BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

John Wayne offers tips to Labor Day travelers

As the busy Labor Day weekend approaches, John Wayne Airport officials are reminding travelers to prepare themselves for new security guidelines while operating at the orange alert level.

More than 93,000 passengers passed through John Wayne during last year’s Friday through Monday holiday weekend. This year, passenger numbers are expected to be similar to last year, according to Jenny Wedge, spokeswoman for the airport.

By knowing what is allowed onboard the plane and what to expect at the airport, passengers should be well equipped for a smooth airport visit, officials said.

Airport officials recommend passengers arrive two hours early if their flight leaves between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Transportation Security Administration representatives are enforcing the carry-on luggage rule — travelers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item, including purses, briefcases, diaper bag or laptop case.

Any liquids or gels, including shampoo, sunscreen, lip gloss and toothpaste, are not allowed onboard. Drinks must be consumed before getting on the plane. If someone is traveling with a baby or small child, baby formula or breast milk is allowed, as well as essential nonprescription and prescription medications. For a complete list of what is allowed, visit www.tsa.gov.

Homeowners get

incentive to remodel

Costa Mesa homeowners who want to remodel houses that are at least 5 years old can avoid building permit fees under a city program that runs from Sept. 5 to Dec. 15. It will be the second year of the residential remodeling incentive program, which city officials considered a great success in 2005.

Residents remodeling their homes during last year’s four-month program invested nearly $15 million into fixing up their properties. The program cost the city about $580,000 in waived fees and extra staff time.

City officials expect similar results this year. For more information on the remodeling incentive program, visit www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us or call (714) 754-5273.

O.C. Fair bus routes

to roll on next year

Three bus routes that were added this year to get visitors to the Orange County Fair will be continued in 2007, Orange County Transportation Agency directors voted Monday.

The weekend routes from Fullerton, San Juan Capistrano and Westminster park-and-ride lots to the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa were popular, transportation agency spokesman Michael Litschi said. As in 2006, next year buses will operate on those routes every 30 minutes, from 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends during the fair.

Litschi said 1,600 rides were provided this summer on the new fairgrounds routes. Despite the easy transportation, fair attendance lagged this year, probably because of hot weather. Officials said about 924,000 people went to the fair this year, down from a record high of 1 million in 2005.