Donations to UCI increased by 61% Private...

Donations to UCI increased by 61%

Private donations to UC Irvine increased by 61% in 2002-03

compared to the previous year, university officials said. Donations

exceeded $57 million, and the university received 17,887 gifts --

what officials call a record number.

The donations include $13 million in gifts and pledges for the new

hospital at UCI Medical Center. Construction of the hospital is

expected to begin in 2004. More than half of the donations came from

corporations and foundations, officials said.

Wetlands group to have Monday fund-raiser

AnyBody C.A.N. Make Change is hosting a fund-raiser for the

Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Huntington Beach in Newport

Beach on Monday.

The group’s fund-raising outreach CAN-Paign focuses on the

decision a person makes when they empty their pocket or purse each

night.

“By changing the way people make this single decision on how they

see coin change into an act of empowerment toward social change,

focusing on whether to spend their change or deposit a percent of it

to a worthy cause, a distinction is created that could change the

whole of society,” according to the press release.

The organization’s goal is 51% of coin change invested in

community outreach programs throughout California.

The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Hyatt

Newporter. For more information, call (949) 722-6002.

Free Wheelchair Mission benefit set

Free Wheelchair Mission, a nonprofit that provides wheelchairs to

the physically-disabled poor in developing countries will hold an

event to thank donors Tuesday. The event will feature a short film of

documentary clips from recent distribution in Africa, China, Fiji and

Mexico. Many recipients who have received wheelchairs will also be on

hand to share their experiences.

The mission has gained momentum in the past year and would like to

celebrate its growth and the people who have made it possible. The

agency has grown from providing 100 wheelchairs in its first year to

providing 4,000 in 2002. The agency plans to raise $1 million this

year and distribute 25,000 wheelchairs.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday at Northern

Trust Bank, 16 Corporate Plaza, in Newport Beach. For more

information, call (714) 679-1443.

Real estate company buys Newport complex

Newport Federal has purchased an 18-building commercial office

project in Newport Beach for $37.5 million.

The Anaheim-based real estate company added the

269,150-square-foot complex to its portfolio. It was the third

significant acquisition in the past 90 days.

Newport Federal purchased the property from Mitsui, a Japanese

investment firm that had owned it for about two years.

Commerce Plaza is situated on an 16.9-acre site on a block

surrounded by Westerly Place, Birch Street, Dove Street and Quail

Street.

The complex is now about 80% occupied with about 100 local

commercial tenants. Spaces range from 250 to 16,000 square feet. The

sale of the 32-year-old property closed escrow in the past 30 days.

Voit Commercial Brokerage handled the transaction for Newport

Federal. CB Richard Ellis represented Mitsui.

Participants wanted for education committee

Mayor Gary Monahan is a member of the Special Education Community

Advisory Committee for the school district. He has announced that the

committee is recruiting applicants for the upcoming school year.

The committee is made up of parents, teachers and representatives

from community agencies who are interested in the development and

support of the best education program possible for students with

special needs.

The committee was established to provide a forum for parent

involvement in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s Special

Education Program. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to

assist in developing home-school partnerships, parent education and

recommendations to the school board on matters relating to special

education.

Meetings are held in the evenings, seven to eight times a year.

Applicants don’t have to have a child in special education.

If you are interested, please contact Mayor Monahan at (714)

754-5192

Boys and Girls Club hosts fund-raiser

The Harbor Area Boys and Girls Club will hold a fund-raising event

to raise money for after-school activities. The 62-year-old Costa

Mesa organization will sell 300 raffle tickets for $100. The winning $10,000 ticket will be drawn during a special ceremony on Aug. 18 at

Wingnuts restaurant.

Those entering will also get a chance to win runner-up prizes. The

grand prize winner need not be present to win. To buy tickets, call

(949) 642-2245.

Meet the Author series welcomes three writers

The Mariners Library branch on Wednesday will feature three local

award-winning romance writers -- Susan Squires, Shannon Donnelly and

Debra Holland.

The free program is part of Meet the Author, a series featuring

Orange County’s writers. The program includes complimentary

refreshments, informal discussions with the authors and book signing.

The library is at 2005 Dover Drive. Information: (949) 717-3816 or

visit www.newportbeachlibrary.org.