El Morro residents await ruling

In another chapter of the continuing struggle between El Morro

tenants and the state, a federal judge gave a tentative ruling Monday

in favor of the state parks department.

Both sides are awaiting a final ruling on the lawsuit that El

Morro residents filed against the state parks department, alleging

that plans to transform El Morro Village to public use land will

result in environmental complications.

El Morro tenants have argued that removal of the mobile homes will

disturb animals and birds in the area that are on the list of

endangered or threatened species, therefore violating the Endangered

Species Act, said Deputy Atty. Gen. Gary Tavetian. The creatures at

the center of the debate are the bell’s vireo, snowy plover and

gnatcatcher, all species of birds and the pocket mouse, Tavetian

said.

According to Ken Kramer, superintendent of Crystal Cove State

Park, after the judge gave the tentative ruling, there were two or

three hours of “very passionate, articulate, emotional” arguments

from both sides.

Kramer said he believes most residents are waiting for the judge’s

final ruling to determine their next course of action.

On Dec. 16 an Orange County Superior Court Judge gave a final

ruling that determined that the state can allow the leases of El

Morro tenants to expire. The state has extended an offer to residents

that would allow them to remain on the property until March 31, if

they sign up by Jan. 14. For those residents who do not sign the

extension, the state will begin the eviction process on Jan. 17.

According to Kramer, about 10% of the residents have signed the

agreement to stay until March 31 and Kramer anticipates the majority

of the residents will sign up after they hear the final ruling.

“We knew that this federal hearing was the last real hope the

tenants were holding out on,” Kramer said.

Presbyterian church offers lecture on art

A three-part lecture series, “Material Witness: Expressions of the

Sacred in Art,” will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the parlor at

Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave.

The lectures will be led by Wayne Roosa, an art historian and

chairman of the art department at Bethel College in Minneapolis. The

series will explore how the sacred has been expressed through

architecture, sculpture and painting.

The community is invited to attend this free event. The series

will continue with lectures from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday

night.

City accepting grant applications

The city will be accepting applications for the Community

Assistance Grant Program for the 2005-06 fiscal year until 5 p.m.

Feb. 20.

The program is designed to assist local nonprofit or public

organizations in funding new projects or expanding services within

the community. In the past, grant recipients have included social

service, arts, sports, senior and youth organizations.

Those organizations interested in applying for the grant funds can

pick up an application between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through

Friday at the city’s Community Services Department, 515 Forest Ave.

Club offers forum on feminist concerns

The Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach will sponsor “A Woman’s Spiritual

Journey,” a forum on feminist concerns, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the

Clubhouse, 286 St. Ann’s Drive.

The Rev. Karen Polek, club member Joan Trivett, school board

member K Turner and the Rev. Ginny Wheeler will be on the panel. A

question and answer period and audience discussion will follow.

“We think the topic is appropriate for the New Year when many of

us take time to reflect on our personal growth,” club President Peggy

Ford said.

The forum is free and open to the public. Information: (949)

497-1200.