Like a fine wine, some things get better with age. And as cliché as this may sound, it couldn’t be truer than when mentioning a local landmark still standing on Shelter Island: Bali Hai Restaurant. Yes, before it was Bali Hai, it was “Christians Hut,” then “The Hut,” according to Larry Baumann, owner/GM and son-in-law to late founder Tom F. Ham Jr. It’s a somewhat long history, but worth telling. Baumann explained that early on, restaurateur Arthur “Art” Gregg Wellington LaShelle owned the popular Christian's Hut on Balboa in Newport Beach. He based the tropical restaurant on the original Christian's Hut he had opened on Catalina Island in 1934 for the cast and crew of MGM's “Mutiny on the Bounty,” starring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable (as Fletcher Christian). In 1952, Baumann said LaShelle received approval from the Port of San Diego to build another of his tiki restaurants on the newly developed Polynesian-themed Shelter Island. The circular Tahitian “hut-shaped” building was designed by architect Robert Benedict Brout with Raymond Frazier and help from Boyle Engineering. LaShelle's corporation reportedly spent more than $200,000 building the new restaurant, under the direction of Aline Hudson from Hollywood.  “She used hand-hewn, local timber's from San Diego and moved ‘The Goof’ down from the Newport Beach location to decorate the roof. Complete with a two-story birdcage inside the restaurant (where the main bar is located today),” Baumann recalled. Christian's Hut opened in August 1952 but by the next month had dropped “Christian” in favor of simply, The Hut. The corporation spent more money than it took in, Baumann continued. Then, Shelter Island Inc. filed for protection in bankruptcy court, asking for more time to pay some 139 creditors. That’s when Tom F. Ham Jr., a CPA, recommended it as a potential moneymaker to his client William Kirk.  Kirk purchased it only after Tom Ham agreed to operate it. Tom Ham requested and received a stock option because he was moving his family from Los Angeles, Baumann said. In 1954, The Hut was formally re-opened as The Bali Hai.  “The name Tom Ham came up with was while looking out the large bay view windows. Bali Hai translates to both ‘your special island’ (from the musical ‘South Pacific’) and ‘top of the isle,’” he said. “The view today is still truly from the ‘top of the isle.’” Under new management, with some upgrades-thick carpeting throughout, a kitchen upstairs for speedy service and an enlarged topside dining room, they had 400 reservations the first night. To manage Bali Hai, Ham hired Adolph Rempp, a celebrity on his account (inventor of Adolph's Meat Tenderizer), who had managed Christian's Hut in Newport Beach. Also, chef Eyvind Oas (Rincon Springs, Del Mar Racetrack), served prime rib from the “Chinese oven,” steaks, seafood, Polynesian shrimp and chicken curry while head bartender A.D. Allen (Admiral Kidd) lead the beverage program, according to Baumann. Baumann said it took Ham until 1963 to purchase controlling shares from Kirk.  “He hired Polynesian dancers and musicians for nightly floorshows, which became quite popular. Many celebrities danced and partied,” he said. “The Polynesian floor show ran Tuesdays to Sundays, two shows a night for almost 30 years, until the mid-1980s.” More than 65 years and almost 3 million Mai Tai's later, Ham's family – Baumann included –continues to successfully operate the Bali Hai Restaurant, which remains one of the largest and most famous original “Tiki Temples.” Sadly, Ham Jr. passed away quite suddenly in November 1973. His daughter Susie and husband Larry Baumann took over shortly after and now their son Tom Drake Baumann (Tom Ham's grandson) manages Bali Hai. In 2010, the Baumann’s renovated the Bali Hai using the incredible talents of the late architect Graham Downs who was able to understand the Bali Hai is much more than a building too many, many people. He saved the feel, the magic, the “aloha spirit.”  They also signed a 40-year lease with the Port of San Diego. “The Bali Hai is a special place to many people, locals bring their out-of-town guests to show off the city and show them the Mai Tai counter. The family feels blessed to be here and further blessed to be woven in the fabric of so many families' lives,” he said. “Susie and I feel like the Bali Hai is one of our children. A great deal of our success is due to the fact and family is present much of the time,” he said. Hollywood encounters Shortly after Tom Ham took over Bali Hai the Half Moon Inn became a favorite of the Hollywood set that would come for the Del Mar racing season... the Bali Hai benefited greatly from that. A fun story he recalled was a few years back when actress Annette Benning said in an interview that sitting at a window in Bali Hai was one of her favorite things.  And don’t forget the Mai Tais, which span generations ... to date almost 2.6 million served. “Recently a regular lunch customer came in with a young man in tow for happy hour,” Baumann said, “I greeted and said, ‘we don't usually see you this time of the day.’ “She responded: ‘It is my grandson's birthday and I am buying him his first Mai Tai.’ My astounded look brought this response: ‘Oh, it's a tradition in our family.’ My first thought was where else would this happen?” And in October they celebrated the Bali Hai's 65th anniversary with a grand party and the mayor giving a proclamation. “We anticipate many more years of service to San Diego and beyond,” Baumann said. “People come here to have a good time; we just help them!” As for what Tom Ham might think today if he saw his pride and joy: “My feeling is that Tom Ham would be pretty darn pleased with where we are today,” Baumann added. “The building with its  unique timber is irreplaceable.”

