Making Laguna landslide-safe

Hannes Richter, a geotechnical engineer with Geofirm who has worked as a consultant for the City of Laguna Beach for more than 10 years, will present strategies to protect homes and other structures from landslides at a special Village Laguna meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at City Council chambers, City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

Richter will provide details about ongoing repairs to the Bluebird Canyon landslide, how prior Laguna Beach landslides were fixed and ways to protect against future landslides. The city has experienced three major landslides in the last fifteen years.

Village Laguna welcomes members and nonmembers alike. Information: Doug Reilly (949) 494-4137.

Pearson-Schneider launches campaign

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider has decided to seek another term on the City Council. The election will take place in November 2006.

“The City Council experience has been very rewarding for me, and there are many projects I want to see to their conclusion,” Pearson-Schneider said.

Among those plans: the building of the Village Entrance project; the new Community and Senior Center; rebuilding Bluebird Canyon; an expanded and improved Civic Arts District; retention of a hospital in Laguna Beach; and refinements to the design review process.

“I want to ensure that we retain the village charm and atmosphere of our town, and make it easier for home buyers and home renovators to understand our policies and processes,” she said.

Talk on religious humanitarians

Cecelia Lynch, associate professor of political science and international studies and director of the Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies at UC Irvine, will be the guest speaker Sunday at the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church.

The Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies is a multidisciplinary program dedicated to promoting scholarly, student and public understanding of international peace and conflict. Lynch will discuss the role of religious humanitarians in the world today and will offer some insights on such issues as: Does it matter whether religious groups proselytize? Does it matter whether conditions are attached to humanitarian and other assistance? What are the tensions between the more “fundamentalist” evangelical Christians and “progressive” Christian aid groups?

Services begin at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The church is located at 21632 Wesley Drive.

Hortense Miller plant sale at Farmers Market

This Saturday, the Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden will be at the Laguna Beach Farmers Market to sell bulbs and plants to benefit the garden. Large flowering amaryllis bulbs will be offered, as well as paperwhite narcissus for indoor blooming during the holidays. There will also be plants for sale from the garden.

The garden is maintained solely by donations from the community and offers free docent-led tours Tuesday through Saturday. Tours may be arranged by calling the City of Laguna Beach Recreation Department at (949) 497-0716.

Jewish Center to open Chanukah gift shop

Chabad Jewish Center will be opening its Chanukah gift shop on Monday, Nov. 28, with hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The shop features a selection of Menorahs, candles, ceramic giftware, crafts, plush toys for kids, dreidels, gelt, wrapping paper and more.

The shop is located at 30804 S. Coast Highway. Information: (949) 499-0770

Tarnished Treasures sale and holiday lunch

The Woman’s Club of Laguna’s Tarnished Treasures Holiday Luncheon and sale is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2. Treasures at bargain prices will fill the clubhouse, and there will be plenty of silent auction and raffle items.

Donations collected so far include artwork, gift certificates to restaurants, tickets to the Pageant of the Masters and gift baskets. The sale will start at 11 a.m., with lunch served at noon, and the silent auction to be conducted until 1:30 p.m.

A lunch of chicken Florentine will be served by Classic Catering. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. To reserve a seat, send a check before Nov. 28 to the Woman’s Club of Laguna, 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

The Woman’s Club is a nonprofit organization, and proceeds from this event benefit local low-income families, the Woman’s Resource Center and for much-needed clubhouse refurbishing. Information: (949) 464-3040.