Briefly In The News

Take a walk through church’s labyrinth

The Neighborhood Congregational Church is inviting the public to walk its labyrinth from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Bridge Hall.

The church periodically opens the labyrinth throughout the year, and people of all faiths are welcome to enjoy it.

“The most important gift of the labyrinth can be the experience of the open heart; the walk to the center symbolizing a pilgrimage to the heart’s core,” labyrinth coordinator Karen Gaither said in a statement.

Sunday’s event will have walkers focus on “The Path of the Heart,” Gaither said, in honor of St. Valentine and upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Neighborhood Congregational Church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive. For more information, call (949) 494-8061 or visit https://www.ncclaguna.org.

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Fegraus will receive 2012 Legacy Award

The Laguna Beach Seniors announced this week that its 2012 Legacy Award will go to Mary Fegraus.

Fegraus is involved in many different aspects of the community: She is a founding member of the Laguna Canyon Foundation and Laguna Beach Community Foundation; a trustee for the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation; a director for Laguna Greenbelt; and a former planning commissioner, according to a news release.

“Mary prefers to talk about the many people who are still standing shoulder to shoulder to protect Laguna’s natural beauty and promote our sense of community,” Laguna Beach Seniors board president Chris Quilter said in a statement. “But the extent of her activism and vision is exceptional — and she’s done it all with a gentle touch.”

The Legacy Award honors those who have made considerable commitment and contribution to the well-being of Laguna Beach. Previous honorees include former City Manager Ken Frank and Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson.

The award will be given out at the sixth annual Legacy Ball on March 9 at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach.

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HIP shopping made even easier

The HIP District in Laguna Beach has released its new 2012 map and guide.

There have been recent store openings in the district up and down South Coast Highway, including Jack Thomas at Home, Vogue Salon, Twig, Sun Dance and the Ivan Guaderrama Gallery, according to a news release.

The HIP District starts at Thalia Street and South Coast Highway and goes to Bluebird Canyon.

“This year, 47 local businesses are participating in our map and guide program, which provides visitors with helpful information about the HIP District including: parking, shopping, dining, art galleries, public transportation, beaches, and the rich history of the HIP District,” Joe Hanauer, HIP committee member, said in a statement.

One of the main focuses of the guide is parking, and it highlights information about metered and customer parking areas. The guide is free and available at the Visitors Center, the Chamber of Commerce, area hotels and in HIP District stores.

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Committees seek applicants for 2-year terms

The city is now accepting applications for three two-year terms on the Recreation Committee and four two-year terms on the Parking, Traffic & Circulation Committee.

The terms will run through Feb. 28, 2014.

The deadline for applying is 5 p.m. Feb. 21. Interviews will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 by the City Council at its regular meeting.

Applications can be obtained from the city clerk’s office or online at https://www.lagunabeachcity.net.

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Visitors Bureau awarded for best program

The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau received a SASI (Shop America Salutes Innovation) Award for “Best Dining Tourism Program, according to a news release.

The award was given out by the Shop America Alliance, among others, at the 2012 ONE Travel Conference for Shopping, Dining & Cultural Tourism on Jan. 17.

“Research shows that foodies travel and stay in destinations based on the appeal of their restaurants. It’s exciting to have such a vast array of culinary experiences in our small, quaint town,” President and CEO of the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau Judith Bijlani said in a statement.

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‘Dinner’ events will help Friendship Shelter

The Friendship Shelter is seeking hosts for its 17th annual “Dinners Across Laguna” fundraiser.

The private dinner parties will be held from February through April in the homes of shelter supporters, and funds raised will go toward helping the shelter support homeless adults with food and a home base, according to a news release.

The “dinners” can be anything, including Sunday brunch, themed meals, cocktail receptions or a dance party.

“Dinners Across Laguna is much more than a fundraiser,” chairwoman Ilene Glassman said in a statement. “It’s a way to introduce new people to Friendship Shelter and to use the simple act of welcoming people in to one’s home as a tool to build understanding of and support our clients as they work to rebuild their lives.”

For more information or to sign up to host a Dinners Across Laguna event, call (949) 494-6928 or visit https://www.friendshipshelter.org.

—Kelly Parker

Twitter: @KellyParkerTCN