CdM High looks to the sun for power
Crews are installing solar panels in the pool lot at Corona del Mar High School
Last September, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education “approved the installation of solar photovoltaic structures in the form of carports and lunch shelters to be installed across numerous sites within the District,” a district webpage states. In all, 32 district sites were selected and designed. The total budget for the project is $13 million, the website states.
In November, Board Trustee Karen Yelsey told the Corona del Mar High School PTA that panels would be installed over winter break at several high schools, with installation at CdMHS to begin during summer vacation. Elementary schools will receive the solar panels later, the district webpage states.
Concrete supports for the panels had been added to the CdMHS pool lot earlier, and last week, crews have fenced off most of the pool lot as they prepare to add columns to support the panels.
The district webpage states that $3 million will be funded with a no-interest loan from the California Energy Commission, and another $5 million will be funded from Proposition 39 funds. The other $5 million will come from the district’s Special Reserve Funds for Capital Outlay.
An email seeking information about how long the CdMHS pool lot will be partially closed was not immediately answered.
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City to replace water mains
A city project to replace deteriorating cast iron water mains, fire hydrants and more will begin in Corona del Mar this month, according to city staff.
The Newport Beach City Council approved $1.06 million for the project at its June 9 meeting, granting the contract to Universal Pipeline Inc.
Water main replacements are scheduled for areas that include Goldenrod Avenue between Harbor View Elementary school and First Avenue, which will be the launch of the project after school is out for summer on June 29, said Mike Sinacori, an assistant city engineer
Other areas include First Avenue, between Goldenrod to the alley east of Heliotrope Avenue; Marguerite Avenue and East Coast Highway; an alley bounded by Second and Third avenues and Acacia and Begonia avenues; and an alley bounded by Bayside Drive and First Avenue and Fernleaf and Goldenrod avenues.
Workers will begin near Harbor View, then conduct day and night work at the highway crossing at Marguerite, Sinacori said, finishing the rest of Goldenrod and First avenues by Labor Day.
The alley work will be performed after Labor Day.
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Chamber event planned for El Cholo
The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will hold a networking mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at El Cholo.
The event is free for chamber members and $20 for guests, according to an event flier. The mixer will include gourmet appetizers, a hosted bar and networking opportunities. There also will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with legislative and city proclamation presentations.
El Cholo opened in March in the former Landmark Restaurant space at 3520 East Coast Highway.
Parking is available on the street and behind the restaurant. No R.S.V.P. is required. For more information, call (949) 673-4050.
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How animals survive human encroachment
Shayna Foreman, a behavioral ecologist and science interpreter, will present “Over the Hum of Traffic: Costs and Benefits of Urban Living for Anna’s Hummingbird,” from 7 to 9 p.m. July 1.
The discussion is part of the Orange County Natural History Lecture Series.
“As humans encroach upon natural habitats, we present animals with a novel acoustic background in which to forage, communicate and reproduce,” the announcement said. “Please join us as Shayna shares her research on noise pollution and particularly its effects on the song and behavior of a popular backyard pollinator, Anna’s Hummingbird.”
Foreman works as the Southern California Education Specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension, promoting environmental literacy and stewardship through statewide community and school programs. She also was natural resource coordinator for the city of Newport Beach.
Her goal is to bridge the gaps between the environment, scientists and the public.
The event will take place at Back Bay Science Center at 600 Shellmaker Road. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and close at 7:25 p.m.
The lecture and parking are free, but participants are asked to reserve a spot by emailing marineeducation@newportbeachca.gov.
Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.