Around Town: Costa Mesa Historical Society releases new book

The Costa Mesa Historical Society has released a new book on city history from 1940 to 2003.

According to the society, the book tells of Costa Mesa’s growth “from infancy to its coming of age.”

It was written by Art and Mary Ellen Goddard on behalf of the society. Proceeds will benefit the society, which operates as a nonprofit.

The book, from Arcadia Publishing, is available at the society’s headquarters, 1870 Anaheim Ave. For more information, call (949) 631-5918 or email [email protected].

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OCC to present ‘The Hobbit’ with puppets

Orange Coast College’s department of theater arts will present a production of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” from Friday through July 17 and July 22 through 24 at the college’s Drama Lab Theatre.

The show will feature student actors and puppets.

“Gollum is a bunraku puppet where the puppeteer is visible to the audience and standing behind the puppet,” director David Scaglione said in a statement. “I think this type of storytelling is very interesting to watch and offers a unique experience for the whole family this summer.”

Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7 p.m. There also will be Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are available for $5 to $7 through occtickets.com or (714) 432-5880. Tickets at the door are $7 to $9.

UC Irvine Extension changes name

The UC Irvine Extension announced it will change its name to the UCI Division of Continuing Education.

The new title is meant to emphasize the importance the university places on lifelong learning for graduates and community members, according to a news release.

Gary Matkin, the institution’s dean since 2001, will remain in that position.

“We, at the Division of Continuing Education, look forward to expanding our services for the benefit of all learners as well as supporting campuswide projects and departments and schools that have continuing education needs,” Matkin said in a statement.

Dean appointed for UCI’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts

UC Irvine announced the appointment of drama professor Stephen Barker as dean of the university’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Barker has been the school’s interim dean since September 2014.

Barker has directed the Beall Center for Art + Technology at the arts school and launched the Dean’s Next-Level Initiative, Claire Trevor’s first formal fundraising campaign, which is seeking $1 million to support projects in the school’s departments.

“Stephen Barker really understands the university’s role in preparing our students for success in their chosen fields,” UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman said in a statement.