October-November, 2009 Volume 11 Issue 7

BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR

Sun Dec 6 Christmas Tree Lighting—3pm - 6pm Fire Station
Sun Dec 13 Holiday Home Tour— 11am - 4pm
Dec 16-20 Newport Harbor Boat Parade 6:30 pm—9:30 pm

Computers have enabled people to make more
mistakes faster than almost any invention in history, with the possible exception of tequila and hand guns . . . Mitch Ratcliff

SHOOTING THE BREEZE. . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Carr. .

Another month is moving quickly by—and I am reflecting on my nearly 20 years on Balboa Island. It has been the longest I have ever spent in any one place. Even as a child we kept moving to different houses as the demographics of the Detroit area changed and we moved to the suburbs. At 18 I went to college and I really never went back home. Now that really puts it in perspective. I have grown up here on Balboa Island. It has been my adult growing up. I have learned a lot of things here from the wonderful residents—many of whom are no longer here. I will always cherish my memories of Balboa Island.

I was 43 when I moved here—my oldest son is now 41—and I look at him as a child. It is amazing how our perspective changes as we age. At one time I thought 21 was all grown up and 30 was over the hill!!

I guess I spent what would be called the “prime of my life” here on Balboa Island. How lucky I am. It is wonderful to wake up at 5 am and hear the waves, the sea lions and to perform my morning job of waking up the birds—that is Mike’s take on my rising at such an early hour. It is a great thing to be able to sit here at my computer and look out at the Ferry and the Bay or over at the Beek Center Park. I have a fabulous view one that few have on this Island anymore—a view of trees and grass and people enjoying themselves! Young men playing basketball, children playing in the playground, and others just sit on the park bench and look at MY house!!

Some people think that Agate isn’t the best location—I think it is—it has everything I want and for the better part of the year it is hear are my fountains and my buddies the sea lions!! Only a few months of the year do we hear the people in the Ferry Line and with our double paned glass windows that isn’t really like it used to be. If I had the money to add air conditioning and double paned doors I wouldn’t hear a thing.

Music, children, lost busses—even celebrities come to the Balboa Island Ferry and sit in front of my business/house waiting to cross the bay to the Fun Zone and the Balboa Peninsula . This is where the action is. This is the reason I started the sports business that morphed into the huge thing it has become. As I tell everyone, “Tourists don’t take a floor home, but they will take the flag for their local sports teams.” And I love to talk to sports fans.

Born and raised in Michigan I had no choice but to learn about football and other sports. Back in the Midwest football is a religion—people take their sports very seriously. At the University of Michigan there are just about as many seats in the stadium as people in the town. If you aren’t at the game—you are watching it at home, in the grocery store, the gas station, etc. It was truly a culture shock when I moved to California and discovered that not all men spent their entire Saturdays and Sundays on the couch watching football!! I get the sports thing—I enjoy the fans as they discover our little store—Island Style.

I am waxing nostalgic because this “recession” has been hard on us in the flooring industry—and that is where I make the money that pays our mortgage. I have watched many, many flooring stores go out of business—as well as flooring product distributors. I had hoped we would be able to hold out. We are trying—but in the meantime we do have our building—where we live and work for sale—tough times call for tough choices. So if you know anyone who would like to live and work here let me know!!
Maybe it is time for new memories in my “older” age

WHAT’S UP AT THE BALBOA ISLAND POST OFFICE

Here’s the Scoop—directly from our friend Jeff at the Balboa Island Post Office.

We have been given a ONE YEAR REPRIEVE only. Our post office here on Balboa Island could still close in one year. There will be a reevaluation at that time.

Jeff said the big issue—as usual—is revenue. He has only 50% of the post office boxes rented right now. This is surprising since the Newport Beach Police Department recommends that you have a Post Office Box and you don’t leave your mail on the street. Identity theft is a real problem in tourist areas where strangers can walk up to our mailboxes and take the mail and . .

I have always had a post office box, but it made me doubly glad when I was given this information by our local Police Department. So unless you have a door slot that goes directly into your house, run . . . don’t’ walk . . . And see Jeff at the Balboa Island Post Office and get your Post Office Box!!!

UPS has indicated that they might open a store at the Post Office if it closes—as several of my friends suggested. However, the rates on PO Boxes will triple (maybe the post office isn’t charging enough) - and UPS does not offer a forwarding service when you move.

Use our Post Office. We who do have found the lines are much shorter than anywhere else and the people are friendlier. If you have a business off the island—buy your stamps here—mail your packages here—in the long run it will save you time and energy.

Then hopefully next September when the reevaluation comes around we will see enough of an increase in revenue to justify the continuation of a Balboa Island Post Office.

ISLAND LIGHTS . . . CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

See the Beautiful Flyer that Damon Burris and Mike Mc Cleur have attached to the current issue of the Island Breeze ! It is more informative than I ever could be. Call them at 949.307.8613 or 949.903.9018 to get your house ready for the holidays.

