Sherman Library & Gardens Launches Grow the Gardens Campaign
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
Gardens are meant to grow and flourish, especially if they are carefully cultivated with a little water and a lot of love.
Sherman Library & Gardens, a nonprofit organization and destination in Corona del Mar that serves as an educational and cultural center (including a premier botanical garden and outstanding research library) has been nourishing visitors for nearly 60 years. It too is ready to grow and flourish.
Last month, Sherman Library & Gardens launched its Grow the Gardens campaign, which seeks to raise at least $13 million to
reconfigure, renovate and reimagine the property. To date, more than half of the total estimated funding for the campaign has been raised.
According to information from Sherman Library & Gardens, the Grow the Gardens campaign will support improvements designed to create more opportunities for the community, including:
• A new education space and programs that will enhance the community’s encounter with the botanical and historical wonder of the Pacific Southwest.
• The tropical conservatory and the shade
house, both used extensively in the education programs, will be renovated to protect the health of the valuable plant collections such as Orchids.
• These improvements will make Sherman Library & Gardens the most accessible and walkable botanical garden in Southern California, enabling its visitors to see a vast array of global beauty on a calm and relaxing stroll.
• The 3,000 member households and 8,000 individual members of the Sherman Library & Gardens will greatly benefit
Times Media Group Acquires Newport Beach Independent, Firebrand Media
By NB Indy Staff
Arizona-based Times Media Group (TMG) has acquired Firebrand Media as of July 1, 2024.
Firebrand Media is the publisher of Newport Beach Independent, Laguna Beach Independent, and the Coastal Real Estate Guide, as well as regional publications Laguna Beach Magazine and Newport Beach Magazine.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to add the Firebrand team and its great products to Times Media Group,” said Steve Strickbine, TMG’s founder and president, in a TMG release. “Firebrand’s commitment to excellence and good journalism makes them a perfect fit for partnering and moving
forward with our overall growth plans. Add to that the custom publishing arm of their business, and Firebrand introduces a whole new set of opportunities for us to bring value to our advertisers and readers.”
Steve Zepezauer, the founder and general partner of Firebrand Media, will join TMG as its director of custom publishing.
Zepezauer has lived in Orange County for more than 20 years, launched Laguna Beach Magazine in 2007 and acquired the Laguna Beach Independent in 2009. Shortly after, he launched the Newport Beach Independent, the Coastal Real Estate Guide and other custom publishing projects.
“Hyper-local journalism and targeted, branded content is at the core of everything
we do,” Zepezauer said.
Times Media Group, based in Tempe, Ariz., owns more than 35 weekly publications in Arizona and California. In August of 2023, it acquired Picket Fence Media, home of the Dana Point Times, San Clemente Times and Capistrano Dispatch.
“Every week, more than a million readers in communities large and small turn to our pages and websites for the news and happenings in the neighborhood they call home,” Strickbine said. “Ten years ago, I never would have imagined we’d grow to have such a large footprint and so many loyal readers. We are honored to be the stewards of that trust as a true source for news in a rapidly changing media environment.”
By Grace Leung, Newport Beach City Manager
Last week the City Council approved a $1.4 million, five-year contract for 69 Flock cameras that will be installed throughout Newport Beach -- the first of several planned public safety technology enhancements to improve crime prevention and investigations.
The Flock cameras (also known as ALPR, or automatic license plate readers) will be placed at all Newport Beach inbound and outbound gateways.
The cameras scan license plates and vehicle characteristics as vehicles pass through their field of view on public roadways. The images captured by the ALPRs are then processed, encrypted and uploaded to a secure database where they can only be accessed by the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD). The database allows police officers and investigators to search by date, time, location, direction of travel, and vehicle description to identify vehicles used in crimes.
The system includes access to nationwide data and flags “hotlisted” vehicles that have been used in crimes. The NBPD will receive alerts on stolen vehicles, Amber Alerts, missing and endangered persons, and more.
With respect to privacy
Grace Leung, Newport Beach City Manager
Rendering of the new Sherman Library & Gardens bell tower entrance along Pacific Coast Highway in Corona del Mar.
from the increased accessibility, renovated amenities, and enhanced program offerings improving their overall health and wellbeing.
“We strive every day to fulfill our mission to inspire and educate the community with an appreciation of history, horticulture and the arts,”
Scott LaFleur, executive director of Sherman Library & Gardens, told the crowd of supporters and donors at the Grow the Gardens announcement.
“The education program continues to drive the Sherman Library and Gardens’ mission of providing people of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to engage and connect with nature. Now, Sherman Library and Gardens is undergoing a renaissance. We have a vision for the future. We are growing the gardens. We want to respect the past, preserve the history and leave a legacy.”
According to LaFleur, they will rededicate the central patio for educational programming. The restaurant will be relocated to Pacific Coast Highway and a rooftop deck will be added, thereby raising the dining experience.
“The symbol of our renaissance will feature a bell from Sherman’s ranch in Baja, California,” said LaFleur. “This will be our new front door.”
Among the names LaFleur cited as naming donors were the Julia Argyros
and the
and Anton Segerstrom Conservatory.
Longtime Newport Beach residents Janet and Walkie Ray are heading the Grow the Gardens committee.
