Fish Fry

Where is downtown Newport Beach? I am the daughter of the late former Newport Beach Councilman Paul Hummel. It’s my opinion my dad would give the green light for the new City Hall to be built at the park. He would ask locals, friends and tourists where is the center/downtown of Newport Beach? No one could answer. Is it CdM, Peninsula, Mariners Mile, Newport Coast? Where is it? My father thought the City Hall outgrew its location on the peninsula a long time ago. Please vote to build the new City Hall where it belongs.

There is a fabulous movie now out on DVD called, “Hot Fuzz.” But before you watch it, you should see, “Shaun of the Dead.” Both flicks are the work of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, who have revitalized the horror genre. Be warned that both movies contain some gore. But it’s funny gore, if such a thing is possible. “Hot Fuzz” takes place in an English village where the town council makes all of its decisions in the interest of “the greater good,” a line that takes on a new meaning as the film progresses.

Lolita Harper COSTA MESA -- Fish, fries, funnel cake, family and fun. Those five things captured the essence of the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club Fish Fry on Saturday. The fry started at noon, and 30 minutes later the picnic tables were full, and Vincent Lenbird had already cleaned up on carnival game prizes. The Costa Mesa resident had racked up a large stuffed donkey (a character from the hit movie "Shrek"), a Cat in the Hat inflatable hammer, a toy rose and a Care Bear.

DISTRIBUTING CHECKS: On Monday, Newport Harbor -- Costa Mesa (Harbor Mesa) Lions President Darlene Shelley will distribute checks to representatives of local organizations that include: Westside Boys and Girls Club, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, SOS Free Medical and Dental Clinic, Orange Coast College Child Care and Scholarship, Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, Youth Employment Service, Women Helping Women, Lion's ...

COSTA MESA — The City Council voted to hold off on plans for a skate park at Lions Park Tuesday, after hearing from residents who said it would pave over valuable green space and should be built where it can be bigger. While there was no consensus on a location, everyone at the meeting seemed to agree that Costa Mesa needs at least one more skate park, and several suggested a world-class, multi-use park that would serve BMX bikers and skaters of all skill levels. Council members voted 3-2 to put off hiring a design firm until October, when they’ll discuss putting a smaller skating area in at Lions Park and adding a large skate park and dog exercise area at Fairview Park.

They may be better known for their annual fish fry, but local Lions club members exercised their grilling skills Saturday to feed hungry model-train enthusiasts and raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions served up hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and sodas while the Orange County Model Engineers carted parents and kids around Fairview Park on tiny trains. Helping with hurricane relief means a lot to Hank Hornsveld, a Lions club member and one of the founders of the Orange County Model Engineers.

"The kind of quaint and naive thing about politics is, just like acting, everybody thinks they can do it." -- Chuck DeVore, state assemblyman from Newport Beach, who said he will not seek to replace Rep. Chris Cox if Cox's appointment to the Securities and Exchange Commission is confirmed. "I like the fish, but I also like seeing all the old duffers around." -- Garlan Wetzel, retired teacher and a 52-year resident of Costa Mesa, on catching up with former students and longtime friends at the annual Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club fish fry. "In the past, all we've required for proof of residence is a utility bill.

Kevin McMahan, a 6 foot 2, 196-pound wide receiver from the University of Maine, was selected by the Oakland Raiders as the 255th and final pick in this year's NFL Draft. That selection earned him the distinction of being this year's Mr. Irrelevant. McMahan will travel to Newport Beach, and from June 15 to 19 he will receive gifts from hundreds of businesses, be treated to a day at Disneyland, and be honored at a banquet. On June 15, McMahan will be roasted, toasted and presented with the Lowsman Trophy at the All-Star Lowsman Sports Banquet at the Irvine Marriott, where ESPN's John Ireland will serve as master of ceremonies.

COSTA MESA — Bruce Garlich had something in common with a famous cowboy. "Will Rogers said, 'I never met a man I didn't like,'" said longtime friend Dave Wensley, of Costa Mesa. "That could have been something Bruce Garlich said. " Garlich, a former Costa Mesa planning commissioner, died March 22 of cancer. He was 74. A private service was held for the community leader at the Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona del Mar on Friday. Afterward, family and friends met at the Costa Mesa Senior Center to snack on sandwiches, sip wine and laugh while telling old stories about Garlich, who served on the Costa Mesa Planning Commission for six years and ran for City Council twice.

One city council member’s vote was all that saved the Lions Club Fish Fry this year — a far cry from the days when Charles TeWinkle and the other four members of the council were all Lions, promoting the event from their seats of municipal power. Back in those days, the fry had a big, well-attended parade down Harbor Boulevard and a Miss Costa Mesa beauty pageant. Everyone who was everyone in the city came down, as shown in pictures and video at the booth sponsored by the Costa Mesa Historical Society at this year’s fair.