Key lawmaker pulls support for fairgrounds deal

COSTA MESA — Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana) has decided not to stand by Costa Mesa City Hall’s attempt to purchase the Orange County Fairgrounds and is asking the governor to drop the sale all together.

The statement comes as a blow to sale supporters, as Solorio has become the point person in the Assembly on the issue and was expected to carry or support legislation that would enact the city’s deal. Another politician could pick up the legislation without his support, but no one has stepped up yet.

Solorio, who has been heavily invested in the issues surrounding the sale and was expected to file legislation to allow Costa Mesa to buy the fairgrounds, said in a prepared statement released Tuesday that he made many suggestions to help address the fate of the 80 full-time state employees who work at the fairgrounds and has provided ways to strengthen the governance provisions in the deal.
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Newport Beach pedestrian hurt in L.A. accident

A Newport Beach man was hospitalized in stable condition after he was hit by an SUV while running across the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles early Sunday morning.

It happened just after midnight Saturday near Barham Boulevard.

The 31-year-old man was running east across the freeway when he was hit by a 200 Ford Explorer driven by 33-year-old Canoga Park woman.

Neither of their names has been released.

Investigators are trying to determine what the man was doing on the freeway.

The freeway’s northbound lanes were closed for about an hour as the CHP investigated.

First day of school in Corona del Mar

From Corona del Mar Today

Harbor View’s largest student body in recent years arrived at school Tuesday morning for the first day of the new year. Camera-toting parents escorted them to class, then gathered in the school’s multi-purpose room for coffee and volunteer sign-ups.

“I couldn’t sleep because I was so excited about the first day of school,” said Principal Charlene Metoyer. “The first day has been wonderful. The children are happy, the parents are happy and the teachers are happy.”

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Mesa Musings: Lucky to be so loved

Jim Carnett, Daily Pilot columist

On a couple of occasions I’ve mentioned in this space that I have Parkinson’s disease.

I was diagnosed nearly five years ago.

Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that manifests itself when certain nerve cells die or become impaired. The cells produce a chemical — dopamine — that permits the body fluidity of movement.

Signs of the disease include tremor or shaking, slowness of movement, rigidity or stiffness, and balance problems. It can also reveal itself in a shuffling gate, muffled speech or diction and depression. Cognitive issues may be realized as well, to include dementia.

About 1.5 million Americans have the disease, and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. Chances are you have a family member or friend with Parkinson’s.
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Taste of Newport needs volunteers

Taste of Newport organizers are looking for volunteers who can help stage the Sept. 17-19 event at Fashion Island.

Sponsored by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and Wells Fargo, the event relies on some 1,000 volunteers. Saturday and Sunday evening volunteer shifts doing everything from working the admission booth to pouring wine and beer are available.

Now in its 22nd year, the event will feature some 30 local restaurants, wine from more than 15 wineries, cocktails and beer and live entertainment that guests. The event will also feature live performances by the Gin Blossoms and Foreigner.

The chamber expects to attract more than 50,000 people to samples of prime rib, tiramisu, chicken empanadas, lobster rolls and other items.

Admission is $25 for the public but free to volunteers.

For information on Taste or how to volunteer, visit www.tasteofnewport.com or contact Jessica Mills at jmills@newportbeach.com or (949) 729-4410.

Mansoor, Nguyen to address Arab American mixer in O.C.

COSTA MESA — Mayor Allan Mansoor and businessman Phu Nguyen, his opponent in the 68th Assembly District race, will appear at an event in Anaheim later this month hosted by an Arab American networking group.

The Network of Arab American Professionals Orange County chapter, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that brings together Arab Americans, whose professions range from the fields of law and medicine to business and engineering, will host the two politicians at a Sept. 29 mixer.

Rashad Al-Dabbagh, a NAAP board member, said the 68th Assembly District has a large Arab American community, one that comes out to vote.
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Newport-Mesa cautiously optimistic about funding

COSTA MESA — Officials with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District said Friday that they aren’t sure the district is going to get $4 million in federal money recently promised the district, given the uncertainties still shrouding the $20-billion budget deficit in Sacramento.

Paul Reed, the chief financial officer for the district, said he’s “tentatively optimistic” because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger must first sign the bill that would release the funds.

Although state lawmakers have already signed off on it, Reed said that in the absence of a state budget, it’s likely that the availability of the federal money may never come to pass.
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CdM association seeks input about proposed zoning changes

From Corona del Mar Today

The Corona del Mar Residents Association has created a survey seeking members’ opinions and knowledge about recommended changes in the city’s Zoning Code, and how those could affect the Flower Streets.

The survey, which can be found here, must be turned in by Sept. 7. The results will be tabulated by an independent research company.

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Weekend Shopping: Catimini opens at South Coast Plaza

Opening

French children’s clothing company Catimini opened its first Southern California boutique on Friday at South Coast Plaza. The clothes (prices range from $40 to $70) feature fun colors, prints and kid-friendly themes that changes with the seasons. You can find clothes here for babies, toddlers, boys and girls.
3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (800) 782-8888. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.

Taste of Newport to offer Chef’s Cooking Pavilion

The Newport Beach Restaurant Assn. will sponsor the “Chef’s Cooking Pavilion” expo at Taste of Newport.

Last year, the pavilion offered 45-minute, live cooking demonstrations, free tastings and wine pairings.

The expo features well-known Newport Beach chefs throughout the three-day event. Visitors can meet chefs, ask questions and watch as they cook signature dishes.
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