* 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

The UC Irvine Observatory will host Visitor Night from 9 to 11

p.m., offering views of Mars, which will be at its closest point to

Earth in 60,000 years. Amateur astronomers are encouraged to bring

their own telescopes. The event, which may be canceled if it rains,

is free. Information: (949) 824-6455.

THURSDAY

A free seminar, “Performance Nutrition for Strength and

Longevity,” will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mother’s Market,

225 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. For reservations, call (800) 595-MOMS.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce will host its Newport Sunset

Networking Mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rusty Pelican, 2735 W. Coast

Highway. Attendance is free for chamber members, $10 for potential members. Reservations aren’t required. For more information, call

(949) 729-4400.

FRIDAY

Teddy Bears and Tea Cups on Balboa Island, 225 Marine Ave., will

host “Pajama Night” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Information: (949) 673-7204.

SUNDAY

To honor Katharine Hepburn, Oasis Senior Center will present “On

Golden Pond,” the last of five free screenings in August, at 1 p.m.

All are invited to enjoy the movies and free popcorn at the center’s

Hepburn Film Fest, at 800 Marguerite Ave. in Corona del Mar. For more

information, call (949) 644-3244.

SEPT. 2

Visions and Dreams in Costa Mesa will host a free feng shui

seminar at 7 p.m. P.K. Odle, a worldwide instructor for the American

Feng Shui Institute, will explain how elemental remedies are

implemented as elegant accessories that complement decor to improve

health, relationships and prosperity. Visions and Dreams is at 2482

Newport Blvd. Reservations are required: (626) 288-1669.

SEPT. 11

Four of California’s pre-eminent sports authors will make up a

panel that will discuss “Sports Literature: Bringing the Game to

Life” at 7 p.m. at Borders South Coast Plaza. Los Angeles Times

columnist Bill Plaschke, Orange County Register columnist Steve

Bisheff, and authors David Ferrell and Don Wallace will make up the

panel. Information: (714) 279-8933.

SEPT. 12

The Costa Mesa Senior Center, in celebration of Costa Mesa’s 50th

anniversary, presents the CostAmazing Senior Hoedown, featuring live

western music by the Travis Parker Band, dancing and barbecue, from 4

to 7 p.m. The Costa Mesa Senior Center is at 695 W. 19th St. The cost

is $5 for members, $11 for nonmembers, $5 for kids. Tickets go on

sale Aug. 15 at the center’s front desk and at Costa Mesa City Hall,

on the third floor in the Recreation department. Information: (949)

645-2356.

SEPT. 16

Gen Kelsang Tubpa of the Vajrarupini Buddhist Center in San Diego

will give a free talk, “Guide to the Bodhisattva,” at 7 p.m. at

Borders South Coast Plaza. The talk will be based on “The New

Meditation Handbook,” the latest book by Buddhist scholar, teacher

and author Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Information: (714) 279-8933.

SEPT. 19

The 15th Taste of Newport, featuring food samplings from more than

30 local restaurants, spectacular live entertainment, more than 15

wineries, cocktails and beers, will run today to Sept. 21 at Fashion

Island. Today’s hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Information: (949) 729-4400.

SEPT. 20

“Celebrating the Past ... and Rebuilding for the Future” is a

two-day fund-raiser to benefit education, interpretation and

restoration efforts at the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District.

The events, from 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept. 21, will celebrate four years of preservation efforts and the

beginning of restoration scheduled for October under the park’s

direction. For more information, call (949) 640-5220.

The 15th Taste of Newport, featuring food samplings from more than

30 local restaurants, spectacular live entertainment, more than 15

wineries, cocktails and beers, will continue today at Fashion Island.

Today’s hours 4 to 11 p.m. and noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 21. Information:

(949) 729-4400.

SEPT. 21

The 15th Taste of Newport, featuring food samplings from more than

30 local restaurants, spectacular live entertainment, more than 15

wineries, cocktails and beers, will conclude today at Fashion Island.

Today’s hours noon to 8 p.m. Information: (949) 729-4400.

Chef Sumiko Matsumoto will discuss and sign her book, “Japanese

Healthy, High-Style Cooking,” at noon at Borders South Coast Plaza.

Matsumoto’s approach to cooking has brought her an exclusive

clientele in select settings such as Lake Forest, Illinois, La Jolla,

Palm Springs and Boca Raton, Fla. Information: (714) 279-8933.

SEPT. 22

Dr. Khosrow Mahdavi will present “Chemotherapy of Gastrointestinal

Cancers” as part of Hoag Hospital’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Patient

Education Series from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Hoag Cancer Center.

Admission is free, but registration is required by Sept. 15.

Information: (949) 7-CANCER.

SEPT. 25

The Orange County affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer

Foundation will pay tribute to the sponsors of its 12th annual Komen

Orange County Race for the Cure on Sept. 28 in Fashion Island with a

VIP sponsors reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Turnip Rose in Costa

Mesa. Information: (714) 957-9157.

