A bittersweet Christmas treat

Lolita Harper and Deirdre Newman

Linda Dixon, Costa Mesa’s former mayor who suffered a surprising

defeat in the November election, said her holidays were enjoyable but

bittersweet.

Dixon marveled in the amount of free time she had to cook, shop

and prepare for holiday festivities once she was relieved from her

City Council post. Without agenda packets to read and the seasonal

mayoral appearances, Dixon said she was able to really focus on the

special season and appreciate the time spent with her family.

It was a little sad to know she would not return to the dais in

the new year, she said, but she anticipates bold new ventures on the

horizon.

‘JAILHOUSE ROCK’ REPLACES ‘JINGLE BELLS’

There is no place like the big house for the holidays, Costa Mesa

Councilman Allan Mansoor found out after working a 12-hour shift at the Orange County jail on Christmas Day.

When asked what he did on Christmas Day, the quiet councilman

said, “Not much.”

When prompted further he finally said, “I worked.”

For Mansoor, a deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department,

“not much” means spending the day with convicted criminals. Mansoor

said he spent his holiday ensuring a little more than just a silent

night.

TALK ABOUT DROPPING YOUR HAT IN THE RING

Found: Large, pointing red hat, with white fluffy trim and pom-pom

on the tip.

The festive velvet cap was found on the front lawn of the Foley

residence in Mesa del Mar on Christmas morning by Sam and Ben Foley.

Mother and Costa Mesa Planning Commission Chairwoman Katrina Foley

said her 2- and 4-year-old boys suspect it was dropped by Santa

Claus, when he delivered their Star Wars light sabers.

The north pole gets pretty cold in the winter and Sam and Ben are

hoping St. Nick stays jolly without his customary headwear. Santa, if

your head is cold, there are two young boys in north Costa Mesa who

wouldn’t mind if you dropped by to pick up your hat.

ROHRABACHER RECEIVES ROYAL MEDALLION

Prior to Christmas, Costa Mesa Rep. Dana Rohrabacher traveled to

Afghanistan and met with King Zahir Shah in Kabul. Shah presented

Rohrabacher with a royal medallion for the congressman’s unwavering

support of democracy in Afghanistan over the years.

Rohrabacher also visited the Middle East, touring the front lines

on the Kuwaiti border with Iraq and meeting with American military.

Then it was off to London to meet with Iraqi opposition leaders.

He was home for Christmas, though, to spend time with wife,

Rhonda.

COX TAKES ON PERCH AND BIG BEAR

Newport Beach’s Rep. Chris Cox spent the Christmas holidays in

Newport Beach with his family.

On Christmas Eve, he took his three children and wife to Our Lady

Queen of Angels for mass and, the next day, hosted 18 relatives for dinner. On the weekend, he took his kids skiing at Big Bear and also

took his 9-year-old son, Charles, fishing out of Davey’s Locker. They

mostly caught ocean perch, but Charles’ lessons paid off as he

snagged a sand shark, which he threw back.