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

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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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Hoag has maintained the elite “Straight “A” designation, an accomplishment that only 15 percent of hospitals in this grading cycle have attained.

“Delivering the safest care possible to our community is Hoag’s north star,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hoag. “Earning ‘Straight A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group underscores our commitment to the people we serve and reflects the extraordinary work of our physicians, nurses, and team members, who go above and beyond for the families in our care.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade evaluates hospitals nationwide on 22 evidence-based measures that impact patient outcomes, including infection prevention, surgical safety, and reduced length of stay. Hoag’s ongoing focus on patient safety enhances care and places it among an elite group of hospitals that have demonstrated continued excellence in patient safety performance.

The peer-reviewed Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program assigns grades to nearly 3,000 general hospitals across the country, drawing data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and other supplemental sources. These grades serve as an important resource for patients seeking transparent, data-driven insights into hospital quality.

For more information about Hoag’s Hospital Safety Grade or to view the list of state rankings, please visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.

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Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors in Coron del Mar, a nationally recognized real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced that Jeff Lefko, executive vice president and partner, and Bill Asher, executive vice president, have been jointly recognized as 2026 GlobeSt. Net Lease Influencers, one of the commercial real estate industry’s most respected honors for leadership, production and long‑term impact in the national net‑lease sector.

Selected by GlobeSt.’s editorial board, the Influencer program highlights professionals and teams whose work demonstrates consistent performance, strategic insight and measurable contributions to the advancement of the net‑lease market.

Lefko and Asher were recognized for their sustained transaction volume, category‑defining pricing benchmarks, and advisory leadership across single‑tenant and multi‑tenant retail assets nationwide.

“Jeff and Bill continue to set the standard for net‑lease advisory, combining disciplined execution with a deep understanding of investor priorities across all market cycles. Their leadership has strengthened our platform and delivered exceptional results for clients nationwide,” said Ed Hanley, president of Hanley Investment Group.

Since forming their partnership in 2018, they have closed more than 900 deals, totaling $4 billion in retail and net-lease transactions, ranking among the nation’s top brokers in both volume and velocity. As Hanley Investment Group’s top‑producing team, Lefko and Asher have helped the company achieve the highest annual sales volume in its 20‑year history in 2025.

Beyond transactions, Lefko and Asher are trusted industry voices whose insights on pricing trends, tenant performance and capital flows influence institutional and private investors nationwide. Their advisory role extends to underwriting, lease structuring and long‑term portfolio strategy, shaping investment decisions well before assets come to market.

Lefko and Asher have earned GlobeSt. Influencer recognition every year since 2020, with consecutive honors across the Net Lease and Retail Real Estate categories through a combination of team and firm awards.

For more information, visit www.hanleyinvestmentgroup.com.

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Making movies was a hobby for Greg MacGillivray when he graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1963.

That hobby turned into a lifelong love affair for MacGillivray, who partnered with his friend Jim Freeman to make several iconic surf movies before turning his attention to a series of award-winning documentaries.

Two of those films, “Dolphins” and Humpback Whales,” will screen at Newport Harbor High School on Saturday, May 30, thanks to the school’s Alumni Association.

The event begins at 4:30 p.m. to catch up with old friends while enjoying live music by Steve and Beth Wood from the band HONK. Taco plates available for purchase.

The films will begin in the theater at 6 p.m. and will wrap up with a lively Q&A discussion with MacGillivray about the unique challenge and joy of filming these magnificent creatures. He will be joined by marine specialists like Dr. Alissa Deming from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, who will offer insights into the fascinating world of our oceans.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can. Suggested price is $25 for adults and $10 for children and students. All proceeds benefit the NHHS Alumni Association Scholarship program, so donations of any amount are much appreciated.

For tickets and info: www.newportharboralumni.org/film-festival.

About Greg MacGillivray

Greg MacGillivray graduated from NHHS in 1963 and attended UC Santa Barbara where he conceived his first film” A Cool Wave of Color.” He co-founded MacGillivray Freeman Films with Jim Freeman, and made successful surf documentaries, including the cult classic “Five Summer Stories.”

Venturing into IMAX, the team released “To Fly” in 1976 at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum. Selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry, it plays at the Smithsonian to this day. Two MacGillivray Freeman Films received Academy Award nominations, and the 1998 IMAX blockbuster “Everest” shattered records as the highest grossing film of its type.

In harmony with MacGillivray Freeman Films about nature, the MacGillivray family promotes stewardship of the world’s oceans through their One World, One Ocean campaign.

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short, “Dolphins” takes you from the dazzling coral reefs of the Bahamas to the wind-swept seas of Patagonia. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan with music by Sting, this film offers a fascinating perspective on the lives of dolphins and their remarkable intelligence. Go under the sea with marine biologists as they research how wild dolphins communicate. Produced in association with the National Wildlife Federation, National Science Foundation and Museum Film Network, “Dolphins” will bring you up close to these beloved animals.

Narrated by two-time Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor, “Humpback Whales” is an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammal. Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and Tonga, this adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how whales communicate, sing, feed, play, and take care of their young.

Found in every ocean, humpbacks were nearly driven to extinction 50 years ago but are making a remarkable recovery. Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of these intelligent, 55-foot, 50-ton animals.

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