Viva España comes to CdM High School on June 1

On Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m., Viva España comes to Corona del Mar High School Performing Arts Theatre. Led by Music Director Branden Muresan, the concert features internationally acclaimed guitarist Fred Benedetti performing Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo with the Southern California Philharmonic (SCP).

Courtesy of Southern California Philharmonic

Adding to the repertoire, SCP will perform “Goyescas Intermezzo” by Enrique Granados and “The Three Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2” by Manuel de Falla.

Tickets are available at www.socalphil.org.

Angelitos de Oro held annual luncheon at Big Canyon

Nearly 100 Angelitos de Oro members, donors and sustainers gathered at Big Canyon County Club for the organization’s 2019 Annual Luncheon on April 22. They celebrated the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC (BBBS of OC) and also the work of Angelitos. Since 1961, Angelitos has been fundraising for BBBS of OC.

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Photos courtesy of Angelitos de Oro

(L-R) Aimee Porter, Georgina Jacobson and Karen Taylor

Karen Taylor, president of Angelitos de Oro, welcomed guests and reminded them that the fundraising they do is vital in improving the lives of so many children and young adults. Last year, as a result of the Angelitos de Oro fundraising efforts, they were able to contribute a total of $320,000 to BBBS of OC, bringing the total amount raised for BBBS over the years to nearly $7 million.

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(L-R)  Marilyn Wooten, Gigi Spragins and Mary Renter

For the past several years, the focus of the fundraising efforts of Angelitos has been to support the High School Bigs Program, in which high school students are matched with Elementary school Littles to provide one-on-one weekly peer support, friendship and encouragement to the Littles at their elementary schools. Several years ago, the “Angelitos Award” was born and it is awarded to two exceptional young people who are dedicated and very worthy HS Bigs. This year, Nancy Mendez and Alexis Bustillos were selected as the recipients. They are outstanding young people whose lives have been enriched and who in turn have enriched the lives of other young people because of the guidance of BBBS.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC staff with Angelitos de Oro award winners

Sloane Kean, CEO of the largest BBBS agency in California, and the second largest in the country, recognized her incredible staff members, who assist with all programming for the more than 4000 children the agency serves annually.

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(L-R) Sloane Kean, Natalie Pickup, C.C. Knowles and Georgina Jacobson

Enjoying the day were luncheon co-chairs Aimee Porter and Georgina Jacobson; Alex Miller; Teri Elliott; Natalie Pickup; Carole Pickup; Gigi Spragins; Kris Peyton; Michaell Silvia Rose, director of community benefits at Hoag Hospital; and longtime members Marilyn Wooten, Susie Finney, Kathy Harrison and many more. Karen Taylor presented Sloane Kean with a donation of $26,500.

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(L-R) Cari Young and Patti Boorz

Once again this coming October, Angelitos de Oro in conjunction with South Coast Plaza will present Card Week, co-chaired by Molly McCray and Cari Young. Purchase a shopping card for $60 and receive 20 percent off at more than 125 stores and restaurants from October 3-9 at South Coast Plaza.

For more information, visit www.angelitosdeoro.org

Rebel artist Jamie Fingal inspires nation to create fiber art, on display at Furnishing Hope Gallery

Furnishing Hope is showcasing artists from across the country who have participated in Jamie Fingal’s House Quilt Project. Fingal is an award-winning artist and author; her whimsical and abstract work has been juried into international quilt exhibitions and featured in books and magazines.

Courtesy of FH Gallery

Quilt art on display at Furnishing Hope Gallery

Quilting Arts Magazine challenged its readers to participate in the House Quilt Project, whereby more than 300 quilts were collected and donated to Furnishing Hope.  These works of art are displayed on the walls of the Furnishing Hope Gallery in Westcliff Plaza through Saturday, June 1.

Fingal is offering a workshop to create a whimsical fiber artwork for yourself. It will be held on June 1 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in the gallery. The cost is $40 which covers all materials and instruction. No experience is necessary. To purchase tickets, visit www.furnishinghope.org/category/events.

Founded in 2003, Furnishing Hope’s mission is to improve the living space for people in crisis.

Furnishing Hope Gallery is located at 1062 Irvine Ave. in Westcliff Plaza, Newport Beach.

Local tech company named a best startup

Titan HST was named one of Newport Beach’s “Best Tech Startups for 2019” by The Tech Tribune. 

Titan HST, founded in 2012, is “a comprehensive emergency alert and mass notifications system, suitable for businesses, governments and schools. The software platform allows administrators, organizational users and emergency personnel to communicate emergency information – increasing information dissemination and reducing emergency response time,” The Tech Tribune stated.

In any given emergency, Titan HST allows users a means of two-way communication to report relevant, critical information, including GPS coordinates, access to site maps, audio, and photo information; as well as classify the type of emergency. Through enhanced augmented reality, real-time translation and mesh networking, users have the ability to chat with administrators and emergency personnel no matter the circumstances.

Courtesy of titanhst.com

Titan HST Founder & CEO Vic Merjanian

“We are honored to be recognized alongside such forward-thinking companies,” said Titan HST Founder & CEO Vic Merjanian, ESQ. “It’s this type of recognition that reinforces our commitment to providing the foremost security communication product.”

According to staff of The Tech Tribune, revenue potential, leadership team, brand/product traction and competitive landscape were the main factors included in their research and why Titan HST received the nod. To be considered for the recognition, companies must be independent, privately owned, at most 10 years old and to have received at least one round of funding.

Other companies included on the list: NextVR, Obsidian Security, Protecht, Inc., Blast, My Mobile Watchdog, FlipTix, TicketSocket, Sire Investments LLC and Edge Music Network.

For more information, visit www.titanhst.com.

Sherman Library’s Newport Beach Garden Tour inspired, engaged the senses

On Saturday, May 11, Sherman Library & Gardens held its 23rd Annual Newport Beach Garden Tour, presented by the Sherman Library & Gardens Volunteer Association. Participants were treated to a “behind the scenes” look at six enchanting gardens throughout Newport Coast, Corona del Mar and Newport Beach, each with artists painting onsite. The gardens were an extension of the homes and the people who live in them, ranging from a sculpture garden with ocean views to a vineyard where the residents bottle their favorite varietals, offering tastings inside the wine cave.

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Photos by Lana Johnson

This original oil by artist Steven Grieco of Sherman Library & Gardens was among the silent auction items

In addition to touring the gardens, attendees enjoyed a light lunch, opportunity drawings and a silent auction in the courtyard of Sherman Gardens. At the end of the tour, they were invited back to the Gardens for an artists’ reception to meet the artists and view the plein air paintings on display that were available for purchase. Light refreshments were served and music was provided by guitarist Dean Grech. The day’s proceeds support the redesign and landscaping of the frontage of Sherman Library & Gardens on East Coast Highway.     

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This replica of Les Bourgeois of Calais by Rodin is a striking element in the Elmer Garden’s rock feature

This year, the Garden Tour Committee sought out gardens they believed inspired, engaged and stimulated the senses. Here’s a glimpse.

–Elmer Garden in Newport Coast. Meant to be whimsical and fun, it is filled with figurative bronze sculptures, some by renowned artist, Richard MacDonald; delightful fairy gardens; numerous comfortable seating areas and unexpected wonders, with the help of horticulturalist, Ruben Flores of Laguna Beach. Artist in the garden: Judy Schroeder.

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The Elmer residence in Newport Coast was replete with statuary

–Gale Garden in Newport Coast. The owners created their dream garden over a period of 18 years with their back lot facing the ocean. The side gate leads to roses; the courtyard is surrounded by orange, lime and tangerine trees with relaxing sitting areas in which to enjoy the fountain. The succulent garden, created during the drought by Molly Wood Garden Design, includes a water feature. Next to the vegetable and herb garden is a seating area with a fire pit to warm cool evening gatherings. Artist in the garden: Barbara Peterson.

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This backyard garden at the Gale residence offers panoramic ocean views

–Ziglar Garden in Corona del Mar. An unexpected addition in the plant life on the front sidewalk – a 1-hour-old Monarch butterfly that emerged from its chrysalis. The walkway to the house is adorned with an arbor covered with “Eden” roses and Australian violets bordering it. The enclosed inner patio has an arch with extensive latticework, lined with hanging plants and a comfortable seating area. The outdoor patio has a built-in barbecue, large tiled counter with flowers and colorful fuchsias hanging above from ficus trees. The small fern grotto houses a mixture of plants. Artist in the garden: Shawn Black.

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Artist Shawn Black in the Ziglar garden paints in the Renaissance style of oils, which can change the shade of color

–Jacobs Garden, Corona del Mar. Referred to as the “cottage gone wild,” the owners preserved the character of the home, originally built in 1939. In the front yard between two Adirondack chairs is a Eucalyptus slab table salvaged from an original 1939 tree that was removed in 2017 during street improvement. The backyard sanctuary is filled with a plethora of plants and interesting sculpture. Artist in the garden: Andrea Holte.

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The character of the Jacobs’ “Flower-Street” home was preserved with the cottage-style garden

–Moriarty Garden/Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery. Three and one-half acres of grapevines and interesting garden settings. The entry features 1,200 grapevines, all Bordeaux varietals blended together to make award-winning Meritage red wine, which is aged in the wine cave. The horticultural collection features rare palms, cycads, bromeliads, orchids and exotic tropicals. A koi society donated many of the colorful koi found in the pond. Adding interest to the property is an organic garden and a large aviary with chickens and cockatiels. Artists in the garden: Carole Boller and Laura Swytak.

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Acres of vineyards lead up to the hilltop Moriarty home, with views of Upper Newport Bay

Exotic sculpture adds dramatic accent to the succulent garden

–Ballard/Friedman Garden, Newport Beach. Dramatically lining the driveway are 29 imported Italian pots planted with Eureka lemon trees. In addition, there are 60-year-old, field-grown manzanillo olive trees. A California water-wise garden features unusual succulents. The husband and wife team of Harvest Design Collective installed a grazing paradise with an orchard of more than 100 species of edibles and a habitat for birds and pollinators. The designers worked with OC California Rare Fruit Growers and Rick Yeassayin to grow Surinam cherries, loquats, figs, mangoes, bananas, pink lemon trees, exotic fruits and “White Alpine” strawberries, among others. Once a horse property, the original barn remains. Artist in the garden: Yuma Lynch.

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Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Call 949.673.2261. For more information, visit www.slgardens.org.

Italian Sunday Supper at Balboa Island Museum

Welcome to “Cena Domenciale” or Sunday Supper when the Balboa Island Museum hosts Italian Night at the Museum on Sunday, May 26. Come enjoy a family-style open house complete with dinner and wine from 5-8 p.m. To set the mood, Italian music will playing and they might also be showing a movie.

The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for youngsters. Sunday Supper tickets are available at the Museum.

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Balboa Island Museum is located at 210 B Marine Ave., Balboa Island. For more information, visit www.balboaislandmuseum.org.

Chris Richter artwork on display at SCAPE gallery

SCAPE gallery in Corona del Mar is currently exhibiting the artwork of Chris Richter, continuing through June 30. The collection, titled “Nature’s Layers,” unveils the natural evolution of Richter’s ongoing Reveal Series. The paintings continue to convey a sense of uncovering.

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Courtesy of scapesite.com

Chris Richter’s “Reveal 475 (Off White Whisp),” oil on canvas over panel, 30 x 30”

The artist’s process begins with the mixing of paint, then a layering upon layer application, followed by sanding, scraping – in a sense burnishing – the surface to reveal what’s below. Nature’s influence is subtly disguised often referencing trees, ocean waves, wet sand, fallen leaves, daylight or moonlight, etc. When these tend to be of a minimalist view, they take us to a place of subtlety, creating calm amid moments that may otherwise feel chaotic.

Richter currently lives and works in Laguna Beach.

SCAPE gallery is located at 2859 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. For more information, call 949.723.3406 or visit www.scapesite.com.

Cannery Village artists open studios for Art Walk on Thursday

This Thursday, May 16 and on every third Thursday of the month, Cannery Village artists open their studios to the public when they host the Cannery Village Art Walk. During this free event, guests are welcome to stroll through the historic community to visit artists’ studios and local art galleries from 5-8 p.m. starting at the intersection of Lafayette and 31st Street.

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Submitted photo

Julie Bird Matson will open J. Bird Studio during the Cannery Village Art Walk on Thursday

The next Art Walks are scheduled for June 20, July 18 and August 15.

Participating artists include Art and Treasures – Ilona Martin, Cannery Painters – Marilyn Poliquin, Carole Akins Gallery, Conserve Fine Art, Dana Ridenour Fine Art, Ethos Contemporary Art, Janet Bludau Fine Art Gallery, J. Bird Studio, Paws of the Planet, South of France – Wendy Johnson, Susan Nelson Gallery and Studio b. Gallery.

To download the map and learn more about participating artists, visit www.CanneryVillageArt.com and follow the event on Facebook or Instagram.

A friendly reminder that bikes and cars need to share the roadways

The Newport Beach Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are encouraging drivers and bicycle riders to look out for one another during National Bicycle Safety Month.

“Traffic safety is a shared responsibility,” Newport Beach Police Lieutenant Cartwright said. “People get around in a variety of ways, including bikes and walking, so it is important that we are aware of one another and do our part to ensure everyone is able to get to their destination safely.”

Unfortunately, deaths in bicycle-related crashes are on the rise. In 2016, 138 bicycle riders were killed on California roads, a nearly 25 percent increase from 2011. Among the primary factors in these crashes were failing to yield the right of way, speeding, improper turning, using the wrong side of the road and not following traffic signs or signals.

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“Bicycle safety remains a key concern in our community,” Lieutenant Cartwright said. “It is why this month – and really every month – we are committed to educating and informing the public on safe ways to travel, whether on two wheels or four.”

The Newport Beach Police Department offers a few tips to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

For drivers, look behind you before making a turn at an intersection, especially if crossing into a designated bike lane; use extra caution backing up or leaving a parking space; and California law requires drivers to allow at least three feet of space when passing a bicycle.

For bicyclists, make yourselves visible and wear brightly colored clothing; be advised to use lights from dusk to dawn (front white light and rear red flashing light or reflectors); wear a helmet and use hand signals when turning or stopping; and travel in the same direction of traffic. 

Both drivers and bicyclists should avoid distractions like using their cell phone.

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

City Council honors CdMHS student who saved a classmate from burning car

By AMY SENK

It was 12:30 a.m. on January 21, and Corona del Mar High School junior Ford W. Fairon had just dropped off a friend and was headed home when he saw it: A car crashed against a tree in the center median at Ford Road and Canyon Island Drive. There was smoke coming from the engine area, and there was someone in the driver’s seat.

Instincts kicked in. He stopped, ran to the car but couldn’t open the driver’s door. Thinking quickly, he had the driver – a friend and fellow CdMHS junior – climb over, then pulled her out through the rear driver’s side door. As the car caught fire, he dragged the driver 30 feet to safety. He called 911, and minutes later firefighters were on the scene of a full-on car fire.

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Photos courtesy of Holly Fairon

(L-R) Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis with Ford Fairon

The Newport Beach City Council last month honored Fairon, 18, with a proclamation. “His actions were nothing short of heroic,” said Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis. “We are all inspired by Ford.”

Ford’s mother, Holly Fairon, said Ford has always been extremely protective. “He’s athletic, but he’s mentally strong, too,” she said. “I am just so proud of him. He has always looked out for others, especially those in need.”

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Photos courtesy of Holly Fairon

(L-R) Corona del Mar High School Principal Kathy Scott and Ford Fairon

Mayor Diane Dixon read the proclamation, which described the event. Councilman Kevin Muldoon then asked if Ford had been driving a Ford while making a rescue on Ford (he wasn’t) and suggested he write about the incident in college application essays.

• • •

Meanwhile, the artist who was seeking city permission to offer tattoos in her gallery at 2721 E. Coast Highway has apparently given up and left town. In an April 29th letter, Savaanah Gallegos withdrew her request for a minor use permit, and her gallery was vacant with a “For Lease” sign in the window.

The city Planning Commission had denied the permit late last year but then later approved it. Neighbors had appealed that decision, which was scheduled to go before the City Council later this month. Gallegos didn’t respond to repeated texts and emails seeking a comment.

CdM lawyer Melinda Luthin galvanized a group of neighbors to fight the tattoo permit, concerned that the location didn’t make sense for such a business and also alleging that the city hadn’t properly evaluated the application to make sure it was complete and accurate.

“It confounds me that City staff accepted an incomplete application and confounds me further that City staff processed the application and sent it to the Planning Commission for determination when it was clear that the building does not and cannot comply with the Code and the business would not be compatible with the neighborhood,” Luthin said. “An appeal to the City Council of a Planning Commission decision generally is not an easy task. The deadline to appeal is 14 days, and it costs $1,637 to file the appeal. But in this case, it was easy. A small group of three residents quickly grew into a formidable group of residents and other concerned folks who ended up donating more than the cost of the appeal.”

The appeal fees will be refunded, she said.

“In the end, the process worked. I think that this is a good reminder that people can make a change for the better in our community,” Luthin said.

