March-April, 2010 Volume 12, Issue 1

NEWPORT BEACH CALENDAR
Sat May 1, 2010 Balboa Island All Island Garage Sale
7:30 am—3:00 pm In the Alleys
Applications and Information Attached to This Newsletter
May 14—May 16, 2010 Hyatt Newport Jazz Festival
Sun May 16, 2010 2010 Balboa Island Art Walk—A Mile of Art!!!
South Bayfront 9 am—5 pm
http://www.balboaislandartwalk.info
Sat June 5, 2010 Corona del Mar 5K http://www.cdmchamber.com/events/5k.
Sun June 6, 2010 17th Annual Balboa Island Parade 11am—2:00 pm
“Family, Friends and FUN”
BRIDGE CLOSES AT 11:00 am

FOLLOW ME IN BETWEEN THE BREEZE ON MY DAILY BLOG:
http://carolyncarrbalboa-island.blogspot.com

SHOOTING THE BREEZE. . . . . Carolyn Carr

ISLAND FLOORING IS NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!!!
In spite of all the rumors to the contrary Island Flooring will be in business—even if we move to a new location. We have been at other locations before coming to Balboa Island and we will find another location if it becomes necessary. Forty years of Mike’s expertise is not going anywhere.

In addition, as my lawyer recently told me—they would not hire us to flip burgers at McDonald’s at our age and with our work experience. Life-time entrepreneurs do not good corporate employees make!!!
So rest assured we will be selling and installing your floors for many years to come!!!

Thanks to all of you who have stopped by and expressed their desire to have us stay here on the Island. We so appreciate all the prayers we are getting from our wonderful neighbors. And it seems to be working!

I have rented out one of our two offices at 118 Agate and donated a car I loved—but was 16 years old. My youngest grandson, Hunter, was amazed this past summer when he drove to Palm Springs in a car that was as old as he was!
I used what was the parking area to reconfigure the Island Flooring showroom and put our extensive collection of wood samples in one
residential parking space. As a result it is more open and easier for everyone to see all the samples. Mike doesn’t have to run from room to room to show wood from various manufacturers. It is all there at his fingertips!! We also have the cork, seagrass, commercial carpet, Marmoleum, vinyl plank, vinyl and commercial carpet in the rear of the building which is carpeted and well lit. And roomy!!!

I kept the bulk of the carpet samples inside along with the Island Style Flags, Doormats, Bracelets, Car Flags, Coffee Mugs, Tumblers, Luggage Tags, etc. etc. College, NFL, MLB, NBA and some NHL. As more people find my little sports memorabilia store I am adding more fun items. I have been told some are not even seen in stadium souvenir shops. In this downturn people still root for their favorite sports teams.

This little side business has been a blessing for us right now. The reps tell us that, except for the designers, the flooring industry is dead in Orange County —we should not feel picked on! A lot of people have gone out of business. We are just lucky to be able to reconfigure our lives. I actually like the changes we have made and wish I had done them sooner—the showroom is BETTER than it was before

Don’t forget to follow me at http://carolyncarrbalboa-island.blogspot.com/ I have always had a lot of information in between newsletters and now I have a place to post it daily!! And it is fun.

BALBOA ISLAND BULLETIN BOARD

PUT YOUR AD HERE FOR $50.00 per Issue per area—Great for Housecleaning, Handyman, Rentals, Etc.

FOR RENT One Bedroom/One Bathroom Unfurnished Apartment.
Beamed Ceilings, Mirrored Wardrobe, New Paint, Built-in
Microwave, Refrigerator, Plus Many Upgrades.
Close to Ferry Landing and South Bayfront.
No Washer Dryer - - On Street Parking
Credit Check Required.
Yearly $1600.00/month.
949.292.6262

FOR RENT
2 Bedroom/2 Bath—3 Story View.
Pier Use.
Garage/Balcony.
Yearly $2,800/month.
323.876.2723

NEWPORT HARBOR REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S LUNCHEON

Thursday April 22, 2010
11:30 am Social Hour—12:00 pm Lunch
The Pacific Club.
Guest Speaker
Larry Greenfield
Executive Director
Reagan Legacy Foundation
Obama vs. America
For more information, please go to our website http://www.nhrw.org.
Your check is your Reservation and must be received by April 17. Please mail your check for 26.00 payable to NHRW to:
Sheila Thomsen , 10 Rue Cannes, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Questions call Sheila at 949.720.1726

DEE’S BALBOA ISLAND TALK
Rain, rain, go away!! Balboa Island isn’t the only place getting soaked these days - just returned from what should have been a ‘fun-in-the-sun’ getaway to Tucson - ONLY to be under water every day of the visit! Not to worry - we were staying at the lavish yet rustic, Loew’s Ventana Canyon nestled way back in the mountains above the city. Took the train up one- way and got a private room with dinner included— tablecloth and all! . I recommend this to locals who would enjoy a romantic and imaginative weekend getaway. You’ll return completely re-newed!

Bumped into Laura Gale recently, and she exclaimed how much she is enjoying her new job at HOM Realty Group - 332 Marine Ave. Owner Jake Klohs merged w/ the popular company for what he describes, as a “perfect fit”. Both want Islanders to know that their office handles all your property, vacation and rental needs. Phone 949.723.1363.

Did you notice the bright yellow paint transforming the Wilson’s Beach Cottage? The NEW occupants will be sister Co. to Fresh Produce, and aptly named “Sunny Days”. I spoke w/ ‘Jocelyn’ over at FP and she advised me that the new shop will showcase fun novelty accessories (plus more great women’s clothing!) Sounds like fun! Doors open April 1st.

