

Movie in the Park on September 20

Bring the whole family to Movie in the Park: Hotel Transylvania 3, on Friday, Sept. 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Bayview Park.

Come enjoy some fresh air, free popcorn, free candy, free activities and a live screening of Hotel Transylvania 3. The event begins at 7 p.m. with the movie set to begin at dusk. Food will be available for purchase. Remember to bring a chair, blanket, or towel for comfortable sitting during the movie. Presented by the City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Department, this is the last of four movie screenings throughout the summer. For more information, call 949.644.3151 or visit www.newportbeachca.gov/recreation.

Bayview Park is located at 99 Pelican Court, Newport Beach.

For A Good Cause

From Golf to Galas: Supporting Our Community

Courtesy TripAdvisor

Newport Beach Police Association Charitable Foundation Charity Golf Classic | Monday, Sept. 16 with a 10:30 a.m. check in; 12:30 p.m. tee-off | Enjoy 18 holes of golf, cart, breakfast, lunch and various awards. Cost: $500 per layer; $1,600 per foursome. Register at the website.

Contact: Vlad Anderson at 949.375.0258 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

http://npacfgolfclassic.org

Takes place at Newport Beach Country Club, One Clubhouse Drive, Newport Beach.      

Second Chance’s More Second Chances Gala | Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The evening’s festivities include dinner, dessert and drinks along with entertainment. There are 50+ items in the silent auction, including golf and lunch for two at Bel Air Country Club; fine dining restaurant gift cards such as for A Restaurant and Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Sonoma wine tasting tour; three nights at a Carlsbad beach house; hotel stays; three-month membership to Equinox; whale watching tour; theme park and museum admission tickets and assorted gift baskets. Business cocktail attire, please. Guests must be 18 years of age. Cost: To purchase tickets, $80 per person, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/more-second-chances-gala-tickets-65854531677.

Contact: www.secondchance.org

Takes place at Newport Beach Civic Center Community Room, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Susan G. Komen Orange County MORE THAN PINK Walk | Sunday, Sept. 22 | Susan G. Komen Orange County is one of 26 locations across the country that will be reintroducing its Race for the Cure as the More Than Pink Walk this year. The event will include a fresh new look and experience focused on energizing the community around the lifesaving work Komen’s supporters make possible through fundraising efforts. The More Than Pink Walk, which will not have a separate timed run element this year, will increase people’s connection to Komen’s work beyond breast cancer awareness including, research, community outreach and more. Registration & Expo opens at 6 a.m.; Opening Ceremonies at 8:30 a.m.; 5k MORE THAN PINK Walk at 9 a.m.; Walk ends and Expo closes at 12 p.m. Tickets: General admission: $25 and $35 the day of the event.

Contact: Stacy Davis at 714.957.9157, ext. 34 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or click here.

Takes place at Pacific Life Insurance Company, 700 Newport Center Drive (Fashion Island), Newport Beach.

Evening of Excellence Gala Event to benefit Youth Employment Service | Thursday, Sept. 26 | Honors employers for their ongoing commitment to hire and support YES graduates as they transition into the workforce. Festivities include a cocktail reception, wine pull, auction, awards presentation and dinner. Proceeds support the Comprehensive Job Readiness Program and its expansion to greater Orange County. Sponsorships, donations and attendance opportunities are available.

Contact: www.yesworks.org

Takes place at The Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach.

Frister’s Celebration Gala | Friday, Sept. 27 beginning at 6 p.m. | Newport Beach-based CT Realty is the gala’s title, “Community Changemaker” sponsor, while community volunteer Sandy Sizemore will receive the Founder’s Award at the gala for her significant contributions to the organization. Fristers graduates will share their stories of how the organization has transformed their lives during video testimonies on the big screen. Dress is cocktail attire and the evening begins with cocktail hour, opportunity drawing opportunities and a wine vault. The Fashion Island Hotel’s Coastal Catering will provide dinner followed by videos, the program and a live auction. Tickets: $150 and sponsorships are available. Fristers is an Orange County-based nonprofit devoted to helping teen parents thrive.

Contact: https://fristers.org and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Takes place at The Port Theatre, 2905 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

SPIN’s New York New York Celebration | Friday, Sept. 17 from 6-11 p.m. SPIN (Serving People In Need) is holding an evening of dinner, along with silent and live auctions. Stellar entertainment will be provided by comedian Bobby Collins and Matt Mauser (of the Tijuana Dogs), and the Pete Jacobs Band, who will capture the sounds of Sinatra at the height of his career when singing with the Count Basie Orchestra in Las Vegas. Mauser delivers the vocals with Jacobs, conducting. Black tie optional. Tickets are $300 per person.

