Around Town: Harper gets building industry group’s award
State Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach) has been honored as the 2016 Legislator of the Year by the Southern California chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.
Harper, a former Huntington Beach mayor whose 74th Assembly District includes Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Laguna Woods and Laguna Beach, was honored as a legislator who stands up “against special-interest deals that are bad for taxpayers and bad for free enterprise,” according to a news release.
The industry group credited Harper for speaking out against the California high-speed rail project, which the association says unfairly favors unions, and for his criticism of publicly funded labor institutes.
“I’m thankful to the Associated Builders and Contractors organization for ... recognizing my work in fighting for laws that allow for construction jobs to be opened to all qualified workers,” Harper said in a statement. “I’m proud to work with them to advocate for private businesses to compete in the construction world without crippling government over-regulation.”
Mesa Water District to hold ‘community chats’
The Mesa Water District is presenting a series of “community chats” to informally meet with ratepayers and discuss ongoing water issues, including the California drought.
The events will be on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, July 6 through Aug. 10.
Next Wednesday’s chat will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Mesa Verde United Methodist Church, 1701 Baker St., Costa Mesa.
For a complete list of events, call (949) 631-1201, email event@mesawater.org or visit mesawater.org.
Summer camp offers classes in music, acting
The Irvine Public Schools Foundation will present the Young Americans Summer Camp from Tuesday to July 9, offering children classes and workshops in vocal performance, dancing, audition skills, acting and songwriting.
The camp at Northwood High School in Irvine will prepare the students to perform in a one-hour variety show for a live audience.
This is the first collaboration between the foundation and Young Americans, a nonprofit that focuses on music, dance and cultural interaction.
The camp is part of the 2016 Summer Enrichment Academy, which is open to kindergartners through eighth-graders from any school district.
For more information, visit ipsf.net.
Share Our Selves expands with mobile health unit
Share Our Selves, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit, has expanded its medical and dental service program for low-income people with a new mobile health vehicle, according to a news release.
“While SOS has done a tremendous job of providing medical and dental services out of its six fixed clinic locations, the mobile unit will give SOS the capability to put those services on wheels, delivering care to the community where it is most needed,” the organization said in a statement.
The group was aided in the effort by a grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
Working Wardrobes receives Bank of America grant
Working Wardrobes, an Irvine-based nonprofit, recently received a $15,000 workforce development grant from Bank of America, according to a news release.
The grant will help fund the VetNet program, which helps veterans with job training and placement, housing referrals and other services.
This is the seventh consecutive year Working Wardrobes has received the grant.
Girl Scouts honor Irvine and Newport residents
The Girl Scouts of Orange County recently gathered at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim to honor several people for their service to the Scouts.
Honorees from Irvine were Nancy Moses, Amanda Babiar, Karen Pione, Rachel Morrel, Anica Westfall, Melissa Cortes, Autumn Heep, Becky Milton, Sloan Petrillo, Mei Ramos, Putri Pascualy and Girl Scouts Rana Andary of Troop 887, Hana Lee and Lauren Marino of Troop 1015, Priya Mistry of Troop 788 and Kristine Yada of Troop 881.
Newport Beach honorees were Sharon Shaffer and Girl Scout Emily Anastos of Troop 871.