Fair Game
By TOM JOHNSON
The quest for the vaccine calls for patience, but potential improvements seem to be underway
Tuesday I expressed my concerns over the trying challenges of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Although it hasn’t gotten any easier as the week’s gone on, at least I feel like I’ve received some hope.
Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles offered up that one of the major problems in successfully getting through for an appointment is the incredibly high volume of activity, with more than 104 million hits last week on the Othena site.
“We understand the frustration and can only encourage people to keep trying and be patient at this time,” said Boyles. “The county allocates the vaccine doses after receiving their share from the state.”
The Chief also told me that the City of Newport Beach is currently seeking authorization to administer vaccines independently, telling me that the Fire Department has obtained licensure from the state to operate an independent clinic. So now it seems to only be when and where?
Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley, who’s also a candidate to replace Michelle Steel for her 2nd District OC Supervisor seat, concurred that requests have been overwhelming.
However, she is very optimistic that vaccine production will dramatically pick up over the next three weeks under new President Joe Biden as he institutes the Defense Production Act. Foley, who’s on the same side of the aisle as the President, is confident he’ll kick things into high gear and really get things rolling.
Foley told me to expect vaccine distribution coming to senior centers soon and eventually to our neighborhood pharmacies.
Newport Beach City Councilmember Diane Dixon said she’s “going crazy” trying to get vaccinated, “logging in all times of the day and night,” but to no avail.
She reminded me to also check out other options in Long Beach and at www.ucihealth.org.
Dr. Susan Skinner lobbed in with some basic advice for those not as yet registered, the first being to go to www.othena.com. Once there, go to first-time user and answer the questions.
Hoag President & CEO Robert Braithwaite, too, is preaching patience. And, in the interim to “continue wearing masks, staying home, washing hands and practicing social distancing.”
Braithwaite has also been very good in providing regular community COVID-19 updates and has promised to continue to do so.
UCI Health announced yesterday afternoon that beginning this morning, Friday, Jan. 22 at 8 a.m., they will begin scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.
This is only for patients 65 years of age or older. You need a confirmed appointment to be vaccinated.
The location is the UCI Bren Events Center, 100 Mesa Road, Irvine.
Successful participants will need to bring a copy of their confirmation and a picture ID.
Go to https://vaccine.ucihealth.org.
Finally, Wednesday it was announced that Soka University is becoming the second Orange County super vaccination site to Disneyland. That means lots more available appointments which can’t hurt things.
Operations ay Soka get underway this Saturday morning. Expect 2-3 more super sites to follow.
We promise to keep you posted as new developments occur.
• • •
As the old saying goes, “I have good news and I have bad news.” For residential rental property owners, the news is not good; for struggling renters, it’s news that might be viewed as temporary relief, therefore good.
Wednesday of this week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., extended the current order in place temporarily halting residential evictions until at least March 31, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a historic threat to our nation’s health,” said Walensky. “It has also triggered a housing affordability crisis that disproportionally affects some communities.”
• • •
If you’re giving thought to where you might be able to take the absolute best Valentine’s Day Instagram photo, you should definitely check out “Ruby Glow” at Sherman Library & Gardens.
The spot was first installed for their recent Nights of 1000 Lights, and it “just screams Valentine’s Day, so we’re keeping it up through the Lunar New Year (February 26).”
It’ll only cost you $5 for the garden admission. Don’t say I didn’t tell you!
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Sherman Library & Gardens
• • •
Joe and Morgan are at it again…as in Joe Stapleton and Morgan Christen, the principals of Spinnaker Investment Group. Christen, Spinnaker’s CEO and Chief Investment Officer, announced their latest employee addition as Pepperdine University grad Anika Wilson. Wilson will serve as a financial adviser.
Wilson had an impressive academic background at Pepperdine as a scholar-athlete, eventually earning her Investment Advisors Certification. She also played in two NCAA Championship tournaments as a member of the university’s Division 1 beach volleyball team.
According to the Orange County Business Journal, Spinnaker Investment Group is one of the fastest-growing privately owned small businesses in 2020 and headquartered in Newport Beach. They currently have more than $420 million in assets under their management.
COVID-19: 1,795 new cases and 13 new deaths reported in OC, 22 new cases in Newport Beach
Sadly, OC Health Care Agency reports that 2,638 people have died due to COVID-19 in Orange County, including 13 new deaths reported today (January 24). There have been 42 deaths of Newport Beach residents to date.
The county reported 1,795 new cases of COVID-19 in OC today. There have been 22,288 cumulative cases to date.
ICU capacity remains very low and hospitalization numbers very high. The percentage of adult ICU beds currently available in OC is 9.5 percent unadjusted and 0 percent adjusted.* 35 percent of ventilators are currently available countywide.
The county reports that 1,732 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (-86 since yesterday’s report – includes ICU); 467 are in ICU (-15 since yesterday’s report).
The county reports that there have been 3,162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Newport Beach to date, including 22 new cases reported today and 178 new cases reported since last Sunday’s report.
The county estimates 153,862 “recovered cases” according to its data criteria.
For questions about the data presented by the county, call (714) 834-2000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To view the data dashboard, click here.
COVID-19 numbers are updated daily by Stu News Newport and reported on our social media pages @StuNewsNewport.
*Adjusted ICU capacity takes into account the percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in the ICU (the higher the percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in the ICU, the more the adjustment).
