JIM DE BOOM -- Community & Clubs

BE THANKFUL: As you gather around the dinner table this Thanksgiving

Day, try something that builds people and relationships. After grace has

been said, ask each person to say what they are thankful for -- families,

friends, health or a teacher might be examples. Over the years, our

family has found the 2-year-old and the 82-year-old and everyone in

between have something to be thankful for, something to share.

Then ask each person at the table to give an “I appreciate” to another

person at the table for something they have done this day. An adult

probably needs to share an example, which might be “I appreciate Mom for

all the work that went into today’s dinner,” “I appreciate Stacy for her

help in setting the table,” or “I appreciate your smile.” Try a second

round of “I appreciates,” asking that they be given to a different person

this time. Continue the “I appreciates” until everyone has been

appreciated by everyone else at the table.

People will feel good. Just as your tummy will be full with a great

dinner, so will your heart be full of good feelings about yourself and

those around the table who have appreciated you. If you talk by phone to

family and friends on Thanksgiving Day, give them an “I appreciate” too!

May you and your family have a very fulfilling Thanksgiving!

359 REQUESTS: Local teachers have submitted grant requests to the

Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation in the amount of $896,479.03 this year.

On Oct. 27, the last of the 359 grant proposals arrived at the

foundation’s offices, 123 more submissions than last year. The

Newport-Mesa Unified School District teachers requested grants in the

areas of humanities, special programs, language arts, mathematics,

science, technology, social studies, special education and

multiethnic/environmental projects. Coming as no surprise to the

foundation board, most of the requests were in the subject of reading.

The foundation’s director of community relations, Jo Meredith, noted:

“The real need is never for fluff. We always get the most requests for

the basics.” Grant awards will be decided in February and presented at

the annual banquet in May.

FIREFIGHTERS HONORED: Members of the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach

fire departments have been honored by the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor

at the annual Firefighters of the Year Award Luncheon. Newport Chief Tim

Riley announced two awards. The first went to Ron Gutierrez for his

professional and compassionate service during his more than three years

with the department. A second award went to Jim Turner, a 27-year veteran

and lifeguard captain. Costa Mesa Deputy Chief Ken Soltis introduced Jeff

Janzen, Firefighter of the Year for Costa Mesa. Janzen is a 20-year

veteran and president of the Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. Luncheon

Chairman Jeff La Barthe presented engraved trophies to each of the

honorees. Congratulations to the Firefighters of the Year.

WORTH REPEATING: From Greg Kelley, president of the Newport-Mesa

Irvine Interfaith Council in the “Thought for the Day” . . . “A pessimist

sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the

opportunity in every difficulty” -- Winston Churchill

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK: Want to get more involved in your

community, make new friends, network or give something back to your

community? Try a service club! You are invited to attend a club meeting

this week. Many clubs will buy your first guest meal for you.

MONDAY

6 p.m.: The Harbor-Mesa Lions Club will meet at the Golden Dragon

Restaurant to hear past District Governor Lowell Sneathen discuss

membership challenges.

TUESDAY

7: 15 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will meet at the

Balboa Bay Club to hear a Craft Talk by Calvin Wallace.

6:30 p.m.: The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club will meet at the

Costa Mesa Country Club for a program presented by the American Red

Cross.

WEDNESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The South Coast Metro Rotary Club will meet at the Center

Club, and the Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the University

Athletic Club.

Noon: The Orange Coast Exchange Club will meet at the Bahia Corinthian

Yacht Club for a program by Troy Zuccolotto on anti-aging.

6 p.m.: The Newport-Balboa Rotary Club will meet at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for an evening of fellowship and table games.

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot. Send

your service club’s meeting information by fax to (949) 660-8667, e-mail

to jdeboom@aol.com or by mail to 2082 S.E. Bristol, Suite 201, Newport

Beach, CA 92660-1740.