• • •

Finally, some good news for Corona del Mar: Reborn Coffee will celebrate its grand opening from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. The CdM Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. There will be free coffee and pastry, according to the Chamber’s May calendar. The coffee shop at 2935 E. Coast Highway has been vacant for five years since the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf shut its doors.

~~~~~~~~

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

Peek-a-boo views from CdM

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Photo by Tina Treglia (Instagram @ttregs)

A gorgeous day at the beach with our favorite sights to see

May gray steals the day

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Photo by Kevin Pellon (Instagram @socalsnapz) 

The clouds burned off just in time to catch a beautiful glimpse of the sun setting over Newport Beach

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Flyover salutes another from the greatest generation

Saturday afternoon, May 9, around 3:30 p.m., Newport Beach experienced a military flyover. Did you see it?

A PBJ-1J, the only United States Marine Corps version of the B-25 Mitchell twin engine medium bomber still flying, made two passes, followed by two AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA-267) based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. 

Why were we so lucky, you ask?

Saturday afternoon was a memorial service for Col. Norm Ewers (USMC, Ret.) at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona del Mar.

Norm, you see, earned a flyover and all of our greatest respect.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, graduated from flight school and was then assigned to the Marine Corps where he served until 1969.

During his service, he flew 393 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. You read that right, 393.

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Courtesy of Dick Ewers

PBJ pilot Norm Ewers as a 20-year-old aircraft commander somewhere in the South Pacific

He was presented a Silver Star during the Korean War for rescuing a downed airman in enemy-held territory, after fighting through intense enemy automatic weapons fire. The fact is, the enemy had drawn within 100 yards of the doomed airman, when Ewers located him despite a damaged radio.

He earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second Silver Star during the Vietnam War, where, despite damage to his own aircraft, he prevented the annihilation of Vietnamese troops at the hands of two Viet Cong companies, fighting through their intense onslaught and leading 17 helicopters on three successive assaults.

Norm also received two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

In receiving the Gold Star, the commendation noted, “The President of the United States of America presents a Gold Star to Lt. Col. Norman Glen Ewers…for his courageous and daring actions, heroic leadership, and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds.”

Col. Ewers passed away at the age of 95 this past February. He was a hero in every sense.

• • •

Some schools are considered “football schools,” some are considered “basketball schools.” Newport Harbor High School has to be considered a “volleyball school.”

The Sailors won the CIF Division 1 title Saturday night at Cerritos College in Norwalk, beating Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 25-20, 25-23, 15-25 and 25-21.

The victory eased last year’s disappointment when NHHS lost to crosstown rival Corona del Mar in the CIF Championship Match after a perfect regular season.

NHHS now advances to the state tournament. 

A win there would be a nice parting gift for retiring coach Rocky Ciarelli who is walking away after 32 years of high school varsity coaching.

• • •

It’s nearing the end of the basketball season, so it’s no surprise during this time to hear Dennis Rodman’s name is in the news. However, this time, it’s not for basketball. 

As we reported last issue, Rodman and a group of friends entered Vibes Hot Yoga on W. Coast Highway last week, more than once. Reports are that Rodman and others distracted Vibes’ employees while their cohort allegedly stole merchandise.

An official police report was filed on Thursday, May 9, with the Newport Beach Police Department for “shoplifting less than $950.” The reported amount of the stolen property value was $500.

In addition, a crystal vase, estimated to have a value of more than $3,500, was dropped by the group and broke into pieces.

Police are still investigating and have not positively identified Rodman from the video. 

I’m here to tell you, my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter can positively ID Rodman in that video, and she’s never even seen him play.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

YMCA of Orange County hosts inaugural “Summer Kick Off” at Newport-Mesa Family YMCA on Saturday

The YMCA of Orange County is hosting its “Summer Kick Off” on Saturday, May 18 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA.

The day will be filled with family-friendly activities such as a bounce house and inflatable obstacle course, arts & crafts, face painting, live music and snacks/drinks. Those in attendance can also participate in various sports activities including kids relay races, water balloon activities, basketball shooting contest, soccer clinic and martial arts demos. For adults in attendance, there will be adult exercise classes to try out Cycle, Les Mills BODY COMBAT™ and BODYPUMP™, Boot Camp, Yoga and aquaerobics.

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Submitted photo

The event will also feature youth swim assessments, which are designed to help determine a child’s swim level in order to place them in appropriate classes. Guests are encouraged to visit the informational booths from all of the program areas to learn more about fitness, child care, sports, aquatics and adventure guides.

There will be special event offers such as 50 percent off membership joining fees with the first 25 people to join receiving a free gym bag.

For more information and a schedule of the event, visit www.ymcaoc.org/newport-mesa-family-ymca.

The YMCA provides fitness programs, group exercise classes and facilities, as well as educational programs to promote healthier decisions, and youth programs to keep children active and engaged. The Y provides a place where everyone can learn a new skill or hobby, living healthier and fostering connections with friends through lifelong learning programs.

Newport-Mesa Family YMCA is located at 2300 University Dr., Newport Beach. Call 949.642.9990.

Sherman Library & Gardens presents Garden Fusions, an interactive dining experience, tomorrow

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15, Sherman Library & Gardens presents Garden Fusions – Public Gardens: An Epicurean Adventure – a unique interactive gourmet dining experience, beginning at 6 p.m.

Every dinner has a horticulture theme featuring a special horticultural host. The host will share knowledge and advice on the evening’s topic. Chef Pascal Olhats, executive chef of Cafe Jardin, is challenged to create a multi-course gourmet dinner to complement the theme. This fusion between culinary and horticultural art creates unique one-of-a-kind experiences. 

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Courtesy of Sherman Library & Gardens

The Courtyard at Sherman Library & Gardens

In honor of National Public Gardens Week, Garden Director Scott LaFleur will share his favorite public gardens and the best dishes he has enjoyed at each. Chef Pascal Olhats will re-create those dishes so you can experience the cuisine of these exceptional public gardens. Hors d’oeuvres are served at 6 p.m. and a specialty drink is included; a garden talk begins at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $75 per person. Additional beverages, gratuity and tax are not included. Reservations are required. To keep the experience intimate, seating is limited to 50 guests.

The menu:

–Hors d’ oeuvres

New England Clam Chowder

Boston Baked Beans

Fish & Chips

–First Course

Shrimp & Grits

Smoked Gouda Mac-n-Cheese with Bacon

–Second Course

Great Plains Beef Burgundy

Red wine braised beef, fingerling potatoes, crimini mushrooms, mirepoix veggies   

–Dessert

Fresh Local Seasonal Fruit

To reserve your seating, call Cafe Jardin for reservations at 949.673.0033.

Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. For more information and tickets, visit www.slgardens.org.

NB Chamber hosts Business Luncheon tomorrow

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Business Luncheon Series continues tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Five Crowns Restaurant.

Themed “Brand Growth and Management,” come find out how to peel back the onion of information and value in two of the five Key Areas of brand and growth management and discover how to turn your knowledge into dollars and cents in your bank account. Ultimately, you will learn how to forever change your perspective on business and the how and why of what causes a business to succeed or fail...at any stage of business.

The featured guest speaker is Mark Maes, executive business advisor, Maes and Associates. Maes is a business advisor executive and keynote speaker with more than 25 years of experience, including general management of small to mid-size organizations, corporate development, business operations and strategy. He is the founder of the trademarked High Five Priority Business Mapping System, a proven system to collectively identify and achieve the vision, key goals and objectives within any business organization.

Mark Maes, the featured luncheon speaker, will address brand growth and management 

The luncheon is open to the public. The cost is $35 for members with reservations, $40 for members at the door, or $40 for potential members. Tickets include lunch. There is free street parking available or $6 valet parking. 

Come meet with fellow Chamber members and business professionals, and leave with contacts for your business success.

The luncheon takes place at the Five Crowns Restaurant, 801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

Register at www.newportbeach.com or by calling 949.729.4411. For more information, contact Membership Services Director Pam Smith at 949.729.4411 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

YMCA of Orange County hosts inaugural “Summer Kick Off” at the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA

The YMCA of Orange County is hosting its “Summer Kick Off” on Saturday, May 18 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Newport-Mesa Family YMCA.

The day will be filled with family-friendly activities such as a bounce house and inflatable obstacle course, arts & crafts, face painting, live music and snacks/drinks. Those in attendance can also participate in various sports activities including kids relay races, water balloon activities, basketball shooting contest, soccer clinic and martial arts demos. For adults in attendance, there will be adult exercise classes to try out Cycle, Les Mills BODY COMBAT™ and BODYPUMP™, Boot Camp, Yoga and aquaerobics.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

The event will also feature youth swim assessments, which are designed to help determine a child’s swim level in order to place them in appropriate classes. Guests are encouraged to visit the informational booths from all of the program areas to learn more about fitness, child care, sports, aquatics and adventure guides.

There will be special event offers such as 50 percent off membership joining fees with the first 25 people to join receiving a free gym bag.

For more information and a schedule of the event, visit www.ymcaoc.org/newport-mesa-family-ymca.

The YMCA provides fitness programs, group exercise classes and facilities, as well as educational programs to promote healthier decisions, and youth programs to keep children active and engaged. The Y provides a place where everyone can learn a new skill or hobby, living healthier and fostering connections with friends through lifelong learning programs.

Newport-Mesa Family YMCA is located at 2300 University Dr., Newport Beach. Call 949.642.9990.

NB Arts Commission announces juror for 2019 art exhibition, entries deadline

The Newport Beach City Arts Commission has announced that Cassandra Coblentz, Orange County Museum of Art’s (OCMA) Senior Curator and Director of Public Programs, has been selected to serve as Juror for the 55th Annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition. The annual juried art exhibition will be held on Saturday, June 15 at the Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach. 

Coblentz oversees exhibitions, public programming, talks, performances and community engagement projects at OCMA. Her career includes positions at UCLA’s Hammer Museum and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. She has also curated numerous exhibitions at The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, Penn., as well as at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University and a Master of Arts from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College.

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Courtesy of Orange County Museum of Art

OCMA’s Cassandra Coblentz selected as Art Exhibition juror

As juror, Coblentz will be judging artwork created by artists, 18 years of age or older, in four categories: watercolors (includes charcoal, pen and ink and pastels), oils and acrylics, photography and 3D multi-media/sculpture. Awards will be announced at the reception at 4:30 p.m. on June 15 in the Civic Center Community Room.

According to Arlene Greer, chair of the City Arts Commission, “We are honored and delighted that Cassandra has graciously agreed to be our juror for this important annual exhibition. We greatly appreciate her commitment to art, artists, the City Arts Commission and the Newport Beach community.”

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Courtesy of Newport Beach Arts Commission

The Newport Beach Art Exhibition takes place June 15 at the Civic Center

Now in its 55th year, the Newport Beach Art Exhibition gives the community the opportunity to view and purchase art created by hundreds of regional artists. In addition to the hundreds of original artworks on display, the Art Exhibition will feature a festive atmosphere of live music, a food, wine and beer pavilion hosted by The Bungalow Restaurant, and children’s art activities to inspire and entertain young artists.

Entries for the Newport Beach Art Exhibition will be accepted until May 27, 2019. More information, along with eligibility and submission guidelines can be found on the city website at www.newportbeachca.gov/culturalarts under “Newport Beach Art Exhibition” or at www.CaliforEntry.org.

For more information on the event, contact the Cultural Arts office, at 949.717.3802 or send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Crystal Cove to hold Field Science Saturday, May 11

Come learn more about Crystal Cove State Park’s coastal dynamics at Field Science Saturday this Saturday, May 11 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Become a scientist, as you collect data on ecological research and monitoring projects in the park.

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Courtesy of Crystal Cove Conservancy

 Meet at the Historic District Education Commons at 9:30 a.m. The event is free; there is a $15 day use fee required per vehicle. This event is recommended for ages 8 and up. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. RSVPs are requested. Register at https://crystalcove.org/event/field-science-saturday-19/.

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

CASA Pinwheel Project this Saturday at Fashion Island

May is Foster Care Awareness Month and on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County will be displaying 3,100 pinwheels in the Neiman Marcus/Bloomingdale’s Courtyard in Fashion Island.

These pinwheels represent the number of children in the Orange County foster care system for the 3rd annual Pinwheel Project Event. Receive a benefit card with promotions to select stores and restaurants at Fashion Island with a donation of $25 or more to CASA.*

Courtesy of casaoc.org

Plus, children can enjoy activities including face painting, balloon art and a DJ from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.**

Fashion Island is located at 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

*Present benefit card to redeem offer in stores, which are valid May 9-16, 2019 unless otherwise noted. Valid at Fashion Island only.

**While supplies last.

Editor’s Note: To date, 1,886 out of 3,100 pinwheels have been sponsored.

Sherman Library & Gardens presents Garden Fusions...an interactive dining experience

On Wednesday, May 15, Sherman Library & Gardens presents Garden Fusions – Public Gardens: An Epicurean Adventure – a unique interactive gourmet dining experience, beginning at 6 p.m.

Every dinner has a horticulture theme featuring a special horticultural host. The host will share knowledge and advice on the evening’s topic. Chef Pascal Olhats, executive chef of Cafe Jardin, is challenged to create a multi-course gourmet dinner to complement the theme. This fusion between culinary and horticultural art creates unique one-of-a-kind experiences. 

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Courtesy of Sherman Library & Gardens

The Courtyard at Sherman Library & Gardens

In honor of National Public Gardens Week, Garden Director Scott LaFleur will share his favorite public gardens and the best dishes he has enjoyed at each. Chef Pascal Olhats will re-create those dishes so you can experience the cuisine of these exceptional public gardens. Hors d’oeuvres are served at 6 p.m. and a specialty drink is included; a garden talk begins at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $75 per person. Additional beverages, gratuity and tax are not included. Reservations are required. To keep the experience intimate, seating is limited to 50 guests.

The menu:

–Hors d’ oeuvres

New England Clam Chowder

Boston Baked Beans

Fish & Chips

–First Course

Shrimp & Grits

Smoked Gouda Mac-n-Cheese with Bacon

–Second Course

Great Plains Beef Burgundy

Red wine braised beef, fingerling potatoes, crimini mushrooms, mirepoix veggies   

–Dessert

Fresh Local Seasonal Fruit

To reserve your seating, call Cafe Jardin for reservations at 949.673.0033.

Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. For more information and tickets, visit www.slgardens.org.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in spectacular new production

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera will make a triumphant return to Orange County at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, July 10-21. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of Phantom is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

According to Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Having received great critical acclaim in the U.K. and North America, I am really pleased that Laurence Connor’s new production of Phantom will continue to tour the U.S. playing in tandem with the Broadway production which just celebrated 31 years at the Majestic Theatre.”

 “With Phantom still the reigning champion as the longest-running production on Broadway after 31 phenomenal years, with no end in sight, I’m delighted that this spectacular new production of Phantom has been as well-received in the U.S. as the brilliant original and has already been seen by over 4.5 million people across North America since it opened in November 2013. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Björnson’s amazing costumes, the new Phantom is thrilling audiences and critics alike all over again,” said Mackintosh.

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Photo by Matthew Murphy

Courtesy of scfta.org

Quentin Oliver Lee and Eva Tavares star in “The Phantom of the Opera”

Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is presented by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Group, and NETworks Presentations. The production is directed by Laurence Connor (who co-directed the new production of Les Misérables that is back on tour across North America after a hugely successful revival on Broadway; directed the award-winning new production of Miss Saigon that played London’s West End and Broadway and is now on a tour across North America; and also directed the stage version of the movie School of Rock now playing in London’s West End and on North American Tour), with choreography by Scott Ambler, set design by Paul Brown, Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award winner Paule Constable, sound design by Mick Potter and musical supervision by John Rigby. The production is overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh. The Phantom of the Opera: music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart (with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe), book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Tickets start at $35.75 and are available for purchase at www.scfta.org, by calling 714.556.2787 and at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, July 20 will include audio description, open captioning and sign-language interpretation. The Center offers many services for patrons with disabilities including removable wheelchair locations, binoculars and assistive listening devices. To learn more visit www.scfta.org/accessibilityinformation.

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

Pacific Symphony premieres The Music Man with Broadway stars

Pacific Symphony expands its semi-staged series of operas with a timeless musical: Meredith Willson’s The Music Man in Concert, which tells the story of a fast-talking con man who has his heart stolen by the town librarian. By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is a story to be shared with every generation. Pacific Symphony presents this charming and whimsical show, performed live with a one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, lush ballads and barbershop quartets, including such perennial favorites as “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Til There Was You,” “Marian the Librarian” and “Goodnight My Someone.”

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Photos courtesy of Pacific Symphony

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Jeremy Stolle stars as leading man Harold Hill

The Music Man in Concert premieres this season with Pacific Symphony and a cast of Broadway stars including Jeremy Stolle (Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Elena Shaddow (The Visit, Bridges of Madison County) and Aaron Kaburick (Billy Elliot, Something Rotten, Hello, Dolly!).

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.Elena Shaddow takes the stage portraying Marian Parco

With a backdrop of stunning original projections by Sam Geist and Jeffrey A. Margolis and cast of young actors, singers and musicians from Orange County, you’ll enjoy the most memorable and heart-warming moments from the classic Broadway production.

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Aaron Kaburick plays Marcellus Washburn, among other roles

The Music Man in Concert takes place on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets start at $46. This concert is part of the 2018-19 Pops series that features “music’s most enduring favorites backed by the ‘Hollywood’ sounds of Pacific Symphony,” sponsored by The Westin, PBS SoCal and K-Earth 101.

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.PacificSymphony.org or call the box office at 714.755.5799.

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

Age Well Senior Services seeks support for south Orange County senior programs

Age Well Senior Services, Inc., one of Orange County’s leading providers of senior programs, services and resources, seeks the support of Orange County residents to donate to the nonprofit that provides direct, life-sustaining services for seniors living in south Orange County communities. Gifts support Age Well programs Meals on Wheels, case management, in-home services, senior centers and door-to-door ride services. 

Statistics show people are living longer right here in Orange County. While many are able to stay in their homes and participate in community life as they age, sadly many are living beyond the ability to care for themselves. 

“Many of our seniors are outliving their family and friends. Their health is failing, their money is gone, and they’re not eating right,” said Age Well’s CEO Steve Moyer.

“After decades of overcoming some of life’s toughest challenges, they face their greatest crisis while isolated and alone. But you can help! Your gift will support Age Well’s programs for seniors in need. Our message is simple: If you live in O.C., please Give in O.C. Our goal is to help seniors in our community AGE WELL.”

You can help with a donation to Age Well, call 949.855.8033 for details or visit the nonprofit’s website at www.myagewell.org/SpringGive.

Last year, Age Well served 342,474 Meals on Wheels and 75,747 senior center lunches; provided 64,568 non-emergency medical transportation trips for seniors in need, 2,199 hours of case management and 2,428 hours of in-home services. In addition, through its 10 senior centers, Age Well offers health and wellness classes, along with a broad spectrum of activities, seminars and educational classes.

Locally, Age Well Senior Services provides Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors in Newport Beach, Newport Coast and Corona del Mar. Age Well also provides a lunch Monday-Friday at the OASIS Senior Center for all seniors in the area to stop in and meet their neighbors for a nominal donation.

Old Newport photo display at Balboa Branch Library

Come check out the new photo display of Old Newport at the Newport Beach Historical Society + Museum located at the Balboa Branch Library.

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Courtesy of Newport Beach Historical Society + Museum

Dory Fleet & Open Air Fish Market – 1891-Present, circa 1960s

The library is located on the Peninsula at 100 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach. Hours are Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Closed Sundays. A docent can be arranged by calling 949.232.7373. For more information, visit www.newportbeachhistorical.org.

Editor’s Note: The Dory Fishing Fleet is located adjacent to the Newport Pier at McFadden Place and Ocean Front. The fleet and the open-air fish market have operated at this location since Portuguese fishermen founded it in 1891. The fishermen once launched their dory boats from the shore and would bring their catch directly to the beach for their wives to sell while they repaired their nets. The fishermen’s catch would, and still could, include various types of local fish such as sea bass, halibut, tuna, mackerel and other seafood such as crabs, lobsters and even sea urchins. Because of safety issues and a crowded beach, the dory fishermen are required to launch their boats at facilities such as the Dunes or keep their boats in the harbor on moorings or at slips. (Information, courtesy of the NBHS + Museum.)

58th annual Roy Emerson Tennis Class set for Memorial Day weekend

Arguably the longest-running local tennis tournament in Southern California, for 58 seasons tennis legend Roy Emerson and his tennis champion wife, Joy, have fronted the Adoption Guild Tennis Classic. New this season is the Pickleball Tournament benefitting a charity close to their hearts and the heart of the community at large – Holy Family Services and Foster Care Agency (HFS). Funds raised at this tennis event, along with funds raised at the Guild’s Patroness Luncheon held earlier this year, go directly to support the services provided by HFS. The massive undertaking is being co-chaired by Chris Garber and Katie Richardson.

The Palisades Tennis Club is set to host the event over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, where some 400 local players will compete in matches leading up to final play on Memorial Day at Palisades Tennis Club.

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Photo by Pam Selber

(L-R) Ken Stuart; Katie Richardson, co-chair; Chris Garber, president and Roy Emerson

Adoption Guild tournament volunteers have planned a series of special events including the anticipated Tournament Party set for May 25th at The Tennis Club at Newport Beach Country Club featuring local food vendors, complimentary beer and wine and entertainment. The party is free to tournament players. Guests wishing to attend the party can purchase a ticket at the door for $25. Those attending must be 21 years or older.

During the tournament, players and guests will enjoy shopping at the boutique featuring tennis accessories and golf and tennis clothing. Also featured will be an opportunity drawing booth with more than 25 prizes.

On Monday, May 27 for the finals, a “Sponsor Garden” will welcome VIP sponsors with a Champagne reception, gourmet food and premier seating for viewing finals play. Roy Emerson is set to address the large contingent with support for tennis generally and for The Adoption Guild and their support of HFS.

HFS strongly embraces the values of diversity and inclusion as they strive to provide caring, non-judgmental support for birth parents considering adoption, to unite children and infants in need of a home with hopeful adoptive parents, and to create strong, loving families of all shapes and sizes.

Winners in each of the open divisions of tennis play shall receive a portion of the $15,000 total prize money sponsored by the Orange County Breakers.

New this year, the Adoption Guild will produce a pickleball tournament by popular demand hosted by The Tennis Club in conjunction with the annual tennis classic. Organizers are expecting some 150 entries.

Community Sponsors supporting the event include: Meyer Natural Foods, Landsea Homes, The Kling Family Foundation, Tennis Warehouse, OC Lifesmiles-John Cross, DDS, Arcadia Capital Group, LLC, Arroyo Capital, LLC, First American Title Homebuilder Services, Baoni International, Allergan, Inc., Olson & Cahill Tax Services, Christine Johnson, Pamela Selber, Ed and Angela Grasso, Patricia Houston and Debbie Sampson.

Players can sign up for the singles and doubles at the Open level as well as a series of NTRP levels. All entry fees and requirements are listed on the website. Sponsors enjoy prime seating for all finals matches. The tennis classic is always a sell-out event.

To register for the event or find out more about the Adoption Guild Tennis Classic and Pickleball tournament, visit www.adoptionguild.org.

16th Annual Newport Beach Wine Festival at Balboa Bay Resort

This Memorial Day Weekend, enjoy three days of winemaker dinners, tastings and more, as you celebrate the 16th Annual Newport Beach Wine Festival. The festival begins Friday evening with a waterfront Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel winemaker dinner and continues Saturday with a Mac(allan) & Cheese Whisky Tasting with The Macallan, Grand Wine and Food Tasting and Patio Party at A&O Kitchen+Bar. On Sunday, there is a Taittinger Champange Brunch at Waterline Newport Beach, Culinary Showcase and Wine Blending Event. The Festival is for those ages 21 and over only.

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Courtesy of Balboa Bay Resort

Balboa Bay Resort overlooking Newport Harbor

Schedule of Events:

–Friday, May 24:

~Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel Winemaker Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Waterline Newport Beach. Cost: $175+. Features the iconic Napa Valley vineyards and a five-course dinner expertly prepared by Executive Chef Vic Casanova and Chef de Cuisine Josh Shapiro.

–Saturday, May 25:

~ Mac(allan) & Cheese Whisky Tasting from 12-2 p.m. in the Library Room. Cost: $90++. Savor a selection of The Macallan’s finest expressions, while learning about what makes each pour unique, all with perfect cheese pairings.

~Grand Wine & Food Tasting from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Waterline and Waterfront Meeting Space. Cost: $125++. From California’s Napa Valley to France’s Champagne valley, enjoy 25 premium and award-winning wineries, 100+ varietals, spirit selections, an array of food stations, live entertainment and waterfront views.

~Patio Party at A&O Kitchen+Bar from 6-9:00 p.m. in the A&O Kitchen+Bar. Cost: $60++. Relish in an evening of hand-crafted cocktails, coastal California bites and live music, all with unrivaled views of Balboa Bay.

–Sunday, May 26:

~Taittinger Champagne Brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Waterline Newport Beach. Cost: $80++. Start the morning off in the best way with a delicious brunch with your favorite classic options, a few new favorites, and of course, Taittinger Champagne. 

~Culinary Showcase from 12-2 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Cost: $75++. Learn from the Resort’s culinary team, including Executive Chef Vic Casanova, Balboa Bay Club Executive Chef Jacob Davis, Chef de Cuisine Josh Shapiro, Banquet Chef Tom Tobin and Pastry Chef Saree Musick, as they create fresh summer fare perfect for friends and family. Guests will receive their own set of ingredients to follow along with the demonstration and will enjoy the dishes they learned how to cook – created by their chefs.

~Wine Blending Experience from 2-4 p.m.in the Meeting Room. Cost: $60++. Create your own blend of your favorite wines and learn what makes a perfect blend. Take home your own bottle and label to share your creation.

Festival Passes, Individual Tickets and Room Packages are available at this link:
https://nightout.com/events/16th-annual-newport-beach-wine-festival/tickets.

Take Five: Meet Laura Detweiler, director of Recreation & Senior Services, City of Newport Beach

By AMY SENK

Parents throughout Newport Beach face the Big Question every time summer rolls around: What should we do with our kids to keep them busy, entertained and active during those school-free months? The City of Newport Beach, through its Recreation & Senior Services Department, can help with Camp Newport, a collection of weeklong camps that run the gamut from swimming or surfing to theater, culinary camps and more. The City also has options for special needs kids. I caught up with Laura Detweiler, the city’s director of Recreation & Senior Services, to find out more about where the cool kids will be hanging out this summer vacation. 

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Courtesy of the City of Newport Beach

Q: What exactly is Camp Newport, and how many kids does it serve each summer?

A: The City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Department presents Camp Newport, as a collection of more than 565 unique camps that take place throughout the city during the summer months, serving more than 6,500 residents and visitors each year. Half-day and full-day options are available in a variety of areas of interests, including STEAM, sports, surfing, special needs and more. Visit www.campnewport.com for a complete list.

Q: Which activities and camps are new this year?

A: In addition to our returning favorites, we have a great lineup of brand-new camps to choose from. Brainstorm is new this summer with a variety of science and tech-based camps for kids of all ages. Kids Care will be offering both inclusive gymnastics camps and camps designed specifically for youth with special needs out of our 16th Street Recreation Center. We Break Hip Hop Dance is hosting three different weeks of their exciting introduction to breakdancing camp. Local athletes from Landsharks Lacrosse will be hosting Lacrosse Camp on the field at Newport Elementary with the famous Balboa Pier hovering just beyond. Designed to teach children about integrity, respect, empathy and charity, Manners, Character & Social Skills camp is a perfect way to set your kids up for success. For a fun and stress-free camp option, Mega Super Co. is offering a Mega Playground Sports camp where campers can play classic playground sports like handball, dodgeball, kickball and more.

Q: What are the most popular sessions, and which are some that you think are under-appreciated?

A: The City-staffed Summer Day Camp is often one of the first camps to sell out because of its incredible value – $150 gets you supervised beach days, games, crafts, an off-site field trip and more. Over the last few years, participation in our science-based camps has really risen. Beach and surf camps are always a hit, too. We have brought on new instructors who are growing their programs, so our Beach Elite Volleyball is definitely under-appreciated in comparison to their Huntington Beach location. If you are looking for a little more instruction in volleyball, take the camp at 14th Street. New last year, our Fencing camps with Gryphon Fitness have a fun take on a historic sport. Sports like this can be intimidating at a glance, but rest assured not only are these camps fun, they are taught in a safe, respectful environment.

Q: What’s the most inspirational Camp Newport story?

A: Every year, we have kids that are timid or afraid of the ocean on the first day who become surfers by the end of the week or improve significantly after a few weeks of surf camps. Last year, there was a student who signed up for a BMX bike camp who didn’t know how to ride a bike. By the end of camp, she was attempting the ramps and a great rider.

Q: What is your favorite summertime memory from your own childhood, and does that shape your attitude toward Camp Newport?

A: I loved the summers as a kid, as it meant playing and exploring outside all day with my friends. I am certain it shaped who I am today, how I interact with people and enjoy what each day brings. I still look forward to the summer months knowing the enriching programs our team puts together each year with Camp Newport. It’s an amazing feeling to know we provide life-changing experiences for the thousands of kids enrolled in our programs. If I could have a do over, it would be to grow up in Newport Beach and be a Camp Newport kid.

On the Harbor: From angling to clean up

By LEN BOSE

Plenty of activity in the harbor, this month of May 2019, so let’s dive head first into it. You had to have noticed last Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, everyone fishing in the 56th annual Lilly Call Tournament. This event takes place in the harbor with the first 75 anglers signing up getting to participate. From my view of the harbor, while traveling over the Pacific Coast Highway bridge at 8:30 Saturday morning, all the participants were starting to show signs of an “all-nighter” with the tournament starting at 12:01 Saturday morning. I had all the intentions of heading out to interview the anglers but the odds for me completing that task are about the same as winning the lotto.

So here is the next best thing – the winners: Bass in 3rd place was Jeff McDonald at 1.81 (weight), 2nd place Ryan Lawler at 1.97 and in 1st place was Davy Schweickert, crushing the competition with a 3.35 Bass. Corbina in 3rd place was Tim Humphrey at 3.64, Tommy Tupman lifted up a 4.14 fish for 2nd place, while Alyssa Corum brought home the winning pickle dish at 4.77. Over in the Halibut species Casey McCann caught a 5.57 for 3rd place, in second was Chris Scott at 6.05, while the winner was Patrick Serge, catching a 6.43 Bass. There were no grand slam winners this year by catching all three species.

The next two big events at the Balboa Angling Club are the White Seabass Seminar on May 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the clubhouse, then on May 25, the Annual Fundraising event. You can call the clubhouse for details at 949.673.6316. The Balboa Angling Club is the best value in town, and if you are looking for Junior programs for your kids this summer, this is a must call. 

• • •

Saturday is Opening Day for the Balboa and the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Clubs, while the Newport Harbor Yacht Club celebrated its opening day last Sunday. From the different posted photos, I noticed the weather was perfect and the membership could not have been prouder of their new NHYC clubhouse. I always enjoy Opening Day and I am sure you will find me doing my yellow beard walk between the two clubs. You will have to come up to me and ask what I mean about my yellow beard walk.

For all of my readers, I have re-posted my Flag Etiquette column I wrote back in 2007 under the title “The True Yachtsman Guide to Flag Etiquette for Opening Day,” which you can find at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com. I also posted a YouTube video of the yellow beard walk along with the best way home.

• • •

This Tuesday starts the summer sailing season with the famous Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club’s Taco Tuesdays. Each summer, I look forward to sailing in the weeknight races around the harbor. With the thought of summer sailing quickly approaching, the smile has already returned to my face. NHYC twilights will be starting on May 23. Life is good!

• • •

Next up on the harbor is the Balboa Bay Club’s “Underwater Clean Up” on Saturday, June 1 from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Two hundred volunteers and 80 scuba divers collected 4,000 pounds of trash out of the harbor last year. Enjoy live music and tasty pupus that only the Bay Club can provide afterward. For more information, go to 

www.nhunderwatercleanup.com for more information.

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Courtesy of Project Aware

We’re gearing up for Underwater Clean Up Day on June 1

• • •

I attended this month’s Harbor Commission meeting and overall, it felt like two steps forward and three steps back. I don’t have time to write about the items that concerned me, so I have to remember what my father told me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” which is probably too much already. Okay. It is always good to see Chris Miller attending from Public Works to update the commission on eelgrass. Let me start out by saying, “Eelgrass is our friend.” in fact, the yacht clubs should make T-shirts with this written on the front of them for Opening Day. You all should know by now Newport Harbor is the only harbor in California with a specific plan which allows the city to permit dredging and impact shallow water eelgrass. Bottom line is it is very difficult for the city to survey the eelgrass and keep the plan in place with all the different government agencies. Short story, just remember “Eelgrass is our friend.”

It was also very comforting to see Lt. Corn from the Sheriff’s Department attending the meeting. The most heartwarming thing I watched was how Harbor Master Kurt Borsting reached out to the public and addressed their concerns. Borsting followed a mooring permit holder out of the meeting to explain to them, in person, on how he could help them with the new time limits on the public piers. Borsting also hurried up to catch me before I had left the meeting at its close. I have never witnessed this before and it left me with an encouraging feeling that we’re all working together to make our harbor better. 

Sea ya.

