As the Hoag Classic approaches and PGA TOUR Champions (golfers aged 50 and over) descend upon Newport Beach March 22-29, one Hoag physician will be paying less attention to swing mechanics and more attention to what golf reveals about long-term health and longevity.

“Golfers offer a powerful lesson in longevity: peak performance isn’t about intensity alone,” said Andrew Mock, MD, Medical Director of Hoag Compass and reigning four-time California Strongman. “It’s about consistency, adaptability, and longevity of movement preserving the ability to move well over a round, a season, and decades.”

From a medical and lifestyle-medicine perspective, golf checks nearly every box. It combines regular physical activity, balance and coordination, cognitive engagement, stress management, and social connection. These are consistently associated with healthier aging and longer life.

Dr. Mock breaks it down to golf’s fundamentals: Sustainable movement. The walking, controlled swinging and regular play that golfers sustain over decades reflect what preventive medicine aims for clinically: moderate, repeatable activity that protects joints, maintains muscle, supports cardiovascular health, and preserves power.

“The research supports the fact that regular, moderate physical activity improves heart health, reduces chronic disease risk, and supports functional independence as we age,” Dr. Mock said. “Think about the way golfers stick with their sport well into their 80s and 90s. There are not many sports that can claim the same.”

Golf is also reliant upon rotational power, grip strength, balance, and core stability—the same attributes that are critical predictors of longevity.

“Tools like grip strength and lower body strength testing are practical, reliable ways to assess fall risk and future independence,” Dr. Mock said. “They aren’t direct measures of power, but they reveal the reserve a person needs to generate force quickly when it matters. Without that reserve, reaction speed and balance recovery begin to break down.”

Performance pacing is also important for golf. Exercise is good for us, but how much and what type?

Most guidelines point to a combination of regular aerobic activity and strength training, with enough recovery to maintain those habits consistently. Golf naturally satisfies much of the aerobic component through walking and sustained movement over several hours. Adding strength training complements golf by reducing injury risk and improving overall health.

“Between brisk walking, recovery between shots and adapting to changing conditions, golf offers the type of balance we talk about with our patients,” Dr. Mock said. “That balance is essential for metabolic health, injury prevention, and sustained performance.”

Golf is also a demanding mental sport, challenging players’ focus, emotional regulation, and decision-making capabilities, all important factors in healthy aging and longevity.

“Cognitive engagement paired with physical movement is a powerful combination for brain health,” Dr. Mock said.

According to Dr. Mock, golf reinforces something medicine often underestimates: connection. Playing with others, belonging to a community, and having a reason to show up week after week supports long term health. And golf delivers that connection in an outdoor setting shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and support overall well-being.

“Social isolation is a major health risk, with mortality effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” Dr. Mock said. “Golf is a naturally social sport, and golfers tend to stay connected to one another well into old age.”

As players from around the world arrive for the Hoag Classic, they’ll be sharing more than a competition. They’ll be modeling a prescription for longevity, one built on movement, connection, balance, and the ability to keep playing the long game.

The post What Can Hoag Classic Golfers Teach Us About Longevity and Performance appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Crystal Cove Conservancy will welcome California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, for a special Cove Talk focused on the future of conservation, climate resilience, and public stewardship across California.

Hosted by Conservancy President and CEO Kate Wheeler, the program will feature a public conversation and audience Q&A with Secretary Crowfoot, bringing state environmental leadership into dialogue with the coastal community of Crystal Cove.

Set along one of California’s most treasured shorelines, the evening will explore the state’s environmental priorities at a pivotal moment shaped by climate change, wildfire, drought, and growing demands on public lands.

The conversation will examine how natural landscapes — from coastlines and wetlands to forests and open space — play a vital role in climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and community resilience.

Discussion will also reflect on the balance between conservation and recreation, and the importance of ensuring outdoor spaces remain accessible and welcoming to all Californians.

Central to the dialogue is the role of partnership — including the Conservancy’s work alongside California State Parks — in advancing long-term stewardship of the state’s most significant natural and cultural resources.

