Eighty-six-year-old Newport Beach man killed in Saturday afternoon vehicle collision
Last Saturday, Sept. 30 at 4:33 p.m., the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) received multiple calls concerning a traffic collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Bowsprit Drive, one block up from Jamboree Road.
Officers arrived on scene and discovered that the driver of one of the vehicles was deceased and the driver of the second vehicle had significant injuries. The second driver was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
The identity of the deceased driver has been confirmed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Coroner’s office as John Robert Gilroy Jr., 86, of Newport Beach.
The cause and circumstances of the collision are still under investigation. The NBPD is seeking help from witnesses to the collision, or anyone who can assist with additional information. They are encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Austin Laverty at 949.644.3747 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Fair Game
By TOM JOHNSON
Fractional Home Ownership issue heads to Coastal Commission; NHHS wins big on Homecoming night
The California Coastal Commission meets next Wednesday-Friday (October 11-13) for their monthly calendared meeting. It will take place at the Pier South Resort, 800 Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach. It will also be available live-streamed via Zoom.
Why is this important?
On Thursday’s agenda, Item #15 under Local Coastal Programs is a Public Hearing listed to determine Newport Beach’s request to amend their recent, unanimously approved city ordinance governing Fractional Home Ownership.
The city has requested through the Coastal Commission “to amend…the city’s certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) to clarify that Fractional Ownership uses are defined as a timeshare use.
“The LCP amendment would modify timeshare-related definitions to include Fractional Ownership arrangements as a defined category of timeshare. The permitted locations for, and development standards that apply to, timeshares would not be changed.
“The LCP currently prohibits timeshares in all residential areas,” except for a limited number of commercial land use areas.
The result would prohibit fractional ownership in all residential use areas of Newport Beach.
Pacaso, a company that already owns a number of fractional ownership residences in town, is the primary entity responsible for the city implementing this ordinance request.
• • •
How do you say, “Happy Homecoming?” Well, at Newport Harbor High School they did it last Friday night (September 29) by scoring 59 points in their 59-21 Homecoming Night football victory over Huntington Beach.
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Courtesy of Newport Harbor Alumni Association
The scoreboard shows 59 reasons why Newport Harbor football was celebrating on Homecoming Night
The celebratory evening began with a pre-party Newport Harbor Alumni Association gathering at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC).
Also, front and center at the ENC was a memory board honoring John Gust (Class of 1974), a former NHHS football player who was tragically killed in an auto accident while on a skiing trip in 1973.
The evening marked the 50 years of the John Gust Football Award, given out annually to a NHHS player.
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Courtesy of Newport Harbor Alumni Association
Memory board on display at ENC celebrating 50 years of the John Gust Award and his memory
• • •
The countdown is on for the 24th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival coming to local theaters on October 12-19.
There is so much to celebrate and enjoy: parties galore, including Opening Night and Closing Night; movies ranging from centerpiece films, international spotlights, feature narratives, feature documentaries, short narratives, short documentaries; pieces on art, architecture & design, action sports, culinary, animation, environmental, family, local OC, LGBTQ+ and a young filmmakers showcase.
Here’s a taste: the opening night film is The Absence of Eden, while closing night will feature The Holdovers; centerpiece films include Day of the Fight, EILEEN, Fingernails and Freelance, to name a few; there’s a piece called Remembering Gene Wilder and one on William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill; international spotlight films from Australia, Ireland, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, France, China, Spain, Germany, Philippines, Mexico, Sweden and Canada; and so much more.
You should really go here for a closer look; then, pick out the movies that interest you and become a part of the Film Festival.
• • •
Don’t forget, Sunday, Oct. 8 is Fire Service Day at Newport Beach Fire Station 7 (20401 Acacia St.). It runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and will include station tours, live rescue demonstrations including an auto extrication and live structure fire; fire, paramedic and lifeguard apparatus displays, a bounce house, face painting and fire helmets, along with stickers for the kids; a fire extinguisher demo; plus a complimentary lunch and refreshments.
It’s a day of fun that your kids and/or grandkids will love, too.
• • •
Newport-Mesa Unified School District…where they “Inspire, Educate and Elevate” our children, will hold their annual State of the Schools Breakfast next Tuesday, Oct. 10. The bell rings at 7 a.m., so don’t be tardy. It takes place at Costa Mesa High School.
The breakfast is sponsored jointly by NMUSD and Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation. Tickets can be purchased here.
• • •
Locally, it kind of carries the same excitement of, say, the Oscar-nominated films, when the Newport Beach Library Foundation releases the year’s Witte Lecture Series speakers.
Drumroll please!
This year’s names include Fiona Hill, Ed Yong, Richard Reeves and Dahlia Litwick.
Hill, who authored-up There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st Century and co-authored, with Clifford Gaddy, Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin, will discuss Currents of Modern History: A Personal and Global Perspective.
Yong is a New York Times bestselling author who most recently wrote The Amazing Nature of Animal Senses. He is expected to “take audiences through the hidden realms of animal senses, using wit and humor, to explain the amazing ways in which animals perceive aspects of the world to which we are oblivious.”
Reeves will discuss his “groundbreaking analysis of how the social and economic world of men has been turned upside down, leaving them adrift and underpowered.” His presentation is titled Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.
And finally, Lithwick, MSNBC analyst and a senior legal correspondent at Slate, will visit to have a conversation with Michele Bratcher Goodwin titled The 2022-23 Term at The Supreme Court: What Has Happened and What Is to Come.
The series runs January through April 2024. You can explore a 2024 Witte Season Pass here: https://nbplf.foundation/programs/witte-lectures/.
• • •
Pacific Chorale, led by Artistic Director Robert Istad, launches its 56th season with Voices of Light/The Passion of Joan of Arc, in what’s planned to be a spectacular evening of music and film this Saturday, (Oct. 7) at 7:30 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Tickets can be found at www.pacificchorale.org.
NHHS celebrates Homecoming with memorable Tailgate, takes home a resounding win over HB at Davidson Field
The Newport Harbor Alumni Association celebrated Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 29 with a Tailgate before the game at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC), adjacent to Davidson Field. About 125 alumni and their families enjoyed dinner and drinks as they caught up with old friends.
Special guests included: Robert House, beloved NHHS science teacher and one of the founders of the ENC, Newport-Mesa Unified School Board Member Michelle Barto and NHHS football announcer Greg Kennedy. Former NHHS players from a variety of decades were there, including Rolly Pulaski, Class of 1953 and Tony Horvath, Class of 1972.
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Photos courtesy of Newport Harbor Alumni Association
Some of the winners who “came home” to NHHS for the 50th season of the John Gust Football Award
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(L-R) Robert House (former NHHS science teacher and one of the ENC founders) speaks to a past student
The evening featured a meaningful tribute to 50 years of the John Gust Football Award. This award was established in December 1973 to honor John Gust, Class of 1974, an outstanding football player and wrestler who was killed in an auto accident on a skiing trip. As a junior, Gust played JV guard, but was determined to become a varsity starter his senior year. Through hard work and determination, he achieved his goal at center for the 1973 championship season and was selected as All-Sunset League, All-Coast, All-County as well as “Most Improved.” Following his example, each year this memorial award is given to the NHHS player who exemplifies perseverance, purpose and teamwork.
To honor this milestone, NHHS Principal Dr. Sean Boulton began with a few remarks, which were followed by memories from Gust’s younger brother Peter, Class of 1981 and his best friend Tom Saftig, Class of 1974. Alan Gaddis, Class of 1980 and the 1979 Gust winner, closed the ceremony.
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(L-R) Peter Gust, Class of 1981 (John Gust’s younger brother) stands with Tom Saftig, Class of 1974 (John’s Gust’s best friend) to watch NHHS Principal Dr. Sean Boulton begin the tribute
Many of the former Gust winners gathered to pay tribute to the award’s 50th season, including all three Truxton brothers who won the award: Quest (2013), Kellon (2011) and Louis (2005). Matt Burns (Gust winner, 1993), the NHHS assistant football coach, said hello to the other winners on the sidelines at halftime.
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Members of the Pulaski and Horvath families including Rolly Pulaski, Class of 1953 (seated on left) and Tony Horvath, Class of 1972 (standing far left), both former NHHS football players. Horvath’s daughter, Shea, Class of 2015 is standing next to him and is the fourth generation in her family to graduate from NHHS.
When it was time for kick-off, the alumni headed over to watch the game and enjoy the Homecoming festivities. They had a great view in reserved seats on the 50-yard line, or on the sidelines to experience the game up close and remember their days on the field. Newport Harbor faced Huntington Beach High School for their 94th football match-up and won a resounding victory of 59-21!
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The Davidson Field stands were filled with enthusiastic Sailor supporters, who cheered Newport Harbor on to victory over Huntington Beach – 59-21 – at the Homecoming Game
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Matt Burns (left) (1993 Gust winner and NHHS Assistant Football Coach) greets Ian Dorish (center) (1996 Gust winner) on the sidelines during halftime
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The Sailors kneel for a final reflection at the end of their victorious Homecoming Game
The proceeds from the Homecoming Tailgate will support the Alumni Association’s scholarship program that prioritizes students headed to trade, technical, culinary, film, nursing school or community college. Over the past six years, they have awarded more than $130,000 to help the career dreams of deserving students come true. So far, the Homecoming Tailgate has raised $5,000 for the Class of 2024. To learn more or donate, visit www.newportharboralumni.org/scholarships.
Homecoming 2023 was truly a special evening, and the Alumni Association looks forward to next time. Go Sailors!
John Wayne Airport announces grand celebration: 100 Years of Flight in Orange County
John Wayne Airport (JWA) announced a momentous celebration marking a century of flight in Orange County. With a legacy that has contributed significantly to the region’s growth and development, JWA is set to commemorate this historic milestone with engaging events and activities that will resonate with the local community and travelers alike.
The story of aviation in Orange County traces back to the original Eddie Martin Airport, a private landing strip built in the 1920s by aviation pioneer Eddie Martin. In 1923, Martin founded a flying school and Martin Aviation, one of the nation’s oldest aviation firms.
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Photos courtesy of JWA
(L-R) Celebrating in front of the Orange County Destination Arts and Culture historical exhibit – OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District; Vice Chairman Andrew Do, OC Supervisor, First District; Chairman Donald Wagner, OC Supervisor, Third District; OC Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District; Charlene Reynolds, Director, John Wayne Airport and OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District
“I am thrilled to lead John Wayne Airport as we commemorate 100 Years of Flight in Orange County,” said Airport Director Charlene Reynolds. “This remarkable milestone reflects our strong aviation history and enduring commitment to our community and travelers with a superior guest experience. Join us in celebrating a century of connections, innovation and the spirit of flight at John Wayne Airport.”
