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A Balboa Legend
January 10th, 2010
On January 9, Balboa lost one of its original residents and business owner, Amelia Seton. Amelia was the founder of Amelia’s Italian Restaurant on Marine Avenue. For many of us, this restaurant has been on Balboa longer than we have lived. Amelia not only contributed her native Italian recipes but very often ran the kitchen herself.
Although she turned the business over to her daughter in the mid 1970’s, she still continued to spend most of her time here on the Island. Her restaurant has often been called the most romantic dining spot in Orange County.
On your next visit to Amelia’s, whether alone or with a group may I suggest you take a moment to remember one of Balboa’s most beloved residents and what she meant to our community.
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An Island Resolution
January 2nd, 2010
Think your done with the holidays? Did the Rose Parade signify the end of the holiday season for you? Well, you might be surprised to learn the celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It has been celebrated for nearly 4,000 years. In the ancient past, the celebration often lasted 11 days. Can you image a New Years night lasting 11 days?
Here on Balboa, we have only celebrated 100+ New Years. How did you celebrate?
In some areas, New Years is often celebrated with parades, parties or even specific foods being served to signify prosperity and good luck. However, my favorite is the making of the New Years resolution. I, myself have made many resolutions that were abandoned by days end, others made it till spring. I think, one may have made it the whole year, I don’t remember! Having suffered these set backs, I still resolve to make one resolution every year. This act makes me a part of the nearly 50% of Americans who resolve to do something or to do less of something else. Either way, statistics show that about 65% of us will make it for the whole year. Will you make it?
If you not sure, a simple resolution to breathe a little deeper and enjoy life a little slower on Balboa, is guaranteed to be a success.
Tags: Balboa Island, Balboa Island New Years
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New Years Day Talent Celebration
December 25th, 2009
So, have you had your fill of Christmas cheer? What about stuffing and eggnog? I know I’ve enjoyed the holiday to its fullest. I trust everyone loved the boat parade. Let’s also not forget the family, down in San Diego Bay, who suffered a tragedy during their parade.
As for the week that lies ahead, it’s time to start dusting off the yukalaylee and tuning up the ole vocal chords. That’s right. It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions (good luck keeping those) and the 11th Annual New Year’s Day Talent Celebration. Break out the picnic basket and blanket and join us as we celebrate the many talents of our neighbors. The festivities will take place on the Historic Gazebo Stage at Pennisula Park.
All ages are welcome and as always the laughs are as free as the admission.
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Christmas Shopping on Balboa
December 20th, 2009
Balboa Island is counting down. Just 5 more days till Christmas…are you done shopping? If not, don’t worry, Balboa offers a unique and diverse shopping experience. As Balboa’s Christmas spirit sweeps over you like the tides of the bay, you will in fact find that perfect gift.
Balboa Island is known around the world for its holiday spirit. You are guaranteed to feel the festive atmosphere as it surrounds you. Wherever you turn, you will find Christmas spirit that ranges from Fashion Island’s cut tree (the nation’s tallest) to the one so beautifully decorated at the Fire Station. “The Joys of Christmas Toys”, this years boat parade is sure to showcase some of the Island’s biggest toys of all. You will be amazed at what Scarpa’s Gondola an eight canoes have morphed into.
Here on Balboa, we are in fact missing a Winter Wonderland element…..snow! So, as the eastern seaboard begins digging and shoveling nearly two feet of cold, wet, heavy snow, we will use a small bucket and spade to build sandmen adorned with scarves.
For a complete listing of Balboa Island shopping, click here.
Tags: Balboa Island Christmas, Balboa Island Shopping, Christmas Shopping
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101st Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
December 11th, 2009
It’s time to celebrate the 101st Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. You can be one of the million viewers watching the amazing decorated boats, yachts, kayaks and canoes as they light up the harbor. This year theme is “The Joys of Christmas Toys”.
The boat parade symbolized Newport Beach’s Christmas card to the world! The parade will take place for 5 consecutive nights, beginning December 16 and ending on December 20. The magic begins at 6:30 pm, off Bay Island, and finish around 9:00 pm every night.
The Christmas Boat Parade was acclaimed as “one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nations” by the New York Times. The harbor will be filled with a breathtaking show of lights and music will fill the air. Many of the boats will be lavishly decorated with animated Christmas scenes and costumed carolers. It has been said that some boat owners spend over $50,000 to decorate their Boats. The Parade route will lead the boats nearly 14 miles around the harbor to give the audience that incredible sight that has fascinated people of over a century. “The parade continues to be a premier event during the holiday season in Southern California that brings joy and happiness to all that view it” says Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.
The final night will go out with a bang! On December, 20, a special fireworks show will close out this celebration. Approximately 9:00 p.m., the fireworks will be launched from the Balboa Pier for everyone around the harbor to enjoy.
Photo courtesy: http://www.christmasboatparade.com/
Tags: Balboa Island, Balboa Island Christmas, Balboa Island Events, Balboa Island Parade
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Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
December 4th, 2009
The tree is now up and the decorations are coming along quickly. The lighting festivities will take place Sunday night. You see the Christmas joy spreading throughout the Island. Each year, Balboa Island residents spend countless hours putting up thousands of Christmas lights on their home.
Lights have always been a Christmas symbol, with fires and candles being an important part of celebrations throughout history. Many favorite holiday tradition start by unpacking that box out of the attic filled with nothing more than strands of Christmas lights. It’s a great way to spend time with your family or someone else whose company you enjoy.
We are still needing judges for the Christmas Home Lights. If you are interested, please contact Laura @ 949-500-6418. Ballets can also be picked up at HOM Real Estate. The judging will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Laura and the judges will make any tie breaker decision on Monday, December 14. The Sign and Trophies will be awarded by Wednesday, December 16.
Holiday Home Tour is Sunday, December 13, from 11 am until 4 pm. It’s not too late to get your ticket. This year we have eight unique and different homes on the tour ranging from charming beach cottages to large bay front homes. Each home will be uniquely decorated for the holidays. A Head Docent has been assigned to each of the homes with a team of docents trained to host guests as they visit each of the homes. The Home Tour is sponsored by the Balboa Island Improvement Association.
This year when you hang your Christmas lights, think about how lucky you are. Imagine if they hadn’t yet been invited and you had to arrange each individual candle.
Tags: Balboa Island, Balboa Island Christmas, Balboa Island Events, Balboa Island Lights
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Christmas Tree Traditions
November 25th, 2009
Even with the rapidly changing life of today, some Christmas traditions never change, and Balboa Island has a lot of them. Our Christmas Tree is schedule to arrive on Friday, November 27 at the Marine Avenue Fire Station. Christmas trees have been a part of Balboa Christmas for generations. Today shared community Christmas trees are a common sight in many public buildings, shops, streets and churches on Balboa Island.
The decorating will begin on Tuesday, December 1. A beautifully decorated evergreen tree, with colored lights ablaze, inspires warm memories of Christmases long past. Join us December 6 for all the tree Lighting festivities beginning at 3:00 then the magic takes place at 5:30. Christmas cider, cookies, candy canes and other refreshments will be provided. Come join in on all the fun. Don’t forget to bring the children to meet Santa Claus.
Tags: Balboa Island, Balboa Island Christmas, Balboa Island Christmas Tree
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