Breaking news

Homicide suspect arrested

On Thursday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m., the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) received a call requesting officers respond to the 20000 Block of Orchid Street in Newport Beach referencing gunshots heard in the area.

NBPD responded to the area and subsequently found one adult male deceased inside a residence. NBPD Detectives, Crime Scene Investigation personnel, the Orange County Coroner and the Orange County Crime Lab are conducting a homicide investigation which has resulted in the arrest of Rodney James Hartzel. There is no ongoing threat to the community.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification and family notification by the Orange County Coroner’s Office.

Anyone with information or a witness to the crime is asked to contact Detective M. Fletcher at 949.644.3779.

NBPD honors their best of the year at awards celebration

Each year, nominations for the Police Department Awards are collected by committees for each award category. Members of the Police Department who receive award nominations are discussed by those committees and then recommendations are submitted to the Chief of Police for consideration.

Yesterday, the following members of the Police Department received recognition in the listed categories:

–Detective Michael Fletcher, 2019 Officer of the Year.

–Sergeant Brad Miller, 2019 Sworn Supervisor of the Year.

–Parking Control Supervisor Heidi Moss, 2019 Civilian Supervisor of the Year.

–Civilian Investigator Kjersti Martini, 2019 Civilian of the Year.

–Volunteer Susan Fritts, 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

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Courtesy of NBPD

(L-R) Chief of Police Jon Lewis, Kjersti Martini, Michael Fletcher, Heidi Moss, Brad Miller, Susan Fritts and Mayor Will O’Neill

Additional awards were received as follows:

–Lifesaving Award presented to Officers Ricardo Adame and Brandon Boehme-Decew.

On June 10, 2019, the Police Department received a 911 call from the Newport Beach Central Library, reporting that a man had experienced a cardiac event and collapsed. Newport Beach City Attorney Aaron Harp and Executive Assistant to the City Manager Shirley Oborny were nearby and quickly took action, retrieving an Automatic External Defibrillator from Library staff.

Dispatchers alerted fire and police personnel about the medical emergency. Police Officers Ricardo Adame and Brandon Boehme-Decew were nearby and immediately responded to the Library to assist in life-saving efforts. Upon arrival, they initiated CPR on the collapsed subject, who had no pulse and was not breathing. Newport Beach Fire personnel arrived to provide advanced life-saving measures.

After using an airway bag provided by the officers, fire personnel confirmed that the man’s pulse had returned. They transported him to Hoag Hospital, where he made a full recovery.

–Lifesaving Award presented to Officer David Darling.

On January 16, 2019, during a rainstorm, the Newport Beach Police Department received numerous calls about a traffic collision that had just occurred on the 73 Freeway. Callers reported that a car had gone off the side of the freeway and landed upside down, with several occupants still inside, in a drainage ditch that was filled with water.

Although the freeway is in the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol, Newport Beach officers often go to major accidents there. The officers can respond quickly and, when someone’s safety is at risk, minutes count. 

On this day, Officer David Darling was the first to arrive on scene. He found that the calls about the collision were not quite accurate: The vehicle (a Tesla) was in a ditch, but it was right-side up and had a single person inside. The woman who was driving the Tesla was now stuck inside it, unable to escape as the water level in the ditch was rising around her.

Recognizing the risk from both the rising water and the possibility of fire (due to the vehicle’s batteries), Officer Darling entered the now waist-high water and helped the woman out of the vehicle and ditch. With the assistance of additional officers, he was able to deliver her without injury to Newport Beach Fire personnel, who had arrived at the crash site.

–Lifesaving Award presented to Sergeant Michael Striek and Officer Isaac Furnari.

On October 26, 2019, before his promotion to the rank of Sergeant, Officer Michael Striek was on patrol with Officer Isaac Furnari when they were flagged down by a passing motorist. The man reported that a bicyclist had collapsed nearby, in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Highland Street.

The officers found the man lying on the sidewalk. A citizen had tried to perform CPR on him, but the officers confirmed that the man had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Officer Striek began CPR while Officer Furnari retrieved the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) from their police car. The officers continued to administer CPR, but the man suffered repeated cardiac arrests and went in and out of consciousness several times. Eventually, the AED delivered a shock and recommended additional CPR, which the Officers continued to provide until the man was revived.

When Newport Beach Fire personnel arrived at the scene, they transported the patient to Hoag Hospital. There, he underwent emergency surgery to clear two blockages in his heart, after which he would make a full recovery.

–Lifesaving Award presented to Officer Sean Esswein and Mark Fasano.

On October 24, 2019, Officers Sean Esswein and Mark Fasano were dispatched to the area of 18th Street and the beach regarding a man who was found in the ocean – possibly dead. When the officers arrived on scene, they assisted in pulling the man to the shore. Once back on dry land, they found that the man was unresponsive, was not breathing, and had no pulse. Officers Esswein and Fasano immediately began CPR. 

Newport Beach Lifeguards arrived on scene and confirmed that the man was in full cardiac arrest. Officers Esswein and Fasano continued administering CPR and used an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to deliver two separate shocks to the man’s heart. After these efforts, the man’s heart rate returned to a weak but sustained pulse. 

Although he was transported to Hoag Hospital in critical condition, this man would later make a full recovery.

–Award of Merit presented to Officer Kyle Markwald.

On October 28, 2019, the Newport Beach Police Department received a 911 call from a woman who needed help. She reported that she had been violently attacked, choked, and kicked in the chest by her boyfriend, but that she was able to escape from the house after he fell asleep. She warned dispatchers that her boyfriend was intoxicated, that he did not like the police, and that he would likely respond with violence if contacted by officers. 

To complicate matters further, the suspect was sleeping in a room where he had access to several firearms and there were two little girls with him in the home.

Officer Markwald was one of many officers who responded to this call, and his leadership and critical decision-making were instrumental in the successful resolution that followed. He communicated effectively with his supervisors, used his tactical experience to organize a perimeter and contain the incident, coordinated the evacuation of nearby residents, and analyzed the situation to develop a plan of action for getting the children out of the home safely. 

After officers were able to enter the house and remove the girls, they roused the suspect. After a short stand-off, the man exited the home and surrendered.

Three firearms were recovered from the home.

While all Newport Beach Police Department personnel involved in this event performed commendably, it was Officer Markwald’s meritorious actions that were critical to the success of the entire incident. His guidance and planning led to the apprehension of the suspect while minimizing risk to the responding officers, the children in the home, and the surrounding community.

–Award of Merit presented to Lieutenant Steve Rasmussen, Sergeant Court Depweg, Officers Michael Fletcher, Rick Henry, Jason Prince, Marie Gamble, Kelley Maslin and Cold Case Detectives Michael Dugan and Bryan McMahon.

On July 20, 2017, Lieutenant Rasmussen assigned Sergeant Depweg to explore new investigative technologies in the pursuit of closing cold cases. This included the use of genetic genealogy, a promising technique that would become more widely known after it led to the capture of the “Golden State Killer” the following year. 

On July 6, 2018, the Newport Beach Police Department launched the groundbreaking Linda’s Story Twitter campaign in an effort to generate leads in the cold case homicide of Linda Ann O’Keefe. On the 45th anniversary of her abduction and death in 1973, tweets in the “voice” of 11-year-old Linda told the story of her last day alive.

Within months, Sergeant Depweg, along with Civilian Investigators Michael Dugan and Bryan McMahon, received a long-awaited break in the case. Through genetic genealogy techniques, after receiving an investigatory lead from FamilyTreeDNA’s Gene-by-Gene Laboratory of Houston, Texas, and with further assistance from genetic genealogist CeCe Moore of Parabon NanoLabs, Inc. of Reston, Virginia, investigators had a name: James Alan Neal.

In late January 2019, Detectives Michael Fletcher, Rick Henry and Jason Prince conducted surveillance of Neal in Colorado Springs, Colorado in order to obtain a DNA confirmation sample. 

Ultimately, a discarded and recovered cigarette confirmed that his DNA was a 100 percent match to the suspect in Linda’s murder, and a warrant was issued for Neal’s arrest.

On February 19, 2019, after extensive coordination and planning with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office - Major Crimes Unit and other law enforcement agencies in Colorado, James Alan Neal was taken into custody without incident. 

The Linda’s Story campaign, which had produced hundreds of tips for investigators, also provided them with a path to obtain search warrants. 

While Sergeant Depweg and Detective Fletcher transported Neal to the El Paso County Sherriff’s Office to interview him, Detectives Henry and Prince recovered evidence at Neal’s home. Detectives Marie Gamble and Kelley Maslin of the Special Victims Unit also conducted numerous interviews of Neal’s family members. These interviews gained important background information for the cold case, and also established Neal’s behavior as a sexual predator.

On March 11, 2019, Neal was extradited back to California. Ten days later, he was arraigned at Orange County Central Court where he faced one count of murder related to Linda O’Keefe and five counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor in connection with other victims unrelated to the cold case murder.

In addition to this remarkable investigation, the Crimes Against Persons Unit handled an extraordinary number of complicated cases last year, including Peter Chadwick. In addition, investigators handled a triple homicide where a man killed his parents and their housekeeper, solved the double homicide of Darren Partch and Wendi Miller, and, in June, they identified the killer in the 1983 cold case homicide of Steven Balogh.

At the Awards Ceremony, the Police Department also premiered a video entitled “We’ve Got You.” The video can be accessed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjWVn2NqPGk.

Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Surprise, surprise, McCaffrey is at it again

Residents for Reform is a political action committee in town fronted by Balboa Island resident Bob McCaffrey and somewhat behind the scenes by political consultant Dave Ellis. During the election season, Bob and Dave are not ones known to shy away from wrestling in the mud and even throwing a little if need be on behalf of the candidates they support.

A little background, both are conservative, and both have been instrumental is backing Team Newport in recent years. 

Residents for Reform qualifies itself by saying they back a slate of candidates who are “respectful, fiscally responsible, and listen to residents.”

Funny, but history tells us that respectful and Bob McCaffrey are words that would seem to be seldom used in the same sentence.

Case in point. This week a mailer arrived targeted at local Democrats from Residents for Reform, with the headline “Democrat Alert!” The message then says, “Newport Beach Councilman Jeff Herdman voting for Trump and donated to him.” 

Fair enough. It quotes verbiage taken from Herdman’s application to the Republican Party of Orange County where he was previously seeking the GOP endorsement.

That’s enough to scare off any Democrat from voting for Herdman, right? 

Well, here’s what they need to know. First, Herdman didn’t get that endorsement, and second, Residents for Reform’s candidate of choice in this race is Noah Blom. You’d think that by Residents for Reform’s flier that Noah would be nowhere near Trump.

Wrong! Do you want to guess where Noah spent Sunday? If you said he attended the Trump affair on Lido Isle, go to the head of the class.

That’s right, but McCaffrey and Residents for Reform, in their respectful way fail to mention any of that.

Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with Noah attending the event.

All I’m saying is that McCaffrey doesn’t necessarily give one all the details to a story that won’t fit his agenda. Remember the mud I talked about?

Now, as far as Noah and Jeff go, I’m connected to both. Jeff has been a friend in recent years and Noah’s folks have been longtime, good friends of mine. In fact, I just spoke with Noah’s dad this week. We even talked about getting together once this pandemic is behind us.

My point in all of this is that instead of discussing issues and differences, McCaffrey seems to want to take it all the way down to mud-slinging. 

So, beware.

To be fair, many of the letter writers backing Herdman have done the same thing in Stu News in their attacks on Blom.

It all makes local politics a lousy thing to even want to stick your toe in the water unless you have extremely thick skin.

The good news is, we only have 11 more days until this madness is over. Then maybe we can get back to some decorum.

Until then, watch out from flying mud!

• • •

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, she of the 74th District, is looking to honor the “2020 Veteran of the Year.” The person should be someone who lives in the District (Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods and Newport Beach) and has a story of answering the call of our nation to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Nominations should be submitted by Monday, October 26 to https://a74.asmdc.org/vets.

• • •

Like many businesses large and small, Pacific Life Insurance Co., headquartered in Newport Beach, is feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. 

This week, the Newport Beach institution laid off nearly 300 employees.

Here’s to better times ahead.

• • •

Never too early to start planning for your holiday outings. 

Mark down the spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting at Fashion Island beginning Friday, Nov. 20 and continuing through Saturday, Jan 2.

The tree is expected to be delivered on November 4.

• • •

It’s the final weekend to enjoy the Fair Food Drive-Thru at the OC Fair & Event Center. Twelve different vendors are joining in to make this weekend extra special.

You can partake in some of your favorites, like cinnamon rolls, fried raviolis, bacon-wrapped shrimp and battered potatoes.

Food is served today and tomorrow from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Enter thru Gate 1.

Participating vendors include Fried A Fair, Who Fried the Cheese, Juicys – with Turkey Legs, Australian Battered Potatoes, Chicken Charlie’s, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Mom’s Bakeshoppe, Old Tyme Ice Cream, Planet Popcorn, JP’s Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Roasted Corn and, of course, Funnel Cakes.

Enjoy.

Mutt Lynch’s to open sister concept Mutt’s in Eastbluff Village Center

This year, Mutt Lynch’s, Newport Beach’s iconic beach bar, celebrates 45 years in business. The milestone year also marks a major development for the company – the unveiling of its sister concept, Mutt’s, set to open in Eastbluff Village Center in Newport Beach this winter.

As the cornerstone of the Eastbluff Village Center, Mutt’s will serve as a central gathering place for the community, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a family-friendly, convivial atmosphere. The menu will focus on approachable American eclectic dishes and will feature beloved menu favorites from Mutt Lynch’s like its Pterodactyl Wings and made-to-order pizzas, while introducing family dinner specials. The new concept also upgrades its beverage program with a full liquor license focusing on a craft cocktail menu highlighting spirits from artisan distilleries across the United States.

“Right now, people are craving community. We’re all just mutts, looking to find our pack,” said Mutt’s co-owner Meghan Murray. “The progression of our brand is designed to follow our loyal Mutt Lynch’s customers, many of whom have grown up to raise families of their own. We created Mutt’s for them and their families – it’s a place where the community can come together, feel at home, and find their pack.”

Submitted photo

Mutt Lynch’s to unveil sister concept, Mutt’s, this winter with a family-friendly ambience

At 2,675 square feet, the restaurant and bar offers plenty of indoor seating and a spacious patio. A celebration of eclectic Americana, the concept will carry much of the same character and charm of Mutt Lynch’s, but through a refined, family-friendly environment. Eclectic Americana decor, including repurposed retro furnishings and the brand’s signature year-round Christmas lights, visually conveys the brand’s celebratory catchphrase “It’s a Party and You’re Invited.” Mutt’s walls will be adorned with Schooner sconces resembling the 32 oz. goblet that has become synonymous with the Mutt Lynch’s brand. True to its ethos of celebrating small towns across the United States, Mutt’s is dedicated to supporting made-in-the-USA products including beers, wines, paper goods and merchandise. Its flagship location and business model will serve as a prototype for all future locations.

As co-owner of Mutt’s and partner at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, one of the largest talent management and television production companies, Alex Murray’s career has taken him throughout America. His travels throughout the country have created a roadmap on how to expand the brand.

“With Mutt’s, we want to continue to build upon the success and ethos of Mutt Lynch’s by celebrating what gives America character – its small towns and communities,” said Alex. “Mutt’s is a place where we can create memories with our children while reminiscing about and reveling in what makes our town great. Beginning with our hometown in Newport Beach, each Mutt’s location will celebrate its respective community with distinct decor and menu items that reflect unique elements of the town and its history.”

Mutt’s is located in the Eastbluff Village Center at 2531 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach and, like its sister concept Mutt Lynch’s, will be open 365 days a year for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information, visit www.muttseastbluff.com.

Take Five: Meet Kevin Pekar, Newport Beach Parks and Trees Superintendent

By AMY SENK

Newport Beach – a city known for its harbor and beaches – also manages an urban forest of about 35,000 trees. Kevin Pekar, currently the Parks and Trees Superintendent, has worked for the City since 2002. He is in charge of overseeing City staff and landscape contracts, monitoring City trees for trimming or disease and pest infestations, and working to maintain and beautify city medians, roadsides and park areas. I caught up with him to learn more.

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Photo by Kevin Pekar

Kevin Pekar standing in front of a Giant Sequoia at Mariposa Grove, located in the southernmost part of Yosemite National Park

Q: You wrote an article for the Corona del Mar Residents Association newsletter recently that talked about Tulip scale infestations in Magnolia trees in the city. Can you tell me more about this?

