* Send AROUND TOWN items to the...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa

Mesa, CA 92627; by e-mail to [email protected]; by fax to (949)

646-4170; or by calling (949) 574-4298. Include the time, date and

location of the event, as well as a contact phone number.

TODAY

Sharky’s Wood-fired Mexican Grill will have a grand opening

celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help Newport Coast Cares raise

funds for La Hacienda de la Inmaculada, a small orphanage in Tijuana.

The cost will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. Sharky’s is at

21119 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast Shopping Center.

Information: (949) 433-7879.

The City of Costa Mesa and Torelli Realty are sponsoring the

city’s annual Holiday Snow Hill, which will be from 9 a.m. to noon at

the Balearic Community Center, 1975 Balearic Drive. The event will

include 60 tons of snow, hay rides and a special visit by Santa.

Santa will arrive at 10:30 a.m. by helicopter Information: (714)

754-5158.

Orange County People for Animals will have a silent auction, live

music, a guest speaker, and OCPA’s annual “Peace for Animals”

community ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Ayers Country Inn & Suites

Hotel, at 325 S. Bristol St. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for

nonmembers. Information: (714) 751-OCPA, https://www.ocpausa.org.

The merchants of Balboa invite you to watch the students of

Newport Elementary School as they participant in the annual merchant

Christmas painting program from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Fun Zone area

Balboa Village in front of the Ferris wheel. Information: (949)

675-0501, https://www.balboanewport beach.com.

Costa Mesa High School will have a communitywide campus cleanup

day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2650 Fairview Road. People will meet

inside the main entrance by the Lyceum. Adults and teens are welcome.

Information: Ricardo Dence, (714) 751-9856.

The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center will host a hands on

event featuring reptiles, amphibians and arachnids from 1 to 2 p.m.

at 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. Learn mesmerizing facts and

myths about these creatures. The cost will be $10 for ages 5 and up.

Information and registration: (949) 923-2295.

SUNDAY

Halecrest Park will be hosting a holiday boutique from 8 a.m. to

6 p.m. at 3107 Killybrook Lane, Costa Mesa. There will be handmade

crafts, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Avon Cosmetics and

more. Child care will be available. Information: (714) 557-7234.

Martha’s Bookstore will have a champagne book signing for the

“Silent Screen Cookbook” by Joanabell Lewis from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at

308 1/2 Marine Ave., Balboa Island. Information: (949) 673-7185.

Judging will begin for Balboa Island’s annual holiday home

decorating contest. Judging will go on until 10 p.m. each day through

Dec. 16. Some of the categories are traditional, most original and

best animated. Homes are all judged by volunteers. Information:

Joanie Cooper, (949) 675-4441, (949) 673-8700.

A Christmas concert will be given at 5 and 7:30 p.m. at the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Newport Beach Stake

Center, 2150 Bonita Canyon Road. The Beach City Bells and Val Jamora

and other soloists will be featured at the two performances.

Information: (949) 644-6405.

MONDAY

Judging will continue for Balboa Island’s annual holiday home

decorating contest. Judging will go on each day until 10 p.m. through

Dec. 16. Some of the categories are traditional, most original and

best animated. Homes are all judged by volunteers. Information:

Joanie Cooper, (949) 675-4441, (949) 673-8700.

Orange County Reads One Book, Year Two invites the public to

attend the second of two planning meetings, from 4 to 5:45 p.m., Dec.

15 at the Los Angeles Times Orange County community room, 1375

Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa. Enter through the security gate.

Information: (714) 846-8717, https://www.orangecounty reads.org.

TUESDAY

Judging will continue for Balboa Island’s annual holiday home

decorating contest. Judging will go on each day until 10 p.m. through

Dec. 16. Some of the categories are traditional, most original and

best animated. Homes are all judged by volunteers. Information:

Joanie Cooper, (949) 675-4441, (949) 673-8700.

