Last March, golfer Stewart Cink took first place at the 2026 Hoag Classic held at Newport Beach Country Club. As one of the most successful charitable tournaments on the PGA TOUR Champions, the Hoag Classic has generated more than $25 million in support of Hoag programs and services, as well as local military, first responder and educational organizations.

Such noted golfers as Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson, Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, John Daly, Retief Goosen, and Darren Clarke have played in the Hoag Classic.

Now, the Hoag Classic is getting a new name, and a new status.

On Tuesday, May 26, the PGA TOUR announced at a press conference at the Newport Beach Country Club that beginning in 2027, Hoag will become the title sponsor for the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, one of five major championships contested annually on PGA TOUR Champions.

The newly named Hoag SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Newport Beach will be played at Newport Beach Country Club, which has hosted the Tour’s Hoag Classic since 1996. The 2027 tournament will be held March 22-28, with a five-year agreement in place ensuring PGA TOUR Champions will remain at Newport Beach Country Club through 2031. The purse for the newly named Hoag SENIOR PLAYERS Championship will increase to $3.5 million.

“We are thrilled to usher in this new era of the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship with our longtime partners Hoag and Newport Beach Country Club,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “The Hoag Classic has long been a best-in-class event on the Champions Tour, and it’s great to know we will be adding to that legacy with a senior major championship starting in 2027.”

“Hogue has been an incredible partner since the inception of Champions Tour Golf in Newport Beach, and it’s always been one of the most premier stops on our tour,” added Brady. “And Newport Beach Country Club has a proven record and is a major worthy venue for our great players. And, of course, Newport Beach is one of the best cities that we visit annually. Not only do the players enjoy it, but I think it’s the most well-attended event year in and year out. What more can you ask for in a major championship? When you look at what it takes to host a major, we’ve got everything we need right here—great sponsors, a fantastic golf course, great community support, and tremendous crowds. It’s exactly what we need to elevate the stature of the senior players championship.”

“Hoag is proud to welcome the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship to Orange County through our longstanding partnership with PGA TOUR Champions and Newport Beach Country Club,” said Andrew Guarni, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Hoag. “As title sponsor, Hoag is honored to help elevate one of golf’s most prestigious championships while showcasing Orange County on a global stage. This milestone reflects our continued commitment to excellence, community and creating meaningful experiences that bring people together both on and off the course.”

Newport Beach Country Club, which sits along Pacific Coast Highway in the heart of Newport Beach, was designed by famed architect William Bell in 1953. Dating back to 1996, the second year of the Hoag Classic, Newport Beach is the longest-tenured host course on PGA TOUR Champions.

“Today is an incredibly proud day for our club, our membership, and the entire Newport Beach community,” said Kevin Martin, CEO of Newport Beach Country Club and a partner in Eagle Four Partners, a private equity group specializing in strategic hospitality and golf investments. “For more than 30 years, Newport Beach Country Club has had the privilege of hosting the PGA Tour Champions Golf and welcoming some of the game’s greatest players to the golf course. To now be selected as the future home of the Hoag Senior Players Championship is both an honor and a responsibility we take seriously. We are especially proud of Newport Beach Country Club and our company, Eagle Four Partners. We will serve as both the host and presenting sponsor of the Hoag Players Championship, providing a unique opportunity to support Hope Hospital’s incredible mission while showcasing Newport Beach’s exceptional hospitality, world-class accommodations, and a vibrant local business community on a national stage.”

Martin then introduced Newport Beach Country Club General Manager Robin Shelton and World Golf Hall of Fame and Newport Beach Country Club member Fred Couples, who talked about his career as a pro golfer, his time playing on the senior tour, and his fondness for the Newport Beach Country Club.

“What do you think the vibe is going to be next year?” asked Shelton.

“Well, one of the things that’s unique is 72 holes, and I think that helps most good players, because you get one more round to maybe shoot 66 or 67 or whatever you have to do,” said Couples. “And there will be people everywhere. It’s such a small type of course in acreage that a lot of people can get from hole three to five, or from five to 11. I don’t use the word vibe a lot, but the vibe is stronger, it is a major. When we come back next year, in January, they’ll be talking about it at every golf tournament that we play. The first major will be the Hoag tournament in Newport Beach. It’s a big deal, it really is. And I’m overly excited, even at age 66, I’ll be ready to play in 2027.”

For more information about the Hoag SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, please visit www.HoagSENIORPLAYERS.com.

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Legendary saxophone player Dave Koz has racked up an impressive array of honors and achievements: 10 GRAMMY nominations, 12 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, performances for multiple U.S. presidents and a 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House.

The last time I spoke with Koz was in September 2021, when the world was just starting to come out of Covid and Koz was set to perform at the Newport Beach Hyatt amphitheater.

Koz remembers it well.

“Even though that was five years ago, there was a certain pain, for lack of a better term, of what we all went through,” Koz told me during a recent phone interview. “It seems like it’s another lifetime ago, maybe because I tried to put it out of my head because it was so discombobulating for touring musicians. Everything just came to a very abrupt stop.”

Koz and his fellow musicians turned to online concerts, which served as a stopgap to continue a connection with fans, but as Koz noted, “there is nothing that can replace sitting at a concert and hearing live musicians playing music live. There’s nothing that can compare to that, so we are very excited to be fully back. It feels fantastic.”

And Koz will be back in Newport Beach June 21 with a handful of fellow musicians as part of the Hyatt Newport Beach Concert Series.

Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns 2026 features Leo P (baritone saxophone), Jeff Bradshaw (trombone), Marcel Anderson (vocals), Marcus Anderson (saxophone) and Evan Taylor (trumpet). Their tour kicked off in April at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and has included shows in China, Japan and Hawaii.

According to Koz, the idea of Summer Horns started in 2013 when the original lineup was Koz, Mindy Aber, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliott, and they paid tribute to the bands they grew up listening to.

“I’m 63 and I grew up listening to Tower of Power, Chicago, Earth, Wind and Fire, Cool and the Gang, Blood, Sweat and Tears. I was addicted to anything with a horn section. That’s what Summer Horns is about, paying homage to these bands that really shaped us as musicians.”

Koz has changed his Summer Horns lineup several times over the years. His current sextet got together last year and is comprised of primarily younger musicians that Koz had not worked with previously, but thought were great players.

“I remember when we did the recording session for ‘Vehicle’ last year, it was the first time that that group of musicians played together, and I was nervous,” recalled Koz. “I went to the studio that morning thinking ‘I sure hope this works.’ I remember from the first notes that we played, it was like, ‘Yes, this is gonna work,’ and it only got stronger and better and more cohesive. This is a funny group, because we have five different decades represented with this group—someone in their 20s, someone in their 30s, the twin brothers in their 40s, and our trombone player is in his 50s, and I’m in my 60s.”

No matter the age, Koz noted that it shows this particular music appeals to a wide audience.

“Younger people know this music and love this music and want to hear it,” stated Koz. “It’s all about making people feel good at a time when there’s so much stress and so much anxiety about our world. This is a couple of hours where you can just marinate in your memories. This is music that is guaranteed to make you feel good.”

And returning to Newport Beach makes Koz feel good because he has strong connections to Newport.

“I grew up in Los Angeles, and Newport has always been very special to me,” said Koz. “My family used to go on vacations to the Hyatt Newport. My parents loved Newport Beach and Balboa Island, and so we would go there for many summers when I was growing up as a kid. We would stay at the hotel, we would play tennis. My mom was an avid golfer, so she loved the golf down there, so many great golf courses. We would go at night to Balboa Island and get our Balboa bars and our frozen bananas. The place has always been very special to me.”

Koz also loves playing at the Hyatt amphitheater, which holds around 1,000 people yet feels very intimate.

“It feels like you’re playing in somebody’s backyard, as opposed to a big official venue,” he said. “There’s a relaxed feeling and atmosphere. The audience comes there ready to have a good time, and so do we. We’ve had nothing but great shows there over the years. I’m really excited that folks that come to the concert series will be able to see the Summer Horns 2026 show, which is really very fun and very powerful.”

