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Well, we made it through another Christmas, and I have to say, this year’s was especially enjoyable with friends and family. Everyone must have been pretty good in 2010, as there were no stockings filled with coal.
And while I am looking forward with an optimistic attitude towards 2011 and the economy taking a turn for the better, I recall one friend’s lament at a recent holiday party: “I’ve never worked so hard, for so little and been so grateful.”
Amen to that.
This relentless multi-year economic downturn has had at least one positive effect in that it has shifted some perceptions of what is truly important in this life. A feeling of gratitude seemed especially infused in to this holiday season.
Now, looking to the future …
Not one to set New Year’s resolution goals that are unattainable, I have a mission, and a favor to ask that it includes you, dear readers. Our beloved Indy – still only 6 months old – just keeps getting better and better, attracting more readers and advertisers week by week. I’ve never worked with a finer group of creative and thoughtful peers who sincerely love what they do, and I believe it shows on the pages of this publication.
The Indy’s tag line is “For Locals, By Locals” and we take pride in doing our best to reflect the people, places and things that make Newport Beach so special.
So to that end, while we receive a lot of very kind comments (and the occasional complaint, which is OK, too), we would like to hear more from you in 2011! For me, I’d like to hear what you would like to read in the pages of “Lynn’s Spin.” Our community has limitless interesting personalities and hidden stories, so send me your ideas and thoughts to [email protected], or call the Indy office at (949) 675-INDY (4639), Ext. 201, and I will do my best to bring these stories to light over the coming year.
One of my favorite subjects about which I’ve written before is the “adoption” by the City of Newport Beach of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. My brother was a Marine, so I have a soft spot for the Corps.
The goal of our adopting them is to assist the Marines and their families, providing community and financial support during overseas deployments, as well as when they are away training for their next deployment. This currently includes the 1/1’s Ground Combat Element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which will deploy in the very near future.
There are two events coming up in Newport Beach in January supporting the 1/1 that I hope you will join in supporting.
The first is one of the best local events my husband and I have attended in the past; the annual 1/1 Mess Night, which will be held this year on Thursday, Jan. 13. This will be year six of the black-tie affair to take place at the beautiful Balboa Bay Club & Resort, hosted by the 1/1 Foundation to honor officers and staff non-commissioned officers.
It is an evening that brings guests and military leaders together to honor not only the Marines and their fallen comrades, but also our country as a whole. Although it is a formal event filled with serious tradition, there is also plenty of light-hearted fun, with 150 to 200 members of the 1/1 Battalion in attendance. I must say, I’ve never been more proud to be an American than when I am in that room with those brave men and women.
The second event is the Newport Beach 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation Beach Challenge which will be held on the beach at the Balboa Pier on Saturday, Jan. 22. The challenge will include a ½-mile run/walk, and nine fitness challenges including a low crawl in combat gear, litter or dummy drag, back crawl, ammo-can carry, sand bag carry, cone zig-zag, grenade toss, and tire flip. And the best part: dozens of screaming Marines “gently coaxing” you to beat them at their own games.
If you haven’t been to the gym lately, have no fear, the event is open to all fitness levels, ages 14 and over, and you can register solo or as a team. With a course specifically designed to be spectator friendly, you can chose to participate or bring your friends and family to watch and cheer on the racers and Marines. There will also be some cool hands-on 1/1 Marine static displays, plus music, food, a vendor area and more.
To find out more about both of these special events, log on to www.oneonemarines.com or call (949) 644-3202. All proceeds will go directly towards the efforts of the NB 1/1 Foundation to support the Marines and their families.
The motto of the US Marine Corps is “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “Always Faithful.” Let’s come out on Jan. 13 and 22 and show the 1/1 how much our great city appreciates their commitment.
Lynn Selich resides in Newport Beach. She can be reached at [email protected].
