Plenty of events to fill a calendar

It happens often. We hear about an upcoming event that sounds

exciting. But then, our busy schedules take us down another track and

we forget to mark the event on our calendar. And then, once the event

passes, we find ourselves saying, “I wish I had gone.”

So before you read on, go fetch your calendar, as there are some

exciting upcoming events that I am sure you will want to attend.

On Friday, Aug. 22, the Costa Mesa Senior Center will hold its

annual luau. This event is an event that few miss, since it gives our

community’s seniors the opportunity to don their most colorful

Hawaiian outfits.

The luau is such a hit because our guests always feel as if

they’ve stepped onto a beach on the Hawaiian Islands. We convert our

center into a tropical delight, with authentic food, dancers,

decorations and lots of entertainment.

The luau this year will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost is $5

for members and $11 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. You

can make them by calling the senior center at (949) 645-2356.

As a native of the East Coast, I had never had the opportunity to

attend an authentic luau. Perhaps many of you have never experienced

one, either. That’s why the senior center’s luau is such a treat.

It’s an opportunity to discover the roots of this festive communal

tradition.

In old Hawaii, a luau meant a lavish food extravaganza to honor

royalty, foreign dignitaries, powerful chieftains or hundreds of

guests at weddings, christenings and birthdays. Each guest is

customarily greeted with leis of flowers. Much preparation is

required for these celebrations, which can last as long as three

days. Guests eat a bit, dance a bit, drink a little and sing a lot. A

luau is the true “aloha” experience.

On Aug. 23 and 24, the Costa Mesa Senior Center will be at the

Orange County Market Place on the Orange County Fairgrounds. There,

the senior center will be selling Bob’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars

as part of our ongoing fund-raising efforts.

We’re grateful to Bob Teller, Jeff Teller and Tel Phil Enterprises

for supplying the ice cream bars, and to the people to help sell and

serve the chocolate dipped treats. The Teller family is always there

to help the senior center. Whether it is a silent auction in their

car museum, selling ice cream or giving our seniors free passes to

the Orange County Market Place, they always are ready to help our

community’s seniors. So mark your calendar for this tasty

opportunity, and don’t forget to bring along your family and friends.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, our regular membership meeting will be held

at the center from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The meeting is a great event to

learn about the Costa Mesa Senior Center, our special events and

classes, and especially our upcoming casino trips.

You’re invited to attend this meeting as our guest and to discover

what we have to offer. We’re confident your experience at the

membership meeting and the information you gather will have you

signing up to become will a senior center member. Once you do, you’ll

benefit from all the wonderful events we host every year, and you’ll

receive our monthly newsletter, the Chronicle.

Membership is only $18 for one person and $30 for a couple. And

membership means you receive discounts on all our special events.

From 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, the senior center will be

hosting “An Old-fashioned Hoedown” to commemorate the city of Costa

Mesa’s 50th anniversary. The event will feature a down-home barbecue,

line dancing, square dancing and a country band. Come decked out in

your Western attire, and be ready to kick up your heels. The cost is

$5 for members and $11 for nonmembers. You may call the senior center

for information and reservations.

Our hoedown will reflect the history of traditional barn dances,

which were created to celebrate the raising of a barn, a birthday

party, a homecoming or wedding. Square dancing traces its origins to

barn dance events, which were very popular among farmers and “common”

folk who were not invited to the fancier balls of the upper class.

Barn dances also formed the foundation of country and western music.

All of the senior center’s events are possible thanks to the

wonderful generosity of our sponsors and donors. Heading the

fund-raising for our 2003 Annual Campaign is Chairwoman Sandra

Segerstrom-Daniels of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons.

Other significant donors are the Hoag Hospital Foundation, the

Steel Foundation, George Archer Jr., Hazelrigg Risk Management

Services, Inc., the Newport Rib Company, Angels Auto Spa, Alterman

Jewelers, our seniors and many members of our community. Please join

this growing list and help us expand our programs and activities

while helping to make our seniors’ lives that much more enjoyable.

Now did you remember to mark your calendar? Good. For more

information on the above events, please contact the Costa Mesa Senior

Center at (949) 645-2356.

And be sure to visit us. The senior center is at 695 W. 19th St.,

Costa Mesa.

* AVIVA GOELMAN is the executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior

Center and will write occasional columns about the center, its

members and senior issues.