Fair Game
By TOM JOHNSON
Mayor’s Dinner does not disappoint on all fronts
Thursday night (May 19) was the 40th Annual Mayor’s Dinner at the newly redesigned VEA Newport Beach, formerly the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. The changes to the property were immediately recognizable upon arrival with a completely new porte cochère and remodeled lobby. One can tell, it’s going to be spectacular.
The event, planned and organized by Speak Up Newport, was once again an absolute who’s who of the city’s leadership circles and supporting casts. Michele Gile, KCAL 9 and CBS 2 Orange County reporter and Newport Beach resident, served as Master of Ceremonies. All City Councilmembers were in attendance, as were current City Council candidates Tom Miller, Joe Stapleton, Erik Weigand and Robyn Grant. There were 15 mayors, current and past, in attendance. Assembly candidate Diane Dixon was seen working the room and pre-party reception with California State Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher in tow. And, all Orange County Supervisor candidates for District 5 – Katrina Foley, Pat Bates, Kevin Muldoon and Diane Harkey, were on hand, as were Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education Trustees, including President Michelle Barto, Carol Crane, Leah Ersoylu, Karen Yelsey, Krista Weigand and Ashley Anderson.
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Photo by Bob Ortiz
Speak Up Newport President Ed Selich welcoming guests to the Mayor’s Dinner
Among the many other notables were Visit Newport Beach President & CEO Gary Sherwin, Newport Beach Chamber President Steve Rosansky, Corona del Mar Chamber President Linda Leonhard, Speak Up Newport President and past Mayor Ed Selich, Fire Chief Jeff Boyles, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Eagle Four Partners and VEA Newport Beach owners Kevin Martin, Todd Pickup, Joe Moody, Rick Weiner and Kory Kramer, along with Lyon Living’s Peter Zak.
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Photo by Bob Ortiz
Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles and Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung were among the attendees
Highlights of the evening included an invocation by Rabbi Reuven Mintz of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life that included, as always, a very heartfelt message leading into the blessing and a State of the City by Mayor Muldoon that checked all of the boxes…insightful, humorous and brief.
The Mayor’s humor took a look at today’s council as if it were suddenly transferred to Florida and the changes that would bring. He also, in a serious moment, introduced his new city effort he’s calling “Renew Newport.” It’s an effort that calls for residents and faith-based organizations to unite and battle homelessness in town.
• • •
I saw a notice the other day for Sherman Library & Gardens’ Junior Gardeners Summer Camp.
It harkened me back to those days of my youth, when my dad sent me to his own “gardeners summer camp.” It went something like this, “Tom, tomorrow I want you to weed the gardens in the backyard.”
“But, Dad, it’ll be 100 degrees out!”
(whine, whine)
He just chuckled. I don’t think he ever really cared about my feelings…
Anyway, back to Sherman Library & Gardens. Two camps (July 25-28 & August 8-11) will be offered for kids, ages 7-11.
Although these youngsters won’t get the same joy I got weeding gardens, they will learn about carnivorous plants, butterflies & bugs, growing food, worm composting and how to create a wildlife friendly garden.
They will also learn to care for plants and understand how the choices they make affect the natural world. Each session involves activities in the garden and a fun (did you catch that word, FUN) planting or creative craft project to take home.
You can register here for July 25 or here for August 8.
• • •
Thursday, The Pacific Club IMPACTâ Foundation and the Lott IMPACTâ Trophy hosted their 19th Annual Watch List, Class of 2022, at The Pacific Club. The Walter Payton Man of the Year and Super Bowl champ, Andrew Whitworth, was the keynote speaker.
I attended as the invited guest of Joe Stapleton, a director on the Foundation’s board.
A couple of observations: First, growing up as a Bay Area football fan, Ronnie Lott always was a favorite, even though I was a Raiders first, guy. Second, Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was the event’s guest speaker, and his message about giving back was one of the best I’ve ever heard on the subject. He even selected the charity MVP to receive a donation that was originally earmarked for his own Whitworth Foundation.
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Photo by Ann Chatillon
(L-R) Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and recent Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl Champion Andrew Whitworth share a moment
The design of the luncheon is to name the top 42 (Lott’s playing number) college defensive players in the country going into next year’s football season. Next season will then culminate at The Pacific Club with the naming of the next winner.
In addition to all of that, there are also non-profits who receive charitable donations. This year, checks were presented to Merging Vets and Players (MVP) in the amount of $10,000, the National Football Foundation/California Showcase that received $5,000, as did Miracles for Kids and Kidworks.
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Photo by Ann Chatillon
(L-R) MVP Co-Founder Nate Boyer is all smiles receiving a check from Coach Mike White, Andrew Whitworth and Los Angeles Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl
The fact is, over the years, the Foundation has donated $883,110 to charities. Pretty impressive.
• • •
The Commodores Club of Newport Beach will honor the top local high school athletes at their 59th Annual Athletic Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 2 at The Pacific Club. The event celebrates the top student athletes and coaches from Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor and Sage Hill.
Olympian water polo player (2012) John Mann will be the evening’s featured guest speaker. Mann attended CdM, leading them to three consecutive CIF titles, before heading off to play for Cal. There, he was a three-time All-American, leading the Bears to the NCAA championship his senior year, while also winning the prestigious Peter J. Cutino Award and the Pac-10 Medal for outstanding top student-athlete.
To attend the dinner or find more information, go here.
Newport Beach Annual Mayor’s Dinner, an evening of fanfare, recognition
Photos by Bob Ortiz
On Thursday, May 19, the 40th Annual Mayor’s Dinner was held at the new VEA Newport Beach, formerly the Newport Beach Marriott & Spa, with hundreds gathered on the new event lawn then proceeding into the ballroom for a memorable evening of festivities. The event was presented by Speak Up Newport (SUN), with a warm welcome by its president, Ed Selich.
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Newport Beach City Council Candidate Robyn Grant and SUN President Ed Selich
Master of Ceremonies was KCAL 9 and CBS 2 Orange County reporter and Newport Beach resident, Michele Gile, who introduced the invocation given by Rabbi Reuven Mintz from Chabad Center for Jewish Life followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles with the assistance of the Newport Beach Police Department Color. Debbie Snavely, general manager of VEA Newport Beach, also shared welcoming remarks.
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(L-R) VEA Newport Beach General Manager and Master of Ceremonies Michele Gile at the podium addressing the evening’s attendees
In attendance were city, county and state dignitaries, councilmembers and council candidates, police and fire first responders and personnel, city staff from various departments including the city manager, members of the NMUSD board of trustees, philanthropists, community and civic leaders/groups, and interested residents and business people. The 15 mayors, past and present who were in attendance, were honored together on stage.
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(L-R) Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles with Julie Avery and Newport Beach Councilmember Brad Avery
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James Gallagher, California Assembly Minority Leader and Newport Beach Councilmember Diane Dixon
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Newport Beach Councilmember Will O’Neill and his wife, Jennifer
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NMUSD Board of Trustee Area 6 Krista Wiegand and husband Erik Weigand, NB Planning Commissioner and Newport Beach City Council Candidate
One of the highlights of the evening was the State of the City Address by Newport Beach Mayor Kevin Muldoon. In addition, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District made a special presentation recognizing Speak Up Newport’s 40th Annual Mayor’s Dinner.
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Newport Beach Mayor Kevin Muldoon delivers his State of the City Address
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Newport Beach Councilmember Joy Brenner and Tom Tift
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Newport Beach Councilmember Noah Blom and his wife, Marin
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Newport Beach City Attorney Aaron Harp and his wife, Lori
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Newport Beach Community Development Director Seimone Jurjis and his wife, Mylene
The total raised at the dinner including matches was $23,000, earmarked for scholarships to seniors at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools through the Speak Up Newport Scholarship Foundation. Underwriters, SUN board of directors, in addition to dinner co-chairs Debra Allen, Kathy Harrison and Joe Stapleton, were recognized.
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Newport Beach City Council Candidate and Mayor’s Dinner Co-chair Joe Stapleton and Julie Jacobs
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Lido House General Manager Andre Bose and Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Steve Rosansky
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Newport Beach’s movers and shakers pose together at Table 8
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Newport Beach Mayors, past and present, honored at the 40th Annual Mayor’s Dinner
Check out more photos of the 40th Annual Mayor’s Dinner below
The opposite of the 2020 grad season is the 2022 double dose of ceremonies
By AMY SENK
Greetings from the District of Columbia, where I am polishing this column after a six-hour drive from Gambier, Ohio last night (during thunderstorms) in order to make sure my daughter would be able to show up for her first day of her new internship.
It’s been quite a ride.
Two weekends ago, we joined thousands of other families celebrating their children’s college graduations when we flew to Columbia, Mo. to see my son receive his diploma for a Master of Arts from the School of Journalism. A few days later, we flew to Ohio, this time for a Class of 2020 makeup ceremony that Kenyon College promised they would deliver way back when we were all locked down.
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Photos by/Courtesy of Amy Senk
As a proud parent, Amy posing with her son at his University of Missouri graduation
Both ceremonies were immensely satisfying in very different ways. I was so proud watching him receive an advanced degree from my alma mater and being back in my old college town is always a blast. The overall mood was celebratory, and everyone we ran into was raising a glass to a child or grandchild. It felt like a dream, a bubble of pride and possibilities. I was surprised at some of the changes from my own college graduation way back in 1989, which was held in a park and not an arena. There was a more casual, party feeling, with lots of yelling and the graduates on the jumbo screen where you typically see basketball stars.
In tiny Gambier, Ohio tradition was the name of the game.
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Graduation day at Mizzou Arena
We arrived a day early and explored campus, meeting one final time with parents we befriended from the Parents Advisory Council, while my kids strolled down Middle Path (a path down the middle of the college’s main quad) and checked out the library, which opened after my son left campus. I sat on a porch with other parents we had known for years, savoring the moments.
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Sidewalk sign in Columbia, MO during graduation weekend
I remembered being on the deserted campus in March 2020, when I was clearing his dorm and getting ready to drive his car home to Corona del Mar. My most vivid memory from that trip was looking around the beautiful campus on that gloomy day with an overwhelming emotion of regret. I was so sorry that when I had last been there a few months prior, I didn’t appreciate it being the last time. I didn’t savor it enough because I thought I’d be back. It took two years, but we returned, all of us.
