42 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Newport Beach, one new death

Numbers released by the OC Health Care Agency today, August 4, reflect that there have been 896 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Newport Beach to date, resulting in the deaths of nine Newport Beach residents, including one new death received today. 

This represents an increase of 42 new cases today, the highest single-day increase in Newport Beach to date. According to the County, all of today’s new cases are in the 92663 zip code (West Newport Beach, Lido, Cliffs).

The County reported 253 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in OC today.

Sadly, the County reports that 653 people have died due to COVID-19, including two new deaths received today.

According to the County, OC is experiencing “elevated disease transmission,” “increasing hospitalization,” and “limited hospital capacity.” The County reports a total of 38,066 cumulative cases to date.

The County reports that 539 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (includes ICU); 167 are in ICU.

Santa Ana has had 7,288 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of 66 cases today, and 178 deaths. Anaheim has had 6,521 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of 60 cases today, and 157 deaths. Huntington Beach has had 1,728 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of nine cases today, and 47 deaths. Costa Mesa has had 1,246 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of 13 cases today, and 10 deaths. Irvine has had 1,198 confirmed cases to date, and nine deaths. Laguna Beach has had 136 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of one case today, and “less than five deaths” to date. 

The County estimates 26,234 “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.

Numbers are updated daily by Stu News Newport and reported on our social media pages @StuNewsNewport.

Click on photos for larger images

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

My opinion is the NMUSD Board is jumping the gun on a superintendent

I have to say I was shocked Sunday to discover that the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education has agendized the approval of a new superintendent at tonight’s meeting. In case you haven’t heard, the new superintendent will apparently be Russell Lee-Sung, who has served as the interim superintendent over the last several weeks.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I very much appreciate what Lee-Sung has done in his short service overseeing the District. After all, he took a most misguided class schedule model that had been previously approved and overturned and changed it back to the old schedule.

In my book, that scored him points.

But here’s what I have a problem with. Two of the seven board members are departing following the November election. The new incoming members deserve to be in on the decision of who becomes the next superintendent.

Also, NMUSD is a plum job. A national search would draw the best of the best. You then compare those top applicants against Lee-Sung, who may well still win out. But here’s what you also get, each one of those interviewees tells you what’s working where they come from. It’s a rare opportunity to learn what’s working elsewhere and maybe steal an idea or two to make our district better. It also reaffirms for everyone that Lee-Sung would indeed be the best candidate.

And if you think the Board is good at selecting superintendents, think again. For example, I’ll give you a name and you tell me what comes to mind first. 

Robert Barbot – well, if they were all this good, our District would be rolling instead of reeling. Dr. Barbot was a good one, but also arguably the only one they’ve gotten right in recent times.

You want to argue? Okay, how about Mac Bernd? Board President Martha Fluor even referred to him as a “dictator” upon his departure. Okay, you say, that’s only one.

Well, how about Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard? In case you forgot, he was found guilty on two of three felony counts for the misappropriation of public funds. Certainly not one of NMUSD standards.

And then, of course, is most recently Dr. Fred Navarro, who in my estimation dropped as many fly balls as he had base hits, in baseball parlance.

So, one can hardly assume that Fluor and Dana Black, both of whom were in on all the above selections, are anywhere capable of making correct decisions on selecting superintendents.

I mean, if we stay with the baseball theme, they’re batting .250. That’s not what we need or deserve at NMUSD. 

The good news is that Lee-Sung appears to be solid and from what I’ve seen, I’m a believer. I just wish he would “win” the position.

His compensation package is a salary of $298,000, plus health and welfare benefits. It appears it will be a two-year contract, and should a future board want to move in a different direction, it will cost the District six months severance, plus the complete benefits package.

As far as the Board goes, remember these names come November: Leah Ersoylu, Amy Peters, Krista Weigand, Carol Crane and Charles Booker. Those are the NEW names vying for school leadership on the Board. Read up on them and come election time, vote. Our District needs the help.

• • •

My column profile picture for the last month or so has featured me with my University of Arizona mask on. It got me thinking, while I love my Wildcats, why not promote a local business and institution?

Hence, this week’s John Wayne Airport mask (see above). Thanks to Deanne Thompson at JWA for making it happen.

If you have a mask and would like to have it featured, send one to me at 1048 Irvine Ave., #383, NB, 92660. 

I’ll do my best to put it on for an issue.

Who should be hiring the new Superintendent?

With the elections just months away in November, the question concerning the hiring of a new Newport-Mesa Unified School District Superintendent is open for debate. Some would argue that it’s the role of the sitting board, while others would say it’s the decision of those sitting following the election. The following comments are from people representing both sides of the issue.

Board President offers up her hiring primer

Here is a basic primer on Superintendent Searches.

We offered and Mr. Lee-Sung accepted a two-year contract. It ends June 30, 2022.

We specifically chose the end date for the following reasons.

1. Provides stability and continuity for the district during the COVID-19 pandemic year 2020/21.

2. In November, there will be an election in which two new board members will be elected. Their first meeting will be December 2020.

3. The newly constituted board needs time to establish itself as a governance team, understand their individual vs collective roles and responsibilities, and evaluate the Superintendent on goals the previous board established (June 2021).

4. In the contract, it says the board may entertain beginning a search process in the summer of 2021.

5. A national search process has a number of steps and generally takes between three to six months to complete.

These steps include:

a. Identifying, interviewing and selecting a qualified search firm.

b. Working with the community and board to identify the desired qualities of the next Superintendent, drafting and posting the Superintendent recruitment materials, etc.

c. Screening the applications and identifying the number of applicants that the Board feels meets the requirements and wishes to interview in Round 1.

d. In addition, the search firm is conducting extensive background checks on these applicants.

e. The board then conducts initial interviews with the candidates in Round 1.

f. The Board will select the number of candidates it wishes to move to Round 2.

At this point the community is asked to participate. They will also conduct CONFIDENTIAL interviews. In past searches the community committees were comprised of teachers, unions reps, classified, parents, students, etc. Usually committees of 15-20 individuals each. All this is done in Closed Session.

g. The board then takes that information, deliberates, it may conduct an additional interview(s) and then plans and develops itinerary for site visits to the candidate(s) home district where they will conduct additional interviews with that district personnel, teachers, parents, etc.

h. Finally the board selects its candidate and then makes an offer. And those negotiations begin. Once completed it is agendized and approved at a board meeting in public.

The above process may vary, but you get the gist. On top of this the most optimum time to conduct a search is in the January-April time frame.

The logistics are immense and delicate.

Confidentiality is a must.

And finally, can you imagine conducting this very important hiring via Zoom? I think the District and community deserves better.

So that is the Superintendent Search. Basic.

Martha Fluor

President, NMUSD Board of Education

Newport Beach

Informal courtesy calls for new board selection

I am sympathetic to the NMUSD Board wanting to have some continuity through these trying times, and I also recognize that, as a member of the public, I am not privy to the legal hiring policy and guidelines the Board of Trustees must be following during this time. 

However, from the outside, to promote Mr. Russell Lee-Sung from Acting Superintendent to Superintendent with a contract through June 2022 does not seem to be the best course of action.

First, in the Employment Agreement, it is mentioned that he will be given this contract through June 2022, with a clause that he receives a six-month salary and health and welfare benefits for early termination. 

We all realize that there is an election in November, where three of the seven Board of Trustee seats are up for grabs (two may not even be running for re-election). This means that there may be a major shift in Board composition and dynamics after November. 

It is a well-known informal bureaucratic courtesy not to make major hiring decisions in public agencies for the six months preceding an election. There is a simple reason for this; the new leadership may have a completely different vision for the future and should not be handcuffed by decisions of individuals who are no longer in leadership. 

