CANNING HUNGER: For this year’s Orange County...

CANNING HUNGER: For this year’s Orange County Fair, which opens Friday, you’ll be asked to show up with more than just your money and your appetite. Fair officials also want you to bring along canned goods to drop in bins at any fair gate. . . . They’re teaming with the Brea-based Canning Hunger for a goal of 25,000 pounds of food, all for local needy families. Because of the county bankruptcy, says Norman Whan, Canning Hunger founder, “this situation is more critical today than most any time in our history.”

TAKING AIM: Last week’s defeat of Measure R gets considerable space in the latest issue of Time magazine, under the header: “Mess a L’Orange.” The subhead was just as dismal: “Bankruptcy was painful. But could this wealthy county’s reaction be even more embarrassing?” . . . Time quotes County Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy saying the county might have shot itself someplace more painful than in the foot. Time: “Some would suggest the head.”

STAYING ON: Elvia Ruiz of Seal Beach is more than just a program leader at the Interval House battered women’s shelter. She’s one of its former residents. . . . “It’s very satisfying to see the many women we have helped,” Ruiz says. “But sadly, so many others go back into abusive relationships.” . . . Ruiz grew up in deep poverty in Mexico but eventually put herself through college as a single mother of two. Recently she was honored by the local Red Cross chapter with its Personal Achievement award.

COSTLY SECONDS: As if it weren’t headache enough just knowing about the national debt is up to about $5 trillion, the Concord Coalition wants you to watch it grow. The grass-roots group is bringing its large national debt clock--which ticks off $9,600 every second--to Orange County on July 18 as part of a 17-state tour. The clock, situated on a 25-foot trailer, will be displayed first at Fashion Island in Newport Beach and later that day at the Tustin Market Place.