November, 2007, Volume 9, Issue 8

BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR

FRI. DEC. 7 FIRST FRIDAY —MARINE AVENUE—7 pm until 9 pm
SUN. DEC. 2 BALBOA ISLAND TREE LIGHTING—Fire Station—Marine Avenue
SUN. DEC. 9 BALBOA ISLAND HOME TOUR—11:00 am—4:00 pm
Tickets on Sale at Martha’s Bookstore, Let’s Go Shopping, Even Sisters, Island Home, Persimmon Tree, The Sandpiper and Island Flooring—$20.00
DEC. 12-16 99th NEWPORT BEACH BOAT PARADE—6:30 pm—8:30 pm
MAY 3 & 4 2008 2008 ALL ISLAND GARAGE SALE Info Call 949.422.8570

SHOOTING THE BREEZE. . . . . . . . . .. . Carolyn L. Carr
We have had a lot of theft and vandalism on the island this past year—from breaking of Adopt-a-Pots on the Bayfront to stealing College and NFL flags off my building at Island Style to the theft of the Balboa Island Flags on Marine. And of course the “tomato incident” in last months issue.

About a week ago Mike and I put up a brand-new San Diego Chargers flag and pole on a Saturday morning. It was gone by Sunday morning. There was, however, a nice note in my mailbox from someone who saw the theft and recorded the car make, model and license plate number. I called the police and had a great visit with Jeri DeLaTore of the Newport Beach Police Department.

Jeri explained that one of the main reasons that Newport Beach is so safe is because we do have aware people and cameras and incidents of this type rarely escape notice. As a result this information finds its way to the internet on places like MY SPACE and Newport Beach becomes the place not to do things if you don’t want to get caught.

These kids did get caught—and I got my flag back and a visit from a nice detective as well. A lot of fuss for a flag and a pole worth less than $50.00 retail. It does show that our police are on the job. Jeri says after working in Los Angeles she was amazed at how friendly everyone in Newport Beach was when she started working here. She loves her job and loves our community. And I love the fact that the police will respond to even my little theft.

At Halloween Mike and I attended a fundraiser at the Moriarity Vineyard in Back Bay put on by the Friends of Dorothy. The Friends of Dorothy is a support guild that is dedicated to raising money to fund programs for AIDS Service Foundation here in Orange County. Chairman Barbara Venezia tells me, “We have raised almost $70,000 in two events—the Tupperware Party and the Halloween Party. Money that is spent directly on help to AIDS women and children with AIDS.”

Founded in 1985, AIDS Services Foundation is the largest non-profit provider of care and services to people with HIV in Orange County, serving 1,500 clients. Services include food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, counseling, etc. For more information go to http://www.ocasf.org and join—it is the time of year to for giving and what better way than giving to people who really NEED something.

A final note—Doris Lee felt we had a lot of “un-Balboa Island like” behavior this Halloween. The newer residents don’t seem to be getting into the spirit and custom of the holiday here on Balboa Island—too many dark houses this year. Sometimes only one place decorated on a block. I know we are losing a generation here—the generation that made me feel welcome when I came and caused me stay—longer than I have ever stayed anywhere. It is changing and not for the better. It was our parents generation that cared—So let’s do something this month—for the Fireman talked about on Page 3 by Shirley Van Pelt or for AIDS—lets make our generation “great” too!!!

BALBOA ISLAND ICONS . Doris Lee, Coldwell Banker

Balboa Island @ Halloween is for kids or grownups who “wanna be”! Steve Bromberg doesn’t need Halloween! HE loves dressing as a “KEYSTONE COP” in the Island Parade! Not what you would expect from the former “Mayor of Newport Beach”, now “Honorable Judge Bromberg” in Orange County Courts!

How did Steve get here from the Bronx at age 8 and a family without means? His father made ends meet selling pots and pans door to door and wanted Steve to be a “Cop”. But after high school in Los Angeles, Steve pursued law—working his way through Cal State LA and Laverne Law School with a stop to become a Marine.

Steve met his wife “Ronnie” in Los Angeles when she was 15-1/2 years old. They later married and settled in Granada Hills. Steve and Ronnie vacationed here on Balboa Island for 17 years before they fell in love with a home on Little Island. Steve’s determination to own the house and realtor Dick Siemon’s tough negotiating made the dream a reality.

Balboa Island has retained its old fashioned and “corney” charm, in spite of its affluence, because of the efforts of residents like Steve. They use any excuse to have a community function and decorate anything that will stand still—holidays, June Island Parade, Christmas Boat Parade, Barbeques, etc.

Steve went beyond—he had the median ivy replaced with roses, promoted streetscape benches and new lighting on Marine Avenue, served on Little Island’s Homeowner’s Association and as a City Councilman in spite of a difficult fight with cancer. He received the Balboa Island Volunteer of the Year award in 1999.

When he isn’t involved in Island activities, Steve enjoys his home with Ronnie (she owns a Law Library Service), their two dogs Sammy and Chiquita, photography, his lapel pin collection and being a “Keystone Cop”. Yet another survivor Island Icon.