~~~~~~~~

Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for 

Stu News Newport.

NMUSD announces student Angels Scholars

Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) announces three students have been selected as Angels Scholars and awarded four-year college scholarships from the Angels Baseball Foundation. This is a prestigious recognition that was awarded to only 19 of the more than 100 students that applied. This is the third year in a row that at least one NMUSD student has received an Angels scholarship.

Photos courtesy of NMUSD

Rafael Arias Torres, Newport Harbor High School, who plans to study Computer Science at Northeastern University

Sofia Chavez, Early College High School, who plans to study Nursing at the University of California, Irvine

Anahi Villagrana, Newport Harbor High School, who plans to study Chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara

Since 2016, the Angels Baseball Foundation has awarded four-year college scholarships to outstanding high school seniors. The process includes Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teachers nominating students based on high academic achievements, financial need, community involvement and the desire to pursue higher education. The AVID program helps schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach that focuses on closing the opportunity gap to prepare all students for success in a global society.

“We have a phenomenal AVID program and are fortunate to have three deserving students awarded four-year scholarships to college,” said Dr. Fred Navarro, NMUSD superintendent. “Thank you to the Angels Foundation for investing in our students’ future!” he said.

To be eligible for the Angels Scholars scholarships, each graduating senior must meet the following criteria:

–A 3.0 unweighted grade point average

–Accepted to a four-year higher education institution

–At least one Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or college transferrable course

–Fifty (50) or more hours of community service in high school

–At least one extracurricular and/or leadership activity

–And more...

Students will be honored at an Angels Baseball Foundation ceremony in June.

The Wedge is trending

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Photo by Tina Treglia (Instagram @ttregs)

The waves at the Wedge have been a popular spot for local photographers lately and we see why

Newport Beach Historical Society celebrates history of NBFD, 20th anniversary of CERT

The Newport Beach Historical Society and the City of Newport Beach celebrated the history of the Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) and 20th anniversary of the CERT program on May 6 at the Newport Beach Public Library. Newport Beach Fire Chief Chip Duncan was the keynote speaker.

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Photos courtesy of Newport Beach Historical Society

(L-R) CERT volunteer Evalie DuMars, NBFD Life Safety Specialist and CERT Program Coordinator Matt Brisbois, Newport Beach Historical Society President Bernie Svalstad and CERT volunteer Ardith Chaffee

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 (L-R) Newport Beach Councilmember Joy Brenner, NBFD Chief Chip Duncan and Bernie Svalstad

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 (L-R) Newport Beach Firefighters Nick Yaroma, Jeff Terzo, Adam Davenport and Chris Fanti

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 (L-R) Newport Beach Fire Department photos from the Newport Beach Historical Society archives

The CERT Program is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using CERT training to save lives and protect property. Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining needs. CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. For more information, visit www.nbcert.org.

If you were not able to attend the event, it will be aired on NBTV Channel 3.

NBCC Business Luncheon scheduled for May 15

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Business Luncheon Series continues on Wednesday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Five Crowns Restaurant.

Themed “Brand Growth and Management,” come find out how to peel back the onion of information and value in two of the five Key Areas of brand and growth management and discover how to turn your knowledge into dollars and cents in your bank account. Ultimately, you will learn how to forever change your perspective on business and the how and why of what causes a business to succeed or fail...at any stage of business.

The featured guest speaker is Mark Maes, executive business advisor, Maes and Associates. Maes is a business advisor executive and keynote speaker with more than 25 years of experience, including general management of small to mid-size organizations, corporate development, business operations and strategy. He is the founder of the trademarked High Five Priority Business Mapping System, a proven system to collectively identify and achieve the vision, key goals and objectives within any business organization.

Mark Maes, the featured luncheon speaker, will address brand growth and management 

The luncheon is open to the public. The cost is $35 for members with reservations, $40 for members at the door, or $40 for potential members. Tickets include lunch. There is free street parking available or $6 valet parking. 

Come meet with fellow Chamber members and business professionals, and leave with contacts for your business success.

The luncheon takes place at the Five Crowns Restaurant, 801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

Register at www.newportbeach.com or by calling 949.729.4411. For more information, contact Membership Services Director Pam Smith at 949.729.4411 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

More Wedge waves…

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Photo by Clark Reeder (Instgram @crca.photo)

The Wedge has been firing some serious swell and local surfers are stoked

Celebrate the U.S. Army’s 244th birthday at Heroes Hall on June 14

Mark your calendar for Friday, June 14 from 11 a.m.-1p.m., and come celebrate the U.S. Army’s 244th birthday at Heroes Hall on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center.

Festivities include lunch, cake, music and more. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m. with the program starting promptly at 11 a.m.

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Courtesy of Orange County Fair & Event Center

Heroes Hall

RSVP to www.heroeshallarmy.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited.

The event is sponsored by the OC Fair & Event Center and the Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation. For more information, call 714.708.1976 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

OC Fair & Event Center is located at 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. For this event, enter through Gate 1.

Be a part of the team…volunteer at the CdM Scenic 5k 

The Corona del Mar is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help with the 38th annual CdM Scenic 5k taking place on Saturday, June 1. Be a part of a fun team while giving back to our community.

There are open volunteer positions for: event set-up, registration, start line, T-shirt station, runners gear station, coffee station, water station, course security and event breakdown. Coffee and pastries will be served.

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Courtesy of CdM Chamber of Commerce

To sign up online, visit www.cdmchamber.com/scenic-5k-volunteer-submittal/.

In addition, come cheer on the participants in the 5k, 2-mile Celebration Walk, 2-Mile Youth Run and 1k Kid’s Dolphin Dash.

For more information on the CdM 5k, go here.

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Mayor Diane Dixon sets her sights on 74th Assembly District seat in 2020

Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon announced this week that she’s planning to make a run against Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for California’s 74th Assembly District in 2020. 

The 74th District serves Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, parts of Huntington Beach and Laguna Woods.

“Local control, fiscal discipline, unfunded pension liabilities, protecting our harbor, beaches and bay, and public safety,” are what Diane believes to be the big issues she’ll run on.

When I asked her about why now and why this office, she offered up this example: “As the Legislature tinkers around with whatever the Democrats’ cause du jour is, the really important issues are kicked down the road. The Democrats were able to pass a plastic straw ban in a heartbeat, but they have yet to address the huge unfunded pension liabilities that are sinking cities and counties up and down the state.”

Lastly, no Newport Beach City Council member has ever advanced up to any higher elected office, so, what makes her different?

“In the past, the Newport Beach City Council members have been Republicans running against other Republicans in the primary election. We now have a Democratic incumbent so the choice between policies in November 2020 will be stark.”

Diane says that she is actively fundraising and expects “the opposition to bring in huge sums from outside contributors.”

November 2020 might seem like a long way off, but I promise you, it’ll be here before you know it.

• • •

Did you know we celebrate National Public Gardens Week from May 9 through the 19th? Don’t tell them, but that’s more than a week. Anyway, Sherman Library & Gardens is celebrating the week, eh, week and a half, looking to add some new volunteers to their mix.

So, this Monday, May 13, from 10:30 a.m. until noon, you’re invited into their Tea Garden to find out more. They are even offering coffee and bagels to lure you in.

Other current volunteers will be on hand to greet you as a guest, answer questions, let you know all the goings on and fun the place is having, and hopefully find a place to get you involved.

Some opportunities where you can get involved are gardening, events, library and gift shop work, they even have book clubs, walking clubs and a “sowers” group that crafts for their Christmas Open House.

So you can see, they’re a lot of ways to plug in.

I say, go for the bagels, stay for the volunteer work. It should make for a good time.

• • •

Looking over the fence at our neighboring Costa Mesa, this week their City Council named Lori Ann Farrell Harrison as their new City Manager. Harrison has been the Assistant City Manager in Huntington Beach since 2017 and replaces the recently departed Tom Hatch.

• • •

Mother’s Day won’t the same this year with my soon-to-be 89-year-old mom some 1,450 miles away this year in Dallas, TX. Fortunately, she is in the very capable hands of my youngest sister, Carol.

To my mom, Marilyn, and all other Mothers out there, I wish you a wonderful day surrounded by loved ones. You all deserve it.

Speak Up Newport: Tolerance and Human Relations in Newport Beach

Speak Up Newport will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 8, presenting Tolerance and Human Relations in Newport Beach. Is tolerance and disregard for those different than ourselves prevalent in Newport Beach?

The issue of tolerance and human relations gained both local and national attention in the Newport-Mesa area with the social media posting of a Nazi swastika.

Join Speak Up Newport to hear a panel discussion on this important topic.

Panelists Rabbi Reuven Mintz, director with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life; Duaa Alwan, co-founder of the Muslim’s Speaker’s Network and Dr. Phil D’Agostino, Newport Mesa Unified School District Human Relations Task Force and director of Student and Community Services will present their views on how Newport Beach is faring with respect to tolerance and human relations.

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Photos courtesy of Speak Up Newport

(L-R) Rabbi Reuven Mintz, Duaa Alwan and Dr. Phil D’Agostino

Meeting Schedule:

–5:15-6 p.m.: Reception with a complimentary light supper provided by The Bungalow with wine available for purchase.

–6-7 p.m.: Program and Q&A

There is no cost to attend and the public is invited. Reservations are not necessary.

For more information, call 949.224.2266 or visit www.speakupnewport.com.

The Speak Up Newport meeting takes place at the Newport Beach Civic Center Community Room, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach.

ENC hosts Hummingbird Parenting class

There’s still time to sign up for the Environmental Nature Center’s (ENC) Hummingbird Parenting class, taking place on Wednesday, May 8 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Come join ENC Nature Preschool Director Sue Bierlich and Little Naturalist Camp Director Valerie Bain for the third Hummingbird Parenting class, that is about the importance of kindness and inclusiveness, and a very important perspective on children’s art.

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Courtesy of ENC

Parents in a previous Hummingbird class in the “mud kitchen”

This series provides parents with tools for encouraging their children’s healthy development through play and sensory learning in nature. Each time, the program focuses on a different “parenting with nature” topic. The benefits of nature play are proven, but sometimes parents don’t know where to begin. ENC wants to help.

 There is no charge for this class. For more information and to register, visit https://encenter.org/blog/events/hummingbird-parenting-4/. Call 949.645.8489, ext. 103.

Environmental Nature Center is located at 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach.

Upcoming May events at OC Fair & Event Center

May is filled with exciting happenings at the OC Fair & Event Center including March for Babies, Sand Sports Super Swap, Urban Chickens Demystified, Jack Milne Cup at the Costa Mesa Speedway, Gem Faire, OC Night Market, Goat Yoga at Centennial Farm and Scottish Fest USA...so there is something for everyone.

Schedule of May events:

–Saturday, May 11 from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Sand Sports Super Swap: The Sand Sports Super Swap is a one-day opportunity for off-road enthusiasts to “swap” their sand toys and equipment. Sellers of new and used quads, dune buggies, motorcycles, tires, engine parts, helmets and anything for the off-road enthusiast are welcome.

Cost: $10 general admission; free for children 10 and younger. Parking is $9. www.sandsportssupershow.com

–Saturday, May 11 with registration at 7:30 a.m.; start time at 8:15 a.m. – March for Babies: March For Babies is a 5K fundraising event benefiting March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that helps raise funds to support research, advocacy and programs for the health of all moms and babies. Cost: Registration is free and fundraising is optional. www.marchforbabies.org

–Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. – Farm Class - Urban Chickens Demystified: Whether you want to get started with chickens, or already have an established flock, this class will showcase why you should equip your garden with these amazing multitaskers. Attendees will learn the essentials for creating a personalized feed blend that meets the needs of your chickens and will be able to craft a sample to take home. Cost: $15 covers materials and/or handouts. www.ocfair.com/gardenclasses

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–Saturday, May 11 with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.; qualifying at 6 p.m.; first race at 7:30 p.m. – Costa Mesa Speedway - Jack Milne Cup: For 50 years, Speedway races have entertained spectators with the thrill of speed, precision and sliding around turns the motorcyclists perform. With a 185-yard oval track, the noise and atmosphere promises an electrifying time. Cost: $20 general admission; $15 seniors (65+); military and juniors (ages 13-17); $10 children (3-12) and free for kids 2 and younger. Parking is $9. www.costamesaspeedway.net

–Friday, May 17 from 12-6 p.m.; Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Gem Faire: Fine jewelry, precious & semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold & silver, minerals & much more at manufacturer’s prices. Nearly 200 exhibitors from around the world. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing while you wait. Cost: $7 general admission (admission is good for all three days); free for children 11 and younger. Parking is $9. www.gemfaire.com

–Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 4-11 p.m. – OC Night Market: Produced by 626 Night Market, OC Night Market features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. 626 Night Market aims to unite and empower the community by serving as a platform for showcasing local entrepreneurs, businesses, artists and talent. Cost: $5 general admission; free for children 3 and younger. Parking is $9. www.ocnightmarket.com

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–Saturday, May 18 with the first session from 8-9:15 a.m.; second session from 9:30-10:45 a.m.; and third session from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Goat Yoga: Things will get wild at Centennial Farm when Goat Yoga returns, giving participants the unique chance to do yoga with baby pygmy goats who like to frolic and climb on yogis. For those not ready to hit the mat with animal friends, there will be free playtime and photos with goats and the chance to tour Centennial Farm. Cost: $45 per yoga session; free to watch and tour Centennial Farm. www.spectrayoga.com/events

–Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Scottish Fest USA: Enjoy a fun, family-friendly weekend of Scottish and Celtic entertainment and food. Enjoy the sounds of almost 500 bagpipers, drummers and world-class musical groups, explore your heritage along the Scottish Clan Row and watch the amazing athletes as they toss the caber and stone put. Walk through more than 60 vendors selling everything from top-quality Scottish kilts to fairy wings and crowns. Cost: $23 general admission; $20 seniors (61+); $5 children ages 6-12; free for children 5 and younger. Free for military (with ID). Parking is $9. www.scottishfest.com

Music is abuzz at JWA with new piano

John Wayne Airport (JWA) has announced the launch of a new Play Me! Piano program for spontaneous live music in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal. The program is modeled after the “Play Me, I’m Yours” street piano project and provides a stage for airport guests to sit down and share their talent. 

