Kids hear from a real hero

The Rotary Club of Newport Irvine sponsored a lively party for 75 teenagers from Olive Crest last Monday at the Woodbridge Community Center in Irvine that included dance contests to high decibel rock music, a variety of food and the realization that the party was just for them -- that made for a great evening.

For 34 years, the Olive Crest home and services for abused children has provided homes, counseling, relocation services and job placement assistance to 34,000 children from birth to age 18. About 400 children are now housed, primarily in residential homes, throughout Orange County.

A highlight of the evening was a talk and book signing by Rep. Jim Rogan, who rose from a broken home in the gritty Mission District of San Francisco to become a member of the U.S. House.

He pointedly told the kids, “My story was like a number of yours’ ” He had been a high school dropout who idolized the “cool” older guys who had money from various illegal sources, belonged to gangs, drove stolen cars, did drugs and were popular with the girls. By age 18, many of these “heroes” were dead or in prison.

At that point, Jim changed the direction of his life. He enrolled in a community college, continued on to law school and, subsequently, was elected to Congress. Rogan told the attentive audience to read his book on “how to get there from here,” and to remember, “You are now with people who care where you’ll be in five years.”

The party was the fifth annual event sponsored by the Newport Irvine Rotary Club, and Chairman Cecil Hess promised that it would return next year.

BOAT PARADE VIEWING

The Sons of the American Legion will host Christmas Boat Parade viewing tonight and Sunday at the Newport Harbor American Legion Post 291, 215 15th St. in Newport Beach. Seating is available for 150 each night on a first-come basis.

Admission, including dinner, is $15 per person. Children younger than 7 are $10, and babies in arms get in for no charge. Dinner includes steaming chicken soup, chili, hot dogs, dinner rolls and spiced cider, cocoa and coffee. Food service begins at 7 p.m.

NEWPORT SUNRISE DONATES GIFTS

For several weeks, the Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise has been collecting toys and food to give to those who need them. President Chris Szechenyi took all the donated toys to the newly formed Rotary Club at Camp Pendleton, which will deliver them to the children of Marine families.

Club member Mary Cockley delivered the food and presents collected over several weeks to three families whose children attend Wilson Elementary School in Santa Ana as the Rotary Club made the holiday season brighter for a number of people.

HOLIDAY MEMORIES

Thanksgiving Day saw the de Boom family arriving in Minneapolis for a six-day visit with my brother LeRoy, who is living in a residential care center. There was opportunity for Barbara, Stacy and Jodi to shop at the Mall of America while son-in-law Zach Drysdale and I cleaned out the garage and basement at our family home of 53 years.

The gals joined us later in sorting through boxes of photos and clothing. It snowed twice while we were there, but it was warm enough so the snow melted (after I shoveled the sidewalks and driveway!).

Barbara’s U.S. Chamber Committee of 100 involvement got us invited to special U.S. Chamber Beach Boys concert for 250 people on the beach at the Hotel del Coronado on Dec. 5.

The evening included all-you-could-eat lobster, steak and deserts. While we have been at Beach Boys concerts before, we have usually been working them and haven’t had a chance to enjoy the music like we did at this time.

Barbara, Stacy and I enjoyed catching up with long-time friends Joe and Carol Ciraulo over dinner at a beautifully decorated Balboa Bay Club. Hundreds of thousands of sparking lights decorate the club. It is a spectacular place to visit during the holidays.

Daughter Stacy gave us an early Christmas present with dinner at the restaurant Hollywood and Vine and tickets to see Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles last Sunday.

If you like musicals, dancing and especially tap dancing, beautiful costuming and stunning sets, White Christmas is a must-see. It was a packed house of children and adults who enjoyed the performance, including the falling snow. White Christmas plays now through Jan. 1, 2006.

From the de Booms to all you, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best wishes for the New Year.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council:

“What we love to do, we find time to do.”

-- JOHN L. SPALDING

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.

TUESDAY

Noon: The newly formed Rotary Club of Costa Mesa will meet at the Clubhouse at South Coast Plaza.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at a new location, Denny’s restaurant at Redhill and Bristol.

Noon: The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast will meet at the Harbor Patrol conference room for a program by the Orange County Fire Authority.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club will meet at Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the Holiday Inn (www.kiwanis.org /club/costamesa).