Former O.C. resident has 5-star debut at world premiere of film

By Gretchen Meier, OCLNN

Cam Gigandet, right, arrives on red carpet for opening night of Newport Beach Film Festival with girlfriend Dominique Geisendorff. Gigandet stars in "Five Star Day" and is known for his role in "Twilight" and "The O.C."

Opening night of the Newport Beach Film Festival brought out both the sun and stars. With the clouds breaking just as the first attendees lined up outside the Edwards Islands Cinemas across from Fashion Island in Newport Beach, excitement grew as the stars and fans gathered.

Stephen Moriyama, an Orange County resident and one of the first people in line, arrived at 5 p.m.

… Continue Reading: Former O.C. resident has 5-star debut at world premiere of film

County discovers $228 million pension error

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

What’s another $228 million, right?

The Orange County Employees Retirement System, or OCERS, has discovered a software error that caused county agencies to under-contribute to the employee pension fund for employees receiving special pay, creating an unfunded liability of $228 million.

That’s on top of the county’s existing unfunded pension liability of about $3.1 billion.

The OC Board of Supervisors was notified of the error on April 12. The error has been in place since a software update in 2003, according to OCERS, but it has now been corrected. No retirees have been underpaid for their pensions, according to the agency.

… Continue Reading: County discovers $228 million pension error

UCI makes list of nation’s most green colleges

By Mike Reicher, OCLNN

High school seniors today have one more factor to consider when they choose their college: Which is the most environmentally friendly?

Now they have a guide.

The Princeton Review and U.S. Green Building Council teamed up to assess colleges and universities on their commitment to sustainability in their infrastructure, activities and initiative

… Continue Reading: UCI makes list of nation’s most green colleges

O.C. Republicans endorse Nelson for supervisor

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

The Orange County Republican Party on Monday endorsed Fullerton councilman Shawn Nelson for the vacant 4th District seat on the Board of Supervisors after a debate with opponent Harry Sidhu, councilman and mayor pro tem of Anaheim.

The county party made the endorsement at its monthly Central Committee meeting despite the objection of some committee members who preferred that the party make no endorsements in a race featuring more than one Republican. The primary election is June 8 and the general election is in November.

The debate between 4th District supervisory candidates Nelson, a lawyer, and Sidhu, a business owner, saw both men position themselves as strong conservatives worthy of replacing Chris Norby, who vacated his seat in January after being elected to the California Assembly.

… Continue Reading: O.C. Republicans endorse Nelson for supervisor

CUSD union offers terms to school board; schools prepare for strike

By Gretchen Meier, OCLNN

ALISO VIEJO — The head of the union representing Capistrano Unified School District teachers said Monday teachers will accept a 10 percent pay cut and not go on strike if school officials guarantee the pay cut will expire next year.

“We are not at all opposed to the 10 percent pay cut as long as it is temporary and it expires June 30, 2011,” Vicki Soderberg, president of the Capistrano Unified Education Association, said.

“We’ve come a long way, and now we’re more than meeting them halfway,” Soderberg said.

It was the first time union leaders have said they will accept that large of a pay cut. However, it was not immediately clear whether school officials would accept the offer.

… Continue Reading: CUSD union offers terms to school board; schools prepare for strike

Lipstick Bail Bonds sisters are bounty hunters, PIs

By Cheryl Pruett, For OCLNN

If you see a pink Hummer on the road, it most likely means Teresa and Lisa Golt are on their way to bail somebody out of jail.

The Golts are “bond” girls who run three law enforcement-related businesses in Orange County: Lipstick Bail Bonds, the bond agency arm; Lipstick Bond Girls, the “bounty hunter” arm; and Lipstick Investigations, the private investigations arm.

Forget “Dog the Bounty Hunter” image. The Golts, who are twins, are soft-spoken, good-humored, low-key women.

… Continue Reading: Lipstick Bail Bonds sisters are bounty hunters, PIs

O.C. Fairgrounds to host Pet Expo

By Jennifer Bauman,  For OCLNN

America’s Family Pet Expo 2010 is at the Orange County Fairgrounds this weekend.

The world’s largest pet and pet products expo returns to Costa Mesa with more than a 1,000 animals this year. In addition to dogs, cats and birds, the expo features horses, fish, llamas, pot-bellied pigs, rats, rabbits and reptiles.

The pet expo is packed with unique pet-centric entertainment, including “SplashDogs” taking part in a diving dogs contest, a creepy crawly critters show and gymnasts performing on horseback.

… Continue Reading: Pets, pets, and more pets

Deep cuts proposed for Irvine city budget

By Erik Holmes, OCLNN

The city of Irvine will likely have to delay projects and cut some services in fiscal 2010-2011 while also tapping $14 million from its rainy-day fund and $3.6 million from other funds, according to a plan presented Tuesday to the City Council.

Among the cuts proposed is a delay in planning and construction of a new police headquarters, elimination of 26 vacant full-time jobs and suspension of three city-sponsored concert series. The city’s finance and community services commissions will review the plan in May before it is presented to the city council for final approval.

The city’s financial bind is the result of the economic recession, a report by City Manager Sean Joyce says, and revenues from taxes and fees are expect to be $10.9 million less in 2010-2011 than in 2009-2010, a drop of 8.4 percent.

… Continue Reading: Deep cuts proposed for Irvine city budget

CUSD board gets earful from public; teachers vote on strike Thursday

By Gretchen Meier, OCLNN

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — More than 900 concerned teachers, parents, community members and students attended a packed meeting at the Capistrano Unified School District board room to protest a 10 percent teacher pay cut Tuesday night.

Outside the bustling Capistrano Unified School District building, Aliso Niguel High School students handed out pamphlets in support of the Capistrano Unified Education Association while kindergarten-age children held fluorescent signs opposing the strike next to the full parking lot.

… Continue Reading: CUSD board gets earful from public; teachers vote on strike Thursday

Food truck owners drive trend into O.C.

Alec Osborn serves Louks To Go's honey feta fries and Nutella Louks (Brett Padelford/For OCLNN)

By Elizabeth Geli, For OCLNN

Coming soon to a street corner near you, food trucks are rolling down into Orange County. Many are coming from L.A., where the trend has exploded over the past year.

They’re different than the “roach coaches” typically seen around construction sites. These trucks, which often announce their routes via Twitter, serve a variety of gourmet cuisines — from Spanish (@BarcelonaOnTheGo) to Japanese/Mexican fusion (@OishiiTacos) to Argentinean (@PiaggioOnWheels).

… Continue Reading: Food truck owners drive trend into O.C.