NEWS IN BRIEF

-- Alex Coolman

A giant mural will be in the works today at Newport Dunes, where artist

Synthia Saint James and about 30 disabled children from the Speech and

Language Development Center in Buena Park will be painting as part of a

therapeutic day for the children.

The group is tackling the project as part of National Autism Month, which

is observed in January. The point of the mural, Saint James said, is to

help the children painting to express themselves despite their

disabilities.

The painting will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Newport Dunes is at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach.