Last-minute ideas for Mother’s Day

STEVE SMITH

Someone tried to tell me that this Sunday is Mother’s Day, but I

refused to believe him. I am choosing instead to do what any

red-blooded American male would do and not acknowledge that the year

is almost half over until the Saturday before Mother’s Day which,

according to this fellow, is Sunday.

On Saturday, I will be running around gathering up the fixin’s for

a good Mother’s Day. I may even leave one or two errands until Sunday

morning. Any guy who handles it any differently is damaging our

reputations and should be reported.

But on the odd chance that there are a few male readers who like

to plan ahead, here are a few suggestions for a special Mother’s Day

in Newport-Mesa:

* Rent a Duffy. In the 20 years I’ve lived in Costa Mesa, I can

count on both hands the number of times I’ve cruised Newport Harbor.

Those include a gondola ride, which I also recommend, some Hornblower

cruises, a sailboat tour with friends Sean Callaway and Russell Zink

and a kayak tour 12 years ago with Jeff Schulein. The kayak tour was

brutal because of the constant paddling, but when it was over, I

realized how much fun it was. Must have been really fun, because I

haven’t done it since.

But each time I’ve been out, I saw Duffy boats and thought there

cannot possibly be a better way to relax and enjoy the harbor.

For the few people not familiar with Duffy boats, they are

electric boats that can seat up to 15 people, though I don’t

recommend that many because you’ll have less room for your champagne

and caviar.

Duffys are smooth and silent and easy to maneuver. At least, I

think so, because the truth is that I’ve never been on a Duffy. But

it sure looks like fun. So if you’re one of those weird dads who

likes to plan ahead, there may still be some Duffy boats available

for Sunday. Call them at (949) 645-9080. I’ll watch for you in my

kayak. Not.

* To most of us, the hotel will always be the Newporter. But the

cute hotel by the Back Bay is now officially the Hyatt Regency

Newport Beach. This month, the Newporter starts its annual Summer

Jazz Series. But we don’t care right now, because this is a Mother’s

Day column.

Before we had kids, Cay and I used to play nine holes of golf on

what has to be the most beautiful pitch and putt course in the world.

It certainly is the cutest. But is it really golf if you need only

two clubs to play?

So, here’s what you do for Mother’s Day at the Newporter: Start

out early and play nine holes of golf on the little course that winds

around the hotel. All you’ll need to get your dose of golf

frustration is your wedge and a putter. And look at it this way: If

you bring only those two clubs, that’s only two that you’ll lose by

wrapping them around the trees after you’re done.

Then, retreat to the dining room for the Mother’s Day brunch. Or

you can go look for the ball you sliced out onto Jamboree Road on the

first hole.

For information, call the hotel at (949) 729-1234.

* Owing to a change in Mother’s Day wishes, I’ve canceled my

reservation for five on the patio at the Cannery restaurant in

Newport Beach. Here’s anther place that couldn’t leave well enough

alone. It used to be just the Cannery but someone decided that

Cannery Seafood of the Pacific rolls off the tongue a lot better.

No matter. The patio is the place to eat, and the food is still

good. But this place gets really crowded on Mother’s Day, so it’s

best to call early. In fact, if you’re interested, you’d better call

them right now and get my canceled reservation. Why don’t you do

that? Call them up and say: “I’d like to get Steve Smith’s canceled

noon reservation for five, please!” They’re at (949) 566-0060.

We like the patio at the Cannery Seafood of the Pacific (ugh!)

because we get to sit outside in the beautiful weather, sip champagne

and watch the fun of all the boats with new skippers try to turn

around in the dead end after they’ve gone too far and realized that

it’s not a through street, or channel, or whatever the nautical term

is for “not a through street.”

Who knows? Next year, that could be everyone laughing at me, as I

try to turn my Duffy around.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer.

Readers may leave a message for him on the Daily Pilot hotline at

(714) 966-4664 or send story ideas to onthetown2005@aol.com.