Supervisor nominated for state coastal post...

Supervisor nominated for state coastal post

The county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to

nominate supervisors Jim Silva (Newport Beach) and Tom Wilson (Laguna

Beach) to the state Senate Rules Committee to be considered for the

open, elected-official seat on the California Coastal Commission.

Both supervisors’ districts represent Orange County’s coast. Both

have also been active in restoration of beaches, protecting coastal

resources and securing the coastline’s future.

Costa Mesa Freeway connector reopened

The southbound Costa Mesa Freeway’s connector to the northbound

San Diego Freeway reopened to commuters early Tuesday morning,

officials said.

The connector was reconstructed to accommodate the reconfigured

Bristol Street offramp, the future carpool connector, the new Avenue

of the Arts offramp and the new Anton Boulevard onramp to the

northbound San Diego Freeway.

The Bristol and Avenue of the Arts offramps are open now and the

Anton onramp is scheduled to open in mid-2003.

Holiday festival at JWA has mariachis, carolers

John Wayne Airport has announced its 13th annual Holiday Festival

featuring strolling carolers, barbershop quartets, a mariachi band

and piano players. The performances began Friday and will continue

through Dec. 24. The performances will begin daily at 9 a.m. and

conclude 5 p.m.

For the last five years, Yamaha Corp. has donated a pair of

Diskclavier digital pianos for the festival.

A performance schedule may be found on the airport’s Web site:

www.ocair.com.

Sheriff hosts cruise

for Make-A-Wish kids

Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona hosted a harbor cruise

Tuesday evening for more than 100 Make-A-Wish children, their

siblings and parents aboard the Destiny, 140-foot charter vessel.

Guests were treated to a 2 1/2-hour dinner cruise, gifts and a

surprise visit from Santa on a fire boat.

Do you want to be a Secret Santa?

Parent Help USA, a local nonprofit that aims to prevent child

abuse, is looking for volunteers to make Secret Santa deliveries and

organize holiday parties for disadvantaged children. Volunteers may

either adopt a family, a child or help deliver to parents without

transportation.

People interested in volunteering may sign up today at noon or on

Monday at 6:30 p.m. Parent Help USA is located at 330 W. Bay Street,

Suite 120 in Costa Mesa. Information: Call (949) 650-3461 or (949)

675-5271.