ABORTED LAUNCH: The Launch Pad, a nonprofit...

ABORTED LAUNCH: The Launch Pad, a nonprofit science center for kids in Costa Mesa, had ambitious plans for 1995--more than 70 field trips for students to study its hands-on science exhibits. But when schools got hit by the county’s bond crisis, field trips were among the first items axed. Most of Launch Pad’s spring agenda has been canceled. . . . “It is truly a shame,” says spokeswoman Celia Cratch. Next up: Launch Pad soon kicks off a drive for private funds to restore many of those school trips.

THE MONEY WHEEL: Kelly Vaught of Huntington Beach walked off with some nice prizes when he appeared on TV’s “Wheel of Fortune” in 1992. The show asked him back for a series called “Some of the Greats”--to be aired this week. He was asked to play for a charity. Vaught chose the local chapter of the American Red Cross. He did great--winning $124,900. Says Vaught, 34, who works in sales: “I like the idea of keeping the money here in Orange County.”

HOW ABOUT US? Veteran TV and stage actor Peter Mark Richman happened to be at a lunch last November with Chapman University President Jim Doti, and mentioned the new play he was working on, “4 Faces.” Doti’s enthusiastic response: “Why not have the premiere at Chapman?” That’s what will happen Thursday night, at its Waltmar Theater, the first of six performances. . . . It’s a family affair for Richman--he stars, his wife, Helen, directs, and son Lucas composed the score.

THE BRADY BUNCH: For Presidents Day weekend, another Republican takes center stage at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda. The library has put on exhibit a traveling collection, “Lincoln and His Contemporaries: Photographs by Mathew Brady.” . . . . The works of the famed Civil War photographer will include portraits of both Abraham and Mary Lincoln, plus U.S. Grant. The display, to be shown through April 2, is on loan from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.