Around Town: George Takei to be interviewed for Huntington Beach Read One Book program

Local organization Huntington Beach Reads One Book has selected the graphic memoir “They Called Us Enemy” by noted actor and activist George Takei as its featured book for 2021.

In honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Takei will be virtually interviewed on May 3 at 3:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by HB Reads and Huntington Beach Union High School District Libraries, and Takei will discuss the book and activism among other topics.

The event is free, but space is limited. Registration is available at hbreads.org/events.

Officers given recognition by Newport Beach Police Department

The Newport Beach Police Department awarded several of its officers Thursday, including naming Jonathan Jarema, Officer of the Year for 2020. Jarema died last May after complications with late-stage anaplastic astrocytoma, a condition which had caused the development of a slow-growing but malignant brain tumor. He was 36 and a 12-year veteran of the Newport Beach Police Department.

Newport Beach Police Department honored posthumously this week Det. Jon Jarema, a 12-year officer of the department who died last year following a battle with brain cancer. Jarema was named Officer of the Year.

(Courtesy of the Newport Beach Police Department)

Also awarded Thursday was Sgt. Randall Parker, for Sworn Supervisor of the Year; Records Manager Connie Frink, for Civilian Supervisor of the Year; Police Mechanic Alex Perez, for Civilian of the Year; and Lori Hayden, for Volunteer of the Year.

Estancia High School drama ‘Working: A Musical’ directed by alum makes virtual debut

From April 29 through May 2, members of Estancia High’s schools award-winning theater department will stream a virtual production of “Working: A Musical,” a drama that has been specially adapted to reflect life during the pandemic and is produced by Amber Marroquin, a member of Estancia’s Class of 2017.

Based on the popular 1974 Studs Terkel book “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do,” the production highlights the everyday life of average working Americans and weaves together hope, joy, heartache and uncertainty in an unforgettable story that also features local businesses and members of the community.

Students have pre-recorded segments that have been creatively brought together to create a one-of-a-kind virtual production audiences won’t soon forget.

“Working: A Musical” will stream at 7 p.m. nightly. Tickets cost $5 per device with limitless views and can be purchased at sites.google.com/nmusd.us/ehs-working-a-musical/home. To learn more, contact instructor Lucy Reidling at lreidling@nmusd.us.

Scuba.com celebrates grand opening of Costa Mesa dive shop April 29

Scuba.com is celebrating its recent Orange County opening at 1718 Newport Blvd., Ste. A in Costa Mesa, on April 29 at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, merchandise giveaways for the first 50 customers, free standard scuba tank fills and raffle prizes.

One of the largest scuba diving and snorkeling equipment retailer offers a shopping experience for enthusiasts of all interest and experience levels. With a large selection of masks, fins, snorkels and wetsuits, the store carries brand-name diving essentials and accessories.

In addition to scuba gear, visitors can also find spearfishing, freediving, kayaking and water sports equipment along with photo and video gear, underwater sonar imaging devices and metal detectors.

The Costa Mesa location also features a PADI 5-star dive center that teaches PADI dive courses and offers air and nitrox tank refills, equipment maintenance, repair and assembly.

Scuba.com store manager Andrew Moore said in a release issued by the company Tuesday all of the staff are certified scuba instructors with experience.

“Every time a customer comes in to our store, they are going to get a knowledgeable staff member that can recommend products, answer questions, and help with all their scuba needs,” Moore said.

Store hours are Sunday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The location is closed on Saturdays. For more information call (949) 221-9300.

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