Briefly In The News

Report details city accomplishments

Laguna Beach has achieved plenty in the last year, according to a report issued by the city listing key accomplishments for the fiscal year 2010-11.

The report listed accomplishments in community development, public facilities, public safety and miscellaneous projects.

Among the efforts in community development: The city approved ordinances to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries; approved a customer service plan for the Community Development Department; and approved an ordinance clarifying major remodel definitions.

In public facilities, accomplishments included emergency repairs and cleanup after the Dec. 22 floods; completing the Heisler Park renovation; finishing more than 25 miles of street rehabilitation; and securing the rights to build a new lifeguard headquarters facility at Main Beach.

For public safety, the city has completed a grant-funded DUI enforcement program, developed fire management plans for Newport Coast and Aliso Wood Canyon, and fixed up Fire Station Four.

Other miscellaneous successes included increasing use of alternative fuel trolleys, approving skateboarding regulations, relocating the Alternative Sleeping Location and acquiring open-space parcels in Arch Beach Heights.

The fiscal year ended June 30.

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Golf tourney nets $2,100 for Animal Shelter

A charity golf tournament at Aliso Creek Golf Course raised $2,100 for the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter’s remodeling project.

The June 15 event was hosted by PUP (Protecting Unwanted Pets) Laguna Beach and Hennessey’s Tavern. About 100 people attended the event, which included a nine-hole round of golf, lunch, raffle prizes and drinks at Hennessey’s. Raffled items include golf bags, restaurant gift certificates, wine and movie passes.

Currently, the shelter is open at its temporary location at 2093 Laguna Canyon Road. Its permanent location, 20613 Laguna Canyon Road, is expected to reopen in August.

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Woman’s Club hosts speaker at meeting

The Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach will host its monthly Brown Bag Chic event from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive.

The speaker for August is Elsa Brizzi, who will discuss and explore the topic of perception.

Coffee and dessert will be served, but attendees should bring their own bag lunch.

For more information, call (949) 497-1200.

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Journalist, author to appear at bookstore

Sanjiv Bhattacharya, author of “Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy,” will be at Laguna Beach Books at 6 p.m. Aug. 5.

He will read from and sign copies of his book and take questions from the audience.

In “Secrets and Wives,” Bhattacharya gains access and insight into the Mormon fundamentalist culture and uncovers evidence on forced marriage, physical abuse and child brides in the world of polygamy, according to a news release.

Bhattacharya is a British journalist working in the United States.

Laguna Beach Books is at 1200 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 105. For more information, call (949) 494-4779.

—Kelly Parker