CdM Today

Corona del Mar's Toastmasters Group Aim To Perfect the Art of Public Speaking

It's 7 a.m. in the back room of Coco's in Corona del Mar, and the crowd is all ears, waiting for the speeches to begin at the regular meeting of the Harborlites Toastmasters club.

"It's daunting, it's scary — but don't get scared," President Andy Pais tells the group, which includes some visitors as well as longtime members. "Toastmasters gets you pumped. It's not just public speaking, but leadership, and organization."

The group is part of the international Toastmasters organization, which began in a YMCA in Santa Ana in 1924. Today, the groups have 260,000 members in about 12,500 clubs in 113 countries, according to Toastmasters International's website.

The Corona del Mar group meets for 90 minutes over breakfast every Thursday, following a schedule that includes impromptu speeches by randomly selected members, along with prepared speeches and then evaluations that cover everything from grammar, body language and timing. About two dozen people are full-time members.

Rutherford Maule, a private chef, visited a recent meeting and received rave reviews for his off-the-cuff speech that incorporated the word that day — gizmo.

"I'll be back for sure," Maule said.

He hopes to improve his speaking skills in order to make it on "The Next Food Network Star," a reality show that picks a winner who combines cooking, teaching and television skills.

Other visitors said they hoped to perfect work presentations, or to improve their skills in dealing with the public.

"Toastmasters has helped me build confidence when speaking to people, either one on one or in groups," said Tim Krueger, a Corona del Mar real estate consultant who has been a member for two years. "The one thing that has helped me the most is hearing other club members speak. There is a wealth of knowledge from every club member and they all bring something different to the club. It's a great place to learn and grow."

Members include business leaders, lawyers, medical professionals and others who have varying levels of expertise. Membership is $40 per month, and visitors are invited to drop by. For more information, visit the group's website.

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New holiday parking rates double revenue at beach lots

Newport Beach made twice as much parking revenue on Memorial Day and July 4 this year compared to last year, in spite of gloomy weather, fewer cars and a sewage spill that affected beach attendance, city officials said this week.

This winter, the Newport Beach City Council voted to increase parking fees at the Big Corona State Beach lot from a $8 to $10 weekday/weekend rate, to $15 with a $25 peak rate for Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day holidays. City officials hoped to bridge a budget gap by shaving costs and finding ways to boost revenue.

"It doesn't make me happy to make people pay more money to visit the beach," said City Manager Dave Kiff. "But I'm afraid it's a necessity if we are to maintain levels of service there, including police, lifeguards and EMS response."

Heather Flaherty, Newport Beach parking lot supervisor, said the city took in $16,500 on Memorial Day this year, compared to $8,010 in 2009. This year, there were 660 cars with the lot full from 12:55 to 3:30 p.m., while last year there were 801 cars with the lot full from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On July 4, she said, the city took in $16,050 from 642 cars, with the lot full from 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. compared to last year, when the city took in $7,610 from 761 cars with the lot full from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

The increased rates have not had a negative impact on business at the parking lots, said Tara Finnigan, a Newport Beach spokeswoman.

Some people mention it but then they go ahead and pay the fee and park, Flaherty said.