Island Hotel

TODAY DJ Ron Sleazy DJ Sleazy performs at Commonwealth Lounge & Grill, 2406 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. The free show starts at 9:30 p.m. and is 21 and older only. For more information, call (949) 675-4444. Phil Shane Singer Phil Shane will perform cover songs from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond and others at La Cave Restaurant, 1695 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa. The free show is 21 and older only. For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/lacave.

September was called Herbstmonat ("harvest month") by Charlemagne and Gerstmonath ("barley month") by the Anglo-Saxons. But here in Newport-Mesa, September is better known as epicure month. With both the Taste of Newport and Orange County Restaurant Week approaching, area foodies are salivating like Pavlov's dogs. A much-loved event now in its 22nd year, the Taste of Newport intermixes iconic menu items from area restaurants, confectioners and wineries for the county's palates to explore.

Numerous national and international media outlets are reporting that golf superstar Tiger Woods, a part-time Corona del Mar resident, met with a self-alleged longtime mistress at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach for at least one of their 20 trysts. California cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs, 24, claims that she has had an affair with Woods, 33, for 31 months, according to comments attributed to her in various news reports. Grubbs said the pair met most recently in October at the Island Hotel, where they watched “Angels and Demons” and then had sex. Grubbs claims Woods has sent her hundreds of racy text and voice messages, and has published some of them in US Weekly, a national magazine.

The Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach will be known as the Island Hotel Newport Beach after the Irvine Co. takes over management of the luxury establishment. Irvine Co. spokeswoman Jennifer Hieger said the new name will take effect Nov. 1. The Irvine Co. announced plans to assume management of the Newport Center hotel in August. Irvine Co. officials have said that the Newport Beach-based company will also manage the planned Pelican Hill at Newport Coast resort, which is expected to open in 2008.

The Palm Garden at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach, welcomed 110 guests this past Saturday evening for "Hot, Hot Havana Nights." The Big Canyon/ Spyglass Hill Philharmonic Society of Orange County produced the lively affair, which included dinner and dancing, ultimately raising $25,000 for The Philharmonic Society. The honors of the evening, named for the late Kim Grubman, went to Christel Schar for her "unselfish dedication on every committee supporting The Philharmonic Society." "Christel Schar is quiet but mighty," said Margaret Clark, a society member and event coordinator Flower arraignments were provided courtesy of Newport Beach hairstylist Craig Brown.

After an extensive two-month renovation, the Palm Terrace Restaurant at The Island Hotel Newport Beach will reopen Saturday with new menus and revamped interiors. The restaurant, which used to be called the Pavilion, has a new tropical motif, but will still be under the direction of Executive Chef Bill Bracken. The chef's new "small bites" will let restaurant-goers create their own tasting menus. New signature dishes include truffle-scented macaroni and cheese, potato-crusted Chilean sea bass and summer fish stew.