Briefly In The News

New sign for American Legion

The Laguna Beach American Legion got an early holiday gift with a new Veterans Memorial highway sign reinstalled on Laguna Canyon Road, just before the Ganahl Lumber Co. building.

Legion past Commander Dave Connell and his wife, Diane, president and historian of Laguna Beach American Legion Auxiliary, noticed that in late November that the new sign had been installed. The original sign was installed in April 1999 and the Connells noticed in July that the sign was gone. There is no word on what happened to the original sign, Diane said.

The legion contacted CalTrans, to which it paid $250 for the first sign, about the matter and the state agency installed a new one after verifying the matter.

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Vigil being held for Sandy Hook victims

A candlelight vigil for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on the lawn of Main Beach.

Some candles will be provided, but event organizer Amii Schenk is asking that participants bring a fire-safe candle inside a cup. There will be a short message from Pastor Jay Grant of The Little Church by the Sea, musicians performing, and a big poster for people to sign, which will be sent to the mayor of Sandy Hook, said Schenk, a Lagunan who also owns the Little Bohemian children’s shop in town.

Schenk also needs 20 children to volunteer to put an ornament on a tree to represent each child who died in the tragedy. The event will last about an hour.

For more information, email Schenk at littlebohemian@live.com.

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New charitable fund holder added

The Laguna Beach Community Foundation added Lagunans Nicole and Peter Anderson to its list of charitable fund holders, according to a news release.

The Andersons established the Peter and Nicole Anderson Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). They plan to use it to support environmental, social and educational causes and to teach their two young boys the importance giving, the release said.

Nicole is an estate attorney in Laguna Beach, co-chair of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation Professional Council, serves on the Board of Trustees for Laguna College of Art & Design, is vice president of the Laguna Beach Business Club and is a member of the Laguna Beach Professional Alliance. The couple is also giving partners in Impact Giving and United Way.

The Laguna Beach Community Foundation connects the passions of donors with nonprofits in need, both locally and across the country.

For more information on becoming a charitable fund holder or donating, contact Darrcy Loveland, president and CEO of the foundation, at (949) 715-8223.

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Garden sing-along a success

The South Laguna Civic Assn. hosted a sing-along Dec. 15, featuring guitarists Tom Joliet and John Doyle, who also played the harmonica; Toni Bisson, singer and guitarist; Pat Kollenda, singer and leader; Jessica Haddy, playing the violin; Chelsea Vantol, singer; Daniel Vantol, guitarist; and the garden chorus.

Photos are on the association’s website, southlaguna.org. The association is also accepting donations to help with the purchase of the garden, according to a news release.

For more information, call (949) 415-1312 or email Ann Christoph at ann@ac-la.com. To send a tax-deductible donation, mail a check, made out to CVOC/South Laguna Community Garden Park, to P.O. Box 9668, South Laguna, 92652.

Charitable Ventures Orange County (CVOC) is a sponsor for the South Laguna Community Garden.

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Holiday closures announced

The Susi Q Community/Senior Center is closed through Jan. 1. It will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 2. In addition, City Hall will be closed Dec. 24 and 25, 31 and Jan. 1 in honor of Christmas and New Year’s.

Police, fire, bus, lifeguards and bus service will be provided on all of these days, according to the weekly update from the city manager’s office.

— Alisha Gomez