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Columns of the former Academic Hall, which was destroyed by fire in 1892, with Jesse Hall in the background at University of Missouri
The ceremony itself was moved from Middle Path to an indoor location because of the threat of storms. Later I read in the commencement program that in prior years, the ceremony had moved indoors because of large piles of cicadas. I was glad we just had clouds.
At Kenyon, the online graduation was short and sentimental, but on Sunday, they pulled out all the academic tradition. Graduates wore black, with faculty and administrators in more colorful robes and caps. They announced each graduate and any honors in Latin.
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Commencement at Kenyon College, even though it was belated
It was 27 months overdue, but it couldn’t have been better. Except for the part midway, when American Airlines texted that our afternoon flight to D.C. was canceled and we spent the rest of the ceremony telling ourselves to enjoy the moment, to stay in the moment. Later, the only option was to pick up a rental car and drive 400 miles through Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and a wee bit of Virginia. But we did it.
My daughter will start work in a few hours, and I’ll head back to the airport for home. We all appreciated time together and having the chance to celebrate graduations in person. But it’s time for everyone to get back to work.
~~~~~~~~
Amy Senk has lived in Corona del Mar for 20+ years and was publisher of Corona del Mar Today, an online newspaper that ran daily for seven years. Senk, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, is involved in the Corona del Mar Residents Association. She and her husband have two children. Her son recently graduated with a Master of Arts from the School of Journalism from her alma mater and her daughter is attending Duke University. She is a regular contributor to Stu News Newport.
Has Hoag just changed the future delivery of healthcare?
Hoag is once again on the cutting edge with the introduction of a recently launched new digital health care delivery system designed to complement and transform patients’ health care experiences.
Hoag Compass, an innovative mobile app, enables patients to experience continuous personal care through app-based scheduling and convenient access to primary care physicians, care coordinators, health coaches, exercise specialists, registered dieticians, mindfulness coaches and more.
The app is currently being piloted at the Hoag On-Demand Care & Innovation Center, the new state-of-the-art facility located in Newport Beach that goes beyond traditional health care with its integrated digital experience.
Hoag Compass Plus, a $50/month membership service, allows patients access to an on-demand, expanded care team, wellness visits with dedicated health coaches, personalized care plans, urgent care support, the on-site premier lounge and more.
A free version of the app is also available allowing patients to schedule virtual or in-office visits, message their physicians, review health records, check lab results, request a prescription refill and more.
“We are changing the traditional trajectory and mindset of health and wellness from one of episodic care – care only when you need it – to a holistic, uninterrupted and ingrained part of a person’s life,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, president and CEO of Hoag. “Hoag is known for being an innovative hospital. With the launch of Hoag Compass, we are looking forward to partnering with patients who want their health and well-being to be integral to their daily lives. This is an opportunity for our patients to help shape how health care is delivered in the future.”
Braithwaite continued, “Integrating the digital experience with the world-class care that Hoag is known for will give our patients an entirely new health care experience, one in which they each feel known and understood. The experience will be seamless and efficient, and, best of all, personalized for a new generation of patients.”
Physicians at Hoag On-Demand Care & Innovation Center include Anne Ray, M.D., and Stephen Yu, M.D., along with the comprehensive team of care coordinators and health and wellness coaches for nutrition, mindfulness and exercise.
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Courtesy of Hoag Hospital
Hoag On-Demand Care & Innovation Center, the new state-of-the-art facility located on Jamboree Road in Newport Beach
“The key to truly excellent patient care is to listen deeply to what they are saying. By creating this platform with easy-to-access communication options, we can better partner with our patients on their healthcare journey and address what is most important to them,” said Dr. Ray, the lead primary care physician at the new Hoag On-Demand Care & Innovation Center. “This new model allows us to use a hybrid of tailored, in-person experiences with smart technology to meet patients where they are and provide evidence-based solutions and comprehensive support that really fit their healthcare and lifestyle needs and desires. We’re here to change healthcare for the better.”
Both the no-fee and membership models provide patients with the high-quality care they associate with Hoag, in addition to new services including paperless check-in, in-clinic lab services, pharmacy delivery options and community events led by the center’s care team.
“This is the next generation of personalized care that is not only tailored to the person’s medical profile but also to their lifestyle,” said Dr. Yu, a family medicine physician who will see patients out of the new center. “It’s designed to make health care more accessible and empowers patients to ‘own’ their health care.”
The new center powerfully blends the time-saving advantages of technology with the care and comfort of the human connection, transforming the way patients have until now interacted with the health care profession. Hoag’s digital team is located in the basement level of the center where they are testing and scaling digital experiences to connect patients seamlessly and organically with providers and care team members.
“We designed this platform to create an impactful, on-demand care offering that traverses the physical and digital spheres,” said Thomas Katavic, head of digital products for Hoag. “We are constantly doing research and exploring ways we can continue to improve our care delivery model and enhance the patient experience.”
Hoag Compass Plus members will have access to an even greater range of services that may not be covered by insurance, including:
–A personal care coordinator who helps navigate all health care logistics including referrals and questions for physicians/care teams with extended hours on weekdays (10 p.m.) and availability on weekends (8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
–Access to personalized care plans within the mobile application, centered around nutrition, exercise and mindfulness recommendations. These recommendations are created by the patient’s entire team, including their primary care physician, a registered dietitian and exercise and mindfulness coaches. The team can be accessed for live chats or text via the Hoag Compass app or available for in office visits.
–Back-channeled access to urgent care, both in-person and via telehealth visits, facilitated by care coordinators during the extended hours.
–Access to the Premier Lounge at the center so patients can relax and enjoy the amenity bar.
The Hoag On-Demand Care & Innovation Center is located at 4699 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach and accepts a wide variety of PPO, HMO and Medicare plans. Within the membership model, the monthly membership fee does not cover medical appointments, which will continue to be billed as normal per the patient’s insurance plan.
Patients can begin booking new patient appointments with either Drs. Ray or Yu via Hoag Compass app – available in the Apple app store, by calling 949.557.0951, or visiting www.hoag.org/compass.
The Week in Review
A weekly newsletter from City Manager Grace L. Leung
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Courtesy of City of Newport Beach
Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung
Community Members:
The city’s Information Technology and Harbor Department teams have upgraded the Newport Beach mobile app, MyNB, to include an interactive map of Newport Harbor. Boaters using the app while out on the water can now easily find their own location in relationship to nearby harbor amenities such as public restrooms, public docks, fuel docks and pump-out stations.
To access this feature, download the MyNB app for iPhone or Android and click on the “Newport Harbor” tab. The interactive harbor map complements other app features such as paying bills, reporting service needs and issues such as graffiti or streetlight repair, tours of the Civic Center (including the sculpture garden and native plant areas) and more.
The city has also created a business-card sized promotional piece (shown below), which will soon be available at public and private facilities in the Newport Harbor area, such as boat rental businesses, to help make the harbor more accessible to residents and visitors. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to download and utilize the MyNB app for a variety of helpful uses. Download the MyNB app here.
City Manager, Grace K. Leung
Registration Now Open for Summer Recreation
This summer the city is offering hundreds of camps, classes and swim lessons for kids. Adults can enjoy classes such as sailing, pickleball, dance, language, boxing and yoga. We are even offering new classes for your canine friends. There are free family fun activities this summer, including Movies in the Park and July 4 events.
You can read more about the full summer program in the latest edition of our quarterly Newport Navigator recreation guide.
Residents will receive the guide directly in the mail, and copies are available at City Hall, community centers, library branches and at hotels throughout the city.
Public Safety Day Highlights Police, Fire Depts.
The Newport Beach Police Department hosted the annual Public Safety Day on Sunday, May 15 alongside the Newport Beach Fire Department and Newport Beach Lifeguards.
The event featured Police Department tours, kids’ activities, a food truck and demonstrations by the police and fire departments. If you weren’t able to attend, we hope you will join us in August for the National Night Out event.
Drought Watch: Howald Park Upgrades Save 2.3 Million Gallons of Water a Year
The City of Newport Beach prides itself in providing top-quality parks and recreation facilities. Each park and play field is carefully designed to meet the needs of our community and reduce impacts on the environment wherever possible.
Recent improvements to Grant Howald Park were made with sustainability and water conservation in mind. The new synthetic turf multi-purpose sports field and new waterwise gardens are expected to save 2.3 million gallons of water every year.
City Accepting Applications for Summer Teen Leadership Program Through May 30
The city’s Recreation &Senior Services Department is accepting applications for Teen Leaders, ages 13-16, for the Teen Leader Program. The program gives teens the opportunity to work side-by-side with recreation staff on either the Summer Day Camp or Marina Park Sailing & Boating program.
Teen Leaders will earn community service hours by working with city staff and assisting with youth participants at the beach and on excursions during Day Camp, or assisting with sailing classes and renting stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and sailboats to the public. No boating experience is needed.
The application deadline is Monday, May 30. For more information, click here or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Public Works Springs Into Summer Beach Mode Part 4: City Parks
While the city’s beach areas receive a lot of attention, crews are also busy at various city park areas, where maintenance and repair activities are underway.
Crews are restoring and replacing various park amenities that have fallen into disrepair, such as benches, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and barbecues. Park barbecues are stripped of corroded surfaces before a protectant sealer is applied. In addition, several park renovations have begun at Arroyo Park and at the L Street Park, where irrigation is being renovated, and sod and plants are being installed.
At several natural bluff areas, city staff and contractors are removing erosion control measures installed to prevent erosion from winter storms, such as sandbags and tarps. In the city’s natural areas, staff and contractors are busy installing California native plants and spreading native wildflower seeds at locations such as Castaways Park, Sunset Ridge Park, Back Bay View Park and the Groves Bike Trail, in anticipation of spring and summer growth.
We look forward to another amazing summer season as we work with our community to keep Newport Beach beautiful.