Would you like to be saluted as a Balboa Island ICON—please call Doris Lee @949.280.0607 or e-mail

As The Seasons Change
Thanksgiving 1988

By the crackling fire at our mountain cabin, I write:

“We gaze through our glass doors at swirling snowflakes
landing softly on giant Sequoias, incense cedars, pines
and firs. What a still and magical Thanksgiving!

Upon our arrival two days ago, the golden leaves of the
oaks were brilliantly backlit against the deepest of blue
skies. In yesterday’s greyness, they cast a soft orange
glow throughout the forest. Today, they are garbed in
frosty white.

The squirrel, who yesterday was busily burying acorns,
today is a round ball of fur high on a pine branch, his
tail protectively serving as a snowsuit.

Winter has been heralded in.”

Faith Bowlus
.

ISLAND LIGHTS—Professional Christmas Lighting

IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN—to start planning for Christmas and hanging those Christmas lights. I am too busy to even think about things like that. That is where Damon Burris and Mike McCluer, Island Lights come to the rescue every year.

Damon and Mike have been hanging my Christmas lights every year and doing a wonderful job! They have many Island clients including award winning houses like the Busby house. I am always amazed how different my house looks using the same strings of lights year after year. I love to come home and see my house glowing with Christmas cheer.

Mike and Damon can use your lights or buy lights for you if you don’t have time. And they will promptly repair any problem caused by wind, rain or light failure.

Give Island Lights a call at 949.903.9018 or 949.307.8613.

WHAT”s NEW ON AGATE AND MARINE

First and foremost we have a new store here on Marine Avenue—CandlEssense. This is a fairy tale come true for Neil and Stacey—their own store on Balboa Island. Thanks to a lot of hard work on their part and the part of their many friends here on Balboa Island. Neil and Stacey have been overwhelmed by the support from the residents of our Island and are grateful to everyone and to Howard for graciously downsizing to one T-shirt store and letting CandlEssence assume the lease on the other one.

CandlEssence will be having an awesome Open House on December 1st from noon until 7pm. They will have refreshments and 15% off all their special candles if you mention the flyer in this issue of the Island Breeze. Neil is exhausted from pouring all the wonderful Christmas candles and they have already had their best day ever on Balboa Island at this, their third location. CandlEssence is located at 319A Marine Avenue, Balboa Island 949.723.1788.

Our Local Photographer Terry Lewis has created beautiful desk calendars for 2008 capturing our wonderful city of Newport Beach. Each month has its own card with an image on the front and the important dates for that month on the back.

I have known Terry and his family since almost day one on the Island and I love to see him succeeding in a profession that once was more an avocation.

You can buy the Calendar for $20.00 at Island Style, 118 Agate Avenue, 949.675.6511 or at Sally Huss Gallery, 222B Marine Avenue, Balboa Island 949.673.1292.
See more fabulous artwork and information about Terry at http://www.TLPhotoart.com

I had dinner at Ciao recently with friends and was pleasantly surprised by the continuity despite the change in ownership this past year. I had always enjoyed Ciao and I see no reason to change my opinion. New owner, Tony, made sure all the guests in the restaurant not only had a good dinner, but enjoyed themselves while they were in his restaurant.

I have always enjoyed Ciao’s individual vegetarian pizzas and this time was no exception. My table mates raved about the red sauce on their various entrees and we topped everything off with a selection of wonderful desserts. Ciao is located at 223 Marine Avenue, Balboa Island. 949.723.4070. Stop in and say Hi to Tony and have a great lunch or dinner.

SAY THANK YOU . . . TAKE A FIREMAN AND HIS FAMILY OUT TO DINNER
Your donation of $50.00 will take a local fireman and his family out to dinner with a “Gift Card” to a nearby restaurant. Mariners Church will co-ordinate the distribution of these gift cards to our firemen. Let our Community show how very Thankful we are to these very dedicated men and women.
Shirley Van Pelt is presenting our local Balboa Island Firemen with “Gift Cards” that she and her friends contributed to fund eleven gift cards......
Send Tax Deductible Donations to: Mariners Resource Center, 3901 So. Main. Santa Ana, Ca. 92707.........Fireman Dinner Fund. 714.540.4088.
TIPS OF THE MONTH
Too Many Catalogs—A New Service Allows you to Opt Out. Catalog Choice is a new internet service that allows people to compile a list of catalogs they do not want. The service then contacts the retailers . I have signed up for the service myself and after entering my name, address and e-mail address have found almost all the catalogs I have been sent that I don’t want—I just click a button and in a few months they will be gone. What a relief both for me and for the retailer who doesn’t want to spend money sending me unwanted catalogs. http://www.catalogchoice.org
Diet soda may mean zero calories—but not zero risk . In analyzing data on 6,000 people in the Framingham Heart Study, scientists found that drinking one soda a day—regular or diet—boosts by 48 percent the risk of developing metabolic conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and excess abdominal fat which can cause diabetes and heart disease.

Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too . . Voltaire

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November, 2007, Volume 9, Issue 8