It’s probably just a “sign” of the things to come, but the political scene is heating up and expected to get ugly
The crazy days of politics are firmly upon us. Signs are popping up…some appearing out of compliance, some not…some bringing community complaints for content…while others are simply disappearing, including off front yard lawns.
Yes, it’s typical of this time of year…and frustrating depending on whose side you’re on.
One of the more controversial sign groupings garnering some attention sits opposite the end of Dover Drive, actually across the street, fronting the apartment complex sitting next to the Coast Highway bridge.
A complaint was filed with the city regarding the signs on the property. One sign in the cluster that’s drawn particular attention shows three of the incumbent candidates with a Ghostbuster’s red prohibition symbol over them.
The complaint included objections to the sign display and a request that it be removed.
City Code Enforcement’s Monique Navarette was called in over the weekend to discuss the issue with property owner Allyson Presta.
I joined them for the discussion. And first let me say, both sides were more than cordial.
Monique’s first and foremost concern was the safety of the signs in their elevated position and their secure mounting. Second was the individual sign sizes and the allowable number per parcel.
Allyson, on the other hand, was most concerned with being able to express her First Amendment rights.
Nothing was relayed to either party about the complaining party, and nothing was discussed about content on any of the signs in question.
City code allows for three signs per parcel. Allyson, with her apartments, owns two parcels. However, the signs are all placed on one of those parcels that fronts Coast Highway.
The complaint has brought renewed attention to whether the signs comply with city requirements. Afterall, with their messaging and the fact that 65,000 vehicles venture past that intersection each day, they’re potentially extremely visible.
The ending result of the meeting was that Allyson would need to go to the Planning Department at City Hall yesterday afternoon (Monday, Oct. 5). From there, it will be determined whether or not she can simply pay for a sign permit, remove them, or otherwise be cited. They’ll also tell her when the signs must be removed, if that’s the case.
Either way, it doesn’t appear that anything will be done immediately. The city can order the signs removed, subjecting Allyson to a potential fine. But according to a City Hall source familiar with the matter, the signs, if Allyson desires, may be able to remain in place up until Election Day, subject to a fine and perhaps an additional penalty for not responding in a timely manner.
Couple all of this with rumors circulating about additional political attacks against candidates, and I’d say we’re in for a challenging month.
Put your seatbelt on!
• • •
BTW, voting is officially underway for the November 3 General Election as ballots have now been mailed to all active registered voters throughout Orange County.
The Orange County Registrar of Voters reminds residents that they have several ways to cast their ballots. Voters may return their Vote-By-Mail ballot through the U.S. Postal Service – no postage is required – or use one of 128 secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the county. Ballots may also be dropped off in person at any Vote Center, where voters also have the option of casting their ballots in person.
Select Vote Centers will open Saturday, Oct. 24, operating from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Beginning Saturday, Oct. 31, all Vote Centers will be open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
The six Vote Centers in Newport Beach are at the following locations:
–City of Newport Beach – Civic Center – 100 Civic Center Drive. Opens October 24.
–Coastline College Newport Beach – 1515 Monrovia Ave., Room 320, third floor. Opens October 31.
–Marina Park Community Center – 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., second floor. Opens October 31.
–Newport Coast Community Center – 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road. Opens October 31.
–OASIS Senior Center – 801 Narcissus Ave., Corona del Mar. Opens October 31.
–St. Mark Presbyterian Church – 2200 San Joaquin Hills Road. Opens October 31.
Election officials are encouraging voters to cast their ballots early. According to the Registrar, about 90% of Vote-By-Mail ballots received before Election Day are typically included in the first Unofficial Election Results report released on election night.
Assistance is also available by calling 888.OCVOTES (888.628.6837).
• • •
Speak Up Newport will tackle one of the city’s most closely watched ballot questions with its October forum – Measure H – How Will You Vote?
Measure H appears on Newport Beach’s November 3 general election ballot as a citizen initiative addressing development limits and affordable-housing requirements in several areas of the city.
The forum will feature Walter Stahr, representing initiative sponsor Newport Beach Stewardship Association and Elizabeth Handsburg, co-founder and director of People for Housing OC, who will present the opposition.
Audience members will have an opportunity to submit questions during the program – making this a timely chance to get beyond the campaign mailers and hear the arguments face-to-face before casting a ballot.
The program will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Newport Beach Civic Center Community Room, 100 Civic Center Drive. A reception precedes the discussion at 5:15 p.m., followed by the program from 6-7 p.m. Admission is free and no registration is required for those attending in person.
A Zoom simulcast will also be offered, although advance registration is required for the webinar. You may get details on the Zoom at www.speakupnewport.com.
• • •
Speaking of elections. Word was expected to potentially come down yesterday from the Orange County Superior Court as the window for conducting the city’s Special Election continued to narrow.
At issue were several logistical hurdles, including access to voter signatures from the county and specialized ballot-printing materials from the state, raising questions about whether the city could complete the process in time.
The printing of the ballots appeared to be among the biggest concerns.
• • •
Mayor Lauren Kleiman in her October Monthly Newsletter discusses an “adopted package of ordinance changes” that will be put forward to address future teen takeovers and ensure accountability.
Sand replenishment is also on her mind, especially with the upcoming El Niño. She invites the public to join in for a comprehensive discussion about sand, harbor and coastline management at a council study session of October 13 at 4 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
• • •
Excited about the upcoming Newport Beach Film Festival? Join in at Hot Topics & Connections with the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce on Thursday (Oct. 8) featuring Film Festival co-founder & CEO Gregg Schwenk. The monthly Good Morning CdM program takes place at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club from 8-9:30 a.m.
Gregg will offer an inside look at the film lineup, special parties and events associated with the festival and how to access discounted tickets.
The meeting is free, with coffee and pastries. No RSVP needed.
BTW, the Film Festival hits town October 15-22. Get ready, big stuff is coming!
• • •
Our Friends of the Library team is at it again with the Fall Book Sale this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10.
Friday from 1-4 p.m. is a members day with books three for $1, while Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. it’s open to all with books at $3/bag (they provide the bag).
They’re calling it the Friends Fabulous Fall Book Sale! with more than 14,000 bestsellers, children’s, vintage, cookbooks and more.
Head to the Friends Room at the Central Library.
The Friends of the Library are a not-so-small group of volunteers working hard on behalf of the Newport Beach Public Library’s four branches. Founded in 1961, the Friends donate 100% of revenue raised to the library to fund various needs and projects.
Newport Beach Film Festival to screen local filmmaker Bill Sharp’s documentary on the California Roll
Newport Beach filmmaker Bill Sharp has announced a special screening of his documentary California Roll: The Rise of American Sushi on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 21 during the Pacific Rim Showcase night of the 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF).
Click on photo for a larger image
Submitted photos
Bill Sharp’s documentary “California Roll: The Rise of American Sushi” will screen during the NBFF on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Triangle Square Cinemas
Following the showing at the Triangle Square Cinemas, there will be an after party at the adjacent Time Nightclub, where attendees can experience a one-night-only pop-up recreation of the California Beach Rock N Sushi restaurant that was a Newport Beach nightlife staple in the 1980s and ‘90s and is a focus of the film’s narrative.
Click on photo for a larger image
The film starts with some Newport good old times of debauchery at California Beach Rock N Sushi on Via Lido, which fused traditional Japanese cuisine with a high energy rock ‘n’ roll surf culture.
Sharp will host the celebration along with many of the local legends appearing in the film, and attendees will be treated to all-you-can-eat sushi rolls, courtesy of Aquamar Seafood. A Hollywood-style red carpet with bright lights and step-and-repeat photo backdrop will anchor the pop-up alongside curated images and memorabilia that will transport partiers back to 1985 when Cal Beach landed on Via Lido and became the immediate clubhouse for the movers and shakers of the exploding “Velcro Valley” surf industry.
