AROUND TOWN - March 6, 2009

Cold weather shelters may close next year

The city of Laguna Beach may not be able to provide emergency cold weather shelters for the homeless next winter, City Manager Ken Frank reported in his Friday Update to city staff Feb. 27.

“For the last three years, we have received $15,000 each year through Orange County from federal Community Development Block Grant funds,” Frank wrote. “For next year, the county is telling us they are recommending only $5,600. There has been a 5% decrease in federal funding. We are writing to protest the funding recommendation by the county staff. If this funding request is approved, we will not be in a position to operate a temporary shelter next winter.”

The shelters are operated at local churches.

Easter Basket project helps Camp Pendleton school

Laguna Presbyterian Church’s Outreach Committee will again sponsor the “Easter Basket Project” to purchase supplies for the schools of Camp Pendleton Marine families. In partnership with the San Clemente Military Family Outreach group, Laguna Presbyterian has raised funds to encourage and support San Onofre Marine families.

Monetary donations will be collected between the 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday Services on Sunday and March 15. Community members may send a check to Laguna Presbyterian Church, Military Outreach, 415 Forest Ave., or donate at www.lagunapreschurch.org.

For more information call Ken Cornelison at (949) 494- 4605.

Garden Club hosts ‘native’ plant speaker March 13

Native plants will be the topic of discussion at the March 13 meeting of the Laguna Beach Garden Club. Debbie Evans from the Tree of Life Nursery will speak on “Developing a Habitat Garden with California Native Plants.”

The meeting will be at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive. The social gathering starts at 9:30 a.m. followed by Evans’ presentation at 10:30 a.m.

The meeting is free one time for guests.

For more information, visit lagunabeachgardenclub.org.

Seniors Center Legacy nominations due March 13

Nominations for the Laguna Beach Seniors Center Legacy Award honorees are due March 13. Honorees will be announced at the upcoming third annual Legacy Ball on May 8 at [seven degrees].

Nominees should be local residents who have left a permanent “legacy” in Laguna Beach. Contact the Senior Center at (949) 497-2441 or lbs@lagunabeachseniors.org with your name and a maximum of 200 words about why your nominee is deserving of the award.

Recycling of fluorescents offered at two locations

The city of Laguna Beach now offers drop-off locations for recycling fluorescent lamps and tubes at Ganahl Lumber and Coast Hardware, City Manager Ken Frank announced in his Feb. 20 Weekly Update to city staff.

Whole Foods Market will accept compact fluorescent lamps only. Mercury Disposal Systems pouches are available to store and transport fluorescent lamps and tubes to the drop off locations.

The pouches are also available at City Hall.

Residents can also call Curbside Inc. at (800) 449-7587 to schedule a free pick up of household hazardous waste and electronic waste.