Hollywood Producer Joseph “McG” Nichol and Jordan Otterbein of River Jetty Restaurant Group took over operations of The Lido Theater in 2024, and they have been ramping up programming to include not just classic movies but concerts and comedians as well as offering The Lido Theater as a special event venue for organizations that include the Newport Beach Film Festival and TV Fest.

The theater has shows planned into 2027, featuring renowned performers including comedians Rita Rudner, Billy Gardell, Morgan Jay and Margaret Cho as well as musicians Al Di Meola, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Pete Yorn, further cementing The Lido Theater as a leading live entertainment destination in Orange County.

“We’re excited to welcome these incredible artists to the stage,” said Otterbein. “From nationally recognized comedians to acclaimed musicians, we’ve curated a lineup that offers something for every kind of fan while showcasing the unique atmosphere that makes The Lido Theater unlike any other venue in Orange County.”

Inside the beautifully restored Art Deco theater, every seat feels close to the stage, creating an intimate, electric experience for concerts, comedy and films. With no drink minimums and convenient parking, it offers a refreshingly accessible and effortless night out in Newport Beach.

Additionally, the inaugural charity concerts, Lido Legacy Live featuring The Righteous Brothers – Bill Medley and Bucky Heard, will be held at The Lido Theater on Thursday, Sept. 10, and Friday, Sept. 11, benefiting the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Scholarship Program and Friends of OASIS Senior Center in Newport Beach.

The Lido Theater’s upcoming entertainment schedule includes:

• Billy Gardell – Less is More Tour: August 22, 2026
• Morgan Jay – The Goofy Guy Tour: September 4 & 5, 2026
• Lido Legacy Live Benefit Concerts Featuring the Righteous Brothers – Bill Medley & Bucky Heard: September 10 & 11, 2026
• Al Di Meola – The Guitarchitect Tour: September 18, 2026
• Margaret Cho – The Choligarchy Tour: October 9, 2026
• Hinder – Back to Life: October 11, 2026
• Natural Science – The Rush Tribute Band: October 24, 2026
• Rita Rudner: November 1, 2026
• Devotional – The Depeche Mode Experience: November 7, 2026
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: November 19, 2026
• Andy Grammer – Greater Than Pt. II: A One Man Show: November 29, 2026
• 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter – Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: December 11, 2026
• An Evening With The Phantom of the Opera & The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: January 30, 2027

Located in Via Lido Plaza and near Lido Marina Village, The Lido Theater is part of a growing entertainment, dining and hospitality district, offering guests a unique, walkable experience in the heart of Newport Beach. For more information about live events at

The Lido Theater, originally opened in 1939, is one of Orange County’s earliest movie houses and a celebrated example of Art Deco design. Restored to its original grandeur by Fritz Duda Company, the theater now operates as a premier entertainment venue, showcasing films, live music, comedy and special events. Located at 3459 Via Lido in Newport Beach, The Lido continues to serve as a vibrant gathering place for the community.

A collaboration between partners Joseph “McG” Nichol and Jordan Otterbein, River Jetty Restaurant Group (RJRG) brings extensive expertise and a depth of resources to each of its restaurant and hospitality concepts. RJRG was established in Newport Beach in 2007 with the founding philosophy of creating experiences that offer inspired cuisine and exemplary service in an inviting atmosphere. Dedicated to supporting the communities it serves, RJRG extends its hospitality to local schools and charities to continue to build a strong local culture. RJRG’s collection of eateries includes A Restaurant, A Market and A Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, CdM Restaurant in Corona del Mar and A PCH in Long Beach.

Visit www.TheLidoTheater.com.

The post The Lido Theater Expands Live Entertainment appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Pacific Wine & Food Classic returns on Saturday, Sept. 12, to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach, and it’s bigger and better than ever.

This year’s event, the eighth edition, is being produced under the leadership of Tricia Cook, a longtime member of the event team who has helped shape the festival since its inception.

Cook is ushering in the next evolution of the Pacific Wine & Food Classic while preserving the elevated food, wine, and hospitality experience that has made it a signature celebration.

