Around Town: Coyotes’ increase will be focus of Speak Up Newport discussion

A Newport Beach animal control officer and a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will speak on Wednesday about the steps law enforcement is taking to keep the community safe from coyotes.

Residents in some areas of the city have reported an increase in the number of coyotes roaming Newport Beach streets. The discussion, hosted by Speak Up Newport, will center on the factors contributing to coyotes becoming more brazen in their interactions with humans, according to a news release.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Civic Center Community Room, 100 Civic Center Drive.

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Newport Beach school to hold food drive

From Wednesday through Friday, the Carden Hall school in Newport Beach will hold its annual food drive.

The school’s eighth-grade students will collect the food and nonperishable items each day.

The students will also deliver the donations on Thursday and Friday to Share Our Selves, a nonprofit that provides healthcare for the homeless.

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CHOC Regatta set for the weekend

Balboa Yacht Club and the Glass Slipper Guild will host the 16th annual CHOC Regatta benefiting CHOC Children’s Cancer Institute on Saturday and Sunday, at the club, 1801 Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar.

Balboa Yacht Club has been sponsoring the event for 16 years to raise money for the children’s hospital. In 2014, the event raised more than $40,000.

After the boats return to the yacht club, awards for first, second and third place for Saturday will be handed out. Complimentary appetizers and a no-host bar will be available to all participants from approximately 3:30 to 5 p.m.

The celebration on Sunday will be from approximately 3:30 to 6 p.m. Complimentary appetizers, a no-host bar and music from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit balboayachtclub.com or call (949) 673-3515.

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Mika board chooses executive director

Mika has chosen Keturah Kennedy as its new executive director, the Costa Mesa-based nonprofit announced this week.

Kennedy had been serving as the group’s interim director following the departure of former Executive Director Christine Nolf.

“The board of directors has full confidence because of Keturah’s strong faith, experiential knowledge of Costa Mesa, passion for community development, relationships with our neighborhood leaders and their families, and leadership skills to propel Mika into this exciting new season,” board Chairman Jeff Tanner said in a statement.

Mika provides leadership development programs for low-income youths and adults living in Costa Mesa’s Westside.

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Math speaker series

Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries is continuing its “Through the Eyes of” speaker series Nov. 12 with mathematicians Bernie Russo and Cheryl Ooten.

The pair will talk about math, anxiety about the subject and solved and unsolved math problems.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at Mesa Verde Methodist Church, 1701 Baker St., Costa Mesa.

RSVP by calling (714) 545-9613.

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Senior center looking for instructors

The Costa Mesa Senior Center is looking for instructors of special-interest classes.

Those interested can contact the center at (714) 327-7550 for an application packet.

Instructors will need to provide general liability insurance and also pay for a background check fee.

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‘Grease’ screening at senior center

The Costa Mesa Senior Center is showing “Grease” from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday at the center, 695 W. 19th St.

Seniors are invited to come in 1950s attire and eat pizza, popcorn and other snacks, which will be provided.

The cost is $5. Reservations must be made in person.

For more information, call (714) 754-7550.

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Girl Scouts honors six O.C. leaders

More than 300 community and business leaders gathered to recognize six local leaders, all Girl Scout Alumnae, and raise more than $243,000 for Girl Scouts of Orange County at the sixth annual Celebrate Leadership event on Oct. 30 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

Each honoree was matched with a current Orange County Girl Scout. The Girl Scouts each created and presented a unique art canvas to her honoree and shared how the women inspire them to achieve greatness.

The 2015 Celebrate Leadership honorees were Jacqueline Akerblom, West Region Managing Partner, Grant Thornton LLP; Corinne Burton, president, Teacher Created Materials Publishing; Tanya Domier, CEO, Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC; Sue Graham-Sparks, vice president store manager, Macy’s South Coast Plaza; Sumiko Katayama, vice president, treasury relationship manager, Commercial Banking Treasury Services, MUFG Union Bank, N.A.; and Deborah Proctor, president and CEO, St. Joseph Health.

Funds raised at the event will support Girl Scouts of Orange County’s leadership development programs.

For more information, visit GirlScoutsOC.org.