Briefly In The News

Assistance League hosts coffee

The Assistance League Laguna Beach invites prospective members and others interested in learning more about the organization to a coffee from 10 a.m. to noon March 21 at the Chapter House, 547 Catalina St. To attend, call (949) 494-6097.

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Lunch celebrates Suffrage Centennial

Three women authors will highlight the AAUW’s 24th annual Literary Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 19 at the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach. The luncheon, which also celebrates the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, features presentations by Lisa Napoli, Tatjana Soli and Julia Amante, and a silent auction.

Napoli has been a reporter for the New York Times website, MSNBC and NPR. Her memoir, “Radio Shangri-La,” is about her work to start a non-governmental radio station in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan in 2006.

Soli wrote “The Lotus Eaters,” about a woman photojournalist in Cambodia and Vietnam in the early 1970s.

Amante is the author of “Evenings at the Argentine Club,” and a frequent guest speaker at California libraries, organizations and educational institutions.

Money raised at the luncheon supports its mission of helping to empower girls and women through education. In 2009-10, the Laguna Beach Foundation of AAUW awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships and Community Grants. Tickets are $80, and checks may be sent to Janette Mestre, 2240 Hillview Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Tickets will be held at the door.

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Volunteer Tidewater Docents sought

Volunteers are needed to help educate the public about Laguna Beach’s marine protected areas. The Laguna Ocean Foundation’s Tidewater Docent program serves Crescent Bay, Shaw’s Cove, Heisler Park, Wood’s Cove, Goff Island and Treasure Island. Volunteers must attend a formal training session of about one and a half hours and accompany a professional educator for on-the-job training. The next training will be 6:30 p.m. April 7 at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. For more information, contact Jake Bonus at LagunaOceanFoundation@gmail.com.

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‘Green’ nominees due

The city of Laguna Beach is accepting nominations by 5 p.m. Friday for its 2011 Environmental Recognition Award Program.

The Environmental Committee selects the award recipients by majority vote and sends the recommendations to the City Council, which presents the awards.

Any Laguna Beach resident, business, community organization or school may be nominated. Nominations may not be submitted by the nominee.

Official nomination forms may be obtained from the City’s website at https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/living/environment.asp or by calling (949) 497-0390. The forms must be delivered to the City Clerk’s office, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.