Click on photos for larger images
Courtesy of OC Health Care Agency
Orange County COVID-19 case data posted on January 24, as reported by the county; click here to visit page that is updated daily
Take Five: Meet Jon Remy, Balboa Island Improvement Association
By AMY SENK
When you visit Balboa Island by bridge instead of ferry, you probably noticed a sign on the right side that welcomes visitors with a funny saying, like “OK 2021, you promised to be nicer.” Everyone I know has seen these messages and loves them, but I had a tough time figuring out which islander was responsible. I reached out to former Councilman Jeff Herdman, who put me in touch with Jon Remy, a member of the Balboa Island Improvement Association, and he told me all about it.
Courtesy of Jon Remy
Jon Remy
Q: You are active in the Balboa Island Improvement Association. Can you tell me more about that organization and your specific areas of involvement?
A: I have been involved with the BIIA for 20-plus years. I’m the art director/editor of the quarterly Island Bridge Newsletter, produce the banners for special events, graphics and banners for our annual parade in June, the Marquee sign, and help with setting up and tearing down events. I also do concert posters and banners. The BIIA is an amazing organization and just celebrated its centennial a few years ago. They are a dedicated group that produces events all year long (except 2020) like the Island Parade, Home Tour, concerts, barbecues, Sandcastle Contest, Taste of Balboa Island, Snow & Santa, Christmas Tree, All Island Decorating, Bridge Flags and more. They also beautify the island with flowers, clean the beaches, trash cans and provide doggie bags on the boardwalk. They are one of those entities that does so much for the Island that you just take it for granted or think the city does it all. The BIIA is an integral part of Balboa Island.
Q: I was trying to find the person in charge of changing the messages on the sign on the bridge to the Island – they always make me smile. Can you tell me how you think of the messages and what goes into the routine of putting them up?
A: I have a box of plastic letters that I spell out the message in the medical parking lot, put in a coffee can, and make it across the street without getting picked off by a G-Wagon. I try to think of things so ridiculous that people might even buy it. I had “Penguin Petting Enclosure Ahead” and low and behold, people were walking down Marine Avenue asking where the penguins were. And during a blazing summer day – “Polar Bear Petting Zoo” Free Band-Aids!
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Photo by Jilly Senk
The Balboa Island welcoming sign along the bridge
Q: What was your favorite message and what were some that got the most feedback? Were there any that were controversial or unpopular?
A: I have gotten in trouble several times by trying to be too funny. One busy summer day I put up LOT FULL! I had dozens of emails from merchants, and it was down in an hour, I was scolded. On a 100-degree day, “Satan called, he wants his weather back.” That one almost got me kicked out of Heaven. The Monsignor called. So, I changed it to “Snow Shovels On Sale.”
Q: What is your day job and what is your career background, and can you share any hobbies you enjoy?
A: I’m a self-employed graphic artist; the company is Collins Avenue Graphics. I design newsletters, menus, window signage, logos – basically anything printed. Most of my career has been in the field of advertising/marketing/publishing. The last real job was publisher for The Catalina Islander Newspaper in Avalon, Catalina. Daily commute was on the Flyer Boat out of Newport to my office in Avalon, with 500 of my closest seasick friends. It is amusing that when I was an NBC page, I used to work Wheel of Fortune and zip up Vanna White’s dress before the show. I enjoy boating, water sports and golf.
Q: What’s your favorite part of living on Balboa Island?
A: I live in a cottage my grandfather built in 1926. Not many of them left with all the 3-story McMansions going up. Pretty sad really. Besides an 8-year stint living in Pasadena, I have lived on the Island since 1975. I would say my favorite part of living here is the sense of community, the relaxed island vibe, great weather, proximity to the harbor and ocean. This is a dream place to live. Lucky we are!
~~~~~~~~
Amy Senk is a longtime resident of Corona del Mar and a regular contributor to Stu News Newport.
The latest in our world of COVID vaccines
Vaccine appointments available this weekend at UCI
UCI Health announced yesterday afternoon that they will be scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments tomorrow and Sunday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Bren Event Center.
Appointments are required.
Those desiring an appointment can go to https://vaccine.ucihealth.org beginning at 8 a.m. this morning.
Those successfully obtaining an appointment will need to bring a copy of their confirmation notice from UCI and a photo ID.
This is only for those 65 years and older.
County of Orange adds Soka University as second vaccine super site
The County of Orange is opening its second regional COVID-19 Vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) site at Soka University in Aliso Viejo on Saturday, Jan. 23 beginning at 8 a.m.
“Orange County is working around the clock to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to everyone who wants it,” said Andrew Do, chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “This second vaccination site at Soka University will allow us to vaccinate thousands more residents every day.”
Orange County is moving quickly to make the COVID-19 vaccination available; however, the county faces ongoing supply limitations. The Orange County Health Care Agency is continuously requesting more doses from the state every day.
Named “Operation Independence,” the county is setting up regional vaccine points of dispensing sites. Due to the scope and size of these PODs, based on the high demand for vaccines, these sites are being referred to as County Super PODs.
Since the Disneyland Resort Super POD site opened on January 13, there have been approximately 21,782 vaccines distributed to eligible Orange County residents and those working in Orange County.
“We understand that there are many residents who are anxious to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and we encourage people to remain patient as we work to dispense our limited supply of vaccines to eligible individuals,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.
New Super POD sites will open as the supply of COVID-19 vaccines available in the county increases. The county anticipates the need for at least five Super PODs located throughout the county. Additional Super POD sites will open in a phased approach, ensuring access to all Orange County residents.
“I strongly encourage all residents to visit www.COVIDVaccineFacts.com for the latest information on who is currently eligible to receive the vaccination and learn the facts about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District.
Vaccines dispensed at County Super PODs are currently available for individuals who live and work in Orange County and fall within the State’s Phase 1A, all tiers, including persons age 65 and older. Appointments are available through www.Othena.com based on vaccine availability. Eligible individuals with an appointment must present identification and proof of eligibility at the Super POD site to receive a vaccine. To view a list of those who are eligible to receive a vaccine, visit the OC Health Care Agency’s website at
https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/phased-approach-vaccine-distribution.
The Operation Independence Incident Management Team (IMT) was established on December 31, 2020. The IMT is a unified command with representatives from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Fire Authority and other fire service agencies in Orange County, Orange County’s Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies, the County of Orange County Executive Office (CEO) and other county agencies.
For questions related to COVID-19, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).
Halt to lot of Moderna vaccine lifted and now good to go
Earlier this week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) directed providers to pause dispensing COVID-19 vaccine Moderna lot number 041L20A due to reported cases of adverse reactions in California.
Late Wednesday night, CDPH announced that after further discussions with the Western State Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Allergy and Immunology specialists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the manufacturer, CDPH found no scientific basis to continue the pause.
Providers that paused vaccine administration from this particular lot of Moderna vaccine can immediately resume dispensing. The CDC further advised that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Many people don’t have any side effects after COVID-19 vaccines, but some people will have pain or swelling at the injection site or fever, chills, or a headache. These typically don’t last long and are signs that your body is building protection.
For questions related to COVID-19, visit
www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).
It’s 2021 and indications are that improving times are ahead
By GARY SHERWIN
Oh 2021, you couldn’t come soon enough. Your sister 2020 put us all through a lot. I’m not expecting perfection from you certainly. But here’s hoping you gaze kindly on all of us as a country and here in Newport Beach.
And although we are still in January, I’m already allowing myself to be a wee bit optimistic yet realistic.
Before I get to that, let’s acknowledge a few things. First, if you are looking at many cities throughout the country, we are fortunate to live here. Not just because of our lifestyle, but because we’ve been remarkably resilient throughout the pandemic.
There is no question that local businesses have been hurt and continue to suffer but compared to even major cities, we are in an enviable position. New York has suffered retail vacancy rates at a 14-year high of 6 percent because workers and visitors have fled. Several hotels didn’t just close for COVID-19, but they shut for good including a few name brands.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Visit Newport Beach
Gary Sherwin
San Francisco is a shell of itself as tech workers relocate to places like Austin and away from sky-high rent and homelessness. Office vacancy rates are 16.7 percent and rents are down 27 percent from a year ago. LA County is relatively empty with 8 percent vacancy with nothing happening at Staples Center and sky-high infection rates.
Even with the vaccines being distributed, it is hard to imagine a fast turn-around for some of these places as the economic foundations they were created on have fundamentally changed.
Newport Beach is experiencing its toughest quarter of the pandemic right now since meetings and business travel fill our hotels, restaurants and shops during the first part of the year. With pleasure travel essentially banned by the Governor, it is a hardy group of locals currently keeping the lights on financially.
Last week, the senior team at Newport Beach and Company met virtually for our annual planning retreat and we invited several noted tourism economists to join us. And the news was cautiously positive.
We made a few assumptions. One, there will be massive stimulus program pushed by the Biden Administration which will flood the economy and many people’s wallets with cash. And we are assuming that the vaccines will get greater distribution into more arms over the next four months.
If both things happen, Newport Beach’s road to recovery may happen more quickly than you realize. Here’s why:
The small meetings market, the lifeblood of the city’s hotels, will likely rebound in the last half of the year and get stronger into early 2022. That will drive occupancy and enable Fashion Island Hotel to eventually reopen and encourage more hiring. No single thing can improve hotel financial performance faster than bringing meetings back and these small groups will be the first to wade back in the pool.
If infection rates decline, the Governor will finally reopen Disneyland and that will help restore visitor traffic especially if this happens by summer. Newport Beach has always had a symbiotic relationship with the Magic Kingdom as people like to play in the park during the day and stay here at night. Pent up demand to return to the theme park is huge especially when you consider it will have been closed for over a year by the time it reopens.
Most of these returning leisure guests will not be from foreign lands. In fact, international travel probably won’t have a pulse again until sometime next year as things normalize. However, the thing that has always saved us in prior downturns is our vast 20 million Southern California marketplace.
2021 will continue to be the year of regional travel as people slowly get back on the road as soon as they feel safe to do so. The airline industry will see some relief as people seek to get out of town, but many people have indicated that jumping on a long-haul flight probably won’t happen right away until the end of the year.
Few cities have the good fortune to be as close to so many drive visitors with the means to spend accordingly. I remind people all the time that Newport Beach started climbing out of the Great Recession in Spring 2010 while many cities were still deeply suffering. Within two years, we had gained back many of our losses and were moving toward growth.
Our research gurus also said their data indicates that beach destinations will be a popular choice for resuming travel. Family travel will be especially in vogue since many haven’t seen loved ones in months.
