INSIDE SCOOPS

Anyone who walked the links at the Toshiba Senior Classic last weekend

had to notice the sea of red sweatshirts lining the course at the Newport

Beach Country Club.

The bright rouge shirts worn by hundreds of volunteers was much different

from last year’s milder hunter green.

Red is actually the color that Toshiba, the main sponsor, prefers. But

the color could have been distracting to some of the golfers.

“It looks like a flock of Santa Clauses,” said one fan. “These guys must

have good concentration to not turn their eye to that.”

Wild about Harry

It was an outrage. It was to be banned.

It was named No. 1 in the country by the nation’s children -- the very

children, who parents and educators are trying to encourage to read.

It is the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, which caused quite a stir

at the beginning of this school year. Some people were worried about the

elements of witchcraft and magic in the novels, but students loved them.

To launch the third annual Read Across America -- celebrated throughout

Newport-Mesa schools, the National Education Assn. released the Childrens

Top 100 Book List. The organization surveyed thousands of students across

the country asking them to list their top five favorite books.

The children have spoken.

Jazz singer a hit

When programmers for the Orange County Performing Arts Center arranged to

have jazz singer Diana Krall perform at Segerstrom Hall earlier this

month, they expected a good turnout, but they didn’t know the tickets

would sell like wildfire. Sales exceeded Center expectations.

Apparently local audiences recognize a good thing when they hear it. On

Wednesday, just a little more than a week after the crowds pressed in to

see her, Krall won the Grammy for best jazz vocalist.

Greener grass

Costa Mesa Parks Supt. David Alkema said the shy grass at the Farm Sports

Complex had finally popped up.

After a close inspection, a reporter verified the grass is indeed looking

green, full and healthy. No great feat you say?

The city bought the field more than three years ago to convert it into a

soccer complex.

SI-- Daily Pilot staff