AROUND TOWN - March 27, 2009

Laguna Beach receives AAA credit rating

At a time when many other municipalities are operating in the red due to financial troubles, Laguna Beach has been given the highest possible credit rating by Standard & Poor’s, City Treasurer Laura Parisi announced Tuesday at the City Council meeting. The city’s rating was increased from AA+ to AAA (triple A), Parisi said.

DeVore honored by American Legion

The American Legion, Department of California Council, hosted its annual Legislative Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday, where Assemblyman Chuck DeVore was named Legislator of the Year.

DeVore sits on the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs and has written several measures addressing veterans issues, including Assembly Bill 187, which increased the amount a county may contribute toward a veteran’s funeral from $50 to $350. DeVore also proposed Assembly Bill 1758, an education assistance program to bolster membership and retention in the California National Guard. DeVore represents the 70th Assembly District, which includes Laguna Beach.

First Saturday cleanup program has new time

Laguna’s “1st SATURDAY” street and beach cleanup program will begin at a new, later time. The cleanup will run from 10 a.m. to noon April 4, and will continue with those hours every first Saturday of the month.

Participants can meet at:

1. La Sirena and YogaWorks in South Laguna;

2. El Ranchito restaurant at South Coast Highway and Cress Street (which replaces the Brooks Street location);

3. Thalia Surf Shop at Thalia Street and South Coast Highway;

4. Hobie Sports on Forest Avenue; and

5. Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave.

Participants will receive one recycle bag and one trash bag, plus gloves. T-shirts, beverages, coupons and doughnuts are provided at some locations.

For information on how to donate, sponsor or volunteer, e-mail chip@zerotrashlaguna.org

Cat clinic offers $10 spay or neutering

Cat owners can have their cats neutered or spayed for just $10 per pet during a two-week low-cost neuter/spay clinic sponsored by PUPLaguna Beach and Bluebell Foundation from April 1 to 15. There is no limit on the number of cats per household that can have the low-cost operation.

This program is co-sponsored by Canyon Animal Hospital, Arch Beach Veterinary Clinic, Aliso Beach Veterinary Clinic and Laguna Beach Veterinary Clinic.

To schedule an appointment, call Laguna Beach Animal Shelter at (949) 497-3552 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Rotary Club hosts Bavarians at meeting

The Laguna Beach Rotary Club will be hosting a Group Study Exchange from Bavaria, Germany, for four days. They will be speaking to the club at noon today at the Hotel Laguna at the club’s regular meeting.

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange program is a cultural and vocational exchange for people between 25 and 40 years old who are in the early stages of their business careers.

The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries for four weeks.