NEWPORT BEACH Governor’s Cup sets sail with...

NEWPORT BEACH

Governor’s Cup sets

sail with new boat

The 37th annual Governor’s Cup kicked off Thursday. The young

racers are using Governor’s Cup 21s, new boats designed by the Balboa

Yacht Club specifically for the race. They replace the Santana 20s.

The 4-year-old TalesofBalboa.com Web site announced it will stop

publishing amid a controversy over the site’s link to the more

controversial FreeNewport.com. Webmaster Jim Fournier would not say

whether his decision was a result of disagreements with the Balboa

Business Improvement District. He said only that he would cease

publication for personal reasons.

The Corona del Mar improvement plan has dropped the 2004 from its

name, saying that they won’t be able to complete work as soon as they

had hoped. Proponents of the improvements say they hope the city will

take over a stretch of Coast Highway from Caltrans because that would

make improvements easier to implement.

The question of how to improve Castaways Park continues to divide

the community between those who want an area of turf grass and those

who want it kept all natural. A compromise has been proposed by city

staff. A native California grass might be used at the site and mowed

in a way that provides an area for picnicking and similar activities

while keep the plant life there 100% native.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].