The current Board majority knows this. Therefore, this means that they are actively choosing to include an expensive clause that will more likely than not cost the District over $150,000 during what we all understand to be trying economic times due to the global pandemic. This is poor financial planning on their part, plus it gives the impression that the will of the voters is being subverted.

These are times to tread carefully and be flexible, as the situation is so fluid. Tying the District up with a two-year contract on such a key position is very much unnecessary at this point in time. 

A more reasoned solution would be to offer Mr. Lee-Sung a contract through June 2021. This will allow the new Board to get settled in November and begin a nationwide search for Superintendent (after flu season) by February/March. This process typically relies on engaging a professional executive search firm and takes three to six months, so it will coincide with the end of Mr. Lee-Sung’s contract at which time he can be given month-to-month extensions if need be until the new Superintendent is seated. It also allows him to apply for the position himself, as he may indeed be the absolute best choice for our community. 

However, we will not know that until we conduct a nationwide search. NMUSD is situated in one of the most desirable places to live in the nation. From what we have seen, it clearly pays excellent salaries, and has committed and dynamic teaching staff and engaged families. Give us the chance to recruit the absolute best talent in the nation to be at the helm of our wonderful District. 

Leah Ersoylu, Ph.D.

NMUSD Board of Education candidate, Trustee Area 1

Costa Mesa

Selection of Lee-Sung works in the interim

As a candidate, I am not part of the pending hiring of Mr. Lee-Sung. However, I am pleased to note that Article X offers a transparent process that leaves the selection of the next long-term superintendent to the new Board of Trustees. This is very important since the new Board will be able to lead and manage the search and ensure that the new leadership complements its long-term vision for the District.

It is imperative that the priority of Newport-Mesa is laser-focused on getting our students and teachers successfully and safely back to school for Fall 2020. By offering Mr. Lee-Sung this two-year contract, this will allow the new trustees a thorough onboarding process and the careful oversight of pandemic-related adjustments in our teaching models so as to meet the needs of our students and staff during the 2020-2021 scholastic year.

Carol Crane

NMUSD Board of Education candidate, Trustee Area 3

Newport Beach

Lee-Sung’s leadership has failed us to this point

We, the parents and residents of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, are counting on you right now. We expect you to play the role of accountability watchdog over our NMUSD Administration – making sure they keep our schools on track for Fall Reopening. You, our seven trustees, set the policies to achieve the goals and vision for the 23,000 students under your care. 

Given your role, it is confusing and self-defeating that you are elevating Mr. Russell Lee-Sung to Superintendent for the next two years and raising his pay to $298,000 annually. Mr. Lee-Sung has been in a leadership role for the last five years at NMUSD. Presumably, he should be ready to step up to the Superintendent role. However, his main suggestion since becoming Acting Superintendent was the highly contested 4x4 Plan which he was unable to defend to parents, forcing a reversal of your 5-2 vote of approval after mere days. 

Any other administrator in his role would have been expected to, at minimum, be able to communicate a viable plan for opening schools. Mr. Lee-Sung has failed to communicate facility cleaning plans, details for each level of fall instruction from 100 percent online, the Distance Learning plan and the hybrid plan. In this moment, Russell Lee-Sung’s leadership has failed us. 

Why are we still unsure what Fall Semester could look like when other districts are rolling out detailed and transparent plans covering the three different levels of opening? 

We have many highly paid district employees and we have all been living with the COVID-19 reality since March 13. Shouldn’t they have been planning for these options under his leadership once it was clear the shutdown would continue? Why haven’t we had consistent communication from NMUSD Administration? Should you really be giving Acting Superintendent Russell Lee-Sung another two years when he could continue in his caretaker role and the new Superintendent search could begin in January 2021 giving Mr. Lee-Sung an opportunity to be evaluated along with the other candidates? 

Please think carefully before you vote on another controversial employment contract. 

Amy Peters

NMUSD Board of Education candidate, Trustee Area 6

Candidate wishes decision would wait

After the election in November the board will look and act differently, that is why I was hoping the decision of selecting a new superintendent would be left up to the new board. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered on why the school district decided that now is the correct time to appoint Russell Lee-Sung the Superintendent and for a two-year contract. In this unprecedented year if the board needs to select a Superintendent for decision-making purposes why not give him a one-year contract and then start the candidate search in January 2021? I hope these questions are brought up at the school board meeting on August 4.   

Krista Weigand

NMUSD Board of Education candidate, Trustee Area 6

Back on the road: taking kids to college during a global pandemic, part 1

By AMY SENK

Four months ago, I wrote a column about a solo road trip from my oldest child’s rural Ohio college campus to clear out his room and get his car back to Corona del Mar when classes suddenly went remote mid-spring break. I was solo because his classes had resumed, online, and I wrote about the Americana I saw and the germs I feared. It was tiring, but a break from the lockdown at home, which at the time, I feared would be boring and weird and maybe ruin graduations, but certainly would last no more than a couple of months.

We all know how that ended – all of us stuck in the middle of summer, with families everywhere trying to figure out the logistics of the upcoming school year. Whether you have a kindergartner or a college senior, it’s a mess.

My kids are headed to Duke and to Missouri for grad school. Duke’s plans so far seem to be for our daughter to move to Durham for a shortened first semester in a dorm with online classes, only to come home in November for the rest of the academic year. This seems to change frequently, with rumors and parents squawking and us being cheerful on the outside and freaking out on the inside. The Missouri part was easy – my son has friends there and was going to live in a rental house. He’s 22 and ready to be on his own, even if classes are remote. So we packed all his stuff into his car, and at dawn on a recent Sunday, we headed east.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Amy Senk

Aaron Senk, Amy’s son, is pursuing a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri, her alma mater

Road Trip, Take 2 was how I thought of this particular adventure. We chose a different, northern route this time to get to the Midwest, partly because of the scary number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona and Texas. Leaving on a Sunday was smart – a couple of detour warnings were moot because construction workers weren’t on hand.

Quickly, however, I noticed the difference in driving in March versus driving in July. Last spring, my fellow road warriors were like me – people desperately trying to get home – along with a few traveling workers. Mostly it was truckers, keeping the supply chain going. I envisioned the truck drivers delivering loads of toilet paper to the grocery stores where I shop, and I would give the drivers a thumbs up when we passed.

This trip, we were joined by vacationing Americans. Everyone, it seemed, who was prevented from a cruise or European jaunt had decided to visit national parks. They drove RVs or towed campers, and they were everywhere. Our trip took us on roads that went by the exits for Zion, Bryce, Arches and Canyonlands national parks. That hurt; my husband and daughter had planned a trip to hike in those parks while we were gone, but they canceled (COVID-19).

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Aaron Senk

Colorado’s lush beauty beckons 

As we drove, we spotted a gang of college-age looking girls who parked on the side of Interstate 70 to pose by the Welcome to Colorful Colorado monument. Again, there were lots of trucks – our nation apparently is being supplied by Walmart and Amazon Prime. At our hotel for the first night, I met a man from South Carolina who was also heading east, for work. He told me he wasn’t afraid of COVID-19, but all he wanted when he died was to be in his shrimping boat as he went. We briefly discussed politics, which was fascinating. Short story, he voted for Trump last time but isn’t sure this time because when he thinks of kids in cages, the “hair on my arm stands up, see?” Presidential Tweets also have turned him off, although voting for Biden isn’t in his future. We wished each other well through our masks before parting ways.

Back on the road, the second day, we cruised past Denver and into Kansas. Like Utah and Colorado before, the gas stations had signs asking us to use credit cards because of coin shortages. Everyone wore masks, and we noticed that hotel rooms had special stickers across the door to prove they’d been cleaned and left pristine. Every public space had hand sanitizers, and unlike March when toilet paper shortages had America in a panic, there were once again extra rolls in hotel room bathrooms.

