* Send AROUND TOWN items to...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St.,

Costa Mesa, CA 92627; by fax to (949) 646-4170; or by calling (949)

574-4298. Include the time, date and location of the event, as well

as a contact phone number. A complete listing is available at

www.dailypilot.com.

TODAY

The Orange County Bar Assn. will host an insurance law seminar

from 5:30 to 9:15 p.m. at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

The hotel is at 686 Anton Blvd. For more information, call (949)

440-6700 ext. 4, doc. 217.

The Environmental Nature Center will host a guided tour of the

center with its founder, Robert House, at noon. Guests on the

one-hour tour will learn about the plants of California while

enjoying the beauty of the center. The center is at 1601 E. 16th St.,

Newport Beach. Free. For more information, call (949) 645-8489.

The International Studies Program at UC Irvine will host a lecture

from 3:30 to 5 p.m. by Judith Kipper, co-director of the Middle East

Studies Program and the Center for Strategic and International

Studies. Kipper will discuss combating terrorism and weapons of mass

destruction in the Middle East. The lecture will be held in the

Social Science Plaza A, room 1100. Free. For more information, call

(949) 824-8687.

The Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange County will host a support group

for caregivers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Silverado Senior Living in

Costa Mesa. Silverado is at 350 W. Bay St. Free. (949) 631-2212.

The Friends of the Irvine Coast will hold their annual meeting at

7:30 p.m. in Room 1AB at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar.

The meeting will focus on the final plans for the Crystal Cove

Historic District and will have presentations by state park

representatives. The center is at 800 Marguerite Ave. (949) 644-5998.

The Orange Coast College Theatre Department will present

Playwright Lee Blessing’s “Fortinbras,” today through Sunday and

again Dec. 5 through 8. The curtain is set for 8 p.m. Thursdays

through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. The production will be held

in the Drama Lab Theatre on campus. The campus is at 2701 Fairview

Road, Costa Mesa. Tickets are $10 for adults in advance and $12 at

the door, $7 for seniors, students and children in advance and $8 at

the door. For more information, call (714) 432-5880.

FRIDAY

To support Smiles Against Hate, a national nonprofit organization,

dentist Nicholas C. Davis will give patients a chance to receive an

entire bleaching treatment for a reduced fee as part of a one-day

fund-raising event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost will be $200, which

is a 60% discount, and is tax deductible. Davis’ office is at 2503

Eastbluff Drive, Suite 102, Newport Beach. To make an appointment,

call (949) 644-9211 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

A sports collectible show presented by Naxcom Exchange Inc. will

be held today through Sunday in building 14 of the Orange County Fair

& Exposition Center in Costa Mesa. The show will be held from 2 to 9

p.m. today, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. The center is at 88 Fair Drive. Admission is $7 for adults

and free for children 8 and under. For more information, call (714)

708-1543 or visit www.naxcom.com or www.ocfair.com.

The Archeological Institute of America Orange County Society will

host it’s annual gala from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Country

Club. The gala will include a Greek dinner, silent auction, awards

for best costumes, door prizes and opportunities to meet with

scholars and nonprofessional travelers with shared interests in

history, sociology, science and ecology. The country club is at 1701

Golf Course Drive. The fee for members is $37.50 and for nonmembers

is $42.50. For more information, call (949) 380-8598.

SATURDAY

The “Draper Group” of Wachovia Securities in Newport Beach will

host a seminar on how to invest in a volatile market at 9 a.m. at

Coco’s Bakery Restaurant in Newport Beach. A light breakfast will be

served, and audience members will have a chance to win a raffle

prize. The restaurant is at 151 Newport Center Drive. Free. For

reservations, call (949) 476-5118.

A National Productions Computer Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to

5 p.m. today and Sunday in building 14 of the Orange County Fair &

Exposition Center in Costa Mesa. The center is at 88 Fair Drive.

Admission is $5 and free for children 10 and under. For more

information, call (800) 800-5600 or (714) 708-3247 or visit

www.lacomputerfair.com or www.ocfair.com.

SUNDAY

Chapter XII of the Special Forces Assn. will host a 100th birthday

celebration for Col. Aaron Banks from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Newport

Harbor American Legion Post. Banks, a Mission Viejo resident who

entered the U.S. Army in World War II, was assigned to the Office of

Strategic Services. In 1952, he founded the U.S. Army Special Forces.

The Newport Harbor post is at 215 15th St., Newport Beach. For more

information, call Michael Brigandi at (949) 720-1068.

The Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council will host its annual

Celebration of Thanksgiving at 4 p.m. at Harbor Christian Church in

Newport Beach. The event will consist scripture readings and music

from a variety of faith communities, as well as speeches by Imam

Mustufa Qazwini of the Islamic Education Center, Rabbi Marc

Rubenstein of Temple Isaiah and Rev. Dennis Short of Harbor Christian

Church. The church is at 2401 Irvine Ave. Free. For more information,

call (949) 660-8665.

DEC. 4

The Orange County Sierra Singles Club will host a snow sports

training program from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. at the Costa Mesa

Neighborhood Community Center. The program will focus on how to be

safe and prepare for winter sports such as backcountry skiing,

snowshoeing, hiking and snowboarding. $10. The center is at 1845 Park

Ave. $10. For information, call (714) 963-6345.

ONGOING

The Newport Beach Newcomers Club holds a general meeting on the

third Wednesday of every month. During the November meeting, members

will plan a holiday shopping trip to the Cabazon Outlets. The

organization is open to all Newport Beach residents who have lived in

the area fewer than five years. For more information, call (949)

645-9922, or visit newcomers-newportbeach.org.

Interfaith couples with one Jewish partner are invited to

participate in a discussion group at the Jewish Family Service of

Orange County office. The group is geared toward dealing with issues

between interfaith couples, such as raising children, observing

holidays, symbols in the home and relationships with extended

families. The cost is $45 per couple for three sessions.

Preregistration is required. Call to schedule date and time. The

office is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. (714) 445-4950.

Women 50 and older may be part of a discussion group coordinated

by Jewish Family Services to address issues such as anxiety,

depression, relationships, loneliness and family that meets from 10

to 11:30 a.m. Mondays at the agency offices, 250 E. Baker St., Suite

G, Costa Mesa. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library Used Book Store are

asking for patrons to donate books to replenish the dwindling stock.

Books may be left at any of the three branch libraries at Balboa,

Mariners, or Corona del Mar, or in the book closet next to the

Friends Book Store at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. All hardcover

and paperback donations, with the exception of magazines and law

books, will be accepted and are tax deductible. (949) 759-9667.

The Braille Institute offers free computer classes to people with

fading vision who have difficulty seeing the computer screen. The

Oasis Center at 800 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar, offers six

sessions. Call to sign up for classes. (714) 821-5000.

A spiritual care class meets at 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at 3400

Irvine Ave., Suite 114, Newport Beach. Call to reserve a seat. (949)

263-1462.

The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosts networking luncheon

meetings Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Costa Mesa

Country Club. The cost is $13. The club is at 1701 Golf Course Drive,

Costa Mesa. (714) 885-9090.

A brain tumor support group meets the first and third Thursdays

each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hoag Cancer Center at Hoag

Hospital, 1 Hoag Drive, Newport Beach. Free. Registration not

required. The group is designed to help patients and their families

understand and cope with the illness. (949) 574-6232.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church hosts a mental illness support

group from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays in Dierenfield Hall C at 600 St.

Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (949) 574-2236.

The Jewish Family Service of Orange County sponsors a discussion

group focusing on concerns and responsibilities of adult children and

their parents from 6 to 7 p.m. two Tuesdays a month at the Jewish

Family Service office at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. $10

per person, per session. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

The Jewish Family Service of Orange County has a weekly parenting

support group to help parents learn strategies for successful

parenting and helping them deal with the feelings and behavior of

their children. The group meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays at

Jewish Family Service, 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. The

group will cover managing anger, anxiety and peer pressure children

experience. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

The Costa Mesa Senior Center has ballroom dancing with live music

from the Costa Mesa Music Makers from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at 695 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa. $4. (949) 548-3884.

Jewish Family Service of Orange County sponsors an ongoing healing

support group for the chronically ill. The purpose is to provide

participants with emotional and spiritual support to manage illness

and its consequences. The group meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Jewish

Family Service, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. Attendance is free, but

registration is required. (714) 445-4950.

Scrabble Club No. 350 meets from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays at Borders

Books, Music & Cafe at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St. in Costa

Mesa. $3. New players are welcome. (949) 206-9822.

The Coin and Stamp Club meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays at the

Oasis Senior Center. New members interested in trading, buying and

selling stamps and coins are being sought to join these informal

meetings. There are no fees required. (949) 644-3244.

Jewish Family Service offers ongoing bereavement support groups

for adults at all stages of loss. The groups share experiences, hear

how others deal with grief, receive support and learn ways to cope

with sadness and loss. One group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Beth

Jacob in Irvine. The second group meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at

Temple Judea in Laguna Hills. The third group meets at 1 p.m.

Thursdays at the Ezra Center in Anaheim. Free, but advance

registration is required. (714) 445-4950.

Jewish Family Service of Orange County provides a support and

discussion group to assist participants in their recovery from

childhood or teenage sexual abuse. The group meets from 8 to 9:30

p.m. Tuesdays at 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. Advance registration

is required. (714) 445-4950.

