WEEK IN REVIEW

Shreds of normalcy returned to John Wayne Airport as the week came to

a close and planes took flight after almost three days of inactivity.

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the airport closed Tuesday

after terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center and the

Pentagon.

At 12:14 p.m. Thursday, the first plane, Delta Flight 850, lifted off

the runway with almost 90 passengers. It was a moment of elation for

airport managers and airline workers who are still struggling to rebuild

their complex flight schedules.

The FAA’s shutdown order was the first in the nation’s history.

-- Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .

Attacks disrupt school activities

Because of the terrorist attacks on Tuesday morning, the Newport-Mesa

Unified School District canceled its school board meeting on Tuesday

night. The district has not scheduled a special meeting to make up for

the cancellation. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be on

Sept. 25.

And Friday’s school events also were postponed -- meaning it was

Football Saturday this week.

-- Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .

A little less public opinion

The Planning Commission proved Monday that a good night’s sleep is

worth stifling a little public comment.

As Robin Leffler, vice president of Costa Mesa Citizens for

Responsible Growth, approached the podium for yet another presentation in

opposition to the proposed Home Ranch project, Planning Commission

Chairwoman Katrina Foley informed her that public comment would be

limited to new information only.

Foley explained the commission’s decision to narrow public comment was

to prevent late might meetings like the last public hearing that lasted

past midnight.

“Late night meetings affect our decision-making process the next day,”

Foley said.

The Planning Commission has held four public meetings about the

proposed development in the last month, giving residents plenty of

opportunity to address the council. People can also speak more at a Sept.

24 study session, the chairwoman said.

Audience reaction to the commission’s decision was mixed.

Some members of the audience were angered by the commission’s

decision, including resident Bryce Beuley who stormed out of the meeting

in protest, threatening a recall effort.

But two others commended Foley, saying the commission has been more

than open to public comment. As people walked out of council chambers,

many noted they were relieved to get out by 10 p.m.-- Lolita Harper

covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or by e-mail at

o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .

Stepping up to help

Several area residents came forward to donate blood in local hospitals

and blood banks following the terrorist attacks that rocked the entire

nation this week.

Hoag Hospital officials said the response was so tremendous that it is

unprecedented. As of Wednesday, 100 people had already donated blood,

more than 200 people were in line to donate and calls were still pouring

in.

Sierra’s Light Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed after two

children were murdered at a local preschool two years ago, collected

teddy bears for Begg’n for Bears, a group that sends the toys to children

affected by disasters.

In other news, Costa Mesa officials said they recently received a

check for about $36,000 from a woman who had filed and lost a sexual

harassment lawsuit against the city’s police department.

June Romine and two other female employees -- Kathy Sothard and Nancy

McAllister -- had alleged their male colleagues subjected them to sexist

slurs and fondled them. While Sothard dropped her lawsuit and McAllister

settled with the city, both last year, Romine lost the case in a jury

trial in May 2000.

The judge ordered her to reimburse part of the city’s legal expenses.

-- Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached

at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .

Patriotism and prayer

The terror that hit the world last week also hit home.

Religious leaders were scrambling to help their followers deal with

news of the worst terrorist attack in history. Lines wound out of and

around Nikki’s Flags in Newport Beach -- a sign of Newport-Mesa

community’s grief and patriotism.

And three Newport Beach residents, all eyewitnesses to the attacks and

the World Trade Center’s collapse, found each other amid the rubble. The

two friends and an acquaintance, who were stranded in New York

separately, made it home together and formed the permanent bond shared by

survivors.

Local events, of course, were eclipsed by the national tragedy. A

county body approved the second-to-last step required to make Newport

Coast part of the city. And, amid the chaos, a spirit of community

continued to shine as Coastal Cleanup Day aimed to keep the Back Bay a

stunning example of America’s beauty.

-- June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .