Around Town: The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race returns next week

The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race returns next week, according to the Newport Ocean Racing Assn.

About 165 sailboats are expected to be taking off from Balboa Pier, starting at 11 a.m. on Friday and will race in one of three courses: the sprint to Dana Point, the extended San Diego run around the Coronado Islands and, of course, the classic course to Ensenada.

The event was first held in 1948. It has only been canceled once in its history, in 2020, as a precautionary measure for volunteers and other practical uncertainties due to COVID-19.

To learn more about this year’s race, visit nosa.org.

Cycling classes on Sunday to benefit SOS (Share Ourselves)

Three indoor cycling instructors are putting on an Easter Sunday Ride beginning at 8 a.m. to benefit the nonprofit food pantry at SOS (Share Ourselves) in Costa Mesa.

The new Turf Newport Beach, formerly Newport Beach Workout-Third Power Cycle, will host 90 minutes of cycling alternating 30 minute slots between instructors Brian Dobbin, Erin Holmes and Renee Cano. The ride is free with a donation and food item for the pantry. Mimosas and pastries will be served on the porch following class.

“Turf founder, Webb Travis is very community-centric and participates in many local fundraising events, so when Erin, Renee, and I approached him with an organization that serves so many people all over Orange County, he was all in,” said Dobbin. “We three are also big foodies, so the importance of helping our food-insecure neighbors seemed the most obvious choice. And our Power Cycle family are generous and wonderful.”

Turf NB is located at 747 Dover Dr. Newport Beach. For more details about the classes, go to turfnb.com. To learn more about SOS, visit shareourselves.org.

Newport Beach to offer grants to qualified event organizers

Newport Beach is now accepting applications for groups seeking financial support for special programs or events held within the city limits.

To qualify for the special events grant, an event must take place between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. The application deadline is Tuesday, May 3 at 5 p.m.

The events must either be community or charitable events or signature events, which are described as large- scale events of 3,000 or more people that would promote the city, attract visitors or provide measurable economic benefit. This program is designed to help organizers with costs associated with holding events.

The city will provide $60,000 in community programs grants to qualifying organizations to enhance services or programs offered to residents. To qualify, organizations must offer programs or services to Newport Beach residents.

Filing an application does not guarantee funding. For more details on both grants and how to apply for consideration, visit newportbeachca.gov/grants.

‘Retiring Offshore Rigs’ topic of upcoming workshop

Orange County Coastkeeper will hold a hybrid all-day workshop with the California Artificial Reef Enhancement Program on the biology of oil platforms, government oversight, decommissioning logistics and stakeholder interest on Thursday, April 21.

The program, titled “Retiring Offshore Rigs: A Clear Path Forward in Newport Beach,” aims to clarify what the process to decommission oil rigs looks like, identify existing barriers and create actionable steps to move forward and retire the rigs.

Speakers will include elected officials, government agencies, petroleum trade groups, marine biologists and social justice leaders.

The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. and will be held both online and at the Harborside Pavilion at 400 Main Street, Newport Beach.

General admission tickets went on sale Thursday and include breakfast, lunch and an exclusive virtual reality experience. Interested readers can purchase tickets for $65 at general admission or $25 for students at coastkeeper.nationbuilder.com/ror-tickets or watch the livestream at ror2022.org.

‘Help Them Home’ giving day on April 27

The Orange County Community Foundation is asking area residents to participate in an online day of giving on April 27 to help raise $1.6 million for 24 local nonprofits that help people get off the streets and into safe housing.

“Help Them Home” will help support programs that address the homelessness crisis in Orange County and offer housing, community outreach, education and supportive services. The event is part of the Foundation’s iheartOC Collaborative Giving Day which connect potential donors and volunteers with local causes they care about.

To give online during the 24-hour Giving Day, visit help-them-home-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org. For more information about Orange County Community Foundation Collaborative Giving Days, visit oc-cf.org/givingdays.

Laguna Live Jazz Wednesdays to feature Black-Market Reverie

Black-Market Reverie will perform next in the Laguna Live Jazz Wednesdays series on April 20.

The band features Lyman Medeiros on bass and Renee Myara on ukulele, with both lending their voices for the vocal performance.

The concert will take place at Seven-Degrees (891 Laguna Canyon Road). Doors open at 5 p.m. with the music scheduled to be played from 6 to 8 p.m.

Laguna Beach Easter sunrise service at Main Beach

Laguna Beach United Methodist Church will hold its Easter sunrise service at Main Beach at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

“We are thrilled to be back at the beach as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection with joyful singing, a word of hope, the flowering of the cross, and Holy Communion,” Pastor Lynn Francis said in an announcement for the event.

The church, located at 21632 Wesley Drive, will also hold a service in its house of worship at 10 a.m.

Corona del Mar Residents Assn. to hold town meeting April 27

The Corona del Mar Residents Assn. plans to hold its annual Town Meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 at at Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar.

Residents, businesses, civic organizations and Newport Beach city officials will gather to discuss issues, projects and opportunities in the community.

An hourlong Community Social and Expo starts the event at 5 p.m. and includes representatives from the city of Newport Beach and local community organizations who will be on hand to answer questions about a wide range of topics, including crime prevention, emergency planning, library, recreation and seniors’ programs, public works projects and other issues of interest.

Councilwoman Joy Brenner will update residents on the state of District 6. This will be followed by a presentation on Ballot Measure B, which asks voters whether the Newport Beach City Charter should be changed to elect rather than appoint its mayor.

To make a reservation or learn more about the Town Hall, visit cdmra.org.

UC Irvine Music Department plans fundraising concert for Ukraine

UC Irvine’s music department will hold a fundraising concert Friday in solidarity with the Ukrainian scholar refugees. The concert, called #StandwithUkraine, will be held at Winifred Smith Hall and will begin at 8 p.m.

Performances will include Kei Akagi, Frances Bennet, Lorna Griffitt, Sarah Koo, Yuliya Minina, Nina Scolnik, Darryl Taylor, who will be performing pieces by Ukranian composers and others.

All donations will be put toward the UCI Ukraine Emergency Response Fund. Registration is free and a donation is encouraged. To register visit eventbrite.com/e/standwithukraine-tickets-315919723397 . Donations for the cause can be made at bit.ly/3uMEswq.

— Daily Pilot Staff

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