COMMUNITY & CLUBS:Spaghetti Splash raises funds for charity

Harbor Mesa Lions will have their annual “Spaghetti Splash” at the home of Lions Carol and Bob Proctor, at 5 p.m. Aug. 11. The event features Italian food, music, games, and raffles to raise money for local charities and Lions International projects. Funds will go toward organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, SOS, School Boxes for Whittier School First Graders and other local charitable organizations.

The tickets are $12. For information, please call: (714) 962-0265.

INTERFAITH CHINA TOUR

The Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council will be conducting its sixth trip to China, with Linda Short of Harbor Christian Church and myself as the tour leaders. This special opportunity for clergy, congregation and service club members, their families and friends will take place Oct. 31 through Nov. 9. The itinerary includes Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou with an optional tour to Xi’an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors.

The trip includes round-trip international air fare, hotel stays, deluxe bus tours, English-speaking tour guides, admission to tourist spots and airport tax throughout the trip for the price of $1,459.

A pre-tour briefing for participants will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Harbor Christian Church, 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. For more information, visit the council’s website at www.nmiinterfaith.org or call (714) 921-8665.

SEN. HARMAN TO SPEAK UP

On Wednesday, State Sen. Tom Harman will address Speak Up Newport in a public forum covering such topics as the new state budget, funds for dredging the Back Bay and the status of group home legislation, according to Dave Goff, board member. Harman has been a key figure in this summer’s state budget negotiations. Questions and answers will follow his presentation.

The meeting will be at the Newport Beach Yacht Club, 1099 Bayside Drive, starting at 5 p.m. Additional information is available at (949) 224-2266 or check the website at www.speakupnewport.org.

LIONS CELEBRATE 90 YEARS

The International Assn. of Lions Clubs celebrated its 90th anniversary and convention in Chicago in early July. The site was selected as this is the city where Lions was formed in 1917 by founder Melvin Jones. More than 30,000 Lions from around the world attended the event. It was a great convention, said Mike Scheafer, Lions past district governor and a member of the Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club.

The Lions Campaign Sight First II has attained $110 million in donations with one year to go in its campaign to reach $150 million, Scheafer said.