DOLLAR STORE: If you can buy a...

DOLLAR STORE: If you can buy a house for a dollar, there just has to be a catch, right? Well . . . Chapman University in Orange needs to clear 10 homes it owns on nearby North Orange Street, to build a new student parking lot (B2). You can have one of the homes: for a dollar. The catch: “You have to move the house yourself,” says Chapman spokesman Cathi Douglas. . . . Would-be buyers have 30 days to contact Chapman Vice President Gary Brahms (997-6717). . . . Caution: Some have been used for student housing, and need rehabilitation.

SAFETY LIGHTS: Local police are asking you to leave your car lights on Friday. It’s “Lights on for Life” day, to promote awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs--especially during the holidays. . . . Says Huntington Beach Police Lt. Dan Johnson, whose agency will also run an alcohol checkpoint Saturday: “We don’t want to arrest anyone. We’d rather educate the public.”

POPPING OVER: It’s 3,030 miles as the crow flies from Boston to Orange County. But new Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, who wowed the crowd at The Pond of Anaheim last week, is fitting a return trip into his hectic schedule. . . . He’ll be here Jan. 18, to lead the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. He replaces Christof Perick, who has left the orchestra. The program, sponsored by the Philharmonic Society, remains the same, with cellist Carter Brey as soloist.

CIAO TO CAO: Jan Mittermeier may be the county’s new, more powerful chief executive officer, but she’s been working in the county administrative office (CAO) in the Hall of Administration. That’s where her forerunner, the county administrative officer, worked. But this week, the county supervisors voted to surround Mittermeier with the proper acronym. While formally codifying her duties and responsibilities, they also voted to end the long-standing acronym CAO. . . . Mittermeier now works in the chief executive office--consistent with her title.

TONIGHT: The Hellecasters play rock at 8. the Coach House, San Juan Capistrano.