Orange County Athletic Facilities

A second investor group, this one from Canada, has told Irvine officials that it would like to build a football stadium next to the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. City officials said they received a letter Thursday from the group expressing its interest in the fledgling project. They had never heard of the group, and didn't provide any names of investors.

Behind are seven cities, a handful of bridges, 31 abandoned shopping carts and 28 miles of the Santa Ana River Bike Trail. Just ahead is the Pacific, which hasn't exerted a pull this strong since Lewis and Clark traveled in tandem. But a final rush to the sea would sacrifice what in many ways is the most satisfying section of this 30-mile path.

Military officials have signed an interim lease to allow uninterrupted use of recreation facilities at El Toro Marine base after the military leaves July 2. Orange County supervisors approved the lease earlier this month. Facilities to remain open to the public after base closure are the golf course, horse stables, officer's club, child development center, indoor pool and recreational vehicle storage.

The bicycle motocross videos were entertaining, but Michael Ontiveros had to see for himself. So when the 13-year-old from Boulder, Colo., found out his family would be spending three weeks in Southern California, he made sure Sheep Hills was included on the crowded agenda.

Picket signs could ring Edison International Field of Anaheim if the union representing food service workers at the stadium cannot reach agreement on a new contract by the Angels' opening day. The contract between the union and Ogden Management expires next month, and a union official said management must retreat from a contract proposal calling for sharp cuts in wages and benefits.

With the award of nearly $3 million in federal funds, the county's half-built trail system will come about 6.5 miles closer to completion. Seven bike and pedestrian trail projects were chosen by an advisory panel for the Orange County Transportation Authority out of 15 proposals competing for the non-roadway funds. Transit board members last week approved a total of $7.3 million in federally funded transportation enhancements, including $4.

WEBSITE OF SKATE PARKS A listing of parks in the U.S., including addresses, directions, and a description of their terrains. www.skateboarding.com/skateparks/ SOUTHLAND SKATE PARKS Escondido Sports Center 323 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido (760) 738-5425 * Huntington Beach Skate Park No. 1 Murdy Park 7000 Norma Drive (at Goldenwest Street) * Huntington Beach Skate Park No.

San Juan Hills Country Club in San Juan Capistrano provides a happy medium for budget-conscious golfers in South Orange County. Sure it may not offer ocean views or even cheaper green fees such as San Clemente, but you won't have to go to extremes--like 4 a.m. trips to the pro shop--to secure tee times. San Juan Hills' green fees also are more affordable than San Clemente's other public course, Shorecliffs.

Bikers, hikers and in-line skaters will be treated to a continuous trail system in Irvine if city and county officials can agree to a cost-sharing plan to complete missing links in the San Diego Creek and Peters Canyon Wash trails. In 1994, City Council members put off construction of two missing links south of Barranca Parkway because they thought the $2.6-million price tag was too steep.

Corporate suites for $165,000? Nice touch. A rock mountain and pyrotechnics? Good items. But fans getting their a sneak peak at the ballpark being refurbished for the Anaheim Angels had questions of their own Saturday: "What about baked potatoes?" asked 12-year-old Heidi Mugar of Anaheim.

Pelican Hill Golf Club, thanks to its location overlooking the Pacific Ocean along the Newport Coast, has been called "Pebble Beach South." Such remarks are usually made in promotional copy aimed at luring golfers to one of the two courses that sit on the bluffs above Crystal Cove State Park. Rob Ford, director of golf at Pelican Hill, knows the idea of such comparisons makes purists cringe. "The thing we just don't have," Ford said, "is the rich tournament history of Pebble Beach."

With the award of nearly $3 million in federal funds, the county's half-built trail system will come about 6.5 miles closer to completion. Seven bike and pedestrian trail projects were chosen by an advisory panel for the Orange County Transportation Authority out of 15 proposals competing for the non-roadway funds. Transit board members last week approved a total of $7.3 million in federally funded transportation enhancements, including $4.

Bikers, hikers and in-line skaters will be treated to a continuous trail system in Irvine if city and county officials can agree to a cost-sharing plan to complete missing links in the San Diego Creek and Peters Canyon Wash trails. In 1994, City Council members put off construction of two missing links south of Barranca Parkway because they thought the $2.6-million price tag was too steep.

1 Aliso Niguel High School, Wolverine Stadium 2800 Terrace View, Aliso Niguel Directions: Interstate 5 to Alicia Parkway. South to Aliso Creek Road. Aliso Creek Road to Terrace View. Turn east and follow to Deerhurst; stadium on right. Parking: School lot and surrounding streets Capacity: 2,675 Who plays there: Aliso Niguel Noteworthy: County's newest stadium opened in 1994. * 2 Bolsa Grande High School 9401 Westminster Ave. Directions: Garden Grove Freeway to Brookhurst Avenue.

San Juan Hills Country Club in San Juan Capistrano provides a happy medium for budget-conscious golfers in South Orange County. Sure it may not offer ocean views or even cheaper green fees such as San Clemente, but you won't have to go to extremes--like 4 a.m. trips to the pro shop--to secure tee times. San Juan Hills' green fees also are more affordable than San Clemente's other public course, Shorecliffs.

Military officials have signed an interim lease to allow uninterrupted use of recreation facilities at El Toro Marine base after the military leaves July 2. Orange County supervisors approved the lease earlier this month. Facilities to remain open to the public after base closure are the golf course, horse stables, officer's club, child development center, indoor pool and recreational vehicle storage.

Schools The numbers: Thirty-one Orange County school districts, representing about 500 schools and 400,000 students, invested $1 billion in property tax revenue in the troubled county portfolio. The districts borrowed an additional $550 million to invest in the pool. Four districts outside Orange County invested $9 million. The impact: School officials say the financial crisis will not disrupt daily operations, but will force the delay of many improvement projects, such as building repair.

1 Aliso Niguel High School, Wolverine Stadium 2800 Terrace View, Aliso Niguel Directions: Interstate 5 to Alicia Parkway. South to Aliso Creek Road. Aliso Creek Road to Terrace View. Turn east and follow to Deerhurst; stadium on right. Parking: School lot and surrounding streets Capacity: 2,675 Who plays there: Aliso Niguel Noteworthy: County's newest stadium opened in 1994. * 2 Bolsa Grande High School 9401 Westminster Ave. Directions: Garden Grove Freeway to Brookhurst Avenue.

WEBSITE OF SKATE PARKS A listing of parks in the U.S., including addresses, directions, and a description of their terrains. www.skateboarding.com/skateparks/ SOUTHLAND SKATE PARKS Escondido Sports Center 323 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido (760) 738-5425 * Huntington Beach Skate Park No. 1 Murdy Park 7000 Norma Drive (at Goldenwest Street) * Huntington Beach Skate Park No.

When Jacob Powell looks down the edge of an 11-foot vertical ramp at the Skate Street skateboard park in Ventura, the only thing on his mind is speed. Powell, of Laguna Niguel, has no fear, even though he is only 4 years old and 3 foot 7. He is among the fastest-growing segment of U.S. skateboarders, according to American Sports Data Inc., which counted 8.2 million skateboarders of all ages in 1997. (Hard-core skaters 6 to 11 make up 14.9% of that figure.