November, 2004, Volume 6. Issue 7
BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR
NOV. 20-21 INSTALLATION OF ISLAND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
9:00 am—Saturday, 11:00 am Sunday—Beek Center.
SAT. DEC. 4 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING—FIRE STATION—Marine Avenue
4:00 pm—7:00 pm Caroling, Cookies, Santa and Snow
SUN. DEC. 5 HOLIDAY HOME TOUR, $20.00, 11:00 am—4:00 pm
Tickets sold at The Sandpiper, Martha’s Bookstore, Island Home, Even Sisters
SAT. DEC. 11 SS. RED SAILS, 301 Marine Avenue—One Year Anniversary—1—3 pm with Santa Claus.
SUN. DEC. 12 HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING CONTEST—
MON. DEC. 13 LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON FROM 5 pm until 9 pm for Judging
TUES. DEC. 14 Final Judging Day
DEC. 15—19 96th ANNUAL NEWPORT HARBOR CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE
http://www.ChristmasBoatParade.com
SHOOTING THE BREEZE . . . . . .Carolyn Carr
Not much wind blowing from my mouth this month—just check the schedule above for everything we all need to know and do for the Holidays here on Balboa Island. This is a wonderful time of year when everyone goes all out to decorate and celebrate.
Just a quick plug for Holiday Light Installations by Damon Burris. Local Damon has installed Christmas lights all over Balboa Island for the past several years—notably those at the Park Avenue Café, Agate 108, Island Flooring, Mary Hardesty’s Emerald Avenue residence and the Bisby house on East Bayfront. He does a fabulous job of getting lights up in hard to get to places, keeping them lit during the windy holiday season, and taking them down in a timely manner. Please call Damon at 949.689.6466.
I hope everyone enjoys my interview with JD Doughty this month—his thriving business has been on my end of the Island since I arrived here in 1990—and his views about our harbor made me stop and think about why I came here in the first place. How beautiful it is—how clean and nice—what a great place to live it is—even if I don’t remember to walk on the Bayfront often enough. JD inspired me to do so. And to be grateful for having such a wonderful place to live—sometimes we get caught up in the daily grind and forget.
Speaking of grateful, I would like to thank Jacqueline Sidman, my hypnotherapist, for all the changes, outward and inward, that everyone has noticed these past 9 months—it has been an been an interesting journey. I would recommend her to anyone who would like to change their lives or their size.
Don’t forget the 1-Year Anniversary Party December 11, at SS. Red Sails, 301 Marine Ave., from 1-3 pm. Regan Carpentier has planned a Christmas event with Santa Claus—remember to bring your camera.
Finally, Mike’s dad, Bob Kamps, passed away in Green Bay, Wisconsin in October. We made a trip to see Bob when he became ill. Our visit will be vividly remembered for the beautiful fall colors we hadn’t seen in thirty years, and the wonderful time we spent reminiscing with Bob. Bob spent several happy extended vacations on Balboa Island, and he always remembered the people he met here. Bob was the last of our parents. On the day he passed I asked Mike if it didn’t feel strange not to have any parents anymore— at the end of the day he said, “Yes, it did feel different knowing there wasn’t anyone left.” Just us—now we are the elders.
LONGTIME BALBOA ISLAND BUSINESS . . . JD’s BIG GAME TACKLE
When I moved to the Island in 1990, one of the first shops I visited was JD’s Big Game Tackle—it was one of the few shops on “my” end of the Island—and it was full of interesting things I knew nothing about. I still don’t know much about fishing, but I learned a whole lot about JD this past week.
John “JD” Doughty was born in Southern California and has a “mirror” twin brother, Gene. This means they are as identical as twins can be—like Siamese twins who have separated—JD is right handed—his brother is left handed—they part their hair on the opposite sides of their heads. Both love the water— Gene surfs, JD fishes. Gene has a marine architecture business in Morro Bay on the water—and JD’s Big Game Tackle is right here on the water in Newport Harbor.
When John and Gene were growing up, summers were spent on Balboa Island, perch fishing off the dock. In those days there were thousands of fish in Newport bay—what fun it must have been to drop your line in and be guaranteed a fish!!
With a sparkle in his eye, JD talks about how he enjoys helping the five to seven year old kids tie their drop lines—just like he did as a child. It gives him the greatest pleasure to introduce them to the enjoyment of fishing.
JD began working in a sporting goods store at 15 years old. By twenty he was in management and after experiencing wholesaling, import/export, manufacturing, retail and 9 years of traveling as a representative for fishing tackle manufacturers, JD came to Balboa Island in 1976 as manager of Busbee’s Sport Fishing Headquarters (located where JD’s is now).
In January, 1990 JD took over the lease and opened JD’s Big Game Tackle. JD’s primary focus is on outfitting private sportfishing boats. Newport Harbor has many expensive, cutting edge yachts which demand similar fishing gear. The owners want the best and JD is able to provide it. JD often finds himself using his years of experience with the manufacturers themselves to design equipment especially for a certain boat.
JD also has a terrific Catalog—with everything you can imagine for fishing, and an Internet site http://www.jdsbiggame.com.
JD knew Balboa Island was where he wanted to spend his life when he came here—as a traveling salesman JD said he got to see lots of different places and life styles and has a deep appreciation of what we have here on Balboa Island. “Being here on Balboa Island is a way of life different from anywhere else.”
“The joys of the island do not necessarily involve fishing as much as the fact that no one ever comes in here unhappy,” JD says, “I watch a parade of people from my door—couples hand in hand, children, teenager— people enjoying life. I love it!”
But it is sad too. When JD came here as a child the pilings around the island were teeming with life—seaweed, clams, and crabs. Now there are no more crabs. “The resources are getting lower and lower each year,” JD told me, “the longer a person is an angler the more they become an environmentalist.” Which is why, whenever JD fishes, which is once a week, he usually releases whatever he catches. “This is a park to me—the fish are my squirrels—I don’t want to eat the squirrels—I want to enjoy them.”
That hasn’t stopped him from teaching his children to fish—his daughter Hunter, who turned 15 the day of our interview, has held the record for a Blue Marlin for a girl her age for 6 years—I saw a picture of the fish—it was awesome!! His older daughter Rebecca, 19, likes to fish with dad too. And what an awesome dad he is. JD’s Big Game Tackle is located at 406 So. Bayfront, Balboa Island, CA 92662. 949.723.0883.
HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING CONTEST . . . JOANIE COOPER
It’s that time of the year again—all those fun Holiday events on our Island, including our Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest. We need help with the judging, distributing flyers, and placing signs on the winning homes.
Deck the Halls and Your Homes. Judging takes place on Sunday, December 12 through Monday December 13. Final Decisions will be made on Tuesday December 14. Keep your lights on from 5 pm until 9 pm. The categories are: Most Original, Best Animated, Traditional, Best Nighttime Lighting, Best Daytime Garden and Home, Best of Each Bayfront, Best Commercial From Agate and Marine Avenues—and of course several All-Time Awards for those wonderful folks who do a great job decorating year after year, and several awards for Honorable Mention.
First place Winners will have a BIIA Sign placed in their yard for all to see and a Keepsake Star 2004 Trophy for their Home or Business. The homes are all judged by local volunteers—their time and efforts help make our island a special place. If you can help at all, please call Joanie Cooper 949.675.4441.
LETTERS TO THE ISLAND BREEZE
Dee—
I would like to thank you very much for your complimentary vote on our Halloween window.
I was just reading through the issue as I normally do, not expecting anything, and was so pleasantly surprised. The girls that work at Sculptures were happy too. We all work so hard to make the store inviting and welcoming to everyone who drops by. It is nice to get a pat on the back.
Thank you so much.
Sharon Tarpo, Sculptures of Balboa
HOLIDAY LIGHT INSTALLATION
If you want a beautiful, professional job for your Holiday Lights, call local resident Damon Burris at 949.689.6466. He will get your lights up and keep them burning bright throughout the holiday season. He has done a fabulous job on the Island for many years.
PEOPLE WE SHARE THE ISLAND WITH . . . . ROBERT ROOKS
When Robert Rooks walked into my office and introduced himself I was instantly impressed with how centered and “focused” he was—and then he told me he was a photographer who would like to help me with the pictures on the http://www.balboa-island.com web site. Since I had recently changed the format and was looking for more photographs, it was a serendipitous moment.
Robert lives on the Island and works as a professional photographer for many national companies. Interested in graphic communications in High School Robert started taking pictures when he graduated—his first big break was a picture he took of Gene Hackman at a youth boxing charity event. Robert submitted the picture to the newspapers and they published it.
In the early days of his career Robert spent a lot of time shooting professional hockey teams. He also landed a job at The Orange County Register doing their color work.
Then Robert took a leap of faith and started his own business. Today his clients include Nordstrom, Home Aid, St. John’s Knit, Merrill Lynch, Anheiser Busch, The St. Regis, Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures. At the time of our interview he was working on a video for Lanar Homes at Home Aid (the charity which auctions the playhouses at Fashion Island each year), and had several pictures of a Nordstrom event in the current issue of Coast Magazine.
Robert would like to get involved in the Balboa Island community and become a part of the events that make Balboa Island a special place. That was one of the reasons he came to me and offered his photographs to the Island website.
As the Holiday Season draws near he would like local residents to feel comfortable contacting him for Holiday photography and videos of families and gatherings. He also would like to offer his services to local business who would like virtual tours for their websites or other uses.
With Robert’s experience, focus and energy I am sure you would be thrilled with whatever product he creates for you.
You can contact Robert at 949.887.7232 or . You can also view examples of his work at http://www.Rrphoto.net.
DEE’s BALBOA ISLAND TALK . . . DEE DAWSON
November is here and the Holiday Season officially goes into ‘entertainment mode’; friends, family and food, will be on everyone’s minds. I was so pleased to uncover some wonderful Thanksgiving ideas from many Island retailers. Sculptures Gifts is featuring the most charming hand-carved wooden placards for your front door—animated Pilgrim characters dangle and another, announcing “Turkey Time”!! 7:00—12:00. Need something to do with that old Halloween pumpkin still sitting around the house? Don’t throw it out! Instead, try their unique “Turkey Parts” painted wooden pieces—comes with a turkey head, tail feathers and feet—assemble on your pumpkin and voila—instant Thanksgiving centerpiece. How original and resourceful.
For that special Fall outfit, Island gals must stop next door and visit all new Copeen’s Boutique—319-B Marine (formerly Jacqueline’s). Most items in this charming collection are imported labels so reasonably priced by their savvy buyer and co-owner ‘Brigitte’. Just in: gorgeous velour Tapestry jackets rich in autumn tones and silk-lined by Citron. Also, you can’t help but grab one or two of the many elegant 3-piece pant sets complete with duster jacket, pant and tank top, exclusively by Caribe. A lovely crimson 3-piece set with plunging ruffled neckline only $189.00. Sizes S-XL.
Many of us will have visiting guests from out of town and Island homes are small—where to put everyone? Hotels are so impersonal. How about a wonderful weekly rental? I dropped into Don Abram’s Coastal Property the other afternoon where they feature handy listings on fliers for you to take. Don’t just make it dinner—make it a vacation! Phone your relatives now and have them contact one of the many friendly realtors over at Abrams—949.675.4822. They are eager to help with your holiday needs!
Couldn’t do Thanksgiving arrangements without stopping over on Agate and into In Bloom I spoke with owner ‘Missy’ Harris and she is happy to take your centerpiece orders right now! She will create a unique holiday arrangement-mix using gourds, fruits, artichokes and pumpkins or towards the more ‘traditional’ Cornucopia styling. It is up to you! Check out the cute miniature ‘harvest corn’ candles also at only 50 cents each. Wow! At that price pick up a couple dozen. Please phone in orders ASAP for prompt delivery at 949.675.9484.
Finally, no dinner table would be complete without a fine bottle of wine—Hershey’s Market features the best labels priced from a very modest $5.99 to the higher end—$79.99. Take your pick and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING BALBOA ISLAND.
BALBOA ISLAND BULLETIN BOARD
For Rent—Bayfront—Little Island—Three Story—Three Bedroom—Three Bathroom—Yearly Lease—$4500.00 /month. 323.876.2723
Boat Mooring—Little Island—Length to 15 feet. $200 per month. 323.876.2723.
TIPS OF THE MONTH
New Law Means Checks May Clear—Or Bounce—Faster
If you’re in the habit of playing beat the clock with your checking account, it is time to change your ways. Soon, the financial two-step known as the “float” will be much harder to pull off.
The “float” is the one-to five-day window between the time you write a check and the time the money is withdrawn from your account. Floaters use this time lag to give themselves short-term interest-free loans.
But a new law that took effect October 28 will eventually sink the float. The law, known as Check 21, will allow banks to transmit images of checks electronically. Now, about 40 million paper checks a year are transported by trains, planes and trucks for processing, which is why it may take up to five days to clear an out-of-town check.
With electronic processing, “Checks are definitely going to clear faster than they have in the past,” says Ed Herman, a director at EDS, a third– party check processor.
Banking industry officials say the change will make the system less expensive, more efficient and less susceptible to fraud. The impetus for the change was the September 11 terrorist attacks which disrupted transportation for several days throughout the country. After the attacks the federal Reserve Board pushed for changes that would make the country’s financial system less vulnerable.
The change won’t happen overnight, says John Hall spokesman for the American Bankers Association. Many banks don’t plan to start processing checks electronically until 2005.
Still, consumer groups are concerned that the change will result in more bounced checks, and not just among people who routinely play the float. While Check 21 will speed up the amount of time in which checks are processed, it won’t reduce the “holds” banks place on deposits, says Gail Hillebrand of Consumers Union. Banks are allowed to hold local checks for up to two days, and out-of-town checks for up to five business days.
That could create problems for people who work for companies headquartered in another city, Hillebrand says. If you write check that clears while there’s still a hold on your paycheck, it will bounce, triggering hefty overdraft fees.
Hall says most banks hold deposits for much shorter periods than the law allows for competitive reasons. “If you’re known as the slow check-processing, bank, you won’t be in business very long,” he says.
Still, just about everybody agrees that bank customers will need to pay more attention to what’s going on in their checking accounts. And if you receive canceled check the law will now allow financial institutions to destroy original checks after they have created digital images. These “substitute checks” will be the legal equivalent of the original check and can be used as proof of payment. Sandra Block—USA TODAY
ISLAND FLOORING
118 Agate Avenue
Balboa Island, CA 92662
949.675.3456
949.675.4348 Fax
949.422.8569 Mike’s Cell
949.422.8570 Carolyn’s Cell
And Now, as they say, a word from our sponsor, Island Flooring. This month has been a hectic one with everyone getting their flooring in before the holidays—
When you remodel or build—try a seeming paradox: new recycled tile. With color and design choices as varied and intricate as those of any mainstream counterpart, recycled-glass tiles (made from bottles or airplane windshields, for example) are the eco-stylish option for shower stalls, countertops, floor or walls. One of our newest products is a glass mosaic tile made from recycled bottles—Oceanside Glasstiles (glasstile.com). Our trendiest client—now in her third house with us—put this in her showers and loves it! Come in and see these fabulous samples.
Another new product from my favorite Wood Company, Woodland Flooring on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Woodland Flooring is now offering all their Authentic Fir, Blue Mountain Pine and Country Alder Floors with a OSMO Hardwax Oil Finish. This wax is produced in the laboratories of OSMO in Munster, Germany. With over 25 years of experience in development and production of high quality materials, OS Hardwax Oil is specially designed for solid wood, engineered and machined profiles.
This product is based on naturally produced vegetable oils and waxes and fulfills all up-to-date ecological requirement. It does not contain any organic solvents or water. The finished surface has a high chemical and physical resistance to spills, stains, chipping or scratching and is guaranteed not to peel or flake off.
OS Hardwax is easily maintained by regular cleaning with OS “Wash and Care” Floor Cleaner, a mild and non-toxic cleaner based from coconut and vegetable oils.
And the real beauty of this product is—when you need to repair the floor if it becomes scratched or damaged in one area—you do not have to refinish the whole floor—just the damaged area. You can use “OS DIY Hardwax Oil” - a sister product to the UV cured factory finish. By sanding the area and applying 2 coats of OS DIY Hardwax Oil with a cloth, minor damaged areas or high wear areas can be rebuilt without refinishing the entire floor. Now that is a real advantage that can save thousands of dollars!!
TIPS FROM BAXTER -
Come and see the doorstop that looks just like me at Island Flooring. During this the Windy Santa Ana time of year it will help keep your doors from slamming shut and scaring your pets and other important people in the house!!
And when you come to Island Flooring you can see me in person!!
