Waste

Newport-Mesa businesses are having no problem complying with a new federally mandated form they must fill out when disposing and shipping hazardous waste materials, according to Denise Fennessy, project manager for Orange County's Environmental Health department. One of the reasons, she said, is the relatively low volume of hazardous materials produced by area businesses. "Since the changes are only a week old, he [the Newport-Mesa inspector] really hasn't seen any of his businesses that have had to use the new manifest forms yet," Fennessy said.

The hit comedy "Monster-in-Law," featuring the much-hyped return to the big screen of Oscar winner Jane Fonda, is a disappointing waste of her talent. Playing the ultimate meddling mother must have been a tempting change of pace after her great roles in "Klute" and "On Golden Pond." But the script by Anya Kochoff and direction of Robert Luketic ("Legally Blonde") goes for easy laughs and big box office, reducing everything to silly shtick that gets wrapped up in pretty peach ribbons at the end. Viola Fields (Fonda)

-- S.J. Cahn A Newport Beach man this week was indicted, along with his business partner and brother, by a federal grand jury for illegally storing and disposing of toxic waste in the Mojave Desert. Donald Wayne Unrein, 47, co-owner of Wheel Specialties in Anaheim, is accused of paying people to transport to the desert drums of solvents and acids used to remove paint from automotive wheels. The waste was then dumped illegally. Also indicted were Unrein's partner, Leonard Louis Stahl, 43, of Lake Arrowhead, and Unrein's brother, Dennis Eugene Unrein, 39, of Lake Elsinore.

June Casagrande NEWPORT BEACH -- An investigation to find out whether any employees knew that the city was improperly dumping waste has been completed, but officials said that findings won't be available for a week or more. Until then, officials say, it is not known whether any employees acted improperly or whether any disciplinary action could take place. For about 12 years, the city has been mixing some sewer debris -- mostly sand, eggshells and raw human waste -- with debris from storm drains.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board, which is the state's primary recycling agency, has honored the Hilton Costa Mesa for its efforts to reduce its production of trash. The award is one of nearly 2,000 given to California businesses this year under a board program to recognize companies making serious efforts to cut waste. The Hilton also won the award in 1996 and 1999. Joe Bann, general manager of the hotel, said its program of recycling, reuse of plastic containers and other measures were an indication of the company's belief that "conservation of natural resources should be of concern to everyone."

Watchdog says it all on council hubris Dolores Otting's Watchdog piece in the March 6 Sunday Forum pages "Talk about building, and they will come" -- about the new city hall promotion -- says it all! The insensitivity, poor judgment and hubris repeatedly exhibited by this City Council is just amazing. Council members seem to have an unerring knack for picking issues that the residents are likely to jam down their throats. I'm also wondering how our council could take nearly six months to get the first meeting of the Marinapark ad hoc committee off the ground but could approve a huge consulting contract and schedule three public forums on the new city hall, all to be completed within two months.

Cow poop. It's not funny. OK, that's not true. It's kind of funny. It's hard not to smile when someone says that. Try it. "Cow poop." See? You smiled. I'm trying to make a serious point here, so let's just call it bovine waste. When it comes to the environment, bovine waste is serious. And it was the subject of a serious decision in a federal court settlement this week that will ultimately affect us. On Tuesday, five commercial dairy farms in Chino agreed to reduce the runoff that makes its way from their farms into the mighty Santa Ana River, which as you know, runs into the ocean in our very own backyard.

47, Newport Canyon ... City Councilman representing Back Bay and airport areas ... As mayor last year, achieved goal of seeing Newport Coast become part of the city ... Known for being independent-minded in his votes on the council ... Spearheaded a City Hall effort to reduce paper waste ... Works as a consulting civil engineer whose knowledge of traffic helps guide relevant council decisions ... Married to Birgitt ......

Deirdre Newman UC IRVINE -- Radioactive material used on the campus would not prove useful in building a "dirty" bomb such as one U.S. officials suspect was being created by an alleged terrorist, a school official said Wednesday. Universities were thrust into the spotlight after one suspect accused of plotting to create such a bomb said he was targeting colleges to obtain the radioactive material. A "dirty" bomb is a traditional bomb encased in radioactive waste that makes it more lethal.

The Republicans have been talking about their proposal for eliminating the federal budget deficit without raising taxes or removing entitlements. Also, it appears that more politicians, including those in Costa Mesa, are joining the ranks of others by declaring that they have new solutions to improving city governmental operations. The new political buzz word regarding the federal government is called Lean Six Sigma (Six Sigma) and Value Stream Mapping (VSM); even President Obama used such hot words during his talks.

The city of Newport Beach and Goodwill of Orange County will take your e-waste, free of charge, at a collection event Jan. 19. Community members can bring unwanted electronics to Mariners Elementary School, 2100 Mariners Drive, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items that will be accepted include working and broken computers, cell phones, fax machines, stereo equipment, dry ink toner cartridges, microwaves and televisions. Such items contain toxic substances that are harmful to the environment and can pollute groundwater, so it's illegal to throw them in with other trash.

Residents can drop off hard-to-dispose-of household items Nov. 17 at a free collection event. The Orange Coast College Recycling Center and the Costa Mesa Sanitary District are sponsoring "Drive-in and Drive-out," a household hazardous waste collection drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on campus. Residents can drop off items in Lot C at Fairview Road and Merrimac Way without getting out of their vehicles. The following items will be accepted: motor oil, antifreeze, home and car batteries, cleaning products, pesticides, herbicides, paint, paint thinner, pool chemicals, fuels, polishes, waxes and medicines.

The city of Costa Mesa spent tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees in its failed attempt to place a charter initiative on the June ballot, records show. Jones Day, the law firm retained by the City Council, invoiced the city for $50,021 through March 31 at a rate of $495 an hour. That may not be the total spent on the effort, however. The city may receive other invoices from the firm on charter litigation in the future, said Assistant Finance Director Colleen O'Donoghue.

The Republicans have been talking about their proposal for eliminating the federal budget deficit without raising taxes or removing entitlements. Also, it appears that more politicians, including those in Costa Mesa, are joining the ranks of others by declaring that they have new solutions to improving city governmental operations. The new political buzz word regarding the federal government is called Lean Six Sigma (Six Sigma) and Value Stream Mapping (VSM); even President Obama used such hot words during his talks.

The first sentence in the preface of my book that attempts to help new judges "learn the ropes" says, "The best decision I have ever made was in choosing my parents. " That is true because they always gave me stability, boundaries, stimulation and love. But I also believe that my successful "choice" gave me a moral obligation to help those people who had not "chosen" quite so well. My wonderful mother, Elizabeth Polin Gray, was always my biggest fan and supporter. But she was a success story in her own right.

Boaters already dodge large entertaining yachts cruising through Newport Harbor, and come Friday they will have an additional obstacle: tugboats hauling massive barges full of dirt from the Rhine Channel. The city will begin scooping out generations of industrial waste that has settled in the underwater area near Cannery Village. Once the $4-million project is complete, about 150,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment should be moved from the waterway to the Port of Long Beach.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You can be paralyzed by a sudden change of plans. You can still get everything done on time even if it means that you must adjust your schedule. You might even learn a valuable lesson about being dedicated. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Loyalties lack excitement. When you have taken a job or given your heart, you have agreed to stick by someone's side through thick and thin. This might be one of the thin times when you chafe at restraints. GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

NEWPORT BEACH — The winning has been long over for Lee Trevino. The competitive fire is hardly burning, he admits. The 71-year-old hall of famer says the desire for competitive golf left when he was 63. But Trevino still displays a strong love for the game. He showed that passion, and plenty of personality, during a 45-minute interview with the media at Newport Beach Country Club Wednesday. He chose to play his only Champions Tour event at the Toshiba Classic, and it appears he's making the most of his one stop.

The Port of Long Beach has agreed to accept 150,000 cubic yards of dredged toxic sediment from the city of Newport Beach, Newport officials said Tuesday. The sediment will come from the Rhine Channel, an area near Cannery Village that once housed shipyards and canneries, boat-building and metal plating facilities. It will be dumped in an area of the port reserved for such dirt, a site that will accommodate future expanded shipping operations. Finding a home for the contaminated material is a major development for Newport.

Need to toss old laptops or dated cell phones? The Boys & Girls Club in Costa Mesa is recycling used electronic equipment to raise money. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, residents can drop off their unwanted electronics, such as TVs, monitors, video game systems, printers or fax machines at the clubhouse. Batteries, light bulbs and appliances will not be accepted. Electronic Waste Recycling, or eWaste, is hosting the event for the Boys & Girls Club and thinks it is important for people to come out and support the nonprofit's fundraising efforts.