Healthy Kids Day is a free community initiative designed to inspire kids and their families to stay physically active, healthy, and mentally engaged throughout the summer, when screen time use often increases and social connection can decline.

At its Newport-Mesa Family YMCA location, activities include a barbecue, ice pops, bounce houses, face painting, youth fitness demonstrations, e-bike safety awareness, and a resource fair featuring local health care organizations.

The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at noon.

While offerings may vary, similar activities will be available at other locations, including the Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and Pomona Valley Family YMCAs.

Healthy Kids Day will also provide a cost-saving promotion to attendees, including waived join and discounted registration fees, and discounts on summer camps, family programs, youth activities, swim lessons and personal training.

For a full list of YMCA of Orange County locations, times, and activities, please visit www.ymcaoc.org/hkd.

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More than two decades ago, Newport Beach-based CureDuchenne was created with one goal: to find and fund a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophy.

Now, 20 years later, CureDuchenne is recognized as a global leader in research, patient care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne.

One of the organization’s primary methods of raising funds is through an annual event dubbed Napa in Newport. Since its inception 12 years ago, the event has raised more than $14 million to accelerate research and improve care for those living with the progressive neuromuscular disease.

This year’s Napa in Newport was held March 20-22 at The Pendry in Fashion Island. The three-day celebration raised $1.6 million.

The weekend began on Friday with two intimate vintner dinners hosted by Peter Michael Winery and Simon Family Estate, bringing together winemakers and guests ahead of the main festivities.

The signature black-tie gala on Saturday opened with a Grand Tasting featuring 29 top Napa Valley wineries pouring limited-production, highly rated wines and offering exclusive access to the vintners.

Guests then enjoyed a multi-course dinner crafted by Chef Colin Bedford, Executive Chef at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. Each table was hosted by a different Napa Valley Vintner, curating tableside pairings for the gourmet meal.

Dillion Le, a 13-year-old singer and pianist living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, performed “The Climb” and received a standing ovation.

Following the dinner, a lively auction featured rare wines, luxury travel, and private dining experiences.

Guests danced the night away after the gala at a VIP After Party at The Elwood Club, Pendry Newport Beach’s private Cabaret Room.

The three-day celebration concluded with a Brunch & Bubbles finale featuring curated pairings and sparkling wines from Napa Valley vintner JCB. Sponsors included South Coast Plaza, Parea Travel, and Uncharted.

During the dinner portion of Napa in Newport, Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, told attendees that when she and her husband Paul started CureDuchenne after learning that their son, Hawken, was diagnosed with CureDuchenne, they knew nothing about nonprofits, but they had hope, love and determination.

“There are some people in this room that joined us in this cause and enabled us, early on, to get started and to move forward,” she said. “At this point, we are so proud and happy to be able to show tangible results of what we’ve done with your incredible donations and generosity over the years.”

She then invited her son, Hawken, 29, to come to the stage.

“Thank you so much for being here tonight. I just feel so overwhelmed with emotion right now, just to see all of you come together and just see how much love is in the room,” said Hawken. “I’ve been doing really well in this clinical trial that I’ve been blessed to be able to participate in after waiting for almost 22 years to get into the trial. I’m happy to announce my heart function is better than it ever has been, and I’m also driving again. I have been able to do so many more things that I once needed help to do that now I can do all my own, little things from being able to wash my own hair to help myself put on my own clothes and brush my hair. I feel so blessed to be able to have those. I still continue to have dreams, but now they feel more solid. Thanks to how I’m doing, thanks to all of you guys, I am able to have a career, eventually start a family, and just be able to mentor other guys.”

Hawken concluded by stating that due to generosity in helping their cause, “I think you guys have saved my life.”

Paul and Emily Michael of Peter Michael Winery, the Vintner Chairs of Napa in Newport, were introduced.

“I’m nervous. I mean, how can I follow Paul, Deborah and Hawkins? I’m speechless,” Paul Michael told the audience. “The joy of wine brings people together, and there’s nothing like community. We have respect and admiration for the Miller family, their courage is just extraordinary. It really is. On behalf of our extended winery family, it’s an honor to be pouring with so many other fabulous wines. We’re very proud to play a small part toward fundraising. Tonight, it’s all about CureDuchenne. It really is our honor and pleasure to be here.”

CureDuchenne has announced that the 13th annual Napa in Newport will be held March 5 – March 7 at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, and will be chaired by 2025 Winemaker of the Year Jesse Katz. Known for his acclaimed labels, including Aperture, Devil Proof, Prophet and Poet, and The Setting, Katz has earned international recognition for his wines and is deeply committed to philanthropy.

The event’s featured chef will be Dustin Valette, Chef/Owner of Valette, The Matheson, Roof 106, and Valette Wines. The 2027 event will be expanded to a multi-day celebration, and a waiting list is now available at www.NapaInNewport.org.

All weekend activities benefit CureDuchenne and help fund research, patient care, and life-changing treatments for those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare and progressive disease that affects roughly one in 5,000 male births and is 100 percent fatal. For more information, visit www.cureduchenne.org.

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Meals on Wheels Orange County’s Board of Directors has named Madelynn Hirneise as its incoming President and Chief Executive Officer. She will officially join the organization on May 27, 2026, coinciding with current CEO Holly Hagler’s planned retirement after more than 15 years of extraordinary leadership.

Madelynn comes to Meals on Wheels Orange County from Families Forward, the leading nonprofit in Orange County serving families facing homelessness.

Meals on Wheels operates two programs in Newport Beach:

• Meals on Wheels Weekday Lunch Cafe at OASIS Senior Center in Corona del Mar features a daily lunch program with both hot and cold entrees being provided. A Registered Dietitian formulates the menus and monitors the meals so they are balanced and nutritious. Every meal is carefully prepared at the Meals on Wheels OC headquarters in Anaheim and distributed to community centers around the county. Monthly menus are available in the OASIS Newsletter and the OASIS Administration Office. Meals are first come first served. A voluntary contribution of $3 is requested, but individuals will not be refused services based on their inability to contribute. Guests under 60 are also welcome for a fee of $5.
• Meals-On-Wheels: Home Delivered Meals provides meals to seniors 60 years of age and older who are living at home, unable to prepare their own meals or dine out, and have little or no assistance in obtaining adequate meals. Home Delivered Meals is available during short-term convalescence or a long-term disability. Each delivery includes a breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly, and provide 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of nutrients for older adults. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1:30 pm. Frozen meals for the weekend may be requested. A voluntary contribution of $5.25 a day is requested, but individuals will not be refused services based on their inability to contribute.

“Meals on Wheels Orange County has long been a trusted lifeline for older adults and their families. Every day, this organization does incredible work to ensure seniors have access to nutritious meals, meaningful connection, and the support they need to live independently,” said Hirneise. “I’m honored to join such a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and partners who care deeply about the people we serve. As our community continues to age, I’m excited to build on the strong foundation already in place and expand our reach so even more seniors across Orange County have the nourishment, support, and dignity they deserve.”

For more information on programs and services, or to request meals and other services, visit www.mealsonwheelsoc.org.

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Mentors, business leaders, and community champions of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast (which includes Newport Beach) gathered at the 9th annual Women of Greatness Brunch & Bubbly to honor the women who have positively impacted the lives of Orange County youth and their families.

Held on March 29, 2026, the event raised over $74,000, helping BGC Central OC improve its programs and initiatives to nurture future leaders at the Club.

BGC Central OC presented its prestigious 2026 Woman of Greatness and Community Partner Awards to those who support the Club’s work in strengthening families, providing opportunities to Club members, and igniting inspiration for future generations.

“This year’s honorees embody what it truly means to uplift and serve our communities, especially as many continue to navigate today’s social and economic challenges like food insecurity,” said Kristle Duran, chief operations officer of BGC Central OC. “We are deeply grateful for the leaders and community champions who not only raise awareness, but also help drive critical funding to strengthen families, expand access to essential resources, and support more than 15,000 youth across eight Orange County communities.”

