Week in Review

NEWPORT BEACH

District 4 candidate Venezia drops out of council race

City Council candidate Barbara Venezia on Tuesday announced she was quitting the race for the District 4 seat now held by Leslie Daigle, who was appointed in 2004. Venezia’s move followed a recent accusation that her financial interest in Rainbow Disposal, which has a contract with the city, could cause a conflict of interest that would prevent her from taking office.

Venezia said she was dropping out to protect her family and friends from nasty politics. Her name still will appear on the ballot, and some supporters said they intend to vote for her, but the city clerk said it’s unclear what would happen if Venezia wins.

In earlier elections, the most money a candidate reported raising was the nearly $64,000 former City Manager Bob Wynn collected in 2000.

The Greenlight residents group reported raising $56,656 to promote Measure X, the slow-growth ballot measure the group wrote. The No on Measure X group collected $40,000 but spent $88,307, about half of which went to political consultants.

The Imua Outrigger Canoe Club helped lead a procession to sprinkle Rupert’s ashes in the harbor.

Irvine Co. representatives said the gathering, which they estimate has about 200 cars and 600 spectators, has outgrown the shopping center’s parking lot. Some residents who live above the shopping center have also complained that the noise from the luxury, classic and souped-up cars is too much to bear.

But the “car guys,” as many of them refer to themselves, don’t seem willing to give up their morning gathering, and some are looking for another place they can admire cars and visit with friends.

COSTA MESA

Search for police chief narrowed to two

City officials on Monday announced they have narrowed their search for a new police chief to two finalists: Timothy Jackman, a deputy chief with the Long Beach Police Department, and Christopher Chawkey, commander of the Phoenix Police Department’s airport bureau.

Mansoor and Leece, who are running as a team for the two open council seats, raised more money than any of the other four candidates. Mansoor also spent the most — $23,013 — followed by Bruce Garlich, who raised $26,338 and spent $18,934.

The people who are missing meals aren’t just the homeless or unemployed, according to the food bank, which is the county’s largest hunger-relief organization. About 65% of those who benefit from Second Harvest’s food distributions are children and seniors.

BUSINESS

Newport Marriott manager takes over Anaheim hotel

Newport Beach Marriott General Manager Bill Gunderson has accepted a job at the chain’s Anaheim hotel and will leave Newport in November, he said Monday. Gunderson, 51, also chairs the city’s Conference and Visitors Bureau board and is vice chairman of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce board.

He oversaw the Newport Beach Marriott’s recent $70-million renovation, and the Anaheim hotel has just begun a similar overhaul. Colleagues said they wish Gunderson the best in his promotion to Anaheim, one of Marriott’s five top-grossing hotels.

EDUCATION

Orange Coast opens new student services building

After two years of construction, Orange Coast College opened its new student services building on Wednesday afternoon, as city leaders, students and campus officials dedicated the four-story Norman E. Watson Hall.

The aluminum-and-glass building, which cost $28 million, is the latest project under the $370-million Measure C construction bond that voters approved in 2002 to renovate facilities around the Coast Community College District.

Watson Hall, built on the foundation of the old campus library, houses the offices for job placement, financial aid, records, counseling and other services.

At the Wednesday ceremony, Norman Watson, the district’s first chancellor, cut the ribbon with a giant pair of scissors after making a short speech to the crowd.

“You know, I really don’t deserve this building, but I’ll take it,” the 91-year-old Watson said.

ENTERTAINMENT

Local museum showcases California artists

The Orange County Museum of Art on Oct. 1 kicked off the 2006 California Biennial, an exhibit featuring 30 artists who live in the Golden State. Opening festivities included a discussion with the artists and a screening of a new documentary. The exhibit runs through Dec. 31 at the museum’s Newport Center location, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach.

Twenty-four themed Christmas trees decorated to the stump with traditional and nontraditional ornaments stand at the garden center to give ideas to December decorators.

Featured artist Wendy Addison has her glitter, glass and paper designs paired with pinecones and other natural elements to create classy but out-of-the-box designs.

NOTABLE QUOTABLES

“I don’t think there’ll be any greater thrill than to stand up and say, ‘John Hueston, on behalf of the United States,’ but I did feel like it was time to move on.”

— John Hueston, Corona del Mar attorney and federal prosecutor in the Enron case, who is leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office to join Irell & Manella, a private law firm with offices in Newport Beach

“Just in general, we’re wanting to do something where kids in this neighborhood could have a place to do homework. A lot of their homes are not that quiet.”

— Gina Gartner, director of the Wilson Street Learning Center, which has expanded its after-school tutoring and study programs to include middle- and high-school students

“I think she’s articulate. I think she’s not afraid to speak her mind and stir the pot a little bit if things need to be done around here. She’s definitely different, and I think she’s right that we don’t always get the best and the brightest because they don’t want to put up with the bull.”

— Lisa Winter, a Balboa Island resident, who plans to vote for Barbara Venezia despite Venezia’s decision to drop out of the Newport Beach City Council race

“With what happened today in Pennsylvania, we’re praying for the end of violence all over the world. That’s what the holiday is all about.”

— Rabbi Marc Rubenstein, of Temple Isaiah synagogue, on the hundreds of worshippers attending Yom Kippur services and praying for the victims of the shooting at an Amish school in Pennsylvania

“The city of Newport Beach likes the event, the community likes the event — there are a few that don’t like the event — but the Irvine Co. are the ones that say, ‘This is our ballpark and our bat, and go home.’ ”

Mark Greeley, of Costa Mesa, on the car shows held Saturday mornings at Crystal Cove Promenade shopping center