* Send AROUND TOWN items to the...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 1375 Sunflower Ave.,

Costa Mesa, CA 92626; by e-mail to

o7lindsay.sandhamf7o7@latimes.comf7; by fax to (714) 966-4667; or by calling (714) 966-4625. Include the time, date and location of the

event, as well as a contact phone number.

THROUGH OCT. 22

Project Playhouse, a six-week event with elaborate kid-size

playhouses on display and sold at public auction, will be held at

Fashion Island Center in Newport Beach. All the playhouses will be on

display, with village tours on the weekend and an open house Sept.

17. The auction is scheduled for Oct. 22. Info: (949) 553-9510 or

o7www.projectplayhouse.org. f7

THROUGH NOV. 9

The Costa Mesa Cultural Arts Committee is seeking local artists to

display their work at the Artist Showcase, a new event created to

support the local artistic community. The event is scheduled at 6

p.m. Nov. 10 at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845

Park Ave., Costa Mesa. There is no charge to participate, and the

event will be open to the public. Interested artists should call Jana

Ransom at (714) 754-5300.

MONDAY

The Sierra Club National Sustainable Consumption Committee

explains “The True Cost of Food” with a discussion about diet, health

and the environment from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Community

Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa. $3 donation. Info: (714) 963-6345

or o7www.angeles.sierra

club.org/ocssf7.

TUESDAY

The 32nd Annual Corona del Mar Home Tour -- featuring six homes in

the communities of Pelican Point, Pelican Crest, Cameo Highlands, and

Corona del Mar -- is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with

refreshments at 8:30 a.m. at Rouge Restaurant, Newport Beach. All

proceeds will be contributed to Corona del Mar High School and Middle

School PTA. Tickets cost $60 and are pre-sale only. The cost includes

morning refreshments, lunch, and a cocktail reception. Info: (949)

222-4622 or o7www.cdmhometour.comf7.

Judith Todero will present a free seminar on beating bronchitis

from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mother’s Market, 225 East 17th St., Costa

Mesa. Info: (949) 631-4741.

Dr. James Pick will speak about urban issues confronting cities in

the United States and abroad. His new book, co-authored with Richard

Greene, has analyzed the trends in cities and urban areas utilizing

new techniques and the most recent information. The event is

scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Friends Meeting Room of the Newport

Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Info: (949)

644-3296.

WEDNESDAY

The Newport Beach Public Library Manuscript Discussion Group will

discuss “Sister Age” by M.F.K Fisher -- a collection of stories drawn

from the author’s encounters with the realities of aging. The book is

available at the library as well as in paperback at several local

bookstores. The discussion will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the Newport

Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. The

Manuscripts Book Discussion Group is open to the public, and there is

no charge to attend. Info: (949) 717-3800 or

o7www.newportbeachlibrary.orgf7.

Sandi Miller, author of “Feng Shui Your Way,” will present a free

seminar and book-signing from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mother’s Market,

225 East 17th St., Costa Mesa. Info: (949) 631-4741.

Speak Up Newport is holding its monthly general membership

meeting, and this month’s topic is Marinapark. The meeting begins

with a 5 p.m. reception and officially starts at 6 p.m. in the

Commodores Room of the Newport Beach Yacht Club, Bayside Drive and

Jamboree Road, Newport Beach. Guests are welcome. Info: (949)

224-2266.

THURSDAY

Chuck Meece, founder of the Wellness Center, will present a free

seminar on fatty acid analysis from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Mother’s

Market, 225 East 17th St., Costa Mesa. Info: (949) 631-4741.

SATURDAY

Stacia Deutsch, author of the children’s book “Blast to the Past:

Bell’s Beakthrough,” will discuss and sign the book at 10 a.m. at

Barnes & Noble, Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa.

Info: (714) 444-0226.

Firoozeh Dumas, author of “Funny in Farsi,” will discss and sign

the book at 11 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast

Drive, Costa Mesa. Info: (714) 444-0226.

Gregg Hurwitz, author of “Trouble Shooter,” will discuss and sign

the book at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Metro Pointe, 901 South

Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. Info: (714) 444-0226.

The Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. will conduct

their third annual “Paint the Back Bay” exhibit and sale of original

art from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive

Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. Today and Sunday. Info:

o7www.socalpapa.comf7 or o7www.newportbay.orgf7.

SUNDAY

Weiser Family Farms and Sage on the Coast have teamed up to help

Hurricane Katrina victims by hosting an evening event featuring a

five-course dinner with wine pairings. The event is scheduled to

begin at 6:30 p.m. at Sage on the Coast, 7862 East Coast Highway,

Newport Beach. Cost is $65 per person; reservations are required. All

proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. Info: (949) 715-7243.

The Junior League of Orange County will hold its 30th Annual

Christmas Company, which features more than 80 vendors from around

the country offering a wide variety of merchandise. The event is

scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday and from 10

a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and will be held at the Orange

County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. General admission is

$7. Info: (949) 261-0823

OCT. 18

The Surfrider Foundation Newport Beach Chapter will hold its

monthly meeting and will celebrate its 15-year anniversary with

producer/director/writer Dana Brown, who made “Step Into Liquid” and

“Dust to Glory” at 6:30 p.m. at Newport Rib Co., 2196 Harbor Blvd.,

Costa Mesa. Cost is $15, includes dinner -- limited tickets

available. Info: (949) 631-2110 or o7www.surfrider.

org/newportbeachf7.

OCT. 24

A breast self-exam workshop, presented by Sandy Finestone, patient

services coordinator at Hoag Cancer Center, is scheduled to begin at

6 p.m. at the Hoag Conference Center in Newport Beach. Info: (800)

514-HOAG.

Artist and designer Maya Lin will be present at the dedication

ceremony for UC Irvine’s $3.6 million, 30,000-square-foot high-tech

outdoor Arts Plaza. The event is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at the

Claire Trevor School of the Arts, UC Irvine. For more information,

please call (949) 824-4339.