This year’s Woman of Greatness Award was presented to Chef Glenda Galvan-Garcia, a culinary leader and longtime champion of youth and families in Orange County. This prestigious recognition honors her unwavering commitment to empowering young people with cooking skills, cultural appreciation, and the confidence to lead healthier lives.

Chef Glenda has helped BGC of Central OC raise nearly $50,000 through her donation of private chef experiences over more than a decade. Her dedication to strengthening families through nourishment reflects the values of leadership and service that define a Woman of Greatness.

The Community Partner Award was presented to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County for its vital partnership with BGC Central OC since 2011, during which time the launch of Kids Cafe provided 180,000 meals to afterschool Club members. Additionally, over 1.8 million pounds of food have been distributed to strengthen families’ health and stability in Orange County.

Guided by a vision of ensuring all people have access to nutritious food, Second Harvest works alongside trusted partners to provide dignified, equitable and consistent food access. Through this collaboration, hundreds of families have received reliable support, with services expanding from monthly to weekly distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet growing needs.

Second Harvest has also enhanced the Club’s food programs through infrastructure support, including the donation of refrigeration units, and participation in its Grocery Rescue Program, which redirects fresh, high-quality food from local retailers to families in need.

Together, the partnership addresses food insecurity at its roots, providing not only meals but the support families need to thrive.

Sofia Cisneros, a Club alumna and rising community advocate, was this year’s keynote speaker, inspiring attendees with her powerful story of resilience and purpose. A fifth-generation Santa Ana resident, Sofia underwent life-saving heart surgery at just two-years-old and grew up relying on the support of local nonprofits to help her family navigate financial hardship.

Through the Club, she found mentorship, developed essential job and life skills through its Workforce Development Program, and earned a $3,100 College Bound Scholarship. Now a dedicated student set to attend California State University, Fullerton, Sofia is already giving back through small-scale community drives and aspires to pursue a career in nonprofit development, with the goal of uplifting the same communities that supported her. As she continues her journey, Sofia remains committed to turning her experiences into meaningful impact across Orange County.

BGC Central OC’s mission is to ensure every child has mentors and champions in life. The impact of this year’s Women of Greatness honorees and support of the Club community has allowed the Club to ensure continued mentorship, focusing on providing equitable access to mentors, resources and opportunities for young women.

The Club’s Women of Greatness philanthropy group invests in future female leaders and helps give Club members the confidence to pursue their goals.

Held at the Lido House, Autograph Collection, the Women of Greatness Brunch & Bubbly featured a silent auction, music, presentations, and a delicious brunch.

In attendance were BGC Central OC Board of Directors, including Meline Carranza, Nicole Carrillo Hall, Veronica Coffie, Yvonne Herrell, Jordin Lopez, Marla Noel, Alison Salsbury, and Jaril Tudio.

Also in attendance were some of Orange County’s top business and community leaders, including US Bank, Fifth Third Bank, KPMG LLP, and JoAnne Williams, CEO of JWilliams Staffing.

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, please visit www.boysandgirlsclub.com.

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Presented by Casa Noble Tequila and Mi Campo Tequila, Margarita Crawl is a weeklong invitation to get out, have fun, and explore.

During Margarita Crawl, more than 50 participating restaurants across Orange County – including a handful in Newport Beach – will feature signature margaritas paired with crave-worthy dishes, giving guests the perfect opportunity to discover new hotspots or revisit beloved favorites.

“Our restaurants are the heart of our communities, and this is another opportunity to support our local dining establishments by bringing people together offline,” said Pamela Waitt, founder of OC Restaurant Week and President of OC Restaurant Association. “Margarita Crawl will take full advantage of our amazing SoCal weather by encouraging everyone to share great culinary experiences and create meaningful moments with their favorite people. Think of it as your ultimate choose-your-own fiesta – no tickets, no pressure, just a week of sipping, tasting, and making memories, one margarita at a time.”

Among the participating restaurants in Newport Beach:

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: This popular Fashion Island steakhouse has a trio of margaritas available, including a Classic Margarita ($18) with Mi Campo tequila, Cointreau, salt rim and dried lime; Black Berry Margarita ($18) with Mi Campo tequila, fresh blackberries, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, house-made blackberry syrup, and a salt rim; and Blueberry Margarita ($18) with Mi Campo tequila, fresh blueberries, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, house-made blueberry syrup, and a salt rim. Suggested food pairings include a Cabernet Filet ($35)—a 6 oz hand cut filet mignon topped with Danish blue cheese butter over cabernet demi-glace, served with sautéed spinach and campari tomatoes. Or try the shaved filet mignon sandwich and truffle fries ($30) with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, fresh arugula and smoked jalapeno aioli on toasted potato baguette, served with truffle fries.

RED O Taste of Mexico: This Fashion Island favorite has two special margaritas—the Margarita Crawler ($16) with Mi Campo blanco, watermelon serrano agave, pineapple and lime; and the Margarita Verde ($16) with Mi Campo blanco, verde juice, triple sec, and agave. Suggest food pairing is their Hamachi Crudo ($18) with citrus ponzu, orange segments, serrano, micro cilantro and sesame seeds.

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar: They may be known for their impressive wine list, but they also make a mean margarita. Their Margarita Crawl special features a $30 Margarita & Tacos pairing. Choose from either a pineapple ancho margarita with Mi Campo Reposado, caramelized pineapple, ancho reyes, lime, Serrano chile and cilantro, or the Peachys Painkiller with Mi Campo Blanco, guava, strawberry and lime. The tacos are tacos ahogados (drowned taquitos): shredded beef taquitos with green salsa cream and queso fresno.

Vista.Kitchen.Bar: Located in the Newport Beach Marriott Bayview, this is the resort’s signature restaurant with stunning views of Newport’s back bay. They are serving a jalapeno margarita ($18) with Mi Campo tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, muddled jalapenos, and Tajin salt rim. They have two pairing suggestions: the Bayview Tacos (3 for $24) with jicama slaw, radish, pico, pickled onions, chipotle aioli and choice of protein (Cajun shrimp or achiote mahi mahi), or the chicken quesadilla ($26) with chicken, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Woody’s Wharf: Woody’s is going all out for the Margarita Crawl by offering four different margaritas for only $14 each including a spicy watermelon with Mi Campo tequila, a champagne margarita with Casa Noble tequila and a champagne float, a classic house Cadillac with Mi Campo tequila and a Grand Marnier float, and a Beer-Rita with Casa Noble tequila and Mexican lager. They have four $24 food pairings: Fish Taco + Mi Campo Cadillac Margarita, Birria Taco + Spicy Watermelon Margarita, Bang Bang Shrimp + Champagne Margarita, and Buffalo Chicken Wings + Beer-Rita.

Also participating in Newport Beach: A+O Restaurant | Bar and Bluewater Grill (their offerings were not available at press time).

Margarita Crawl is produced by the Orange County Restaurant Association as part of its ongoing mission to support restaurants in the region and beyond. 

The public is invited to explore all participating restaurants and start planning their crawl at www.MargaritaCrawl.com.

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Can plants and flowers tell a story? They can if they are at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar.

This spring, Roger’s Gardens is launching an immersive, sensory experience where nature, beauty, and storytelling come to life.

Dubbed “The Poetry of Spring,” this experience professes to be a living, breathing expression of the season—a time to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Throughout the Roger’s Gardens grounds, you’ll find lush florals, layered greenery and artful displays, thoughtfully composed to inspire creativity.

In addition to the foliage and displays, Roger’s Gardens offers workshops and celebrations of the season.

