Orange County Almanac
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Newport Beach and Costa Mesa are at peace today, but in the 1930s the neighboring cities took part in a fierce but friendly rivalry.
Things came to a head at Newport Harbor High School, which opened in 1930. The high school served students from both cities.
According to the book “Historic Place Names of Orange County,” students quickly came up with names to describe their rivals’ hometown.
Newport Beach students referred to Costa Mesa as “Goat Hill”--a reference to the vast farmland in the city. Costa Mesa students called Newport Beach “Mackerel Flat,” a jab at the city’s coastal location.
Today
Voters can attend a debate on the merits of Proposition 186, the “single payer” state health insurance proposal, at Placentia’s Backs Building, 201 N. Bradford Ave.
Initiative supporters and opponents will square off during the forum, which begins at 8 p.m.
Among the scheduled speakers are Yvonne Mitchell of the American Assn. of Retired Persons, Blue Cross spokesman Greg Baird and California Restaurant Assn. President Carina Cristiano. Admission is free.
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