Lateral sewer clogs topic of workshop

The Laguna Beach Wastewater Advisory Committee will sponsor a

workshop on problems with privately owned sewer laterals at 10 a.m.

Feb. 8 in the City Council chambers, 505 Forest Ave.

“We have found that tree roots entering city pipes from private

sewer laterals are causing blockages and sewage spills at an

increasing rate,” said John Pietig, assistant city manager. “The

roots either break off or are forced out of private laterals during

maintenance activities.”

Roots in the sewers are the number one cause of spills in Laguna

Beach, Pietig said. Spills can create health hazards and pollute

beaches, waterways and oceans, he said.

Sills also can be costly, not just for cleanups. The city was

fined $60,000 in 2001 for excessive sewage spills.

Laguna Beach, which has programs in place to prevent roots from

infiltrating city pipes through cracks and joints, is required to

develop a plan within the next six to nine months to deal with

problems from tree roots originating in private sewer lines, Pietig

said.

“This [Feb. 8 meeting] is the first step in the policy development

process, said Mayor Toni Iseman, who chairs the advisory committee

with Councilman Wayne Baglin. “We really want to encourage people to

participate and share their ideas.”

Information: 497-0378.

-- Barbara Diamond

Fund-raiser to benefit senior center

Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. will have its first fund-raising dinner

to aid in the completion of a senior center in the city.

The dinner will be Feb. 7 at Villa Romana Trattoria, 303 Broadway,

at the corner of Beach Street. The cost is $20 plus tax and gratuity

per person, and the restaurant will give $10 per person to Seniors

Inc. for the center.

The price covers soup or salad, a choice of four wonderful Italian

entrees and a choice of soft drink, coffee or iced tea.

To purchase tickets, payment should be made to Laguna Beach

Seniors Inc. and mailed, with your address and telephone number, to

P.O. Box 536, Laguna Beach, CA 92652.

Tickets will be sent by return mail.

Reservations for dining times between 4:30 and 9 p.m. may be made

with the restaurant after tickets are purchased. Payment may be made

until Feb. 1, and no tickets will be sold on the day of the dinner.

Information: (949) 497-2441.

Woman’s Club to honor Baglin

The Woman’s Club will honor outgoing Mayor Wayne Baglin at its

Feb. 7 luncheon.

Immediately after lunch, the group will hold its second annual

Dessert Contest. Attendees are invited to bring a homemade dessert to

enter in either the “chocolate” or “all other” categories.

Those planning to submit a dessert entry are asked to call the

clubhouse in advance.

The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunches will cost $10 before

Feb. 3; $13 at the door.

The Woman’s Club Clubhouse is at 286 St. Ann’s Drive. Information:

497-1200.

Water District changes meeting time

The South Coast Water District Board of Directors announced a time

change of its regular monthly meetings.

“As new president of the board, I wanted to make this change to

accommodate those in the community who want to attend our meetings,

but were unable to do so during working hours,” Joel Bishop said.

The meetings will now begin at 6 p.m. in the district offices at

31592 West St.

“The board decided to try the 3 p.m. time last year and monitor

its impact on public attendance. Attendance did not change and

several members of the public requested reinstating evening

meetings,” Bishop said.

The board expects to decide by April 2003 how the district will

play a role in developing the land to maximize long-term financial

benefits to customers and provide an orderly development of the site.

The public is welcome to attend all meetings and provide input to

the discussion. For more information please call (949) 499-4555.

-- Mary A. Castillo

Meetings focus on world affairs

The Laguna Beach chapter of the League of Women Voters and the

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach is sponsoring a

forum on international affairs titled “Great Decisions” to help

people be more informed on world issues.

Timely topics will be discussed on eight successive Monday

afternoons and evenings beginning Feb. 3.

Meetings will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 429 Cypress St. Information:

499-0016 or 499-7358 for the afternoon group or 494-2247 for the

evening group.