* Send AROUND TOWN items to the...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa

Mesa, CA 92627; by e-mail to mike.swanson@latimes.com; by fax to

(949) 646-4170; or by calling (949) 574-4298. Include the time, date

and location of the event, as well as a contact phone number. A

complete listing is available at www.dailypilot.com.

WEDNESDAY

A free seminar and book signing, “Asian Longevity Secrets,” will

be offered by author Ping Wu from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Mother’s Market,

225 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. To make reservations, call (800)

595-MOMS.

Adult readers interested in exploring how cultural complexities

can affect familial relationships are invited to a discussion of Amy

Tan’s “The Bonesetter’s Daughter” at 3 p.m. at the Corona del Mar

Branch Library. The program is part of “Branch Out-Read,” an adult

summer reading program at Balboa, Corona del Mar and Mariners branch

libraries. For more information, call (949) 644-3075.

Children entering first through sixth grades are invited to “Up in

the Air” at 3 p.m. at the Mariners branch of the Newport Beach

Pentral Library. Renowned juggler David Cousin, who holds five world

records for keeping things in the air, will present the free program,

which will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. July 24 at the Balboa branch.

For more information, call (714) 717-3816.

Local author Lynette Brasfield, whose first novel, “Nature

Lessons,” was honored as a July/August Booksense 76 pick by the

independent booksellers of America, will be the featured guest at

Mariners Branch Library’s “Meet the Author” from 7 to 9 p.m. The

South African-born author is now working on her second novel, “Anyhow

in a Corner.” For more information, call 949-717-3816.

THURSDAY

Children entering first through sixth grades are invited to “Up in

the Air” at 10:30 a.m. at the Balboa branch of the Newport Beach

Public Library. Renowned juggler David Cousin, who holds five world

records for keeping things in the air, will present the free program.

For more information, call (714) 717-3816.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Newport Sunset Networking

Mixer will be held aboard the Empress yacht of Pacific Avalon Yacht

Charters, 3404 Via Oporto, No. 103, Newport Beach. The dockside event

from 5 to 7 p.m. will include hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. The

mixer is free for members. Potential members pay $10. For more

information, call (949) 729-4400.

Book Soup’s “Taking Tea” author series at South Coast Plaza

returns with authors Janet Fitch and Susan Straight. Discussions of

their books “White Oleander” and “Highwire Moon” will take place over

coffee, tea and dessert. A portion of book sales will be donated to

the Orangewood Foundation. For more information, call (714) 689-2665.

FRIDAY

Newport Dunes Resort’s “Movies on the Beach” series offers

“Remember the Titans” starting at dusk on the Newport sand. Parking

costs $8 per car. Campfires will also be available for s’mores. The

resort is at 1131 Back Bay Drive. For more information, call (949)

729-DUNE.

Longines presents an afternoon with Olympic gymnastics gold

medalist Mary Lou Retton and legendary coach Bela Karolyi starting at

noon at Macy’s in South Coast Plaza. Retton and Karolyi will sign

autographs and promote the upcoming World Gymnastics Championships in

the Fine Watch Department on level two. For more information, call

(714) 556-0611, ext. 4231.

“Endless Summer 2” will screen at 11 a.m. Friday through 28 and

Aug. 1 through 8 at the Regency Lido Theater. The presentation is in

celebration of Dana Brown’s new surf film, “Step into Liquid,” which

opens Aug. 8 exclusively at the Lido. Each $5.50 admission ticket

earns a full-size, “Step into Liquid” movie poster. The Lido is at

3459 Via Lido in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949)

673-8351.

JULY 26

Newport Dunes Resort’s “Movies on the Beach” series offers “Alice

in Wonderland” starting at dusk on the Newport sand. Parking costs $8

per car. Campfires will also be available for s’mores. The resort is

at 1131 Back Bay Drive. For more information, call (949) 729-DUNE.

“What’s Cooking? Bistro & Lounge” in Newport Beach will have a

farewell party celebrating its 27 years and Grandma Vallera’s 90th

birthday from 5 p.m. to closing. This will be patrons’ last

opportunity to taste Grandma Vallera’s famous pasta. There will be

two “Memory Albums” for attendees to insert a short note, photo or

story of memories at the bistro. The cost will be $28 per person plus

tax and gratuity. For reservations, call (949) 644-1820.

Triangle Square in Costa Mesa invites the community to attend “A

Fair at the Square” for the sights, sounds and great deals in the

outdoor marketplace while taking advantage of storefront specials

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SUNDAY

The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is

proud to host the 68th annual Flight of the Lasers at 1 p.m. at the

Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 720 West Bay Ave., Newport Beach. Join

Laser enthusiasts of all ages as you sail to win prizes like best

costume, best decorated boat, first parent/child team, and first

married couple. Information: (949) 673-7730.