Down the street at Persimmon Tree, the store is colorfully packed with new arrivals for Spring-Resort 2010. Island gals will find wonderful selections from Ralph Lauren Collection, Volcom - an ‘edgier’ look for the younger crowd - and Betsey Johnson Swimwear. Stop in soon, fab styles will be sure to move FAST! 229 Marine Ave 949.673.4280

The ‘tween’ set will love rifling through the great merchandise at Even Sisters, I especially enjoyed the fun stuff on the accessory table in front - all sorts of useful items for under 10.00 - ‘Lifesaver’ zip case w/ manicure set inside, and beach ‘Flip-Flops’ style too - great gift ideas. Old stand-bys are still carried such as; Roxy, Element and so many other hot labels. Also, popular beach-brand Reef, Flo-Jo’s and Sanuk sandals - all in trendy new looks! Pet Lovers’ will want to pick up a biz-card for Katie Lewis who photographs really artsy renditions of your favorite pup! Great work, and thanks to owner Helen Shull for endorsing pet-related enterprises!! 207 Marine Ave 949.673.2130. http://www.evensisters.com

With Easter around the corner, I highly recommend a stop into the delectable new Chocolatier Too Sweet 302B Marine Ave. I was treated to a few samples of the most delectable lemon-drop (white choc.) samples, and other gourmet offerings are like none I’ve ever seen! They make their own carmel-corn and hand dipped gourmet marshmallow rolls. In fact ALL confections are made right on the premises. Visit their Website @TooSweetBalboaIsland.com Gift Basket orders welcomed.,

AMELIA

Amelia Seton, of Amelia’s Restaurant left Balboa Island for the last time on January 9, 2010. I met Amelia when I first came to Balboa Island 20 years ago and I missed seeing her smiling face on the boardwalk during her illness these past few years.

There was a memorial service for Amelia at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church followed by a “party” for her family and friends at Harborside Restaurant. The event was a tribute to her greatest attribute—being a gracious hostess and her love of feeding and entertaining people. The food was wonderful and the centerpieces allowed us all to take a small reminder of Amelia home with us. They were edible—made of oranges, peppers, several types of greens, tangerines and grapes. As I ate the fruit and vegetables over the next week I thought about Amelia and what a wonderful, thoughtful person she was!!

Randy Seton, Amelia’s son, helps me with my “Trivia Contest”. Hetty, Amelia’s daughter, and her son-in-law John Robinson are still doing a great job feeding the locals and tourists on Marine Avenue. Stop in, say hi and have a meal and think of all the love Amelia put into creating this Balboa Island favorite.

ISLAND LIGHTS
Spring is almost here and Mike McClure and Damon Burris at Island Lights are ready to help you with your outside lighting, whether for year round, seasonal, the dock, landscaping or for that special event. They have been helping Island locals for the last 10 years during the holiday season and are ready to expand their horizons. If you have been thinking about adding outside lighting in your yard, patio or on the dock, they are here and ready to help you with ideas that will make your house a summer wonderland. For weddings, birthdays or company parties having the right lighting completes the ambiance that you are visualizing. Please give Damon Or Mike a call and they will be more than happy to help you! Call Damon 949.307.8613 or Mike 949-903-9018.

ISLAND MUSIC
THE RICK O’SHERMAN DUO
AT THE VILLAGE INN . . . . . .ST. PATRICK’S DAY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
And Rick continues performing every Saturday night at
The Villa Nova. 8:00 to 1:00 am
Reservations are not necessary in the lounge, but are suggested in the dining room.

FROM http://www.balboa-island.com

A Heartfelt “Thank You” to my Balboa Island Neighbors
There are many reasons I love living on Balboa Island - the quaint charm, interesting architecture, wonderful weather, beautiful views and proximity to everywhere I need to go. But most wonderful of all are the people who live here and care about this community and its residents.

Two months ago, during some VERY windy weather, I was planning on going to the bank with some deposits and had put my checkbook and signed checks in my back pocket while finishing errands around the house. I live on South Bayfront, so this included moving the garbage cans in the back alley. I finally got ready to leave for the bank and my checkbook and signed deposits were gone. I looked everywhere unsuccessfully and had to start organizing to call companies to get checks cancelled and new ones issued.

To my amazement, I got a call from a neighbor I’d never met telling me he had found my checkbook around the corner and had dropped it in my mail slot. Soon thereafter, another neighbor I’d never met, stopped by with most of the paperwork I’d lost, which she had found in the street a block over from my house. And ,a little after that, a third neighbor I’d never met stopped by the house and dropped off the final missing signed check she’d found blocks away while walking her dog.

These people all went out of their way to do a real kindness to another resident that they didn’t even know. They are heroes in my book and the best example of why Balboa Island is the greatest place on earth to live.

I thank them all for being terrific neighbors and a shining example of the quality of people that make up the residents of this wonderful island.
Sincerely,
Robert Levin

TIP OF THE MONTH
http://www.211.org—A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, provides a comprehensive information and referral system that links Orange County residents to community health and human services and support. You can dial 211 on your telephone to find shelters, help with utilities, Medical Resources, etc. I found out when someone asked me for help to find a homeless person shelter. More about this fabulous service next issue .Who knew???

TRIVIA CONTEST . . . .
Win a Balboa Bar from Dad’s Donuts!!!
The first person who can answer this question and brings the answer to Island Flooring (118 Agate Avenue, Balboa island) wins:
1. What was the previous name of Amelia’s restaurant in 1961???

****Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom . . .Merry Browne***

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Island Breeze Newsletters

March-April, 2010 Volume 12, Issue 1