SEPT. 26

Orange Coast College’s school of sailing and seamanship has

scheduled a three-day cruise to Catalina aboard the Alaska Eagle, a

65-foot vessel that has returned from a 13-month trip from Newport

Beach to Antarctica. The cost for the three-day trip is $430 per

person. Information: (949) 645-9412.

The Oasis Senior Center will hold a preview rummage sale from 9

a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission costs $3. The center, at 800 Marguerite Ave.

in Corona del Mar, will be accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

weekdays from Sept. 8 to 23. Information: (949) 646-4131.

SEPT. 27

The Oasis Senior Center will hold a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 2

p.m. Attendance is free. The center, at 800 Marguerite Ave. in Corona

del Mar, will be accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays

from Sept. 8 to 23. Information: (949) 646-4131.

SEPT. 29

Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa will host the second

Bayside/Bistango Charity Golf Tournament starting at 10 a.m.

Registration and a putting contest will run from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The

$170 fee includes registration, the golf tournament, wine tasting,

box lunch, a catered dinner and live entertainment. All proceeds will

benefit a local charity. Information: (949) 752-5222.

OCT. 4

Celebrating the renaissance of the streets of Balboa Village and

talents of more than 100 artists, “La Strada Dell’ Arte: An Italian

Street Painting Festival and Taste of Italy,” will be presented Oct.

4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The two-day event is free and open to

the public. Information: (714) 557-5100, ext. 13.

OCT. 6

The Pacific Community of Secular Humanistic Jews presents a Yom

Kippur observance at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Costa Mesa.

The event will consist of a Yom Kippur program, discussions on

medical ethics, Jewish history through music and the roadmap to

peace, and then a full-course dinner. Information: (949) 262-5850.

OCT. 9

South Coast Plaza’s Macy’s Home Store will host the 19th annual

Food, Wine and Micro-Brew Fest, featuring live music with dancing and

drawings for prizes. Tickets are $45 in advance, $35 for groups of 10

or more and $55 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Second Harvest

Food Bank of Orange County and KTLA charities. Information: (714)

771-1343.

OCT. 18

The Jr. League of Orange County’s Christmas Company Shopping

Extravaganza at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center will

begin with an opening night gala from 7 to 11 p.m. Shopping dates

will be Oct. 19 to 22. General admission is $7. Information:

www.jlocc.org

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.

Jewish Family Service is offering a support and discussion group

for women 50 and older the second and fourth Monday of every month

from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G in Costa Mesa.

Pre-registration is required. For information or to register, call

(714) 445-4950.

Jewish Family Service is offering a women’s divorce and separation

support group at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Jewish Federation Campus in

Costa Mesa, 250 E. Baker St. For more information, call (714)

445-4950, ext. 114.

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. Information: (714)

957-6107.

“Beach Landscapes,” an exhibit featuring digitally manipulated

aerial photographs of the Hawaiian islands by Donna Ruzicka, umbrella

beach scenes by Carole Boller and Back Bay landscapes by Luke

Spencer, will be on display through Sept. 30 at Newport Beach City

Hall. Information: (949) 717-3870.

“Tennis in Art,” an exhibit of paintings by longtime tennis

instructor and coach Jose Mendoza, will be on display in the Newport

Beach Central Library foyer through Aug. 30. Mendoza’s work is known

for its manipulation of color and form as well as its concentration

on tennis. Information: (949) 717-3870.

Volunteer drivers are needed to help deliver nutritiously prepared

meals to homebound, frail or elderly clients incapable of shopping or

cooking for themselves through “Mobile Meals,” sponsored by

FISH-Harbor Area Inc. and Hoag Hospital. Call (949) 645-8050 for more

information.

Swim lessons are available July 21 and run through Aug. 1 at

Halecrest Park, 3107 Killybrook Lane in Costa Mesa. Information:

(714) 557-7234.

Project Cuddle, a nonprofit organization that offers safe and

legal alternatives to girls who are considering abandoning their

babies, is in need of ongoing volunteers. For more information, visit

www.projectcuddle.org or call (714) 432-9681.

Macy’s in Costa Mesa invites Orange County nonprofit organizations

that provide services and programs to the HIV/AIDS community to apply

for participation in Macy’s South Coast Plaza’s Passport In Store

fund-raiser. This year’s event will be held on Oct. 4. To receive an

application to participate, call (714) 556-0611, ext. 4231.

Yoga classes will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to

12:40 p.m. for nine weeks at West Newport Community Center.

Registration is $54 for one class each week or $100 for two days a

week over nine weeks for Newport Beach residents. Others pay an

additional $5. For more information, call (949) 644-3151.

Costa Mesa’s Recreation Division will provide a three-hour theme

birthday party for up to 20 guests at the Balearic Community Center

weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 4 to 7

p.m. and Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. Parties for children 5 to 12 will

consist o lunch/dinner, games, crafts, prizes, cake with ice cream

and supervision by staff. Parties cost $250 or $300. For more

information, call (714) 754-5158.

Five new wines will be served on Bayside Restaurant’s terrace

overlooking Newport Harbor every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The

cost is $15 per person. For more information, call (949) 721-1222.

