100 years for the crown jewel of villages

If it takes a village, Corona del Mar fits in just right.

Born from a 1904 real estate deal in which James Irvine II was

looking to liquidate 706.8 acres of land, the village of Corona del

Mar -- the jewel carved from what was once Rancho San Joaquin -- has

indeed withstood the test of time.

It’s time to celebrate the years.

From Thursday through Oct. 17, a series of events will take place

in the town to commemorate 100 years, and we urge anyone who has even

a passing interest in the history and culture of Newport-Mesa to take

part in the events.

The Corona del Mar Centennial Celebration will promote the city’s

history while bringing together its arts and culture. Weaving through

the celebration will be proclamations from dignitaries, a black-tie

gala at the Four Seasons Hotel, a beach party at Big Corona del Mar

State Beach -- including a sandcastle contest and a centennial boat

parade -- a family beach day, a time capsule dedication, and a

closing ceremony at the beach.

Ah, yes, the beach will be the center of attention. Local leaders

and residents see the area -- the “crown of the sea,” in Spanish --

as a certain royalty in the larger community of Newport Beach, which

Corona del Mar became a part of in 1923, based on a citywide vote of

181 to 32.

“If you talk to people who live there, they wouldn’t want to live

anywhere else,” Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau said. “It’s

the most complete village we have in terms of residential and a

retail service sector. It serves residents.”

Just the idea of a village, in a day when a plethora of

surrounding malls absorb commuters from all around, is refreshing.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that an ocean or a beautiful beach is

only a short distance away.

But the quaintness -- where walking, not driving, is a preferred

mode of getting around, is not a surprise to some.

“Corona del Mar always seemed to have wanted to be different,”

said B.J. Johnson, community outreach chairwoman for the centennial.

It continues to strive to maintain that uniqueness -- whether it’s

trying to reinvigorate a village concept, or wishing, as Johnson

said, that there were less tear-downs of local buildings and more

remodels.

Johnson said the events this week are a chance for residents and

neighbors to come together and celebrate the village.

We join in the celebration, and hope that a future generation can

open that time capsule and be proud that it still walks on royalty.