Around Town: OCC Planetarium ‘Skylark’ astronomy lecture series launches Friday

Orange Coast College’s Planetarium has introduced a new lecture series featuring guests discussing popular topics related to astronomy and space science, the first installment of which takes place Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.

UCLA astronomer Dr. Abhimat Gautam will talk about his work on a project that identified a supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way and won the 2020 Nobel Prize in physics.

Gautam will demonstrate how to spot the galaxy’s center in the night sky and talk about how astronomers use powerful telescopes to peer into the depth of the center of the universe. He will also discuss recent exciting discoveries of other unique objects found in the Milky Way.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A session and a reception. The lecture series is free, but guests are encouraged to obtain tickets beforehand, at occtickets.universitytickets.com. Orange Coast College is located at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

Newport Beach Police Department hosts Mobile Café Saturday

The Newport Beach Police Department hosts its second NBPD Mobile Café from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday to allow community members to come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee.

The event, open to all members of the community will be held at Newport Coffee Co., 104 21st St. #104, Newport Beach.

‘Meet & Greet’ returns to Corona del Mar after pandemic hiatus

Tickets are on sale now for the fourth “Meet & Greet” for residents of Corona del Mar and surrounding neighborhoods on Sunday, Oct. 16, at Sherman Gardens following a two-year hiatus. The event features food, live entertainment, contests, games and mingling with neighbors.

The event will run from 3 to 6 p.m. Purchase tickets online at cdmchamber.com. Adult tickets are $10 until Sept. 30 and $15 after.

Included in the price of a ticket: food, live entertainment, no-host bar, the new pie contest, lawn games, prizes, “meet the candidates” and fun times with neighbors.

A new pie contest is an opportunity for amateur bakers to impress their neighbors and win prizes with winners selected by celebrity judges.

The sponsoring organizations are the Corona del Mar Residents’ Assn., the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce and Sherman Gardens.

‘Igniting Potential’ giving day Wednesday aims to raise $300K for O.C. youth services

The Orange County Community Foundation is asking area residents to participate in an online day of giving Wednesday to help raise $300,000 for 18 local nonprofits serving the county’s youth.

“Igniting Potential” will help support programs that help ensure all young people have equitable access to resources that elevate their academic and emotional success. 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 see a list of recipient organizations and give online during the 24-hour Giving Day, visit igniting-potential-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org.

2 Huntington Beach City Council election forums planned next week

A Huntington Beach City Council candidates forum will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Senior Center, 18041 Goldenwest St.

Preregistration is recommended for in-person attendance, though there is also a Zoom option for viewing only. For more information, visit HBChamber.com.

A second in-person forum will be held Thursday at 7:30 p.m., at the Sunset Beach Community Center, 16861 12th St, Sunset Beach. That forum, which will feature each candidate speaking for five minutes and an opportunity to speak with them after, will be hosted by the Sunset Beach Community Assn.

There are 18 candidates for four open spots on the Huntington Beach City Council.

Foley ‘Coffee and Conversation’ event Monday

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley has been holding a ‘Coffee and Conversation’ series this month, with one set for 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Hall of Administration (County Administration North), 400 W. Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana.

To make a reservation to attend Monday’s coffee event, email Michele.Mullen@ocgov.com.

Junior Citizens Academy starts Sept. 29 in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach is kicking off a Junior Citizens Academy program for students in sixth through eighth grade on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Students will learn about the local government, including how the city operates and collaborates with other agencies to provide the community with essential services.

The Junior Citizens Academy will be held weekly from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, and city staff has been working with administration from each junior high to select top candidates to participate.

For more information, call (714) 536-5237.

O.C. United Way received $750,000 donation from Ingram Micro

Orange County United Way was gifted with a $750,000 check by Ingram Micro during the United Way’s recent “Rally for Change” corporate social responsibility celebration, according to agency officials.

“We are incredibly thankful to our valued partner Ingram Micro for their generous donation. With these funds, we will be able to continue delivering long-term solutions to complex issues and go the extra mile to care for our Orange County neighbors,” stated Susan B. Parks, president and chief executive of Orange County United Way, in a prepared statement. “Their generosity is testament to the true power of our community and transformational corporate partnerships. We are stronger and have a greater impact when we work together.”

Last month, Ingram Micro and Orange County United Way also launched the “Closing the Digital Divide” effort. Orange County companies have an opportunity to help residents in need by donating used technology devices. To kickstart the effort, Ingram Micro donated 100 laptop computers and 400 refurbished smart phones and accessories.

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