Annual Expo lets owners talk shop

Barbara Diamond

Almost 50 businesses and community groups set up booths for the

eighth annual Autumn Affair and Business Expo, presented recently by

the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce at Tivoli Too.

“The atmosphere was great, the weather was perfect, the food was

delicious and the exhibitors are happy,” said Anne Morris, chamber

executive director. “The people at Tivoli are wonderful.”

Exhibitors ranged from the Internal Revenue Service to the Laguna

Beach Queen of Hearts Guild of Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

“Our goal is to let everybody know what’s available right here in

town,” Morris said. “We’ve got it all. If you need a referral, just

call the chamber.”

The chamber also can help you get around town. It’s new city map

was displayed by Directory and Maps USA Inc. at the Expo.

“They have been publishing maps and directories for chambers for

about 20 years,” said Pat Farrell, chamber membership chair. “We have

the maps here at the chamber and we also delivered them to hotels and

businesses in town.”

The economy and its effect on Laguna were among the hot topics at

the event.

Seniors are getting “pummeled” by the economy, said Ron Hyrchuck

of South Coast Medical Center, so the center is organizing the South

Coast Seniors 55+ Benefit Club. Membership is free. Benefits include

a pharmacy prescription discount card, transportation to and from the

hospital for medical benefits and the annual flu clinic.

Chamber 1st Vice President Dennis Junka of Junka Bear, who chaired

the event, said the Sawdust Festival gate was off about 8%.

“We didn’t see anyone from the East Coast,” Junka said. “Usually I

get about 50 percent of my customers from east of Nevada.”

The day began with a joint meeting of the bureau and the chamber,

attended by Mayor Wayne Baglin, Councilwoman Toni Iseman and City

Manager Ken Frank.

“Most of the discussion focused on the free summer trams, which

they liked, parking and parking meters,” Frank said.

All the meters have been changed to the new rates and change

machines have been ordered and will be installed in October.

There has been some confusion over the proposed extension to three

hours in meter times, Frank said. The extension has been discussed by

the City Council but not yet put into a resolution.

The chamber is at 357 Glenneyre St. For more information, call

494-1018, Ext. 1.

* DOING BUSINESS is a periodic feature of the Laguna Beach

Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Mail to Barbara Diamond,

P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; fax to 494-8979; hand-deliver to

384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; or call 494-4321.