News from Crystal Cove Alliance

The Completion of Phase II Restoration....racing to set the clock backwards!

2011-07-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

Time always takes on a special meaning in Crystal Cove’s Historic District. While our everyday clocks tick forward, we at CCA are ever-striving to reset a part of Crystal Cove’s clock to the 1920s, when the historic district was formed. As we, along with State Parks, complete Phase II Restoration this summer, some new
parts of Crystal Cove will be ‘reset.’

Opening this summer, The
Outdoor Education Commons
will serve as a community center

The Education Commons – Historic cottages #42, #43, and #44 will open this summer as Crystal Cove’s community center: a place where visitors can gather to share stories, food, and camaraderie.

You will be able to sit down and read a 1930s mystery noir novel, play an historic game (like Candyland, 1949), or see an exhibit on bathing suits of the era.

Colorful and
picturesque, Cottage
#40 will be an
overnight rental.

New Overnight Rentals – Historic cottages #40 and #45 will become available for overnights, so you can immerse yourself in Crystal Cove’s informal lifestyle for up to a week! Cottage #45 (the old CCA office) will be the Soda Shack and decorations will recall the time when that structure was the Store selling soda and snacks.

The ever-popular Beaches cottage – Historic cottage #13 will be completed in September and will serve as a media and film museum. This cottage will be decorated to recall Crystal Cove’s history in the film industry. As the programming for this cottage develops, visitors will be invited to watch historic (and new!) films in informal on-the-beach showings

BUILDING COMMUNITY - CCA's Park Store Art Program

2011-03-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

The earliest recorded image of Crystal Cove is a painting by Laguna Beach artist William Wendt (1865-1946) dated 1912. During that era, a community of Laguna-based artists frequently visited the Cove by horseback and camped in the wilderness, setting up their easels outdoors – a method known as “plein air” painting. The Park Store proudly celebrates our plein air history with the Crystal Cove Art Program. Since the Store is part of our non-profit organization, art sales raise vital funds for our mission of restoration, education, and preservation.

Each year, we invite local artists to submit samples of their work. The Crystal Cove Alliance Art Council carefully selects the artists to participate in our program; we are thrilled to announce three new faces to our distinguished art program – Calvin Liang, Jack Wang, and Wendy Wirth.

Calvin Liang has had a long and successful career creating visual art for the entertainment industry in animation. Credits include Walt Disney’s Little Mermaid and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Squarepants. Ultimately, he became fascinated by the beautiful California landscape and decided to become a plein air painter. He was once quoted as humorously saying, “The fine arts cannot be used for SpongeBob.” Painting has been Jack Wang’s passion for 40 years. His experience as a professional mural painter gave him sound skills in drawing and problem solving. “Before starting a new painting, I try to see the beauty in nature through both my eyes and my heart. I strive to achieve the highest artistic level with my work.” Wendy Wirth spent her childhood falling in love with California’s golden hillsides and sweeping vistas. Exploring the plein air approach with acrylics, Wendy works with thin layers of paint and washes to capture the range of color that nature holds. “The elusive light of nature is a constant inspiration.”

We are very proud to welcome Wendy, Calvin, and Jack to our community of Crystal Cove painters, which include:

Kirsten Anderson, Katie Costello, Fred Hope, Alan Nowell, Jack Wang, Bruce Sanford Day, Anna Couch, Jeff Horn, Michael Obermeyer, Steve Wang, Jacobus Baas, Kevin Davidson, Margaret Jamison, Pamela Panattoni, Wendy Wirth, Rick Delanty, Kay Flierl, Steve Kell, Richard Rice, Jim Wodark, Judith Cameron, Bonnie Gregory, Richard Kent, Jeff Sewell, Val Carson, Sandra Heller, Greg LaRock, Kevin Short, Patti Cliffton, Carolyn Hesse-Low, Calvin Liang, and Shirley Sullivan.

50% of the proceeds from painting sales in the Park Store support Crystal Cove Alliance and 50% benefits these fine local artists

Crystal Cove Alliance "Illuminates Newport Beach"

2010-11-16T16:21:00.000-08:00

Special Appearance by Santa Claus and Live Performance by Brenna Whitaker Help Ring In the Holidays with Coastal Flair

Crystal Cove Alliance (CCA), the official nonprofit partner of Crystal Cove State Park, will kickoff the holiday season with a unique spin on a fun, family-friendly tradition. The 14th Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony, which will take place on the sand of the Crystal Cove Historic District on Saturday, Dec. 4, will pay homage to the area’s rich history with retro holiday décor and a live performance by jazz vocalist Brenna Whitaker. The complimentary event, hosted by CCA, is open to the general public.

At sunset, the Cove’s picturesque beach will be illuminated by twinkling lights and decorative ornaments on a statuesque evergreen. The décor will reflect the vintage character of the historic district’s time period between 1935 and 1955. In addition to the tree lighting, the historic district’s seaside cottages will be transformed into a seasonal display of holiday lights, vintage decorations, giant candy canes, a classic cars and the return of “Sandy,” a snowman made out of sand. Children in attendance will be encouraged to build a community of sandy snowmen on the beach.

“We look forward to this tradition every year because it awakens the magical history and old-fashioned holiday spirit at Crystal Cove. We hope Orange County families will join our festivities and become a part of the most unique tree display in Southern California,” said Laura Davick, founder and director of external affairs for CCA. “It is a great way to kick-off the season with family and friends.”

For more information and a schedule of events click here.

Crystal Cove Alliance, 8th Annual Beach Gala "Rum Runner's Party & Jazz on the Beach"

2010-10-22T21:46:00.000-07:00

Fringe, feathers and fedoras made a comeback Saturday night at the Crystal Cove Alliance’s 8th Annual Beach Gala: Rum Runner’s Party & Jazz on the Beach presented by Pelican Hill Resort. More than 400 guests, clad in flapper dresses and pinstripe suits, turned out for the Prohibition-themed affair, which honored the beach community’s development during the early 1930s. The event netted $223,000, a nearly 30 percent increase from last year, to help fund CCA’s mission of restoration, education and conservation and support the expansion of the nonprofit’s educational programs.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this year’s gala,” said Laura Davick, founder and director of external affairs for Crystal Cove Alliance. “The event has sold out every year, and this year was no exception. We are honored to have so many members of the Orange County community fighting alongside us for the continuous preservation of this historic coastal gem.

” Rum Runner’s party guests arrived at 6 p.m. and were led onto the beach on the south end of the Crystal Cove Historic District where the gala was held. Attendees enjoyed authentic Prohibition cocktails, including the “Dark and Stormy” and “Rum Runner’s Grog” while indulging in various butler-passed canapés, such as bluefin tuna tartar and Scottish smoked salmon with caviar.

After a slow sunset on the sandy speakeasy, Brenna Whitaker and her Little Big Band took the stage, performing early twentieth century hits like “Big Spender” and “Hi De Ho/Minnie the Moocher.” Guests dined on gourmet coastal cuisine provided by Pelican Hill Resort and Montage Laguna Beach while performers from the Chapman University theatrical student group CAST, dressed in complete Prohibition-era costumes, danced the Jive and Charleston and enticed guests to join in all the rug-cutting festivities.

Gala proceeds were generated through sponsorships, educational program underwriting, ticket sales, general donations, a live auction and fund a need program. The auction featured several exclusive items, including a science-themed two-night stay package in the Crystal Cove cottage #22 Park and Marine Research Facility. Also up for bids, a seafood grill for 12 at Dennis Morin’s “Rock House” included table service provided by CCA President Harry Helling, Laura Davick and event chairs Teddie Ray and Linda Kennedy.

Among the 420 in attendance, notable guests included Rep. John Campbell, Director of California State Parks Ruth Coleman, Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle and Assemblyman Pedro Nava.

Phase 2 Restoration Marches On!

2010-09-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

Of all of CCA’s work in 2009-2010, we are most proud of our leadership role in coordinating the Architectural and Engineering drawings, procuring permits, and raising the $5.7M in funding for the Phase 2 Restoration Project. If you have been following the story, you already know that we started construction in February and expect the entire ‘hollows’ area – replete with a new Education Commons, ‘Beaches’ Museum, CCA Headquarters, historic garages, and additional public overnight accommodations to

be complete by next summer.

The project is progressing both on schedule and on budget! The Education Commons has been progressing nicely with some of the new foundations being poured last week. Originally, Cottage #5 (left) was built with a very low ceiling. This condition is being corrected by first raising the cottage, then excavating 8 inches of soil, then rebuilding the foundation, and, finally, lowering the cottage onto its new foundation. Most of the old garage doors and exterior have been de-constructed and are being restored offsite for re-installation when the new garage shells are complete. Cottage #40, thought to have been built from a kit, has been carefully restored and placed on a new foundation. The only cottages that are not currently under restoration are Cottage #45 (CCA’s current office) and Cottage #13, which until a few weeks ago was not funded. As the result of two new grants, one from California Cultural and Historic Endowment and one from the Coastal Conservancy, the entire Phase 2 Project is now funded.

Completion of the project will be staggered with the Education Commons (right) completing first by mid to late Fall of 2010, followed by Cottage #5 and the Garages Buildings late in 2010. Cottage #45 and Cottage #13 will be the last to be completed in late spring or summer of 2011.

Cox Forum Features Crystal Cove Alliance's Founder Laura Davick

2010-09-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

OUR NEW E-NEWSLETTER......

2009-08-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Reducing printing is both environmentally and economically sound and CCA is going to slowly and strategically move to an online-only eNewsletter during 2010. For the next several issues, we will publish both printed and digital newsletters. We know that your email boxes fill quickly, but hope that you will support our effort by continuing to provide us with your email contact. Our goal is to put more money toward our mission of restoration and education. With the efficiency of our new eNewsletter, the Wave at Crystal Cove, we can better involve you as a member in the Crystal Cove community. You can look forward to a quarterly eNewsletter with a calendar of events, notices of special impromptu gatherings, educational articles, progress reports on cottage restoration, and news from the Park & Marine Research Center. We hope you enjoy our first edition. Please feel free to give us your comments!