Important Message from the Balboa Island Improvement Association

Happy New Year to our Balboa Island neighbors and friends!

As we begin a new year, I look forward to serving as the President of the Balboa Island Improvement Association and I am honored to work alongside an extraordinary Board to serve our community. On behalf of my family, the Board, and our dedicated volunteers, I wish you a healthy, happy, and fulfilling year ahead.

This past year reminded us what makes Balboa Island so special: people who care deeply about where they live and who willingly give their time and energy to make it better. Because of you, BIIA continued its core mission—advocating for residents, enhancing the beauty of the Island, and bringing our community together through cherished traditions. From concerts and parades to the Christmas tree and lighting celebration, the Bridge Newsletter and countless behind-the-scenes efforts, these programs are made possible by an incredible army of volunteers.

As we look ahead, I invite you to renew your BIIA membership and consider increasing your level of support. 2025 memberships expire on December 31. Your volunteer membership plays a vital role in sustaining our programs. For more than 100 years, BIIA has thrived because residents like you believed in giving back to this unique community.

If you would like to be part of something meaningful, I encourage you to consider joining our board, either as a future director, associate director or volunteer. If you are interested, please attend our next board meeting on January 27th to see what we’re all about. We welcome new ideas, and embrace positive change. There’s so much talent and enthusiasm on this island, and bringing more people into the fold will make us even better.

Also, please support our Museum, local businesses, and restaurants that keep Balboa Island vibrant year-round.

Thank you for your continued involvement, generosity, and pride in Balboa Island. I look forward to working together in the year ahead as we protect, preserve, and celebrate the place we are lucky enough to call home.

Sue Pearl, President-elect BIIA suepkid@hotmail.com

UNWANTED DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITORS

Recently, Balboa Island has had an issue with unwanted solicitors. In my case, an AT&T salesperson let himself through the gate of my rental after I had already told him the resident wasn’t home. Unfortunately, my renter (Mark) was not a fan of surprise visitors at 10 pm with ATT tags around their necks.

Newport Beach does not allow solicitors if you have a “No Soliciting” sign posted or if you’re on the City’s “no-solicit” list. If they don’t yield to the sign just call the police or snap a picture and send it off to Code Enforcement on the City’s online form. Make a Request : Quest

I highly recommend:

• A No Soliciting sticker on your door, gate ring camera or all of the above.
• A doorbell camera (nothing makes a solicitor retreat faster than realizing they’re on camera)

I bought some small stickers on Amazon that use the exact wording required to qualify. Here’s the link to the ones I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC3WLMN3?.ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Very important please help out your elderly neighbors by posting for them and/or getting them on the City list. On the Island, we take care of one another—especially our elderly neighbors. Too often they are the ones being targeted and taken advantage of by these guys.

The City Council has officially adopted a program to protect you from these culprits.

Go to link below to get on the do not solicit list. You can also find the rules on their web site. No soliciting after 9 p.m. (though honestly, it should be 8 p.m. Because I am asleep or in my PJ’s by 9). Do Not Solicit | City of Newport Beach
Long story short: the info is there, it works, and it helps protect you and your neighbors.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

As we head into January, we’re closing in on a big milestone for the Underground Utility Project. I’m happy to report that only one alley remains for conduit installation. All vaults are complete.

There’s still important work ahead: we need to connect our homes to the system based on the timing of the City schedule; the utility companies need to pull cable in the conduit and install transformers in underground vaults throughout the Island. Think of it as the final stretch of a very long marathon.

A street repair and alley replacement schedule is being prepared. My vintage three-wheel electric car recently fell into a hole on Park Avenue, and at this point we’re assuming it’s started a new life underground.

If you’re experiencing street/alley-related issues, please contact the City using the City of Newport link so they can be addressed promptly. Quest : City of Newport Beach

Thank you for your patience, good humor, and continued support as we wrap up this transformational project.

