Rigonomics:

The summer is here and if you don’t mind I would rather not do a column on the economy, gas prices or the knuckleheads in charge of the state budget.

No discussion of universal health care and the death of free enterprise as we know it. Nothing about politics or that Minnesota now has a former cast member of Saturday Night Live as their senator. Although, I guess if California has the Terminator as governor, who are we to criticize?

And don’t worry — no wall-to-wall coverage on Michael Jackson here. His funeral Tuesday can not come soon enough.

This Fourth of July weekend is time to be with family and friends and, of course, in Costa Mesa to light off your “safe and sane” fireworks. Of which I will have an extra large amount to light off this year.

Whether you are for or against the fireworks, we all like the fact that the money goes to supporting the youth programs around town. That is where being a friend of Mesa Verde resident Steve Mensinger can get pretty expensive.

Not only is Steve the president of Pop Warner Football; this year he is also president of the Estancia High School Sports Boosters Club. They both have fireworks booths and let’s just say that Steve has a way of making you feel guilty if you do not buy from both.

I am a sucker for anything that supports youth programs, and Steve knows it. How much did Steve get me to buy this year, you ask? Let’s just say I will need the full six hours allowed from 4 to 10 p.m. to light off all of them.

Another big summer event close to the hearts of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa residents is the Orange County Fair, also known now as the OC Super Fair.

This year’s fair is being extended an additional week for a total of four weeks. Just think, one more week to get a fried Twinkie, see Hercules the giant horse, watch bull riding or enjoy the demo derby.

As part of the partnership with the Orange County Marathon, the fair is also having the inaugural OC Super Fair 5Ks.

The first race is July 12 and the next is Aug. 9.

You can run either the opening 5K or the closing celebration 5K for $35 and get a medal, T-shirt and free admission to the fair for the day, or (and here is the real deal) you can run both for $60 and receive the first ever OC Super Pass, which includes admission to all 23 days of the fair, including express lane entry, an RCS Carnival coupon book, and two-for-one Pacific Amphitheatre concert tickets for select shows.

In addition, those who sign up for both get four weeks of free training from the elite athletes at ICR Beach Runners, one technical shirt for both, and two finisher’s medals that have a clasp allowing them to be displayed together.

Imagine running through the Pacific Amphitheatre past Ferris wheels, funnel cakes and elephants, plus all the goodies and free admission to all 23 days of the OC Super Fair for just $60.

I feel like signing up just to get the deal as long as I can finish the 5K.

These 5Ks are part of the partnership the fair has developed with the OC Marathon to kick off a yearlong fitness and nutritional effort that will culminate with the marquee event being the marathon/half marathon and very popular Kids Run in the OC Final Mile next May.

And even though I wanted to keep this light, on a more serious note — while we are out there barbecuing today and watching fireworks later tonight there are young Americans around the world who put their lives on the line to make sure we can keep the freedoms our forefathers fought and died for.

Please keep them in your prayers.

JIM RIGHEIMER is a Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner, local business owner and a father of four. He can be reached at jim@rigonomics.com.