“The challenges facing California’s natural landscapes require collaboration, innovation, and shared stewardship,” said Wheeler. “We are honored to host California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot for a conversation about how we collectively protect and sustain places like Crystal Cove State Park for future generations.”

The evening will conclude with a sunset reception overlooking the ocean, where guests can continue the conversation over light bites and beverages while experiencing the park’s coastal beauty firsthand.

Secretary Crowfoot has served as California’s Natural Resources Secretary since 2019, advising Governor Gavin Newsom and overseeing an agency of more than 25,000 employees across 26 departments, commissions, and conservancies.

His leadership spans climate action, wildfire resilience, water policy, biodiversity conservation, and the state’s commitment to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.

“Crystal Cove is a gem of our State Parks system and proof of what’s possible when partners come together to protect and restore our coast. I’m looking forward to discussing this legacy and the Conservancy’s transformational work at Crystal Cove. I’ll also share our vision for expanding outdoor access across California and look forward to hearing from local residents about their priorities and ideas,” said Crowfoot in a press statement.

Registration is required. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Capacity is limited. Event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Crystal Cove State Park Historic District, located on the ocean-side of Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Coast. Parking is at Los Trancos Parking Lot across Coast Highway from Crystal Cove. $15 day-use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass.

Visit https://crystalcove.org/event to register or for more information.

About Wade Crowfoot

Wade Crowfoot serves as California’s Natural Resources Secretary, leading efforts to conserve California’s environment and natural resources. He has served as Secretary since 2019 and advises Governor Newsom as a member of his cabinet.

Secretary Crowfoot oversees an agency of over 25,000 employees spread across 26 departments, commissions, and conservancies. His agency is charged with stewarding California’s forests and natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. It also protects natural places, wildlife and biodiversity, and helps oversee the state’s world-leading clean energy transition.

Secretary Crowfoot is leading efforts to achieve Governor Newsom’s ambitious environmental vision, including a commitment to conserve 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030. He oversees billions of dollars of public investment to protect people and natural places from climate change impacts, and has led efforts to navigate California’s record-breaking droughts, floods, and wildfires. Secretary Crowfoot has also initiated a new era of partnerships with California Native American Tribes and is shifting how the agency operates to better support all California residents and communities.

Secretary Crowfoot has been on the frontlines of environmental leadership throughout his career. He served in Governor Jerry Brown’s Administration as deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to the Governor, driving climate action. He led the non-profit Water Foundation to build water resilience across the American West. He spearheaded efforts to establish and defend California’s landmark climate change policies as West Coast regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund.

As an environmental advisor to then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, he helped establish many first-in-the-nation urban environmental policies. Secretary Crowfoot received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

Crowfoot grew up in Michigan, spending summers at a YMCA camp and in the woods around his family’s remote cabin in Northern Ontario. He moved to California in the mid-1990s and discovered backcountry camping with friends. His first time in the redwoods at Big Basin State Park is still one of his defining California moments.

He loves to camp with his wife and daughter and learn new things in the outdoors, currently including fly fishing and soon backcountry skiing. He says his best days as Natural Resources Secretary are spent outdoors with local groups that are conserving land and connecting people to nature.

The post Crystal Cove Conservancy to Host California Secretary for Natural Resources for Cove Talk on Climate Resilience and Conservation appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Newport Beach-based OC Women2Women held its Sweetheart Luncheon & Fashion Show on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at The Promenade & Garden in Costa Mesa.

The fundraiser brought together 75 women in support of the nonprofit organization Mary’s Path, which serves parenting foster youth and their babies through housing, therapeutic services, and long-term aftercare support.

Mary’s Path’s aftercare program has demonstrated measurable impact. Without sustained support, nearly 46 percent of parenting foster youth face repeat pregnancy and homelessness by age 19. With aftercare services, that risk drops to approximately 7 percent, underscoring the importance of continued community investment.

Event highlights included:

• Opening remarks by Karen Butera King, President of OC Women2Women
• A mission address from Jill Dominguez, CEO of Mary’s Path
• Recognition presented by Assemblywoman Diane Dixon and Newport Beach Councilmember Robyn Grant
• A program alumna sharing her lived experience
• A stroller and bassinet donated by Zoe Strollers
• A fashion presentation by Chico’s and Marmi Shoes
• Lunch hosted at Turnip Rose Promenade & Gardens

OC Women2Womern recognizes board member and event sponso, Geraldine Schlutz.

OC Women2Women is a non-profit organization of community-minded people who want to make a difference in the lives of under-served women in Orange County. Their volunteer group of member/donors combine their contributions to provide grants to empower women in Orange County. By directly investing our pooled funds for those in need, the group is a powerful resource for change.

The OC Women2Women Board of Directors research non-profit organizations that meet their criteria and specialize in women’s issues. The membership votes on how the funds are granted. Visit www.OCWomen2Women.org for more information.

The post Newport-Based OC Women2Women Sweetheart Luncheon Supports Mary’s Path Mission for Parenting Foster Youth appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Citizens Private Bank celebrated the grand opening of its Newport Beach office with a ribbon cutting and reception on Thursday, February 12.

The event marked the firm’s continued expansion across Southern California and its investment in one of the region’s most relationship-driven private banking markets. The new office – its first in Orange County – underscores Citizens Private Bank’s commitment to serving clients through a deeply local, high-touch approach.

There are a lot of banks and other financial institutions (and even individuals) who offer wealth management and other types of banking services. What’s different about Citizens Private Bank?

“I think the real differentiator is the client first approach versus the product first approach,” said Victor Mena, Executive Market Director for Citizens Private Bank. “The client is the focus of our business, and we’re providing the client access to whatever they need within the bank, as opposed to the client having to navigate things like how do I open an account, how do I get lending on my commercial real estate or my investment property? We establish relationships with individual clients. Their needs are often very different and range from simple to moderate and in some cases very complex. It’s about the clients versus the products. What we’d like to do is simplify the process and bring the bank to you.”

There are two sides to Citizens Private Bank—Private Bank and Private Wealth. Citizens Private Bank focuses on customized banking and relationship-driven services, while Citizens Private Wealth focuses on investment advisory, planning, and wealth-preservation strategies. The two groups work closely together.

“When people hear the words private bank, they immediately go to wealth management, and that’s fine, but I think that limits our offering, or that limits the person’s potential view of our offering,” said Mena. “We would love the opportunity to meet a new client and to serve their banking needs and be able to bring the bank to them. As we continue to grow with them and the opportunity presents itself for them to consider wealth management with us, we’d love to do that.”

Citizens Private Bank has solutions for personal and business banking as well as wealth management. Essentially, said Mena, he wants the community to know that they’d love to be their bank.

Citizens Private Bank Newport Beach office is at 1400 Newport Center Dr., Suite 150,

Newport Beach.

Visit https://www.citizensbank.com/private-banking/overview.aspx for more information.

The post Citizens Private Bank Opens First Orange County Location in Newport Center appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Their current monthly flavor series is dubbed “Cereal-sly Delicious” which takes inspiration from the classic cereals that defined childhood mornings. These five distinctive flavors combine nostalgia with instantly recognizable flavors that will make your tastebuds smile.

These “Cereal-sly Delicious” flavors include:

• Pots of Gold and Rainbows: Toasty, cereal-steeped ice cream tossed with hand-sorted, rainbow marshmallows (the perfect flavor to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day).
• Snap ‘N Crackle Marshmallow Treats: Rice Krispie marshmallow Florentines crushed and scattered through salted vanilla ice cream.
• Peanut Butter Brownie Cereal Puffs: Double-baked, Reese’s-coated peanut butter brownie puffs folded into peanut butter-marbled, milk chocolate ice cream.
• Concord Grape Nut Crumble: Concord grape juice frozen yogurt swirled with rich Grape Nut pudding and studded with a toasted pecan and Grape Nut crumble.
• Captain’s Berried Treasure (v): Cereal-steeped coconut and oat milk ice cream swirled with fruity, housemade “crunch berries,” bright pink and purple cookie puffs made with freeze-dried strawberries and blackberries.

