Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Help me…I’m having a recurring nightmare

I hate to delve inside the brain of fellow Stu News Newport editorial contributor Amy Senk, but here goes. Sunday, I received the following text from Amy, “I had a dream that I could not come up with a column and I told you last minute and I was crying!”

I immediately responded, “I have that dream every week.”

It’s closer to the truth than many readers might know. When, the night before a column is due, we’re left scratching our collective heads trying to figure out what’s newsworthy, what’s a new angle, or what might make a certain story interesting. 

We peruse everything in our grasp looking for something that registers. Most often it works. Something usually clicks and we’re on our way.

But the issue reminded me of something our readers, both residents and businesses, need to continually understand – we’re always looking for story ideas. You’re actually our eyes and ears around this community. If there’s something going on that you believe is newsworthy, then contact us.

If it’s about people, we have a lot of entry points, including our popular Take Five that introduces the community to special people among us.

If it’s an event, we write stories on them and add them to our popular calendar listings.

If it’s simply news, we want to investigate and cover it.

The thing Lana Johnson (our editor) and I constantly try to remind the community about is that Stu News Newport is the community’s newspaper. It’s set up to pretty much accommodate anything going on in the City of Newport Beach.

We’re easy to reach, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please make sure you add us to any pertinent communication you’re sending out that could be newsworthy.

And that will allow me, and Amy, to continue to get some good nights of sleep.

• • •

It should be just a formality, but the administration at Newport Beach City Hall has sent a request to City Council seeking approval of closing City Hall and certain other City facilities from Friday, December 24 through Sunday, January 2.

The above request does not obviously apply to public safety services or emergency on-call functions.

The extended closure has been done for the past 12 years and should be something that is regularly continued. 

It should come up in some form at the next Council meeting.

• • •

The 26th Annual Balboa Island Artwalk, presented by Mary Hardesty Realty, will take place this Sunday, Sept. 26. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. along the South Bayfront Promenade.

The fine arts show will feature some 100 local artists exhibiting paintings, fine jewelry, blown glass, sculpture and photography. And while you’re viewing the art, you’ll be able to enjoy live music throughout the day on five stages along the bayfront.

Oh, and it’s free! What better place to enjoy great art than along our bayfront?

• • •

The news came down this weekend that the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Foundation’s fundraising efforts for a new training facility surpassed the established goal. The amount, originally set for $1.75 million, was reported at $1,753,143.90.

Congrats to all who made this possible, including some special people along the way including Jake Janz, John Wortmann, Chris Brigandi and Arbor Real Estate, Dave Pyle and his family’s OneRoot Foundation and Grant Harvey.

The training facility is an overall $4.9 million project that is a public-private partnership between the Foundation and the City of Newport Beach. The location of the facility will be near the Balboa Pier, subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission, with a target completion date of the summer of 2023.

BTW, if you still have money burning a hole in your pocket, continue giving. There’s still lots of needs to put in the building.

• • •

Newport Beach Chamber this week: Sunset Networking Mixer this Thursday, Sept. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Circle Hook and Lido Bottle Works in Lido Marina Village.

Both establishments will offer complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. For chamber members it’s free and guests can ante up $35. No reservations required.

Then Sunday, it’s the 59th Annual Sandcastle Contest on Corona del Mar State Beach. Action begins at 10 a.m., with judging and final viewing in the 3-4 p.m. hour.

If you’re not moving sand, it’s always fun to walk around and see the creativity.

• • •

Finally, Roger’s Gardens is in the middle of their Halloween Boutique – Cabinet of Curiosities. Their rooms are filled with “eerie and unusual artifacts, and decadent décor with a twist. The sinister-styled rooms are decorated with a beautiful, eclectic collection of antiquities and curios.” 

Or as they say, “connect with your inner ghoul and monster this Halloween at Roger’s Gardens.”

They’re open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Halloween.

Harbormaster shares project updates, new work and recent rescues at community meeting

By SARA HALL

The city’s new harbormaster provided updates and shared new changes in Newport Harbor in a community meeting last week.

Speak Up Newport (SUN) held its monthly meeting on September 16 in the community room at the Newport Beach Civic Center with featured speaker Harbormaster Paul Blank. About 50 people attended the event in person, with more watching on Zoom.

Blank was announced as the new harbormaster almost six months ago. Formerly in the top spot on the water was Kurt Borsting, who retired earlier this year. Borsting’s last day was April 2. 

 The harbormaster serves as the lead ambassador for Newport Harbor, one of the largest recreational harbors in the country, and oversees more than a dozen employees and an approximate $1.1 million annual budget.

After serving his first summer as harbormaster, Blank provided a “state of the harbor” presentation at the SUN meeting last week, which included a brief history of the newly created harbor department, recent rescues, an overview of an audit of moorings currently underway, installed updated signage, how the team is working with businesses on the water and more. 

Blank, who has long been involved with Newport Harbor and previously sat on the Harbor Commission from 2012-2020, explained how the recent creation of the harbor department came to be. 

In July 2017, the city assumed responsibility from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for management of the moorings. After some organizational shifting around, the standalone harbor department was created in July 2018. Last year, Title 17 was updated to reflect the new arrangement and responsibilities. The department and Blank’s office are based out of Marina Park on the Balboa Peninsula. 

Newport Harbor covers 880 acres of water, with about 800 offshore and 400 onshore moorings, a 23-slip marina at Marina Park and a 172-slip marina at Balboa Yacht Basin.

Services include mooring management, code enforcement, harbor events permitting, safety/rescue operations, Marina Park and hospitality, pump-out equipment maintenance and upgrades, impounds and auctions and public relations.

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Courtesy Paul Blank

Paul Blank out on the water in Newport Harbor

The department is currently undergoing a wholesale audit of all nearly 1,200 mooring permits. They inherited about 60 years’ worth of records from OCSD, Blank said, making it a daunting task.

“That is a huge, herculean effort,” Blank said. 

When the city first took over, they did what they could, as quickly as they could, in terms of getting people to pay their bills regularly and get organized, Blank said.

“We are now into the process of actually ensuring that the title on the permit matches the title to the boat that’s on the mooring and that matches the person who’s actually paying the bill,” Blank explained. 

Ongoing permit maintenance includes overhauls of the moorings every two years, vessel registration and insurance and transfers. 

The harbor department’s mission is to keep the harbor clean, safe and well enjoyed by everybody. That mission is accomplished by services delivered in favor of residents, businesses and visitors, in that order. 

“That’s what we’re here to do,” Blank said. 

Blank gave an example of keeping the harbor clean with a photo of graffiti recently tagged on a height marker near the Lido Isle Bridge. Blank went out and removed what he could reach and, since the tide had come in, the rest was scrubbed away by staff the next morning. 

According to a recent study, the harbor brings in more than 7.1 million visitors annually and $300 million in direct and $1 billion in indirect financial impact. 

“In the absence of the harbor that $300 million of direct financial impact would not exist,” Blank said. 

People come to watch the boat parade, ride the ferry, rent boats, go on fishing or whale watching excursions and eat at local restaurants, Blank explained. 

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Photo by Len Bose

The city took over management of the moorings in Newport Harbor a few years ago

Blank was previously on the subcommittee that led the update of the Harbor Code, or Title 17, that resulted in a modern version of the municipal code that governs the harbor.

The code covers sea lion deterrent/abatement (currently working on some new methods), dye tab testing, speed/boat safety, bridge jumping, multiple berthing inspections, and grant implementation and administration. 

It also includes Marine Activities Permits for commercial operators.

MAPs include charters, rentals and any business on the harbor, he explained. They also need a business license from the city and the appropriate licensing, registration and tax status. 

“We are actively pursuing people who are operating in the harbor that we know about, that are advertising for businesses on the harbor and do not have Marine Activities Permits,” Blank said. “We’ve brought a lot of them into compliance in the last 12 months and we have convinced a couple of them to do business elsewhere.”

Blank also noted two rescues that happened in the harbor over the summer. 

On July 2, a novice paddle boarder and his daughter (under the age of 2 years old) had fallen off their board into the water in front of the ferry. Harbor services worker Jimmy Yoder rushed to the scene and retrieved the young girl, who was wearing a personal flotation device, but it wasn’t properly fitted to her, Blank said. Yoder brought the girl on board his vessel and made sure her lungs were clear. He then pulled the man from the water and got them out of the way of the oncoming ferry. Yoder then retrieved the rented paddle board from the water. He returned the father and daughter and board to the rental company and directed them to properly educate customers.

On September 4, two people rented kayaks and paddled from Upper Newport Bay down into the harbor. They got tired on their way back and were then flipped off the kayaks from a passing wake. One of the kayakers was disabled from the waist down and extremely fatigued, and he was unable to proceed forward or even get back onto his kayak. Code enforcement officer Jeffrey Goldfarb and harbor services worker Jackson Halphide responded and retrieved both kayakers and their vessels. All were returned safely to the rental company, Blank noted. 

“We don’t typically do big, dramatic rescues like that,” Blank said, but they do regularly retrieve tired paddleboarders downwind of their start/finish location who are struggling returning upwind against conditions they didn’t anticipate. 

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Photo by Sara Hall

The harbor department regularly rescues paddlers and kayakers who are too tired to return upwind

Education for renters is strongly recommended, Blank noted. As part of the MAP permitting process, they educate the operators and provide materials, which is suggested to be shared with the customer. 

They’ve also updated some signage and wayfinding markers, Blank said. 

Within his first 60 days, Blank was able to get some long-requested signs printed and placed on the Lido Isle Bridge piles. Stemming from a suggestion by a frequent harbor user several years ago, the signs direct manually powered (paddle) craft to the outer spans and motor-powered craft to the center span.

There is also additional signage on buoys around the harbor that display how to contact the harbor department via the My Newport Beach app, VHF radio channel 19, or by phone. There is now a section in the city app for the harbor, which includes the ability to request service and a new layer within the GIS for harbor adjacent public restrooms and conveniences.

Blank also provided an update on the Army Corps of Engineering dredging project, which was recently completed. 

“[It] took its last scoop last Saturday,” Blank exclaimed. And, although it was a challenging summer with the dredging going on, “every scoop mattered.”

All the equipment has been removed from the main channel and deployed elsewhere, or may be awaiting another project, he said. 

During the meeting, Blank also went over the department’s code enforcement services, how they differ from OCSD enforcement, harbor events permitting, Marina Park management and harbor hospitality, day use of vacant moorings and a few project updates.

Sculpture Exhibition grand opening celebrated Phase V and Phase VI artists and their works 

On Saturday, Sept. 18, the City Arts hosted the grand opening for Phase V and VI of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park. Phase V sculptures were installed in July 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on large public gatherings, the grand opening for Phase V was postponed. This year they combined Phase V with the grand opening for Phase VI sculptures.

On February 9, 2021, the Newport Beach City Council approved 10 new pieces for Phase VI of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park, along with three alternates. Installation, managed by Arts Orange County, was completed in June 2021. Phase VI sculptures were installed in June 2021 and will be on loan through June 2023.

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Photos by Lana Johnson

Newport Beach Arts Commissioners and Sculpture Garden Artists (L-R back row) Newport Beach Arts Commissioner Barbara George, artist Ron Whitacre (Phase V and VI), artist Steve Rieman (Phase VI), artist Oleg Lobykin (Phase VI), artist Andra Broekelschen (Phase V), Nancy Mooslin (Phase V), Marisabel Bazan (Phase VI) and NB Arts Commissioner Leonard Simon. (L-R front row center) NB Arts Commission Vice Chair Marie Little and NB Arts Commission Chair Arlene Greer.

The celebration began with an invitational luncheon in the Civic Center Community Room, followed by a reception in City Hall Council Chambers. In attendance were Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery and Councilmembers Noah Blom, Joy Brenner, Diane Dixon, Will O’Neill, former Mayor Don Webb and former councilman Jeff Herdman. Newport Beach City Arts Commissioners were also in attendance, along with seven of the sculpture artists and many community notables.

In council chambers, Arlene Greer, chair of the Newport Beach Arts Commission, welcomed attendees, followed by remarks from Mayor Avery. Rick Stein, president and CEO of Arts Orange County, provided an overview of the Sculpture Exhibition, along with Nicholas Thurkette, Arts OC program coordinator, who shared a short commentary about each sculpture.

Everyone was then invited to tour the Sculpture Garden including the general public. A children’s art activity was set up outside of City Hall, courtesy of Art in Motion for Kids.

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The Uzun family (L-R): Volkan, Aren, Peri and Cigdem at the art activity table

The exhibition has become a “museum without walls” that offers the temporary display of public art in a unique, naturalistic setting, appealing to residents and guests of all ages and sensibilities. 

Admission to the park and parking are free.

Civic Center Park is located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach. For more information about the sculptures and the artists, go here.

Insert Sculpture Exhibition woodpecker pic

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“Woodpeckers” by artist Michael McLaughlin is among the sculptures in Phase VI. His depiction of a mother and her nesting chicks at eye-level view was created in bronze and stone.

City Manager’s Updates

From the desk of Grace Leung

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Courtesy of City of Newport Beach

Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung

Community Members: 

This summer’s COVID-19 Delta variant surge appears to be stabilizing. In a welcome trend, Orange County’s key metrics have decreased slowly but steadily since late August. 

Last week’s average daily case rate for Orange County (the number of cases per 100,000 people) was 15.3, down from 16 last week and 18.6 earlier this month. The test positivity rate was 4.7 percent, down slightly from the previous week’s 5.4 percent, and the health equity metric was 5.1 percent, down from 5.8 percent last week. 

Hospitalizations showed improvement as well: 446 on September 16, down from about 600 in late August. 

To help ensure these trends continue, the OC Health Care Agency is strongly encouraging residents to maintain the use of face coverings in both indoor public and non-public settings. Masks are particularly encouraged among those who are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, not fully vaccinated, or not yet eligible for vaccination. 

Vaccinations – for both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu shot – are strongly recommended for all eligible residents to help avoid an additional surge this fall. Those seeking vaccination options can visit the HCA page at this link. 

COVID-19 Cases in Newport Beach 

As of September 16, the total cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Newport Beach was 4,832, an increase of 49 cases from September 9. The total number of cases in Orange County as of September 16 was 292,450, an increase of 3,215 cases from September 9. The number of recovered COVID-19 patients countywide as of September 9 was 275,757. These figures are provided to Orange County by the California Department of Public Health. The county’s daily, weekday update of COVID-19 case information is available at this link.

Grand Opening last Saturday for New Phases of Civic Center Park Sculpture Exhibition

The Sculpture Garden’s Grand Opening of Phases V and VI was Saturday, Sept. 18. Festivities included a dedication in City Council Chambers, a reception in the Civic Center Community Room and a children’s art activity.

The Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park is an integral feature of the Newport Beach Civic Center. Civic Center Park, which turned nearly half a million square feet of undeveloped land into a new public park, was designed by renowned landscape architectural firm Peter Walker and Partners (PWP). The City Arts Commission determined that a rotating exhibition, in which pieces are loaned for a two-year period, was an optimal approach to bring sculpture to the city in a cost-efficient manner. Admission is free and the exhibition continues to be enjoyed by residents and guests of all ages and sensibilities. The exhibition has become a “museum without walls” that offers the temporary display of public art in a unique, naturalistic setting. Moreover, the city is able to exhibit a well-balanced representation of public art, with artistic merit, durability, practicality and site responsiveness as criteria in the selection of work. The rotational nature of the exhibit ensures that residents and guests are exposed to a variety of work.

Trellis International Grant

On September 14, 2021, City Council awarded a $30,000 grant to Trellis International (Trellis). Trellis is a nonprofit organization based in Costa Mesa that works with the homeless and housing insecure to develop job skills necessary to reenter the job market. Through this grant Trellis will provide four-person volunteer teams to conduct eight or more work projects each month for a one-year term. Projects are focused on areas within the City of Newport Beach that are currently not serviced by city staff or contractors. These projects may include cleaning up trash and debris from parks, roadsides, trails and beaches; vegetation trimming and removal; removing or reporting graffiti and/or stickers on signs; and much more. Trellis undertook a cleanup effort on Monday, Sept. 13 at Big Canyon Nature Park and was successful at filling two 50-gallon trash bags with trash and debris collected from the trails and parking lot. 

City Refuse Programs 

Public Works Department wants to remind everyone the importance of placing household trash and recycled materials in the proper containers. When bagged trash is not placed in the proper bin, our trash operators cannot determine if it is trash or recyclables, so everything has to go into the landfills. By separating trash materials into the proper containers, we are able to accomplish our state-mandated goals of cleaner recyclables. This results in higher diversion rates that will keep recyclable materials out of our landfills while keeping our neighborhoods clean. 

Not only does putting everything into the proper bin help with better recycling, but it also helps keep neighborhoods clean. Loose items can be swept away by wind or washed down the alleys and streets and make their way into our waterways, polluting our environment. Boxes should always be broken down and placed into the recycling container to avoid excess clutter and litter. Bagged garbage placed outside the containers is also subject to vermin and pests, which creates an unsanitary environment and can attract other large animals, such as coyotes. 

Putting everything in the containers also promotes efficiency in our collection operations. When everything is already in the can, the driver stays on the truck and utilizes the truck’s automated collection equipment, rather than having to stop the truck and exit the vehicle to load the excess materials. This reduces collection times and allows our team to finish their routes in a timely manner and get off the streets, improving traffic and air quality along the way. 

Residents doing their part in putting everything in the can helps promote a safe, clean and environmentally friendly community. 

Mariners Park Improvements 

Public Works and Recreation & Senior Services Departments coordinated the recent upgrades to the picnic and playground areas at Mariners Park. Public Works crews began by undertaking concrete repairs and replacement of the existing lifted and cracked picnic table pads, followed by the removal of the old recycled plastic picnic tables and the delivery of new concrete picnic tables from Quick Crete Products. Additionally, the existing sand play area was brought down to grade, irrigation was retrofitted and new sod was installed. New pebble trash cans were placed throughout the park areas for the final touch. These improvements will last longer, provide safer walking areas and are aesthetically pleasing for those who visit and utilize the park furniture. 

High Surf Preparations 

A three-day high surf event was forecast for the week of September 13. Public Works crews reinforced the berms on both sides of Balboa Pier, along with access points from Balboa Pier to the Wedge and Adams to 7th streets. Berms were also built in West Newport from 40th to 52nd streets. Crews were on stand-by with equipment during high tide peak. Even with high surf hitting the Wedge with heights reaching 16 feet, surf was contained with no major flooding. Good job with the preparations, crew! 

Homelessness Update 

–16 people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are now sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter. 

–City Net, the city’s contract homeless services agency, ordered Social Security award letters for several clients matched to Emergency Housing Vouchers. Emergency Housing Vouchers are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and allow people to pay affordable rent based on their fixed incomes. Nine people experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach have been awarded vouchers so far and are working with a housing navigator to locate apartments. The voucher program is being administered by the Orange County Housing Authority.

–City Net completed Vulnerability Index Intake Assessments for a man experiencing homelessness in his vehicle in Newport Beach. The assessment is used to screen clients to determine proper placement in the county’s Continuum of Care system. Some factors include age, health issues and length of time being unsheltered. Case managers will follow up with the client to provide housing assessments and prepare documentation for housing. 

–City Net completed two housing assessments with people enrolled in their services. One person began the relocation process to rejoin his family. 

–Staff continues to provide food gift cards, support and case management to a person sheltering in a motel while she awaits placement into permanent, supportive housing with an Emergency Housing Voucher. 

To donate to those experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach, visit our Good Giving Program webpage. 

Editor’s Note: Stu News received City Manager’s Updates on Friday, Sept. 17 and is subject to editing.

Think outside the box

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Photo by Chris Crosson (Instagram @sandcastlekit)

This clever sandcastle popped up on Balboa Island over the weekend

Guest Letter

Robert T. Braithwaite

President & CEO

Hoag

Philip A. Robinson, MD, FIDSA

Medical Director of Infection Prevention

Principal Investigator of Infectious Disease Research

Hoag

It’s time for your flu shot

Photos courtesy of Hoag Hospital

(L-R) Robert Braithwaite, Hoag president and CEO and Philip Robinson, MD, FIDSA

Dear Neighbors,

Can you get the flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 shot or booster? Absolutely. And, if you have not yet received either vaccine, don’t hesitate. Get them now.

Every year, we encourage people over the age of six months to get vaccinated against the flu. This year, our endorsement of the flu vaccine comes with an additional caution: last year’s record-low number of cases is expected to leave us extra vulnerable to “compensatory” cases this year, meaning that we may see higher than normal numbers of flu infections this year.

There are a few reasons for this, chief among them is the fact that fear of exposure to COVID-19 led many people to skip their flu vaccine last year. This means that whatever immunity currently exists in the public likely comes from people who actually contracted the disease last year. 

The good news/bad news about last year’s cases is that they were so low. Mask-wearing, remote working, physical distancing, shuttered schools and other COVID-19 precautions all but eliminated the flu from our community. U.S. laboratories that process influenza tests saw a drop of positive tests from around 20 percent to 2.3 percent. 

This year, businesses and schools have reopened, and COVID-19 precautions have been relaxed increasing the chances of coming into contact with the flu virus. That fact, coupled with our waning immunity has left us with the makings of a potentially bad flu season. 

We’re already seeing evidence of this. The CDC reports that medical visits for influenza-like illnesses have been increasing in recent weeks for children and young adults. Another warning shot across the bow has been the rise of RSV cases. RSV causes a serious respiratory virus in children, and its rise suggests that the flu will be back in full force.

A British study found that the risk of death doubles when people develop both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. And with the Delta variant proving itself ever more transmissible and virulent, the importance of the flu vaccine cannot be overstated. 

So, get your flu shot today. Like the COVID-19 vaccine, the flu shot protects you against the disease and helps keep you from spreading it to others.

Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as COVID-19 shots (or boosters). In fact, Moderna recently announced that it is working on a combined flu vaccine/COVID booster. Until that is available, however, your best bet is to get two shots (keep in mind, the CDC recommends you use different arms for each).

As your trusted health care partner, Hoag is protecting our community by offering flu vaccinations this fall season. Hoag Medical Group and Hoag Physician Partners primary care locations offer the flu shot for their patients. Please call your physician’s office to schedule an appointment. 

We recognize that many people are experiencing “disease fatigue.” But the truth is, we have the power to turn the page on this chapter in our history. We have excellent, effective vaccines against both the flu and COVID-19. Let’s use them. 

Sincerely,

Robert T. Braithwaite

President and Chief Executive Officer

Philip A. Robinson, MD, FIDSA

Medical Director of Infection Prevention

Principal Investigator of Infectious Disease Research

Winners announced for 2021 Amateur Surf Championships

The winners have been announced for the 2021 Amateur Surf Championships, presented by the City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Department that took place on Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19 at 54th Street. 

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Photos courtesy of the City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Dept.

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Here are the winners by divisions:

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Hall of Fame winners (ages 50 & up)

Hall of Fame (ages 50 & up)

1. Mike Estrada 10.83

2. Nicolai Glazer 7.73

3. Chris Craven 6.90

4. Greg Ozimec 6.47

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Legends winners (ages 40 & up)

Legends (ages 40 & up)

1. Joe Alani 14.67

2. Beau Irvine 8.47

3. Craig Bechtloff 8.26

4. Dave Post 6.96

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Masters winners (ages 30 & up) 

Masters (ages 30 & up)

1. Vince Boulanger 13.83

2. Addy Giddings 10.95

3. Mark Contreras 9.07

4. Geoff Rill 8.10

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Elementary Division winners (ages 11 & under)

Elementary (ages 11 & under)

1. Ryan Bukowiecki 11.00

2. Dane Gregorius 9.44

3. Brett Gregorius 5.24

4. Banyan Andrews 2.54

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Middle School Division winners (ages 12-14)

Middle School (ages 12-14)

1. Quaid Fahrion 17.10

2. Milo Ely-McGregor 14.96

3. Joe Winkelmann 12.83

4. Greyson Irvine 7.34

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High School Division winners (ages 15-18)

High School (ages 15-18)

1. Taj Miller 11.06

2. David O’Keefe 10.23

3. Ben Benson 9.93

4. Chase Merrell 8.86

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Open Girls winners (all ages)

Open Girls (all ages)

1. Niyah Rosen 11.77

2. Tava Post 10.00

3. Sofia Freyre 9.90

4. Ashley Hunt 5.67

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Open Men’s winners (ages 19 & up)

Open Men’s (ages 19 & up)

1. David O’Keefe 15.57

2. Tyler Gunter 14.80

3. Jojo Whelan 12.57

4. Dylan Hord 10.90

For complete competition results, go to https://liveheats.com/events/5882.

Newport Beach Fire Department hosts Fire Service Day on October 10

The Newport Beach Fire Department (NBDD) and the Newport Beach Firefighters Association are hosting a Fire Service Day on Sunday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Newport Beach Fire Station #7 (20401 SW Acacia St., Newport Beach) in Santa Ana Heights. This free, community event coincides with Fire Prevention Week. 

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Courtesy of NBFD

Fire Service Day takes place at Newport Beach Fire Station #7 in Santa Ana Heights

The event provides the public with an opportunity to learn more about fire safety and view live demonstrations of vehicle extrications and fire scenarios. Fire and lifeguard apparatus will be on display along with the department’s antique fire engine. There will also be educational booths staffed by their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers. There will be plenty of photo opportunities. 

Please note that this community event is only held at Newport Beach Fire Station #7 (20401 SW Acacia). There is ample street parking and limited handicap parking available in the station’s parking lot. The Newport Beach Firefighters Association will be serving lunch. 

Due to COVID restrictions, station tours will not be provided at this year’s event. Visitors are encouraged to follow current CDC COVID recommendations.

Council approves program to offer beautification and cleanup projects to homeless

This past Tuesday, Sept. 14, the City Council approved a grant agreement with Trellis International, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit organization, for a pilot program that provides volunteer opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity to learn and/or rebuild job skills and a path toward stable employment and housing. 

Under the agreement, the city will award a $30,000 grant to Trellis to provide four-person volunteer teams to undertake at least eight various work projects a month within Newport Beach over a one-year term. 

Through volunteer projects managed by Trellis’ Community Impact Team (CIT), participants develop and refine job skills needed to reenter the job market and remain employed. The projects may include cleanup of beaches, hiking trails, parking lots, piers and other public areas, graffiti removal, vegetation trimming and removal and more.

The Trellis partnership complements other city efforts to reduce homelessness and increase cleanup and maintenance of public areas.

The city is developing an expanded volunteer program to better align community volunteer groups with resources and specific cleanup and beautification needs throughout Newport Beach. 

With dedicated staff and a multi-departmental Rapid Response Team, the city continues to take a proactive approach to all aspects of addressing homelessness, from initial interactions with individuals on the street, to helping place individuals in local shelters and connecting them to appropriate county, state and federal resources and services. Through the Trellis partnership, the city will augment those efforts by providing opportunities to regain skills and confidence with a goal of assisting individuals to reenter the employment ranks and obtain permanent, stable housing.

Newport Beach – A Look Back

Photo series courtesy of Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach

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218 Marine Ave., formerly Ye London Cafe, circa 1940s

Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach and the Museum Store are located at 210 B Marine Ave., Balboa Island. They are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free general admission on all days. Two-hour parking is available on Marine Avenue. For more information, call 949.675.3952, visit www.balboaislandmuseum.org, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A Q&A with City of Hope’s Misagh Karimi, M.D. on booster shots for cancer patients

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Courtesy of City of Hope

Misagh Karimi, M.D.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released their recommendation that certain immunocompromised people receive a supplemental dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – a “booster.” 

Here, Misagh Karimi, M.D., a medical oncologist at City of Hope’s Newport Beach Fashion Island location, answers a few common questions.

Q: Who should receive a booster?

A: At this time, the recommendation only applies to people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. The CDC is not currently recommending a booster for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. With very few exceptions, this recommendation only applies to those patients in active treatment for cancer. For a list of all diagnoses and treatments that would make you eligible for a booster dose, as well as additional frequently asked questions, click here. Also, the recommendation for a booster only applies to patients 12 and older for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 18 or older for the Moderna vaccine.

Q: Where should I receive the booster?

A: If you fall into one of the groups listed above, you can self-attest as eligible for a booster dose and get it wherever COVID-19 vaccines are available by making an appointment through the California My Turn Portal, www.othena.com, or by going to a local pharmacy. You do not need an order from your physician.

Q: When should I receive the booster?

A: Your booster dose should be administered at least 28 days after your second vaccine dose.

Q: Why do I need a booster?

A: In cancer patients, we hope that a third dose will boost the immune response, especially given that patients who are currently undergoing treatment may not have had a significant enough initial response to the vaccine. Despite the booster of the vaccine, a significant number of patients may not mount a sufficient antibody response, and therefore should maintain masking, social distancing and other mitigation measures.

Q: What if I’m not in active treatment?

A: A booster is not currently recommended for patients who are not in active treatment. If you have questions or concerns about that recommendation, reach out to your City of Hope Orange County care team.

Q: Are pediatric patients eligible to receive the third vaccine dose?

A: The expanded guidance applies to patients 12 and older for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 18 or older for the Moderna vaccine.

Q: Which vaccines can be used for a booster?

A: Only patients who completed the primary series with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine can receive a third dose. Mixing different vaccines (heterologous vaccination) is not recommended at this time. The CDC has not made any recommendations for Johnson & Johnson-vaccinated individuals at this time.

Misagh Karimi, M.D. is a medical oncologist and Director of Clinical Operations at City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island, one of four City of Hope locations in Orange County.

NBPLF announces three free program series for Fall 2021

The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation (NBPLF) has announced these three free program series for Fall 2021: “It’s Your Money: A Financial Workshop,” Book Discussion Group” and “Medicine in our Backyard.”

–It’s Your Money: A Financial Workshop held on Mondays through November 8 at 10 a.m. The “It’s Your Money!” sessions cover the business of money; 12 hours of objective education over an eight-week period. The instructors are local fee-only financial advisers who act in a fiduciary capacity with their clients. None of the speakers are licensed to sell any financial products. You will learn how they charge and the steps you need to take on your financial plan with or without a professional. To register for any of the workshops, visit www.nbplf.foundation/programs/financial-literacy-workshops.

–Book Discussion Group is a monthly book discussion group open to all starting on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 9:30 a.m. in Newport Beach Central Library’s Friends Meeting Room. Unless noted otherwise, the free book group takes place on the second Wednesday of the month. No registration is required. Visit www.nbplf.foundation/programs/book-discussion-group to view the booklist.

–Medicine in Our Backyard is a monthly lecture series organized in partnership with UCI Health beginning Monday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. and generously funded by Mike and Polly Smith. Unless noted otherwise, the free virtual lectures take place via Zoom on the last Monday of the month. To register, visit www.nbplf.foundation/programs/medicine-in-our-backyard.

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Courtesy of NBPLF

Dean Bernadette Boden-Albala, Ph.D.

~Delta Variant and Other COVID-19 Challenges on Monday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom, presented by Dean Bernadette Boden-Albala, Ph.D. The Delta variant makes up nearly 100 percent of the U.S. COVID-19 infections and has wreaked havoc on the global fight against the ensuing pandemic. Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala, director and founding dean for the UCI Program in Public Health and professor of neurology for the UCI School of Medicine, will discuss the Delta variant and what we’re up against. She will also discuss what we need to expect moving forward and what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones. Bring your most pressing questions.

Program Details:

–All Medicine in Our Backyard programs are held via Zoom. The virtual door opens five minutes before the presentation begins.

–Financial Workshop and Book Discussion Group are held at Newport Beach Central Library in the Friends Meeting Room. Free Admission with registration.

Visit https://nbplf.foundation/ and click the “Programs” tab to find out more about all NBPLF programs.

For questions, contact 949.717.3818 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Letters to the Editor

Initiative gives too much power to elected mayor

City Councilman Will O’Neill has announced that he is collecting signatures for a voter initiative to make the Mayor of Newport Beach an elected position. However, this initiative does much more than just establish an elected mayor. It establishes an elected mayor with immense power and that is just wrong.

Hidden in the initiative is Section 404(b), which states, “Except as provided in Section 405, the Mayor shall have the sole discretion to set City Council agendas and to change the order of business on the agenda.” Section 405 does allow adding items on the agenda if half of the remaining council members agree, but this is quite a high standard to meet and effectively excludes the rest of the council from readily bringing issues forward. Instead, the initiative will give the mayor near total control of what may be brought in front of the council. If an unpopular issue is to be discussed and a crowd is expected for an agenda item at 8 p.m., the mayor can arbitrarily move the item to an earlier hour and bypass all that pesky input.

Now imagine if the mayor is beholden to special interests. If those special interests do or don’t want something inconvenient to their purposes on the agenda, the mayor can make that happen. As an example, many of us feel that Team Newport’s campaign consultant Dave Ellis exerts that power over his successful candidates. Remember the Museum House condo approved by the City Council over the objections of literally thousands of residents? The developer told me that Mr. Ellis was a consultant on the project because “that is how it is done.”

If a majority of the City Council supported this initiative, they could vote to put it on the ballot, but this has not occurred. Mr. O’Neill’s efforts to gather signatures appears to be a solitary quest unsupported by his fellow council members. Maybe they feel, as I do, that we should not give that much power to one person. The residents of Newport Beach deserve to have their elected City Councilpersons have an equal say in the running of our city. Electing an abnormally powerful mayor is exactly the wrong thing to do and I sincerely hope that citizens think twice before signing this misguided initiative.

Susan Skinner

Newport Beach

Electing our mayor enhances accountability

The basic function of the Newport Beach City Council is setting public policy. The sole ability for the City Council to accomplish this basic function is through agendas set well in advance of a meeting pursuant to “The Brown Act.” In other words, the only way for a Council to actually accomplish its core responsibility is through the meeting agenda. 

But as it currently stands, the Council has delegated that authority to the City Manager. No matter how good a City Manager is (and ours is great), the City Manager is accountable only to the City Council and not directly to the people of the City of Newport Beach.

The Elect Our Mayor initiative would ensure that the power to hold public policy makers accountable rests in the hands of the people. 

As proposed, a directly elected mayor would be able to set the agenda and be directly accountable to both the people and the City Council too. Plus, City Council members themselves could place items on the agenda if three members voted to do so (similar to the current policy). 

If a mayor didn’t want to place an item on the agenda and three other Council Members couldn’t be found to want an item on the agenda, why in the world would that item be worthy of staff time and consideration?

This process is helpfully discussed on the www.ElectOurMayor.com website under the FAQ section. Which is why I was a puzzled when I read Susan Skinner’s comment that the agenda-setting function was “hidden” in the initiative language. It wasn’t even hidden from Will O’Neill’s original op-ed published in the Newport Beach Indy and Stu News Newport. 

But more to the point, Dr. Skinner’s main concern appears to be that a mayor could move items around on the agenda to avoid frustrated crowds. This may surprise Dr. Skinner, but the mayor currently has the “discretion to change the order of business” as part of our city’s agenda-setting policy. 

Though uncommonly used, the most common use of that discretion is not to avoid crowds, but instead is used to ensure that a crowd doesn’t need to sit through an entire agenda if their item is at the back of the calendar. 

I encourage residents to read more about the Elect Our Mayor petition at the website where concerns are helpfully answered. If you would like to sign up to volunteer or find out where petitions are available to sign, please visit our site for that too: www.electourmayor.com/get-involved.

Noah Blom 

Newport Beach City Council, District 5

Newport Beach

Elected mayor, just a bad idea

An elected mayor? This is just a bad idea, and it is not what is best for Newport Beach; rather, it is what’s best for a few power-hungry individuals. If we could be guaranteed that persons who would run for mayor were completely honest, transparent, had impeccable integrity, and would always be elected by a well-informed citizenry, then I’d be all for it. But what are the chances of that happening now and in the future? And why would the people of Newport Beach change our City Charter to support something that is riddled with so many potential problems?

Take for instance that section of this proposal that gives the elected mayor sole discretion on the agenda for each council meeting, and to change the order of business on the agenda at his/her discretion. And consider how difficult it would be for a particular council member to get an item on the agenda that has been asked for by his/her constituents with the requirement that half of the council must agree to agendize. This clearly shoots holes in the concept of “representation.” 

Eight years is just too long, as well. And when you add to this the ability to have complete control over each council meeting agenda…you are giving absolute power to the mayor. Look to neighboring cities to see how well that has worked out! It just isn’t necessary. There is nothing wrong with our current system. 

Although my tenure on council was cut short, and I was not able to experience the honor of being mayor, one of the attractive features of serving on council is the potential of being selected to serve as mayor. This is a current feature of our City Charter that serves to attract people to run for city council. 

The current proposal would eliminate that feature. Moreover, who would really want to experience the frustration of serving on a council where the City Charter provides the mayor with absolute authority and power, and places an individual council member in the position of not being able to represent the constituents of his or her district? 

Here are a few other reasons for not supporting this initiative:

–Do we really want carpetbaggers moving to our city, establishing the required residency, and then running for mayor? Individuals who have no longevity in or a history of service to our city?

–A mayoral bid is going to be expensive, and the influence of campaign donors would likely be concentrated behind a single person or group in the City. Ordinary citizen concerns could be less a consideration if the elected mayor has an allegiance to a donor or group making large donations in order to insure re-election, and to elections beyond that of Newport Beach Mayor. 

–Our City would have to go through redistricting (from 7 to 6), with each district having one council representative except for the district that the newly elected mayor lives in. Could this be a potential problem? Double representation?

If this idea of an elected mayor is such a good idea for Newport Beach, then why isn’t the current council not approving this as an item on the ballot for the next election and foregoing the signature gathering process? Why is it just the effort of only one current council member? Again, this is just a bad overall idea!

Jeff Herdman

Former City Council Member (2016-2020)

Newport Beach

More power checks needed for elected mayor

I am in total agreement with Susan Skinner, a lifelong and highly respected member of Newport Beach, who has an excellent understanding of everything that pertains to Newport Beach and to city government.

I was so surprised to learn that all of a sudden out of nowhere comes the idea from seemingly one single City Council member to make the mayoral position of Newport Beach an elected office. And although it has not been stated, nor do we know for certain, it is most likely that this new position is being created for the person who originated the petition. This seems like an extremely opportunistic move, especially since it does not seem to be supported by other council members.

If the petitioner or another council member, with the exception of one position, were to run, it would mean that he/she would serve for 16 uninterrupted years as a leader.

Also, many of the council members have already had the opportunity to serve as mayor. This is way too long of a period for one person to be in office, particularly if during the last eight years that person serves a stint as a mayor with incredible, nearly unchecked power over the council and the residents of Newport Beach.

The idea of an elected mayor in and of itself is not necessarily a bad idea
as long as there were more power checks on that position and no current council
member could run, meaning that one person could not serve 16 uninterrupted
years. There is no good reason to support at this time what could well be the pursuit of one person.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

Hoag welcomes Antonio Castaneda, M.D., nationally prominent gynecologic oncologist

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced that Antonio Castaneda, M.D., a fellowship-trained and widely published gynecologic oncologist, has joined Hoag Gynecologic Oncology (HGO). Dr. Castaneda comes to Hoag from the Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, where he served on staff in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. 

Dr. Castaneda is a nationally respected physician whose research has been published in numerous books and other publications, including both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed medical journals. His research and expertise cover a wide spectrum of gynecologic oncology issues, from the COVID-19 pandemic’s implications for women with early-stage cervical cancer, to the incidence of ovarian metastasis in small cell neuroendocrine tumors of the uterine cervix. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Castaneda to our team,” said John V (Jeb) Brown, MD, FACOG, FACS, co-director of Gynecologic Oncology and chair of the Robotics Committee at Hoag. “His experience and insights into researching and treating the serious gynecologic cancers that can afflict women will further build upon Hoag’s reputation for providing extraordinary care to our patients.” 

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Courtesy of Hoag Hospital

Antonio Castaneda, M.D.

“Hoag is world-renowned for its pioneering advancements in minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery, innovative clinical trials and research, and specialty programs for people at higher risk of developing gynecologic cancer,” Dr. Castaneda said. “I have found the team here to be stimulating and inspiring, and I’m looking forward to working together to advance patient care in Orange County.” 

After earning his doctorate of medicine from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, Dr. Castaneda completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at University of Southern California, where he received the LAC+USC Nurses Choice Award for Patient Care and Professionalism for three consecutive years. 

Dr. Castaneda joins Hoag Gynecologic Oncology’s expert, fellowship-trained and board-certified gynecologic oncologists who treat more patients in Orange County than any other health system. These experts work together in the prevention, early detection and treatment of gynecologic cancers using promising new therapies and complementary care. 

As a result, Hoag is consistently recognized for its outstanding care. The hospital was designated by the Surgical Review Corporation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery (COERSTM) for its unparalleled commitment and ability to consistently deliver safe, effective, evidence-based care. 

Hoag recently opened an 18-chair dedicated gynecologic infusion center in Newport Beach to provide infusion care and physician appointments in one convenient location. The infusion center is part of Hoag’s patient-centered approach to integrated care, which improves a patient’s experience and outcomes as she goes through her cancer journey. 

For more information, visit www.hoag.org/hgo.

Luke Carlsen & the Fresh Rhythm to headline at Campus JAX

Luke Carlsen & the Fresh Rhythm will be playing at Campus JAX on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Carlsen and his band started out in the Orange County area as a quintet called Five Got Rhythm before being contacted by Sony Publishing to record new versions of “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing.” 

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Courtesy of Campus JAX

Luke Carlsen

Since then, the band grew to 11 instruments and Luke Carlsen & the Fresh Rhythm have been regulars at the Disneyland Resort’s Saturday night Swing night, Vibrato in Bel-Air, and Clifton’s and the Cicada Club in DTLA.

They have also been featured, most recently, on HBO’s Perry Mason Pilot Episode. You can hear Carlsen’s latest EP My Love, and he looks forward to delivering new recordings in the near future.

This is a cabaret show at Newport Beach’s only supper club with a full menu, waitstaff and great sound. One entree is required, as are reservations.​ The dance floor will be open.

Campus JAX is located at 3950 Campus Drive, Newport Beach. For tickets, visit www-stellarshows-net.seatengine.com/shows/151718. For more information about Campus JAX and upcoming shows, visit www.campusjax.com.

Sensational surf

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Photo by Todd Walker (Instagram @twalkerphotograph)

Another picture-perfect wave in Newport Beach

There is still time to sign up for the 59th Annual Sandcastle Contest taking place this Sunday

Join thousands of spectators as the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts its 59th Annual Sandcastle Contest – “Explore the World!” this Sunday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Corona del Mar State Beach (Marguerite Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, Corona del Mar).

This is a family fun event with sandcastle sculpting taking place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The contest, presented by First Republic Bank and City of Hope Orange County along with a number of other local businesses, invites castle creators and cheering fans to enjoy the day’s festivities.

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Courtesy of NBCC

This sandcastle with its marine theme, built by Chris Crosson (in straw hat), was among the creations at a previous contest at Corona del Mar State Beach 

Participants’ skill levels range widely – from children to professional architects. Talented groups will compete for the top title, Best Display of Theme (though most participate simply to have a great time while supporting the community). Creative teams will have the opportunity to win cash prizes and trophies in categories such as Most Humorous Creation and Commodores Award for Best Overall Creation. There’s even a People’s Choice Award.

The event is free to the public to view the sand sculptures. In addition to playing in the sand, the event will feature other activities, including “The Bubble Lady” with fun bubble creating experiences, along with food and sponsor contests geared towards the whole family.

Teams are encouraged to sign up at www.newportbeach.com or by calling the Chamber at 949.729.4400. A limited number of on-site registrations will be available starting at 9 a.m. the morning of the event. Each team receives official Sandcastle T-shirts.

Entry fees:

–Masters (Architecture firms) - $60

–Businesses (All other businesses) - $40

–Families - $30

–Other (Youth groups, civic groups, clubs, etc.) - $30

For more event information or to sign up your team online, visit www.newportbeach.com or call 949.729.4400.

OCCF unites 17 nonprofits for “Igniting Potential” Giving Day

On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), based in Newport Beach, will bring together 17 local nonprofits to raise $200,000 during “Igniting Potential” – a 24-hour collaborative giving day to support Orange County’s youth.

In a national study conducted by The Jed Foundation and Fluent Research from September through October 2020, six in 10 parents reported their children had experienced mental or emotional health challenges. These challenges were most commonly due to social isolation, anxiety and trouble concentrating. Many of Orange County’s 689,000 youth aged 17 and under continue to suffer the long-term effects of isolation and lack of academic and social engagement created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with these findings, according to the 2020-2021 Orange County Community Indicators Report, the Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center at Children’s Hospital of Orange County indicated an increase in youth suicide attempts, severe depression and acute mental health hospitalization during the first six months of 2020.

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Submitted photo

“Igniting Potential” is a 24-hour collaborative giving day to support Orange County’s youth

“Igniting Potential” supports programs that help Orange County youth remain engaged and committed to achieving their full potential. Giving Day participants include Assistance League of Irvine, Child Creativity Lab, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Early Childhood OC, Giving Children Hope, Helping Others Prepare for Eternity, Irvine Public Schools Foundation, Kid Healthy, KidWorks Community Development Corporation, MOMS Orange County, Parentis Foundation, Pretend City – The Children’s Museum of Orange County, Scholar’s Hope Foundation, The Literacy Project, The Prentice School, The Youth Center and YMCA of Orange County.

“As Orange County youth return to the classroom, we’re seeing the effects of the myriad challenges they’ve faced over the past 18 months,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “OCCF is honored to support this collaborative fundraising effort that directly impacts the youth of our county and supports their growth, education and long-term success.”

This event is part of OCCF’s iheartOC Collaborative Giving Days, an annual initiative that designates cause-specific giving days focused on critical community issues. The online giving model matches OC nonprofits with shared missions – from homelessness and workforce development to preserving ecosystems and supporting local veterans – to create momentum on one shared day and leverage a combined outreach effort for collective success.

So far this year, OCCF Giving Days have raised more than $4 million from 7,590 donors in support of 95 local nonprofits. Since its start in 2015, OCCF Giving Days have raised nearly $17 million for Orange County nonprofits.

To donate during the “Igniting Potential,” Giving Day and give back to the local community youth, visit https://igniting-potential-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org/.

SCR makes exciting return to live theater with the world premiere of A Shot Rang Out

South Coast Repertory (SCR), with Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei, returns to live, in-person theater with the world premiere of Tony Award winner Richard Greenberg’s A Shot Rang Out, running October 2 through November 6.

A Shot Rang Out is an enthralling, timely and often-funny glimpse at the present. Coming out of a long period of isolation, an actor returns to the stage, discovering meaning and understanding of what led to his seclusion. His story of redemption takes you on a path through his isolation, where he draws inspiration from movies, theater and 20th century popular culture to understand how emerging from isolation brings its own surprises, including the renewal of hope and discoveries that unravel the mysteries of love.

“As we return to live theater, I can think of no more fitting and exciting way to open the season than with A Shot Rang Out. This world premiere celebrates a three-decade history that SCR shares with playwright Richard Greenberg, and it features the incredible talents of Tony Taccone and David Ivers in a play that is very much of the moment we, as a community, are experiencing right now,” said Tomei.

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Photos courtesy of SCR

SCR Artistic Director David Ivers is the sole cast member of the one-man play “A Shot Rang Out”

One of SCR’s most celebrated legacy playwrights, Greenberg premiered eight plays at the Costa Mesa theater. A Shot Rang Out marks his ninth play for SCR. Among these are Our Mother’s Brief Affair, Three Days of Rain and The Violet Hour. Over his career, Greenberg received numerous awards for his works, including a Tony Award for his critically acclaimed Take Me Out. He was also a Pulitzer finalist for Three Days of Rain. Known for his humorous, artful and witty glimpses of American life, Greenberg wrote A Shot Rang Out, subtitled “A Play in One Man,” specially for SCR Artistic Director Ivers to perform.

“I’m honored and humbled that Richard would write this work for me,” Ivers said. “The story he crafted gives us a lens with which to see where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going in these ever-changing and unpredictable times.”

Ivers is the sole cast member of this one-man play. Before joining SCR in 2018, he was artistic director for Arizona Theatre Company and, before that, served more than 20 years as an actor and director at Utah Shakespeare Festival, with the last six as artistic director. He was a resident artist at Denver Center for the Performing Arts for a decade, acting in and/or directing more than 40 plays and has helmed productions at many of the nation’s leading regional theaters including the Guthrie Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and South Coast Repertory. Ivers appeared in productions at some of the nation’s top regional theaters including Portland Center Stage and the Oregon, Alabama and Idaho Shakespeare festivals.

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Tony Taccone makes his SCR directorial debut with “A Shot Rang Out”

Taccone, former artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, makes his SCR directorial debut. The celebrated Taccone’s works include the Tony Award-winning Angels in America with Tony Kushner, David Edgar’s Continental Divide, Green Day’s American Idiot and Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking.

Performance previews run Saturday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.; Sunday Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.; and Tuesday, Oct. 5-Thursday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Evening performances occur Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 and Nov. 3-4; and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on Oct. 8-9, 15, 22-23, 29-30 and Nov. 5-6. Matinees are Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. (No matinee on November 7). ASL-interpreted takes place Saturday, Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m.

In addition, special post-show discussions will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 5 (Director/Designer Conversation with Tony Taccone and members of the design team); Wednesday, Oct. 13 (Actor Conversation with David Ivers); Wednesday, Oct. 20 (Performance Perspective, a discussion on the theme of A Shot Rang Out); Thursday, Oct. 21 (Performance Perspective); Wednesday, Oct. 27 (Deep Dive, where audience members share their thoughts about the play in a respectful discussion hosted by SCR’s artistic staff); and Friday, Oct. 29 (Playwright/Dramaturg Conversation with Richard Greenberg and Jerry Patch). All discussions take place after the play on the Segerstrom Stage.

Tickets are now on sale and range in price from $26-$93, with additional discounts available for educators, seniors and theatergoers ages 25 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at www.scr.org or by phone at 714.708.5555.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents two Chamber Music Series performances in October

Segerstrom Center for the Arts continues its 2021-2022 Chamber Music Series with two performances in October.

The Auryn Quartet will take the stage on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m. and the Catalyst Quartet with pianist Stewart Goodyear performs on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. Both take place in Samueli Theater and tickets range from $29-$89.

The acclaimed Auryn Quartet returns to Segerstrom Center joining forces with pianist Armen Guzelimian and baritone Benjamin Howard for an all-Joseph Haydn program (Ein Kleines Haydnfest). Featured musicians include Matthias Lingenfelder, violin; Jens Oppermann, violin; Stewart Eaton, viola; and Andreas Arndt, cello.

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Photos courtesy of scfta.org

Auryn Quartet

After a career spanning four decades as one of classical music’s most sought-after and respected ensembles, the Auryn Quartet has decided to retire at the end of 2021. The quartet’s return to Segerstrom Center is part of its North American Farewell Tour. The ensemble has brought a fresh and pioneering approach to all of the genres of music they’ve performed. The quartet’s long-lasting success is described in the words of one of Germany’s major presenters: “Those who for 40 years have performed successfully on chamber music and other stages, definitely must have done a lot – if not everything – the right way.” 

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Catalyst Quartet

The Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet, whose playing has been called “energetic and finely burnished” by the New York Times, makes its Segerstrom Center debut. The chamber ensemble will be joined by pianist Goodyear. Featured musicians include Karla Donehew Perez, violin; Abi Fayette, violin; Paul Laraia, viola; and Karlos Rodriguez, cello. The quartet believes in the unity that can be achieved through music, and imagines its programs and projects with this in mind, redefining and reimagining the classical music experience.

For tickets and more information, visit www.scfta.org or call 714.556.2787.

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

JWA showcases unique negative space digital photography

Inspired by Ansel Adams and traditional Chinese landscape painting, artist Crystal Yachin Lee creates mesmerizing images of space embracing vastness within her compositions to emphasize her subject and evoke an emotional response. Examples of her unique perspective will be displayed at John Wayne Airport (JWA) in a new exhibit showcasing photographs from her group of works entitled Ciel. Her art will be displayed in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the JWA Community Focus Space through October 19, 2021.

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Photos courtesy of JWA

“Blauen Donau 46” by Crystal Yachin Lee

“As Ansel Adams once said: ‘There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.’ I consider myself first and foremost a visual communication designer. My photographs are an extension of my practice as a designer. While my images are often taken in places of great beauty, the emotional experience is best conveyed by removing any clutter, debris, or distractions from the environment. Therefore, utilizing the digital technologies allows me to show you what I see.”

Born in Taiwan, Lee received an MFA in Communication Arts and Design from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1997. Beginning with an international student work permit, she obtained a work visa and eventually received her permanent residency in the U.S. through her full-time employment. Lee became a U.S. citizen in 2006.

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“Boléro 15” by Crystal Yachin Lee

Prior to relocating to Orange County in 2002, Lee was employed by a northern Virginia design firm as an environmental graphic designer, creating museum exhibitions for over five years. Some of the exhibition projects she worked on include the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore, Md., the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, Va., and the Texas History Museum in Austin, Texas.

Lee is a tenured professor of Visual Communication Design in the Department of Art at Cal Poly Pomona. She teaches various courses in Visual Communication Design and exhibits her digital photography as her scholarly activity. She has actively participated in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. since 2003. For more information on Lee’s work, visit www.cpp.edu/~yachinlee/.

Lee’s exhibit may be viewed (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4.

Visit the John Wayne Airport Arts Program page more information.

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.”

Welcome to Tabitha’s world. As a beautiful, approximately 5-month-old kitten, she’s come incredibly far from her days of being dumped with two other litters of different ages. Tabitha is the best at providing tons of snuggles and comfort for her other displaced mates, and they give her props for her uncertainty in a shelter environment and then really coming around to showing everyone how brilliantly she shines.

As an all-black cat, she’s extremely svelte. She is an adjuster and will take some time to readjust to her forever home, but with lots of fun feather toys, she’ll be out and about in no time. If you’ve ever been interested in building a relationship with a young cat, then Tabitha is your girl. It’s one of the most rewarding relationships that a human can make when a life that, by nature, is independent, learns through care and commitment that they are safe with you.

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Courtesy of Newport Beach Animal Shelter

Meet Tabitha

If you’d like to learn more about kitten Tabitha, please feel free to contact the Shelter staff at 949.718.3454. They’ll be happy to answer any and all questions that you may have.

They do require completed application forms for their animals, so simply print one up from their nonprofit’s webpage at www.FONBAS.org. After it is completed, you can email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and upon review, they’ll call you to schedule an appointment. 

Newport Beach Animal Shelter adoption fees:

–Adult Dogs - $150

–Puppies - $225

–Adult Cats - $90

–Kittens - $110

–Rabbits - $45

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.

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:

Explain the purpose of the Surfrider Foundation?

The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network.

How many people are serviced by the Surfrider Foundation, who are they and where do they come from?

Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, Calif., the Surfrider Foundation now maintains more than one million supporters, activists and members, with more than 170 volunteer-led chapters and student clubs in the U.S., and more than 700 victories protecting our coasts.

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Photos courtesy of the Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider staff, volunteers and coastal industry reps at Coastal Recreation Hill Day

What are the services provided by the Surfrider Foundation?

From testing our coastal waters to ensuring that runoff stays in your garden to reducing plastic pollution, Surfrider’s programs and campaigns help to ensure that our marine ecosystems are protected. Programs include Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force, Ocean Friendly Gardens, Ocean Friendly Restaurants and local beach cleanups.

Why should people give?

For 37 years, the Surfrider Foundation has worked to ensure that the ocean, waves and beaches are safe and accessible for all people. We do this, in part, through grassroots organizing across the nation to give everyone a voice when it comes to protecting and enjoying our coast. With one foot in the sand and the other in the water, the Surfrider Foundation is the only nonprofit organization with 100 percent focus on protecting our coasts. 

How do you give or donate?

Donations can be made atwww.surfrider.org/support-surfrider. In addition to gifts, there are a variety of other ways to make a lasting contribution, including workplace giving, employer matching contributions, and memorials and tributes, to ensure that our ocean, waves and beaches are protected for future generations.

Items collected at a beach cleanup with the Surfrider LA Chapter

Can someone volunteer? If so, how? What opportunities are available?

Anyone interested in protecting the ocean and coasts can get involved by finding the nearest chapter or student club at www.surfrider.org/chapters.

Please describe any internal clubs, partnerships, committees.

Our irreplaceable national network of chapter and student club volunteers serves as the first response to local threats in coastal communities across the U.S. Volunteers collaborate at both local and national levels with regional staff and issue experts to carry out our mission through campaign, program and educational initiatives in their local communities. 

What are the major fundraisers for the Surfrider Foundation? Please provide a description and tell us when they are.

Every year, Surfrider Foundation hosts two bicoastal fundraising events in support of our mission to protect the world’s ocean, waves and beaches. These annual events take place in Montauk, N.Y. (July), and San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (October 9, 2021), and rally our largest and most dedicated communities to celebrate coastal victories and raise critical funds to support the hard work of our coastal defenders. Most importantly, the events are a place where we continue to cultivate the friendships and vibrant networks of people who form the core of our organization.

More information about our events can be found at www.surfrider.org/one-ocean-event.

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(L-R) Jack Johnson, Lukas Nelson, and Adam Topol perform at a Surfrider’s annual event

What are the names and titles of the leadership group, including the board of directors?

Staff Leadership

Dr. Chad Nelsen – Chief Executive Officer 

Michelle Kremer – Chief Operating Officer

Spencer Campbell – Director of Development

Angela Howe – Legal Director

Edward Mazzarella – Director of Chapters

Eddie Anaya – Director of Marketing

Pete Stauffer – Environmental Director

Board of Directors Leadership

Adrianna Estrada – Chair

Dan Lammot – Vice Chair

Steve Shipsey – Secretary

Tom Garcia – Treasurer

Where is your location?

The Surfrider Foundation is headquartered in San Clemente, Calif.

Contact address and information:

Surfrider Foundation

P.O. Box 73550

San Clemente, Calif. 92673

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.surfrider.org

949.492.8170

Spotlight on Philanthropy is underwritten by

Children of the Bay and the Fallen Tower

By DUNCAN FORGEY

Photos by Duncan Forgey

Saddleback Mountain cradles the sunrise in her arms,

Mirroring inflamed clouds on still and glassy waters.

Reflections spread like the canvas of a master en plein air artist.

Cold air lays upon the bay like damp cotton, as

straining muscles silently break the channel’s mirrored waters in

lighter than air shells readying for a regatta.

An early fishing boat moans its way past Lido, in a search for deep water

fish somewhere near Catalina.

Crisscrossing cars navigate a maze of streets leading to repetitive

destinations.

A noisy gang of gulls wings its way west in search of circling anchovies, as

repetitious sounds of crashing waves are overcome by human din.

Locals take back the town, after a long summer of tourists.

Their love of the Pacific runs deep.

Our town, bounded by coastal mountains, is awakened when jets, acting as

alarm clocks, pass overhead. Empty roads will soon be filled for chores, charity

school and work.

Complex human lives intertwine with residents.

All is as it should be in the twenty-first century,

as ancient ghosts of Port Orange watch;

amazed by what has become of their tiny hamlet.

High upon the mesa sits our tower,

where multiple generations learn of

the past and promote the future.

Harbor’s hallowed halls are chock-full of

adolescents in chaos,

thinking the world waits for them alone.

Sincere, or sometimes curt, “hellos,”

exchange as sleepy-eyed students meet on campus.

Lugging books and computers like heavy treasures or inconvenient burdens,

kids hunch over like old people. Beek and Dodge Halls, windows full 

daydreams, bustle with teachers suppressing teenage banter, in lieu of learning.

Minutes slow to a crawl until electronic buzzers send tides of youngsters off to

new assignments.

Cheerleaders in blue and athletes with ties, ready for a weekend of battles, 

while scruffy hyperactives plot parties and fun outside of school.

The studious walk head down in determination,

And the less-so serious hide under vaporized smoke out of the reach of adults.

Well-chosen circles of girls congregate,

for exposure and to observe others.

Lines of boys, looking like pickets in a fence, act cool.

Français, Algebra, Chemistry, Electronics and Technology temporarily erase 

rumors,

offering new world ideas meant to heighten knowledge.

Competition and expectation are clear,

with a championship in self-worth and friendship most dear.

Getting through the day is everyone’s goal.

Couples bond with

class rings, jackets or jewelry.

Teenage hearts are simple, gleeful and full.

Frozen by timidity,

lonely voyeurs sit silently, watching from distant eyes.

Ever-present supervision, regulates and oversees until

lunchtime becomes the time for boisterous talk, off-campus antics

and galley gourmets.

Time is schizophrenic.

Weeks turn to quarters and quarters into semesters.

Abruptly, four years pass

incomprehensibly quick, yet painfully slow.

Baby-faced freshmen turn into suave seniors,

ready to move on and be part of a new generation.

Their culmination is the happiest day of all.

Pomp and Circumstance,

lines of caps and gowns

as beloved children move in front of all to see into an unforeseen future.

Yet today,

invisible caps fly and non-existent gowns flap in a make-believe breeze.

This cherished experience is compromised.

Ending childhood with a whimper and moving into

a lifetime of new experiences, with a virus on their back.

A red sunset ends yet another day.

Lights twinkle and twitter,

night bringing forth memories of those along the way.

Children born of the bay have left the tower,

off to make a statement with their lives.

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DEDICATED TO THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021

Graduates, denied a period at the end of their sentence,

must smile and transform it into an exclamation point.

~~~~~~~~

Duncan Forgey, a lifelong resident of Newport Beach, now makes his home in Hawaii. He is a regular contributor to Stu News Newport.

ENC After School Nature Play Club has spots open for November

This fall, the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is offering After School Nature Play Club to enhance the education of children in our community. After School Nature Play Club is offered on Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m. in four-week sessions. The club provides a learning experience while also giving campers the opportunity to get outside for fresh air, physical activity and a chance to hang out socially with their peers. Campers will spend time at the ENC with friends and mentors for hands-on learning, creative enrichment and expression and a chance to explore without stress. 

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After School Nature Play Club offers an outdoor, hands-on learning experience for youngsters

The club is geared to students enrolled in kindergarten through third grade this fall (must be at least five years old by September 1, 2021).

Spots are still available for Session 2, which takes place November 3, 10, 17 and December 1 from 2-5 p.m. Fee: $150 for the four-week session (four, three-hour days).

For more information, go here.

Environmental Nature Center is located at 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. For more info, visit www.encenter.org.

Backhausdance presents “Garden Flow,” a month-long residency at Sherman Gardens

Backhausdance, Orange County’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, is creating “Garden Flow,” a site-specific dance performance inspired by the beauty of Sherman Gardens. 

Garden visitors can watch and engage with the dancers as they immerse themselves throughout Sherman Gardens during weekly rehearsals beginning Thursday, Sept. 23. The month-long residency concludes with two ticketed promenade performances on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. 

“This exciting and unique collaboration with Backhausdance aligns with our mission to provide the public an oasis of inspiration, education and appreciation of history, horticulture and the arts. Audiences of all ages are welcome to participate in the creative process by watching and following the dancers as they rehearse throughout Sherman Gardens on select days leading up to the ticketed performances,” said Scott LaFleur, executive director of Sherman Library & Gardens. 

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Photo by Adrien Padilla

Backhausdance dancers Ellen Akashi and Samuel DeAngelo

“Garden Flow” rehearsals will take place 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on September 23 and 30 and October 7, 14 and 15. Viewing of the rehearsals is free with garden admission, which is $5 per person.  

Ticketed guests are invited to a pre-show reception at the new Cultivar restaurant while a special VIP offering includes a three-course dinner and chance to meet the dancers. 

“Backhausdance is thrilled to create and premiere ‘Garden Flow’ utilizing the landscape of the Sherman Gardens as our inspiration. ‘Garden Flow’ is a multisensory, personal experience that will infuse the rhythm, presence, colors and beauty of the gardens with the dancers’ fluidity and deeply human and emotional artistic qualities,” said Jennifer Backhaus, artistic director and founder of Backhausdance. 

Ticket Options:

–Saturday, Oct. 16

~2 p.m.: Afternoon performance is free with garden admission. Registration is required.

~5:30 p.m.: Pre-Show Reception at Cultivar followed by the Performance – Members, $75 and Non-Members, $100.

–VIP Offering: Pre-Show Reception, Performance and Post-Show Dinner at Cultivar and a chance to meet the Backhausdance Dancers. Members, $150 and Non-Members, $200.

Backhausdance, Orange County’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, has performed extensively nationwide as well as internationally.  Founder Jennifer Backhaus is an award-winning choreographer and Chapman University faculty member. Backhausdance is the recipient of 10 Lester Horton Awards from the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles for achievements in choreography, design and performance, quickly propelling the company to the forefront of Southern California contemporary dance. The company is committed to engaging and educating the community about the relevance and vitality of contemporary dance, both as a valuable art form and as a tool for learning, creative expression, healing and overall well-being. Backhausdance is particularly interested in responding to new locations and collaborating with other organizations. The company provides extensive education programs in schools and the community for all ages and is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of artists. Visit www.backhausdance.org to learn more.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.thesherman.org, or call 949.673.2261. 

Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

Artwalk returns to South Bayfront Promenade 

The 26th Annual Balboa Island Artwalk, presented by Mary Hardesty Realty, will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. along the South Bayfront Promenade on Balboa Island. The Artwalk is the premier showcase for talented local artists with art, music, sun and fun for the whole family. 

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Courtesy of the Balboa Island Artwalk

“Colorful Competition ll,” an original oil by artist Debra Huse, is featured in this year’s Artwalk

This free fine art show, stretching more than a mile, features 100 artists exhibiting paintings, fine jewelry, blown glass, sculpture and photography. Spectators will enjoy live music throughout the day on five stages along the walk. 

For more information and to view the participating artists, visit www.balboaislandartwalk.info.

“Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror” unveils The Killer of Bal Week 

By BILL LOBDELL, podcaster

Bill Lobdell looks at people and events – famous and forgotten – that shaped Newport Beach in his podcast, “Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror.”

In his most recent podcast, Lobdell shares, “The Killer of Bal Week.” Here’s a preview of his latest episode.

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Courtesy of the City of Newport Beach

Dora Hill

In 1954, Dora Hill, housewife and grandmother, reluctantly buckled to the lobbying of her pastor and entered the Newport Beach City Council race just 10 minutes before the filing deadline. She not only won the election, but garnered the most votes in city history, a landslide victory that surprised even her husband, who only agreed to her run for office because he was convinced she would lose.

At her first council meeting, she was appointed the city’s first female mayor. For the next four years, Mayor Hill would lead a reformation of Newport Beach from a town run by a powerful good old boys’ network that traded heavily in backroom deals and cronyism to a transparent and professional city government that continues at City Hall to this day. She was, simply, Newport’s greatest politician. 

But largely lost to history, Mayor Hill achieved another herculean task that was almost as hard as overhauling an entire political system: She killed Bal Week.

Bal Week started in the 1920s when high school and college kids from across Southern California descended upon Balboa during spring break, creating a week of fun and debauchery as only unsupervised teenagers and young adults – fueled by alcohol and hormones – can. 

For more than two decades, Newport businesses and landlords saw Bal Week (also called Easter Week) as an imported goose that laid golden eggs. At the time, the town was mostly deserted in the winter, and an invasion of thousands of kids in the spring made for packed rentals and crowded restaurants and stores.

But by the early 1950s, Bal Week had gotten out of control. Each spring, more than 35,000 kids would overrun the town of 17,000. In 1953, the year before Mayor Hill’s crackdown, Newport police arrested 350 spring breakers. Weary residents wanted the city to put a stop to the out-of-control, weeklong party.

Mayor Hill wasn’t one to mess around. She had a new ordinance drawn that required landlords to get a city license if renting during Bal Week and also provide the city a list of the specific number of tenants. Failure to do so could result in a $500 fine and six months in jail. If that law sounds unconstitutional, it was. But it took a year before a judge threw it out, and that was enough time to help quell the Bal Week activities. 

The city also required unaccompanied minors to have a note from their parents that approved of their being unchaperoned in Newport. Mayor Hill also instructed the new police chief, John Upson, to crack down on any type of violation. Thirty-five reserve police officers joined 45 full-time officers to enforce even the slightest violations of the law. 

Roadblocks were set up, and cars, houses and teenagers were searched for liquor (police found 200 empty beer cans scattered on the floor in one home). Violators were arrested, or worse, had their parents called. As the police chief said, “Most of them would rather spend five days in jail than have their parents called.”

Not everyone liked Mayor Hill’s tough stance. Some merchants and landlords threatened a recall campaign, but that soon fizzled out. 

In the end, the shock-and-awe measures put in place by Mayor Hill badly wounded Bal Week in 1955, and the tradition died completely a few years later. Between parents cracking down on their teenagers and kids no longer being able to have unbridled fun in Newport, the hordes moved to Palm Springs. 

Listen to the whole story of “Dora Hill: Newport’s First Female Mayor, Greatest Reformer and Killer of Bal Week” (including highlights of a rare audio interview of her) on the “Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror” podcast at http://newport-beach-podcast.com.

Editor’s Note: Stay tuned for connecting to Bill Lobdell’s future podcasts in Stu News.

~~~~~~~~

Bill Lobdell, former Daily Pilot editor and Los Angeles Times journalist, has a podcast called “Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror,” which looks at people and events – famous and forgotten – that shaped Newport Beach. You can listen and subscribe to the podcast at http://newportbeach-podcast.com. You can also follow “Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror” on Instagram (@newport_in_the_rearview_mirror).

Join the volunteer team at the 39th Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K 

Join the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce for an exciting day on the bluffs above Big Corona del Mar State Beach at the 39th Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K on Saturday, Oct 2 as a volunteer!

Come enjoy live entertainment and the opportunity to meet new people. Volunteers will receive an event T-shirt and refreshments. Opportunities include a wide range of fun duties, so sign up today at www.cdmchamber.com.

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Courtesy of CdM Chamber of Commerce

Volunteers share in the community spirit of the day at a previous CdM Scenic 5K

The CdM Scenic 5K schedule lineup:

–6 a.m. Event Day Registration Begins

–7:30 a.m. Warm-up

–7:55 a.m. Men’s 5K Race

–8:20 a.m. Women’s 5K Race

–8:45 a.m. 2-Mile Fun Walk/Youth Run

–9 a.m. 1K Kid’s Dolphin Dash

The supporters of the CdM Scenic 5K this year include:

–Presenting Sponsor: Casey Lesher, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury

–Corporate Sponsor: Hoag 

–Contributing Sponsor: Mariners Escrow Corporation

–Supporting Sponsor: Priestley Family Chiropractic

–Supporting Sponsor & Race Warm-Up: Rooted Soul Movement

–Official Pace Car Sponsor: Porsche Newport Beach

–Supporting Sponsor: Kurvana

–Supporting Sponsor: CR&R

–City Support Sponsor: City of Newport Beach

Stu News Newport is once again proud to be a Media Sponsor for this year’s CdM Scenic 5K.

