COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

Members of the Rotary Clubs of Newport-Balboa and Costa Mesa will spend Saturday morning at the fire station on Mesa Drive, titivating some 2,400 seedlings that will be presented to all third-graders attending public and private schools in Newport-Mesa next week.

Titivating involves cleaning the excess roots, weeds and dirt off the plastic pot in which the seedlings sit. This year’s tree is the Pink Trumpet Tree, which can grow to a height of 20 to 40 feet, according to Peter Smith, Arbor Day chairman for Newport-Balboa.

This is the 41st year that the Rotary Clubs have given seedlings, and it is estimated that 94,000-plus seedling have been given to third-graders, with many growing into tall, beautiful trees, according to Smith.

The Arbor Day “big tree” presentation will happen at 9 a.m. March 12 at College Park Elementary in Costa Mesa when a special boxed tree will be planted with students participating with school and rotary officials in turning the dirt.

‘LUCY & ETHYL’ BINGO PARLOR LIONS FUNDRAISER

Harbor Mesa Lions will hold their annual “Lucy & Ethyl Bingo Parlor” fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. March 16 at the Costa Mesa Country Club. This fun night includes dinner, surprises and prizes for the bingo donated by members. Bingo is conducted by Carol Van Holt, “Lucy,” and Arlene Schafer, “Ethyl.” The cost of the dinner is $18. Bingo cards are $5 or three for $10. A check to Harbor Mesa Lions in the amount of $18 per person, and mailed to 281 Princeton Drive by Tuesday, will assure your reservation.

SPEAK UP NEWPORT

The monthly meeting of Speak Up Newport will be at 5:30 p.m. March 11 at Newport Beach Yacht Club’s Commodores Room. The program will feature Library Services Director Cynthia Pirtle who will provide an update on the many services and programs the library offers.

The evening begins with a reception with appetizers and cash bar at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. For more information call (949) 224-2266.

LATE NOTICE

Newport Harbor Area Alumnae Panhellenic will meet at the University Club at 801 E. Peltason, UCI, at 10 a.m. Wednesday for speakers, lunch and bridge. A Journey to Easter Island will be presented by Sue and John Prange, according to Nancy Mellon, the group’s public relations coordinator.

The group raises funds for scholarships that are presented to women attending local high schools and universities. National Panhellenic Sorority women are invited to attend the meeting. Call (949) 548-2878.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council… “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TODAY

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

Noon: The 20-member Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program on identity theft. Go to www.newportbalboa.org.

5:15 p.m.: The 15-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Metro Center at South Coast, 555 Anton Blvd., Suite 150.

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. Visit www.CostaMesaKiwanis.org.

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI. Visit www.ni-rotary.org.

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

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 55-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns for a program by Vlade Roytapel, the “Dog Expert.” www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

6 p.m.: The Irvine New Generations Rotary Club meets at Tapas Restaurant, Newport Beach.

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.