BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

OCC gives scholarships to two aspiring fliers

Two high school students from Compton won $1,500 aviation scholarships Friday at Orange Coast College, as the school paid tribute to America’s first black flying squadron from World War II.

LaRoyal Jones and Jorge Morales won the awards at OCC’s fourth annual Tuskegee Airmen Luncheon on campus. The students, who are the second and third recipients of the award, plan to use their scholarships in OCC’s aviation program. Last year’s winner, Adam Ifill, has a 3.81 grade-point average at OCC.

Proceeds from the luncheon, which a dozen Tuskegee Airmen attended, fund the scholarship program as well as the Aviation Explorers Program, headquartered at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum at the Compton Airport.

City seeks nominations for service award

Costa Mesa is accepting nominations for its Circle of Service award, which will be given July 27.

The award was created to honor residents who served the city or made an “extraordinary contribution” to the city.

Nominees must have been dead for at least one year and must have lived in Costa Mesa for at least 10 years. The person should have been active in community service for at least seven years or died serving the country or community.

Nominations can be made by a family member, a resident, a member of a nonprofit or a business leader. If the nominee is being supported by an organization, the city asks that the organization provides written support.

The parks and recreation commission will recommend two nominees to the City Council. Applications will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. March 2. Nomination forms can be found on the third floor of City Hall or at www.ci .costa-mesa.ca.us.

The application and a $350 fee for a memorial plaque must be sent or given to the Costa Mesa recreation division, on the third floor of 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92628.

For more information, call (714) 327-7525.

Yard sale funds will help hospitalized man

Community members looking for a bargain and a good cause can stop by a yard sale on Saturday hosted by the friends of Costa Mesa resident Bill Thomas.

All proceeds from the event will go toward Thomas’ mounting medical expenses following an incident last month when doctors believe he suffered a stroke in his spine, the cause of which is still undetermined.

The father of two remains paralyzed from the neck down at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he is undergoing treatment in an intensive care unit.

Shoppers are invited to come by anytime between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 319 Esther St., Costa Mesa. Doughnuts and other breakfast items will be served.

For more information on Bill Thomas or to make a donation, go to www.neighborbill.com.