* Send AROUND TOWN items to the...

* 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 public is invited to meet Adeline Yen Mah, author of “Falling

Leaves,” “Chinese Cinderella” and “Watching the Tree,” at 7 p.m. at

the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

For more information, call (949) 717-3816.

Learn about the plant communities of California while enjoying the

beauty of the Environmental Nature Center. A free, one-hour tour will

be offered at noon at 1601 E. 16th St. in Newport Beach. Bring a sack

lunch for an optional picnic and wear closed-toed shoes. For more

information, call (949) 645-8489.

The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host a “90 Minute

Breakfast Boost” from 7 to 8:45 a.m. at the Costa Mesa Country Club,

1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa. Prepaid reservations cost $13 and

$18 at the door. For information and reservations, call (714)

885-9090.

FRIDAY

Global trend tracker Jeremy Rifkin will present “Petroleum,

Politics and the Hydrogen Economy” at 7 p.m. at the Newport Beach

Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Tickets are $55,

including a buffet dinner. Register in advance by calling (866)

301-2411 or online at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

The Costa Mesa Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting at 11:15

a.m. at their clubhouse, 610 W. 18th St., Costa Mesa, with a luncheon

and entertainment. For more information, call (949) 642-1162.

SATURDAY

A workshop on “Understanding International Trade” will be held

from 9 a.m. to noon at National University, 3390 Harbor Blvd., Costa

Mesa. The $25 fee includes materials. For more information, call

(714) 550-7369.

Global trend tracker Jeremy Rifkin will present “Petroleum,

Politics and the Hydrogen Economy” at 2 p.m. at the Newport Beach

Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Tickets are $18,

including refreshments. Register in advance by calling (866) 301-2411

or online at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

MONDAY

A Great Decisions discussion of “International Food Wars: Growing

Controversies” led by John Benner is the fifth in an eight-week

series on U.S. foreign policy topics. The discussion will be held

from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2100 Mar Vista,

Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 760-1691.

TUESDAY

Women Helping Women will host its annual open house from 4 to 8

p.m. The nonprofit organization serves over 2,000 women annually by

providing clothing to women in transition and seeking employment.

Refreshments will be served. The center is at 711 West 17th St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 423-0057.