Lee Pearl

Online Membership Payments –

BIIA.org
Membership levels

Payment Instructions:
Mail checks to P.O. Box 64 Newport Beach CA 92662 OR WEB PAYMENT

B.I.I.A. | Membership

• After clicking on your preferred donation amount above, you will be re-directed to the payment page.
• It is very important to fill out all of the fields completely so we get your address to send out letters & decals.
• After submitting the required information a receipt will automatically be emailed to you.

QUESTIONS SUEPKID@HOTMAIL.COM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Happy Holidays from the Balboa Island Improvement Association!

As another sparkling season settles over our little slice of paradise, we want to send warm wishes to all who make Balboa Island the extraordinary community we love.

This year, we extend appreciation to five outgoing BIIA board members—Larry Kallestad, Penny Rodheim, Sue Sibley, Terry Janssen, and our outgoing President Dan Abbott. Their dedication, countless hours, and deep care for the Island have helped preserve the charm and spirit that make this place so special. Thank you for everything you’ve done—you’ve left the Island better and brighter.

We are also happy to welcome our new BIIA President, Sue Pearl, whose energy, community passion, marque magic words at the bridge and years of volunteering truly set her apart as a leader. Also, congratulations to Georgie Fenton another great longtime volunteer on her re-election as director.

Happy Holidays, Balboa Island and a very happy Thanksgiving.

HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

Tickets on Sale for the 27th Annual Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour!

Join us on Saturday, December 13th, 2025, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, as the Island transforms into a wonderland of holiday cheer. This event offers a rare opportunity to explore eight island homes, each decked in its finest seasonal décor—blending coastal sophistication with classic holiday whimsy.

Tickets are $50.00 and are available for purchase at the following stores on Balboa Island, Crush Clothing, The Museum, and Sunny Days. Off-Island tickets are available at Bliss Home Design on PCH in Corona del Mar, Seaside Gallery & Goods on Tustin Avenue in Newport Beach and Where’s the Party on 17th Street in Costa Mesa.

You may also purchase tickets online at biia.org. Make the most of your visit—explore our stores on Marine and Agate Avenues, visit the Holiday Market at the Royal Hen and don’t forget to buy raffle tickets at 205 Garnet Avenue.

For more information, please call 949 384-8580.

Presented by the Balboa Island Improvement Association as a fundraiser to help pay for Island beautification and many of the great programs and projects.

THE HOLIDAY HOME DECORATIONS CONTEST

Registration deadline is December 5th. Holiday Home Decorating Contest – Balboa Island Improvement Association.

The holiday season is nearly here and our annual Home Holiday Decorations will soon begin. If you would like to participate in this year’s contest the entry form is available on the Balboa Island Improvement Association website.biia.org. If you would to be a judge, please contact me Larry Friday at akula1313@aol.com or by calling (760) 220-2751. The time needed to complete the judging is minimal and is lots of fun while enjoying the festive decorations.

Contestant Guidelines
Entry application period is 11/15/205 through 12/05/205 closing at 5 pm.
Judging begin Thursday 12/11/20205 13 through Saturday 12/13/2025
Final Judging will Sunday 12/14/2025
Winners announced Monday 12/15/202

MEMBERSHIP

This is the time to renew your 2026 membership. Thanks for your support. Join at: B.I.I.A. | Membership also you can mail a check to BIIA PO Box 64 Newport Beach CA 92662

GOLF CART PARADE

Island residents will once again roll into the season with the annual Holiday Golf Cart Parade on Sunday, Dec. 7th—and this year, my tuk tuk will be leading the charge in all its three-wheeled and patchwork paint glory.

We’ll start lining up along North Bay Front Alley and Park Avenue at 1:30 PM, where the carts will gather. The parade officially kicks off at 2 PM, at which point my tuk tuk will attempt a heroic, slow-but-confident launch worthy of its parade-marshal status.