A: Unfortunately, the Tuliptree scale – Toumeyella liriodendra – is running rampant in Southern California. It is an insect that has been in California since the early 80s but did not appear in Newport Beach until more recently, around 2015. It attacks most species of Magnolia, including the Tuliptree, which is in the Magnolia family. The insect attaches itself to the branches and stems of Magnolia trees, penetrating the Xylem layer and depriving the tree of vital nutrients. The unfortunate consequence, and a tell-tale sign of infestation, is a sticky waste material called honeydew that quickly turns into a black, sooty mold. As part of our Integrated Pest Management Program, the City has used a variety of biological methods to control the scale, including the use of predatory beetles and lacewings that feed on the scale at different stages of its life cycle. However, the Tuliptree scale is very persistent due to its hard, shell-like exoskeleton. As a result, insecticides – both foliar sprays and systemic bark and root injections – are the primary method of control. So far, Newport Beach has fared better than many other cities, thanks in part to an aggressive treatment and monitoring program. The City has lost about 50 trees of an inventory of close to 2,000 Magnolias. Although we have not stopped planting Magnolias completely, we discourage residents from selecting it as a replacement street tree option, especially in hot zones like Corona del Mar.

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Courtesy of City of Newport Beach

Tuliptree scale on a Magnolia tree’s bark

Q: Are there any other tree diseases or concerns going on these days in Newport?

A: Newport Beach has an inventory of approximately 35,000 trees. The predominant species is the Mexican Fan Palm, with about 3,000 specimens. Until recently, the Mexican Fan Palm was considered to be the most durable species of palm tree due to its hardiness. However, the University of California recently alerted local municipalities to a fungal disease called Fusarium that affects the Mexican Fan Palm and Queen Palm. It is similar to the deadly Fusarium disease that affects Canary Island Date Palms, most notably those on Marguerite Avenue in Corona del Mar. The disease can be identified by one-side necrosis, or dieback, on the frond, with the other side remaining green until eventual decline. Another insect to be on the lookout for is one that attacks the official tree of Newport Beach, the Coral Tree. This insect is called Erythrina Stem Borer, and the most consistent sign of infestation is dieback starting on the tips of the coral tree branches, which gives the appearance of a tree that was just pruned. As part of a free service for our residents, the city is continuously looking for opportunities to increase the number of street trees by planting new trees in vacant parkways. We encourage property owners to choose from a long list of size-appropriate, city-approved options and contact us to arrange for a free tree planting. A list of these options can be found here.

Q: How does the City decide which trees need to be removed and replaced? 

A: The City has adopted a council policy that outlines the official procedure for deciding tree removals. The policy includes criteria for tree removals, such as dead or dying trees and hazardous trees as determined by certified arborists. Criteria can also include instances of significant or repeated sidewalk or street damage from City tree roots or proven and repeated property damage such as sewer obstructions from city tree roots. In other instances, trees can be removed as part of city-approved projects such as the current redevelopment project at Grant Howald Park. When trees do not fall into one of these categories, such as view obstruction or other issues, residents can apply for what is called reforestation. Reforestation is a mechanism where residents can pay for removal and replacement of trees through a petition and review process with our Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission for approval. 

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Courtesy of City of Newport Beach

This Magnolia tree’s leaves are diseased with Tuliptree scale

Q: What’s a typical day for a city arborist?

A: Much of staff’s time is spent on tree inspections to address requests for tree trimming and tree removals, and to answer questions from residents about tree species, the city’s tree policies and more. We closely oversee the work of city contractors to ensure that tree trimming work conforms to the city’s specifications. We review proposed landscaping plans that are part of the construction plans for upcoming construction projects. We also review and interpret various local, county and state policies that impact the urban forest. Oftentimes our day may include various forms of community outreach to communicate the benefits of trees in the landscape and recruiting residents to volunteer their parkway to plant new city trees. Because trees are organic and evolving, arborists are dedicated to continuing education centered around new technologies and methods to better measure and track the city’s tree inventory, prevent issues, and better maintain the city’s urban forest.

Q: Do you have a favorite tree in Newport Beach or a favorite kind of tree anywhere in the world?

A: The Moreton Bay Fig trees in Eastbluff Park are my favorite trees in Newport Beach; they are unique, and you don’t see a lot of other large, Moreton Bay Fig trees in our area. My favorites anywhere are the largest trees in the world, the Giant Sequoias in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, especially the Mariposa Grove. It’s a nostalgic place for me because my family went there every year when I was growing up, and I later worked there as a college intern. 

~~~~~~~~

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

Hoag selected as trial site for first person to receive novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, an individual at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach became the first person to be dosed in the Phase 1 clinical trial of hAd5-COVID-19. The novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate targets both the inner nucleocapsid (N), engineered to activate T cells, and outer spike (S) protein, engineered to activate antibodies against the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

The Phase 1 trial, under development in a collaboration between NantKwest, Inc. and ImmunityBio, selected Hoag as the trial site and is enrolling 35 healthy adults ages 18 to 55 years old with the goal of examining the safety, side effects and immune system’s response of two successive doses of the vaccine candidate.

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Photos courtesy of Hoag Hospital

(L-R) Philip Robinson, M.D., FIDSA, Hoag medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology with Chen Cao, the first person to receive novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Phase 1 clinical trial with Laura Heim, RN, clinical research nurse administering the vaccine

With a reputation for providing world-class care, Hoag was selected as the trial site based on its comprehensive center for research and education that annually conducts more than 150 translational clinical trials funded by government, philanthropic foundations and industry sponsors, as well as its collaborative culture of innovation focusing on evidence-based best practices, expert medical staff and extensive clinical research infrastructure.

Since March, Hoag has participated in more than 20 COVID-19 clinical trials, providing patient access to cutting-edge therapies and innovative treatment including options that have documented improved outcomes, including decreased mortality and decreased length of stay for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. 

“We are privileged to be a part of this groundbreaking clinical trial with NantKwest and ImmunityBio,” said Dr. Philip Robinson, medical director of infection prevention at Hoag and principal investigator (PI) of the vaccine trial. “Since caring for the state’s first known COVID-19 patient back in January, Hoag has been working tirelessly on the frontlines of this rapidly evolving pandemic to care for all of our patients and give them access to the latest advancements in treatment options.”

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Pharmacy technician measures dose for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial

This is the first COVID vaccine trial conducted at Hoag and the first trial of this novel vaccine conducted anywhere in the United States.

“Our vaccine candidate, hdA5-COVID-19, is one of the only vaccine candidates in development that targets both the nucleocapsid protein on the interior of the virus particle and the spike protein on the virus’ surface,” said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, chairman and CEO of ImmunityBio and NantKwest. “We believe this dual targeting is a key advantage that may lead to the stimulation of both T-cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity to SARS-CoV-2, which is an important differentiator from other vaccine candidates that only target the spike protein.”

Guest Letter

Will O’Neill

Mayor, City of Newport Beach

Hope lives here in Newport Beach

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Courtesy of City of Newport Beach

Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill

Many of you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’ve heard friends and residents discuss their personal connections to this insidious disease these past few weeks. Thank you to all who have shown unity and support through messages of hope.

I was fortunate to attend the ribbon cutting this year at the City of Hope’s Newport Beach location. In conversations, I have been reminded that despite our reputation for healthy lifestyles, Newport Beach and Orange County are not immune to the one-in-three statistic for Americans who will receive a cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, I have also learned that our local breast cancer rate is growing faster than the national average.

Consider this my plea to get the word out about prevention, early detection and local cancer resources. We must also support our health care professionals, including researchers and scientists, who are dedicated to treating and curing this terrible disease. 

Right here in this city, we have some of the nation’s leading clinical scientists translating laboratory breakthroughs into the latest treatments. These are phenomenal efforts that need our recognition and backing.

The good people at City of Hope Orange County asked us all to raise our voices, offering personal videos describing our desire to finally put an end to cancer. Business leaders, cancer survivors, health care professionals and many others joined in, inspiring us all.

This year has been filled with health care challenges, and too many people have been impacted by illness. We have not and will not lose sight of the good work that is being done to improve our overall well-being. There is reason to be encouraged, especially here in Newport Beach. The way that our community comes together gives us confidence.

I’m proud of what we do here in Newport Beach to support one another. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an excellent time to remember that it’s in our power to support a healthier future for us all.

Knowledge is power: How genomic research transformed one women’s breast cancer fight

Sarah Sanders wasn’t shocked when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41 in September 2015. In fact, she expected it. 

That’s because Sanders has a strong family history of the disease on her father’s side. Her paternal grandmother died at age 35 from breast cancer, an aunt passed away at age 50, and another aunt was diagnosed in her 60s and successfully treated. This knowledge made all the difference in Sanders’ approach to her breast health.

“Call it whatever you believe in, but this was put on my heart at a very young age,” Sanders said. “I sort of always knew this was coming for me, and I do not mean that in a negative way. I mean it in a ‘I need to be proactive’ way. Maybe it’s my grandmother – maybe she’s my guardian angel.”

Another thing that made all the difference in her breast cancer care was her choice of oncologist., Wade Smith, M.D., who specializes in breast cancer treatment at City of Hope Newport Beach. After her tumor was removed, Dr. Smith performed cutting-edge genomic testing that determined chemotherapy wasn’t necessary. Sanders said that when Dr. Smith told her the news, it was the only time she cried. 

“Had he not been on top of that, I would’ve lost my hair, my body would’ve gone through hell, and it would have been unnecessary in my case,” Sanders said. “He represents everything City of Hope stands for.”

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Courtesy of City of Hope

Wade Smith, M.D., medical oncologist, City of Hope Newport Beach with grateful patient Sarah Sanders

Sanders also appreciates the environment of City of Hope’s Newport Beach facility and the staff, whom she describes as the “best in their field.” Once, when her validated parking ticket didn’t work, the woman at the front desk said, “Oh honey, don’t worry about it. Get in your car and I’ll figure it out.”

“And here’s this medical professional in scrubs, manually lifting up the gate of a parking structure to let my car out,” Sanders said. “That really spoke to me.”

Sanders is approaching the five-year mark in her cancer journey, and she recognizes how important it is that her tumor was discovered early. Her family history caught the attention of her OB/GYN, who referred her for genetic and other testing. Sanders learned that she had the ATM mutation that increased her cancer risk. Then an MRI revealed a small tumor in its early stages, close to her armpit, that may not have been caught with a traditional mammogram. Because of the gene mutation and her family history, Sanders chose to have a double mastectomy. 

Recuperating from the procedure was challenging. Pre-diagnosis, Sanders led a take-charge lifestyle. An insurance underwriter since graduating from college in 1996, she also owned five Jersey Mike franchises with her then-husband, and she co-founded a dog rescue organization, Take Me Home. For Sanders, the most life-changing aspect of breast cancer was letting someone else take care of her – specifically, her mom, Teri, who basically moved into Sanders’ home to help her. 

“I reconnected with her in a massive way,” Sanders said. “We still laugh when we talk about her trying to give me a shower. I’m a grown woman in the shower with my mom, who would put on a bathing suit, and I have all these drains hanging out of me. But she would wash my hair, and we would just laugh.”

Between the mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, an infection, and a hysterectomy, Sanders had six surgeries within one year. During this time, she was referred to Jeffrey Weitzel, M.D., a City of Hope clinical geneticist who studies the ATM mutation and took her care to a level no one else can match.

“First, it made me aware of other cancer risks I have because of the mutation,” Sanders said. “More important is the peace of mind, knowing my care is with the ‘A’ team. I am with the institution that’s going to have the most cutting-edge technology and advanced medical science. City of Hope is the place to be if you are a patient with a genetic mutation.”

Sanders urges people – especially those with a family history of breast cancer – to take advantage of City of Hope’s personalized and highly specialized care. 

“There is a massive difference when you are being monitored by a compassionate, technologically advanced cancer center like City of Hope and detecting cancer early,” Sanders said. “I never looked like a cancer patient because I was treated by specialists like Dr. Smith. So that’s my battle cry.”

With apparently no rhyme or reason, Governor keeps Disneyland shuttered

By GARY SHERWIN

Governor Newsom, what are you thinking?

In what could be one of the most disastrous decisions of his gubernatorial career, Newsom released new guidelines this week for reopening Disneyland and other theme parks that will likely keep them closed well into next year.

I have encouraged the Governor in this space about the need to release specifics on how the theme park industry can responsibly reopen with the pandemic still in progress. But I never thought he and his staff would have come up with something so ridiculously restrictive that few companies could ever meet them in the near term.

Under the newly issued guidelines, Disneyland (which was labeled a higher risk setting than outdoor stadiums) can operate under Tier 4 “Yellow” (minimal) with a limited capacity of 25 percent. Orange County is currently in the “Red” (substantial) tier. Los Angeles County is at Tier 1 “Purple” (widespread). Once open, a reservation system will be required (no day-of ticket sales) and masks will be required at the theme parks. 

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Courtesy of Visit Newport Beach

Gary Sherwin

This new Tier 4, established by the Governor, is so restrictive that Orange County, despite showing success in lowering outbreak numbers, is not expected to achieve that status until possibly well into 2021.

Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are two major drivers of tourism to Orange County and tens of thousands of jobs, including many small businesses, are dependent on them. Anaheim, which is already suffering from the effects of a closed convention center, will be ground zero for this economic devastation. Already California has the third highest unemployment rate in the nation and this action is guaranteed to make matters worse.

The City of Anaheim derives 50 percent of its operating revenue from Disney and these new guidelines mean that their revenues will be gutted, and services likely severely cut. They will need much of their remaining reserves to survive without filing bankruptcy.

There is the possibility that Disneyland could end up being closed for a full year, which is unbelievable to even contemplate.

No one, including the theme parks, are suggesting that they reopen without strict protocols in place for protecting park guests. Solely putting money over public health has never been a priority.

“We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world. Nevertheless, the State of California continues to ignore this fact, instead mandating arbitrary guidelines that it knows are unworkable and that hold us to a standard vastly different from other reopened businesses and state-operated facilities,” Disneyland President Ken Potrock said.

Newsom and his team blatantly ignored what Disney has done in Florida, Shanghai and Paris by reopening in a responsible way that protects people while allowing the park to operate at a severely reduced capacity. To date, there have been no outbreaks attributed to any of the parks despite being open for months.

So why can’t this be replicated in California? Newsom has opted to take a uber conservative approach to reopening parts of the state and to his credit, it has had a stable record of outbreaks over the last couple of months.

And while we are entering fall with an expected growth in infections, I understand the need to be cautious. But why not give Disney and the other major parks a chance to prove themselves?

Newsom could have said that the state needs to be responsible for public health, but it also realizes the need to allow companies to operate in a pandemic environment. What if he gave Disney a two-month window to open up with strict guidelines that it already has established in other parks?

That puts the onus on Disney to open in a limited and responsible way. If they fail and an outbreak occurs, the parks agree to close until a vaccine is distributed. I think Disney is smart enough to know how to do this and that wouldn’t be necessary, but it gives Newsom some political cover.

