October 2004 Volume 6, Issue 6
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
One more reminder about Golf Cart Verification Day. There has been a lot of misinformation about golf carts First, even though we are within a certain distance of a golf course there has to be an access road to the golf course for their to be an exemption to the licensing rule. For example, if you live on the golf course in Big Canyon with direct access to the course without going on a public road. Secondly, what was once the law for electric golf carts has changed. The DMV was undergoing a revamping of their regulations this summer—thus the moratorium on ticketing on our 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 check for a Vin Number on our carts 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. As I have told everyone you don’t HAVE to register your golf cart, but if you don’t and you are cited or towed by the city it is going to be your responsibility to get your cart to the DMV rather than just drive it to Little Island on November 6th. The City of Newport Beach is doing us a HUGE favor. Over 15 golf carts have been stolen between here and Bayshores—we need to have them licensed. The golf carts, in increasing numbers, are using our public streets here on Balboa Island. It is only fair that we who own them pay for that use.
Now that I have your attention—remember the Balboa Island Garage Sale is once a year—not twice—always in May the weekend after the Balboa Island Art Walk and Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day. We had lots of phone calls asking why there wasn’t a Fall Garage Sale.
The garage sale operated at an ever increasing loss until Steve Bromberg heard we were going to give up having it and offered some of his discretionary money from the city last year. As we tell everyone—”it is too much work to try to get everyone to pay twice a year!” With the monies from the city we can stretch the event for as many years as possible and at least have one event a year—and in the meantime maybe those who are interested in continuing the event will get the message!!! If everyone who participated paid their $10.00 we would have no problem. And we don’t have time to run around collecting money on the day of the sale—it has always been the honor system. With Steve running unopposed we have Four More Years!! And then we’ll see where we stand.
In the meantime—Check out our refurbished benches at the Beek Center Park and while you are there stop in at Let’s Go Shopping, In Bloom and Island Flooring and check out our fall sales and have
A Happy Halloween Everyone!!
PEOPLE WE SHARE THE ISLAND WITH . . . . COLLEEN WEBSTER
Last month I talked about my Water Aerobics Class—this month I would like to talk about a wonderful lady who is part of that class, Colleen Webster.
Colleen was born in Oklahoma, but moved to California at two years old. She lived in the Southern part of the Wilshire district in the 1930s and remembers what great fun it was riding her bicycle up and down Wilshire Boulevard after it was paved and before it was opened. Then her father moved the family to the boonies—Westwood—there was no UCLA there at the time and they couldn’t figure why he was putting them “way out there”.
During the depression her dad worked in the oil fields and Colleen remembers he shared money with his co-workers to feed their families. Her grandfather was in horse racing and after the depression her father went back into that profession for the rest of his life at Hollywood Park. Colleen said her dad, “knew more about horses than humans,” and played a big part in the rescue of many horses from a fire at the racetrack.
Colleen graduated from high school during World War II and went to work for Douglas Aircraft. Her jobs were mainly clerical, but when she had a little time to herself she would go and stand in the half built DC 3s and dream about being an airline hostess. Eventually she got her dream job.
The first time Colleen ever flew was as an airline hostess. The requirements to be a hostess were short hair, a minimum height and a nursing degree. She wasn’t a nurse and neither were most of the girls she worked with, but the passengers all talked to her like she was one, which, she said, was kind of interesting.
Colleen worked for Western Airlines. That airline’s slogan was, “We Always Arrive!” (I find that a bit scary!!) Colleen flew from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. She loved her job flying locally and living the glamorous life. The planes had 19 passengers and one stewardess and wonderful meals (except for the eggs). Makes you yearn for the good old days.
It wasn’t all that glamorous though—she lived at home. And did so until she met her husband to be Ben Webster when she was 29 years old. Ben and she married and had three boys, Patrick, Miles and John. They lived in Westwood and Ben worked for his company, Webster Instruments, until he retired.
When they were young all the kids in school would come to Balboa Island to vacation. Ben decided he wanted to come here after he retired, so he bought their current lot and had Dennis Vitarelli built a house on it.
Colleen said it took her five years to accept the move from her beloved Westwood. But now she only goes there two times a month to play bridge. The rest of the time she is active walking the island, going to water aerobics, traveling and playing with her dog Ginger and cat Coco. I hope I can be as active as she is when I am 83 years young!!!
TIPS OF THE MONTH
Gaining Weight? Blame your Bedtime. Are you gaining weight and you have no idea why, the culprit could be your bedtime. If you don’t get enough sleep at night it doesn’t matter what you eat and how much time you spend on the treadmill. If you are exhausted your diet just won’t work. Why? Sleep deprivation affects the hormones that control appetite and weight reduction. If you don’t get enough sleep at night you will eat more during the day to stay alert and the hormones that control appetite and weight reduction won’t function properly. Also your resistance to insulin will be increased which in turn interferes with your ability to digest and process carbohydrates. That can make you gain weight. And we are hardwired to sleep eight hours a day no matter what you might think!!!
“What the #$*!”:” or “What the Bleep Do We Know?” I saw this film at the Edward’s University Theatres recently. Staring Marlee Matlin, this film mixes quantum physics, animation and documentary filmmaking. After a lot of my friends told me about it—some had seen it five times—I went and loved it—some of the stuff I had read about in college, but some was new to me. Makes you think about such things as reality, spirituality and the meaning of life. If you want a glimpse before you go— see http://www.whatthebleep.com I highly recommend it.
And here is a tip that I keep forgetting—if you are leaving the Island and don’t have internet access, you can subscribe to the Island Breeze—$25.00 per year and we mail the whole thing to you when we publish—which hopefully—everything being ok in the Universe—is once a month. Just send your name and address to The Island Breeze, PO BOX 5930, BALBOA ISLAND, CA, 92662.
Jubjub.com. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .LYDIA CHIU
Lydia Chiu has recently updated the Balboa-Island website for us. Her company jubjub.com hosts our website and just recently redesigned it and brought us into the 21st century—we even have mailing list capabilities!
Now if you miss an issue of the Island Breeze or if you need a copy of an old issue—starting with June, 2004—it is available on the Internet.
Lydia has always done a fabulous job of helping us keep the website up to date and with the new format she has made it easy to load pictures and new information at a moments notice. We love it!!
If you have any internet needs feel free to contact Lydia at http://www.jubjub.com or at 877.758.2582. Now maybe I can figure out what to do with the Island Flooring website.
DEE’s BALBOA ISLAND TALK . . . DEE DAWSON
Back home on Beautiful Balboa Island, just in time for the Holiday Season!!! It is truly a joy following a lengthy career move to be right here, right now. Halloween, my favorite of ALL favorites is right around the corner, so let me share what “spooky” things are happening along Marine Avenue.
Working my way down the street, my first stop into The Barkery was not to be forgotten! What an adorable assortment of pet costumes and accessories anywhere! First, I was wowed by the festive little ‘jester-Style’ doggie collars adorned with spooky skulls, ghosts, and pumpkins. Sizes XS-XL. Made by “Party Collars” @only $14.99 each. Your pet will be voted ‘best costume’ in one of these! NEW FEATURE displayed nearby; outfit your little ones in adorable kerchiefs that literally glow in the dark! The fabric is specially coated that way. Broad range of scary prints available. My favorite novelty item in the entire store?? The Halloween squeak-toy section up front, loaded with the wackiest, furriest little ghouls and goblins. These toy are not just for Fido as they come complete with sound-effects when depressed! Great party gags!
Down the street same side, a Balboa Island tradition and Halloween favorite, Martha’s Bookstore. Kathy Wales—owner, showed me these neat little ink-pens which double as liquid bubbles! Pop off the Skull or Pumpkin head tops (eyes bulge and pop—scary!) and you’ve got bubble-blowing fun for kids of all ages! Only $2.95 each. There are also decorative yard banners galore, from the smaller sizes to larger scenes at only $19.99. Also great Halloween fairytales and storybooks—including one unique “scratch-and-sniff” version! Don’t forget to grab a ‘blinking pumpkin necklace” to light up your October outfit on your way out!
Right in front I couldn’t help stopping into Just Basics for a moment. Ladies, you have to see their brand new ‘Gypsy’ skirts—just in!!! Glittery and gorgeous and exclusively by AltaVora. Also coming in chocolate brown and black w/gold. Also as chillier temps approach check out their snuggly parka-jackets in black, mustard and pumpkin.
For all of your treat needs this year a stop into Balboa Candy is a must. I love their collective display of Halloween goodies; many pre-packaged for your convenience. Assorted pre-wrapped candies are only $1.99 each perfectly ’germ-free’ and ready to place into the ’trick or treat’ sack. Pick up a charming little sand bucket pained with eerie Halloween designs for the little goblins. A bargain at only $3.99.
Finally, for a more ’traditional Halloween’ pay a visit at the Gift Box (208 Marine) and review their lovely new collection of “buyer’s Choice” Autumn figurines. The Pilgrims and Harvest Scenes brought back warm memories of years past. They also carry a lovely ‘hostess gift-idea’ in their delightful little pre-packaged bags of Pumpkin Bread mix, $11.00 each. Traditional BI Halloween stops at The Sandpiper and Our Gang General Store are not to be forgotten!! Best animated Halloween window this year? My vote goes to Sculpture’s 321 Marine Avenue. Chose yours, and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN.
LETTERS TO THE ISLAND BREEZE
Carolyn,
I enjoyed reading your letter from Jim Baillet about the Lodge Balboa House.
I happen to know the exact location of this house.
It is my house on the corner of Topaz and Collins. Since I bought the house in October 2004 I have had visits from two previous owners.
One of the owners told me about The Lodge Balboa sign and said it is still in his garage. I would love to see the picture that Jim has and perhaps he could scan and e-mail it to me and for our scrapbook and possibly the B.I. Museum.