Additionally, guests can pick up Salt & Straw’s first-ever collector sticker – inspired by Pots of Gold and Rainbows – when visiting their local shop, simply by asking to receive one upon purchase of a Cereal-sly Delicious Series flavor.

As always, these are delicious, stand-out flavors that are fun to eat and will take adults on a nostalgic journey to their childhoods while delighting younger ice cream fans with the novelty of enjoying familiar flavors in a cone.

Salt & Straw Background

According to Wikipedia, Salt & Straw was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2011 by cousins Kim Malek and Tyler Malek.

They started with a food cart in the Alberta Arts District of Portland, and three months later the company opened its first brick-and-mortar location. Salt & Straw has since opened other locations in the Portland area as well as seven other states (a handful are in California). They also offer a home delivery service throughout the U.S. To ship ice cream nationwide, the company packs its ice cream in dry ice and kraft paper.

Salt & Straw is partially owned by film star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It has locations in both Disneyland and Disney World, and locally in Newport Beach.

According to the Salt & Straw website, Kim Malek was dreaming about the creation of a community gathering place—one where you could run into neighbors, spend time with family, or treat yourself. Her answer: an ice cream shop. Enter Tyler, her cousin who wanted in. But there was a catch: Neither had ever made ice cream.

Tyler spent $16 on four used ice cream makers and got to work, spending hours endlessly testing flavor ideas in his own personal Wonka-verse (Kim’s basement). Meanwhile, Kim cashed in her savings and bought a cart. And then the two of them turned to their community, asking friends, chefs, chocolatiers, brewers and farmers for advice, finding inspiration everywhere they looked.

The rest, as they say, is decadent and tasty history.

The Newport Beach location is at 2001 Westcliff Dr. next to Olea Restaurant. It is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visit www.SaltandStraw.com for more information.

The post Salt & Straw in Newport Beach Unveils ‘Cereal-sly Delicious’ Ice Cream Flavors Based on Popular Cereals appeared first on Newport Beach News.

And the beat goes on.

But when it doesn’t, that’s when Newport Beach Fire Department’s paramedics spring into action. They arrive at the scene of such critical health emergencies as heart attacks, strokes and devastating traffic accidents on average under five and one-half minutes after frantic 9-1-1 calls for help.

A paramedic is a specialist among specialists in the NBFD, requiring up to 1,800 hours of intense schooling and training beyond normal firefighter requirements, said Emergency Medical Services Division Chief Kristin Thompson, who oversees a $3.8 million annual budget dedicated to health emergency services.

Every fire fighter is a trained Emergency Medical Technician, able to competently attend to less serious physical injuries, Thompson explained. California mandates that EMTs and paramedics undergo retraining every two years; EMTs receive 24-hours of training, while paramedics attend 448 hours in that time frame.

Newport Beach lifeguards from captain to chief rank are all certified EMTs, while rank-and-file lifeguards are Emergency Medical Responder Certified, and must complete 54-hours of emergency medical training annually. Times are mandated by the state, and total nearly 6,000 hours annually by Newport’s fire and lifeguarding services.

In national, statewide and county comparisons of cardiac emergency survival rates, Newport’s numbers are “two to two-and-one-half times” that of the aforementioned regions, Thomson shared, a remarkable number in that Newport’s population is on average older than those in most areas.

Newport Beach residents can be assured that on every medical call, there will be at least two EMTs, and that on every piece of equipment, there will be at least one paramedic. “This way we don’t ever have to request a paramedic from any other agency,” Thompson emphasized.

Newport operates four fire ambulances staffed with two firefighter/paramedics. In the field, paramedics can do almost everything doctors in a hospital initially do based on critical thinking, and their assessment skills, Thompson said.

Paramedics must look at the signs and symptoms, then provide what is technically referred to as a “differential diagnosis” if there’s an allergic reaction to some food or prescription, or an actual cardiac event or stroke (officially, only licensed physicians can diagnose).

