Briefly in the news

-- Mathis Winkler

The Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce handed out checks totaling

$25,200 to area nonprofit organizations at Tuesday’s City Council

meeting.

The money came from proceeds of this year’s Taste of Newport event,

which took place in September at Fashion Island.

“Every year the community comes out and supports the Taste of Newport,

and this is our way of giving something back,” said Richard Luehrs, the

chamber’s president and chief executive.

Together with Joe Parker, the chamber’s chairman of the board, Luehrs

handed the checks to representatives from Our Lady Queen of Angels Dare

Fair, Stop Gap Touring Presentations, Share Our Selves Children’s Corner,

Boy Scout Sea Base, Assistance League of Newport Beach, Leadership

Tomorrow, Corona del Mar High School Foundation, Newport Harbor

Educational Foundation, Balboa Theater Foundation, Newport Sports

Collection Foundation, Newport Beach Film Festival and the Times in

Education.

The donations represent the third round of contributions from the

chamber to local organizations. In 1998 and 1999, the chamber gave

$21,000 each year.

Organizations interested in applying for a grant may request an

application form from the chamber by calling (949) 729-4400.