All About Newport Beach

Toshiba Golf Classic Raises $900,000 for Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach

The Toshiba Golf Classic which was held at the Newport Beach Country Club raised $900,000 for Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach according to the Daily Pilot. The Toshiba Golf Classic is the main fund raiser for Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and the money raised supports the Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute, the Hoag Cancer Center, Orthopedic Services, Neuroscience, and Women’s Health Services. 

The golf tournament which was held the first week of March (the week of March 1, 2010 to March 7, 2010) invites members of the tour to participate in the event. Over the past 13 years, this Toshiba Classic Golf Tournament has raised approximately $13 million dollars for Hoag Hospital.

This year, Fred Couples (a former Newport Beach resident) won the Toshiba Golf Classic. This was first time playing in the event. Ronnie Black finished second, and Tom Lehman finished third overall.

This golf tournament is for golfers who are 50 years of age or older.

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

San Onofre State Beach

San Onofre is located off the 5 Freeway, just south of San Clemente. There is the San Onofre State Park which has day use parking and camping along the old Highway 101. San Onofre is where the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is located. SONGS provides 20% of the power to more than 15 million people in Southern California.

San Onofre is also home to  Trestles  which consists of several beaches and world class surfing spots. Trestles attracts a large crowd on a regular basis because it is considered to be a quality and consistent wave area. If you are visiting Trestles, you can expect to see a fair amount of surfers even during the week when there is a Southwest swell. Trestles is also home to surfing competitions as well.

San Onofre is a beautiful beach area where you can enjoy day use or camping and go to the beach. Actually getting to the beach requires hiking down one of many trails that are available. If you want to spend the day at the beach, this is a very desirable area. Whether you are surfing, a surfing spectator, photographer, or just want to lay and enjoy the California sunshine, San Onofre is a very desirable place to visit.

If I can answer any questions about the San Onofre area, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Requal – A Chilly Day

The Huntington State Beach Lifeguard try outs were yesterday at lifeguard headquarters yesterday morning. The air temperature was 55 degrees, and the water was in the high 50’s. My daughter Heather Thomson participated in the requalification swim yesterday.  I enjoy watching and encouraging these candidates who braved some less than optimal conditions yesterday. Not only was the air and water cold, there was a strong current, and choppy conditions. One of the candidates said because of the chop, it was difficult to get a rhythym while swimming.

There were two events. The returning guards requalify with a 1000 yard swim which must be completed within 20 minutes. They swim out around the buoys, back to shore and run to the finish line. Below the returning guards are lining up for their requalification swim. 

Getting a good start. Running into the water for the swim! Some of the candidates wear wetsuits, however  some think that it is more restrictive to swim with a wetsuit.

The second swim is for the new applicants trying out for one of the few spots at one of Californa’s State beaches. Then the new candidates must also complete a run swim run. The Huntington State Lifeguards were very prepared with the lifeguard boat, guards on paddle boards, and the personal water craft was utilized as well.

Definitely one of the highlights was there were dolphins during the requalification swim. One of the applicants apparently touched one during his swim. It always inspires me when I see dolphins so close to shore. 

 Mike Silvestri, a trainer for the Huntington Beach State Lifeguards said that some agencies are not testing at all due to cut backs.

Running to the finish line, every tenth of each second counts as most of these candidates are trying to beat their time.

Overall, this was a very good event, with lots of successes and some who may try it another day. The Huntington State Beach Lifeguards run a very organized and safe event.

If I can answer any questions, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

4981 Poseidon Way, Oceanside – Sold!

Ocean Hills Country Club in Oceanside, California

The property at 4981 Posisedon Way in the Ocean Hills area of Oceanside was recently sold for $520,000 on February 12, 2010. I represented the buyer in the transaction. This home on Poseidon Way which is located in the Ocean Hills Country Club. Ocean Hills Country Club is a 55+ community with a golf course, pool, club house and many activities for the residents. Ocean Hills Country Club has both detached and attached homes throughout the community.

If I can answer any questions, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar

Sherman Library and Gardens is located in Corona del Mar. It is an exhibit of beautiful and unusual living plants. There is a koi pond with a water fall and other water features. There are different types of plants including succulents, and tropical plants. There is a restaurant so you can enjoy the beautiful gardens while having breakfast or lunch, and it is also a place where you can host a private event such as a wedding.

Here are some images from a visit I made to Sherman Library and Gardens.

I would recommend visiting Sherman Gardens if you are in the area. If I can answer any questions about Sherman Gardens in Corona del Mar, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

All photographs are taken and posted by Sharon Paxson, copyright© 2009.  All rights reserved. Photographs may not be copied, or reproduced without the express, written permission of Sharon Paxson, Realtor, Prudential California Realty, Newport Beach.  Contact Sharon Paxson for permission for use of photograph, and permission may be granted in writing.

Balboa Island in Newport Beach

Balboa Island in Newport Beach consists of three islands – the main island, the little island and Collins Island. Collins Island has only 8 homes that are located on it.

The Grand Canal is the Canal located between the main island and the little island and there are homes that are on the water there as well. The boats in front of these homes are smaller due to the tide.

A little history about Balboa Island includes the following: In 1908, William Collins, who was from Pasadena in California began dredging a channel on the north side of Newport Bay and deposited the sand on the tide lands. As a result of the sand and silt piling up, that was the beginning of Balboa Island.  

The main island of Balboa Island has approximately 1459 home sites. There is a main street that you enter Balboa Island called Marine Avenue. Marine Avenue has many local shops and restaurants. Most of the residents of Balboa Island travel around via a golf cart.

There is a ferry that connects Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula. The ferry carries three automobiles, and bicycles and pedestrians as well. It is a brief but a great journey to view Newport Harbor.

Presently, there are 23 active listings on Balboa Island on the main island ranging in price from $1,095,000 to $4,800,000. The property for $4,800,00 is a bay front.

There are 7 properties in back up/pending status, and 3 have sold since January 2010.

Balboa Island is a wonderful destination point, and it is a  peaceful way to starting your day with a walk or run around the islands.

If you would like more information about Balboa Island homes for sale, or real estate in Newport Beach, please contact me:

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted on NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com.

2010 Toshiba Classic Golf Tournament – Newport Beach, CA

March 1, 2010 through March 7, 2010

The Toshiba Classic Golf Tournament began today at the Newport Beach Country Club. This is a tournament where Newport Beach welcomes the the PGA players at the Toshiba Classic. This tournament has been one of the most successful tournaments in the Champions Tour history. The Toshiba Classic has raised over $12 million in the past 12 years for Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach which is the main beneficiary. There are over 150 sponsors for this event, 1200 volunteers, and they are expecting 85,000 spectators at the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach.

The schedule of event for the Toshiba Classic include the practice rounds for golf professionals. The Classic pro-am (professional - amateuer) begins on March 3, 2010. This is where amatuer four somes are paired with golf professionals. Some of the professionals who are playing at this tournaament in Newport Beach include Fred Couples, Lee Trevino, and rookie Corey Pavin. This is a good opportunity to get out and walk the course with the professionals and enjoy the game of golf. Tickets start at $20 for one day, and other packages are available as well.  

Look forward to seeing you at at the 2010 Toshiba Classic Golf Tournament at the Newport Beach Country Club. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

All photographs are taken and posted by Sharon Paxson, copyright© 2009.  All rights reserved. Photographs may not be copied, or reproduced without the express, written permission of Sharon Paxson, Realtor, Prudential California Realty, Newport Beach.  Contact Sharon Paxson for permission for use of photograph, and permission may be granted in writing.

Pelicans in Newport Beach

I bet you thought by the title of this post, I would be writing about a neighborhood in Newport Beach. There are neighborhoods in Newport Coast that utilize the word Pelican – Pelican Hill and Pelican Crest.

I was on the Newport Beach Pier in Newport Beach today. The Tsunami Advisory was issued in Newport Beach today, and we walked to the end of the pier. Sitting atop one of the structures were several Pelicans. And they were incredibly tame. In fact, it almost appeared as though they were posing for the camera. Others were taking photos as well, and they even walked towards the people.

Typically, there are a number of anglers on the pier, so I am sure that why they are so docile – hoping for some fish.

Buddies!

The pelicans were stretching and opening their beak. 

They looked relaxed as they were resting.

This last photo is my favorite, he is really looking down his beak! However, he didn’t even flinch or move at all. They are so interesting!

If I can answer any questions about the Newport Beach area, or Newport Beach Real Estate, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

 Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

Tsunami Advisory in Newport Beach – February 27, 2010

As a result of an 8.8 magnitude earthquake which shook Chile, Tsunami warnings  were issued throughout the Pacific including the Hawaiian Islands, the entire West Coast. The city of Newport Beach because of a Tsunami advisory were ordering people off the beach, and were preparing for the possibility of a tidal surge surge in the Newport Beach area. I received a telephone call at my home from the City of Newport Beach Police Department stating that there had been an earthquake in Chile in the early hours, and there was a tsunami advisory , and it warned residents to stay off the beaches, and low lying areas in the event of a tidal surge. They were not ordering evacuation.

At the Newport Beach Pier, Lifeguards had prepared by parking all of their units on the pier – that was a first for me. I 

There was also one Newport Beach Lifeguard unit on the beach which was warning visitors to leave the beach.

The tide was out in Newport Beach, and the water had a discoloration to it, however they may have been as a result of the rain storm that we experienced today.

Lifeguards closed the beach as they were expecting a 6-8′ tidal surge. The concerns were also from the strong currents in the ocean.

The tsunami advisory was a result of the earthquake off Chile, and this earthquake was the fifth largest earthquake since 1900.

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com.