“Although treatments and protocols are written in a manual published by the County, paramedics must commit all of that to memory without having a physician telling them what to do,” Thompson explained.

That might include choosing the right pharmaceutical out of more than 20 stocked on every ambulance, including narcotics for pain management; when and where to insert an IV; when to intubate should an airway be blocked; when and/or where to drill into bone to insert an IV; how and when to remove someone from a tangled and mangled car crash without compromising a victim’s spinal integrity, and so much more. All of this may be on top of paramedics’ firefighting responsibilities.

The Newport Beach Fire Department receives about 14,000 calls a year, with around 11,000 being EMS related. Approximately 60 percent involve advanced life support. On-scene presence by the fire department teams averages between 10 and 15 minutes before transportation to a hospital, Thompson shared. But depending on the nature of the call, delivery time to hospitals outside of Newport adds precious moments that may impact a patient’s survival chances should it be a life-threatening situation. Rush hour traffic could become a life-or-death determinant.

Oftentimes, when cardiac events occur, citizens step in to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) before a fire unit arrives. What most people don’t realize, however, is that it takes up to 120 compressions per minute to sustain oxygenation, a feat that requires an Olympian effort on the part of good Samaritans. Teamwork is almost a necessity while awaiting fire personnel. Fortunately, Newport employs the latest in CPR equipment to quickly take over from most likely fatigued bystander-heroes. In 62 percent of the emergency calls, citizens were involved directly. In many instances, according to Division Chief Thompson, police and fire dispatchers talk nervous and/or untrained citizens through the stressful CPR process.

Life-saving applications seem easy when seen on TV or in movies, but when it comes to reality, untrained individuals may choke up. To minimize that occurrence, the fire department offers CPR instruction through their volunteer CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program; seminars at homeowners’ associations; at schools, and more.

Throughout government buildings, at all schools, most public institutions and in countless businesses, citizen lifesavers may find AEDs — Automatic External Defibrillators — conveniently placed for immediate use. No instructions necessary, for when the paddles are applied to the chest, a recorded voice from the compact, battery-powered device talks the user through the process. If the AED senses that no heart attack is occurring, the machine remains passive, but ready.

With Newport’s always-ready, high performing, life-saving services, residents can feel secure in that survival chances in health-emergency situations are two and one-half times greater here than elsewhere in the country—yet another reason why Newport Beach is one of America’s premier communities in which to live.

For more information, go to newportbeachca.gov/fire, or call (949) 644-3381.

The post When Every Second Counts, Newport Beach Paramedics Deliver appeared first on Newport Beach News.

The seeds have been planted for several years, and now the Sherman Library & Gardens “Grow the Gardens” campaign has taken root.

On the eve of its 60^th anniversary, Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar broke ground on February 26 for the most significant revitalization project in the institution’s history.

More than 100 guests including members of the Newport Beach City Council, campaign donors and other community leaders attended the ceremony which took place at exactly 2:26 p.m.

Sherman leadership, Grow the Gardens Campaign Co Chairs, Newport Beach Mayor Lauren Kleiman, Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Katrina Foley, representatives from Slater Construction and architects from Gensler ceremoniously turned the first shovels of soil, officially launching the transformative project.

The Grow the Gardens campaign began in September 2022 under the leadership of Co-Chairs Walkie and Janet Ray, who have also been major donors of the campaign. With a goal of $17 million, the campaign has already raised $16.6 million; the balance is expected to be secured later this year.

“Today we are so proud to see this groundbreaking become a reality.  This legacy will not only be enjoyed by our children, but generations to come,” said Janet Ray.

In recognition of their leadership and dedication since the campaign’s inception, Janet and Walkie Ray were honored with an original mosaic of butterfly wings created by artist Irena Charney. The mosaic will be on permanent display at Sherman Gardens and, upon completion of the renovation, will be installed in the Ancient Plant House, which will feature nonflowering and primitive flowering plants such as ferns, Cycads, and magnolias.

Sherman Library & Gardens Executive Director Scott LeFleur noted that “Our goal is simple, but ambitious: to create the most beautiful, accessible, and impactful botanical garden and community hub in Southern California.”

