We Hope That These Efforts Will Help Our Community Through––and Always Remember the Tragic Loss of Nine Local Lives
Written By: Erik Hale Kobe Bryant Tribute
There are so many numbers associated with Kobe Bryant—you might think of 8, 24, 60 or even 81. In our minds, Kobe will now be most commonly associated with the number nine. With so much attention being paid to Kobe Bryant (and with his contributions to sport, deservedly so), we hope that reading the names of the eight other people who died in the tragedy on Jan. 26 will be a reminder to the importance of all life. We also mourn the passing of John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and pilot Ara Zobayan. May you and your families find peace.
On Monday, Feb. 24th (2/24, which is a combination of Kobe Bryant’s jersey number and his daughter Gianna’s number) at 10 a.m. there will be a memorial service just a few miles up the road at the iconic Staples Center; you can also watch it live on NBA TV.
To pay tribute and to contribute, several local businesses have commissioned murals, made donations and held numerous events. These are the ones we have found, and we would love to hear of more in the Orange County community. Please feel free to email editor@localemagazine.com with any and all suggestions.
1 | SOCIAL Kitchen + Craft Bar Kobe Bryant Tribute
A mural by Andaluz The Artist was commissioned by SOCIAL in Costa Mesa and will be completed on Feb. 24. The mural features a heartwarming and realistic impression of the nine lives lost.
SOCIAL Kitchen + Craft Bar
512 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.642.2425
2 | The Country Club Kobe Bryant Tribute
The Country Club in Costa Mesa opens at 2 p.m. for happy hour (for those 21 and older) and will be serving the Mamba-Rita. This special margarita has Casa Mexico Silver Tequila, dragon fruit cordial, coconut cream, lime juice and Grand Marnier. The drink costs $12, and on Feb. 24 100% of the proceeds will benefit the MambaOnThree Fund.
The Country Club
330 E 17th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.281.2582
3 | Sidecar Doughnuts Kobe Bryant Tribute
At Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa, you can purchase The Mamba Sprinkle donut where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the MambaOnThree Fund and the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. At the location in Del Mar, a purple and yellow Mamba Latte is available for purchase.
Sidecar Doughnuts
270 E 17th, Ste 18
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.873.5424
4 | The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation
FivePoint, The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation and The City of Irvine are co-hosting a live broadcast of the memorial at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 24. The full broadcast and audio will be available on a big screen. The Great Park Balloon now showcases an emblem honoring the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Championship Soccer Stadium at Orange County Great Park
8000 Great Park Blvd
Irvine, CA 92618
949.724.6000
5 | El Toro Bravo Kobe Bryant Tribute
A lifelike mural of Kobe and Gianna wearing halos, titled “Together eternally” by the 44-year-old local artist Witnes, adorns the entire side of El Toro Bravo in Costa Mesa.
El Toro Bravo
562 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.791.8183
6 | Mozambique
Mozambique in Laguna Beach hosted a charitable event for the MambaOnThree Fund on Feb. 21.
Mozambique
1740 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.7777
7 | Landmark Surf
A Banksy-esque Kobe Bryant mural called “KOBE-The Goat” (whose artist is yet to be identified) is on the side of Landmark Surf, located on the corner of Cress and PCH in Laguna Beach.
Landmark Surf
1294A S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.8585
8 | Fletcher Jones Motorcars
Fletcher Jones Motorcars in Newport Beach is paying tribute by shining purple and yellow lights on their dealership at night through Memorial Day.
Fletcher Jones Motorcars
3300 Jamboree Rd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.718.3000