On the interstate again, and we noticed the billboards had gone from accident attorneys (Nevada) to Jesus (Utah) to museums and Jesus and abortion (Kansas). The Kansas museum choices were wide and sometimes weird: Evel Knievel, Orphan Train, mining, greyhounds, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Amy Senk

A barbecue brisket sandwich, steak fries and baked beans at Gates in Kansas City, a favorite dining stop

We were not on a sightseeing mission, but instead wanted to check into our Kansas City hotel, which we finally did. It was humid and raining, and while my son devoured our Winstead’s hamburger order, I sat on a bench outside, gazing across the street at an apartment building that I had once considering moving to when I was a cub reporter at the old Kansas City Times. We were a block away from a bar I used to frequent, but the entire downtown area had changed. There were market lights and parking garages and a Yard House and juice bars. The next day, I happily devoured a sandwich at Gates, my favorite barbecue place, where the workers are trained to yell “Hi, may I help you” repeatedly the moment you walk in the door and until you order. It’s a little nerve-rattling while you try to choose brisket or burnt ends or ribs.

We arrived in Columbia later that afternoon in a rainstorm and quickly moved my son’s stuff into his new home. There were some issues – it was not an empty room when we arrived due to some roommate laziness – but we did our best. Plans to get his Missouri driver’s license went smoothly, despite Missouri’s odd system of having private companies handle state business. But plans to find cheap bookcases and a desk were complicated by having absolutely none of those items in stock anywhere. We were picky about price, but even so, we struck out at Staples, several Walmarts, Target, Home Depot and a furniture store way out of town on the highway. Late the next day, we cobbled together items and ordered a few more, but the lack of inventory was surprising. Another COVID-19 casualty? Probably, considering we’d been told that as a college town, there would be lots of options.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Amy Senk

Walter Williams Hall on the campus of the University of Missouri, one of the journalism school buildings

My hotel was in downtown Columbia, another new addition to my old college town. I had a view of the city, the old Tiger Hotel, where my edgy friends would go to dance in the bar when I was a student in the 1980s. We were a few blocks from campus, and my son and I went to look at the locked-up School of Journalism buildings one afternoon. We grabbed a burger at Booche’s, a bar that opened in 1884 and, a quarter-century or so later, probably became a journalism school hangout when the J-school opened – the first in the world, by the way, at least the first to offer a formal journalism degree. The university bookstore was closed (COVID-19), so we went to a Ninth Street spirit shop where I bought Mizzou car decals and Columbia, Mo. masks.

Six days after we left home, my son drove me to the Columbia Regional Airport for my trip back to CdM. I flew through Dallas, where everyone wore masks but otherwise, it was bustling and busy and seemed pre-pandemic normal. Landing home at John Wayne was like landing in a ghost town. Other passengers noticed, too. “It’s so dead,” someone said as we walked past the shuttered shops and restaurants.

Now I’m home, in quarantine so if I caught the virus on the trip, I don’t spread it around. So far, so good. I’m working in my little room, and monitoring my daughter’s college move-in plans, which seem very tentative and shifty.

If all goes as planned, I’ll leave tomorrow, August 5, to take her to Durham, N.C. Then, instead of an empty nest trip to Santorini or something fun, my husband and I will go home, back to quarantine. My daughter will be tested for the virus and asked to stay in her dorm room while she awaits the results.

This is not how anyone could ever have imagined the beginning of the Empty Nest stage of life. But this isn’t how I imagined summer, back in March. In another four months, in November, I wonder where we’ll be?