Ocean Beach has outdone itself preparing for the 2019 year-end holiday. This year, the beach community has pulled out all the stops, doing everything from creating its own craft brew to implementing its annual Christmas parade and toy and food drives, as well as hosting a craft fair, a home-decorating contest and a holiday auction. All of the many Yuletide events are planned and executed by OB Town Council, which also handles the annual Christmas Tree selection, ensuring the chosen tree is transported to, planted in, and decorated on the beach. Christmas tree As quintessentially OB as the summer street fair, the farmers market or the mermaid, the annual transplantation of the Christmas tree to the beach near the pier will be Tuesday, Dec. 3 with the tree arriving at 11 a.m. The tree is always offered by an anonymous donor from within OB. “We do have a tree that just got chosen after being advertised on Facebook and Next Door,” said Grace Quigley, OBTC events chair. “Usually, it’s a problem tree that’s uprooting someone’s sidewalks or needs to be removed for some reason.” On the morning of Dec. 3, San Diego Police will escort the truck carrying the tree through the OB community to the foot of Newport Avenue in a special place in the sand that will be uncovered and cleaned out for it.  Two days later, this year on Dec. 5, local schoolchildren will make their annual pilgrimage to the OB Christmas tree to see Santa from 9 a.m. to noon, and to add their own hand-made ornaments to hang on the tree. Quigley said this year’s selected tree is about 40-feet tall. “The kids will come down from OB Elementary School to decorate it,” she said. This marks the 40th year of the “gifting” of OB’s Christmas tree. It is a tradition that was begun by iconic OB beach business The James Gang printers. “Way back when [OB] had a tree in a planter by the beach growing for two or three years, then it died and somebody set it on fire,” said community activist Claudia Jack. “We then moved the tree to Dusty Rhodes Park. But the tree was taken out during storms there 10 or 12 years ago. Ever since we’ve moved it down to the beach.” The tree’s shining moment will come at 5:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, when its lighting commences the long-awaited OB Christmas parade. The tree remains embedded in the beach until Jan. 2. Community beer collaboration About a dozen brewers from major San Diego breweries got together to create a collaboration holiday beer that will be served around Ocean Beach during December. The beer will be named after the famed holiday Christmas tree that Ocean Beach hosts at the beach that famously leans to the left no matter what. Of the joint brew, Quigley of OBTC said: “It is a collaborative beer that will be named Crooked Tree, and was brewed in November at Pizza Port. It is a red IPA, and it will be ready by Dec. 7 in time for the OB Holiday Parade.” Added Quigley of Crooked Tree beer proceeds, “It was a fundraiser this year to offset the cost of the parade and the toy and food drive.” 40th annual OB Holiday Parade An iconic business, the James Gang Brothers printers, and silk screening, has been chosen to be grand marshal in this year’s parade. “The parade is a tribute to them because they’re the ones who started this whole tradition with the parade and the Christmas tree,” noted Quigley. Quigley said they’re expecting some 112 floats and parade entries this year, for the 1 1/2-hour parade that kicks-off at 5:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade runs from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard down Newport Avenue, turning the corner at Abbot Street where entries will be reviewed by judges. Quigley said a special VIP deck section, with seats selling for $88, has been reserved on the Wonderland/Surf Lodge building deck where guests can have the best views and will be served snacks and beverages. “It’s premiere viewing, and the money goes back toward helping to fund the parade,” said Quigley. Jack noted that Vera the mermaid, OB’s de facto mascot who debuted with a float in last year’s parade, will again be part of the parade festivities. Jack hinted Vera has a special “surprise” in store. The OB parade commences immediately following the lighting of the holiday tree. OB Holiday Auction OBTC extends an open invitation to attend the annual OB Holiday Auction, a benefit fundraiser for the OB Food and Toy Drive, at Sunshine Company Saloon on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at 5028 Newport Ave. “Two days before the parade, Sunshine Saloon will have a lot of gift baskets and gift cards donated from a lot of the businesses in town,” said OBTC’s Quigley noting “vintage” holiday T-shirts from past OB events will be among the goodies available at the auction. Town Council fundraising each year at this event allows it to adopt numerous OB families and seniors in need. Don’t miss your chance to bid on and win fantastic prizes from local businesses and sports teams.  The silent auction kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Those interested in donating an auction item may contact OBTC at info@obtowncouncil.org. Holiday Homes Decoration Contest The best-dressed homes competition is the final event of the OB holiday season. Decorated homes will be judged in various categories including best use of lighting, judge’s choice, best theme and most original decoration. Winners will be recognized and presented with plaques following judging on Sunday, Dec. 15. To qualify, homes must be located in OB’s 92107 ZIP Code. Event chair Mike Akey, an OBTC member, said he usually gets eight or more applications for the contest, mostly after Thanksgiving. He said judges personally check out all of the decorated homes. “We love doing it,” said Akey who started the contest 15 years or more ago.  “It’s good for all the neighborhoods to get involved with the holiday spirit. We’re pleased that people take an interest in it. It’s for the food and toy drive.” Those wishing to participate should call 619-316-3403 or email mikeakey@cox.net. OB HOLIDAY EVENTS - Nov. 30 – Shop Small Business Saturday - Dec. 3 – Christmas tree arrives on the beach 11 a.m. in front of pier - Dec. 5 – Students from OB Elementary decorate the Christmas tree with Santa 9 a.m., OB Holiday Auction at Sunshine Company, 5:30-9 p.m. To donate items, email info@obtowncouncil.org. - Dec. 7, 14, 21 – Craft Fair at Veterans Plaza - Dec. 7 – 40th annual OB Holiday Parade at 5:05 p.m. on Newport Avenue. Lighting of the Christmas tree will start the parade. - Dec. 9-12 – Annual Food and Toy Drive at Masonic Hall, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. - Dec. 14 – Annual Food and Toy Drive distribution to families and seniors from Masonic Hall - Dec. 15 – Holiday Homes Decoration Contest. The best dressed 92107 holiday homes will be judged from 6-9 p.m.

