News … In and Around CdM …
June 2023: CdM Annual Town Meeting … Nearly 20 years and counting!
We hope you enjoyed our Annual Town Meeting on June 7 as much as we did. This year’s Annual Town Meeting ranks high on our list since we began holding them nearly 20 years ago.
We could not have asked for a better venue or better weather. A big thanks to Scott LaFleur, Director of Sherman Gardens, and SLG staff for opening their doors to us again this year. Who can resist coming to Sherman Gardens in June with flowers bursting with color everywhere.
Credit for the photo above goes to StuNews Newport. Credit for photos below goes to Danielle Rivas, CdMRA Social Media Chair. More of Danielle’s photos can be seen in our online photo album. Take a look here.
The City participated again this year in a big way at our Expo/Social. Many City departments and their staff, including Police, Fire, Public Works, Library, Recreation and more, were on hand to meet guests and answer questions about current projects and issues. Also present this year were local civic groups including SPON (Still Protecting our Newport), Airport Working Group, Newport Beach Film Festival and newcomer to our Expo the Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club! We were delighted that so many groups were eager to participate in this increasingly popular event.
Joining us for the first time this year were principals from two of our local media channels, StuNews Newport and Greet Corona del Mar magazine. We are fortunate to have such robust local coverage and we appreciate their efforts to ensure that we do. We encourage you to read the StuNews recap of our meeting as well (available here).
We also offered an informative and engaging Speakers Program. Following a brief update on City Council activities from 
Councilwoman Lauren Kleiman, Mike Stockstill and H. Pike Oliver shared a comprehensive account of how the Irvine Ranch transformed from an agricultural empire into what we see in Irvine and Newport Beach today. Fascinating details about people and behind the scenes information never before published. Book title is Transforming the Irvine Ranch: Joan Irvine William Pereira Ray Watson and THE BIG PLAN. Learn more about it at the book’s website here. Authors Pike Oliver and Michael Stockstill are both former Irvine Company employees.
We would also like to thank our local CdM businesses and the Newport Beach Film Festival for generously donating items for our Opportunity Drawing. Please be sure to support these businesses which are an integral part of our community.
Anthony’s Leatherworks
Bungalow Restaurant
Coast Hearing & Balance
Gary’s New York Deli
Brenda McCrosky, Compass Realty
Newport Beach Film Festival
Newport Wine & Spirits
9Round Kickboxing Fitness
Strands Hair Salon
Studio Cycle CdM
Sugar Beach Tan
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 the City’s award-winning Harbor Department.
This story and her previous reports about Girl Scouts, Sherman Library Director and Newport’s Project Adult Literacy are all available here.
May 2023: CdM Clock Tower Restoration Project
After 18 years of wear and tear, the clock tower in Corona del Mar (CdM) commemorating CdM’s Centennial Anniversary was ready for some paint restoration work. Located on the busy corner of Marguerite and Coast Highway, a three-story scaffolding enclosure was constructed around the tower to protect the area from paint overspray and give the crew a controlled working environment. This project will be completed next week, just in time for summer events. [Source Council Member Lauren Kleiman, District 6]
After 18 years of wear and tear, the clock tower in Corona del Mar (CdM) commemorating CdM’s Centennial Anniversary was ready for some paint restoration work. Located on the busy corner of Marguerite and Coast Highway, a three-story scaffolding enclosure was constructed around the tower to protect the area from paint overspray and give the crew a controlled working environment. This project will be completed next week, just in time for summer events.”
January 2023 Update: Ocean Blvd. Bluff Walk City Council Study Session
The Ocean Blvd. Bluff Walk is a unique resource for the City that is shared by those who live on Ocean Boulevard, nearby village residents as well as many visitors. It is a place to walk, reflect, exercise and enjoy the wonderful ocean, harbor and sunset views, but it can be so much more.
The “public realm” along Ocean Blvd. is in need of upgrading. CdMRA’s Beautification Committee Committee started studying this bluff walk back in November 2020. At the June 8, 2021 City Council meeting, Council unanimously approved the concept and directed the Parks Beaches and Recreation Commission (PB&R) to agendize an Ocean Boulevard Bluff Walk presentation from the resident’s community group proposing to enhance the walkways and viewpoints with an emphasis on the pedestrian experience. PB&R was also directed to forward a recommendation to City Council for consideration of an action plan.
PB&R has since had many Commission meetings, a field walk and Ad-Hoc Committee discussions regarding the Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan and has requested staff bring the item back for City Council consideration. Please be sure to join us (or tune in) to the February 14 City Council Study Session. Details and agenda, when available, can be found here.
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:
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.
CdMRA’s Historical Resources Committee Update
Ron Yeo, Committee Chair
We are continuing to work with the Sherman Library and the CdM Historical Society to build awareness and understanding of our local history.
A few of our current projects include:
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- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinating with Ed Olen on oral history recordings.
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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.
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.
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!
Corona del Mar’s Jetty
The CdM jetty got a much-needed makeover in 2021. The 12-foot-wide boardwalk running from Pirate’s Cove to the rock section of the jetty is getting a new coat of cement, and more boulders are being added
so they’ll be at the same level as the boardwalk. A podcast about this project is available here.
NEWS SOURCE: NEWPORT BEACH IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
A Walk Around CdM Village Slideshow . . .
Ron Yeo, a CdMRA member and Chair of both CdMRA’s Reforestation Committee and Historical Committee, 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. Take a virtual tour of CdM Village from Ron’s POV.
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:
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- 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.
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Thank you for your help in maintaining our Village Character. If you have any questions about your tree, please contact the City Arborist, John Nelson for more information.
