Fate of Balboa ficus must wait...

Fate of Balboa ficus must wait until Sept. 16

Ficus defenders won a small victory Tuesday after a judge, in

effect, ordered Newport Beach city officials to leave 25 Balboa

Village ficus trees intact until at least another hearing takes place

Sept. 16.

Judge Ronald Bauer issued the temporary injunction late Tuesday in

an effort to have more time to consider whether the city should be

allowed to remove the trees. City officials had hoped to take them

out by Sept. 15 to begin the second phase of Balboa Village

improvements.

The Balboa Arborist Society has taken the city to court to protect

the 40-year-old trees, some of which are designated as protected

trees under city guidelines.

Tall ships will help remember Sept. 11

Twenty tall ships will participate in the first anniversary

ceremony in observance of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 in the waters off

Newport Harbor and at Big Corona Beach.

Three wreaths will be placed on the water at 8:46 a.m., the time

marking when the first airliner struck the World Trade Center in New

York City. The wreaths will represent the three sites where lives

were lost.

One wreath will be placed by the families of the victims, another

by the Newport Beach Fire Department in honor of their fallen

brethren, and the last by the Daughters of the American Revolution to

honor those who have given their lives defending freedom abroad.

An invocation will be held at 8:30 a.m., followed by the posting

of colors by the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Color Guard.

Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva and Newport Beach Mayor Tod

Ridgeway will speak, followed by the Newport Beach Fire Department

bagpipers playing “Amazing Grace.”

The ceremony will conclude at 9:08 a.m., or the time marking when

the second airline flew into the south tower of the World Trade

Center.

The ship Europa will carry a 30-foot black banner with thousands

of signatures from Richmond, British Columbia, signed by crew members

and volunteers at the Canadian Challenger Series in memory of the

Sept. 11 attacks. The banner will fly over the ceremony and will then

be sent across the country to participate in Sail for America, a

gathering of thousands of vessels paying tribute to the World Trade

Center, on Sept. 14 in New York harbor.

All people, groups and organizations that wish to participate in

the Newport Beach event should call Ralph Rodheim at (714) 557-5100,

Ext. 13.

Costa Mesa to honor memory of Sept. 11

Costa Mesa will host a memorial tribute at noon at the Arlington

Theater on the Orange County Fairgrounds. The program will include a

21-gun salute, a moment of silence, police and fire color guards,

interfaith speakers and the release of memory balloons.

The city is also encouraging all businesses and residents to

respectfully display the American flag on Patriot Day, Sept. 11, to

honor the victims, families, friends, rescuers and volunteers of last

year’s terrorist attacks.

The resolution supporting the display of the U.S. flag during

“Freedom Days” was adopted by the City Council last year.

President Bush signed Patriot Day into public record in December

in remembrance of the victims of the events that occurred on Sept.

11.

While displaying the American flag, there are several important

things to remember, city officials say. The flag should be raised and

lowered by hand, slowly and with dignity, and flown only from sunset

to sundown. The flag must not touch the ground or floor and should

not be allowed to brush against any other objects.

In displaying the flag, the stars should be on top and to the

viewer’s left. Flags should be in good condition and should not be

displayed if soiled or torn. The flag may be mended or cleaned, and

may only be destroyed if its condition deteriorates beyond repair.

Volunteers needed for cure for cancer race

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is looking for

volunteers willing to help during its Orange County Race for the

Cure.

The event will take place on Sept. 22 at Fashion Island, where an

estimated 30,000 people are expected to participate.

With such a large amount of attendees, the need for volunteer help

is high and covers many aspects of the event, such as parking,

breakdown, cleanup, trucks and transportation, and loading and

unloading. Several of the areas also need volunteers to act as

captains who will receive special training beforehand.

The race has become the largest 5K race in California dedicated

solely to raising money for breast cancer. The event raised $1.5

million last year for treatment programs, education, screening and

research.

Those wishing to volunteer can contact Volunteer Manager Julie

Reed at (714) 957-9157, Ext. 27 or by e-mail at Julie@ockomen.com.