March, 2007 Volume 9 Issue 1

BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR
FRIDAY MAR 2 FRIDAY NIGHT STROLL 7 pm—9 pm, Marine Avenue
FRIDAY APRIL 5 FRIDAY NIGHT STROLL 7 pm—9 pm, Marine Avenue
SAT MAY 5 ALL ISLAND GARAGE SALE—SEE ENCLOSED FLYER FOR
SUN MAY 6 INFORMATION. 949.422.8570
SUN MAY 20 BALBOA ISLAND ART WALK, South Bayfront

SHOOTING THE BREEZE. . .Carolyn Carr
When I started writing this paper it was so that I could reflect the thoughts of all the residents of Balboa Island—not just a select few. Recently I had a shining example of that.

I was driving down Bayside Drive on a Monday morning when I saw our long lost UPS driver, Mel Sievers driving a big brown truck in the other direction. Quickly I called Mike and said, “I saw Mel !!” Mike said he thought he caught a glimpse of him as well.

As I opened the door of my office to check in the phone was ringing—it was Vicky Girling. “Mel, Is coming back,“ she exclaimed. Bing saw him, tracked him down and found out his first official day is tomorrow.” “Do you think you could put ‘Welcome back Mel” on the sign on the Bridge?”

I told her Mike hadn’t done that sign in four or more years, but I had the number of the president and several other members of the BIIA—it would seem an easy thing for them to do since thank you to the Christmas Volunteers was passé.

I spent my afternoon off sharing the news of Mel’s return with friends and neighbors who had known him for as long or longer than I had.

Mel disappeared about a year ago and when we asked what happened the new guys told us he was hurt playing baseball and he would be back in November, 2006.

November came and went and some of us thought he might never return. It wasn’t that the new guys weren’t good—they just weren’t Mel. They didn’t know the secret places to drop things if we weren’t home—they didn’t have cookies for the dogs—they didn’t know everyone’s name and have that wonderful smile that brightens our day.
So from all of us on BALBOA ISLAND:

WELCOME BACK MEL !!!
And please don’t leave us again!!!

CRYSTAL COVE - More and More

I have never had as much interest in any article as the recent one about Crystal Cove. I have kept visiting the various “dorm” accommodations since staying there in November. Although others might not enjoy sharing a cottage I find it not only inexpensive for a quiet retreat—but I also get to meet people from all over Southern California. Moms with children, writers like me, photographers, etc. I really love Crystal Cove .
If you have a moment, come to my office and pick up a form to join the “Crystal Cove Alliance” so more cottages can be made available for rent in the near future. For those of you who aren’t interested in sharing—there are plenty of single cottages too!!!

The following is a letter sent to me by my regular contributor, Faith Bowlus:

Dear Carolyn:
It was interesting to read your account of Crystal Cove today. I remember it well before “civilization and the sounds of PCH moved in”. I especially remember the year—probably 1946—when a group of us girls and boys from Pomona College in Claremont camped there during our spring break The boys set up their tent; we girls, ours. Our only respective bed partners were the local sand crabs whose territory we had invaded.
I, having been head of campers kp at a mountain camp, was acquainted with the makeshift ways of cooking outdoors without utensils. I taught everyone to fry eggs of flat rocks beneath the sun.
One evening we girls decided to have dinner in Laguna. We walked up to PCH, Stood there hitchhiking, and soon picked up a ride to town. As long as girls were not alone hitchhiking was not considered an issue.
What a great camping trip we had. We kids with noses plastered with zinc ointment to protect us from blisters, but with no qualms about skin cancers, their relation to the sun not yet recognized.
Crystal Cove can be enjoyed today, but never again can it be savored with the sense of gay abandon we knew half a century ago.
Thanks for drawing us in on your charming adventure.
Warmly, Faith Bowlus

14th ANNUAL BALBOA ISLAND PARADE

Would you like to Volunteer to help In this Year’s Parade??

The following is from an e-mail sent to me by Parade Chairman Kathy Peterson:

It’s Time to get started on another year. Nothing can be done without you. You are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and energy last year. I look forward to a wonderful event. I would like to work on streamlining the proceedings and emphasizing the fun of the day. Please come with ideas. I am anxious to work with all of you again.
Contact Kathy Peterson 949.675.4504 (Home) or
951.538.9349 (Cell)
—————————————————————
2007 SCHEDULE
Mar.8 FIRST MEETING — INTRODUCTIONS AND SIGN UPS
Mar. 22 Meeting—Complete Sign Ups—Discuss Progress
April 5 Meeting
April 19 Meeting
May 3 Meeting
May 17 Meeting
May 31 Set Order of March and Finalize Procedures
June 3 PARADE DAY
June 7 PARTY!!! Celebration!!!

*** ALL MEETINGS AND THE PARTY WILL BE HELD AT WILMA’s .
** ALL MEETINGS WILL BE AT 7:00 pm
—————————————————————————

BALBOA ISLAND BULLETIN BOARD
Rental -Balboa Island furnished, newly decorated studio apartment with loft and parking. Rent for the week or the month instead of a hotel room. Refrigerator, Microwave, Free Wireless Internet, Direct TV, Daily (Three Day Minimum), Weekly, or Monthly. $150.00/Day $850.00/WK. 949.422.8570.

JUST A REMINDER—SEND US YOUR STORIES OF JIM JENNINGS—They will be printed in the Island Breeze and eventually made into a book by Jim’s son, Jim Jennings, Jr. Thanks.

TIP OF THE MONTH . . . . . . . . . . .
Three Ways To Get Web Discounts on Anything.

SIGN UP AT EBATES.com This shopping portal has links to more than 800 online retailers, such as Gap.com and Petco.com, which offer from 1% to 25% cash back on your purchases every three months.
KNOW THE CODE. Have you ever gotten to an online check out page and noticed a field asking for a promotional code? Whenever you see that, go to your search engine and type in the retailer’s name with the words “promotional code,” “coupon” or “deal”. You just may find a special offer or discount that you can use immediately on your transaction.
FIND LOCAL DEALS. For dozens of coupons from your grocer, dry cleaner and other local shops and services, long on to Valpak.com and enter your ZIP code. (Yes, the site is run by the same folks who mail you that coupon stuffed blue envelope). Unlike other coupon sites, Valpak doesn’t make you answer pages of personal questions before it lets you hit the print button. (Ed—I think I will try this when I travel—use the ZIP code of the location I am in and see what kind of deals I can get—I can always print on the hotel printer!)

WANT TO ADVERTISE IN THE ISLAND BREEZE??2200 HAND DELIVERED FLYERS INSERTED IN BALBOA ISLAND’S MOST POPULAR &
INFORMATIVE NEWSLETTER—$125.00—if you provide the flyers. (Printing Available Starting at $80.00.)

FAX AND COPY AT ISLAND FLOORING
We have a new high-speed copy machine. We can now copy large and small quantities, color copies and fax. Come in and try out our service.

And now a brief word from our sponsor . . .

ISLAND FLOORING
118 Agate Avenue
Balboa Island, CA 92662
949.675-3456
949.675-4348 (Fax)
949.422-8569 (Cell)

WE ARE MAKING LOTS OF AREA RUGS
FOR ALL THE WOOD AND STONE FLOORS WE HAVE SOLD DURING THE PAST TWELVE YEARS!!

AREA RUGS ARE LIKE JEWELRY ON A FLOOR - IT IS THE BEAUTIFUL FINISHING TOUCH—LIKE A FINE PAIR OF EARRINGS OR A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE!!

CATALINA AND TUFTEX BRAND CARPETS MAKE GEORGOUS SHAG CARPETS OF VARIOUS LENGTHS AND TWISTS THAT MAKE FABULOUS AREA RUGS—I JUST HAD A FEW MADE FROM BRAND NEW SHAW PRODUCTS—JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH A SIMPLE PIECE OF BROADLOOM CARPET.

THE BEST PART ABOUT THESE AREA RUGS IS THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR OWN MATERIAL AND SIZE—IT IS A CUSTOM RUG JUST FOR YOU. AND THE COST IS EXTREMELY REASONABLE CONSIDERING THE END RESULT.

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Island Breeze Newsletters

March, 2007 Volume 9 Issue 1