Click on photo for a larger image
The Echo Beach crew in the 1980s were known for their flashy wetsuits, colorful surfboards and new wave attitude. Echo Beach was a legendary 100-yard stretch of sand located in West Newport Beach between the 52nd and 56th Street jetties.
Screening tickets are priced at $20 on the NBFF website, with access to the 21-and-over Pacific Rim party available for an additional $30.
Another screening will also take place on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
For a sneak peek, view the trailer here.
Trending Recent Stories in Stu News Newport
Tragedy strikes Ben Did Go 11.0 paddle after medical emergency off Catalina
By Tom Johnson – Photo courtesy of the Ben Carlson Foundation
Speak Up Newport to present November 3 ballot initiative on housing
Photo courtesy of Speak up Newport
The Tennis & Pickleball Club at Newport Beach launches padel
Submitted photo
Botanical Ball to honor Janet Curci at Sherman Library & Gardens
Photo courtesy of Sherman Library & Gardens
Newport Spirit Run returns Sunday, Oct. 18; come run or walk in remembrance of Juan Ramirez
There are many reasons to participate in Newport Spirit Run: being part of a 42-year-old Newport tradition, participating in the first road race in Upper Newport Bay (the Bay) in more than 20 years, pursuing a personal record in your chosen distance, and running or walking to support your favorite school or other event beneficiary. This year, there’s a new and very special reason.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Newport Spirit Run
Juan Ramirez, an Upper Newport Bay beloved runner
Run or walk in the footsteps of Juan Ramirez, a beloved runner who the local running community lost in 2017. Once deemed by the OC Register as Orange County’s fastest man, Ramirez will forever be remembered with love by his friends and local runners.
Ramirez was a local running legend who ran upwards of 80 miles a week, competed at an elite level and completed more than 20 marathons, including victories at the California International Marathon and Napa Valley Marathon. But what made him so special went far beyond his finishing times. Ramirez was known for running with everyone, from elite competitors to everyday joggers. He encouraged, paced and helped other runners push toward their own goals. He had a gift for making every runner feel important.
Ramirez loved Upper Newport Bay (the Bay). He ran around it weekly, usually multiple times. If you ran the Bay, chances are you saw him, and if you knew him, chances are he stopped to say hello. Newport Spirit Run wants to give back to Ramirez as he did to others by dedicating the new Half Marathon to his memory.
His connection to the Bay and to Newport Spirit Run lives on today. Indeed, the Juan Ramirez water fountain stands along the half marathon route as a tribute to his memory. There’s an especially meaningful detail on the fountain plaque which pictures him; he is wearing a Spirit Run bib from the year he won the 10k.
Less than two weeks remain until the 42nd Annual Newport Spirit Run on Sunday, Oct. 18 at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. Visit Newport Spirit Run to register and run a piece of the same Bay route Ramirez knew so well.
Run the Bay. Honor Juan Ramirez’s legacy.
Event details, registration, sponsorship and expo information are available at https://newportspiritrun.org/.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of city of Newport Beach
Newport Beach City Manager Seimone Jurjis
Dear Community Members,
It isn’t every day that a video goes viral showing orcas breaching off Newport Beach with our community in the background, but that’s exactly what happened last week.
A pod of orcas was spotted just off our coast, giving those lucky enough to see them a pretty incredible show. And they’re not the only unusual marine visitors we’ve seen in our area lately.
Just up the coast, two olive ridley sea turtles recently nested in Huntington Beach and Seal Beach, a first not just for our neighboring coastal cities, but for the West Coast.
It’s been an interesting time along our coastline, to say the least.
Ocean temperatures have been warmer, and there has been plenty of discussion about El Niño and what changing conditions in the Pacific could mean for Southern California. Our teams are paying close attention to what’s happening offshore and what it could mean here at home.
Our El Niño preparations include advancing our tree-trimming schedule to help reduce the risk of fallen trees during strong winds, bringing in additional pumping equipment to prepare for potential flooding, increasing our supply of sandbags for residents and expanding our heavy equipment inventory so we have the right tools available for changing conditions.
We will continue to monitor the forecast and keep the community updated as we move into the winter season.
One area we continue to focus on is sand.
The city is preparing to move sand from the mouth of the Santa Ana River to the West Jetties to help replenish our beaches. Bids are currently open for that work, which is expected to cost between $1 million and $1.5 million. It’s a significant undertaking, but managing our sand is an important part of protecting Newport Beach’s coastline.
We’ll also take a broader look at sand management during a City Council study session on October 13. We’ve heard from residents about erosion and changing beach conditions, and the study session will give us an opportunity to talk about what we’re seeing, the work already underway and how we approach these issues moving forward.
And, as we’ve seen a few times lately, conditions in the Pacific can change quickly.
We are currently monitoring another tropical storm that could potentially send elevated swell toward Southern California in the next week or so. We’ll continue watching the forecast and beach conditions as it develops, but this is a good reminder to check in with a lifeguard before heading into the water and pay attention to posted flags and warnings.
One other side effect of the warmer water is stingrays. We’ve been seeing more of them along our beaches, so remember the stingray shuffle. Slide your feet through the sand instead of stepping down as you enter the water.
We’ll keep watching conditions and share updates as we learn more. In the meantime, enjoy the beach, check in with our lifeguards and keep those feet shuffling.
After 39 years of service to Newport Beach, Assistant Chief of Lifeguard Operations Brian O’Rourke is preparing to retire. Over nearly four decades, Brian has helped protect generations of residents and visitors and has been part of countless rescues along our coastline. We thank him for his extraordinary service to Newport Beach and wish him the very best in retirement.
Warmly,
Seimone Jurji
City Manager
Corona del Mar’s Biggest 3rd Thursday Celebration Yet!
Step right up! 3rd Thursdays in Corona del Mar (CdM) is wrapping up its second season with its biggest celebration yet: Carnival del Mar on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 5-8 p.m.
Join us for a carnival-themed CdM 3rd Thursday. Stop by the city’s library branch and check out the reptile zoo, then head next door to Fire Station No. 5 for an open house. The Fire Department’s very own support dog, Tora, will be there to meet and take photos with. The fun continues throughout CdM with the city’s new red car trolley and carnival games, then get your ‘80s fix with a live band and step aerobics in the Cozy Earth lot, have your caricature drawn under the clock tower, decorate a pumpkin, visit with a fortune teller, or look for the scavenger hunts, specials and countless raffles and prizes.
Bring the family, invite your friends and come celebrate everything that makes CdM special.
Corona del Mar 3rd Thursdays will return in April 2027.
Calling All Kid Artists
All kids Pre-K through 12th grade are invited to participate in the 2026 Student Art Exhibition in celebration of Newport Beach’s 120th birthday. Young artists may submit one original work of art from October 1 through November 30. Show us what makes Newport Beach special to you in a painting, drawing or collage.
For more details on how to participate, categories and prizes, visit the city’s website or call 949.717.3802. Artwork will be displayed at the Central Library located at 1000 Avocado Ave. from January 4 – February 24, 2027. Winners will be invited to attend an award ceremony in early February 2027.
Meet the Author: Leigh Steinberg
Join us for an evening with Leigh Steinberg, legendary sports agent, entrepreneur, best-selling author and the real-life inspiration for Jerry Maguire, on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Witte Hall located at 998 Avocado Ave.
The first 25 registered guests to arrive will receive a free copy of his book, The Comeback. Books will be available for purchase and signing thanks to the Friends of the Library and Lido Village Books.
Registration is strongly recommended.
Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library Fall Used Book Sale
Join us for the Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale on Friday, Oct. 9 from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will take place in the Friends Room at the Central Library, located at 1000 Avocado Ave. Friday is reserved for members only with memberships available at the door. Books will be sold as three for $1. The sale will continue on Saturday, when everyone is welcome to attend and fill a bag with books for $3. Bags are provided by the Friends.
Visitors can browse more than 14,000 books, including bestsellers, children’s books, vintage titles, cookbooks and much more. Founded in 1961, the Friends of the Library is a dedicated volunteer organization supporting all four branches of the Newport Beach Public Library.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale are donated to the library to help fund programs, projects and other community needs.
Medicare: What’s New for 2027
Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment is fast approaching! Join the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 1-2 p.m. at 801 Narcissus Ave., Room 1. Come by and learn about all the upcoming changes to Medicare in 2027, and how these changes may impact you.
Participants will gain a better understanding of their Medicare options and learn how to ensure their healthcare coverage best meets their individual needs. The program is presented by the Council on Aging Southern California.
RSVP by calling 949.644.3244.
This Week’s Events/City Calendar
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Meeting
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive – 5 p.m.
Meet the Author: Leigh Steinberg
Witte Lecture Hall
998 Avocado Ave. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Spotlight on Science
Witte Lecture Hall
998 Avocado Ave. – 7-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8
City Arts Commission Meeting
Newport Beach Central Library
1000 Avocado Ave. – 5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 9
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale – Members Only
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Ave. – 1-4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Ave. – 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Editor’s Note: From City Hall to You was received Friday, Oct. 2 and is subject to editing so the information is current.
Newport Beach – A Look Back
Photo series courtesy of Newport Beach Museum Balboa Island
Click on photo for a larger image
On September 25, 1939, Bartholomae’s Paragon sunk at the entrance of Newport Harbor during a tropical storm which struck the Southern California coast with little warning.
Guest Letter
Mario Marovic
Hon. Will O’Neill
Re-elect on policy wins, not decades-old vibes
Newport Beach has experienced significant progress on homelessness, crime prevention and quality-of-life issues in recent years. It was not that long ago that a combination of California policy and federal appellate court decisions required cities to devote extensive resources to people sleeping on streets and at bus depots. More recently, city data has shown a substantial decline in the number of people living unsheltered in Newport Beach.
Horrible public policy out of Sacramento and what we believe has been poor enforcement elsewhere in Southern California following the “defund-the-police” movement have reinforced the importance of strong local public safety. Newport Beach leadership has taken a different tack by prioritizing funding and staffing for our Police and Fire Departments. The Newport Beach Fire Department has achieved an ISO Class 1 rating, placing it among fewer than 1% of fire departments nationwide.
Our parks have received substantial investment, the city has made significant progress addressing its unfunded pension liability and long-term obligations, and conservative budget practices have produced surpluses that have been used to pay down liabilities and plan for quality-of-life improvements.
And, during this period, the City Council has not imposed a new local tax to accomplish these priorities.
The fundamentals are not just solid, they are flourishing here in Newport Beach. These policy wins alone justify re-election across the board for all four incumbents: Joe Stapleton, Erik Weigand, Robyn Grant and Lauren Kleiman.
I (Mario Marovic) am raising my daughters here and have invested serious money into real estate and businesses to improve our community. I saw our Police Department’s preparation for and response to July Fourth and cannot tell you how much I respect the department. At my own Newport Beach businesses, I personally encountered occasions when I had to clean sidewalks after they had been used as bathrooms by individuals I understood to be homeless. Every incumbent has taken these issues seriously and, in my experience, has been responsive to local business needs.
I (Will O’Neill) served with all four incumbents on the City Council. We steered good policy together that they have continued and improved. And before some former mayors opposed our current incumbents, I remember wearing criticism from some of those same former officials as a badge of honor. In my view, this election should not turn on whether candidates are friends with mayors from decades ago, but whether Stapleton, Weigand, Grant and Kleiman are advancing sound policy. Are we safer today than we were four years ago? I believe we undoubtedly are.
This isn’t the time to change horses midstream. Protect the Newport Beach we know. Vote for re-election and let’s get back to basics.
Mario Marovic is a longtime business owner and Newport Beach resident. Hon. Will O’Neill served on the Newport Beach City Council from 2016-2024 and as mayor in 2020 and 2024.
Crystal Cove Conservancy raises $950,000 for education and conservation at 27th Annual Endless Summer Soirée
Crystal Cove Conservancy welcomed more than 200 guests to the blufftop of Crystal Cove State Park’s Pelican Point on Saturday, Oct. 3 for its 27th Annual Endless Summer Soirée. The annual celebration raised $950,000 to support The Conservancy’s STEM education programs and its ongoing work to protect and preserve Crystal Cove State Park.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos by OC Event Photos
Autumn sunset at the Endless Summer Soirée
Set against panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the evening brought together supporters, community leaders and conservation partners to celebrate Crystal Cove, and the collective work to ensure its natural, cultural and historic resources endure for generations to come.
Guests enjoyed vintage cocktails, live music and an elegant al fresco dinner. A live auction and paddle raise supported The Conservancy’s STEM education programs, followed by dancing under the autumn sky.
Click on photo for a larger image
(L-R) California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Crystal Cove Conservancy CEO Hallie Jones, Crystal Cove Conservancy Board Chair Teddie Ray and California State Parks – Orange Coast District Superintendent Scott Kibbey
Among the distinguished attendees were California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot; California State Parks Director Armando Quintero; U.S. Representative Dave Min; Fifth District Supervisor and Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors Katrina Foley and Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill.
The evening also marked the first Endless Summer Soirée with Hallie Jones serving as CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy. Jones, who assumed the role in August, reflected on the community of supporters, partners and volunteers whose commitment makes The Conservancy’s work possible.
Click on photo for a larger image
CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy Hallie Jones reflected on the importance of community supporters, partners and volunteers
“Crystal Cove isn’t just a place,” said Jones. “It’s a community of people who show up to protect the places they love, through small moments that make a big impact. Tonight’s Endless Summer Soirée was a wonderful celebration of that commitment, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by coastal sage scrub. We’re honored to carry this work forward together.”
Guests bid on one-of-a-kind experiences during the live auction and came together for an enthusiastic paddle raise. Together with sponsorships and other contributions, the evening raised $950,000 to support The Conservancy’s education, conservation and historic preservation programs.
“California State Parks and Crystal Cove Conservancy have shared a steadfast commitment to protecting one of the most unique places along the entire Pacific Coast,” said Quintero. “This flourishing partnership has evolved from restoring historic bungalows that, in essence, allow visitors to time travel back to the 1920s, to providing world-class education experiences while conserving the state park’s incredible natural and cultural resources. I am so very grateful for this partnership, which has served as a model not just in the California State Park System but at parks throughout the country.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Guests raising their paddles during the auction in support of Crystal Cove Conservancy
Each year, students – including thousands from Title I schools – come to Crystal Cove State Park for hands-on experiences that take learning beyond the classroom. Students explore tidepools, restore native habitat, code environmental sensors, build environmental robots and work alongside scientists and educators to investigate real-world questions within the park.
Click open story button to continue reading…
Guest Letter
Tim Stoaks
Candidate
Newport Beach City Council District 3
Response to Denys Oberman
Click on photo for larger image
Submitted photo
Tim Stoaks, candidate for Newport Beach City Council
In her October 2, 2026 letter to the editor, Denys Oberman makes several allegations that I believe are false, unsubstantiated and void of context.
Starting with the March 10, 2026 meeting she alludes to, it was not, in my view, a gathering of community activists looking for a viable candidate to support; it felt more like the coronation of Walter Stahr and an effort to pressure other potential candidates to step aside. I felt bullied and pressured by what I viewed as an effort by a group of self-appointed “elders” to clear the field for their preferred candidate.
On August 6, 2026, Keith Curry sent me an email regarding the March meeting. In it, he wrote: “To the extent anything I said or did was considered disrespectful or diminishing, please accept my sincere and deep apology.”
Also, at that meeting, which I do not believe Ms. Oberman attended, I never promised to blindly support and follow the choice of the “elders.” In fact, the pressure I felt at that meeting made me better understand why I did not want others deciding for me who should or should not run for office.
The photos that I have used in my ads came from my personal collection, and nowhere in those ads did I state that the people pictured had endorsed my candidacy. I simply stated that these are some of the people I have worked with on city projects that have meant the most to me. I will continue to share my fond memories of working on projects, and with people, who have made a difference in our neighborhoods and our lives.
Raising money is not the benchmark of a serious or successful campaign. With comparatively little money, I have run ads that I believe are equal to, or better than, those of my opponents. I have maintained and expanded a vast social network, I have had my ads and writings posted and reposted by local institutions and individuals and I am the subject of letters, articles and conversation.
Obviously, Ms. Oberman took the time to reflect on my candidacy and compose correspondence discussing it, including issues I have raised during this campaign. Apparently, I and my ideas are serious enough to warrant her attention, her criticism and her concern. And I am doing it without going into debt or relying heavily on outside special interests. Thank you for the publicity.
Finally, I believe Ms. Oberman’s objections to two of my proposals demonstrate a misunderstanding of both my positions and the issues involved.
Regarding Newport Coast Drive, my concern is straightforward: I believe traffic policy should encourage southbound drivers to use Newport Coast Drive rather than MacArthur Boulevard and avoid unnecessarily routing additional traffic through Corona del Mar. My proposal is intended to address that concern.
Second, I have never proposed a specific development project for Santa Ana Country Club. I have proposed exploring a residential overlay district that could allow potential future residential development to be considered when evaluating housing opportunities and compliance with state housing mandates.
In fact, the City of Newport Beach’s 2026 Implementation Program, Section 15.1, calls for exploring opportunities to add the Santa Ana Country Club to the city’s sphere of influence.
Legacies are built and earned; they are not inherited. Through hard work, I have built my own legacy in Newport and am proud of it. I have not relied on my mom and dad to establish my commitment to our community. I will continue to tout my accomplishments, share my vision and thank my friends and colleagues.
And, with that, hopefully, at the end of this adventure, I will get an apology from Ms. Oberman similar to the one Mr. Curry sent in August.
NMUSD to hold College & Career Fair
Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) is inviting students and families to navigate college and career opportunities at the 2026 College & Career Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 5-8 p.m. at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos courtesy of NMUSD
A college representative chatting with students at a previous College & Career Fair
This free event gives students and families the chance to gather information, ask questions, and connect with people who can help them plan their next steps. Attendees can visit with representatives from colleges, universities and international schools; meet business and industry professionals, and learn about scholarships and local community resources that support their education. No registration is required.
Families with elementary and middle school students are also encouraged to attend. Students can learn about programs offered at their future middle and high schools and take part in fun, hands-on activities in the Pathway Playground. The interactive experience introduces students to Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways that align with their growing interests and strengths.
Click on photo for a larger image
A representative from California State University Dominguez Hills talking to students at a previous College & Career Fair
The evening will feature a variety of workshops covering topics such as earning college credit while in high school, applying for financial aid, NCAA recruiting and scholarships, apprenticeships and planning for future success.
New this year, families can attend sessions focused on accommodations and accessibility guidance for students with disabilities, providing information and resources to help students successfully transition to college and access support services in higher education.
Whatever direction students are headed, the 2026 College & Career Fair is the place to chart it.
For more information, visit the College & Career Fair webpage, or contact Lisa Snowden at 714.424.5036.
The OC Fair & Event Center is located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
Guest Letter
Walter Stahr
Candidate
Newport Beach City Council District 3
Responding to OCGOP video: Let’s focus on Newport Beach issues
Click on photo for larger image
Submitted photo
Walter Stahr, candidate for Newport Beach City Council
In its effort to defend City Council incumbent Erik Weigand, the Orange County Republican Party (OCGOP) is attacking me for something I said in 2019 about a speech Salmon Chase gave in 1859.
In my “other life,” I research, write and publish biographies of major American leaders. Two of my books are about founders of the Republican Party and key members of Lincoln’s cabinet: William Henry Seward and Salmon Portland Chase. My new book, about William Howard Taft, a moderate Republican president in the early 20th century, will be published on November 10 by Simon & Schuster.
Back in 2019, while I was finishing the Chase book, I quoted from an 1859 speech by Chase, at the time the governor of Ohio, about the benefits to the state of immigration. Chase said that “from every quarter of the world, we welcome those whose love of liberty, and free institutions directed them to our shores.”
Not long before I published this post, Congress had considered bipartisan immigration reform legislation. The Republican senators who favored such reform included Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins. Quoting Chase, I suggested that Republican leaders should “read, reflect and legislate to open our borders to those whose love of liberty and free institutions direct them to our shores.”
The OCGOP, in its video against me, omitted the reference to Chase and the remainder of the quotation about “those whose love of liberty and free institutions direct them to our shores.”
I would suggest that the people of Newport Beach focus on the issues in the current city election. Do they want to preserve Civic Center Park rather than locate a new police headquarters there, an option Weigand has publicly supported? Do they agree with Weigand’s spending priorities? Those are among the issues voters should consider in deciding who should represent them on the City Council.
As an added bonus, if I am elected, Newport Beach would have on its City Council someone with deep knowledge of American history.
Letters to the Editor
Importance of City Council donations vs. respect for Newport Beach residents
The Friday, Oct. 2 edition of Stu News reported campaign fundraising totals for candidates running for Newport Beach City Council, and I want to make a few comments.
It is not always about who raises the most money. This is a City Council election, not a state or national election that requires a massive amount of money to fund a run for office. Yes, even local elections require money, but we are a community holding a community election. We know these candidates through their past actions or, in the case of new candidates, through local debates and appearances. The amount of money raised should not be a deciding factor in determining who will best represent the people of Newport Beach.
Newport Beach residents really need to look at all the candidates and consider who those candidates might be responsive to if they win the election. Will they listen to and represent the residents of Newport Beach?
We should also look at who is contributing to these campaigns and ask whether those contributors expect anything in return. Maybe they expect nothing and simply want to support their candidate. But voters can also consider whether large campaign contributions might result in greater access or influence and whether a candidate will remain equally responsive to all Newport Beach residents.
We should also consider whether candidates who have raised significant amounts of money have been listening to Newport Beach residents or primarily to their contributors.
My point is that I think we should be very careful not to judge this election by who raises the most money. We need City Councilmembers who are best at analyzing issues and listening to Newport Beach residents. We need City Councilmembers who do not try to usurp or block the very residents they should be representing. If they have a history of obstructing the voices of Newport Beach residents or not listening to them, are they truly representing those residents?
Nancy A. Arrache
Balboa Peninsula
Mr. Tim Stoaks: Please stop your references to Santa Ana Country Club
Mr. Tim Stoaks is a candidate for the Newport Beach District 3 Council seat. I am acquainted with Mr. Stoaks and know him socially. Nice guy.
I have been a member of Santa Ana Country Club (the “Club”) since 1978. The Club was founded in 1901. I am a Past President. It is a private equity club.
It is my understanding that the Club property totals approximately 130 acres, not 114 acres as Mr. Stoaks has stated. The Club property has been for decades in the unincorporated area of Orange County, i.e., not within the boundaries of any city.
During the 1990s, I and a number of other leaders of the Club explored the annexation of the Club property and Club-adjacent property into Newport Beach. Such efforts included owner petition gathering and an application to and appearances before the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCO”). You may know that LAFCO has authority over sphere-of-influence changes and plays a central role in the annexation of unincorporated county property into municipalities. In the case of the Club property, the property is within the city of Costa Mesa’s Sphere of Influence, not Newport Beach’s.
In the 1990s, Club leadership sought unsuccessfully to change the Sphere of Influence from Costa Mesa to Newport Beach on the theory that the lion’s share of the then Regular Members resided in Newport Beach and it was therefore appropriate to annex the Club property into Newport Beach.
For the last many years, the Club has not actively pursued annexation.
However, to my knowledge without the Club’s consent or consultation, Mr. Stoaks continues to advocate for the annexation of the Club property into Newport Beach. Based on his public statements regarding annexation and housing, I am concerned that annexation could ultimately lead to efforts to use the Club property for housing development.
The current Club leadership is aware of Mr. Stoaks’ statements and efforts.
As a Club member but speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the Club, I respectfully request of Mr. Stoaks the following:
(1) Any references by Mr. Stoaks to the Club property should accurately reflect the acreage of the Club property.
(2) Unless and until Mr. Stoaks has received written consent and permission from current Club leadership to espouse the annexation of the Club property into Newport Beach for housing development or any use other than a 125-year-old cherished golf facility, Mr. Stoaks should refrain from all references to Santa Ana Country Club.
Thank you.
Paul K. Watkins
Newport Beach
A mother’s perspective on Newport Beach
This election, I will proudly be voting for Joe Stapleton, Erik Weigand, Lauren Kleiman and Robyn Grant!
As a mother raising school-age children in Newport Beach, I know how much strong leadership at City Hall matters to families like mine. The decisions our City Council makes have a direct impact on our safety, our neighborhoods, our beaches and the quality of life our children enjoy every day.
Our family uses so much of what Newport Beach has to offer. We spend countless days at the beach, visit our parks and libraries, participate in recreation programs and ride our bikes throughout the city. My children play outside, enjoy our beaches and take part in traditions like the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Program.
What makes all of that possible is something we can sometimes take for granted: Newport Beach is a safe place to raise a family.
That doesn’t happen by accident. Our City Council has continued investing in our Police Department and public-safety technology while supporting strong Fire and paramedic services. The city and community have also invested in the amenities that make Newport Beach special for families, including the permanent Junior Lifeguard facility, our parks, libraries, recreation programs and beaches.
I’m also grateful for the progress the city has made addressing homelessness and keeping our parks, beaches and other public spaces safe, clean and welcoming for families.
As a parent, these things matter to me. I want my children to be able to ride their bikes through our neighborhoods, play at the park, spend summer days at the beach and participate in the same Newport Beach traditions that generations of families have enjoyed before them.
We love this city, and I am incredibly grateful that my children get to grow up here. As we make decisions about Newport Beach’s future, I believe it is important that we continue to value strong leadership that prioritizes public safety, excellent city services, beautiful parks and beaches and the family-friendly quality of life that makes Newport Beach such a special place to call home.
Mayor Lauren Kleiman and City Councilmembers Robyn Grant, Erik Weigand and Joe Stapleton are the leaders I support, and that is why I will be voting for them!
Cole Butler
Newport Beach
Check out what’s being checked out from the Newport Beach Public Library this week! Grab some great fall reads in hardcover, eBook, or audio either in person or online at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.
Top 10 Nonfiction
1. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
2. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Corrupt City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
3. Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman
4. You With the Sad Eyes: A Memoir by Christina Applegate
5. The Gulag Archipelago, 1918-1956: An Experiment in Literary Investigation by Aleksandr Isaevich Solzhenit͡syn
6. A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness by Michael Pollan
7. Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
8. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
9. Hormone Havoc: A Science-Backed Protocol for Perimenopause and Menopause by Amy Shah
10. How to Deal With your ___ So Your Kids Don’t Have To*: An Encyclopedia for Ditching Your Emotional Baggage by Eli Harwood
Top 10 Fiction
1. Whistler: A Novel by Ann Patchett
2. Yesteryear: A Novel by Caro Claire Burke
3. The Calamity Club: A Novel by Kathryn Stockett
4. The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans
5. Ironwood by Michael Connellyl
6. Big Little Truths: A Novel by Liane Moriarty
7. Land: A Novel by Maggie O’Farrell
8. The Things We Never Say: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout
9. Hope Rises by David Baldacci
10. Theo of Golden: A Novel by Allen Levi
Top 10 Children’s
1. Should I Share My Ice Cream by Mo Willems
2. Spy School Secret Service by Stuart Gibbs
3. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
4. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
5. Biscuit and the Great Fall Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
6. Baby-Sitters Little Sister by Katy Farina V. 12
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney
9. Diper Overlode by Jeff Kinney
10. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
This is as close as we can come to actually singing to our readers on their birthdays!
We’d love to include yours – and/or your children’s birthdays here.
Just email to: editor@stunewsnewport.com
Celebrate and enjoy your birthday!
October 6: Bruce Bartram, Carollee McDaniel, Donna Barnhard-Swift, George Hardman, Joes Alves, Susan Emmett
October 7: Jon Marchese, Pedro Machedo
October 8: Jim Righeimer, Kellie Shore, Lucy Luhan, Stefanie Farnsworth Salem, Todd Huschka
October 9: Bryan Ulnick, Karin Garcia, Ken Herman, Jay Lisa, Larry Nokes, Nate Rodriguez, Phil McCullough, Renee West, Robert Duvall
October 10: Dan Walters, Kimlien Tiffany Tran, Madelon Maupin, Nze Kira, Rachael Marie, Rob Handy
October 11: Gene Landers, Iris Frankel, Jill Lloyd, Johnny Kennedy, Laylan Connelly Perino, Ruthie Rhinesmith
October 12: Bill Lobdell, Carole Lynch, Dave Phoenix, Dominic Sbardellati, Joseph Moscatiello, Michele Gile, Shelly Register
Pet of the Week 
Stu News Newport is delighted to be working with the Newport Beach Animal Shelter to help get the word out in search of loving homes for pets that deserve a warm, nurturing environment and a place to call “home.”
The shelter is excited to announce that Lola, a 10-year-old terrier mix, is now available for adoption.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Newport Beach Animal Shelter
Meet Lola
Lola weighs just under 10 pounds and is a gentle senior girl looking for a loving home to spend her golden years. She recently had 17 teeth removed, with her dental care generously sponsored by the Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter (FONBAS). She is microchipped, spayed and vaccinated.
To learn more and schedule a meet and greet, please submit an adoption application and contact the shelter at 949.718.3454, or email animalshelter@newportbeachca.gov.
To learn more about other available animals, visit nbca.gov/animalshelter.
The Newport Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20282 Riverside Drive and is open daily from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch now open at OC Fairgrounds
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of OC Fair & Event Center
Pick the perfect pumpkins for your jack-o-lanterns, and enjoy a farmers’ market, inflatable slides, kiddie rides, petting zoo and train at Season Adventures, now open at the OC Fairgrounds and running through October 31. Hours vary by day. General admission is $25, children 2 and under are free, which includes all activities. Parking is free Monday through Thursday; $15 Friday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.seasonaladventures.com. The OC Fair & Event Center is located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
Speak Up Newport to present November 3 ballot initiative on housing
Housing is on the Newport Beach ballot – how will you vote?
There is considerable discussion in the community as to what Measure H is and how it will affect the future of Newport Beach.
On the November 3, 2026 ballot, Newport Beach residents will be asked to vote on a citizen’s initiative that would impose limits on the amount of building and affordability requirements throughout the city.
This is the program topic at the Speak Up Newport (SUN) monthly meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Civic Center Community Room, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach.
Come hear a discussion on Measure H, including the reasons to vote for or against this proposal.
Speaking in favor of the initiative will be Walter Stahr, representing the initiative’s sponsor, the Newport Beach Stewardship Association.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos courtesy of Speak Up Newport
Walter Stahr will speak in favor of Measure H
Speaking in opposition of the initiative will be Elizabeth Handsburg, co-founder & director of People for Housing OC.
Elizabeth Handsburg will speak in opposition to the housing initiative
Measure H relates to the state-mandated housing process that requires the city to plan for 4,845 housing units. The measure itself would amend Newport Beach’s General Plan Land Use Element to allow 2,900 affordable housing units, including 2,160 reserved for extremely low-, very low- and low-income households and 740 for moderate-income households.
The evening begins with a reception at 5:15 p.m., followed by the program from 6-7 p.m. Admission is free and no advance registration is required for the in-person event.
For those unable to attend in person, the forum will also be available via a free Zoom webinar. Advance registration for the Zoom broadcast is required. To register for the webinar, go here.
The Lido Theater expands live entertainment with must-see music and comedy performances
A new era of live entertainment continues at The Lido Theater, Newport Beach’s iconic, recently restored Art Deco venue. Operated by Hollywood Producer Joseph “McG” Nichol and Jordan Otterbein of River Jetty Restaurant Group, which took over operations in 2024, The Lido Theater has already brought an exceptional lineup of artists to the stage, including two sold-out David Spade shows this past June, and is excited to usher in additional programming, reflecting a strong demand for the venue’s growing entertainment offerings.
Click on photo for larger image
Courtesy of The Lido Theater
The restored Lido Theater will present an exciting lineup of concerts, comedy and film planned for 2026 and into 2027
With a wide, ever-expanding lineup of concerts and comedy, the theater has shows planned into 2027, featuring renowned performers including comedians Margaret Cho and Rita Rudner as well as musicians Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Pete Yorn, further cementing The Lido Theater as a leading live entertainment destination in Orange County.
Click on photo for larger image
Courtesy of Margaret Cho
Comedian Margaret Cho brings The Choligarchy Tour to The Lido Theater on October 9
“We’re excited to welcome these incredible artists to the stage,” said Otterbein. “From nationally recognized comedians to acclaimed musicians, we’ve curated a lineup that offers something for every kind of fan while showcasing the unique atmosphere that makes The Lido Theater unlike any other venue in Orange County.”
Inside the beautifully restored Lido Theater, every seat feels close to the stage, creating an intimate, electric experience for concerts, comedy and film alike. With no drink minimums and convenient parking, it offers a refreshingly accessible and effortless night out in Newport Beach.
Fall-Winter 2026-2027 Live Entertainment Schedule:
With additional shows announced regularly, the current lineup includes:
–Margaret Cho – The Choligarchy Tour: October 9
–Hinder – Back to Life: October 11
–Natural Science – The Rush Tribute Band: October 24
–Rita Rudner: November 1
–Elton The Early Years – Celebrating 55 Years of Madman Across the Water: November 6
–Devotional – The Depeche Mode Experience: November 7
–DSB – The World’s Greatest Journey Tribute Band: November 13
–Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: November 19
–Andy Grammer – Greater Than Pt. II: A One Man Show: November 29
–Dead Man’s Party – Oingo Boingo & Danny Elfman Tribute: December 5
–25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter – Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: December 11
–JOHNNYSWIM Christmas Show: December 19
–An Evening With The Phantom of the Opera & The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: January 30, 2027
Upcoming Highlights:
Margaret Cho – The Choligarchy Tour on Friday, Oct. at 8 p.m.
For more than three decades, Margaret Cho has been one of stand-up’s most fearless and influential voices. Her comedy shows are filled with razor-sharp wit and unflinching honesty, as she tackles identity, culture, politics and personal transformation in ways that are as thought-provoking as they are hilarious. Join The Lido Theater for an intimate evening with one of comedy’s most important voices.
Click on photo for larger image
Courtesy of Hinder
Multi-Platinum rock band Hinder takes the stage on October 11
Hinder – Back to Life on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Multi-Platinum rock band Hinder brings their decades-spanning career and latest album Back To Life to The Lido Theater. After their 2005 debut album Extreme Behavior reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and earned three-time Platinum certification, the band went on to play arenas worldwide alongside major rock acts. Nearly two decades in, Hinder continues to evolve with a new album showcasing the resilience, risk-taking and drive that have defined their enduring career.
Natural Science – The Rush Tribute Band on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.
Natural Science brings the music of Rush to life with precision, passion and authenticity. Covering fan-favorite tracks like “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight” and “Spirit of Radio,” the band delivers a powerful tribute to one of rock’s most influential groups. From intricate musicianship to immersive sound, this is a must-see experience for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
Located in Via Lido Plaza and near Lido Marina Village, The Lido Theater is part of a growing entertainment, dining and hospitality district, offering guests a unique, walkable experience in the heart of Newport Beach.
For more information about live events at The Lido Theater and to book tickets, visit www.thelidotheater.com.
Newport Beach Fire Department opens enrollment for October CERT Academy
The Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) is inviting residents, local businesses and schools to become better prepared for emergencies by enrolling in the upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of NBFD
CERT training will run from October 13-24
CERT provides community members with practical, hands-on training to help themselves, their families, their neighbors and the community following a major emergency or disaster. Participants receive instruction from Newport Beach Fire Department personnel, including firefighters, lifeguards, the CERT Program Coordinator and other subject-matter experts.
Training includes disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, fire suppression, utility control, CERT organization, disaster psychology, terrorism awareness and lifeguard operations. The program concludes with a hands-on disaster simulation where participants can put their new skills into practice.
October 2026 CERT Training Schedule:
–October 13: 6-9 p.m.
–October 15: 6-9 p.m.
–October 17: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
–October 20: 6-9 p.m.
–October 22: 6-9 p.m.
–October 24: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Classes will be held at Newport Beach Fire Station No. 7, 20401 Acacia St., Newport Beach.
Whether you want to become more prepared at home or are interested in volunteering and serving the Newport Beach community during emergencies, CERT is an opportunity to learn potentially lifesaving skills directly from local first responders.
Enrollment is now open. To learn more and register, visit the Newport Beach Fire Department CERT webpage here.
Questions may also be directed to the Newport Beach CERT Program at nbcert@nbfd.net, or call 949.644.3112.
Amy Van Winkle solo exhibition on view at Kennedy Contemporary through October 17
Victoria Kennedy of Kennedy Contemporary Gallery is thankful for all who attended the opening reception of Chromatic States with Santa Fe encaustic artist Amy Van Winkle. “It was truly a wonderful evening of community and conversation,” she said.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Kennedy Contemporary
(L-R) Victoria Kennedy with Amy Van Winkle standing in front of one of Van Winkle’s paintings
In case you missed the reception, there’s still time to experience Van Winkle’s color studies and large format works in person. Up close, her layered encaustics reveal a richness and depth that a screen just can’t capture. The show will be on view at the Balboa Island gallery through Saturday, Oct. 17.
In Chromatic States, Amy Van Winkle turns 12 colors into a study of interior life. Each hue in the series stands in for an emotional or mental state – the restlessness of one, the stillness of another – and the resulting 12 works, ranging widely in scale, ask what it means to sit inside a feeling long enough to see its color. Van Winkle treats pigment less as description than as evidence, letting each encaustic panel hold a single register of experience.
Accompanying the larger paintings is an installation of 12 12” x 12” studies, one for each work in the series. Hung together, the smaller pieces function as a kind of index; the full emotional spectrum of the exhibition compressed into a single wall, where each state can be read against the others.
