AROUND TOWN - Aug. 22, 2008

Laguna home from 1883 bought by developer

Tresor Properties has acquired an 1883 home — believed to be the oldest remaining house in Laguna Beach — at 154 Pearl St.

Tresor, a real estate investment, construction and brokerage firm, is working with the city to preserve the original architectural integrity and character of the Pearl Street home, according to a news statement.

“As longtime members of the Laguna Beach community, we recognize the value and distinctiveness of the historic Pearl Street house as a piece of the city’s unique culture,” Ken Fischbeck, vice president of construction, said in the news statement. “As we do for all of our restoration projects, we will be working closely with the Laguna Beach Heritage Committee to monitor the construction and ensure that historic value of the home is preserved.”

First recorded in 1883, the Pearl Street cottage originally included driftwood from boats and shipwrecks among its construction materials. The two-story ocean-view home is listed in the city’s historic register with an E rating for exceptional. The house is slated to remain as a private residence.

Tresor Properties is a Laguna Beach real estate company that builds and redevelops communities on beachfront or ocean view properties in Laguna Beach and East Cape in Baja California, Mexico. For more information, visit www.tresorproperties.com.

Artwalkers fill up five extra trolleys this month

The city added five trolleys to its normal number on Art Walk night Aug. 7 to service an expected influx of visitors — and even those trolleys were filled to capacity at times, City Manager Ken Frank reported in his weekly update to city staff. During this month’s Art Walk the trolleys carried 2,000 more passengers than the average Thursday ridership of 6,700, Frank stated.

Egly plans campaign kick-off event on Sunday

Mayor Jane Egly will kick off her campaign for reelection to the Laguna Beach City Council with a gathering at Madison Square and Garden, 320 North Coast Hwy., from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. A $20 per person donation is requested. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Egly, a law school professor, is running for her second term on the council. During her first four years in office, she has emphasized the importance of public input and genuinely open debate. Egly will be asking those who attend to share with her their goals and concerns for Laguna’s future. The public is invited.

Sixth annual Crystal Cove gala set for Sept. 6

The sixth annual Crystal Cove Alliance Tropical Gala and Coastal Splendor Plein Air Invitational Art Show & Sale will take place Sept. 6 in the historic district, along the shore at Crystal Cove.

The event will feature island fare provided by The Beachcomber, a world-class selection of original Plein Air artwork by select artists, live music and coastal-themed entertainment. Packages and tickets are available for purchase by contacting Crystal Cove Alliance at www.crystalcovealliance.org or (949) 376-6200.

Surgeons at women’s hospital group event

Plastic surgeon Dr. Arian Mowlavi will lead a panel of experts to answer questions about women can look good at any age during the South Coast Medical Center Foundation’s Women’s Advisory Council luncheon Sept. 12.

The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tivoli Terrace, on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Women’s Advisory Council members may attend free; guests are $45. Those who join the group that day will have free attendance included in their annual membership donation of $250.

To attend, make a reservation by Sept. 9 to Karen Alonge at (949) 499-7229 or AlongeKA@ah.org