For six decades, Sherman Library & Gardens has been a cherished cultural and educational resource, but now it’s time for a refresh and modernization. The revitalization will include a notable Bell Tower Entrance, enhancements to key garden areas throughout the campus, and the relocation of the existing garden restaurant to Pacific Coast Highway. This move will allow the central garden to be dedicated primarily to educational programming—an essential component of Sherman’s mission.

Through March 20, Sherman Library & Gardens is laying important pipes and will close the pathway that leads to the Central Garden. Admission will be free during this time, as the property’s footprint will be significantly restricted. Visitors can still enjoy the Adobe Courtyard, orchid display, pepper tree and train display, and the succulent garden. The Garden Shop will remain open.

On May 2, Sherman Library & Gardens will host its annual Garden Par-Tea from 3 to 6 p.m. The event this year includes afternoon tea, a grazing table, and a decorative hat contest. Enter to win a raffle or bid on silent auction prizes, and enjoy live music in The

Tickets are $120 for members and $150 for nonmembers. Children 12 and under are $50. Sponsorships are also available.

Visit www.TheSherman.org for more information.

Sherman Library & Gardens History

This beautiful cultural center dates back to the 1950s, when Arnold Haskell moved from Los Angeles to Corona del Mar. He purchased a charming little fired adobe house (still part of Sherman today) and the adjoining property for his office. By 1956, Haskell, who was a long-time lover of flora, added another wing to the property and began landscaping the surrounding land. Over the course of a decade, Haskell acquired nearby lots, until he owned the entire block. In 1967 he donated the land to the Sherman Foundation (the property is named after Haskell’s esteemed mentor Moses Hazeltine Sherman).

The Sherman Foundation opened the first part of the Gardens in 1966. Between 1966 and 1974 the facilities took shape as Haskell oversaw the construction of the entire block, including the conservatory, central garden, gift shop, café and library.

Sherman Library & Gardens has grown into a premier educational and cultural center with a botanical garden and research library featuring collections related to the history of the Pacific Southwest.

For more information, visit www.TheSherman.org.

The post “Grow the Gardens” Campaign Takes Root with Groundbreaking at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar appeared first on Newport Beach News.

Lace up your running shoes and get ready for the 45th Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K and Fun Walk, taking place on June 6, 2026.

This community event brings families, fitness lovers, and local businesses together for a high-energy celebration, fun, and community spirit in the heart of Corona del Mar.

Hosted by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, this signature event offers something for everyone— from serious runners who are professionally timed, to casual walkers, kids, and even furry friends. All skill levels are invited to experience the joy of the community.

Event Day Highlights:

• Scenic 5K Run/Walk with ocean views and charming village streets.
• Family-Friendly 2-Mile Fun Walk–Perfect for families, strollers, casual walkers.
• Youth & Dolphin Dash Races – Special races for the little ones!
• Dog Parade – Bring your four-legged friends for a festive strut.
• Music, Vendor Fair, Awards Ceremony–Stick around for the social scene.
• Restaurant Tastings – Participants enjoy a taste of local cuisine.

“This event is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of health, family, and community in one of the most beautiful settings in the county,” said Linda Leonhard, President of the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce. “Whether you’re racing for a personal best or just out for a walk with friends, the CdM Scenic 5K is an event everyone can enjoy.” Event sponsors include Casey Lesher, Christie’s International Real Estate, Hoag Hospital, and the City of Newport Beach.

Come for the run, stay for the eats! The 45th Annual CdM Scenic 5K isn’t just about fitness, it’s also a flavor-packed event thanks to our amazing local restaurant participants. A huge thank you to Five Crowns, Avila’s El Ranchito, The Quiet Woman, El Cholo, Rose Café, Chipotle, Laventina’s Pizza, Foretti’s, Coach’s Oats, Pavilions, and other for serving up the post-race tastings.

Registration is now open. Participants receive a race shirt, swag bag, breakfast by our local favorite restaurants, and access to post-race festivities. Discounts on registrations prior to April 1 (no fooling!).

