AROUND TOWN - May 15, 2009

Party starting on Forest Avenue on Thursday

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce will inaugurate the Forest Avenue Promenade from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday when Forest Avenue between South Coast Highway and Glenneyre Street will be closed to allow music, entertainment, sidewalk cafes and sales by local merchants. The Forest Avenue Promenade will continue on the third Thursday of the month.

Parking will be free after 5 p.m., and a trolley will provide transportation on Coast Highway and to the Laguna Beach High School parking lot, 625 Park Ave.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachchamber.org or call (949) 494-1018.

Memorial Day ceremony set at Monument Point

The Laguna Beach American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony in remembrance of comrades who died in wars and conflicts at Monument Point in Heisler Park at 11 a.m. May 25. The keynote speaker will be Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates. Music by Larry Wohrman will begin at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to come early, as seating is limited. For more information, contact Richard Moore at (949) 376-6340 or Dave Connell at (949) 494-2065.

Many organizations place floral offerings on the Heisler Park Memorial Monument prior to the ceremony. If you send or bring floral arrangements please make sure the organization’s name is attached. Flowers should be in place by 10:30 a.m. Those intend provide floral arrangements should call Diane Connell at (949) 494-2065.

Mary’s Trail dedication planned for May 23

Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks will celebrate the completion of the .25-mile Mary’s Trail next to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park’s Nix Nature Center from 1 to 3 p.m. May 23. Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates, Parks Director Mark Denny and Irvine Ranch Conservancy Executive Director Michael O’Connell will speak, along with Laguna Canyon Foundation’s Founding Executive Director Mary Fegraus and Board President Michael Pinto.

Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists will be on hand to lead guided tours of the newly completed trail.

The Nature Center is at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road.

Kayak concession appealed to coastal commission

The California Coastal Commission will consider an appeal of the Laguna Beach City Council’s approval of a kayaking concession at Treasure Island at its June 10 to 12 meeting in Marina del Rey.

Appeals were filed by members of the South Laguna Civic Assn. and by Coastal Commissioners Larry Clark and Sara Wan, according to proposed kayak concessionaire Billy Fried.

“I believe we are doing everything in conformity with local laws, which grants the right for commercial recreation activities at Treasure Island,” Fried said. “I can’t think of an activity that is more environmentally sustainable and prudent than kayaking.”

For more information, visit www.coastal.ca.gov

Cost of weekly business series seminars lowered

With local businesses struggling, the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Business Recovery Seminar.

The cost for the seminars has been reduced. The cost for members is $10 per session; and for non-members $15 per session.

The weekly series will be every Tuesday during the month of May, with wine and appetizers.

The seminars will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and May 26 at the American Legion Hall, 384 Legion Street.

To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.lagunabeachchamber.org or call(949) 494-1018.