Around Town: Local nonprofit sends 1,000 care packages to military
One thousand military care packages were assembled Saturday for a drive organized by Working Wardrobes, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that provides services including job assistance and placement for veterans.
Twenty-three Wells Fargo employees helped in the effort, assembling packages that will be sent to U.S. military personnel overseas and to new recruits.
“This connects directly with the vision and values of our company,” Jack Toan, Wells Fargo’s vice president and community development manager in Southern California, said in a statement. “Wells Fargo takes great pride in giving back to these heroes who are defending our nation and in supporting our local military communities.”
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Hank Panian receives Costa Mesa Mayor’s Award
Retired Orange Coast College history professor Hank Panian received the Costa Mesa Mayor’s Award during a ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday.
Panian, a longtime Costa Mesa resident, also was recognized for his decades of service as a director of the Mesa Water District and his time with the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Costa Mesa Historical Society.
“You’re a quiet leader that really does so much for our community,” Mayor Steve Mensinger said of Panian.
Panian said he was “overwhelmed” by the honor and thanked those who have contributed to Costa Mesa civic efforts over the years, including his wife, Barbara. The two will celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary in December.
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O.C. Coastkeeper gets grant for Upper Newport Bay project
A project by Orange County Coastkeeper to restore native oysters and eelgrass in Upper Newport Bay received a $250,000 grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Costa Mesa-based environmental group said Wednesday.
Coastkeeper said its Living Shorelines project aims to restore beds of oysters and eelgrass as a buffer zone along the shores of Upper Newport Bay to help provide a habitat that attracts fish, crustaceans and other marine life and to prevent shoreline erosion from a projected rise in sea levels.
Coastkeeper plans to continue the project through summer 2018.
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Architect to speak at Friends of Libraries program
Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries will continue its “Through the Eyes Of” program Sept. 10 with Jessica Morley, an architect.
Morley will discuss the artistic and engineering skills required for building projects.
The program will start at 7 p.m. at Mesa Verde United Methodist Church, 1701 Baker St., Costa Mesa.
To RSVP, call Bob Ooten at (714) 545-9613.
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Costa Mesa treatment center to hold free educational event
Simple Recovery, a chemical-dependency treatment center in Costa Mesa, will host a free educational event on Sept. 16 titled “Substance Use and Treatment Interventions for Adolescents.”
The event, which will cover substance use trends, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Simple Recovery Schoolhouse, 1901 Newport Blvd.
Simple Recovery is presenting a series of free community events this year to help educate families on all subjects associated with addiction.
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OCC to host viewing of total lunar eclipse
Orange Coast College’s astronomy department will host a free event for viewing a total lunar eclipse Sept. 27.
The college’s event will run from 5 to 10:30 p.m. at OCC Planetarium SC160 at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. The eclipse is expected to reach totality shortly after 7 p.m.
The eclipse will be visible in the Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Africa and western Asia. The moon is expected to appear in colors from light orange to deep red, also known as a “blood moon.”
OCC students and the public will be able to use telescopes provided by the school.
Free parking will be available in the Merrimac Lot between Fairview and Harbor Boulevard.