Briefly In the News

Building official resigns city post

Carl Hefner, building official for the city since Jan. 10, 2011, resigned April 5.

The city could not comment on his resignation.

Hefner was chosen last year after a recruitment process with 65 applicants, according to a city memo. He is a certified building official and has more than 25 years experience in the industry.

He was formerly the deputy building official for the city of Sacramento, the memo said. He has also worked in the cites of Davis and San Jose.

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Precinct walk with GOP presidential candidate

Fred Karger, the Laguna Beach resident and Republican candidate on California’s June 5 presidential primary ballot, is hosting a Laguna Beach Precinct Walk and Frisbee Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Interested participants can meet between 10:30 and 11 a.m. at Steve Dailey’s, 255 Cypress Drive, No. 8.

There will be free “Fred Who?” T-shirts, music and a hosted Cinco de Mayo lunch after the walk, according to a release.

For more information, contact Shane Miller at (310) 849-3434 or email [email protected].

* Boutique Benefit on Saturday

The Boutique Benefit will once again take place Saturday, selling donated clothing that is new and gently used and giving the proceeds to the Laguna Resource Center, Women for Women International and Friendship Shelter.

The event is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. Admission is $2 per person.

Most clothing items will sell for $4 to $16 apiece. There also will be accessories for sale.

Evonne Kane founded the event in 2007. It has raised more than $70,000 for people in need locally and worldwide, according to a news release.

Last-minute donations are being accepted. Contact Kane to arrange a drop-off: (949) 468-6831 or [email protected]. All donations are tax-deductible.

* Don’t Worry Be Happy Foundation to open shop

The Don’t Worry Be Happy Foundation is hosting a grand opening from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday for its first retail outlet at 1042 N. Coast Hwy.

Proceeds from the sales of the foundation’s T-shirts benefit families dealing with cancer bills and help ease financial burdens so they can focus on healing, according to a news release.

In addition to the tees, the store will carry its mind focus pendant — a message to help cancer patients eliminate worry and focus on the present — and will eventually have an interactive kids corner. It also will offer nutritional products and information about alternative cancer treatments, massage and reiki therapy, the release said.

For more information, call (949) 715-6789 or visit https://www.dwbhshirts.com.

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Annual lunch, book event

Friends of the Laguna Beach Library will host its annual “Ladies Who Lunch...And Read” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Three Seventy Common, 370 Glenneyre St.

Guests should put on their prettiest hats — hats are set to be judged again. Attendees also can bring a book to share. The cost is $55 per person. Reservations should be made by May 1.

Visit https://www.friendsofthelagunabeachlibrary.org for more details and to buy tickets.

Checks can be mailed to: Friends of the Laguna Beach Library, 1310 Moorea Way, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For more information, call (949) 376-5135.

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New grief and loss support group

The Susi Q Laguna Beach Seniors will start a new grief and loss support group from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays starting May 16.

The support meetings will be led by Anne Schroeder, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Participants will be able to share their personal challenges and learn coping strategies. It’s the latest program at the Senior Center that focuses on mental health and well-being.

Others include “Coffee Talk and Boomers: A Circle of Wisdom” group sessions, and “Feeling the Blues,” one-on-one counseling with licensed therapists.

“There are no other mental health programs like these at Orange County senior centers,” Nadia Babayi, Laguna Beach Seniors executive director, said in a statement.

For more information, go to https://www.thesusiq.org or call (949) 497-2441.

—Alisha Gomez and Joanna Clay