The Avant Grand piano is located in the post-security area on the upper level between Terminals A and B.

Courtesy of JWA

“As part of our commitment to elevating the superior guest experience at John Wayne Airport, Play Me! Piano is an excellent opportunity for our ticketed guests to share their piano talent or enjoy the musical abilities of others,” said Barry Rondinella, airport director. “Live music in the Terminal creates a peaceful ambiance for guests to unwind and relax before their flight.” 

Play Me! Piano is part of the JWAlive music program intended to enhance the guest experience at the Airport by providing live acoustic guitar and piano performances in the Terminal accessible to ticketed passengers.

When passengers are traveling through the airport, they can post JWAlive musical performances on social media using the hashtags #FlyJWA and #PlayMeJWAPiano or follow JWAon Instagram and Twitter(@johwnwayneair) or Facebook (@johnwayneairport).

To learn more about the Play Me! Piano or the JWAlive music performance programs, visit www.ocair.com/jwalive.

Mesa Water provides fun-filled education to local students at Water Festival

More than 7,500 third, fourth and fifth grade Orange County students – including approximately 600 from Newport-Mesa Unified School District – attended the 23rd annual Children’s Water Education Festival, where Mesa Water District hosted a fun-filled booth including education sessions facilitated by the Discovery Science Foundation.

The NMUSD elementary schools that participated included Newport Elementary, Newport Heights, College Park, Davis, Pomona, Rea and Wilson.

The youngsters enjoyed learning about local water resources and received Mesa Water® goodies. The students also enjoyed painting a “Water is Life” themed mural with Mesa Water partner, Operation Clean Slate, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that involves students in the creation of brightly colored murals that beautify school campuses and communities.

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Courtesy of Mesa Water District

The festival, presented by the Orange County Water District (OCWD), Disneyland Resort, National Water Research Institute and the OCWD Groundwater Guardian Team, was held at Aldrich Park at University of California, Irvine on March 27-28, the largest of its kind in the U.S. It featured more than 60 organizations, which provided activities, games and workshops for the students.

In supporting the festival, Mesa Water has helped advance the knowledge of more than 129,000 local students over the years, and they look forward to many more.

In addition, May is Water Awareness Month and Mesa Water would like to recommend the following helpful tips:

–Sweep (don’t spray) to clean outdoor areas, which saves 8-18 gallons per minute.

–Set mower blades to three inches to encourage deeper root growth and saves 16-50 gallons per day.

–Use mulch in your planters to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool, which saves 20-30 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. each time you water.

Mesa Water District serves the city of Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach and the John Wayne Airport. For more information, visit www.mesawater.org.

Linda Schilling rejoins Human Options BOD

Human Options, an Orange County-based nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of relationship violence, has announced a returning board member, Linda Schilling, to the Board of Directors. 

Schilling is the founding partner of Schilling Law Group, PC in Newport Beach. Throughout her 30-year law career, she has been committed to providing pro bono legal assistance and access to justice to low-income clients and nonprofits, including the 10-year prosecution of a federal habeas corpus action on behalf of a California death row inmate, defending independent documentary film producers against allegations of trademark and copyright infringement, and representing Human Options and its clients, among several other domestic violence shelters in Orange County.

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Submitted photo

Newport Beach resident, Linda Schilling, returns to Human Options BOD

Prior to founding Schilling Law Group, Newport Beach resident Schilling practiced for 27 years at two major international law firms, Latham & Watkins LLP, where she was a Senior Partner, and Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker. She has successfully represented clients across the United States in complex litigation matters pertaining to contract disputes, commercial leases, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, employment claims and insurance coverage disputes.

Schilling formerly served on the board of directors of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, as well as the board of directors and the executive committee of Human Options.

“We are so pleased to welcome Linda Schilling back to our Board of Directors,” said Maricela Rios-Faust, CEO of Human Options. “Her legal expertise and years of commitment of helping underserved victims of relationship violence will only strengthen Human Options’ ability to advocate for those affected by abuse and empower survivors on their journey of healing.”

“I am delighted to rejoin the Board of Human Options and work again with Maricela and the other outstanding leaders at Human Options to provide much-needed assistance to all of those impacted by domestic violence,” Schilling said.

For more information about Human Options, visit www.humanoptions.org.

Farm to Fork: A Foodie’s Point of View

By LANA JOHNSON

Celebrate Mother’s Day by taking Mom out for a memorable meal...and a pampering

Make Mother’s Day, this Sunday, May 12 a memorable one, by taking Mom out for a memorable meal or a luxuriating spa treatment. Here are some suggestions to get you started. Make reservations to secure your place. 

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Chili Verde – tender chunks of pork simmered in a spicy green chile salsa

Avila’s El Ranchito – Come celebrate Mother’s Day from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., as Avila’s El Ranchito will be offering specials all day long on Sunday, May 12 at the Corona del Mar and Newport Beach locations. Among the authentic Mamá Avila’s specialties to enjoy: Chile Verde, Shrimp Enchilada Suizas, Chicken Mole Enchiladas, Chicken & Mole, Pozole Soup and Steak & Eggs. Feature libations include Bottomless Mimosas, Avila’s Bloody Mary and Fresh Strawberry Margarita. Prices vary and the regular menu will also be offered. Call for reservations. Avila’s El Ranchito, 2515 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, 949.644.8226; Avila’s El Ranchito, 2800 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.675.6855. www.avilaselranchito.com

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Leave room for dessert...and the decadent chocolate fountain

Back Bay Bistro – Guests can celebrate Mother’s Day with a gourmet brunch buffet, bottomless mimosas and an unforgettable waterfront atmosphere with three seatings on Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Indulge in signature breakfast dishes like pancakes with fresh berries and Back Bay Bistro seafood specialties highlighting chilled King crab legs and oysters in a half shell. Go back for seconds with live food stations such as cooked-to-order omelets, hot-off-the-skillet favorites including breakfast potatoes and smoked bacon, a dessert display featuring a chocolate fountain and much more. Three seatings: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; 12-2 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Cost: $80 for adults includes bottomless Champagne and mimosas; Children 10 years and under, $35. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. www.backbaybistronewportbeach.com

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Fashion Island Hotel awaits with brunch and a garden party...just for Mom

~Mother’s Day Brunch at Oak Grill – On Sunday, May 12 from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., head to Oak Grill, where a special gift awaits Mom. In addition, there are active stations brimming with myriad tastes, as well as unlimited mimosas, bloody marys and margaritas. Special mothers and their families and friends might want to dress up a bit to enjoy smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, Caprese salad and Asian chicken salad. There will be an omelet station, pearl Liège waffles, and a sweet and savory crepe station, along with salmon, ahi tuna and tofu poke with an assortment of toppings. Carved to order will be Jidori chicken, BBQ coffee-crusted beef tenderloin and Chilean sea bass. Pastry Chef Andy de la Cruz will be making Chimney Cakes and other delectable dessert treats. Mimosas are provided by La Marca Prosecco. Cost: $109 per adult and $29 per child, ages five-12. Children four years and under eat free. (Pricing excludes tax and gratuity). Reservations are available by calling 949.760.4920.

~Mother’s Day Garden Party at Fashion Island Hotel – On Sunday, May 12 with seatings at 10:30-11:30a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m., treat Mom to a bubbly brunch and great family fun. Fashion Island Hotel’s ballroom will be magically transformed into a garden of delights – filled with live music, bottomless mimosas, bouquet making and a kids’ activity station, plus a fun photobooth or photographer standing by ready to capture everyone’s day with Mom. This special Garden Party Brunch serves breakfast favorites, California artisan cheeses and charcuterie, classic ahi Niçoise, a quesadilla Bar, assorted authentic Chinese dumplings and vegetable chow mein in a Chinese to-go box. Main attractions to brighten the day include ribeye with chimichurri, herb-roasted chicken and cedar-planked salmon. Delight in some favorite sweets such as crème brûlée s’mores, pineapple upside down cake, raspberry French macarons, strawberry cheesecake and tiramisu. There is also a kids’ buffet. Cost: $90 per adult and $20 per child, ages five-12. Children four years and under eat free. (Pricing excludes tax and gratuity). Reservations are available by calling 949.760.4913.

Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. www.FashionIslandHotel.com

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Whether it’s Mother’s Day brunch or dinner...dessert is the perfect ending

Five Crowns – Treat the special ladies in your life to an incredible meal fit for a queen on Sunday, May 12. With a brunch served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and a royal dinner from 4-8 p.m., the special prix-fixe menus feature springtime favorites, crown classics and traditional accompaniments, courtesy of Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla. Both the brunch and dinner menus highlight succulent starters such as Mushroom Soup

with Devonshire cream and scallions and the Little Gem Caesar with roasted cherry tomatoes, fennel pollen, herb croutons and Parmigiano. Choose from mains featuring Crab Benedict with homemade béarnaise sauce and truffle potatoes on the brunch menu as well as Colorado Lamb Chops with Stilton mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach on the dinner menu. Indulge in delightful dessert options including Lemon Poppy Seed Beignets and Strawberry Shortcake with Bavarian cream and Harrie’s berries. Brunch is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner from 4-8 p.m. Cost: Brunch is $28-$102; Dinner is $38-$102. (Beverages, tax and tip additional.) 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. 949.760.0331. www.TheFiveCrowns.com.

Hornblower Cruises & Events – Celebrate brunch or dinner on picturesque Newport Harbor. This brunch features a full buffet, free-flowing Champagne (or cider), classic cocktails, live entertainment and Instagram-worthy views. Brunch Cruise boards at 9 a.m., cruises from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Cost: $85 per person. (Tax, service charge and landing fee may apply). Departs from Hornblower South, 2431 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. www.hornblower.com/NewportBeach

Provenance – Treat Mom to Sunday Brunch in the garden at Provenance. Chef Cathy Pavlos has taken her garden to table Sunday Brunch and tailored it to Mom. On Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., indulge in a Prix-Fixe Champagne Brunch. Mom can look forward to a four-course menu beginning with an amuse of their beloved Provenance Herbed Yogurt Biscuits with House Honey Butter. For the main course, choose between one of six brunch favorites including their All-Natural Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Saltimbocca, Petite Black Canyon Filet Mignon Medallions, Pan-Roasted New Zealand Sole, or Quiche Lorraine with Asparagus and Tomato Brûlée.  There will be a huge dessert display with a selection of mini Euro Pastries. Cost: $52.50; for guests ages 12 and under, $18.50. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 949.718.0477. View the full menu online at www.provenanceoc.com/menu.

SOL Mexican Cocina – Transport Mom to South of the Border on Sunday, May 12, where you’ll savor their new Brunch menu and frozen mimosas while enjoying live music from 12-3 p.m. overlooking the marina. Reservations are recommended. Call 675.9800. 251 Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. www.solcocina.com

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Enjoy a special prix-fixe menu with a glass of bubbly at Sushi Roku

Sushi Roku – Celebrate Mom on Sunday, May 12, when this Fashion Island restaurant will be offering a special $40 prix-fixe menu, which includes a glass of prosecco, Bellini or mimosa. Of course, Mom and the entire family can enjoy the a la carte menu too before going on a little shopping spree through Fashion Island. Reservations can be made by calling 949.706.3622. 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. www.sushiroku.com.

The LOT – On Sunday, May 12, enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Each Mom will receive complimentary bottomless mimosas. The buffet features scrambled eggs, house potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes and French toast. Activities such as making cookies, cupcakes, cards and crafts will keep the little ones busy. Cost: Adults, $35; Kids, $15. To book your brunch seating reservation, call 949.281.0069. After the buffet, continue the family fun and take in the latest flick in the comfortable stadium-style theater seating. Check the website to see movie listings and times. Fashion Island, 999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. www.thelotent.com.

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Courtesy of Pelican Hill

The Resort at Pelican Hill with views of the Promenade, pool and Pacific

The Resort at Pelican Hill – On Sunday, May 12, guests are invited to Mother’s Day dining and spa offers overlooking the blue Pacific.

~Mother’s Day Ballroom Brunch – Moms are great at putting everyone else ahead of themselves, but today it’s all about her. Celebrate your family’s leading lady and enjoy a lovely chef-crafted brunch with spectacular ocean views in Mar Vista’s Grand Ballroom on Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $132* per adult, $60* per child ages 5-12 and complimentary for children under age 5.

~Mother’s Day Weekend Tea Moderno – Celebrate Mother’s Day in the ocean-view Great Room Social Lounge, and treat her to a modern twist on the time-honored tradition of gathering for English Afternoon Tea. Sip contemporary blends featuring classic selections and emerging tea markets, while noshing savory and sweet Italian-inspired small bites. Tea-based cocktails and sparkling wines available à la carte.

Available Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12 for $65* per adult and $45* per child under age 12.

~ Mother’s Day at Andrea – In celebration of mamas near and far, their chef creates a magnificent prix fixe menu featuring only the freshest, most flavorful local ingredients of the season. Bring the whole family, and treat your mom to a Mother’s Day meal she’ll never forget on Sunday, May 12 from 12-10 p.m. Cost: $130* per person and $65* per child under 12.

~Mother’s Day at Coliseum Pool & Grill –On Sunday, May 12, indulge in scenic poolside dining while you take in panoramic ocean views at the Coliseum Pool & Grill. Chef Diego will be creating a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m.-2 p.m., followed by à la carte specials. Cost: $68* per adult and $30* per child ages 5-12 for breakfast buffet and complimentary for children under age 5.

~Mother’s Day at Pelican Grill – Give mom the gift of quintessential California cuisine at Pelican Grill from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Your whole family will be treated to an exceptional three-course Mother’s Day lunch, followed by à la carte dinner features on

Sunday, May 12. Cost: $115* per adult, $55* per child ages 5-12.

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Courtesy of Pelican Hill

Pamper Mom and her guests in a luxuriating Spa Suite at Pelican Hill

~Mother’s Day Spa Suite Retreat – If anyone deserves a day of rest & relaxation, it’s Mom. Celebrate as a group, and pamper her in their luxurious Spa Suite with a specially designed experience for up to 3 guests. Select a 50-minute massage or 50-minute facial, personalized to your specific needs. Then, unwind in the comfort of the Spa Suite for one hour, indulging in your choice of light snack with complimentary Prosecco or spa tonic of your choice. A complimentary gift is also included for the guest of honor. Available in May, Cost: $295* per person Mondays-Thursdays or $325* per person, Fridays-Sundays.

For an extra special gift for Mom, inquire about the Art of Pasta Making experience.

*Pricing excludes tax & service charge. 

The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast. For reservations and more information, call 949.467.6833. www.pelicanhill.com 

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar – On Sunday, May 12, guests are invited to come celebrate Mom, where Chef Yvon Goetz will be offering Brunch Specials – as well as endless mimosas – to be sure that Mom leaves with a smile on her face. Beverages, tax and gratuity are separate. For more information and to make your reservation, call 949.999.6622. 3131 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. www.thewinerynewport.com

Ciao Vincenza!

Plein art fun for individuals and families at Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove Conservancy is offering several different plein air art series this summer for both children and adults.

First of all, is a series of 10 workshops celebrating more than 100 years of plein air art at Crystal Cove State Park. Each workshop allows participants to relax and capture the beauty of the Cove on canvas with the help of a local plein air artist. 

These workshops are $85 – $70 for Crystal Cove Conservancy members.

Courtesy of Crystal Cove Conservancy

Next, are two workshops designed for family teams to explore the basics of plein air painting. These fun classes are intended for parents, grandparents and children, ages 8 and up.

Costs are $80 for an adult/child pair and then $35 for each additional participant. For Conservancy members, it’s $65 for an adult/child pair and then $30 for each additional participant.

All summer classes offer limited space and will take place from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in Cottage #13 in the Historic District of Crystal Cove State Park. 

For a complete calendar of workshops and to register, go here.

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.”

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Courtesy of Newport Beach Animal Shelter

MEET SYDNEY

The Newport Beach Animal Shelter is seeking a forever loving home for Sydney. She’s an approximately 11-month-old Labrador mix, who is high energy and will need her parent to lead an active lifestyle that includes her. Sydney enjoys chasing toys, companionship with humans and other dogs, walking, running, hiking, etc. She’s an adventurous girl. Medium in stature, she is perfect if you have been looking for a large dog but half the size.

Newport Beach Animal Shelter adoption costs:

–Dogs - $130

–Puppies - $150

–Cats - $90

–Kittens - $110

If you are interested in finding out more about Sydney, or any other full-fun shelter pets for adoption, the Newport Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20302 Riverside Drive, Newport Beach. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., excluding major holidays. They look forward to seeing you soon and thank you for your interest in their wonderful furry guests. Call 949.644.3656. Email Valerie Schomburg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To find out how you can help support the shelter, visit www.nbpd.org and click on “Our Animal Shelter” to view the wish list. They can always use food & treats; new toys; grooming, hygiene & comfort products; as well as laundry soap, dish soap, paper towels, sponges & scrub pads and lint rollers. If you are interested in volunteering, you can fill out and sign the application on the website.

Orange County raises $832,000+ to help the homeless

While the county works to address the homeless crisis in Orange County, 17 nonprofit organizations joined forces on April 24, to host the third annual Help Them Home Giving Day. Thanks to the generosity of 1,052 donors, this 24-hour online effort raised $832,068 to support organizations with a shared commitment of providing resources and relief for the nearly 7,000 individuals who are homeless in Orange County.

“The success of the Help Them Home campaign is a testament to our community’s generosity and the vision of our local nonprofits,” said Shelley Hoss, president, Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), based in Newport Beach. “We are proud to continue supporting our community partners as they take on homelessness and other important issues facing our county.”

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Submitted photo

The 17 nonprofits that participated in the Help Them Home Giving Day included Casa Teresa, Families Forward, Thomas House Shelter, HIS House, Pathways of Hope, Build Futures, WISEPlace, Mercy House, Grandma’s House of Hope, Friendship Shelter, FAM Family Assistance Ministries, City Net, Family Promise of Orange County, South County Outreach, Project Hope Alliance, HomeAid Orange County and SPIN (Serving People In Need).

OCCF powered the Help Them Home campaign by providing seed funding to support the marketing assets, campaign resources and collaborative partnerships. The Help Them Home Giving Day was the latest in a series of Collaborative Giving Days launched by OCCF last year to boost the capacity of nonprofits through collective giving. The seven Giving Days held throughout 2018 raised a total of $1.4 million to benefit local organizations.

OCCF first challenged Orange County residents to “give where their heart lives” during the inaugural iheartoc Giving Day in 2015, raising more than $1.8 million through gifts to 347 participating nonprofits in just 30 hours. OCCF nearly doubled those results in 2016 during the second annual iheartoc Giving Day, receiving contributions totaling $3.2 million for 418 participating nonprofits. In 2017, OCCF re-envisioned iheartoc as an expanded opportunity for nonprofits to connect with one another in support of their shared missions.

For more information on the Collaborative Giving Days, visit www.oc-cf.org/iheartoc.

Join the fun at Little Lido Kids Club, May 16

On Thursday, May 16 from 10-11 a.m., bring the kiddos over to Lido Village Books for Little Lido Kids Club.

Together, they will read Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, a story about a chimpanzee who is in a terrible mood. His friends try to cheer him up, but maybe he just needs to feel what he feels.

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Please RSVP here by Wednesday, May 15 by 8 p.m. to enter a drawing for prizes. You must be present to win. All participants will enjoy discounts at participating stores in Lido Marina Village.

• • •

In honor of Mother’s Day, this Sunday, May 12, here are some favorite suggestions from Lido Village Books that the little ones can read with mom:

–Why I Love My Mom by Alison Reynolds

–You Are My Happy by Hoda Kotb

–My Mom is Magical! by Sabrina Moyle

–I Love Mom with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Lido Village Books is located at 3424 Via Oporto #102, Newport Beach.

Exchange Club to hold 10th Annual Field of Honor

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will hold its 10th Annual Field of Honor on Friday, May 17 through Monday, May 27 at Castaways Park, located at Dover Drive and 16th Street, Newport Beach. 

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Photos courtesy of the Exchange Club of Newport Beach

The Dedication Ceremony is Saturday, May 18 at 12 p.m. and the Memorial Ceremony is Monday, May 27 at 12 p.m.

This patriotic event features 1,776 large American flags along the winding paths of Castaways Park with yellow ribbons attached to each flagpole. The public is invited to dedicate a flag to any past or present service member or group of members for $45 per flag.

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Started in 2011, the Field was originally planned for the third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day, a day set aside by Congress to honor all five branches of the American military – the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. The event then expanded to run for 11 days to include Memorial Day. The public is invited daily.

One hundred percent of the net proceeds from this event go to families of our service men and women, other Americanism projects and youth charities in our community.

For more information and to dedicate a flag, visit www.nhexchange.net.

Calling all mural artists...

Balboa Village is issuing a call for mural artists to showcase their work on one of four prime locations within this neighborhood.

The goal for this project is to provide public art that is of interest to residents and visitors that conveys the current vibe and vision of the neighborhood (#BalboaColor). The overall mural lengths and height will be determined by location and by the artist’s concept. The walls are made primarily of concrete and block construction. Among the wall locations are E. Balboa Boulevard and Washington Street, Cruisers Pizza & Grill on Main Street and Palm Street.

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Courtesy of the City of Newport Beach

Mural Art Deadlines/Guidelines:

–Entries Due: Sunday, May 19 by 11:45 p.m. PST

–Artwork Production: Monday through Friday, May 27-June 14, between 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

–Completion: Friday, June 14

–Opening Media Reception: Wednesday, June 19 from 5-7 p.m. (local and regional media outlets)

For a submission application, visit www.visitnewportbeach.com/submit-balboa-color-wall/.