Newport Dunes Resort’s “Movies on the Beach” will run every Friday

and Saturday throughout the summer, including a two-hour barbecue

before the movies start at dusk. Guests are invited to bring their

favorite cuts of meat. The resort will provide the rest for $7.95 per

person. The films will be shown on a large screen in the sand on

every Friday and Saturday evening in June and July except July 4.

Parking is $8 per car. For more information, call (949) 729-DUNE.

A variety of private, semi-private and group swim lessons will be

offered this summer at the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center at Corona

del Mar High School. Options include one-on-one instruction on

Saturdays and a Monday through Thursday program for all ages and

levels. For session dates, times and costs, call (949) 644-3151, or

register in person at Newport Beach Recreation and Senior Services at

3300 Newport Blvd.

Children, teens and adults can now register for summer

recreational boating classes offered through Newport Beach Recreation

Services. Classes begin July 12. Fees vary. Call (949) 644-3151, or

visit the Newport Beach Recreation and Senior Services a 3300 Newport

Blvd. for more information.

Professional and licensed soccer trainers with the All-England

Soccer Academy are available for one-on-one, small group and large

group training. For more information, call (949) 395-5103.

Jewish Family Service is sponsoring a teen support group for high

school students that meets Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Tarbut

V’Torah Upper School in Costa Mesa. For information or to register,

call (714) 445-4950. Pre-registration is required.

The First Page -- Fine Children’s Books, at 270 E. 17th St., No.

10 in Costa Mesa, offers free story time Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays

and Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4

to 5 p.m. For more information, call (949) 645-5437.

Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach offers wine tasting every

Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for $15 per person, featuring five

new wines each week. For more information, call (949) 721-1222.

If your orchid is too big for its pot, Green Systems International

will show you how to re-pot your plant during their free

orchid-potting seminar at 2 p.m. every Saturday. A plant sale is held

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 20362 Birch St. facility. Call (949)

756-1211 for information.

Discover the secrets of Carbon Canyon Regional Park as you walk

through groves of beautiful Coastal Redwood trees every Saturday at

8:30 a.m. Parking is $4. Call (714) 996-5252 for more information.

Team Survivor, a nonprofit organization encouraging women who have

been through cancer treatment to exercise, hosts “Walk and Talk” at

10 a.m. the second and fourth Friday of the month in front of

NIKEgodess store in Fashion Island. Members meet for lunch after at

Atrium court. It is free, and all fitness levels are welcome. For

more information, call (949) 275-3888.

Newport Community Counseling Center offers a way to stop the cycle

of domestic violence through the support group In S.A.F.E. Hands.

S.A.F.E. stands for safety, awareness, faith and empowerment. The

group meets Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free. For more information,

call (949) 721-8079.

Teens are invited to drop by the city of Costa Mesa Recreation

Center from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for indoor and outdoor

sports and activities. The center is at 1860 Anaheim Ave. For more

information, call (714) 327-7560.

The Newport Beach Walking Club meets at the corner of Superior and

Hospital Road in Newport Beach at 9:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. everyday. For

more information, call (949) 650-1332.

The Newport Beach Cake Decorating Club meets from 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday nights at Superior and Hospital Road in Newport Beach. For

more information, call (949) 650-1332.

The Spanish Speaking Club meets to learn Spanish quick and easy.

For more information, call (949) 650-1332.

The Assn. of Business Services hosts a networking meeting that

deals with education connections from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the second

Tuesday of every month at the Holiday Inn at 3131 Bristol St., Costa

Mesa. For more information, call (949) 805-0011.

“Divorce: A New Beginning,” a workshop for men and women divorced

or getting divorced, is held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 180

Newport Center Drive on the third Saturday of every month. Cost is

$40. For more information, call 644-6435.

Free tours of the Orange County Performing Arts Center take guests

to the dressing rooms, performer’s lounge, backstage and on stage at

10:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at 600 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa. Group tours can be held by special arrangement. For more

information, call (714) 556-ARTS, ext. 833.

The Newport Beach Newcomers Club holds a general meeting on the

third Wednesday of every month. The organization is open to all women

residents in Newport Beach who have lived in the area fewer than five

years. For more information, call (949) 645-9922, or visit

newcomers-newportbeach.org.

Oasis Senior Center holds a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

on the second Saturday of every month. Breakfast includes pancakes,

sausage, coffee and orange juice for $3, $1 for children. The center

is at 800 Marguerite, Corona del Mar. For more information, call

(949) 644-3244.

Macy’s South Coast Plaza presents “Workshop Wednesdays: A Hands-on

Cooking Class Program” hosted by chef Alexx Guevara. The class is

held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

The cost, including materials, is $30. To reserve a spot, call (818)

994-5075.

Yoga and rhythm, “Yogarhythmics” combines yoga, dance and fun. The

class is held from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays at 2850 Mesa Verde

Drive East, Suite 111, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714)

754-7399.

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum offers the exhibit “Joe Duncan

Gleason: Rediscovering California’s Marine Art Master,” through Sept.

30. The museum is at 151 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

Free admission. For more information, call (949) 673-7863.