Island Hotel

TODAY Celebrating Allan Roeder The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce celebrates the retirement of longtime Costa Mesa City Manager Allan Roeder at 5:30 p.m. at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. Individual tickets start at $90. Sponsorships are available. Part of the proceeds will benefit a charity of Roeder's choice. For more information, call Ed Fawcett at (714) 885-9090 or e-mail efawcett@costamesachamber.com . Vienna Philharmonic The acclaimed Vienna Philharmonic performs at 8 p.m. at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Recently retired Newport Beach police Capt. Jim Kaminsky is facing a $1,000 state fine for allegedly failing to report hundreds of dollars in gifts from friends and services and stays at The Island Hotel near Fashion Island, according to a state agency that oversees public employees. Kaminsky, who celebrated his retirement Thursday at a Newport Beach Marriott hotel, received more than $1,200 in food, lodging and gift certificates from the Island Hotel between 2007 and 2008. As a police captain, Kaminsky is required to report such gifts to the state's Fair Political Practices Commission.

September was called Herbstmonat ("harvest month") by Charlemagne and Gerstmonath ("barley month") by the Anglo-Saxons. But here in Newport-Mesa, September is better known as epicure month. With both the Taste of Newport and Orange County Restaurant Week approaching, area foodies are salivating like Pavlov's dogs. A much-loved event now in its 22nd year, the Taste of Newport intermixes iconic menu items from area restaurants, confectioners and wineries for the county's palates to explore.

The Palm Garden at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach, welcomed 110 guests this past Saturday evening for "Hot, Hot Havana Nights." The Big Canyon/ Spyglass Hill Philharmonic Society of Orange County produced the lively affair, which included dinner and dancing, ultimately raising $25,000 for The Philharmonic Society. The honors of the evening, named for the late Kim Grubman, went to Christel Schar for her "unselfish dedication on every committee supporting The Philharmonic Society." "Christel Schar is quiet but mighty," said Margaret Clark, a society member and event coordinator Flower arraignments were provided courtesy of Newport Beach hairstylist Craig Brown.