Newport library’s 2003 lecture series unveiled...

Newport library’s 2003 lecture series unveiled

Among those taking part in the Newport Beach Central Library’s

sixth annual Martin W. Witte Distinguished Speakers Lecture Series in

2003 are Jeremy Rifkin, David Halberstam, David Kessler and Ray

Suarez.

Rifkin, a global trend-tracker, will kick off the series on Feb.

21 and 22 with “Petroleum, Politics and the Hydrogen Economy.” He has

authored 16 books on the effects of scientific and technological

change on the economy, society and the environment.

Halberstam, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, will discuss “New

Challenges in a Time of Uncertainty” on March 21 and 22. His works

include “The Best and the Brightest,” “Firehouse” and “War In A Time

of Peace: Bush, Clinton, and the Generals.”

Kessler, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, will

speak about “Prescription for Life: The FDA and You” on April 25 and

26. In his presentation, he will discuss his battle to regulate the

sales of cigarettes during his 1990-97 term.

Suarez, a renowned news correspondent for the Jim Lehrer News

Hour, will conclude the series on May 16 and 17 with “On the Border:

Are We Still a Melting Pot?” The former host of “Talk of the Nation”

will talk about immigration issues, border patrol and national

security policies.

The lecture series will be held at 7 p.m. Fridays and at 2 p.m.

Saturdays from February to May at the Central Library. Tickets will

be available beginning Jan. 13. Evening shows, including music and

dinner, will cost $55, while afternoon lectures, including light

refreshments, will cost $18. Tickets can be ordered online at

www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

The library is at 1000 Avocado Ave. For information, call (949)

717-3801.

Costa Mesa cleanup efforts slated for April

The city of Costa Mesa invites others to join in sprucing up

neighborhoods on Saturday, April 26, as part of 20th bi-annual

“Neighbors for Neighbors” community cleanup event. The spring event

focuses on homes in Canyon Park on the Westside and on low-income,

single-family homes.

Homeowners interested in participating are also welcome.

The event will be performed in conjunction with the Volunteer

Center of Orange County.

Newport trash pickup delayed a day this week

Areas in Newport Beach that usually expect trash pickup on

Wednesday will have to wait an extra day next week as a result of the

New Year’s holiday. All other areas in the city will also be delayed

a day.

Street sweeping, too, will be skipped on Wednesday because of the

holiday.

For more information, call the city’s General Services Department

at (949) 644-3055.

Sandbags offered in Newport Beach

Don’t batten down the hatches yet, but the city of Newport Beach

has begun offering sandbags to residents just in case El Nino comes

through as some predict.

Empty sandbags are available at the city’s Corporation Yard, 592,

Superior Ave., between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

They can also be picked up at fire stations between 7:30 a.m. and

5 p.m.

Residents are limited to 10 sandbags each.

Since the bags will be empty, residents may use the sand along the

beach, with the understanding that the sand be returned after the

storm season, city officials said.

Seminar will discuss scams, identity theft

“Building Business Expertise,” a seminar focusing on identity

theft and other scams, will be held in Newport Beach Central

Library’s Friends Meeting Room at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14.

The seminar, which will also be a networking mixer, is

co-sponsored by the library and the Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce.

Andi Querry, a crime prevention specialist for the Newport Beach

Police Department, will present the seminar. She has been with the

Police Department for six years.

Querry will define identity theft and discuss how identity thieves

obtain personal information and what people can do if they become

victims.

The library is at 1000 Avocado Ave. For information, call (949)

717-3801.