COSTA MESA Trains on the tracks...

COSTA MESA

Trains on the tracks

On the third weekend of each month, engineers climb aboard their

trains and travel on three miles of track at Fairview Park to display

their steam and diesel engines. The public is welcome to join them at

the park at Placentia Avenue and Estancia North. The Orange County

Model Engineer program started in 1989, when engineers wanted to

display their engines, while educating and entertaining the community

about the past. (949) 548-7246.

Fight against crime

The 19th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event

will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. today. Costa Mesa residents, along

with people nationwide, will lock their doors, turn on outside lights

and spend the evening outside with neighbors and public safety

personnel. Costa Mesa Police Department officers will serve food and

sodas, and raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

Annual Indian Powwow

A Native American festival featuring a dance competition, native

crafts and food will be held Aug. 23-25 at the Orange County

Fairgrounds. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for teens 12 to 17, $1 for children 6 to 11, and children 5 and younger are free. (714)

663-1102.

NEWPORT BEACH

Balboa Fun Zone

Children can ride the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round and the

bumper cars, as well as play video games, pose for a portrait or

browse through souvenir shops along the boardwalk, at the Balboa Fun

Zone, which has been attracting businesses since 1936. The Fun Zone

offers many eating choices, including Balboa Bars, which are

chocolate-covered ice cream bars sprinkled with toppings. Open daily

from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 400 E. Bay St., Balboa Peninsula. (949)

673-0408 or www.BalboaNewportBeach.com.

Upper Newport Bay

Peter and Mary Muth

Interpretive Center

Adults and children can explore 15 hands-on interactive exhibits

and communicate with the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends through

interpretive educational opportunities or watch a ‘’visual poem’’ of

Upper Newport Bay presented on five monitors, showing such acts as

birds in flight and the flow of running water in an estuary. The

10,000-square-foot interpretive center offers hands-on opportunities

to experience the inner workings of an estuary. 2301 University

Drive, Newport Beach. Open daily, except Mondays and major holidays,

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (714) 973-6820.