Better off, I hope. Unlike March, these days, I don’t assume that the passing of time will make things better.

~~~~~~~~

Amy Senk has lived in Corona del Mar for 20+ years and was publisher of Corona del Mar Today, an online newspaper that ran daily for seven years. Senk, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, is involved in the Corona del Mar Residents Association and the Corona del Mar High School PTA. She and her husband have two children attending college at the University of Missouri and Duke University.

School Notes

School reopening meeting set for tomorrow on Zoom

Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) will hold a virtual information meeting on School Reopening on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting will include a question and answer session.

The following is the link: https://nmusd.zoom.us/j/91865447715.

Parents asked to select school plan option for 2020-21

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) will offer an option of a 3-Level Plan or 100 percent Virtual School for the 2020-21 school year.

The District is first asking parents or guardians to complete an Intent to Participate form by Friday, Aug. 7. Families are asked to select the option that will be the best fit for each student in their family. This is an important decision as this will allow the District to prepare schedules and staffing for the start of the school year to accommodate student choices.

If the form is not received by the District by the deadline, your student will be included in the 3-Level Plan. 

All parents or guardians will receive a confirmation of their students’ participation in one of the two learning models.

The 3-Level Plan includes a 100 percent in-person, modified in-person (with social distancing) and a 100 percent distance learning level for instruction. The District will determine the level for all students, other than those who previously selected the Virtual School, and will be prepared to shift between the 3-Level Plan throughout the school year, based on state, county and local health department guidance, orders and/or local conditions at the time.

The following are the different 3-Level Plan model options:

–Instructional Model: Elementary (TK-6)

–Instructional Model: Secondary (7-12) – Excludes Estancia High School, Early College and Back Bay/Monte Vista High Schools

–Instructional Model: Estancia High School

–Instructional Model: Back Bay/Monte Vista High School

–Instructional Model: Early College High School

Parents choosing the 100 percent Virtual School option must commit to attend for the full 2020-21 school year. This is a change from prior announcements which is due to the significant impact to all district schools, classrooms and programs when students shift schools mid-year. At the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year students will have the opportunity to return to their current or home school site for 2021-22. 

Here are the highlights of the Virtual School option:

–Specialized lessons designed specifically for virtual learning.

–Research-based schedule that balances appropriate ratios of live and independent instruction.

–Instructional philosophy built on responsive teaching and feedback.

–Classes taught by NMUSD teachers, trained specifically in virtual teaching.

–Electives will be offered on a limited basis based on student enrollment.

Students choosing the Virtual Learning option will have limited Advanced Placement courses. International Baccalaureate courses will not be offered.

To participate in interscholastic athletics, CIF regulations require that students be enrolled in their home school.

The following is the Virtual School and Distance Learning Chart.

Attached is the School Reopening Plan.

Newport and Balboa Piers

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Kevin Pellon (Instagram @socalsnapz) 

We live in a beautiful place

COVID-19: 38,066 cases in OC to date, 653 deaths

OC Health Care Agency reported 253 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County today, August 4.

Sadly, the County reports that 653 people have died due to COVID-19, including two new deaths received today. 

There have been 896 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Newport Beach to date, resulting in the deaths of nine Newport Beach residents, including one new death received today.

This represents an increase of 42 new cases today, the highest single-day increase in Newport Beach to date. According to the County, all of today’s new cases are in the 92663 zip code (West Newport Beach, Lido, Cliffs).

According to the County, OC is experiencing “elevated disease transmission,” “increasing hospitalization,” and “limited hospital capacity.” The County reports a total of 38,066 cumulative cases to date.

The County reports that 539 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (includes ICU); 167 are in ICU.

Santa Ana has had 7,288 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of 66 cases today, and 178 deaths. Anaheim has had 6,521 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of 60 cases today, and 157 deaths. Huntington Beach has had 1,728 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of nine cases today, and 47 deaths. Costa Mesa has had 1,246 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of 13 cases today, and 10 deaths. Irvine has had 1,198 confirmed cases to date, and nine deaths. Laguna Beach has had 136 confirmed cases to date, a net increase of one case today, and “less than five deaths” to date. 

The County estimates 26,234 “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.

Numbers are updated daily by Stu News Newport and reported on our social media pages @StuNewsNewport.

Click on photos for larger images

Courtesy of OC Health Care Agency

Orange County COVID-19 case data as of August 4, as reported by the County; click here to visit page that is updated daily

City Manager’s Updates

From the desk of Grace Leung

Courtesy of City of Newport Beach

Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung

Community members, 

While the ongoing increase in new COVID-19 cases throughout Orange County (and much of the State) continues to be a troubling trend, there was a bit of good news this week in other key metrics.

Hospitalization rates are trending downward countywide, and the number of available ICU beds and ventilators shows adequate capacity to handle surges. As of July 30, the three-day average number of hospitalizations was down by more than eight percent. There were 38 percent of ICU beds available, and 57 percent of ventilators available countywide. 

While this may seem incongruous with the rising number of cases and positivity rates (the percentage of positive cases of the overall number of people tested), it may be due to the younger average age of new patients. Our partners at Hoag Hospital tell us that younger patients are less likely to require hospitalization, and if they do, they tend to recover faster and spend less time in the hospital.

Meanwhile, City staff is continuing to work with local businesses to support safe and continued operations as the pandemic continues. The City’s “Fast Track Back to Business” program has issued nearly 70 temporary permits to local businesses seeking to expand outdoor capacity. 

City staff have also begun processing permits for hair and nail salons and massage services to operate outdoors. For applications and more information, please visit www.newportbeachca.gov/backtobusiness/.

 On a separate note, the month of August is generally a quieter period around City Hall and in recent years, the City Council has opted to hold one meeting, instead of two, in that month. Thus, the Council’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 25. 

COVID-19 Cases in Newport Beach 

The number of COVID-19 cases in Newport Beach as of July 30 was 813 and the total cases in Orange County is 35,778. The number of recovered COVID-19 patients countywide as of July 30 was 22,787. 

COVID-19 News and Resources 

Gov. Newsom’s office recently released a “COVID-19 Employer Playbook” that includes guidance for workplace safety, best practices for an outbreak, testing information for employees and more. The document, available at this link, provides useful information for business and industry to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and prepare for cases among employees. 

The County of Orange continues to add new COVID-19 data and information to its website at https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/coronavirus-in-oc. 

The County of Orange Healthcare Agency’s COVID-19 Hotline can be reached at 714.834.2000, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. County staff monitors the hotline and email box and answers questions about industry reopening and activity resumption, current guidance and more. 

The County also maintains a growing list of FDA-approved testing sites for County residents who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. If you are showing symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for testing information first. If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing-and-screening for testing information. The SOS Health Center in Newport Beach is an approved community testing site. Call 949.270.2100 for an appointment.

Please visit www.newportbeachca.gov/covid19 for the latest City news and useful web resources, including information about the federal, state and county resources available to help small businesses and workers that have been financially impacted. We also have a page of free resources available through the Newport Beach Public Library and local organizations like SCORE, including online learning and business databases. You can also follow the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and look for alerts from our City staff on Nextdoor. 

Interactive Short-Term Lodging Permit Dashboard 

The GIS Division has released another interactive dashboard to identify all of the active Short-Term Lodging Permits within the city. The map can be filtered by individual neighborhoods, Council Districts, or the total number of occupants allowed per permit. Custom areas can be selected using the “Selection Tool,” or individual addresses can be searched to see if a particular property has been issued a permit. Each “blue” symbol on the map can be selected to provide more information regarding the permit. The application can be accessed from the Short Term Lodging webpage at or a direct link for the Desktop Version or Mobile Version. 

Back to Business Program Update 

The Back to Business Program has received substantial interest and attention from the business community, as well as religious institutions. The City has issued over 70 permits and 15 amendments to allow businesses the flexibility to expand outdoors. Permit applications are conveniently submitted online with many no-cost permits issued within 24 to 48 hours of filing a request. 

For more information, please check out www.newportbeachca.gov/backtobusiness. City staff is here to help with any questions or even to assist with application preparation. We look forward to getting you back to business! 

Treasury Report 

The June 2020 Treasury Report is available on the City’s website at www.newportbeachca.gov/treasury.

As of June, the City’s portfolio totaled just over $315 million. Approximately $85 million of the portfolio was invested in very liquid investments available for day-to-day operations and cash funding for major construction expenditures. 

The short-term portfolio ($210 million) had a weighted average effective maturity of 1.87 years. The trailing twelve months’ total return was 4.36 percent. Our benchmark for the same period, the BAML 1-3 Year Treasury index, returned 4.07 percent. The income yield on the portfolio, a better measure of income derived from the portfolio, was 2.20 percent. 

Homelessness Update 

Addressing homelessness continues to be a priority in the City’s ongoing COVID-19 response, and City staff continues to work closely with our contractor City Net and regional partners throughout the county and state. Recently, people in Newport Beach experiencing homelessness have been placed in motels through Project Roomkey, a state initiative to provide shelter during COVID-19. Newport Beach staff and City Net staff are collaborating with the Illumination Foundation, a local non-profit agency. 

In June 2020, Governor Newsom announced the availability of $600 million in funding for Project Homekey. At the Orange County Board of Supervisor’s meeting this week, the Board voted to seek $60 million in state funds to convert motels into permanent, supportive housing. 

Success Stories 

–A woman who left her home and family in Kentucky several years ago after suffering personal loss was reunited with her daughter last week. Her family recently contacted the City’s Homeless Coordinator with a request to help locate the woman in Newport Beach. In coordination with City Net’s case managers, the woman was contacted, stabilized and reconnected with her loved ones. She is now receiving psychiatric care through Vanderbilt University’s healthcare system. 

–A family that had been living in their car by the Newport Pier received housing this week through the County’s Coordinated Entry System. The Coordinated Entry System matches veterans, individuals and families to housing opportunities. 

–A man staying by the Newport Pier enrolled into services with City Net. Staff connected him with the Cal-Optima medical team and he was referred to a health specialist. CalOptima, created by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 1993, administers health insurance to low-income people. 

–A man was referred to the Santa Ana Armory and City Net provided transportation to the Armory. The Orange County Emergency Shelters, located in Santa Ana and Fullerton, are operated by Mercy House. Mercy House, established in Orange County in 1987, provides comprehensive services for people experiencing homelessness. 

–City Net staff placed a man into Project Roomkey. Staff continues to provide housing assistance and case management with him. 

The City Net hotline number is 714.451.6198. Those who call the hotline may leave a detailed voicemail message for themselves or others in need and City Net staff will respond within 48 hours. For immediate assistance, call the County’s Crisis Prevention Hotline at 877.7.CRISIS or 877.727.4747. To enroll in Project Roomkey, call 714.834.3000. 

General Aviation Improvement Program Update 

The City continues to closely monitor John Wayne Airport’s General Aviation Improvement Program (GAIP). On July 9, the County of Orange made certain materials related to the responses it received for its Request for Proposals for Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) available for public review. The Aviation Committee’s GAIP Ad Hoc Committee evaluated each respondent’s proposed plans according to how closely the plans align with the City’s goals for the GAIP. The Ad Hoc’s findings were reviewed by the Aviation Committee on July 27 and the City Council on July 28. The Aviation Committee and the City Council concurred with the findings and the City will communicate the findings to the County of Orange. (Please visit www.newportbeachca.gov/gaip for details.) 

In addition, the City is strongly recommending that the County of Orange include language in the terms and conditions in the leases it negotiates with its selected FBOs that upholds the land use restrictions previously approved by the Board of Supervisors that preserve a significant amount of space at the airport for the smaller, quieter general aviation aircraft. And, that the FBO leases eliminate the ability of any lessee to construct and operate a General Aviation Facility (a space used for processing international general aviation passengers) or, at a minimum, restrict the hours of the GAF to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

The County’s Airport Commission is scheduled to select the Fixed Base Operators at its August 11 meeting. The item will first be considered by the County’s Airport Commission on August 5. The Commission’s agenda can be found here.

Police Files

NBPD working to curb distracted driving

Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior. The Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) is actively working to deter drivers from doing this.

On Thursday, Aug. 13 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m., officers will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly five percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

“Using the phone should be the last thing a driver should be focused on,” Lt. Psaros said. “That text, phone call, email, picture, video or social media post can wait. None of these things are worth risking your life and the lives of other drivers and passengers over.”

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

The Newport Beach Police Department will hold its next distracted driving enforcement operations on August 13 and August 30 between the hours of 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Funding for this distracted driving enforcement operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

By LANA JOHNSON

Summertime menus showcase seasonal bounty

Dining in summertime translates to using the freshest ingredients, from local gardens and farmers’ markets – myriad produce, sweet stone fruits and plenty of grilling...all to enjoy al fresco.

Here are some of our restaurants serving up their favorite warm weather dishes. Enjoy!

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Photo by Lily Fassnacht

Refreshing Roasted Beets + Tomato at A Restaurant

A Restaurant – Welcome to the summer table at A Restaurant. Among the seasonal menus highlighting summer flavors are Roasted Beets + Tomato with heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, burrata and aged balsamic, as well as Spicy Yellow Tuna with crispy eggplant, chili aioli and sweet soy. 3334 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Call 949.650.6505. www.arestaurantnb.com

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Courtesy of Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens

Fresh, seasonal ingredients highlight this Farmhouse summer salad

Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens – Farm fresh, locally sourced and prepared with love, Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden is known for their seasonal, sustainably sourced menus on their outdoor patio. This summer, try the Farmhouse Market Salad with in-season ingredients like mandarin oranges, dates, sun gold tomatoes and watermelon radishes or their Farmhouse Vegetable Plate with an array of summer vegetables like grilled corn, summer squash, sugar snap peas and grilled peach relish. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar. Call 949.640.1415. www.farmhouseerg.com

Lido Bottle Works – Sourcing seasonal ingredients and including them in her menu is a true passion for Chef Amy. You’ll frequently catch Chef Amy picking from the garden at Lido Bottle Works to include in her menu. During the summer, stone fruits such as pluots, nectarines, peaches and plums are in season and they’re incorporated in creative ways such as her Burrata Salad and French fries served with Peach Chipotle Ketchup. Try the Summer Melon Salad or the ceviche made with seasonal fish, mint and avocado. 3408 Via Oporto, Ste. 103, Newport Beach. Call 949.529.2784. www.lidobottleworks.com

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Photo by Anne Watson

Skillet Jidori Chicken at Five Crowns

Five Crowns – Summer abounds at Five Crowns. Among the seasonal offerings is a Skillet Jidori Chicken with pearl cous-cous, charred corn and salsa verde. 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Call 949.760.0331. www.thefivecrowns.com

Courtesy of OLEA

Olea’s crispy Jidori Chicken Schnitzel with maitake mushrooms

Olea – Fresh summer ingredients are turned into comforting classics with Olea’s seasonal menu. With menu items like House Made English Pea Agnolotti, Fried Green Tomatoes with Fresh Burrata Alla Panna, Sea Salt Roasted Heirloom Beets and Crispy Jidori Chicken Schnitzel with Maitake Mushrooms, your mouth, heart and stomach are sure to be happy. 2001 Westcliff Drive (The Walk), Newport Beach. Call 949.287.6807. www.oleanewportbeach.com

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Courtesy of Provenance

Enjoy a Picnic in the Garden at Provenance

Provenance – Summer hits its peak at Provenance’s Picnics in the Garden. Available Thursdays through Sundays from 12-6 p.m., try fresh seasonal picks like the Farmer’s Market Salad or Pan Roasted Artichoke Hearts. Don’t forget to leave some room for Chef Cathy’s famous Homemade Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. 2531 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach. Call 949.718.0477. www.provenanceoc.com

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Courtesy of The Cannery

This seafood salad at The Cannery is summer on a plate

The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific – The Cannery has some of the freshest seafood around and that’s because it only uses wild, line-caught fish. Try the Grilled Swordfish Sandwich with kale kimchi slaw, jalapeno kosho aioli and crispy Maui onion, or their Day Boat Scallops with summer squash risotto, nduja (spicy spreadable pork salume), oregano, sweet corn and preserved Meyer lemon. 3010 Lafayette Ave., Newport Beach. Call 949.566.0060. www.cannerynewport.com

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Courtesy of True Food Kitchen

Summer corn and tomato flatbread celebrates the sweetness of heirlooms at True Food Kitchen

