Friends unite for Laguna Canyon Creek

Local conservationists are forming a new civic group dedicated to

restoring Laguna Canyon Creek and keeping a closer eye on its

watershed.

The new organization, dubbed Friends of Laguna Canyon Creek, is

still in the process of being shaped. The group is one of six being

created by the South Orange County Watershed Conservancy to monitor

the region’s watersheds.

Separate “Friends of” groups are being formed for Aliso Creek,

Salt Creek, San Mateo Creek, San Juan Creek and Poche Beach.

Creek-related projects would be designed to enhance flood control

and water quality.

Organizers hope Friends of Laguna Canyon Creek will function as an

umbrella group that can coordinate environmental organizations and

local government.

Councilman Wayne Baglin, who is also a director on the Watershed

Conservancy’s board, said he hopes the group will be able to forge “a

partnership between nonprofits and the city.”

Though still in its infancy -- the Friends of Laguna Canyon Creek

has not set a date for its first meeting -- the organization already

has a task on its hands. The city is looking for funds to pay for a

restoration of the creek between El Toro Road and the Bark Park, and

Roger von Butow, chairman of the Watershed Conservancy, plans to use

the nonprofit group’s grant writers to assist that effort.

Though the city has its eyes on a partial stretch of the creek,

von Butow said the new group will watch the entire watershed, which

runs from the beach to its headwaters in lakes around the upper

reaches of Laguna Canyon and the bases of Laguna Woods and Aliso

Viejo.

Organizers of Friends of Laguna Canyon Creek are hoping

conservation groups concerned with Laguna Canyon and the beaches will

also participate.

“[The] primary interest that Roger and I have is water quality

improvement,” said Rick Wilson, chair of the Laguna Beach chapter of

the Surfrider Foundation.

Stressing the group’s desire to foster cooperation on

creek-related matters, both von Butow and Baglin said Friends of

Laguna Canyon Creek would not seek to be “adversarial.”

“I feel very confident that there will be a synergy,” Baglin said.

-- Andrew Edwards

Participants sought for citizen academy

Today is the deadline to sign up for the Laguna Beach Police

Department Citizen’s Academy.

Laguna residents and those who work in the city are eligible for

the academy, a 12-week course designed to provide community members

with a better understanding of the police department.

Classes will be from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Academy members

will be given the chance to shoot at the police firing range and

participate in mock scenarios.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have no felony

convictions, pending civil or criminal cases with the city or its

employees or outstanding warrants for arrest.

Information: (949) 497-0701 or contact Sgt. Darin Lenyi at (949)

497-0750 ext. 230.

Laguna Beach Garden Club to meet

Laguna Beach Garden Club will have a speaker discussing fruit and

ornamental trees on Jan. 9.

“All You Need to Know about Fruit and Ornamental Trees,” will be

presented by Larry Baumgartner, president of the California Assn. of

Nursery and Garden Centers and manager of Home Depot Garden Center.

The garden club meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Neighborhood

Congregational Church at 340 St. Ann’s Drive. Visitors are welcome.

Call (949) 497-9051 for more information.

Recycle Christmas trees for free

Officials from Orange County’s integrated waste management

department said all county cities will offer curbside pick-up of your

Christmas tree for two weeks after Christmas at no charge.

Make sure there are no lights or ornaments attached. Trees taller

than six feet should be cut in half for easier handling. All trees

will be recycled with the exception of flocked trees, which can’t be

recycled.

For answers about recycling, go to https://www.oclandfills.com or

for the name and telephone number of Laguna’s recycling coordinator,

go to https://www.1800cleanup.org for national and local recycling.

Committee looks to make trail connection

The Laguna Beach Open Space Committee will hold a public meeting

at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at South Coast Medical Center to consider

and listen to public comments regarding a proposed trail connection

at 31401 Mar Vista Ave.

The open space committee will provide a photographic presentation.

The committee has been asked by the City Council to make a

recommendation regarding the proposed trail. For information, call

Scott Drapkin at (949) 497-0362.

Rocket Ship Fund still seeking money

City Treasurer Laura Parisi reports that more than 60 parties have

contributed to the Rocket Ship Fund with the total climbing past

$5,495, which is $4,365 more than was in the fund at the beginning of

Village Laguna’s fundraising campaign. The total includes Village

Laguna’s $500 donation.

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman and two other donors contributed a total of

$1,130. And more donations are needed.

Village Laguna’s campaign included ads in local papers, requests

to members and letters to local organizations suggesting that they

join in the Rocket Ship fundraising project. Thasa Zuziak, PTA

president, said that the PTA has voted to endorse the project.

Village Laguna supplied 1,900 fliers, which were distributed at

Laguna Beach schools.

To make a contribution, send checks made payable to the city of

Laguna Beach (include the Bluebird Park Rocket Ship Fund on the memo

line) and mail to city of Laguna Beach, Bluebird Park Rocket Ship

Fund, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.