SPOTLIGHT

2002 SWEETHEART BALL

For the people associated with Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach,

Valentine’s Day means more than hearts and flowers. The day, or more

often the Saturday before or after it, means fund-raising to help the

hospital’s Heart Institute provide quality care to its patients.

This will be the Sweetheart Ball’s 10th year of existence, the first

being held in 1992. The event is one of the many components of Hoag Heart

month, and is the largest fund-raiser for the Heart Institute, the

highest-volume cardiovascular program in the county.

Every year, the 552 Club of Hoag Hospital chooses someone to honor as

its sweetheart. The first Hoag sweetheart was Newport’s Nora Jorgenson

Johnson. Last year, Hoag honored Maralou and Jerry Harrington.

Co-sponsored by the 552 Club of Hoag Hospital and Tiffany & Co., the

ball will be held at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa.

Whether you go because you support the Heart Institute or you’re just

following your heart, expect to have a magical time.

FYI

* Where: Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa

* When: 6 p.m.

* Cost: $225 per individual or $450 per couple. Reservations required

* Contact: (949) 574-7208

‘Searching for Intruders’ at the Central Library

STEVEN RALEIGH BYLER

Author Steven Raleigh Byler will read from his first novel, “Searching

for Intruders,” on Saturday at the Newport Beach Central Library.

Narrated by protagonist Wilson Hues, this “novel in stories” features

loosely linked tales of love, lust and loss, set in the West to New York

City. Byler will be available after the reading to sign books.

FYI

* Where: Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport

Beach

* When: 2 p.m. Saturday

* Cost: Free

* Contact: (949) 717-3801

PLANNING AHEAD

‘EUGENE ONEGIN’

Opera Pacific presents opening day of its first-ever Russian opera,

Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” onstage at the Orange County Performing

Arts Center.

Tuesday, Feb. 26

READY TO RUN?

Spirit Run 2002, hosted by Leigh and Luch Steinberg, will take off

from Fashion Island in March to help raise money for Newport Beach

elementary schools.

Sunday, March 10

NUMERICALLY SPEAKING

7 : The number of children in the Von Trapp family of “The Sound of

Music”. The Trilogy Playhouse in Costa Mesa will stage this classic

musical through March 3.