Combine our geographic proximity to a large population base, a soon to be reopened theme park, beautiful beaches and a well-known signature dining community, and we are well positioned to ramp up, hopefully by late spring assuming infection rates fall, and the Governor finally eases up restrictions.
So, we asked our economist, what’s the biggest takeaway in his findings? Surprisingly he said it in one word: Gratitude. We’ll be more appreciative of the things we lost and weren’t able to do during the pandemic and we’ll savor them more when we can do them again.
It’s an apt word for all of us in Newport Beach.
Gary Sherwin is President & CEO of Visit Newport Beach and Newport Beach & Company.
You Must Remember This: Scrapbooking
By NANCY GARDNER
My former son-in-law, Greg Washer, was going through some old boxes and came across a scrapbook of my mother’s, one I had never seen. It covers high school and post-high up through 1940, and in going through it I was struck with how similar youth is, no matter what the era. My mother and her friends had been through the Depression, a scarring experience. There was war in Europe, but you wouldn’t know any of this looking through the book, which reflects a bunch of young people tuning out external unpleasantness and going about the business of having fun – pretty standard behavior for that age group in any period. At the same time, however, anyone going through the book would never mistake it as a product of the 21st century.
One big difference in this age of texts and emails – the scrapbook is fat with paper: invitations, announcements, dance cards, greeting cards. The second difference is the tone of these materials. There’s an earnestness that’s hard to imagine in our age of irony, a cheerful innocence that verges on corny. This is easily seen in two typical cards sent at Easter:
Easter greetings. Here’s an Easter card for you with a great big wish right on it. If you don’t like it, gosh-oh-gee, I’ll eat my Easter bonnet.
Had to come out of my shell to wish you happy Easter, and that’s no yolk.
I could rest my case right there, but it’s bolstered by the telegrams pasted in. I’d always thought telegrams were reserved for emergencies, but apparently young men used them in an attempt to impress young women, and again they have a note that indicates they’re from a much different period. Two examples:
Miss Harris the more I think of you, the more I feel myself every way disposed and determined to become better acquainted with you. Our conversation last night has given me a most exalted idea of your personality, yes, indeed. I hope you will be persuaded that I speak sincerely and you will do me a favor and let me see you soon. Parting is such sweet sorrow – or are you glad? Shall I say goodby? It means “God be with Ye” Guess who
And…
Hello Kay what do you say I thought of greetings the livelong day. Hold on one minute and I’ll begin it in a very romantic way. Sizz boom bah sizz boom bah Valentine greetings rah rah rah Billy Shakespeare
Even the newspaper clippings have a gee whiz air. In one highlighting a postmasters’ convention, there’s a photo of my mother and other young women, each smiling out of a mail sack with the caption, Pretty “parcel post packages” only in this case they contain beautiful bathing girls.
Unfortunately, all this innocent fun was soon to disappear, as documented by a special edition of Woodrow Wilson High School’s student paper headlined 2000 Wilson Alumni Fight on World Battle Fronts. It’s 2,000 names with the branch of service, where they served, injuries and deaths. I was particularly struck by part of the introduction: We have printed this directory as another means of strengthening the ties that bind you to this school and to each other.
In reading that, I remembered a phone call I got some years ago. A man was looking for Katy Harris, hoping I was her daughter. They were having the 70th reunion of their class at Woodrow Wilson, and he wanted to get hold of her because, “It won’t be the same without your mother.” I had to tell him that my mother had died. He seemed quite taken aback. “I wonder,” he said. “Would it be possible for you to write something about her that I could read that night?” That does suggest close ties. I sent him something, but I wish I had known of the scrapbook at that time. The people at the reunion would have related to its contents much more than to her years as my mother.
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Nancy Gardner, former Mayor of Newport Beach, longtime resident and daughter of Judge Robert Gardner, is a regular contributor to Stu News Newport.
Guest Letter
Robert T. Braithwaite
President & CEO
Hoag
Hoag is dedicated to providing compassionate care as vaccines become more widely available in the days ahead
Dear Neighbors,
I wanted to connect again and share the latest news regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Over the past four weeks, we have been vaccinating health care workers and medical staff – the dedicated teams who continue to provide compassionate care to all who seek it. There is great hope in this stage of the pandemic journey, and we will build on this hope as vaccines become more widely available.
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Courtesy of Hoag Hospital
Robert T. Braithwaite
We welcome the expansion of county and state guidelines that have allowed Hoag to plan and prepare for dedicated vaccine clinics for patients 65 and older in the coming weeks. We are strictly following the prioritization and distribution guidelines set by the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). While we have not yet received vaccine supplies from the County to begin offering appointments to eligible patients, we are ready to move quickly when they arrive.
In the meantime, we encourage you to find out if you are eligible to receive vaccinations through the County by registering on Othena. This is another avenue to pursue while we await vaccine inventory at Hoag. To learn more about eligibility, please read the Orange County Health Care Agency’s distribution guidelines.
Whether you have received a vaccine, or you are awaiting your turn, I ask that you please continue wearing masks, staying home, washing hands and practicing social distancing. We all need to commit to these measures for the greater good.
As is the case across the country and in our own community, vaccine demand is high. There are many more individuals interested in receiving the vaccine than the vaccine supply currently permits. I will continue to provide additional updates as we learn more about vaccine availability and local resources.
As always, I appreciate your patience and support as we navigate through these difficult days together. Thank you and stay safe.
