Briefly In News

Poetry contest winners to be announced Saturday

The Laguna Beach Library and the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library will present the winners of its 14th annual Poetry Contest at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Winners will be awarded with gift cards to Laguna Beach Books, and the winning poems will get a spot in the Friends’ annual poetry booklet.

Everyone is invited to listen to the winning poets share their poems.

The Laguna Beach Library is at 363 Glenneyre St.

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‘Change’ program raises nearly $3K for PMMC

Almost $3,000 was raised for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center during its “Change” the Life of a Seal Program, according to a news release from the center.

The fundraising effort had students from area schools collect spare change from Jan. 15 to May 15. More than 200 students participated.

“All of us were amazed at how involved the kids were in raising funds for patients,” PMMC’s Director of Development Melissa Sciacca said in a statement. “It was truly remarkable to see so many children demonstrate a growing sense of philanthropy at such a young age.”

St. Cecilia’s School in Tustin was awarded the grand prize for raising almost $650. Students were invited to view a live seal release into the ocean on June 3 at the Montage Laguna Beach.

“The Change the Life of a Seal Program is important because we help seals so they may live and so they can be released back to the wild,” said student Jane Byszewski. “God made them to live, not to get hurt.”

The center will do the “Change” the Life of a Seal challenge again in the fall. Contact Debbie MacCarter at (949) 494-3050 or dmaccarter@pacificmmc.org if you would like your class to participate.

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Harvesting rainwater seminar is Thursday

Transition Laguna Beach is hosting a Rainwater Harvesting seminar with Robert Farnsworth at 7 p.m. Thursday at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive.

Farnsworth is the assistant professor and department chairman of landscape design and horticulture at Saddleback College. The event is free and wine, beer, and snacks will be provided.

Rainwater harvesting reduces urban runoff and helps to keep oceans clean, as well as reduce the chance of flooding, according to a release.

For more information, email transitionlagunabeach@gmail.com.

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Foreclosure workshop offered

Orange County Home Preservation Collaborative is hosting a free Home Preservation Workshop from 9 a.m. to 11:30 Saturday at the Susi Q Community Center in Laguna Beach, 380 Third St.

Registration is at 8:30 a.m., and RSVPs are recommended to conniet@housingcollaborative.org or (714) 599-1014.

The workshop will have attendees meet with iHUD Approved Housing Counselors and their lenders in an effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and apply for loan modifications, according to a news release.

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Applications being accepted for positions

The City Council is seeking applications for three terms on the South Laguna Water and Sewer Advisory Committee, according to a news release.

The committee is comprised of two board members from South Coast Water District, two council members, the city manager, the district’s general manager and three citizens of the South Laguna area appointed by the City Council to serve four-year terms.

The committee addresses water and sewer services in South Laguna, and monitors water and sewer services and rates, according to the release.

The City Council is also accepting applications for four terms on the Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee. The Committee makes recommendations to the council and is charged with several functions.

For a complete list and application details, visit lagunabeachcity.net.

Applications must be filed with the City Clerk by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

—Kelly Parker and Alisha Gomez