Around Town: Gem Faire returns to Costa Mesa on the last weekend of August

Billing itself as the “Largest Jewelry & Bead Show in SoCal,” Gem Faire returns to the Orange County Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, Aug. 26 through 28. The event is open to the public.

More than 100 exhibitors will display their jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, fossils and jewelry-making tools and supplies during the event. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission of $7 is valid for the entire weekend.

Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing service will be available.

For more information, visit gemfaire.com.

Street Sweeping enforcement in Costa Mesa to resume Thursday

The temporary suspension of street sweeping enforcement in Costa Mesa will end on Thursday, after the City Council voted July 19 to allow enforcement of parking restrictions during street sweeping hours.

Members of the Costa Mesa Police Department ask residents and the public to move their vehicles off city streets during the days and times indicated on posted parking restriction signs related to street sweeping in their area.

Costa Mesa Police to host ‘National Night Out’ Thursday

The Costa Mesa Police Department invites members of the public to visit the city’s Lions Park Thursday, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for an annual National Night Out, where participants can learn more about police and community resources.

Attendees can learn how to lift prints with the department’s crime scene investigators, talk with motorcycle officers and California Highway Patrol personnel, meet a K-9 officer and SWAT team members, enter a raffle, play lawn games and more.

Crafts, music and food will round out the evening. Lions Park is located at 570 W. 18th St., Costa Mesa.

OCTA and Caltrans announce start of 55 Freeway expansion project

The SR-55 Improvement Project, a $475-million effort to help shorten travel times in central Orange County, has officially begun, requiring the partial closure of lanes overnight and temporary and intermittent closures on freeway ramps in the project area.

Led by the Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Caltrans, the work will add one regular lane and one carpool lane in each direction of the 55 Freeway near Santa Ana and Tustin and the 405 Freeway near Irvine and Costa Mesa.

Portions of MacArthur Boulevard, Dyer Road and Edinger Avenue under the freeway may also be closed during the life of the project, which is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

To receive information on closures via text message, text “55FWYProject” to (877) 587-3065. For more information visit octa.net/SR55.

Huntington Beach plans Listens Dialogue Circle on Tuesday

The Huntington Beach Art Center will be hosting an “HB Listens” Dialogue Circle on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

The event is being put on by the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee, in collaboration with Vans and Orange County Human Relations.

“HB Listens” Dialogue Circles are intended to create an inclusive community where all people are respected, valued and free from discrimination and violence.

Dialogue circle topics will include protecting our local environment, societal responsibility in caring for all and benefits of listening to different points of view. The topics emphasize the overarching theme ingrained in the U.S. Open of Surfing event.

Space and availability are limited, so those interested in participating are asked to register in advance online.

For more information, email [email protected].

Huntington Beach churches team up for Saturday night event

A group of Huntington Beach churches has teamed for a weekly Saturday night event, starting Aug. 6 at 5 p.m.

The recurring event, a local food festival and community night, will be held in the back parking lot of Surf City Church at 2721 Delaware St.

The night will feature food trucks, live bands and optional free childcare. Leaders are looking for volunteers and churches to sign up and help be in charge.

For more information, visit lifeatitsbest.com or email Surf City Church event coordinator Woody Young at [email protected].

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