NEWPORT BEACH Judge signs off on JWA...

NEWPORT BEACH

Judge signs off

on JWA flight caps

Flight caps at John Wayne Airport appear secure after a district

court judge signed off on the expanded John Wayne Settlement

agreement. Newport Beach leaders cheered the move, saying that while

it was no surprise, it still makes for some comforting assurance.

The Orange County Water District has launched a massive public

information campaign to inform residents about its Groundwater

Replenishment System. The program treats waste water to

drinking-water quality then injects it back into the underground

water supplies.

Greenlight and anti-Greenlight forces pulled out the big guns in

preparation for a City Council study session on campaign reform. Both

sides accused the other of improperly handling and reporting their

campaign finances.

A 110-acre Orange Coast River Park will get its day in the sun

Tuesday when council members hear a presentation on the project.

Organizers hope to that the park, which includes Costa Mesa, Orange

County and Huntington Beach lands, can provide open space and

environmental benefits.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.

BUSINESS

Sterling BMW nears purchase of Auto Bistro

Managers of Sterling BMW, by mid-week, said they expected to close

escrow on their long-planned purchase of the closed Auto Bistro

restaurant next door.

Sterling general manager John Belanger said the deal would be done

shortly, after Orange County planners approve final amendments to the

parcel map. Sterling plans to use the land to expand its used-car

business and service area.

Sterling is purchasing the land from Theodore “Bob” Robins, Jr.,

whose father ran Robins Ford at the site in the 1950s.

Both parties declined to disclose the terms of the deal, including

the purchase price.

In other news, the Four Seasons hotel made lists published in two

travel magazines that include it among the top hotels in the world.

Conde Nast Traveler listed the luxury hotel on its annual Gold

List of the world’s top 700 lodgings and Travel & Leisure included it

on the T&L; 500, the top 500 hotels.

Despite high praise for its business-friendly atmosphere, Conde

Nast said the restaurant’s dining was “nothing to write home about.”

Hotel managers disagreed with that assessment of Pavilion.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

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

paul.clinton@latimes.com.

COSTA MESA

Sober-living home

loses council appeal

The owner of a sober living group home struck out in her appeal to

expand the number of clients she serves by two.

The City Council voted unanimously to deny Eleanor Manion, the

owner of Dove Cottage in the 3100 block of Cork Lane, to increase her

clients from six to eight. The city is already involved in a lawsuit

against Manion for exceeding the city limit of six clients.

The decision means that Manion now has to reduce her clients to

six or face the city in court in June.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

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

EDUCATION

Students read to honor

Dr. Seuss’ birthday

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and in celebration of reading,

schools in the Newport-Mesa School District partook in the nationwide

Read Across America event last week. In an effort to encourage

children to read and spark their academic drive, adults took time our

of their busy days to read to kids.

In order to help children train for the Spirit Run Race, a group

of students at Harbor View School in Newport Beach prepared for the

annual race Tuesday with stretches, sprints and aerobics. In addition

to giving students physical training, the clinics also gave them tips

on nutrition and hydration.

A benefit to raise money for Newport Harbor High School teacher

Jerry Tagami was held on Wednesday. Groups of students, fellow

teachers and friends attended the event, which was held at The

Chicken Coop, to show their support and raise money for long term

medical expenses for the 31-year teacher. Tagami suffered an aneurysm

on Feb. 3 and was in a coma for a few weeks. He is now in stable

condition and showing signs of improvement.

Gene Farrell, the interim president at Orange Coast College was

officially named president by the Coast Community College District

Board of Trustees Wednesday night. Farrell has 31 years of experience

working both as an instructor and an administrator for the district

and has been very active in the college’s budget problems.

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO covers education and may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.