WHO DID THIS? Leave it to Rolling...

WHO DID THIS? Leave it to Rolling Stone to find a little humor in the county’s financial debacle. In the latest issue, the magazine considers the county a paradox, suggesting that “despite its Ronald Reagan righteousness, punk rules in Orange County. . . . Only recently has the world caught on to what Orange County never lost: faith that punk rock will save the music world from slow commercial death.” But in Rolling Stone’s description of the county, it adds: “Though no one who lives there seems to have the vaguest idea why, it’s bankrupt.”

SHE’S NO BOB CITRON: If only Christina Dabis had run for treasurer in Orange County. . . . Dabis, treasurer in Nevada County in Northern California, has come under fire there from county supervisors and a grand jury--for earning too little on treasury investments. . . . But Dabis says she will stand by her “ultraconservative” strategy in order to safeguard taxpayer funds. Who does she cite as a bad example? Orange County, of course. Says Dabis: “They say if I’d taken more risks we could have had more yield. I find that to be insane.”

NEW HAUNT: Haunting is how some music critics describe Chris Isaak’s music (“Wicked Game,” “Blue Hotel”). He’s in Orange County on Saturday, but not to sing--just a little glad-handing. He’ll appear at Nordstrom’s at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa at 1 p.m., to promote Nordstrom’s new Tower Clothing collection, plus its latest enticement to browsers: A CD listening bar. . . . Yes, it will play Isaak’s music.

NO COUCH POTATO: Cliff Lee McCraw is totally deaf, but totally busy too. The Lake Forest resident, a corporate mail clerk, performs tonight and Saturday in Quiet Zone Theatre’s eighth annual benefit variety show at Irvine Barclay Theatre (F28). All the amateur troupe’s members are deaf or hearing impaired. Says McCraw, who will appear in half a dozen acts: “What am I going to do, sit at home and do nothing? This keeps me busy. I love it.”