Koz added that the five players that make up the Summer Horns are all individual artists that make their own records and go on tours as individual artists, but when everyone comes together you become an ensemble player.

“This is how I grew up playing in jazz bands and stage bands, growing up in horn sections,” said Koz. “It accesses a different aspect of our musicianship, and the feeling of playing in something in a section that makes this sound that is so much bigger than the sound that you can make on your own. There’s a satisfaction that comes from it that is hard to put into words, even though I’m talking about it verbosely. It’s just a very powerful feeling to be part of that section.”

Local audiences can feel, and hear, that power on June 21. For tickets, visit https://series.hyattconcerts.com.

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On May 7, the “Stars of Tomorrow” from the Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts walked the Red Carpet at the Port Theater in Corona del Mar.

Guests were treated to specialty cocktails, a variety of champagne, wines, gourmet appetizers, and of course popcorn and candy. From the “Step and Repeat” paparazzi photographers, Marilyn Monroe lookalike, and glamourous gown adorned ladies, the evening could have rivaled the Oscars.

The student filmmakers were all in attendance as the audience was treated to four short films created by the Dodge College award recipients.

The Women of Chapman Student Endowment Fund has provided annual funding for emerging artists for over 12 years. Students were interviewed after each film by Dodge Film School Dean Stephen Galloway. The heartfelt applause following the films was an indication of the audience’s approval and support for these future talented filmmakers.

Special thanks to Adrienne Brandes (President of Women of Chapman) and the Stars of Tomorrow Committee (Adrienne Brandes, Kathy Hamilton, Sue Hook, Mikey Lares, Kristin Martin and Mary Murfey) along with Silver Spotlight, Bronze Friends Sponsors and the Port Theater.

Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is ranked the #4 film school in the country by both The Wrap and the Hollywood Reporter magazines.

Presenting Sponsors were Whittier Trust and Arlo and Marci Sorensen.

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It’s back!

Grab your beach chairs and head to Balboa Island on Sunday, May 31 for the 31^st Annual Balboa Island Parade.

Grab a prime viewing spot as the parade winds its way down Marine Avenue from Bayside Avenue to the Balboa Island fire station.

This year’s theme is “Good Vibrations on Balboa Island.” The celebration begins at 11 a.m. and pulses with energy as the United States Marine Band, USC marching band and local school bands fill the air with music. Festive floats glide past cheering crowds, surf bands bring a beachy groove, dogs and kids make their way down the parade route, local dignitaries are chauffeured in classic cars, and the ever-popular Lawn Chair Drill Team will thrill onlookers with their choreographed movements.

The “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, come and display your island spirit. Wear your beachy attire and join your friends and neighbors for a fun-filled day on Balboa Island.

Awards will be given 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

The Parade Judges Awards will be presented at the All-Island Pancake Breakfast at the Beek Center, Balboa Island on Saturday, June 20. More information will follow for award winners.

Visit https://biia.org/parade for more information.

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On July 4, 2016, America celebrates its 250^th anniversary, a milestone worth savoring.

That’s why Pacific Symphony has launched an ongoing celebration of America at 250, beginning May 28 – 30 with what the symphony describes as a compelling, multi-media program that blends a beloved classic with an immersive new work.

Gershwin’s popular Piano Concerto in F Major, written in 1925 and premiered on December 3, 1935 at Carnegie Hall with the New York Symphony and the composer as piano soloist, uses jazz and blues to musically enact American life. At the piano for the Pacific Symphony’s concert is Conrad Tao.

The West Coast premiere of “American Mosaic,” a cinematic musical collaboration between distinguished composer Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm that combines their respective bodies of work celebrating America.

According to information from Pacific Symphony, the piece “blends symphonic music, awe-inspiring imagery from all 50 states and spoken narration in a fully immersive, cinematic concert experience across the nation’s vast and varied landscape.”

“This America at 250 program offers a glimpse at our horizon, as Pacific Symphony readies for a season long celebration of the nation’s semi-quincentennial,” says Artistic and Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley. “We are joined by one of today’s most creative and charismatic American soloists Conrad Tao, to perform a seminal American piano work: Gershwin’s Concerto in F. This masterpiece is sandwiched within American music of our own time celebrating the voices of the nation today.