Call for entries to CdM Scenic 5k Run

Men, women and children of all ages, get ready for the 38th Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5k on Saturday, June 1.

The day offers a series of opportunities from the 5k to the 2-mile Celebration Walk, 2-Mile Youth Run and 1k Kid’s Dolphin Dash.

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Courtesy of CdM Chamber of Commerce

All registered participants get to enjoy a complimentary Restaurant Row feast of local eateries and then a festive post-event party complete with live entertainment, and a sponsors, vendors and awards ceremony. Participants also receive a commemorative runner’s shirt and swag bag.

The day begins at 6 a.m. with check-in and final registration, 7:30 a.m. warm-up and then racing begins at 7:55 a.m.

For more information, go here.

Tale of Two Cities

By DUNCAN FORGEY

For “responsible” kids growing up in Newport Beach, graduation from high school was the biggest day of their young lives. Surrounded by hundreds of other graduates, diplomas in hand stuffed full of memories engrained to this day, it was time to move forward. No longer a child, thoughts shifted to moving out of the house, earning money, meeting a mate and becoming “somebody.”

Perceptions in Newport Beach do not always live up to the expectations by setting standards that are hard to achieve. Take today’s news. The latest “pay to play scandal” with our nation’s universities involves Newport’s own Massimo Giannulli, now front-page news. Living a lifestyle better than 99.9 percent of the rest of the country, the ultimate high of money and success does not guarantee a soft landing in reality. Falling from grace changes life’s priorities rapidly, especially in Newport Beach with a long history of Chutes and Ladders in the game of life. 

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Submitted photo

Willie Brown, USC’s star rusher in 1962

As a multiple legacy, it was pre-determined that I would go to and graduate from the University of Southern California. After a dream childhood, it was now my opportunity to relish in the glory of John McKay, Pete Beathard and Willie Brown with their 1962 National Championship season. Trojan Spirit made saying goodbye to Newport Harbor High a lot easier.

But, there were problems. My family was falling apart, grades and test scores were borderline and USC had “standards.” Due to either an undiagnosed learning disorder or a stronger desire to be outside a classroom than inside, I struggled with college prep classes. In those days, school officials were not so quick to diagnosis youngsters; teachers simply leaned on them a bit harder. Thanks to teachers like Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Ball, Mr. Hemsley, Mr. Hays and Mr. Wentz, I was provided the guidance I needed.

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Courtesy of Creative Commons/New York World-Telegram

Watts riots, August 1965

Not Harvard or Stanford material, it was serendipitous that the Watts riots of 1965 had a derogatory effect on enrollment at USC. The campus, located in the heart of old LA, was surrounded by the same disenfranchised population that burned down businesses only a year earlier. To its credit, USC Trustees decided not to build a “Wall of Troy” to keep the locals out, but rather built an academic bridge into the community to help LA’s inner city.   

USC was not cheap compared to alternatives, but instead of bribing someone, my parents and I were interviewed to see if I was truly Trojan material. Or so I thought. In retrospect, the questions were little about me and a lot about my family. Can we afford it? I was admitted with the caveat of one year of dumbbell English. Not very good in academics, I was summa cum laude in beaches, sandlot football and friendships.

Introduced to the fraternity crowd, it was a half-life of self-medication continued with visits to the Trojan Barrel and 901 Club. For five years, I got decent grades earning a teaching credential plus receiving a 317 in the draft lottery, allowing me to be one of the lucky “rich” kids who missed the Vietnam War.

The USC campus was like an ongoing Napoleon Hill motivational convention. It emphasized ways to success which revolved around knowing the right people. Who you knew was a gateway to success as much as hard work, money and power. Unfortunately, my father was working his way to bankruptcy and my occupational choice of education, instead of law, real estate or Hollywood fame, created a huge obstacle for accumulating wealth. Watching others rise and/or inherit wealth was always quite impressive during those years. 

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Submitted photo

USC cheerleaders

Due to the largest graduating class in the history of the nation’s educational system, many credentialed teachers could not find jobs. Working restaurants for years, one day, like a ghost ship sailing out of the fog, my Northern California phone rang. A gentleman from USC asked if I would like to teach in a Continuation High School in San Jacinto, Calif.

After several years of waiting tables and bartending at the Ancient Mariner in Marin County, I was ready for a “real” job. Saying yes before I knew where San Jacinto was, later that summer of 1974, I found myself driving across Riverside County and into a town of 4,385. The most important four years of my education had begun. Getting a master’s degree from the University of Redlands was great, but it was my honorary Ph.D. in life that I treasure to this day. The people of San Jacinto were my professors and instead of me changing the world, as the ‘60s kids dreamed, this strange new world changed me. 

Teaching in a Riverside County continuation school is definitely a challenge. Long before it was hip to be a “gangsta,” little San Jacinto was a town directly out of the wild west. My first day in town, I was burglarized by two 13-year-old boys. The Soboba Indian Reservation, one the poorest in the state, was ripe with hardship and violence. Lost on the reservation, looking for a place to live, I saw true poverty in the U.S. for the first time ever. This was my beloved California, not Tijuana. Co-workers at the school reprimanded me. “Don’t ever go on the ‘Res’ alone, especially at night, you could be killed.” The word killed sounded so foreign. What was that? In my experiences, only accidents or old age kill people. How naïve can a beach boy from Newport be? 

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Courtesy of Wikipedia

Hatfields and McCoys feuded from 1863-1891

On the “Res,” long before casinos, it was truly a Hatfield versus McCoy lifestyle. Elsewhere, whites, Latinos, Indians and a few blacks engaged in a deadly dance of machismo and distrust. I drove our mini-school bus alone to all the neighborhoods picking up truant students without incident. A number of my students were killed by gunfire before they were 25.

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Submitted photo

“Vato loco” gang member in San Jacinto

Mountain View High School had a population like no other. It was the center for “vato locos,” illegal aliens, “white trash,” drug peddlers, pregnant teenagers and work experience kids. Many were defiant and hostile, while others were lost or disabled in ways nobody knew. My students were so feared or disliked by other educators in the district that we eventually accommodated three “wild boys” from the middle school. Throw in several sociopaths waiting to end up in jail or die young and Mountain View High School became the greatest place of learning a spoiled Newport/USC kid could have. Bet your bottom dollar that neither my childhood nor my formal education prepared me for this. I was learning by the seat of my pants, eventually becoming accepted by the townspeople.

Over the course of four years, I fought with administration, taught at both Mountain View and San Jacinto High School (surrounded by barbed wire fences), fell in love with the people of San Jacinto and the mom of one of my students. I worked with Ken Norton creating a boxing club in an effort to keep my boys from fighting, and learned about various cultures and economic hardships “face to face” instead of on TV or in some book. When I left for rural Oregon in 1978, it was not due to the students, but the inane educational bureaucracy, so worried about Proposition 13 that became completely blind to all of the students’ best interests. California’s once finest educational system has suffered ever since.

The people of San Jacinto showed hope even when confronted with life-ending issues. Material possessions were great temptations, but for those who are truly challenged, they struggle, love and fight their way through life. In Newport, we struggled with divorce, business, entitlement monies and self-inflicted drugs and alcohol. Residents here lived for the moment, while the people in San Jacinto worked hard to get through today so they could live tomorrow. My rough and tumble students lived on the backside of the mirror, in comparison to the wonderful beach lifestyle we enjoyed.

Newport Beach beneficiaries come home to the family businesses, water sports, real estate, marriage, all the while creating another generation of USC-like children. Many choose not to venture outside of their comfort zone. Over the years, Newporters who have lost the economic battle to “keep up with the Joneses” have fanned out into small towns all over the country, recreating the serenity of old Newport. Deep within all of us, then and now, we appreciate Newport Beach because it is the closest thing to a “live-in Disneyland” one can find. It has and always will be like the coveted “E-ticket” ride through life. 

~~~~~~~~

Duncan Forgey, a life-long resident of Newport Beach, now makes his home in Hawaii. He is a monthly contributor to Stu News Newport.

World-class OC Marathon celebrated 15th year

Celebrating its 15th year, the 2019 OC Marathon Running Festival returned last weekend, May 3-5, featuring the SDCCU OC Marathon and Half Marathon, OC 5k, Kids Run the OC “Final Mile,” Ultimate Finish Line Festival and the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, bringing together more than 23,000 participants, including 9,500 children, who enjoyed food, music and other family-fun entertainment.

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Courtesy of OC Marathon Running Festival

Half Marathon starting line in Fashion Island

The SDCCU OC Marathon and Half Marathon began at Fashion Island in Newport

Beach, wound through Orange County’s coastal communities, and finished at the OC

Fair and Event Center. Participants in the marathon and half-marathon appreciated one 

of the best destination courses on the West Coast with a diverse terrain, changing 

coastal and inland vistas and majestic ocean views.

Here were the top winners in each of their respective races:

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Courtesy of OC Marathon

Locally, these were our top finishers: Kelli Smith, 35, Newport Beach, finished 4th in the women’s 5k; Chett Clark, 16, Newport Beach, finished 3rd in Men’s 5k; and Shelby Buckley, 29, Corona del Mar, finished 5th in the Women’s half-marathon.

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Courtesy of OC Marathon Running Festival

Bonnie Keating, Women’s Marathon winner crossing the finish line

Since the inaugural event in 2004, the SDCCU OC Marathon and related events have generated more than $12 million annually in economic impact to the Orange County region, while helping charities to raise more than $65.5 million. With nearly perfect running weather in early May, runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries have made the OC Marathon Running Festival their destination spring event.

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Half Marathon Men’s winner, Kevin Horchler 

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Dimitry Major touching the finish line first in the 5k Men’s

For more information on the OC Marathon and complete race results, visit www.ocmarathon.com.

20th annual Newport Beach Film Festival announces award winners

The Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) presented by Pacific Sales announced the winners yesterday (May 6) of the 2019 Festival. On May 2, the Festival wrapped up its eight-day run with the World Premiere of A Part of Water at the Regency Lido Theater, followed by a Closing Night Gala at Via Lido Plaza. The Festival opened with the West Coast Premiere of Luce, starring Naomi Watts, Octavia Spence, Tim Roth and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. received the “Rising Star Award” for his outstanding performance in Luce.

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Photos by Charles Weinberg

(L-R) Todd Quartararo, owner, Quartararo & Associates; Julius Onah, film director of “Luce”; and Gregg Schwenk, founder & CEO of NBFF

On April 27, the Newport Beach Film Festival celebrated artistic excellence in global cinema at its annual Festival Honors event at the Balboa Bay Resort. The Festival’s selection committee reviewed more than 3,500 films. The Festival screened more than 350 films, representing 55 countries. The films competed for Audience, Jury and Festival Honors Awards.

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Amy Chang, who stars “In a New York Minute,” on the Opening Night Red Carpet

The 2019 Newport Beach Film Festival jury featured an impressive roster of film industry professionals including Jennie Morris (SVP, Content Strategy at Warner Media), Moira Griffin (Executive Director of Production, Creative Labs at 21st Century Fox), Courtney Sheehan (Film consultant and curator based in Los Angeles), Missy Laney (Director of Development at Adult Swim), Christy Lemire (Film critic who writes for RogerEbert.com and co-hosts the Breakfast All Day Podcast), Kathy Govier (Sr. Director of Marketing & Brand Activation for Warner Media’s domestic distribution sales and marketing), Dr. Dina Ibrahim (Professor of Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts at San Francisco State University, Weiko Lin (Writer, producer) and Thomas Hefferon (Filmmaker).

~2019 Newport Beach Film Festival Honorees:

Gavin Hood – Artist of Distinction

The South African filmmaker is a director, screenwriter, producer and actor probably best known for writing and helming 2005’s Tsotsi, which won the Academy Award for foreign-language film. Based on the novel of the same name by Athol Fugard, it tells the story of a young street hoodlum in a Johannesburg slum. Hood began his career making educational shorts, and then wrote, produced and directed 1998 short The Storekeeper, before making his feature film debut in 1999 with A Reasonable Man. Since then, Hood’s oeuvre includes such films as political thriller Rendition, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ender’s Game, Eye in the Sky and his latest film, Official Secrets.

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Gavin Hood, recipient of the Artist of Distinction Award

Kelvin Harrison Jr. – Rising Star Award

The New Orleans native has already amassed an impressive resume in the few short years since he began acting. He made his feature debut in 2013, playing bit parts in 12 Years a Slave and Ender’s Game, then appeared in such films as Sundance winner The Birth of a Nation, Mudbound, It Comes at Night, Jinn and Monster. Harrison stars in the new racial drama LUCE and his next role will be on the Epix series The Godfather of Harlem, a prequel to the 2007 Ridley Scott movie American Gangster. Other TV work includes the 2016 reboot of Roots and Underground. Harrison is also a musician on piano and trumpet and recorded with the Marsalis family.

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Kelvin Harrison Jr., recipient of the Rising Star Award for his outstanding performance in “LUCE,” which opened the Film Festival

Moe Dunford – Breakthrough Award

The Irish actor has emerged as one of his country’s busiest talents, with three new films premiering at Newport Beach: Rosie, directed by Paddy Breathnach and written by award-winning Irish novelist Roddy Doyle; Metal Heart, directed by Hugh O’Conor; and The Dig, directed by Ryan and Andy Tohill. Dunford began his career in 2010 with a small role in The Tudors, then appeared in Game of Thrones and other series before landing a lead role in Vikings. He made his film debut in 2014’s Patrick’s Day, which got him a Shooting Stars Award at the Berlin Film Festival and lead actor prize at IFTA. Other films include Black ’47 and Michael Inside.

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Moe Dunford, recipient of the Breakthrough Award, who also won Best Actor, Jury Award for his performance in “The Dig”

Maryann Brandon – Icon Award

Brandon began her career in New York and worked on such films as The Cotton Club and A Chorus Line before relocating to L.A. and teaming with writer-producer J.J. Abrams for his TV series Alias. Thus began a collaboration that has spanned almost 20 years. Brandon has since edited all of Abrams’ features: Mission: Impossible III, Super 8, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, for which she earned an Oscar nomination. Other credits include The Jane Austen Book Club, How to Train Your Dragon, Endless Love and The Darkest Minds. She is at work on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with Abrams, due in theaters this Christmas.

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Maryann Brandon, recipient of the Icon Award

Mary Jo Markey - Icon Award

Editor Markey began her career as an apprentice to Dede Allen on Robert Redford’s The Milagro Beanfield War. After cutting indies and TV movies, she started with J.J. Abrams on TV series Felicity, then edited two seasons of Alias, receiving her first Emmy nom, and won the Emmy for the Lost pilot. She teamed with fellow Icon Award honoree Maryann Brandon to cut Abrams’ Mission: Impossible III, and together they’ve since edited all his films. Her work with Abrams continued with HBO pilot Anatomy of Hope, Star Trek, the Undercovers pilot, Super 8, and Star Trek into Darkness. For Star Wars: The Force Awakens she received an Oscar nom and another ACE Eddie nod.

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Mary Jo Markey, recipient of the Icon Award

~2019 Audience Awards

Feature Film - Papi Chulo

International Film - 100 Things (Germany)

Documentary Film - Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk

Documentary Film - Kifaru

Action Sports Film - Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable

Art, Architecture + Design Film - Neutra - Survival Through Design

Culinary Film - The Biggest Little Farm

Environmental Film - Chasing The Thunder

Environmental Film - The Pollinators

Family Film - Emmett

Music Film - Pick It Up! – Ska In The 90’s

Short Film - All In Good Time

Short International Film - This Is Your Cuba

~2019 Jury Awards

Best Film - Monos

Best Actor - Moe Dunford (The Dig)

Best Actress - Sophia Buenaventura (Monos)

Best Director - Alejandro Landes (Monos)

Best Cinematography - Jasper Wolf (Monos) 

Best Documentary - For Sama

Best Documentary: Honorable Mention - Jay Myself

Best Screenwriter - Stuart Drennan (The Dig)

Best Animated Short Film - Lost Property Office

Best Narrative Short Film - Private Meeting

Best Documentary Short Film - Maxima: This Land Of Mine

Best Music Video - Moonlightin’ With Biz

Best Action Sports Short Film - Faces Of Adventure: Michelle Steilen Aka Estro Jen

Best Aa+D Short Film - Gloria’s Call

~2019 Festival Honors:

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Feature Film - Sune Vs. Sune 

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Feature Film - Top End Wedding

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Feature Film - Go Back To China

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Feature Film - Official Secrets

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Acting - Richard Kind (Auggie) 

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Acting - Jesse Buckley (Wild Rose)

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Acting - Zac Efron (Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile)

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Acting - Miles Brown (Emmett)

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Ensemble Cast - Them That Follow

Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Colman, Walton Goggins, Thomas Mann, Lewis Pullman and Jim Galffigan

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Editing (Narrative): - Woodland  

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking: Editing (Documentary) - Funny You Never Knew 

Emerging Filmmaker Award: Alyssa Bolsey (Beyond The Bolex)

~Short Films

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking - Faces Of Genocide - Paul Marino, Kurt Norton

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking - Ama - Julie Gautier

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking - The Pig On The Hill - Jamy Wheless, John Helms

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking - Chemistry 101 - Mike Ref

Outstanding Achievement In Filmmaking - Take Me To The Waves - Jake Taylor-Kipping and Tom Stoker

~2019 Youth Film Showcase Awards Presented By Schiefer Chopshop

Gold: The Redwood Grove

Silver: Inclusion On The Air

Bronze: Hold the Sun in Your Hands: The Erika Jacoby Story

The 20th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival had record attendance of 58,000 people. The Festival had the largest participation of international filmmakers and showcased films from more than 56 countries with delegations attending from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Austria, Ireland and Canada. The Newport Beach Film Festival is sponsored in part by City of Newport Beach, Visit Newport Beach, Experian, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Celebrity Cruises, Fashion Island and LIFEWTR. For more information, visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com.

NBPD to hold open house on May 19

The Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) will hold an Open House on Sunday, May 19 from 12-4 p.m. at 870 Santa Barbara Dr. (at Jamboree Road), Newport Beach.

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Courtesy of the NBPD

The day’s festivities include police station tours, safety activities for kids and live K9, S.W.A.T. and motor demonstrations at 2 p.m. The public will have a chance to meet representatives from Animal Control, Lifeguards, C.S.I., Motor Officers, K-9 Officers, Mounted Unit, Crime Prevention and more. Food will also be available.

Guest Column

Harley Rouda, U.S. Congressman

Asking for a delay in JWA vote on EIR and Alternative choices

Harley Rouda, U.S. Representative 48th Congressional District 

The John Wayne Airport (JWA) General Aviation Improvement Program (GAIP) is a project that will impact our community for years to come. I understand that the project has drawn considerable attention from our community, including the ire of many. As the U.S. Representative of California’s 48th Congressional District, I understand I do not have a vote on the project, but I have heard my constituents’ concerns with the GAIP, met with JWA officials to learn more about the project, and read through the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). After careful consideration, I believe the Board of Supervisors should consider delaying its vote to certify the EIR and adopt any of the Proposed Project or Alternatives 1, 2, or 3.

I am concerned that the current EIR does not adequately take into consideration the noise, greenhouse gas emissions, and health effects of the project. The EIR is quick to attribute any future noise increase to commercial operators but fails to take into account the existing level of noise that has harmed the community. Additionally, the EIR uses inadequate thresholds for GHG emissions and health risk assessments that do not take the unique nature of this project into account. Given these shortcomings, I hope the Board of Supervisors considers delaying a vote on certifying the EIR and adopting any proposals until a complete EIR with community input and perspectives is concluded.

Grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting at Reborn Coffee, May 18

Join community friends in welcoming Reborn Coffee during the businesses’ grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting on Saturday, May 18. The festivities begin at 10 a.m., however the store will be open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Guests will enjoy complimentary lattes and cold-brewed drinks, and 50 percent off pastries.

Reborn Coffee is located at 2933 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar (next to Mayur and Subway).

For more information, contact the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce at 949.674.4050 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Supervisors looking at Alternative 1 for JWA and that’s a problem

Item 20 on this morning’s Orange County Supervisor Meeting agenda is as follows: Adopt resolution certifying Program Environmental Impact Report 627 including related Findings of Fact, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Statement of Overriding Considerations; and adopt resolution approving General Aviation Improvement Program Alternative 1 - District 2 (Continued from 4/23/19, Item 35).

The City of Newport Beach’s outside counsel sent a letter last week, 57 pages in all, detailing why we as a City are not going along with this decision. The major concerns are with the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Report as it relates to the adoption of Alternative 1.

The City, as a whole, should be very concerned, because if Alternative 1 is adopted, smaller planes will be moved aside, bigger planes and jets will backfill, causing more flights and hence, more noise.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. 

• • •

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. For a guy who has spent a lot of time in the hospital this past year, it’s an important point of celebration for me.

Nurses, of course, are those around when the doctor isn’t. So, after Aidan Raney, M.D., got done with my open-heart surgery, and I remind you he did a wonderful job, it was the nurses’ compassion and caring that got me through the otherwise difficult hours ahead.

Hoag Hospital is fortunate. Several years ago Julia and George Argyros announced a $7 million gift at their annual Nurses Day celebration.

This and other gifts like it allow Hoag to have the best of the best. 

The now existing Julia Argyros Center of Nursing Excellence funds continuing education scholarships for Hoag nurses, offers advanced clinical roles in patient care, broadens the existing nurses’ skillsets, mentors new nurses and, at the end of the day, improves all patient care.

And really, that’s what it’s all about.

• • •

Let’s say you have an organization that provides community programs and/or human services to Newport Beach residents and you need some additional funding, this might be for you.

The City of Newport Beach is accepting grant applications up until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31. They have up to $75,000 to gift.

Here’s how it works. Your organization submits an application discussing your program merits. It’ll be evaluated on eligibility, qualifications and other requirements outlined for the program.

Then, if it makes the cut, it goes before City Council. They review them, select the recipients and the amount of the grant.

It doesn’t hurt to try.

For more info, go to newportbeachca.gov/grants.

• • •

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is hosting their second in a series of meetings for their Human Relations Task Force this Wednesday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in the Sanborn Assembly Room at the District office.

It’s done in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, who is leading various community workshops about anti-Semitism and hate. 

They are open to everyone that is interested in attending.

• • •

Final reminder, this Thursday, May 9, 6-9 p.m., is the 2nd Annual Unity Torch Walk, Mini-Hoop Shoot Challenge and BBQ benefitting Special Olympics at the Newport Beach Civic Center.

Beer, wine, music and fun! It’s a nice combo. Join in the fun.

South swell weekend fun

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Photo by Tina Treglia (Instagram @ttregs)

Local surfer strikes a pose during epic set at the Wedge

Newport Beach – A Look Back

Photo series courtesy of Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society

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Early houses on the island were built using all kinds of materials. This cattle boat was beached and converted to a house in the late 1910s to early 1920s, creating a very unique site for early residents.

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

Coastkeeper to urge Water Board to accelerate Newport Bay copper pollution reduction

On Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, Orange County Coastkeeper will present comments at the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board’s workshops on the proposed copper regulation in Newport Bay. Comments received at these public workshops will help consideration of the adoption or revision of the proposed amendments for the Regional Board’s Basin Plan to incorporate Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for copper and non-TMDL action plans for other metals in Newport Bay.

Coastkeeper urges that the board adopt a 10-year timeline for its plan, and that the timeline starts once the Regional Board approves the plan to reduce pollution. Coastkeeper has assisted the Regional Board on this project since 2006 with various water quality studies and programs, and knows that this plan cannot be delayed any further for the sake of Newport Bay’s health.

Copper concentrations in Newport Bay have been above legal standards for decades. Coastkeeper says that the Regional Board’s proposed 12-year timeline to reduce copper in Newport Bay is too long, especially considering that other coastal cities in Southern California with similar boat counts to Newport Bay have adopted 10-year timelines.

Workshop schedule:

–Thursday, May 9 at the
Marina Park Community Center Event Room, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

–Friday, May 10 at the Newport Beach Central Library Friends Room, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

For 20 years, Southern California residents have relied on Orange County Coastkeeper to be one of their leading voices in protecting clean water. The organization works collaboratively with diverse groups in the public and private sectors to achieve healthy, accessible, and sustainable water resources for the region. Coastkeeper achieves this through innovative, effective programs in education, advocacy, restoration, research, enforcement and conservation. Coastkeeper is a member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, which has 236 different independent programs across 29 countries.

For more information, visit www.coastkeeper.org or call 714.850.1965.

Balboa Island beauty

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Photo by Mary Gulino (Instagram @myartistloft)

A lovely weekend walk along the bay

This weekend, celebrate the Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo

On Saturday, May 4, celebrate the Kentucky Derby with an afternoon of televised horse races and a Louisville-inspired menu at Five Crowns’ fifth annual Bourbon Derby Party from 1-4 p.m.

Experience a proper Kentucky welcome with a traditional Mint Julep made with Woodford Reserve bourbon upon arrival to Five Crowns’ patio and garden area, which has been transformed into Corona del Mar’s own “Millionaire’s Row.” Enjoy watching the race while learning about fantastic bourbons and celebrating the favorite horses.

Sip on five featured whiskies, perfectly paired with an exclusive menu with a Louisville twist, compliments of Five Crowns’ Executive Chef Alejandra Padilla.

A refreshing mint julep always comes out a Kentucky Derby winner

Don your best derby attire to win prizes for “Male Best Dressed” and “Female Best Dressed,” awarded in addition to a prize for the “Race Bet Winner.”

The cost is $120 per person (tax and gratuity included); space is limited. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2HUlQU3. For reservations and more information, call 949.760.0331 or visit www.TheFiveCrowns.com. Five Crowns is located at 3801 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

• • •

Keep the party going and take in Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, May 5 at these favorite Newport Beach establishments. You and your amigos will enjoy a cold brew at Chihuahua Cerveza, home of draft Mexican-style lager. Even your pooch is invited on the dog-friendly patio. Have fun sipping from Chihuahua cups or cans. Ole! 3107 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. Call 949.771-TACO (8226). Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

It’s always a fiesta at Avila’s El Ranchito with two family-friendly locations. The healthy menu is comprised of authentic Mexican dishes, and adults can toast the day with a refreshing margarita. Locations: 2800 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach – call 949.675.6855; 2515 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar – call 949.644.8226. Open on Sunday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.avilaselranchito.com.

Feel like you’re south of the border with a taste of Baja at Sol Mexican Cocina located on the marina with harbor views. Locals go for the weekend brunch. There will be live music this Saturday and Sunday, with taco and drink specials on May 5 only. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome from 10 a.m. on May 4 through 10 p.m. on May 5. Sol Mexican Colcina is located at 251 Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. For more information, call 949.675.9800 or visit www.solcocina.com.

Check out a local beach favorite, Great Mex Grill, located near the Fun Zone. This grab and go is the perfect destination for taking your meal over to the sand. Great Mex Grill is located at 703 East Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach – call 949.675.0808. Open on Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information, call www.greatmexgrill.com.

Segerstrom presents special Kids Night on Broadway with the opening of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has a special Kids Night on Broadway for the opening night of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. With the purchase of one full-price ticket, parents can receive a second ticket free for children. Ticket prices start at $29. Use code OOMPA when purchasing.

Children and families are also encouraged to arrive early and enjoy pre-show activities in the Segerstrom Hall lobby beginning at 6 p.m., including coloring stations, crafts, activities, photo opportunities and more.

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Photo by Joan Marcus

The cast of Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of Willy Wonka, world-famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, who has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous and mysterious factory is opening its gates...to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination. Get ready for Oompa Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator and more. 

Single tickets to Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory performances start at $29 and are on sale at www.scfta.org, by calling 714.556.2787 and at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For inquiries about group ticket savings for 10 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, June 8 will include audio description, open captioning and sign language interpretation. The Center offers many services for patrons with disabilities including removable wheelchair locations, binoculars and assistive listening devices. To learn more, visit www.scfta.org/accessibilityinformation.

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

Newport Beach Animal Shelter participates in America’s Pet Expo

Newport Beach Animal Shelter and FONBAS (Friends of the Newport Beach Animal Shelter) participated in America’s Pet Expo, which took place on April 26-28 at the OC Fair & Event Center. This giant animal entertainment and education festival is the largest pet and pet product expo in the world.

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Photos courtesy of the Newport Beach Animal Shelter

(L-R) Mary Forslund and Sharon Esterly at the FONBAS expo booth

With the help of Shelter staff and volunteers, six adorable small dogs were adopted out: Mimi, Quesadilla, Luna, Willow, April and Mindi.

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Mindi, shown here with her adopter, is headed for a home filled with love and attention

Sydney, who has appeared as the Stu News featured Pet of the Week, is still looking for a forever loving home. She’s approximately 11 months old and a Labrador mix. Full of high energy, she needs her parent to lead an active lifestyle that includes her.  Sydney enjoys chasing toys, companionship with humans and other dogs, walking, running, hiking, etc. She’s an adventurous girl. Medium in stature, she is perfect if you have been looking for a large dog but half the size.

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Sydney is still seeking a forever loving residence

If you are interested in finding out more about Sydney, or any other full-of-fun shelter pets up for adoption, the Newport Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20302 Riverside Dr., Newport Beach. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., excluding major holidays. Staff and volunteers look forward to seeing you soon and thank you for your interest in their wonderful furry guests. For more information, call 949.644.3656 or email Valerie Schomburg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You Must Remember This: Local turned actor – our own Peter Jason

By NANCY GARDNER

Our city has had a number of actors as residents, the best known, of course, being John Wayne. There was a not-very-complimentary article in the Times about him a couple of weeks ago, and it echoed something my father had said. My father was a western buff from the mountain men on. He loved John Ford and Howard Hawk westerns, many of which starred Wayne, but he would never go see Wayne in one of his war movies. In his words, “Wayne was a draft dodger.” Interesting that the actor had that reputation in some circles and yet ended up an American, Orange County and Newport Beach icon, but I guess that’s star quality.

Andy Devine was a longtime resident who made a film or two with Wayne and was known to many of us as Jingles in the TV show Wild Bill Hickock, and Buddy Ebsen was another Newport-residing actor. Best known for The Beverly Hillbillies, you get a better idea of the scope of his abilities in Breakfast at Tiffany’s where he played Holly Golightly’s husband. They say there are no small roles, only small actors, so I won’t say it was a small part, just that there wasn’t a lot of screen time – which he made the most of.

The foregoing all resided at one point or another in the city, but none of them grew up here like the next fellow. His film credits include Rio Lobo and 48 Hours, Heartbreak Ridge and Seabiscuit. On stage, he did The Music Man among other works, and on the small screen, the list is long including Roseanne and, most recently, as Uncle Jim in Baskets. Unless you’re a real film buff or know him personally, at this point you don’t know his name, and even when I tell you, there’s a good chance it doesn’t ring a bell.   He’s one of those actors whose face is vaguely familiar, but not necessarily his name...which is Peter Jason.

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Courtesy of Wikipedia

Actor Peter Jason hails from Newport Beach

I came to know Peter not in Newport but in New Jersey. We were living in Chatham. The phone rang. “Is this Nancy Gardner?”

“Yes.” (This was long before robocalls, when I was actually polite when someone asked.)

“This is Peter Jason.” Blank. “Pete Ostling? You knew my sister, Patty?”

Of course I did. Patty had been in my high school class. Somehow, Peter had found out I was in New Jersey. He was appearing in an Off Broadway play which was closing and would we like to come to closing night. Absolutely. We went into the city and saw The Ballad of Johnny Pot, a musical which was lively and entertaining, but apparently not lively or entertaining enough since it only ran two weeks. We went backstage afterwards and met the cast, and since they had nothing to do for the immediate future, invited them all out to our house for a barbecue that weekend.

They were a hilarious group. They would do bits, falling into accents and characters. Peter did a marvelous impression of John Wayne. It was a great show, and I thought about their high spirits years later when I was working for Century 21. I was sitting in on the casting for one of our commercials. We had the reps from the ad agency, the casting director and me, who had no particular responsibilities except to represent – silently – the company during the auditions. Ten minutes into the process, I thanked my lucky stars I had switched my major to English from drama all those years ago. It was brutal. Some of the actors didn’t even get to read. They walked in wearing the gold jacket. Before they opened their mouths – “Thank you. Next.” Apparently, they didn’t look good enough. Now, I’d been to a couple of Century 21 conventions with thousands of agents darting around in their gold jackets. I could have told the casting director and ad reps that while a particular actor might not be the next Cary Grant, he was at least as presentable as 99 percent of our agents. I even started to venture such a point, but was quickly scowled into silence by the pros. A few hopefuls made it past that first cut and actually got to read. What a challenge. They had about 15 seconds to read lines that weren’t particularly memorable and somehow sell themselves as that special one. Driving home, I thought back to that group of actors who had come to our house. They had hoped for a long run and two weeks after opening were out of work with nothing lined up, not knowing when or if they would work again, and there they were having a great time. It made me think that resilience, not talent, may be the great quality in an actor.

As for Peter, the close of Johnny Pot was a mere hiccup. He has worked, and continues to work, steadily ever since. But of course. Anyone who is an alumnus of Newport El, Horace Ensign and Harbor High – in other words, a real Newport Beach native – has what it takes to succeed, even in a fickle endeavor like show biz.   

