Newport Beach Blog

Christopher Michael Chocolates

costamesablogger1 — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:41:54 +0000

Chef Christopher Michael is selling homemade chocolate from his Newport Beach store. This is a one of a kind store here in Orange County. Sure we have See's and Godiva, but what sets his chocolates apart is that they are homemade. All the chocolates use fresh ingredients. In France you can find chocolate shops lining each street. Just think Chocolat. This concept is foreign to America, where we like our products to last an eternity.

Two of his best selling chocolates and priced Pomegrante and lime and rosemary-infused caramel.

His store is located at 3305 Newport Blvd. Suite D
Newport Beach
949.566.9810

Protesting "Rent"

costamesablogger1 — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:01:05 +0000

Photo courtesy of The Daily Pilot

The supposed amazing part of living in a democracy is that individuals can speak their mind. Citizens of the US are free to express their opinions without retaliation or imprisonment. I am a firm believer in this aspect of democracy.

All said I am quite tired of the opponents of equal right for gays and lesbians or the apparent hatred towards them. Enough is enough.

Corona del Mar High School is putting on "Rent" as part of their spring production. This production has bee wrought with controversy; apparently the principal initially nixed the production over concerns about gay characters in the script.

What amazes the most is that three members of Westboro Baptist Church flew from Kansas to protest the school's production. Exposing your children to themes about gay will rot their souls and corrupt them is their concern. I actually went to the Westboro Baptist Church website to see what they are about. Unbelievable is all I have to say, the hatred that is spewing from this site is disgusting. God bless these people is all I have to say. I am not sure who has wronged them and were their beliefs come from. But to hate so many is rather scary.

Are you kidding me-you are supposedly Christian. You fly all the way from Kansas for this????
We are in a recession, people are losing their jobs and homes, struggling to make ends meet. Instead of assisting people who could use some assistance you are protesting a play.

I would be curious to know whose money is being used to fly these people across the country. I am not a member of the Westboro Baptist Church, but if I was I would be angered if my funds were being used.

Go home people, you are not welcome in Newport Beach.

Social Networking and Facebook

costamesablogger1 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:38:00 +0000

I understand that social networking is the "in" 2008 hip event and way to be but I do not completely understand it. Facebook is the place to be. I see the value of it and comprehend the staying in touch. Hey our 44th president, Obama could not give up his blackberry. There is something to be said about having a hip president-who is in touch with the modern world.
Back to Facebook, I understand sharing with friends and linking friends together, I also understand sharing your photos and events in your life. But what confounds me is what people write on the Wall. Who would ever think that you are excited that it is Friday, the week was tough, you are tired, are having a coffee, your kid spit up, is worthy of sharing. This is what I do not understand. Why should I care about any of this? It is rather strange to me-that you would publicly announce this.
Can you imagine if Barack posted "Oh crap the secret service is always around me and watching what I do?" How would that make you feel about him? Duh-of course they are. I think of these messages on facebook as the same thing. If you were in a job interview would you want someone asking you what is newsworthy of your kid spitting? Or if you ran for public office the newspaper header reading some mundane detail about your life.
Think before you write is all I say.
Yes share the interesting aspects of your life-I like the fact that I can see friend's photos and quickly catch up on their daily activities. But as your mother said think before you speak, think before you write for the whole world to see.

$60 Million for a New City Hall??????????

costamesablogger1 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:32:16 +0000

You have to be joking. People are losing their jobs, being asked to take time off from work without pay and the City of Newport Beach wants to spend $60 MILLION on a new city hall. There have been numerous complaints from boat owners in the city as the harbor has tripled the fees in the last few years to raise the money.

The Back Bay which serves the needs of all residents, mammals and birds alike has been undergoing a major dredging project-and funds are running low. Instead of using the funds to complete dredging the back bay, the city desperately wants a new city hall.

I believe that I blogged about the fact that the project has gone to a San Francisco firm-not a local one-to keep the money in the county. I am shocked that city hall is still going ahead with the project.

Newport Beach residents are already not excited about the location that has been chosen for city hall, arguing that the site should be kept natural and not allocated for a structure. I just do not know what the city is thinking. Now is not the time to be selfish and build a new city hall that is not really needed.

At least it is not my tax dollars that is going to this fiasco!!!!!!!!!

Stretch your body and your mind

costamesablogger1 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:48:06 +0000

Yoga Works is offering free orientation classes during the month of January. This is a great way to get introduced to yoga and try some classes. I have been a student at their studio for years and truly enjoy their classes. One of my favorite teachers is Rona Graf-a former school teacher she will give you a great class with lots of inspiration and great stretches.
Yoga Works has studios in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo. They offer a variety of classes and all their instructors are certified
New students will also receive a complimentary one year subscription to Yoga Journal.

Bleak or Bright?????????

costamesablogger1 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:48:52 +0000

I am not really sure what to think about the economy. Everytime I open up the newspaper there are headlines screaming "A Bleak Picture for Big Studios", Rose Parade "Optimism blooms for a day at least". The malls are empty and I am not sure if anyone feels like spending money. That is except for the City of Newport Beach.
Just yesterday there was a story in the paper saying how many cities have closed down over Christmas forcing employees to take some extra days off from work. The City of Newport Beach is closed today. However something must have happened overnight-as today there is a headline about City Council being expected to approved a contract in January with a San Francisco (thats right not a local firm but a SF firm) to design a new city hall for an estimated $60 million dollars. WOW!!!!!
Let's get this straight-employees are being forced to take time off work without pay and the city is going to approve this??

You must be joking-I am sure the employees would be happy to keep their old digs and get paid for five days of work instead of taking time off from work and having some fancy new digs.

P.S. if the initial estimate is $60 million the final cost will be more than that.

Just my opinion.

New Year's Resolutions

costamesablogger1 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:18:31 +0000

Tomorrow will mark the end of 2008 and the beginning of a new year with new resolutions and promises-lose that 10 pounds, exercise more, stop smoking, get down the credit card debt. Let's be realistic about this-if you have not done any of these things by now-what makes you think a new date on the calender is going to get you going? Just asking.

However it you want to tackle a new resolution-why not volunteer at the Newport Beach Public Library The city is looking for volunteers to help tutor adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and help someone else. To join the library literacy program call the library at 949.717.3874

Newport Beach Restaurant Week

costamesablogger1 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:07:28 +0000

January 18-22, 2009 will mark the celebration of Newport Beach Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants will be offering a fixed price menu of $15 for lunch and either $25 or $35 for dinner. It will be interesting to see how successful the week will be in 2009 given the current economic situation in the area. Eating out is one of the simplest and more cost efficient ways to cut costs. Good luck to the restaurants and hopefully it will be successful.
Reservations can be made on line by visiting their website www.newportbeachdining.com

Jazz Party

costamesablogger1 — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:11:19 +0000

The Marriott Hotel and Spa in Newport Beach will be hosting a jazz and big band party from February 12th thru the 15th. This should be a Presidential Weekend of fun and entertainment.
949.759.5003 for more information.

Lighting of the Dunes

costamesablogger1 — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:08:23 +0000

Tonight at 6 pm will be lighting up the Bay. The Bay will come alive with santa and friends along with sparkling floating trees. There will be lots of snow to play with and live music performance.