CALENDAR

Orange Coast College has started its fall semester. A variety of classes are being offered, including Introduction to Library Resources, a self-paced class designed to help people become familiar with libraries, library resources and methods for good research, as well as a course on common childhood emergencies, taught by a pediatric nurse. This eight-week, one-unit course will present appropriate first aid intervention for children. The college is also offering a computer installation class, which will provide an introductory overview of personal computer installation, peripheral interfacing and software installation. In addition to its weekly classes, Orange Coast College offers 76 weekend classes that will run through Dec. 17. A complete class schedule and fall semester applications are available on campus or online at www.orangecoastcollege.edu. OCC fees are $26 per unit. For more information on registration or classes, call (714) 432-5072.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER

FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN

The Festival of Children Foundation celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, and its signature event will take place throughout the month of September at South Coast Plaza, where more than 50 children’s charities will be showcased. The foundation’s purpose is to connect children, charities and the community, and over 100 activities, workshops and performances will be offered free to the public. Highlights this year include Wyland, the ocean artist, painting a mural; actress Jane Seymour meeting and greeting visitors, and “small paul” by Paul Frank Industries Inc. hosting a T-shirt-decorating event. All activities take place at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. A festival events calendar for the month can be found by visiting www.festivalofchildren.org.

THROUGH

SEPT. 10

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

The Orange County Performing Arts Center presents the opening of its 2006-2007 Broadway series with the play “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” in Segerstrom Hall. The play, which tells the story of two con men living on the French Riviera, stars actor Norbert Leo Butz, who is reprising his 2005 Tony-award-winning role as small-time crook Freddy Bensen. Butz will be teamed with Tony-nominated actor Tom Hewitt, starring as his partner-in-crime, con man Lawrence Jameson. Performance times are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices range from $22 to $72 and are available at The Center’s Box Office, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, by calling (714) 556-2787, or by visiting www.ocpac.org.

THURSDAY

BOOK SIGNING AT BORDERS

Author Steve Bisheff will sign “Fight On! The Colorful Story of USC Football.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Signing begins at 7 p.m. at Borders Books & Music, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. Call (714) 432-7854 for more information.

SEPT. 7 THROUGH SEPT. 10

YACHT EXPO

The 28th annual Lido Yacht Expo returns to Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach for four days in September. Shoppers looking for big boats will find plenty to choose from, as more than 70% of the boats on exhibit are in the 40-feet class and above, and more than one-third of them are yachts 50 feet or larger. Many of the exhibits are new 2006 and 2007 models, and for some this is the first time they will be seen at a Southern California boat show. Show hours are noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free. For more information, call Duncan McIntosh Co. at (949) 757-5959 or visit www.goboating.com

SEPT. 8 THROUGH SEPT. 10

OCC THEATRE

Orange Coast College will open its 22nd anniversary season this fall with the dark comedy “Dreaming of Norton.” The play follows two insurance claims adjusters on the heels of a Kansas hailstorm. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Advance tickets are available for $6 by calling (714) 432-5640 ext. 1. Tickets are $7 at the door. Contact Jim Carnett at (714) 432-5725 for more information.

SEPT. 9

TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR

Enjoy music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov at the Verizon Wireless Pacific Amphitheatre at 8 p.m. This performance, which will feature thundering cannons and a fireworks display, will end the Pacific Symphony’s Summer Festival. Tickets range from $19 to $99. Call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.pacificsymphony.org for more information.

NIGHT AT THE OPERA FUNDRAISER

The Roosters Foundation, a charitable organization comprised of Orange County businessmen devoted to assisting disadvantaged children within the community, will hold it’s 12th annual “Monte Carlo” Night at 6 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach. The 2006 Roosters Monte Carlo charities include the Blind Children’s Learning Center and REACH Youth Foundation. The event features a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, auction, roulette, blackjack and more. A “Phantom of the Opera” medley will be performed by Rodeo Drive Music. For table purchases call (949) 706-7613. To purchase individual tickets, visit www.roosters.org

SEPT. 10

SUNDAY MUSICAL

The Newport Beach Public Library presents a concert with the UCI Chamber Players at the Central Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Violinist Haroutune Bedelian, cellist Maggie Parkins, tenor Darryl Taylor, and pianist Lorna Griffitt will perform works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Faure. No admission fee. Library is at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Call (949) 717-3800 ext. 2 for more information.

SEPT. 11

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

SPIN (Serving People In Need) Charity will benefit from the proceeds of the Wells Fargo Investments-sponsored golf tournament at Mesa Verde Country Club. The schedule is: 9 a.m. registration, 10:30 a.m. putting contest, 11 a.m. lunch, 12 p.m. shotgun start and dinner at 6 p.m. Event will also include raffle and auction. Fee is $250 per player. Club is at 3000 Clubhouse Drive, Costa Mesa. Call (714) 751-1101 for more information.