~~~~~~~~

Nancy Gardner, former Mayor of Newport Beach, long-time resident and daughter of Judge Robert Gardner, is a regular contributor to Stu News Newport.

World-class OC Marathon returns this weekend

Now celebrating its 15th year, the 2019 OC Marathon Running Festival returns this weekend, May 3-5. This world-class event features the SDCCU OC Marathon and Half Marathon, OC 5k, Kids Run the OC “Final Mile,” Ultimate Finish Line Festival and the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, bringing together more than 23,000 participants, including 9,500 children, who enjoy food, music and other family fun entertainment.

Participants in the marathon and half-marathon will appreciate one of the best destination courses on the West Coast with a diverse terrain, changing coastal and inland vistas and majestic ocean views.

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Photos courtesy of OC Marathon

OC Marathon start line in Fashion Island at sunrise

Since the inaugural event in 2004, the SDCCU OC Marathon and related events have generated more than $12 million annually in economic impact to the Orange County region, while helping charities to raise more than $65.5 million. With nearly perfect running weather in early May, runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries have made the OC Marathon Running Festival their destination spring event.

The SDCCU OC Marathon and Half Marathon begin at Fashion Island in Newport

Beach, wind through Orange County’s coastal communities, and finish at the OC

Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

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OC Marathon Running Festival at the OC Fair & Event Center

At-a-Glance Schedule:

–The OC Lifestyle & Fitness Expo, Friday, May 3 from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the OC Fair & Event Center. More than 25,000 runners and spectators are expected at the Expo, which features 70+ exhibitors and official race merchandise. Runners can also pick up race packets. As title sponsor of the OC Marathon and Half Marathon, the San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU)® will host the SDCCU Cash Cube at their exhibit. Attendees can enter to win the chance to win up to $500 in the walk-in container where money flies through the air. The Cash Cube, which will be located in the SDCCU Lounge in the Main Mall, will operate every hour on the hour on Saturday, May 4, from 2-7 p.m., and on Sunday, May 5, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

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Kids Run the OC Final Mile on Saturday, May 4

–Kids Run the OC Final Mile, Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. More than 9,500 children from 150 local schools are expected to complete their “Final Mile” of an in-school fitness program.

–Yoga for Running with Lululemon on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. Lululemon will host an on-site Yoga for Runners session for up to 100 participants featuring Master Trainer & Yoga Teacher Anthony Chavez.

–“Skid Row Marathon” screening in the Main Mall at the OC Fair & Event Center on Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. Exclusive Orange County showing of multi award-winning documentary showcasing the efforts of a Los Angeles criminal court judge, who starts a running club on the notorious Skid Row and begins training a motley group of addicts and criminals to run marathons.

–OC 5k and Ultimate Finish Line Festival on Saturday, May 4 from 5-8 p.m. More than 2,500 participants are expected for the OC 5k, immediately followed by the Ultimate Finish Line Festival with live music by Sega Genocide and family fun activities.

–SDCCU Full Marathon on Sunday, May 5 at 5:30 a.m. Start line at Fashion Island; more than 2,500 runners are expected.

–SDCCU Half Marathon on Sunday, May 5 at 6:15 a.m. Also starting in Fashion Island, more than 9,000 runners are expected.

–The Ultimate Finish Line Festival on Sunday, May 6 from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Held at the finish line at the OC Fair & Event Center with live music by Flashback Heart Attack and family-fun activities.

For a list of road closures, visit https://ocmarathon.com/road-closures/.

Click here for course map

Find out about Leadership Tomorrow at annual guest luncheon

Find out more about Leadership Tomorrow at the upcoming annual guest luncheon taking place on Thursday, May 16 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Community Meeting Room.

The public is invited to sit in on a portion of the Leadership Tomorrow Local Government Workshop, enjoy a delicious lunch and learn more about this dynamic community leadership program.

The special guest panel will feature three local mayors sharing their unique leadership challenges. Panelists include Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon, Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley and Tustin Mayor Chuck Puckett.

Photos courtesy of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce

(L-R) Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon, Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley and Tustin Mayor Chuck Puckett

To register for the luncheon and more information, visit 

www.leadershiptomorrow.org/guest-luncheon/. If you have questions, contactl Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer Jeff Parker at 949.729.4408 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Civic Center Community Meeting Room is located at Newport Beach City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Take Five: Meet Gary Kutscher, race director for the OC Marathon

By AMY SENK

The OC Marathon will celebrate its 15th year on Sunday, May 5, when the starting gun will fire near Fashion Island at 5:30 a.m. Minutes later, thousands of runners will race down East Coast Highway and to the ocean-view bluffs of Corona del Mar, then through Newport Beach and Costa Mesa before ending at the OC Fairgrounds. I caught up with Race Director Gary Kutscher to find out more.

Courtesy of OC Marathon

OC Marathon Race Director Gary Kutscher

Q: The OC Marathon is marking its 15th anniversary. How has it changed from its beginning?

A: We originally had a December date in 2004 and switched to January in ‘06, ‘07 and ‘08. The weather did not cooperate, and it was difficult getting volunteers so early in January. In 2009, we moved it to the first weekend in May, changed the entire course and made the OC Fair & Event Center our finish line venue. The race has grown from a nice community run to a large, world-class event with over 22,000 total participants in our Full and Half Marathons, 5K and Kids Run. Most notably, our Kids Run the OC has grown every year with the number of schools that are represented. This year we have 170 schools with 9,000 kids participating.

Q: It’s a Boston Marathon qualifier and attracts racers from around the world. What kind of feedback do you hear about the course?

A: We hear from many runners that it’s their favorite half marathon course with the beauty of Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, Ocean Boulevard, etc., and the flat and fast marathon course continues into Costa Mesa, Irvine and Santa Ana running past notable OC landmarks including the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Plaza and the communities of Mesa Verde and the Bird Streets in Costa Mesa.

Q: The Marathon has a major charitable component. Can you describe some of the charities involved this year and how they will benefit?

A: Team World Vision, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, OC Bar Foundation, United Way, Girls on the Run, Global Genes, Project Purple and 13 others will benefit by enlisting runners to participate and fundraise for their various causes. We provide very low-cost registrations for the fundraisers and help promote their causes in our social media and in registration. Annually, $500,000-plus is raised by our charities, and we should hit $6,000,000 this year since the OC began.

Q: What tips do you have for a novice marathon runner?

A: A novice runner should slowly increase their mileage leading up to the event and try to get in at least one long run that is about 3/4 of the distance they are planning to run on race day. If they are planning on doing the Half Marathon, they should run at least 10 miles on a training run. They should practice drinking and hydrating and even eating and fueling during their training. Don’t try new things on race day like new shoes. Most of all, come out to race day, enjoy yourself, smile and thank the volunteers and have fun.

Q: What’s the most inspirational story to come out of the OC Marathon?

A: Each year, there are so many, many inspirational stories, and that’s what inspires me, our marathon team and our volunteers and sponsors each year. To see runners who finish their first marathon after months of hard work, or to see runners returning after serious health battles or life challenges – they are all incredibly special.

Orli Shaham and Pacific Symphony musicians present 

“To Tell A Story”

Pacific Symphony musicians Dennis Kim, Meredith Crawford and Joseph Morris will join mezzo-soprano Kristin Chávez and Café Ludwig host and pianist Orli Shaham to perform another unique chamber music concert. The “To Tell A Story” program features: Ridout’s “Ferdinand the Bull” for Solo Violin and Narrator; Brahms’ Two Songs for Voice, Viola and Piano; Britten’s “A Charm of Lullabies” for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano; and Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du soldat” (“A Soldier’s Tale”).

“To Tell A Story” takes place on Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. in the Samueli Theater. Doors open at 2 p.m. While there is no pre-concert talk, Shaham will introduce the music from the stage. This performance is sponsored by Sandra Smart-Ashburn and Harry Ashburn, and Dot and Rick Nelson. The Café Ludwig series is sponsored by Avenue of the Arts Hotel. 

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Photos courtesy of Pacific Symphony

Pianist Orli Shaham

A consummate musician recognized for her grace and vitality, Shaham has established an impressive international reputation as one of today’s most gifted pianists. Hailed by critics the world over, she is in demand for her prodigious skills and admired for her interpretations of both standard and modern repertoire. The New York Times called her a “brilliant pianist,” while the Chicago Tribune recently referred to her as “a first-rate Mozartean.” 

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Mezzo-soprano Kirstin Chávez

Kirstin Chávez is considered one of the most riveting and significant performing mezzo-sopranos today. Her powerful voice with its expansive range, the dramatic intensity of her acting and her natural sensuality combine to make her an arresting and unique presence on the operatic and concert stages. Chávez has captured attention and acclaim in her signature roles and is recognized as one of the definitive Carmens of today, creating her Carmen in nearly 40 different productions throughout the U.S. and around the globe. 

Concertmaster Dennis Kim

Dennis Kim is the new concertmaster of Pacific Symphony. He was first appointed concertmaster of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra at the age of 22. He then served as the youngest concertmaster in the history of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, before going on to lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra in Finland. As guest concertmaster, Kim has performed on four continents, leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Joseph Morris, principal clarinet

Joseph Morris is the principal clarinet of Pacific Symphony. Previously, he has held the positions of principal clarinet with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra (Wis.), where he was featured as soloist in performances of Copland’s Clarinet Concerto in September 2015. Morris has appeared as guest principal clarinet with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Sarasota Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with the Utah Symphony and Opera, Kansas City Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony and New World Symphony. 