Celebration Highlights include:
–Board of Supervisors Meeting Presentation: On August 22, Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District, officially kicked off the celebration with a proclamation at the Board of Supervisors meeting. This symbolic launch set the stage for a multi-month celebration of flight.
–Historical Art Exhibit: A captivating historical exhibit will be displayed at the Orange County Destination Arts & Culture area within the Thomas F. Riley Terminal from September through December. This exhibit will take visitors on a chronological journey, showcasing the evolution of aviation in Orange County.
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Eddie Martin (far right), who started a flying school and Martin Aviation in 1923
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Air California and an Orange County Sheriff’s vehicle, 1975
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Construction of John Wayne Airport, 1988
–Press Event: Held September 28, a media-invite event at the terminal highlighted JWA’s vital role in supporting air travel and commerce and its community presence in Orange County. Speakers at the event included members of the Board of Supervisors, Airport Director Charlene Reynolds and County Executive Officer Frank Kim.
–Community Celebration Day: On October 19 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. a special celebration day will be hosted throughout the terminal, where travelers, guests, terminal tenants and airport employees will enjoy live music, goodies and giveaways to promote the 100th Celebration of Flight in Orange County and the airport’s distinguished history.
–Guest Experience Activities: Travelers passing through JWA will enjoy a series of interactive activities throughout the celebration year. These include aviation-themed photo opportunities, promotional giveaways, and family-oriented events designed to inspire interest in aviation and its history. In collaboration with airport tenants, a cup giveaway will run in October.
–Surprise and Delight Airline Collaboration: In October, JWA will collaborate with airlines to surprise passengers with a commemorative souvenir. These lasting mementos will celebrate the occasion and create special memories for all who pass through John Wayne Airport.
John Wayne Airport’s centennial celebration is a testament to its enduring significance in the Orange County community and the broader aviation industry. The celebration reflects a remarkable journey filled with achievements, innovations and vision. JWA remains dedicated to providing exceptional service, contributing to economic growth and continuing the aviation legacy for future generations.
For a chronological history celebrating 100 years of aviation in Orange County, visit www.ocair.com/100Years.
What are our kids learning in school these days? – Find out at the October 11 Speak Up Newport meeting
With the increasing mandates from the state and a changing world, what is being taught to our kids in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD)?
Come hear NMUSD school board members and assistant superintendent along with the city school resource officer discuss the following issues:
–Governance: School board responsiveness to parental rights.
–Curriculum: What’s being taught: civics, math, sex education etc.
–Relevance: What community resources are being used? How are state mandates affecting NMUSD?
–What’s happening: Fentanyl, bullying, student behavior.
–Looking ahead: How does NMUSD compare to the past and what is the future?
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Photos courtesy of NMUSD
(L-R) NMUSD Board of Trustees Michelle Barto (Area 5), Carol Crane (Area 3) and Krista Weigand (Area 6)
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Kurt Suhr, Courtesy of NMUSD/Andrew Shen, Courtesy of NBPD
(L-R) NMUSD Assistant Principal Elementary Kurt Suhr and NBPD Community Resource Officer Andrew Shen
The featured speakers are NMUSD Board of Trustees Michelle Barto (Area 5), Carol Crane (Area 3), Krista Weigand (Area 6) and NMUSD Assistant Principal Elementary Kurt Suhr and NBPD Community Resource Officer Andrew Shen.
The SUP meeting takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 11, beginning with a reception at 5:15 p.m. hosted by The Bungalow and the program taking place from 6-7 p.m. in the Civic Center Community Room located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach.
The event is free and no reservations are required. However, for those that would like to view the program via Zoom, register here, as registration is required.
For more information, visit www.speakupnewport.com.
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:
One indicator of a strong local real estate market is building permit activity, which reflects a community’s investment in new property development and improvements. Newport Beach is doing remarkably well on that front.
During the 2022-23 fiscal year, the city’s Community Development Department served nearly 20,300 people and fielded 7,500 phone calls through the Permit Center at City Hall. About 6,000 permits were issued, with a combined construction value of about $1 billion. In addition, more than 3,000 new plan checks were initiated.
The numbers attest not only to a robust property and development sector for the past fiscal year, but also to our Community Development Department’s hard work and commitment to customer service improvements.
The city has been pursuing new innovations to further improve service to the community. The city launched online plan check submittals for new solar panel installation in March, followed by residential project submittals in May. Since then, the city has issued 135 permits online (127 for solar and eight for residential endeavors). Today, more than 15 percent of plan checks are submitted electronically, and we expect that number to grow as applicants utilize online resources through the new City Virtual Connect portal (CiViC).
I would like to thank and recognize our Community Development Department staff for keeping pace with the high service needs at the Permit Center, and for pursuing new technological innovations and streamlined processes.
To monitor building permit activity in real time, visit the city’s online dashboard portal.
City Manager, Grace K. Leung
Police Dept. Welcomes CdM Middle School
A group of Corona del Mar Middle School 7th-9th graders toured the Newport Beach Police station (last) week. The students met with NBPD School Resource Officer Andrew Shen to learn about the work of different police units, took photos, and spoke with officers and professional staff from each division.
The tour helped show the students how the Police Department keeps the community safe and how they might utilize public safety resources in the future.
“We are so grateful for everyone’s kindness and support at the station,” said one of the teachers.
Join Us October 8 for Fire Service Day
The Newport Beach Fire Department will host a free Fire Service Day event on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fire Station 7, 20401 S.W. Acacia St.
The event will include station tours, live rescue and fire demonstrations, fire extinguisher demonstrations, fire, medic and lifeguard apparatus displays, auto extrication and children’s activities. Free lunch will be served.
Please join us for a fun-filled afternoon!
Be Well Mobile Crisis Response Update
The Be Well mobile crisis response team operates 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 works closely with the city’s police and fire departments.
This week, the Be Well team:
–Addressed three mental health crises and transported people to a crisis stabilization facility.
–Transported a person to the sobering station at the Be Well campus.
–Transported two people to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter for intake appointments.
–Transported a person to her homeless service provider in another city.
–Transported a person to a bus stop to return home in another county after resolving a mental health crisis.
TO REACH BE WELL: The mobile crisis team is dispatched through the Newport Beach Police Department. To request service, dial 911 or call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 949.644.3717.
Homelessness Update
(Last) week the city’s homeless outreach and response teams:
–Continued to shelter people. Twenty people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
–Met with a client to discuss assisted living opportunities.
–Submitted an apartment application for a client.
–Met with a client approved for the CalAim program to begin submitting apartment applications with him.
–Met with two clients who applied for Housing Choice Vouchers to complete their housing paperwork.
Click here to view the latest homeless dashboard, which includes key monthly and yearly data on the city’s homeless response.
Click here for information on the city’s Good Giving program.
This Week’s Events
Wednesday, Oct. 4
General Plan Advisory Committee
Civic Center Community Room
100 Civic Center Drive – 5-6:30 p.m.
General Plan Update Steering Committee
Civic Center Community Room
100 Civic Center Drive – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 5
Water Quality Coastal Tidelands Committee Meeting
Marina Park Community Center
1600 W. Balboa Blvd. – 3-4:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Ave. – 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Editor’s Note: City Manager’s Updates was received Friday, Sept. 29 and is subject to editing so the information is current.
Police Files
“National Walk and Roll to School Day” celebrates benefits of exercise and promotes safe routes to school
The Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Celebrated annually, “National Walk and Roll to School Day” highlights the benefits of exercise and practicing pedestrian and road safety with other students, families and caregivers.
“National Walk and Roll to School Day is a great opportunity for families to get outside and get moving together,” said NBPD Lieutenant Eric Little. “Walking, biking, skateboarding or scootering to school not only provides exercise, but it also helps promote the importance of safe routes to schools.”
The NBPD offers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:
–Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk or ride as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.
–Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
–Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
–Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.
–Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.
–Be aware of your surroundings. Keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.
Drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic the morning of October 4, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slowdown in school zones.
Schools are encouraged to register at www.walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy and safe transportation.
Kerckhoff Marine Lab to hold “Science and Sunsets” event
Caltech’s Kerckhoff Marine Lab (KML) is holding their next “Science and Sunsets” event on Saturday, Oct. 14. Join them for featured guest speaker Dr. Jess Adkins of Caltech from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with refreshments and tours available starting at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Adkins, the Smits Family Professor of Geochemistry and Global Environmental Science, will lead a presentation on “How antacid can safely and permanently store CO2 in the ocean and decarbonize shipping along the way.
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Courtesy of Kerckhoff Marine Lab
“Science and Sunsets” will be held outdoors under the stars on October 14
This will be an outdoor event held under the stars at the marine lab with valet parking and shuttle services available along Ocean Boulevard above the facility. Please dress accordingly.
A $25 donation is suggested for attendees, to help build toward the future of KML. Payment may be paid in person via cash or check.
Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 949.675.2159 if you plan to attend, as space is limited.
Kerckhoff Marine Lab is located at 101 Dahlia Ave., Corona del Mar.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michael Scott Moore and Tess Gunty to round out Newport Beach Public Library Foundation’s Library Live series in 2024
Newport Beach Public Library Foundation’s (NBPLF) 2023-2024 Library Live series will continue in 2024 with journalist/novelist Michael Scott Moore, who will be featured on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, and rounding out the series will be Tess Gunty in Conversation with Patricia Pierson, Ph.D. on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Both programs will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Central Library’s Friends Room.
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Courtesy of NBPLF
Author Michael Scott Moore
Michael Scott Moore will be sharing his memoir, The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast. He is also the author of a comic novel about L.A., Too Much of Nothing, as well as a travel book about surfing, Sweetness and Blood, which was named a best book of 2010 by The Economist. He’s won Fulbright, Logan and Pulitzer Center grants for his nonfiction, and MacDowell and Wallace Foundation fellowships for his fiction.
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Courtesy of NBPLF
Michael Scott Moore will share his memoir, “The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast”
Moore grew up in California, but worked for several years as an editor and writer at Spiegel Online International in Berlin. He was kidnapped in early 2012 on a reporting trip to Somalia and held hostage by pirates for 32 months. At times he was held on land, other times at sea. Once, when he was on a 160-foot tuna boat, he tried to escape by jumping over the side at night. The Desert and the Sea is a memoir about that ordeal and became an international bestseller.
To purchase tickets for Moore, go here.
Tess Gunty in conversation with Patricia Pierson, Ph.D. will be discussing her book, The Rabbit Hutch/“Literature in the Age of AI.”
Synopsis of The Rabbit Hutch: An online obituary writer. A young mother with a dark secret. A woman waging a solo campaign against rodents – neighbors, separated only by the thin walls of a low-cost housing complex in the once bustling industrial center of Vacca Vale, Ind. Welcome to the Rabbit Hutch. Set over one sweltering week in July and culminating in a bizarre act of violence that finally changes everything, The Rabbit Hutch is a savagely beautiful and bitingly funny snapshot of contemporary America, a gorgeous and provocative tale of loneliness and longing, entrapment and, ultimately, freedom.
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Photo by ©Lauren Alexandra
Author Jess Gunty
Gunty holds an MFA in Creative Writing from NYU. Her work has appeared in many publications, such as The Iowa Review and the Los Angeles Review of Books. The Rabbit Hutch won the 2022 National Book Award for Fiction. It has been optioned for film rights by Fremantle.
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Courtesy of NBPLF
Jess Gunty will be discussing her book, “The Rabbit Hutch”
Patricia Pierson, Ph.D. is an associate director of the UC Irvine Center for Storytelling and the Literary Journalism Program. Her research, community projects and teaching explore the intersections of life writing, narrative and critical theory.
To purchase tickets for Gunty, go here.
Tickets for each program are $35 for General; $30 for NBPLF members, which includes refreshments. Seating is limited. Free parking is available on the ground level and in the parking structure. There is an opportunity to buy a signed copy of the speakers’ books at each event.
The Friends Room at Central Library is located at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.
OC Supes approve public safety and crime investments, Foley highlights
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley announced major public safety investments made during the latest Board of Supervisors meeting (Tuesday, Sept. 26). The board approved grant awards for probation mobile support services, to update law enforcement boating safety equipment and to combat the rise of organized retail theft in the region.
Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program: Nearly $18 million in grants to the Sheriff-Coroner and District Attorney’s office for cameras, license plate recognition, drones, upgraded technology for theft prevention, additional investigators and prosecutors, and community outreach campaign including a retail summit and training for law enforcement and asset protection staff.
“This funding is essential to fight back against organized retail theft in Orange County. This summer we witnessed an alarming pattern of organized retail thefts. I remain committed to ensuring our Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office have the necessary tools to hold these criminals accountable,” said Supervisor Foley.
New Resources for OC Probation included in County Quarterly Budget Update: Accepted a $2,000,000 Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant for the purchase of two outreach and support Mobile Probation Resource Vehicles.
“Our Probation Department serves approximately 10,000 adult and 800 juvenile clients on court-ordered probation or in diversion programs,” said Supervisor Foley. “These additional resource vehicles will allow our Probation Department to better support the complex needs of justice-involved individuals and get them the resources they need to transform their lives and reduce recidivism.”
Orange County Homeland Security Coastal Protection Grant: Secured a $74,000 grant for the Sheriff-Coroner Department to purchase firefighting nozzles, fire hoses, search and rescue spotlights, hard-mounted emergency position-indicating radio beacons and Gyro stabilizing binoculars.
“This latest grant reflects our continued commitment to securing our harbors and coastal zones and keeping them safe from drug smuggling, human trafficking, as well as environmental incidents. It’s important that we, as a county, support our law enforcement and our Harbor Patrol who are designated by the Department of Homeland Security to keeping Newport Beach and Dana Point Harbors safe for families to enjoy,” said Supervisor Foley.
Newport Beach – A Look Back
Photo series courtesy of Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach
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Little Balboa Island
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..
Rosalie Marsh debuts as seasonal artist at Sherman Library & Gardens
Selected by Sherman Library & Gardens as the final seasonal artist to be featured in the Gift Shop for 2023, Rosalie Marsh says painting and creating is a journey to an unknown destination for her where she can release her true feelings. Referring to herself as a Modern Expressionist, Marsh uses line, color and texture to show a connection to who we are and where we are going. Her paintings often evoke an emotion or story which the viewer can interpret through movement and form. Her body of work includes portraits of people painted in 1920s Parisian fashion, landscape paintings, as well as abstract paintings exploiting current social issues.
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Photos courtesy of Sherman Library & Gardens
Marsh has exhibited at the Sawdust Festival since 2006
An active volunteer at the gardens and a featured artist at Laguna Beach’s Sawdust Festival since 2006, Marsh’s landscape paintings will now be featured in Sherman Library & Gardens’ Gift Shop for a limited time.
Marsh recalls that one of her early plein air classes took place at Sherman Gardens. Using photographs she has taken from her travels around the world, Marsh turns them into beautiful paintings which she enhances with clay, gesso, sticks, leaves and other natural materials giving them texture and depth. Her landscape paintings that are showcased at Sherman Library & Gardens showcase a wholly different approach to plein air.
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Marsh among the sunflowers at Sherman Gardens
“The creativity of our staff and volunteers is limitless. I’m so excited to showcase one of our amazing volunteers as the final seasonal artist of 2023!” said Scott LaFleur, executive director, Sherman Library & Gardens.
Sherman Library & Gardens is a nonprofit that has been deeply rooted in Orange County, for more than half of a century, serving the community as a sanctuary and education beacon for history, horticulture and the arts. Founded in 1966 by Arnold Haskell, and named for his friend and mentor, Moses Hazeltine Sherman, this iconic institution serves as a guardian of regional history and artifacts, a living library of plants both native and exotic and a conservator of artistic works influenced by and produced in the Pacific Southwest.
