Around Town: OC fairgrounds wins 19 Western Fairs Assn. awards

The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa recently won 19 industry awards from the Western Fairs Assn.

Five were first-place recognitions in fields such as photography, technology innovation and volunteer programs. Most prizes were specific to the 2017 OC Fair.

“It is very special to be honored by our peers in the fair industry,” Kathy Kramer, the fairgrounds’ chief executive, said in a statement. “We are proud of the work we do, and these awards highlight our commitment to the community.”

Huntington Beach police offer bike registration to help reduce thefts

In an effort to reduce the number of bike thefts and more easily return stolen bikes to their owners, Huntington Beach police partnered with 529 Garage, a company whose software allows bicycle owners to register their wheels online.

If a bicycle is stolen, the information logged in the software can help officers identify the bike’s rightful owner, according to police.

The application stores details about the bicycle, including its serial number, model, manufacturer and frame color. If the bike is stolen, an alert can be set to notify law enforcement.

To register a bike, visit https://bit.ly/2r1CFEL.

9-year-old Costa Mesa girl donates hair before brain surgery

Just days before she underwent cranial surgery, a 9-year-old Costa Mesa girl this month donated 14 inches of her brown hair to a charity that provides hairpieces for children.

Thalia Noble has had three heart surgeries and eight brain surgeries, the Orange County Register reported. The latest operation Monday was intended to allow her brain room to grow.

“Every day she amazes all who are around her with her will to live,” Thalia’s mother, Jillian, wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise money for her daughter’s medical care. “There is no one who gets to know Thalia that does not fall in love with her.

“She has a happiness and joy of life that is infectious.”

Pacific Amphitheatre 38th in world in ticket sales

The Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa has been ranked 38th worldwide in annual ticket sales by Pollstar magazine.

The outdoor concert venue at the OC Fair & Event Center had 31 concerts last year and sold 194,728 tickets, according to a news release. It has a seating capacity of 8,200.

“Pacific Amphitheatre is a tremendous asset and we are thrilled to see the venue consistently perform so well,” Kathy Kramer, the fairgrounds’ chief executive, said in a statement.

Orange Coast College names director of arts pavilion

Tyler Stallings has been named director of the Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

Stallings is the first full-time gallery director for the pavilion in seven years, according to a news release. He has worked for UC Riverside, the Huntington Beach Art Center and the Laguna Art Museum.