But I thank them every month when they deliver this newsletter to your houses!! Say hi if you see them.

ISLAND MUSICIANS
RICK SHERMAN

HALLOWEEN—SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2009
7:30 pm—11:30 pm
The Rick Sherman Duo
Rick and Alan Remington
127 Marine Avenue
Balboa Island, CA 92662
With the Legendary Annual VI Costume Contest Great Costumes and Great Prizes

Then we will also be back at The Village Inn
Friday November 6, 2009
8:30 pm—11:30 pm

PLACES TO EAT IN PALM SPRINGS
Here are a few places that made us smile on our last visit to the desert!
Cactusberry—Frozen Yogurt with Fruit and Nuts—mmmm and low in fat. 116 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA
Nature’s Health Food and Café—Great Menu of Juices, Sandwiches and “Fake “ meat burgers, salads, burritos, etc. 555 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs 92664
Manhattan in the Desert—what a menu—what a selection—where to begin. The portions are huge—take half home for another meal—and reasonably priced. Deli items, deserts, salads, anything you can imagine. 2665 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 92664.
And the yet to be tried—Tyler’s Burgers—in the old Greyhound Bus Terminal in Palm Springs. Locals rave about it— closed in August . One review on the internet said Bill Gates stood in line for 30 minutes to get in—my next trip I am off to Tyler’s!!!

BALBOA ISLAND BULLETIN BOARD
PUT YOUR AD HERE FOR $40.00 per Issue—Great for Housecleaning, Handyman, Rentals, Etc. Also Gets Uploaded to http://www.balboa-island.com

BALBOA ISLAND SHORT TERM RENTAL

Bright, Airy, Quiet Studio Apartment w/Sleeping Loft.
Queen Sized Bed– Super Comfortable!!
DirecTV in Living and Sleeping Areas.
Wireless Internet Access.
Kitchenette.
We Supply the Linens and the Coffee!!!
Parking.
$950.00/week.
949.422.8570.

TIPS FOR THE MONTH

A Great Read—FOOL’S GOLD—How the bold Dream of a Small Tribe at J.P. Morgan Was Corrupted by Wall Street Greed and Unleashed a Catastrophe—If you want to see what happened behind the scenes of this latest “recession” - this will give you a lot of insight. A slow read with lots of information, but well worth the time.
The 30/50 Project—Saving the Brick and Mortars Our Nation is Built On—Save your Local Economy . . . Three stores at a time. If just 1/2 the employed US population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than 42.6 billion in revenue. For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Online—Nothing comes home! (ed note. I am guilty of the online thing :( )
Visit http://www.the350project. net

DEE’S BALBOA ISLAND TALK
October is here and the holiday season is right around the corner. My favorite, Halloween, is a most festive time of the year on Balboa Island!

We have so many great places to decorate your home with banners, lights, great treats and MORE!! To name a few: Our Gang General Store—best string lights around, Balboa Candy—gigantic assortment of individually wrapped treats, Island Home—artful elegance of Halloweens gone by, and Martha’s Bookstore—cutest novelties and unique Halloween cards. Don’t forget to check all of these places out.

And who says the housing market is bad? Stop in and check out the houses for sale at Cinnamon Roll Fair—220 Marine Avenue. I was literally pulled in off the street at the sight of the decorative, ‘custom-built’ Gingerbread Houses! These fantastic creations are the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table made on the premises to order @ $75.00 each. While at the bakery counter I could not help but notice the delectable looking S’Mores bars at only $3.75 each. For ‘waist watchers’ they are nearly guilt free! Sprinkle cupcakes also available. For all custom orders on Gingerbread Houses it is recommended that you phone early in the month 949.673.4522.

I wandered next door into Dawn’s Foot Boutique and Accessories where I found many hidden treasures in a very small space. Dawn’s is the only store on the street carrying David Yurman look-alike rings and jewelry!! All the pieces were so beautifully set I had to do a double take myself. You also won’t want to miss the super cool Embroidered Cowgirl Boots in the richest brown velvet on turquoise background—exclusive to this store and imported from Turkey. (Other colors available) Great hostess gift for your shopaholic friends—flirty little ‘pink stiletto-heel pump’ luggage tags.

As the holiday season draws closer isn’t it nice to know that you’ve got one LESS chore to do?? Persimmon Tree owner ‘Pam Hubbard wants all Islanders to know that come December, she and buddy Gail Hammerschmid (Formerly of the Sandpiper) will be offering an exclusive Gift Wrapping service to us all!! In store purchases are still complimentary wrap—of course.
However, bring along any and all of your OWN custom wrap with whatever items are to be wrapped and it will be done for a small charge. Neat idea—super time saver. For more details call Pam @ 949.673.4280

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October-November, 2009 Volume 11 Issue 7