LAGUNA NIGUEL : Teen Center to Offer Music, Refreshments

Local residents have some good news for teen-agers bored with staying home and watching movies or driving out of town for fun on a Saturday night.

They plan to open a “teen center” on Saturdays from 8 p.m. to midnight that would offer refreshments and live music in a coffeehouse atmosphere.

The free teen parties--which organizers hope to begin this Saturday--will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 30121 Niguel Road. The center’s advisory group is still seeking donations of tables, sound and lighting equipment and refreshment supplies to get the gatherings started.

“There’s a need here. There’s nothing available in terms of a teen hangout of any kind,” said the church’s pastor, Huw Anwyl.

Youths between the ages of 12 and 17 are invited to participate. Organizers are looking for young local bands that would like to provide the entertainment.

“A lot of kids have athletics they can be part of, but a lot of kids don’t,” said the Rev. Jack Hennings of Faith Community Episcopal Church, who helped organize the Saturday night get-togethers. “I have a teen-ager myself, and I realize it’s important for there to be a place where they can go. I appreciate that they go to the malls and hang out, but that only gives so much to developing themselves.”

Hennings said that local service groups such as the Rotary Club have pledged their support. The events will be chaperoned, and sheriff’s deputies have promised to patrol the area.