Arriving at base camp in Crown Point at dusk on Friday, Nov. 15, Jim Hillmann from San Jose, in the midst of his Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk, reflected on why he returns year after year. “I’m here because my mom passed away from breast cancer in 2004,” Hillmann said, noting San Diego’s Komen Walk is the closest of the seven national regional walks he’s done every year for the past 12. Hillmann said the Komen walk is a transformative experience. “You come out here as a first-time walker, and it doesn’t take long before you realize, ‘I’m part of a bigger community, a community that is here to support each other,’ ” he said. “By the time you're done with three days and 60 miles, you’ve made connections, and now you start feeling the power of that community — and the synergy that comes from that.” The pink-themed, anti-breast cancer, three-day walk is no small feat, any way you look at it. “You’re required to raise $2,300 for every walk,” said Hillmann, adding, “And if you walk multiple cities, it’s $2,300 each walk, $16,100 for all seven.” Hillman hosts four fundraisers — a Bunko parlor game, collecting recyclables, an Oakland A’s baseball game and sales from a commemorative coin and pin —that collectively pay for all seven of his Komen walks. Hillman said, on day one of the Komen walk, which starts in Del Mar and ends in downtown San Diego three days later, that he saw a woman in tears whom he described as “overwhelmed.” “We were there to pick her up, talk with her and support her,” he added. Outfitted with a team shirt, badges, ribbons, buttons and all manner of Komen memorabilia, Hillman pointed out that it’s a real sense of accomplishment for him to walk 420 miles in seven cities over 21 days between August and the end of November. “Every time I walk, at the end, it is just as powerful as the time before,” noted Hillmann. “You’ve accomplished something. You’ve shared your story with new people; they’ve shared their stories. It never gets old for me.”  People have asked Hillman, “How can you do so many walks, and why do you keep coming back?”  To that, he responds, “Because there is so much that I can get out of it. There’s a difference you’ve made, an impact.” Should more people be doing the Komen walk? “Absolutely,” answered Hillmann. “When you see the impact you’re making you go, ‘Whoa, This is what it’s all about.’ By the end of day two, they’re ready to register. ‘Sign me up for year two.’ ” Concluded Hillman of the Komen walk experience: “It’s a life-changer.” Komen 3-Day raises $7 million This past weekend, more than 2,000 participants completed the journey of a lifetime at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day. Together, passionate women and men walked 60-miles over the course of three days in the fight for a world without breast cancer, raising $5.7 million. The Komen 3-Day is the longest distance one can go in the fight against breast cancer. These men and women each raised a minimum of $2,300 and walked 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, all while educating tens of thousands of people about breast health. The proceeds will support the mission of Susan G. Komen by funding breakthrough research and efforts to ensure all people receive the best health care they need. To date, $140.7 million has been raised in the area through the Komen San Diego 3-Day. “We cannot thank our amazing 3-Day family enough for their time and dedication to this cause,” said Carrie Stovall, Susan G. Komen vice president of events. “Every step they take and every dollar they raise gets us closer to our bold goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2026. San Diego has been so supportive of Susan G. Komen and it’s always an incredible experience to host the 3-Day in this city. San Diego, we thank you!” Participants of the 3-Day have trained and fundraised for several months in preparation for the event, which fosters lifelong friendships and memories while providing the community a moving opportunity to honor those who have battled and for those who continue to fight breast cancer. Participants spent the weekend walking through the San Diego area before concluding with a moving closing ceremony at Waterfront Park. “The 3-Day is all about raising money and spreading awareness,” said 12 ½ year survivor and nine-time walker Debbie Feinberg. “Even if you can’t complete the full 60 miles, you can walk one day for 20 miles or even walk portions of the weekend, it’s all worth it because, in the end, it’s the sense of community and inspiration for survivors, those battling and future generations.”