Soroptimists provide a ‘Lifeline 4 Girls’

JIM DE BOOM

On Wednesday, Soroptimist International of Newport Harbor hosted its

second “Lifeline 4 Girls” presentation at Costa Mesa High School.

This was a collaborative project with Girls Inc. -- a premier

program for girls ages 16 to 18 that inspires girls to be “Strong,

Smart and Bold” -- and Stop-Gap, a nonprofit theater company using

interactive drama as an educational tool.

“These interactive workshops address recognizing the difference

between healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to get help when

needed,” said Denise Glass of the Soroptimist Club.

Information provided to the teens includes hotline numbers and

additional resources for help. Several Soroptimist club members,

acting as hostesses for the presentation, provided snacks, sport

bottles and a brief wrap-up summary for the teens.

Glass said the club intends to fund at least two more

presentations over the next few months.

SOCCER BALLS TO IRAQ

After the Rotary Club of Newport Balboa heard a recent

presentation by Airman Gary Mathieson, pointing out the need for

recreation equipment for the troops and children in Iraq, Rotarian

Tom Walley and a local Big 5 Sports store arranged for the donation

of 60 soccer balls and pumps.

The equipment will arrive Sunday in Baghdad for the Marines to

give as presents to the children of Iraq. According to Terry

Rousselot, community service director for the club, Airman Mathieson

said the sports equipment program has concluded, but the club and its

members will have an opportunity to join in the Semper Fidelis

outreach to Marines and their families stationed at Camp Pendleton in

Oceanside.

SPIRIT OF GIVING

The Harbor Mesa Lions Club has the spirit of giving this year.

They have adopted two local families to provide toys, clothing and

food that will fulfill their wish lists. Each family has four

children, ranging from infants to teenagers.

Along with other organizations in the community, the club is also

donating gifts to the Westside Boys and Girls Club for the children

to select to give to their parents and siblings. The children earn

points to “shop” with by completing homework and other assignments

during the year. Harbor Mesa Lions members will also assist in the

wrapping of the gifts after the children have made their selections

on Dec. 18.

“Our members enjoy and get so much out of these kinds of

projects,” Harbor Mesa Lions president Sandi Scheafer said. “They

truly feel the spirit of giving.”

LET IT SNOW

Some 30 tons of snow will be on hand from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday as

the second annual Snow Festival will take place at Newport Harbor

Lutheran Church and Preschool. There will be two 50-foot sled runs,

one 30-foot children’s sled run, two snow play areas, a petting

manger, train rides, children’s crafts, Christmas caroling, tree

decorating and tree lighting and, of course, Santa Claus.

The event is open to the public, admission is free of charge and

there will be food and refreshments on sale. The church is at 798

Dover Drive, Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 548-3631

or visit www.nhlcs.org.

AFTER CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Exchange Club of Orange Coast does things a little different

than other clubs. It’s having an “After Christmas” Party” rather than

one before Christmas. This year’s party is scheduled for Jan. 9 and a

white elephant gift exchange is planned. They have found a way to get

rid of those unwanted Christmas gifts!

MAYORS DINNER

Speak Up Newport reminds us that the 24th annual Mayors Dinner

will be held on Feb. 2, 2005 at a new location, the Sutton Place

Hotel in Newport Beach. Save the date!

SHE DIED WITH HER PEARLS ON

Ninety-four-year-old Grandma Brickey had Thanksgiving Day dinner

with her daughters, Margaret Weber and Barbara Fults and their

families, and checked into Hoag Hospital a day later. Granddaughter

Laura Johnson was one of the visitors on Saturday when Grandma

Brickey asked how she looked.

“How do I look? I would feel a lot better if I had my sparkly red

earrings and my pearls,” she added.

Johnson left her bedside, went to Brickey’s home and returned with

the red earrings and pearls. Grandma Brickey was happy. She died a

few hours later.

Grandma Brickey left smiles on people’s faces wherever she went.

When she talked with you, she held your hand. A beautiful lady in

life, and in death. She loved and was loved by family and friends.

Condolences from the de Booms to the Weber and Fults families.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for Today, provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport

Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council:

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex. It

takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage to move in the

opposite direction.”

-- ALBERT EINSTEIN

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 48-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will

meet at Five Crowns Restaurant for a program with author Richard L.

Vaughn. (https://www.newportbeach

sunriserotary.org)

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club and the Harbor

Mesa Lions club will hold a joint meeting at the Costa Mesa Golf and

Country Club with Santa Claus as the featured guest.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the

University Athletic Club.

Noon: The Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Jeff Bott speak on the 241 Toll Road

extension.

6 p.m.: The 50-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa will meet at

the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Dr. Bob Wood discuss the

topic, “Conspiracy: Theory or Fact?” (https://www.newportbalboa.org)

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-plus member Costa Mesa-Orange Costa Breakfast Lions

Club will meet at Mimi’s Cafe. (https://www.cmoclions.org)

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the

Holiday Inn for a visit by the District Lt. Governor and a program on

the Hope for America Award by the Juvenile Diabetes Research

Association. (https://www.kiwanis.org/

club/costamesa); The 50-member Newport Beach-Corona del Mar

Kiwanis Club meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club; The 85-member

Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Nautical Museum for the

Fireman of the Year presentation (https://www.nhexchangeclub

.com); The 100-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine will meet at

the Radisson Hotel for a Christmas program. (https://www.nirotary.org)

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655

or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.