Community & Clubs:

The 25th annual Estancia Coast Classic basketball tournament has a new sponsor. The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club, which is responsible for the annual Fish Fry, has agreed to sponsor this year’s tournament from Dec. 26 to 30.

The Lions will provide financial, advertising and other support for the Estancia program and boosters.

The Lions are very excited to add their name to this outstanding tournament.

“With teams coming from all over the country, there will be dozens of teams along with their families staying at local motels and dining at our local restaurants,” club member Mike Scheafer said.

That should be good for our local economy. Sponsorship opportunities that range from $50 to $200 are available by calling Scheafer at (714) 435-0300, or booster club president Don Fackler (714) 957-4070.

‘An Appalachian Christmas’

The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Choir, soloists and actor Richard Kinsey, and the Da Capo Orchestra will present “An Appalachian Christmas” at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Developed from traditional Scottish, English and Irish traditions, Appalachian music rose from hills and mountains populated by back country folk whose hard life necessitated that they be resourceful and live simply, said choir Director Antoinette Brosius.

Because frontier life was rigorous and a struggle, religion was highly important; the most prevalent music heard in Appalachia was religious music. Contemporary American composer, Pepper Choplin has composed music in the style of these mountain people in his seasonal cantata, “I Hear a Prophet Callin.”

He has employed dance-like rhythms, call and response songs, and the fiddle, string-band, and guitar instrumentation that characterized this region of our country — a place that is the essence of America and a place set apart from all the rest of it. This unusual work will be narrated by Kinsey, who rose to fame by his portrayal of Inspector Javert in the Broadway production of “Les Miserables.”

The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is at 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 557-3340.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council… “There is no use in walking anywhere to preach if your walking isn’t your preaching.”

— St. Francis of Assisi

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, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 20-member Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona Del Mar, for a business meeting. For more information, visit www.coronadelmarexchangeclub.org.

5:15 p.m.: The 10 member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Ramada Inn & Suites, 1680 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa.

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, 1835 Newport Blvd.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, 3131 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For more information, 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 UC Irvine, 801 E. Peltason Drive, for a program by Susan McNally on health-care reform. For more information, visit www.ni-rotary.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a presentation by Scott Trotter of the Families to Families Program of the Child Abuse Prevention Center.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy. Corona del Mar, for a Club Assembly. Visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

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