Briefly In the News

Honorees chosen for Patriots Day Parade

The Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade committee announced last week the honorees for the 46th annual parade March 3.

The grand marshals will be General Lee and Dorene Butler, according to the news release. Louise E. Buckley was chosen as the Honored Patriot, and the Citizens of the Year are Betsy and Gary Jenkins.

Artist of the Year goes to Jorg Dubin, and Athlete of the Year is Natasha Strickland, a cross-country runner from Laguna Beach High School.

Junior Citizens of the Year are Caroline Cannan and Bryce Blanton.

The honorees will be presented at a brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at Tivoli Terrace. The cost to attend is $25. For reservations or more information, email shworthy@juno.com or call (949) 494-6016.

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Weekly update from the city manager

•The Arts Commission is accepting applications for its 2012 Artist Designed Bench Competition. The installation will be at Heisler Park near Jasmine Street and Cliff Drive. An honorarium of $15,000 will be awarded. Submission requirements and competition guidelines are available at https://www.lagunabeachcity.net. The deadline is Jan. 13.

•Ken Fischer, the deputy director of Public Works, has received the Maintenance Superintendents Assn. Peter W. Walsh Award for 2011. It is an award given for excellence in the supervision of maintenance operations. The award acknowledges a career with notable accomplishments, community involvement, education and service to the association.

•Fred Fix has been chosen as the city’s new code enforcement supervisor. He was scheduled to begin the job Wednesday. Fix has a master’s degree in public administration/urban planning and management and has more than 20 years of experience in his field. He has previously worked for the cities of Anaheim, Costa Mesa and La Mirada.

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Bluebelt Coalition holds photo contest

The Laguna Bluebelt Coalition is holding a photo contest to commemorate the implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) along Laguna’s coastline.

Participants should submit one photo taken within one of Laguna’s MPAs — the subject of the photo is up to you. Photos can be taken underwater, on the beach, from a boat or surfboard, etc. Send submissions, including the photo’s location and date taken, to info@lagunabluebelt.org. The deadline is Jan. 15.

Prizes include dinner for two at French 75, a kayak tour from La Vida Laguna, a gift card from Hobie Sports or La Sirena Grill or a trip on Riviera Dive Boat from Laguna Sea Sports/Beach Cities Scuba.

For more information on the contest, visit lagunabluebelt.org/photo-contest.

—Kelly Parker

Twitter: @KellyParkerTCN