Straight Ahead Inc

Under pressure from state authorities, the founder of the oldest residential alcohol and drug treatment program of its type in Orange County has promised to relinquish his license and has closed his doors temporarily. Officials with the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs said they asked Straight Ahead Inc. Director John Bowler to give up his license until extensive repairs are made to the Dana Point home, a former motel built in 1936, and extra treatment staff are hired.

Under pressure from state authorities, the founder of the oldest residential alcohol and drug treatment program of its type in Orange County has promised to relinquish his license and has closed his doors temporarily. Officials with the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs said they asked Straight Ahead Inc. Director John Bowler to give up his license until extensive repairs are made to the Dana Point home, a former motel built in 1936, and extra treatment staff are hired.

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs LAGUNA BEACH--The spirit of the Emerald Isle comes alive at the Orange County Irish Faire, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday at the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Put on your green for the fourth annual celebration, featuring bagpipers and Irish music, step-dancers, games, rides, arts and crafts, traditional foods and leprechaun contests. $5 general; free for children under 12. Proceeds benefit Straight Ahead Inc.

James Robert Sullivan, a 23-year-old California Youth Authority parolee, lives in an aging motel in Dana Point, works at odd jobs and feels that his life is going nowhere. Tom Stipe, 47, is the father of five daughters, has been a successful lawyer for 22 years and lives in a large house in Villa Park. Though they come from radically different backgrounds, Sullivan and Stipe have become friends over the last two months.

Gerry Mackey is sitting at the door of his Costa Mesa pub, the Harp Inn, where he greets--by name--each person who enters. Inside, the pub is noisy, but not from loud music or even the wide-screen TV in the corner, where a Boston Celtics basketball game plays silently. The lively din comes from the customers--laughing, telling stories, trading jokes. "The art of conversation is one of the greatest things we have to offer," says Mackey, stroking his graying beard.