CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP: Harman honored for support

AeA, the nation’s largest high-tech trade association, has awarded Sen. Tom Harman its Orange County High Tech Legislator of the Year Award for 2007. This award recognizes Harman’s contributions to support the recovery of the high-tech industry in California during the 2007 legislative session.

“Sen. Harman emerged this past year as a leading voice against technology bans,” said Roxanne Gould, AeA’s senior vice president of California Legislative Affairs. “Sen. Harman understood that banning a specific technology would not benefit anyone in the long run. He understood that California needs to ban inappropriate uses of technology, not the technology itself.”

Harman worked to defeat a number of bills he considered “hostile” to the high-tech industry, and over the past year he formed and met on a regular basis with a high-tech advisory committee composed of various tech-driven business entities within the Orange County region, according to Harman spokesman Damon Conklin.

“I am truly honored to be recognized and bestowed such an award by one of our nation’s largest pro-business trade associations,” Harman stated. “Orange County represents the backbone of our state’s economy and AeA has helped to reduce regulatory burdens and ensure that California’s businesses continue to flourish. We must continue to develop and advance technology in order for our state to remain competitive with the world market.”

Founded in 1943, AeA, formerly known as the American Electronics Assn., is a nationwide nonprofit trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry. AeA has been recognizing state legislators for their contributions to the success of high tech since 1991.

For more information about AeA, visit www.aeanet.org.

‘Immigration 101’ program focuses on global warming

The Immigration Study, co-sponsored by the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the League of Women Voters, continues Nov. 17, at the Fellowship, 429 Cypress Drive, at 9:15 a.m.

The topic at this session will be “The Effect of the Global and U.S. Economies on Authorized and Unauthorized Immigration.” The speaker will be author and historian Glenna Matthews, who has studied and written about the effects of immigration on the economy of Silicon Valley.

All members of the community who are interested in this issue are invited to attend.

Firestorm benefit Wednesday at Peppertree Lane

A firestorm relief event will take place at The Peppertree Lane from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to benefit the victims of the recent California wildfires. All money collected will go directly to the American Red cross, and each donation of up to $5,000 will be matched by The Peppertree Lane.

Rick at Partners Bistro will serve a large selection of hors d’oeuvres. Wine and soft drinks will be provided by The Saloon and Partners Bistro. La Rue du Chocolat will feature its chocolate-covered strawberries. Gelato Paradiso will have handmade gelato.

Live music will be performed by Gary Hogan and the Hollywood Comb-Overs. All the above is complimentary with a minimum $100 donation per person, which is 100% deductible.

The Saloon will host an opportunity drawing with prizes.

Participants will have the opportunity for a private shopping spree at Sutton Place Boutique, with the owner, Anita Beaton donating 25% of all sales to the cause.

The fundraiser will take place at Peppertree Lane, 448 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. The Lane will be closed to the public during this event.

For reservations, send a check payable to The American Red Cross to Spectra at 684 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For more information, call (949) 494-0703.

Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner in the Park

Laguna Beach residents are invited to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a potluck dinner in Bluebird Park. Everyone is welcome, whether they bring a dish, and the Resource Center and the Crosscultural Council will provide tables and chairs, plates, cups and utensils.

The meal begins promptly at noon, but anyone who would like to help set up should arrive by 11 a.m.

If bringing a cooked turkey, please call (949) 228-1954. For other questions, call (949) 497-3936.

Parks volunteer training set at Crystal Cove

California State Parks and Crystal Cove Alliance are holding volunteer training Wednesday at 6 p.m. This training program is required for all individuals interested in volunteering at Crystal Cove.

Volunteers are needed on a regular basis in the mornings and afternoons, every day. To reserve a place at the training, e-mail Winter Bonnin at wbonnin@parks.ca.gov or call (949) 497-7647.