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Meredith Crawford, principal viola

Meredith Crawford is the Principal Viola in Pacific Symphony. She graduated in 2009 from the Oberlin College and Conservatory under the direction of Peter Slowik. Crawford was the first-prize winner of the Ohio Viola Society’s annual competition in 2007, the 2009 Skokie Valley Symphony Annual Young Artist Competition and the 2009-10 Oberlin Conservatory Competition in which she was the first win for a violist in over a decade. Crawford is also an active chamber musician performing frequently with the L.A.-based Salastina Music Society, the Historic Portsmouth Chamber Music Series in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and the High Desert Chamber Music series in Bend, Oregon.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 714.755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

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

Newport Beach-based fodada introduces Mental Fitness Five for Fathers

To promote May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, fodada™, a casual-wear social enterprise that supports wellness and empowerment for fathers and families, is introducing the Mental Fitness Five for Fathers, an initiative that makes being emotionally healthy as important and approachable as being physically fit through exercise. The Mental Fitness Five for Fathers is designed to change the dialogue around mental health to focus on its positive impact, beginning with simple, approachable perspective change, and steps which connect parents and their children while promoting mental fitness.

Founded in 2012, fodada celebrates, promotes and supports dads through social awareness campaigns and programs. Through sales of its clothing line, fodada is able to brand the idea of great dads while funding free programs for dads and families, reaching fathers in 22 different countries worldwide through programs like Dad & Me, the Red Beanie Campaign and by working with dads who are incarcerated to remain in contact with their children.

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Photo by Stacy Gleason Photography

Billy Barzi, founder of fodada (center), with his two sons (L-R) Royce, age 7 and Pierce, age 10 wearing “noggin” T-shirts

The Mental Fitness Five for Fathers, in line with fodada’s mission, offers clear, practical and actionable tips for dads, with the aim of helping them, their kids, spouses or partners. To support the Mental Fitness Five for Fathers, fodada designed a special “noggin” T-shirt that has five tips printed inside the shirt, reminding the wearers about the importance and accessibility of mental fitness. Developed in partnership with licensed mental health experts at Advekit, the Mental Fitness Five for Fathers provides five simple tips:

–Talk with your kids...about anything, anytime, anywhere.

–Let them in. Share with them who you are and what you go through, good and bad.

–Take care of yourself, first...so you can take better care of those you love.

–Be part of their world...encourage and engage in their likes and interests.

–Give yourself, and them, grace...sometimes it’s OK not to be OK.

“The purpose of the Mental Fitness Five for Fathers campaign is to position mental health in a better light – one that is socially acceptable and approachable,” said Bobby Barzi, founder and “chief dada” at fodada. “By promoting the positive and accessible side of mental fitness, fodada provides opportunities for incremental progress, connecting fathers and their families to the deep value of mental health and strengthening family cores.”

fodada is pursuing mental health awareness in two ways: first, by introducing and promoting the Mental Fitness Five for Fathers and, second, by using parents as a conduit to reach their children and, in the process, moving all parts of the family forward – what Barzi calls the “sneaky spinach for parents.”

All fodada programs are reflected in a creative design that is featured on its casual wear and gear, allowing the wearer to both be reminded of and show engagement in the campaign. The “noggin” design featured at www.fodada.com/mental-fitness was developed in support of the mental fitness initiative. 

“Importantly, the Mental Fitness Five for Fathers isn’t about providing quick fixes – there aren’t any,” said Barzi, whose experiences as a father of two boys, ages 7 and 10, led him to establish fodada in 2012. “Together, we want to create an inviting context around mental health, so dads and families are not only comfortable with mental fitness, but interested in taking proactive steps to achieve and maintain it.”

Newport Beach-based fodada is a casual-wear clothing line with a social purpose of celebrating, promoting and supporting dads to strengthen future generations. Every piece of fodada clothing or gear elevates fatherhood and helps bring about free programs for dads, kids and families – from dad and kid interactivity and empowerment to disease awareness and prevention education. For more information about fodada, its products and programs, visit www.fodada.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 888.363.2321.

Paint with Mom at Urban Arts OC to celebrate Mother’s Day

Urban Arts OC is offering two workshops where Mom can celebrate Mother’s Day by creating memorable artwork with her youngsters.

On Wednesday, May 8 from 4-5:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., participate in a special Mother’s Day painting event...you can even include Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, aunts and uncles, too.

Courtesy of Urban Arts OC

The cost is $55 for one painter and the second painter is free (Mom or me); a third painter is an additional $25.

For more information and to register, visit www.urbanartsoc.com or call 949.474.1552.

Urban Arts OC is located at 4250 Scott Drive, Newport Beach.

Priestley Family Chiropractic presents Women’s Wellness Workshop, May 14

On Tuesday, May 14 at 6:15 p.m., Priestley Family Chiropractic presents a Women’s Wellness Workshop with Dr. Kevin Priestley. The workshop will discuss the unique needs that women have regarding their physical health and wellness. 

From reproductive health to beauty tips, Dr. Priestley will discuss common inquiries he receives from women as a health specialist. There will also be a group discussion on mental health, including the impact media has on women’s self-worth as well as tips for self-care and combating anxiety. 

Courtesy of Priestleychiropractic.com

Dr. Kevin Priestley of Priestley Family Chiropractic

“During this experience, I want to work with you to answer questions and dig deep into personal issues related to women’s health that you might have otherwise been embarrassed to discuss,” Dr. Priestley says.

“We’ve reached a frontier of health and wellness that offers women more options than ever before when it comes to caring for their bodies, and I want to help you understand what your options are. Join me for this experience and add to your toolbox of knowledge.”

To RSVP, visit www.pfc.synduit.com/LEWH0001 or call 949.640.7030. 

Priestley Family Chiropractic is located at 3 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 200.

Standup for the Cure hits the water tomorrow

The 8th Annual Standup for the Cure will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 4 at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, beginning at 8 a.m.

More than 1,000 breast cancer awareness advocates, survivors and paddling enthusiasts wearing pink are expected to support the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer organization.

Submitted photo

The morning activities begin with a free standup paddleboard clinic, free breast and skin cancer screenings provided by Kaiser Permanente and the opportunity to win great prizes through the opportunity drawing and silent auction. A Hawaiian blessing of survivors and a white dove release will kick off the Sea of Pink, a ceremonial parade for all paddlers. Following the parade are optional races for kids and adults and happy hour on the beach accompanied by live music. Lunch will be served by Newport Dunes’ waterfront restaurant, Back Bay Bistro.

Having raised more than $1.2 million for the Susan G. Komen organization across the United States, Standup for the Cure donates 75 percent of the net proceeds to local life-saving education, screenings, diagnostics, treatment and survivorship programs. The remaining proceeds are invested in worldwide breast cancer research.

For more information about Standup for the Cure and to register, visit here.

Lido Village Books to hold Pen on Fire, May 14

Lido Village Books will hold its Pen on Fire Speaker Series on Tuesday, May 14 beginning at 7 p.m. sharp.

Enjoy an evening with featured novelists Steven Rowley and Katya Apekina in conversation with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. There will be a book reading/signing, lively discussion and refreshments.

Submitted photos

Steven Rowley, author of “Lily and the Octopus” and “The Editor” and Katya Apekina, author of “The Deeper the Water the Uglier the Fish” will appear at Lido Village Books on May 14

To purchase tickets, which are $20, visit www.barbarademarcobarrett.com.

Lido Village Books is located at 3424 Via Oporto #102, Newport Beach. Parking is available in the structure.

Guest Column

Will O’Neill

Newport Beach Hometown Special Olympics

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Courtesy of the City of Newport Beach

Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem Will O’Neill   

“Will, why doesn’t Newport Beach offer programming for adults with special needs?” A family friend whose son fit the question asked me that at a wedding two years ago. I didn’t have the answer, so my friend and I met with our City’s Recreation & Senior Services Director Laura Detweiler (who, by the way, is awesome). In no time, our Newport Navigator included programming for adults with special needs – all thanks to a friend’s direct question and the amazing work of our Recreation Department.

Our great City has embraced our families and friends with special needs for quite some time. Just within the last four years, Newport Beach joined 100 Southern California cities as host towns for the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Our Police Department annually hosts Tip-A-Cop events raising funds for our Special Olympians. And in 2017, then-Mayor Kevin Muldoon spearheaded the successful use of mobile technology to connect deaf and hard-of-hearing people with municipal services.

So it is no surprise that Newport Beach volunteered last year to guinea pig a new Hometown event benefitting our Special Olympics. Led by the indefatigable Sue Adams, this event was a triumph. Community members carried the torch through our Civic Center that ended in a celebration and competition sponsored by our local law enforcement, Newport Beach Rib Company, Barley Forge Brewing Co., and more.

This year’s Hometown event is May 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Newport Beach Civic Center. We again have a hoop shoot challenge (our City Council team will…not win), great food and drink, and live entertainment. And all for a truly great cause.

With our sculpture garden as the backdrop, let’s fill that hill!

Good Morning Corona del Mar features Assistant Sheriff Jeff Hallock on May 9

Good Morning Corona del Mar, the monthly government and community affairs discussion group, will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 9 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

Presented by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, the featured speaker is Assistant Sheriff Jeff Hallock, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, presenting “Initiatives to Keep Us Safe.”

Courtesy of the CdM Chamber of Commerce

Assistant Sheriff Jeff Hallock, Orange County Sheriff’s Department

In addition, there will be legislative updates from our local representatives to include: City of Newport Beach, Councilwoman Joy Brenner, District 6; Congressman Harley Rouda, 48th District; Senator John Moorlach, 37th District; Assemblymember, Cottie Petrie-Norris, 74th District and OC Supervisor Michelle Steel, 2nd District.

The meeting is open to the public and free of charge. No RSVP is necessary. Complimentary refreshments will be available.

For additional information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 949.673.4050. For details on other upcoming Chamber events, visit www.CdmChamber.com.

Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club is located at 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar.

City and CR&R will help you get shredded

The City of Newport Beach and CR&R, Inc. are offering free document shredding for CR&R’s Newport Beach customers on Saturday, May 11, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in the parking lot of Big Canyon Reservoir located at 3300 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar.

This event is for CC&R’s Newport Beach residents only. Proof of residency is required. Up to 10 banker-sized boxes (or the equivalent) per household will be accepted. CR&R will not be able to accommodate materials from local businesses.

Shredding old documents and records helps prevent identify theft and fraud

Securely shredding old documents, records and items that contain personal or sensitive information can help prevent identity theft and fraud. 

For more information, contact CR&R Customer Service at 949.625.6735.

Beauty at the beach

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Photo by Denise Cornell (instagram @seaofdreamsbydenise)

A “wrong turn” in Newport led local photographer Denise Cornell to discover this hidden gem

Barrels at the Wedge

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Photo by Clark Reeder (Instagram @crca.photo)

A surfer’s delight this week at Newport’s infamous Wedge

Annual OC Real Estate Luncheon
raises $700,000+ for veterans

Nearly 600 professionals from top real estate companies and financial institutions attended the fourth annual Orange County Real Estate Luncheon on Thursday, April 18 at Hotel Irvine. The event was held in partnership with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), based in Newport Beach, and raised more than $700,000 to support the critical needs of local veterans and their families.

This year’s event featured a keynote address from 26th National Security Advisor Gerald H.R. McMaster, who spoke about the very real threat of international terrorism on America’s Homeland and the soundness of policies to thwart terrorism overseas. 

“The Orange County Real Estate Luncheon demonstrates how leaders from one of the county’s most important sectors can grow the good not only for veterans and their families, but for our community as a whole,” said Shelley Hoss, OCCF president. “Their continued commitment and generosity is instrumental to helping the Orange County Veterans Initiative create positive futures for local servicemen and women and their families.”

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Submitted photo

Patrick S. Donahue, chairman and CEO of Donahue Schriber, addresses the audience during the luncheon

Again this year, the Orange County Real Estate Luncheon partnered with OCCF to raise funds for the Orange County Veterans Initiative (OCVI). To date, OCVI has granted more than $3 million to nonprofits reaching more than 17,000 veterans and their families. The grantees were selected based on their ability to effectively provide services for veterans and their families in alignment with OCVI’s mission, including improving assessment and referral services, transition support programs, and health, education and employment support programs.

According to Patrick S. Donahue, chairman and chief executive officer of Donahue Schriber, “People want to help, but they want to see their money put to good use with measurable results. That is why Donahue Schriber and its executives underwrite the cost of the luncheon. We want sponsors and attendees to know that their money is going directly to the nonprofits that support our local vets.”

Of note at this year’s luncheon was the introduction of The Hub at the Tierney Center for Veteran Services (“The Hub”). The Hub has been the long-range goal of Donahue and the organizers of the Orange County Real Estate Luncheon, and will bring together OC veteran organizations under one roof to provide services for veterans and their families to help them successfully transition into their communities.

It was announced that Goodwill Orange County will provide 11,000 square feet of space at their Tustin headquarters for The Hub to build out space to house these organizations. Many attendees at the luncheon offered goods and services to help get The Hub off and running. Anticipated opening of The Hub is spring 2020.

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Submitted photo

(L-R) Brent Theobald, Integritas; Carol Ferguson, OCCF; Kevin Jennings, Bank of America; Larry Casey, Donahue Schriber; Patrick S. Donahue, Donahue Schriber; General H.R. McMaster; David Zamudio, KBS Realty Advisors; Shelley Hoss, OCCF and Cathleen Otero, OCCF

The 2019 presenting sponsor was Bank of America and they were joined by founding sponsors CBRE, Donahue Schriber, Mark IV Capital, Rancho Mission Viejo, Fidelity National Title, Craig Realty Group, Lyon Living and KBS Realty Group.

The OCCF works with donors, strengthens the local nonprofit sector and works to find solutions to community needs. Since its inception, it has awarded nearly $600 million in grants and scholarships and ranks in the top two percent in grantmaking activity among more than 780 U.S. community foundations.

For more information, visit www.oc-cf.org or call 949.553.4202.

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Learn more about the Super Bloom, the Newport Beach Hometown celebration and get ready for the “legendary” CdM 5K

Who’s Kitty Connolly you ask? She’s the executive director of the Theodore Payne Foundation. 

Follow-up question, what is the Theodore Payne Foundation? The Theodore Payne Foundation “inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.”

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, why do you need to know in the first place?

Well, Kitty Connolly is the featured speaker at Sherman Library & Gardens’ upcoming Lunch & Lecture Series next Friday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Her subject title is California’s Super Bloom.

Here’s what they’re telling me: “Kitty has been out surveying this season’s wildflowers and enjoying the Super Bloom. She will be discussing this year’s Super Bloom and the conditions that make it happen as well as all the amazing things the Theodore Payne Foundation does to protect and grow California’s native fauna.”

You’ll want to be a part of it. Lunch and lecture ranges from $25 to $35 depending on whether or not you’re a member, or friend as they call it, of Sherman Library & Gardens. The lecture only is free to members and $5 to non-members.

Reservations are advised. You can do that here.

• • •

A note from Sue Adams, that is of utmost importance. Sue, you see, is the person behind Newport Beach Hometown and the 2nd Annual Unity Torch Walk, Mini-Hoop Shoot Challenge and BBQ next Thursday, May 9, from 6-9 p.m. at the Newport Beach Civic Center.

She’s passionate about its success.

You can join Special Olympic athletes, police and fire personnel, members from our City Council and staff from the Recreation and Senior Services Department for this event. It celebrates inclusion and diversity. The 3/4-mile loop walk meanders through the Sculpture trails on the hill overlooking City Hall and concludes at the Civic Center complete with a band, cheerleaders and hopefully, plenty of fans.

Then it’s an evening of live music, craft beers, fine wines, the BBQ and the Mini-Hoop Shoot Challenge.

Speaking of the Mini-Hoop Shoot Challenge, my money is on the Recreation Department staff over our City Council. Oh wait, I’m told there will be no betting. But that’s okay, we can simply cheer them on to victory.

Hope you’ll join fun! Check out the opportunities here.

• • •

If you haven’t registered yet, you need to. The Corona del Mar Chamber’s CdM Scenic 5K and more is coming up Saturday, June 1. 

As the promotion information says, “Whether you’re a competitive runner or looking for an exhilarating & social activity to share with family and friends, register today for the legendary CdM Scenic 5K.

“Legendary,” you say. And who would know better than Linda Leonhard, the chamber’s president. After all, she puts the event on and wrote the promotional copy.

Besides the 5K, there’s a 2-Mile Walk, a 2-Mile Youth Run and a 1K Kid’s Dolphin Dash.

Everyone who registers gets a T-shirt, race bib, swag bag and gourmet breakfast.

It’s a great event, in fact, legendary in my book. For more info, check here.

SOCO + OC Mix Spring Day of Design...all things interior design

SOCO + The OC Mix, Orange County’s premier design destination, hosted its Spring Day of Design event this past Saturday, April 27. With eight participating showrooms and close to 100 attendees consisting of interior designers, design professionals and consumers alike, the event was enjoyed by all and gave guests an opportunity to hear inside tips from industry professionals, explore new collections, discuss upcoming design trends and ask their own questions surrounding all things interior design.

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Photo by Ashley Johnson

Airplane art in the Cisco Home showroom

Upon check-in, each attendee received a name badge, a tote bag filled with gifts and coupons from retailers and restaurants at the center, and were entered to win one of three grand prize giveaways: two $500 shopping sprees to SOCO + The OC Mix and a 90-minute introductory KonMari organizing session.

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Photo by Ann Chatillon

Chef Jenny Messing leads a “how-to” on creating stunning fruit platters

The day began at PIRCH with a buffet-style breakfast and live demonstration led by Chef Jenny Messing of graesplatters.com who guided guests through a “how-to” on creating stunning fruit platters, followed by an engaging presentation from KonMari Consultant & Burnout Coach, Dr. Jessica Louie, on how organization and the KonMari method can impact your life both personally and professionally.

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Photo by Ann Chatillon

Dr. Jessica Louie sharing tips from the KonMari organization method

Guests walked over to Cisco Home for Session 1 where showroom founder and owner Cisco Pinedo led a talk on redefining luxury today. Session 2 was held at Design Within Reach, where guests enjoyed a presentation by Studio Lead Darren Carr, who gave an introduction to the showroom’s exclusive Block Island Collection by Jens Risom.

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Photo by Ann Chatillon

Cisco Pinedo (center), founder and owner of Cisco Home, redefines luxury through comfort

Next was the highly anticipated lunch panel at HAY where guests listened to an engaging conversation about what’s new and what’s next in interior design. Panelists included Newport Beach interior designers Denise Morrison of Denise Morrison Interiors/House of Morrison, Anna-Marie Claassen of Anthology Interiors, Ashley Clark of Shop Skout and Corre Larkin of Corre Marie Home, who each shared their own personal design journeys before answering questions from guests during a Q&A surrounding interior design.

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Photo by Ashley Johnson

A chandelier makes an interesting conversation piece at Timothy Oulton

Following lunch, Session 3 was hosted by Timothy Oulton, located inside H.D. Buttercup, where a talk on the brand’s new Noble Souls collection took a close look into the inspiration and background of each piece, color and product. Session 4 was held at Brown Jordan, focusing on outdoor design with guest speaker Lisa McDennon, founder of Lisa McDennon Design. McDennon shared her knowledge on building and designing the perfect outdoor environment.

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Photo by Ann Chatillon

Interior designer Lisa McDennon and a Brown Jordan staff member discuss outdoor living concepts

Ligne Roset hosted Session 5, which featured KAZ Design Group designer Angeliqué Pines. She gave an introduction to Ligne Roset’s furnishings and talked about its newest collections before inviting guests to move to the Scavolini showroom. Scavolini, Italy’s leading kitchen brand, was the host of Session 6, offering guests a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s factory in Italy and included a special showroom tour led by Mase Kazerani, showroom director.

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Photo by Ann Chatillon

(L-R) Newport Beach interior designers Anna-Marie Claassen, Denise Morrison, Ashley Clark and Corre Larkin were the panelists during the luncheon at Hay

SOCO’s Day of Design was the ultimate design-focused event offering engaging and informative tips on what’s ahead in interior design, as well as how to incorporate new and timeless trends into your own home.

For those who weren’t able to attend (or for those who plan to be at future events!), fall Day of Design will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5. For updates and details, visit www.socodayofdesign.com.

Pacific Symphony Ravel’s one-act opera comes to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall 

Unleash your inner child as Pacific Symphony offers another unique concert experience, with a double bill of both Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale Peter & The Wolf and Ravel’s one-act opera L’enfant et les sortilèges (The Child and the Magic Spells). No stranger to producing elaborate and magical stagings, Robert Neu is once again the stage director, returning after his work on The Magic Flute. (He will return next season to direct Verdi’s Otello.) Longtime artistic partner Pacific Chorale, led by Artistic Director Robert Istad, will join the Symphony on stage again, as well as the CSUF Singers and Southern California Children’s Chorus. Returning mezzo-soprano Tess Altiveros plays the lead role, The Child, in Ravel’s L’enfant.

Ravel’s magical opera is about a young boy who encounters magical forces, including dancing chairs, a grumpy grandfather clock, two amorous cats and a singing squirrel. It takes place May 16-18 on the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage. Tickets start at $25. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. preview talk by KUSC host Alan Chapman, for a show beginning at 8 p.m. The 2018-19 Classical series is sponsored by the Hal & Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation.

Courtesy of Pacific Symphony

Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortilèges” is a magical one-act opera 

Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic fairy tale, is a musical composition written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936. It is Prokofiev’s most frequently performed work, and one of the most frequently performed works in the entire classical repertoire. Peter and the Wolf opens the program and features unique performers – the Magic Circle Mime Company.

