AROUND TOWN - July 11, 2008

City Council accepts donation from pet shelter

A gift from the Pet Responsibility Committee Inc. will keep the lights on and the water flowing at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter.

The City Council on Tuesday accepted the donation of a Honda Industrial Generator and the installation of electrical components, totaling $5,277, by the committee to be used in the event of a power failure.

Last year, electricity service was interrupted for two days when an oak tree fell. During the interruption, the shelter could not run water because the sewer pump was inoperable without electricity. The pump tank overflowed into the shelter parking lot. The freezer also failed.

The committee’s donation will ensure that essential systems will continue to function in future outages.

Second Sunset Serenade approved for Heisler Park

The City Council approved at the June 1 meeting a second Sunset Serenade series in September at Heisler Park.

Concerts are scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m., beginning Sept. 5 and concluding Sept. 26, near the entrance to Picnic Beach at Myrtle Street and Cliff Drive. Performances will include musical styles ranging from classical to jazz. Amplification will be limited.

The series was recommended by the Arts Commission, which sponsored a successful similar series in May.

Funding for the program will be allocated from savings in the special programs budget of the Business Improvement District allocation to the commission.

The cost is estimated at $4,000.

Wood elected as new vice-chair of commission

C. William Wood of Laguna Beach has been elected vice chairman of the Orange County Human Relations Commission. Wood has served on the Commission since 1993 as an appointee of the League of Cities nominated by the Laguna Beach City Council.

Wood retired this year as vice president of PacifiCare Health Systems, and president of the PacifiCare Foundation.

“There are many organizations where I volunteer my time because they touch my heart. I serve on the Commission because it touches my soul,” he said.

Give blood to Red Cross, enter raffle for gas card

The Red Cross is seeking donors and a blood drive scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the Parlor of Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave.

Donors must be in good health and not have given blood since mid-May. All donors will receive a coupon for a free meal at Wahoo Fish Tacos, and will be entered in a drawing for a $500 gas card.

For more information, or to sign up, call the church office at (949) 494-7555 or visit www.givelife.org

Rep. Sanchez to speak at local home for benefit

Rep. Loretta Sanchez of the 47th Congressional District will speak at a party to benefit the South County Cross-Cultural Council on July 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Mary and Herb Rabe in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 497-3936.