For more information, call 949.673.4050 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk^® returns September 25

Susan G. Komen^®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, has announced that its signature MORE THAN PINK Walk^® fundraising events in Orange County, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25. With screenings, treatment and research delayed during COVID-19 lockdowns and breast cancer deaths predicted to rise as a result, this year’s event and the funds raised for Komen’s lifesaving breast cancer programs are more important than ever. 

This year, Komen is creating a one-of-a kind digital experience that will connect participants from across Southern California as breast cancer survivors, “thrivers,” and supporters to walk and fundraise to end breast cancer. No matter where the public joins in to walk and fundraise – from a treadmill, neighborhood sidewalk, favorite beach walk, or hiking trail, Komen will host interactive activities, new challenges and inspirational stories during the event’s “Power of ONE Week” and opening ceremonies.

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Photos courtesy of Susan G. Komen

Three women participate in a previous Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk 

“Our Komen family of supporters are the power and spirit behind the impact of Susan G. Komen,” said Robin Walker, executive director of Susan G. Komen in Orange County. “Our sponsors, teams and walkers all know, more than ever, that their fundraising efforts for the MORE THAN PINK Walk will help someone who is experiencing breast cancer today – and will energize Komen’s research, advocacy and patient care support well into the future.”

Susan G. Komen’s work coming out of the pandemic is arguably more important than ever. Screenings, clinical trials and research were largely halted during COVID-19 lockdowns, making the funding of key research and breast health services all the more critical to get lifesaving progress back on track.

The organization’s leadership and supporters see this year’s event as an opportunity to walk at home and in their own neighborhoods, with the united goal of a world without breast cancer.

A furry friend joins participants on the trail in a previous Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk 

“Seven weeks after marrying the love of my life, I got diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. I had insurance and a support system to help me through my treatment that other people don’t,” said Angelique Fong, Susan G. Komen’s 2021 Orange County MORE THAN PINK Walk Chair. “I volunteer with Susan G. Komen because I know what a difference it made for me to have caring people by my side and access to the treatment that I needed during my battle with breast cancer. Unfortunately, my breast cancer came back, but after three surgeries and 33 radiation treatments, I know how blessed I am to be in remission again. I know that every dollar matters when it comes to accomplishing that next research breakthrough or discovering that next improved treatment practice. Every contribution serves to improve outcomes and ultimately save more lives.”

Registration for the Walk is free, and participants are encouraged to raise at least $250 each for Komen’s investments in breakthrough research, vital patient care support and public policy action at all levels of government. Komen continues to work to discover cures while ensuring that those facing a breast cancer diagnosis today receive the care and support they need.

To register or join a team in Orange County, click here.

Enjoy happy hour at Central Library with best-selling author Maggie Shipstead

Join the Newport Beach Public Library (NBPL) on Saturday, Oct. 9 for happy hour with best-selling author Maggie Shipstead.

Shipstead will be discussing her Booker Prize longlisted novel, Great Circle, and the global adventures that prompted the story. The book is being adapted for a TV series.

Synopsis: Spanning Prohibition-era Montana, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New Zealand, wartime London and modern-day Los Angeles, Great Circle tells the unforgettable story of a daredevil female aviator determined to chart her own course in life, at any cost.

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Courtesy of NBPL

Maggie Shipstead in Greenland

The event takes place at Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Wine, beer, soft drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served in the Courtyard at 6 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. presentation in the Friends Room.

Tickets are $35 and available at www.newportliteracy.org.

Proceeds from the evening support Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 949.717.3874.

For A Good Cause

From Golf to Galas: Supporting Our Community

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Childhelp

(L-R) John Westersten, Rick Reiff, Michael Danzi and Brian Bentson teed it up at the 2019 Childhelp Rich Saul Memorial Golf Classic

Childhelp Rich Saul Memorial Golf Classic | Thursday, September 23. This year marks the 39th year of the Orange County Childhelp Golf Classic, now known as the Rich Saul Memorial Golf Classic. The event continues in the spirit of the late NFL great Rich Saul, who was dedicated to changing the lives of abused and neglected children. The tournament, which is sold out, hosts a full day of golf, and camaraderie at Pelican Hill Golf Club and an incredible online auction for everyone. NFL Rams legends and local business leaders participate in the day’s activities. Last year, although they couldn’t hold the event due to COVID restrictions, they still had benefactors who signed up to play golf and upon learning they weren’t able to play, many directed Childhelp to keep the golf entry fees and treat them as a donation to help children during the pandemic. They raised more than $342,000. This year, they would be so pleased to have any donations toward underwriting the event. If you would like to participate in this way, visit the website. You can also participate by taking part in their online auction, which went live on September 9. They have fabulous items, like a Napa Valley vacation, a NASCAR VIP Exclusive, Thermal Club/Desert Golf Stay, Rams tickets and memorabilia and so much more! Bidding can take place by texting “Childhelpocgolf2021” to 243725 or at this link: www.bidpal.net/childhelpocgolf2021.

Contact: www.bidpal.net/childhelpocgolf2021

Takes place at Pelican Hill Golf Club, 22800 S. Pelican Hill Road, Newport Coast.

Mission: Childhelp is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Founded in 1959 as International Orphans, Inc. by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp is one of the largest nonprofit child abuse prevention and treatment organizations in the nation.

Private Art Showing to benefit the Newport Beach Arts Foundation | Saturday, September 25 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. This is the fall fundraising event to benefit the Newport Beach Arts Foundation. While the artwork this evening at Bistango will be available for purchase, the $100 ticket price to attend is where the Arts Commission makes their money through fundraising.

Contact: To RSVP, email Carmen Smith by September 10 at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To view the participating artists, visit https://newportbeachartsfoundation.org/.

Takes place at Bistango Art Gallery/Restaurant, 19100 Von Karman Ave. (near the airport), Irvine.

Mission: The Arts Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the arts in Newport Beach and the Newport Beach Arts Commission.

15th Annual Ante Up for Autism to benefit TACA | Saturday, September 25 from 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. This casino and gala event benefits Newport Beach-based The Autism Community in Action (TACA). Supporters will gather in-person safely and responsibly. The program will be live streamed to viewing parties hosted throughout the country. Master of Ceremonies is actor Johnathon Schaech.

Contact: www.tacanow.org

Takes place at the Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.

Mission: Over the past 14 years, TACA’s signature fundraising event has raised more than $6.1 million in support of TACA’s mission to provide education, support and hope to families living with autism. Funds raised enable TACA to annually provide services to more than 75,000 individuals affected by autism. On average, 600 parents and caregivers reach out to TACA every month for help.

Big Brothers Big Sisters 57th Annual Gourmet Dinner | Thursday, September 30 at 5 p.m. Scotch. Cigars. Cars. Mark your calendars for a one-of-a-kind evening featuring premium food and beverage tastings, hand-rolled cigars, exciting auction experiences and a multi-course gourmet dinner under the stars. The event honors Patty Arvielo, recipient of the Joel K. Rubenstein Award. Tickets range from $15,000-$25,000.

Contact: Cherylee Shaar about this invitation-only event which you can donate to at 714.426.5642 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.ocbigs.org/gourmetdinner 

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

Mission: The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & The Inland Empire is to deliver one-to-one mentoring to youth facing adversity through four program models. They provide the training, resources and support necessary for each match to succeed. Programs include Traditional Mentoring, Big Couples, High School Bigs and Workplace Mentoring.

Environmental Nature Center Fall Wine Walk | Saturday, October 2 from 4-7 p.m. Join ENC for an afternoon of wine tasting, while helping to raise funds for environmental education in our community. Enjoy wine from Argaux and ONEHOPE Wine, treats from Indarra and more. Guests will walk through the Center and stop at wine tasting stations along the trails to taste wines from several wineries. Bid on fabulous items and experiences in an online silent auction. End your walk with Kean Coffee and dessert. Live music provided by the Velvet Bow Strings will also be featured along the trail. Pause to enjoy their light classical, pop, jazz and folk songs on violin, cello and baroque recorders. Cost: $125/per person or $200 per couple. Register at https://encenter.org/blog/events/wine-walk-at-the-enc-3/.

Takes place at the Environmental Nature Center, 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach.

Mission: To provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature.

Seneca Family of Agencies Forever Families Gala | Saturday, November 6 at 5 p.m. This 4th annual gala – An Evening in the Orange Grove – celebrates Seneca Family of Agencies’ foster care and permanency work in Southern California. Seneca’s programs work to build and sustain families for the children who need them, and to prevent disruption at all costs by providing critical mental health support. The evening honors Geoff Le Plastrier and Susan Laird with the Seneca Leadership Award, and Wylie and Bette Aiken with the Community Impact Award. Tickets ranging from $500-$50,000 can be purchased at https://aesbid.co/ELP/FF21/Tickets.

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

Contact: www.senecafoa.org

Mission: The national average of adoptions remaining permanent is roughly 75 percent, which means 25 percent of children are returned to foster care due to a failed adoption. With Seneca’s commitment to unconditional care – doing whatever it takes to support the success of kids and families – 100 percent of their adoptions in Orange County remain permanent.

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Courtesy of scfta.org © RMA Photography Inc.

Segerstrom Hall

Segerstrom Center for the Arts Candlelight Concert | Friday, December 3 at 5 p.m. One of the most treasured and celebrated fundraising galas in Orange County, it brings together the luminaries of the community to raise critically needed funds for the arts. Through the magic of theater, Segerstrom Hall’s stage is transformed into a breathtaking ballroom, where guests dine and dance the night away. This historically sold-out event raises more than $2 million each year to support the Center’s artistic, education and community engagement programs. Britt Meyer will serve as the event chair.

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

Contact: www.scfta.org

Mission: Segerstrom Center for the Arts believes in the power of performing arts to transform lives and that the shared experience and exploration of the arts will help unite Orange County, creating a more culturally connected and vital community. They will help shape the Orange County of the future through meaningful collaborations with diverse communities, embracing creativity in all its forms and enabling a more inclusive, vibrant performing arts scene at the Center and across the region.

Editor’s Note: If you represent a philanthropic organization located in Newport Beach with an upcoming event or know of a charitable organization choosing Newport Beach as its event venue, please email the information and a hi-res photo for consideration in our “For a Good Cause” calendar to help you publicize the event. Email pertinent information and images to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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