Around Town: Mariners Christian student places at national spelling bee competition
Mariners Christian School student Evan Smith placed seventh at the 28th Annual Assn. of Christian Schools International’s National Spelling Bee competition April 29 through 30 in Washington, D.C.
Evan, an eighth grader at the Costa Mesa campus, competed against 42 other students from across the country. He was one of five from the Southern California region at the contest.
“Evan has a tremendous thirst for knowledge and passion for learning,” Heather Harrison, Mariners Christian’s middle school principal, said in a statement. “His capacity to learn, understand and memorize is truly amazing.”
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OCC hosts transit of Mercury viewing
The Orange Coast College astronomy department is inviting the public to view the passing of the planet Mercury in front of the sun — a process known as the transit of Mercury — from 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday on the west side of the Costa Mesa college’s Adams Avenue parking lot.
Multiple telescopes will be available for the viewing, said astronomy instructor Jerome Fang.
Transits of Mercury occur about a dozen times each century; the most recent was in 2006, according to a news release.
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Apartment complex hosts naming ceremony
Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger and additional members of the City Council on Wednesday will attend CityView and Red Oak Investments’ unveiling of the name for their apartment complex at 125 E. Baker St. in Costa Mesa. The ceremony is from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Once the project is completed, it will include a four-story building with 240 units, a six-story parking structure, rooftop deck and fitness center.
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Teen volunteers honored for assisting group
The Friendship Circle, based in Newport Beach, will honor 248 teenage volunteers at its 10th annual Evening of Recognition 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Beckman Center in Irvine.
The volunteers have collectively contributed more than 18,000 hours. The Friendship Circle gives those with special-needs support and friendship through recreational, social, educational and vocational programming.
The event will also feature Ariana Berlin, a gymnast and a stunt performer known for her comeback story following a car accident in 2001.
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Costa Mesa event aids veteran, family care
CarePossible, a nonprofit offering mental health care and addiction treatment for veterans, low income and military families, will hold its Lunch and Learn event at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity on Thursday in Costa Mesa.
Board-certified psychiatrist and neurologist Warren Taff will speak on the addiction treatment process.
The registration fee is a suggested $30 donation to CarePossible.
The Chuck Jones Center is located on 3321 Hyland Ave. in the South Coast Collection center.
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CdM chamber hosting Good Morning, Corona del Mar
The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Good Morning, Corona del Mar event 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.
The program will bring local leaders, business owners and residents together to discuss community topics. The event will also include Airport Working Group member Tom Naughton as the featured speaker and legislative updates from U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel and state Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa).
The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club is located at 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar.
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OC Fairgrounds starts new dining series
The OC Fair & Event Center has launched a new seasonal dining series, “The Red Barn — A Farm to Fork Experience at Centennial Farm.”
The first event of the series is a four-course, wine-paired dinner 6:30 p.m. May 14 at Centennial Farm at the fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
Tickets are $150 per person and are available at ticketmaster.com.
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Harbor Day School gets new leader
Following unanimous approval from Harbor Day School’s board of trustees, the Corona del Mar campus will have a new head of school, Angi Evans.
Evans, who graduated from Harbor Day in 1975 and taught fourth grade and kindergarten there, had been serving as interim head of school since July.
“The board of trustees has been impressed with Mrs. Evans’ leadership skills and passion for Harbor Day School,” board President Polly Ueberroth said in a statement. “Rarely does a school find a leader who meets all the criteria identified as important for our next head of school.”
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SOY Fiesta raises more than $52k
Save Our Youth, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that helps Westside youth, raised more than $52,000 at its annual Fiesta fundraiser April 29 at the Halecrest Park Swim and Tennis Club in Costa Mesa.
The party honored Jean Forbath, who helped found the nonprofit, for her 24 years of service to SOY.
Guests were also entertained by SOY’s singers, musicians and dancers.
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Costa Mesa resident honored for volunteer efforts
Minh Tran, a Costa Mesa resident and supervisor pharmacist for UnitedHealthcare in Cypress, was named a OneOC Spirit of Volunteerism award winner April 28 during a ceremony held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
Tran has participated in various community volunteer programs through UnitedHealthcare. Her volunteer work has included Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and the American Heart Assn.