Be Well Mobile Crisis Response Update
The Be Well mobile crisis response team is now operating in Newport Beach 12 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to mental and behavioral health crises. The mobile unit is staffed with mental health specialists and EMTs, and works closely with the city’s police and fire departments.
This week the Be Well team:
–Transported two people experiencing homelessness to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
–Transported a minor to the Adolescent Stabilization Unit at the Be Well campus for treatment.
–Transported a person to the Sobering Station at the Be Well campus.
–Conducted 37 outreach interactions with residents and people experiencing homelessness.
Residents Encouraged to Report Sightings of Unusual, Suspicious Vessel Landings
The City of Newport Beach is aware of recent ocean waterway landings by small vessels known as “panga” boats, which are often used to transport migrants illegally from Mexico into the United States. Such vessel landings occur along the entire California coast, including two instances in Newport Beach during the month of May.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the lead agency in all cases of illegal immigration enforcement. CBP conducts investigations and takes enforcement action along the Orange County coast, including Newport Beach.
The City of Newport Beach encourages residents to notify the Newport Beach Police Department at 949.644.3717 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) if they witness any suspicious activity or unusual vessel landings. This information will enable the Police Department to assess the situation and notify CBP agents as necessary. In addition, suspicious vessel landings can be reported directly to CBP by calling 800-BE-ALERT or 800.232.5378.
On the Agenda:
City Council Meeting for May 24, 2022
Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, May 24. Items of interest are highlighted below. The entire agenda and reports can be viewed here.
A special joint meeting of the City Council and Finance Committee will begin at 4 p.m. Agenda items include:
–A review of the proposed annual operating budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23. The $331 million proposed operating budget is balanced with a strong projected surplus of revenues over expenses. The proposed General Fund budget of $276 million reflects a full rebound from the pandemic and a return to the city’s historical trendline of revenue growth.
A study session will begin at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include:
–A review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 Capital Improvement Program budget. The CIP budget proposes $71 million in spending for projects, a figure that includes $26 million from the Fiscal Year 2020-21 year-end surplus and $10 million of America Rescue Plan Act funds from the federal government. These funds will be utilized to fully fund several significant projects, including the Library Lecture Hall, Junior Lifeguard Building and phase one of the Balboa Island drainage improvement project.
The regular session begins at 6 p.m. Agenda items include:
–A lease agreement with the Newport Ridge Community Association to develop, operate and maintain pickleball courts at Newport Ridge Park. The proposed 30-year lease would permit the city to use a portion of Newport Ridge Park to develop eight pickleball courts. Six courts would be maintained and operated by the city for use by the general public, and two courts would be maintained and operated by the association for use by its members.
–An ordinance amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code 14.15, Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Program. The amendment would update the municipal code to include, among other changes, compliance with current state requirements, a procedure for declaring local water shortages and establish requirements within each shortage level. This amendment anticipates further water conservation needs in the city given the increased severity of statewide drought conditions.
This Week’s Events
Tuesday, May 24
City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive – 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 26
Zoning Administrator Meeting
Zoom – 10 a.m.
Finance Committee Meeting
Civic Center Community Room
100 Civic Center Drive – 3 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive – 6:30 p.m.
Editor’s Note: City Manager’s Updates was received Friday, May 20 and is subject to editing so the information is current.
Guest Letter
Cottie Petrie-Norris
State Assembly
74th District
Irresponsible operators with pending licenses for a social rehabilitation facility
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Courtesy of Cottie Petrie-Norris
Cottie Petrie-Norris
(The letter below is communication from Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and Newport Beach City Attorney Aaron Harp.)
Thank you for your continued partnership with our office. I am writing in response to your letter dated April 11, 2022. My objective is to clarify a couple of key points and identify opportunities for local enforcement to curtail abuses in residential care facilities in the City of Newport Beach.
When the Legislature enacted Health & Saf. Code, Section 11934.23, subd. (a), the intent was to require that six-bed residential facilities be treated the same “as a family for the purposes of any law or zoning ordinance that relates to a residential use of property.” The Legislature determined that, if the rehabilitation program was structured to act like a family unit, then cities and counties must allow it to locate in single-family residential zones and not subject it to local permitting. The Legislature’s intent was to allow standalone facilities whose residents mimicked a family by their cooperative living arrangements, shared expenses and long-term residency.
Aware of the Legislature’s decision regarding six-bed facilities, operators attempt to exploit this family unit exception by acquiring or leasing multiple single-family properties within close proximity and sending residents of those homes to a single treatment facility where services and staff are shared amongst the residents of their various homes. Further, instead of treating up to six persons, they treat multiples of six, and therefore should be viewed in total as “7 bed and over” Integral Facilities that are subject to local ordinances and laws. In previous correspondence, you have recognized that these facilities should be treated as Integral Facilities. As we have seen in the City of Costa Mesa, there is indeed an opportunity to regulate these Integral Facilities under a City Ordinance.
Costa Mesa’s Ordinance has a very strong Integral Facilities definition that clearly states that two or more state licensed 6 bed and under facilities under common ownership and sharing services can be regulated by the City. Their Ordinance has been reviewed and upheld multiple times before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. At each court review the Integral Facilities definition has passed scrutiny, even though the Ordinance has a severability clause that would allow any section of the Ordinance to be struck. My office recommends that Newport Beach also prudently maintain its current Integral Facilities definition and reserve its right to regulate these facilities.
In order to curtail the proliferation of bad operators in the City of Newport Beach, we must take action at both the state and local level. I am continuing to push forward with much needed reforms in state statute and oversight in the recovery industry. Local oversight and enforcement of Integral Facilities must also be part of the solution.
If you would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my Chief of Staff Claire Conlon at 949.251.0074.
Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman
Exchange Club of Newport Harbor – their community contributions and how you can help
As one of Newport Beach’s first service clubs, the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor is a cornerstone in our city’s history. Today, it is the oldest remaining club of its type in Newport Beach.
The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor began on December 16, 1926 as a business luncheon club. Members of the charter club were the city’s most influential entrepreneurs, professionals and political leaders.
Over the years, they have grown into one of the premier service clubs in Newport Beach. Today’s membership is a hard-working group of women and men dedicated to Americanism, patriotism, community outreach including those less fortunate and youth projects including scholarships, supporting military families and children and their national project – child abuse prevention.
Each year, Exchange Club of Newport Harbor presents Field of Honor recognizing the service of men and women of the American military forces and first responders. The field consists of 1,776 large American flags proudly displayed along the pathways of Castaways Park, Dover Drive and 16th Street in Newport Beach, overlooking Newport Back Bay, Newport Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Flag dedications are $50 per honoree.
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Photo by Ken Dufour
American Flags displayed in Castaways Park during Field of Honor
What do they do with the funds raised through Field of Honor?
They dedicate 50% of the net funds received to military-related charities. These include the Newport Beach 1st Battalion 1st Marines Foundation (1/1), Coastline Community College military programs, U.S. Marines Scholarship Fund, the Navy League, Furnishing Hope, American Post 291 Veterans Emergency Assistance Fund (VEAF) and the Military Housing Initiative – these are their major recipients.
They also provide numerous scholarships annually to NMUSD students, to the NMUSD Teacher’s Foundation, Balboa Island Museum of Newport Beach, Newport Mesa ProLiteracy, Newport Beach Police Foundation, Share Ourselves and Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, among others.
They are significantly involved with the Prevention of Child Abuse. They annually fund the Exchange Club Family Support Center, The Priority Center formerly (Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County) and Human Options.
All net proceeds from the event are distributed to organizations focused on the prevention of child abuse and those providing financial assistance to our military personnel, first responders and their families, in addition to scholarships awarded to college-bound students.
How can you help the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor help the community and support Field of Honor?
First, be thankful and grateful for your freedoms and opportunities of living in this community. Take time to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day – to honor our nation’s military members who gave it all. Visit the Field of Honor at Castaways Park to view the American flags, be inspired by Newport Beach’s coastal beauty and hopefully dedicate a flag to one of our military and first responders who are family or friends. Visit the website at
www.exchangeclubofnewportharbor.com to dedicate a flag or make a donation. A special patriotic program will be presented on Memorial Day - Monday, May 30 beginning at 12 p.m. at the Castaways Park Memorial Statue and Flag Plaza. Park entry and the patriotic program are free of charge.
Trolley resumes service along Peninsula this weekend
The Balboa Peninsula Trolley will resume operations on Memorial Day weekend, beginning this Saturday, May 28, with free service continuing throughout the summer on weekends and holidays.
Beginning Saturday, the trolley service will be available from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays as well as Memorial Day (May 30), Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (September 5). The trolley is a fun and free way to explore the Peninsula.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of City of Newport Beach
There are 22 designated stops along the trolley route. Trolleys are scheduled to arrive in 15-minutes intervals, which may vary slightly depending on traffic conditions. Riders are invited to climb aboard or exit the trolley at any of the stops along the way to and from the Balboa Pier and Fun Zone area.
For those planning a day at the beach, the trolley can accommodate bicycles, surfboards under six feet long and beach gear. Trolley riders traveling from outside the area can utilize free parking at the city’s Avon Street municipal parking lot located near the Tustin Avenue and Avon Street intersection within Mariners’ Mile along Coast Highway.
This service is provided by the City of Newport Beach and funded through grants from the Orange County Transportation Authority (Measure M2 funds).
For more information, visit www.newportbeachca.gov/trolley.
Balboa Bay Resort to hold 15th Annual Father’s Day Car Show
Balboa Bay Resort is holding their 15th Annual Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday, June 19 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Balboa Bay Resort
Celebrate Dad at Balboa Bay Resort on Father’s Day with a fine collection of cars, great music and fun for the entire family
Celebrate Dads this Father’s Day with a fine collection of cars, great music and fun for the entire family at Balboa Bay Resort. The annual show will take place at the upper resort parking deck and will display an impressive array of classic, rare and custom cars with fresh BBQ, cocktails and additional concessions available for purchase. Tickets are not necessary for attendees as the car show is complimentary on behalf of the resort.
Balboa Bay Resort is located at 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.
Dress up in festive red, white and blue and join the Memorial Day BBQ at Balboa Island Park
The public is invited to a Memorial Day BBQ on Monday, May 30 from 12-2 p.m. Located at Balboa Island Park, enjoy an afternoon of games, raffles, and festive food to include burgers, hot dogs, Spam, chips, ice cream, lemonade and coffee.
Get into the patriotic spirit and dress in your favorite red, white and blue.
Cost: Adults, $10; Kids, $5. Balboa Island Veterans eat for free.
Balboa Island Park is located at 107 Agate Ave., near the ferry landing.
Guest Letter
Misagh Karimi, M.D.
City of Hope
Most men don’t know the warning signs of prostate cancer
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of City of Hope
Misagh Karimi, M.D., City of Hope
Do you know the signs of prostate cancer?
If you don’t, you’re not alone.
A recent poll of men in the U.K. found that 68 percent could not identify a single symptom of prostate cancer. The poll highlights the need to bring awareness to men in general, and especially here in the U.S., where prostate cancer affects one in eight men. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in U.S. men, trailing only skin cancers, and men over age 65 and Black men are at greater risk of developing the disease due to a range of factors.
Why is it so important to recognize the signs? Because when prostate cancer is detected at an early stage before it has spread beyond the prostate or the region around it, the treatment success rates are high.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
The prostate lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra; most prostate cancer signs are connected to urinary symptoms. They include:
–The need to urinate urgently and frequently, especially during the night.
–Difficulty in starting to urinate or having weak urine flow.
–The feeling that the bladder hasn’t emptied.
–Blood in the urine or semen.
Prostate cancer may also cause more generalized symptoms, such as:
–Pain in the lower back or pelvic area.
–Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet.
–Dizziness.
–Fatigue.
Tips for early detection
So, men, what should you do?
First, know the warning signs. Worrisome or persistent symptoms should spark a conversation with your primary care physician.
Second, know your family’s health history. Most prostate cancers are not hereditary, but the risk can double if a man’s brother or father has had prostate cancer. The risk is even higher for men who have had several relatives affected by the disease.
Lastly, talk with your doctor about prostate cancer screening options and the recommendations that should go into making your individual decision to get screened.
Advances in the early detection of prostate cancer are opening up more options for treatment and saving men’s lives. What’s more, if you have early-stage, slow-growing prostate cancer, you may be able to take a watch-and-wait approach instead of starting treatment right away. If you have been newly diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, there is much reason to feel hopeful and optimistic about your future.
Misagh Karimi, M.D., is the director of clinical operations at City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island and a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers.
City of Hope is a leader in prostate cancer research and treatment, successfully treating thousands of people with prostate cancer each year. To make an appointment at any of City of Hope’s four Orange County locations, click here or call:
–Newport Beach Fashion Island: 949.763.2204
–Newport Beach Lido: 949.999.1400
–Irvine Sand Canyon: 949.333.7580
–Huntington Beach: 714.252.9415
Newport Beach – A Look Back
Photo series courtesy of Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach
Click on photo for a larger image
The original house at 313 Apolena Ave., circa 1930s, was constructed by Leon Yale
Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach and the Museum Store are located at 210 B Marine Ave., Balboa Island. They are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free general admission on all days. Two-hour parking is available on Marine Avenue. For more information, call 949.675.3952, visit www.balboaislandmuseum.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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 would like to introduce everybody to 5-month-old Merlin. He’s all puppy and he loves following you everywhere you go. As a possible chihuahua mix, he prefers the company of others and he’ll find you no matter where you go. He is a totally sweet little boy who will do best going on adventures with his humans, playing with another fun dog in the home, and/or getting some play dates at a caring and well-kept doggy day care. Merlin is a fantastic puppy. He frolics with innocence and, if all goes well, his entire life will be filled with true goodness.
Courtesy of Newport Beach Animal Shelter
Meet Merlin
If you’ve been waiting for a sweet puppy, please feel free to contact the Newport Beach Animal Shelter at 949.718.3454, or through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more about Spring.
A reminder about puppies – they need to learn everything – so time, patience and love are key to growing any puppy into a magnificent adult. If you have the time and pride yourself in being devoted to your furry family members, the shelter staff looks forward to hearing from you and will share all they know about Merlin.
The shelter does require completed application forms for their animals, so simply print one up from their non-profit’s webpage at www.FONBAS.org. After it is completed, you can email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and upon review, they’ll call you to schedule an appointment. They truly look forward to speaking with you and thank you for sharing in their joys of being the best pet parents ever.
Newport Beach Animal Shelter adoption fees:
–Adult Dogs - $150
–Puppies - $225
–Adult Cats - $90
–Kittens - $110
–Rabbits - $45
Also, consider becoming a member of an incredible nonprofit that supports the city’s efforts with providing wonderful opportunities to stray, injured, ill and owner-surrendered domestic pets.
Letters to the Editor
I have questions and they need answers
Question Everything!
Since I was a teenager, I have made this my mantra. Maybe it is a generational thing. The other one that stuck with me is “Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.” Remember the Jonestown Massacre in 1978?
Question:
Who wrote Measure B, and why?
First, who?
At the Speak Up Newport event on May 11th, Councilmember Noah Blom said that he wrote the measure along with City Manager Grace Leung. The following morning at the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce meeting, Councilmember Will O’Neill said that an attorney wrote the measure.
Did Blom pass the bar while we weren’t looking?
O’Neill is an attorney; did he write it?
This seems like a fair question. To my knowledge, it has not yet been answered. In my mind, it goes to motive.
What is clear is that the text of the measure was not discussed by the full council. At the City Council meeting on 10/12/21, Councilmember Blom asked to bring the matter of a direct elected mayor back to the council at a future meeting for consideration. What was brought to the next meeting was the text of the measure, complete, as you read it today, not for discussion, but for a Yes or No vote. No discussion was allowed. Why?
It is also clear that the author(s) did not seek public opinion on the text of the measure. There was no Study Session or any other public forum to debate the text of the measure, much less the need for the dramatic change. Why was there no discussion with the full council or the public?
Which leads me to my next question…why was it written at all?
Was it because the system we have operated under in Newport Beach for over half a century, no longer works? No one seemed to be concerned with the current system of appointing our mayor until this year, when Councilmember Joy Brenner was overlooked for Mayor Pro Tem. The appointment of our newest councilmember, Noah Blom, was blessed by the same four councilmembers who voted “Yes” to put Measure B on the June Ballot. This occurred after the four councilmembers had already voted to put Measure B on the June ballot. So that doesn’t explain why the council majority decided the Charter needed to change.
So why?
If the argument is that “horse trading” (Blom’s words) is taking place among the councilmembers in the process of appointing our mayor, and they themselves are participating in that process, then that brings up a whole other set of questions.
In a democracy, it is our duty to discuss, and question, the issues and the decisions of those we elect to lead us, and to keep the pressure on until we have the answers.
People who follow their leaders blindly, may find the decisions made on their behalf aren’t always made with their best interests in mind. We could talk about some of the recent decisions at the state and federal level, but let’s not go down that rabbit hole. Just think Jonestown.
When we ask questions, we may not always agree with the answers, but the fact that we are paying attention, needs to be apparent to leaders. This helps avoid that nasty word, corruption.
If we hope to avoid the fate of the city of Anaheim, which is now mired in legal issues, that will last years, cost the city thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of dollars and tarnish the reputation of that city’s government for decades, we need to be asking our council for more transparency.
So, who wrote Measure B? And why do we need it now?
I think a truthful answer to those questions would be very helpful to the public who are now being asked to vote on this Charter change without any discussion as to its merits. The “Kool-Aid” answer is, it’s simple, you should be able to elect your mayor. I am not looking for the Kool-Aid answer.
Before you cast your ballot on June 7th, please ask a few questions. Don’t just follow someone else’s “voter guide.”
And when it comes to Measure B, don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
Nancy Scarbrough
Newport Beach
The passage of Measure B would significantly change our city’s governance
It has been disheartening to witness the turmoil created by the Measure B initiative. For those of us paying attention, June 7th can’t come quick enough.
Over the past several months residents and business owners have asked me, in an almost apologetic tone, “What do you think of Measure B?” Often the question comes from long-time residents, including those who have served in our civic and non-profit organizations. A common refrain is often: “Where did this idea come from?” and, “I’m happy with the city as it is.” Others, younger with families and busy lives, are trying to get up to speed with a complex decision that requires going far beyond the tag line: “Wouldn’t you like to elect your mayor?”
When proposed by one of our councilmembers last fall, Measure B split the council, eventually leading to a 4-3 vote to place it on the ballot. This brought some tension to the dais. I have great respect for all my fellow councilmembers as we continue to conduct council business professionally despite our differences on this issue.
Our community is divided over Measure B, which is unfortunate given that council has a duty to work toward bringing citizens together. This is a good time to remember that the best council decisions derive from citizen impetus rather than a council led project out of nowhere.
Newport Beach will continue to move forward regardless of the Measure B result. However, the passage of Measure B would significantly change our city’s governance, adding additional risk. Newport would become vulnerable to the vagaries of one person, the elected mayor, who would have near total control of city hall. Even the best of humans make mistakes. Our country’s founders knew this and created checks and balances on power which allowed our nation’s democracy to thrive. We currently have such a system in Newport. It is a council of seven equals who, believe me, have no problem trying to keep each other in check.
An elected mayor would be the “go to” councilmember for those seeking favor. He or she would operate in a different civic universe than the rest of the council. Indeed, the elected mayor would be the proverbial 800-pound gorilla of city hall. There are many examples of elected mayor cities which have come to grief. The current Anaheim mess is a classic example.
Thomas Jefferson said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” For the past 70 years Newport Beach residents have done a fine job of electing seven councilmembers who must work together when making the best decisions for our city. While our councils have had ups and downs, the vast majority of citizens elected to council served their neighbors and community admirably.
Today our city is a testament to the success of the council-of-equals system. Over the past decades, Newport has gone from strength to strength. No city of our population provides its citizens with a better quality of life.
We are all thankful to live here, in a beautiful and thriving coastal city. Our aspirational town reflects the optimistic hard work of its residents, businesses and civic leaders.
We have the city we deserve. Let’s protect it. Vote no on Measure B.
Brad Avery
Newport Beach Councilmember, District 2
Former mayor 2021
Where was the discussion? Is this democracy?
In several public forums, I have heard Will O’Neill and Noah Blom publicize that the Newport Beach City Council unanimously voted 7-0 to discuss the changes to the charter that could pave the way for an elected mayor in Newport Beach.
I’ve learned that the council policy to put something on the agenda is a three-step process:
–Any councilmember can request a future agenda item and if two other councilmembers agree it goes on the agenda for a future meeting. Though not a policy but as a manner of courtesy, all councilmembers typically vote yes to put it on the agenda for future discussion. Hence the 7-0 vote to discuss the issue. Why not discuss?
–The agenda language is drafted and presented to the City Attorney.
–In this particular case (and perhaps for the first time) the agenda language was artfully crafted so there would be NO council debate or discussion on the contents of the initiative – the only action permitted was whether the item should be on the June or November ballot. None of the three opponents realized that the language dramatically narrowed the discussion options to NO DISCUSSION allowed.
I still don’t know whether lawyers wrote the language of Measure B or whether Noah Blom wrote the language with approval from the City Manager as he claims, but what I do know is none of the three councilmembers who opposed the initiative had any input into the writing of the initiative.
By now most have heard about a negative situation involving the mayor of Anaheim.
From former Anaheim councilmember Denise Barnes: “We need to clean this up,” Barnes said. She expressed to councilmembers how hard it was to be a taxpayer steward while being blocked from agendizing discussions, especially when it came to stadium negotiations.
“I just go back to the night of December 2020 when we were completely rushed to get that deal done,” added Barnes.
Does anyone else see a correlation between the current issues in Anaheim and how Measure B got on the ballot? Does anyone else have a problem with how it has played out in Newport Beach? Can anyone else recognize how an elected mayor can manipulate the agenda?
Gary Cruz
Newport Beach
Think about it…
Do we really want to create the potential for words like “affidavit, Brown Act violations, collusion, corruption, criminal charges, evasion and scandal” to be associated with our city? This is taking place right now, in real time, in the City of Anaheim. It could, in fact, happen in Newport Beach with a directly elected mayor with even more power and authority than that of the current mayor of Anaheim.
Mayor Harry Sidhu, along with the former Chamber of Commerce president, while representing the city in high stakes contract negotiations with the Los Angeles Angels for the sale of Anaheim Stadium, shared confidential city information with the Angels, including at least one document prepared by the city’s attorney – a violation of the Brown Act. There are actual voice recordings of the mayor and past Chamber president committing collusion regarding the sale of Angel Stadium.
Mayor Sidhu moved to Anaheim for the purpose of running for mayor and got elected thanks to hefty contributions. Now the council is asking for his resignation in light of the federal investigation taking place, and potential charges levied.
Do we really want to risk something like this happening in our city with the type of directly elected mayor being proposed in Measure B (the textbook definition of a power grab)? When power is taken away from a collective group of officials and representatives, and concentrated in the hands of one politician, it’s a power grab. No other Orange County city has done what Measure B proposes to do: maintain the at-large voting system while taking power away from council representatives and transferring it to a “one-stop shop” elected mayor.
Measure B is being bankrolled largely by donors from other cities. People support ballot measures in other cities and states to empower themselves, not local voters. These donors clearly expect to have the mayor’s ear, and to have their interests given precedence over those of Newport Beach residents.
Early on, SPON took a position of opposing Measure B. With the events unfolding as they are in Anaheim, our position is clearly reinforced.
Measure B proponents want to move us to a system that works better for professional politicians than for residents – exactly the opposite of what our current system is designed to do. Don’t roll the dice and risk all the hard work that has gone into making Newport Beach a uniquely beautiful place to live. Don’t change a winning formula.
Say No to Measure B.
Jeff Herdman
Newport Beach City Councilman, 2016-2020
Did they take the time to read Measure B?
Mr. Clarence (“Clancy”) Hoiles passed away in 1981. Mr. Hoiles was the Chairman of the Board of Freedom Newspapers Inc. which (among other daily newspapers) at the time published The Orange County Register (then known as The Register) (the “Register”). I did not know Mr. Hoiles well, but well enough so that he kindly sponsored my application into a local golf club 44 years ago.
I remember Mr. Hoiles as being reserved and conservative in thought and speech.
I believe Mr. Hoiles would have been surprised by the Register’s recent poorly conceived editorial suggesting that the residents of Newport Beach vote affirmatively for the controversial Measure B.
Readers of the Register surely must be asking themselves whether the editorial board which reached its ill-advised judgment ever read in its entirety Measure B, analyzed its content, considered its potentially dire consequences and interviewed informed folks opposing the Measure.
In its zeal to write the editorial, one wonders whether the board considered ANY of the following points:
–Why did the proponent abandon the signature gathering effort (i.e., a conventional democratic means of gauging electorate interest and publicly looking at the pluses and minuses)?
–By reducing the council districts from 7 to 6, one district becomes a super district by having the mayor AND another councilmember representing that super district. Moreover, each new district will have at least 2,000 more constituents for whom the councilmember is responsible.
–The measure gives one person the ability to serve a total of 16 consecutive years on council, thereby gutting the 8-year term limit approved by the voters many years ago.
–Tell me one (just one) problem in the City Charter that the measure is trying to solve! Why haven’t any of the pro Measure B councilmembers EVER made the directly elected mayor a centerpiece of their concerns about the City until now? Is this a one-person crusade?
–The measure is on its face fatally defectively drafted, e.g., three other councilmembers “MAY” (not “WILL”) be able to place an item on a “FUTURE” agenda (When? In a month? In a year? Never? When the strong mayor decides to add it to the agenda?). What will the next measure cost our taxpayers to undo the damage of these and other defects in Measure B? And, in light of the defectively drafted measure, think twice if you think “your” councilmember will be able to put anything on the agenda.
–Measure B produces junior, subordinate, diluted, weakened councilmembers to the strong mayor’s will and power. (And, as is well known, power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.) Say goodbye to give-and-take, compromise and collaboration among the former co-equal councilmembers.
–Why would an experienced, highly educated City Manager want to be stripped of duties and under the thumb of a strong mayor? We think our preeminent City Manager will be on the lookout for other City Manager-operated municipality opportunities where the City Manager can, through independence, make a difference and add value.
–Be ready for big money mayor elections – and some (perhaps a significant number) of donations will come from outside Newport Beach, all of which donors will want to curry favor with the all-powerful mayor.
The Register editorial board still has time to right its wrong. I urge the board to reconsider its hasty ill-conceived editorial and I urge a NO vote on Bad for Newport Measure B.
Paul K. Watkins
Newport Beach
May might be Bicycle Safety Month, but this cyclist isn’t one honoring it
May 21st – Not an uncommon sight on Newport Coast Drive. In front of me, a truck hits its brakes hard, stopping so as to not run over a bicyclist. Truck was turning left; bicyclist was going straight through the intersection. Trouble is that the truck had a green light to turn left. The bicyclist? He ran the red light without a care, in full view of all the cars that were properly stopped. And this was the second red light he ran that I saw; who knows how many other close calls there were.
Is there any way to stop these idiots? Apparently, there aren’t enough “white bicycles” on the roadside, with flowers and pictures and memories written by loved ones. May is Bicycle Safety Month?
Yea, sure.
Matt Clabaugh
Newport Beach
The current system to elect the mayor has worked for 70 years
The proponents of Measure B just sent out a mailer basically calling their opponents a bunch of liars. Their strong language shows that the truth hurts and it’s gotten under their skin.
Even more revealing is the email they blasted out saying it’s dishonest to draw a parallel between what’s happening in Anaheim and what could happen in Newport Beach if Measure B passes, since Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu was backed by a council majority. “But he didn’t act alone, therefore he’s not too powerful!” is a weird way to make a case for Measure B, but whatever.
Let’s remember that two months after Sidhu was elected to his first four-year term, “his” majority approved sweeping changes to how the Anaheim city council conducts its business. And six months later, they appointed Sidhu to the team negotiating the sale of Anaheim Stadium to the Angels, over the objections of other councilmembers.
When asked why he wanted to be on the negotiating team, Sidhu responded: “What do you mean why? I’m the mayor. I would like to represent the city council…it is very simple. As the mayor, I represent the city, just like all of you. And I’d like to appoint myself as a council representative to the negotiating team. There must be someone from the council because we have a vision for the city…I think we have done enough discussion.”
Anyone else reminded of when Will O’Neill said he came up with the idea of the elect our mayor campaign because, after serving as mayor for one year then being forced to pass the baton, he realized, “Voters should be choosing the person whose vision matches the city’s majority?” Anyone else see the parallel with the Measure B team’s focus on the importance of getting Newport Beach’s mayor appointed to any number of boards and other interest groups?
If you don’t think a mayoral candidate in Newport Beach would pick a slate of candidates to run with to ensure a council majority, you haven’t been paying attention. All four councilmembers who put Measure B on the ballot ran as part of slates. They appeared together on mailers, were funded by the same sources, got the same endorsements. On the council, they usually vote together and always choose the mayor and mayor pro tem from within their ranks – even though our charter makes clear that the positions are supposed to rotate among all councilmembers and therefore all districts.
Fast forward to today: Anaheim is engulfed in scandal. The stadium sale is on hold as the FBI investigates whether Sidhu shared confidential information with the buyer in exchange for a massive contribution to his reelection campaign. Councilmembers who’ve been in the minority are talking about how difficult it is to be blocked from putting discussions on the agenda, including about stadium negotiations…about how hard it is to watch the council majority shut down public debate when they don’t agree with the community members who are speaking.
Of course, we don’t know if a similar scenario would play out in Newport Beach if Measure B passes, but it certainly could. And that’s reason enough to Vote No on B.
Let’s stick to the system that’s served our city so well for nearly 70 years and make sure it works the ways it’s intended to – with the mayor position rotating among all districts and with all councilmembers having an equal voice in the conduct of the city’s business.
Gerald A. Giannini
Newport Beach
Elect Our Mayor is the right policy for our city moving forward
My name is Henry Park, the name that was recently used without my permission on a hit piece mailer sent by the No On B campaign. They lied about me and claimed that my donation to help elect our Mayor was “outside money.” Far from it, my wife and I have been raising our family here in Newport Beach for years.
