Is it hot enough for you?

ÝÝOK, everybody, we know itís hot. Itís been really hot for several weeks and there is no end in sight...do you really think asking the question to everyone you run into will make it feel any cooler. ClichÈsóquite an amazing phenomenon. Who starts these sayings? Is there a website the ìpeople in the knowî check out weekly to learn what the coolest, newest adage to spread among their friends. I think we all have those certain friends or acquaintances who say the same clichÈ over and over and over again like: ìEnough already, donít beat that dead horse,î ìMove on, get over it,î ìFugetaboutit, youíre not that into it,î ìH-e-e-ello, can you hear me?î I am hoping that by maybe just dropping a hint or reminding a person that they are being a little repetitive, we can begin to stamp out CLICHES! Thank you very much and HAVE A NICE DAY!

Two-Wheel Tour

ÝÝIíve lived in Newport Beach for 30-plus years. I, by my own admission, think I know quite a bit about this town and itís past. I love the fact that I can tell people that I remember when Roy Carverís Rolls Royce/Pontiac dealership was on 17th Street across from where Staples stands or that Chick Iversonís Porsche/Volkswagen was on Balboa Blvd., just down from the Crab Cooker.

ÝÝHow about Forgit Hardware? This store had everything; it was the Crown Hardware of its day. All of their employees were these wonderful, elderly ladies, youíd think were your grandmother, and boy did they know their plungers to eye hooks to pan-head phillips screw with reverse thread. Do you remember TNT-Tacos & Tequila or AT Leoís? Both these joints were very popular in the late 70ís and early 80ís. TNT has since been replaced by a beautiful medical building on Coast Highway next to where the first Range Rover dealership in the U.S. once stood. ÝOH, just that is where Theodore Robins Ford used to be but now it is the used car lot for Sterling BMW. AT Leoís only lasted a few years, being torn down and replaced by a large senior living complex next to Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar. One more little trivial factóthat location was previously Samís Seafood. Now, letís get back to the point I was trying to make. I love learning new things about my town. This past weekend I was invited by Dave Willke and his wife, Jill to join them on a two-wheeled adventure down on the Peninsula. Not on bikes, but on Segwayís. Segway Orange County opened several months ago near the Fun Zone and offers guided tours of the Peninsula Point area, from the Balboa Pier to the Wedge. Stop, I know. We have all driven the area many times and why do we need to get on a gyro Coptic-controlled contraption to see it again. I am here to tell you, it is worth the price of admissionómaybe twice the price. The adventure begins as soon as you walk into the showroom. You are greeted by a friendly staff and are introduced to your afternoon tour guide, Frank Peikert. After about 15 minutes of instruction and utter amazement that this thing doesnít tip over or drop you flat on your face, you take off down the sidewalk towards the pier. Along the way, Frank fills you with interesting tid-bits of up-till-now, little known facts. For instance, the city has installed these pretty little shell-like sculptures on all the curbs throughout the Fun Zone area, reason, to prevent skateboarders from ìgrindingî on the sidewalks. Throughout the area there are plaques commemorating a plethora of important things that happened in our hood. Bellevue Courtósound familiar? I never knew it existed until Frank described that during the filming of The Wizard of OzÝin 1939, a number of the ìsmall peopleî bought lots on this street and built houses. Entrances of the smaller proportions are still evident as you stroll down the small tree-lined street...very charming and a must-see for all your out of town guests this summer. Frank knows where all the new ultra-houses are on the beach and who owns them, and he knows what was there before them. All in all, a very well spent two hours.

Music to My Ears

ÝÝSummers on the coast are filled with the sounds of music. The Verizon Amphitheater (I still call it Irvine Meadows), and the Pacific Amphitheater at the O.C. Fair. The Meadows hosted Steely Dan and Michael McDonald and the crowd couldnít get enough. Playing well past the 11:00 curfew, revelers like Terry Duffield (husband Duffy is in China), Jack and Corrine Heiser, Mark Rubin, and Hanna Streuver sang along with every well-known song and relived the good oleí days. While over at the fair, Doctor Dan Reich and wife Gina, Michelle Patricio, and Danny and Julie FoxÝdanced to the vintage rockiní tunes of Vanilla Fudge, Jefferson Starship, and Steppenwolf.

Holy Matrimony

ÝÝShady Canyon wasnít very shady this month for the wedding celebration for Jorge and Amy (Nott) Ramirez. Nor did the extreme heat seem to matter to the 200 invitees that grazed among the cocoa-toned tables filled with bottles of Veuve Cliquet, the cappuccino bar or the waitresses passing out ice-filled mojitos to the thirsty guests. Enjoying the festivities were John and Carol Curci, Clark Booth and Jan Turner-Herring, Ed and Jennie Reno, sister of the bride, Tracy Gottlieb and husband Mike, Andy and Amy Nott, Michelle Donahue and her beau, and super proud parents, Bruce and Cecelia Nott. The Nixon Library in Yorba Linda was the setting for the nuptial gala of Mark and Shery Whitfield. The festivities took place in a replica of the East Room of the White House and is the room where all state dinners are held.

ÝÝWalking into the elaborate room, you might of thought the G-8 conference dinner was about to commence. Hundreds of red roses filled the room in every direction; gold brocade tabletops were covered in rose petals; and gold treat-filled boxes adorned each place setting. Attending the royal celebration were Joe DeComa and Kelly Gorman, Pat and Paula Donahue, Bill and Candice Rice, David and Anne Mudgett, David Mossman, former USC quarterback Paul McDonald and his son, current USC quarterback, Michael McDonald, Rich Martin and his guest, Ghost, and Markís sons, Garrett and Sean.

Count on Cartier for Class & Style

ÝÝNow I am really sorry I missed this one, knowing that Cartier always adds that perfect touch to anything they commit to. Just when I needed new stationery too, I heard they gifted every guest at Cesar Pelliís Concert Hall preview tour with their very own signature note card set. Donít you just love seeing the rows of gift bags when you depart an event? And what better than that Trojan-red favor bag lettered with one of the most famous brands in the world? Speaking of class, the Concert Hall promises to be in a world class of its own.