True Food Kitchen – Say hello to summer flavor with True Food Kitchen’s seasonal selections such as Summer Corn & Tomato Flatbread topped with roasted corn, organic heirloom tomato, goat cheese, organic arugula and pumpkin seed pesto. New menu items for the summer also include Creamy Tomato Soup and an Heirloom Tomato & Watermelon starter. 451 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Call 949.644.2400. www.truefoodkitchen.com

Morning reflections

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Photo by Jason Berry (Instagram @its_jason_berry) 

There is so much to be grateful for waking up in Newport Beach

Multiple local issues scheduled for next Coastal Commission meeting

The California Coastal Commission will hold its next meeting virtually Wednesday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 14. 

Issues concerning Newport Beach have been placed on the agenda for Thursday, beginning at 9 a.m.

Two applications appear. The first is from Steve Eggert and Deanna McIntire, concerning the property at 1708 & 1710 S. Bayfront. They’re requesting to remove a 502 sq. ft. floating dock, a 60 sq. ft. gangway, a 417 sq. ft. pier and 12 square 14-in. marina guide piles, to be replaced with a new 546 sq. ft. dock, a 72 sq. ft. gangway, a 340 sq. ft. pier, three new 14-in. guide piles and five new 14-in. T-piles.

The second application calls for JL Oceanfront LLC to construct a new bulkhead on a harbor front lot at the harborward edge of and within an existing footprint of an existing brick patio at 1120 West Bay Ave.

There’s also a request for an Administrative Permit by applicant Jack Jakosky for Swift Slip Dock and Pier Builders to demolish an existing 3,338 sq. ft. 12-slip marina and two gangways and construct a 3,835 sq. ft. 11-slip marina and two gangways at 3101 W. Coast Highway. It would also call for the removal of three existing piles and replace two existing piles, for a net reduction from 17 piles to 14 piles.

An appeal is also on the agenda by Environmental & Regulatory Specials, Inc. of the City of Newport Beach granting of a permit, with conditions, to 215 Riverside Drive, LLC for demolition of a restaurant/office building and an associated surface parking lot and allowing construction of a new 40-space, two-level parking structure and two-story, 28-ft. high, 2,744 sq. ft. office building.

Finally, there is a public hearing and a call for action on the request by the City of Newport Beach to amend the certified LCP Implementation Plan to create a new Parking Management Overlay District category and implementing procedures in the Implementation Plan and to establish the first Parking Management District for the Balboa Village area.

Upcoming Coastal Commission meetings are scheduled for September 9-11, October 7-9, November 4-6 and December 9-11.

How family members can still be part of your cancer care appointments during COVID-19

Cancer treatment appointments can be a whirlwind of information, and emotion. A trusted family member accompanying you to these visits can calm the storm – taking notes, clarifying instructions, and offering valuable comfort and support. You probably couldn’t imagine going to the doctor alone – until COVID-19 came along.

“To enhance safety and reduce the number of people in the office, we’ve limited appointments to patients only,” said Linda Buck, a nurse practitioner at City of Hope Newport Beach. “However, we understand the significant role family members play during cancer treatment, so we’ve made sure there are options that allow them to still participate, even if they aren’t physically in the room with you.”

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Courtesy of City of Hope

Linda Buck, nurse practitioner at City of Hope Newport Beach

Video Technology – Your trusted point person can attend your appointments with a video call via FaceTime, Skype, or other similar face-to-face technologies. This is especially helpful because your family members can see scans, X-rays or other visual information.

Phone Call – Alternatively, your family member can listen in on a phone call during your doctor’s visit. With phone or video calls, your loved one can dial in from anywhere, which offers some flexibility. 

Curbside Conversation – If you’d like your family member close at hand, your loved one can drive you to the appointment and wait outside the building or in the car. When the appointment is finished, your provider will come outside with you and talk to your family member in person. If that’s your preference, let the health care team know that when you are scheduling your visit so they factor it into your appointment time.

There are certain extenuating circumstances that may allow for a visitor to join your in-person appointment under this COVID-19 policy. For instance, a patient with significant disabilities relies on a support person during appointments, or a physician has to deliver difficult news. In those cases, the doctor will reach out for approval from the medical director in advance of the appointment. 

When you have cancer, your loved ones are a port in the storm. At City of Hope, they can still stand by you during doctor visits and stay connected to your cancer care plan. To make an appointment with a physician at City of Hope Newport Beach, call 949.763.2204. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org/OC.

Newport Beach – A Look Back

Photo series courtesy of Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society

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Look at those waves! Prior to the replacement of the sea wall in 1925, Balboa Island used to routinely flood in part due to the low sea wall. This photo was taken circa early 1920s.

Balboa Island Museum and the Museum Store are located at 210 B Marine Ave., Balboa Island. They are open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 949.675.3952, visit www.balboamuseum.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fresh garden veggies can’t be beet

By Erin Aguiar, Horticulture Manager
Sherman Library & Gardens

Flowers aren’t the only thing growing at Sherman Library & Gardens. Beyond the vermilion anthuriums is chocolaty cacao and mouth-watering mountain apple. Stroll past the tranquil flower beds of the Sun Garden and find them creeping with kiwi and passionfruit. Even the Formal Garden is far from normal; past the straight hedges, the only flowers to be found are artichokes and squash blossoms.

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Photos courtesy of Sherman Library & Gardens

Erin Aguiar, horticulture manager at Sherman Library & Gardens

From rare tropical fruit to heirloom herbs and classic “Victory Garden” veggies, your yard can also do double duty. Most veggie gardens may not be especially lovely, but with a few design tips, you can have your beautiful garden and eat it too.

Start with a solid foundation to ground your vegetable garden as it changes with the seasons. Plant hedges of rosemary or a bushy scented geranium. You can add decorative trellises for tomatoes or snap peas, structural arbors for larger vines like grapes, espalier a fig against a wall or fence, and incorporate large potted citrus for accent and contrast. As fruits and vegetables are harvested from the garden, it can be left with empty space, but the foundation shrubs and structures will remain an attractive constant.

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Purple basil provides a pop of color in your edible garden

An edible garden changes with the seasons, but if you focus on a color theme you can keep it looking striking and cohesive. Even without flowers, an edible garden can be colorful and exciting. With bold colored leaves like golden oregano, purple basil and the bright red of Bull’s Blood beets, the garden will come to life. By incorporating these technicolor plants you can create a wonderful contrast to the average green shrub.

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Harvesting a Bull’s Blood beet

Appearances aside, a garden can bring a sense of calm and the satisfaction of hard work and fresh air, but perhaps the most rewarding part of a bountiful vegetable garden is reaping what you sow.

At Sherman Library & Gardens, we are currently harvesting gorgeous Bull’s Blood beets to be featured in Chef Pascal Olhats’ beet salad at Café Jardin. Follow Chef Olhats’ recipe to try it at home, or visit the garden to enjoy the beet salad and the view – where dining is always al fresco. 

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Chef Pascal’s beet salad – a summer favorite

Chef Pascal’s Beet Salad 

Ingredients for 4 servings:

–1 lbs. red beets

–4 oz. fresh goat cheese or feta

–2 oz. walnuts lightly roasted

–1 head of frisee lettuce or curly endive

–4 springs of chive

–1 spring of rosemary

–Fresh ground of black pepper

–1 oz. extra virgin olive oil

–1/6 of a lemon

–1 oz. of reduced balsamic vinegar or vinegar glaze (optional)

For the dressing:

–1 oz. red wine vinegar

–3 oz. of salad oil (peanut oil or light olive oil)

–1 oz. of Dijon mustard

Preparation:

Wash then boil the beets starting in cool salted water for about 45 minutes.

The cooking time depends on the size of the beets. The beets are cooked when you can poke them with a painting (palette) knife without effort. Then take the beets out of the water and let them cool down. Peel the beets and dice them into half inch cubes. Reserve.

–Chop the lightly roasted walnuts into small pieces.

–Crumble the cheese, spread it on a plate, season with ground black pepper, drizzle the olive oil, add finely chopped rosemary (don’t put too much of it

as it can be strong). Squeeze the lemon over, then refrigerate the mix for at least an hour or until needed.

–Clean the lettuce and cut into two-inch pieces.

–In a bowl, mix the beets, the crumbled seasoned cheese, the chives, the

walnuts and half of the dressing and mix.

Presentation:

–In our kitchen we press down the beet preparation into a ring, but if you do

not have a ring you can fill up a small tin and flip it on the plate.

–In a small bowl, mix the cut lettuce with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil or some dressing.

–Display the seasoned lettuce over the beets.

–Drizzle the balsamic over the salad. (optional)

Erin Aguiar is Horticulture Manager at Sherman Library & Gardens. She enjoys discovering the intersection of plants, places and people.

Airport Commission to select Fixed Base Operators for JWA

The Orange County Airport Commission (OCAC) will make their selections of Fixed Based Operators for negotiations of lease terms at their meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Airport Commission Hearing Room at the Eddie Martin Administration Building, 3160 Airway Ave. in Costa Mesa.

The selections will include a Full-Service Fixed Base Operator for the northeast parcel at JWA, one Full-Service Fixed Base Operator for the northwest parcel and one Limited-Service Fixed Base Operator for the southwest parcel. 

Each selected operator will then begin negotiating lease terms and conditions, with the Commission authorized Airport Director or a designee.

The Fixed Base Operators will then return to the Board of Supervisors for approval of their final leases.