Sponsorships are available for those who wish to promote a business in this highly publicized event.

Race Details

Enjoy pristine ocean views and activities for all ages. Register for the 5K Run, 2-Mile Youth Race, Dolphin Dash for the kids, and the popular 2-mile Fun Walk.

Registration Fees:

• 5K Run (Before 4/1/26: $50) (After: $55) (At Race: $60)
• 2 Mile Walk (Before 4/1/26: $40) (After: $45) (At Race: $50)
• 2 Mile Youth Run (Before 4/1/26: $35) (After: $40) (At Race: $45)
• 1k Kid’s Dolphin Dash $35

Race Times:

• 6 a.m.: Event Day Registration Begins
• 7:30 a.m.: Warm-up
• 7:55 a.m.: Men’s 5K Race
• 8:20 a.m.: Women’s 5K Race
• 8:45 a.m.: 2 Mile Fun Walk/Youth Run
• 9 a.m.: 1K Kid’s Dolphin Dash

The Scenic 5K and 2-Mile Walk begins on the bluffs above Corona del Mar State Beach located at 3001 Ocean Blvd. The Start-line will be clearly indicated with a Balloon Arch and Start-line banner.

Parking for all participants is free at Corona del Mar State Beach Parking Lot and opens at 6:00 a.m.

Vehicles parked on the race route must be removed by 1 a.m. on event day morning and no vehicle access will be allowed onto the course route after 7 a.m. The route will open again at 12 noon for all access.

For over 44 years, businesses in the greater Orange County area have received promotional marketing exposure and have given back to the community by becoming sponsors of the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K.  This highly publicized signature event provides a meaningful investment for sponsorship participants to reach over 40,000 recipients through various means of print, advertising, and digital media, as well as exposure to over 2,500 participants of all ages on event day.

Promote your business, product or service at the race Vendor Fair. Many businesses return each year due to the popularity of this event. A 10×10 exhibit space is provided along with table, linen and chairs to showcase your business to a community of active participants.

For many years, the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K has offered local restaurants the opportunity to market themselves at the race by showcasing a signature menu item or food tasting at the event’s Restaurant Row. Restaurants or food vendors are provided with a 10×10 tent, tables, linens, chairs, a participant award and signage. Each participating restaurant provides approximately 1,300 tastings or food item to the runners.

Join a fun team of volunteers for an exciting morning on the bluffs above the beautiful Corona del Mar State Beach. Volunteers receive an event t-shirt, coffee and pastry. A variety of volunteer positions are available.

To register for the race of for more information, visit www.CdmChamber.com.

The post Register Now for 45th Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K Run & Fun Walk appeared first on Newport Beach News.

By Sandra M. Borges | Special to the NB Indy

Thirty years ago, Segerstrom Center for the Arts served as the launchpad for what has been called the best show The Beatles never did.

Classical Mystery Tour stands in a league of its own as both an acclaimed Beatles tribute band and the top symphony pops attraction in the country. On Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. that show returns to its home stage in Costa Mesa for a special 30th anniversary celebration.

Marking three decades of success, the anniversary concert will feature a 30-piece orchestra of Pacific Symphony musicians, bringing audiences a rare opportunity to hear beloved Beatles songs performed in a way the original band recorded but never presented live.

Audiences can expect an immersive evening that brings the iconic Beatles catalog into the twenty-first century, all while playing and maintaining the coveted authenticity of tracks like “Yesterday,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and “Here Comes the Sun.”

“Young people that we meet at our concerts are so excited about the band,” says Jim Owen, Classical Mystery Tour founder and the group’s John Lennon. The show will fully immerse audiences, as the Classical Mystery Tour resembles their Beatles counterparts with dynamic outfits that give a throwback to an era of distinct sound.

Even The Beatles themselves never performed these featured songs live with a full orchestra, making this a truly memorable evening. Owen, who lives in Laguna Niguel, is also leading production of the show, returning the group to its 1996 debut stage.

