Soroptimists prepare for annual Matters of the Heart luncheon

Tickets are now available for Soroptimist International of Newport Harbor’s Matters of the Heart luncheon. This year’s event honorees are Elena “Softball Madre” Rojas and the Interval House.

The event will be held at 11 a.m. Fri., Feb. 10, at the Turnip Rose in the Grand Newport Plaza, 1901 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Tickets for the luncheon are $60 for one, $110 for two and $400 for a table of eight. The event includes a reception, auction and opportunity drawing.

Past honorees include Sandra Robbie, Marian Bergeson, Jo Caines, Peggy Goldwater Clay, Jean Forbath, Dora Hill, Marian Knott, Dawn Marie Lemonds, Judge Frances Munoz, Gloria Osbrink, Linda Schulein, Lori Warmington and yours truly, to name a few.

Soroptimist, founded in 1921, is an international organization for business and professional women who volunteer service to their communities. Almost 100,000 Soroptimists in 128 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects benefiting society.

Soroptimists belong to local clubs that determine the focus of service to their communities. Soroptimist International of the Newport Harbor Area was established in 1955 and is composed of business and professional women from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

Since its founding, the club has supported many local charities and causes, including Girls Inc., Interval House, Race for the Cure and Stop Gap, and has awarded scholarships to high school and college students. The club has also donated money to city based projects such as the bike safety and K-9 programs.

For tickets or more information, contact Carolyn Turner at (714) 840-8954. Checks for tickets can be mailed to SI Newport Harbor, P.O. Box 9752, Newport Beach, CA 92658.

HARBOR MESA LIONS MEMBERS HONORED

Harbor Mesa Lions President Carol Van Holt recently named immediate past District Governor Barbara Hayward “Top Turtle” for the month of December. Along with achieving the highest office in District 4-L4, Barbara has held many offices on the club and district levels. She is currently the editor of the club’s monthly bulletin and has contributed to numerous projects.

Six members were given “Proud Lions” pins and certificates: Amy Houck, Joan Parks, Carol Proctor, Myrta Sparkes, Sally Uhlir and Carol Van Holt. The club also held a “Name our Turtle” contest, and the winning name, “Shelley,” was submitted by Sandi Scheafer. The turtle theme was chosen by Van Holt. It represents having a shell to carry a load, possessing the willingness to stick your neck out and embracing the desire to be a winner.

SISTER CITY ANNUAL MEETING

Newport Beach Mayor Don Webb will be the featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Newport Beach Sister City Assn. on Jan. 26 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. The evening starts with a no-host reception at 6 p.m. and includes entertainment by Katherine Hoffman and Erickson Klein. Tickets at $30 per person need to be purchased by Thursday by calling Connie Skibba at (949) 650-0594.

AUSSIES IN TOWN

The Costa Mesa Sister City Assn. is hosting a sister city group from Melbourne, Australia, that includes students and teachers. Costa Mesa teachers and students participated in the exchange in August 2005 in Melbourne. The sister city visitors are being hosted by local families and are experiencing the Southern California scene with visits to Disneyland, Universal Studios and San Juan Capistrano. Look for more information on their exchange next week.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SERVICE CLUBS

Jennifer Piatti, sponsored by Marianne Segalla, who was inducted into the Harbor Mesa Lions Club by past District Governor Mike Scheafer.

WORTH REPEATING

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

The Law of Win/Win says, ‘Let’s not do it your way or my way; let’s do it the best way.’

-- GREG ANDERSON

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 as you get acquainted with them.

MONDAY

6:30 p.m.: The 35-member Harbor Mesa Lions meets at the La Capilla Mexican Restaurant in Huntington Beach.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 45-member Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise meets at Five Crowns Restaurant (www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org).

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