Costa Mesa shares stage with world-class venues...
Costa Mesa shares stage with world-class venues
My family (me included, natch) and friends have seen Cirque du
Soleil many times: first, in the parking lot of Robinsons-May at
South Coast Plaza; then, at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa
Mesa; and last, in Las Vegas.
When Cirque announced that, due to College Park and Mesa del Mar
squabbles about noise and traffic, Costa Mesa would no longer be one
of their venues, I was both angry and sad. We Costa Mesans had cut
off our nose to spite our face. Too bad! So sad!
My home since 1970 is located within earshot of the fairgrounds,
the Orange Coast College football stadium, the Costa Mesa Police
Department helipad and John Wayne Airport. We have never lost any
sleep due to noise -- be it heavy metal concerts, roaring football
fans, midnight helicopters or 747 jets. Just thank your lucky stars,
people, that we don’t have to deal with the five Ts: trains tearing
through town, too. Just pop some earplugs in and snuggle your head
under the pillow. Live and let live, right?
Au contraire, mes amis. This Costa Mesan is proud to be hosting
such an illustrious group as Cirque du Soleil. According to their web
page, “since 1984, close to 40 million spectators have applauded
[our] shows.” And we’re talking all around the world.
Cirque du Soleil is currently touring with “Varekai,” and
“Alegria” in North America; “Saltimbanco” and “Dralion” in Europe;
and “Quidam” in Japan. Their shows “Mystere” and “O” are permanently
based in Las Vegas. “Zumanity” is permanently in New York, and “La
Nouba” is based in Orlando.
The hosting cities in the European tour include Milan, Rome,
London, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Seville, Lyon, Marseille, Lille and
Vienna.
The venues in the North America tour include Miami, St.
Petersburg, Fla., Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver,
Washington, D.C., Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Costa Mesa is rubbing shoulders with some high-profile,
internationally known cities. Goat Hill has come a long way. Let’s
keep the provincial “NIMBY” attitude about the Cirque du Soleil under
wraps this time around. Instead, let’s show some Costa Mesa class --
as in “world class.”
FLO MARTIN
Costa Mesa
Let the sunshine in
at the fairgrounds
I couldn’t wait for Cirque du Soleil to come back. I think those
are the most beautiful performers. I never had any complaints. As far
as I am concerned, they could come twice a year, and I would go twice
a year and see it.
So, I am very glad that hopefully the fairgrounds found a solution
and all the neighbors are happy now. But I strongly recommend for
everybody to go and see it.
LILO GRUENBECK
Costa Mesa
Ballot statement warrants an apology
After reading the Pilot article, “Zippi’s statement will stand” on
Jan. 7, I could not help but write. I must comment on how 70th
Assembly District candidate Marianne Zippi’s statement pales in
comparison to that of candidate Chuck DeVore.
In fact, I am shocked that no one has commented on the recent
change DeVore was forced to make to his statement. On the ballot,
DeVore stated that he is an Army major, when in fact he is not;
rather, it is reported that he is a member of the National Guard. To
the general public, such a misrepresentation might seem trivial, but
for me, it is of great importance.
I grew up in a military family and I know this much: While still
commendable, being a member of the National Guard is not the same as
serving as an Army officer. Rank inflation is a tremendous misdeed.
Both our veterans and current members in the armed services work hard
and take pride in the ranks they achieve.
To flippantly misstate one’s rank is not only in violation of
campaign rules, but is a slap in the face of those who have served
with honor. Indeed, trying to slip such a lie past the voters at a
point in time when we all feel a little more appreciative of our
servicemen and women in Iraq and elsewhere should be roundly
condemned. DeVore is the one who should apologize, not Zippi.
ERICK COUGHLIN
Newport Beach
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