Our beautiful hometown
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Kevin Pellon (Instagram @socalsnapz)
Home is where the views are
Police Files
Burglar hops fence to break into Peninsula Point residence
A residential burglary occurred in the Peninsula Point community during the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 17. Around 5:30 a.m., in the 400 block of M St., an unknown suspect jumped over the fence from an adjoining alley to access the back patio.
With the residence vacant, the suspect shattered a back patio window to gain access into the house. Once inside, the suspect removed a television from the wall and tampered with a bedroom closet before leaving through the garage.
The reported loss was the television.
The minimal information on the suspect was that the male was wearing a hoodie. No other information was available.
Suspect enters vacant home, makes off with wall-mounted television
Sometime between Saturday, Jan.16 and Monday, Jan. 18, a residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of Via Havre in the Lido Isle community.
While the residence was vacant, an unknown suspect accessed the side of the house, pried open the utility box and shut off the power. Then the suspect removed a window screen and shattered the window to gain access to the interior. The suspect took a television off the wall and left through the garage door.
The only reported loss was the television.
The was no suspect information available.
Mayor to Zoom State of City next month
Speak Up Newport recently announced the postponement of the 40th Annual Mayor’s Dinner that had been scheduled for next month. However, in order to keep with the tradition of the annual February State of the City address, Mayor Brad Avery will deliver his remarks via a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 4-5 p.m.
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Courtesy of City of Newport Beach
Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery
Attendees will also have an opportunity to submit questions for the Mayor prior to the event.
To register to attend the Zoom webinar, go here.
Send questions for Mayor Avery to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Speak Up Newport is a non-profit, non-partisan citizens group organized to promote the common good and general welfare of the Newport Beach community.
City presents Circulation Element Visioning Workshop next week
The City of Newport Beach is presenting a Circulation Element Visioning Workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 6-8 p.m. The city’s goal is to weave community feedback into a vision in order to guide the future of mobility in Newport Beach.
Recent community meetings previously gathered residents’ visions, allowed them to express concerns, helped them to identify challenges, all in order to help better understand what is important in transporting people and goods around town.
Next steps with this workshop will be to incorporate all this previous feedback into an updated General Plan Circulation Element.
Residents interested in participating should sign up for Newport, Together at the link here. Once there, they will be asked to choose a username and password and answer a few simple questions. Then they will receive an email to validate their email and access to a website with a Sign In button.
People are asked to register this way in order to help ensure that a broad set of perspectives are considered by attributing feedback and frequency of feedback to individuals; to promote accountability and encourage people to provide thoughtful response because feedback can be attributed to them; and it means that all attendees can be kept up-to-date on project progress and happenings.
To learn more, go to www.NewportTogether.com.
Guest Letter
Casey Reitz
President
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
An update on Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Dear friends,
I am very proud to announce that the Center has engaged in an exciting new dance project with our colleagues and friends at American Ballet Theatre. In February, ABT will arrive in Orange County to complete and unveil a program of new and classic works in Segerstrom Hall. ABT will perform works by three innovative choreographers, each with unique visions for the future of ballet: Jessica Lang, Lauren Lovette and Darrell Grand Moultrie. Ms. Lovette’s work is titled La Folia Variations and is performed to music by Francesco Geminiani. It is filled with poetry, wit, nuance and power. Ms. Lang’s piece is Let Me Sing Forevermore, with songs sung by Tony Bennett. It is a celebration of the Company and showcases the dancers’ charm and talent in ways we don’t always see. Mr. Moultrie is choreographing Indestructible Light. He has selected music by Duke Ellington, County Basie, Neal Hefti and Billy Strayhorn. He worked with the Company this fall in a quarantined bubble at PS 21 in Chatham, New York, creating a joyous symbol of the resilience of the arts despite what feels like impossible odds. It is a message that is timely and timeless. The program will end with a classic pas de deux, a tribute to the history and legacy of dance.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Doug Gifford
Casey Reitz
As you can imagine, this is not a simple project, and it is requiring the combined resources and experience of both the Center and ABT to accomplish it during this period of quarantine. The choreographers, dancers and ABT artistic staff will create their own bubble, isolating themselves at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel across the street from the Center, venturing out only to our studios and Segerstrom Hall for rehearsals and performances. The hotel, our Hospitality Sponsor, will provide lodging and meals, helping to make this incredible undertaking concept possible. There will be strict, daily testing and extremely restricted access to the Center throughout their residency. This production will be made possible to be streamed in the comfort of your home. We will share behind-the-scenes updates with you so we can all participate in this remarkable project and its process from start to finish.
If we have confirmed one thing during this terrible time of COVID-19, it is the resilience and dedication of the arts and artists. There are countless stories of artists taking to the streets, drive-ins, the balconies of their apartments and live streaming and recording performances for their websites – all to share their music, voices and dancing with others in safe and respectful ways. Technology and science, broadcasting and web-based platforms have helped us to reach audiences who are isolated. I want to acknowledge, too, the Center’s Board, staff and colleagues across the country who engaged with engineers and industrial hygiene companies to assemble a comprehensive set of protocols and safety measures. We have met and, in many cases, exceeded public health advice. We are prepared to reopen our venues and public performance spaces as soon as we receive word.
