Adoption

A Pekingese that paints and a soccer-playing border collie will perform as part of Spring Pet Days at the Orange County Market Place at the OC Fair & Event Center today. The event, which raises awareness about animal adoption in Orange County, features information about pet care. Soccer Collies, an interactive show where kids challenge an athletic border collie in a game of soccer, will run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the event. A rescued Pekingese named Ziggy from Fallbrook that paints with the aid of a paint brush attached to a paper towel roll also will exhibit his work at the swap meet at 1 p.m. today as part of Spring Pet Days.

Local community members have a chance to give homeless dogs a home at an event in Newport Beach. Compassion in Action will host a dog adoption event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 4 at Newport Harbor High School. The event will give individuals and families the opportunity to adopt dogs on-site and bring them back to a new home. The adoption will feature dogs of various breeds, ages and sizes. The event will also function as a fundraiser for Compassion in Action, with a silent auction, raffles, book signings, live music and organic food.

Sue Doyle NEWPORT BEACH -- A Humane Society investigation this weekend temporarily snagged a Claremont family's plans for the immediate adoption of three juvenile alligators. Jackie Jacobsen and her husband, John, are now waiting for approval from the Pomona Humane Society before they can adopt three young gators found in a Newport Beach hot tub last week. Jackie Jacobsen said someone clipped the Daily Pilot article that featured the couple and sent it to the Humane Society.

Susan Janechek When you think of exotic travels to faraway places, you tend to think of sunny beaches, cocktails with tiny umbrellas and room service. Somehow, the old Silk Road in Central Asia suggests thoughts of exchanging goods or trading silk products, not adopting babies. Well, that's where we traveled -- to Kazakhstan, a former Soviet country -- to build our family, twice! It all started nearly six years ago, while trying to start a family naturally.

Sierra is a lovable 7-month-old lap cat who enjoys getting all the attention she possibly can, and she will be available for adoption Saturday, said DiAnna Pfaff-Martin, founder of the Community Animal Network. Last week's cat, Baby, the mischievous Balboa Island cat that was passed over during adoption for the younger kittens, was finally adopted into a loving home, she said. However, the issue of kittens being adopted before cats remains a problem, Pfaff-Martin said.

As with many of its votes, the Costa Mesa City Council adopted the Homeless Task Force's recommendations with a majority on one side and a single dissenter on the other. But this time, the rebel wasn't Councilwoman Wendy Leece, who often finds herself in the minority on the council dais. Instead, during the March 20 meeting she was part of the majority alongside Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and Councilman Steve Mensinger. Councilman Gary Monahan was absent from the 3-1 vote. "Wendy and I go way back," Righeimer said, adding that it shouldn't be surprising that they voted together on this issue.

The Costa Mesa City Council approved a reformed pension model for the city's nonpublic safety workers this week that could save the city millions compared in the long run, according to a city staff report. About 185 workers in the Costa Mesa City Employees Assn. (CMCEA), along with department supervisors, agreed to create a two-tier retirement plan. Current workers remain under the 2.5% at 55 years old formula, and employees hired after March 11 will be on a 2% at 60 plan. It would take longer for new city workers to max out their retirement benefits, and the new formula creates an incentive for them to work later into their career, city officials said in October when discussing retirement plans.

ORLANDO, Fla. — These reader questions were answered by experts attending the North American Veterinary Conference here Jan.14-18. Question: We adopted a kitten from a shelter, and at only 7 months she already weighs 14 pounds. We feed her a half a can of canned food each morning and have dry food available all the time. Sparky even sleeps near the food bowl, and eats often. I believe she must have gone hungry before she came to us. To cut calories, I have switched to adult dry food.

Winter is a sweet 9-year-old Maltese mix, given up recently by his owners who moved and could no longer care for him and Coco, his Golden Retriever companion. Coco has been adopted, and now Winter is eager to find a new home of his own. He is friendly with other dogs, comfortable around children, well-behaved on leash, responsive to basic commands, already neutered, and house trained. Despite losing his companion, he is not despondent; instead, he enjoys sunning himself in his kennel, playing with toys, and offering affection to all who meet him. Although there are many deserving dogs currently housed at the shelter, this "Winter's Tale" makes his case for adoption especially compelling.

The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines is the adopted U.S. Marine Corps unit of Costa Mesa. "Patrol Base Jaker" is a documentary of the deployment of the 1/5 to Afghanistan in 2009-10. These films usually center on combat operations. But this one zeros in on the vital aftermath of combat: helping the local population to build a secure life. This film pulls no punches in presenting the complaints of the villagers. The Marines have pushed out the Taliban fighters who took over the area, but severe challenges remain.

The Irvine City Council on Tuesday could become the latest Orange County city to consider a citywide ordinance banning sex offenders from going to public parks. The proposal comes on the heels of the Orange County Board of Supervisors approving an ordinance in April prohibiting registered offenders from county parks. Since then, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and other cities have started researching similar laws at the local level. Westminster approved such an ordinance in May, making it a misdemeanor for offenders to visit parks there.

Help local dogs while scoring designer sunglasses at Kaenon Polarized's third annual Sup for a Pup from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 864 W. 16th St., Newport Beach. Savings will be up to 50% off retail on shades, footwear, surf apparel and more; a portion of the proceeds will benefit the A Wish for Animals Foundation. Wahoo's Fish Tacos will be on hand, along with raffles and music. Those who adopt a dog onsite will receive a gift bag and discounts on future product purchases. Visit kaenon.com . Try a 'crazy' new side Costa Mesa-based El Pollo Loco has released three new premium side dish options — corn, corn cake and sweet potato fries — and will offer a free large side with any family meal purchase through June 24 to increase buzz about them.

SANTA ANA — Newport Harbor will be affected by the Orange County Board of Supervisors' Tuesday decision to prohibit registered sex offenders from county-owned recreation areas. "We're setting up a safety zone by keeping parks and recreational areas safe from predators," said Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas. However, privately owned boats cruising in harbors most likely will not be affected, he said. Under the new ordinance, registered sex offenders cannot, without official written permission, enter a county-owned, leased or maintained area where "children regularly gather.

COSTA MESA — The number of torn and dirty temporary banners hanging from local businesses has spurred new restrictions on temporary signs. A citywide ordinance that took effect last month requires businesses to secure permits before they can hang banners. The regulations provide strict limits on banners for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential properties, said Ed Fawcett, Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce president. The issue is one of aesthetics, Fawcett said.

Members of the Newport Beach City Council expressed frustration — as did several members of the community — about a plan to increase speed limits on some stretches of roadway, including along East Coast Highway by the Cameo neighborhoods. But in the end, the council members voted unanimously to adopt the increases with a plan to review the Cameo area and three others to see if speeds could be adjusted in the future. "This is one of those issues that infuriates the public," said Councilman Keith Curry.