Volunteers are needed to help direct traffic—because as we all know, herding golf carts is basically like herding cats, only shinier and with more tinsel. If you can lend a hand or have questions, please email: smartpearl1@hotmail.com

TREE LIGHTING AND SNOW DAY

Sunday, December 7th at 4:00. This will be bigger and better than ever with the co-sponsorship of the Balboa Island Improvement Association, and the Balboa Island Merchants Association. The event will include the All-American Boy’s Chorus, Santa and much more. Bring your neighbors, friends and kids for this hallmark moment.

THE LIGHT POLE CHALLENGE

Time to start decorating the light poles. The garland is up, feel free to decorate a pole. Let’s make this the best year ever. Awards will be given in five categories: “Best Kids,” “Best Block,” “Traditional,” “Whimsical,” and “Most Creative.” It is not necessary to sign up, just choose a pole and decorate it. Happy Decorating!

SAD NOTE ANNETTE GIERMANN

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Annette Giermann, a beloved Island resident, and Director of the Balboa Island Improvement Association. Annette’s warmth and commitment have touched the lives of so many. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Annette’s family and friends during this difficult time.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM LEE PEARL (smartpearl1@hotmail.com)

I am pleased to report that the major construction has only two more alleys left before completion—yes, you heard that right, only two! Sure, there’s still plenty of work to tackle before those poles finally come down, but let’s take a moment to appreciate that we’ve made it this far without losing our sanity, or any residents or small pets to open trenches. We did it!

The final vault on Balboa Avenue was installed yesterday—a moment that felt a little like watching the last puzzle piece snap into place, except with more dust, louder noises, and a crew wearing neon vests. We even had a small picture opportunity with the original team that started our $30 million project back in 2020. Thanks to Dave Webb and Mike Sinacori and the Newport Beach City Council for the support and oversight during the construction of our Island project.

SCE will continue installing conduit under the bridge for the next couple of weeks.

The underground information on the City website can be found on this link Assessment District Status | City of Newport Beach (newportbeachca.gov). Questions Mike Sinacori msinacori@newportbeachca.gov

KRISTINE TAFT, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH/CRIME QUESTIONS CONTACT KTAFT1018@YAHOO.COM

biia.org

Larry Kallestad is the Membership Director for the BIIA. His contact information is below:

Membership Levels:

• Crystal: $100
• Jade: $150
• Sapphire: $250
• Ruby: $500 diamond: $1000

Payment Instructions:

• After clicking on your preferred donation amount above, you will be re-directed to the payment page.
• It is very important to fill out all of the fields completely so we get your address to send out letters & decals.
• Any questions can be directed to me; Larry Kallestad balislelarry31@gmail.com

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– THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! –

LEE’S MESSAGE FROM THE BALBOA ISLAND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

CONCERT IN THE CHURCH-OMILOS TRIO

Date: December 2, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Place: St. John Vianney Chapel, 314 Marine Avenue
Tickets: $20 BIIA.org OR May also be purchased at Balboa Museum – Starting Nov 2nd

27TH ANNUAL BALBOA ISLAND HOLIDAY HOME WALKING TOUR

The home tour will be Saturday, December 13th, 2025, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Tickets are $50.00 dollars. To purchase NOW please visit biia.org and click “Home Tour”!

BALBOA ISLAND WALK OF GRATITUDE

A group of Island residents are organizing a community event, and they are inviting you.
Join the Balboa Island Walk of Gratitude.
Celebrate Our Love for Island Life Together.
Saturday November 15, 9:30 am.

The Balboa Island Walk of Gratitude is a joyful celebration of everything we love about our Island — its beauty, charm, and sense of community. This beautiful walk on the Bayfront invites residents, families, and friends to come together and share their gratitude for the special place we call home. It’s a simple, morning walk with friends, celebrating our love for Balboa Island, our connections, and the everyday beauty of Island life.

Starting at the Ferry on Agate Avenue at North Bayfront. Enjoy a beautiful fall morning, walking on the Bayfront with neighbors and friends. Let’s make this a new Balboa Island Fall tradition! For information contact Sandy Keedy sandykeedy@gmail.com

Membership to the BIIA go to biia.org to join

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