Plein

Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; by e-mail to jeff.benson@latimes.com; by fax to (949) 646-4170; or by calling (949) 574-4298. Include the time, date and location of the event, as well as a contact phone number. SATURDAY A CPR class will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 104 of Orange Coast College's Business Education building, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Those who successfully complete the course will receive two American Red Cross certification cards: one for adult, child and infant CPR and the other for Automated External Defibrillation.

The Trilogy Playhouse will hold auditions for the musical "Ruthless" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 27. "Ruthless" is the comedic story of a young girl who would literally kill for a part. Theatrical talent and unchained ambition reign in this melodrama with book and lyrics by Joel Paley and music by Marvin Laird. There are a variety of roles open. Auditions will be held at the theater, 2930 Bristol St., Building C-106, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 957-3347, Ext. 2. Cabaret season to include 'Forbidden Broadway' The Orange County Performing Arts Center has announced that its 2001-02 Cabaret Season will include performances by Jason Graae, Davis Gaines, Rita Moreno, James Naughton and Douglas Sills.

Once used as a movie set and now a state park, Crystal Cove has now been immortalized in a book. Filled with historic photos and paintings, "Crystal Cove Cottages," debuted in July and made the Los Angeles Times' regional list of bestselling books shortly thereafter. The book's three authors will hold a book signing Sunday at the park. The idea formed when journalist Karen Steen, who now lives in New York but who spent summers at Crystal Cove as a child, was writing an article about residents moving out of the cottages in 2001.

Deirdre Newman SOUTH COAST METRO-- As part of Costa Mesa's former residential design guidelines, "harmony and compatibility" were known to strike fear and frustration in homeowners trying to make their expansions fit in with their neighborhood. On Saturday, the positive aspects of "harmony and compatibility" will be on display, celebrated by at least one local artist at the Orange County Fine Arts organization's holiday reception and showcase.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with the expression, "The only thing permanent is change. " The electronic age has ushered in a dramatic evolution in human behavior. Our devices that are computer-driven are in fact dictating how we live. In Orange County this past week, the venerable Center Club, known for its old-world ambience exemplified by its pine paneling adorned with classic plein air California landscape paintings by early 20th-century coastal artists, gave way to the demands of a new world of high-tech e-lounges, power boardrooms featuring cutting-edge video and audio technology, work stations and "club hub" rooms for meetings and private work retreats, all aimed at a different ethic that represents a new age. More than 350 guests converged upon the grand-opening cocktail party Jan. 31 in Costa Mesa, which introduced the community to the ultra-modern Center Club revamp.

A listing of special events to entertain you through the weekend and beyond. TODAY Discover "Foreign Bodies." The Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform with pianist Yefim Bronfman at 8 p.m. at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. The program will include Esa-Pekka Salonen's new work "Foreign Bodies" and more. $15-$55. (949) 553-2422. SUNDAY Get into the big band sound. Orange Coast College's Monday and Friday Big Bands will perform at 1 p.m. at the college's Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

WHAT: Plein air painting class WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon WHERE: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach INFO: The intermediate class will cost $20. Information: (949) 923-2275 WHAT: Ride for the Waves fundraiser WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m. WHERE: Margaritaville Mexican Cantina, 2332 W. Coast Highway INFO: The event benefits the Surfrider Foundation's Newport Beach and Laguna Beach chapters.

Capturing the essence and color of the Santa Monica Mountains and local coastlines is what makes Burbank artist Bruce Trentham tick. Although he has experimented and worked in many mediums including etching, his tactile sense has kept him pretty faithful to his use of pastels when creating his sea and landscape impressionistic works of art. "Nothing else was quick enough for me," Trentham said. "With pastels you buy the colors you want to use so you don't necessarily have to mix colors and everything is totally immediate."

FOR THE RECORD: In Saturday's Daily Pilot article, "Blue moon over Balboa," painter Jim Wodark's name was spelled incorrectly. The number of painters reported that artist Debra Huse invited to join her in capturing the phenomenon was incorrect. Debra Huse invited seven other artists to join her in capturing the phenomenon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . There was nothing "plain" about the images created on the canvases and displayed on the easels set up by local plein-air artists along South Bayfront on Balboa Island Thursday night.