Looking ahead, mark your calendar for our next opening reception:
The Unfinished Loop, a solo exhibition with Chris Gwaltney
Friday, Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m.
Gwaltney’s work travels fluidly between pure abstraction and layered impressions of the natural world, each piece richly textured and vivid. Join the gallery in person alongside the artist for their opening reception.
Kennedy Contemporary is located at 323 Marine Ave., Balboa Island.
For more information, visit www.kennedycontemporary.com.
Making a stop on Balboa Island
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
The charming mural in the courtyard behind Jasper Coffee beckons you to sit a while after you walk down Marine Avenue and take in the sights
ENC seeks volunteers at 50th Annual Fall Faire on October 18
On Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is holding its 50th Annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch, its biggest community celebration and largest fundraiser of the year. Admission is free.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mariano Alvarez/Courtesy of ENC
The 50th Annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch will welcome the whole family for a day of fun
The ENC is recruiting teen and adult volunteers to help make the Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch a success. From welcoming guests and assisting with crafts and games to helping with food, activities, set-up and keeping everything running smoothly, its volunteers are at the heart of the Fall Faire.
Come join one of the following shifts:
Set Up: 7-10 a.m.
A.M. Shift: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
P.M Shift: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Clean Up: 2:45-4:45 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Fall Faire, which raises vital funds for the ENC’s environmental education programs, sign up here.
Festivities at the Fall Faire include:
–Pick the perfect pumpkin in their Pumpkin Patch.
–Sample tasty bites from local Savor OC restaurants.
–Take the Craft Crawl along the trails.
–Play nature games and explore the ENC.
–Enjoy performances at the Fire Circle Stage.
–Bid in their online auction.
–Enjoy a beautiful fall day in nature.
Environmental Nature Center is located at 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. For more information, visit www.encenter.org.
Pacific Symphony announces six new orchestra appointments
Pacific Symphony welcomes six new musicians to its roster for the 2026-27 season, bringing to Orange County accomplished performers with experience performing with leading orchestras and in concert halls and music festivals around the world.
Joining the orchestra are Evan Nicholson and Xi Yang, cello; Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez, principal trombone; Griffin Cutaiar, bass trombone; Benjamin Vargas, principal tuba and Will Howald, principal timpani. The appointments come as Pacific Symphony begins its 2026-27 season under Artistic & Music Director Alexander Shelley, marking a new chapter in the orchestra’s artistic evolution.
“We are thrilled to welcome these six exceptional musicians to Pacific Symphony,” said Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director of Pacific Symphony. “Each brings tremendous artistry, experience and musical excellence to the orchestra. As we begin this exciting new chapter, their talent will further strengthen an already extraordinary ensemble. We look forward to the contributions they will make both on stage and within our community.”
Evan Nicholson, Cello
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Nicholson began studying cello at age 4 after a brief start on violin. As the result of young artist competitions, he performed the first movement of the Dvořák Cello Concerto with the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra and Columbus State Symphony Orchestra and the Shostakovich Concerto with the Northwest Florida Symphony.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos courtesy of Pacific Symphony
Xi Yang
Xi Yang, Cello
Born in Guangdong, China, Yang began her musical studies at age 7 and received her early training in Shanghai before attending the Bard Conservatory of Music, where she completed its five-year double-degree program. She later earned her Master of Music degree from the USC Thornton School of Music and was awarded full scholarships at both institutions.
Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez, Principal Trombone
Trombonist, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez brings a wide-ranging musical background to his role as principal trombone. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in 2020 and his master’s degree from UCLA in 2022.
Click on photo for a larger image
Griffin Cutaiar
Griffin Cutaiar, Bass Trombone
Griffin Cutaiar is originally from Ellicott City, Maryland. Prior to his appointment as bass trombone of Pacific Symphony, he served as acting bass trombone of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Click on photo for a larger image
Benjamin Vargas
Benjamin Vargas, Principal Tuba
Vargas joins Pacific Symphony as principal tuba after performances with the Toronto Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic. In winter 2025, he toured internationally with film composer Hans Zimmer, performing in the United States and Saudi Arabia. He was also the sole American semifinalist in the 2025 International Tuba Euphonium Competition and a semifinalist in the 2024 Leonard Falcone International Tuba Competition.
Will Howald
Will Howald, Principal Timpani
Howald joins Pacific Symphony as principal timpani after previously serving as principal timpani with the Erie Philharmonic and section percussion with the Spokane Symphony. He has also appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents Grammy-Award winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m., at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This highly anticipated concert marks the return of both artists to Orange County.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos by Neda Navaee
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performs on November 10
Kanneh-Mason last appeared in the region in 2024, performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Vasily Petrenko as part of its Orchestra Residency with the Philharmonic Society. Isata, alongside her brother, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, also served as the Philharmonic Society’s Virtual Artists-in-Residence in 2020. Orpheus Chamber Orchestra returns following its 2022 performance with celebrated jazz musician, Branford Marsalis.
The program includes works by Mozart and Haydn, selections from Handel’s Water Music Suite, and the Southern California premiere of Elixir of Life, a newly commissioned work by multi-award-winning Welsh composer and producer, Katie Jenkins. A pre-concert lecture will take place at 7 p.m. by Classical California’s Brian Lauritzen. This performance is made possible with support from The Segerstrom Foundation.
Click on photo for a larger image
String section of The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a radical experiment in musical democracy, proving for more than 50 years what happens when exceptional artists gather with total trust in each other and faith in the creative process. Orpheus began in 1972 when cellist Julian Fifer assembled a group of New York freelancers in their early 20s to play orchestral repertoire as if it were chamber music. In that age of co-ops and communes, the idealistic Orpheans snubbed the “corporate” path of symphony orchestras and learned how to play, plan and promote concerts as a true collective, with leadership roles rotating from the very first performance.
It’s one thing for the four players of a string quartet to lean into the group sound and react spontaneously, but with 20 to 30 musicians together, the complexities and payoffs are magnified exponentially. Within its first decade, Orpheus made Carnegie Hall their home and became a global sensation through tours of Europe and Asia.
Isata Kanneh-Mason is first and foremost a pianist but is also a composer and arranger who is passionate about chamber music, romantic repertoire and loves to bring a range of styles and composers to her performances.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Ticket prices start at $31 and are available at the Philharmonic Society box office at 949.553-2422, or online at www.philharmonicsociety.org and at the Center’s box office at 714.556.2787.
All artists, dates, venues, programs and prices are subject to change.
Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.
CdM High School PTA presents PTA Reflections with new submission link
The CdM High School PTA is presenting PTA Reflections, a nationally recognized arts program that gives students a chance to step outside the classroom and express themselves through visual art, photography, literature, music, film, or dance.
It’s more than a competition; Reflections is about encouraging creativity, building confidence and giving every student a platform to share their unique voice and perspective. Each student can choose their favorite category – dance choreography, music composition, film production, photography, literature, visual arts and accessible arts.
This year’s theme, “What My Culture Means to Me,” is a wonderful opportunity for our CdM students to get creative, tell their story and perhaps even have their work recognized beyond our school community.
The deadline for submission via online only is Friday, Oct. 9.
Note: The submission link has changed, so please go here for the entry form, which is in both English and Spanish.
SCFTA presents Houston Ballet with pianist George Li Sons de L’âme on October 15-18
Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA) will welcome the Houston Ballet to Segerstrom Hall for the company’s first performances ever on its stage with an exciting program, Sons de L’âme. Making its West Coast debut, the intimate and elegant Sons de L’âme (Sounds of the Soul) is a rapturous full-length ballet, choreographed by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM, set to piano pieces by Frederic Chopin.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of SCFTA
Lauren Strongin and Connor Walsh perform in “Sons de L’âme”
With renowned pianist George Li sharing the stage with 20 members of the acclaimed company, the ballet blends hypnotic solos with dramatic, elaborate pas de deux and ensemble sections –showcasing not only the technical skill of the dancers but also the romantic, emotional nature of Chopin’s music. The choreography is designed to merge with the music, allowing the dancers to feed off the live piano performance (and vice versa).
