NOT TOO COMFY: How much influence does...

NOT TOO COMFY: How much influence does the Orange County Grand Jury have? The City Council in Costa Mesa was a little disgruntled at the grand jury’s recommendation--based on inmate complaints--that it spend big money to install heating and air conditioning at its city jail. . . . “We did not feel it was appropriate,” Mayor Joe Erickson says. “Jail is a place where people are not supposed to be comfortable.” . . . Instead, the council this week approved $30,000 to improve the jail’s ventilation.

NEW EVERYTHING: While many hospitals are cutting costs, officials at Chapman General Hospital in Orange were cutting ribbons this week to celebrate a new look--and a new name. . . . It’s now Chapman Medical Center--to reflect its more comprehensive service level, says Chief Executive Officer Howard H. Levine. . . . And the 104-bed hospital’s new look: a $14-million expansion to include new operating rooms and larger surgical and intensive-care units.

FIDDLIN’ AROUND: Veteran bluegrass fiddler Byron Berline rounded up some heavyweight singers for his new album, “Fiddle & A Song.” Among them: bluegrass music legend Bill Monroe, country kingpin Vince Gill and Orange County’s own Jann Browne. . . . She’s featured on a new version of the old Buck Owens hit “Second Fiddle.” Says Berline: “I immediately thought of Jann. She is a fine singer and has the sense of humor necessary for this tune.”

NEAR PERFECT: Competition was stiff for the $6,000 total scholarship money given to high school and college students Friday from a newly opened Vietnamese American National Educational Fund. It was organized by Vietnamese Community of Orange County, a Santa Ana-based social service group. . . . There were 44 applicants for the six scholarships, based on community service as well as academics. Says the group’s executive director, Nghia Tran: “The grade-point average for our applicants was 3.9.”