Sea mammal shelter renamed

For more than 32 years, longtime Laguna Beach marine mammal

rehabilitation has gone by the name of Friends of the Sea Lion. Now,

though their mission remains the same, the new name, Pacific Marine

Mammal Center, better reflects what they do.

Those involved feel it’s more reflective of their work with all

marine mammals, their expansion of responsibilities to include

cetacean rehabilitation and the ever-growing realm of environmental

education programs they offer.

Since opening its doors in 1971, the center has been saving the

lives of marine mammal friends. The facility has the distinction of

being the first marine mammal rehabilitation center in the state.

The nonprofit organization’s mission is to rescue, medically treat

and rehabilitate pinnipeds and cetaceans that get stranded along the

Orange County Coastline because of illness or injury, and to release

the healthy mammals back to their natural habitats. Increasing public

awareness of the marine environment through education and research is

also part of their mission.

Each year, the center treats an average of 150 marine mammals,

with the last couple years hitting considerably more than the 200

mark. Even with increases in patients, the facility boasts a success

rate of around 80%.

Donations are integral to helping save their marine mammal

patients. One can visit at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road from 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. daily. For more information about making a donation, getting

memberships or volunteering, call Michele Hunter or Emily Wing at

(949) 494-3030. Call the same phone number for education programs,

but ask for Beate Litz. To visit online, go to

https://www.pacificmmc.org.

City manager to talk

at LANO meeting

City Manager Ken Frank will be the guest speaker at the Laguna

North Neighborhood Assn. general membership meeting at 7 p.m.

Thursday at Wells Fargo Bank.

Frank has been asked to talk about utility undergrounding in North

Laguna, noisy low-flying commercial airliners, the proposed

property-owner maintenance of private sewer laterals, fire abatement

plans for 2004 and sidewalks along North Coast Highway.

A question and answer period will follow Frank’s talk.

Association members are urged to bring potential members. Free

parking will be available in the bank parking lot.

-- Barbara Diamond

Garden sale to hit Farmers Market

The Hortense Miller Garden is now 45 years old, and its garden

structures are in need of renewal.

The Friends of the Garden will be at the Laguna Beach Farmers

Market from 9 a.m. to noon March 20 to sell plants in bloom, pots and

other garden enhancements.

The garden, a natural treasure on 2.5 acres in North Laguna,

relies on donations from the public and from tour guests.

Those with items to donate for the sale may call Marsha Bode at

(949) 499-5518 to arrange for pick-up. Tours are free. Call the City

of Laguna Beach Recreation Department at (949) 497-0716 for a

reservation.

Church to honor

the late Fritz Toohey

St. Catherine of Siena Church will honor the late Fritz Toohey at

the St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 19.

Toohey, the 1990 Patriots Day Parade Citizen of the Year, is being

honored by the church for his many humanitarian efforts, which

included founding the St. Catherine’s Society of St. Vincent DePaul

to feed and assist the poor in Laguna. He took pride in being the

only male member of the St. Catherines’ Women’s Council.

Toohey first came to Laguna in 1963 with his wife, Frances and

their four children. They spent weekends and summers at their house

near Victoria Beach. When his wife died in 1986, Toohey moved into

the beach house year round.

He often hosted games of bridge or poker at the “Fritz”-Carlton.

Toohey was active in the Laguna Beach Garden Club and with the

Youth Shelter. He enjoyed golf and bridge and built birdhouses as a

hobby.

The public is invited to the party, which will begin at 6:30 p.m.,

in St. Catherine’s School Hall. Donations may be made for the party’s

silent auction by calling (949) 499 9429.

Call (949) 494-9897 to buy tickets. No tickets will be sold at the

door.

-- Barbara Diamond

Regency hosting two lauded films this month

Regency Theatres will show the critically acclaimed film by

Bernardo Bertolucci, “The Dreamers,” on Saturday and Sunday, and the

Golden Globe- and Academy Award-nominated film “In America” on March

20 and 21.

“The Dreamers” stars Michael Pitt, recently seen in the

award-winning “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Eva Green in her feature

film debut, and Louis Garrel, who previously appeared in Yolande

Zauberman’s “La Guerre a Paris.” The film is rated NC-17.

“In America,” directed by Jim Sheridan, is a coming-of-age story

about an Irish couple trying to find its way in a new country.

Complimentary gourmet Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf drinks will be served

at each 11 a.m. screening. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5.50 for

seniors older than 60 and children younger than 12, and $7 for

students with valid I.D. The Regency Laguna South Coast Cinemas are

at 162 S. Coast Highway. For more information, call (949) 497-1220.