50 People Who Create Happiness In Newport and Costa Mesa 2019

The Daily Pilot used to publish something called “103 Most Influential People” every year. Everyone was pretty cool about it even though some strange people were on the list sometimes. I felt that it was a little like Time Magazine’s Person of the Year when occasionally you just wanted to yell “WHAT?” Like the time when I heard that they (Time, not the Daily Pilot) chose Hitler In 1938, Stalin in 1939 and 1942, and oddly Newt Gingrich in 1995.

The DP was definitely on to something though. We all learned so much about our community through all those wonderful people. Everyone looked forward to it.

The Daily Pilot’s Most Influential has now morphed into “Unsung Heroes”. Although great, I still miss “Most Influential”

I have always felt that there are literally hundreds of people who may not be “influential” but make our lives better just by being here. Most of the time we don’t even notice and maybe don’t even know their names, but they really need to be recognized.

Here is my “People Who Create Happiness List”

1. The woman at the Golden Dragon who hugs you when you get there and hugs you when you leave.
2. Heather Hall, who is a checker at Pavilions on 17th
3. Juan Hernandez who has died, but gave everything away every day to his neighbors
4. Everyone at the Side Street Café, who knows you even if they don’t know you
5. John Leffler, who has always had that smile that makes you want to laugh….a pluperfect family guy.
6. Charlene Ashendorf, who is everyone’s best friend
7. Jean Forbath, who may be the Angel of Costa Mesa
8. Wendy Leece, a serious citizen, who does her homework
9. Diane Dixon, Wendy’s sister
10. Liddy Paulson, who just quietly goes around town doing good
11. Emily Evans, who has always been so hardworking
12. Brad Moses, who may be the best person who ever worked at the Balboa Pharmacy
13. Todd White, a super generous and cheerful guy
14. Sue Landry, just makes you feel good every time you see her, and has made NMUSD food services great
15. George Martinez, who wanted to make something of himself and really did, and has always done good in the world
16. Bill Harader, the guy who is willing to help in any way and at any time
17. Christa Chaffee entertainer, makeup artist who kids love
18. The policeman who climbed up on our roof in the middle of a windy night to take down the threatening weather vane and every other great Newport and Costa Mesa cop
19. Roger Folk artist who made the iconic painting of Newport Elementary
20. Colleen Barney, attorney, runner, Ninja and smartest person on the planet
21. Dave Brees, retired beloved teacher, and activist
22. Gary March, the sweet guy who parents, teachers, and kids love
23. Kristin Fredrickson, loving teacher of kids and dogs
24. Barbara Van Holt, retired drama teacher who deserves an Oscar for the work she’s done
25. The adorable checker at the Home Depot Nursery who will sing for you
26. Todd Somers, the happy Task Rabbit Guy
27. Kim and Billy Folsom, nicest most grounded couple and Costa Mesa activists who don’t live here
28. Judy Smith, sweetest Newport Mesa person….honestly
29. Tom Stillwell, video historian of Orange County
30. Charlie Brande, undercover nice Mr. Volleyball
31. Geoff West, clever clever Costa Mesa reporter with funny skills
32. Susan Seager, Mother of so many kids
33. Patrice Apodaca, Columnist and author who teaches us with every column
34. Marti O’Meara, who has been holding the school district accountable for years
35. Susan Kopicki, unrelenting activist
36. Every Hoag nurse
37. Paul Manderino, Retired Newport Mesa painter and constant articulate truth teller
38. Every teacher in Newport Mesa doing the most important job in the world
39. Dr Bae, comes early, stays late, cares
40. Claire Ratfield, retired amazing teacher, and now stand-up comedian …really
41. Joy Brenner, the smiling city councilwoman
42. Michelle , the happy Newsport physical therapist
43. Sean Boulton, the embattled Newport High School principal who articulated the community pain in the aftermath of a tragedy
44. Christine Brooks Nolf, who has been giving back to her community in a huge way for years
45. Ellen Schlosser retired UCI curriculum director who continues to mentor students
46. Evan Hirsh, major over comer, very British now, producer of the hilarious “Whisky or Whisky?”
47. Georgia Mahoney, unrelenting Ancestry expert
48. Tamara Fairbanks, wonderful music teacher
49. Laurie Rybaczyk, great kid counselor, and bi-plane risk taker
50. Bruce Asper Sr. intrepid volunteer and great husband, father and grandfather

In Memorium Diane Doyle, who volunteered her amazing drama skills to the kids of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa for years.