Rotary’s tree plantings just around the corner

Continuing a 36-year tradition started by the late county Supervisor Tom Riley ? then the president of the Rotary Club ? members of the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa, joined by the Rotary Club of Costa Mesa, will distribute more than 2,400 seedlings to third-graders attending public and private schools in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach in early March to celebrate Arbor Day.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872 as an effort to create windbreaks and reduce soil erosion while providing shade, fruit, fuel and beauty to the plains. The timing of the celebration varies from state to state, but generally it is determined by the best tree-planting time.

In California, the date is chosen to celebrate the birthday of noted horticulturist Luther Burbank, who developed more than 800 varieties of plants in his Northern California greenhouse.

Since its inception, the Newport-Balboa Rotary Club has provided more than 88,000 seedlings to generations of third-graders, who are provided with planting and care tips so that the seedlings can flourish in yards or in containers, according to Peter Smith, who chairs the club’s Arbor Day program. I am not able to think of any other group or individual that has contributed more to the greening of Newport-Mesa than the Newport-Balboa and Costa Mesa Rotary Clubs.

In preparation for delivering the seedlings, dozens of Rotarians will spend March 4 at Hines Nursery in Irvine, trimming and pruning the seedlings to get them ready for planting.

One other tradition that continues is the dedication of a large tree at an elementary school campus. This year the tree will be planted at Adams Elementary School on March 10 at 8:20 a.m. during the school’s flag ceremony. Members of the school board, district staff and the Costa Mesa City Council have been invited to join the Rotarians at the ceremony.

LUCY AND ETHYL’S BINGO PARLOR

Harbor Mesa Lions will hold their annual “Lucy and Ethyl’s Bingo Parlor” meeting March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Country Club.

Funds raised from this event will be given to local charitable organizations. President Carol Van Holt and Vice President Arlene Schafer will conduct the bingo games; prizes donated by the members will be given to the lucky winners.

Guests pay $15 for the dinner and $5 for each bingo card. For reservations, call (714) 546-1429.

SPEAK UP NEWPORT

The March 8 meeting of Speak Up Newport will feature Asst. City Manager Dave Kiff discussing the future of the Upper Newport Bay and Newport Harbor, board member David Goff reports. The evening begins with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. at the Newport Beach Yacht Club at the corner of Jamboree Road and Bayside Drive in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 224-2266.

ORANGE COUNTY’S LARGEST MIXER

Fifteen Orange County chambers of commerce, including those from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, will join together for the third annual Ultimate Business Networking Event from 5 to 9 p.m. March 9 at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center. This year, they are joined by four convention and visitors bureaus, including those from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach and five business organizations, according to Ed Fawcett, president and chief executive of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

You can mix with business and professional people representing hundreds of industries, companies and corporations throughout Southern California. The entry fee of $15 includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

For more information, visit www.ocmixer.com or call (949) 222-6600.

WORTH REPEATING

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

I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.

? ABRAHAM LINCOLN

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise meets at Five Crowns for a program by Shaboula Burke, “O.C. Proposition 63.”

Noon: The 15-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Club House at South Coast Plaza.

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club meets at the Costa Mesa Country Club.

WEDNESDAY

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

Noon: The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6 p.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear from Van Masters discussing the “Magic of Mighty Memory,” www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7:00 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Cafe to hear from an Eagle Scout.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the Holiday Inn, www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa; the 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by San Clemente Police Chief Bill Hunt, who plans to run for Orange County Sheriff; the 60-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Nautical Museum for a business meeting; the 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the Radisson Hotel for an update by Rotary International Foundation trustee Dr. Mike Abdalla, www.nirotary.org.