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September-October 2005 Volume 7, Issue 6

BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR
SAT SEPT 24 END OF SUMMER BARBEQUE—Beek Center, 5PM—8 PM All Island Resi- dents Welcome!!!
NOV 19-20 CHRISTMAS DECORATING ON THE ISLAND - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS -
Call Eileen Haub—949.673.1426
DEC 3 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING—Fire Station
DEC 11 BALBOA ISLAND HOME TOUR 11 am—4 pm
DEC 14—18 NEWPORT HARBOR CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE
Starts at 6:30 off Collins Island




Island Flooring has an Exciting New Line of Wood Flooring—Really Exciting—and Unique.  Found ONLY at Island Flooring!!
A customer came in recently and asked us for a dyed, stained, heavily pillowed, heavily scraped, walnut finished engineered wood floor.  He is building a new home in Calabasas and is not interested in using what the builder is providing.  We created a floor for him and a new sample for the residents of Balboa Island.  His wife loved it, he loved it, I loved it, even Mike loved it.  The decorators who have been stopping and getting out of the Ferry Line and asking what it is love it.  Come and see it. 
While you are here you can see all the new distressed wood floors in all price ranges (including one for $10.99) for fall.  There are more than I can describe here—you really have to come in and see them for yourselves.  We are open Monday through Saturday 10—5 and usually on Sundays (just call ahead 949.675.3456.)
ISLAND FLOORING . . . “Our Craftmanship Will Floor You.”

Door Mats, Mats, Car Floor Mats, Football and Basketball Rugs.
We are really excited about our College Rug Line.  We started to carry them to have a little fun with the tourists waiting for the Ferry during the summer and our gamble has turned out to be a hit with Island residents as well. 
Of course we have USC and UCLA – Car Floor Mats, Door Mats (in two sizes and styles), Football-shaped Rugs in three sizes. Schools represented include Stanford, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Iowa, Florida, Florida State, Arkansas, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee, Oregon, Oregon State and many, many more.  Come in and see if we have your school.  These are great presents for the man in your life or children off at college—surprise them with the a special gift.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT . . .
Have you gotten a new cell phone lately?  Don’t know what to do with the old one?  Island Flooring is collecting old cell phones to send to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other areas where seniors and others in need can use them to dial 911 in case of a medical emergency. 
The organization that will ultimately distribute these phones is called Phones for Life.  It was started by Dr. Dee L’Archeveque, a former Southern California resident and UCLA medical school graduate.  Please—bring your phones to Island Flooring—donate your old cell phones to this worthy cause.

SHOOTING THE BREEZE . . .Carolyn Carr
The summer is over and things are settling down on Balboa Island.  It has been an especially busy summer down here where I live on Agate Avenue.  We have our influx of “urban assault vehicles” driven in part by the Junior Lifeguard moms.  In at least one instance we watched as a woman clipped a mirror off a new Escalade, parked by Beek Center Park, dropped her Junior lifeguarder off at the Alley just before the Ferry and went merrily on her way.  That was a $500.00 bill for the Escalade owner!!  All we could tell the police was that it was a black SUV driven by a blonde with a Junior Lifeguard child and the license plate started with a 5—that covered about 1/2 the vehicles on Agate this summer. 
This street was never meant for “four SUVs wide” and we lose 1-2 mirrors a day at the height of the season—no small loss for the owners whose deductible is pretty much the amount of the loss.  I would like to see Agate made into three lanes—two lanes of traffic and one lane of parking—on the side where the Beek Center is.  Our street is pretty much the same width as Balboa Blvd. which has that traffic pattern.
Fall is here and we are starting to think about Christmas—I know, I know, it seems too soon!! But it really isn’t.  The BIIA still needs homes for the Annual Balboa Island Home Tour.  This is a wonderful event.  If you would like to let the neighbors come and ooh and ah over your gorgeous home, please call Robin Clow at 949.675.9002. 
Don’t forget that this newsletter and many of the past issues are on the Internet at http://www.balboa-island.com.  There is also a complete list of all the businesses on Balboa Island—from apparel to real estate—from plumbers to dentists to window washers.  I get calls all day long for referrals—many of them are on the website.  These are all businesses that either have store fronts on Agate or Marine Avenue, are current or past advertisers in the Island Breeze, or that we have used personally at one time or another. 
Once a year I print a card listing all these businesses and their phone numbers as well—this issue has the second and final delivery of this reference card—keep it—it really comes in handy.  And the only number that isn’t right is that of Rosey Toes—which should be 949. 673.8637—Sorry Girls—I will correct it next Spring.  In the meantime there is a very nice woman giving out the right number when you call the wrong one!!!

