Around Town: Area soccer team visits patients at CHOC
Members of the Orange County Blues, a Division III pro soccer club that plays at UC Irvine, went to Children’s Hospital of Orange County last week to visit patients on three floors.
The players signed autographs, read books and colored pictures with the patients.
Since 2014, team members have been regular visitors to children at the hospital in Orange, according to a news release.
“The thing that got me the most is that feeling that we did something positive and meaningful,” midfielder Dusan Stevanovic said in a statement. “The appreciation on those children’s faces is something that I will never forget.”
‘Luau’ set for Friday in Costa Mesa
A “luau” will be held Friday in Costa Mesa, offering games and treats to help residents get in the summer spirit.
The event will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Downtown Recreation Center, 1860 Anaheim Ave.
Activities will include a bean bag toss, glow-in-the-dark Frisbee golf and free snow cones.
Guests can take a nighttime dip in the pool for $4.
Plein air painters event coming to Newport
The Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. will present an art event Saturday through July 17 at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach.
A juried display will feature 60 paintings of the Back Bay and county parks. They will be on exhibit from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday through July 15, except for Monday.
An artwork sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 16 and 17.
The association also is offering free children’s painting classes July 16 and 17. Register by calling (949) 923-2269.
For more information, visit socalpapa.com.
Costa Mesa Sanitary District wins industry award
The Costa Mesa Sanitary District has won a Silver Excellence Award in the integrated solid waste management category from the Solid Waste Assn. of North America, according to a news release.
The district will be recognized during a conference in Indianapolis in August.
The district recently implemented organics and alkaline battery recycling programs.
“We believe that innovative waste diversion and educational programs, driven by a results-oriented staff and strong private and public partnerships, have made CMSD one of the top-performing sanitary districts in the United States,” district board President Mike Scheafer said in a statement.
The district also will be reaccredited in October as a district of distinction by the Special District Leadership Foundation. To receive the distinction, the district showed it has undergone regular financial audits, has no “major deficiencies” and conforms with various state laws.
Newport-Mesa Unified recognized for psychological support services
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has been named a District of Distinction by District Administration magazine for its psychological support services.
Newport-Mesa programs aid the emotional well-being of students by providing support to those who are struggling with homelessness, drugs, bullying and other problems, the district said in a news release.
“The mental, emotional, psychological and social well-being of our students is essential to learning,” Sara Jocham, assistant superintendent of student services, said in a statement. “By providing dynamic psychological support services, we are fostering students’ abilities to pay attention, concentrate, focus and learn.”