Today, Sherman Library & Gardens is a monument to Haskell’s dream of an educational and cultural center including a premier botanical garden and outstanding research library. Sherman Library & Gardens was recently recognized by the Newport Beach City Council with a proclamation, naming Sherman Library & Gardens as the “Cultural Hub” of Corona del Mar.
Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. For more information, visit www.thesherman.org.
Fast facts from Newport Beach Police to keep our community safe
A series courtesy of the Newport Beach Police Department
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Courtesy of NBPD
Calls for Service in Your Area
Want to see what kind of police activity is happening in your area? Check out the Calls for Service page on the Police Department website here. Calls for Service are taken directly from the Police Communications Center and updated every 10 minutes, capturing the last 14 days of police field activities. Keep in mind that a few crimes and activities must be screened due to investigative restrictions and victim privacy rights, and that the locations depicted on the map represent a generalized location and do not accurately depict the exact location of the call.
Regattas and Races…
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Photo by Bronny Daniels | Joysailing.com
Barney Lehman Championships
Newport Harbor Yacht Club
Saturday & Sunday, September 30-October 1
Lehman 12 (9 races, 1 discard)
1 J. La Dow/Dahl, NHYC, 1-1-1-4-[6]-3-4-6-1=21/27
2 W. La Dow/Hampton, SDYC/NHYC, 3-2-9-6-[10]-2-1-4-6=33/43
3 Curtiss/Moore, NHYC, 10-4-[11]-3-4-7-2-5-3=38/49
4 J. Pinckney/G. Pinckney, NHYC, 4-5-8-[13]-5-4-5-2-8=41/54
5 Person/Bozza, NHYC, 2-11-[13]-1-1-6-8-3-10=42/55
6 D’Eliscu/Jacobsen, NHYC, 6-3-10-[15]-7-1-6-7-7=47/62
7 C. Segerblom/Megarry, NHYC, 5-6-4-7-8-[9]-9-8-4=51/60
8 M. Ramming/Sabourin, NHYC, 8-12-[15]-11-13-5-3-1-2=55/70
9 S. Segerblom/Voight, NHYC, 7-9-[12]-8-2-12-10-11-5=64/76
10 Stemler/Thompson, NHYC, [12]-10-3-5-9-8-12-9-9=65/77
11 Smith/Cameron, NHYC, [14]-14-2-10-3-10-11-12-12=74/88
12 Hecht/Yakutis, SDYC, 13-[15]-7-12-12-13-7-10-11=85/100
13 P. Ramming/DeYoung, NHYC, 9-13-6-14-15-11-13-13-[17]=94/111
14 A. Carmichael/C. Carmichael, NHYC, 15-8-5-2-14-[17]-17-17-17=95/112
15 Hause/Peter, NHYC, 11-7-14-9-11-[17]-17-17-17=103/120
16 M. Dahl/H. Dahl, NHYC, [17]-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17=136/153
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..
Newport Beach Master Community Calendar
The following are calendar links for regularly scheduled meetings and events in Newport Beach:
City of Newport Beach meetings & events calendar
www.newportbeachca.gov/government/data-hub/city-calendar
Newport Beach Public Library – everything at the library calendar
www.newportbeachlibrary.org/calendar
Newport-Mesa Unified School District news & events calendar
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce community events calendar
Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce community events calenda
48th Annual ENC Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch arrives October 15
Come check out the 2023 Fall Faire and Pumpkin Patch! On Sunday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) will be hosting its annual Fall Faire, featuring crafts, games, pony rides, a petting zoo, entertainment on the Fire Circle Stage, a pumpkin patch, and food from local OC restaurants in their Savor OC Showcase.
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Courtesy of ENC
From the perfect pumpkin to an exciting online auction, it’s all happening at the ENC Fall Faire
Anyone can check out (and bid on!) the items in their fun Fall Faire online auction from October 9-15. To donate a silent auction item, just complete this form.
To find out more about being a restaurant sponsor, go here.
ENC Members: Get early bird access to the ENC Fall Faire Pumpkin Patch on October 13 from 2-5 p.m. Pick up your pumpkin(s) – proceeds support the ENC and ENC Nature Preschool – or just take photos in their photogenic Pumpkin Patch. Not a member? Sign up here.
Help make this a Zero Waste Event. Bring your own reusable cup, plate and utensils. Each individual to bring their own complete set of eating tools will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate good toward anything in either of their gift shops, or toward an ENC or ENC Tucker Nature Camp.
For more Fall Faire information, click here.
See a map with several parking options, if you wish to drive your car.
Parking is usually tight! If you live close by, please walk or ride your bike.
Corona del Mar Chamber presents the 5th Annual Corona del Mar Fall Festival Meet & Greet
On Sunday, Oct. 15 from 3-6 p.m., join the 5th Annual CdM neighborhood Meet & Greet for residents of Corona del Mar and surrounding neighborhoods. This is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors, meet new friends, enjoy food, entertainment, prizes and support Sherman Library & Gardens.
Corona del Mar will be celebrating the kick-off of the fall season in grand country-style, sharing cheer with community friends and neighbors.
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Photos courtesy of CdM Chamber
Festivities at a previous CdM Meet & Greet
Festivities include live music by Country Tubaloo, food by Beach Pit BBQ, a no-host bar, lawn games, door prizes, pie contest, kids’ crafts and a chance to meet your neighbors.
Enter the Pie Contest for a chance to win fabulous prizes and impress your neighbors with your baking skills. Local celebrity judges will choose the winners, and everyone will enjoy delicious pie – so, everybody wins.
To enter the pie contest, click here.
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Great live music
For the prize drawing, enter to win the ultimate Newport Beach staycation: A two-night stay at the beautiful VEA Newport Beach, dinner for two at OLEA restaurant and a spa treatment at Spa Gregorie’s. (Drawing tickets are $5, which are available on event day).
Event community partners include the CdM Residents Association, the CdM Chamber of Commerce and Sherman Gardens, who is providing the use of its 2.2-acre botanical garden. The Meet & Greet committee is pre-selling tickets for just $15 per person to cover the cost of entertainment, food, activities and in support of Sherman Gardens.
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Enjoying food and friends
The CdM Chamber and Sherman Gardens anticipate a record year with close to 350 folks in attendance.
Tickets $15 (Prior to September 30), $20 (After September 30). Kids under 10 are free.
For tickets, click here. Online sales end Sunday, Oct. 15, but tickets will be available at the door.
Created five years ago by a grassroots group of residents, the CdM Meet & Greet is currently organized by a growing committee comprised of representatives from the CdM Chamber of Commerce, Sherman Library & Gardens and the CdMRA.
Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.
If you would like to be a volunteer, contact the Corona del Mar Chamber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Good Morning CdM features NBFF Co-founder & CEO Gregg Schwenk
Good Morning CdM, presented monthly by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, has their next “hot topics” planned for Thursday, Oct. 12.
The featured speaker is Newport Beach Film Festival Co-founder & CEO Gregg Schwenk. Join this meeting and learn all the details of the 2023 NBFF kick-off week, and what films and celebrities will be in coming to Newport Beach, as well as the full calendar of events. The NBFF runs October 12-19.
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Courtesy of Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce
Newport Beach Film Festival Co-founder & CEO Gregg Schwenk
Good Morning CdM takes place from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club and is free of charge with no RSVP required. Complimentary coffee/pastry will be served.
Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club is located at 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar.
For more information, visit www.cdmchamber.com.
Save the Date: Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour scheduled for December 10
The Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour, their annual event presented by the Balboa Island Improvement Association, returns on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This year, they are celebrating 25 years and have eight delightfully decorated homes and cottages lined up that will surely spark holiday cheer while enjoying the day on the Island. Tickets are $40 and available now online at www.balboaislandnb.org.
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Photo by Jon Remy
A Balboa Island charmer decked out in its holiday finest – with candy canes galore
Tickets will also be available for purchase on November 1 at the following Balboa Island locations: Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach, Blue Atlas Marketplace, Crown meets Sea and Crush Clothing, all located on Marine Avenue. Off Island tickets can be purchased at Bliss Home Design on Pacific Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, Blue Springs Home and Crews Quarters on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, as well as Seaside Gallery & Goods on Tustin Avenue in Newport Beach.
To be a Home Tour sponsor or docent, visit their website at www.balboaislandnb.org, or for more information, call 949.546.6500.
Pet of the Week 
Stu News Newport is delighted to be working with the Newport Beach Animal Shelter to help get the word out in search of loving homes for pets that deserve a warm, nurturing environment and a place to call “home.”
The shelter is delighted to present Harry, a charming 3-year-old Finnish Spitz mix, as the latest candidate available for adoption. Harry’s disposition makes him an ideal addition to any loving family. Harry is a bonafide belly rub enthusiast. There is nothing he loves more than sprawling out and having his belly rubbed.
Courtesy of the Newport Beach Animal Shelter
Meet Harry
Harry is not only good with other dogs, but he is up-to-date on his vaccines and has been neutered. This ensures a healthy start for Harry as he embarks on the next chapter of his life in a forever home.
To learn more about adopting Harry, contact the shelter by calling 949.718.3454, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Newport Beach Animal Shelter is open daily from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and appointments are required.
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. If you have any questions, call 949.718.3454.
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. Visit www.fonbas.org.
Award-winning American ballerina Tiler Peck returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is presenting award-winning New York City Ballet principal dancer, choreographer, actress, author, curator and designer, Tiler Peck, with her new self-directed show, Turn it Out with Tiler Peck and Friends. This breathtaking and highly anticipated performance will take Segerstrom Hall stage on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. With her personal touches on every aspect of this performance, Peck has assembled some of today’s most exciting dance artists for a virtuosic and innovative program.
After a sold-out world premiere in New York City and a European debut in London, award-winning American ballerina Peck will bring her critically acclaimed show, Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends, to her home state of California this fall.
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Courtesy of SCFTA
Tyler Peck
As dancer, choreographer and making her directorial debut, New York City Ballet’s award-winning principal dancer has gone above and beyond to craft an exquisite evening of exceptional performances, with pieces that blend styles and invite imaginative musical collaboration. Described by The New York Times as “the ballerina who can stop time (and restart it, too),” Peck’s integration of disciplines is part of what makes this innovative program so entertaining and accessible.
Though Peck’s storied career was already studded with pinnacle moments, her audience has expanded exponentially over the past few years due to her viral “Turn It Out with Tiler” classes. The class, which Peck started on her Instagram to provide community during the pandemic, reached up to 15,000 daily participants on Instagram Live and served in part as an inspiration for the Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends tour. The opportunity to collaborate with fellow top-tier artists, celebrate the joy of live performance and continue to showcase the wide tapestry of art through dance has informed the electric production.
