COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club held its annual fundraiser Aug. 23 at the beautiful Crean estate on Newport’s Back Bay.

The 175 guests were treated to a fabulous barbecue provided by the Pit Stop along with dance music by Russell Scott and his Red Hots, and the largest number of silent auction items in the club’s history.

The live auction featured a week at the spectacular Club Cascadas de Baja in Cabo San Lucas, donated by Newport’s Patricia Giddings of the Giddings Co., and a vacation at Bass Lake, donated by Rotarian Willis Longyear, and many other great items.

The hosts of the event included Mary Cockley, president of the club, event Chairman Craig Kennedy and Five Crowns General Manager Chris Szechenyi.

Other contributors included Jackie Birdsong, JoAnne Deblis, Leslie Kennedy, the John Hedlund family, Tim Brown, Jeff Heileson, John and Nancy Goodlad, Tom Egan, Christina Holliday and Laura Dietz, to name a few.

Among the guests were former Newport Beach Mayor and Judge Steve Bromberg and his wife, Roni, Linda (Mrs. Bud) Rasner of Corona del Mar, and Citizens Business Bank Vice President Doug Tipping and wife, Anne.

Underwriters and sponsors included David Bahnsen (Morgan Stanley); Bottomline Consulting Group; First American Title Insurance Co.; Lugano Diamonds; Dealer Protection Group; Fletcher Jones Motorcars; Arthur J. Gallegher; Malcolm Baghosian; Sara Abraham; Mary Cockley; Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett LLP; Safety Park; Gary Johnson; Craig Takeshita; and William Sarrus, attorney.

All event proceeds go to the club’s foundation projects that range from scholarships to the students of Back Bay-Monte Vista High School; Camp Pendleton Marine families; the J. F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center; the Family Violence Project; the Sea Scout Base; the rehabilitative drug court at the Harbor Justice Center; the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Working Wardrobes in conjunction with the Salvation Army; and many more.

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation. 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.

TODAY

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

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6 p.m.: The 62-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a presentation by Mike Gibbins, a pro scout for NFL teams. For more information, go to www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, Costa Mesa. For more information, go to www.costamesakiwanis.org. The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, go to www.newportbeachkiwanis.org. The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI. For more information, go to www.nirotary.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

For more information, go to members.cox.net/nhexchangeclub/index.htm.

MONDAY

6:30 p.m.: The Harbor Mesa Lions Club meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 52-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns Restaurant for a program by Buck Petersen, a retired Marine, “Our Returning G.I.’s.” For more information, go to www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

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