L’enfant et les sortilèges is an opera in one act, with music by Maurice Ravel to a libretto by Colette. It is Ravel’s second opera, his first being L’heure espagnole. Written from 1917-1925, L’enfant was first performed in Monte Carlo in 1925 under the baton of Victor de Sabata. Ravel said of the premiere production: “Our work requires an extraordinary production: the roles are numerous, and the phantasmagoria is constant. Following the principles of American operetta, dancing is continually and intimately intermingled with the action. Now the Monte Carlo Opera possesses a wonderful troupe of Russian dancers, marvelously directed by a prodigious ballet master, M. Balanchine…And let’s not forget an essential element, the orchestra.”

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.PacificSymphony.org or call the Box Office at 714.755.5799.

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

Hutchins Consort announces May program

On Sunday, May 19, the Hutchins Consort will perform “Hawaiiana,” featuring Kunia Galdiera and Matt Akiona in a musical voyage celebrating the people and culture of Hawai’i with eight violins.

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Courtesy of Hutchins Consort

Members of the Hutchins Consort and Carleen Hutchins’ instruments

The concert takes place beginning at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church located at 2200 San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Beach. Tickets are $35 for adults, $20 for seniors/students and $60 for a family package (two adults and two children).

To purchase tickets, visit www.hutchinsconsort.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.

CdM Chamber Mingle & Mix event tonight

Tonight, Tuesday, April 30, don’t miss out on the opportunity to mingle and mix at the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce networking event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at RockStars of Art Fine Art Gallery. Located just blocks from the ocean, this edgy contemporary gallery offers two levels of original painting, limited edition giclees, mixed media sculptures and aerial photography by bands of rockstar artists.

In addition to fine art and networking, enjoy cool live tunes, wine, beer and tasty bites. This event is open to the public and no RSVP is necessary, so feel free to invite a friend or colleague. This cost is free to Chamber members, guests are $10.

For speedy check-in, click here.

RockStars of Art Gallery is located at 3555 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

Dancing doctor will warm up crowd at Saturday’s 10th Annual Epilepsy Walk OC 

Dr. Tony Adkins of CHOC Children’s in Orange will be the Grand Marshal of Dance and Joy and warm up the crowd prior to the 10th Annual Epilepsy Walk OC on Saturday, May 4 at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa.

The Epilepsy Walk, sponsored by Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CHOC and UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, is an all-day extravaganza with a barbecue lunch, in which side foods are donated by Newport Rib Co. in Costa Mesa. There are opportunity drawing prizes, a silent auction, contests and games, as well as music and special guests, including firefighters and police officers from Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach.

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Dr. Tony Adkins (middle), dances in his tutu

“Dr. Tony,” a physician assistant at CHOC, is known as the “Dancing Doctor” who entertains sick kids in the neurosurgery department.

Hosted by the Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County (ESNOC), the Walk will be held for the first time on National Star Wars Day – May The Fourth Be With You! Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, R2D2 and many other Star Wars characters will be at the Walk.

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Racers break through the starting line at the Epilepsy Walk

It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County and generates about $145,000 each year. ESNOC provides 26 different programs and organizes several free, educational events throughout the year.

For more information about the agency or Walk, or to volunteer, contact Executive Director Janna Moore at 714.916.0456 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ENC to hold 15th Annual Spring Faire

The Environmental Nature Center is presenting its 15th Annual Spring Faire and Butterfly House opening on Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Come and join the youth art exhibit for ages 4-18 with the themed challenge, “Diversity in Nature.” Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in four age categories.

Check out the Butterfly House with OC nature butterflies and the plants they depend on. Host plants are munched on by caterpillars, while nectar plants provide nectar to the adult butterflies. You can also purchase native plants such as monkey flower, coast sunflower and white sage that attract butterflies and birds to your backyard.

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Youngsters take a closer look at a butterfly

Purchase native plants and attract butterflies and birds to your own yard. Buy a re-usable ENC canvas bag for $5 – your “ticket” to make awesome crafts! Kids, decorate your body with face painted butterflies and caterpillars or create beautiful designs on your hands, play nature games, watch a live Bird of Prey presentation with hawks and owls from the OC Bird of Prey Center, and engage with Miss Valerie as she teaches about some amazing Animal Ambassadors such as reptiles, amphibians and arthropods.

Gather ‘round the Fire Circle Stage and listen to the Sweetwater Creek Band, Vermillion Vocalists and the Young Singers of Orange County.

Come Savor OC with food and beverages from local restaurants and caterers including About All Catering, Bluewater Grill, Fishbonz, Kean Coffee, Mi Casa, Old World’s European Market, Sensitive Sweets and Urbana.

ENC is striving to be zero waste, so bring your own drink containers, utensils and plate for a discount on food and drinks.

Admission is free. For more information on the Spring Faire and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.encenter.org.

Environmental Nature Center is located at 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. For more information, call 949.645.8489.

First Orange County Report On Older Adults released

The first ever Orange County Report On Older Adults has been released, documenting and analyzing data about Orange County’s senior population and illustrating the growing and pressing needs to support and care for this demographic.

Launched by the Orange County Strategic Plan for Aging (“OCSPA”), the report is the first-of-its-kind, inaugural effort of local nonprofit organizations, governments and funders to gather and analyze the county’s data on older adults, address areas of need/concern, and identify opportunities and next steps for our community to collectively support the growing senior population.

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Staggering statistics presented in the report illustrate the issues that Orange County’s senior population faces:

–The population 65 and older is the only demographic that is increasing in Orange County

–1 out of 2 older adults in Orange County are at risk for malnutrition

–22 percent of adults 65 and older in Orange County live alone and may be at risk of social isolation

–In 2016-2017, Orange County’s Adult Protective Services responded to more than 12,000 reports of abuse or neglect

Despite the mounting evidence of Orange County’s older adults being at high risk for economic, social, health and lifestyle challenges as they age, Orange County currently is not in a position to provide adequate support and care to meet the needs and challenges of this inevitably growing aging population.

“This report shows that now more than ever, we need greater coordination, funding, information sharing and collaboration if we wish for Orange County to successfully support older adults,” said Jim McAleer, president/CEO of Alzheimer’s Orange County and chair of OCSPA. “We all must do more for those who have helped to build Orange County into the community it is today.”

The report was funded by Irvine Health Foundation, Orange County Community Foundation, Alzheimer’s Orange County, Easterseals Southern California, SeniorServ, CalOptima, the County of Orange, Alzheimer’s Association, Family Caregiver Resource Center Orange County, CalDuals, Senior Lifestyle and Oakmont Senior Living.

To view the full report, visit www.ocagingplan.org/agingreport.

72nd Newport to Ensenada in the books with locals taking some top spots

Alive, an Australian-based Reichel Pugh 66, took home the NOSA Trophy for overall best elapsed time in the 72nd annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race this past weekend. Luke Watkins accepted the award on behalf of skipper Duncan Hine and boat owner Phil Turner. 

“It was a great race – light winds – but we managed to find a few holes and had a strong finish,” Watkins said. “We are happy to have stayed in front of the TP 52’s.”

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Photo by Tom Walker

 “Alive,” (AUS on sail) fresh off arrival from her home in Australia, won the N2E with the fastest elapsed time

Alive also won the classic 2018 Rolex Sydney to Hobart race this past December.

Newport Beach-based Vesper, one of the TP 52’s that Alive managed to stay ahead of, won the Tommy Bahama Trophy for the Best Overall Corrected Time. 

Skipper David Team credited his navigator Chad Hough for making the right calls. “At one time it looked bad, but we stayed outside and stuck with the strategy,” Team said.

Although this was the team’s first N2E on Vesper, the crew sails and practices a lot together, said crew Paul Marshall. Many of the crew started sailing with junior programs and started racing with their Dads. They also won First in Class at the Long Beach Race Week last year.

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Photo by Laurie Morrison for NOSA

“Vesper” crew, overall corrected time winners, from NHYC

Jim Bailey’s Destroyer, another TP 52, placed second in the Maxi-Class and contributed to NHYC’s win of the Spirit of Ensenada Trophy for the yacht club for having the most winners, at five.

BCYC’s Dan Rosen, sailing the B32 Problem Child, won the Volvo Best Corrected – Double Handed Trophy for the eighth race in a row. Rosen sailed this year with Peter Heck.

Lux and A Bell A Boy, in the Unlimited Class, and Roy Disney’s Pyewacket, in the ULDB MAXI division, all pulled out of the race early for lack of winds and did not finish.

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Photo by Tom Walker

“Destroyer,” skippered by Jim Bailey from NHYC, finishes second overall corrected time

Blue Blazes, piloted by Dennis Pennell out of the San Diego Yacht Club, won the shorter Newport to San Diego race and Jock McGraw, from the Dana West Yacht Club skippering Tekeela, won the Newport to Dana Point course.

At a NOSA luncheon on Saturday following the race, Jared Gutierrez, International Press spokesperson for Ensenada Mayor Marco A. Novelo Osuna, spoke about being grateful.

“It all started with an idea; today is about being grateful for all the history and the work that those before us have done (to make the race successful) and being grateful for simply having the opportunity to be a part of this event and being grateful for the opportunities the future holds and our abilities to take action,” Gutierrez said.

Click here for PDF of full results…

Harbor Commission invites public into review process of Title 17

The Newport Beach Harbor Commission is continuing the process for reviewing Title 17, the Harbor Code section of the Newport Beach Municipal Code. The Commission recently formed an Ad-Hoc Committee to conduct a thorough review of Title 17 and to identify potential modifications. 

Gathering community input is an essential part of this review process. 

To help facilitate public input, the Ad-Hoc Committee has divided Title 17 into three sections to allow an in-depth examination of the entire code. 

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Courtesy of the Newport Beach Harbor Department

Newport Beach Harbormaster Kurt Borsting

The Ad-Hoc Committee will examine each section twice. The public is invited to the second meeting regarding sections 17.01, 17.05, 17.20, 17.25, 17.30 and 17.35, allowing for a review of the draft revisions prior to presentation to the full Commission. The meeting will be held on Monday, May 6, at 6 p.m. at Marina Park, located at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.

Once the Ad-Hoc Committee has completed its work, the Harbor Commission will then review and consider the draft revisions. Should the Commission approve of any or all of the proposed revisions, the recommended changes will be forwarded to the City Council for its review and consideration.

Standup for the Cure hits the water this Saturday

The 8th Annual Standup for the Cure will take place this Saturday, May 4 at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, beginning at 8 a.m.

More than 1,000 breast cancer awareness advocates, survivors and paddling enthusiasts wearing pink are expected to support the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer organization.

Submitted photo

The morning activities begin with a free standup paddleboard clinic, free breast and skin cancer screenings provided by Kaiser Permanente and the opportunity to win great prizes through the opportunity drawing and silent auction. A Hawaiian blessing of survivors and a white dove release will kick off the Sea of Pink, a ceremonial parade for all paddlers. Following the parade are optional races for kids and adults and happy hour on the beach accompanied by live music. Lunch will be served by Newport Dunes’ waterfront restaurant, Back Bay Bistro.

Having raised more than $1.2 million for the Susan G. Komen organization across the United States, Standup for the Cure donates 75 percent of the net proceeds to local life-saving education, screenings, diagnostics, treatment and survivorship programs. The remaining proceeds are invested in worldwide breast cancer research.

For more information about Standup for the Cure and to register, visit here.

Finalists for the Easterseals Disability Challenge announced at NB Film Festival

Easterseals, a leading disability services organization, announced the finalists of the 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge on Saturday, April 27 at the Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF), followed by a screening of the films and a Q&A with some of the finalists. Now in its sixth year, the Film Challenge empowers filmmakers with or without disabilities to collaborate and tell unique stories while providing opportunities for inclusion and representation for the world’s largest minority group.

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Courtesy of Easterseals

Getting ready to shoot a scene for “Take It Back”

Teams participating in the challenge had 55 hours to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute short film based on an assigned genre. The competition took place April 5-7, during which more than 200 people with disabilities participated either in front of or behind the camera.

Excitement and participation in the annual challenge is growing as this year’s competition saw a 22 percent increase in submissions from the prior year, and entries from three different countries. “The goal is to expand the conversation surrounding disability inclusion and provide a platform for the many talented members of the disability community to create authentic content,” said Mark Whitley, CEO, Easterseals Southern California. “Through the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, participants have a chance to showcase their talents, creating a pipeline that will directly lead to increased inclusion.”

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“Parents Inc.,” a finalist for Best Film and Best Director

The 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Finalists are:

–Best Film:

Carl Hansen, I/O

Cory Reeder, I Can

Amy Hopper, Parents Inc.

Daryn Simons, Take It Back 

Lori Saux, The Want

–Best Director:

Diana Elizabeth Jordan, I Can

Carl Hansen, I/O

Harald Zwart, Parents Inc. 

Tatiana Paris, Sound and Silence

–Best Actor:

Nicole Evans, Human Helper

Auti Angel, Only Human

Micah Fowler, Second Date

Marilee Talkington, The Call

–Best Awareness Campaign:

Perry Poussard Jr., Goodbye Dessa

John Lawson, Second Date

Angel Giuffrria, Synthesis

Rachel Handle, The Vanished

The winners of the annual competition will be announced at a red carpet ceremony at Sony Pictures Studios on May 9. Based on the category, winners will receive a mentorship opportunity with producer and President of SK Global John Penotti (Crazy Rich Asians), CBS Entertainment’s Tiffany Smith Anoa’i , Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer Phil Lord (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street), or Pam Dixon, casting director (Angels in the Outfield, City Slickers). Other prizes include the latest in computer technology from Dell, the opportunity to screen their film at the HollyShorts Film Festival, a $2,000 production grant provided by Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, a Sony a6400L camera kit and more.

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“Human Helper,” is nominated for Best Actor Nicole Evans

Judges for the Film Challenge included: RJ Mitte, actor (Breaking Bad); Kat Coiro, writer/director (Modern Family, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Shameless, The Mick); Kevin Jordan, award-winning writer/director; Danny Woodburn, veteran actor (Seinfeld, Watchmen and the Ninja Turtles), among others.

“We could not be prouder of the amazing films we received this year. The stories our judges reviewed spoke volumes about inclusion and really showcased the power of collaboration at its finest,” said Nic Novicki, actor and founder, Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. “I personally cannot wait for the world to see the talent that the disability community has to offer in telling valued stories that open doors for us all.”

Sponsors and partners for the 2019 Challenge include: Adobe, CBS Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion, Deadline Hollywood, Dell, Film Independent, Heartland Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, Molly & David Pyott Foundation, the Newport Beach Film Festival, SAG-AFTRA, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Variety.

As someone with a disability, actor, comedian and producer Nic Novicki launched the Disability Film Challenge in 2013 in response to the underrepresentation of talent with disabilities both in front of and behind the camera. Novicki created the challenge to give aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work and provide them with meaningful exposure. In 2017, Novicki joined forces with Easterseals Southern California – the nation’s leading nonprofit supporting people and families with disabilities – to expand the event, now known as the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.

To learn more, visit www.DisabilityFilmChallenge.com and join the conversation at www.Facebook.com/DisabilityFilmChallenge.

Speak Up Newport: Tolerance and Human Relations in Newport Beach

Speak Up Newport will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 8, presenting Tolerance and Human Relations in Newport Beach. Is tolerance and disregard for those different than ourselves prevalent in Newport Beach?

The issue of tolerance and human relations gained both local and national attention in the Newport-Mesa area with the social media posting of a Nazi swastika.

Join Speak Up Newport to hear a panel discussion on this important topic.

Panelists Dr. Kirk Bauermeister, executive director of secondary education from the Newport Mesa Unified School District Task Force; Rabbi Reuven Mint, director with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life; and Duaa Alwan, co-founder of the Muslim’s Speaker’s Network, will present their views on how Newport Beach is faring with respect to tolerance and human relations.

Photos courtesy of Speak Up Newport

(L-R) Dr. Kirk Bauermeister, Rabbi Reuven Mintz and Duaa Alwan

Meeting Schedule:

–5:15-6 p.m.: Reception with a complimentary light supper provided by The Bungalow with wine available for purchase.

–6-7 p.m.: Program and Q&A

There is no cost to attend and the public is invited. Reservations are not necessary.

For more information, call 949.224.2266 or visit www.speakupnewport.com.

The Speak Up Newport meeting takes place at the Newport Beach Civic Center Community Room, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Historical Society celebrates Fire Department and 20 years of CERT

The Newport Beach Historical Society is celebrating the History of the Fire Department of Newport Beach and the 20th anniversary of their CERT Program. The event will take place Monday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Newport Beach Central Library in the Friends of the Library Room.

Fire Chief Chip Duncan will be featured making the keynote presentation of “The History of the Fire Department.”

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Courtesy of Newport Beach Fire Department

The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. 

The CERT Program is short for City’s Community Emergency Response Team, which is designed to prepare community members in the event of a catastrophic disaster. It’s a program to offer help to residents understanding that emergency personnel will not be available to everyone during that time.

Training programs are regularly offered to community members by Newport Beach Firefighters and Lifeguards.

No RSVPs are necessary for the event. For more information, visit www.newportbeachhistorical.org.

Newport to Ensenada weekend races

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Photo by Jason Berry (Instagram @its_jason_berry)

These boats were off to the races

Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce to hold blood drive on May 3

On Friday, May 3, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is holding a blood drive from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Chamber parking lot at 4343 Von Karman Ave., Newport Beach.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood from a donation. Blood donations save lives and are essential for surgeries, cancer treatment and chronic illnesses.

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Courtesy of NewportBeach.com

One blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives

Donors must be 17 years or older, weight at least 114 lbs., be in general good health and feeling well (no active cold or flu-like symptoms), and bring a valid photo ID.

To sign up, click here.

Newport Beach – A Look Back

Photo series courtesy of Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society

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In the 1930s, there was all sorts of fun that could be had on Balboa Island, but the most popular type of fun was boating. Boats with various names and in many forms were available to rent or even buy for those interested in spending a day on the harbor.

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

Basic Lifesaving Academy is underway

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Photo by Eric Hernandez (Instagram @pacificcoastsurf)

The Newport Beach Lifeguard 99-hour training program has begun off our breathtaking coast

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Things are “Bruin” in Trojan-land for Irrelevant Week

Gimme a U, gimme a C, gimme an L, gimme an A…what’s that spell? Well, it spells UCLA. It’s a cheer I promise Irrelevant Week founder Paul Salata has never learned or cared to for that matter. 

You see, Salata is a Trojan through and through. USC, cardinal and gold all the way. You know, the fight song and the two fingers.

So when the last draft choice of the NFL was announced Saturday afternoon, naming Caleb Wilson, tight end from UCLA, as the final draft choice, number 254, and hence Mr. Irrelevant 2019, it was laughable.

It’s like the Yankees honoring the Red Sox. The Lakers celebrating the Celtics. The Dodgers recognizing the Giants. It’s a party just never meant to be.

That being said, Irrelevant Week, a week-long celebration annually in Newport Beach celebrating the final draft choice of the NFL, will take place June 28 through July 2, working around a schedule allowed by Wilson and his new team, the Arizona Cardinals.

Caleb is a big guy at 6’4”, 235 pounds. So he’ll be able to handle the barbs. The fact is, this past year as a Bruin, Wilson caught 60 passes for 985 yards, leading all tight ends in the FBS in both categories. He was also named second-team All-America by Sporting News and CBS Sports.

Can he make the NFL come the fall?

Ryan Succop, Mr. Irrelevant 2009, did. And he was a kicker. 

Succop was on hand Saturday to announce the selection of Wilson because Salata has gotten up there in years and couldn’t make the trip to Nashville. But even Salata, now in his nineties, is probably writing Bruin jokes for his presentation at the Irrelevant Week banquet celebration.

Paul is going to need to get his blue and gold out because this party is going to be fun.

• • •

There will be a Memorial Service/Celebration of Life for Wendi Miller this Friday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Mariners Church in the Community Center, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine.

Then Friday night, there will be a celebration called “A Night for Wendi” at the Harp Inn in Costa Mesa. Flashback Heart Attack will perform for the fundraiser. There’s also an auction planned, with all monies going to the family to help with expenses.

I’m told it was one of Wendi’s favorite places, especially when Flashback Heart Attack was performing.

The party starts at 8 p.m., the band goes on at 9.

She, of course, was murdered a little over a week ago, along with former minor league hockey player Darren Partch.

Newport Beach Police have identified Jamon Rayon Buggs, 44, of Huntington Beach, as the suspect and he’s behind bars. He’s now facing charges of two counts of murder with a special circumstance. He’ll potentially face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.

Buggs is being held without bail.

A celebration of life for Partch is scheduled for Saturday at the Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park and Mortuary in Costa Mesa at 5:30 p.m.

• • •

Harley Rouda was elected Representative for the 48th District last November. He took office in January. He’s hardly had time to organize his office and already Michelle Steel has announced her opposition come 2020.

Speaking Thursday of last week in Los Angeles to Radio Korea, Steel said she’s “considering” a run. She’s currently a Supervisor for the 2nd District in OC.

Her decision is far past “considering,” she just hasn’t filed the paperwork yet. She wanted to get a jump on some of the other names who are also looking at the seat, including Janet Nguyen, a former state senator.

Steel said she’s planning to hold her first fundraising event in Los Angeles on June 4, with hopes to raise $5 million for next March’s primary.

Harley, if you want to change the paint color of your office, get to it. You probably want to give it a chance to dry.

• • •

The District 1 Town Hall meeting originally scheduled for this Monday, May 6 has been canceled. Mayor Dixon’s next town hall will be held on Monday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Marina Park.