JIM DE BOOM -- Community & Clubs

BOOKS ARRIVED: Thanks to the donation by Daily Pilot readers to match

funds given by the Rotary Clubs of Newport-Balboa, Newport-Irvine and

Newport Beach Sunrise, some 9,000 reading books for Pomona, Whittier and

Wilson elementary schools have arrived.

“May I say, ‘Thank you,’ on behalf of the Whittier staff from the

bottom of our hearts,” said Sharon Blakely, principal at Whittier School.

“Your publicity, leadership and ‘modeling’ has made a huge difference for

our dear children. Mentors number near 90 now, all working with students

weekly. I called Rotary Reading by 9 coordinator Roger McGonegal when

over 4,000 Accelerated Reader books arrived from Rotary and Daily Pilot

contributions. We have prepared them for student use and have held a

four-day Super School (over spring break) for 125 struggling readers

featuring these attractive, nonfiction books.”

Next week, all donors to the Reading by 9 program will receive an

invitation to a book dedication ceremony at each of the three schools

being held the week of May 15. You may come to one or to all three for

some coffee, punch and cookies while meeting students and faculty at each

school. We want you to see how the books are being used and to thank you

for your donation that made 9,000 reading books possible. Watch for your

invitation.

Blakely added: “It is my belief that we must become a learning

community if we are to produce literate citizens from our non-English

speaking populations. By the way, over 320 adults are studying reading

and English during the day at Whittier now.”

That’s a learning community.

HONORING STUDENTS: Member Les Lorrimer introduced Corona del Mar High

School Students of the Year Lindsey Yourman and Josh Ludmire to the

Exchange Club of Newport Harbor. The students were accompanied by Corona

del Mar counselor Kathy Hath and their proud parents. Both students have

been accepted at Harvard University and have large lists of involvement

in many school and charity activities in addition to participation on

school athletic teams. Congratulations.

OCC SCIENCE FAIR: Orange Coast College geology professor Jay Yett and

35 of his students have taken their geology fair on the road this spring

to interested elementary schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District. I caught their hands-on displays one night last week at Pomona

Elementary School, where dozens of children and adults had an opportunity

to make an earthquake, see a volcano erupt and learn about rock

formations. According to Yett, the program is a result of a grant from

the American Assn. of Community Colleges to encourage programs in science

in kindergarten through sixth grade. And the OCC Science Fair did just

that.

EXCHANGE PRESIDENT TO VISIT: Gerald Franklin, president of the

National Exchange Club, will visit the Exchange Club of the Harbor Area

on Thursday to conduct a special induction ceremony for all new members,

according to District President-elect Dick Freeman. The following day,

Freeman will sponsor a breakfast with Franklin so members from throughout

Orange County can meet and talk with him. More information may be

obtained by calling Don Lake of the Orange Coast Club at (949) 673-7480.

WORTH REPEATING -- From Greg Kelley’s, of the Newport-Mesa Irvine

Interfaith Council, Thought for the Day: “Education is the great engine

of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a

peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the

head of a mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of

a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are

given, that separates one person from another.” -- Nelson Mandella

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.

MONDAY

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

and Country Club.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will meet at Five

Crowns Restaurant for a program by Tom Heneghan of the Irish Tourist

Board.

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

Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

WEDNESDAY

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

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

Athletic Club, and the Costa Mesa Orange Coast Breakfast Lions Club will

meet at Mimi’s Cafe.

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

Yacht Club to hear California Highway Patrol Capt. Steve Beeuwsaert.

7 p.m.: After a 5:30 tour of KOCE-TV studios in Huntington Beach, the

Rotary Club of Newport Balboa will meet at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht

Club for dinner (o7 https://www.newportbalboa.orgf7 ).

THURSDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Costa Mesa-Orange Coast Breakfast Lions club will meet

at Mimi’s to hear from Gary Raporte on senior meals and services.

Noon: The Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa will meet at the Holiday Inn for

a Mother’s Day program featuring fashions from Nordstrom, the Newport

Beach-Corona del Mar Kiwanis Club will meet at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht

Club, the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will meet at the Riverboat

Restaurant for a business meeting, and the Newport Irvine Rotary Club

will meet at the Irvine Marriott for craft talks by new Rotarians (o7

https://www.nirotary.orgf7 ).

* COMMUNITY “& CLUBS is published every Saturday in the Daily Pilot.

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

e-mail to o7 jdeboom@aol.comf7 or by mail to 2082 S.E. Bristol St.,

Suite 201, Newport Beach, CA 92660-1740.