Corona del Mar Today: Shop owner tapes suspected shoplifters
A Corona del Mar boutique owner said two alleged shoplifters hit her shop Wednesday for the second time — but this time she caught them on camera.
Newport Beach police took a report of shoplifting on Wednesday at West of Camden at 3409 East Coast Highway. The suspected shoplifting occurred between 2 and 2:10 p.m., and the loss was $57.
Lindsey Lamoureux, who owns West of Camden with her husband, said a couple was shopping in the store and apparently were working together.
“One looked at something in front of store, while one is in back of store to make it so you can’t have eyes on everyone at once,” she said.
She said the suspects could be the same shoplifters who allegedly hit the store in October, and she thinks other boutiques in Corona del Mar also may have been their victims.
The shop uses surveillance, and a camera filmed the two people shopping, and then the woman in a hat appears to stuff an item into her bag. To see the video, visit https://www.dropcam.com/c/291f103bf7824b2abea7027e158f01f9.mp4
. Lamoureux said she wanted to release the video to warn other shop owners, and she asked that anyone with information call the police.
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`Cucumber’ flies over Little Corona
A 130-foot long, 44-foot tall dirigible called the “Flying Cucumber” soared over Little Corona Beach just after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The Flying Cucumber is Hendrick’s Gin’s “new ambitious venture,” according to a news release issued on Monday.
“We have been continually surprised by the odd popularity of our unusual cucumber-infused gin,” said Jim Ryan, Hendrick’s national brand ambassador. “So taking on the challenge of air travel seemed like the next logical step.”
The “Flying Cucumber” followed a slow-and-low flight pattern with a sub-1,000-foot cruising altitude, maintaining a “civilized speed of 35 mph,” the release said.
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`Seagulls in Flight’ repairs set to begin
The restoration of the “Seagulls in Flight” sculpture in front of the Corona del Mar library branch will begin Monday, according to a city memo.
Earlier this month, the Arts Commission unanimously approved spending $4,450 to restore and repair the sculpture, which was donated to the city in 1960 by a Shore Cliffs woman whose 18-year-old daughter had been killed in a car crash a year after graduating from high school.
The work was first displayed at Big Corona State Beach, then moved around carelessly in a truck, a friend of the 18-year-old woman told the commissioners. The piece also had been exposed to sunlight and had been repaired badly, and it has a crack and chips.
The restoration will be performed on site, the city memo said, and be completed by April 24.
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Sherman Library to host champagne and roses dinner
Sherman Library & Gardens will host another garden fusions dinner event on Wednesday, according to the Sherman Library & Gardens website.
The Champagne and Roses dinner costs $65 per person, or $55 for friends of Sherman Library & Gardens, and includes a special drink, created for the event, during the hors d’oeuvres hour.
Extra beverages, tax and tip are not included. A four-course wine pairing to compliment the menu is available for an additional $45 per person.
The dinner will be hosted by John Bishop, Sherman Gardens’ rose authority, who will discuss his favorite rose selections and offer tips on caring and pruning.
Chef Pascal Olhats will create a menu inspired by the Champagne region of France, the website states.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. For more information, call (949) 673-0033.
Sherman Library & Gardens is located at 2647 East Coast Highway.
Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com