COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

Newport Harbor High School graduate Drew Curiel is off to South Africa on Monday to attend the University of KwaZulu-Natal on a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship of $26,000. Curiel, a graduate of Georgetown University, addressed the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa a year ago as an expert on terrorism while he was with the Santa Monica-based Rand Corporation. While in South Africa, Curiel will address local Rotary Clubs and have home visitations with Rotary families. Curiel is one of more than 1,100 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars worldwide in 2007-08. More information on the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship opportunities can be obtained by calling Richard Holmgren at (949) 644-8244.

CLUBS AT ALTERNATE LOCATIONS

The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club is undergoing major renovations, and two service clubs that have been meeting there are using temporary locations for their weekly meetings. The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor ( www.members.cox.net/nh exchangeclub/) has moved its noon Thursday luncheons to the Newport Harbor Yacht Club while the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa ( www.newportbalboa.org) has been meeting at the Newport Rib Company at 6 p.m. Wednesdays. This week, the Rotary Club will shift its meeting to the Newport Beach Golf Course.

RAMS OWNER, LOCAL DIES

The passing of St. Louis Rams owner Georgia Frontiere received little mention in the Orange County media and longtime Los Angeles Rams football fans. After the Los Angeles Rams moved to Anaheim Stadium, Frontiere, a resident of Beverly Hills, bought a home in an exclusive gated Newport community and then applied for membership in a private country club. Her membership application was turned down! For some reason she wasn’t accepted in local social circles.

A few months later she sold her home in Newport and went back to her home in Los Angeles. As the team owner, she quit investing in player talent, let some star players go, and fired a coach or two who were well liked by the fans. A number of Ram season ticket holders wouldn’t renew, and she ended up moving the team to St. Louis and keeping her home in Los Angeles.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council: ”I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

— Albert Schweitzer

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