CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Permit parking goes before panel

The City Council-appointed Parking,Traffic and Circulation Committee (PTC) will consider final recommendations regarding the proposed residential parking permit program in the Flatlands/Woods Cove neighborhoods at its next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in City Hall Conference Room A, 505 Forest Ave.

The council had requested that the Committee review a proposed residential parking permit program in the Flatlands/Woods Cove neighborhoods on June 6.

The PTC Committee was also asked to conduct a noticed public hearing on this proposed program, which it held on Aug. 21.

The PTC Committee created a Flatlands/Woods Cove Parking Subcommittee to consider the request, and the Parking Subcommittee offered final recommendations to the PTC Committee on Dec. 7.

The PTC Committee voted unanimously to have the Flatlands/Woods Cove Parking Subcommittee revise the recommendations regarding Mid-Town Preferential Parking to address only the specific requests from the City Council.

A copy of the power point presentation from the Flatlands/Woods Cove Parking Subcommittee presented Dec. 7 is available electronically by contacting Sandy Hansen, Administrative Secretary, at (949) 497-0339 or via email at shansen@lagunabeachcity.net.

For more information, contact Liz Vazquez-Avila, Administrative Analyst, Public Works Department at (949) 497-0344 or via e-mail at lavila@lagunabeachcity.net

AIDS CareTeams seek volunteers

Volunteers are needed to provide services to people with AIDS in Laguna Beach.

An Action: Compassions Happens, AIDS CareTeam In Your Neighborhood Training Workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. The cost is a $20 donation. For more details and to reserve a spot, call or e-mail Karen O’Connell, Program Director, (949) 683-5683 or koconnell@aidsaction.us. More information is available at website: https://aidsaction.us

Great Decisions 2007 plans meetings

Great Decisions is a national, civic-education program that encourages participants to learn about U.S. foreign policy and global issues.

Eight topics for discussion, with background materials developed by the Foreign Policy Association, give the opportunity for multiple viewpoints to be discussed in a group setting. Included in this year’s topics are the Middle East, climate change, migration, and other timely, provocative issues.

The League of Women Voters and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will co-sponsor the meetings at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 429 Cypress St., Laguna Beach.

One group will meet on Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 p.m., the other on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., beginning Jan. 30 and continuing for eight consecutive weeks. Participants will take part in a national ballot survey on the policy issues they discuss.

These discussion groups are open to all who wish to be better informed about foreign policy issues. Interested persons may attend either of the organizational meetings on Jan. 30. For more information, call (949) 494-2247.

Councilwoman drops hyphenated name

Laguna Beach Councilmember Elizabeth Schneider has formally changed her name from Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider to Elizabeth Schneider.

Schneider is married to Ernie Schneider.

Church shows Fritz Coleman ‘Dad’ video

Fathers are invited to view a video made by Fritz Coleman, NBC Weatherman, at the Dad’s Group of Laguna Presbyterian Church from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in the blue house behind the church.

Coleman made the video about being a dad for his sons, and then put it in a safe deposit box for 10 years before letting them watch it as teenagers.

The video is called “It’s me, Dad!”

The blue house is located on the “town” side of the church parking lot on Third Street between Forest Ave. and Mermaid Street.

For more information, or to reserve a $6 sandwich dinner from Subway, contact the church office at (949) 494-7555.

Nominations sought for environmental awards

The Laguna Beach Environmental Committee is accepting nominations for its inaugural Environmental Recognition Award Program until Jan. 31.

The award will recognize local efforts to preserve, conserve, protect and enhance the environment in and around Laguna Beach.

All residents, businesses, community organizations and schools are eligible to receive recognition for their good work. The activity must have been initiated within the last three years and successfully implemented as of the date of the nomination.

The theme for the 2006 award is Environmental Education.

Nominees may not be affiliated professionally with, or a family member of, a current Environmental Committee member. Nominees may not self-nominate.

The awards will be presented at a City Council meeting in April. There may be more than one award.

Nomination forms are available at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. For more information, call the Water Quality Department at (949) 497-0390.

Endangered Planet invites Earth Day participation

Endangered Planet gallery is hosting John McConnell, the acknowledged founder of Earth Day, on March 20, the original date of Earth Day. McConnell will celebrate his 92nd birthday on March 22.

The gallery is inviting individuals and companies to sponsor and participate in the visit. The gallery will promote the organizations on its Web site, www.endangeredplanet.org

Anyone who would like more information should call Charles Michael Murray at (949) 497-5690 or via e-mail to charles@EndangeredPlanet.net