HUNTINGTON BEACH

Music and politics may make strange bedfellows, but in this case they’re the perfect couple. When word got out that Golden West College freshman and clarinet player Helen Wong was short more than $1,000 needed to participate in a summer music festival in Rome, Mayor Dave Garofalo stepped in to help. Contacted just days after he assumed his new post, Garofalo offered to send out letters asking for donations. Also helping were officials at Talbert Middle School, where Wong once attended classes. All told, the efforts raised more than $1,500. “It feels really nice,” Wong said. “I feel relieved.” Wong will depart July 2 for the international festival, where she will play clarinet.