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Today's Surf, Fish and Weather Report

The surf today will be mostly 2 to 3 feet at the average breaks in the morning. Standout NW and combo spots see larger waist- to chest-high sets. New, shorter to mid-period WNW swell builds in the late afternoon/evening, but will be stronger on Thursday. 

Fish counts: Davey's Locker reported a catch of 40 sculpin, 2 rockfish and 1 bocaccio. Newport Landing reported 115 sculpin, 1 sand bass and 1 cabazon.

The weather today will be a few showers early, becoming a steady light rain for the afternoon. High around 60 degrees. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent. Low tonight 48 degrees. Sunrise: 6:52 a.m. | Sunset: 7:06 p.m.  

Great Starts

The Alchemy, OEX and Grand Illusion head out at the Class B start of the Cabo Race on Saturday, above. Race updates area available at www.nhyccaborace.com. Also on Saturday, below, the Orange Coast College, UCLA and University of San Diego crew teams competed in Newport Harbor. UCLA came from behind to nip OCC at the finish. Photos by Jim Collins

A Life in Piles

By Jill Fales

I like to think of the piles of paper that seem to plague the majority of my counter space as the physical manifestation of a life richly blessed with many opportunities and experiences.  Each paper representing something of importance or urgency.

I would like to think of them that way. But the reality is more that they’re a physical manifestation of my brain at any given moment: scattered, overloaded, and accompanied by circus music.  

Read the full story here.

Hot Off the Press

Here are some of the hot stories in today's Newport Beach Independent and newportbeachindy.com:

• Capt. Mike Whitehead looks at what to do if a tsunami hits Newport.
• Sports Editor Brian Lichterman says, let the Madness begin!
• Under Sail looks at the boats lined up for today's start of the Cabo Race.
• Cindy Trane Christeson previews Christian Outreach Week, which starts today.
• And Paige Turner previews a Saturday event for folks curious about George.

 Enjoy!

Tough Tryout

Lifeguard hopefuls competed during the Newport Beach Fire Department seasonal ocean lifeguard tryouts on Sunday. The 63 candidates competed in 56-degree water and 1- to 3-foot surf. Fifty-seven of the applicants finished both the 1,000-meter swim and the 1,000-meter run-swim-run, and the 26 top finishers were invited to the training academy. Photo courtesy of the Newport Beach Fire Department

Schools Budget Faces Uncertainty

By Sara Hall | NB Indy

While the Newport-Mesa school district is projecting a positive end to the 2011-12 fiscal year, it is looking at possible significant cuts in the 2012-13 year,

Paul Reed, deputy superintendent and chief business official, said the district is expecting a positive unrestricted fund balance and a positive year-end cash position for the general fund for the 2011-12 school year.

That may not be the story for the next year, though. 

Read the full story here.

Sherman Library Stocked With History

By Paige Turner

Since the mid-’60s, Sherman Library and Gardens has been a fixture on Pacific Coast Highway in Corona del Mar.

Arnold D. Haskell bought the property in 1955. It then included a small adobe house and a small nursery. Over the next two decades Haskell expanded the site and named it Sherman Library and Gardens as a tribute to his mentor, Moses H. Sherman, an educator and early California pioneer who also lent his name to the city of Sherman Oaks.   

Read the full story here.

Not Hard to Cope With Cabana Dining

By Chris Trela and Stasha Surdyke

Pelican Hill springs forward with a leap, once again. Now through May 14, make sure to set your alarms for lavish, Private Cabana Dining at Coliseum Pool & Grill - and get there early. Eighteen ultra-luxurious private cabanas offer breathtaking ocean views and overlook the iconic Coliseum Pool, one of the largest circular pools in the world. 

Read the full story here.

'Under Sail' Debuts

Patriot, Paul Stemler's J44, at the start of the Islands Race. Patriot won the PHRF-3 Class, and for the second year in a row was the top local boat in this event. Photo by Bronny DanielsUnder Sail, a section devoted to all things sailing in Newport Harbor, has debuted this week in the Newport Beach Independent and newportbeachindy.com.

Each week, Senior Sailing Editor John Drayton and Assistant Sailing Editor Megan Pluth will bring you race results, upcoming events, news and features about the local sailing community in a concise, interesting and highly readable package.

Check it out and let us know what you think. Remember, it's your paper!

How Green Is Your Irish Pub?

By Jim Fitzpatrick

This column just might be the most in-depth, investigative candidate for the Pulitzer I have ever done. 

After a lifetime of immersion into the culture, and 15 years of extensive local research, I present to you my thoughts on Saint Patrick’s Day. 

I get to celebrate two of my favorite things: Irish culture and green, as in sustainable thinking.

Read the full story here.

Thrills and Volleys

By Brian Lichterman | Sports Editor

As we head towards spring, not only will the temperature rise, the landscape of high school sports will shift as well. 

Basketball and soccer are over, and it's time to welcome in baseball, lacrosse, swimming, track and field, and one of my favorite sports of all-time: volleyball. 

Read the full story here.

Catalyst West Draws Thousands

Catalys West attendees take a break between sessions at Mariner's Church. By Cindy Trane Christeson

Take 3,400 young leaders from the Christian community, add nonstop creativity, energy, passion to be relevant leaders and put them together with inspirational leaders for three days at Mariners Church, what do you get?

You get Catalyst West, which has been described as ‘a think-tank” and “a pilgrimage” as well as a conference. 

Read the full story here.

Hooray for Daylight Saving Time!

By Lynn Selich

Is there anything better than Daylight Saving Time?

Each year as I go around the house adjusting our clocks back an hour, I do that little touchdown victory dance in my head, knowing that even though we lose an hour of sleep, the days will become longer and there will be more sunshine to enjoy the day, especially outdoor activities. 

Read the full story here.

Toshiba Classic: The winners are ...

 

Nick Price admires his newest trophy, after he held off a steady charge by Mark Wiebe to win the Toshiba Classic yesterday. Read the full story here.

Price then joined Hoag Hospital CEO Dr. Richard Afable for the presentation of a check to Hoag. The tournament is a benefit event for the hospital.

Photos by Jim Collins

Toshiba Classic, Day 2: Price Still Right

Nick Price, shown here teeing off, followed his record-tying first-round 60 with a 3-under 68 on Saturday, maintaining a two-stroke lead. Read the AP coverage here.

Photo by Jim Collins

Toshiba Underway

Defending champ Fred Couples tees off in the first round of the Toshiba Classic on Friday.

Nick Price shot an 11-under 60 to take the first-round lead.

The tourney will run through Sunday at the Newport Beach Country Club.

Photo by Jim Collins

Out to Launch

Folks were camped out and lined up out to the parking lot at the Apple Store at Fashion Island for Friday's launch of the iPad2. The new iPads went on sale at 5 p.m. and quickly sold out everywhere.

Photos by Jim Collins

Worst-case tsunami scenario

With the Japanese earthquake and tsunami on everyone's mind, here is some info on what Newport Beach could expect from a more local event. The above map is a state estimate of the inundation (pink areas) in Newport from a worst-case tsunami. To see the full-size map, click here.

A city map of evacuation routes from the tsunami hazard zone is here.

CdM Theater Complex Costs Rise

The Newport-Mesa school board Tusday approved spending another $400,000 for the design of a new 350-seat multipurpose theater complex at Corona del Mar High School, as the overall cost estimate for the project has risen by $3 million.

Read the full story here.