Balboa

The state on Thursday recognized Newport Elementary School as a 2012 California Distinguished School. State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced in a release that the Balboa Peninsula campus was one of 387 elementary schools to receive the honor for "innovative education programs that encourage students to learn and help close the achievement gap. " "The schools we are recognizing today demonstrate the incredible commitment of...

Balboa Island residents: Get ready to rock. The annual Balboa Island Parade, organized by the Balboa Island Improvement Assn., returns for the 19th year June 3. This year features a throwback 1950s theme of "Rock Around the Island. " "This year, we wanted to keep it a little more island friendly, more localized, to get more families involved," parade Chairman Jack Callahan said. "We're also trying to get each of the island streets to have a float to create a fun competition between them.

ExplorOcean, the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum's ambitious interactive exhibit, could be completed in as little as five years, the organization's president said this week. President Rita Redaelli Stenlund led a presentation hosted by Speak Up Newport at the Newport Yacht Club on Wednesday night as part of the museum's efforts for the 34,000-square-foot attraction next to the Balboa Fun Zone. "Once we moved here, we not only felt a commitment to the mission of the museum, but we also realized the responsibility we have to the community for residing in this spot," Stenlund said of museum, which bought property on the Balboa Peninsula in 2006.

Newport Beach Code Enforcement officers have begun cracking down on poorly maintained buildings and properties on South Bristol Street and in Balboa Village. The actions, part of the city's revitalization efforts, are intended to spruce up a city entry point and a struggling commercial zone. According to a city newsletter, officers instructed South Bristol Street business owners and property owners to remove unpermitted signs and encouraged them to regularly maintain their properties.

A 49-year-old man was found dead about a half a mile from Balboa Pier, police said Thursday. The body of Nino Nobles of Irvine was found about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday about 30 yards from the Coronado Street lifeguard tower, which is about half a mile from the Balboa Pier, according to coroner and police reports. There were no apparent signs of foul play, said Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman Kathy Lowe. An autopsy was scheduled to performed Thursday, but no cause of death has been determined pending a toxicology report, which will likely take weeks, according to the coroner's office.

In only a few parts of Newport Beach can someone have trouble finding free parking. Balboa Village, the commercial district near the Balboa Pier, is one of them. Often visitors cruise nearby residential streets until they find an open space, crowding out frustrated residents. Some of that frustration has been worked out in a new parking plan detailed at a community meeting Tuesday. The Balboa Village Citizen Advisory Panel reviewed a draft plan that would make some residential areas permit-parking only, and would make all commercial street spaces metered.

The sale of the Balboa Fun Zone carousel, which was expected to land the iconic ponies in the Westminster area by spring , has fallen through, the owner said. Buyers informed Fun Zone Rides owner Patrick Moore that the purchase of the carousel, which had been listed for $149,999 on eBay back in August, would no longer be possible following the collapse of a redevelopment project that was to be the ride's new home. Redevelopment projects statewide have fallen apart after Sacramento decided to keep funding in state coffers.

Seeking to tame problematic restaurants and bars, the Newport Beach City Council may increase fines for noise, occupancy and other violations. On Tuesday, the council will discuss adding a higher level of fines — up to 10 times the current amount — for certain laws and for repeat offenders. In recent years, neighbors in Corona del Mar and on the Balboa Peninsula have complained about noisy bars and restaurants. City officials say they sometimes have to stake out the businesses late at night to document violations, and that their staff members' time is often wasted during lengthy investigations.

Chardonnay and cucumber, sorbet and cotton candy, basil and white tea. The ingredients sound like something off a bizarre grocery list. Rather, these are just a few of the thousands of possible scent combinations available at Sinfulicious Bodycare, a natural and organic bath and body store that recently opened in Newport Beach. "We're more of a store where you can come in, get creative and have fun with the scents," owner April Cox said Thursday. Sinfulicious opened in a 1,100-square-foot location on Marine Avenue on Balboa Island in August.

Harrison, Leslie Joseph September 16, 1927 to January 21, 2012   Les was born in Long Beach in 1927 and raised in Santa Ana. Both Les' parents passed away during his early childhood and in 1941 at age 16, Les joined the Merchant Marines, and then later joined the Army in 1946. After the war, Les settled on the beach in Balboa where he met his wife, Pat to whom he was married for 59 years. After 33 years of service, he retired from the Costa Mesa Police Department in 1988.  He was an active member of the American Legion Post 291 in Newport Beach, serving as Commodore of the AL Yacht Club and 1st Vice President of the Legion Corporate Board for several years.