Contact: Kim Frazier at 714.751.1101, ext. 19, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To reserve your seats, to purchase an opportunity drawing ticket, or to be a sponsor, click here.

Takes place at Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

New, Now, Next: The OCMA Affair | Saturday, Oct. 5 | This annual gala supports the museum’s exhibition and educational programs and ensures that the museum can offer free admission at its temporary location at South Coast Plaza Village. Co-chairs: Jennifer Segerstrom and Jennifer Van Bergh

Contact: www.ocmaexpand.org

Takes place at OCMA/Expand, 1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana.

Dusk at the Island Fashion Show to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Orange County | Thursday, Oct. 10 from 4-8 p.m. | Features a cocktail hour with great food, live entertainment and silent & live auctions. Fashions will be provided by brands such as Elie Tahari, Faherty, Bailey44 and more. Sponsorship opportunities are available; call Ruth Wu at 714.516.3669.

Contact: www.rmhcsc.org/orangecounty

Takes place at the Fashion Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Furnishing Hope’s “The Future is Bright” Gala | Saturday, Oct. 12 | TruClear Global, the intersection of art and technology, is their presenting sponsor at TruClear Global, who has donated their state-of-the-art Experience Center in Newport Beach for the evening. Proceeds from this event help furnish the homes of our military heroes and single parents with children as they transition to independent living. Guests will enjoy an evening of elegant fun with a live and silent auction, an opportunity drawing, cocktail reception, and sit-down dinner catered by Mark’s Desserts and Catering, while experiencing next level technology at TruClear Global. 

Contact: To become a sponsor, donate to the silent or live auction, or purchase tickets to the event, visit www.furnishinghope.org or call 949.419.4574.

Takes place at TruClear Global, Newport Beach.

Childhelp Diamond Jubilee Fall Gala - Legends of Hollywood | Saturday, Oct 19 | Event Chairs Joy Estrada and Gina Van Ocker along with Honorary Chair Janet Ronnenberg will lead the committee in transforming the main ballroom to bring legendary Hollywood back to life. It will be an evening to remember with dinner, dancing to live music by Daring Greatly, silent and live auctions, and casino-style gambling, all to raise money toward stopping child abuse and neglect, and to support the children under Childhelp’s care. For 60 years, Childhelp has been working to stop abuse and neglect in Orange County as well as across the country.

Contact: For tickets, sponsorships, donations and underwriting, visit http://www.bidpal.net/childhelpocgala2019Reach Linda Burns at 949.463.8804 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Takes place at The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast.

Girl Scouts of Orange County – 10th Annual Celebrate Leadership | Friday, Nov. 8 | New honoree categories. New activities. Exciting live and silent auction items. And of course, OC’s amazing Girl Scouts who are taking action to make our community and world a better place. Sponsorships are available. 

Contact: To purchase tickets, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cellea.

Takes place at the Fashion Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Second Annual Forever Families Gala to support Seneca Family of Agencies | Saturday, Nov. 9 | This event supports this organization’s mission to create families that are stale, loving and permanent. They have a 100 percent adoption permanency rating. Every $1,000 supports the finalization of an adoption for a child in foster care. There are more than 600 kids waiting to be adopted in Orange County. Honorees to be announced. Sponsorships are available from $5,000-$50,000.

Contact: www.senecafoa.org/gala

Takes place at Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

46th Candlelight Concert to support Segerstrom Center for the Arts | Friday, Dec. 6 | For more than 40 years, Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Candlelight Concert has been one of Orange County’s most treasured events. Considered by many as the official kick-off to the holiday season, Candlelight brings friends and family together for an elegant evening of great fun while raising essential funds in support of the Segerstrom Center for the Art’s artistic, education and community engagement programs.

Contact: www.scfta.org

Takes place at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Editor’s Note: If you have a philanthropic event with a connection to Newport Beach you would like to see publicized, please email the information with an image and contact person with email address to Lana Johnson: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you would like to reach out to Newport Beach nonprofit organizations, visit https://greatnonprofits.org/city/newport-beach/CA.

Flashback Friday: Answer

If you guessed Joy Brenner, Newport Beach City Councilwoman, representing District 6, then you are correct!

Send in a treasured past photo!

You can submit yourself, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend or family member. We’ll even surprise them if you want. 

We’re looking for eye-catching representations of your Flashback Friday.