PEOPLE WE SHARE THE ISLAND WITH . . . ROBERT TAYLOR—Broker Associate—Coldwell Banker Previews
Robert Taylor is one of my favorite people on the Island.  I met him several years ago when he sold a house I was living in on Collins Avenue.  He made it as pleasant an experience as one can go through when unexpectedly the house you are renting is put up for sale.  Robert is a people person in a people orientated business.
Robert was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and lived the first 22 years of his life there.  He remembers Hurricane Hazel back in the 1950s—being a child it was fun for him—but he remembers his parents didn’t think so. So he understands what is going on in Louisiana today. 
After graduating from Wayne College in Business Administration, Robert moved to Los Gatos, California in 1970. He started building houses in 1971 and then decided it would be a great idea to sell the houses too.  He opened his own company—Antique Realty Co. International.
Robert sold his company and moved to Newport Beach in 1980 when he was solicited by the former California Real Estate Commissioner, Burton Smith.  Burton had been Robert’s mentor in the Real Estate business—he taught Robert about life and business.  Robert was more than happy to come and help Burton with his company.
In 1996 Robert moved to Prudential-Jon Douglas Real Estate. This company was eventually merged with Coldwell Banker; bringing Robert Taylor to Balboa Island. Robert has always felt that when he sells real estate his “clients are trusting me with everything they have—I have to make good decisions for them.” “The real estate business is still mostly about location—and now technology.”
“It is all a game,” Robert told me, “you need Endurance, Focus and the Money comes with winning.” Just like his favorite outside activity—golf.  Golf and Real Estate are his passions, and he doesn’t see that he will ever retire from either.
Robert has been married to his “one and only angel,” Andrea, for 14 years this November.  When he isn’t working or golfing he and Andrea are either at home with their two cats—Samantha and Maxine—or on vacation—back to see family in North Carolina. Robert Taylor can be reached at Coldwell Banker, 201 Marine Avenue, 949.228.8885 http://www.roberttaylorbroker.com

ISLAND STYLE
There is something new going on down on Agate at Island Flooring.  We have started a company—just for fun—and Kathy came up with the name “Island Style”. 
First came the College Rugs that I talked about on the front page of this newsletter and then we got a few more ideas from our friends on the Island.
First was a client on Little Island.  He decided to make hats for his friends to wear at the USC games—he made a few more than he really needed—about 150 more!!  So we are helping him sell the extra hats.  We call them our “Three-Pete” hats.  All you USC fans come and see—they are $15.00 and 2/$25.00
Another Little Island client manufactures those neat “Little Balboa Island” and “Balboa Island” License Plate Frames. He has added matching key fobs with “Little Balboa Island” and “Balboa Island” on them to his line. For just $12.00 they are a great little gift for a visitor to take home from Balboa Island or a resident’s keys.  I am always looking for something new and different to hang my keys on—and this matches my license plate frame.  You can get both the frame and matching key fob at Island Style, 118 Agate Avenue 675.6511.

TIPS OF THE MONTH . . . . . . . . . ICE
1. The first tip this month comes from a British Paramedic, Bob Brotchie, in the wake of the subway bombings.  Since no one programs the word “husband” or “sibling” into a cell phone, rescue workers can waste precious time sifting through a patient’s phone book in cases of emergency.
So Bob came up with this idea.  In place of the usual identification—your husband’s name, your sister’s name—put in the acronym “ICE” for “In Case of Emergency”. If you have more than one contact use “ICE1” “ICE2” , etc. Make sure your contacts know your medical conditions, allergies and what medications you are on.  For more information go to icecontact.com.  It sure looks strange when Mike calls me now—I think it is a rapper!!!
2. My next tip has to do with saving water and gas—and ultimately money.  We are all going to see a rise in those prices..  Make sure you wash with full loads—if you don’t have a water saving washer you are using 60 gallons per load—and the gas to heat the water if you aren’t washing in cold water!!

New Local Restaurant . . . . Mama D’s - Balboa Peninsula
Last week I discovered a new restaurant on the Peninsula—Mama D’s.  It was a truly wonderful experience.  I loved it and you will too.
Mama D’s started in Manhattan Beach where they have served a Standing Room Only—Lines out the Door— crowd for many years.  Owner Keith had always had his eye on Newport Beach and when the location on the Peninsula opened up he sold his LA restaurant to his younger brother and moved his “A Team” here. What a great addition to Newport Beach.
After I was warmly greeted at the door by manager Jeri Blender and comfortably seated, we started off our meal with a sampler of Mama D’s Ravioli. This was followed by light and tender Fried Calamari.  Next came the Entrées—I had Julio’s Chicken Limone—Sautéed Boneless Sesame Chicken with a Lemon-Parsley Butter Sauce.  Mmmm. 
Mike tried the pasta with Mama D’s Original Pink Sauce—Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese and Cream blended in Marinara Sauce. 
All this food was accompanied by a wonderful, piping hot crusty bread. (My mother always told me you could tell how good a restaurant was by how warm the bread is and 99% of the time Mom is still right!)
We didn’t have enough room to try the salads and the pizza menu looked terrific.  There is lots of seafood as well—from Steamed Mussels and Clams to Orange Roughy, Shrimp Scampi and Cioppino.  And I hear the Lasagna is one of their most requested dishes.
Keith and Jeri, who is an artist by trade, have made this restaurant warm and welcoming—from the high ceilings, to the artwork and the warm fireplace surrounded by comfortable couches to relax in while waiting for your table.  Outside there are magazines for when the wait gets too long.  They think of all the details!
The evening I was there it was late and not too crowded. Someone came in and requested a table by the fire.  The couches were pushed back—and voila—a seat by the fire!
Now that is a friendly, accommodating restaurant!!
Mama D’s is located at 3012 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, CA 92663.  949.675.6262. 
Bring in the flyer in this newsletter and receive a Free Appetizer!!

Dee’s Balboa Island Talk . . . . Dee Dawson
Hope all you Islander’s enjoyed a wonderful Summer!!  Every year we seem much happier to have our “beautiful little slice of Paradise” all back to ourselves—visitors gone.  My summer was a frenetic whirlwind of activity filled with travel and selling/escrow tasks—and headaches.  The sight of our Balboa Island Bridge was heartwarming and a welcoming relief to cross over!  Particularly now. 
Most of you are aware of the change at Hershey’s Market.  Jeff, the Manager and new owner Steve.  I had a pleasant conservation with Jeff who informed me that their new format caters to the marketing needs of our boating community as well as local delivery here on the Island.  If you are planning an extended cruise, or merely a trip over to Catalina for a day, please let the Deli know 48 hours in advance.  They will have you stocked with vacuum-sealed packages ready to go!
Next, I stopped into old buddy Howard’s, owner of Family Tee’s, 213-1/2 Marine Avenue, a Balboa Island icon.  If you need some great every day sweatshirts or light 100% cotton T’s in a range of acid-washed or pastel dyes, this is the place to go—before the weather gets chillier.  Howard musingly says you will find “the best selection of sweatshirts and casual tops per square inch of anywhere in Newport Beach!”
I loved the Chenille jackets featured in soft hues. There were hoards of “hoodies” for men and women—priced roughly $25.00 to $55.00.  Cute tanks and trendy tops in “crystal-wash” - a popular dying method.  Drop in soon.
I would like to introduce to Marine Avenue, the fabulous and very hip, new transformation of the (former) Graphics Gallery—219 Marine Avenue.  Please Take another look, and step into a new lifestyle at Zschoche (pronounced shock-ee) meaning “Lifestyle”, literally. I was amazed at the creative mélange of influences throughout proprietor Michael Zschoche’s nearly museum quality gallery.  He has done a fabulous job of bringing together one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.  The darling little espresso cup sets in a lovely hat box; the artsy “water element” piece for your wall; throw pillows in abstracts by well known Interior Designer Judy Ross as well as her bed spreads and more!  A must-see is the most unusual, magazine bowl and vase constructed entirely from rolled up magazines.  And they deliver all these objects d’art. 
On the other end of town, Kelly Castillo has been working at Island Chiropractic, 128 Agate Avenue #C for over three years.  She is certified in Circulatory, Sports and Deep Tissue massage.  Kelly gives a massage that is not only relaxing but quite therapeutic.  If you are looking for relief from aches and pains a massage is just the thing for you.  Give Kelly a call at 949.723.0702.