Just as I’m growing old, it’s time to start thinking about getting young again, at least for a long weekend that’s 55 years in the making
I’ve backed myself into a corner, and I’m not happy about it. In less than three weeks I have my 55-year class reunion for Amador High School in Pleasanton, Calif.
Gosh, back near the start of the year I got notice of it. At that time I thought – start working out, now, lose some weight, especially around the middle; maybe get the teeth whitened; start hydrating and perhaps even start applying lotion to my face in order to reduce some of the wrinkles and look younger; figure out something to do with my hair, or lack thereof.
It all sounded so good, so easy and so worth it.
Still, March turned to April, then to May and the start of summer…and now, months later, following lots of procrastination, it’s go-time and I’m still a mess.
Gone are those years when I vied for valedictorian, best dressed, class clown and the dreamboat side of dreamboat & beauty.
Truth be told – the only reason I was in the running for valedictorian was because I went to the school and everyone started out with a chance; my 2.5 GPA fell just slightly short of the top spot.
As far as best dressed went, my brother probably won it the year before, but I had his hand-me downs, so everything was a year out of style by the time it got to me.
As far as class clown, my teachers weren’t always so appreciative of my often inappropriate remarks. Too bad…I thought they were funny!
And, as far as dreamboat…hah…I think I was probably voted the guy who would probably get his first date by his junior year – of college.
Actually, though, I’m excited. It was a small class, splitting in half after our freshman year to start a new high school in Dublin. I think we had about 240 in my graduating class, so I knew virtually everyone.
The reunion is planned to take place in the town’s premier pizza joint, Gay Nineties Pizza Co. It goes back years and years (housed in a building that dates back to 1864, and they’ve been serving up the most incredible pizza since the 1950s). It’s still the place to go.
Still, there’s work to be done. My final preparation in getting ready is what I’ll first say to those whom I haven’t seen in years. When they ask something like, “When did you start parting your hair in the middle?” I’ll respond with something like, “God started doing that for me about 10-15 years ago.”
Wish me luck!
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Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald founded Levain Bakery in 1995 as a small bread shop on the Upper West Side of New York City. One of their noted favorites became baking six-ounce cookies with simple, high-quality ingredients.
Now, 30 years later, with locations from coast to coast, Levain’s will open in Fashion Island this Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 a.m. With four SoCal locations, this will be their first venture into the OC, bringing signature cookies, freshly baked breads, pastries and coffee.
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OC’s first Levain Bakery brings a bit of New York City’s favorite baked goods to Fashion Island
To celebrate, the first 100 people in line on Friday (Sept. 4) will receive a custom Levain Bakery Newport Beach tote bag filled with bakery swag celebrating the Newport Beach community. And all proceeds from opening day will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, a customary tradition the company started in 2019 by donating all opening day proceeds.
It won’t stop there – each day thereafter, unsold baked goods will be donated to Abound Food Care, reducing food waste while helping to end hunger in the community.
“We have always felt that Levain brings people together, and our L.A. Bakeries have shown us that Southern California agrees,” commented co-founders and best friends Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald. “Levain in Newport Beach feels like the next natural step and we can’t wait to open our doors at Fashion Island.”
Here’s what you can expect to find: A full assortment of freshly baked favorites, including artisan breads, savory sandwiches, muffins and pastries. They’ll also feature Levain’s full barista service, offering cappuccinos, cold-foam drinks, matcha and lattes, including Levain’s viral Cookie Milk Latte.
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Levain’s crispy-on-the-outside-gooey-on-the-inside cookies await
Oh, and those Levain’s crispy-on-the-outside-gooey-on-the-inside cookies have become a cultural phenomenon.
The bakery’s location is near Sushi Roku and Macy’s.
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The first City Council Candidates Forum will be held Thursday (Sept. 3) in Witte Hall, presented by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. It’s free, beginning with a continental breakfast (Plums Café) at 7 a.m., followed by the program from 8-9:30 a.m.
Former Orange County Business Council CEO Lucy Dunn will moderate.
All candidates have RSVP’d for the Chamber’s forum except Mayor Lauren Kleiman, who will attend a SCAG meeting instead.
Speak Up Newport then follows next week (Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5:15 p.m. reception, followed by 6-7 p.m. program) with their presentation in the Civic Center Community Room. All eight candidates have confirmed.
Former City Councilmember Tony Petros will emcee.
It’s free, no RSVP required.
• • •
Speaking of Mayor Kleiman, she joined a number of other city leaders to attend last Friday’s (Aug. 28) Newport Beach Fire Foundation 2026 Firefighter & Lifeguard of the Year Awards Celebration at the Balboa Bay Resort.
The evening’s program took place on the Member’s Lawn overlooking the bayfront on a gorgeous Newport Beach evening. Fire and lifeguard members were feted for their lifesaving accomplishments by an extremely appreciative audience.
The evening was highlighted by the recognition of multiple Lifesaving Awards, all with incredible stories detailed as to what this department does, day in and day out, while at the same time recognizing Rhodes Rosenthal, the 2026 Seasonal Lifeguard of the Year; Walid Harding, the 2026 Civilian of the Year; Rob Marienthal, the 2026 Lifeguard Supervisor of the Year, and Dustin Suppe, the 2026 Firefighter of the Year.
Also in attendance were City Councilmembers Sara Weber, Joe Stapleton and Erik Weigand, along with City Manager Seimone Jurjis.
The foundation, less than two years old from its inception, approached the $1 million donation level that evening.
So, what’s a foundation do?
They offer unparalleled support for the fire and lifeguard departments who, in turn, provide critical emergency services that save lives and protect property.
The foundation ensures they have the best equipment and training to perform their duties safely and effectively; and offers family support when the demands of the job take a toll on their families, providing resources and programs to support those loved ones.
To find out more, go to www.nbfdfoundation.org/donate.
• • •
For those of you concerned with e-bikes, help is on the way.
This from City PIO Georgia Rios – “With the new school year underway, the City of Newport Beach and Newport Beach Police Department are monitoring bicycle parking in neighborhoods near local elementary and junior high schools following Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s e-bike ban [for kindergarten through eighth grade]. While many bicycles are legally parked, some have been left blocking sidewalks, alleys or roadways. NBPD is conducting daily assessments, and bicycles that create a public safety risk or are attached to City property may be removed. Bicycles attached to private property may also be removed at the property owner’s request. NBPD continues to coordinate with NMUSD and monitor safety concerns around schools during peak times. To report a bicycle creating a potential safety hazard, call NBPD’s non-emergency line at 949.644.3717.”
• • •
Something parents of tweens and teens may be interested in exploring is Raising the Next Generation in the Age of AI Series –Parenting Teens and Tweens in a Digital World – brought to you by the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The program will be held in the Beckman Center of National Academies of Sciences & Engineering at 100 Academy Way on the UCI campus. It kicks off with a 4-5 p.m. reception and the main program from 5-7.
As tweens and teens navigate an increasingly digital world, parents are facing new challenges and opportunities. Hear from leading experts as they share research-backed insights and practical strategies to help families foster healthy technology habits, strengthen communication and support youth mental health in the digital age.
Speakers include:
Yalda Uhls – Founder and CEO of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers, UCLA
Melissa Mazmanian – Professor, Informatics and Organization & Management, UC Irvine
Vani Henderson – Head of UX Research, Youth, Trust & Safety, YouTube
Larissa May – Digital Wellness Entrepreneur; Founder, #HalfTheStory; Co-Founder & CEO, Ginko
The moderator is Candice Odgers, the Chancellor’s Professor, Psychology and Informatics, UC Irvine.
For more information and/or to register, go here.
