An eventful week last week!  Brad Avery, Newport Beach Harbor Commissioner, filed his papers to run in District 2. District 2 is a seat currently occupied by Tony Petros, but Petros made a surprising announcement two weeks ago that he was not going to run for election again so that he could concentrate on his family.  Petros had an opponent for …

As of yesterday, pick up and delivery on the entirety of Balboa Peninsula is official for the Downtowner app.  The original territory was limited to the northern end of the peninsula, and while they would generally drop-off at other locations, there was not a pick-up option available, so you had to make your own way down. Yes, this expansion means that …

After two years of work almost exclusively done by friends, family, and volunteers, the Ben Carlson statue was unveiled last night at the Newport Pier to a fantastic reception.  A particular phone call with a key person involved in the process is something that I will remember that really set the tone for me.  This person was concerned that people might not like …

Today on July 6th– two years after his final save– Ben Carlson’s statue will be unveiled at the base of Newport Pier, in McFadden Square. Thousands of people donated and tens of thousands participated in the movement– this will mean a lot to everyone, and serve as a lasting memory of his sacrifice as the first lifeguard to lose his life in Newport Beach. …

Are you a kid, a kid-at-heart, a fisherman, or a cook?  One of the big annual Grunion Runs is happening this weekend! Grunion are a species of fish that spawn on the beaches after new or full moons during the summertime, and joining in to watch or participate in the grunion run is a famous pasttime for our long history of Southern …

This week, city officials sent letters to Balboa Island residents demanding that they remove over-the-street decorations from their homes and businesses.  The demand letter was triggered by a complaint from an unknown resident.  Balboa Island residents responded in the same independent spirit that has set Newport away from others since the start… they said they were simply going to do what they wanted to. …

Newport has a lot of great dogs in need of great homes and great owners… And we’ve got the perfect pup for you to rescue who desperately needs a forever home. From the shelter: “Ricky’s a pit bull, approx 2 years old.  Neutered, microchipped, dewormed and up-to-date on shots. He’s a little guy, under 50lbs now, still very  skinny, but he will fill out …

SECTION 1: Events What: Old Glory Boat Parade (American Legion) Where: Newport Harbor When: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday Admission: Free Details: This patriotic-themed parade will start off Collins Island and proceed throughout Newport Harbor. A Harbor Patrol fire boat will lead close to 100 decorated boats through the harbor. The event sponsor is the American Legion Yacht Club. Participate! Decorate your own boat …

It has been almost two years since we lost Ben Carlson, a lifeguard who made countless saves right here in Newport Beach.  That day, the news of search and rescue efforts for him spread quickly amongst the waterfront community after Ben made his last dive at 5:18pm on July 6th, 2014.  Everyone felt a moment of timelessness as the minutes ticked …

Last year, the good folks at Toddland along with their friends and family (me included!) raised enough money in just $20 donations to buy and raise a monster flag at the start of Balboa Peninsula, right between Malarky’s and Newport BrewCo.  Monday morning, it was raised for the second time of many more to come, just in time for the 4th of July. …