Why would they lie about me? Why would they specifically name me and claim that I’m an “outsider?”
I donated to the Elect Our Mayor initiative because it’s the right policy for our city going forward. The Mayor should be elected by us and accountable to us. Policy should be made solely by the people accountable to us, not by people farther from us. If you agree, then vote yes on B.
I also donated because I wanted to see the truth go out to voters. The lies in mail coming from the No crowd claimed that the initiative created an unaccountable “king” and would require hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra spending every year. None of that is true, and even the Orange County Register called those claims “utter nonsense.”
I didn’t expect the No campaign to turn around and lie about me. But they did and that’s dirty.
It’s the current system, with these current behind-the-scenes politicos, that we need to move beyond. I’m exhibit A of the effect of their rot.
Stop the backroom deals. Stop the pettiness. Shine light and require the Mayor to campaign in the open to us.
I urge everyone to take my cautionary story and vote Yes On B.
Henry Park
Newport Beach
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Sometimes you just have to start with a cliché – in this case in reference to Measure B on the Newport Beach ballot…If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! But, some folks with an agenda think direct election of the Mayor for Newport Beach is a great idea. Who are these folks?
Who should be FOR Measure B?
–If you, your spouse, son or daughter is a political consultant: This means full employment! We definitely need more misleading negative campaign expenditures which have been relatively few in Newport Beach. But don’t worry, at least someone is benefiting from this!
–If your family includes entities that need greater influence in city hall. Much easier to influence a mayor whose campaign cost you a lot of money – see above and let him or her use the new “strong mayor” position to control the debate. That is, unless you don’t think lots of money has any effect on policies.
–If you or a family member wants to seek higher office. Or is that too cynical? Again, a new elected mayor will have much more visibility than any councilmember and will be able to be an elected official for up to 16 years. However, I’m guessing we’ll see a number of “one and done” mayors who feel they are ready for Congress or whatever after one term. We have been fortunate that historically, the great majority of our councilmembers have the old-fashioned idea that service to the City alone is an honor and a duty.
–If you want to be mayor of Newport Beach but currently live somewhere else. Given the money that will be involved, you have a lot better chance of succeeding than one of those citizen politicians who’ve lived here for years that we keep getting on our council. And, your purchase of a house here will help the real estate industry.
–If you don’t believe that we already elect our mayor. In fact, we do! Each of our seven councilmembers, although they each represent a district, are elected “at large,” meaning all of us get to vote for each councilmember. Then, the members periodically select the mayor for limited terms. The council is a legislative body where the mayor is only temporarily the first among equals. Measure B would provide a very powerful mayor and reduce the councilmembers’ input and historic collegiality. In other words, equals have to cooperate. With Measure B, the council would only have to decide whether to support or oppose the mayor’s wishes.
Who should be AGAINST Measure B?
All of the rest of us who recognize that this is an exceptionally well-run city and always has been in comparison to other municipalities. Our councils and city managers have, for the most part, collectively done the right thing without the “leadership” of a strong mayor.
Remember, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Please vote “No.”
Andy Rose
Newport Beach
The writing on Anaheim’s walls could mean trouble ahead for Newport Beach
Does Measure B protect Newport Beach from an Anaheim-similar FBI investigation?
All of us have recently read about the current FBI investigations of Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu and other city officials. Mayor Sidhu is alleged to have planned solicitation of $1M from the Angels for his re-election funds and to have shared city information with the Angels during negotiations for the current stadium land sale.
The FBI investigation (also) reports that Sidhu, his council majority and possible other city officials allegedly hosted “retreats” with his majority bloc to discuss strategy for items coming up before council. This action was in violation of the Brown Act and essentially was a shadow government.
We say to ourselves that this type of reported illicit behavior wouldn’t happen here in Newport Beach. But as we all address risk management in our private lives, just what does Measure B provide Newport Beach residents in the way of “curbs or firewalls” for any future Mayor misconduct? How can we prevent or save our city from any similar public illicit notoriety or possible special interest corruption?
Currently, the Newport Beach Mayor serves at the pleasure of the city council. If Measure B passes, both council and residents would have to wait until criminal conviction of any Mayor or a very expensive recall election. That’s it – our city would be tied up for months or years and undoubtedly would incur large legal fees.
Newport Beach is a city resplendent with rich assets, both public and private, in which special interest groups often are interested in potential financial access and influence. While the proponents of Measure B are campaigning hard for a Mayor-centric city government and perhaps ignoring any protective limitations of power, who and what is protecting the rest of us?
Kathe Morgan
Villa Park resident
Measure B still brings in questions
There is only one thing that cities can do to make their government more democratic and that is to elect councilmembers by their constituencies, not at large. Or they could also increase the number of councilmembers elected by their constituencies.
Interestingly enough, the vast majority of cities who directly elect their mayor, also get to vote directly on the councilmember representing them. Now why did Measure B not propose that? The reason is – a more democratic government is not the goal of the proponents of Measure B.
So, how does electing a governor for over 80,000 people make Newport Beach more democratic or more efficient?
One person responding to that many people does not give residents more power. It just gives more power to that one person who is under no obligation to share it with councilmembers (recent flyers make us wonder if there will even be a council).
Many leading citizens are against Measure B. Those who own property in Newport Beach might be concerned with the stability of the city if there is a new system of government put in place which cannot be observed ahead of time in any other city.
How can we expect that it will function efficiently in a short period of time? Might there be a bit of chaos? Why even gamble with the future of Newport Beach? Make the conservative choice, vote No on uncertainty – VOTE NO ON MEASURE B!
Lynn Lorenz
Newport Beach
Was the OC Grand Jury document on deployment and response by fire departments in emergencies flawed?
(The following letter was submitted to the Mayor and City Council challenging the Orange County Grand Jury’s document on deployment and response of resources in a recent report.)
The recently published document by the Orange County grand jury regarding the deployment and response of resources by Orange County fire departments to emergency medical calls for service is both stunning, and concerning in the inaccuracies, opinions and falsehoods presented as fact. The determinations made appear to be based on these failures or research, and lead to what may be a pre-ordained belief, without factual support. Because this document rehashes a 2012 effort of a similar matter, I am disturbed by the need for another review that fails to build on the earlier discussion.
Fundamentally, the local fire department deploys resources designed to respond to and to mitigate the unwanted effects of the environment on life, property and the environment itself. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying that the environment is “everything but me,” referring to himself at the time. Except for specifically law enforcement related matters, unrelated to unwanted fire, this defines the responsibility of fire department emergency response. The two most time sensitive, or emergency responses, include fire suppression and emergency medical/rescue code-three (with lights and siren) response. The fire service is truly a multi-mission operation that serves to address many of the emergency needs of the community. The capability of the local fire department is only limited to the funding and leadership provided by the governing agency decisionmakers.
To fully understand the importance of emergency response it is necessary to carefully consider the concept of time, and the influence of time on the growth of uncontrolled fire and patients in extreme medical conditions i.e., coronary, stroke, blood loss et al. In all these situations the outcome is directly related to timely intervention. The sooner that trained personnel, operating efficiently, arrive at the scene and begin fire suppression or medical treatment the more likely that a desired outcome is probable. There are three components to the total response time of a fire department: call processing time, turnout time and travel time. The only component that cannot be manipulated to a great extent is travel time as rescue personnel can only travel so fast through the city streets to arrive at the scene of an emergency.
The distribution of fire stations across the land mass of a city like Newport Beach serves to place fire department rescue personnel near potential fires or medical emergencies under static conditions. During times of fire department system stress due to uncontrolled fire i.e., Emerald Bay and Coastal Fire recently, in Orange County and specifically Newport Beach, a rapid and integrated system is employed to shift similar resources into areas of reduced coverage. This was recently demonstrated and reported to the City Council in a timely fashion by the fire chief regarding the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel. Rapid intervention serves the people you and your fire department serve.
Of the two identified time sensitive functions of the fire department, fire suppression and medical/rescue, resource deployment should be considered for the need based on a timely response to the incident, or potential incident. Because the building stock of a community changes slowly over time, the deployment of firefighting resources and staffing at the local firehouse responsible for initial fire suppression efforts should be based on factors related to risk, occupancy type and travel time to all areas of initial responsibility, or first due for the resources staffed at that firehouse. Earlier intervention of fire should equate a smaller fire that is extinguished faster, requiring fewer total resources from neighboring firehouses. This concept should result in a more efficient operation that has fewer fire stations assigned to a fire and committed to a fire outside the first due area.
Because the community will need the firehouses staffed for fire suppression needs, the use of these same firefighting personnel for emergency medical/rescue response was seen as a wise use of taxpayer funds. The report fails to understand the wisdom of this important concept, and in fact fails to consider this altogether. Fire apparatus, fully equipped to perform all the multi-mission functions, and available 24/7 unless committed to a prior emergency is the gold standard of the business. The idea presented to staff a two-person medic unit in place of a “second” engine at the Laguna Woods firehouse fails to consider the multi-mission functions of a fire station that protects a large hospital, a very busy complex of freeways and housing with mature residents who will need additional support under emergency circumstances. That Laguna Woods firehouse is staffed in that fashion because it is the busiest firehouse in a densely developed county of over 3 million residents. Drawing broad conclusions based on a limited, and often false understanding, has resulted in a bad recommendation.
I found it unusual that Newport Beach in particular, with a somewhat unique deployment of resources only matched by the City of Orange, was not mentioned in the text of this report. This was especially noteworthy as the thesis of the report was focused on resource deployment, city operated ambulance services and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). The limited investment by the OC grand jury into the research on this important subject only serves to support the idea that the effort was biased from the start and will provide ample information for those intent on diminishing the value of a future OC grand jury report on a similar subject.
Paul Matheis
Lake Forest
A Crystal Cove announces public grand opening on May 25
River Jetty Restaurant Group partners, Joseph “McG” Nichol and Jordan Otterbein, have announced the public grand opening of A Crystal Cove at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25. Located within the Crystal Cove Shopping Center at 7864 E. Coast Highway, A Crystal Cove will be open for lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends.