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Courtesy of JWA

John Wayne Airport services Orange County

Should an agreement not be reached with the selected respondents, the Board of Supervisors will then negotiate with an alternate respondent.

The Fixed Base Operators work with the General Aviation area of JWA.

The OCAC is responsible for making recommendations to the Orange County Board of Supervisors for development, maintenance and operation of JWA and other airports which may be operated by the County of Orange. 

The Airport Commission consists of five members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, with Lee Lowery, who serves as chair, as the Second District representative.

People wishing to participate in the meeting are highly encouraged to listen live by calling in at 888.251.2909, then entering access code: 9284369.

The public may submit written comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 4 p.m. the day of the meeting.

Mesa Water receives prestigious award for Pipeline Integrity Program

The Mesa Water District (Mesa Water^®) received a first place award for its state-of-the-art Pipeline Integrity Program (PiP) in the 2020 CMUA Resource Efficiency & Community Service Awards. The annual awards by the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) highlight best practices and innovative ideas in California’s electric and water industries.

Mesa Water is among eight publicly owned agencies and utilities that received top honors. The award categories include: Energy Programs; Water Programs; and Community Service Programs. Mesa Water received first place in the Medium-size Utility Water Programs category.

“This award reflects Mesa Water’s commitment and dedication to operational efficiency with economical, effective, and timely pipeline repairs and replacement,” said Mesa Water Board President Shawn Dewane. “Mesa Water’s Pipeline Integrity Program is a proactive, innovative approach to investing in and maintaining our water system, which directly benefits our community.”

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Courtesy of Mesa Water District

Mesa Water District is among eight publicly owned agencies and utilities that received top honors

The PiP, which has received numerous accolades and has been published in top industry publications, was implemented by Mesa Water to creatively and successfully address the industrywide issue of renewing and replacing water system pipelines in an efficient manner. The program aims to keep in service the pipelines that are in good condition and identify those that need replacing. Further, the program involves extensive system analysis, including non-destructive and destructive testing, to better estimate the system’s remaining useful life of pipelines.

This critical information helps Mesa Water make near-term renewal decisions and develop more prudent long-term infrastructure budgetary determinations. As one of Orange County’s most efficient water agencies, Mesa Water expects to save an estimated $230 million via the program over the next 30 years.

Each nominated project was judged on overall concept and implementation;  originality, creativity and innovativeness; promotion of efficient use of natural resources and/or serving local community needs; and, benefits to customers and/or the community. For a complete list of honorees, visit the CMUA website at www.cmua.org. 

Mesa Water District is an independent special district that provides water service to 110,000 residents in an 18-square-mile service area that includes most of the City of Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach and unincorporated Orange County including John Wayne Airport.

OC Arts and Culture Resilience Fund awards assistance to artists

The OC Arts and Culture Resilience Fund has awarded a first round of relief totaling $30,000 to individual Orange County artists. The Fund was launched last month by Orange County’s nonprofit arts council, Arts Orange County (ArtsOC), in partnership with Charitable Ventures and the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), based in Newport Beach, to support creative artists and local nonprofit arts and culture organizations as they face significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Funding was awarded to 40 artists who reside in Orange County, and have experienced significant financial losses due to COVID-19. Each artist received a one-time grant of $750. Support for the artist assistance grants came from the generosity of the Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation and other contributors to the OC Arts and Culture Resilience Fund.

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Photo by Skye Schmidt

Southland Ballet Academy

“The artists receiving this assistance range from actors and singers to musicians and arts educators, painters and craftspeople, dancers and directors, and reside in every area of the county,” said Richard Stein, president and CEO of ArtsOC. “They have experienced the cancellation of the art festivals, concerts, and theatrical productions where they earn their livelihoods and the closure of the schools and after-school programs where they teach. It is our sincere hope that the assistance we provide will provide a portion of what they need until the arts venues can reopen safely and they can resume work.” 

“Without art, there is no culture and no advance to civilization. The OC Arts and Culture Resilience Fund acknowledges the need to keep us whole and creating until such time as we can all return to the space where the world can once again celebrate art,” said Sheri, a jeweler, and Brian, a mixed media artist from Laguna Woods. “We are grateful both for the grant, but also for the awareness that we too need that helping hand.”   

The OC Arts and Culture Resilience Fund continues to accept donations to meet the needs of more individual artists and the local arts organizations that hire them. Community members are encouraged to donate at https://charitableventuresoc.org/resilience-fund-arts/.

County of Orange launches second round of COVID-19 funding

The County of Orange, in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB), is launching the second round of funding for the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program.

Through the OCWDB COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program, eligible businesses can receive up to $10,000 in grant funds. This funding is intended to help local small businesses mitigate layoffs and adhere to “social distancing” provisions established by state and federal public health entities.

The first round originally announced in May awarded approximately $444,000 of the $700,000 in Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds received from the California Employment Development Division (EDD), leaving OCWDB approximately $256,000 to award in this upcoming second round to support local small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Businesses must submit an application on the Orange County One-Stop Centers website at www.oconestop.com/covid-19-layoff-aversion-program to be considered for the grant funding. Eligible applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds have been committed.

Due to the overwhelming response to the first round of funding, businesses are strongly encouraged to review the application requirements and process in advance. Applications are officially open and are scheduled to close on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 5 p.m., or when the maximum number of applications are received, whichever comes first. First round funding was allocated within one hour of the application going live, and a similar level of interest is anticipated in the second funding round.

To be eligible for this grant funding, businesses must be in Orange County, have a workforce of 500 or fewer employees, and be up to date on Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes and in good standing with the State of California. Other general criteria employers must meet to be considered for local funding include:

–Priority consideration will be given to small businesses located within the Orange County Workforce System (application will be considered for small businesses operating in the Santa Ana and Anaheim Workforce Systems).

–May only apply for one site or location in Orange County.

–Only one application may be submitted per organization.

–Must pay employees minimum wage or more.

–Must use the funds to help avert imminent layoffs or furloughs as a result of the COVID-19 economic crisis.

–Must be able to demonstrate a need for layoff aversion support due to the impacts of COVID-19.

–Must be able to enter into an agreement with Orange County that includes the conditions outlined in the application.

–Must be able to complete quarterly reports for up to one year after the award.

Businesses can visit the Orange County One-Stop Center website for full details on eligibility requirements for the Layoff Aversion Support Program, including allowable activities and prohibited costs.

For more information on Orange County One-Stop Centers, visit www.oconestop.com or call the Economic and Business Recovery Call Center at 714.480.6500.

Tech tips to help stay connected during wildfire season

For Southern California residents, preparing and protecting your home or business in the event of a wildfire is a daily reality.

A top priority for Cox during a wildfire or other natural disaster is to keep customers connected so they can stay informed, check in with family and friends, and even access their shows and movies while away from home.

Cox also works hard to keep business customers, including hospitals and emergency responders, connected so they can continue to serve our communities.

Wildfire season now begins earlier and ends later than in years past, so Cox prepares all year long, reviewing its business continuity plan and running through various mock emergency events so employees in all parts of its operations will be prepared and know their role and responsibilities during a disaster.

When strong winds and other weather conditions create an increased risk for wildfires, the local power company may notify their residential customers, and business customers like Cox, that they’ll be implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). (Check with your local power company to see if they utilize PSPS).

In the event of a PSPS, Cox services may be interrupted. Customers need power to run their devices and Cox needs commercial power for its network. During a wildfire or PSPS, Cox works closely with the power company and public safety agencies to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of its network and facilities to help keep residential and business customers connected. 

There are also some things customers can do to help better prepare for a natural disaster or Public Safety Power Shutoff.

