City history topic at dinner

Briggs Christian (“Corky”) Morris-Smith will speak on the topic, “The Historic Past of the REAL Laguna Beach,” at the Laguna Canyon Conservancy dinner at 6 p.m. Monday.

Morris-Smith moved with his family to Laguna Beach from Connecticut when he was 8. He grew up in Laguna, and served in the Navy during the Vietnam war. He attended college in Fullerton where he earned degrees in anthropology, archaeology and ethnic studies. His master’s thesis was based on Laguna Beach’s history.

In the mid-1960s, he helped Jim Dilley start the Laguna Greenbelt. He also was co-founder of the Laguna Beach chapter of Surfrider Foundation. Today, he continues his dedication as an environmental activist.

The meeting is open to the public Tivoli Terrace, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Dinner tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members and may be paid at the door with prior reservations. The program will be preceded by a short business meeting to elect the Board of Directors. Reservations are requested by Saturday by calling (949) 494-6465.

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Solo adventure travel for women

American Association of University Women-Laguna Beach present a program on “Solo Women Adventure Travel” from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Susi Q Senior Center, 380 Third St. Five members of AAUW-LB will relate their travel experiences including photos of trips they have made as independent travelers. The presentations represent a variety of countries and places in the world as well as different ways to travel solo.

Hosted by Alison King, world traveler and professor of cognitive psychology, the presenters include: Barbara Hamkalo, Marion Jacobs, Diane Christopherson Reed, and Pamela Burris. A question-and-answer session will follow.

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Dog trainer to discuss problems

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter will present “Ask the Trainer,” a free dog training/behavior consultation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the shelter.

Ann Garland of DogSpeak Dog Training will advise on various behavior problems. Dogs should be left at home. To attend, call (949) 497-3552.

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Parade ‘welcomes home’ military

“Welcome Home” has been chosen by the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade Assn. as the theme for the 45th annual Patriots Day Parade, to be held March 5.

The theme recognizes that last year the U.S. began ending combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and members of the military are returning home, most after multiple combat tours and physical and mental wounds, according to a statement from the Parade Assn.

“For all of them, the idea of ‘home’ has without doubt become an anchor in a dangerous world. And to all of them, we gratefully say by our actions and words: welcome home,” the Parade Assn. stated.

Officers for this year’s parade were also selected. Reelected to a new term were Michael Lyons, president; Charlie Quilter, vice president; Nina Rietsch, secretary; and Sandi Werthe, treasurer.

The next committee meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday. For more information about volunteering on parade day or to nominate an honoree, call Werthe at (949) 494-6016 or e-mail shworthy@juno.com.