BRIEFLY IN BUSINESS

Geofirm honored for Bluebird project

Geofirm/Stoney-Miller Consultants Inc. has been awarded the 2008 American Society of Civil Engineers, Orange County Branch Project of the Year for the Bluebird Canyon Landslide Remediation project.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives this award each year for exceptional professional engineering performance and engineering excellence.

Geofirm/Stoney-Miller Consultants Inc. dedicated the award to the city of Laguna Beach in recognition of its support and leadership throughout the entire process.

The Bluebird Canyon landslide destroyed or damaged some two dozen homes June 1, 2005. The remediation project took more than three years and $35 million to complete.

For more information about Geofirm, call (949) 494-2122.

Kartsonis joins culinary elite

Melinda Morgan Kartsonis, president and founder of Morgan Marketing & Public Relations LLC, a full-service marketing and public relations firm in Irvine, was recently accepted into the prestigious Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, the leading organization for women of achievement in the culinary, fine beverage and hospitality professions.

Invitation-only membership is extended to women with at least five years experience in the industry and are acknowledged leaders and decision-makers in their field as well as the community. The invitation is the most recent in a list of appointments for Morgan Kartsonis, a Laguna Beach resident. Earlier this year, she was elected as a board member with the International Foodservice Editorial Council, helping to spearhead the organization’s mission “to advance the industry through encouraging excellence in business-to-business communications.”

Les Dames d’Escoffier International is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality professions. For more information, visit www.ldei.org.

Morgan Marketing & Public Relations features a state-of-the-art test kitchen and a conference room with multimedia and focus group capabilities. The firm is the recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Service Award from the Public Relations Society of America, Orange County Chapter. For more information, visit www.mmpr.biz or call (949) 261-2216.

Try out new yoga in March for free

Community members are invited to try a new style of yoga for free at Laguna Beach YogaWorks, 30818 Coast Hwy. The following classes are open for free tryouts:

?3:30 to 4:25 p.m. Thursday, Community, all levels with Peggy Hall;

?4:30 to 5:55 p.m. March 21, Hatha Blend Levels 1 and 2 with Jan Throndson;

?6 to 7:55 p.m. March 23, Restorative/Pranayama with Bob Metzler;

?7:30 to 8:55 p.m. March 31, Vinyasa Flow Level 2 with LB Iddings.

For more information, call (949) 415-0955.

Berkson offers geriatric consulting

Pamela S. Berkson MSN, NP has opened her own Geriatric Care Consulting Business in Laguna Beach. A Laguna Beach resident since 1982, Berkson worked at the UC Medical Center for 26 years and has now opened PSB Consulting for care to seniors.

Berkson, an adult nurse practitioner, offers in-home comprehensive geriatric assessments, providing a clear, client specific plan of care. Referrals to support services for keeping clients independent and safe at home, suggestions for different levels of placement if indicated, evaluation of functional status and professional referrals are provided. Other services are available as needed.

Berkson is knowledgeable about South County Senior Services, essential to successful outcomes following the assessment. For more information, call Berkson at (949) 300-4793.

Women’s wetsuit company now in town

Sea Dreams, a California-based company, has moved to Laguna Beach. Founded in 1998 by Debbie Davis, Sea Dreams is dedicated to providing women with wetsuits that offer high fashion as well as function. Sea Dreams uses color, piping detail and Lycra trim as design accents. Sea Dreams is also the only company to offer petite and plus sizes for women.

Sea Dreams wetsuits are suitable for a variety of water sports including tropical water diving, snorkeling, swimming, water aerobics, kayaking, boogie boarding, water skiing, sailing and jet skiing. They are manufactured in the U.S. using high-stretch neoprene.

Two new rash guard styles were recently introduced, including a black with cheetah print panels and a blue tie-dye style. Sea Dreams also offers free shipping anywhere in the U.S.

For more information, visit www.seadreamswet suits.com.