COMMUNITY & CLUBS:Rotary offers scholarships abroad

More than 800 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships will be offered to study around the world, with three being offered in District 5320, which serves Orange and southern Los Angeles counties, said Steve Speer, president of the NewportBalboa’s Rotary Club.

The scholarships represent Rotary’s faith that the interaction with the people of that country will encourage students to dedicate their lives to improving the quality of life for the people in their communities and countries.

Since 1947, nearly 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under the Rotary’s auspices. Today, it is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program. Through grants totaling approximately $500 million, recipients from some 100 countries studied in more than 70 nations, Speer said.

This year, Rotary District 5320 is offering up to three Ambassadorial Scholarships for one year, at a maximum value of $23,000 or a multiyear at $11,000 per year. Interested parties can apply through any of the four Rotary clubs in the Newport-Mesa area.

Scholarships are for the academic year 2008-09 and can be used for almost any field of study.

Applicants must have completed two years of college or university study by the time the scholarship begins. They cannot be a Rotarian or a direct descendant of a Rotarian. Scholarships can’t be used for unsupervised research, internships or full-time employment. Study location must be in an area where a Rotary Club exists. Applicants who apply for study in a non-English-speaking country should be prepared to pass a language test for that country. More information and application forms are available at Rotary International’s website, www.rotary.org.

For further information, contact Richard Holmgren at (949) 644-8244; John Goodlad at (949) 673-7377; David Halm at (949) 857-2017; or the District 5320 office at (714) 921-1881. Applications must be submitted to a local Rotary Club by April 30, 2007, with District 5320 interviews to be held the first weekend in June.

MAYORAL DINNER

The 26th annual Mayor’s Dinner, sponsored by Speak Up Newport, will be held Feb. 20 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa.Mayor Steven Rosansky will present the annual State of the City address. Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased by calling (949) 224-2266 by Feb. 10.

JOHN CREAN

Much has been written in the Daily Pilot regarding the passing of John Crean. All true and deserving.

The first time I met John was at a warehouse on the Westside of Costa Mesa. He was wearing coveralls as he was working on a prototype model of a motor home that was winterized and could be used in cold climates year round. I was impressed that a man of his stature and wealth did hands-on work.

John and his wife, Donna, were great contributors to the community. Condolences to Donna and the family.

WORTH REPEATING

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

“Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours.

“They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure?”

— AUTHOR UNKNOWN

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

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

TUESDAY

The 40-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. at Five Crowns to hear Kim Hubbard, Esq., discuss “Elder Law.” www.newportbeachsunrise rotary.org.

The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at noon at the Costa Mesa Marriott.

WEDNESDAY

The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at 7:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at noon at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Dianna Pfaff-Martin discuss the Community Animal Network.

The 55-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at 6 p.m. at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for Paul Renner’s presentation of an African photo safari; www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

The Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at 7 a.m. at Mimi’s Cafe.

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear William Steiner talk about missing and exploited children. For more information, visit members.cox.net/nh exchangeclub/index.htm. The Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn www.kiwanis .org/club/costamesa; the Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Todd Ritchey, from UCI, who will speak about “Portfolio Management for the 21st Century.” The Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the Radisson to hear county Supervisor John Moorlach discuss the top 12 priorities facing Orange County; www.nirotary.org.

is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.