KEEPING IT REEL WITH JULIE ANN ULCICKAS
By: Jodie Salerno
Julie Ann has been a resident of Orange County for decades. She and her husband Jimmy have owned and operated the legendary Bluewater Grill on Lido for almost 30 years. Their restaurant is “FIN-TASTIC” - winning the 2024 Diners Choice award as one of the best seafood restaurants in south Orange County.
Q: What do you like most about Newport Beach?
A: Being a Cali girl, born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Newport Beach was always the coolest, most beautiful place to visit. We envied the beautiful beaches, world-class shopping, dining, and of course, the gorgeous people. I fell in love with my husband Jimmy at first sight but following him to Orange County was the icing on the cake! However, now I appreciate Orange County most for being one of California’s safest counties, which is our number one concern as parents and business owners. We are so grateful for the hard work, dedication, and diligence of our incredible Newport Beach Police Department and the tight community we are part of.
Q: Tell us about your charitable world and what it means to you to give back.
A: Jimmy and I have always believed in being charitable and have taught our children Frank and Ella that if you can do something for others, you should, whether it be volunteering, donating, or even just being kind to others. Bluewater Grill has contributed to countless charities in the almost 30 years since Jimmy and his partner Rick Staunton opened their first location in Newport Beach. It makes us proud to be able to serve our community, not to mention provide the freshest responsibly sourced seafood! We have been honored to give back to hospitals and to a variety of local charities covering cancer, heart disease, juvenile diabetes, animals, the arts, and of course, humanitarian causes across the board. In addition, we are supporters of the Love Tribe Project, building wells, schools and wildlife waterholes in Amboseli, Kenya.
Q: Tell us something that no one knows about you.
A: I sang back up for Jo Jo & The Mary Jane Girls part-time for 10 years and toured the nation with other bands like Morris Day & The Time, SOS, The Gap Band, The Day Band, Duke of Earl, and more. I loved it until Jimmy made me hang up my dancing shoes when I was pregnant with our first child Frank! But truth be told, I’m a Dead Head. My first Grateful Dead show was in 1984 at Ventura County Fairgrounds, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve taken our kids to many Dead & Co shows, as well as the Stones, Elton John, Juanes, to name a few. As Stevie Wonder says: “Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.”
Q: What is one of your greatest accomplishments?
A: One of the greatest honors of my life was being Rose Princess on the 1988 Tournament of Roses Royal Court. It was a LONG time ago, but I like to think that it’s better to be a “has-been” than a never was! I cherish my Tournament family and was able to give back in a small way by being the official etiquette trainer for several Royal Courts. It even inspired me to write a book called Urbanity Fair - An Abbreviated Guide to Modern Manners, which can be found on Amazon if anyone is interested!
"I’ve had a beautiful life, knock on wood, but being married to the most amazing man, Jimmy, you and our two wonderful children are my biggest blessings imaginable. We have created a fabulous life together with our many animals, including chickens, goats, bees, dogs, cats, fish and of course, our precious piggy Wilbur. Life is good!"
TUDALOO,
Jodi Salerno, Newport Coast Resident
