Last month I wrote about Griff Aimes for the Newport Beach Independent. Griff is a special kind of kid. Not only can he kick a football unlike most high schoolers I or you have ever seen, he has a special quality, a drive, a quest to achieve that really stands out from most people his age. His personal story gives you clues as to why that is so.
Since I penned my story about Griff he has gone on to break all-time county records with his kicking this season. But that doesn't tell you the whole story. Griff and his team are now in the CIF playoffs and open up their post-season tonight at Newport's Davidson Field at 7PM. Griff will be ready to go I'm sure.
Watch this video about Griff that tells his story in a 'new-media' kind
of way. I think you'll see what I mean. If you're a
football fan you'll probably recognize the music as well. I know Griff
does.
Last Sunday I decided to go see what was doing over at the Corona Del Mar High School pool. I'm a Newport Harbor High graduate myself and our schools have a never ending (but friendly) rivalry that has spanned decades. I've been out of high school for nearly 30 years, but any 'Tar' or 'Sea King' never forgets.
On this Sunday there was a compelling reason I would have to set aside my friendly aversion to CdMHS for the day. I'll fess up, I've even done it before. I somehow let my now 8-year old daughter Sophia learn to swim in East Bluff over at the 'Sea King' pool.
I was drawn to the CdMHS pool on this day to watch the U.S. Women's Olympic Water Polo team. The team was swinging through Newport Beach for its last tune-up exhibition match before heading off to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.
A few weeks earlier I had done the same when the U.S. Men's team came through Newport to play some matches against foreign rivals Hungary and Croatia at Newport Harbor High's pool. I wrote about that and a profile of John Mann, a local standout Olympic water polo player, also from CdMHS.
I've seen a lot of men's water polo games over the years. I grew up in Newport Beach and the sport is a big deal around here. Friends of mine growing up have played the sport. I never did. My official sport hours as a kid were spent mostly on dry-land, playing basketball and tennis or skiing. That is, other than spending the majority of my youth at some beach spot here in Newport, swimming and bodysurfing.
But to be honest, and I didn't realize it until last Sunday, I don't think in all my near 50 years on the planet, I have ever seen a women's water polo match! That was about to change.
On this Sunday I wasn't really there to see the U.S. women's team play. I was compelled to come see one particular U.S. player.
Her name is Tumua Anae.
Tumua is a local Newport Beach woman who graduated from Corona Del Mar High and went on to a stand out career at USC as a water polo goalie. Now she is one of only two goalies on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.
In my day-job as roving independent producer and journalist, I had written about Tumua for the local Newport Beach Independent newspaper here in town. Her story, simply put was that of a young girl from Hawaii who moved with her parents to Newport Beach when she was very young. The rest as I bet Tumua would say, was not only "history" but a lot of hard work and effort. Tumua also had a lot of friends and family who helped her along the way.
What also drew me to come see this wonder-kind in the water named Tumua, was my own daughter. Her name is Sophia. She is about to turn 9-years old this October. Sophia loves the water.
Like any good dad, I've been telling Sophia since the day I first laid eyes on her when she was born, that she could do anything or be anything she wanted in life. The only catch was that she would have to work hard and have a dream. I told her and still do that there was nothing that could keep her from achieving her dreams. Tumua has a dad too. I've never met him, but I'm sure just like me and Sophia, he told Tumua the same thing.
Sophia so far says she wants to be a writer and an illustrator, but she also has entertained scientist, animator and Disney-imagineer and in her younger days even astronaunt and firewoman! She still has plenty of time to figure it out. Tumua and her Dad I bet know the feeling.
When summer rolls around here in Newport, Sophia turns her attention to the pool and the beach. I'm sure just like Tumua always did. This summer is no different. Sophia is learning to swim and advancing in her technique and riding the waves at the beach. Tumua was a Newport Beach lifeguard. I don't know if Sophia will ever do that, but thankfully at least she is now learning her swim strokes at the Newport Harbor High pool!