Costa Mesa High School will host a book fair fundraiser from 4 to

8 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Triangle Square, 1870-B

Harbor Blvd. A book fair voucher is required for a percentage of the

purchase to be given to Costa Mesa High School. Vouchers may be

obtained at the school’s front office or they may be received by fax.

Information: [email protected].

The ACLU of Orange County will host two speakers, Charlie Reed

and Steph Campbell, who will discuss issues related to the separation

of church and state, the faith-based initiative and how it affects

the 1st Amendment, at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church,

1259 Victoria, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 299-4551.

WEDNESDAY

The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center will host a

parent-and-child playtime event so children 3 to 4 years old can

learn how animals see, hear, taste, smell and feel from 10:30 to

11:15 a.m. at 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. The cost of the

event is $5 per child. Information and registration: (949) 923-2295.

THURSDAY

The Young Executives of America will host Paul A. Motenko,

chairman of the board and co-CEO of Chicago Pizza & Brewery Inc.,

during its breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. at the Pacific Club, 4110

MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. The cost is $16 for members and $25

for nonmembers. Information: (949) 721-8686.

DEC. 20

“Divorce: A New Beginning” is a workshop for men and women in the

process of divorcing or recently divorced from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

at 180 Newport Center Drive. The cost is $40. Information:

(949)644-6435.

The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club will serve hamburgers,

cheeseburgers and hot dogs and the Orange County Model Engineers will

conduct free train rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Goat Hill

Junction train station at Fairview Park. Information: (949) 574-0337.

DEC. 21

Fashion Island will host its annual menorah lighting ceremony at

3 p.m. at Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. The event will be hosted by Rabbi

Reuven Mintz of the Chabad Jewish Center in Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 721-2000, https://www.shopfashion island.com.

DEC. 22

The Orange County Market Place will hold its Holiday Market Place

from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Admission

will be free. There will be artisans’ and crafters’ corner, photos

with Santa Claus and seasonal entertainment.

The Environmental Nature Center will present a holiday craft

workshop in which participants can create their own special holiday

season gifts for family and friends using a variety of materials from

9 a.m. 3 p.m. The cost is $140 per student with a 10% discount for members. There will be a $25 materials fee. Information: (949)

645-8489.

DEC. 23

The Environmental Nature Center will present a holiday craft

workshop in which participants can create their own special holiday

season gifts for family and friends using a variety of materials from

9 a.m. 3 p.m. The cost is $140 per student with a 10% discount for members. There will be a $25 materials fee. Information: (949)

645-8489.

DEC. 24

The Environmental Nature Center will present a holiday craft

workshop in which participants can create their own special holiday

season gifts for family and friends using a variety of materials from

9 a.m. 3 p.m. The cost is $140 per student with a 10% discount for members. There will be a $25 materials fee. Information: (949)

645-8489.

DEC. 26

The Environmental Nature Center will present a holiday craft

workshop in which participants can create their own special holiday

season gifts for family and friends using a variety of materials from

9 a.m. 3 p.m. The cost is $140 per student with a 10% discount for members. There will be a $25 materials fee. Information: (949)

645-8489.

The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center will host an event

that will let visitors see and touch different kinds of insects and

to understand how the legs of different insects do different jobs to

help them survive from 11 a.m. to noon at 2301 University Drive,

Newport Beach. The cost will be $10 for each child 5 and older.

Information and reservations: (949) 923-2295.

JAN. 22

Hoag Hospital will host “Nutrition for the Lung Cancer Patient,”

a daytime lung cancer support group, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hoag

Cancer Center, conference room A. The speaker will be Kathy Pham, a

Hoag Hospital nutritionist. Information: (949) 760-5542.

ONGOING

The Newport Center Toastmaster’s Club can help you improve your

public speaking skills or polish your business presentations. Members

come from a variety of professional disciplines and backgrounds. The

group meets every Monday morning from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at 610 Newport

Center Drive, Newport Beach. Validated parking is available in the

parking structure next to 24 Hour Fitness. Guests are welcome. For

more information, call (949) 721-5732.