The state has permitted many other businesses to reopen under protocols that have proven to be effective but for some reason the Governor doesn’t believe in the theme park industry. Instead, he offered a strangely arbitrary approach that is inconsistent with the other guidelines created to date.

This isn’t just about protecting the financial interests of a big public corporation like Disney. Dozens of hotels in Anaheim have been closed and many nearby small family businesses that depend on the park are suffering. Pushing reopening to likely next year will no doubt have permanent financial consequences.

Governor, if your health officials suggested this ill-thought-out plan, they have served you horribly. Protect the health of our citizens but go back and correct this mistake before it causes irreputable economic damage to our county and frankly, the rest of your term.

Gary Sherwin is President & CEO of Visit Newport Beach and Newport Beach & Company.

Letters to the Editor

Batten down the hatches, is the city prepared for the upcoming King tides?

The year’s highest tides are coming.

For more than two years, I and others have met with each Newport Beach City Council member in an effort to have the Council pass a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to take action on global warming, specifically to pass House resolution HR-763 that would mandate a fee on carbon emissions. Over 20 coastal cities in California have done so, including nearby Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach. We’ve approached the Council with endorsements signed by the Balboa Village Merchants Association, the West Newport Beach Association and the Central Newport Beach Community Association, urging the Council to take action. That’s a lot of voters to ignore.

July 3, 2020 demonstrated the depth of the city’s negligence. The warnings were plain to see: a king tide reaching 6’8” and a simultaneous high surf warning. City crews responded by building a sand berm along the Peninsula oceanfront. Heavy surf, riding the crest of the high tide, blew this flimsy barrier over the seawall into the pier parking lot, and spread seawater and sand throughout Balboa village – causing property damage to homes and businesses.

Should we be surprised? No. It’s happened before, and we can expect it to continue happening. The next test will be November 14-16 and December 13-15, when the tide will top off at a record height of 6’10.” Of course, the unknown is the occurrence of winter storms that could augment flooding.

Nationwide, sea levels have risen by 1.1 feet since 1920, due to thermal expansion and melting ice. This trend is accelerating as the oceans warm and more glaciers and Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets melt.

The latest studies indicate that “sea level rise will likely put at least $8 billion in property underwater by 2050 and could affect tens of thousands of jobs and billions in gross domestic product.”

Fortunately, just before the November high tides, we have an election. Now is the time to replace those City Council members who ignore science with others who will be responsive to residents’ concerns. 

Craig B. Smith

(Smith is the co-author with Bill Fletcher of “Reaching Net Zero: What it takes to solve the global climate crisis,” Elsevier, 2020.)

Proud of my son, he’s just what Newport Beach needs

I have read Letters to the Editor that have elaborated on the strong and weak points of both candidates for city council representing District 5 of Newport Beach. After reading some of the negative comments that have been published, I would like to offer a positive note.

I want to say that Noah Blom is the most enthusiastic and positive person that I know. He makes a point of learning from his mistakes. He always listens to people that differ from his opinions. He and his wife, Marin, have created two very popular restaurants out of nothing, originally working on a shoestring. His businesses have survived this pandemic crisis by operating with a positive approach, not one of fear.

He is not afraid to think out of the box and encourages others to contribute their ideas. He gets things done that others say can’t be done. He does this with a smile and a light heartedness that is contagious.

He never bullies anyone or reacts with anger when someone disagrees with him. He never calls people names or swears at them. On the contrary; he asks people who criticize him to meet so they can discuss their differences. I think this is what we want from a person representing us and our causes.

When I was a young second lieutenant in the Army during Vietnam, my commanding officer gave me some good advice when I told him that I was worried that some of the men under my command had much longer careers than I did. He said, “They might have four years in service, but what good is it if it’s one year four times.”

We, as a city, need to be led by someone who is not afraid of challenges, someone who knows how to get people to work together. We need to be led by someone who has diversity and who isn’t just average.

John L. Blom, proud father of Noah Blom

Newport Beach

(39-year businessman in CdM and past president of the CDM Business Improvement)

Proud to endorse Jeff Herdman

I am very distressed by all the negative campaigning against Councilman Jeff Herdman. I have known Jeff since he helped our neighborhood fight the Museum House high rise tower in Newport Center. 

Jeff has served on the Council for four years. His tireless work to protect Newport Beach from airport expansion speaks for itself. 

In my capacity as President of the Harbor View Hills Community Association, I have invited Jeff to speak at our annual meetings. He has always been willing to give us his time and attention and listen to our concerns. He stays in touch and follows through on our issues. 

I am very proud to endorse Jeff Herdman for re-election to the City Council.

Debra Allen

Newport Beach

Let’s re-elect Harley Rouda

It is hard to believe that a superstar like Harley Rouda would have any competition for the Congressional seat that he has occupied so boldly since 2018. But it just shows you how entrenched some ideologies can be and how money in politics can as often as not buy power. 

But just what kind of power will his opponent, conservative Republican Michele Steel, wield in a large governing body controlled by Democrats? Even the Orange County Register, a bastion of conservatism in Orange County questions her suitability, stating that in her interview, “she seemed poorly versed in federal policy issues and overly reliant on GOP talking points.” 

Harley Rouda to many peoples’ pleasant surprise, won the endorsement of the Register’s editorial board explaining that while they have many issues on which they disagree, that he has “proven to be a credible representative of the District, and a supporter of many issues the editorial board cares about strongly.” 

This important endorsement follows another award Harley received in June, when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award.

At the end of the first six months in Harley’s term, he had already distinguished himself as the most legislatively productive freshman member of Congress. If you have ever heard Harley speak in one of his very frequent visits to his constituency, you can appreciate that show of power that he exerts in Congress. 

Let’s hope that voters realize how important it is to our 48th district to re-elect Harley Rouda who has a strong and caring voice.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

Let’s make decisions on what is best for our city and not on political attacks

As Michael Corleone once said, “Just when you think you are out, they pull you back in.”

The latest attack piece against Jeff Herdman brings me into the fight and while I was hoping not to be publicly involved, it looks like I am. So let’s deal with facts, real facts, not alternative facts, not self-generated facts.

Fact One: The mailer is paid for by Bob McCaffrey who is the sole member of Residents for Reform. Last year, Bob and his co-conspirator, Dave Ellis, were sanctioned approximately $20,000 for campaign violations arising from prior Newport Beach City Council elections. For Bob to question the ethics of anybody is like challenging Duffy Duffield’s love for our harbor.

Fact Two: Jeff Herdman did not disclose any confidential or proprietary information. Scott Peotter, another pillar of ethical virtue, was the subject of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Newport Beach citizens regarding various violations of the Brown Act and other transgressions. The City was a named party and had yet to answer the complaint or respond in any manner to the litigation. I asked a number of people who were representing the City, Aaron Harp or outside counsel.

Mr. Herdman forwarded to me a non-confidential, non-privileged public email from Aaron Harp saying that the City had yet to make a decision about counsel.

No confidential, attorney client information was disclosed. The implications that Jeff Herdman violated any fiduciary duty undertaken by him is a complete fabrication.

Fact Three: The real purpose underlying these attempts to smear the name of an honest, ethical, transparent elected official is to pack the city council with votes that can both fulfill the short-term agendas of developers and rental companies and the long-term agendas of various local politicians. 

Noah Blom has been sued for non-payment of obligations to vendors and trades while declaring bankruptcy. This alone makes him unqualified to participate in the fiscal management of our city. But more importantly, Mr. Blom has been chastised by the Orange County Superior Court for failing to live up to his responsibilities as a father and husband. The Court not only found Mr. Blom in contempt but was forced to issue a bench warrant to compel him to even show up in court and face his responsibilities. As a father, that is simply unconscionable.

There is a lot of political intrigue swirling around the city at the moment and none of it has to do with what and who is best for our community. It has to do with money and the long-term agendas of several of our current elected officials. It is my hope that over the next several days, we can unwind, or at least ignore, the political machinations of a few and look to what is best of the City. If we all do that, we will be in a much better place on November 4.

Phil Greer

Newport Beach

Police Files

Scam alert advisory to residents

Newport Beach Police were alerted earlier this week of a phone scam alert taking place in the community where callers are impersonating a police department employee.

NBPD advises the community that they will not contact residents to request money.

NMPD reminds you that scammers are good at pretending to be someone they’re not. They can be convincing: sometimes manipulating Caller ID, using information from social networking sites, or hacking into email accounts to make it seem more real. They’ll pressure you or play on your emotions to get personal information or money from you.

Keep your information safe. Never give out personal identifying information, such as your social security number, bank account, or credit card account numbers, to anyone you do not know.

Burglary occurs in Park Newport

A residential burglary occurred in the 1300 block of Park Newport Drive in the Park Newport community on Monday, Oct. 19, between 8:30-9:30 a.m.

While the victim was out, an unknown suspect entered the property by unknown means. The suspect removed items for the bedrooms, living room and hallway before fleeing the scene.

The victim reported losses of jewelry, shoes, a laptop, bottles of alcohol and decorations. There was no associated value of loss reported.

There is no suspect information available at this time.

Good time to talk with teen drivers during National Safety Week

This week, October 18-24, is National Teen Driver Safety Week, and the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) is encouraging parents to discuss the importance of safe driving habits with their teens as newly licensed drivers.

“New drivers will naturally be inexperienced,” Lieutenant Damon Psaros said. “Parents play an important role helping teens stay safe behind the wheel. It starts with practicing good habits like wearing a seat belt, staying off the phone and following the speed limit.”

The greatest risk for teen drivers is distracted driving, speeding and impairment. The NBPD offers tips to parents and caregivers on how to talk to teens about the consequences of making dangerous and illegal choices behind the wheel.

The top tips from NBPD:

–Avoid distractions: Cell phone use while driving is illegal. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone or other electronic device for any reason, including hands-free.

–Understand Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws: For the first 12 months a teen has a license or until the age of 18, no passengers under 20 years old are allowed unless a licensed parent, guardian, or other adult 25 years old or older are in the car with them. Late-night driving (between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.) is also not permitted.

–Never drive under the influence: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess, or consume alcohol. Under California’s zero tolerance law, any driver under 21 cannot drink any alcohol and drive (blood alcohol concentration of .01 percent or higher).

–Follow the speed limit: The road is not a racetrack. Speeding is a risky behavior that increases the chances of serious injury or death in a crash.

It’s important for parents to let their teen know that driving is not a right, but a privilege. It can be taken away when they don’t follow the rules.

For more safe driving tips to share with your teens, visit https://gosafelyca.org. To learn more about state laws for different traffic safety issues, visit the Governors Highway Safety Association at www.ghsa.org/state-laws/states/california.

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

What’s on the Docket

Sean Robert McLaughlin – Monday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m. (Central Court 54)

Jury Trial

–At the time of the alleged crime, McLaughlin was employed as the security manager for a nightclub in Newport Beach.

–On September 18, 2016, the defendant is accused of holding a woman against her will inside his office at the nightclub and supplying her with ecstasy.

–Prior to November 18, 2016, the defendant is further accused of furnishing cocaine laced with fentanyl to four club patrons.

–At approximately 1:05 a.m. on November 18, 2016, the Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) and Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) responded to a call for medical aid for multiple victims at a business in the 2400 block of Newport Blvd.

–Four victims were transported to local hospitals, where one man later died.

–NBPD, who investigated this case, arrested the defendant.

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

School Notes

District looking to reopen secondary schools, again

Earlier this month, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education took action to delay the secondary school (grades 7-12) transition to Level 2 - Hybrid in-person instruction in order to further assess the support structures for student learning while in-person and at-home within the Level 2 Hybrid model. This decision allowed an opportunity to review and enhance the instructional model to better support students under these challenging circumstances caused by the pandemic. 

However, at the upcoming board meeting on October 27, the District will recommend that all secondary schools (except Back Bay, Monte Vista and Early College High Schools) transition to Level 2 - Hybrid in-person instruction on November 9. 

The District will also recommend that Back Bay/Monte Vista High School transition to Level 2 - Hybrid in-person instruction one week earlier, on November 3. Early College High School will remain in distance learning due to the challenges related to the alignment with the Coastline Community College system.   

In addition, a revised hybrid model for Level 2 will be recommended at the board meeting. Features of the revised hybrid model address concerns related to the frequency of student/teacher interaction, student support and the ability for students to learn at-home while remaining at their current school. The recommended hybrid model will consist of:

–Two cohorts to reduce the number of students on campus at one time by approximately 50 percent.

–Two days of in-person instruction, two days of at-home learning, and one half-day distance learning per week.

–During at-home learning days, students and teachers connect during the assigned period.

–At-home learning may include simultaneous, synchronous, asynchronous and/or independent learning. This provides more frequent teacher-student contact focused on providing continuity of instruction. 

–As needed, there will be an option to learn at-home every day while remaining at current school.

–Student support with teachers is included four days a week in the bell schedule. 

–One half-day per week will be dedicated to ongoing teacher professional development and/or meeting time including strategies and practices specific to hybrid instruction.

Names in the News

Despite nationwide concerns over declining enrollment for institutions of higher education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Utah saw its largest total enrollment in its 170-year history for the Fall 2020 Semester. It also welcomed its largest, most diverse freshman class.

The following local students from Newport Beach joined the U’s Class of 2024: Samuel Breen, Peyton Cagle, Hannah Harvey, Lauramae Sanders, Zoe Ziebarth and Alyssa Watson from Newport Coast.

The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves more than 32,000 students from across the U.S. and the world. With more than 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including law and medicine, the university prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. 

Free flu vaccine offered by NMUSD

Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) will host a Flu Vaccine Clinic this Wednesday, Oct. 28, by appointment only. Those desiring shots may book times between 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

The clinic will be held at HOPE Clinic/BESST Center, 2045 Meyer Place, Costa Mesa. To schedule an appointment call 949.515.6725.

Vaccines are available at no cost for non-pregnant adults and children four years and older. 

Patients are asked to wear short sleeves or a sleeveless top and masks. Children must be accompanied by one parent or guardian.

District to enhance air cleaners in all classrooms

While High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cleaners are not required for NMUSD classrooms, since they have fully functioning ventilation systems in the classrooms, the District will provide HEPA cleaners for all elementary and secondary classrooms. HEPA cleaners force air through a fine mesh that traps particles. 

This is an addition to the already enhanced ventilation practice that meets the state guidance, such as replacing and upgrading filters and increasing ventilation time before and after occupancy.

COVID-19: 6 new deaths reported in OC, 3 new cases in Newport Beach

Sadly, OC Health Care Agency reports that 1,440 people have died due to COVID-19 in Orange County, including six new deaths reported today (October 23). There have been 26 deaths of Newport Beach residents to date.

The county reports that there have been 58,010 cumulative cases of COVID-19 countywide to date, an increase of 162 cases today.

The county reports that there have been 1,205 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Newport Beach to date, an increase of three cases today. This represents a per capita rate of 13.822 cases per thousand residents.

The county reports that 35 percent of ICU beds and 68 percent of ventilators are currently available countywide.

The county reports that 162 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (includes ICU); 58 are in ICU.

The county estimates 51,990 “recovered cases” according to its data criteria.

For questions about the data presented by the county, call (714) 834-2000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To view the data dashboard, click here.

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

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Courtesy of OC Health Care Agency

Orange County COVID-19 case data as of October 23, as reported by the County; click here to visit page that is updated daily

Elia Parfum launches to empower women, fight human trafficking

A Newport Beach entrepreneur with a passion for promoting female empowerment and fighting human trafficking has launched Elia Parfum, a new

fragrance line that donates a portion of every sale to A21, a leading global anti-trafficking organization.

Amanda Meyer, who has 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, combined her love of fragrance with her dedication to helping others to create Elia Parfum. She has also partnered with A21 to help in the fight against human trafficking, designating 10 percent of every sale to benefit the organization.

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Submitted photos

Amanda Meyer, founder of Elia Parfum

The fragrance line’s debut scent is Elia No.1, a blend of citrus, florals and musk. The floral notes of gardenia, tuberose, English Rose, jasmine and peony give this scent life and femininity, while a citrus note of orange blossom gives a burst of freshness. The musky base notes are designed to blend with your natural pheromones allowing you to smell like the best version of yourself.

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Elia Parfum, a new fragrance line, donates a portion of every sale to A21, an anti-trafficking organization

Elia No. 1 is available in 5, 10 and 50 ml bottles as well as soy candles, with prices ranging from $20-$120. 

“This year has been challenging and unique for all of us and has provided me time to reflect and reprioritize my life,” said Meyer. “I decided to pursue my passion of empowering women and fighting human trafficking with my love for fashion, scents and desire to help others on a greater scale.

“Today more than ever, people are awakening to social injustices and looking for ways to give back and put their money toward companies that support worthwhile causes,” continued Meyer. “Creating a perfume that helps give women confidence while knowing they are making a difference in the lives of others is an invaluable gift.”

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A line of soy candles is available at Elia Parfum

A21 is a leading global anti-trafficking organization, working in 18 locations across 13 countries. Established 12 years ago, A21 is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to end human trafficking through outreach and education; partner with authorities on programs to rescue victims and convict human traffickers; and provide aftercare for survivors through relocation and other services.

The Elia scents can be purchased by visiting www.eliaparfum.com.

On the Harbor: From President Trump coming to town to Measure Z

By LEN BOSE

Plenty going on in the harbor this week with the President stopping by for a quick visit, to recognizing and understanding Measure Z on the Newport Beach ballot.

Nothing better than a warm Sunday afternoon to step aboard a Duffy and people watch while cruising the harbor. This last Sunday brought in everyone from LA and Orange County to get a view of the President while he attended a fundraiser at the end of Lido Isle. The excitement in the air was electrifying while the road traffic started to back up hours before the President arrived, causing me to travel east through Costa Mesa then head down Dover just to make it to my slip. I had flashbacks to both of the Huntington Beach riots from my youth, yet the mode was much more similar to a Beach Boys concert. Everyone was there to get a glimpse of the President with most of the crowd wanting to display their support.

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Photos by Len Bose

The Coast Guard on patrol to keep harbor visitors at a safe distance from President Trump’s fundraiser at Palmer Luckey’s home on Lido Isle, curtained off from the water

The Coast Guard and the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Department were assigned to keep spectators’ vessels three hundred yards away from the end of Lido. Around five or six boats were moved from their Newport Harbor Yacht Club moorings so that the Coast Guard could establish their perimeter. Similar to attending Cal Jam 2, we had to push our way to the front and by doing so test the perimeter. A huge difference between the Coast Guard demanding that you back up compared to the local Sheriff’s deputies. While we started to tie up to one of the empty mooring balls, the Sheriffs came up alongside us and said, “Hey Len how you doing? Do me a favor and back up to the other line of moorings, good to see you.” This occurred while the kid on the front of one of the Coast Guard boats behind his FN M240 machine gun and black face covering signaled with two fingers to move off to the side as they approached. After coming alongside, the helmsman would yell “Back up NOW!” Yes, I took offense that the Coast Guard decided to exhibit their firepower.

Just then, I noticed on top of the home of the person throwing the fundraiser were a dozen secret service agents with binoculars, and when the President arrived, the high-powered weapons appeared on the roof line. Quite exciting, although with the President’s arrival the curtains were closed around the event and everyone’s view from the water was blocked from the main event. But the crowd on the water continued to grow and the attention was on how the Coast Guard would keep people out of the restricted area. One beginning sailor who had no idea what was ahead of him, saw a clear path and sailed into the open water; another elderly lady paddle boarded around the corner; and then you had the clueless boatniks that had no idea what was going on around them because they had their faces too deep into their phones. The reaction was always the same by the Coast Guard bringing the boat on a full plane, then turning hard port or starboard while the kid on the machine gun was almost tossed off the boat. We come alongside to escort them out of the restricted zone. One of the best quotes of the day was from a spectator alongside us, “Looks like that guy in the Coast Guard boat only knows two speeds – stop and full speed.” Flashback to the time when that new Sheriff’s deputy mistakenly ran over the black swan Rupert while responding to a call. I laughed to myself thinking what would happen in today’s political atmosphere.

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President Trump supporters on their boat in Newport Harbor

After the President left Palmer Luckey’s home, the curtains opened and the crowd rushed to the stage. This is when the best people-watching of the day began. I better not describe what I witnessed on the harbor that day because my editor would probably take almost everything out for being politically biased. One thing I can take the time to describe was that the patriotism energy level was at an all-time high and everyone was having a good time on the harbor on this warm sunny Sunday.

• • •

Regarding Measure Z on your Newport Beach ballot. I hadn’t heard of this measure because I live in Huntington Beach, until a reader who is a good friend contacted me. “I enjoy your articles in Stu News. It looks like it makes sense to vote ‘yes’ on Z, but I would like an affirmative (or not) from someone who knows the inside story.”

My reply can be viewed here.

After reviewing Measure Z, I would vote YES. Jim Mosher’s rebuttal against Z makes a strong argument to wait and write the Measure with more thought placed into it. I have found that one should always review and consider Mosher’s comments and suggestions. This measure does not need the scrutiny that Mosher is calling for, being more of a seat of the pants sailor/get ‘er done kind of person. It is more productive to place the powers and duties of the Harbor Commission beyond the political whims of future councils. This Charter amendment would formalize such powers and duties in the City’s Charter. In other words, “my gut” tells me a YES vote is the best thing for our harbor now and well into the future.

To the rest of my readers, remember that the Harbor Commission was instrumental in obtaining our RPG 54 permit, recommending changes in Title 17, lobbying for dredging funding, keeping a communication line between our different harbor users – most of our harbor commissioners are active boaters – and are providing information to our council members who only see the harbor when they drive over the PCH bridge.

One last story. Not very long ago there was a council member that said, “I do not need to hear from any commissioner about the harbor, I know everything about the harbor that I need to know already.” The only time I noticed that council member near the harbor was at the bar at the yacht club during the early bird specials. Let’s not regress into the past. Please vote YES on Measure Z.

Sea ya.

~~~~~~~~

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

California Coastal Cleanup stops lots of trash from heading into our oceans

During the month of September, 13,400 volunteers picked up some 132,000 pounds of trash from their neighborhoods, local parks and watersheds during this year’s California Coastal Cleanup.

Volunteers made a difference by stopping trash where it starts, before it could travel downstream to pollute our coasts and oceans.

Here’s what they found in the trash picked up – Top 10 (pounds):

1. Cigarette butts: 71,721

2. Food wrappers: 36,403

3. Plastic bottle caps: 13,746

4. Plastic grocery bags: 9,488

5. Metal bottle caps: 9,100

6. Plastic bottles: 10,692

7. Straws and stirrers: 7,972

8. Beverage cans: 7,778

9. Plastic takeout containers: n/a

10. Glass bottles: 7,006

As a sign of the times, masks and gloves were the 12th most common item, at 6,343 pounds.

To check out other trash finds, go to www.coastalcleanupdata.org.

Fall at its finest

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Photo by Michelle Mar (Instgram @msmichellemar)

Another stunning sunset in Newport Beach

Supervisor Steel co-authors food and health care proposals for OC residents

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two proposals that will secure essential food and high-quality health care for Orange County residents. 

The first, co-authored by Chairwoman Michelle Steel and Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, will provide an additional $3 million of funding to support the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Community Action Partnership of Orange County. 

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Courtesy of OC-BOS

Supervisor Michelle Steel

“As we continue to navigate this crisis, it’s vital that the county has all the resources it needs to assist those most negatively impacted by the economic impacts caused by the state lockdowns,” said Chairwoman Steel. “With this financial support that will be administered by the Social Services Agency, the Orange County residents that rely on food bank support for meals will continue to get the support they need.”

The second item, co-authored by Chairwoman Steel and Vice Chair Andrew Do, will provide $4.5 million in funding assistance to 66 skilled nursing facilities and 23 community clinics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“This funding will support equipment, supplies, staffing, training and help the facilities provide high quality medical care for our most vulnerable populations,” added Chairwoman Steel. “Providing this essential assistance will help protect the health of our most vulnerable and help us get people get back to work safely.”

ENC’s 45th Annual Fall Faire went virtual and raised more than $52,000

The Environmental Nature Center’s (ENC’s) 45th Annual Fall Faire occurred Sunday, Oct. 18 virtually, on both YouTube and Facebook. Participants watched ENC’s Executive Director Bo Glover welcome our community to the event.

“Although we can’t gather in person this year, our dedicated staff, interns and volunteers have worked hard to keep the Fall Faire tradition alive for our community,” said Glover. “The Faire is our largest fundraiser of the year, and the funds we raise are dedicated to the most important thing I can imagine – connecting our community to nature. Why is that so important? My staff and I know that people will conserve what they understand and love. We come to work every day to continue to make those connections, because when it comes down to it, conserving our planet’s resources and biodiversity is vital to our own continued existence.”

After the inspirational introduction, viewers enjoyed a live Bird of Prey presentation, and a virtual “Craft Crawl” and “Story Walk.” Participants learned to play a fall-themed game, virtually, with the ENC’s After School Nature Campers, and watched performances around the virtual “Fire Circle Stage” by Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders and the Sweetwater Creek Band.

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Courtesy of ENC

ENC’s Executive Director Bo Glover (in truck) and his team deliver more than 100 Fall Faire To Go bags and pumpkins to Orangewood Foundation

Community members purchased “Fall Faire To Go” bags, which included pumpkins, ENC swag and goodies from the Savor OC Restaurant Showcase sponsors, including a $20 gift card to Avila’s El Ranchito Restaurant, a free week of classes at Ra Yoga, a jar of pepper jam from Naked Grandma and a BAO TEA toothbrush. This year, thanks to the generosity of many donors, the ENC provided more than 100 Fall Faire To Go bags and pumpkins to Orangewood Foundation as part of this year’s Fall Faire. The pumpkins and bags were distributed to families in need throughout Orange County.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our community, who helped us raise funds through the Fall Faire despite not having a physical event this year,” said Glover. “Between the Online Silent Auction, Native Plant Sale, To Go Bag Sales and Sponsorships, we raised over $52,000.”

SCAPE gallery to hold exhibition

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 Courtesy of SCAPE gallery 

SCAPE gallery’s upcoming exhibition, “Dawn Chorus,” features works by Lawrence Fodor and Marietta Patricia Leis, and runs October 24 through November 30. Pictured above is “Fallen Angel I and Koan Boxes” by Lawrence Fodor. www.scapesite.com

JWA remains quieter than usual

Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport (JWA) decreased in September 2020 as compared with September 2019. In September 2020, the airport served 274,813 passengers, a decrease of 68 percent when compared with the September 2019 passenger traffic count of 859,174. 

Commercial aircraft operations decreased 57.2 percent and commuter aircraft operations increased 9.9 percent when compared with September 2019 levels.

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Courtesy of John Wayne Airport

Total aircraft operations decreased in September 2020 as compared with the same month in 2019. In September 2020, there were 22,844 total aircraft operations (take-offs and landings), a 12.9 percent decrease compared to 26,218 total aircraft operations in September 2019.

General aviation activity, which accounted for 83.9 percent of the total aircraft operations during September 2020, increased 4.8 percent when compared with September 2019.

The top three airlines in September 2020 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (96,587), American Airlines (59,820) and United Airlines (42,738).

Newport Beach Public Library brings Sunday Musicale to your home with a cello trio

Newport Beach Public Library (NBPL) presents three cellists – Ashley Kim, Inhee Na and Wonsun Keem –  in a virtual Sunday Musicale, beginning November 15 at 9 a.m.

Ashley Kim is a cello teacher and performer who resides in Orange County. She received a BA from Seoul National University and MM from the Juilliard School. She also studied at USC. She is a winner of prestigious competitions such as Dong-a International and the Korean Broadcasting System competition. She appeared as a soloist with Seoul City Orchestra, Korean Broadcasting Symphony, Daejeon City Orchestra and I Artisti Orchestra. She was a principal cellist at Del Gesu Strings and has had concert tours around the world including Chile and Ecuador. Kim continues to perform recitals throughout Orange County and Seoul, Korea. She is a chairperson of Chamber Music Connect and regularly appears at Chamber music concerts of CMC at Concordia University. She teaches orchestra classes at Savanna School District, Centralia School District and Santiago Canyon College.

Photos courtesy of NBPL

Ashley Kim

Inhee Na earned her Bachelor of Music from Korea National University of Arts, continuing her education in Vienna, Cologne (Master), and Berlin (Konzertexamen). She received additional training in master classes with world famous cellists, such as Mstislav Rostropovich and Janos Starker. She received first prize at the Felix-Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Domenico-Gabrielli, Joong-Ang and KBS competitions, as well as the Kronberg Cello Festival. A dedicated educator, Na has held teaching positions for cello and chamber music at Korea National University of Arts, Chung-Ang University and Suk-Myung Women’s University. She is the featured soloist with all major Korean orchestras, the LA Sinfonietta and the Korean-American Youth Orchestra at Walt Disney Hall. She has performed throughout Europe and Asia, and is currently the principal cellist of the LA Sinfonietta and a member of the cello quartet LA Cellisten.

Inhee Na

Wonsun Keem started playing the cello when she was 13 years old and graduated from Seoul Arts High School, received her Bachelor of Music at Seoul National University, and her Master of Music at Yale University. Throughout her music career, she has won numerous major music competitions including the Korea America Corporation Music competition and Baroque String Competition as a soloist. While attending Yale School of Music, she performed in a piano trio, string quartet and piano quartet. She has performed countless times in the Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Arts Center, Maria Callas Hall, Kumho Arts Hall, Tokyo Opera City Hall, Osaka Symphony Hall, Sprague Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York and Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Since moving to Los Angeles, Keem has joined the Landmark String Quartet and Dream Orchestra. She also believes in giving back through music education and teaches the next generation of musicians throughout the Los Angeles area.

Wonsun Keem

Music lovers can view the concert for free at www.newportbeachlibrary.org/ebranch/virtual-programming.

This event is funded by generous donations from the Friends of the Library.  Newport Beach Public Library presents a variety of programs that foster cultural arts enrichment. For more information, contact the library at 949.717.3800, option 2, or visit the website at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

Morning flow

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Photo by Jason Berry (its_jason_berry)

Waking up in Newport Beach is always a blessing

Library offering contest and activities for Halloween season

The Newport Beach Public Library (NBPL) welcomes the fall season with a fun new program for tweens and teens – the “Spooktacular Short Stories & Art program,” where creative minds can share Halloween-themed short stories and art pieces.

This program running now through November 7 with the chance for three lucky teens to win a $25 gift card to Amazon. Tweens and teens from 5th through 12th grade are welcome to join in, and everyone who participates will be submitted into the drawing to win.

Short story submissions should be between 500-2,000 words, and each participant can submit up to six works for entries into the opportunity drawing. Entries must be original content created by the person submitting the story, but if you’re struggling to find inspiration, the program includes a list of creative Halloween prompts to spark your muse.

Courtesy of NBPL

The NBPL offers fun and exciting Halloween activities for children as well. The Spooktacular Children’s Program, running from October 19 through October 31, offers a Virtual Costume Parade for kids to show off their scariest Halloween costumes on the library’s website and social media accounts.

Halloween craft kits can also be picked up at any of the four libraries in the Newport Beach Public Library system, which includes Central Library, Crean Mariners Branch Library, Corona del Mar Branch Library and Balboa Branch Library. Each craft kit will come with a prize drawing ticket for entry into the opportunity drawing to win a prize bag. Winners will be drawn on November 2 and will be notified by phone.

For more information on the Spooktacular Writing and Art Program, visit the website at www.newportbeachlibrary.org/teens/spooktacular. For questions about the Spooktacular Teen program, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Police Beat Primer

Compiled by Tom Johnson 

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

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

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

Abbreviations sometimes used in Police Beat:

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

DUI Arrests

Gregory E. Butler, 54, Rancho Palos Verdes – Monday, October 19 

Britney Louise Hile, 34, Huntington Beach – Monday, October 19

Incident Reports

Tuesday, October 20

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

Sheena Marie Turner, 34, Indianapolis

Balboa Blvd. & 15th St. I Obstructing/Resisting

8:02 p.m. Jacob Matthew Lewison, 21, Phoenix, was arrested for obstructing or resisting a peace officer. Bail was set at $500.

Bayside Drive I 1000 Block I Receiving Stolen Property, Driving w/o License, Shoplifting, Reckless Driving, Obstructing/Resisting, Hit & Run and Warrant

7:39 p.m. Myron Bryan Scott St., 42, Carson, was arrested for receiving stolen property with a value less than $950, driving without a license, shoplifting an amount less than $950, reckless driving on a highway, obstructing or resisting a peace officer, hit & run causing property damage and on an undisclosed warrant. No bail was set.

13th St. I 8100 Block I Westminster I Burglary, Receiving Stolen Property, Controlled Substance in Prison and Warrants

9:00 a.m. Brittany Ann Honingford, 29, Laguna Beach, was arrested for commercial burglary with a forced entry, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950 and on warrants for receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, petty theft, possession of drugs in prison, fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $265,000.

8:55 a.m. Ryan Anthony Franks, 30, Laguna Beach, was arrested for commercial burglary with a forced entry, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950 and possession of a controlled substance in prison. Bail was set at $25,000.

32nd St. & Beach I Under the Influence

6:38 a.m. Peter Joseph Carroll Moore, 30, Irvine, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $1,000.

Monday, October 19

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

Matthew Alan Wolfinbarger, 36, Escondido

Old Newport Blvd. I 300 Block I Burglary, Receiving Stolen Property and Warrant

6:32 a.m. William Kenneth Fisher, 67, Los Angeles, was arrested for commercial burglary with a forced entry, receiving stolen property with a value greater than $950 and on an undisclosed warrant. Bail was set at $20,000.

Jamboree Road I 1800 Block I Paraphernalia

9:04 a.m. Eddie Federico Zavala, 49, Newport Beach, was arrested for possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Bail was set at $500.

Newport Blvd. I 2800 Block I Parole Violation

7:46 a.m. Michael Andrew Age, 33, Garden Grove, was arrested on a parole violation. No bail was set.

Bristol St. I 2100 Block I Controlled Substance and Warrant

4:47 p.m. Jeffrey Roy Bowers, 28, Eagle Point, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $2,500.

4:42 p.m. Shaylene Renee Bain, 22, Central Point, was arrested on a warrant for taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Bail was set at $20,000.

31st St. & Balboa Blvd. I Taking Auto and Driving while Suspended/Revoked

4:17 p.m. Derik Justin Hurd Roy III, 42, Huntington Beach, was arrested for taking an auto without the owner’s consent and driving while a license is suspended or revoked. Bail was set at $20,000.

Sunday, October 18

Arrests for Being Drunk in Public

None

W. Coast Highway I 4500 Block I Parole Violation

6:23 p.m. Gary William Warbrick Jr., 46, Costa Mesa, was arrested on a parole violation. No bail was set.

E. Balboa Blvd. I 300 Block I Obstructing/Resisting, Tear Gas and Warrant

6:21 p.m. Michael Robert Hofmann, 37, Brightwater, was arrested for obstructing or resisting a peace officer, being a felon in possession of tear gas and on a warrant for grand theft from a person. Bail was set at $15,000.

19th St. & W. Ocean Front I Vandalism

3:05 p.m. James Henry Hillman, 44, Newport Beach, was arrested for vandalism by damaging property. Bail was set at $20,000.

Placentia Ave. I 1500 Block I Receiving Stolen Property

9:52 a.m. Freddie Jr. Smith, 25, Fontana, was arrested for receiving stolen property with a value less than $950. Bail was set at $500.

MacArthur Blvd. I 4200 Block I Controlled Substance and Petty Theft

8:59 a.m. Charles Connor Bailey, 39, Redlands, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and for petty theft from buildings. Bail was set at $2,500.

Newport Blvd. I 2400 Block I Battery and Warrants

7:15 a.m. Marcelluis Eduardo Rivera Jr., 23, Santa Ana, was arrested for battery with serious bodily injury and warrants for possession of a controlled substance and vandalism. Bail was set at $25,500.

University Drive & Jamboree Road I Carrying Loaded Firearm, Driving while Suspended/Revoked, Controlled Substance, Felon/Addict with Firearm, Ammo, Paraphernalia and Addict Driving Vehicle

6:57 a.m. Miran Asueru Lio, 34, Long Beach, was arrested for carrying a loaded firearm on their person or in their vehicle, driving while a license is suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance, being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammo by a prohibited person, possession of unlawful paraphernalia and being an addict driving a vehicle. Bail was set at $20,000.

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