Please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with Flashback Friday in the subject line. Let’s make Fridays a day to remember.

Police Beat Primer

Compiled by Tom Johnson 

Police Beat derives from information in the log maintained at the front counter by the Newport Beach Police Department and required under CA Government Code Section 6254 (f). The press does not have access to written police reports.

Information in the police department log is deemed reliable and StuNewsNewport is not responsible for mistakes made available as public record by the Newport Beach Police Department.

Any person arrested is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

Abbreviations sometimes used in Police Beat:

647f – Public Intoxication; DUI – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; NFA – No fixed address; RP – Reporting/Responsible Party; UTL – Unable to locate

DUI Arrests

Daria Alexandrovina Guilliam, 39, Newport Beach – Tuesday, September 10

Daniel Stephen Zug, 27, Cardiff – Tuesday, September 10

Shaun Michael Arnett, 23, Huntington Beach – Sunday, September 8

Incident Reports

Tuesday, September 10

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

Zachary Michael Winter, 32, Costa Mesa

Derrick James Riehl, 60, Costa Mesa

E. Coast Highway & Newport Coast Drive I Driving w/o License and Warrant

10:36 p.m. Ruben Jimenez Silvestre, 42, Santa Ana, was arrested for driving without a license and on a warrant for failure to appear in court for a promised appearance. Bail was set at $10,500.

Monte Vista Ave. & Irvine Ave. I Costa Mesa I Warrant

9:35 p.m. Robert Damian Kutzner, 45, Santa Ana, was arrested on a warrant for driving on a suspended/revoked license. Bail was set at $25,000.

Birch St. & Corinthian Way I Warrant

3:09 p.m. Ryan Lee Romero, 39, Riverside, was arrested on a warrant for driving with an open container of alcohol. Bail was set at $1,000.

W. 16th St. I 900 Block I Narcotic

8:50 a.m. Antonio Jr. Alvarez, 39, Lake Elsinore, was arrested for possession of a narcotic controlled substance. Bail was set at $2,500.

Newport Blvd. & Hospital Road I Paraphernalia

2:09 a.m. Danielle Reentse Baron, 27, Santa Ana, was arrested for possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Bail was set at $500.

40th St. & Seashore Drive I Controlled Substance, Narcotics and Paraphernalia

1:26 a.m. Angelica Lorena Padron, 20, Newport Beach, was arrested for possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Bail was set at $500.

1:21 a.m. Joshua Ikaika Farmer, 39, Newport Beach, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic controlled substance and possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Bail was set at $2,500.

San Joaquin Hills Road & Ocean Birch Drive I Conspiracy, Evading Police, Receiving Stolen Property, Residential Burglary and Driving while Suspended/Revoked

1:08 a.m. Brittany Victoria Chatman, 27, Pasadena, was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, evading a peace officer with wanton disregard, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950, residential burglary with a forced entry and driving while suspended or revoked. Bail was set at $1,000,000.

91 & 71 Freeways I Parole Violation, Conspiracy, Burglary, Burglary Tools and Receiving Stolen Property

12:44 a.m. Martrell Eric Robinson, 18, Pasadena, was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, residential burglary with a forced entry, possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950. Bail was set at $1,000,000.

12:38 a.m. Elante Lamar Gilliam, 28, Altadena, was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, residential burglary with a forced entry, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950 and for a parole violation. Bail was set at $1,000,000.

Spyglass Hill Road & San Joaquin Hills Road I Conspiracy, Receiving Stolen Property and Burglary

12:30 a.m. Lindsay Claudine Lacy, 25, Rancho Cordova, was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950 and residential burglary with a forced entry. Bail was set at $1,000,000.

Monday, September 9

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

Cian Hamilton Nelson Cowley, 31, Mount Baldy

16th St. I 1900 Block I Make Equipment for Counterfeiting, Acquiring Access Card Account Information, Concealed Weapon, False Personation, Altering/Changing Imitation Firearm and Probation Violation

8:09 p.m. Andrea Guadalupe Mojica, 21, Newport Beach, was arrested for making equipment for counterfeiting cards and on a felony probation violation. Bail was set at $500.

7:57 p.m. Aquil Qadir Lawson, 28, Philadelphia, was arrested for acquiring access card account information, carrying a concealed weapon on his person and false personation of another. Bail was set at $20,000.

7:51 p.m. Daniel Vincent Osby, 18, Compton, was arrested for altering or changing an imitation firearm. Bail was set at $500.

