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Month: August 2026

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CdMRA Event

Your RSVP is appreciated

Corona del Mar residents and businesses will benefit from attending this unique City Election Forum co-sponsored by the CdM Residents Association (CdMRA) and the CdM Chamber of Commerce (CdM Chamber). Both organizations advocate for their memberships and work together on issues to improve living and working in Corona del Mar.

CdM’s City Election Forum, our local Voters’ Education Event, is a consistently popular program that is always engaging, informative and unique.

Newport Beach city elections are “at large”, so all who are registered to vote in Newport Beach may vote for one candidate in each of the districts on the ballot.

This year, voters will select one candidate in each of the following districts 

      • District 1 (Lido and Balboa Peninsula)
          • Incumbent Joe Stapleton
          • Challenger Tina Babajanians
      • District 3 (Back Bay and Airport Area)
          • Incumbent Erik Weigand
          • Challenger Walter Stahr
          • Challenger Tim Stoaks
      • District 4 (Dunes, East Bluff, Ford Road)
          • Incumbent Robyn Grant (unopposed)
      • District 6 (Corona del Mar and the western portion of Newport Coast)
          • Incumbent Lauren Kleiman
          • Challenger Andy Gerken

Here are two helpful links:

      1. City Council District Maps
      2. City Council Candidate Profiles

The Responsible Housing Initiative was qualified and approved by the OC Registrar of Voters to be on our November 3 ballot. However, the City Attorney has challenged the Registrar’s decision. If the court upholds the Registrar’s approval, we will invite speakers for and against the ballot measure to participate in our Election Forum. We will provide an update here after August 19.

Long-time local journalist and publisher Tom Johnson (Stu News and formerly Daily Pilot) will moderate the CdM Election Forum. Mr. Johnson will use questions prepared by CdMRA and CdM Chamber that reflect the issues and concerns of their respective members.

CdMRA will publish its Special Edition Election Newsletter in early September. All incumbents, candidates and two ballot measure debaters have been invited to include a statement for the Special Edition newsletter. When published, it can be found on both CdMRA’s and CdM Chamber’s websites. 

Our Voter Education Event is admission-free and open to all Newport Beach residents and businesses. We kindly request that you RSVP so that we can better prepare seating and refreshments.

CdM’s Newport Beach Election Forum
Wednesday, September 23, 2026,
OASIS Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave, Corona del Mar
5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Candidate Reception in the Courtyard
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Moderated Candidate & Issues Panel in the Auditorium

Your RSVP is appreciated
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In and Around CdM


News … In and Around CdM  …

CdM Commercial Corridor Reimagining Project

The City launched a comprehensive land use and mobility study in the Summer of 2024 to find ways to enhance and improve the CdM commercial corridor. The study will provide zoning, parking, and infrastructure recommendations to help create a successful, vibrant, lively, walkable and connected “main street” destination.

The City’s Community Development Staff spoke at CdMRA’s April 2026 to provide an update on the project. Concerned residents asked for more opportunities to provide feedback and insights on this project. We recently followed up with Community Development to provide a current update on the project and future outreach opportunities. We will post those updates here when received.

In the meantime, we encourage you to visit these City project links, and reach out to staff if questions and concerns.  

      • City’s dedicated webpage about the CdM Commercial Corridor Project: Click here
      • City’s Corridor Atlas which covers key findings, outreach and engagements, goals, strategies and actions: Click here. 

CdMRA’s Historical Resources Committee Update
Ron Yeo, Committee Chair Emeritus

We are continuing to work with the Sherman Library and the CdM Historical Society to build awareness and understanding of our local history.

Update: We are pleased to announce that we have compiled a video collection and launched a new smartphone app which makes finding the gems of Corona del Mar easy and fun.

 
 A few of our current projects include:

        1. Working on developing several photo videos on historical sites that can be accessed with your smartphone with an app such as the existing MyNB app that explains the Civic Center Sculpture Garden Art.
        2. Working with the County Historical Commission on gaining historical recognition for local sites such as Five Crowns, Kerckhoff Lab, the DelMar Hotel and the China House.   
        3. Coordinating with Ed Olen on oral history recordings.

The OC Historic Commission is noted for saying “You can’t protect what you don’t know you have.”   As an example, the first house was built in Corona del  Mar in 1909, known as the Happy House.  It was located at 2920 Ocean Blvd. and torn down in 2004.  Following that Tom Heffernan, who lives in a 1930’s cottage in the Flower Streets, founded the CDM Historical Society.  

Recently, 100 homes homes in Corona del Mar were chosen for historic value, and an article was published in the Preserve Orange County blog about our efforts.  [Article here]  
 

You’ll also want to check out Sherman Library’s digital photo album of Corona del Mar cottages.  The album is quite extensive and available here.

We are also working on a YouTube video which highlights a few of these homes.  You can view our work-in-progress below.


Another slideshow that you might want to view is my “Walk Around CdM Village“. 

Editor’s Note: Ron Yeo is an architect by trade and has an additional interest in landscape. Some of his local architectural works include Muth Center, Back Bay Science Center and numerous park structures. Ron has spearheaded many efforts over the years that create microenvironments in our community, like pocket parks and vista points, which we can all enjoy. 

CdM Undergrounding Projects . . . 

At this time, there are two designated CdM Undergrounding Projects: Assessment District 117 and Assessment District 119. Here are a few links to information that you will find helpful:

Your Street Trees . . . 

A message from CdMRA’s Reforestation Chair Ron Yeo: To insure that your street tree will be properly maintained and remain healthy, the following care should be provided by the property owner:

        • Depending on weather conditions, the tree should be deep-soaked weekly throughout the year.
        • The tree should be fertilized at least twice a year with a well-balanced plant food.  Fall and winter fertilizations are best.
        • Avoid use of weed killers, soil sterilizers or other poisonous substances near the tree.
        • Do not plant ivy or other shrubbery in the tree basin. This material will compete for vital resources (water and nutrients).
        • Be careful not to bruise the trunk with lawn mower or other garden implements. A plastic tree trunk guard can reduce this problem.
        • Please do not trim the tree. The City will trim the tree on a regular, two-year cycle.
        • The City will also treat street trees for insect or diseases. 

Thank you for your help in maintaining our Village Character. If you have any questions about your tree, please contact the City Arborist for more information. 

One-Way Streets in CdM or “No Way!”?  What are your thoughts?

CdMRA has been addressing this issue in one form or another since CdMRA was formed in 1987.  But until recently, there never seemed to be an overwhelming interest in developing a formal study and plan of how one-way streets might work in CdM.

CdMRA is once again seeking your feedback and interest in a One-Way Street Concept Design for CdM’s Flower Streets.  We encourage you to share your thoughts with us.  Please do so here.

 

Buck Gully History . . .  

If you are interested in a little history lesson about the deterioration and restoration of our Buck Gully, please read Amy Senk’s StuNews article. It is quite an informative piece and has several great photos as well. Besides, it’s always great to read Amy’s articles. We all miss her daily reporting of all things Corona del Mar!

CdMRA’ s Billings’ Corner

CdMRA Board Member (CdMSW) Janice Billings is one very busy volunteer.  In addition to representing CdM residents in the Southwest quadrant of the Flower Streets on CdMRA’s Board, Janice is a volunteer on CdMRA’s Historical Resources Committee, AND also manages to find time to investigate local human interest stories and write about them. 


Janice’s most recent story is about Mary Everett Burton’s “Happy House” booklet reprint chronicling her Pasadena family and mother’s bold move to build a home here in 1909.  

This story and Jan’s previous reports are all available here.

Flower Power – Floral Magic in CdM’s Flower Streets!

 CdMRA’s “Flower Power” Project brought a touch of floral magic to the charming streets of Corona del Mar in 2024! Program Partners CdMRA, Roger’s Gardens, Sherman Gardens, and Greet Corona del Mar magazine collaborated on this fun project that brought added beauty and charm to the CdM Village. 

Aptly named the “Flower Power” project, this project encouraged residents to plant their street’s namesake flowers, turning the community into a captivating tapestry of colors and scents.  

For more details and the “Who Did It Best 2024” Gallery, click here. 

Our thanks to all the Corona del Mar residents who participated in this fun event which beautified our Flower Streets even more!