Sandy Genis, an instrumental leader of the OCFPS, and former Mayor for the City of Costa Mesa, said the fairgrounds needs to operate in "openness, with accountability and with a long-term goal of preserving the property."

Cosa Mesa City Council member Katrina Foley called the fairgrounds "a great public asset, that needs to include a marketplace, a fairgrounds and an equestrian center."

"We need to talk with the state and determine next step plans," Foley added.

Speculation is that the city of Costa Mesa will continue to work with local groups and, perhaps, the County of Orange, to complete a long-term deal with the state to operate under local control..

To that affect, the Costa Mesa City Council is putting a measure (C) on the ballot in June designed to preserve the fair property for its continued long-term use.

Welcome! Here's the news of Newport-Mesa from Tuesday gathered in one place for you. Check back often today for updates and the news as it happens.

• 17-year-old returns to car, slashed and fights off attacker; police looking for man.
• OC Fair sale rejected; letter from State; OC Register; Daily Pilot; LA Times.
• Tran applauds State's action.
• New burger-joint highlights today's planning commission meeting.
• Airborne Law Enforcement board meeting agenda for this morning's meeting.
• Our friend Geoff West gives us some good insight on Tuesday's council meeting and some of the underlying currents facing our politicians.
• Swat teams help demo college site during training drill.
• Outdoor adventure screening from Banff Film Festival comes to town.
• Harbor beats the 'tar' out of rival.
• Locals plea guilty in fraudulent military scam.
• It's a wrap; Macy's South Coast Plaza is only one of five remaining.
• You or your friends can bring your dog to town and stay in the lap of luxury.
• Best Buddies program is a success story at CdM.
• Check out the local Indie bands on the scene.
• DUI Checkpoint planned for Friday night.
• Special Estancia comedy performance tomorrow night.

Courtesy of Newport-Mesa's best calendar (found in the Daily Voice); here's a look at what's on tap. 

Today (Thursday) - March 18

Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce March 90-Minute Breakfast Boost at Costa Mesa Country Club from 7-8:45 a.m. Costa Mesa’s very own City Manager Allan Roeder will be the guest speaker. He will be covering “Municipal Finance 101 - What it Means to You.” Save $5 and make your reservations in advance via the chamber website atwww.costamesachamber.com, by phone at (714) 885-9090, or by mail to 1700 Adams Ave., Ste. 101, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626.  Pre-paid reservations cost $15, which includes your name with contact information on the breakfast attendance roster. Walk-in cost is $20. Raffle tickets can also be purchased prior to the event on the website (min. $10 purchase) – tickets are 6 for $5 or 12 for $10. They gladly accept raffle prize donations anytime with a minimum value of $25. Remember the more prizes there are, the more fun you'll have!

Corona del Mar High School and Middle School Open House at 6:30 p.m.www.web.nmusd.us 

Pacific Symphony presents "Gershwin & All That Jazz" at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This is a concert of American music that reveals the profound influence of jazz on composers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The pieces range from the work of icons like Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington to lesser-known composers who may influence future music. Continues through March 20. (714) 556-ARTS.www.ocpac.org

View Police Log (March. 17 2010) in a larger map

• Check out today's Police Log
• Indie bands on the rise. Check them out.
• Everything you wanted to know about St. Paddy's Day and then some.
• Friday night DUI checkpoint planned.
• Happy St. Patrick's Day birthday today to Mary Beth Adomaitis and James Jackson.
  If you have a birthday shout out, send it to us at info@newportmesadailyvoice.com with the person's name and birthdate and we can wish them a Happy Birthday!

“I want to applaud the Department of General Services on making a wise decision and rejecting all bids submitted to purchase the Orange County Fairgrounds,” said Tran.  “Although the fairgrounds can certainly be used more efficiently, this sale was fraught with problems and not in the best interests of our community.”

In January, Assemblyman Tran joined with 10 other legislators in submitting a letter calling for an end to the sale of the fairgrounds.  The letter was co-signed by Assemblymembers Solorio, Harkey, Jones, Miller, Nava, Silva along with Senators Correa, Huff, and Wyland.

Assemblyman Tran took legislative action by introducing AB 1790 with Assemblyman Solario and 6 other co-authors to stop the sale of the fairgrounds, following the stalled AB 1590 by Assemblyman Solario and Tran.  AB 1790 is pending hearing in committee.

The sale was initially intended to benefit the state in financial gain, but at the same time, it was clear that the property would be offered for sale to local entities, allowing the property to continue to operate as a fair in a more efficient and profitable manner.

As the RFP and bidding process was completed in January, the top bid for the OC Fairgrounds was $56.5 million.  Previous estimates value this property at $96 to $180 million. 

Assemblyman Van Tran proudly serves the people of the 68th Assembly District, which includes portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Stanton, and Westminster.

The training was held in vacant buildings that reside on a site where Coastline plans to build a campus. That campus will open in fall 2012, but today, the existing buildings provided a real-life set for the officers to practice several techniques.

Newport Beach SWAT Officer, Robert Foss, said that it’s unusual for them to have the opportunity to practice in real buildings in their own neighborhood. “We’re really appreciative of what Coastline is letting us do here today,” Foss said.

Kent McBride, from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad, noted that “usually, when we do training, we do it at a breach house where you end up kicking in the same door three times.” A breach house is comparable to a set constructed just for training exercises.

“Here today, this is real. This allows us to encounter all of the challenges that come with different types of construction,” McBride continued.

 The Coast Community College District’s Land Development Committee, under the leadership of Coast District Trustee Walt Howald, came up with the idea of offering up the buildings. The move not only helps to build goodwill between the college, the Coast District, and the City of Newport Beach, but also provides SWAT and Bomb Squad officers with a unique training opportunity.

 “We really felt like it was a win-win for everyone involved, and we were happy to do it,” said Dr. Marilyn Brock, Coastline’s Interim President.

Orange Coast College will screen outdoor adventure films from the 34th Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival on Wednesday, March 24th. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre. The festival features an international selection of films that present a wide range of activities including cycling, climbing, ocean rowing and speed flying. The program is sponsored by OCC Friends of the Library.

   What:          34th Annual Banff Film Festival
                        International selection of outdoor adventure films
   When:         7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 24th
        
    Where:        Robert B. Moore Theatre
                        Orange Coast College
                        2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

    Tickets:      $9 advance; $10 at the door
                       Available at REI stores in Huntington Beach and Santa Ana
                       (714) 432-5880 or occtickets.com

The checkpoint location was selected based upon its proximity to bars and restaurants and provides a high degree of visibility to the motoring public.  Site determination was also based upon roadway configuration, sight distances, traffic volume, lighting, and motorist safety.  A primary consideration was also officer safety.

 The checkpoint will be clearly marked and vehicles will be selected to move through the check lanes on a pre-set basis to ensure objectivity and timeliness.  Motorists will be greeted and given an informational brochure on “Driving Under The Influence,” prepared by the Newport Beach Police Department Traffic Division.

Checkpoints tend to reduce the number of drinking drivers on the road and do not necessarily produce dramatic increases in arrests.  The major value of checkpoints is their educational and deterrent influence on the motoring public.  This sobriety checkpoint has been established to ensure the public’s safety and to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired drivers on the roadways in our Community, as well as insuring drivers have a valid driver’s license.   

Members of the media are welcome to view the checkpoint and take photographs.  Further information on the sobriety checkpoint may be obtained by contacting Sergeant Steve Burdette at 949-644-3662.

In addition to the checkpoint, the Department fields DUI saturation patrols on a regular basis.  These Patrol Officers stop people who are suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Welcome! Here's the news of Newport-Mesa from Tuesday gathered in one place for you. Check back often today for updates and the news as it happens.

• Everything you ever wanted to know about St. Paddy's Day in one place.
• CdM celebration brings police and helicopter.
• Campbell takes on 'big' issue and we say, good for him.
• Spike strip causes city woes and flat tires.
• Local arrested at drug dispensary.
• Restaurants and travel on EDC agenda this morning.
• Marina Park Design Committee meeting today. See agenda.
• GP/LPC Committee meeting this afternoon.
• Gilchrist is at the top of the pack, can you say 'Player of the Year'.
• Salem has Stanford at the top of his list.
• Mayor talks about City Attorney's arrest and what's next.
• It's nice: regular students teaming with special ed.
• A new Newport Beach home: $95,000,000; say what?
• Check out the whale regatta coming later this month. It's a BIG affair.
• Lynn Selich gives her take on a Film Festival fundraiser and a "cute" celebrity bartender.
• What's a Fluxus? Well, it's coming to Newport Beach: see Terin Cottam's Shopping column.
• Time change, sleep deprivation: it's an interesting mix for Hoag sleep center director.
• The Pop's Symphony schedule is released.
• 6,000 Easter eggs equal huge hunt; see where.
• District-wide school survey underway.

Courtesy of Newport-Mesa's best calendar (found in the Daily Voice); here's a look at what's on tap for  today... and it's more than just green beer. 

March 17 - Today (St. Patrick's Day)

Costa Mesa Citizens Fire Academy begins today and meets for nine weeks on Wednesday evenings and one Saturday. Participants will learn about specialized fire safety programs. Must be 18 years of age or older. An application is required. Contact the Fire Prevention office at (714) 327-7406.

Apartment Association of Orange County Trade Show at the OC Fair and Event Center. www.ocfair.com

Sea Tales - Family Fun at Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. Join them for stories, crafts, touch tank and music geared for pre-schoolers (ages 2-5). Each month’s theme is designed to introduce kids to a variety of marine topics while having fun at the Nautical Museum. The program has limited space, so make your reservations early! Visitwww.nhnm.org for more information and to sign up.

Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce launches its “Executive Brainstorming Series,” the first of the series at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach. The series will be tailored to business owners and executives to brainstorm and share ideas with peers on how to overcome common challenges in today's economy. Attend this session to find out about new ideas to help your company grow, increase sales, provide better customer service and market your company more effectively. Topics will range from marketing, employee programs, raising morale, cost-cutting ideas, managing four generations at once, social media tricks, setting smart goals and more. Today's session will cover, “Getting through the Gatekeeper” and “Strengths and Weaknesses in Networking.” This event is open to the public. Cost: $20 for Newport Chamber members who pre-register, $25 for members at the door. Non-members, $35. A continental breakfast is included. The Radisson Hotel is located at 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. For more information, contact Pam Smith at (949) 729-4411 or by email psmith@newportbeach.com.

The Early Learning Quality Improvement System (ELQIS) is holding a Town Hall Meetting at the Orange County Department of Education (200 Kalmus Drive, Building D 1001), in Costa Mesa from 1-3:30 p.m.. Dennis Vicars, chair of the ELQIS subcommittee on design, will preside. All people interested in and concerned about quality early learning programs in California are urged to attend. For more information, call the Preschool California, Los Angeles satellite office at (323) 254-1411, ext. 22.

Orange Coast College theatre arts instructor John Ferzacca has adapted Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” into an experimental, pared-down version of the tragedy. Performances, directed by OCC theatre arts professor Alex Golson, are Wednesday through Saturday, March 17-20, at 8 p.m. in the Drama Lab Theatre, with a 2:30 matinee on Sunday, March 21. Advance tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for OCC students and seniors at the OCC Bursar’s Office. Tickets can be ordered by phone at (714) 432-5880, ext. 1, or at www.occtickets.com. Tickets will be $11 at the door.