Briefly In the News

Weekly update from the city manager

•On Oct. 20, Laguna Beach participated in the Great Shake Out, a simulated earthquake and test of the AlertOC system. During the test, 7,860 Laguna residents were called and more than a million calls went out countywide. Using a computerized emergency management system, city staff worked out three incidents in Laguna that were caused by the simulated earthquake. The exercise was considered a success, according to City Manager John Pietig.

•Interested artists should apply for the 2012 Artist Designed Bench Competition. The installation will be at Heisler Park near Jasmine Street and Cliff Drive. More information and submission requirements are available on the city’s website, https://www.lagunabeachcity.net. The deadline is Jan. 13.

•The 50th edition of the Brooks Street Classic surf competition has officially been pushed back to 2012. Laguna didn’t see the proper surf conditions to hold the event this year.

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Foundation’s Professional Council launches Nov. 10

The Laguna Beach Community Foundation is launching its Professional Council on Nov. 10.

The council, co-chaired by Leslie Daff and Nicole Anderson, is open to all professionals who work in law, accounting, finance, insurance or real estate, according to a news release from the foundation. Members must work or live in Laguna Beach.

“This is an enjoyable way for local professionals to support each other and increase awareness of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation,” Darrcy Loveland, CEO and president of the foundation, said in a statement. “With the assistance of these professionals we will be better able to further our mission of increasing philanthropy in Laguna Beach.”

For more information or an invitation, call the foundation at (949) 715-8223 or visit https://www.lagunabeachcommunityfoundation.org.

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Former UUFLB minister to host workshops

Author and former minister Rev. Chris Schriner will host a two-part workshop about his new book at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach (UUFLB) on Tuesday and Nov. 15.

His book, “Bridging the Great God Gap: Finding Common Ground Among Believers, Atheists and Agnostics,” is aimed at helping friends and family work out their religious differences, according to a news release.

There is a suggested donation of $15 to attend the programs, plus the cost of the book. The workshops will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Schriner recommends reading the first three chapters of the book before the first session. The book is available at Amazon.com or you can email Schriner at [email protected].

To sign up, call the UUFLB office at (949) 497-4568 or email [email protected].

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Workshop helps residents get ‘open for business’

The next Open for Business workshop hosted by the city will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Laguna Beach Community Center, 380 Third St.

The series of workshops is for people interested in opening a business or expanding their current business in Laguna Beach.

Planning Commissioners Robert Zur Schmiede and Linda Dietrich; Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Vice President Michael Kinsman; and Anders Lasater, of Anders Lasater Architects, Inc. will be among the participants, according to a news release from the city.

“We are reaching out to business owners, building owners, commercial Realtors and other professionals to let everyone know that we want to help entrepreneurs realize their vision in Laguna Beach,” Mayor Toni Iseman said in a statement.

More workshops are planned for Feb. 16, April 19 and June 21.

—Kelly Parker