“In Peter Boyer’s ‘American Mosaic,’ we celebrate the United States not only through his majestic new score, but through stunning imagery captured from all 50 states by photographer Joe Sohm and an inspiring live narration by a groundbreaking woman Deja Foxx,” continued Shelley.

The concerts on May 28-30 include the West Coast Premiere of ‘Inscription II,’ a compelling and thought-provoking new piece by composer Raven Chacon. Born in Fort Defiance, Arizona within the Navajo Nation, Chacon is the first Native American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music, for his ‘Voiceless Mass’ in 2022.

“I was privileged to conduct the world premiere of this work earlier in the year and it left an indelible impression on everyone in attendance,” said Shelley. “It is an important statement from a vital voice in today’s living classical tradition.”

The main showpiece is “American Mosaic,” a 33-minute work that features decades of American photography by Joe Sohm that celebrates the people, places and spirit of America. Boyer’s orchestral score is narrated by Deja Foxx.

Premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., American Mosaic was co-commissioned by six leading American orchestras: Pacific Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for the Cincinnati Pops, Des Moines Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra.

“’American Mosaic’ is a musical and visual work that celebrates America’s 250th birthday in what I believe is a unique way,” describes Boyer. “With Joe Sohm’s breathtaking video imagery of all 50 states, narration highlighting key aspects of American history, and the emotional power of a great orchestra such as Pacific Symphony, it is hoped that the work will provide audiences with an uplifting experience. As a Southern California-based composer, I’m very excited for its West Coast Premiere performances.”

“You might not know my name, but you probably have seen my images, because I’ve been photographing the 50 states for over 40 years, and I’m told by many I’m probably the most published Americana photographer in not only the United States but the world,” Sohm said in the Pacific Symphony’s Preview Talk.

“My images can be found in major newspapers, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, in National Geographic, on television shows and just about everywhere, but although you may see my images, you rarely have a chance to hear my images,” continued Sohm. “What I mean by hearing is that when you set imagery to music, you create a new third element, and that third element engages the emotions.”

The concert titled “Shelley Conducts America at 250,” takes place May 28-30 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Enhancing the experience, audiences can attend a free Preview Talk at 7 p.m. and enjoy a post-concert meet-and-greet with Alexander Shelley on Thursday and Friday evenings. Tickets start at $36.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit pacificsymphony.org.

These concerts celebrating America at 250 are dedicated to the memory of Ted Smith, a longtime Newport Beach resident and Pacific Symphony board member who along with his wife Janice was a major supporter of Pacific Symphony. The concerts are generously underwritten by the Ted and Janice Smith Family.

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The first time I saw “The Sound of Music” movie version, I didn’t really see it.

In 1965, my brother and I accompanied my mother to the Mesa Movie Theater to see “The Sound of Music,” but after buying our tickets and entering the theater, we could not find a seat, so we left as Julie Andrews was belting the iconic opening number on the screen.

Years later I did finally see “The Sound of Music,” and it left an impression on me, as did Juie Andrews.

In 2015, I watched Lady Gaga perform a medley from “The Sound of Music” at the 87th Academy Awards to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic 1965 film and as a tribute to Julie Andrews, who watched from the wings as Lady Gaga showcased her vocal range and honored the classic musical. She received a standing ovation and a tearful hug from Andrews.

Last month, I attended “The Sound of Music” sing-along screening at the Lido Theater, a fundraiser for Voices Alive and Men Alive. It reminded me that the Academy Award-winning film has remained as popular as ever.

Fans of the film may not realize that “The Sound of Music” screen version is based upon the original 1959 Broadway production that starred Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. There have been tens of thousands of productions of the stage musical worldwide, with over 500 professional, amateur and school productions each year in North America alone.

Local audiences are in for a treat: the touring stage production of “The Sound of Music” is going to fill Segerstrom Center for the Arts with the sound of music June 2 through 14.

