Calling those looking for a cool billion...

Calling those looking for a cool billion

An open casting call for a new Fox reality TV show will be held

today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Triangle Square Virgin Megastore,

1875-A Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Virgin founder Richard Branson will host “The Billionaire,”

featuring 16 contestants who will travel to eight or 10 countries to

compete for a prize that’s yet to be announced.

“It’s been described as a cross between ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘The

Amazing Race,’” said Jason Horowitz, supervising casting director for

the new show. “We’re definitely looking for a variety of people.

[What] seems to be the common thread is people who are competitive,

driven, ambitious.”

This is the last weekend of casting, which has been held in 18

cities around the U.S. including Boston, Chicago and Dallas. Many

details about the show are still under wraps, such as exactly what

challenges contestants will have to meet and what they’ll be

competing for.

“It’s still a secret at this point, believe it or not, but it’ll

be bigger and better than ‘The Apprentice’ prize,” Horowitz said.

Prospective contestants should bring a photo ID and a recent

picture of themselves, and they won’t find out until mid-July if

they’ve been selected.

Five new court volunteers named

Court Appointed Special Advocates announced this week the

appointment of five new mentors.

Newport Beach residents Terri Danks and Erica Gerrity, Corona del

Mar resident Kathy Stefano and Costa Mesa resident Mary Ann Del Fante

completed the training program and will serve as volunteers for the

program. Court Appointed Special Advocates is a nonprofit

organization that provides intervention and advocacy services to

abused children.

Working as a volunteer requires 30 hours of specialized training.

Residents can toss items too large for trash

Running through Aug. 30, single family residents of Costa Mesa and

Santa Ana Heights who use curbside trash collection may participate

in the Annual Large Item Collection Program.

Items too large for normal trash containers such as water heaters,

washers, dryers, refrigerators, carpeting and furniture will be

recycled or disposed of at no additional cost to residents. For more

information, call (949) 646-4617 or (714) 754-5030.