Briefly In The News
Ocean Foundation in need of volunteers
The Laguna Ocean Foundation is seeking volunteers for its TideWater Docent program, which educates residents and visitors about the ecology in Laguna’s protected tidepools.
Docents volunteer at Crescent Bay, Shaw’s Cove, Heisler Park, Wood’s Cove, Goff Island and Treasure Island, all part of the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve. Those interested have to attend one two-hour classroom training session and participate in on-the-job field training led by a professional, according to a news release.
The next classroom docent training is at 6:30 p.m. May 8 at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. For more information or to sign up for the program, email Letty Skeen at LagunaOceanFoundation@gmail.com.
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Lawn Bowling Club hosting open house
The Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11 at Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive.
A free introductory lesson will be given and refreshments will be available. Participants should wear flat-soled shoes, a news release said.
For mo information, call (949) 494-1811 or visit https://www.lagunabeachlawnbowling.com.
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Compost giveaway on May 4
The city will host its annual compost giveaway event from 8 a.m. to noon May 4 at the Act V Lot, 1900 Laguna Canyon Road, according to news release.
Due to the recycling efforts of residents, 40 tons of compost will be available for pickup.
Waste Management of Orange County and its green waste recycler, Tierra Verde, provide the compost.
Residents should bring gloves and shovels for the self-service event, the release said. Empty sand bags will be provided, with a limit of six bags per household.
The event is a first-come, first-served basis.
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Applicants sought for commissions
The city clerk’s office is accepting applications for four seats on the Arts Commission and two seats on the Planning Commission, according to a city press release.
The terms for both commissions are from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2015. The deadline for submitting applications to the City Clerk’s office is 5 p.m. May 14.
Interviews and appointments will be May 21. Applications are available in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave., or online at lagunabeachcity.net.
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Church hosts annual Hawaii trip
Thirty-seven Laguna Beach High School students and eight adults visited Molokai, Hawaii, as part of Laguna Presbyterian Church’s annual Molokai Mission Trip, according to a news release.
The students broke into groups and completed tasks such as “repainting the Molokai Church of the Nazarene, transplanting palm trees for the Molokai Agricultural Society. building artificial nests for endangered birds and refurbishing the local skate park.”
“While in Molokai, I was able to build upon friendships, expand my faith, and understand the meaning and importance of generosity and humility,” said Graham Peleaux, a sophomore, in a statement.
The church’s Rev. Steve Sweet led the trip for the 14th year.
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Water district names general manager
The South Coast Water District board of directors chose the woman who played a key role in forming the organization as its next general manager, according to a company press release.
Board members selected Betty Burnett, who served as the district’s interim general manager since October, to the post from 11 final candidates, the release said.
District board members will consider Burnett’s contract at an upcoming board meeting.
Burnett has worked for the district, which serves residents of South Laguna, since 2001. She spearheaded legal and regulatory efforts leading to the Capistrano Beach Water District and Dana Point Sanitary District combining to form the South Coast Water District in 1999.
Burnett will oversee the district’s day-to-day operations and focus on water supply, emergency preparedness, and a financing plan for capital projects such as the sewer tunnel stabilization, according to the release.
— Alisha Gomez and Bryce Alderton