Corona del Mar Today: Restored Buck Gully is now thriving

Erosion has slowed and native plants are thriving in Lower Buck Gully, nearly three years after a restoration project was completed, according to a Newport Beach memo.

The $1.2-million project began in 2011, although plans were in the works for about a year before the California Coastal Commission approved them.

The project’s goal was to protect nearby hillsides by slowing water flowing toward the ocean using metal cages filled with rocks. The project also included the removal of non-native vegetation and trapping of non-native cowbirds.

According to an update on the project in a recent city memo, the erosion-control elements “continue to perform well,” and the weir rock structures that are halfway up the canyon toward East Coast Highway are “training Buck Creek away from the toe of slope on the west side of the canyon where the erosive force of the stream had been eating away at the slope.”

It also says the native plants that were added are doing quite well. “Raccoon tracks and deer scat are in evidence along with egrets, mallard, night herons and blue herons that frequent the ponded area in the most downstream energy dissipater apparently finding the native frog and crayfish population to their taste,” it added.

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Sand art returns to Big Corona

For a week or so last February, Big Corona state beach visitors noticed something different about the sand. Squiggles, stars and hearts would appear each day about sunset, then wash away and reappear the next day.

The sand art was the creation of Christopher Owens, an Aliso Viejo resident who said he operates a refurbished fire truck-pizza food truck business when he isn’t making art.

Owens did not respond to messages asking if he’d returned this week to Big Corona, where large circles had been raked and carved into the sand.

Carolyn Almquist said she saw the sand art last week.

“He is definitely artistic and knows how to bring a smile to everyone,” she said. “It was fun standing on the bluff listening to everyone’s comments. A sensational conversation starter among strangers.”

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City’s no-soliciting list activated for 2015

It’s a new year, which means it’s time to reregister to be part of Newport Beach’s “do not solicit” registry.

In May 2010, in response to complaints, the city began the registry in an attempt to prevent aggressive sales people from bothering residents who are registered and have a “no solicitors” sign posted.

Registration, however, needs to be updated every calendar year. To add your name to the list, visit https://www5.newportbeachca.gov/do-not-solicit/register.aspx.

So far, the online list shows about 150 homes, mostly addresses in Corona del Mar.

At the end of 2012, more than 900 homes were on the list.

According to the city website, soliciting or distributing handbills at any home that displays a ‘no soliciting’ sign or is included on the city’s ‘do not solicit’ registry violates municipal code — no matter whether the message is commercial or not.

Soliciting is prohibited citywide between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

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Fibromyalgia fundraiser set for Super Sunday

Tickets are available for the first annual Super Bowl Party to raise money for the National Fibromyalgia Assn., according to an event flier.

The party will take place at the Port Theater, 2905 East Coast Hwy. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m., and the event will continue until the game ends. Tickets cost $100 a person and include beer, wine, espresso, soft drinks, pizza, wings, mac-and-cheese and a dessert bar.

Tickets are limited, the flier says.

Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.