The Insider wonders whether deft work by lawyers,there’s certainly enough of them involved,could resolve the Michael Drake-Erwin Chemerinsky dispute. What if Chapman U’s law dean John Eastman, conservative friend of liberal Chemerinsky, and UC Berkeley law dean Christopher Edley, former Clintonite and Drake defender, act as mediators? UCI Chancellor Drake and scholar/commentator/media darling Chemerinsky give conflicting accounts of what led Drake to rescind his appointment of Chemerinsky to head UCI’s new law school. But the two men seem to agree on principles,Drake says he is all for freedom of expression, and Chemerinsky says he understands his first job as dean would be to administer, not opine. The deal would be for Drake to reinstate Chemerinsky, with Chemerinsky agreeing to be a team player and adhere to defined restrictions on future writings. How important is rapprochement? The Insider thinks the fate of Drake’s hard-won law school could hang in the balance …
Mark Mueller’s perusal of online broker Redfin turns up another housing-slump anecdote: A Shady Canyon homeowner is ready to take a half-million-dollar haircut. The 4,000-square-foot home was purchased last year for nearly $4 million, more than double its original 2002 price. But now it’s on the market for just $3.5 million …
It’s an OC reunion in D.C.,Ken Grubbs, erstwhile OC Register editorial chief, has enlisted with former OC Rep. Chris Cox, now head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as his speechwriter. Grubbs, who left the Reg in 1996, notes this is his fourth stint in Washington and “when this is up, I hope there’s a place for me in south coastal OC” …
Newport Coast sports agent/businessman Dwight Manley has resigned as national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild after one year, citing his obligation as a single father of two kids. Manley served without pay, helped increase temporary disability benefits for jockeys and loaned the financially strapped union $500,000. “He saved the guild,” said jockey and guild chairman John Velazquez …
Have the “no” forces regained control of Laguna Beach? The question could be answered this week when the council takes up the case of La Casa del Camino hotel’s Rooftop bar …
VCer Walt Schindler e-mails investors and friends that Costa Measa-based Sail Venture Partners has invested in the Pulstar pulse plug,”the first major innovation in spark plug ignition technology in 100 years.” He offers Sail investors a free set of plugs and says all of the partners are buying them …
Newport Beach-bred Jeff Glueck, now chief marketing officer for Travelocity, has made Advertising Age’s list of “40 Under 40” executives …
Tiger Woods throws his third annual block party, featuring Food Network chef Giada De Laurentiis and Grammy winner John Mayer, Oct. 6 at the Grove of Anaheim. Proceeds benefit the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim …
Longtime exec/consultant Tom Wilck has been named prez of the OC Housing Trust, a nonprofit that supports workforce and affordable housing.
