Community & Clubs:

Orange County Fair visitors can receive one free admission ticket and one carnival ride in exchange for one new children’s book for kindergarten through third grades (ages 5 to 9) in support of the Los Angeles Times’ “Reading by 9” program, according to Rotarian Marc Aarons, president of the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa. Rotarians from Newport-Balboa, Newport Sunrise, Newport Irvine and Costa Mesa will be volunteering during three two-hour shifts today, along with Rotarians from around the county, to collect the books at admissions gates.

The volunteers will collect the books, box the books and load them onto trucks for delivery to Orange County elementary schools later this summer. On Aug. 5 fair visitors can receive a free admission ticket and one free carnival ride in exchange for the donation of one school item valued at $5 or more. Rotarians will once again be staffing the collection booths and will coordinate the distribution to local schools. For more information visit www.ocfair.com and click on “Discounts & Promotions.”

LOBSTER FEST ATTRACTING VISITORS

The Aug. 2 Lobster Fest at Newport Dunes Resort is attracting visitors from around Southern California, according to Tim Brown, president of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise. Families from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach in addition to Upland, La Habra, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Monterey Park, Carlsbad, Ladera Ranch and Long Beach are buying tickets online.

The Lobster Fest is a family-friendly event providing attendees a delicious dinner of freshly cooked Maine lobsters (flown in the night before) with top-grade tri-tips, delicious sides and beverages. Ticket prices for adults start at $75.

For the children, there is a menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, sides and drinks cooked on the fabulous grill by local Newport Beach firefighters.

The children will have loads of activities including a sandcastle-building contest and puppet show. Children’s tickets are $25.

Proceeds from the event will go in part to Marine families at Camp Pendleton and local Rotary club projects. For more information and to order tickets, go to www.lobsterfestatnewportbeach.com or call (949) 650-5504.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council…

“The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: ‘I did not have time.’” —

Franklin Field

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS

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 Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

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

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Dr. Hans Kierstead.

The 20-member Irvine New Generation Club meets at Daily Grill, 2336 Dupont Drive, Irvine. Visit www.irvinenewgenrotary.org

Call (714) 914-1078 for this week’s meeting location for the 15-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa.

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, visit CostaMesaKiwanis.org.

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

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 .