September 2004 - Volume 6 Issue 5
Download PDF Version of Newsletter
BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR
SAT NOV 6 GOLF CART VERIFICATION DAY 9 am—NOON
Park Avenue and East Bay Front
AFTER THIS CLINIC GOLF CARTS WILL BE CITED FOR LACK OF CALIFORNIA REGISTRATION
NOV. 20-21 INSTALLATION OF ISLAND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
SAT. DEC 4 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING—FIRE STATION—Marine Avenue
SUN. DEC 5 HOLIDAY HOME TOUR
DEC. 15—19 96th ANNUAL NEWPORT HARBOR CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE
SHOOTING THE BREEZE . . . . . .Carolyn Carr
In the last edition of the Breeze we talked about the problem of golf carts being stolen on Balboa Island. Since then there have been several other incidents resulting in the Newport Beach Police having to cite or impound golf carts that are not registered with the DMV. This is for two reasons: One, there is no way for owners to track unlicensed, stolen vehicles, and two, unlicensed golf carts were being used on city streets to hold parking places. This is unfair to the people who have legally registered vehicles.
Since there are many people who bought their carts here on the island without a license plate or registration, Gail Hammerschmidt, owner of the Sandpiper, contacted the police department and asked if a police officer could come to the island and inspect her new golf cart and several of her neighbors and issue VIN numbers so the carts could be registered. The police department indicated that they could no longer do that on an individual basis.
Gail then asked our councilman, Steve Bromberg, if we could get an officer down here on a Saturday to look at all the unregistered carts and issue VIN numbers so they could be registered with the DMV. He said he would look into it and in the meantime there was a moratorium placed on citing golf carts for lack of registration on Balboa Island.
The GOLF CART VERIFICATION DAY will be held on Saturday November 6, 2004 from 9:00 am until Noon. It will be located at the End of Park on East Bayfront on Little Island. Officers will be there to issue Vin Numbers and explain what is necessary to make your golf cart street legal. After the clinic any golf cart on the streets of Balboa Island can be cited and/or towed for lack of registration.
A Golf Cart must have at least one taillight, one headlight, turn signals on the front and rear, a horn, a left side mirror, license plate light, properly working brakes, etc. If your golf cart is missing all or one of these items you can still get the paperwork necessary for registration at the DMV. However, once it is registered it needs to be in compliance or you can be issued a fix-it ticket—just like a car.
I talked to Anne at Saddleback Golf Cars and she indicated they sold complete kits, containing all the above listed parts, for about $500.00 installed at your site. They also have one items prices, for example,. the turn signals; prices vary according to your needs. She also mentioned they are developing a new inexpensive lock that should be available at the end of October to make your golf cart safe—stay tuned—I will have more information.
Thanks to Steve Bromberg, Andy Gonis, our fabulous motorcycle officer, Officer David Darling, Gail Hammerschmidt and everyone who has made this project possible—we are lucky to get such a great opportunity to get our golf carts registered without the expense of hauling them up to the DMV.
WATER WORKOUT
Are you ready to shed inches, gain range of motion and increase flexibility? Are you ready to have fun in the water with an energetic group of women and men? Are you ready to exercise three days a week without injuring yourself? Are you ready to start your day with a smile on your face?
If you answer yes to these questions, join us in our Water Aerobics classes. This summer a friend of mine talked me into joining the one hour classes staring at 8:30 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday—what a lot of fun it has been—and how much better I feel after just a couple of months.
You can come all three days or just one or two—pay by the month, or drop in for $6.00 per class—great for those of us who never know what the morning may bring or who travel a lot.
This has been a lifesaver for me with my back problems. I still love to exercise, but can no longer run or lift serious weights. And, as a bonus I get to see several of my neighbors during an otherwise busy work week.
If you are interested give me a call at 949.422.8570 for further information or look in your Fall Edition of the Newport Navigator.
DWONA DOWNES HAS LEFT THE ISLAND
After almost four years working at Seaside Cottage on Marine Avenue, good friend Dwona Downes has left the Island for another Island—Gary’s Island at Fashion Island. I guess Dwona really loves Islands.