“As Orange County natives, McG and I take pride in contributing to our community, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to expand upon our vision of bringing people together,” said Jordan Otterbein. “A Crystal Cove will have the same genuine hospitality that fans of our concepts know and love, but the result is a completely one-of-a-kind experience and we can’t wait to share it.”
Known for stylish community eateries, A Restaurant and A Market in Newport Beach and CdM Restaurant in Corona del Mar, River Jetty Restaurant Group’s latest addition will be their first full-service concept to offer brunch, lunch and dinner. Tailored to the unique community in which it is located, A Crystal Cove’s atmosphere of relaxed coastal sophistication will welcome guests throughout the day to experience elevated cuisine in a lively and inviting setting.
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Courtesy of A Crystal Cove
An elegant beachside hideaway, A Crystal Cove is a nod to old Hollywood
A nod to old Hollywood, the elegant beachside hideaway features design elements from both CdM and A Restaurants, but on a larger scale as the new space will seat 200 inside with additional patio seating accessible by front-facing sliding doors. A glass-enclosed wine room will display a collection of exquisite wines with beautiful and rare bottles in view, interior walls will be adorned with fine art and gallery-style lighting and an antique photo booth will be available for guests to commemorate the world-class dining experience. The show stopping, centrally located, 24-seat bar will be a focal point in the restaurant churning out equally impressive cocktails.
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Courtesy of A Crystal Cove
Central bar at A Crystal Cove
The menu will reflect a curated selection of seasonally inspired greatest hits from A and CdM, courtesy of Executive Chef Elvis Morales. Start with BBQ heirloom carrots with pecan butter, dill and herb dressing, or opt for the spicy yellowfin tuna with tempura eggplant, sriracha aioli, wasabi tobiko, sweet soy and chives. Main dishes feature unique pastas, elevated pizzas and favorites of land and sea including chicken piccata with lemon and caper butter, cherry tomato and shallot salad, potato puree and basil; Akaushi skirt steak with fingerling potatoes, charred broccolini, sweet garlic and ranchero; and cioppino made with linguine, sea bass, salmon, scallops, mussels, clams and New Zealand prawn.
A Crystal Cove will be open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Friday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Indulge in a lively weekend brunch with guest DJs on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The restaurant will also host DJs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for a spirited late-night affair.
For more information about River Jetty Restaurant Group visit www.riverjettyrg.com.
Regattas and Races…
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Photo by Bronny Daniels | Joysailing.com
NHYC
Nash Spring Championships
May 21-22
Lehman 12 (15 races, 1 discard)
1 La Dow/Dahl, NHYC, Total 49, Net 41
2 Reynolds/Grey Voigt, SDYC, Total 58, Net 47
3 Curtiss/Moore, NHYC, Total 65, Net 54
4 Michael Ramming, NHYC, Total 69, Net 58
5 Person/Bissell/Madigan, NHYC, Total 74, Net 66
6 Clark/ La Dow, NHYC, Total 92, Net 82
7 La Dow/Hampton, SDYC/NHYC, Total 98, Net 87
8 Macdonald/Jacobsen, NHYC, Total 103, Net 92
9 Smith/Beek, NHYC, Total 115, Net 105
10 Ayres/De Young, NHYC, Total 128, Net 117
BYC
2022 66 Series
May 21
PHRF A Division (3 races)
1 Carbon Footprint, Rogers46, James Devling, BYC, Total 8
2 Bolt, NM, Craig Reynolds, BYC, Total 8
3 It’s OK, Andrews50, Rose/Purcell, BYC, Total 11
4 Coquille, Farr40, Wes Selby, BYC, Total 11
PHRF B Division (3 races)
1 Amante, Choate48, Richley Family, LIYC/NHYC, Total 7
2 Doubletime, Andrews38, Andrews/Lynch, BYC, Total 10
3 XLR8, Bene36.7, Gabriel Nistor, BCYC, Total 13
4 Destroyer, OD35, Jim Bailey, NHYC, Total 15
5 Heartbeat 4, J124, Charles Brewer, NHYC, Total 16
6 Mr. Pongs, Columbia30, CK Hwang, BYC, Total 21
PHRF C Division (3 races)
1 Radical Departure, Platu25, Rosene Family, BYC, Total 3
2 Altheris, C&C35, Raymond Booth, BYC, Total 6
3 Oasis VI, Cat34, Don Gordon, Oasis, Total 13
4 Horsefeathers, Ericson35, John Fuller, NHYC, Total 19
5 Lickity Split, Cat38, Andrew Whittingham, WSA, Total 20
6 Miss Informed, Andrews26, Jeff Tighe, BYC, Total 21
7 Oasis V, Cat34, Gerrit Legrand, Oasis, Total 22
BYC
2022 Beercans – Ale (May) Series
May 19
Race #2 – PHRF 1 (4.5 miles)
1 Heartbeat 4, J124, Charles Brewer, NHYC
Elapsed 0:41:42, Corrected 0:38:47
2 Amante, Choate 48, Richley Family, LIYC/NHYC
Elapsed 0:41:30, Corrected 0:38:48
3 Baraka, J120, Janet Mostafa, BYC
Elapsed 0:44:53, Corrected 0:41:58
4 Rossa, DK46, Jared Gargano, BYC
Elapsed 0:47:36, Corrected 0:48:17
5 Dani Girl, J120, Campbell/Martin, BYC/CRA
Elapsed 0:53:33, Corrected 0:50:38
6 L30 #29, L30, Charles Ullman, BYC
Elapsed RET
Race #2 – PHRF 2 (4.5 miles)
1 Cal 40, Cal 40, Vince Valdes, NHYC
Elapsed 0:54:52, Corrected 0:46:19
2 Violetta, Davidson, Jane Hartley, BCYC
Elapsed 0:54:19, Corrected 0:47:07
3 XLR8, Bene 36.7, Gabriel Nistor, BCYC
Elapsed 0:53:47, Corrected 0:47:43
4 Buena Vista, RS21, Berkeley Green, ALYC
Elapsed 0:57:39, Corrected 0:49:06
Race #2 – PHRF 3 (3.8 miles)
1 Daydream, Pearson, Rich Fischbeck, BYC
Elapsed 0:54:29, Corrected 0:42:19
2 Silk, Harbor 25, John Hanscom, SSYC
Elapsed 0:58:41, Corrected 0:47:51
NHYC
2022 Twilight Series - May
May 19
Finn (6 races, 1 discard)
1 Robert Kinney, NHYC, Total 11, Net 8
2 Sail #35, n/a, Total 16, Net 12
3 Brad Dwan, NHYC, Total 17, Net 13
4 Keith Yonkers, NHYC, Total 17, Net 13
5 Michael Arrigo, NHYC, Total 24, Net 20
Harbor 20 A (7 races, 1 discard)
1 Deermount/Menninger, NHYC, Total 19, Net 13
2 Bose/Elliot, BCYC, Total 19, Net 14
3 K. Wiese/A. Wiese, NHYC, Total 20, Net 14
4 Douglas Rastello, NHYC, Total 34, Net 26
5 P. Noring/R. Noring, SYC, Total 40, Net 32
6 Bob Yates, NHYC, Total 42, Net 34
7 Peter Stemler, NHYC, Total 47, Net 38
8 Carolyn Smith, NHYC, Total 46, Net 38
9 Conzelman/Law, NHYC, Total 48, Net 39
10 Peter Kinney, NHYC, Total 50, Net 41
11 Cheadle/Schupak, BYC, Total 49, Net 41
12 E. Kimball/A. Costello Kimball, ABYC, Total 53, Net 43
13 Campbell/Barnard, NHYC, Total 55, Net 46
14 Nick Madigan, NHYC, Total 55, Net 46
Harbor 20 B (7 races. 1 discard)
1 P. Haynes/D. Haynes, BCYC, Total 10, Net 8
2 Hill/Manning, BCYC, Total 14, Net 11
3 Tom Fischbacher, BSSB, Total 24, Net 19
4 Watanabe/Sutherland, UCISA, Total 25, Net 20
5 Dick Somers, NHYC, Total 26, Net 21
6 Thomas Corkett, NHYC, Total 33, Net 27
Harbor 20 C (7 races, 1 discard)
4 C. Bailey/J. Bailey, NHYC, Total 7, Net 6
1 Atkins/Thompson, LIYC, Total 15, Net 12
2 Chris Jester, NHYC, Total 22, Net 18
3 Bill Brooks, NHYC, Total 25, 21
Lehman 12 (6 races, 1 discard)
1 La Dow/Dahl, NHYC, Total 11, Net 7
2 Carolyn Smith, NHYC, Total 23, Net 17
3 Michael Ramming, NHYC, Total 26, Net 20
4 M. Dahl/H. Dahl, NHYC, Total 27, Net 20
5 Curtiss/Moore, NHYC, Total 29, Net 21
6 Sail # 2017, NHYC, Total 35, Net 27
7 Clark/Olmstead, NHYC, Total 34, Net 27
8 La Dow/Hampton, NHYC/SDYC, Total 34, Net 27
9 Macdonald/Blackman, NHYC, Total 39, Net 32
10 Benny Benjamin, NHYC, Total 45, Net 37
11 Hause/Kraus, NHYC, Total 45, Net 37
News relating to racing in or around Newport Harbor should be forwarded to Tom Johnson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CdM Chamber mixer this evening
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Courtesy of CdM Chamber of Commerce
The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce’s Sunset Networking Mixer is this evening, May 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Engel & Völkers (3636 E. Coast Highway). Mix, mingle and more! Be there or be square! For more details, go here.
At the head of the pier
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Photo by Kevin Pellon (Instagram @socalsnapz)
Ruby’s above the ocean…a perfect perch
American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by OC Supervisor Bartlett takes place at OASIS Senior Center on May 24
On Tuesday, May 24 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., an American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by the Office of Lisa A. Bartlett, Supervisor Fifth District takes place at the OASIS Senior Center.
For those who would like to donate, an appointment can be scheduled by signing up online at www.RedCrossBlood.org. Use Sponsor Code: fifthdistrict, or call 1.800.733.2767.
Please allow a minimum of one hour for the entire donation process. A photo ID is required to donate. All blood drive participants will receive a free Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag.
OASIS Senior Center is located at 801 Narcissus Ave., Corona del Mar.
Come From Away, the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical at Segerstrom Center hits the stage for only eight performances
Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced the national tour of Come From Away, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, is returning to Segerstrom Hall for a limited one-week engagement from June 21-26. Tickets start at $28.
Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
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Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2018
The first North American Tour Company of “Come from Away”
The touring production of Come From Away will star Marika Aubrey (Lincoln Center’s South Pacific), Kevin Carolan (Disney’s Newsies), Harter Clingman (Peter and The Starcatcher), Steffi DiDomenicantonio, Nick Duckart (In the Heights), Chamblee Ferguson, Christine Toy Johnson (The Music Man), Julie Johnson (Memphis), James Earl Jones II (The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess), Kristen Pearce, Danielle K. Thomas, Jeremy Woodard, Jenny Ashman, Jane Bunting, Amelia Cormack, Aaron Michael Ray, Kilty Reidy and Brandon Springman.
Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winners and Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, direction by Tony Award winner and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Christopher Ashley, musical staging by Olivier Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine, and music supervision by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath.
Come From Away tickets are on sale online now at www.scfta.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.
Be in Newport this summer…
This summer, the City of Newport Beach Recreation & Senior Services Department will be offering Camp Newport with more than 400 weeklong camps, ranging from Beach & Bay, Sports & Fitness and STEM+ to Art & Theater, Dance & Music, Special Interest, Special Needs and City Camps (day and pint-sized). The possibilities really seem to be endless!
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Photos courtesy of City of Newport Beach
Erik Nelsen Surf Camp
Registration is now open, so select your favorite categories and reserve spaces for your youngsters here. You’ll also find a helpful map to show you where specific camps are located. To check out the Summer 2022 Newport Navigator online, go here, or pick up a copy at your local library branch. There is a complete Summer Camp breakdown by category. www.campnewport.com.
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Skyhawks Tennis Camp
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Exploring the world of LEGO®
Tootsie, the Tony® award-winning musical coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Tootsie, the hilarious Tony Award-winning musical, comes to Segerstrom Center for a limited two-week engagement from May 31 through June 12.
Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it Tootsie!
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Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Courtesy of scfta.org
Payton Reilly as Sandy Lester and Drew Becker as Michael Dorsey in the National Tour of “Tootsie”
This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime.
Featuring a hilarious Tony®-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg).
Tickets are available online at www.scfta.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at 714.755.0236.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.
Adoption Guild to celebrate 60th anniversary of Roy Emerson Adoption Tennis Classic
Continuing a 60-year-old tradition in Southern California, tennis aficionados will gather over Memorial Day weekend for the celebrated Adoption Guild Tournament. This five-day event will be hosted by Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach. The $15,000 in prize money for the Open, 50 & Over and Men’s 35 Doubles Divisions, is sponsored by the Orange County Breakers.
The tournament is named for Australian-born tennis champion Roy Emerson. A two-time Wimbledon victor in 1964 and 1965, Emerson, along with his tennis-pro wife Joy, have fronted the Adoption Guild Classic for more than two decades. “It’s a labor of love,” said the long-time Orange County couple, adding “We believe in the fine work of the Adoption Guild in support of HFS –Holy Family Services. What’s more important than caring for children?”
Special tournament activities include a Saturday BBQ and Party. On Finals Day, Monday, May 30, sponsors will have priority seating overlooking center court for the finals matches.
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Photo by Christine Johnson
(L-R) Roy Emerson with Daniel Plasa, 2021 Men’s Open Singles Winner
During the tournament, attendees strolling the grounds at Palisades Tennis Club will be tempted by a raffle booth featuring numerous high-end items with opportunity tickets just $5 each, and a boutique with tennis accessories, jewelry and clothing assuring that even between matches there will be entertainment available. This year’s Grand Prize Raffle is for a $3,000 Gift Card to the Disney Parks and Hotel.
The Tennis Classic is led by Adoption Guild co-chairs Katie Richardson and Chris Garber and Tennis Director Drew Arbeiter and is sanctioned under the USTA banner. Players are welcome to sign up for men’s and women’s open singles, men’s and women’s open doubles, and mixed open doubles, men’s 35 and over doubles, 50 & Over doubles as well as a series of NTRP men’s and women’s 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 singles, doubles and mixed. And, the Guild is offering a new division this year, Mother/Daughter and Father/Son doubles. Entries close Monday, May 16. To register, visit www.adoptionguild.org and follow the link to the USTA site. For information on the tournament, or to inquire about sponsorship, reach out to Chris Garber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Holy Family Services (HFS) Adoption & Foster Care strongly embraces the values of diversity and inclusion as they strive to provide caring, non-judgmental support for birth parents considering adoption, to unite children and infants in need of a home with hopeful adoptive parents, and to create strong, loving families of all shapes and sizes.
The Adoption Guild of Southern California is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization comprised of approximately 50 members based in Orange County. For more than 50 years, the Guild has raised funds to financially support HFS (Holy Family Services), a foster and adoption agency in Southern California, which provides critical resources and counseling for children, birth parents and adoptive families within the community.
Summer kicks off at Newport Dunes this Memorial Day Weekend
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort has announced the summer opening of the Inflatable Water Park and more family-friendly outdoor experiences beginning Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30.
“We’ve been a destination of year-round outdoor recreation and family fun for more than 60 years,” said Phil Ravenna, general manager of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. “We’re thrilled to welcome campers and the community to spend beautiful SoCal summer days at our picturesque beachfront location to create life-long memories.”
On Saturday, May 28 from 12-6 p.m., experience live DJ entertainment and a musical performance by David Rosales & His Band of Scoundrels at Pavilion C. Sip, snack and dance the day away while taking in the bay views and enjoying the entertainment with a selection of local food trucks and a full bar of libations available for purchase. An acoustic guitarist and DJ yo-b1 will be performing on the Moe B’s Munchies patio. Reserved parking for the event is $35 per car.
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Photos courtesy of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Newport Dunes’ Inflatable Water Park
Jump into summer at Newport Dunes’ Inflatable Water Park, home to more than 15 oversized inflatables including a 17-foot slide, two trampolines, two climbable icebergs, monkey bars, bouncers and slides. Fun for adults and children alike, the inflatables are recommended for children older than 5 years. The Inflatable Water Park will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during the holiday weekend and daily through Labor Day weekend. All water sports activities can be booked online.
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Radiant Rides, a light-up SUP experience at Newport Dunes
The resort’s popular Radiant Rides, a light-up SUP experience, will also resume on weekends by reservation request beginning Friday, May 27. For groups of six to 15 people, Radiant Rides offers guests the unique opportunity to tour the calm waters of the Back Bay after sunset on illuminated stand up paddleboards that set the water beneath aglow with colorful neon light.
Explore Newport’s Back Bay during the day with activities including kayaks, stand up paddleboards, pedal boats and new 21-foot electric Duffy boats. Moe B’s Watersports summer rental hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily beginning May 27.
For the ultimate shoreside VIP experience, Newport Dunes offers private beach cabanas for daily rentals. Relax under a breezy, shaded area between dips in the calm waters of the waveless lagoon. Overnight guests can also enjoy poolside cabanas in the remodeled pool complex with heated pools and spas.
Newport Dunes Movies on the Beach also resumes after sunset every Friday and Saturday evening beginning May 27. Overnight guests and the public are invited to bring their beach chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy movies on the sand under the stars.
Moe B’s Munchies, Newport Dunes’ walk-up lunch shop will also be open Memorial Day weekend, serving a menu of American favorites including hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches and salads along with snacks, beer, wine and signature cocktails. Dine on the new patio or take food to-go to relax with a serene picnic on the beach or enjoy at your campsite. During the holiday weekend, Moe B’s Munchies will be open Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Moe B’s Munchies summer hours are Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Experience the luxury of waterfront RV and tent camping sites and cozy beach cottages for the ultimate summer glamping getaway. For those who do not own an RV, Newport Dunes can recommend local RV rental companies that will deliver an RV to your site, all hooked up and ready to enjoy.
For more information, visit www.NewportDunes.com.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach.
ENC to hold 50th anniversary gala
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is celebrating five decades of connecting the community to nature with a gala on Saturday, June 4. Funds raised will assist the ENC in continuing to provide transformative experiences at the Environmental Nature Center, ENC Nature Preschool and Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Courtesy of ENC
ENC’s 50th anniversary gala invites guests to dine and dance under the stars
Guests will start the evening with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music on the ENC patio. Trail-friendly shoes are encouraged so that guests can enjoy trailside experiences as they make their way through the Nature Center to the ENC Nature Preschool where they will dine under the stars. After-dinner guests can participate in an exciting live auction, and then conclude the evening by dancing to live music performed by the All Star Trio.
“2022 marks our 50th anniversary and we’re taking this opportunity to reflect and plan for the next 50 years,” said Bo Glover, executive director of the Environmental Nature Center. “We have an ambitious vision for our future, specifically focusing on equitable access to our campuses and our programs and expanding our influence as role models in sustainability. We look forward to celebrating this landmark with our community and look forward to continuing our legacy of environmental education for generations to come.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.encenter.org.
Environmental Nature Center is located at 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach.
PFLAG Newport Beach to award scholarships
PFLAG Newport Beach is a non-profit organization building on a foundation where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Beginning this year, PFLAG Newport Beach will be awarding up to four scholarships to the Class of 2022 graduating LGBTQIA seniors in the amount of $500. Applicants identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or straight ally who will continue in higher education, have a 2.0 minimum GPA and reside in Orange County are eligible to apply.
Applications are due by June 15 and decisions will be announced July 7. An awards ceremony will be held July 21.
The awards are made possible by donations from the Blaze Bernstein Memorial Fund/#BlazeItForward and Newport Beach resident Carrie Williams Freitas.
Who’s got the ball?
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Photo by Kevin Pellon (Instagram @socalsnapz)
Soaring over courts of asphalt and sand
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
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.