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Submitted photo

Have a charged backup battery and corded phone

Most cordless home phones require electricity and won’t work in an outage. Make sure you keep a corded wireline phone available for use during a power outage.   

In addition, power is needed for your other telephone equipment to place and receive calls. In the event of an emergency, if Cox’s network is operating during a power outage, make sure you have a charged backup battery to help ensure you can receive a Reverse 911 call. You can purchase a backup battery by calling 855.324.7700 or visiting a nearby Cox Solutions Store.

Get updated on Cox’s Twitter handle

In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, wildfire or other natural disaster, Cox will post service outage updates and other important information on Twitter. Customers can follow Cox at @coxcalifornia.

Download Cox apps before a wildfire or PSPS occurs

–Cox app – Manager your account; receive notifications from the app when there’s an outage in your area and when the outage is over.

–Cox Contour app – Turn your smartphone or tablet into a portable TV; access programming available with your Cox subscription while away from home.

–Cox Voice Everywhere app – your home phone away from home. Make or receive calls on up to four separate devices.

Consumer Disaster Protections

Customers whose residential telephone service is impacted during a state of emergency declared by the California Governor’s Office or the President of the United States may be eligible to receive disaster relief protections such as a waiver of onetime activation fee for establishing remote call forwarding, remote access to call forwarding, call forwarding features and messaging services. For information about these consumer disaster protections, click here.

For more helpful information and tips, visit www.cox.com/CaliforniaAssist. 

This is paid content by Cox Communications. Cox provides residents in the Newport Beach area with digital cable television, telecommunications and Home Automation services. Cox also provides scholarships to local high school students in its service area through its Cox Cares Foundation. For more information, visit www.cox.com.

Welcome to JWA: a cleaner and safer than ever airport

John Wayne Airport (JWA) is ready to reconnect guests with family, friends, and business associates, and welcomes everyone back to a cleaner, safer and more secure environment.

“Healthy Travels” practices implemented throughout the terminal following County and State guidelines protect the health of all visitors and guests.

–Healthy Travels signage throughout the terminal.

–Physical distancing markers on flooring in high-traffic areas, queuing, elevators and escalators.

–Protective plastic barriers to protect employees and guests.

–Increased cleaning and disinfecting of heavy touchpoints, such as TSA security checkpoints, handrails, surfaces, buttons, shuttles and airport seating areas.

–Hand sanitizing dispensers installed throughout the terminal.

–Restaurant and retail employees wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing from customers and using plastic protective barriers.

–Dine-in restaurants have reconfigured seating areas to allow physical distancing.

Courtesy of JWA

JWA is offering free “Smile” face masks to all guests

–JWA “Smile” face masks are free to all guests and available at Information Booth B located in Baggage Claim on the Arrival (lower) Level.

Contactless food ordering and gate delivery is now available.

–Guests can use their mobile devices or digital wayfinding signage in Terminals A, B, or C to pre-purchase food and beverage items for pick-up or gate delivery free of charge. View menus and nutrition information for all restaurants, or scan QR codes to download the following free mobile device apps (available on iTunes and Google Play).

~HMS “Host2Coast”: View menus, pre-order a meal, pay and schedule a pick-up time, or request gate delivery from California Pizza Kitchen and Stella Artois Belgium Beer Bar in advance.

~ Jr. Now: Scan the QR code to pre-order, pay and schedule a pick-up time or request gate delivery. Enjoy a free drink with every gate delivery order.

~McDonald’s: Pre-order your meal from locations within the terminal (Gates 5 and 12), pay and schedule a pick-up time.

~Cocktails, beer, and wine are now available to take with you anywhere in the terminal from California Pizza Kitchen, Hobie’s Sand Bar, Vino Volo and Stella Belgium Beer Bar.

View the Healthy Travels video here to see all of the ways the airport has upgraded their clean and safe to cleaner and safer.

In addition, musicians from the JWAlive Music Program welcome passengers and guests back to the terminal with live performances, online livestream events via Facebook and Instagram, and the debut of the first JWAlive music video.

Guests without a boarding pass can access the secure areas of the Terminal from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. with an OC AirPASS (post-security pass) to shop, dine, watch planes, greet friends and relatives when they arrive at the gate or accompany them before their flight. To obtain a pass, check-in at Information Booth B in Terminal B (Lower Level, Baggage Claim) and present a valid government-issued ID. For more information, call Customer Relations at 949.252.5200.

For more information, visit www.ocair.com.

Pacific Symphony presents virtual series, “Summer Replay”

Pacific Symphony’s “Summer Replay,” a virtual summer symphonic series, is available for streaming now through September 10 at 7 p.m. Carl St.Clair, who conducts all the concerts in the series, enters his fourth decade as Pacific Symphony’s music director, re-imagining the orchestra’s contribution to the community and pivoting to an online presence on the worldwide web.

This continuing complimentary virtual series invites audiences to revisit Pacific Symphony performances of great masterworks featured in past seasons. The series host is Eileen Jeanette, the Symphony’s senior vice president of artistic planning. She welcomes audiences to each program and interviews Pacific Symphony musicians before each concert begins.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Pacific Symphony

Pacific Symphony’s “Summer Replay” features works by Mozart, Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

Upcoming “Summer Replay” lineup:

–Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 on Thursday, Aug. 13 with Carl St.Clair conductor and Pacific Symphony. Opening interview: Pianist Orli Shaham. From the concert performed on May 20, 2017 in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

–Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique on Thursday, Aug. 27 with Carl St.Clair conductor and Pacific Symphony. Opening interview: Principal Bassoon, Rose Corrigan. From the concert performed on February 7, 2020 in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

–Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture and Tchaikovsky, additional works to be announced on Thursday, Sept. 10 with Carl St.Clair conductor and Pacific Symphony. Opening interview: Pacific Symphony musician to be announced. From the concert performed on September 8, 2018 at Pacific Amphitheatre.

Sign in with an email address at www.PacificSymphony.org/SummerReplay beginning at 6:30 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and each program will be available on demand for 45 days after each performance premiere date. 

Pacific Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation, Avenue of the Arts Hotel and KUSC.

For more information, visit www.pacificsymphony.org.

Note: Programs and artists are subject to change.

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

Valerie Joan Nickerson, 57, Newport Beach – Sunday, August 2

John Derickpaculian Cornejo, 30, Westminster – Saturday, August 1

Jose Richard Ramirez, 27, Stanton – Saturday, August 1

Incident Reports

Sunday, August 2

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

None

43rd St. & Seashore Drive I Warrant

8:37 p.m. Gilbert Andrew Medina III, 27, Buena Park, was arrested on a warrant for DUI. Bail was set at $15,000.

Acacia St. I 20200 Block I Warrants (4)

2:44 p.m. David Tee Corley, 47, Santa Ana, was arrested on warrants for possession of unlawful paraphernalia, threatening to commit a crime and one undisclosed warrant. Bail was set at $51,500.

W. Coast Highway I 4500 Block I Under the Influence

3:35 a.m. Cheyenne Autumn Goldmann, 29, Anaheim, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $1,000.

Birch St. I 4800 Block I Paraphernalia, Controlled Substance and Under the Influence

1:08 a.m. Marcus Allan Haney, 22, Anaheim, was arrested for possession of unlawful paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $2,500.

Saturday, August 1

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

None

26th St. & Newport Blvd. I False ID

12:23 p.m. Jose Antonio Parsons, 39, Los Angeles, was arrested for presenting false identification to a specific peace officer. Bail was set at $500.

Friday, July 31

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

Tami Kay Eiriksson, 52, Newport Beach

Andrew Joseph Cavaliere, 36, Newport Beach

Robert Lee Roden, 58, Riverside

Newport Pier I Obstructing/Resisting and Smoking within 100’ of Beach

11:48 a.m. Jonathan Fox Hanes, 24, Irvine, was arrested for obstructing or resisting a peace officer, obstructing or resisting an executive officer and for smoking within 100 feet of the beach. Bail was set at $20,000.

Thursday, July 30

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

None

N. Harbor Blvd. I 1100 Block I Santa Ana I Grand Theft, Paraphernalia, Controlled Substance, Narcotics and Receiving Stolen Property

10:55 a.m. Marcelo Matias Martinez Arria, 26, Costa Mesa, was arrested for grand theft of bicycles, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic controlled substance and receiving stolen property with a value less than $950. Bail was set at $20,000.

MacArthur Blvd. I 4500 Block I Controlled Substance, Loaded Firearm, Marijuana, Felon in Possession of Firearm and Large Caliber Ammo

6:21 a.m. Jonahthan Eugene Bland, 33, Dayton, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, carrying a loaded firearm on person or in a vehicle, manufacturing large caliber ammo, possession of an open container of marijuana, carrying a loaded unregistered handgun and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $20,000.

W. Coast Highway & Riverside Ave. I Driving while Suspended/Revoked, Paraphernalia, Receiving Stolen Property and Warrant

2:34 a.m. Anthony Johnny Romo, was arrested for driving while suspended or revoked. Bail was set at $500.

2:31 a.m. Pearl Mirna Velasquez, 27, Anaheim, was arrested for possession of unlawful paraphernalia, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950 and on a warrant for criminal conspiracy. Bail was set at $20,000.

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.