Community & Clubs:

More than 18,000 Lions Club members gathered in Minneapolis earlier this month for their annual convention. Among the local attendees was Carol Van Holt of the Harbor Mesa Lions Club.

“Being a ‘first timer’ at the International Convention was exciting and wonderful, to say the least,� Van Holt said.

“Just the amount of Lions roaming the streets and attending the sessions is so amazing.�

“With so many nations represented and the different languages and cultures, all concerned with helping others through Lions, one comes away with a greater feeling of pride and confirmation of the goodness and generosity of this great organization,� she added.

“The personal testimonies on stage were tear inducing to say the least.

“To hear the little boy who would have been blind if the Lion’s eye testing program had not noticed a sight problem when he was 3; or when the young woman told of being blind until her late teens when the Lions made it possible for her to have a corneal transplant; or to see and hear the young military family who was helped, these are the miracles that our service can create.�

The Lions were entertained with a “Beach Boys� concert, and Colin Powell was one of the guest speakers.

“Outgoing International President Al Brandel told the audience of the increases in membership worldwide. There are more than 1.3 million members in 205 countries as of July 1. In South America, 35% of the members are women. India, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East had the greatest gain of clubs and members.

“There were 239 new clubs in North America this last year. He stressed the fact that one new member gives two hands for service,� Van Holt said.

The new international president, Eberhard Wirfs, is from Germany.

TOUR CHINA WITH THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL

The Newport-Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council will conduct its eighth trip to China led by yours truly. This special opportunity is open to clergy, congregation members, service club members, their families and friends and will take place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7.

The tour includes round-trip international air fare from Los Angeles International Airport, four- or five-star hotel stays, double occupancy, three meals each day except one dinner on your own, visits to a Protestant and Roman Catholic Church, several Buddhist Temples, bus tours, English-speaking tour guides, admission to tourist spots and airport tax throughout the trip for the price of $1,859.

A single room for the entire trip is available at an additional $450. Business-class upgrade on international flights is $4,500 round trip. Optional tour to Xi’an and Terra Cotta Warriors is available at an additional cost of $450 per person.

A special orientation meeting and last opportunity to register for the trip will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Harbor Christian Church, 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, to answer your questions. Visit www.nmiinterfaith.org for an itinerary and application.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council… “Let go of your attachment to being right, and suddenly your mind is more open. You’re able to benefit from the unique viewpoints of others, without being crippled by your own judgment.�

— Ralph Marston

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.

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 the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a Craft Talk by member Raouf Yuja.

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

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

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] .