CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:City to offer design workshop

The City of Laguna Beach will host an interactive community workshop from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, in the Council chambers regarding neighborhood design issues. The public is invited to attend.

The city has hired Winter & Co. as a consultant for the preparation of the Laguna Beach Design Review Guidelines. The following goals outline the intent of the guidelines:

The workshop will be facilitated by Nore Winter and Carl Leith of Winter & Co. and will involve a project overview, discussions and group exercises to define existing neighborhood character, assets and issues and a review of existing conditions and trends.

The workshop will take place in the Council chambers at Laguna Beach City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. For more information, call Susan Kefer, assistant planner, at (949) 464-6626.

South Coast contracts with PacifiCare

After a successful lobbying campaign, South Coast Medical Center has reached an agreement with insurance provider United HealthCare/PacifiCare for reimbursements for policyholders for services provided by the hospital, Bruce Christian, hospital president and CEO announced.

“We couldn’t be more pleased,” Christian said. “But it should be emphasized that we couldn’t have done it without the intense lobbying efforts of the city and residents of Laguna Beach; members of the Chamber of Commerce, State Sen. Tom Harman and Assemblyman Chuck Devore. We are extremely grateful for their support.”

Contract negotiations with the insurance provider had been extended several times, with the current extension planned to expire May 28.

United HealthCare/PacifiCare had sent letters to commercial policyholders informing them of the termination date of the contract with South Coast Medical Center and other Adventist hospitals. This caused many policyholders to begin considering services at other hospitals.

Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman, a hospital advocate, sent out a mass e-mail to residents with a plea for all recipients to contact United HealthCare/PacifiCare.

“We need to keep the hospital in South County and one of the keys to South Coast Medical Center’s ability to do that is to have reasonable, negotiated contracts that at least cover the costs of the services,” Kinsman said. “The new reimbursement rates with this insurance carrier allows this to happen.”

For more information about the hospital, go to www.southcoastmedcenter.com.

Top of the World to hold ‘Meet the Mayor’ event

The Top of the World Neighborhood Assn. will hold its annual “Meet the Mayor” reception from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The event, where neighbors will be able to meet and provide input to Mayor Toni Iseman, will be held at the home of Chris and Dinah Brazelton, 2891 Chateau Way, Laguna Beach.

Top of the World neighbors may attend at no charge.

For the last few years, a major focus of the association board has been to preserve public views at the north end of Alta Laguna Blvd.

“We are delighted about the good news that the pending lawsuit was settled by the city and the property owner at 3355 Alta Laguna Blvd.,” said Piero Wemyss, association president. “The settlement protects unblocked, panoramic views from the cul de sac leading to the Alta Laguna Park.”

The group is now concerned about construction occurring behind 3325 Alta Laguna Blvd.

Club names activist Raun Woman of the Year

The Laguna Beach Woman’s Club has named longtime resident and community activist Jean Raun as its Woman of the Year for 2007.

Raun will be honored at the club’s 13th annual Woman of the Year luncheon on June 1. Reservations are now being accepted for the event.

“Jean lives by the courage of her convictions, working tirelessly to demonstrate the power of good government and to better the lives of the less fortunate,” said club President Peggy Ford of the selection.

The selection committee noted the depth and range of Raun’s community volunteerism, spanning a period of more than four decades, with contributions to the League of Women Voters, the Relief and Resource Center, the Laguna Beach Interfaith Council, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Great Decisions, the Crosscultural Council, Vision Laguna 2030 and the Laguna Beach Community Services Council as well as the Woman’s Club.

“It was a challenge to pick from a field of deserving nominations,” said committee chair Lee Winocur Field. “Given Jean’s extensive accomplishments, the committee was unanimous in its decision to honor her.”

Nominees for the award must be women whose activities support the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club values of assisting all women in seeking empowerment, education and access to community resources.

The public is invited to attend the luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Clubhouse. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance.

Checks should be mailed to the Woman’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Reservations cannot be guaranteed unless payment is received at least one week prior to the event.

For more information, call (949) 497-1200.

‘White Oleander’ selected for reading program

The second book in the Laguna on the Same Page community-wide reading series, sponsored by Latitude 33 Bookshop, is “White Oleander,” by Janet Fitch.

The book was chosen for its writing, its Southern California setting, subject matter, and its author, who will be appearing in Laguna Beach in October.

Kathryn Rooklidge, assistant manager at Latitude 33, came up with the program after noting the success of similar programs in Chicago, Seattle, and other communities.

The inaugural community-wide read was “Tortilla Curtain,” by T.C. Boyle. The author event drew more than 300 attendees and the story’s subject matter generated discussion on the issue of illegal immigrants.

Latitude 33 Bookshop hopes to continue the series with a new book every six months. Each book must meet the requirements of being a good read, having broad appeal, able to entertain, enlighten, or engage in some way, and be a vehicle for a community-wide event.

Everyone is encouraged to read and discuss the book in their reading groups and social circles, then come together to hear the author’s input.

Latitude 33 Bookshop will offer a 20% discount on all purchases of “White Oleander” until Fitch’s appearance in October.

For more information, call (949) 494-5403.