THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:Miles-high celebration

After a distinguished career as a state legislator and state education secretary, Marian Bergeson is still flying high. Well, she was Friday, anyway — the Newport Beach resident went skydiving to celebrate her 82nd birthday.

It wasn’t her first time. Bergeson jumped from a plane as a state Senator one year when budget talks hit a snag, she said by phone last week.

“I always said I was going to do it on my 80th birthday, but that sort of slipped by,” she said. “I’m making plans to do it again on my 90th, so that shows my native optimism.”

The plane rose to about 14,000 feet before she jumped, she said. “It’s not like falling…. It’s just exhilarating until the chute opens, and then it’s more scenic.”

Recently Bergeson has helped raise money to refurbish the Corona del Mar High School aquatic center, which is named for her.

SCHROEDER JOINS ROMNEY

More local politicos are casting their lots with GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney, his campaign announced Thursday. Corona del Mar operative Mike Schroeder joined Romney’s team as a senior advisor, and those who followed the special election to fill the senate seat of Rep. John Campbell — another Romney-ite — may remember consultant Duane Dichiara.

Dichiara’s Coronado Comunications is based in San Diego and Sacramento, but he helped state Sen. Tom Harman squeak to victory in Orange County last year in a bitter GOP fight over Campbell’s old seat. Dichiara’s firm will head daily operations for Romney in California.

FOR MEMORIAL, MANSOOR

Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor is raising some cash, at least according to the Orange County GOP. The county party’s calendar lists an event this Thursday at the Clubhouse in Costa Mesa that’s billed as a fundraiser for a new veteran’s memorial — see Monday’s paper for a story on that — but it’s apparently also “a special fundraising reception on behalf of Mayor Mansoor.”

At a city event Wednesday, Mansoor said 10% of the money is for the memorial.

One could ask what the mayor needs money for, since he just won reelection to a four-year term in November. He declined to elaborate on his fiscal needs. “It’s just something I’m doing to help out. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it,” he said.

Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran, who’s listed as a noteworthy guest for the event, on Wednesday seemed in the dark about what he’s appearing at. “He [Mansoor] asked me to be a special guest, and I believe that it may be a fundraising reception for him,” Tran said.

CARE PACKAGES

It’s nearly Flag Day and about time for the city of Costa Mesa to send another bunch of care packages to its adopted Army company, now serving in Iraq.

Donations of personal items, candy and snacks, magazines and other items are being accepted by the city, and cards and letters are always welcome. Since adopting D Company, 2-25th Aviation Regiment, in September 2006, residents have sent more than 400 packages.

The June 14 party will be held at 5 p.m. at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa. For information on the event or to donate items, go to www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us.

HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM

The Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa will host a human rights forum Saturday featuring discussions on a living wage, immigration policy and other topics. Attendance at the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. conference is $25, or $15 for students.

Speakers include Alexia Salvatierra of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice and Joe Tyndall of End Corporate Rule.

The event will be at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. For information, call Lucia at (714) 545-4006.