There's lots to see and do in Newport Beach this weekend and in the coming few weeks. Here's a sampling of what's happening and when:
Lexus Newport to Ensenada Race Starts Today
The Lexus Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race starts today off of the Balboa Pier. Following the cruising classes, whose 10-minute starting sequences start at 11 a.m., five of the first seven boats to finish last year will go off the line at 12:40 p.m. www.nosa.org/newport-to-ensenada
Newport Beach Film Festival Runs Through May 3
The Newport Beach Film Festival opened last night and runs through Thursday, May 3. This year’s lineup includes 400 films from 50 different countries. To view the full program or to purchase tickets, visit www.newportbeachfilmfest.com
Join the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation-Ends April 30
Save Water. Win Prizes.
Through Monday, April 30, residents can make a free online pledge at www.mywaterpledge.com and commit to making a few simple water-saving steps around the house (such as not singing so long in the shower). Residents of the winning cities are eligible to win 1,000's of prizes - such as a Toyota Prius C Hybrid, water-saving fixtures for your home and garden, or home improvement gift cards. Newport Beach is slipping out of first place - make your pledge today!
Walk for Babies – April 29
The March of Dimes Walk for Babies will take place this weekend. For more information about the event, please visit the March for Babies website at www.marchforbabies.org There will be temporary road closures in the area of Fashion Island on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29.
- San Nicolas Drive from Newport Center Drive east to Avocado Avenue will be closed to thru traffic beginning Saturday, April 28 at 4 p.m. through Sunday afternoon. This area is designated as the Festival Zone.
- On Sunday, April 29, between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., roads surrounding Fashion Island and Newport Center will be closed for the walk.
Parking will be available next in the two parking structures located at Santa Rosa Drive and Center Drive.
OC Marathon – May 6
The 8th Annual OC Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2012. The marathon starting line will once again be in Newport Center and runners will follow the course through Corona del Mar, down Bayside Drive, past the Newport Harbor Yacht Clubs and up to the bluffs overlooking the Upper Newport Bay Estuary Reserve. The runners then leave our city and head into neighboring Costa Mesa and the marathon ends at the OC Fairgrounds. For more information, including road closure details, please visit www.ocmarathon.com
Mayors Walk - May 12
Join Newport Beach Mayor Nancy Gardner for a morning walk through Corona del Mar on Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m. This will be an opportunity to meet the mayor, share ideas about Newport Beach, and learn about a few City projects. Participants can take part in the full, 2.75-mile walk or may join in along the way.
The walk will begin and end at the OASIS Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Avenue, Corona del Mar. The route will include stops at the Buck Gully / Fifth Ave. erosion control project, Little Corona erosion control project, Big Corona, and the Goldenrod Footbridge. Please visit www.newportbeachca.gov/mayorswalk to view the route map. The walk is expected to conclude at 10:15 a.m. and light refreshments will be served upon returning to OASIS.