Around Town: Former H.B. mayor to discuss desalination in Newport

Former Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook, who is now board president of the Post Carbon Institute, will speak on “Ocean Desalination: Oasis or Mirage” during the the Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club meeting at 5:30 p.m. June 16 at the Five Crowns Restaurant in Corona del Mar.

Cook will talk about the possible implications of ocean desalination for Orange County Water District ratepayers as well as alternative water supplies. The state Coastal Commission is reviewing an application for a desalination plant in Huntington Beach.

Cook served for eight years on the Huntington Beach City Council, held leadership positions on a variety of boards and commissions and is active in her community.

To attend the event, RSVP to Evelyn Fierro-Kissen at (310) 619-4256 or emailing at evfierro@aol.com. The cost to attend is $20. Five Crowns is located at 3801 East Coast Hwy.

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Ben Carlson fundraiser

A fundraiser at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach last week raised $50,000 for a bronze statue in honor of lifeguard Ben Carlson.

Carlson died in July while rescuing a distressed swimmer who was struggling in large surf. His death was the first in the nearly 100-year history of the Newport Beach lifeguards.

The statue, which is expected to cost $125,000, will likely be placed at either the Newport Pier or Balboa Pier.

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Beach Party set for the Dunes

Later this month, members of local charities invite residents to come out and celebrate during the first Newport Beach Party at the Newport Dunes Resort.

From June 26-28, organizations will gather together during a family friendly event that will feature food, music and entertainment while aiming to raise money for various projects.

“I’m so thrilled to be a part of this great event to celebrate our amazing community while supporting all of our wonderful charities,” according to a statement from Steve Bender, president elect of the Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary and co-chairman of the Newport Beach Host Town Committee for Special Olympic World Games.

The event will include a wine tasting from the Newport Beach Invitational Wine Competition. There will be beer and barbecue competitions, samplings from local restaurants, food trucks and more.

Entertainment will be provided by Ilya Serov, an award-winning trumpet player and jazz singer, as well as from local artists.

Tickets are $95 and include unlimited pours from more than 100 wines, food tasting and entertainment. VIP tickets are available at an additional cost.

For more information, visit newportbeachparty.com.

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Wooden Boat Festival winners

More than 1,000 attendees of the second annual Wooden Boat Festival, hosted by the Balboa Yacht Club, voted Saturday for their favorite vessels. The boats were rated compared to others of their type. Here’s a list of the People’s Choice winners:

Launches: Humble, owned by Victoria Fash

Cruisers under 45 feet: Colnett, owned by Steve Farwell and Bunker Hill

Cruisers over 45 feet: Tonina, owned by Rick and Merrie Fricke

Runabouts: Friecracker, owned by mark and Tracy Widder

Human Powered or Sailboat displayed on land: Joyful owned by Bill Dunlap

Powerboat displayed on land: Hungry Blonde, owned by Mike Davis

Harbor Master Lieutenant Mike Jansen gave Jim Busby the Best Power Boat trophy for Four Bells, a 1955 Rybovich 26 foot Sport Fisher. Commodore Gary Davidson presented the BYC Commodore’s Award to Black Cloud owner Don Schaffner for Best Sailboat.

The Best of Show went to the 55-foot Stephens Kail Ezra owned by Kevin Roberg. Each of the three special award winners received a hand-crafted trophy by Robert Kingaard and a watch from Black, Starr & Frost.

—Compiled by Kristina Pritchett and Hannah Fry.