Fundraiser

While Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney spoke at a private fundraiser Monday evening in Costa Mesa, a small group of mostly Planned Parenthood supporters protested outside. The former Massachusetts governor's appearance at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall was his fourth Orange County stop since March. Tickets to the event started at $1,000 and reached $50,000. Among the attendees were Costa Mesa councilmen Jim Righeimer and Steve Mensinger. Romney, who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday morning, is on a Southland tour.

Orange County almost went for President Obama during the 2008 general election, but as Republican Party leaders look to swing independents back their way, they can count on a new bastion in Corona del Mar. The Newport Harbor Republican Women celebrated the grand opening of their campaign headquarters at 3734 E. Coast Hwy. on Thursday. For the three months leading up to the November election, the club is leasing half of the space recently vacated by John L. Blom Custom Photography.

A Costa Mesa church is holding a car wash fundraiser Saturday for a Newport Harbor High School senior recovering from a brain tumor. Lighthouse Community Church, 301 Magnolia St., will give 100% of the proceeds back to 17-year-old Shelby Benjamin. Shelby is recovering from two surgeries this summer to remove a tumor in her brain. She was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma a few days after school let out in June after an optometrist spotted a problem during a routine eye exam.

Residents can again help Newport-Mesa Unified schools just by doing their regular grocery shopping. Last year, customers raised more than $8,000 through Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market's Shop for Schools fundraiser. The grocer this year again plans to donate $1 for every $20 spent. The program is open to elementary and middle schools within a three-mile radius of a Fresh & Easy store. Costa Mesa has two locations: 3151 Harbor Blvd. and 1835 Newport Blvd. Residents must register at http://www.freshandeasy.com/shopforschools by Oct. 1. The two California schools that raise the most money between Sept.

The family of a wheelchair-bound Newport Beach man who was attacked by an unknown assailant is raising funds to help pay his immediate medical bills. Alan Halderman, 56, got into an altercation on the Balboa Peninsula with another man Aug. 6. He was punched in the head and pushed from his wheelchair. He suffered a broken hip in the attack. "The short-term expenses for his injuries are around $3,500, so that's what we're hoping to raise, though long term I think we're looking more at upwards of $20,000," said Halderman's sister, Sarah Frost.

The family of a Newport Harbor High School student who is struggling to recover from a brain tumor is looking for community support. Shelby Benjamin should be getting excited to start her senior year, but instead she is fighting to recover from her second surgery to remove the tumor. The 17-year-old was released from the hospital Wednesday and isn't out of the woods yet, her family said. "I would appreciate any support from the community - any support or prayers would be huge at a time like this to get her back to the awesome, fun-loving girl she is," said Chadd Benjamin, Shelby's 22-year-old brother.

The 1,300 supporters of the Hoag Hospital Foundation fastened their seat belts last week for the Orange County premiere of"The Bourne Legacy. " Regal Entertainment Group and Universal Pictures generously donated the film for a foundation event chaired by Mark Hardtke , senior vice president and managing director of Northern Trust. Hardtke shared the credit for the event's success with his honorary chairs Patti and Jim Edwards , calling the movie and dinner gathering a "summertime tradition on the Orange Coast.

Presumed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is dropping by Orange County for another fundraiser next month, according to published reports. Romney will be at the Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa on Sept. 17 for the evening event, where tickets range from $1,000 to $50,000, depending on how much access guests want to the White House hopeful and the reception, according to the Orange County Register. It's Romney's fourth stop in Orange County this year and comes two weeks after the Republican National Convention.

The city of Newport Beach billed the Obama campaign $35,000 for reimbursement of local policing costs to cover the campaign's recent local fundraiser. It's the same amount as one maximum contribution from George Clooney. I represent Newport Beach taxpayers who received no benefit from the event. There was no official business conducted by the president during this visit. The purpose was strictly campaign-related. More than 150 people attended the fundraiser. The funds will be used to influence the outcome of elections and other political activities.

Gabriel Lalli's body has broken down. His eyesight has faded. He isn't the man he was two years ago. But that's with regard to his physical status. Cancer can break down anyone, yet it hasn't wilted his fighting spirit. Lalli, a Newport Beach resident, was active in running, rugby and soccer before being diagnosed with cancer in 2010. Now all of his focus has been turned toward beating the disease. Adversity hasn't just afflicted his health. Lalli said the bank mortgage company he worked for ended his employment and his income is now from disability checks.