The show opens with “Thousandth Orange,” choreographed by Peck, set to music by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, and is followed by Alonzo King’s “Swift Arrow” with music by Jason Moran; “Time Spell,” choreographed by tap dancer Michelle Dorrance, Jillian Meyers and Tiler Peck with music by Aaron Marcellus and Penelope Wendtlandt, and closes with William Forsythe’s “The Barre Project, Blake Works II” with music by James Blake.
The cast of dancers also includes India Bradley, Chun Wai Chan, Michelle Dorrance, Jovani Furlan, Christopher Grant, Lex Ishimoto, Brooklyn Mack, Roman Mejia, Jillian Meyers, Mira Nadon, Quinn Starner and Byron Tittle.
Peck shared, “This program is a love letter to my craft as a dancer and the manifestation of my total freedom as an artist. I grew up doing all styles of dance and am grateful that I get to incorporate all of them alongside best-in-class multidisciplinary dancers in a show that will undeniably be more than what people are used to seeing at the ballet with tutus and tiaras!”
Tickets start at $29 and are available for purchase online at www.scfta.org, in person at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, or by phone at 714.556.2787. The Box Office is open, Monday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday,12-5 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Get out and explore Buck Gully with three stunning hikes, assist with habitat restoration and learn about local flora
Taking a trek in the Buck Gully Reserve, which connects Corona del Mar and Newport Coast, is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the warmer summer weather. Explore this 300-acre natural habitat on foot, with three hikes led by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and an opportunity to assist in habitat restoration.
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Photos by Emily Spain
The stream is running, making for a memorable late afternoon/early evening hike
–Buck Gully Upper Loop Evening Hikes: Explore the richness of Buck Gully Reserve as you hike during the beautiful early evening hours on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 4-6:30 p.m. The stream is running, and the rich plant and animal life are enjoying the cool, shady canyon making for an evening hike in a natural oasis amid the suburban surroundings. Walk along San Joaquin Hills Road, which overlooks Buck Gully for the first mile, then drop down into the canyon on the Bobcat Trail, looping back through the upper end of the gully along the Buck Gully Trail. This activity is conducted at a walking pace, approximately 3 miles per hour. The distance is 4 miles; duration, 2.5 hours with moderate difficulty. This hike is open to those 8 years and older. This hike is free, but registration is required. Staging area is the Newport Coast Community Center at 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road. Register at www.letsgooutside.org.
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Enjoy panoramic views as you take in the canyon’s natural beauty
–Bridges of Buck Gully Hike: Buck Gully is a natural, coastal canyon which opened up to the public in 2012 with the installation of four bridges to allow for safe public access. Discover the bridges on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 8-11:30 a.m., which facilitate exploration of the Buck Gully Reserve, and also provide viewing platforms from which to pause and observe the abundant life in and around the stream. The guided program starts with a short walk from the OASIS Senior Center to the beginning of the Buck Gully trail, offering a visually dramatic entrance into this special canyon. Open to those 12 years and older. Conducted at a walking pace at approximately 3 miles per hour. Distance is 5 miles; duration is 3.5 hours with moderate difficulty. This hike is free, but registration is required. Meet at the OASIS Senior Center auxiliary lot at 5th and Marguerite in Corona del Mar. Register at www.letsgooutside.org.
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Several bridges provide vantage points for taking in reserve vistas
–Buck Gully Loop Hike: Come and explore the entire Buck Gully Reserve trail system on Tuesday, Nov. 7 and from 8-11:30 a.m. Beginning from the OASIS Senior Center, you’ll hike up through the almost three-mile length of the canyon, then along San Joaquin Hills Road for about a mile, stopping at Canyon Watch Park, where you will take in the panoramic view of the reserve and the Pacific coastline before descending back into the canyon along the Bobcat Trail. This hike is 6 miles; duration, 3.5 hours with high-moderate difficulty and conducted at a walking pace, approximately three miles per hour. It is geared to those 12+ years of age. This hike is free, but registration is required. Meet at the OASIS Senior Center auxiliary lot at 5th and Marguerite in Corona del Mar. Register at www.letsgooutside.org.
–Fourth Friday Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully on Friday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.. Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting native plants or removing non-native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact while enjoying the beauty of Buck Gully. Come help with a variety of activities ranging from seed collection to weeding invasive plants. This activity takes place on sloped terrain and sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. All training, tools and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Rattlesnakes are occasionally seen here and generally avoid people, but protective gear will be provided. Walking pace is approximately 3 mph with a distance of one to five miles and a duration of three hours. The difficulty is moderate. This is geared to 18 years+. Register at www.letsgooutside.org.
–Plants Among Us: Learning About Plants at Buck Gully on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 8-10:30 a.m. Curious to learn about the plants among us? Join a hike led by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff at Buck Gully Reserve, where you’ll look at local flora, talk about native and non-native species and learn how different plants impact our ecosystems. Learning to identify plants, both native and non-native, is a great way to cultivate knowledge about local flora and fauna. This activity is geared toward participants who are curious about our local plants and ecosystem. Bring water, a light trail snack, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, a hat and supplies to keep you safe during the journey. Distance is six miles, the duration is 2.5 hours with moderate difficulty. This is geared to 8 years+. Meet at the OASIS Senior Center auxiliary lot at 5th and Marguerite in Corona del Mar. Register at www.letsgooutside.org.
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
