Notes about your surroundings
Having a Ball--A host of environmental groups will benefit from the ninth annual Waterman’s Ball, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point. Proceeds from the ball will go to the American Ocean’s Campaign, the Orange County Marine Institute, the Surfrider Foundation and the Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project Inc. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard will receive the Environmentalist of the Year award. The event includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction and entertainment. Tickets are $175. Information: Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn., (949) 248-7485.
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Air Pressure--Alternative uses to an airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station will be examined Tuesday at a public meeting hosted by the Sierra Sage / South Orange County chapter of the Sierra Club. Bill Kogerman, executive director of the Taxpayers for Responsible Planning, will give an audiovisual presentation on the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority’s Millennium Plan. The Sierra Club opposes a commercial airport at the site because of concerns that environmental issues have not been addressed by the county. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South Orange County, 25801 Obrero, Mission Viejo. Information: (949) 661-9505 or (949) 830-3163.
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Keep It Clean--A seminar and expo on converting to water-based cleaning will be held Tuesday at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Information will be given on cleaning-solvent regulations that go into effect Jan. 1, requiring conversion from mineral spirits for repair and maintenance cleaning. The event is aimed particularly at automotive repair shops but can be useful for any company using traditional petroleum-based solvent. The seminar is from 7:30 a.m. to noon and the expo runs from 1 to 8 p.m. Sponsors include the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance, Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles and Orange County sanitation districts. $25. Information: Tom Tew, (626) 302-1527.
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Send information for the Environment column to Vicky Clepper, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Fax: (714) 966-7711.