Dance. It is central to our history as well, so it is fitting that it will be the first genre to be performed live in our halls. In addition to the Center’s internationally recognized dance series, we are proud of the opportunities offered by our American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School and our Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities. We are grateful to the many generous donors who have funded these programs that have added such prestige to the Center and enriched the artform today and for future generations. Our gratitude is extended to the Avenue of the Arts Hotel for its tremendous assistance and help with this current collaboration with ABT. I also thank Bank of America, which has underwritten our IMAGINE THAT! program presented through the Center’s Community Engagement Department. Their gift made it possible for us to offer classes to many new students who might not have been able to participate.
And I thank all of you in our Center Family who are supporting us and offering your much-appreciated encouragement during this critical period. You believe as we do and as Ms. Lovette, Ms. Lang and Mr. Moultrie are expressing so beautifully – the arts are indestructible.
With all best wishes,
Casey Reitz
Even with no official fair, OC Fair & Event Center wins eight awards for innovation and excellence
OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) was honored with eight Achievement Awards by the Western Fairs Association (WFA). The annual program recognizes innovation and excellence among fairs and festivals in the Western U.S.
Despite most fairs facing canceling across the nation in 2020, the WFA still moved forward with their program, “showcasing not only the creativity of member fairs and service members, but the perseverance and dedication of the industry to our communities.”
OC Fair & Event Center received six first-place and two second-place awards. Two of the awards were also named Judges Choice and one received a Merrill Award nomination. The Merrill Award is the most prestigious award handed out by the WFA.
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Courtesy of OC Fair & Event Center
Hot Dog on a Stick is among the many concessioners offering tasty food during the OC Fair
The 2020 Virtual OC Fair, which was held exclusively online and via social media from July 17-26, received top honors and was named Judges Choice. The virtual fair’s auction component also received first place honors.
The popular Fair Food Drive-Thru event that took place on the fairgrounds from August through October received top honors, as well as two staff photos from the event.
An entry outlining the community service programs OCFEC has implemented during the pandemic received first place, Judges Choice and the Merrill Award nomination. Programs included in the entry were the Power of One Foundation’s emergency community food distribution program at the fairgrounds, Centennial Farm’s produce donations to local food relief efforts, the Market Match program set up by Centennial Farm for the Farmers’ Market to assist low-income residents in obtaining fresh produce and Orange County’s COVID-19 testing program.
Second-place awards went to OCFEC for a virtual contest held during the Fair Food Drive-Thru, as well as the drive-through concert series.
The Western Fairs Association presented the awards for 2020 achievements during a virtual conference last week.
BYC sets sail with plans for 54th GovCup and World Sailing Youth MR World Championship
Balboa Yacht Club (BYC) has posted all the information necessary for requesting an invitation for the 54th Governor’s Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship, July 26-31, 2021, on the event website at www.govcupracing.com.
The Club will also host the 2021 Youth Match Racing World Championship and the sport’s worldwide governing body, World Sailing, has confirmed the August 9-14 dates proposed by the Club for that event.
The new dates for both regattas will maintain a one-week break between the two for the all-volunteer event staff.
“After the cancellation of the Cup last year for the first time in 54 years due to COVID concerns and travel restrictions, we look forward to the best ever ‘GovCup’ this year,” said Christine Robertson Gribben, chair of both events.
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Photo by Tom Walker
2019 Governor’s Cup champion Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) in a finals
race against his Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron mate, Leonard Takahashi
The Governor’s Cup is presented by Disc Sports & Spine Center and is an invitational event for sailors that have not reached their 23rd birthday by the last day of the regatta. This year, a special exception to that rule was made by BYC to allow skippers invited to the 2020 Cup before it was canceled to request an invitation to the 2021 regatta and, if invited, they may sail even if they don’t meet the age qualifications by the July 31, 2021 date.
Crews are not included in this exception and must still be no more than age 22 on that date. There are only three potential skippers of the 12 invited last year that could take advantage of this one-time rule change, but all are still within only a few weeks of qualifying without the exception.
“We expect a ‘Grade 1’ quality fleet and perhaps the toughest year ever for gaining an invitation,” said Selection Committee member Andy Rose, referring to World Sailing’s grading system for international match races which is based on the overall quality of the regatta, its administration and the World Sailing Open Match Racing Rankings of the skippers.
“At present, the second and fourth ranked skippers in the Open Rankings (not age limited) are the two most recent winners of the Governor’s Cup – Harry Price (AUS), who won in 2018 and Nick Egnot-Johnson, the winner in 2019,” continued Rose. “Although Harry has ‘aged out’ of both GovCup and Worlds (but not without winning both), hopefully we’ll see Nick back this summer to try to join 11 other sailors over the years that have won twice,” shared Rose.
Grade 1 is generally only granted to regattas in which most, if not all of whose entrants are professional sailors, but the Governor’s Cup was the first age-limited event to ever receive Grade 1 status in 2018. The 2021 Governor’s Cup has initially applied as a Grade 3 regatta so if World Sailing wishes to modify that grading, it would happen retroactively as was the case in 2018.
Are you doing your fair share?
Philanthropy is the lifeblood of nonprofits throughout our community and across the country. Kindness funds help to the homeless and downtrodden; children, who in many cases, would have to do without; medical and health support for so many who are out of other options; and so much more.
Our Spotlight on Philanthropy is designed to show you the inner workings of programs touching our community and, hopefully, encourage you to take a closer look.
Featured Charitable Organization:
What does Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) do?
The mission of Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) is to improve children’s mental health and wellness and support families by providing educational tools, resources and awareness events.
ELF encourages adults to recognize symptoms, overcome the stigma and reach out for help. Through prevention, early intervention and holistic treatment, ELF believes many of the big problems facing today’s youth can be transformed within a generation.
There are four primary ways that ELF helps improve the mental health of children and their families:
–Host mental health awareness events.
–Create therapeutic tools for children.
–Provide educational resources for parents, parents to be and teachers.
–Bridge the gap between traditional and holistic healing options.
Mental health affects everyone, at all ages in all walks of life. ELF’s multifaceted approach is particularly focused on children but is designed to also reach families and their communities.
How many people are serviced and who are they?
ELF donates hundreds of Piggie Bear tools to several different children’s nonprofit organizations that serve at-risk youth including Families Forward, CASA, Laura’s House, YMCA, Illumination Foundation, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Camp Pendleton and Strong Families, Strong Children.
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Courtesy of Extraordinary Lives Foundation
(L-R) Rachel Popplewell, Sapphira Ha Roberson and Mara James when ELF donated 300 “The Power of Piggie Bear” books to Miracles for Kids
What services are available?
Currently, ELF provides The Power of Piggie Bear book and a Piggie Bear stuffed animal to help support children’s emotional wellness.
The HUGS for Life Healing Center is in the developmental stage and will bridge the gap between medical professionals and accredited holistic healers. The facility will be available to all wishing to seek holistic healing options to conquer their mental health challenges and ELF will raise funds to offer treatment options to low-income children and their families.
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Courtesy of Extraordinary Lives Foundation
(L-R) Mara James and Crystal Wishart when ELF donated 25 “The Power of Piggie Bear” coloring books to Laura’s House
Why give to ELF?
Now more than ever, children’s mental health challenges are on the rise. Your donation will directly benefit vulnerable children in need and will help increase their emotional intelligence and mental well-being.
How can you give to the ELF?
Donations are accepted via the nonprofit’s website at www.elfempowers.org and checks can be mailed to ELF, 26800 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite 460, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.
Can someone volunteer? If so, how? What opportunities are available?
Yes! ELF is always looking for volunteers to assist in outreach, miscellaneous projects and to “high five” attendees at their Mental Health Awareness events.
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Courtesy of YMCA at Hidden Hills, Laguna Niguel
ELF donated 50 “The Power of Piggie Bear” books and plush toys to the YMCA. The author Mara James read the book and Kim Gubner sang the “Piggie Bear I am Amazing” song.
Please describe any internal clubs, partnerships, leagues, college programs, etc.
Early Childhood OC, UCI, CHOC Children’s, First 5, United Healthcare and CalOptima.
What are the major fundraisers and when are they?
ELF hosts annual comedy night fundraisers and mental health awareness events. This year the nonprofit is also considering hosting a mental health awareness concert. Dates are TBD as well as virtual or hybrid/in person.
Names of the leadership group
ELF Board Members
Mara James – Founder & CEO
Rachel Popplewell – Vice Chairman
Martha Bowers – Secretary
Dan Zinn – Treasurer
Amy Betonte – General Member
Dr. Kevin Alexandar DBH, LPCC – General Member
Damion Young – Attorney
Lauren Perry McVicker – General Member
Jennifer Annes – General Member
Albert Ramos – General Member
ELF Advisory Board Members\
Dr. Kenneth James, M.D. OB/GYN and collaborator
Dr. Adrienne Matros, Psy.D. & Mental Health Advocate
Dr. Brett Patterson, Ph.D. CEU/CME Webinar Presenter
Dr. Lina Ponder, Psy.D. PPS, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jessica Borelli, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychological Science, UC Irvine
Sandy Avzaradel, Director, Early Childhood OC, ELF Advisory Board Member and moderator for webinars
Hoda Shawky, NP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Susan Kenny, CASA Employee and ELF Advisory Board Member
Renata Ururahy, Dietician and Holistic Therapist
Amy Hamilton, Business Adviser
Sheryl Erani, Meeting Planner
Naresh Worlikar, Business Executive
Randi Johnson, Marketing Consultant
Carrie Cesario, Transpersonal Hypnotherapist
Chris DiFonso, MBA, Finance Professional
ELF
26800 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite 460
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949.484.9366
Every small step can make a BIG difference!
Spotlight on Philanthropy is underwritten by
There’s money in them thar hills for COVID relief
The Small Business Administration can help businesses take advantage of multiple opportunities available for coronavirus relief funding.
The three programs are the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVO).
The PPP provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed and to assist in certain operational expenses. The PPP may be forgiven and recently launched a second round for first and second-time applicants.
The EIDL provides working capital to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the pandemic disaster not occurred.
Finally, the SVO is a disaster relief grant for the following industries: live venue operators; theatrical producers; live performing arts organizations; relevant museum operators and zoos; motion picture theater operators; and talent representatives.
To apply or inquire about more information, click here.
Living in paradise
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Photo by Kevin Pellon (Instagram @socalsnapz)
Waterfront homes and palm trees are a locals’ dream come true
Orange County Coastkeeper receives grant to continue managing harbor access point
Orange County Coastkeeper received a $24,000 grant in late November 2020 from the California State Coastal Conservancy to continue maintaining a public accessway easement at Portofino Cove in Huntington Harbour. Coastkeeper has been managing this accessway easement, held by the Conservancy, for nearly a decade. The grant is a renewal of the management contract between the Coastal Conservancy and Coastkeeper.
Most of Huntington Harbour is inaccessible to the public, as it is surrounded by private residences and boat docks. This easement provides an opportunity for the public to view the harbor. Grants like the one from the Coastal Conservancy protect and enhance coastal access, which is out of reach for many California residents because of economic barriers, according to a UCLA report.
“While we’ve restored and maintained coastal access in Huntington Harbour, we’ve got work to do in Newport Beach. We’re working to restore public access and usage at the Newport Harbor Patrol Dock and adjacent public beach in Corona del Mar,” said Ray Hiemstra, associate director of programs at Coastkeeper.
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Courtesy of Orange County Coastkeeper
A picturesque view of Little Corona Beach
Coastkeeper has opposed a variety of unlawful practices intended to restrict public access and usage at the Newport Harbor Patrol Dock. Coastkeeper has been working closely with the University of California, Irvine School of Law and dedicated members to ensure the preservation of affordable overnight guest slips, visitor dock usage, ADA access to the beach and restrooms, and the preservation of this coastal resource for everyone to enjoy. Coastkeeper anticipates that this issue will be before the California Coastal Commission in March.
“Helping protect coastal access for all California residents is at the heart of this partnership with the Coastal Conservancy,” said Garry Brown, Orange County Coastkeeper founder and president. “We believe the state’s natural resources are for everyone to enjoy and Coastkeeper gets to make an impact in protecting them for generations to come.”
“When we invest in preserving and protecting our public land and natural resources, we invest in the future. I am extremely grateful for the work Orange County Coastkeeper does to help protect access to our natural public lands,” said Senator Tom Umberg (Orange County). “It is critical that we support organizations like Orange County Coastkeeper and that work to improve opportunities for people of all means and backgrounds to appreciate the great California coast.”
Traffic continues to be down at JWA in December year-over-year
Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport decreased in December 2020 as compared with December 2019. In December 2020, JWA served 231,033 passengers, a decrease of 74.1 percent when compared with the December 2020 passenger traffic count of 891,492.
Commercial aircraft operations decreased 49.1 percent and commuter aircraft operations increased 12.9 percent when compared with December 2019 levels.
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Courtesy of JWA
Total aircraft operations decreased in December 2020 as compared with the same month in 2019. In December 2020, there were 18,061 total aircraft operations (take-offs and landings), a 12.8 percent decrease compared to 20,718 total aircraft operations in December 2019.
General aviation activity, which accounted for 76.1 percent of the total aircraft operations during December 2020, increased 8.0 percent when compared with December 2019.
The top three airlines in December 2020 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (86,094), American Airlines (45,239) and United Airlines (32,277).
Hoag COVID-19 rapid testing now at JWA
Hoag announced this week that COVID-19 rapid testing is now available at John Wayne Airport (JWA). Rapid testing is located in Terminal B on the Departure Level before the TSA Security Checkpoint. Testing is open to travelers as well as the surrounding community, with results available within 15-30 minutes. The testing site is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and the cost is $139 per test.
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Photo by Jackie Culmer Photography
Hoag COVID-19 rapid testing site at John Wayne Airport
“As cases continue to rise here in Orange County and across the nation, it’s important that our community has access to COVID-19 testing,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, Hoag president and CEO. “We are proud to partner with John Wayne Airport to offer this convenient and accessible rapid testing option in the heart of Orange County.”
Urgent care services are also coming soon to the Hoag Fly Well Clinic located at John Wayne Airport – post security in Terminal B Departure Level – offering travelers access to health services including office visits, telehealth consultations, vaccinations, treatment of minor illnesses and injuries and prescriptions.
To note, some airlines and travel destinations require a PCR test from an approved partner. Be sure to verify that the Hoag COVID-19 rapid test qualifies for your needs.
Pet of the Week 
Stu News Newport is delighted to be working with the Newport Beach Animal Shelter to help get the word out in search of loving homes for pets that deserve a warm, nurturing environment and a place to call “home.”
The shelter would like to introduce you to a very active Jack Russell Terrier mix named Buddy. At the young adult age of 2 years, Buddy is looking for a home where he is provided with a lot of activity. He walks well on a leash and will be best as the only dog in the home with all children that are the age of 12 and over. Buddy is an original in personality. He’s very smart, observant, outgoing and would have a blast spending time in nature. Sometimes he seems aloof, but you just know that he’s quietly paying attention to all of the little details. Bonding with Buddy is going to be a for sure. He’ll know his person and let that person know, so there will never be any question.
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Courtesy of Newport Beach Animal Shelter
Meet Buddy
If this golden boy sounds like he’s your kind of pup, please contact the shelter. The quickest way to get an appointment for a meet and greet is to attach the application to the email when you let staff know of your interest. The applications are easy to find on the nonprofit’s webpage at www.FONBAS.org.
If you’d like to speak to a someone at the Newport Beach Animal Shelter, call 949.718.3454 or email them directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Newport Beach Animal Shelter adoption fees:
–Adult Dogs - $150
–Puppies - $225
–Adult Cats - $90
–Kittens - $110
Also, consider becoming a member of an incredible nonprofit that supports the city’s efforts with providing wonderful opportunities to stray, injured, ill and owner surrendered domestic pets.
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
