BRIEFLY IN BUSINESS

Business Club hosts Bluebird Canyon team

Bob Burnham, the Bluebird Canyon recovery project coordinator, and Hannes Richter, geotechnical engineer, will present a synopsis of the two-year restoration effort for members of the Laguna Beach Business Club at the club’s monthly breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hotel Laguna.

Burnham, former city attorney for Newport Beach, was asked to take on the role of Recovery Coordinator shortly after the June 2005 landslide.

Richter is the engineer who developed the complex repair plan that used the most current and innovative techniques in land engineering technology.

The area is expected to be ready for homeowner rebuilding in November.

The Laguna Beach Business Club meets every third Thursday. Visitors are welcome, and reservations are required.

A $20 fee for non-members includes a buffet breakfast.

RSVP to the club’s president Steve Ewing at (949) 497-4275 or e-mail him at steve@ewingdesigngroup.com

Salon celebrates Halloween, holidays

Hair designer Leonardo Tori Napoli and his salon, Hair by Tori & Co., are launching two holiday initiatives.

The salon is collecting food and socks through the holiday season. The donations will be delivered to the Laguna Beach-based Resource Center, which serves needy people.

To celebrate the spirit of Halloween, the salon is holding a pumpkin-carving contest.

“We’re sending a message to all pumpkin whittlers to donate a pumpkin with their version of the letter ‘L,’” Napoli announced in a press statement. “‘L’ represents so many beautiful words. Love, life, laughter, Laguna, the lion, the lamb, etc.”

On Sunday, Oct. 28, Napoli is planning a pumpkin lighting.

In addition, pumpkins with the best “L” will receive a gift basket of hair supplies. Halloween treats will be given to kids and others who drop by the salon at 412 N. Coast Hwy., No. D.

For more information, call (949) 494-8377.

Medical Center Board gains two members

James Quandt and Sanford Edward, both with years of business experience, have been elected to the South Coast Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The hospital is building its board of trustees.

Quandt has more than 30 years of business experience.

He is the founder and principal of Thomas James Capital Incorporated, a private equity and mortgage banking firm in San Juan Capistrano.

Previously, he served as president of the Standard & Poor’s Corporation, chairman of Bridge Financial Information, and president of Security Pacific Brokerage, Inc.

“Jim Quandt brings years of executive management experience to our board,” said Elizabeth Schneider, executive director of the South Coast Medical Center Foundation.

Quandt also serves as chairman of the board of trustees of Saint Mary’s College, which he attended, and is the immediate past president of the Pacific Club of Newport Beach.

He has also served on a number of public and private boards, including Intermix Media/MySpace, Blue Label Interactive and Digital Orchid Incorporated.

Edward, a land developer, has an extensive background in real estate finance, entitlement and landscape planning.

As president of Master Plan Developments Inc., Edward developed more than 6,000 residential lots in cities including Thousand Oaks, Temecula, Corona, Walnut and Murrieta.

In addition, he has been involved in more than $320 million of public bond financing.

His signature project is Dana Point’s The Strand at Headlands, a 121-acre, beachfront project including 118 homesites, a 90-room hotel and spa; a 35,000-square-foot commercial center, and 68 acres of public parks and open space.

“In addition to bringing a wealth of finance experience to our board, Sanford will be invaluable in helping us to reach out to a wide variety of potential supporters throughout the county,” Schneider said.

Edward earned a bachelor’s in architecture and fine art from Montana State University, where he also minored in art history.

He received his master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he studied real estate finance and landscape planning.

In addition to South Coast Medical Center’s Foundation, Edward is also affiliated with the Harvard Alumni Association and the Friends of the Dana Point Library.

Edward lives in San Juan Capistrano with his wife, Jessica, and their three children.

He is building a home at The Strand at Headlands.

South African winemaker hosts dinner

Mozambique Steakhouse is welcoming South African winemaker Ntsiki Biyela of Stellekaya Winery at a winemaker’s dinner on Thursday at 6 p.m., according to Mozambique Sommelier John Meisse.

“We pride ourselves on having an extensive South African wine list. Stellekaya is the just one of many South African wines we offer, and we are honored to have Ntsiki Biyela present her wines in person,” said Mozambique managing partner Tony Shill.

Biyela is known as the first black, female winemaker in her country, and her Cabernet Sauvignon, Cape Cross and Hercules has gained recognition at international wine competitions, winning gold, silver and four star awards.

For more information, call (949) 715-7777.