And Balboa Island is the best. I had a chance to talk to her recently and she indicated that although she loves her new job and the challenges of selling clothing—a totally new field for Dwona; she really misses the Island and all the friends she made over the years at Seaside Cottage.
And Dwona’s life has changed in another huge way as well. Dwona’s son Rick graduated from high school last June and moved on. After work Dwona has been spending the “empty nest” hours using the skills she learned as a mom dog and housesitting—what a smart idea. If you are going to be traveling and need someone to watch your home or take care of your precious pets, give Dwona a call—you will really be happy you did.
Most importantly, if you have a free moment or two pop on by and say hi to her at Gary’s Island—she would really appreciate seeing her old friends from the Island.
BALBOA ISLAND HISTORY. . .Jim Jennings PLANT LOVER
People are always asking me why there are so many plants and trees in my little front yard at 112 Marine Avenue.
I bought my house in 1965 from Effie Tholmonson. She must not have liked plants as there was not one plant or tree in the front yard.
I love plants and trees so I started telling all the good friends and customers at my gas station at Park and Marine Avenue to not throw away any unwanted plants. “Please give them to me,” I said. I loved bringing them home and watching them come back to life and bloom.
I sometimes wonder if plants understand what we are saying or thinking. I had several plants that didn’t bloom for 3 or four years and as I was watering them I said, “I guess I will have to get rid of this plant as it won’t bloom.” Within a couple of weeks it started blooming like crazy!
My large porta carpus tree trunk is up against the house at the base of it. (I thought it was a bush when I planted it). My son told me the other day that I would probably have to cut it down as the trunk was against the house. I told him, “No Way!” We will probably have to cut away part of the house to make room for the tree!!!
LOCAL SHOPPING
Local shopping to me is, of course, Agate—My favorite street. And my favorite little boutique, Let’s Go Shopping, has some new and original items in their store this fall.
The hottest new item is the cell phone cover. They come in a wide range of colors from gingham to Burberry to pink to almost any imaginable color. This summer I watched a lady buy 15 different ones—one to match every color outfit. And they fit cell phones of all sizes. I wear mine on my pants when I don’t have a pocket and am not carrying a purse or sometimes I hook one on my purse—I always can find my cell phone these days—what a concept!
Jody and Colleen just received a new shipment of USC wine stoppers—the perfect gift for the USC fan. These decorative wine stoppers also come in golfing, birthday, sailing and dozens of other themes—stop in at Let’s Go Shopping soon—114 Agate Avenue—check out the gifts and also their wonderful clothes and shoes at affordable prices. Still my favorite store!!
Balboa Eyeland on Agate also features sunglasses and purses. All summer I watch as people exit their cars in the Ferry line and buy from owner, Roger, then jump back in the car. What a great way to get a new, inexpensive pair of sunglasses. And coming from someone who sits on hers regularly, I wouldn’t buy any other kind. On the advise of a seasoned traveler, I purchased a back pack purse for a recent trip—having my hands free was a real plus while I was trying to schlep my bags through customs. Thanks Roger.
BALBOA ISLAND BULLETIN BOARD
(This is a great place to advertise your rental, or your service or items for sale—for about $20.00 per issue—Call 949.422.8570 for further information.)
FOR SALE—Couch and love seat Like new. Sold separately or as a matching set. Traditional style with Jacquard print in rich fall colors. Shaped tight back with flared shape and pleated skirt bottom. Couch comes with 5-year fiber guard protection plan. Very elegant and very comfy. Will deliver to local area. Call 949.673.3724.
BENCH UPDATE . . . . . . . . PEGGY MAROTTA
If you see a few benches missing around the first part of October—Do not Worry! It is a good thing.
The city is going to pick up the benches, a few at a time, and take them up to their wood working shop to repair those that need it then a teak restoration company is going to restore them. All complements of the City of Newport Beach.