Sole Comfort and Laura’s House have teamed up to help those in

need by collecting shoes from Dec. 1 through 31 at Sole Comfort,

Corona del Mar Plaza, 836 Avocado Ave. Laura’s House is committed to

ending the cycle of domestic violence and strengthening families.

Information: (949) 644-5939.

The City of Costa Mesa’s Recreation Division will have

registration for its 2004 basketball league for adult players from 8

a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 5 to 16 at the Downtown Recreation Center, 1860

Anaheim Ave. Information: (714) 327-7563.

The Newport Beach Public Library is holding its holiday food

drive through today. There will be Share Our Selves bins at the

library for donations of canned goods and non-perishables. Donations

can be dropped off during regular library hours: from 9 a.m. to 9

p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and

Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: (949) 717-3801.

South Coast Plaza will have its Santa’s Village through Dec. 24

at Carousel Court. Shoppers can make crafts at the Alpine Wood Shop,

Holiday Trimmings Shop and the Village Bake Shop. The cost varies per

craft. Information: (714) 435-2083, https://www.southcoastplaza.com.

South Coast Plaza will have its famous carousel transformed from

horses to Santa’s reindeer until Dec. 28. The cost for a ride is $1.

Information: (714) 435-2083, https://www.southcoastplaza.com.

South Coast Plaza will have Santa’s Express Train running through

Jan. 4 at the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing on Level 2.

Information: (714) 435-2083, https://www.southcoastplaza.com.

The Newport-Mesa cribbage club meets on the second and fourth

Wednesdays of every month from 6:45 to 9 p.m. at Oasis Senior Center,

800 Marguerite Ave. in Corona del Mar. The cost is $2. Information:

(949) 646-5293.

The ACLU of Orange County meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of

every month at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1259 Victoria St.

in Costa Mesa. Each month’s meeting will feature a different speaker

on issues relating to the Bill of Rights. Information: (714)

957-6107.

Macy’s in Costa Mesa invites Orange County nonprofit

organizations that provide services and programs to the HIV/AIDS

community to apply for participation in Macy’s South Coast Plaza’s

Passport In Store fund-raiser. This year’s event will be held on Oct.

4. To receive an application to participate, call (714) 556-0611,

ext. 4231.

Yoga classes will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to

12:40 p.m. for nine weeks at West Newport Community Center.

Registration is $54 for one class each week or $100 for two days a

week over nine weeks for Newport Beach residents. Others pay an

additional $5. For more information, call (949) 644-3151.

Costa Mesa’s Recreation Division will provide a three-hour theme

birthday party for up to 20 guests at the Balearic Community Center

weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 4 to 7

p.m. and Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. Parties for children 5 to 12 will

consist of lunch/dinner, games, crafts, prizes, cake with ice cream

and supervision by staff. Parties cost $250 or $300. For more

information, call (714) 754-5158.

Five new wines will be served on Bayside Restaurant’s terrace

overlooking Newport Harbor every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The

cost is $15 per person. For more information, call (949) 721-1222.

A variety of private, semi-private and group swim lessons will be

offered this summer at the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center at Corona

del Mar High School. Options include one-on-one instruction on

Saturdays and a Monday through Thursday program for all ages and

levels. For session dates, times and costs, call (949) 644-3151, or

register in person at Newport Beach Recreation and Senior Services at

3300 Newport Blvd.

Children, teens and adults can now register for summer

recreational boating classes offered through Newport Beach Recreation

Services. Classes begin July 12. Fees vary. Call (949) 644-3151, or

visit the Newport Beach Recreation and Senior Services a 3300 Newport

Blvd. for more information.

Professional and licensed soccer trainers with the All-England

Soccer Academy are available for one-on-one, small group and large

group training. For more information, call (949) 395-5103.

Jewish Family Service is sponsoring a teen support group for high

school students that meets Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Tarbut

V’Torah Upper School in Costa Mesa. For information or to register,

call (714) 445-4950. Pre-registration is required.

