Morning Coffee: Thurs., Feb. 4, 2010

Here's the news of Newport-Mesa from Wednesday (a big news day) gathered in one place for you. Check back often today for updates and the news as it happens.

• Meet CdM’s New Dolphin Lady
• Obama responds to Costa Mesa question
• Saturday is street clean-up day in Newport Beach
• CdM’s El Ranchito Moving to Oysters Space
• Costa Mesa leaders try to preserve fairgrounds
  
• Altered police exams unveiled
• Nick Dewar, renowned illustrator, dies at 37
• Vans Skateshop celebrates grand opening; find out where
• Becker Sign – Briefly – Expresses Sad Farewell
• 2010 Newport Beach Winter CERT programs announced
• Daily Voice columnist Jill Fales gave her take on Groundhog Day
• CdM See’s Gets Valentine’s Day Candy Delivery
• Videos may up angler on the hook
• CdM water polo star Max Bergeson signs with Cal Bears
• First graders collect shoes for Soles4Souls to benefit Haiti
• Natalie Umbert Closes CdM Shop to Focus on Design Work
• Three men arrested in Blu-ray DVD theft
• Costa Mesa and Costa Mesa Community Foundation launch program to help offset costs of dog waste materials at local parks
• Newport Beach-based Acacia Research says it will get $12.4 million from Yahoo
• Columnist Joseph Bell on how to stay good friends
• OCC gets grant for EMTs
• Woman volunteers 17,000 hours
• Komen wants award nominees

Check back often throughout the day for breaking news, and we'll have Daily Voice columnist Lynn Selich's latest column posted this morning. Stay tuned!

Now, from the Daily Voice's most complete Newport-Mesa calendar:

Today - Feb. 4

Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall presents, "The Greatest Generation" with music director Carl St.Clair and the Pacific Symphony exploring the works by Copland, Daughtery, Weill and Harris during the 2010 American Composer Festival, beginning at 8 p.m with the festival prelude at 7 p.m. www.ocpac.org

Leadership Tomorrow celebrates its 6^th Annual Celebrating Leadership awards event tonight from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Country Club. Leadership Tomorrow friends, alumni and the community at large are invited to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, food stations and a no-host bar. The evening's honorees include: Chief David J. Maggard Jr., Irvine Police Dept. for the Outstanding Community Leadership Award and Cindy Brenneman, Director of Volunteer Services O.C. Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in addition to her many volunteer efforts, for the Excellence in Leadership Award. Special Guest Speaker is Steve Becker, Vice President of Human Resources for Golden State Foods and Board President of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House. Master of Ceremonies is Larry Weichman, Weichman Associates Realtors and Chairman of the Board, Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Tickets: $40 per person and includes free parking. Leadership Tomorrow, through its programs – expands knowledge, empowers citizens and promotes community involvement. Online reservations can be made by calling Jessica Quadra at (949) 729-4412 or at www.leadershiptomorrow.org

Feb. 5

"A Wrinkle in Time" at South Coast Repertory where you'll join Meg Murray and her little brother Charles Wallace on a quest across space and time to rescue their father from the evil, all-powerful "It." Meg and Charles have the magical help of three eccentric sisters named Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Mrs. Whatsit, but in the end they must rely on their own resources to accomplish their task. Adapted by John Glore from the book by Madeleine L'Engle, continues through February 27. Friday performances are at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 11 a.m., 2 and 4:30 p.m; and Sundays at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Prices vary. (714) 708-5555. www.scr.org

Davis Magnet School is holding a monthly campus tour at 9 a.m., hosted by principal Dr. Kevin Rafferty. This 4-6 grade magnet school focuses on a curriculum that emphasizes math, science and technology. It is located at 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 424-7930. davismagnet.nmusd.us

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Non-School Day for grades 7-12. Prep day for 7-12 teachers. www.web.nmusd.us

Costa Mesa Playhouse's "Jake's Women" is written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Neil Simon and directed by Michael Dale Brown. This semi-autobiographical play takes a wildly comic and sometimes moving look at the relationships between men and women. Still obsessed with the idyllic first wife who died years earlier in an accident, Jake, a successful but narcissistic writer, faces a marital crisis with his second wife by conjuring up a series of imaginary encounters with the important women in his life, past and present – the two wives, his daughter both as a child and the young woman she is now, his boisterous and bossy sister, and his less-than-supportive analyst. Jake is a man lost in the most terrifying place a writer can imagine – his own mind. Continues through Feb. 28. www.costamesaplayhouse.org

Feb. 6

The city of Newport Beach in conjunction with Goodwill of Orange County is holding an E-Waste Collection drive at Mariners Elementary School from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Come and recycle your old electronics and do something good for the planet. The school is located at 2100 Mariners Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-3055.

Join the the Orange County Performing Arts Center for Super Heroes, as the symphony explores what kind of music sets the mood for fighting crime, using super powers, or rescuing a damsel in distress. You don't want to miss this action-packed concert. Dress up as your favorite super hero to enjoy the experience even more. www.ocpac.org

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (949) 759-9667. www.newportbeachlibrary.com