El Matador

Lolita Harper COSTA MESA -- Though there are many issues that divide the city, Costa Mesa residents banded together Monday night to offer ideas for the removal of abandoned shopping carts from city streets. "I am pleased to hear the comments and suggestions that came from this meeting tonight and would be pleased to work with the community to find a solution," Councilwoman Karen Robinson said. Almost a dozen residents encouraged the council to seek options such as incentive programs, talking to store representatives and fining stores for abandoned carts before agreeing to spend up to $7,000 per month.

Greer Wylder Tim and Liza Goodell, both accomplished chefs, met while working for star chef Gary Danko. It was at the prestigious dining room at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco -- the only North American hotel and restaurant to earn Mobil's five-star rating and AAA's five-diamond rating. What a great place to fall in love. They married and relocated to Newport Beach in 1991, where Tim grew up. Here they enriched their cooking experience: Liza worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach; Tim was a chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

Hardly a day goes by that all the media do not bombard us with the new choices we, as consumers, have from which to choose. I'd go nuts (not to mention broke) if I tried to keep up with all the new gizmos that computer technology alone has to offer. There is always a new store moving into Costa Mesa or a new trendy restaurant, and the appropriate hoopla that goes with each grand opening. Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of new choices and offerings.