CostaMazing finish features one to grow on

Deirdre Newman

Councilman Mike Scheafer turned 50 in 2003, the same year the city

did.

But while Scheafer celebrated his 50th birthday in August, the

city started its festivities last June and just finished Wednesday.

The year-long celebration, dubbed CostaMazing, culminated at City

Hall with the dedication of a tree that was planted last week.

“Hopefully, we’ll be back in another 50 years to celebrate,”

Scheafer said.

Costa Mesa was incorporated in 1953. The kickoff to the city’s

birthday celebration featured last summer’s unveiling of a new city

flag, displaying the “City of the Arts” motto below the words “Costa

Mesa” on a tableau of a mesa overlooking the ocean.

Other events throughout the celebration included a hoedown at the

Costa Mesa Senior Center and a 5K Fun Run. On Friday, the last event

-- a dinner dance -- was held at the Mesa Verde Country Club.

Councilman Chris Steel took time Wednesday to heap gratitude upon

the CostaMazing planning committee and the generous sponsors, which

included the Orange County Fairgrounds, Plums Restaurant and Hoag

Hospital.

Councilman Allan Mansoor explained that the tree commemorating

Costa Mesa’s 50 years is a redwood that can grow up to 367 feet high,

the equivalent of a 35-story skyscraper.

“I wonder if we need a conditional-use permit and if anyone has

filed any appeals yet,” Mansoor joked. “I hope it’s zoned properly.”

Amy Kuchta, who planned all the CostaMazing events and was

recently hired by the country club as an events coordinator, said she

was thrilled to organize such diverse events.

“I was honored to plan the celebration and look forward to me

staying in Costa Mesa,” Kuchta said.

Former Mayor Mary Hornbuckle said the celebration highlighted the

perks of living in Costa Mesa.

“The last 50 years have seen remarkable changes in the city,”

Hornbuckle said. “It’s grown from bean fields to concert halls and

nationally recognized theaters. We can only imagine what the future

holds. I just hope the next 50 years are as good to Costa Mesa as the

last 50 have been.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.