The evening combines The Beatles’ timeless music with “the striking sound of a live orchestra,” creating a feeling that is “just captivating,” said Owen.

“It started as a very small idea,” Owen said. His affinity for music is rooted in his youth, when his father introduced him to an appreciation for classical music through attending Symphony concerts.

In his late 20s, Owen anchored the concept of playing a Beatles tribute with a string quartet. “It didn’t take long to say, well, what am I thinking? The better idea is, do it all, and with a whole, full-sized orchestra. We can do all The Beatles songs with orchestra,” Owen said, and that concept eventually evolved into the full-scale symphonic pop production we see today.

Thus, after more than twenty-five years, the group has earned worldwide recognition by collaborating with more than 100 orchestras in the United States and around the world, performing over 1,000 concerts and appearing at prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House.

As part of this 30th anniversary celebration, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the unique symphonic pop sound that only Classical Mystery Tour, a standout sensation, can deliver.

“I’m very happy that, considering typical Orange County prices, our show has tickets available as low as $35 in the balcony,” Owen’s said.

Additionally, concertgoers can purchase tickets to a post-concert reception at The Silver Trumpet Restaurant across the street from Segerstrom Center, where guests can meet and chat with the band, indulge in appetizers, and enjoy live music. With space available for just 50 guests, early planning is encouraged.

Concert and reception tickets are available through www.SCFTA.org. For more information on Classical Mystery Tour, visit www.ClassicalMysteryTour.com.

The post Beatles Tribute ‘Classical Mystery Tour’ Returns to Segerstrom Center for 30th Anniversary Celebration with Pacific Symphony appeared first on Newport Beach News.

South Coast Repertory’s theatrical event of the season is about to end, but there’s still time to experience two remarkable plays that share actors and a set.

Through March 21, South Coast Rep is presenting a rotating repertory of two Tony Award-winning plays: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” by Edward Albee and “God of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza.

Their eight-week run is the longest in the theatre’s 62-year history. Each play has alternate performances on weekdays, while on Saturdays and Sunday both plays are performed back-to-back.

Two of the actors, Kim Martin-Cotten and Brian Vaughn, have lead roles in both plays. The productions share a single set which is modified for each play.

Written nearly 50 years apart, the two masterpieces deal with marriage, children (real and imaginary), and the dynamics of relationships.

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is considered Albee’s most famous work. Winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play, it ran for more than a year and a half on Broadway and shocked audiences with its in-your-face dialogue and honest look at marriage, intimacy, ambition, naked self-interest and broken dreams.

In the play, George (a college professor) and his wife Martha invite young couple Nick (a new professorial hire) and his wife Honey to their home for a late-night cocktail. As the liquor flows both couples find themselves submerged in mind games and deep-seated resentments.

The play is both hilarious and harrowing, and long (three hours with two intermissions), but it’s a captivating theatrical ride as both couples bare their souls in surprising ways.

“God of Carnage” received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play. In “God of Carnage,” which clocks in at under 90 minutes with no intermission, Reza satirizes parenting, marriage and upper-middle class dynamics in a play that, like “Woolf,” balances humor, marital tensions and conflicting personalities.

In the play, four parents discuss ways to resolve a conflict between their 11-year-old sons. They begin diplomatically, but the discussion quickly dissolves into a battle of wills that pits the parents against each other in both dramatic and hysterical ways.

The actors in both SCR productions are committed to their characters and bring them to life. As Bette Davis famously quipped in “All About Eve,” “Fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a bumpy night.” That phrase certainly applies to “Woolf,” which pulls audiences’ emotions in multiple directions, but no need to be afraid of this “Virginia Woolf.” The play packs an emotional punch that’s worth the time investment.

So too with “God of Carnage.” While the setting is more modern (a cell phone has a prominent role), the play complements “Woolf” in how it examines relationships and the hidden truths that come to light.

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and “God of Carnage” run through March 21. Visit www.SCR.org for tickets.

The post Two Tony Winners, One Stage: South Coast Rep’s Unique Repertory Event Nears Final Curtain appeared first on Newport Beach News.