BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Public comment sought on light rail project

The public is invited to comment on environmental impacts of the

proposed 28-mile CenterLine light rail project.

The light rail system would travel from Fullerton to Irvine with

potential stops in the South Coast Metro area. The Orange County

Transportation Authority released draft environmental documents on the

multibillion dollar project Sept. 3. Comments will be accepted through

Oct. 18.

The documents are available for public review at the Costa Mesa and

Newport Beach libraries and on the transportation authority’s Internet

site at o7 www.octa.netf7 .

The Costa Mesa public hearing is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the

Neighborhood Community Center. Two presentations will be given. For more

information, call (714) 560-5598.

Jewish Family Service needs volunteers

Jewish Family Service of Orange County and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of

Orange County need Jewish men and women to act as mentors to Jewish boys

and girls.

Mentors must be older than 18, residents of Orange County, willing to

spend three to six hours every other week volunteering and must have been

at their current job for at least three months.

An informational meeting for prospective volunteers and parents

seeking Big Brothers/Big Sisters for their children will be held at 7

p.m. Oct. 5 at Jewish Family Services, 250 E. Baker St. Suite G in Costa

Mesa.

Last chance for outdoor movies at Dunes

Chances to catch “Family Flick” at the Newport Dunes are dwindling.

The outdoor showing of movies will end next month. The Dunes invites

families to pull up beach chairs, roast marshmallows and view blockbuster

movies on the shores of 100-acre resort in Newport Beach.

The movies play on Saturdays at dusk. Here is the schedule for the

rest of the season:

“Willow,” tonight; “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Oct. 2; “Dial ‘M’ for

Murder,” Oct. 9; “Wait Until Dark,” Oct. 16; “Rear Window,” Oct. 23.

Parking is $7 per car. For more information, call (949) 729-DUNE.

New Staples Superstore to open in Costa Mesa

Staples will open a new superstore in the old Alpha Beta building at

241 E. 17th Street, property owner Burnham USA Equities, Inc. announced

this week.

Renovations will begin shortly and the store is expected to open in

January. The 25,500-square-foot store will employ 40 people and stock

more than 7,600 brand name office products.

The store will also feature a technology center with expanded computer

services, including a technical support center for upgrades and

enhancements. The store will also offer copying, faxing and binding

service along with a FedEx depot.

-- Elise Gee