Two-hour kayak tours with a trained naturalist guide are offered

at 10 a.m. Sundays from the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. The

resort is at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. $20, or $10 for

California Wildlife Campaign and Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends

members. (800) 585-0747.

A yoga and dance class is held from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays at

the Center for Spiritual Discovery, 2850 Mesa Verde Drive East, Suite

111, Costa Mesa. (714) 754-7399.

The Rev. Connie Ryckman leads a discussion group using the book

“Conversations with God” from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at the Center

for Spiritual Discovery, 2850 Mesa Verde Drive East, Suite 111, Costa

Mesa. Bring a lunch. (714) 754-7399.

Marshall’s Tae Kwon Do in Costa Mesa offers free self-defense

classes to airline pilots and flight attendants. Classes are taught

by three-time U.S. National Champion Tom Marshall. Marshall’s is at

333 E. 17th St., Suite 13, Costa Mesa. (949) 574-0122.

A Dealing with Divorce support group is offered by Jewish Family

Service of Orange County. The group is led by an experienced

counselor and meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Jewish Federation

Campus, 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. (714) 445-4950.

The Sea Scouts’ ship Del Mar 711 of Orange County offers a program

for boys and young men ages 14 to 18 interested in sailing,

seamanship, piloting, navigation and cruising. Meetings are from 6 to

9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Sea Scouts Sea Base, 1931 W. Coast Highway,

Newport Beach. (949) 642-6301 or (949) 551-8591.

Oasis Senior Center offers ongoing assistance, counseling and

referral services for seniors. (949) 644-3244.

The Costa Mesa Senior Citizen Square and Round Dance Club seeks

experienced dancers to join its group from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays at

the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 19th Street and Pomona Avenue, Costa

Mesa. (714) 545-5669.

Arthritis Foundation instructor Hillary Stone leads an exercise

class at 11 a.m. Thursdays at the Jewish Senior Center, 250 E. Baker

St., Costa Mesa. (714) 513-5641.

The Newport Beach Newcomers Club meets at 10 a.m. the third

Wednesday of each month, except July and December, at varied

locations. The group, a social organization for people who have lived

in Newport Beach for fewer than five years, meets for events,

activities and field trips. (949) 645-9922.

The Thursday Morning Women’s Club, a 40-year-old friendship club,

is seeking new members. The club, which includes golf, bridge,

walking and gourmet sections, meets at 11 a.m. on the second Thursday

of every month at the Radisson Hotel in Newport Beach. The luncheon

is $23 and includes entertainment. The hotel is at 4545 MacArthur

Blvd. (714) 842-5863.

The Newport Beach Walking Club meets at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday

through Saturday, and at 7 p.m. Sunday. Walkers should meet at the

intersection of Hospital Road and Superior Avenue. Free. (949)

650-1332.

The American Legion meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of every

month. The meetings, which deal with veteran issues and community

service, will be held at the Costa Mesa Air National Guard. The

national guard is at 2651 Newport Blvd. Free. Mary Holler, (714)

546-2777; Bill Mimiaga, (949) 650-0894.

Nightly meetings are offered in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach for

anyone who wants to overcome nicotine addiction. Schedule or (714)

774-9106 or (800) 642-0666.

The Newport Sports Museum, a nonprofit organization, operates a

free museum at 100 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. The museum,

which has one of the world’s largest collections of sports

memorabilia, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3

p.m. on Saturday. (949) 721-9333 or www.newportsports-

museum.org.

The Estancia High School Parent Teacher Student Assn. hosts a

monthly paper drive every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the

school’s northwest parking lot, on the corner of Estancia North and

Placentia. Newspapers that are bound, loose or bagged are accepted;

however, cardboard, bound material such as phone books or thick

magazines are not. Bins are available for drop off every day of the

month for people who prefer to go at other times. All funds raised go

to the association. Free. The school is at 2323 Placentia Ave., Costa

Mesa. (949) 515-6500.

Oasis Senior Center offers a daily telephone contact program for

seniors who have a limited local support system. They also offer

ongoing computer classes that teach the basics of Word, Quicken,

Print Shop and Internet usage. (949) 644-3244.

The Costa Mesa Communicators Toastmasters Club meets from noon to

1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Orange County Department of Education, 200

Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa. Meetings are open to anyone who wants to

improve his or her public speaking skills. (714) 444-8783.

The Newport Beach Distinguished Toastmasters Club 1300 meets from

7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays in Sgt. Pepperoni’s meeting room, 2300 Bristol

St., Newport Beach. Call to make reservations. (949) 646-1274.

Mesa Messengers Toastmasters Club 691 in Costa Mesa meets at 7

p.m. Tuesdays at Mesa Verde United Methodist Church, 1701 W. Baker

St., Costa Mesa. (714) 540-4446.