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Newport Beach council honors volunteers, community journalists and local history in ceremony
Summary
The City of Newport Beach issued proclamations Dec. 9 honoring senior-service volunteer Mike Zimmerman, volunteers behind Corona Del Mar Third Thursdays and community journalist Stu Anderson; a historian committee also presented a symbolic 'Newport Mount Rushmore' list of local figures.
The City of Newport Beach opened its Dec. 9 council meeting with a series of proclamations recognizing local volunteers and community journalism.
Mayor Joe Stapleton read a proclamation honoring Mike Zimmerman for his years leading Friends of OASIS, citing the nonprofit's work and the mayor's statement that Friends of OASIS raises more than $600,000 annually. Zimmerman accepted the recognition and thanked volunteers, board members and his wife.
Council and staff then recognized the volunteers who launched and ran Corona Del Mar’s “Third Thursdays,” announcing the event will continue as a seasonal series in April, July and October 2026. The mayor thanked Visit Newport Beach and more than 70 local businesses and sponsors that supported the inaugural year.
In a lighthearted segment, council presented a proclamation recognizing Tom Anderson (also referred to as Tom/Stu and associated with Stu News) for contributions to local journalism and community storytelling; Anderson accepted the honor and thanked colleagues and past mentors.
As part of the evening’s ceremonial programming, a historical advisory committee described a symbolic “Newport Mount Rushmore,” naming Joe Beak, Dora Hill, James McFadden and James Irvine II as the committee’s selections and summarizing the nomination process and runners-up.
The recognitions were presented at the start of the meeting; no formal council action (ordinance or resolution adoption) was required for the proclamations.
