Spotlight

Raising money to fight cancer

If there’s any need for a reason to scoot around Newport Harbor on a

dingy or electric boat, this is it.

The Volvo Leukemia Cup Regatta, which has raised more than $7.25

million to battle cancer, will kick off its local event in the harbor on

Friday.

Starting at 5 p.m. -- the perfect time to power up the Duffy -- the

Poker Run, an electric boat parade, will be the calm before the racing

storm.

Come May 31, the serious racing begins.

On that Friday, the first race from Newport Beach to Dana Point is set

to go off. On Sat., June 1, there will be two buoy races, followed by a

final race on Sun., June 2. More than 7,000 racers are expected at the

events nationwide.

All the money raised from the Poker Run and the entrance fees for the

races goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

FYI:

WHERE: Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club

WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday; other races begin May 31

COST: $20 donation

CONTACT: (949) 644-9530

Scouting out the weekend

BOY SCOUT CELEBRATION

The 2002 Scout-O-Rama, which celebrates the merits of the 92-year-old

Boy Scout organization, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday with an Eagle

Scout Alumni Reunion open to all individuals who have earned the Eagle

rank and will include dinner and a presentation at the Newport Dunes

Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. Events run

throughout the weekend, including a day of canoe races, obstacle courses,

wall climbs and other activities. The celebration concludes at 10 a.m.

Sunday when about 250 Boy Scouts will accompany their mothers for a

Mother’s Day brunch.

FYI

WHERE: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport

Beach

WHEN: All weekend

COST: $5

CONTACT: (714) 546-4990

PLANNING AHEAD

AN ART WALK

The seventh annual Balboa Island Artwalk will be held from 9 a.m. to 5

p.m. May 11 along the South Bayfront promenade on Balboa Island. Pieces

will include paintings, jewelry and sculpture. Musicians will perform.

Saturday, May 11

WINE TASTING

The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host a wine tasting and

auction from 1 to 4 p.m. at the South Coast Plaza Village Green, 3333

Bristol St., Costa Mesa. Among the participating wineries are Mondavi,

Clos du Bois, Ruffino, Burgess Cellars, Moet, Ravenswood and Lancaster.

Participating restaurants include Morton’s of Chicago, Antonello

Ristorante and Blue Water Grill. Proceeds will benefit the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, Hoag Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange

County. $100 to attend. Call (714) 885-9095.

Sunday, May 19

NUMERICALLY SPEAKING

2: The number of films left in the Orange County Museum of Art’s

Friday Night Films series, which ends June 21.