COMMUNITY & CLUBS:Moorlach livens up luncheon

Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach provided a humorous update on his first 115 days in office for an audience of more than 100 at the Ladies Day Luncheon of the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor on Thursday.

“I learned a few visits ago not to wear a tie to this club’s meetings,” said Moorlach, who wore a Newport Beach Centennial Ren Spooner shirt. Moorlach enters his 12th year of elected service to Orange County this month, first as treasurer and now as a supervisor. The experience he gained in the treasurer’s office is helpful as a supervisor, he said, as he pushes for reform on pension and health-care costs for workers and retirees.

Moorlach’s update included recent actions on the redevelopment funds for Santa Ana Heights, the county chief executive’s resignation and return, the Southern California Airport Authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority and the county’s pension and medical funds.

He spoke with pride of the quality of his six-person staff. When asked what’s the difference between a treasurer and supervisor, Moorlach noted there are many more meetings as supervisor.

For the past few months, the Exchange Club has met at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, sometimes for breakfast or lunch. They now share the luncheon buffet table with the Kiwanis Club of Newport-Corona del Mar, which also meets on Thursdays at the yacht club but in different rooms, noted Dick Freeman, the club’s past president.

“Nick Berger keeps securing quality programs for our meetings, which keeps the members coming and new members joining,” said Bill Bechtel, club president.

STUDENT WINS LIONS’ SPEAKER CONTEST

Ariel Little, a Newport Harbor High School senior, recently won the Saddleback Region Lions’ Student Speaker Contest in Aliso Viejo. Sponsored by the Harbor Mesa Lions, she won the club, zone and region contests and will go on to compete in the district contest April 21 in Diamond Bar. Students are speaking on the theme “Global Warming: Fact or Fiction?,” which is a timely subject picked by the Lions’ Multiple District this year. Harbor Mesa Lions has continually participated in this contest, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The final winner of the Multiple District Contest will win more than $20,000 in scholarships.

MEET A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER

Attendees of the April 11, 2007 Speak Up Newport program will have the opportunity to get acquainted with Michael Henn, one of our newest council members. Henn, who represents Dist. 1, will be interviewed and will answer questions from the audience.

The event, which starts at 5 p.m., will be held at the Newport Beach Yacht Club, 1099 Bayside Drive. Appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available. The program will start at 6 p.m. Guests are always welcome; one need not be a member to attend. Additional information is available at (949) 224-2266 or at www.speakupnewport.org .

WORTH REPEATING

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

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

— HELEN KELLER

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? You are invited to attend a service club meeting to learn more about opportunity for service.

MONDAY

6 p.m: The Harbor Mesa Lions Club meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club for Allocation Night, to present money to community organizations.

TUESDAY

7:30: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns to hear Dan Chapel of Cardwell Hill Cellars present a talk on “Wine Information To the Wine Drinker.” For details, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org .

Noon: The Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

WEDNESDAY

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

Noon: The Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6 p.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For details, go to www.newportbalboa.org .

THURSDAY

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

Noon: The Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn to hear Jim Bonar of the Nautical Museum. For more information, visit www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa.

Noon: The Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for “Yachtsman’s Nightmare — but Prayers Answered” by Craig McCabe.

Noon: The Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI for a program on the Free Wheelchair Ministry. For details, https://www.nirotary.org .

Noon: The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting. For information, go to https://members.cox.net/nhexchangeclub/index.htm.