From the Police Log: Vandalism, DUI, Stolen Property
A vandal caused $100 in damage at Ocean Boulevard and Heliotrope Avenue last week, police records state.
The damage was reported Saturday and occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Details were not immediately available.
Police on Friday also took a report of counterfeit checks at 21171 Newport Coast Drive. The counterfeit incident occurred on June 15, records state. The loss was not stated on the report.
A Yorba Linda man, 28, was arrested at 12:11 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Newport Center Drive on suspicion of disorderly conduct; his bail was set at $500. Also on Sunday, a 37-year-old Costa Mesa man was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property in the 2100 block of Bayside Drive; his bail was set at $20,000.
A 21-year-old Newport Beach man was arrested on suspicion of petty theft in the 100 block of Newport Center Drive at 7:51 p.m. Saturday. A Long Beach man, 19, was arrested at 11:12 p.m. Friday at Ocean Boulevard and Jasmine Avenue on suspicion of possession of Xanax; bail was set at $500.
At 1:20 am. Friday, a 22-year-old Long Beach man was arrested at Larkspur Avenue and Ocean Boulevard for riving with a suspended license. Bail was set at $30,000; the man, who had warrant as well. Police arrested a 42-year-old Huntington Beach woman at 12:11 a.m. Friday at Bayside Drive and El Paseo on suspicion of DUI; her bail was set at $2,500. And a 51-year-old Brea man was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Friday in the 1000 block of Bayside Drive on suspicion of riding a bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol; his bail was set at $500.
Tidepools Lecture To Examine Grunions
Grunions, California’s “most charismatic fish,” will be the topic of a lecture schedule for Wednesday.
The Orange County Natural History Lecture Series will host “Grunion: California’s Most Charismatic Fish” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Back Bay Science Center. Grunions are known for laying eggs on the beach during high tide, but some scientists fear that beach grooming practices may be harming the incubating grunion eggs.
Melissa Studer, a marine conservationist, will be the speaker. Studer is director of the Grunion Greeter Project, which launched in 2002 in San Diego. The project, according to a news release, is a “collaboration of concerned residents, scientists, organizations and volunteers effected significant and lasting change in beach grooming procedures thought the state. Hundreds of volunteer ‘Grunion Greeters’ monitor local beaches and collect basic information during the grunion runs. Data is used to ensure their continued protection on the beach.”
The Back Bay Science Center is located at 600 Shellmaker Road. Gates open at 6:30 pm. Reservations are recommended; call (949) 644-3038 for more information.
CdM Today’s Top Stories This Week
1. A company that wants to add poles to support antennas, or get a price break from the city of Newport Beach to use existing poles, has filed a lawsuit against the city. NextG’s request was turned down earlier this summer at a City Council meeting where the mayor called the company’s business approach “offensive.” Read our story here.
2. Incoming seventh graders and their parents spent hours in long lines this week trying to register at Corona del Mar Middle School, and the principal later made an “all call” apologizing; read our stories here and here.
3. City officials tallied the damage caused by an accused drunk driver who knocked down two newly planted King Palm trees in a median at East Coast Highway and Goldenrod Avenue — and the total was more than $7,000; read our story here.
4. Big waves rolled onto local beaches this week, drawing crowds; read our story here.
5. More construction work has begun on San Miguel Drive; read our story here.
Don Burns Swim Held Today
The annual Don Burns Corona del Mar Scholarship Swim took place this morning, with 178 racers finishing a one-mile course beginning at the beach next to the Corona del Mar jetty.
Don Burns was a beloved Newport Beach lifeguard, instructor and cadet coordinator from 1956 until 1993; he died 17 years ago.
The swim is held each year, raising funds for a college scholarship for one of the seasonal lifeguards, said Jennifer Schulz, a Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman.
Beyond being a lifeguard, Don Burns played football at USC, was a teacher and coach for more than 30 years at Newport Harbor High School, Costa Mesa High School and Estancia. He was Costa Mesa High School’s first varsity football coach, and he crewed on the famous catamaran Polycon in the Transpacific Yacht race twice for Los Angeles to Honolulu, Schulz said.
Lifeguard boats and buoys marked the course early today off Corona del Mar.
Irrelevant Week Raises $30,000 For Charity
The 2010 Irrelevant Week raised more than $30,000 that will help the Goodwill of Orange County’s Fitness Center, an organization that helps people physical disabilities or chronic illnesses, organizers said.
Mr. Irrelevant Week is a quirky event that puts Newport Beach on the map for football fans throughout the nation. Mr. Irrelevant 2010 was Tim Toone of Weber State, who was selected with the 255th and last pick in the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
In June, Toone and family members were treated to a trip to Newport Beach where his arrival included a big party with gifts, the so-called Lowsman Trophy dinner, a trip to Disneyland, and Angels game, a visit to the Goodyear blimp site in Tustin, yacht races in the bay and a stint on the ESPN network.
In its 35 years, Irrelevant Week has raised more than $1 million for local charities, including this year’s $30,000 Goodwill of Orange County’s Fitness Center. Organizers said contributions continue to be made, so the total figure likely will rise.
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“The community had a lot of fun with Tim, and he and his family had a great time here,” said Paul Salata, Irrelevant Week’s founder. “As a result of strong community participation, we were able to help the Goodwill Fitness Center purchase some specialized exercise equipment for their physically challenged members. All in all, it was a very successful Irrelevant Week.”
Irrelevant Week officials are currently in discussions with the NFL personnel regarding a partnership to strengthen and grow Irrelevant Week in the years ahead, according to a statement.
Read our earlier story here.
Want to Be on Cycle Safety Committee? Applications Due Today
Applications are due at 4 p.m. today for citizens who want to participate in the Newport Beach Cycling Safety Committee.
You can find the application online and submit it through the city’s website under the Residents tab; look for the City Government/Citizen Participation option.
The City Council voted earlier this month to create the committee; read our story here.
CdM This Weekend: Five Great Things For Your To-Do List
1. Pinch Me! will return to Muldoon’s Irish Pub this weekend for their sixth “Free Courtyard Concert” — an event that could draw several hundred people, band members said. The concert will run from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, but band members said you should arrive early to make sure you get a patio seat. Pinch Me! features local members Rick Allen, Raymond Borkton, Greg Peters, Tom (TK) Kowalczyk, Tom Solis and Gary Wails. The band is known for its eclectic, ever-changing song list and “contagious energy.” Muldoon’s is located at 202 Newport Center Drive, a block from Big Newport Theater. For more information call (949) 640-4110 or (949) 719-9210 or click here or here.
2. The monthly ROOTS restoration meeting scheduled for Saturday has about 25 open spaces for volunteers, said organizer Matt Yurko of the California Coastal Commission. Volunteers meet from 9 a.m. to noon to remove invasive and plant natives in order to provide wildlife habitat, Yurko said. “We’ll also be irrigating our young native plants (planted by volunteers only a few months ago) to encourage their survival as they get established in their first hot summer in the ground,” he said. All ages are welcome, and training, tools and water are provided. Plan to bring a water bottle, sturdy shoes and sun protection. Also, service learning hours are also available if students wish to get an early start on the school year, he said. For more information and directions to the work site, call Yurko at (949) 640-0286.
3. Learn about growing your own food at Roger’s Gardens, where at 9 a.m. Saturday they will present the monthly “In My Edible Garden” lecture. The discussion will cover everything edible, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and berries and more. Steve Hampson, “edible gardener extraordinaire,” will lead an interactive discussion about what, where and when to plant, prune, feed and harvest. Roger’s Gardens is located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road; for more information call (949) 640-5800.
4. Or, learn to identify summer plants at Crystal Cove State Park; meet at the El Moro Visitor Center at 8 a.m. Saturday. Or, join a sunset photography walk at 5 p.m. Sunday; meet at Pelican Point Lot #1. For more information, click here.
5. Head to Fashion Island for two weekend family events. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Peek…Aren’t You Curious will preview its Fall Collection and give you a chance to meet the designers and meet founder/merchant Tina Canales, merchant Bill Phipps, Head of Stores Christian Wais and Visual Merchandiser Sarah Gefroh. For more information, please call (949) 719-7732. At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Peek and lululemon athletica are hosting a Mommy/Daddy and Me yoga class, taught by Harmony Wellness of Costa Mesa. Nutritionist Sarah Leaf will offer nutrition tips for kids, along with samples of healthy snacks. Peek will provide a fun giveaway and lululemon will showcase the newest products from the fall line exclusively at Peek. Space is limited, so call (949) 719-7732 today to reserve a spot.
New Students Attend CDM’s “Seaweed Camp”
Seventh graders got their first taste of middle school life today at the annual Seaweed Camp, which incorporates tours, games, food and swimming to help students learn about middle school life.
The event began in the gymnasium with two routines performed by the middle school cheer squad, then a question and answer session with students and parents. School principal Guy Olguin then led parents on a tour of the school.
The first day of school in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District is Sept. 7.
Former Corona del Mar B.I.D. Board Member Honored
The Corona del Mar Business Improvement District honored former secretary Mark Schulein at its monthly meeting held this week.
Schulein, president of Crown ACE Hardware, received a plaque during a special presentation at the Thursday meeting. B.I.D. Chairman Bernie Svalstad presented the plaque.
Schulein has been involved with the group for more than 10 years.
