FOR THE BOOKS: When San Clemente joined...

FOR THE BOOKS: When San Clemente joined the new county Fire Authority, the first call in the city March 1 wasn’t what anyone had expected--a man who was sick after having too much to drink. Nonetheless, it was the inaugural call. So the Fire Authority--the agency with 18 cities that replaced the county fire department--this week presented the city a certificate with a transcript of that call. After a few chuckles, Mayor Candace Haggard said in thanks: “We’ll make sure this gets proudly displayed.”

STRAY DOLLARS: “The Pet Place” on KDOC-TV (Channel 56) in Anaheim showcases strays currently housed in local animal shelters that need adoption. Trouble is, that kind of program doesn’t draw much in advertising dollars, and after four years it faces serious financial trouble. . . . Host Fred Bergendorff has an idea he hopes will help the animals: a telethon today--4:30 to 6:30 p.m.--with guests Deidre Hall, from TV soaps, and singer Pat Boone. . . . Bergendorff has a hook for it, too--his 5,000th adoption since the show started.

BETTER BOLTS: Warren Kramer III practices orthopedic medicine in Newport Beach. But some of his most important work is in Mexico, where he treks each month to screen children for orthopedic problems. Some he even brings back to Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles, where they are treated without charge. . . . For his work, the nonprofit hospital recently awarded Kramer its Robert B. Nichols Award for outstanding service. . . . Kramer, 34, says there’s “a spiritual part of doing medicine. It’s not just the business and nuts and bolts of it.”

CATHY’S CORNER: Cathy Cornell may have the perfect address for an aspiring singer-songwriter. She lives near the corner of Applause Avenue and Bravo Lane in Aliso Viejo. . . . But Cornell, who performs today at Fanfest ‘95, the country music festival in Pomona (F2), says she believes more in faith than superstition: “I believe when God gives you a talent, and you really pursue it, He’ll bless you.”