Briefly in the News

Applications accepted for Citizen Academy

The Laguna Beach Police Department is now accepting applications for its Citizen Academy.

The academy is a 12-week course that will provide its members with a better understanding of the Police Department and help with communication between police and Laguna Beach residents.

The class begins Feb. 9 and will meet from 6 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday for 12 weeks. The 13th week will be graduation. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 23.

Academy instruction includes: history of the Police Department, DUI investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, neighborhood watch, volunteer programs and more.

Members will also get a chance to shoot at the police firing range and perform in mock scenarios.

For an application, call the department at (949) 497-0701. For questions, contact Lt. Darin Lenyi at (949) 497-0375 or email dlenyi@lagunabeachcity.net.

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Bea Arthur leaves $25,000 to ASF

The AIDS Services Foundation Orange County was surprised recently with a $25,000 legacy gift from “Golden Girl” Bea Arthur, according to a news release.

The gift was announced to the foundation by Arthur’s son, Matt Saks.

Arthur, who died in 2009, had been a supporter of ASF for many years. She met ASF co-founders Al Roberts and Ken Jillson and did a character voiceover for their “Big Splash” backyard charity show in Laguna Beach.

“I can’t believe it. After all these years, she’s still doing wonderful things for ASF,” Jillson said in a prepared statement.

Donations to ASF can be made online at https://www.ocasf.org.

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Meeting on parking spaces is Jan. 26

Next month, the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Committee will discuss implementing 10 parking spaces on the 1300, 1400 and 1500 blocks of Bluebird Canyon Drive.

Residents should have received public notices inviting them to attend the Jan. 26 meeting and comment on the proposal.

The issue was brought up after two requests to provide adequate access for public and emergency vehicles on Bluebird Canyon Drive, according to the city manager’s weekly update.

The Public Works Department has identified 10 spaces where parking can be restored and still provide a 16-foot-wide travel lane and seven feet of parking width.

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Mammal center gets $5,000 foundation grant

The Laguna Beach Community Foundation gave a $5,000 grant to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the center announced this month. It was the first grant the foundation has awarded the center.

The money will go toward providing support for the center’s animal care and rehabilitation for seals and sea lions, and for education programs, according to a news release.

“We are grateful for the support shown by the Laguna Beach Community Foundation,” PMMC Development Director Melissa Sciacca said in a statement. “Having the support of our local community is key in providing the much-needed services our organization provides, and we are grateful that Laguna Beach has established a community foundation in which to support our efforts.”

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Bridge substitutes needed at senior center

The Ganell Baker Round Robin Bridge Tournament is seeking substitutes, male or female, to play during its current six-month session.

Bridge players meet at 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the game room of the Susi Q Senior Center. Players will go 24 hands with their same partner.

Experienced and novice players are welcome.

Those interested in being on the substitute list can call (949) 494-9626 or (949) 494-9538.

—Kelly Parker