BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Bake sale to help family of local teacher

Students from TeWinkle Middle School plan to hold a bake sale this morning at the Farm Sports Complex near Orange Coast College, seeking to raise funds for teacher Amy Meunier, whose 8-month-old son needs a bone marrow transplant.

Shelley Lang, the school’s leadership advisor, told her students about the family’s plight on Thursday and was surprised when a group of them set up a fundraiser in the next 24 hours. On Friday, the students hung posters around TeWinkle and visited classrooms to spread the news.

On Dec. 2, the school plans a used-book sale on campus to drum up additional funds. According to Lang, Meunier’s son is set to get a transplant from his older sister, but the family needs money to pay expenses not covered by insurance.

“It started as kind of a grass-roots thing and then just took off,” Lang said.

The bake sale is set to begin this morning around 9:30 a.m.

Taste wine; help Harbor High School

The Newport Harbor Educational Foundation is holding a wine-tasting fundraiser from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Max in Westcliff.

Tickets for the event, which will feature Californian and Italian wines, are $75 a person and available at the door. Max is at 1671 Westcliff Dr. in Newport Beach. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Newport Harbor High School.

Costa Mesa is looking for teen leaders

Costa Mesa is looking for high school sophomores and juniors who live in the city to serve on its new Costa Mesa youth council.

The council was created to help students understand local government and politics. The students will serve to represent their peers to city and school officials.

The program requires a seven-month commitment.

Students can get an application at www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us, the city manager’s office or by calling (714) 754-5327. The deadline is 5 p.m., Nov. 20.

Calling all boaters for Christmas parade

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Commodores Club is inviting mariners to enter their boats in the 98th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 13 through 17, at Collins Island. Those who register will be situated between the lead boat and the Santa Boat, which pulls up the rear. Registration includes entry into the awards competition. Winners will get two tickets to the boat parade awards dinner and auction on Jan. 19.

This year’s theme is “Holiday Magic Through the Eyes of a Child,” and everyone is encouraged to decorate appropriately.

To register, go to www.christmasboatparade.com or call the chamber at (949) 729-4400. Forms are due to the Newport Chamber of Commerce by noon on Dec. 11.