The house has a lot of history, the Lord & Taylor department store owners built it as a weekend retreat back in 1929.
Please assure Jim that I will keep the house safe from the bulldozers that visit our Island far to frequently in my opinion!
Bill Longfield.
(Ed. Note. Bill and Jim have corresponded and Bill is having Jim’s pictures enlarged and mounted on the walls in his house. We are also going to reenact those pictures in the next edition of the Island Breeze—so stay tuned!)
Carolyn,
I own a home on the island that has an alcove area off of the alley for the storage of our trash cans. This keeps them out of sight. Most every week, when the City of Newport Beach picks up my trash, they toss the emptied trash cans in the alley. I have called a number of times in the past to request that they put the cans back in the same area they have taken them from. However, this has only lasted one or two weeks, then it is back to the same old thing. Trash pick-up occurs while I am at work. Fortunately, I have some wonderful neighbors who pick up my trash cans and put them away for me. Wouldn’t it be nice would if the City would help us keep the alleys neat and clean too!
Ron Corradini
TRAVEL TIPS . . . . . . . . . TUCSON, ARIZONA
BLUEPOINT KITCHEN AND BAR
This Summer Mike and I traveled to Tucson to escape from the unending “June Gloom” here at the Beach. One of the highlights of our Trip was the Bluepoint Kitchen and Bar.
We discovered the Bluepoint at lunch. I was attracted to the Bluepoint Chopped Salad with Asparagus, Hearts of palm, tomato, red pepper, scallions, blue chess and an awesome peppercorn ranch dressing. But first came the West Coast Oysters on the half shell—fresh and wonderful—we always had the chef choose for us.
On subsequent visits we tried the several catches of the day, the warm Maine lobster salad, the awesome clam chowder and though we didn’t try it the steak looked fabulous.
My favorite dish, however, was the Bluepoint Mac and Cheese—Mascarpone cream sauce, shrimp, lobster, scallops and tomato with an herb gratin. It melted in my mouth and there was plenty for the next day. Executive Chef Justin Mayer made sure that the meals were finished with a wonderful Crème brule—a different flavor each day—or other wonderful dessert. And General Manager Curt Tyler always greeted us by name with a warm smile and found us a table—even when we “forgot” to get reservations on a Saturday night—I guess that is because he saw us three times in less than the one week we stayed in Tucson.
Bluepoint Kitchen and Bar is located at 2905 E. Skyline Drive Tucson Arizona, 520.577.6000. It is a concept restaurant of the RDGCHICAGO.COM Chain—a one of a kind—MMMMMMMM
AND NOW A WORD FROM YOUR SPONSOR -
ISLAND FLOORING
Door Mats and Door Stops
This is the time of year for rain—and if what we have seen so far is any indication we are going to have a wet winter. Here at Island Flooring we thought you might need something to wipe your feet on before walking on those beautiful new carpets and floors that we have been installing lately.
So recently we added a new line at Island Flooring—Door Mats. They come in all types and several sizes.
We have Seasonal ones—bright fall flowers, Topiary and Winter and Holiday Mats. And a Parisian design I love.
Then there are my personal favorites, the Dog and Cat. These mats are made of Coir and are priced under $26.00.
If you have a favorite we can order it for you. Since the rains are coming soon and the Come by and see our display.
For all you dachshund lovers, we have a cute, wrought-iron doxie boot scraper and doorstop. (My name is Baxter and I approve this Message.)
Our new display from Fibreworks arrived this week. It features wools, sisals, jutes, and some really neat cottons all available in area rugs or wall to wall.
Great new borders for the area rugs including smooth and distressed leathers, floral prints and geometrics.
If you are looking for flooring with the feel of the tropics come in and take a look at these great new options.
CLEANING AND CARE OF STONE AND CERAMIC
Recently an old friend from Balboa Island e-mailed me about a problem she had keeping the grout clean on her ceramic tile. The more she scrubbed it—the dirtier it got!! She couldn’t understand what was happening.
Paul happened to be in my office that day. He is the guy who cleans and seals stone and ceramic tile floors for us. I asked him if there was anything a consumer could do outside of hiring him.
His first words were, “Water is the Enemy!” Think of a dry lake bed. You put water on the dirt and the dirt flows into the lake bed with the water and dries up and leaves the dirt!!! That is what happens when you use too much water to wash a stone or ceramic floor.
Paul’s suggestion for her was to go to Home Depot and get an Acid Tile Grout Cleaner and clean the tile and the Grout.
Then vacuum the floor in the future and use a DAMP MOP!!
No wonder our floors stay so clean—that is the method we use—I can even recommend the mop system and vacuum to use!!
Stay Tuned - Coming Next Month - Tips from Our Friend Baxter
Island Flooring is open
Monday—Thurs: 9:00—4:00
Friday: 9:00—12:00
Saturday 10:00—2:00
EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS BY APPOINTMENT