Month of poetry at library

Poets of all ages are invited to submit their work to Word Art, the

Laguna Beach Library’s seventh annual poetry contest, taking place

throughout the month of April.

The contest celebrates National Poetry Month, and the winning

entries will be published in a booklet to be printed by the library.

Winning poets will also receive gift certificates from $10 to $50

redeemable at the Latitude 33 Bookstore in Laguna Beach.

There are seven age categories: pre-kindergarten and kindergarten;

first grade; second and third grades; fourth and fifth grades; sixth,

seventh and eighth grade; high school; and adult.

As many as three poems can be entered from April 1 to 30, by

dropping the entries into the poetry mailbox inside the library’s

front door with an entry form attached to each poem.

Forms and contest guidelines are available at the library, and the

poems will be judged by a panel of local authors, English teachers

and librarians.

The library is located at 363 Glenneyre St. For more information,

call (949) 497-1733.

Poems can also be e-mailed to lagunalibrarypoetry@yahoo.com

When changing clocks, also change batteries

The Laguna Beach Fire Department is reminding residents to change

the batteries in their smoke alarms when they turn their clocks

forward one hour to daylight saving time on Saturday night or Sunday

morning.

Daylight saving time officially beings at 2 a.m. this Sunday.

Smoke alarms are proven life-savers during home fires, which tend

to take place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when most people are

sleeping, said Fire Captain Bob Scruggs.

“Changing the batteries in your smoke alarm is a simple and

effective way to reduce home fire deaths,” Scruggs said. “Children

and older adults are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give

them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”

Water Commission seeks applicants for two seats

The board of directors of the Laguna Beach County Water District

is accepting applications from the public for two open seats on the

Laguna Beach County Water District Commission.

The five-member commission is appointed by the board of directors

of the county water district, and new commissioners will serve a

two-year term and receive $175 per month for serving on the

commission.

The commission meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month

at 4:30 p.m. in the district boardroom at 306 Third St., Laguna

Beach.

Commissioners will also serve on one ore more district standing

committees, such as engineering, finance, audit, operations,

personnel and management, and water quality, conservation and

outreach.

Meeting and preparation time may exceed several hours per week.

The commission acts in an advisory capacity to the board of

directors in matters pertaining to administration, delivery of water,

and maintenance of the district’s water systems and facilities.

In addition, commissioners make recommendations to the board on

the adoption of such ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations,

as are deemed necessary for the administration and preservation of

the District’s water systems and facilities.

To qualify as a Commissioner, applicants must live within the

boundaries of the Laguna Beach County Water District.

Applications are available at district headquarters, 306 Third

St., Laguna Beach, and must be filed with General Manager Renae M.

Hinchey by 5 p.m. on May 31.

All applicants will be interviewed by the Board of Directors at

their regular meeting in June, and will be notified of the date, time

and location of the interviews.