Westcliff Drive I 2100 Block I Controlled Substance, Paraphernalia, Removal of Garbage or Recyclables, Sharps Waste and Narcotics

11:50 a.m. Hope Lynn Coolbaugh, 41, Hudson, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, removal of garbage or recyclables, illegal transporting of sharps waste and possession of a narcotic controlled substance. Bail was set at $2,500.

Medina Way & E. Balboa Blvd. I Warrant

11:08 a.m. Wesley Harbail Singh, 41, Newport Beach, was arrested on a warrant for tampering with a vehicle. Bail was set at $10,000.

Marguerite Ave. I 300 Block I Drinking in Public and Pedestrian Failing to Use Left Edge of Roadway

8:45 a.m. John Paul Firestone-Kelly, 31, Oceanside, was arrested for drinking in public and for being a pedestrian failing to use the left edge of the roadway. Bail was set at $50.

Finley Ave. & Newport Blvd. I Controlled Substance

12:18 a.m. Antonio Jr. Alvarez, 39, Lake Elsinore, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $10,000.

Sunday, September 8

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

Nathaniel Monks Hutchinson, 54, Costa Mesa

Eric Samual Stipe, 40, Long Beach

E. Coast Highway I 8100 Block I Battery

8:48 p.m. Terry Christopher Raupp, 48, Mission Viejo, was arrested for battery. Bail was set at $500.

W. Coast Highway I 4600 Block I Warrant

8:01 p.m. Corey Wade Carney, 47, Plymouth, was arrested on a warrant for vandalism. Bail was set at $1,500.

Placentia Ave. I 1500 Block I Warrants

6:43 p.m. Romina Muriel Frosio, 28, Newport Beach, was arrested on warrants for possession of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license (2), possession of unlawful paraphernalia (3) and petty theft. Bail was set at $45,000.

35th St. I 500 Block I Inflicting Corporal Injury on Spouse and Warrants

6:12 p.m. Richard L. Thompson, 53, Newport Beach, was arrested for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse and warrants for contempt of court and battery (2). Bail was set at $130,000.

San Joaquin Hills Road & Jamboree Road I Marijuana, Open Container and Driving while Suspended/Revoked

5:41 p.m. Jordan Denzel Manning, 25, Compton, was arrested for being over 18 and possessing greater than 1 oz. of marijuana but less than 4 oz., being a driver with a store opened container of alcohol and driving while suspended or revoked. Bail was set at $500.

51st St. & Seashore Drive I Grand Theft, Paraphernalia, Controlled Substance, Burglary Tools, Tear Gas and Warrant

4:26 p.m. Luis Alberto Perulero, 25, Santa Ana, was arrested for grand theft of bicycles, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, possession of burglary tools, unlawful possession/transporting of tear gas and on a warrant for being a person previously convicted of grand theft of an automobile. Bail was set at $20,000.

41st St. & Balboa Blvd. I Warrant

4:03 p.m. Carlos Alberto Gonsalez, 27, Santa Ana, was arrested on an undisclosed warrant. Bail was set at $500.

W. Balboa Blvd. & 21st St. I Fictitious Checks and Warrant

3:26 p.m. Amber Nicole Kirkpatrick, 31, Newport Beach, was arrested for passing fictitious checks and on a warrant for possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $15,500.

Vista Entrada I 2100 Block I Under the Influence, Controlled Substance and Paraphernalia

3:25 p.m. Paul Douglas Saindon, 40, Riverside, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Bail was set at $2,500.

Jamboree Road I 1500 Block I Petty Theft

2:29 p.m. Mark Lawrence Benjamin, 60, Stanton, was arrested for petty theft from buildings. Bail was set at $500.

Superior Ave. & Nice Lane I Paraphernalia, Sharps Waste and Driving w/o License

12:09 p.m. Rachel Lynn Pendergraph, 27, Brea, was arrested for possession of unlawful paraphernalia, illegal transporting of sharps waste and driving without a license. Bail was set at $500.

Superior Ave. & W. Coast Highway I Switchblade

12:06 p.m. Jack Colton Ramsey, 21, Glenwood Springs, was arrested for possession of a switchblade in a vehicle. Bail was set at $500.

E. Coast Highway & Iris Ave. I Drinking in Public

11:44 a.m. John Paul Firestone-Kelly, 31, Oceanside, was arrested for drinking in public. Bail was set at $50.

Jamboree Road I 1500 Block I Warrant

8:02 a.m. Patricia Lynn Powers, 59, Temecula, was arrested on a warrant for a NBPD misdemeanor. Bail was set at $1,500.