NOTABLE QUOTABLES

“I guess there’s not a lot of people carving giant pumpkins. It’s an

unusual distinction.”

-- Mike Valladao of San Jose, on being dubbed the World’s Most

Renowned Pumpkin Carver. Valladao carved orange gourds for the Orange

County Marketplace’s fourth annual Trick or Treat Festival on Oct. 28.

“It was really bloody. As people were running out, more people were

running in to take part in the fight. It was pretty scary.”

-- Jon Ericson, a vendor at a motorcycle parts show at the Orange

County Fairgrounds, on a fight that broke out between rival motorcycle

gangs during the Oct. 26 show. The fairgrounds has canceled a Dec. 7

parts show in order to look at public safety measures.

“Right now, people have no idea who we have to offer.”

-- Cory Abbs, marketing director of Triangle Square, on why the

shopping center is planning to use large signs to advertise its tenants.

Triangle Square’s management is putting together a plan to make

improvements at the struggling center.

“There’s a new group in town.”

-- Doug Sutton, a member of Costa Mesans United, on the recently

formed group which supports the Home Ranch project. The group went to a

recent City Council meeting to ask for time to present its views.

“I remember thinking it was so weird to set up a tablecloth on a grave

when I was young. I remember thinking, we were just crying and mourning

this person and now we are laughing and celebrating.”

-- Patty Madueno of Costa Mesa, on Dia de los Muertos, Day of the

Dead. Madueno and others took part in a Friday celebration, including

altars honoring the dead, at St. Joachim Church in Costa Mesa.

“My biggest concern is getting through Halloween night. Last year, the

police did an outstanding job. But before that, we had terrible

vandalism, weapons -- it’s been awful.”

-- Jill Money, a board member of the Harbor View Homeowners Assn., on

her All Hallow’s Eve worries. The once troubled Harbor View neighborhood

was quiet on the holiday.

“I feel happy for these children because they won, I didn’t. I believe

it’s insane to see what’s going on and not do anything to help.”

-- Mirna Burciaga, a Costa Mesa parent and activist, on a U.S.

Department of Education Office for Civil Rights report charging that the

Newport-Mesa school district does not fully meet the needs of students

with limited English proficiency. Burciaga filed the complaint on which

the report was based. The district will now need to create a system to

address the needs of English-language learners or face losing funding.