Thanks to David Niederhouse, It is always a good thing when you see an improvement the City has made to call or e-mail them. Goodness knows they get enough complaints. The city Phone number is 949.644.3275. Their eimail is . Our city Councilman is Steve Bromberg. Steve is coming up with a lot of improvements on the Island
TIPS OF THE MONTH
Generic Drugs—An easy way to cut costs, but there can be a downside as one of my doctors pointed out. In generic drug formulation there can be a 10% variance plus or minus in the composition—which means up to a 20% overall variance—from the original formulation. This means the generic may not work as well—or not work at all. So if you have problems when you switch to a generic be aware—this could be the problem.
Buying drugs on the Internet—to be sure there are sites which sell drugs that are not what they say they are—we are finding counterfeit drugs even in local pharmacies. When I had no insurance, however, I ordered drugs from http://www.canadadrugs.com—and on my bill who do you think billed me—Rite Aid. I knew my drugs were safe and 1/3 to 1/2 the cost. In many cases the Canadian pharmacies are the same ones you buy from here in the United States.
Get Less Junk Mail—Andy Rooney’s Tips for telemarketers.
1. The three little words are “Hold on Please . . . . “ Saying
this and walking away (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time- con- suming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt. When you hear the phone company’s “Beep, Beep Beep” tone, you know it is time to go back and hang up your hand set.
2. When you get “ads” enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these “ads” with your payment. Let the sending com- panies throw their own junk mail away.
When you get those “pre-approved” letters in the mail for
everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return postage paid enve lope. Put some of your junk mail in those envelopes and send it back—just don’t send their blank application back—that would be dangerous and encourage identity fraud. Or you could just send back the empty envelope. We can keep our postal workers busy as well.
I (Andy Rooney) have been doing this for years and I get very little junk mail any more.
LETTERS TO THE ISLAND BREEZE
Hello,
My name is Jill Martin and I lived on the Island back in the early to mid 1960s. I lived at 307 Coral Avenue. I loved the Island and that house. My parents divorced and my mother and I moved to Corona Del Mar. I remember Larry Capune and all the wonderful things and people on the island. Next to my children it is the best part of my life. I am 50 now and I have never forgotten life on the island. I would love to bring my four boys that are still at home to live on the island, but alas my husband would have to find work in his trade. Thank you for listening.
A few names I remember are Al and Maggie Babeaux , Pat Hanifin (not sure of the spelling), the Reno family on Coral and the Temple family also on Coral. Also the Phelps family and Buddy Ebsen and his family. I had my first frozen banana on the island. I miss it so. Please feel free to contact me, my email is . I am in Oregon.
Sincerely,
Jill Martin (via e-mail)
Hello,
Fate intervened the other day, I was looking for pictures of my sister from long ago for my niece Kristin and I found one from Balboa circa 1929 or 1930 and looking under a magnifying lass there was a sign on the building that read “The Lodge Balboa”. I remember vaguely as having several apartments, maybe on Collins near the Ferry. It may have been our first visit to Balboa Island.
Do you know anyone who might remember that place?
It may please you to know that when I am going to sleep some nights I think of Balboa Island, I do not honestly think that there is anywhere in the world (perhaps Portofino, Italy, would be close second) like our beloved Island!
One million dollars for a cottage? Well worth it. It is location, location, location.
Jim Baillet (via e-mail)
Carolyn -
In response to the current concerns about keeping trash cans out of the alleys, I would like to call to attention the fact that a great many of us lack side yards or garage space for storing trash cans.
I would suggest that if a change is wanted here on the Island, with its housing density, it be enacted gradually, perhaps with a requirement that homes constructed from her on include allotments for trash can storage on the property.
In my fifty-six years of having lived on Balboa Island, this is the first year in my personal awareness that there has been an issue with the placement of trash containers in the alleys. All the more need, I’d say, for a go-easy shift. I do agree with the importance of keeping trash areas tidy.
Sincerely,
Faith Bowlus
Ed. Thanks Faith, I agree, there are lots of older houses with no place for trash cans and where the owners do not necessarily allow tenants use of the garage for storage of the cans. Parking is a far more important use of Part of the charm of the Island is that we live a more relaxed life style than in other parts of the world.
If You Would Like to Download the Island Flooring Newsletter Click This Link