CALENDAR

TILL DEC. 30

ART EXHIBIT

The Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., is showing an exhibit of oil paintings by Balboa artist Linda White, featuring patterns and colors of sun reflecting on the water. An artist’s reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Friends Meeting Room at the library. Call (949) 717-3870 or go to www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

DINNER SPECIAL

Sol Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Entrée choices include herb-roasted chicken and glazed salmon for $25 per person. For reservations, call (949) 729-4160.

TILL DEC. 31

2006 CALIFORNIA BIENNIAL

The Orange County Museum of Art presents the 2006 California Biennial, an event with more than 150 works, including installations, sculpture, paintings, works on paper, wall drawing, photographs, film and video art. The exhibition is at 850 San Clemente Drive, in Newport Beach, and in Costa Mesa at 3333 Bear St. Hours vary. www.ocma.net.

PEANUTS CHRISTMAS DISPLAY

Costa Mesa resident Jim Jordan and his family are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their “Peanuts Christmas Display,” at their home on 2269 Santa Ana Ave., Costa Mesa. The display includes a six-foot Snoopy and over 40 moving characters from the Peanuts group.

INTERACTIVE MUSICAL

The Tony-award winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” on stage in the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, gives four audience members — chosen before each performance — a chance to be a part of the show. Tickets are $20 to $70. For a performance schedule, call (714) 556-2787 or go to www.ocpac.org.

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

The Automobile Club of Southern California’s Costa Mesa office is hosting its annual holiday toy and fundraising drive to benefit children with debilitating illnesses through the end of the year. The office, at 3350 Harbor Blvd., will be collecting unwrapped toys and books, as well as accepting cash donations. Call (714) 427-5950.

TILL JAN. 14

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

Local artist Evelyn Morris will be exhibiting her collection of photographs capturing the “natural beauty in her surroundings,” at the Showcase Gallery in South Coast Village, 3851 Bear St. #B-15, Costa Mesa. Photographs are available for sale. Call (714) 540-6430 for gallery hours.

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

BLACK TIE GALA

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Grand Ballroom at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, 1221 West Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. The evening kicks off with a champagne and hors d’oeuvre reception from 8 to 9 p.m., followed by a wine dinner. Rembrandt, a local 10-piece band will provide the entertainment, and a champagne toast complete with party hats and noisemakers will ring in the New Year at midnight. Cost is $195, excluding tax and gratuity. Call (949) 645-5000 or go to www.balboabayclub.com.

HARBOR CRUISE

Celebrate the New Year aboard a Hornblower Yacht cruise that includes a four-course dinner, party favors, a boarding glass of champagne, and entertainment by a DJ on each deck. Cruise departs from 2431 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach at 8:30 p.m. and is out on the water from 9 p.m. till 1 a.m. Tickets are $150 per person (gratuity is included, tax is additional). For information, call (888)467-6256 or go to www.hornblower.com.

ORANGE COUNTY’S PARTY

Tickets are on sale now for “Orange County New Years Eve”, ringing in the New Year from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Entertainment includes Blondie and Violent Femmes headlining on the main stage, and over 30 bands and specialty shows taking place on indoor stages and in lounge areas. Tickets are $100 in advance; $125 at the door. For information, go to www.ocnye.com.

BAYSIDE RESTAURANT

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Bayside Restaurant, 900 Bayside Drive,

Newport Beach, featuring a three-course dinner for $48 per person from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m., or a four-course menu with a midnight champagne toast for $110 per person from 8:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. Entertainment provided by the Mike McKenna Quartet. Call(949) 721-1222.

21 OCEANFRONT

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at 21 Oceanfront Restaurant, across from the pier in Newport Beach, with your choice of either a Sunset Dinner seating at 5 or 7 p.m. for $75 per person, or the New Year’s Eve Celebration seating starting at 8:30 p.m. for $125 per person. A credit card is required for all reservations; 48-hour cancellation policy. Call (949) 673-2100 or go to www.21oceanfront.com.

JAN. 8

RELAY FOR LIFE MEETING

The American Cancer Society is holding a meeting at 6 p.m. in Costa Mesa Bethel Towers, 666 West 19th St., to begin planning for Costa Mesa’s first Relay for Life event to be held in August of 2007. For information, contact [email protected].

JAN. 9

WINE DINNER

Newport Beach residents Todd Rustman and Jim and David Gianulias are hosting a wine tasting and dinner featuring award-winning wines from their vineyards at Levendi Estates in the Napa Valley at 6 p.m. at Sage on the Coast, 7862 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. Cost is $75; space is limited. For reservations, call (949) 715-7243.

JAN. 10

PERFORMANCE POETRY

Host Lee Mallory welcomes poets Kate Buckley and Gabriela Valdepena to Alta Coffee House, 506 31st St., Newport Beach for a reading of their work at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call (949) 675-0233.

JAN. 16

HEALTH SEMINAR

A free seminar, “Understanding the Master Gland of Metabolism,” is being offered by Judith Todero at Mother’s Market, 225 East 17th St., Costa Mesa. Reservations are required; call 1-800-595-MOMS.

JAN. 17

MOTHER’S MARKET

A free seminar on diabetic neuropathy is being offered by Dr. Stivi and Dr. Jolly at Mother’s Patio Cafe, 225 East 17th St., Costa Mesa. Reservations are required; call 1-800-595-MOMS.

JAN. 20

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

The UCI Arboretum, located just south of the corner of Campus Drive and Jamboree Road on the North Campus of UCI, is offering a new volunteer orientation at 2 p.m. for anyone interested in helping in the garden, propagation nursery, plant sales or other areas. Anyone age 13 years or older is welcome. The orientation includes a tour of the Arboretum; no experience is required. Call (949) 824-5833.

JAN. 20 - 21

GUITAR SHOW

The Tex*Us Guitar Show is at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive, Building #12, Costa Mesa. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults; children under 12 are free. Call (714)708-1543 or go to www.ocfair.com.