This year’s event will bring together more than 35 top restaurants, 30 wine purveyors pouring more than 100 wines, premium craft cocktails, a live DJ and silent disco experience, and immersive culinary activations.

New for 2026 is The Bubble Garden, featuring sparkling and bubbly beverages. Guests can also explore the Paso Robles Grand Wine Experience, showcasing selections from distinguished wineries and producers.

According to Cook, she and Pam Waite, President of the Orange County Restaurant Association, created the Pacific Wine & Food Classic together. Waite wanted to focus on other types of events, such as OC Restaurant and Burger Week, and creatively explore what she could do with the event.

“I thought it was a good opportunity and a good challenge for me to do it by myself,” Cook told the NB Indy. “I’m a very creative person, but I also have to concentrate on so many of the detail-oriented things. So this was a challenge for me to kind of put a little more of my creative spin on it.”

Pacific Wine & Food requires extensive planning and many volunteers to make the event come together. As Cook noted, this year there was a hiccup due to the transition, and she has brought in new sponsors and décor, including new lounges and other areas, such as a Tiki World section.

And then there is the Bubble Garden, which Cook said she and Waite had wanted to add to the event.

“It’s not just sparkling wine,” said Cook. “It’s going to be anything with bubbles. I also do have a lot of restaurants in there, and then we have some really fun decor and lounge seating that we’re putting in there, so it’s going to be a really fun area. “We have really fun plans to create more photo opportunities throughout the event.”

This year, Cook is working with the Paso Robles Alliance to bring a handful of wineries to Newport Beach, and she has wines from Napa and other wine regions.

“I’m really excited about the restaurants this year,” noted Cook. “We have some amazing new ones as well as some of the wonderful, great ones that are coming back.”

The list of restaurants is indeed impressive, and includes such names as Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Descanso, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Five Crowns, Il Girasole, Miss Mini Donuts, Puesto, RED O, Sol Cocina, Strong Water Anaheim, Sushi Roku, Trevor’s at the Tracks, Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, and many others.

Pacific Wine & Food Classic takes place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort (1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660).

Early Bird VIP Tickets are $179+ per guest and include entry at 2 p.m. (the event concludes at 5 p.m. for all guests). Early Bird VIP Early Entrance Tickets are $259+ per guest and include exclusive early entry at 1 p.m., providing access to select premium wines and specialty tastings available exclusively during the first hour of the event. A limited number of Diamond VIP Private Lounge Tickets are also available for $500, offering private lounge access, express entry, exclusive wine tastings, premium culinary offerings, and dedicated waterfront seating.

All guests must be 21 years of age or older with valid government-issued identification. The Pacific Wine & Food Classic is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.pacificwineandfood.com.

The post Pacific Wine & Food Classic Uncorks a New Chapter in Newport Beach September 12 appeared first on Newport Beach News.

A small box arrived the other day. I opened it, and to my delight, it contained four large cookies, courtesy of Levain Bakery: Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter.

The cookies came with instructions (more than just “bite, eat, enjoy”). It was recommended to warm the cookies in the oven for a few minutes until gooey—or in the microwave for 20 seconds for those who cannot wait to savor the sugary treat.

The cookies lasted two days. I consumed two on the first day and two on the second. These are deliciously decadent chunks of goodness. My favorite was the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, heated to luscious gooeyness.

The cookies were a perfect preview of the Levain Bakery, the legendary bakery behind New York City’s favorite six-ounce cookies, which will open its first Orange County location in early September at Fashion Island.

“We have always felt that Levain brings people together, and our LA Bakeries have shown us that Southern California agrees,” commented co-founders and best friends Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald in a press release statement. “Levain in Newport Beach feels like the next natural step, and we can’t wait to open our doors at Fashion Island.”

According to press info, Levain was founded in New York City in 1995 by Weekes and McDonald, whose delicious breads and baked goods immediately resonated with the neighborhood. When the duo decided to quietly start selling cookies, they realized they had a hit on their hands.

Today, Levain’s crispy-on-the-outside-gooey-on-the-inside cookies have become what some call a cultural phenomenon. Remaining true to its neighborhood bakery origins, Levain continues the tradition of crafting its signature breads, pastries and cookies by hand each day, using the same high-quality ingredients that defined its beginnings.

Once the Fashion Island store opens, guests will find an assortment of freshly baked favorites plus savory sandwiches and muffins. The new location will also feature Levain’s full barista service, offering cappuccinos, cold-foam drinks, matcha and lattes, including a Cookie Milk Latte.

After the Fashion Island location opens, it will take the brand to 20 bakery locations from coast to coast, joining bakeries in New York, Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

Levain is opening in the former Christophe Salon space (located in between former Hopdoddy space and current Sushi Roku location). The bakery will offer catering and event services designed to enhance corporate meetings, weddings, large-scale events and private celebrations.

For more information on Levain Bakery, visit www.LevainBakery.com.

The post Levain Bakery’s Iconic Cookies Set to Debut in Fashion Island in September appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Happiness has many flavors.

That’s one of the slogans used by Gelato del Mar, which has a popular gelato store on Coast Highway in Corona del Mar.

Now, they are spreading that happiness by opening a second location on Balboa Island at 226 Marine Avenue in the spot that formerly housed Toastique.

The family-owned artisanal gelato shop will celebrate the opening of its new location on Thursday, August 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a curated tasting of artisanal flavors hand-crafted from scratch, including their signature Honeycomb gelato, two special alcohol-infused flavors, as well as samples of their popular dog ‘gelato’ Pup Cups.

According to Gelato del Mar, local businesses will join the flavorful celebration. Zay’z Artisanal Deli will be sharing tasting bites of their house-made focaccia as a complementary savory pairing with the gelato.

And as a toast to the evening, Corona del Mar’s WELL Alkaline Water, offered on the beverage menus at both Gelato del Mar locations, will be sampling their naturally alkalized water.

“We invite you to come in and experience our flavors,” said owner Peter Klebanoff. “We are grateful to join the special community on Balboa Island and create a place where friends and family can come together to enjoy a fun and flavorful experience.”

As a special part of the celebration, there will be a raffle for Gelato del Mar’s custom wrapped Balboa Island surfboard, with all raffle ticket proceeds benefitting the Newport Beach Museum on Balboa Island.

The Museum offers free entry to visitors and relies on private donations to fulfill its mission of collecting, preserving, and promoting the culture and history of Balboa Island, Newport Beach, and Orange County.

“As Newport Beach residents, we believe in supporting the community that supports us,” shared Klebanoff.

Gelato del Mar offers handcrafted, flavor-rich gelato made from scratch – without preservatives, added colorings, or artificial flavorings. From well-known and loved classic flavors to unique, seasonally driven flavors, they offer the most decadent flavor experience. Depending on the day you visit, you can enjoy flavors such as caramel cookie crunch, chocolate hazelnut, cinnamon, honeycomb, key lime pie, peanut butter cup, raspberry cheesecake, and many others. They also make several flavors of sorbetto.

And with all the dog owners walking their pups on the island, Gelato del Mar offers gelato for dogs. It’s a non-dairy “gelato” with human-grade ingredients and without sugar, so pups may enjoy a safe and healthy frozen treat. The Pup Cups are pre-scooped and ready for canine enjoyment in either Peanut Butter Banana or Pumpkin Apple flavors.

And for those who cannot wait for the official opening, Gelato del Mar on Balboa Island is currently open and serving its frozen treats daily except Mondays. Visit https://www.gelatodelmar.com.

The post Gelato del Mar Celebrates Second Location on Balboa Island appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Jones, who serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Laguna Beach, joined Crystal Cove Conservancy as Executive Vice President in 2023. Most recently promoted to President of the Conservancy, Jones has played a key role in expanding the Conservancy’s education and conservation programs, growing its base of philanthropic support, and leading organizational operations across both Crystal Cove Conservancy and Crystal Cove Management Company.

Her promotion to CEO reflects the Board’s confidence in her leadership and her deep commitment to the Conservancy’s mission of protecting, preserving, and sharing Crystal Cove’s natural and cultural resources.

“We are delighted to welcome Hallie as our Chief Executive Officer,” said Board Chair Teddie Ray. “Throughout her tenure, Hallie has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. Her accomplishments, strong community relationships, and ability to inspire others make her uniquely qualified to lead Crystal Cove Conservancy into its next exciting chapter.”

Ray also expressed the Board’s appreciation for Wheeler’s seven years of service.

“We are deeply grateful to Kate for her outstanding leadership and dedication,” Ray said. “Her vision has strengthened the Conservancy in the transformation of our education programs, the restoration of the Historic District, the expansion of the Conservancy’s conservation work, and the strong partnerships and philanthropic support that have positioned the Conservancy for its next chapter.  We congratulate Kate on her appointment as President and CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy and wish her every success in this exciting new role.”

Jones, who has worked alongside Wheeler for nearly three years, said the transition feels like a natural evolution for the organization.

“I am honored by the Board’s confidence in me to serve as Crystal Cove Conservancy’s next CEO to build on Kate’s remarkable work. I know firsthand the exceptional talent of the team – including California State Parks – I will be working alongside, as well as the dedication of our Board, supporters, and extraordinary corps of volunteers, all of whom care deeply about Crystal Cove. Together, we will continue to expand our impact, strengthen our programs, and ensure this extraordinary place is protected and enjoyed by generations to come.”

Wheeler said serving as CEO has been one of the greatest privileges of her career, and expressed her confidence in Jones’ leadership.

“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Hallie every day for the past several years, and I’ve seen firsthand the kind of leader she is. She brings wisdom, steadiness, curiosity, and deep commitment to this organization. I couldn’t be more confident in Crystal Cove’s future under her leadership.”

Jones will officially assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on August 26.

Crystal Cove Conservancy is the nonprofit partner of Crystal Cove State Park, dedicated to protecting, restoring, and sharing the park’s natural, cultural, and historic resources through education, conservation, and stewardship. Through innovative programs and community partnerships, the Conservancy works to ensure Crystal Cove remains a place of inspiration and discovery for generations to come.

For more information, visit https://crystalcove.org.

The post Crystal Cove Conservancy Announces Hallie Jones as New Chief Executive Officer appeared first on Newport Beach News.

These remarkable leaders exemplify courage, service, and a steadfast commitment to supporting the veteran community. Through their leadership, advocacy, and dedication, they are helping veterans build successful futures beyond military service.

Congratulations to the 2026 honorees:

• Veteran Civic Leadership: Melinda Liu, Councilmember, City of Irvine
• Veteran of the Year: Cory Vigil, Lead Peer Navigator & Post Service Officer, Strong Families, Strong Children Program and American Legion
• The Next Mission Award: Anthony Rocha, Vice President, Concordia University Irvine Student Veterans of America Chapter
• Trailblazer Award: Jon Jagielski, Director, Quality Engineering, Edwards Lifesciences
• Quilt of Valor Honoree: Jonathan Jonas, Working Wardrobes Client
• Voice of Valor: Bobby De Castro, Reporter & Anchor, FOX 11 Los Angeles
• Veteran Employer of the Year: Hensel Phelps

Join Working Wardrobes as they celebrate these inspiring honorees alongside more than 150 business, community, and veteran leaders while raising critical support for Orange County veterans on their journey to meaningful employment.

There is still time to be part of this inspiring morning. Sponsorship opportunities, reserved tables, and individual tickets are still available. Whether you’re looking to showcase your organization’s commitment to veterans or attend as an individual, your participation directly supports Working Wardrobes free career development, workforce readiness, and employment services for veterans across Orange County.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach. Individual tickets are $45 and include breakfast and valet parking.

For tickets, sponsorships and more information, visit https://www.workingwardrobes.org/events/

The post Working Wardrobes Holds Valor & Vision Leadership Breakfast at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach August 21 appeared first on Newport Beach News.

In a world of strange relationships, who’d have thought that the medical specialty of Dermatology was in any way related to the Visual Arts?

After visiting the current photography exhibit titled “Carwash Whimsey and Newport Classics” at the Newport Beach Public Library on Avocado Street, featuring both the impressionistic and realistic works of recently retired Newport Dermatologist Lawrence Sherwin, one must conclude that the relationship is real.

In fact, unbeknownst to most of the world, there exists a scientific treatise by V. Long titled “Dermatology and the Visual Arts: More Than Meets the Eye.” There are also other writings from other esoteric authors addressing the subject.

However, all their background theories and research are irrelevant. Visitors who study Dr. Sherwin’s photo art will intuitively recognize the many years of skill, eye, timing, creativity, inventive editing, and technology that went into the final products.

Sherwin, who shoots with Olympus brand camera equipment, is drawn to both the grand and the subtle moments in nature, things as easily missed as a tiny snail leaving a trail or storm-generated swells slamming into the rocks off the cliffs of Corona del Mar.

“I often photograph spontaneously with my cell phone, especially when walking my dog,” he shares. However, he explains that “I reserve more deliberate composition and technical control for my dedicated camera.” With his cell, he typically takes a single shot, whereas “with my camera, I may take multiple exposures while refining composition and settings.”

Sherwin describes his photography as a “blend of art and technology, with no meaningful divide between film and digital in terms of artistic intent. “Both are vehicles for expressing a photographer’s vision,” he apprised.

Photography is a creative balancing act between composure and composition, light and shadow, Sherwin shared, adding that “Photography is as much about enjoyment and

experimentation as it is about technical precision.” Again, the blending of artist and technical perfectionist.

From plate to film, black-and-white to color, mechanical cameras to iPhones, chemical film-developing trays to Polaroid, and then to digital images, photography — like so much in modern life — has profited from technological evolution and thus expanded photographic possibilities.

Sherwin is unapologetic when discussing photographic “purity.”

“I use Photoshop extensively to shape images to my vision, and I make no apologies for it,” he said, adding that “I view editing, color correction, sharpening, compositional adjustments and removal of distractions as an integral part of photography.”

For example, Sherwin cited digitally removing a beer can floating in a lake that would pollute an otherwise beautiful nature photo.

“Digital photography has allowed me to review and refine images instantly, which markedly transformed my workflow.” This was especially true in his practice and in medical communications with other professionals.

“What an honor to have my work shown,” Sherwin reflected. “So many fine artists in Newport never receive such exposure; I’m still processing this experience.”

In today’s visual and digital world, anyone can become a photographer. Becoming an artist/photographer, however, doesn’t just happen in a snap.

Sherwin’s art remains on display at the library through Sept. 25. The artwork is for sale for $150 per photograph, with proceeds benefiting a local art gallery. Contact Lawrence Sherwin at Lsherwin1@msn.com for details.

The post More Than Skin Deep: Newport Dermatologist Finds Art Through the Camera Lens in Library Exhibit appeared first on Newport Beach News.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bonita Canyon Sports Park, the Newport Beach Police Department celebrated National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign held in thousands of cities across the country that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

At the event, NBPD had displays from the CSI department, the SWAT team (including a SWAT vehicle), a K-9 team, Animal Control, Mounted Unit police officers and their horses, motorcycle officers and their bikes, and officers from the department’s new drone program.

There was also information on crime and drug prevention, home security, child safety, the Citizens’ Police Academy, and Volunteers In Policing.

Officer Nate Ferris of the city’s mounted patrol had his horse, Stetson, with him, while Officer Isaac Furnari was aboard Clyde. At the Crime Scene Investigation booth, crime scene investigator Andrew Quickle demonstrated how to examine fingerprints. Motorcycle officer Shay Brackett let many of the children in attendance sit on his motorcycle so they could get a taste of what it’s like to ride one of those big bikes.

K-9 Officer Eric Rosenberg had his service dog, Ryder, with him. Ryder is an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois. According to Officer Rosenberg, Ryder will be with the NBPD several more years until he retires, depending on “his health, his willingness and wanting to work, his endurance, things may happen to me that may cause him to have to retire. There’s a multitude of issues or things that can come up that can cause him to retire. Right now, there’s no sign of him slowing down anytime soon, which is good for us. I love it.”

For the first time at National Night Out, the NBPD showed off its new drone program. Detective Nick Carr and Officer Mark Hamilton are drone pilots who said that by October, the NBPD anticipates having 10 drones situated throughout the city. The drones can fly remotely from their laptops in their patrol cars, and they have a flight deck at the police headquarters.  The drones help the police department respond to calls for service more quickly.

According to the National Night Out website, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

National Night Out strengthens the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while restoring a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out in thousands of communities across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (days and times can vary by state and city).

Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and other community events, including safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and exhibits.

For more information, visit https://natw.org.

The post Hundreds of Residents Attend Newport Beach Police Department’s National Night Out appeared first on Newport Beach News.

What does it take to keep Newport Beach running at full speed? It takes teams of people in city government and services, including police and fire departments, lifeguards, libraries, schools, and hospitals, to ensure that our community’s infrastructure is the best it can be.

The Newport Beach Police Department’s history dates back nearly 100 years. Newport’s first City Hall was located east of the Newport Pier. The Police Department used several offices in City Hall until they moved to their own building on Court Avenue.

Various Marshals headed the Newport Beach Police Department until 1928, when Rowland R. Hodgkinson was appointed the first Chief of the department. He retired in 1952 after 25 years of service, which at the time was the longest tenure of any police chief in California.

John Upson then served as chief for nine years, followed by B. James Glavas, a former captain with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Many changes occurred within the department between 1961 and 1977 under Glavas’ command. The Police Department moved from City Hall on 32nd Street to a new building on Santa Barbara Drive in 1974 and installed its first computer-aided dispatch system in 1976.

Now, more than 50 years later, the NBPD is still using the same building on Santa Barbara Drive, and it’s showing its age. An upgrade is sorely needed. Exactly what that upgrade will be is currently a subject of debate within the community and the City Council.

The City of Newport Beach has launched a new website to help keep residents informed as it evaluates potential sites for the future Newport Beach Police Headquarters.

According to a press release from the City of Newport Beach, the website, www.NewportBeachPoliceHQ.com, provides the latest information on the site evaluation process, outlines opportunities for community engagement, and serves as a central hub for meeting materials and project updates.

It includes an overview of why the City is planning for a future police headquarters, along with side-by-side comparisons of the current sites under consideration.

Options, as described on the website, include remodeling and expanding the existing Santa Barbara Drive headquarters, a City-owned Dove Street property, privately owned land near the Civic Center, and a preliminary Civic Center campus concept.

Discussions at City Council meetings began months ago, when council members considered options for replacing the aging NBPD building. Community responses were also heard through letters to the City Council, letters to the editor of the NB Indy and other publications, and public comments at City Council meetings. There was also a debate on the topic between Mayor Pro Tem Noah Blom and former Mayor Keith Curry at a Speak Up Newport meeting.

How much the City needs a new police building is clear from the new website. Today’s Headquarters, which sits on four acres and shares space with an adjacent Fire Department facility, was designed for 150 employees and now serves 238 personnel and handles 93,000+ calls annually.

According to the NewportBeachPoliceHQ website, the current evaluation process is the result of five years of facility assessments and operational reviews on how best to support Newport Beach’s long-term public safety needs. The City’s evaluation found that the current Police Department headquarters no longer meets the operational, technological, space, and infrastructure needs of a modern public safety facility.

With that in mind, City leaders initiated a comprehensive evaluation of potential sites in 2025, including feasibility, cost, and design considerations for a new police headquarters facility.

According to the website, the evaluation process is still in its early stages and is expected to take several years. Additional analysis, community engagement, environmental review, and future City Council consideration will occur before any potential design or construction activities begin.

Although multiple options are under review, the website emphasizes that no preferred option has been selected and no final decisions have been made; however, based on community responses and City Council comments, the Civic Center site is the main topic of discussion.

According to the website, the Sculpture Exhibition remains an important feature of the Civic Center’s “museum without walls.” While nothing has been approved or finalized, preliminary concepts for this site place the headquarters closest to the Civic Center’s entry, affecting only the southernmost portion of the park. There are currently no plans to remove any sculptures or park elements in the remainder of the park, including the rabbit statues commonly known as “Bunnyhenge.” If the project moves forward, any future changes would be considered through concept refinement, environmental review and public input.

Police Headquarters Advisory Committee

Last June, the City established the Police Headquarters Advisory Committee, comprised of three City Councilmembers (Sara J. Weber, Noah Blom and Michelle Barto) and four Newport Beach residents (Tom Maloney, Sandra Meadows, Bob Olson and Paul Watkins). The committee, which includes residents with backgrounds in construction, development, and real estate finance, is tasked with evaluating locations, design, and budget for a future police headquarters facility and providing recommendations to the City Council for their consideration.

The committee held its first meeting on July 7, 2026. All committee meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for the City to gather community input and perspectives to help inform future discussions and decision-making. The committee acts in an advisory role and does not make final decisions for the City.

At that initial meeting, the committee was provided with a history of the NBPD along with information on hiring an architectural design consultant, an environmental consultant, and a communications consultant.

At the subsequent meeting on July 21, the committee reviewed the options for the current 870 Santa Barbara site. A motion was made and approved by a 5-0 vote (two committee members were absent) to recommend that the City Council not spend additional resources studying the current location.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for September 2.

City Council Weighs In

At the July 28 City Council meeting, there were several agreements and contracts having to do with the police headquarters that were recommended for approval:

• Approval of Professional Services Agreement with LPA, Inc. for Police Headquarters Architectural Services
• Professional Services Agreement with EPD Solutions, Inc. for Preparation of a Subsequent EIR Related to the Possible Relocation of the Police Headquarters to the Civic Center Campus
• Professional Services Agreement for On-Call Police Station Strategic Communications with Westbound Communications, Inc

Councilmember Robyn Grant pulled those items and requested a verbal staff report so the public knew what they were voting for. City Manager Seimone Jurjis explained that there are a lot of questions about the Civic Center site.

“It is a complex site with habitat, with species,” explained Jurjis. “There are a lot of topography issues. If we are going to consider the Civic Center site, we are going to need some help. We’re going to need some consultants.”

Jurjis stated that they do not know whether a police station could fit on that site, so they need an expert to provide a conceptual design.

The agreement with Westbound Communications will be to communicate what the city is working on, including town halls and ad hoc committee meetings.

After extensive public comments and questions on the agreements, all three passed.

Community Responses

Over the past few months, letters both supporting the idea of placing the new police headquarters in the Civic Center park and against the Civic Center location have been sent to the city council as well as local publications.

One group of concerned citizens have come together to create a website: www.SaveCivicCenterPark.com.

The website’s goal is to protect Newport Beach’s Civic Center Park. Residents can use the website to stay informed, participate in the public process, and advocate for preserving this cherished community space. The website states, “help us safeguard one of our most treasured parks by urging city officials to seek better alternatives. Let’s help keep it a legacy for all future generations to enjoy.”

The website contains information on the city’s process and ways concerned citizens can get involved.

“We are a group of concerned citizens who started out as an email group and then a text group,” explained group member Lauren Graf. “We’re just a group of citizens who agree that our police deserve the best new station they can get, and we also don’t feel like we should have to sacrifice the park for them to have that.”

“Anyone who’s driven on San Miguel or Avocado around 4 to 6 p.m. knows how crazy and crowded it is there, and to have a police station there sounded so ridiculous,” added Graf. “I didn’t believe it when I first heard about it because it doesn’t make any sense. The park is unique. It’s an integral part of the city. That’s where it’s just so confusing—why we have to sacrifice that in order to have this new headquarters when there are two much more appropriate locations for it.”

A challenge that Graf and others face is being unable to attend city council or advisory committee meetings due to the start times (often 3 or 4 p.m.) when people are at work or picking up kids from school.

While the SaveCivicCenterPark website is relatively new, the group already has 60 people on its email list, and that number is growing daily.

Contact saveciviccenterpark@gmail.com for more information and to add your name to their email list.

The post Newport Beach Police Headquarters Debate Puts Civic Center Park in the Spotlight appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Ready to savor a decadent four-course lunch or dinner for only $20? Head to the OC Fair.

Every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., OC Fair food purveyors offer a taste of one signature dish for only $5. These tastes range from Bayou-smoked mac and cheese or a bacon-wrapped hot dog to deep-fried Twinkies or a mini-donut tray.

There are more than 100 food stands at the OC Fair, so the possible taste combinations are virtually endless.

My goal: Visit the OC Fair and craft a four-course lunch by purchasing four of the $5 tastes. I downloaded a Taste of the Fair guide at OCFair.com so I could peruse the list and find four fun dishes. Fortunately, the list shows where they are located within the fair, making it relatively easy to find your four-course meal.

I did attend the OC Fair on opening day as a reconnaissance mission, and to try one of the new concoctions: Peanut Butter & Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger, courtesy of the Philly Cheese Steak stand.

It may sound like an odd combination of savory and sweet, but the flavors were well-balanced, and the portion, for $15, was generous. I savored the entire burger. I may surprise (or maybe shock) friends by slathering peanut butter on burger patties at our next barbecue.

For my taste of the fair adventure, I arrived at the OC Fair on a Sunday around 11:30, so parking was easy, and traffic on the 55 Freeway was not yet backed up.

Armed with my list of $5 tastes, I put check marks next to the dishes that sounded fun and set out on my roving lunch.

I started with the Texas Style BBQ stand and their BBQ pork sundae. I was handed a small cup filled with mashed potatoes and topped with barbecued pork and sauce. This dish was delicious, with nicely whipped potatoes and savory pork.

Next, I strolled over to Biggy’s, which never disappoints. Their $5 taste is simply called Cheese Fry. I asked the cashier if that was simply French fries with cheese on them, and she nodded. As a fry and cheese fan, that sounded fine to me.

I was handed a hefty portion of golden French fries with an abundance of cheese sauce ladled

on top. I grabbed a fork and napkins and found a place to sit. I glanced around to see if anyone was watching me devour this dish by myself. Of course, when you’re at the fair, who cares what you eat? This $5 taste was far cheaper than something similar at a local ballpark.

For my third taste, I paid a visit to Chicken Charlie, who is celebrating 30 years at the OC Fair. Charlie deep fries almost anything, from frog legs to Oreos (they are so good!). This year, he added fried avocados, and who doesn’t like their avocados fried?

They come three to a serving, with a lemon wedge and ranch dressing. I elected to skip the ranch (I know, it’s a popular dressing) and just squeezed lemon on the fried delicacies. The taste was satisfying, but between the barbecue, the cheese fries, and the fried avocados, I was starting to feel full.

However, it was time for dessert. I chose the Pineapple Whip Express stand and their Blue Raspberry Whip with Fruity Pebbles cereal on top.

For $5, this is a terrific taste, and fun to eat on a hot day at the Fair. The frozen raspberry whip concoction was heavenly, and the Fruity Pebbles added a nice crunchy texture. I shoveled the dessert into my mouth and soon felt a brain freeze combined with a sugar rush.

My four-course taste of the fair was a success, although I spent the next hour walking around the fair, burning a few of the calories I had ingested. I plan to go back for more tastes—a slice of pickle pizza is calling my name.

There are countless things to see and do at the OC Fair other than consume mass quantities of calories. There are carnival rides and games of chance, exhibits, wine tasting, live music, and so much more.

Admission to the OC Fair is $9 to $18 depending on the day you attend. Parking is $15. Visit www.OCFair.com.

The post Taste of the Fair: A Four-Course OC Fair Food Adventure for Just $20 appeared first on Newport Beach News.