CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Breakfast wraps up summer

The Laguna Beach Exchange Club will sponsor its annual Labor Day Pancake Breakfast Monday from 7 to 10:30 a.m. in Heisler Park at Cliff and Myrtle Streets.

Laguna Beach Firefighters will be flipping pancakes, while Ms. Linda’s Hawaiian Dancers and Puppets perform. Doug Miller will play his violin and Jessica de Stefano will spread fairy magic.

The cost for breakfast is $5, and proceeds go to the Prevention of Child Abuse and Local Youth Groups.

Las Brisas and the White House Restaurant are sponsoring the event. For more information, call Sande St. John at (949) 633-9429.

Olds names to the Humanities Council

Leonard Olds, 64, of Laguna Beach, has been appointed to the California Council for the Humanities by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Olds most recently served as a partner in the venture capitalist firm, Lohr Partnership, from 1995 to 2006. Olds previously served as an educational advisor in the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1991 to 1995 and was a bilingual teacher in various elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1965 to 1991.

A founder of Log Cabin Republicans, a political group focusing on gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues, Olds is chair of the Bipartisan Liberty Education Forum in Washington, D.C., the not-for-profit arm of National Log Cabin Republicans. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary.

“We’re thrilled for Len and applaud the governor for once again demonstrating his commitment to bringing the best and brightest to public service from all segments of the California community,” said James Vaughn, Director of California Log Cabin Republicans.

Log Cabin is focusing its efforts on recruiting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Republicans for appointment to positions of influence and public service at the state and local level. Schwarzenegger has appointed more than 20 such persons to staff, board, commission and other appointees, according to James Vaughn, Log Cabin California and Western Regional Director.

Turnabout Thrift Shop reopens Tuesday

The Laguna Beach Assistance League is busy stocking its shelves with fresh inventory in time for the grand reopening on Sept. 4 of their Turnabout Thrift Shop at 526 Glenneyre Street.

To accommodate shoppers, the opening day will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shop will then continue with regular hours Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Quality donations to the shop are greatly appreciated. For information: (949) 494-5977.

Foundation starts financial series

Laguna Canyon Foundation is offering free financial planning workshops beginning Sept. 6 in Laguna Beach. Thirteen charitable organizations are teaming up to offer the series, titled “It’s Your Money.”

Focusing on a different topic each week, the sessions will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 6 to Oct. 25, at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road (next to the Sawdust Festival).

Peter C. Kote, chair of the Laguna Canyon Foundation’s Estate Planning and Gifts Committee, will moderate. Sponsors include Laguna Canyon Foundation, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Great Park Conservancy, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach Rotary Club Foundation, Laguna Beach Seniors, Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center, Orange County Community Foundation and SchoolPower Endowment Fund.

Topics to be presented by Kote and local financial professionals include fixed-income investments; the difference between annuities, variable annuities and mutual funds; factors to consider with long-term care insurance; the differences between asset managers, financial planners, stockbrokers, bankers and insurance agents.

Workshop participants will not be approached to make charitable contributions or purchase financial products, and their names will be kept confidential. For reservations, call the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club at (949) 494-2525, extension 103.

Coastal Chambers to meet on transport issues

The Coastal Chambers Legislative Coalition will meet Sept. 14 for a program titled, “The Transportation Movement,” featuring a panel of experts discussing transportation issues in Orange County.

The meeting will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Surf & Sand Resort, 1555 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. The cost is $35.

To reserve a ticket, call (949) 494-1018.

‘Clean’ trash trucks now in service

Waste Management has begun adding compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to the fleet servicing Laguna Beach, in an effort to clean the air. The trucks do not burn diesel.

“As part of our recently negotiated contract with Laguna Beach, we included language about environmentally friendly trucks,” said David Ross, senior district manager Srfor Waste Management of Orange County. “We care about the environment and take steps to ensure we’re doing our part. CNG trucks are part of that.”

In addition to the CNG fleet of trucks in Orange County, Waste Management also operates the largest fleet of liquefied natural gas trucks in the state.

Laguna named in ‘top 10’ beach list

Laguna Beach has been selected by MSN.com’s Beachclick as one of the top 10 beaches in America.

The site selected Laguna Beach because it “showcases more than 25 beaches (coves) for a total of seven miles in length, with city’s most famous hot spot Main Beach — also known as Laguna’s ‘Window to the Sea.’” The review also notes the tidepools and the arts community as additional attractions.

Laguna Beach is one of only two California beaches named to the list. Venice Beach is the other.

“We are honored that MSN.com has chosen to include Laguna Beach in its annual survey of top 10 beaches in the United States,” said Judy Bijlani, executive director of the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau.

“This important consumer website recognizes the unique character that makes up our seaside city including artists and galleries, boutique shopping, award winning restaurants and oceanfront accommodations.”

The site includes a live webcam of each of the beaches.

San Clemente official joins hospital board

Lori Donchak, a San Clemente City Councilwoman, has been elected to the South Coast Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Directors, hospital officials announced.

Donchak was elected to the San Clemente council in 2006. She retired from J. Walter Thompson advertising agency as an executive vice president in 1999.

“I’ve known Lori through both Laguna Playhouse activities and city council events,” said Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Schneider. “Her ability to outreach in San Clemente and her experience in marketing and advertising are huge assets for our Foundation.”

Donacheck is co-creator of the AVON 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, which has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer research over the last 15 years.

Currently, she teaches at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano.