A.M. Roundup: Channel Dredging, Council Redistricting, Animal Shelter Celebration

1. A contrator is scheduled to begin dredging Newport Beach's Rhine Channel on Monday, a project that will remove about 150,000 cubic yards of sediment by the end of the year, according to the city. The dredging will take place during daylight hours Monday through Saturday. The channel, located in the Cannery Village area, will be closed during the first three of the four phases of the project, though the contractor will try to keep a small part of the channel open for customers of nearby restaurants and shipyards, the city said. Any vessels blocking the work area will be towed. Free moorings will be available first-come, first-served. Call 949-723-1002 for information. Sediment removed from the channel will be transported to the Port of Long Beach to be used in a redevelopment project.

2. The City Council redistricting committee is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. The committee is tasked with redrawing the boundaries of the city's seven City Council districts based on recently released census data. During the committee's first meeting, Chairman and City Councilman Steve Rosansky said its goals were to draw districts with about 12,000 people in each, avoid breaking up neighborhoods and maintain the geography of existing districts as much as possible.

3. The Orange County Humane Society and Newport Beach will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday to commemorate the Humane Society taking over shelter services for the city. There also will be a pet adoption fair—including pet adoption specials, shelter tours, vendors, refreshments and more—and pet food and supply drive (we have calls into the Humane Society to find out exactly what the adoption specials are). The event will be at the Humane Society at 21632 Newland Street in Huntington Beach. The Humane Society took over shelter services for Newport in May.

4. The final phase of the Marian Bergeson Aquatics Center is under way at Corona del Mar High School, and the community's continued support is needed. The first three phases of the pool renovation will include a replastered pool, a renovated building, snack bar, state-of-the-art scoreboard and murals.  To find out how you can make a tax-deductible contribution to help complete the project, visit the Corona del Mar Community Aquatics Facilities Foundation.

5. Mark your calendar! Concerts in the Park returns to Bonita Canyon Sports Park, on Sunday, July 31, at 6 p.m., with Gregg Young and the 2nd Street Band. For more info, read here.