Around Town: Vanguard music students perform Christmas concert
The music department at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa performed its 19th annual “Christmas Fantasia” concert to a sold-out crowd of more than 1,600 guests at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Dec. 8.
During the 90-minute show at the Costa Mesa theater, nearly 200 students from Vanguard’s musical ensembles performed Christmas music.
The concert also included the presentation of the Ralph Carmichael Scholarship Award to senior Janelle Harriman for her academic performance in the school’s music program. Vanguard University President Michael Beals awarded the scholarship.
Harriman is scheduled to graduate this school year with a degree in worship studies.
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Newport restaurant to host antique and exotic car show
Newport Beach bistro Moulin will host its Cars & Cafe event from 7 to 10 a.m. Sunday.
Visitors will be able to mingle with owners and enthusiasts of antique and exotic cars in the restaurant’s parking lot at 1000 N. Bristol St.
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New principal appointed at Newport Heights Elementary
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District selected Somer Harding as principal of Newport Heights Elementary School.
Before coming to the Newport Beach school, Harding was principal of Westlake Hills Elementary in Westlake Village. She also has experience as a teacher, dean of students and middle school assistant principal for the Conejo Valley and Las Virgenes unified school districts.
Harding is originally from Newport Beach and attended Newport-Mesa schools, including Harbor View Elementary, Eastbluff Elementary, the former Lincoln Middle School and Corona del Mar High School.
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OCTA to offer free bus rides on New Year’s Eve
The Orange County Transportation Authority will provide free bus rides between 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve and 2:30 a.m. New Year’s Day.
“We are proud to offer this free service for the 14th consecutive year,” OCTA Chairman Jeff Lalloway said in a statement. “This is a safe and easy option for people celebrating the start of 2016 to get around during the holiday and a good way to try out public transit.”
People who plan to ride the buses during that period are encouraged to use an online trip planner at octa.net or call (714) 636-7433.
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Discount registration period extended for Newport to Ensenada race
The Newport Ocean Sailing Association has extended the period for discount registration in the 2016 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race to the end of January. The deadline had been Dec. 31.
During that period, racers can register for $190 instead of the regular $240.
The 69th Newport to Ensenada race is scheduled to begin April 22.
To register, visit registration.newporttoensenada.com/register.
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OCC gets new director of college and community support
The Coast Community College District board of trustees approved the selection of Julia Clevenger as Orange Coast College’s director of college and community support.
In the new position, Clevenger will oversee the Costa Mesa college’s community education department, recycling center, facilities rentals, swap meet, mailroom and reprographics facilities.
Clevenger previously was executive assistant to OCC President Dennis Harkins for five years. She will start her new role in January.
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O.C. education official a finalist in Online Learning Excellence Awards
Byron Fairchild, business director for the Orange County Department of Education in Costa Mesa, was selected as one of 20 finalists for the 2016 Online Learning Excellence Awards. Worldwide learning company Pearson announced the finalists this month.
The awards recognize educators and administrators who have demonstrated innovation and best practices in online education.
Fairchild is a finalist in the Excellence in Online Administration category for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Two award winners in each of the four categories will be announced Feb. 10 during Cite 2016, Pearson’s online learning conference at Amelia Island, Fla.
—From staff reports