Briefly In the News

Marine Act task force meets Tuesday

The Marine Life Protection Act Blue Ribbon Task Force will continue its deliberations on a proposed marine reserve in Laguna Beach at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, 90045.

Written comments will be accepted by the task force on the day of the meeting. The task force will meet jointly with members of the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group. For a list of members and their contact information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/scproject.asp#members.

Free H1N1 flu clinic at hospital Monday

Mission Hospital Laguna Beach is sponsoring a free H1N1 vaccination clinic from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday for healthy children ages 2 to 18 (children 2 to 9 years old will need a total of two doses). People who have asthma or are immune-compromised should not receive this vaccine.

Healthy people 48 or younger who are caring for infants younger than 6 months may also receive the vaccine.

Supplies of the vaccine are limited and available only while the supply lasts. No appointments will be taken for the clinic.

Mission Hospital Laguna Beach is at 31872 Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 364-1770.

Thanksgiving moves to church site

The traditional community Thanksgiving at Bluebird Park will be at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, on noon Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite holiday dish and join friends and neighbors.

An estimated 600 to 700 meals are served buffet style, with food and supplies provided by individuals, churches and community groups. Thanksgiving at Neighborhood Congregational Church begins at noon, with set-up at 11 a.m. For more information or to volunteer, contact Taylor Mathieson at (949) 494-6928. To donate food, call Mary LaRusso, (949) 228-1954.

Beach water sampling suspended till March

The Orange County Health Care Agency has suspended weekly ocean water sampling through March 31 at Crystal Cove, Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach and other area beaches. The water is tested for bacteria.

Health care agency staff will continue to evaluate samples collected by the two regional wastewater authorities along the remainder of the Orange County coastline, determine compliance with state standards and provide public notification as necessary. For more information, call (714) 433-6280.

Club learns about green gardening

The Laguna Beach Garden Club will present horticulturist and Roger’s Gardens nursery manager Ron Vanderhoff speaking on “Gardening Green in Orange County” at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 13.

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 the speaker at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is free one time for guests. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org.