World

My thoughts continue to dwell upon the tragic death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who was killed last week in an act of terrorism. Many of us have heard of his commitment to the people of Libya, one time telling his mother, "Libya is no more dangerous than Oakland. " He seems to have genuinely believed in Libyans and loved his life and work there. Truly his death came too soon at the hands of killers whose violent anger has caused untold suffering for not only Stevens and his family, but for the entire world.

As I prepare my Sunday morning meditation for our third Sunday of Advent, the day we light the candle of joy upon our wreath, I cannot help but feel inauthentic. Like you, I have been jolted from my Christmas preparations by the shocking news of the mass murder that took place in a Connecticut elementary school Friday morning. How do we sing "Joy to the World," awaiting the birth of baby Jesus, the son of God, while listening to the news commentary that reports a rising death toll of innocent children of God?

INDIANAPOLIS — Many call Aaron Peirsol, “The Backstroke King.” The former Newport Harbor High star swimmer showed why on Saturday. He broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2009 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships. He beat previous record holder Ryan Lochte, attaining his second world record in three days. Peirsol, who was the silver medalist in the 200 back at the Beijing Olympics, touched the wall in 1 minute, 53.08 seconds, finishing faster than Olympic champion Lochte’s former mark of 1:553.

Recently while I was flying home from Houston, where I had been invited to speak about our nation’s failed drug policy, I had the good fortune to sit next to a Continental Airlines pilot who was going home to Ventura. And this interesting fellow had an idea that I want to pass along to you. He suggested that our government offer a prize, or a “bounty,” for anyone who would develop a process or method that would be commercially viable to separate the hydrogen and oxygen elements from water.

In the Jan. 8 article “His vision for a better world,” the story should have called Dr. Ahsan Khan the director of Humanity First USA's Gift of Sight program, not the president.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Hayley Peirsol and older brother Aaron Peirsol, both Newport Harbor High products, qualified for today's finals in the 1,500-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke, respectively, in preliminary action at the FINA World Championships Monday. Hayley Peirsol qualified first in 16 minutes, 2.08 seconds, ahead of Japan's Ai Shibata (16:05.92) and American Kate Ziegler (16:07.71). Ziegler is the reigning world champion in the 1,500 and 800 free events, having claimed both titles in 2005 at Montreal.

In May, two Long Beach residents -- Don and Linda Bryce -- completed an 11-year journey around the world. On Dec. 10, OCC presents a three-hour seminar titled "Around the World in 4,155 Days," the story of their circumnavigation of the globe. More than 11 years ago, the couple set off in their 40-foot cutter, Green Dolphin. He is a physician and she a photographer. Together, they will provide a firsthand account of the open seas and some of the most remote areas of the world.

Coral Wilson In the last three years of the 1980s, Glen Allison made a million dollars as one of the leading architectural photographers in the world. But when the real estate market crashed in the early '90s, so did his fortune. He lived in his van for nine months until his bankruptcy went through, and then he lost the van, too. And he had to decide, as all people do, would life's obstacles fuel him or drain him? For Allison, it was a catalyst to go after his dream of becoming a travel photographer.

Bill and Addy Fry are incredible people. I have never ever met a couple who love Christmas and other people more than they do. They were so hospitable during my visit, it was hard to say goodbye. Not only do they love the holidays, they love everyone that comes into their home to enjoy what they have done to it. The Frys were so excited we were there that Addy Fry almost cried several times and hugged me a few before I left. They truly appreciated and felt it was an honor we were there.

Addison Kate Braga was welcomed into this world at 5:35 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 to Erin and Scott Braga of Corona del Mar. Addison weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and was 18 inches long. She joins brother Patrick, 8, and sister Morgan, 5. Also welcoming baby Addison are her grandparents Rebecca and John Vorona and Peter Braga.

Mom, I love you so much and am so grateful that you are my mother. I have always loved you and will always love you. Happy Mother's Day! Love, Sierra

The owners of a small but growing catering business packed their truck full of Costco produce and headed toward a commercial kitchen space rental in Laguna Beach. The goal: to prepare 200 dinners. But once they got to the space, Newport Beach residents Shelby Coffman and Christie Frazier found the doors padlocked. The owner, who was in Las Vegas, had forgotten to leave a key. "All we were to them was additional income," Coffman said of that day three years ago. "We told ourselves, 'never again.' There had to be a simpler way to do this.

They're words that echo at the back of my consciousness, as deep as an embedded memory or a recessive gene: It's a world of laughter, a world of tears It's a world of hopes and a world of fears That simple tune with dozens of children's voices singing along, cranked time and again over my plastic Fisher-Price record player: There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware It's a small world after all ...

Talk about underdogs. This year's Newport Beach Film Festival features a slew of marquee names, from rocker Billie Joe Armstrong to "Office" star Steve Carell to Oscar-nominated director Lasse Hallstrom. But when tickets went on sale April 1, the film that sold out first belonged to a group of stars with decidedly lower stature. Those would be the canine leads of "Wiener Dog Nationals," a family comedy by first-time feature director Kevan Peterson that will have its world premiere Saturday at the Island Cinema 7. The filmmaker expects a crowd of dachshund owners to bring their pets to the screening - the theater, for this showing only, will lift its no-dog policy - and they'll have more than just the premiere to celebrate.

Courtney Conlogue, a former Sage Hill School athlete, claimed the TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival Saturday over Coco Ho in clean two- to three-foot waves at Taranki's Fitzroy Beach in New Zealand. The dramatic final featured two of surfing's rising stars, Conlogue and Ho, on event No. 4 of seven on the ASP Women's World Championship Tour. Conlogue, a Huntington Beach resident, came out on top with 14 points over Ho's 9.27. "I put in a lot of hard work between last year and this year and I'm stoked to have it paying off with a win," Conlogue told surfersvillage.com.

When Randy Hamilton and Tony Horvath first started working on the documentary, "Touchdown Newport," they always envisioned showing it at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Now their vision will become real. "Touchdown Newport," the film about the 1970 Newport Harbor High football team, is an official selection of the upcoming Newport Beach Film Festival. It will make its world premier at the Lido Theater on April 30 at 6 p.m. Hamilton and Horvath played on the team that won a league title under legendary coach Ernie Johnson, who turned around the program in his first year at the school.

When professional surfer Rob Machado rolled into the Corona del Mar High School gym Friday morning, he brought a message with him. "World Water Day," he said after hopping off a skateboard. "We're here to honor what keeps us alive. " To mark the United Nations-designated day, the surfing superstar spoke at a CdM assembly about the importance of clean water, noting the lack of access to it in many parts of the world. "We're spoiled. We live in Southern California. You can drink tap water here," he said.

The Orange County Breakers selected Newport Beach resident Coco Vandeweghe and Orange native Steve Johnson in the World Team Tennis Roster Draft on Tuesday. The Breakers were able to secure the rights to Vandeweghe, one of the top-100 ranked singles women's players on the WTA Tour, through the Roster Exempt Draft. Last year, Vandeweghe helped the Sacramento Capitals make a run to the World Team Tennis finals. "I have played Mylan WTT for four years, but never for the Breakers," Vandeweghe said in a press release.

I'm living an austere lifestyle as I write these words. At least, as austere as possible under the circumstances. My Twitter and Facebook accounts are logged off. My iPhone, which harbors my Hotmail account and text messages, is in my pocket untouched. My work computer is still on, but I've closed every website except Google and promised myself not to use that one unless I need to for a story. I'm not exactly Amish, I know. I still have my work email on — if one of my colleagues calls a meeting in the next few minutes, it would be irresponsible of me to miss it — and my landline is plugged in as well.

If you are looking for a group of local residents who represent the heart of the Newport-Mesa community perhaps better than any other small organization, look no further than the Decorative Arts Society. On Monday evening, the organization, comprised of both couples and single members, all with a passion for every imaginable aspect of the decorative art form, gathered at the romantically bohemian residential compound of Mary Ann and David Kerr on Lido Isle for a catered reception welcoming East Coast antiques and architectural curator as well as author Brandy Culp . The lovely Ms. Culp jetted in from South Carolina for the reception to meet and greet the local crowd, including Decorative Arts Society devotees Sandra and Donald Ayres , Hyla and Richard Bertea , Maralou and Jerry Harrington , Ann and Bill Dennis , Mary Anna and Arthur Jeppe , the charming Margaret Larkin , respected Newport Beach-based designer John Benecke and, in from San Francisco for the affair, the charming Kay Evans , formerly of Newport Beach and also one of the previous chairs of the society, joining her close friend, well-known San Francisco antiques dealer Ed Hardy . Both Evans and Hardy are now design consultants for the firm Restoration Hardware.