Hornblower’s two-hour champagne brunch cruise features a lavish

brunch buffet, free-flowing champagne and juice service and great

views while you cruise Newport Harbor. Boarding begins at 11:30 a.m.

at 2431 W. Pacific Coast Highway for the noon cruise. For

reservations, call (949) 631-2469.

MONDAY

Mature drivers can sharpen their driving skills in this eight-hour

class held during two sessions, at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. at

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Costa Mesa July 28 and 29. The

$10 classes are limited to 30 students. Advanced registration is

required. Information: (714) 557-3340.

Children entering first through sixth grades are invited to “A

Radical Science Show” at 10:30 a.m. at the Newport Beach Central

Library. The free program will be repeated at 3 p.m. July 30 at the

Mariners branch and at 10:30 a.m. July 31 at the Balboa branch. For

more information, call (949) 717-3816.

JULY 30

Children entering first through sixth grades are invited to “A

Radical Science Show” at 3 p.m. at the Mariners branch of the Newport

Beach Public Library. The free program will be repeated at 10:30 a.m.

July 31 at the Balboa branch. For more information, call (949)

717-3816.

A free seminar, “Pet Nutrition Pawsibilities,” will be offered by

Coco’s Canine Cuisine from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mother’s Market, 225

E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. Reservations: (800) 595-MOMS.

Join Corona del Mar in organizing its 2004 Centennial Celebration

at a public meeting running from 7 to 8 p.m. at Sherman Library and

Gardens. Attendees are asked to enter from the back parking lot at

2647 E. Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. For more information, call

(949) 422-4210.

JULY 31

Children entering first through sixth grades are invited to “A

Radical Science Show” at 10:30 a.m. at the Balboa branch of the

Newport Beach Public Library. For more information, call (949)

717-3816.

The monthly Career Networking Resource meeting for the unemployed,

sponsored by St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, will run from 7:30 to

9 p.m. in the church’s chapel. All monthly meetings are open to all

for free, and reservations aren’t necessary. Information: (949)

574-2236.

AUG. 2

Hornblower Cruises and Events offers a three-hour cruise of

Newport Harbor, a gourmet three-course meal, live entertainment and

award-winning service from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Boarding starts at 7

p.m. at 2431 W. Pacific Coast Highway. For reservations, call (949)

631-2469.

AUG. 8

Hornblower Cruises and Events offers a three-hour cruise of

Newport Harbor, a gourmet three-course meal, live entertainment and

award-winning service from 8 to 11 p.m. Boarding starts at 7:30 p.m.

at 2431 W. Pacific Coast Highway. For reservations, call (949)

631-2469.

Inventors Forum, the Orange County-based nonprofit inventors’

support group, presents a seminar on “High Technology Patenting” by

patent attorney Curtis L. Harrington. Registration and networking

begin at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. seminar at Orange Coast College’s

Science Lecture Hall. The cost is $5 for members, $15 for nonmembers.

For more information, call (714) 540-2491.

AUG. 9

Triangle Square in Costa Mesa invites the community to attend “A

Fair at the Square” for the sights, sounds and great deals in the

outdoor marketplace while taking advantage of storefront specials

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

AUG. 10

Hornblower’s two-hour champagne brunch cruise features a lavish

brunch buffet, free-flowing champagne and juice service and great

views while you cruise Newport Harbor. Boarding begins at 11:30 a.m.

at 2431 W. Pacific Coast Highway for the noon cruise. For

reservations, call (949) 631-2469.

AUG. 11

Registration for the Orange County Business Council’s ninth annual

Corporate Executive Golf Tournament begins at 9 a.m. at Mesa Verde

Country Club in Costa Mesa, with the shot gun start at 11 a.m. The

cost is $300 for a single player package or $1,500 for a corporate

players package. Proceeds benefit the Orange County Rescue Mission’s

Strong Beginnings program, which provides workforce development for

those who have lost hope and need help. For more information, call

(949) 476-2242, ext. 216.

AUG. 23

Triangle Square in Costa Mesa invites the community to attend “A

Fair at the Square” for the sights, sounds and great deals in the

outdoor marketplace while taking advantage of storefront specials

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ONGOING

The Newport Center Toastmaster’s Club can help you improve your

public speaking skills or polish your business presentations. Members

come from a variety of professional disciplines and backgrounds. The

group meets every Monday morning from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at 610 Newport

Center Drive, Newport Beach. Validated parking is available in the

parking structure next to 24 Hour Fitness. Guests are welcome. For

more information, call (949) 721-5732.

The ACLU of Orange County meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of

every month at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1259 Victoria St.

in Costa Mesa. Each month’s meeting will feature a different speaker

on issues relating to the Bill of Rights. For more information, call

(714) 957-6107.