The First Page -- Fine Children’s Books, at 270 E. 17th St., No.

10 in Costa Mesa, offers free story time Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays

and Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4

to 5 p.m. For more information, call (949) 645-5437.

Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach offers wine tasting every

Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for $15 per person, featuring five

new wines each week. For more information, call (949) 721-1222.

Green Systems International shows you everything that you wanted

to know about orchids and repotting during a free seminar at 2 p.m.

every Saturday. An orchid and tropical plant sale is held from 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m. at the 20362 Birch St. facility. Information: (949)

756-1211.

Discover the secrets of Carbon Canyon Regional Park as you walk

through groves of beautiful Coastal Redwood trees every Saturday at

8:30 a.m. Parking is $4. Call (714) 996-5252 for more information.

Team Survivor, a nonprofit organization encouraging women who have

been through cancer treatment to exercise, hosts “Walk and Talk” at

10 a.m. the second and fourth Friday of the month in front of

NIKEgodess store in Fashion Island. Members meet for lunch after at

Atrium court. It is free, and all fitness levels are welcome. For

more information, call (949) 275-3888.

Newport Community Counseling Center offers a way to stop the cycle

of domestic violence through the support group In S.A.F.E. Hands.

S.A.F.E. stands for safety, awareness, faith and empowerment. The

group meets Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free. For more information,

call (949) 721-8079.

The Newport Beach Walking Club meets at the corner of Superior and

Hospital Road in Newport Beach at 9:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. everyday. For

more information, call (949) 650-1332.

The Newport Beach Cake Decorating Club meets from 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday nights at Superior and Hospital Road in Newport Beach. For

more information, call (949) 650-1332.

The Spanish Speaking Club meets to learn Spanish quick and easy.

For more information, call (949) 650-1332.

The Assn. of Business Services hosts a networking meeting that

deals with education connections from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the second

Tuesday of every month at the Holiday Inn at 3131 Bristol St., Costa

Mesa. For more information, call (949) 805-0011.

“Divorce: A New Beginning,” a workshop for men and women divorced

or getting divorced, is held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 180

Newport Center Drive on the third Saturday of every month. Cost is

$40. For more information, call 644-6435.

Free tours of the Orange County Performing Arts Center take guests

to the dressing rooms, performer’s lounge, backstage and on stage at

10:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at 600 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa. Group tours can be held by special arrangement. For more

information, call (714) 556-ARTS, ext. 833.

The Newport Beach Newcomers Club holds a general meeting on the

third Wednesday of every month. The organization is open to all women

residents in Newport Beach who have lived in the area fewer than five

years. For more information, call (949) 645-9922, or visit

https://www.newcomers- newportbeach.org.

Oasis Senior Center holds a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

on the second Saturday of every month. Breakfast includes pancakes,

sausage, coffee and orange juice for $3, $1 for children. The center

is at 800 Marguerite, Corona del Mar. For more information, call

(949) 644-3244.

Yoga and rhythm, “Yogarhythmics” combines yoga, dance and fun. The

class is held from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays at 2850 Mesa Verde

Drive East, Suite 111, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714)

754-7399.

Interfaith couples with one Jewish partner are invited to

participate in a discussion group at the Jewish Family Service of

Orange County office. Call to schedule date and time. The office is

at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. (714) 445-4950.

Women 50 and older can join a discussion group coordinated by

Jewish Family Services to address issues such as anxiety, depression,

relationships, loneliness and family. The group meets from 10 to

11:30 a.m. Mondays at the agency offices, 250 E. Baker St., Suite G,

Costa Mesa. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library Used Book Store are

asking for patrons to donate books to replenish the dwindling stock.

Books may be left at any of the three branch libraries -- Balboa,

Mariners, or Corona del Mar -- or in the book closet next to the

Friends Book Store, at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. All

hardcover and paperback donations, with the exception of magazines

and law books, will be accepted and are tax deductible. (949)

759-9667.