For those unfamiliar with the show, “The Sound of Music” features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 book” The Story of the Trapp Family Singers” by Maria von Trapp.

Set in Austria on the eve of the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany on March 12, 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German Navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria concoct a plan to flee Austria with the children.

Many well-known songs from the musical have become standards, including “Do-Re-Mi”, “My Favorite Things”, “Edelweiss”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, and the title song “The Sound of Music.”

According to “The Sound of Music” director Jack O’Brien, “This marvelous company of brilliant new interpreters — Cayleigh Capaldi as Maria, fresh from her recent triumph in the West End, Kevin Earley as the Captain, the brilliant Christiane Noll as the Mother Abbess, Nicholas Rodriguez as Max, Detweiler, Kate Loprest as Elsa Schraeder, Ariana Ferch as Liesl von Trapp, and Ian Coursey as Rolf Gruber — bringing a new perspective, as well as an astonishingly original interpretation to one of our most beloved works, now seen in the individual light of today.”

For tickets and more information, visit www.SCFTSA.org.

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Threse citizen members are appointed by the Mayor of Newport Beach, subject to confirmation by the City Council.

One of the four members shall have construction management, real estate development, architectural, and/or land use planning knowledge and experience. The second of four members shall have real estate financing knowledge and experience. Two at-large members shall have no required specialized knowledge or experience.

The Newport Beach Police Headquarters Advisory Committee will meet as necessary and will expire upon making its recommendations to the City Council, or on December 31, 2029.

Applications may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at 100 Civic Center Drive or completed online through the City’s website at https://www.newportbeachca.gov/government/boards-commissions-committees.  Applications will be accepted until Monday, June 1, 2026. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (949) 644-3005.

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By Sandra M. Borges | Special to the NB Indy

Man’s best friend—the four-legged furry companion that we can’t picture human life on Earth without—has often faced a life of abandonment and neglect. But one person, fitness supermodel Viviana Soldano FaBrizio, has made it a personal mission to change their fates and advocate for those with no voice: our K-9 counterparts.

Viviana, characterized by a lineage of fashion and glamour as the daughter of legendary Italian fashion designer Sergio Soldano, took the discipline learned from that lifestyle to establish a long-term sanctuary for dogs in need in Newport Beach.

After facing the passing of her beloved bichon rise, Amore, the loss left what she describes as a “piece of her heart missing,” but that void soon became the foundation for something greater: Amore for Dogs, founded in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no dog has to face the world alone.

“This grief transformed into a mission to save other dogs in need,” said Viviana.

What began as a rescue operation quickly evolved into a grander dream, becoming a physical sanctuary in 2019 where dogs aren’t just surviving but thriving in a “forever home” environment.

One of the key parts of Amore for Dogs is its focus on holistic and preemptive care. Moving beyond simple rehoming, Viviana has stepped into the gaps often found in the veterinary medical industry through prioritizing rehabilitation.

Amore for Dogs functions on three vital fronts: a halfway house for dogs transitioning to adoptive families, a peaceful retirement home for dogs whose owners can no longer care for them, and individualized care for severely abused animals.

The facility, located in Newport Beach, is packed with pampering amenities, including an exercise park, a dedicated spa day room, and a veterinary medical room to handle preemptive and daily care.

This model allows her to oversee every aspect of a dog’s quality of life.

“The sanctuary has been created to prioritize the health and happiness of the animals,” said Viviana. Amor for Dogs serves as an essential safety net for senior dogs or those with chronic conditions who are often deemed unadoptable by standard shelters.

Viviana’s advocacy is also rooted in breaking of societal biases. She candidly recalls a time when she feared pit bulls due to widespread misinformation. To confront this, she did what she does best: she educated herself and adopted “Buddy,” a pit bull who completely reshaped her perspective.

“Through love, trust and protection, they can be loving and protective,” said Viviana. She now uses that experience to teach her employees and the community that every breed deserves a chance at a beautiful life.

Viviana continues to leverage her purpose-driven public persona, utilizing her visibility to encourage community support and highlight rehabilitation stories.