Sophia attended the U.S. Men's water polo match with me and my better half a few weeks back. She was excited and thrilled to see water polo for the first time. In her typical way she was engrossed with what she saw. As we left the pool Sophia had one very relevant question for me after the match was over.
"Dad, can girls play too"
I told her "yes of course", and said I even knew a girl water polo player because I had written a story about her. Sophia knows her dad is a journalist. She even knows what that means. I tell stories about other people and what they do, good and even sometimes bad.
So I told her that we would try and go see this female water polo player I knew. I told Sophia her name was Tumua Anae. She was coming to Newport to play in just a few weeks.
It turned out Sophia couldn't come to see the match last Sunday, but I told her all about it and made a video to tell her the story of how a young girl form Newport Beach, not unlike herself, can become everything and anything they want to be, if they work hard, have friends and family who love and support them, and have a dream.
I played the video for Sophia yesterday morning and told her I made it to show her that just like Tumua, she could achieve anything. She said "dad, I love it" and gave me a hug.
I also decided to show the video to Tumua before I showed it to anybody else publicly. I had a feeling I might be invading Tumua's personal privacy and a very special moment for her and her family. The video so closely touches on that special moment.
Tumua had come home to Newport Beach and was sharing that moment with her friends and family. It was only weeks before she was head off to London to achieve what I'm sure is a dream of hers. I even asked Tumua about this last Sunday. Her answer is in the video. Tumua also told me yesterday she loved the video and said a few other nice things about my efforts. So take a look. I hope you like it too:
And two more things before I go ...
Thanks Sophia for asking if "girls can play too".
Thanks Tumua for giving young girls like Sophia somebody to look up to and strive to be like. And for showing them, with a dream, hard work and the love and support of those around you it can be done!
This past Sunday on a misty cloud shrouded morning on Balboa Island in Newport Beach a ragtag motley crew of Pirates came ashore. It was a rum-soaked bayside landing to inform and educate residents of this sea faring city what might become of one of its nautical treasures if a rotten bunch of red-coats who do the bidding of the Queen get their way!
The Pirates of the Shawnee are trying to keep that from happening!
A former red-coat who fell victim to the 'Curse of the Black Pearl! Arrgh!
Watch and listen or you'll walk the plank and meet your ultimate destiny with Davey's Locker at the bottom of deep blue yonder! And take it from the Pirate to the right, you don't want to sink when you can swim instead!
USA Water Polo player John Mann mixes it up with Croatia in Newport Beach pre-Olympic match
By Eric Longabardi
The 2012 Olympic Games in London are little over a month away. As the world prepares, U.S. althletes are doing the same.
This past weekend here in Newport Beach some of the best water polo players in the world met for a pre-Olympic tune-up. The matches pitted the USA verus Croatia and Hungary. In the 2008 Olympics in Beijing the USA was beat out for the gold medal by Hungary.
One of America's top players is a Newport Beach native. His name is John Mann. Mann is a Corona Del Mar High School graduate and played college water polo at the University of California at Berkeley. His resume and acomplishments in the water are lengthy, but to put it simply, Mann is one heck of a water polo player and one of the world's best.
Having grown up in Newport Beach I have followed the sport and seen a few water polo matches over the years. It's a sport I never played, but always greatly admired. It's one of the toughest sports on the planet to play. You not only have to swim with no rest or timeouts continuously, the rough and sometimes violent nature of the sport is mostly hidden from view as the action takes place mostly underwater.
That's why guys like John Mann are crucial. Mann is what we call 'one big dude' around the beach. He's 6'5", 250-pounds. He could be a starting lineman for a NFL football team based on size alone. He also swims like a dolphin and he moves though the water like an orca stalking its prey.
I had the chance to meet Mann in person at the recent event here in Newport. He turned out to be probably one of the nicest gentlist giants I have ever met. I have met a few "big guys" over the years in my work as a journalist and personally. Let's just say some of them are not exactly the most calm and laid back guys. John seemed about as laid back Newport cool as they come.
Take a look at my interview with Mann:
I recently penned a feature news story about Mann and another U.S. water polo standout for the women's USA olympic team named Tumua Anae for the Newport Beach Independent newspaper that I write for.
After the matchs last Saturday and Sunday I got a chance to chat with Mann about the upcoming Olympics and him playing in front of his family and friends here in Newport.
I hope you'll join me in wishing the USA Water Polo team and Mann the best of luck in London. Bring home the gold to Newport John, we'll be rooting for you!
If you're in Newport Beach and you want to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military, as well as law enforcement, fire personnel and first responders, stop by the Castaways Park just above Coast Highway and Dover Drive this weekend.
The event coincides with Armed Forces Day and runs through the weekend.
The Newport Harbor Exchange Club annual 'Field of Honor' will be in place at the park from May 18-20th. 1,776 flags will pay tribute to our service members. You can dedicate a flag to honor someone yourself for $45. For more information click on the Exchange Club link above.
In respect to the 'Field of Honor' event and for Memorial Day 2011 I did this video last year to honor all those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
This video is specially dedicated to:
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Michael J. Longabardi (U.S. Army) Died in service to his country in Vietnam February 8, 1968
Stephen M. Mills (US Navy) Died in service to his country in Afghanistan August 11, 2011
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It also personally honors the service of the following:
Donald Martin, served in Ohio National Guard Sam Millimet (US Army) - served in Korean War Robert Pelletier Sr., (US Army) (d) served in Korean War Paul Stowell, (US Navy) served as a corpsman/medic
A second video below honors U.S. Navy Seal Matt Mills
Watch the short video below about Danny Parsel, Dennis Holland and the boat named 'Shawnee'. Parsel recently paid a visit to Dennis Holland, master boat builder at his home in Newport Beach, CA. Both men are trying to find a way to save the historic wooden boat from being lost forever.
Danny's grandfather Alan Adler owned and sailed the historic wooden boat Shawnee in Newport Beach for years until his death in 2002. Much of Danny's childhood and young adulthood was spent on the ship.
Well the verdict is in -- Newport Mesa School District Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard was found guilty on two of three felony counts related to misappropriating public monies while he served as Superintendent of the Beverly Hills School District. He was acquitted on a third count.
A jury in Beverly Hills California returned the verdict today. Hubbard now faces up to four years in prison and the possible revocation of his educational credentials.
For Newport Beach Now's January 2011 column on Hubbard, that called for him to step down until his case was decided.
It's been a while since I decided to spend an evening watching football. Last night the San Diego Chargers were playing the Oakland Raiders in a special Thursday night NFL game on the boob-tube. I didn't even know the game was on until long after it was over. That was the case because in general I don't watch much TV. I have worked in the television business for two decades, and honestly I think the old adage that 'the more you watch, the more your brain turns to putty', is a true and accurate statement. Or as the famous old saying about TV says, it's a "vast wasteland'.
How do I know is for certain? Well I have been forced to watch the Fox show "The X-Factor" for the last few weeks with my better half (no offense honey but I'd rather drive nails through my eyes if I had a choice!) I know for certain my brain has already turned to mostly putty and is being destroyed cell-by-cell every minute I watch of that show! No offense either, I happen to love Simon Cowell. The guy is a TV genius! I still hate watching, sorry Simon! I don't know if Simon likes "American Football", as our 'brit' friends call it. I bet Cowell prefers what we call 'soccer'. He seems to be an authentic kind of British bloke.
Nevertheless, late last night I found out the Raiders won the game. I'm glad they did. Cincinnati Bengals cast-off, former USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer was traded to Oakland recently. He has a chance to rekindle his career. Palmer is ike so many NFL quartbacks before him, told they were washed up and ready for retirement. Does Jim Plunkett ring a bell? He led Oakland to a Super Bowl victory after he was told hang up his cleats. I am always rooting for the underdog, so Palmer is my new charity case.
I'm a football fan, but not a tailgating zealot. I've been to NFL, college and even a few high school games over the years. I always have and always will enjoy the sport. I admire the game I never really played. Yeah, I played football as a kid and all the way through elementary and middle school. But never with pads, helmets and the works. Meaning I never really took to kindly to getting crushed by someone unexpectedly.
