BRIEFLY IN BUSINESS

Pet Parade, Chili Cook-Off planned

The Laguna Board of Realtors 12th Annual Pet Parade and Chili Cook-Off is set for noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Tivoli, Too, 777 Laguna Canyon Road.

The “double” event is open to the public for $5 per person (children younger than 10 admitted free). The goal is to raise money for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter and the Blue Bell Cat Foundation.

Pet owners can enter their pets into five different categories for $10 each. Prizes are awarded for the various categories and at the end everyone participates in the “Pet Parade.” Pet registration will start at 11:30 a.m.

James Levin, a local veterinarian, will again be a pet judge, as he has for the past 12 years. Mayor Jane Egly, Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson, Animal Shelter Director Nancy Goodwin and Pat Kramer will also be judges.

The Chili Cook-Off offers tastes of chili from eight different booths. In the past, white chili, vegetarian chili and chicken chili have been entered. Chili judges include Fire Chief Mike Macey, Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz, Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson, Karen Crosbie from Asset Services Inc. and gourmet chef Yuji Hiraoka.

The family- and pet-friendly event includes face painting and tattooing, and photos with pets. For more information, call (949) 497-2474.

Bank employee helps build Habitat home

Laguna Beach resident and Wells Fargo team member Jenny Zuidema volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity homebuild in Anaheim recently. Four homes are being built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers for underprivileged families. The Wells Fargo Orange Coast Regional Commercial Banking Office said she wanted to give back to the community by participating in this project.

Zuidema, a wholesale banking analyst trainee, was among a team of eight Wells Fargo volunteers who picked up hammers and paint brushes, and began shingling and painting at the all-day event.

“We enjoyed the winning combination of helping others while having fun,” Zuidema said. “It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. It was a great feeling of satisfaction and pride when we were finished.”

Last year nearly 200 Wells Fargo team members reported 6,300 volunteer hours.