Backed by the strategic engine of the EGBAR Foundation and Simple Green, Viviana creates a cross-collaboration that ensures a long-term impact on community and conservation for Amore for Dogs.

She hopes to expand the sanctuary into other regions and states to further execute her mission, thereby ensuring that for as many dogs as possible, everything truly will be all right.

To stay connected with the sanctuary’s mission, visit @amorefordogs on Instagram. To support its efforts, visit www.amorefordogs.org

The post From Heartbreak to Hope: Viviana Soldano FaBrizio Creates Newport Beach Sanctuary for Dogs in Need appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach has named Christian Baldon, MSN-FNP, RN, PCCN, as the 2026 Hoag Nurse of the Year, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, and unwavering leadership within the Sub Intensive Care Unit (Sub‑ICU).

Presented at Hoag’s annual Nurse’s Day Celebration, the Hoag Nurse of the Year award is the organization’s highest nursing honor and celebrates a registered nurse who exemplifies professional and clinical excellence, patient satisfaction, strong patient outcomes, and community service.

“Christian Baldon is a wonderful representation of the commitment to excellence that defines Hoag’s nursing teams,” said Rick Martin, Ed.D, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Hoag. “We are proud to celebrate Christian and to honor all of the nurses at Hoag who make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and the communities we serve.”

Christian’s colleagues describe her as a nurse who elevates everyone around her. Christian’s ability to connect deeply with patients and families, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and involved in the recovery process, sets her apart.

“Christian is an excellent nurse who consistently provides exceptional patient care while actively involving families in the recovery process,” said Hilary Stagliano, BSN, RN, SCRN, Department Director of the Sub and Neuro Intensive Care Units at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. “She is highly respected by her peers and coworkers and is truly the gatekeeper of positive morale in our unit. Christian’s compassion, professionalism, and leadership embody the very best of Hoag nursing.”

With more than 14 years at Hoag, Christian has built a distinguished career serving patients and families in the Sub‑ICU at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. She is widely regarded as one of the most respected and trusted nurses in the hospital, known for her exceptional clinical judgment, calm presence in critical situations, and dedication to evidence‑based practice.

A Clinical Ladder IV nurse with PCCN certification, Christian also holds a Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree. She regularly serves as a relief charge nurse, mentor, and preceptor, helping to develop the next generation of Hoag nurses.

Hoag is widely recognized for excellence in nursing care and is one of about 100 institutions nationwide, and the first in California, to achieve Magnet® with Distinction, a designation that reflects outstanding clinical quality, nursing excellence, and strong patient outcomes.

Thanks to philanthropic investment in nursing education, including transformational support from the Argyros family, Hoag continues to develop, attract and retain the brightest nurses seeking advanced education and training. Nearly 4,000 Hoag nurses have received scholarships to pursue higher education and approximately 90 percent of Hoag nurses hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), with many going on to earn advanced degrees, including Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

For more information on Hoag Nursing, visit www.hoag.org/nursing.

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On Saturday, April 18, more than 1,200 Orange County residents of all ages came together at Tanaka Farms for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County’s fourth annual Walk to Feed OC, supporting its mission to provide dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food.

This noncompetitive community event raised funds and awareness of food insecurity across the county.

Participants’ peer-to-peer fundraising efforts generated $279,807, which is the equivalent of nearly 112,000 bags of nutritious groceries. Each month Second Harvest serves an average of 458,995 people of all ages. Last fiscal year, Second Harvest distributed almost 42.1 million pounds of food to 380 community partner sites, including schools, after-school programs, colleges and universities, senior centers, houses of worship, shelters for the unhoused, soup kitchens and transitional housing facilities.

At the Walk to Feed OC, participants walked approximately 1.5 miles through the grounds at Tanaka Farms in Irvine at their own pace.

Among the participants were David Hasenbalg (Newport Beach resident and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County Board member) and his grandson, as well as Stephanie Harrington (Newport Beach resident and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County team member).

“Every step taken helps ensure that those facing food insecurity here in our county have reliable access to nutritious food,” said Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “The need remains high, and events like this are critical to sustaining our work and expanding our reach.”

For more information, visit www.feedoc.org.

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