UCI hosts 19th Martin Luther King...

UCI hosts 19th Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium

UC Irvine, through Friday, is hosting its 19th annual Martin

Luther King Jr. Symposium that will feature Julian Bond, chairman of

the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, as the

keynote speaker.

Bond, an active participant in the movement for civil rights,

economic justice and peace for more than four decades, founded an

organization that led nonviolent anti-segregation protests and

eventually won integration of Atlanta’s movie theaters, lunch

counters and parks.

Bond’s keynote address is part of the four-day symposium that will

focus on prayer, protest and peace and will be given from 7 to 8:30

p.m. Friday at the Student Center’s Crystal Cove Auditorium.

The symposium, cosponsored by the Cross Cultural Center and the

Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, will include

faculty and student panel discussions in addition to different

lectures and rallies.

Costa Mesa to host cleanup, beautification event April 26

The city of Costa Mesa, the Orange County Fairgrounds and the

Volunteer Center of Orange County have joined forces to organize the

spring “Neighbors for Neighbors” program on April 26.

The 9-year-old program, initiated by the city, was created to help

low-income residents with the beautification of their homes and

assist in community cleanup. Officials said the programs spark

volunteer spirit throughout the city.

Program leaders are calling for volunteers and donors to continue

the successful event. About 200 volunteers are needed for the

cleanup, and the park can accommodate 500 persons. The day starts at

8:30 a.m. and ends at noon.

People are also encouraged to donate money, supplies, materials

and food for the event. All volunteers are fed.

Those interested in donating, painting or cleaning up can call the

“Neighbors for Neighbors” hotline at (714) 754-4892. For more

information, call Jacqueline Reeves at (714) 754-4870.

OCC culinary arts students win state championship

Local community college culinary connoisseurs have continued their

winning ways by bringing home the bacon in a state food competition.

Orange Coast College culinary arts students are the state

champions for the fourth year in a row after winning the California

State Hot Food Team competition in Pasadena. The college entry

featured ingredients and flavors of the Pacific Rim.

The competition, held at the Southern California School of

Culinary Arts in Pasadena, showcased student teams throughout the

state, and OCC took the gold medal.

The team will advance to the Western Regional Competition in March

in Portland. OCC finished third in the regional competition last

year, and second place the previous two years.

Newport, Red Cross will host blood drive Jan. 31

Newport Beach is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the

American Red Cross. More than 1,000 units of blood are used in

Southern California every day. People are eligible to give blood

every 56 days. The drive takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan.

31, at the Newport Beach Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.