COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 291, Newport Harbor, invites you to join them for the 100th Anniversary of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The Post will be hosting groups from Dec. 17 to 21 at the Newport Harbor American Legion Post 291, at 215 15th St., to view the event.

Outside water’s edge viewing includes a variety of soups, hot dogs, dessert and hot cocoa. Food service will begin nightly at 7. Full bar service will be available. There will be an opportunity drawing for several awesome prizes. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged.

Admission is $10, and food is $5 a meal. All proceeds go to charity. For information, call (714) 721-5796.

LIONS SHARE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The Harbor Mesa Lions will be Santa’s helpers again this year in two projects. One is at the annual shopping day for the Boys & Girls Club. Items such as toys and games are donated by organizations and businesses. The Lions will be donating gifts for the kids to purchase for their parents along with wrapping supplies. The kids earn points throughout the year by completing academic assignments. They can purchase gifts with these points at 8 a.m. Dec. 20 at the Westside branch of Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area at Rea School in Costa Mesa. The Lions will wrap the gifts. The project is chaired by Harbor Mesa Lions member Sandi Scheafer.

The second project is the sponsoring of two families for their Holiday Wish List. Chaired by Lion Sue Seager, two families will be receiving gifts and donations of food certificates to make their holidays brighter. Harbor Mesa members purchase gifts from a list furnished by the family and distribute the gifts Dec. 20.

CLUB RECEIVES GRANT

Exchange Club of Newport Harbor member Bob Kinton announced that the club’s high school scholarship program has received a grant from the Pacific Life Foundation in the amount of $10,000, to match the club’s usual amount allocated for students.

“This means that the students will receive $2,000 each, rather than the $1,000 we have been awarding them,” Kinton said. “The [scholarships] will significantly help these students who have overcome hardships and are on a better path in life.”

Members Ed Romeo and Bob Washer were key in helping to secure the grant.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council: “Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: ‘If you’re alive, it isn’t.’”

— Richard Bach

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 Restaurant at the corner of Redhill Avenue and Bristol Street.

Noon: The 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 by Mark Stenroos on the Balboa Performing Arts Theater. Visit 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. Visit www.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;

The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI. For more information, visit www.nirotary.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 52-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns for a program by Lane Calvert of the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America on the new Outdoor Education Center. Visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

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

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

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected].