Thanks for lifetime of chamber service

OUR LAGUNA

Harry Lawrence is not known for his silence, but all he could

manage was a simple “thank you” when he was presented with the

Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lawrence’s contributions to the city are so numerous that

Supervisor Tom Wilson didn’t read the whole proclamation he presented

to “Mr. Laguna.”

“We tried to chronicle all he achieved, so the print is rather

small,” Wilson said.

Mayor Toni Iseman also paid tribute to Lawrence.

“Laguna Beach is an accumulation of all the things that Harry has

done to make it a special place,” Iseman said.

The presentation was made at the annual Board Installation Dinner,

held Jan. 17 at Tivoli Too.

“For once, he is speechless,” Barbara Painter said.

Painter, a longtime Laguna Beach resident with her own cache of

awards, is an employee at Warren Imports, which Lawrence bought with

his wife, Maxine, in 1946 and built into a multi-million dollar

business.

Throughout his years in Laguna Beach, Lawrence has been active in

civic and cultural affairs. He was a founder of Lyric Opera, which

became Opera Pacific, and twice vice president of the Laguna Art

Museum board. He has also served on the Festival of Arts board.

He was a founder of the Civic League, which helped create Laguna’s

Window to the Sea, as Lawrence is wont to call Main Beach Park; a

past president of the Laguna chapter of Rotary International; finance

director of South Coast Medical Center fund-raising drives; a member

of the 1980 committee that worked on the city’s general plan; and

twice president of the chamber.

One of his proudest achievements was the formation of the

chamber’s Beautification Council. Council members turned out in force

at the installation dinner.

“We are here to honor Harry,” said Joy Dickerson, who was seated

with Gigi and Ben Blount and “Dutch” Vanderhoof. All but Gigi are

past presidents of the council. Council member Bob Borthwick also

attended.

Lawrence was not the only person honored at the dinner.

“We will miss you,” incoming chamber President Ken Delino said of

outgoing President Len Weinstein, owner of Ropage Beauty Supply.

Serving on the board with Delino: 1st Vice President Dennis Junka,

2nd Vice President Ron Hyrchuk, Secretary Veronica Nice, Treasurer

Kathy Conway and directors Gary Alstot, Bill Atkins, Donna

Berthiaume, Bob Dietrich, Tim Flanagan, Gerry Foster, Chris Lange,

Steve Nelson, Shaun Tabor and Weinstein.

Many of them came in for a ribbing from stand-up comedian Lynn

(“the second n is silent”) Epstein, an attractive, petite 10-year

resident of Laguna Beach whose sexy voice was not best served by the

sound equipment at the dinner.

Epstein clearly had done her homework.

“Don’t bring your work home with you,” she advised Waste

Management’s Flanagan.

Chiropractor Nice doesn’t crack under pressure, Epstein said, and

Bonnie MacMillan helped found the chamber’s popular Hometown Barbecue

solely to get out of cooking before attending the Pageant of the

Masters.

“Steven Nelson of Edison didn’t show tonight,” she said. “Didn’t

he have enough energy? But Tom Ahern is here, writing a letter to the

editor. Shouldn’t he have his own column, ‘View from My Latitude?’”

Ahern, owner of Latitude 31 bookstore, retired this year from the

board, which has term limits.

Epstein got some of her best laughs from the business-oriented

audience with shots at the city.

“The chamber is an interesting organization that outsiders might

consider a religion.” Epstein said. “It meets, makes donations and

prays -- for business and that the City Council won’t interfere.

[seven-degrees] was named Business of the Year. The Leadership

Circle was applauded.

But the announcement of the lifetime achievement award brought the

entire audience, including Lawrence’s daughter, Susan, to its feet.

Lawrence’s award included the dedication of a torrey pine, his

favorite tree, at Moulton Meadows, announced by chamber Treasurer

Conway.

The dinner was organized by chamber Executive Director Anne

Morris, assisted by Suzanne Lilly, administrative manager, Patrick

Farrell, membership director and chamber volunteers, including Anne

Wood.

LUCKY 13

Thirteen is a lucky number for the homeless for whom Friendship

Shelter provides a roof, meals and counseling.

That’s how many homes will be hosting the 11th annual Dinners

Across Laguna on Saturday. More than $350,000 has been raised by the

dinners in the past 10 years, at $100 per person until this year,

when rising costs dictated an increase to $125, said Jill Edwards,

event chair.

The dinners raise funds for the shelter’s programs to assist

down-but-not-quite-out adults get back on track.

More than 3,000 homeless people have been provided with food and

lodging, as well as an address and telephone number, which is

essential for job hunting. Shelter residents also receive training in

job preparation, financial management and self-esteem.

A high percentage of residents leave with money saved, a job, some

practical life skills and a sense of personal worth, shelter

officials claim.

Twelve of the dinners this year will be held in town, one in

Laguna Niguel. Hosts invite the guests and provide the entrees. Hors

d’oeuvres, breads, soup, salad, desserts and wine are donated. Donors

this year include Sundried Tomato, Cafe Zinc, Neff Neff Caterers,

French 75, Cedar Creek Inn, Trader Joe’s, Farantelli’s, 230 Forest

Avenue, Five Feet and Gelson’s.

For more information, call 494-6631.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call 494-4321 or fax 494-8979.