* Send AROUND TOWN items to the...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 1375 Sunflower Ave.,

Costa Mesa, CA 92626; by e-mail to lindsay.sandham @latimes.com; by

fax to (714) 966-4679; or by calling (714) 966-4617. Include the

time, date and location of the event, as well as a contact phone

number.

MONDAY

The Great Decisions group will discuss China, its increasing

global influence and the obstacles it continues to face. As China’s

record economic growth continues, the country must still contend with

a growing gap between rich and poor, devastating pollution and

resource shortages. The discussion will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2100 Mar Vista, Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 760-1691.

TUESDAY

The Costa Mesa Community Center and Angel’s Charity have partnered

with Baja Fresh to raise funds to build a playground for able and

disabled children in TeWinkle Park. Baja Fresh, 3030 Harbor Blvd.,

Costa Mesa, will donate 15 percent of their proceeds from 4 p.m. to 9

p.m. Information: (714) 557-0915.

“Fabulous Frogs!” a parent and child playtime with an amphibian

theme will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Environmental

Nature Center, 1601 16th St., Newport Beach. Cost is $5 per child.

Information: (949) 645-8489.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is holding a volunteer

orientation. Participants will learn about the many community

programs the Komen Foundation offers and will have the opportunity to

get involved. Orientation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the

Orange County headquarters, 3191-A Airport Loop Dr., Costa Mesa.

Information: (714) 957-9157, ext. 30.

Hoag Physical Therapist Kristin DeMars will lead a discussion

about poor balance. Attendees can learn about strength and balance

exercises that can help reduce the risk of serious falls. The

discussion will begin at 6 p.m. in the Hoag Conference Center at Hoag

hospital, 1 Hoag Drive, Newport Beach. The event is free of charge.

Information (800) 514-HOAG.

WEDNESDAY

“Feng Shui Your Way,” a seminar and booksigning by Sandi Mille,

will be held at Mother’s Market from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 225 E.

17th St., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 631-4741.

The West Newport Beach Assn. and the city of Newport Beach will

co-sponsor a program about the Orange County Water District’s

Groundwater Replenishment Program and also the Metropolitan Water

District’s Landscape Performance Certification Program. The program

will be held at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, Newport Beach City Hall,

3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. The public is invited to attend.

Information: (949) 722-6421.

THURSDAY

UC Irvine’s 14th Annual Health Care Forecast Conference will be

held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UC Irvine Beckman Center, 100

Academy Dr., Irvine. Information: (949) 824-6286 or

https://www.gsm.uci.edu/go/hcc.

“Bach Flower Essences -- Opening the Heart,” a free seminar by

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

p.m., 225 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 631-4741.

Newport Harbor Republican Women will present James Bruce Joseph

Sievers, “An American in Love with his Country.” Sievers has given

this presentation at the White House for four presidents, including

former President Ronald Reagan. The lecture will begin at 11:30 a.m.

at the Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. Cost is

$25. Information: (949) 644-0539.

FRIDAY

UC Irvine’s 14th Annual Health Care Forecast Conference will be

held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UC Irvine Beckman Center, 100

Academy Dr., Irvine. Information: (949) 824-6286 or

https://www.gsm.uci.edu/go/hcc.

The human Genome and Beyond, the University of California

Chancellor’s Distinguished Fellows Series, will begin at 8 p.m. in

the Crystal Cove Auditorium at UCI’s Student Center, Irvine. The

event is free of charge. Information: (949) 824-6503.

SATURDAY

A Computer Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in building

#12 of the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Dr.,

Costa Mesa. Admission is $5. Information: (800) 800-5600 or

https://www.lacomputerfair.com.

A Malibu Cat Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in building

#10 of the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Dr.,

Costa Mesa. Admission is $5, $4 for children and seniors.

Information: (909) 372-9079.

A guided tour of Fairview Park will be offered by the city of

Costa Mesa’s Fairview Park Friends Committee. The tour will highlight

the ecological significance of the park’s vernal pools, which are the

sole habitat of San Diego Fairy Shrimp. The hike will begin at 9:30

a.m. at the picnic shelter on the west side of Placentia Avenue,

Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 754-5698.

“Prelude to Spring,” the UC Irvine Arboretum’s annual winter bulb

festival will feature wild garden species from Southern Africa and a

plant sale of rare and unusual plants. The event will run from 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UCI Arboretum, on the corner of Campus Drive

and Jamboree Road at the UCI North campus, Irvine. Information: (949)

824-5833.

Pacific Northwest Ballet School will hold auditions for its

five-week summer course. Auditions will be held at 3 p.m. for dancers

12 to 15 years old and at 4:30 p.m. for students 16 to 18. The

sessions will be at the Jimmie Defoe Dance Center, 151 Kalmus Drive,

Costa Mesa. Information: (206) 441-2435.

SUNDAY

A Computer Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in building

#12 of the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Dr.,

Costa Mesa. Admission is $5. Information: (800) 800-5600 or

https://www.lacomputerfair.com.

A Malibu Cat Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in building

#10 of the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Dr.,

Costa Mesa. Information: (909) 372-9079.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Newport Beach

kick-off rally will teach attendees and participants how to start a

relay team. The rally will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Newport

Rib Company, 2196 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. Information: (949)

567-0635.

FEB. 28

The Great Decisions group will discuss Sudan’s crisis in Darfur.

The event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mark Presbyterian

Church, 2100 Mar Vista, Newport Beach. Information: (949) 760-1691.