Bird & Butterfly Gardening: From April 17 through 23, learn how gardens play a vital role in supporting essential pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds, and wildlife through the plants we choose and how we care for our spaces. Learn about the best varieties to attract birds and butterflies, including native milkweed that helps sustain monarch

populations. Participate in a free milkweed exchange by bringing in harmful tropical milkweed and receiving a native narrow-leaf milkweed in return—no purchase necessary. Discover pollinator-friendly plants that create a thriving, wildlife-supporting garden, and round up your purchase to benefit the Xerces Society in their mission to protect Monarch butterflies and our pollinator friends.

Peppermania: From April 24 through May 3, shop over 100 pepper varieties at this fun and exciting pepper plant sale. Connect with edible gardening experts to learn about the best peppers, tips for successful growth, range of heat levels and culinary uses, including the best salsa pepper, Asian dishes, chili rellenos, grilling, stuffing, and more. Discover secret techniques for growing the best plants and harvesting a bountiful crop, whether in the ground or in containers, and have your questions answered for the best pepper growing season yet.

Rose Festival & Mother’s Day Celebration: From May 1 through May 10, immerse yourself in the aroma of roses known to be the most beautiful and fragrant. Shop one of Southern California’s largest selection of roses. Discover over 350 rose varieties, including new and exclusive selections and the rose of the year, Loves Me, Loves Me Not, a breathtaking deep pink Hybrid Tea with enormous, petal-filled blooms and an intoxicating fragrance of gardenia, lilac, and pineapple. Stroll through thousands of roses in full bloom and take home fresh-cut bouquets straight from the garden. Connect with our rose experts to learn the secrets to planting and caring for roses, including tips on pest and disease control, proper pruning, and choosing the right varieties for your space. Enter to win fun rose contests and prizes, and save with special discounts on soils and fertilizers to help your roses thrive.

Roger’s Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visit www.rogersgardens.com.

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The event will raise vital funds for addiction treatment while bringing the community together to celebrate recovery.

Since, 1977 the Costa Mesa-based nonprofit has transformed thousands of lives of women affected by addiction.

The organization’s signature event, the Circle of Life Brunch, will feature an elevated full-service brunch, live auction, awards program and industry networking opportunities.

During the awards program, New Directions for Women will honor Dotty Dozal with the Impact Award and Fred Turner (posthumously) as the Legacy Awardee.

Dotty served at Hoag Hospital for close to 30 years as a CADC Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She held many positions but was proud to be part of the discharge planning team and community volunteers. There is rarely a recovery meeting where Dotty is not fondly remembered for her kindness and impact on helping families in recovery. Now retired, the Huntington Beach resident remains active in the recovery community throughout Orange County.

Fred Turner will be represented by his family to recognize his life marked by resilience, generosity, and unwavering love. A former New Directions for Women board member, Fred had achieved over 50 years of sobriety and remained a beacon of light for those around him with remarkable strength and grace.

The Circle of Life Brunch begins with networking and registration at 11 a.m. followed by a program and brunch from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $200 each; tables of 10 are available on a limited basis.

For tickets, visit www.newdirectionsforwomen.org.

Founded in 1977, New Directions for Women provides gender-specific addiction treatment services that are family-centered promoting healthy parenting, preventing domestic violence, and assisting in family reunification. The addiction treatment program was created in response to a shortage of affordable and accessible rehabilitation treatment services for women suffering from alcoholism, substance use disorder and other related issues.

New Directions for Women was created in part by Pamela Wilder with support from Junior League of Orange County. The New Directions for Women Foundation was created to ensure care for women in financial need through the Pamela Wilder Scholarship Fund.

Since its inception, New Directions for Women has served over 7,000 women and nearly 700 children, while more than 200 babies have been born to mothers completing their comprehensive on-site program.

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A famous opera and a famous Broadway musical are being staged over back-to-back weekends this month by the Pacific Symphony at Segerstrom Center, and both are must-see events.

First up is Puccini’s final opera, “Turandot,” conducted by Pacific Symphony Music Director Laureate Carl St.Clair and featuring Pacific Symphony, acclaimed vocal ensemble Pacific Chorale, Southern California Children’s Chorus and an international cast of vocalists.

Together, they bring Puccini’s mythical tale of riddles, sacrifice and redemption to life for three performances: April 16, 18 and 21 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. All three performances include a preview talk with Classical California host Alan Chapman at 7 p.m. Tickets are $36-$175.

According to notes from Pacific Symphony, stage director Eric Einhorn, he has envisioned the design to have a Western medieval aesthetic with creative use of costumes, dramatic lighting and puppetry, including shadow puppets on an overarching moon. The opera will be framed with a child reading from a storybook and have a larger-than-life look for audience members to experience the story through the child’s eyes.

Presented in the Symphony’s signature semi-staged format, the production places the full orchestra onstage surrounding the cast with the sweeping sound of Puccini’s score that includes “Nessun Dorma,” made famous by, well, almost any noted tenor you choose (Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition is legendary).

“Turandot” has its premiere in April 1926—almost 100 years to the date of the Pacific Symphony performance. It still stands as one of the most monumental works in the operatic repertoire.

Set in ancient China, Princess Turandot challenges her suitors to solve three riddles, with failure meaning death. When the mysterious Prince Calaf dares to risk everything for her hand, the opera becomes a journey through cruelty, sacrifice and ultimately, redemption.

“Puccini spent his career telling stories rooted in real people and raw, recognizable emotion, and yet for his final opera he chose a fairy tale. I don’t think that was an escape from reality; I think it was a deeper dive into it,” Einhorn noted. “Fairy tales strip away the ordinary rules of the world so we can confront our fears, our longing and our capacity for love in heightened form. In Turandot, the riddles and the spectacle are thrilling, but beneath them is an emotional journey toward vulnerability and transformation. Puccini understood that sometimes the most fantastical stories reveal the most human truths.”

A More Than Fair Lady

After “Turandot” takes its final bow, Pacific Symphony prepares for a Pops performance with “My Fair Lady” in concert April 24-25.

“My Fair Lady” is a Lerner and Loewe musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play “Pygmalion.” It follows the story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from Professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician, so that she may pass as a lady. Despite his cynical nature and difficulty understanding women, Higgins grows attached to her.

First staged in 1956 (and celebrating 70 years in 2026), the musical won six Tony Awards including Best Musical. It set a record for the longest run of any musical on Broadway up to that time. Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews starred in the Broadway production. The 1964 film version won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

“My Fair Lady!” comes to Pacific Symphony Pops in what they are calling a special symphonic presentation that puts the music front-and-center for a new kind of spectacle.

Audience members can watch the orchestra, conductor and Broadway performers interact onstage.

Broadway star Analisa Leaming (“The King & I,” “Hello Dolly,” “School of Rock”) takes the lead role as Eliza Doolittle, the flower seller who learns to speak like a lady from linguist Henry Higgins, performed by Trevor Martin.

The musical features classic favorite including “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” and of course, “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.”

Enrico Lopez-Yañez, principal pops conductor of Pacific Symphony, who oversees the artistic direction of the Pops series, noted that “’My Fair Lady’ is nothing less than a fan-favorite for many Americans. Everyone from the cast to the creative team, orchestra and beyond brings a uniquely special touch to the performance and truly honors and appreciates the Broadway production, elevating the final product and audience experience.”

Lopez-Yañez said that the symphony has such a long history of doing the semi-staged operas that they started incorporating that concept into the pop series.

“You may have seen the Sweeney Todd that we did, which was a staged production,” he said. “This will be sort of the next iteration of that. We are going back to one of the all-time classics. “My Fair Lady” doesn’t get more iconic and golden age of Broadway than that. It’ll be a fabulous production with all the greatest hits from that show.”

“My Fair Lady” will be conducted by Adam Turner, a Broadway conductor and music director, so “I think it’s in good hands,” said Lopez-Yañez.

“My Fair Lady! In Concert” takes place Friday-Saturday, April 24-25 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets start at $50.

For more information or to purchase tickets for Pacific Symphony concerts, visit www.pacificsymphony.org.

The post From Puccini to Broadway: Pacific Symphony Showcases Two Iconic Masterpieces in April appeared first on Newport Beach News.

It’s almost time for the 31st Annual Balboa Island Parade!

This local favorite will roll down Marine Avenue on Sunday, May 31 at 11 a.m. in a joyful blend of color, sound, and island spirit.

This year’s theme is “Good Vibrations on Balboa Island.” The celebration pulses with energy as the United States Marine Band, the USC marching band, and the local school bands fill the air with music.

Festive floats glide past cheering crowds; surf bands bring a beachy groove, and the horses, dogs and clowns delight kids of all ages. Dignitaries wave from classic cars, locals line the sidewalks, and for one perfect day the Island hums with nothing but good vibes.

The official “After Party” concert starts immediately following the parade with surf tunes and dancing in the street featuring Keepin’ the Summer Alive – A Beach Boys Tribute band in front of the fire station.

Whether you are a participant or a spectator, be sure to bring your island spirit! It all begins on the Balboa Island Bridge and continues down Marine Avenue. Wear your beachy attire, grab your beach chairs, and join the community for a fun day with family and friends!

Registration is now open for parade entries. Entries will be accepted online through May 16. All Entries will be reviewed by the Parade Participants Committee. Once the completed form is submitted, the Parade Participants Committee will respond to each entry by email.

The parade starts promptly at 11 a.m., crosses over the Balboa Island Bridge, travels down Marine Avenue and ends at the fire station; approximately two and one-half blocks.

The Parade Judges Awards will be presented at the All-Island “Pancake Breakfast” at the Beek Center on Balboa Island on Saturday, June 20.

Parade entries will be judged in the following categories:

• Best Kids Group
• Best Youth Group
• Best Music Group
• Best Elementary School Band
• Best Middle School Band
• Best High School Band
• Best Float
• Best Golf Cart
• Best Dog Group
• Judges Award
• Spirit Award
• Theme Award
• People’s Choice Award
• Grand Marshall’s Award
• Parade Chairman’s Award
• Merchant Award

Auto judging will be conducted prior to the parade:

• Best Theme Vehicle
• Best Vehicle

To register for the parade or for more information, visit the Balboa Island Improvement Association website at https://biia.org/parade.

If you have any questions or are having difficulty with the online registration, email balboaislandparade@gmail.com.

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Look now, because it may be decades before Newport residents, boaters and visitors will ever again see a major dredging operation in Newport Harbor.

That is the prognostication of Public Works Manager Chris Miller, who’s in charge of all harbor-related capital projects and improvements, and who is overseeing the dredging of the Congressionally mandated depths of the “federal channels with the harbor.”

Since the 1930s, Newport Harbor has been an authorized harbor under Congressional federal control, so the feds still have the responsibility of maintaining the harbor.

Beginning last December, and projected to be contractually completed around September 26, of this year, the dredging operators, sinking a 24-cubic-yard bucket, will remove 900 thousand cubic yards of “legacy” material that has settled on the harbor bottom, most deposited when the Santa Ana River emptied into the bay at what is now the turning basin, and where deep-draft commercial vessels used to deliver materials and supplies to the area as late as the 1930s.

A cubic yard of unsaturated dirt weighs 2,000 pounds, and most of the gooey tonnage that has been floated six miles out on tug-towed scows is very old mud, Miller apprised. Newport’s total dredged sediment could weigh close to two billion pounds. For a weight comparison, Empire State Building weighs 730 million pounds. The scows’ capacity totals 3,000 cubic yards. The physical dredging operation and removal is contracted to R. E. State Engineering, Inc., who may very well be ahead of schedule,” stated Miller. For those who may want to expand their nautical knowledge, a “barge” is a scow on steroids.

Although Newport Harbor is no longer utilized as a large-scale commercial freight port, it still is a business environment for fishing, charter boats, and related activities. Consequently, the main channel must be dredged and maintained at 20 feet depths, while likewise, the smaller channels will see depths of 10-feet and 15-feet. And though Newport Harbor is primarily a residential, commercial and recreational zone, a portion is home to both federal and local agencies: U. S. Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Orange County Sheriff. All have jurisdiction throughout the harbor and, of course, offshore.

