Well, two week after the election, we can now say for certain how everything has turned out! Here is a chart comparing the original counts to the new counts: DISTRICT NAME old VOTES old % new VOTES new % District 1: (total votes: 19,619-14,364) +5,255 DIANE DIXON (unopposed) 14,364 100%  19,619  100% District 3: (total votes: 24,576-17,958) +6,618 DUFFY DUFFIELD 11,991 …

Balboa, Newport Beach, May 1975.  Do you remember Orange Julius, across from Dillmans? What was your favorite treat?  

Whew.  What an election!  I think we can all agree, that was more than we had bargained for, right? All the money spent on signs, slick mailers, commercials, and other materials to “get the word out” was absolutely overwhelming.  Did you read it all?  I did– but suspect I’m the exception to the rule! Most cities vote one of two ways: 1) …

This Wednesday during a rescheduled city council meeting, the council voted 6-0 (with Daigle not present) to rename the Lifeguard HQ to the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters.  The organization whose task is honoring Ben was also awarded with a $10,000 check to help their progress towards a statue to be placed near the Lifeguard HQ next summer near the anniversary of …

We’ve received word that all ballots may be finally counted, but that the Registrar of Voters is holding off on certifying results until they are “110% sure”– a wise move.  The nation still laughs about the “hanging chad” in the year 2000! However, that doesn’t stop the anxiousness and anticipation from boiling over.  We have no races in Newport that are in jeopardy, …

Join us tonight, at the Newport Beach City Hall for the dedication and renaming of our Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters to “Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters”. This is something we can all be excited about, and is great way to honor Ben even before the statue comes in his honor.  If you decide to speak tomorrow to thank the council, please remember to thank …

Yesterday the Marines may have gotten their day, but today is dedicated to all veterans.  In fact, if you are a vet, many companies would like to honor you on this day dedicated to you and your service.  Here are a few nationally recognized names, and their attempt at giving back: • Get a free haircut. Veterans who visit Great …

On November 10, 1775, the Marines were officially born through a resolution by Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. For the last 239 years, our Marine friends have been fighting on the front lines to protect our country against our enemies. As I was born and raised in Jacksonville Florida (which had a whopping three naval bases at the time), …

An old photo of a day at the beach. Full sets of clothes (because anything else would be too revealing)! Can you guess the date of this photo?

What an amazing night. Let’s start with the two “big ones”: Duffy is known around Newport for his boats.  When he was a kid, he did what others said couldn’t be done: He powered his boat with an electric motor.  Well, our beloved Duffy has pulled off the impossible yet again, and has managed to resoundingly defeat a sitting mayor. Rush Hill was defeated …