BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Registrar picks up tab on extra ballot postage

A long list of state and local issues and races means absentee ballots for the Nov. 7 election are fatter than usual. But Newport-Mesa voters shouldn’t worry about extra postage — the county will take care of it.

Newport Beach resident Pat Greenbaum said she got charged 48 cents extra to mail two absentee ballots on Friday, but an election official said that shouldn’t have happened.

“We have an agreement in writing with the Postal Service that they [voters] do not have to pay the extra postage,” said Brett Rowley, a spokesman for the Orange County Registrar of Voters. “They shouldn’t have to pay extra postage for any absentee ballots.”

Rowley said the registrar will pay the extra costs of the fat ballots.

City plans Halloween party for kids

The Costa Mesa recreation department is hosting a kids night out Halloween party from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Balearic Community Center, 1975 Balearic Drive.

The registration deadline for the party is Tuesday.

The entrance fee is $10, and the event is for children ages 7 to 12.

The party will include various activities for children, including a costume contest, karaoke, arts and crafts, games and prizes, and pizza.

For mor information, call (714) 754-5158.

Senior center plans flea market

The Costa Mesa Senior Center will hold a flea market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the center’s parking lot at 695 W. 19th St.

Admission is free to the public.

Senior center members who want to sale their wares must pay $10 for a space on the parking lot.

Those who are not members of the senior center pay $20.

For more information, call the center at (949) 645-2356.

Lions club casino night benefits charities

The Harbor Mesa Lions Club will be holding its 10th annual Wild West casino night from 7 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation and other local charities.

The event will feature a Chuck Wagon Dinner from the Newport Rib Company, dancing, a silent auction and a chance to win a $100 cowboy hat.

Casino games will include blackjack, craps and roulette.

The fee is $35 per person.

Make out check to Harbor Mesa Lions and it mail to 3085 Fernheath, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

For information call Barbara Hayward at (714) 545-6126