Briefly In the News

Prius giveaway at Wyland Galleries

The Wyland Foundation will host a live drawing for a Toyota Prius c Hybrid at noon Saturday at Wyland Galleries, 509 S. Coast Hwy., to celebrate those who participated in last month’s National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, according to a press release.

Mayor Jane Egly, artist Wyland and Michael Rouse, vice president of corporate philanthropy for Toyota are expected to be on hand.

Laguna Beach and Manhattan Beach were both honored as two of 12 national winners in the campaign, which encouraged residents in 50 states to make online pledges promising to conserve water, save energy and reduce pollution over the course of the next year, the release said.

Participating residents from chosen cities are eligible to win more than $50,000 in prizes, including the grand prize of a Toyota Prius c Hybrid (the winner will not necessarily be from Laguna), custom-designed sprinkler systems from Rain Bird, eco-flow showerheads from WaterPik, water-saving toilets from Sterling Plumbing, and 1,000 gift cards for Lowe’s Home Improvement stores.

An additional drawing for a Wyland artwork will be held exclusively for Laguna Beach and Manhattan Beach residents who participated in the challenge.

All individual prize winners, except for the Prius and Wyland artwork, will be notified May 22.

For more information, contact the foundation at (949) 643-7070 ext. 283.

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Laguna GOP’s grand opening of HQ

Laguna Beach Republicans will conduct the grand opening of its Laguna Beach Headquarters Sunday, according to a press release.

Expected to attend are: Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Laguna Beach City Council candidate Steve Dicterow, Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, O.C. GOP Chairman Scott Baugh, and Laguna Beach Republican President Michele Hall.

A 2012 campaign at the new headquarters will kick off with a precinct walk from noon to 3 p.m. Afterward, a no-host cocktail reception will take place on the patio at French 75 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Laguna Beach Republicans headquarters is at 1464 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, or to RSVP, contact [email protected] or call (714) 655-9420.

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Tax and estate planning meeting

Local tax and estate planning attorneys Randy Gardner and Leslie Daff will offer an annual tax and estate planning meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Hotel Laguna, 425 S. Coast Hwy.

Topics covered include how to plan for anticipated gift and estate tax changes, use of revocable and irrevocable trusts in estate plans, unique ways FDIC insurance applies to trust accounts, asset protection techniques, latest insights on safe withdrawal rates during retirement and ways to reduce taxes, according to a press release.

The event is free. Reservations should be emailed to [email protected] or call (949) 497-5056.

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74th Assembly District Candidates Forum

A Candidates Forum for the 74th Assembly District will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. May 25 at City Hall, 515 Forest Ave.

The candidates include Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, R-Costa Mesa, who is a former Costa Mesa mayor and O.C. sheriff’s deputy; Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who is also seeking the Republican nomination in the June primary; and Democrat and Newport Beach resident Bob Rush.

The forum is sponsored by the American Association of University Women, the Orange Coast League of Women Voters and the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach.

Candidates will have the opportunity for opening and closing statements as well as question and answer session.

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Laguna ranked as one of ‘Happiest Seaside Towns’

Coastal Living Magazine has ranked Laguna Beach as No. 6 on its list of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns, according to the magazine’s website.

“This quaint, artistic village anchored by a walkable downtown has always marched to its own drummer,” according to the magazine. “From its founding as an artists’ colony, Laguna Beach embraces the diverse, with funky downtown restaurants, surfing culture and a summer full of art festivals.”

The magazine also mentions Laguna’s open space, sweeping views and public access among the reasons for making the list.

Four other California cities were included on the 15-city list, including Sausalito (No. 3), Tiburon (No. 5), Half Moon Bay (No. 7), and Stinson Beach (No. 12).

Kiawah Island, S.C., was deemed the No. 1 Happiest Seaside Town.

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Pantry in need of canned food

The Laguna Food Pantry is in need of canned food, Andy Siegenfeld, chairman of the Laguna Resource Center, said at the Coordinating Council of Community Services Agencies meeting May 9.

The pantry is seeing more people use its services and the shelves are frequently empty, Siegnefeld said.

Those interested in donating can call (949) 497-7121.

— Compiled by Kelly Parker, Barbara Diamond and Alisha Gomez

Twitter: @CoastlinePilot