AROUND TOWN - Oct. 31, 2008

South Coast Medical Center to hold flu clinics

Flu season is coming, and South Coast Medical Center will hold two flu vaccine clinics for South Orange County residents. The shots are free of charge.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is recommended that the following persons receive the flu shot: children 6 months to 18 years old; adults 50 and older; persons with chronic medical conditions; healthcare workers; women who are pregnant; and persons who live with those at high risk for influenza. The CDC also recommends that persons who are severely ill or those with severe egg allergies or have Guillain-Barré Syndrome not get the flu shot.

The flu shot clinics are from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at South Coast Medical Center’s community room, off the lobby entrance, 31872 Coast Hwy., and 9:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Laguna Beach Senior Center, 384 Legion St.

For more information, call (949) 499-7202 or (949) 499-7549.

FEMA landslide funding for Bluebird approved

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State Office of Emergency Services have approved the final cost figures for the remediation of the June 2005 Bluebird Canyon landslide, City Manager Ken Frank announced Oct. 24 in his Friday update to city staff.

“While there are a couple of minor administrative issues still to be resolved, and some final costs to be determined, the Measure A Task Force met this week to start formulating its recommendations to the City Council,” Frank wrote. “At this point, it appears fairly certain that the city’s direct financial contribution to the landslide recovery will be slightly less than $2 million.”

The Task Force has targeted Dec. 9 for its report to the council.

Credit card parking meters installed on four streets

More than 200 credit card parking meters have been installed, about a month after they were intended to be in place on Cliff Drive, Jasmine Street and Myrtle Street on the ocean side of North Coast Highway, Frank reported. Material shortages delayed the manufacture of the meters. The 209 meters were delivered and installed the week of Oct. 24, and the new parking meter rate of $2 per hour went into effect as the meters were installed.

Friendship Shelter to host Thanksgiving in the park

Friendship Shelter will take over Thanksgiving in Bluebird Park, the annual community potluck on Thanksgiving Day.

The gathering has been going on since 1987, when a small group of citizens formed the Friendship Shelter and also launched the community Thanksgiving, inviting homeless and needy people to join.

“It was a small event for the first five years or so, but then, in 1993, some of the victims of the fire came to dine with us, and there was a lot of media attention,” organizer David Peck said. “Since then, it’s been a true community gathering, with families of all types, older singles and transitional residents or people without families nearby.”

Given the economic climate, a large crowd is anticipated this year. About 600 to 700 meals are served buffet style at noon Thanksgiving Day, with food and supplies provided by individuals, churches and community groups. The city supplies trash facilities and ensures park cleanup.

Peck, who is chairman of the Cross Cultural Council, enlists the help of day laborers to set up, and makes sure that fliers are distributed throughout town to service organizations.

Peck will collaborate with Friendship Shelter Executive Director Dawn Price to provide direction during this transition year, and in the future, Friendship Shelter staff and residents will host the event.

Thanksgiving at Bluebird Park begins at noon Nov. 27, with setup at 11 a.m. For volunteer information, call Peck at (949) 497-3936.