Community & Clubs:

With the leadership of event planner and member Lauren Reeves, the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa will hold its first fundraiser in many a year Feb. 27 at the Tee Room. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with complimentary welcome champagne, no-host bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing, casino games, a poker tournament and silent auction.

President Marc Aarons notes the event is open to Rotary Club members, club alumni and their friends and neighbors. Proceeds will help fund the club’s charitable activities both locally and around the world. For reservations or to donate an item for the silent auction, contact Reeves at (949) 878-2121 or [email protected].

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Feb. 17 luncheon meeting of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council will focus on Human Trafficking in Orange County and the Faith Community Response, according to the Rev. Julie Elkins, council president. The luncheon, at Temple Bat Yahm, 1011 Camelback, Newport Beach, will include a tour of the facilities at the temple, said Bill Shane, executive director of the temple.

The speaker is Sandra Morgan, administrator of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, according to Greg Kelley, program chairman for the council. Those in attendance will receive a copy of the Council’s 2010 Directory, which lists 123 congregations in Costa Mesa, Irvine and Newport Beach, hundreds of religious leaders and dozens of interfaith contacts. Lunch is $10 with reservations, $12 without a reservation.

The luncheon is open to the public and reservations can be made by calling (714) 921-8665 or e-mailing [email protected].

LIONS SPONSOR STUDENT SPEAKERS CONTEST

Harbor Mesa Lions held its annual Student Speakers Contest, with member Marianne Allen chairing the event. Five young speakers competed in the contest with the subject, “Universal Health Care — How will it affect us?�

This statewide contest is held annually with the final winner receiving more than $21,000 in scholarship funds. The Lions sponsor this contest, to get young people involved in thinking about the current issues that affect all of us. Contests are at the club, zone, region, district, area and final levels. Students from ninth through 12th grades compete with original speeches not to exceed 10 minutes. The winner of the Harbor Mesa contest was Max Tami, Orange County High School of the Performing Arts. He received $75, and other speakers received $25.

The next contest will be the zone contest at 6:30 p.m. March 8 at the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Offices in Costa Mesa.

Thought for the Day

“A person must be big enough to admit their mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.�

— John C. Maxwell

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community?

TODAY

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a Valentine’s Dinner and to hear vocal contestants. Visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

Noon: The 80-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Ed Selich talk about “My Two Years as Mayor.�

MONDAY

6:30 p.m.: The Harbor Mesa Lions Club meets at the Golden Dragon in Costa Mesa.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns for a program by Dennis Baker, director of Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends. For more information, 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] .