THE REAL JUICE: The county’s $2-billion market...

THE REAL JUICE: The county’s $2-billion market investment blunder is an almost certain topic these days at any public meeting. . . . In Placentia--the small city that invested more than $20 million in the county’s investment portfolio--regular gadfly Howard Kay passed out his own $1-million “bonds” at this week’s City Council meeting. Written on them was this message: “Welcome to Orange County Bonds, where 1994 gave new meaning to the phrase ‘The Juice is Loose.’ ”. . . . The audience found it hilarious; council members did not appear amused.

SILENT SAINTS: For years Sharon Morrison of Santa Ana made small contributions to the Salvation Army. This year when its call went out for volunteers, she signed up--and was moved by what she found. . . . “There are all these incredibly unselfish people doing for others,” she says. “I mean, you knew somebody did all this work, but you didn’t really see them.” . . . Especially impressive to her: Some Salvation Army workers are third-generation.

COVERT ACTION: One of those third-generation Salvation Army workers is John Covert, who says it’s “in my blood.” Among his many Salvation Army duties: programs for some 3,000 youth in the county. . . . Covert is now putting together a midnight basketball league aimed at some of the more troubled youth. . . . Says Covert: “If you can offer them a constructive alternative to all that nonsense on the street, they’ll take that over destructive behavior any time.”

WESTERN COMFORTER: The People’s Republic of China has been calling on Americans for help in building golf courses, hotels and fast-food restaurants. But David R. Luddy & Associates may have a new twist on westernizing China: The country has asked the Laguna Niguel management firm to help upgrade its funeral business. . . . Says Luddy: “They want additional comfort for families when a loved one dies. They don’t really have funeral plans like we do.”