LEAN LUNCH: At politics, Orange County Republican...

LEAN LUNCH: At politics, Orange County Republican Chairman Thomas A. Fuentes can be zealously partisan. But once a year he gladly breaks bread with enemy Democrats. It’s the “No Lunch Luncheon,” today at Antonello Ristorante in Santa Ana, to promote the county’s nonprofit Food Distribution Center. Fuentes is its chairman emeritus. . . . The elite guest list of local business and political leaders will be served what many on the street must live on--a bowl of soup and a piece of bread. One difference: Guests will also get a glass of wine.

ESSENTIALLY NO: The federal government shutdown dealt one setback for mayors Michael Ward of Irvine and Richard T. Dixon of Lake Forest. One of their scheduled meetings in Washington last week was with Paul Dempsey, director of the Office of Economic Adjustment, regarding the El Toro Marine base future. But Dempsey was on furlough--declared one of the “nonessential” employees. . . . Says Ward: “If the head man is not essential, who is? It was kind of a shock.”

NEW LION: By day, he’s Galo Pacheko, accounting firm employee. But by night, he’s just Galo, the wanna-be star who likes to sing karaoke “at any club I can find.” Sunday night at Costa Mesa’s Red Lion Hotel, he took a big step toward a new career in music. Galo, 27, of Trabuco Canyon, was crowned Orange County Karaoke Entertainer of the Year. Nearly 1,000 contestants had entered a series of competitions. First prize was $1,000--and the title. . . . Says Galo: “My friends said, ‘Go for it,’ so I did. I hope it’s the beginning of something.”

MULTI-BUSINESS? Costa Mesa’s new Tourism & Promotion Council has settled on its first issue--coming up with a logo and slogan to promote city business to tourists. The slogan: “Multi Fascinating.” The accompanying logo: four icons representing shopping, sunshine, music and theater. Says the council’s spokeswoman, Peg A. Lefebvre: “The logo communicates a casually sophisticated image in an artistic style.” And the ultimate goal behind the image: more sales tax revenue for the city.

TONIGHT: The St. Petersburg String Quartet at 8, the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine.

WEATHER: Mostly sunny after dense morning fog. Highs in the low 70s; lows in the low 50s. B7