Update

Follow-up on the news

LAGUNA BEACH

Painting Taken From

Exhibit Still Missing

Issue: Piece stolen from Festival of Arts

Background: In July, a 3-by-4-foot painting of the Madonna and Child mysteriously disappeared overnight from the open air art exhibit. It was the first time such a large piece had vanished from the grounds. Artist Paige Oden said the uninsured painting, priced at $1,600, had sentimental value because it was part of a body of work created in response to the death of her father last year.

Development: Oden has received many calls of sympathy from those familiar with her work but still has no clue as to what happened to her painting. But she remains hopeful. “Never any word or anything,” she said. “So I just keep thinking someday I’ll just walk by it somewhere. And the police told me I have the right to lift it right off the wall and take it home.” Oden said she has since purchased art insurance.

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IRVINE

Low-Mounted Lights at Park Approved

Issue: Development of Northwood Village park

Background: After 10 years of discussion and debate, the City Council last month reviewed plans to create a park on a 1 1/2-mile-long strip of land. Called “the narrows,” the land is a former railroad right of way donated to the city by the Irvine Co. after the railroad stopped using the route. Cost estimates for construction ranged from $2.2 million to $2.8 million, depending on the kind of lighting used. Nearby residents wanted low-mounted lighting to keep park lights out of their homes, but city officials said the lower lights would increase the cost.

Development: The City Council approved the park plan with lights that will be about three feet high instead of the 12- to 14-foot-tall lights recommended by city staff. The lower lights will cost an estimated $30,000 more than the taller lights. The council has not voted on funding for the park.

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SEAL BEACH

Later Deadline for Solicitors OKd

Issue: Ordinance to extend hours of residential solicitation to 10 p.m.

Background: Council members were asked by City Manager Jerry L. Bankston to approve an ordinance that would extend the hours permitted for residential solicitation to 10 p.m. from the city’s original 8 p.m. cutoff. Bankston said a private organization hired to solicit funds for the Sierra Club had complained about the 8 p.m. deadline, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling establishing 10 p.m. as a “reasonable” deadline.

Development: The City Council on Sept. 12 reluctantly approved a second reading of the ordinance after City Atty. Quinn Barrow warned that the city could be sued by groups objecting to the earlier deadline. City officials said residents who post “no solicitors” signs are protected by law from solicitations.

COMPILED BY RUSS LOAR AND LESLIE EARNEST