LaFleur noted that “there are many opportunities to weave your name into our story,”
And that to Grow the Gardens means welcoming more visitors, offering more community services and educational programs, supporting more local artists, authors, and performers, and celebrating more seasons of life with the families of
Orange County.
For more information on the Grow the Gardens campaign, visit https:// thesherman.org.
About Sherman Library & Gardens: Sherman Library & Gardens is a nonprofit that has been deeply rooted in Orange County for over half of a century, serving the community as a sanctuary and education beacon for history and beauty. Founded in 1966 by Arnold Haskell, and named for his friend and mentor, Moses Hazeltine Sherman, this iconic institution serves as a guardian of regional history and artifacts, a living library of plants both
native and exotic, and a conservator of artistic works influenced by and produced in the Pacific Southwest. Today, Sherman Library & Gardens is a monument to Haskell’s dream of an educational and cultural center including a premier botanical garden and outstanding research library. Sherman Library & Gardens was recently recognized by the Newport Beach City Council with a proclamation, naming Sherman Library & Gardens as the “Cultural Hub” of Corona del Mar. Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar.
Bell Tower, the Samueli Central Garden Walk,
Jennifer
Rendering
Sherman Library & Gardens restaurant (garden view) in Corona del Mar.
STEPPING OUT
Murder-Mystery-Comedy ‘Clue’ Comes to Segerstrom Center July 23 – 28
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
Was it Professor Plum in the Study with the Revolver? Or maybe Miss Scarlet in the Kitchen with a Rope?
Those classic characters from the popular board game Clue are well known to millions of people around the world. Created 75 years ago and currently owned and published by Hasbro, Clue has since sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.
The game is so popular that a murder-mystery comedy film based on the board game was released in 1985 starring Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull and Lesley Ann Warren, and went on to achieve cult classic status.
Now comes “Clue,” a murder mystery comedy play inspired by the board game and adapted from the film. “Clue” comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts July 23 to 28, and unlike most of the shows to play Segerstrom Center, it is not a musical. It is, however, very funny and extremely enjoyable.
Marina Kennedy in BroadwayWorld said, “Extraordinarily entertaining—you may have viewed the film and played the board game countless times, but you’ve never experienced the intrigue, eccentricity, and humor that ‘Clue’ brings to the stage.”
According to the show’s description, “murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, ‘Clue’ is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you
guessing until the final twist.”
In addition to the show’s eight performances, Segerstrom Center hosts a fun and free to the public “clue” Cosplay Contest on Wednesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual and group personifications of some of the most famous characters in board game history: Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, and Professor Plum.
And the first 100 people to arrive in costume that night will receive a complimentary appetizer voucher for a savory treat at Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar.
To register for Segerstrom Center’s “Clue” Character Costume Contest, please visit https://scfta.org/shows-events/cluecontest.
The cast of “Clue” includes Mariah Burks as the Cook, John Treacy Egan as Colonel Mustard, Michelle Elaine as Miss Scarlet, Joanna Glushak as Mrs. Peacock, Tari Kelly as Mrs. White, Mark Price as Wadsworth,
HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL
John Shartzer as Mr. Green, Jonathan Spivey as Professor Plum, Alex Syiek as Mr. Boddy, Teddy Trice as the Cop, and Elisabeth Yancey as Yvette. The understudies are Greg Balla, Alison Ewing, Mary McNulty and James Taylor Odom.
Hayley Levitt said in Theatermania, “Reminds you what a breezy night of pure entertainment feels like. Synchronized door slams, pratfalls, and wide-eyed gasps should all be on your murder mystery bingo card… happily hums along with no sign of the exertion it takes to make this brand of comedy look utterly effortless. They all roam through set designer Lee Savage’s luscious rendering of Boddy Manor, with surprise portals to more iconic ‘Clue’ rooms than you would ever think could fit onstage.”
Tickets for “Clue” start at $39 and are available at www.scfta.org or by calling (714) 556-2787.
For more information on the show, visit www.clueliveonstage.com.
PUBLISHER
Steve Strickbine
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Nadine Johnson
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
Christopher Trela christopher@firebrandmediainc.com
The Company of the North American tour of CLUE - photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
National Choreographers Initiative Celebrates 20 Years with Performance at Irvine Barclay Theatre July 27
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
How do you give birth to a ballet, or create a contemporary dance piece? National Choreographers Initiative has the answer.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, National Choreographers Initiative (also known as NCI) is marking two decades of innovation in dance creation.
Every summer, NCI Artistic Director Molly Lynch – a resident of Corona del Mar – invites four choreographers, as well as 16 professional dancers from ballet companies across the country,
to come to Orange County to participate in NCI. The project culminates in a public performance at the Irvine Barclay Theater that showcases the new dance creations.
Since the program launched in 2004, National Choreographers Initiative has welcomed 76 choreographers (with a noteworthy 31 being women), along with 169 dancers hailing from 54 national dance companies. Impressively, 33 of the pieces born from this program have been premiered and performed by major dance companies.
Over the past 20 years, NCI has
become well known in the dance world.
“I had 104 choreographers apply this year,” said Lynch. “I try to look at bringing a mix of styles so it’s interesting for the dancers and the audience. And I always try and have at least one woman choreographer. We have three women choreographers this year.”
National Choreographers Initiative is more than just a dance vacation in southern California for participants.
Chorographers and dancers are awarded a fee plus room and board for an experience that Lynch says is akin to summer camp for professionals. Dancers live in dorms on campus at UCI, where Lynch is a Professor in the Dance Department at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. She teaches ballet, pointe, repertory, senior seminar and arts management. The school’s dance studios are available during the summer and are near the dorms, so it’s an immersive experience.
There are few if any artistic endeavors like NCI, although Lynch had launched a similar venture called Pacifica Choreographic Project when she was Artistic Director for Ballet Pacifica from 1988 to 2003.
“It was modeled after South
Coast Repertory’s New Scripts play readings and having a laboratory to create something new but not necessarily finished,” said Lynch. “That was the initial idea for the Choreographic project. Some people in the community wanted to see that continue because they liked the idea of seeing something that is not necessarily complete—they can give their thoughts about it and see and different choreographers work.”
Because Ballet Pacifica performed at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Lynch had a relationship with them and approached The Barclay for their support. They gave her a date in July for NCI performances. And with The Barclay being on the campus of UCI, it was the perfect three-way partnership.
Lynch emphasizes to the participating choreographers that unlike a traditional commission for a specific ballet company, they don’t have to complete a new piece.
“We want them to come in and be free to work on whatever it is they feel like they want to be developing in their choreographic process,” Lynch explained. “The piece doesn’t have to be completed in three weeks, it
• ROOFING REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS
• BALCONY DECK STRUCTURAL RECONSTRUCTION
• ROOFING WATERPROOFING
• EXTENSIVE DRY ROT/TERMITE REPAIRS
• SHEET METAL FOR HARSH COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
• IN DEPTH SPECIFICATION/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
• INTERIOR DAMAGE REPAIRS
• BALCONY RAIL SYSTEM DESIGNS/GLASS/CABLE
• PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES
• DOOR & WINDOW REPLACEMENT
• STUCCO/PLASTER RECONSTRUCTION
• RAIN GUTTERS/CHIMNEY CAPS
• SKYLIGHTS/ATTIC VENTING SYSTEMS
“Solitude in Variance” by Ian Schwaner. From the 2023 NCI
Visit Newport Beach Earns 37 Prestigious Awards to End Fiscal Year 2023-2024
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
The team of marketing and PR professionals at Visit Newport Beach, the noted marketing agency representing the city of Newport Beach, has the enviable task of promoting Newport Beach to the world. Make that a “seemingly” enviable task, because advocating for a luxury destination such as Newport Beach is not as simple as it sounds.
Yes we have world-class beaches, fabulous shopping opportunities, and some of the best restaurants in Southern California. We are not a best-kept secret. Tourists flock to Newport Beach during the summer, but encouraging travelers to visit and stay in Newport Beach is a year-round task that takes hours of research and plenty of creativity to devise campaigns designed to highlight the many charms of our city and provide myriad reasons to put Newport Beach atop anyone’s tourism list.
The organization is, in essence, the architect behind the destination’s storytelling, advertising, communications, social media, content, digital, creative, business intelligence and community relations.
Visit Newport Beach has wrapped up its 2023-2024 fiscal year with remarkable
success, breaking previous records and earning more than three dozen industry awards.
Over the past year, Visit Newport Beach launched multiple marketing campaigns and activations, including a clever 2024 Super Bowl promotion with the first-ever 1,000-drone light show extravaganza after Super Bowl LVIII with the theme “Touch Down in Newport Beach”
that included Newport Beach visuals.
Another memorable campaign was last year’s “Newport Beach Vacation Club,” which Visit Newport Beach deemed their most innovative leisure program to date. Vacation Club members gained access to exclusive perks, giveaways, and specially curated offers. The campaign featured a new landing page, custom newsletters, commercials showcasing club experiences, member testimonials and a new merchandise line dubbed Newport Beach the Label.
Last spring was the “Land in Lux” campaign aimed at the “sophisticated traveler” by highlighting lavish resorts, premier dining experiences, unique activities, and unparallelled shopping.
The organization’s most recent campaign is “Newport Beach is Calling,” which debuted on the first day of summer. The campaign transports travelers back to the 1990s and blends retro fun with modern luxury—and yes, old fashioned dial phones are front and center in campaign material.
can be one section out of two, or two out of three, or experimenting, to try and take the pressure off. I think often times when choreographers are commissioned to do work, they fall back on what they know is going to work, they don’t necessarily push themselves forward into trying something a little different. Contrary to a playwright who can sit down at their laptop and write words and they can hand the script to people and hear what it sounds like, choreographers really need to have bodies to work on. You can have some sort of ideas but it’s a collaborative process with the dancers.”
That’s why Lynch tries to select dancers that are interested in doing new choreography and working with different people.
“They are more a part of the process, and the choreographers rely on the dancers. There is a give and take going on, along with what the choreographer is trying to accomplish it.”
Over the years, National Choreographers Initiative has become well known in the dance community, partly due to the networking that occurs during the three-week rehearsal period.
“One of the things that has come out of this that I did not know would happen is the networking that has happened between dancer to dancer, and also dancer to choreographer,” noted Lynch. “Choreographers are usually working by themselves; they don’t have the opportunity to network with other choreographers.”
Lynch has seen many examples of choreographers restaging what they started at NCI for various ballet companies, and even becoming directors of companies.
These and several other campaigns that Visit Newport Beach launched over the past 12 months brought in millions of dollars in economic impact plus millions of ad impressions and media impressions.
Among the 37 awards bestowed on Visit Newport Beach this past year: Best Tourism Board 2023, Best Public Relations Campaign, OCPRSA PROTOS Award, American Advertising Silver Award, multiple platinum and gold Viddy Awards, and several Hermes Awards.
Founded in January 2013, Newport Beach & Company is a non-profit organization established to serve as the official marketing agency for the city of Newport Beach. The agency brings together all of the marketing entities connected to the Newport Beach brand and is designed to oversee separate business units that include Visit Newport Beach, Celebrate Newport Beach, Enterprise Newport Beach and Newport Beach TV. For more information, please go to www. VisitNewportBeach.com.
During the three-week rehearsal process, Lynch seldom asks choreographers what they are working on and reinforces the idea that they can be flexible and change their music and ideas.
“They can experiment, but I remind them that we have a show on July 27 so they have to show something,” said Lynch. “They get to introduce what the audience is seeing so they have some context, such as this a dance in three sections and you completed two of them. I don’t want them to feel they have to finish. This is like a lab. It’s an experimental place for them to try things out.”
The July 27 evening features discussions with each choreographer plus performances of what they worked on the previous three weeks. The pieces generally range from 10 to 20 minutes each.
For tickets to the National Choreographers Initiative performance on July 27, and more information on the choreographers and dancers,
Image from the “Touch Down in Newport Beach” drone light show last February
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Vote for Hoag Hospital to Receive Nation’s Most Beautiful Hospital Award
By NB Indy Staff
Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach has been nominated for a nationwide Most Beautiful Hospital award. National healthcare staffing firm Soliant will recognize 20 U.S. hospitals for their commitment to growing and improving their campuses and outpatient facilities.
The public can vote on nominees they deem the most beautiful through July 25.
Situated with views of the Pacific Ocean, Hoag Hospital is distinguished by its team of caring nurses and highly skilled doctors across every field of medicine. The hospital has built a reputation for providing top-notch care, with a focus on patient-centered treatment and compassionate medical staff, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and attentive care.
The “20 Most Beautiful Hospitals” contest sponsored by Soliant recognizes hospitals for their commitment to developing their campuses, facilities and staff, thereby creating holistic and healing environments. Soliant will donate $5,000 to the winning hospital’s foundation.
“Hospital beauty is more than just its physical design and appearance—it is the healthcare staff who create the heart and soul of the hospital through genuine connections with patients,” said Soliant CEO David Alexander.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase hospitals for their nurturing staff, comforting aesthetics and innovative designs which contribute to the
Hoag Names New Foundation President Amid Major Expansion
By NB Indy Staff
Hoag has named Caroline Pereira president of the Hoag Hospital Foundation, the health system’s philanthropic arm.
Pereira has more than 20 years of fundraising experience mainly in academic health care and has led the fundraising of nearly $1 billion for local health initiatives. She joins Hoag during a pivotal time in the health system’s evolution as it expands its footprint throughout Orange County.
As president of the Hoag Hospital Foundation, Pereira will oversee one of the nation’s highest performing nonprofit organizations, which raises over $100 million annually to support Hoag’s growing health network that had more than 35,000 inpatient admissions and over 639,000 outpatient visits last year.
“Caroline’s knowledge and experience of the local health care landscape make her especially fitting for this role, as she has been key to the execution of major health initiatives in our community,” said Robert Braithwaite, Hoag President and CEO. “Her passion for building strong teams, fostering their skills, and creating a supportive environment for them to aim for and meet ambitious philanthropic goals make her exactly what we want in a Hoag leader.”
Pereira has spent most of her career supporting health care and academic institutions and ended a successful nearly 11-year tenure earlier this year with UCI
Health, where she was most recently Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Advancement. During her time leading the team, the institution raised nearly $1 billion in philanthropic support. Pereira’s experience in the nonprofit sector is international, as she previously spent more than 11 years at the University of Toronto in Canada, where she led fundraising for key departments in the School of Medicine.
“Hoag’s excellence in delivering the best care to its patients, engaging the most renowned clinical minds, and shaping the future of medicine has always impressed me. It’s exciting to join the team working together to grow Hoag’s innovative health care,” Pereira said. “And it’s inspiring to know that HOAG Page 8
times the best medicine. Beauty starts from within and radiates through the hospital when patients are treated like family, and Soliant wants to recognize those special hospitals. Community members, staff, and patients are all able to vote for hospitals they feel best represent these qualities.
Participants may cast multiple votes until the polls close on July 25. The winner of this year’s contest, along with the top 20 hospitals, will be announced on July 31.
Case your vote at https://www. soliant.com/most-beautiful-hospitalcontest/vote.
overall well-being of patients.”
More than 200 outstanding hospitals have been recognized since Soliant began the program in 2009. The annual contest seeks to discover hospitals in the U.S. that are not only beautiful but have unique designs, landscapes, and elements, such as soothing art, gardens, or supportive staff who know that laughter is some-
Soliant is a leader in health care and education staffing with offices in Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, South Carolina, and Texas. The company identifies and recruits highly skilled health care professionals across a wide range of specialties and connects them with health care providers in the education, nursing, pharmacy, and life sciences segments, primarily on a temporary basis.
For more information, visit https:// www.soliant.com.
Human Options Raises Over $500K During ‘Serious Fun’ Gala at Balboa Bay Resort
By NB Indy Staff
Human Options, an Orange Countybased nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of relationship violence, hosted its annual Serious Fun Gala on May 18 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach.
The event, themed “Under the Tuscan Sun,” transported over 250 attendees to Italy for the night to raise funds for the nonprofit’s critical programs and services.
Community leaders, donors, supporters, and survivors all came together and exceeded the nonprofit’s
initial fundraising goal, raising $505,000. These funds enable Human Options to continue providing essential programs and services, including legal advocacy support, therapy and counseling, elder abuse prevention, and emergency shelter and transitional housing programs.
The evening began with aperitifs of champagne, Aperol spritzes, and Italian wines, which paired well with a silent auction featuring Italian-themed prizes such as a pasta night, art inspired by GALA Page 8
Hoag Hospital. Photo courtesy of Hoag Hospital Communication Department
Caroline Pereira
Honoree Mike Morris, Human Options CEO Maricela Rios-Faust, gala event co-chair Diane Biagianti, honoree Steven Hittleman, honoree Andrew Gray.
there is such a generous community of donors and supporters who are dedicated to bringing excellent care to their families, their friends, and neighbors.”
In 2022, Hoag announced the launch of the Boldly Hoag campaign, a multiyear fundraising effort to grow its hospital in Irvine on Sand Canyon Avenue, now named the Sun Family Campus after donors Diana and David Sun, who made a $50 million gift to the project.
The campus will grow to more than one million square feet and feature state-of-the-art specialty care centers for surgical innovation, cancer, and digestive and women’s health. Construction on the campus continues and the first phase is estimated to be completed in 2026.
“What inspires me most about the Sun Family Campus is how we’re expanding Hoag’s patient-centered care, which encompasses everything from the newly imagined physical spaces that blend high-tech and high-touch elements, the ability to grow research and clinical trials and make them available sooner and having the most specialized clinical experts to be partners in the health care journey,” Pereira said.
In addition to the Irvine campus growth, in recent years Hoag has opened health centers and urgent care facilities across Orange County. This expansion is in line with Hoag’s response to the public’s evolving health needs and priorities. Hoag is creating more health resources and wellness offerings to emphasize prevention, education, and holistic approaches to well-being.
“Wellbeing is a passion area of mine,” Pereira said. “Moving upstream from disease, prioritizing preventive health, and changing the course of a diagnosis. That’s what the community wants and I’m excited to help deliver more of that by building upon the stellar work of the Hoag Hospital Foundation.”
In collaboration with its Board of Directors, Pereira will lead the over 80-person Hoag Hospital Foundation team, with offices in Newport Beach and Irvine. Since its creation in the late 1970s, the Foundation has been instrumental in launching and executing major philanthropic initiatives supporting Hoag’s growth and expanding its clinical offerings.
Hoag Hospital Foundation Board Chair Debbie Margolis said, “After a national search of exceptional talent, Caroline impressed us with her deep appreciation for Hoag’s vision. She understands the importance of guiding our talented Foundation team and the significance of partnering with donors who have propelled Hoag into the health system it is today. Philanthropy is the key to Hoag providing the best medical care in Orange County.”
Thanks in large part to philanthropy, Hoag has become one of the nation’s finest health care systems, serving a diverse and growing population. The Hoag Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hoag, is an integral partner in Hoag’s vision to become a trusted and nationally recognized health
care leader.
Through the generosity of Hoag’s dedicated donors, the Hoag Hospital Foundation’s Boldly Hoag campaign is supporting the expansion of Hoag, starting on the Irvine campus. Scheduled to be complete in 2026, the new Sun Family Campus will provide increased access to specialized services for cancer, digestive health, and women’s health for communities throughout South Orange County.
For more information, visit www. boldlyhoag.org or www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org.
OFF THE MENU
Crystal Cove Shake Shack Launches Special Summer Menu Inspired by OC Fair
Italy, and wine.
The night continued in the Tuscanytransformed ballroom with a thrilling performance by an Italian opera singer and an exciting live auction that included a week in Mexico, a winetasting dinner in Shady Canyon and a Hawaiian vacation.
“This year our generous donors and valued supporters went above and beyond to support survivors of relationship violence at our annual Serious Fun gala, exceeding our initial fundraising goal and raising over half a million dollars,” said Maricela RiosFaust, CEO of Human Options. “With these incredible contributions, we will be able to better serve our clients. It will also empower us to ensure we continue to work toward our mission of ending the cycle of violence, creating a future where everyone feels safe and free from fear.”
During the gala, Human Options honored Latham & Watkins LLP, Steve Hittelman and Michael A. Morris as DOVE honorees.