Securing funding was not easy, Miller apprised. “We had to pledge a partnership with the Feds to contribute to the federal coffers, plus we had to overcome the image that Newport was just a pleasure harbor.”

A part of Miller’s and his lobbying team’s presentation to Congress highlighted Newport’s footprint as a the largest small boat harbor in the western U.S; its position as an intrastate ferry “port;” the harbor’s tax contribution to the feds totaling more than $83 million; its position as a regionally significant harbor with the largest shipyards and fuel docks; it’s importance as a safe harbor and refuge; as well as the power of its political “voice” nationally.

Miller highlighted the important roles of his lobbying partners, former City Council members Marshall “Duffy” Duffield and Brad Avery, and former Harbor Commissioner Scott Cunningham.

Dredging does not come cheap: $21 million split between Newport and the federal government. Although Newport Harbor is a federal harbor, it is not considered a commercial port, where jumbo cargo and container ships tie up to load and unload. Newport’s closest big boy ports include San Diego, Long Beach/Los Angeles, Oakland and Stockton.

Environmental concerns have always been at the forefront of local government and multi-state and federal entities, both above and below the waterline. That includes, of course, the mud.

Sedimental Journey

Since the dredged sludge, both past and present, was to be deposited in an EPA-approved ocean disposal site six miles offshore, the “purity” of that had to be assured. More than a year — and $1.3 million for the preplanning process — was spent by Newport testing the sediment for any contaminants. And, yes, some contaminants were found, rendering that residue unsuitable for local disposal.

Fortunately, Newport found a depository 20 miles up the coast to the Port of Long Beach, where the port is allowing placement of the “approved” material to help create a landfill for an expanded commercial container storage facility. To that end, Newport has been accelerating dredging in the upper reaches of the bay (sometimes seven days a week) in order to meet the must-fill timelines set by the project managers in Long Beach.

Operating the dredge may seem like a slam dunk operation, but a crane operator is somewhat akin to a surgeon having to carefully preserve healthy tissue. Throughout the process, native eelgrass, plus various other legacy materials and sea life, must be left in place; constant monitoring assures the process.

The political complexities of reaching the point where the sky-piercing crane first dips its massive scoop is that part of the dredging process that remains mostly unseen. But then, few, if any, will ever see the physical result of Newport’s huge effort to keep the channels at their mandated depth.

Report on Upper Newport Bay

For decades, San Diego Creek has drained fresh waters from many Orange County tributaries into the Upper Bay. As human populations expanded, so had the amount of both manmade and natural litter and pollutants, which flowed nonstop downstream into the Upper Newport Bay Marine Preserve—much of it left high-and-dry or entangled in the tidal march vegetation as tides ebbed; or it was carried by rains, winds and currents into the Newport Harbor and ocean beyond.

What oftentimes looked like colorful birds resting or feeding turned out to be the trashy accumulations of a careless population.

But Newport, along with a variety of federal, state and local agencies, as well as generous funding entities such as the Ocean Protection Council, Orange County Transportation Authority and the Department of Water Resources, came up with a solution: the installation of the Newport Bay Interceptor in March, 2025.

One of only a few in operation, the Interceptor is designed to autonomously interrupt the flow of debris into the bay and ocean. Flowing materials are trapped in floating booms, which then direct the trash onto a trash wheel (similar to a Ferris wheel) that rotates the contents onto conveyor belts which move the stuff into trash bins. Those are collected when full.

During the past rainy season, the Interceptor captured an estimate 50-60 cubic yards of debris, 80 percent described as “vegetative debris.” It is projected to trap trash/debris in the range of 200-300 cubic yards in 2026.

The Interceptor, based on a design by inventor John Kelly of Baltimore, MD, shows how one person’s natural resourcefulness can successfully preserve Newport’s famous natural resource.

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