Li possesses an effortless grace, poised authority and brilliant virtuosity far beyond his years. Since winning the Silver Medal at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, Li has rapidly established a major international reputation and performs regularly with some of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors.
Stanton Welch AM was born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones OBE and Garth Welch AM, two of Australia’s most gifted dancers of the 1960s and 1970s. He joined The Australian Ballet, rising to the rank of leading soloist and performing various principal roles, before serving as resident choreographer.
The piece originally debuted in October 2013 at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, France as a work for 16 Houston Ballet dancers, with pianist Lang Lang performing live as part of the co-production. Asia Society Texas (AST) and Houston Ballet then collaborated, bringing the full presentation of Sons de L’âme to the stage for the first time in the U.S. this past April, accompanied live by Li. The Center performances are only the third time that the work has been performed in its entirety.
Join SCFTA’s company warm-up one hour before the Saturday matinee performance and get the inside scoop before the curtain rises. Segerstrom Center’s VP of Programming and Production, Limor Tomer, leads a lively conversation and audience Q&A with members of the creative team and arts community, taking a closer look at the ideas, artistry and inspiration behind the work.
Tickets for Houston Ballet Sons de L’âme performances start at $44 and are available online at www.scfta.org, in person at the SCFTA box office at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa (Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 12 -5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: closed.), or by phone at 714.556.2787. For group sales, call 714.755.0236. Sons de L’âme is suggested for audiences 10 and up.
Performances: Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m.
Ballet preview chat: Saturday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m., Segerstrom Hall, balcony lobby.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, visit www.scfta.org.
UC Irvine Langson OC Museum of Art presents Hello Again and Tokio Ueyama
Spanning more than a century of art making, Hello Again introduces the newly integrated holdings of UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art, showcasing the institution’s deep strengths in California art history, with a particular focus on the 1960s and 1970s. Abandoning a rigid chronology in favor of thematic fluidity, the featured works highlight the many ways California’s artists have bypassed literal documentation to treat their physical environments as mirrors for spiritual, internal and social realities. Cross-generational dialogues collapse time, revealing how regional landscapes, domestic spaces and urban culture remain fertile territory for material and conceptual experimentation.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Fredrik Nilsen
Pearl C. Hsiung, “Tidal Wretch, 2005
Hello Again will be on view November 13, 2026-April 11, 2027.
Tokio Ueyama: The Hollows Between Mountains
Through February 28, 2027
Drawing from Tokio Ueyama’s (1889-1954) archive and personal art collection, this exhibition – the first California museum exhibition dedicated to his work – explores the Japanese artist’s life, work and artistic network, tracing the diverse influences that shaped his practice and Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo.
Academically trained as a plein air painter, Ueyama remained active throughout the interwar period and during his incarceration in a World War II camp, painting landscapes, portraits and still lifes. This presentation marks the first museum exhibition in California dedicated to his work.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Japanese American National Museum
Tokio Ueyama, “At Santa Anita (The Evacuee),” 1942
Drawing from Ueyama’s archive and personal art collection, the exhibition examines the artist’s critical reception, travels and friendships to trace the convergence of diverse artistic currents –including Impressionism, modern photography, Japanese yōga and Mexican muralism – in his practice and in the cultural milieu of Little Tokyo. To reconstruct Ueyama’s expansive artistic network, his works are presented alongside drawings, prints, photographs and paintings by artists he collected, exhibited with, and championed, including Diego Rivera, Tōyō Miyatake, Edward Weston, and Henrietta Shore.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Eric Stephenson, courtesy Denver Art Museum
Tokio Ueyama, “Katsuura,” 1940, Oil on canvas
In its eclectic expanse, Hello Again reveals how California artists have returned to the region’s diverse topography and everyday environments as fuel for internal expression, social commentary, and material innovation, creating a complex portrait of place.
This exhibition is supported by Presenting Sponsor Visionaries in Art.
For more information about UC Irvine Langson, OC Museum of Art, go to https://langson.uci.edu/.
SCR presents the international multimedia hit Blind Runner
South Coast Repertory (SCR) with Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel presents the international multimedia hit Blind Runner. A Mehr Theatre Group production with text and direction by award-winning Iranian theatre artist Amir Reza Koohestani, it is performed entirely in Persian with English supertitles. Blind Runner runs October 18-November 8 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos courtesy of SCR
“Blind Runner” features performers Mohammad Aghebati and Ainaz Azarhoush, both making their SCR debuts
This marks Blind Runner’s West Coast debut and its second United States engagement, the previous one being at New York’s prestigious St. Ann’s Warehouse in January 2025 as part of the Under the Radar Festival.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Mehr Theatre Group to South Coast Repertory,” Ivers said. “Blind Runner feels urgent in body and in form, using video, projections and technology in innovative ways to immerse us in a play about confinement and motion, surveillance, freedom, separation and solidarity. I am drawn to its assertion that a person who is constrained by political force finds a way to move, a person who cannot see becomes a guide and an act as simple as running becomes charged with danger, devotion and hope.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Ainaz Azarhoush
Blind Runner interweaves the destinies of three Iranians. At the insistence of his wife, a political prisoner, a man agrees to help a blind woman train for a race in Paris. After placing third, they take on a second challenge. Can they run the 38-kilometer Channel Tunnel from France to the UK in a few hours to avoid being hit by the first train of the morning?
It received a 2026 Obie Award Special Citation for its ensemble.
“In Blind Runner, human athleticism and dignity are entwined,” Appel said. “This run against time transforms running from an act of resilience into an act of resistance. This universal story of a quest for freedom will deeply resonate with our Orange County audiences. We are so thrilled to have the West Coast premiere of this international hit!”
Blind Runner, marks the first partnership between SCR and Mehr Theatre Group, founded in 1996 in Shiraz, Iran as an acting workshop that seeks to create productions distinct from traditional theater and heavily influenced by cinema.
Click on photo for a larger image
Mohammad Aghebati
Blind Runner received generous support from Season Producers Apriem Advisors, with production and engagement support provided by the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.
Post-Show Discussions:
Actor Talks with members of the cast: Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Nov. 5.
Terrace Talk is a new feature this season. SCR is taking their popular Actor Talks outdoors under the stars for a more casual, interactive experience on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Community Conversation, a presentation and discussion surrounding a theme specific to Blind Runner on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Inside the Season: Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Led by members of SCR’s literary staff, this lively 90-minute session includes in-depth interviews with cast members and artists from the production staff, revealing secrets and offering insights into each play. Tickets for the session are $14 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. Audio-Described Performance with live translation and verbal commentary for the visually impaired: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are now on sale and range in price from $44-$128, with additional discounts available for educators, seniors and theatergoers ages 25 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at www.scr.org, or by phone at 714.708.5555.
South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.
Complete information is available at www.scr.org.
Newport Beach Community Calendars
The following are calendar links for regularly scheduled meetings and events in Newport Beach:
City of Newport Beach meetings & events calendar
www.newportbeachca.gov/government/data-hub/city-calendar
Newport Beach Public Library – everything at the library calendar
www.newportbeachlibrary.org/calendar
Newport-Mesa Unified School District news & events calendar
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce community events calendar
Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce community events calendar
www.cdmchamber.com/chamber-events
Visit Newport Beach community events calendar
www.visitnewportbeach.com/events
If you are an organization that would like your name and calendar of events link added here, please contact Shaena Stabler at shaena@stunewsnewport.com.
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