My key to aversion to football was the getting hit part. Especially when you didn't know where and when it was coming from. It's a unique sport in that way. You don't really control or know when you're going to get smashed. That takes some getting used too. I never got used to it. That is why I stopped playing football when I got to High School. Don't get me wrong, I loved hitting people, that was fun!
In football that feeling gets replaced quickly when someone in turns hits you. Sometimes it hurts. It's an especially violent sport in that way. You hit somebody, they hit you, and back and forth. The idea of the game is to avoid getting hit or tackled and to get the football into the end zone as many times during the game as possible. Minus all the plays, positions, formations and rules, it's a fairly basic sport. Take the ball and put it into the end-zone while other people try to knock you down and stop you.
You get a team of guys to try and keep those 11 other guys from smashing you and taking the ball away from you. Simple sport really.
Last night after another week contemplating my future and career as a journalist and finding humor in the fact that the City of Newport Beach had been shamed by me nto releasing public records they should have released long ago involving the tragic death of woman last month when a tree fell on her killed her in this town. I decided what I needed was a little local high school football to wind down the week and get out and get some fresh air.
Lucky for me the home stadium of my ala mater Newport Harbor High is only a short distance from where I live. So I grabbed my better half after she got home from work and I told her "I'm going to the Newport football game tonight, it's the final home game of the season" and I had read somewhere if they won the game they would tie for the league title. She looked at me with a face that said "oh great, I'd rather watch mice dance a jig on America's Funniest Home Videos!" Since I don't follow football, let alone High School football with any regularity these days the game sounded like some fresh air could be had an usually warm November evening.
I know you're riveted to my every word at this point in this column, but rather than continue to fill this space with my prose and Hemingway like literay brillance, I instead offer up this photo essay. It tells the story of last night's game much better than I can. 'A picture is worth a thousand words' as the old saying goes. So if I did my math right, the five photos below are about 5K? Thank god my fingers are already hurting from typing this much already!
Take a look:
Newport Harbor High's varsity team gets riled up to play Sunset League rival Edison High School at Davidson Field, the final regular season game of the year
Newport Harbor's punter let's loose on a first half kick
Newport's Sailor mascot get fans ready for the second half
With 9:33 left in the 4th quarter, the score says it all. Not a good night for Newport Harbor
The lights stay bright despite a dim showing by the NHHS Sailors on this night
On October 9, 2011 a statue was dedicated in Newport Beach, CA to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Ronald Reagan. Similair events have taken place around the country and across the world.
The striking statue likeness of President Reagan in Newport Beach was created by sculptor Miriam Baker of Balboa Island, CA. A long-time resident and artist based in the city.
WATCH AND LISTEN:
Yesterday the statue was vandalized in an attempt to steal or destroy it. Police are still investigating the case. No suspects have been arrested. If you have any information concerning this case contact the Newport Beach Police Department.
The Newport Beach Police Department released this informaiton concerning the case:
"On Sunday, November 6, at approximately 5:30 a.m. officers responded to a vandalism in progress at Bonita Canyon Sports Park. A witness observed a suspect attaching what appeared to be a chain or rope to the Ronald Reagan statue. The chain was secured to the suspect's vehicle and he was attempting to pull the statue down. Officers searched the area for the suspect however he was not located. The suspect was last seen fleeing into the Port Streets neighborhood. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Newport Beach Police Department at (949) 644-3717."
- Suspect Description: Male, wearing dark clothing - Suspect Vehicle: Tan pickup truck (unk model), extended cab, early 2000's model year
--
ALSO CONTACT:
NEWPORT BEACH NOW with any tips or information concerning this case. Any information provided be will be reviewed by 20-year veteran national-award winning investigative journalist Eric Longabardi.
