COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

Local Assistance Leagues of Newport Mesa and Orange are joining with ACT Today! to bring a groundbreaking film on autism to Chapman University at 6 p.m. Saturday. Founded by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, ACT Today! (Autism care and treatment today) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase access to effective autism treatments.

The film — “RECOVERED: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back” — is produced by Granpeesheh, who will be on hand along with award-winning actor Lou Diamond Phillips for the event.

The documentary covers the story of four children who have recovered from autism. It presents documentation of therapy sessions along with interviews of the now teenagers, their parents, therapists and the founder and executive director of CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders Inc.)

Their combined stories illuminate both their struggles and triumphs while providing hope to families of newly diagnosed children that recovery is indeed possible. Each child received services from CARD, including assessments, supervision, parent/teacher training and one-on-one behavioral therapy.

There will be appearances by the young recovered adults featured in the film and family members, a short Q-and-A session and a reception underwritten by the Newport Rib Company and Hope Wines. Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University is at the Marion Knott Studios/Folino Theater, 283 N. Cypress St., Orange.

Tickets for are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. For more information or to make reservations, e-mail Amy Zhang at [email protected] or call (818) 705-1625.

CAR WASH TO AID MARINES

Saturday the city of Costa Mesa will hold a fundraising car wash for the 1st Battalion 5th Marines regiment at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great way to support our armed forces and get your car clean, resident Ann Schultz says. For more information, call her at (714) 754-5667.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council … “What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.”

— Leo Tolstoy

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation. You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant at the corner of Redhill Avenue and Bristol Street.

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Rick and Bonnie Mueller.

6 p.m.: The 62-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Robin Madrid, an environmental scientist for California. For more information, visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7:00 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, Costa Mesa. For more, visit www.CostaMesaKiwanis.org;

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport-Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI. For more, visit www.nirotary.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program on the Child Abuse Prevention Center by Scott Trotter. For more information, visit members.cox.net/nhexchangeclub/index.htm.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 52-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns Restaurant for the official visit by District Governor Roger McGonegal. For more, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected].