Seven architectural firms have taken the top...

Seven architectural firms have taken the top awards in the third annual Laguna Beach Guild award competition. The winners, all from Laguna Beach, are Gregg Abel, John Tilton, Morris Skenderian & Assoc., Hugo Soria & Co., James Ward Henry, Mark Singer Architects and Lance Polster & Assoc. Two merit awards and six honorable mentions also were bestowed by the jury. The annual lifetime achievement award went to landscape architect Fred Lang.

The Pacific Chorale has received $50,000 from Phil and Mary Lyons of Newport Beach to help underwrite a holiday concert Dec. 19 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Mary Lyons is a soprano in the Chorale and recently was named chairman emeritus of the board. Phil Lyons is on the board of the Pacific Symphony.