Advice for the new year

I am one of those people who makes new year’s resolutions and usually breaks them sooner than later.

For 2006, no more resolutions about losing weight, earning more money or working on my golf game. Over my 64 years of life, my resolutions have changed. Some things are less important now than before. Other things are more important. I guess that comes with age.

My 2006 new year’s resolution comes from a plaque that has been on my office wall for more than 20 years. It was given to me by Dan Beals, who was the personnel director at the Irvine Co. in the 1980s. It is a quote from George Washington Carver that makes more sense at this time of my life.

I invite you, the Daily Pilot reader, especially elected officials, and community and business leaders to join me with my 2006 new year’s resolution.

To paraphrase Carver, I resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Adds Carver, Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.

How true.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION HONOR MEMBER

The Sons of the American Legion, Post 291 of Newport Beach, named Les Hunt Jr., a past commander, as the group’s member of the year. A large crowd of members and guests enjoyed camaraderie and celebration at an awards dinner in December. The great food provided was by Cigi’s Waterfront Cafe. Group members, companies and others were recognized for their contributions throughout the year.

Certificates of appreciation were given to Taylor Freezers of California; Dan Swett and Walking Shield; Don and Ester Clark; Steve and Jan Spriggs; Randy and Sue Eling; Barbara and Jerry Murphy; Donna Murray; Linda Christenson; Arturo Gonzales; Bill Murray and the Bar Staff; the Cullings Family; Kelly Parsons; Pie Parsons and Bill McVicar; Wendy Wilcox; Robert Rieck; Jeff Kingsley; John Willis; Michael and Pam Brigandi; Tom Anderson; Hanger 17 and Les Hunt; Werks Electric and Brad Weber; Ed and Lorraine Demarco; Robert Carter; Jeff Hill; Brad Semonell; David Doum; Chino Planes of Fame; the John Scott Band; Josh Eling; and Lewis Millet Sr.

NEWCOMER’S CLUB IS COOKING

The Newcomer’s Club of Newport Beach will meet at 10 a.m., Jan. 18 at the Turtle Ridge Community Clubhouse for a hands-on cooking demonstration. Cost for the meeting and luncheon is $16.50 per person. For reservations and more information, call (949) 719-0748 or (949) 715-7590.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SERVICE CLUBS

Troy Hooper, who joined the Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day, as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council:

A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.

-- ANONYMOUS

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

Have you made a new year’s resolution to give back to your community? If so, help your community and the world through a service club. For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service to your community, our country and the world. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

MONDAY

6:30 p.m.: The 35-member Harbor Mesa Lions will meet at the Costa Mesa Country Club to hear Tom Brown of “Computers to Schools” project.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 45-member Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise will meet at the Five Crowns restaurant to hear Judge Jamoa Moberly discuss Superior Court-Grand Jury Recruitment. www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

Noon: The 15-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa will meet at the Clubhouse at South Coast Plaza.

6:00 p.m.: The 35-member Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club will meet at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club to hear Stan Cody, a retired high school history teacher. https://www.cmnhlions.com; the 55-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa will meet at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program on stem cell research at UCI.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at a new location, Denny’s Restaurant at Redhill and Bristol.

Noon: The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast will meet at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club will meet at Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the Holiday Inn. www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa; The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar will meet at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Bill Shane discuss “Crisis in Youth Sports”; the 60-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will meet at the Nautical Museum to hear Katie Freeman, Newport Beach disaster preparedness coordinator; the 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the Radisson Hotel to hear Professor Scott Samuelson of UCI on energy efficient technologies. www.nirotary.org.