Latham & Watkins LLP has many attorneys involved with Human Options, including Board Chair Andrew Gray, who provide pro-bono legal advice to the organization’s clients.
Steve Hittelman, president of Hittelman Family Law Group based in Newport Beach and an expert in family law, has gone above and beyond to ensure survivors of domestic violence get the legal support they need.
Michael A. Morris, a partner from Minyard Morris, has worked with Human Options for over a decade and still gets emotional thinking about the first time he started volunteering.
Gala event chairs were Kim Cart, Diane W. Biagianti and Chandinie Francis, Ed.D.
Gold sponsors included Latham & Watkins LLP and Suki McCardle.
Silver sponsors included the Crevier Family Foundation, Diane W. Biagianti and Glaukos Charitable Foundation, The Frome Family Foundation, Greenberg Traurig, LLC & Susan Heller, Michele I. & Abdo Khoury, KPMG LLP and Rhythm Healthcare.
For more information about Human Options and their efforts to combat relationship violence, please visit www. humanoptions.org. Gala
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
The Orange County Fair starts July 19, which means fairgoers can once again enjoy a variety of crazy cuisine normally found only at the fair.
But leave it to the Crystal Cove Shake Shack in Newport Coast to come up with a gastronomic homage to the OC Fair. This beloved icon on Coast Highway with a patio that overlooks the stunning coastline of Crystal Cove State Park has launched a special summer menu that draws inspiration from the culinary concoctions that have become synonymous with the OC Fair.
Among the OC Fair-inspired offerings:
• Hot Cheetos Burger: The highlight of the new menu, this burger is topped with Hot Cheetos, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a special housemade sauce.
• Hot Cheeto Dog: A spicy sensation, this juicy hot dog is topped with Hot Cheetos and all the fixings.
• Cookie Monster Shake: A vibrant blue-hued shake that combines the sweet, creamy flavors of cookies and cream with a colorful twist.
• Cinnamon Toast Shake: Infused with the comforting flavors of classic breakfast cereal, this shake is topped with a waffle and cinnamon.
• Hot Cheetos Shake: A vanilla milkshake is blended with Hot Cheetos, offering a unique com-
bination of creamy sweetness and spicy crunch.
• Strawberry Pop-Tart Shake: A whimsical and colorful treat, this strawberry shake is topped with a strawberry Pop-Tart and rainbow sprinkles.
• Coffee Donut Shake: Combining rich coffee flavor with the indulgence of a full Old-Fashioned donut.
Having made it a point of devouring as many wacky OC Fair food items as I can find every year, I can attest that these Shack Chack menu items fit right in—especially the hot Cheetos dishes. And if crazy food is not your thing, don’t worry—the regular menu will always be available.
The Crystal Cove Shake Shack is at 7703 East Coast Highway in Newport Coast. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit https://crystalcoveshakeshack.com.
A tip on parking: the Shake Shack has limited parking, which is why there is often a lineup of vehicles on Coast Highway waiting to park, especially around lunchtime or dinner time. Be patient. Another option is to park in the Los Trancos parking lot ($5 per hour/$15 max) and either walk to the Shake Shack (about half a mile) or take the shuttle ($1.50 per person) to Cristal Cove State Park and climb the steep stairs to the Shake Shack. For information on the Los Trancos parking lot, visit https://crystalcove.org/parking.
Hot Cheetos menu items
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Hoag Summer Fest Food and Music Event Raises $380,000 at Newport Dunes
By NB Indy Staff
Hoag Summer Fest celebrated its 36th year supporting Hoag patients with its hugely popular food and music festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. This year’s event, held on Thursday, June 20, was a westerninspired fête featuring country artists Daring Greatly and Ellis Bryant.
More than 40 local restaurants and beverage partners showcased their signature drinks and culinary concepts in small bites. The sold-out event welcomed more than 1,200 guests and raised over $380,000 for the Boldly Hoag campaign, supporting increased access to care on Hoag’s Sun Family Campus in Irvine.
Burak Ozgur, M.D., a neurosurgeon and director of the Hoag Spine Institute, and his wife Iman chaired Hoag Summer Fest, which is hosted by the Hoag Hospital Foundation.
“This event is one of our favorite Hoag events and a great opportunity to engage with our philanthropic partners, patients, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. It’s a good time and
makes a positive impact on the care we deliver to our community,” Dr. Ozgur said.
Generous support from presenting sponsors Woodside Credit and the Kirwan Family Foundation was instrumental to the event’s success,
complete with a beautiful rustic ambiance, inspiring country music, and a silent auction. To raise awareness for Hoag’s expansion and vision for the future of health and wellness, guests received a festive Boldly Hoagbranded bandana to accessorize their western attire.
The 2024 Hoag Summer Fest restaurant and beverage partners who donated their time, talent, food, and beverage included: Ammatoli,
PIZZERIA SAPORI NOW OPEN NEXT DOOR!
Famous authentic pizzas. We stay true to pizza’s Neapolitan roots and traditions, creating the most authentic pizza possible. Our ingredients are second to none. We use simple natural ingredients which are imported from the best sources in Italy.
We have been serving the flavors of Italy in Newport Beach since 1989.
Our eclectic wine menu offers many great Italian and California choices to pair with your meal.
A genuine Mediterranean setting coupled with experienced and knowledgeable waiters add to Sapori’s authenticity.
The crowd at Summer Fest. Photo by Chris Trela
City Manager
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concerns, the cameras will only be accessed as part of a crime investigation and will not be used for traffic enforcement. Importantly, the cameras only identify vehicles and do not include facial recognition capabilities. The locations and camera angles are fixed, and only monitor roadways.
The Flock camera system was part of a series of recommendations presented to the Council in May by the Public Safety Technology Ad Hoc Committee. The committee spent several months evaluating new technologies used by neighboring police departments, and visited agencies where some of the proposed technologies are now in use, prior to making its recommendations.
The goal of these improvements is to equip officers and civilian police staff with the latest tools to gather and analyze crime information to improve decision-making, which will aid in crime prevention, the apprehension of criminals, and the recovery of stolen property. Deployment of the technology will also act as a deterrent for individuals and groups who evaluate potential crime targets, increasing overall community safety.
Other technology upgrades, which will be adopted in the coming months, include a Crime Information Center to serve as the central technology hub for real-time intelligence gathering and assessments, FUSUS software to boost the department’s pre-approved access to video surveillance, and the development of a drone program to monitor and investigate crime incidents.
‘Active Kids’ Registration Opened July 18
Registration for Active Kids opened on Thursday, July 18. Parents can sign up for annual or fall Active Kids sessions held at Newport Elementary, Mariners VJC, or the Community Youth Center.
Active Kids is an after-school program for youth in grades K-6, and includes planned indoor and outdoor activities, homework assistance, and creative arts.
REGISTER HERE NewportBeachCA.gov.
Be Well Mobile Crisis Response
The Be Well mobile crisis response team operates in Newport Beach 12 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to mental and behavioral health crises. The mobile unit is staffed with mental health specialists and works closely with the City’s police and fire departments.
This week, the Be Well team:
• Transported an older adult home after resolving a mental health crisis.
• Transported two people to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
• Transported a person to a crisis stabilization unit for treatment.
• Transported a person to a mental
LOCAL FOCUS
Plant-O-Rama Plant Sale Returns to Sherman Library & Gardens July 20 and 21
By NB Indy Staff
The Plant-O-Rama plant sale is coming to Sherman Library & Gardens!
This retro-event, which debuted in 1972, returns to Sherman Gardens on Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The sale will feature plants and plant experts from California Native Plant Society, Los Angeles International Fern Society, Newport Harbor Orchid Society, Orange County Begonia Society, Saddleback Valley Bromeliad Society, and Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts
Former Gardens Director, Wade Roberts, started the event in 1972 as a fundraiser for the Sherman Foundation. At the time, former Horticulture Manager John Bishop managed the nursery at the Sherman Foundation Experimental Center in Dana Point. “People always asked us if we sold plants from the garden. It seemed like the right thing to do and we had the facility to grow the plants,” recalled Bishop. “It was a very
health facility for treatment.
• Transported two people to homeless service providers.
• Transported two people to bus stops to return home.
The mobile crisis team is dispatched through the Newport Beach Police Department. To request service, dial 911 or call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (949) 644-3717.
Homelessness Update
This week, the City’s homeless outreach and response teams:
• Placed a person who had experienced street-level homelessness for over five years into permanent supportive housing.
• Continued to shelter people: 25 people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
• Placed a person into permanent housing after experiencing streetlevel homelessness for 34 years. Trellis International and the City of Costa Mesa staff collaborated to furnish his new home.
• Reunified a person with family in Michigan after a brief stay at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
• Sheltered a person at the Yale Navigation Center. The person secured an apartment and is waiting for the move-in date.
• Sheltered an older adult in a motel to facilitate an assisted living placement.
• Continued to shelter people: 24 people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
popular event. People would arrive early and wait in the parking lot until the gardens opened.” Plant-O-Rama showcased local plant societies as well as a unique variety of houseplants, tropical, hanging baskets, and succulents.
Fast forward to 2024. “The plant craze is alive and well, so we’re teaming up with local plant societies to offer our Sherman visitors a great selection of unique plants,” said Scott LaFleur, Executive Director of Sherman Library &
Gardens. “Take a hint from the patrons of the original Plant-O-Rama and come early for the best selection.”
This special event supports Sherman Library & Gardens and local plant societies and is free with garden admission. Garden admission is only $5 and always free for members.
Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 E. Coast Hwy. in Corona del Mar. For more info visit www.thesherman.org or call (949) 673-2261.
Newport Beach Community Celebrates Junior Lifeguard Building Grand Opening
By NB Indy Staff
Hundreds of community members joined Newport Beach City officials on Wednesday, June 12 at a ribbon-cutting celebration and open house for the new Junior Lifeguard Building at 901 E. Ocean Front near the Balboa Pier. The 5,400 square-foot facility is the first permanent home for the popular Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard
Program, which has operated out of temporary trailers for decades.
After several speeches, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and unveiling of a donor recognition wall, the building’s doors were opened to the community for a festive two-hour open house. Speakers included Mayor Will O’Neill, Reenie
Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill (center) and members of the Newport Beach City Council at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Junior Lifeguard building.
Sherman Library & Gardens plant sale circa 1970s
Summer Fest
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Ambitious Ales, Argaux, Balboa Bay Resort, Bluewater Grill, Body Vodka, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Byblos Café, Café Sevilla, Catering by Mix Mix/Verdant, Cannery, Chaak Kitchen, Champagnes Kitchen, Colette’s Catering & Events, Descanso, Duke’s Huntington Beach, El Cholo, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Five Crowns & SideDoor, Flaky Apple Pie Co., Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, HiTime Wine Cellars, Ho Sum Bistro, Honey & Hive Boards, Il Barone Ristorante, La Competencia Imports, Lido Bottle Works, Louie’s by the Bay, Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center Mobile Kitchen, Miss Mini Donuts, Newport Rib Company, Nomada, Oeb Breakfast Co., Oliver’s Osteria & Oliver’s Trattoria, Simply Fish, Starfish, Straub, Sunbliss Café, Sweetgreen, Ten Sushi & Cocktail Bar, TK Burgers, Urbana Mexican Gastronomy, W Café & Restaurant, and Zotovich Family Vineyards & Winery.
The Boldly Hoag campaign, as part of Hoag’s mission to deliver specialized care to more communities in Orange County, is helping bring new pavilions dedicated to women’s health, cancer, digestive health, and surgical innovation to the Irvine campus. Scheduled to be complete in 2026, the Sun Family Campus will feature gardens and outdoor decks for respite alongside these modern, state-ofthe-art buildings to reflect Irvine’s welcoming village aesthetic.
Coupled with Hoag’s commitment to excellence and innovation in health care, the new campus is already aiding in the recruitment and retention of top talent from around the country, ensuring Hoag patients have access to the latest developments in medicine and unique wellness offerings at both Newport Beach and Irvine campuses.
For more information about supporting the Boldly Hoag campaign, visit www.boldlyhoag.org.
A complete list of sponsors and photos from the event can be found at www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org/ hoagsummerfest.
Lifeguard
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Boyer (a former City lifeguard and founder of the Junior Lifeguard Program) and Graham Harvey (chairman of the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Foundation), who recognized community donors for their support.
The $7.8-million building was funded through a public-private partnership between the City and the Foundation, using federal funds received by the City through the American Rescue Plan Act ($5.2 million), and private donations to the Foundation ($2.051 million).
The facility includes administrative and event space, expanded storage, locker rooms and private and public restrooms. The project included improvements to Parking Lot A such as electric vehicle charging stations.
The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard program, established in 1984, is one of the City’s most popular youth education programs, employing about 60 instructors and averaging 1,400 participants each summer. The seven-week program – now in its 40th year -- operates from late June through early August.
The new building will be available for public rentals during the off season.
For more information on the Junior Lifeguard program, visit https://nbjg. net.
9/14 JOURNEY USA (J ourney T ribu T e ) 9/15 BENISE: Fiesta! 9/19 THE MAN IN BLACK (J ohnny C ash T ribu T
) 9/20 WILD CHILD (T he D oors T ribu T e ) 9/22 JANE MONHEIT
9/25 ANA POPOVIC 9/26 DEBBIE GIBSON Acoustic Youth 9/27 DAVE MASON 9/28 ORIANTHI 10/1 DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO 10/3 ZEBRA 10/4 DAVE MASON
10/5 KIMBERLY PERRY (of The Band Perry) 10/6 DAVE HAUSE 10/9 AL DiMEOLA The Electric Years 10/10 HENRY KAPONO 10/11 HENRY KAPONO 10/12 PABLO CRUISE 10/13 JIMMY WEBB 10/16 JIMMIE VAUGHAN 10/18 GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP 10/20 THE YOUNG DUBLINERS 10/25 MIRAGE ( f lee T woo D m a C T ribu T e )
10/30 THE MUSICAL BOX 10/31 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS UNTOUCHABLES 11/1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS UNTOUCHABLES 11/2 VENICE 11/3 THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE ( a my w inehouse T ribu T e ) 11/8 COMMON SENSE 11/9 TYRONE WELLS 11/13 JOHN HIATT 11/15 RONSTADT REVIVAL 11/16 JOSHUA RADIN & RON POPE
11/22 SPACE ODDITY (D avi D b owie T ribu T e )
11/23 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT 11/26 LEONID & FRIENDS (C hi C a G o T ribu T e )
11/27 BEATLES VS STONES 11/29 THE PLATTERS 11/30 LEE ROCKER of the Stray Cats
12/4 LIVINGSTON TAYLOR and LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
12/11 DAVID BENOIT
12/12 KY-MANI MARLEY
12/15 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA 12/21 AMBROSIA Holiday show
12/29 L.A. GUNS 12/31 THE ENGLISH BEAT 1/10 TOMMY CASTRO & The Painkillers 1/24 GENE LOVES JEZEBEL / BOW WOW WOW 2/16 INCENDIO w / a r D eshir f arah ( of s T run Z & f arah ) 3/6 ALTAN
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Team from Newport Rib Company. Courtesy of Hoag Foundation
Chef Jon Barone of Il Barone serving wild boar pasta. Photo by Chris Trela
