City Wins ‘Building Department of the Year’ Award
The Building Division of the City of Newport Beach’s Community Development Department received the California Building Officials’ 2015-2016 “Building Department of the Year” award.
The award recognizes a jurisdiction’s efforts to serve its community through community affairs and service, philanthropy, innovation and technology, education, and code development and legislative/government affairs.
Assistant Community Development Director / Chief Building Official Seimone Jurjis accepted the award on behalf of the city of Newport Beach on March 16.
In its explanation as to why Newport Beach was selected, CALBO said the Newport Beach Building Division has set itself apart in all of California as an innovative leader in a variety of ways.
“Investing in their future, the Building Division introduced iPermits, a convenient way to obtain, pay, and schedule permits and inspections. Excelling every day in community affairs and services, Newport Beach ensures that eighty percent of all applications will be checked in the same day. Community members can also view online all active building, planning, and capital improvements in their community,” CALBO officials noted. “The city of Newport Beach Building Division has accomplished many things for their community, their staff and building and code profession, thus earning the distinction as CALBO’s 2015-16 Building Department of the Year.”
Annual NBPD Breakfast Honors Offers and Staff
The 45th Annual Police Appreciation Breakfast was held last week at the Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach.
The event was hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Commodores Club, and sponsored by the Maseeh Family, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, and Newport Beach & Company.
— Photo courtesy NBPD ©
Members of the Police Department were honored at the breakfast, which was attended by City Staff and Community Leaders.
Nominations for the Police Department Annual Awards are collected by committees for each award category. Members of the Police Department who receive award nominations are discussed by those committees and then recommendations are submitted to the Chief of Police for consideration.
The following members of the Police Department received recognition in the listed categories: Officer Roland Stucken, Officer of the Year; Sergeant Ryan Peters, Sworn Supervisor of the Year; Records Supervisor Amanda Diaz, Civilian Supervisor of the Year; Community Services Officer Tiffany Lippman, Civilian of the Year; Reserve Officer Charlie Beswick, Reserve Officer of the Year; and Volunteer Judy Johnson, Volunteer of the Year.
Additional Awards of Merit were also given to select personnel who showed exemplary heroism and valor in the field.
Newport Resident Celebrates 35 Years with Mariachi Sol de Mexico
Mariachi Sol de Mexico founder Jose Hernandez and his premier mariachi band are celebrating 35 years as a mariachi icon.
Since the band’s founding in 1981, the Newport Beach resident has led his platinum-selling band to record and perform around the world. The group has entertained for five U.S. Presidents, and its music has contributed to such films as “Sea Biscuit,” “Old Gringo,” “American Me,” “Don Juan de Marco,” and many more.
— Photo courtesy Jose Hernandez ©
The group has also collaborated with numerous artists, including The Beach Boys and Willie Nelson, as well as Latin musicians such as Vicente Fernandez, Selena, Jose Feliciano and Luis Miguel. Hernandez is also the first mariachi musician to have arranged, composed and conducted for numerous international symphony orchestras.
Hernandez’ wife, Teresa, who is executive director of the Mariachi Heritage Society, which provides free or low-cost quality instruction on all the mariachi instruments for students ages 7 through 18, is also vice president of Hernandez Productions and co-produces the mariachi shows around the country.
Mariachi Sol de Mexico and Jose Hernandez were recognized for their 35th anniversary on March 19th at Plaza Mexico in Lynwood, where a star was unveiled on the Walk of Fame in their honor.
The group is scheduled to perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5.