EMAIL: newstips@theenterprisereport.com
* ALL INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENTIALITY *
News as the old saying goes 'breaks' and when it does, it seems I'm usually the guy there to to fix it! That's how the old joke goes in the journalism profession. As a reporter for over two decades, my mind works that way by default. It's just something that happens, even when I don't want it too. Last Sunday it happened again!
So what happened you ask? I just happend to be out on a boat, actually a large charter yacht, dubbed 'Endless Dreams', owned and operated by Hornblower Cruises of Newport Beach. Was that a blatant plug? Yes it was! The brunch cruise was great and it was free! That's why it tasted even better. I won the brunch cruise last year via 'Visit Newport Beach Inc' in a photo contest with a picture of my daughter on the Balboa ferry heading to 'The Fun Zone' one day.
On this Sunday I was just enjoying my nice peaceful Sunday brunch cruise. As me and my better half and the rest of the boat-brunchers putted around the bay sipping champagne and enjoying eggs, sausage and pasta salad, among other tasty items, little did I know "news" was about to "break". It always seems I never do!
For those of you who know what journalists earn these days, it's not like I'm swimming in cash and was just enjoying another day hanging out with the 1% percenters of my hometown of Newport Beach eating caviar and sipping champagne by the case load.
No offense to the 1% percent crowd in any way. I have been trying for years and still am trying to get into your club!
Nonetheless I was enjoying the good eats and bubbly with a crisp blue sky on a beautiful pre-Halloween Sunday as we slid across Newport's harbor. It was a beautiful day. Then that blue sky quickly turned to a foreboding dense fog in a matter of seconds.
As the Captain of the ship came on the speaker, he tried in vain to point out various famous spots to the tourists on board (which did not include me, I'm a local boy) Everyone, including the crew sort of just chuckled at his valiant attempt. Fact was you couldn't see much. The fog had taken over the ocean as far as your eyes could see. That wasn't very far.
As we approached the entrance to Newport Harbor just off the famous "Wedge" and Corona Del Mar's "Pirate's Cove" the fog was so thick I couldn't see much past the tip of our ship's bow.
Then in an instant, without warning, out of the dense fog came this:
Being the "reporter" I am, I of course swtiched on my handy HD Flipcam and caught two Harbor Patrol boats racing out to assist somebody who needed help before they too disappeared in the fog. I had no idea who needed their help, but I figured in the dense fog somebody was in trouble and help was on its way!
After that brief bit of excitement, I immediately returned to the champagne and brunch and enjoyed the rest of my relaxing cruise that afternoon. For the last hour of the cruise, I wouldn't say I was tipsy. but I was feeling good with all the mimosa's now running through my veins. On the trip back to the dock, I slowly lost that feeling and when we arrived dockside I was completely safe to drive without risking a stop by a friendly Newport Beach PD patrolman on my short drive home. I've never had a DUI, don't want to start now!
My 'reporter's hunch' about what happened out there as "news broke" just outside the harbor, in that mysterious fog, would be gnawing at me the next day. So I did what any good reporter does, I picked up the phone a tried to check it out. The answers came from Sgt. Hollenbeck of the O.C. Sheriff's Harbor Patrol a few days later.
He told me a boat named "WIDE OPEN" (owned, I learned elsewhere, by a Balboa Island resident, name withheld because I don't want to embarrass him for running into the rocks in the fog) had hailed a MAYDAY emergency call after running into rocks just off Newport's Little Corona Beach. That is where the patrol boats I had seen and videotaped were racing too. According to the Harbor Patrol, they helped the boat and its owner off the rocks and back into the Harbor safely.
No injuries, no boat sunk, and nobody lost in the fog!
All and all, a decent day on the water.
As our brunch cruise headed back to our dock, just past the famed Balboa Pavilion and its ferry crossing, the fog lifted and the skies were once again blue as far as the eye could see.
As I soaked it all in I thought to myself, is there anywhere I can go, where "news won't break"? the answer came to me in a quick, simple and very loud internal voice ... NO there isn't!
The voice was clear and unwavering, it said .. listen up Eric ...
When news "breaks" ... you'll always be there to "fix it".
