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.
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