Walt Davenport wins leadership award Former Costa...

Walt Davenport wins leadership award

Former Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner Walt Davenport has won the

2003 Distinguished Leadership Award of Merit for a layperson from the

California chapter of the American Planning Assn.

Davenport served on the Costa Mesa Planning Commission for 22

years before being replaced through the appointment process in

February.

The honor is one of 10 Awards of Merit presented to outstanding

leaders, planners and planning projects.

Davenport will receive the award on Sept. 30 at the association’s

state conference in Santa Barbara.

UCI names new vice chancellor for housing

UC Irvine has named William Zeller its assistant vice chancellor

of student housing. He will begin in the middle of September.

Zeller brings more than 25 years of experience in student housing

and campus life to the university, most recently as the director of

university housing at the University of Michigan.

At Michigan, Zeller oversaw an annual budget of $90 million while

directing a comprehensive housing operation that accommodated 12,000

students in 13 residence halls and 1,500 apartment units.

He worked closely with university leaders in long-range planning

efforts and making annual recommendations to the Board of Regents.

Zeller is also credited with strengthening Michigan’s living-learning

initiative, which offers various learning programs within the

residence halls.

“I am looking forward to joining one of the nation’s premier

public institutions,” Zeller said in a press release. “UCI is one of

the fastest-growing research universities, attracting highly talented

young people. I am excited to work with my new colleagues to enhance

the educational opportunities and student life experiences for the

campus’ diverse population.”

Halloween carnival seeks sponsors

Newport Coast Cares is seeking sponsors for its third annual

Newport Coast Cares Halloween Carnival to be held on Oct. 25.

Different levels of sponsorship opportunities are available. The

deadline is Sept. 20.

Proceeds from the carnival will benefit the Corazon de Vida

Foundation. For more information, call Laura Giffin at (949) 376-8518

or Brigitte Tehranchi at (949) 464-0443.

West Newport Beach Assn. meeting

The West Newport Beach Assn. will have its annual meeting on Sept.

24 at the Lido Peninsula Resort Clubhouse. There will be no meeting

in August.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the clubhouse at 710 Lido Park

Drive.

Hoag Cancer Center survival rate climbs

Hoag Cancer Center’s five-year survival rates have climbed to 72%,

about 10% over the national average, hospital officials said. That

number is Hoag’s best in the last seven years.

Officials said the center also surpasses national average for each

of the five most common types of cancer.

Officials attribute the cancer center’s success to their

“comprehensive community cancer program,” which manages more than

2,300 new patients every year.

Parent Help USA to hold fund-raising cruise

Parent Help USA, a Costa Mesa organization that works to prevent

child abuse, will host a sunset cruise aboard a luxury yacht in

Newport Harbor from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17. The fund-raiser will include

a champagne reception, dinner, tropical drinks, entertainment,

auction, gondola rides and door prizes.

Tickets cost $75 person or $125 for two until Aug. 10. Sponsorship

opportunities are also available. For reservations and more

information, call (949) 650-3461 or visit www.parenthelpusa.org.

Jewish organization forms support group

Jewish Family Service of Orange County is forming a support group

for the Jewish parents of children who are gay or lesbian.

The agency is seeking enough people to run a group that will meet

monthly. A professional facilitator will be provided.

To enroll or find out more information, call (714) 445-4950. The

agency is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G in Costa Mesa.